Kathy L McFarland

Nomads

Thousands of years ago, there were tribes of people who moved around and didn’t settle in one place. These wandering people were called Nomads.

The nomads moved constantly through the lands in search of food. The women and children would gather the food by digging in the ground for roots, searching for nuts and berries from the bushes and trees, finding eggs in birds’ nests and reaching into beehives for the sweet-tasting honey.

The nomadic men provided the food by hunting. They would use spears or bows and arrows to hunt bison, deer, elk, wild horses, fish, lizards and snakes. Sometimes they would capture the animal by digging a hole in the ground and making a trap, where it could fall in and make an easy target for their arrows.

The nomads used animal hides over wooden poles for their shelters. Those in the colder rocky places used caves for their homes. Eventually, the food would run out at their location, and they would have to pick up and move on again. They were accustomed to moving often in search of areas with plentiful food.

On one of their journeys in search of food, the Nomads came to a place called the “Fertile Crescent”. The land is called the Fertile Crescent because of the rich soil and the plentiful water from the rivers that run through the area. Today, the Fertile Crescent, is between Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley. It is known as part of the lands including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and lower Egypt.

Unlike the desert areas they were accustomed to, the Nomads found that plants, trees, thick grass, wild barley and wild wheat grew abundantly in the fertile land. Roots, nuts, and berries, as well as herds of wild horses and small deer were everywhere.

The most exciting discovery were the huge rivers flowing through the land. The nomads were used to small pools of water, or tiny streams trickling through the rocks. Water was so scarce to them in the desert, that it was rationed for drinking. When they came to the Fertile Crescent, they were able to bathe for the first time in their lives.

As they explored the land, they met other tribes who had also discovered the rich land. Soon, they learned to put seeds into the ground, and grow their own crops, which allowed them to finally stay in one area and be able to provide and survive for themselves, their families and their tribes.

Some of the first nomads settled right in the middle of the Fertile Crescent in the land of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia means “the land between two rivers.” It got its name because it was located right in the middle of two great rivers…the Tigris and the Euphrates.

The settled nomads learned that they needed to tend to their planted crops, and keep them watered to ensure their growth. That meant the farmers had to tend to their crops for months at a time, requiring a change in their nomadic lifestyle. They began to build houses that would stay in one place, with materials they could find in the area, like reeds near the river, or hardened mud bricks from the soil.

Soon they discovered that it was helpful to build their houses closer together, so they could help each other. That is how the first villages began. When the farmers learned that they could tame sheep and goats, they would put a central pen or field right in the middle of their villages. Eventually, the villages became successful raising sheep and goats, growing grain, making breads and pottery.

They began building boats so they could sail along the rivers and visit other villages. Soon the villages began to trade with each other the items plentiful within their own villages, like sheep’s wool, animal skins, metals, pottery and wood. When the villages began to grow rich, the inhabitants became fearful that they would be attacked and robbed by bandits. They built big stone walls around their villages, and became the first cities ever built.

One of the earliest cities was Jericho. Jericho had one of the strongest, thickest walls in the ancient world, which stood 13 feet tall and 10 feet thick, with a circular tower on one side so lookouts could see their enemies approaching.

Egyptians

The people who settled in the Nile River Valley experienced life differently than those who settled along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Nile River was different, because it was often low, with very little water in it, and then other times it was so full that it flooded over all the farmland.

The Nile River flows north from African Deserts to Egypt. The ground is dry and sandy. Ancient Egyptians built their houses next to the Nile because it was the only water they could find, and that water had to be drawn and scooped with buckets every day.

During the summer, the water from the Nile River was plentiful, but as summer turned to fall and winter, the water level would get lower and lower. By the middle of winter, there would be just a low, muddy stream running down the center of the river. The sun would dry the river more, and the ground would become dry and cracked. In the spring, it would start to rain in the distant mountains, far away from the Ancient Egypt, where rain seldom falls. But hundreds of miles away, rain would began pouring down, running down the mountains and straight into the Nile River. Soon, a huge flood of rushing water scooped up mud and rich soil from the bottom of the muddy Nile River Valley and tumbled it down the valley, straight to the Egyptian lands, which filled up the river and overflowed the banks on both sides.

Every spring that the Nile River flooded, made the Egyptians very happy. The water soaked into the dry ground, and prepared it for crops, as it left behind the rich soil from the bottom of the river. They found the flood placed silt grew excellent crops!

The Nile River Valley is also part of the Fertile Crescent, but it needed something besides sunlight and water. It depended on the flooding of the Nile. The Nile Delta, where the river splits into many different little rivers and runs into the Mediterranean Sea, was exceedingly fertile in the spring floods. to bring life to the land.

False gods of the Egyptians

The Ancient Egyptians did not understand that the floods were caused by rain in the faraway mountains. They attributed the blessings of the flood to false gods and goddesses, as they made stories up to explain the strange things that happened around
them that had no apparent explanation.

They thought that a whole family of gods ruled the world, and that some were good and some were wicked. Because the false gods were so unpredictable, the Egyptians spent a great deal of time praying to them. They also believed that these false gods would bring their Pharaohs to an afterlife. The Pharaohs were thought to be gods themselves, who would rise up and join the other gods after death. That is why they built the pyramids, pointed upward to the sky, and filled with all the treasures needed for the afterlife. The pyramids became monuments to honor their gods, and to announce to the world that their gods were stronger than all others.

False gods of Mesopotamia

The Mesopotamians also believed in false gods who lived in the sky. The ancient people worshipped the sky and the sun because they thought that the false gods controlled the weather. They built great temples that pointed to the sun.

These temples were called Ziggurats, and were made out of mud mixed with chopped-up hay, and then the bricks were baked in ovens. Unlike the Egyptian pyramids which had smooth sides, the ziggurats had steps on the sides so the priests could climb up and be closer to the sky false gods.

The Ziggurats were used to make offerings to the gods. The priests would offer loaves of bread, dates, sheep, lambs and cows to the sky false gods every day. Most of the large villages in Mesopotamia had their own ziggurats for the worship of their individual false gods.

A United Egypt

Ancient Egypt used to be divided into two parts, the Upper Egypt and the Lower Egypt. The two parts fought often with each other, until King Narmer conquered Lower Egypt and made Egypt into one country.

When Narmer became King of a united Egypt, he wore two crown of red and white to represent both the Upper and Lower Egypt combined. Soon, Egypt became rich and strong and focus was placed on farming and building instead of fighting wars.

Mesopotamia united by Sargon

The same division was happening in Mesopotamia between the Sumerians of the southern part of Mesopotamia. The villages of farmers became cities with walls and towers around them. Each city had its own king and its own army, and the city-states fought amongst themselves constantly. All of their energy was put into protecting themselves from their neighbors.

A man named Sargon wanted to be King of more than one city; he wanted to be king of the whole land of Mesopotamia. He ordered his army to attack the cities around them, and after 50 wars, conquered all of Sumer, the southern part of Mesopotamia.

Just as King Narmer had united Egypt into one country, Sargon made Mesopotamia joined into one country under his rule. The cities that he had conquered were not happy about following his laws and rules, and he used his army to force them to comply with wishes. Soldiers were sent to live in each conquered city, and if the people disobeyed their laws, they were punished in the military dictatorship.

Abraham and Judaism

In ancient Mesopotamia, there was a town called Ur. In Ur, there was a Ziggurat built by the ancient Mesopotamians to honor their false gods. And that’s where we come to the place that is so important to all faithful Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Our history begins with a man named Abraham and his wife Sarah, when the One True GOD, the LORD GOD JEHOVAH, spoke to him and told Abraham to leave Ur and go to the land of Canaan (now known as the Promised Land Israel). From that moment on, those chosen to know the LORD God were given the things that He Willed in His Way and His Time so His Works could be established as the history of the man of nature and the history of the Man of God unfolded!

Genesis 11:27-12:5

“Now these [are] the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah. But Sarai was barren; she [had] no child. And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.”

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

“So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.” (Genesis 11:27-12:5 av)

According to social norm and practice, as well as political common sense and the art of war, this post that I write today might suggest to some that I am vulnerable to criticism. That opinion would be very wrong; however, concern for that opinion forming almost caused me not to write about a topic that I have considered. Because I am very confident that the LORD God has caused me to consider these things, and moved me to share them with my Christian brothers and sisters, then my fear of misjudgment by man is unimportant.

Every post and every opinion I share with others on the Internet is signed by me. I don’t hide behind the name “anonymous”, and I don’t waffle back and forth between popular ideas and the Word of God. Every study that Becker Bible Studies teachers and authors have ever written is supported by Bible verse for each point. Writings by me may well expose a candor, urgency, timeliness,
pithiness, controversy, but it is my thoughts shared as truthfully as I can with as much explanation as can be offered.

One thing is certain in the world of social blogging and in the practice of religion; some will be offended. The sharing of belief often challenges others to defend their own. Sometimes this challenge is too difficult to undertake. Those who have difficulty in rationally thinking about their stand, those who base their spiritual beliefs on social and popular worldly opinion, those who hide behind the signature of “Anonymous”, those who strive to force all people to believe and practice their religion as “one world”, those are the people who are going to be in conflict with both me and the Word of God.

Every spiritually Faithful Christian is as different from every worldly Religious Person, as the Word of God is as different to a “Movie of the Week”. One is real, and one is pretend.

The spiritually Faithful strive daily to get it right to walk the walk with Jesus Christ, according to the Word of God. To form opinion and ideas based on that Word. To boldly declare the Word of God as He moves them to share. To support their opinions with His Word, and maintain a public and open accountability for all to see.

The worldly Religious strive to conform daily to worldly ways…to walk the walk of the carnal, and project an openness and acceptance with all popular ideas and mediums. To form opinion on things they have been told by others. To viciously attack those who do not conform to their ways. To support their opinions through practiced speech with their worldly peers, and to maintain an “Anonymous” presence, so they can attack again and again without accountability for their own actions.

How easy it must be to be a worldly Christian in secret! How uncomplicated it would be for all believers to believe the same things! Where accountability was never needed, where thoughts and ideas were formed by some religious leadership, and dictated through popular beliefs of the time!

A worldly Religious Anonymous wrote me a letter. The writer had been offended by one of my posts, and proceeded to viciously attack my ministry, my spirit and my beliefs. As all who write things on the Internet every day know, the attack was not a big deal. It was just a product of the outspoken worldly, who want their beliefs to take precedence over all others, who want their actions to control those who dare to stand above them.

But this writer did something that I had never seen done before. “Anonymous” attacked every work that I had done for the LORD God, judged me guilty of heresy, and promised to pray for us that night; and that gets me to the point of this whole discourse.

I strive daily to do the Works the LORD God would have me to do. Every spiritually Faithful Christian does the same thing as we do and tries to accomplish those things that He Wills. Our focus is always on His Way, and we try to produce great works that will survive the test of fire, and in the end, glorify Him.

What happens when a worldly religious person prays against a spiritually faithful person?

Certainly, the LORD God is not going to punish the Faithful who are doing His Works according to His Will, for angering the worldly religious. I am also certain that he is not going to change the Faithful’s beliefs to match that of the worldly Religious.

Would my Father get angry at the presumption of the prayers of condemnation by the Religious? Would my Father punish them for their attacks against His Works? Would my Father even hear their feeble prayers?

I don’t know.

But this I know for certain: When we pray to the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Holy and Powerful LORD God, it is probably wise of each of us to make sure we know what we are praying for and focused on His Will and Ways. I have a feeling deep inside my soul, that to attack the good Things that He has established with the venom filled outrage of a worldly religious, Christian pretender, will not bode well.

So, to display the love that Christ demands from me, I am not going to publish the foolish and ugly Anonymous letter. I am hoping that the writer was merely using practiced speech in an attempt to gain control, and was not seriously contemplating attacking the works of my ministry to the LORD God

I don’t know exactly how my Father would respond; however, I am confident of this:

He is very proud of me and every spiritually Faithful Christian who walks the walk of Jesus Christ every day in full view of the world. If I were advising Anonymous, I’d tell him to sit back down and quickly hide.

The Word of God clearly speaks the LORD God’s Commandments concerning the worship of false gods…

Exodus 20:1-6

“And God spake all these words, saying, I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Ex 20:1-6 AV)

In spite and utter disregard for the LORD God’s commandments, the people of the world continue to serve the lesser gods created by them. Today, many ignorant do so unaware of their gods name or character, as they dance and bow and walk steadily on the doctrines of wickedness.

Since ignorance hides the devil, and light reveals the truth, it seems profitable to speak frankly about the current practices of worship of strange and false gods:

Ba’al (A Phoenician deity) – He was and is worshipped by dreamers (those who indulge in aspirations, wants and goals without labor) and those who thought the world owed them (those to whom it is due: the freeloaders and the moochers and the people who expect something from nothing). He was also the god of those furious with life (thinking life owed them more pleasures or possessions than they had earned), and those that babbled foolishly (making conversation without knowledge or understanding).

Ba’al of Beriyth – He was and is a special deity who selected his followers, by destroying and removing them from the spiritual life. He then fed them with what he wanted them to believe, and made a covenant with them. Those who worship him are easily removed from the spiritual life, and focus exclusively on the natural life and all the rewards that can come from that.

Ba’al Gad (The god of fortune )- He was and is worshipped by those wanting the good luck and fortune. It is the obtaining of anything that is not gotten by effort, growth and the grace of our LORD God. (Lotto, gambling, stock market, rubbing the rabbit’s foot, etc.)

Baal of Peor (A Moabitish deity) – The Canaanite fertility god whose worship consistently caused problems in Israel. By participating in this cult, the Israelites flagrantly repudiated the essential heart of the covenant of total and exclusive allegiance to the LORD God. He was and is worshipped by those who are opened wide to commit evil and do works of wickedness.

Ashima – A deity that takes worship from those who have a weak foundation in our LORD God. He confuses and takes God’s word out of context, and manipulates those who are young in Christ.

Asherah (or Astarte) -A Phoenician goddess. She is a goddess of those who want to be happy and joyous and have fun all the time.

Dagon (A Philistine deity) – Was and is worshipped by the masses of people today. He probably is the generic god, who is created by the world. The god who “loves everybody” and “lets everybody go to heaven as long as their good” and “no need to worship and study God’s Word as long as I am a good person.”

Chadrak (A Syrian deity) – He is worshipped by those who need freshness and newness in their spiritual life. They follow New Age, Fantasy and Occult schools of thought, and gather peace and happiness exploring new horizons of spiritual awareness. They change the Word of God in their minds to fit their need for more than they think can be provided by our LORD God.

Kemosh (The god of the Moabites) – Worshipped by those who want power and control in their life. They do not live by faith or the will of our LORD God.

Ashtoreth (The Phoenician goddess of love and increase) – Worshipped by those desiring increases in sex and possessions. They are those which obsessively and ardently strive for pleasures to please themselves.

Anammelek (An Assirian deity) – Worshipped by those who practice magic, sorcery, soothsaying, occult predictions, and enchantments.

Nergal (A Cuthite deity) – Worshipped by those who seek the life symbolized by the bright lights and glistening world that we see so often on TV today.

Molek (The chief deity of the Ammonites) – He is the god of counsel, who’s followers make him the ruler in their lives. He appears to have all the right answers on the proper conduct of one’s life, and sets all standards of behavior and belief. One of his counsels of confusion might have been “its okay for abortion, because it’s the right of the woman to control what happens to her body.” Look to the self help books for a peek into his realm.

Nebo (A Babylonian deity) – The god of false prophesy and predictions. This god moves men to create false panics and scary scenarios for the gain of specific men. You see many pretend preachers, orators and politicians walking in his realm on TV today as they make false predictions of future things.

And so now you know!

To know something makes you accountable!

It is time for those who desire to love the LORD God to reject the hidden false gods of the worldly life that have ensnared them, and begin walking toward the true and bright light of Jesus Christ. Only through the Lord Jesus Christ can Believers approach the True, All Powerful LORD GOD and serve only Him.

When we teach young Christians who are beginning their faith walk with Christ, we talk most often about our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. After all, it is His blood that brings salvation to all of us and is the most important doctrine that becomes a part of all the other doctrines that help contribute to us becoming righteous.

But, as we mature, we must understand deeper, the things of God through His Word. The Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood for the remission of sin in those that follow Him. Jesus Christ was given the power by the LORD God to forgive sins on this earth. The Lord Jesus Christ is our teacher, our mentor, our Lord, and our King. He is the risen Lord from His crucifixion, and that contributes to our hope of one day following Him in Resurrection into Eternal Life. His teachings and examples contributed to us becoming righteous, a condition necessary for us to serve our LORD God.

Though the Lord Jesus Christ is part of the Triune Godhead, but He is NOT the LORD God. He is separate. He has His purposes, goals, and ways that enforce the things of the LORD God and contribute to God’s program.

The Trinity members (the LORD God, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit) are equal in nature, distinct in Person, and submissive in duties. They are ONE GOD with THREE PERSONS.

That distinct “in Person” is the knowledge that mature Christians must understand before they can achieve full enlightenment of the Word of God. So let me make it a bit easier.

Check out some of the promises made by the LORD God that come to Him through Christ:

The Promises of the LORD God

Acts 2:38–40 (KJV 1900)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

The LORD God promises:

1. If you are called by God, you can repent of your sins
2. If you are called by God, you can be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (Please note: Remission means you are released from the power of sin through your baptismal grave)
3. If you are called by God, you can receive the Holy Ghost
4. If you are called by God, you can save yourselves from the immoral, corrupt, crooked, worldly generation (Separate your presence from them).

Hebrews 6:9–12 (KJV 1900)
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The LORD God promises through salvation:

5. To NOT forget your works and labors of love that you did in His name
6. To righteously keep His promises for those with faith and patience, full assurance, and diligence to the end

2 Corinthians 6:16–7:1 (KJV 1900)

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.7 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.

The LORD God promises:

7. You will be the temple of the living LORD God
8. The LORD God will dwell in you (through the Holy Spirit)
9. The LORD God will walk with you (through the Holy Spirit)
10. The LORD God will be your God
11. You shall be part of the LORD God’s people
12. The LORD God will receive you if you separate yourself from the unclean things of the world
13. The LORD God will be a Father to you
14. You will be a part of the LORD God’s sons and daughters

Luke 5:22–24 (KJV 1900)
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

1 John 1:7–10 (KJV 1900)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The LORD God promises:

15. To give the Lord Jesus Christ power to forgive sins on earth
16. To allow the blood of Jesus Christ to forgive and cleanse all those that walk in the light with his Son and have fellowship with other Christians
17. To allow Christ to cleanse His Followers from all unrighteousness.

If we believe those promises, if we have hope of those promises then that is called faith. When we have faith, we are saying that we believe all the promises that the LORD God has made to us in the Word of God.

The forgiveness of sin on this earth by the Lord Jesus Christ has happened to us as Christians. And the going to our Baptismal grave and resurrection in eternal life has been promised when our physical bodies die. We have faith that it all works because the LORD God promised it. He promised that His only begotten Son would lead us to Him. So, though faith as a young Christian is expressed in the surety of forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ, as mature Christians, we must understand it more deeply. When we say we have faith, we are saying that we believe without doubt that the LORD God will keep His promises. Then as mature Christians, we start exploring the Word of God, to sort out exactly what those promises are, and what they mean to us as we seek after righteousness.

Diaries of Mother Teresa have been revealed to contain darkened spirit and lingering faith. Oh how the carnal world is rejoicing that even the saintly Teresa, caregiver to the poorest of poor can be slandered by her own words, and brought low to be trampled upon by pathetic men.

Mother Teresa showed the greatest of faith in doing the Works of the Lord. How easy is it to do His Things when one feels his power and strength surging through their bones? How much greater of faith when that power is unfelt, and the tiny and stooped body of one woman contains the will to accomplish the spreading the true love of Jesus Christ without benefit of assurance!

It is a fact for all mature Christians: the stronger, the more responsible, the more authority a Christian is given by God in the carrying out of His works on this earth, the less God Himself, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is felt. It is not because God is mad and removing Himself from a Christian. Quite the contrary! When a Christian is strong enough and faithful enough to move at His Will without the need of constant lesson and guidance, then the Christian is given reign and freedom. Just as parents are constantly in a child’s life from the beginning, and always present for the crisis of youth, at some point, we want our children to leave our presence, and prove to us that they have embraced our teachings, and gone on to make us proud and accomplished things as a result of our touch.

Our LORD God is no different a parent. The most used people in His Kingdom, are those who struggle to feel His presence in the quiet times. Ah, in the beginning, His Presence fills us continually, and moves us almost magically, as we began learning His Things. But when we become mature, meat-eating Christians, our full awareness of His Presence diminishes accordingly, to allow us to take those steps of faith without the feelings of protection we had when first we walked.

Don’t doubt ever, that our Father is not standing right there next to each of His loved Ones, and preventing them from coming to harm as they accomplish His Will. And don’t doubt the awesome works of charity that a simple woman of great faith did in accordance with His Will and His Way to the poorest of poor. This revelation that Mother Teresa was removed from the feelings of confident faith, uplifts her spirit of service even higher, as we realize she loved the Lord so much, that she gave all without regard of feeling the peace given by faith!

James 2:14-26

“What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:14-26 av)

Christians do not need to understand pagans, and I could care less whether pagans understand me. Apparently, there was a blogging event that brought the two interested groups together and made a buzz among the serious bloggers. As the two groups met to defend their beliefs, the rules were changed. Each group was instructed to attack their beliefs rather than the other groups. To be critical and harsh on the things about their beliefs that they feel is wrong. To the amazement of all of the readers, each group and their audience came away with a better understanding of the issues, themselves and their beliefs, and for the first time, Christians and pagans were able to talk openly together in a new joining of their “one world” connected mentality.

BIG PROBLEM…The Word of God has told Christians repeatedly to avoid the abominations and idolatrous believers:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 AV)

The Word of God has told us repeatedly to avoid “pretend Christians” who are followers of false doctrine:

Titus 3:9-11

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” (Titus 3:9-11 AV)

To avoid the company of fornicators, covetous, extortioners, idolaters in the world, and in the midst of gathered Christians:

1 Corinthians 5:9-1

“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13 AV)

It doesn’t get much plainer than that! The Commission of Jesus Christ that tasks us to spread His Gospel throughout the world, does not mean to go to the wicked and evil worshippers of false gods and attack your faith in their presence! Is there not a sane Christian left in this world? Does anyone out there understand what type of position this places Christian faith in? Does anyone know how this practice attacks our Lord Jesus Christ and his followers?

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I should not have to remind any of you to avoid the wicked of the world. That avoidance should be your natural desire as a result of your new birth into Jesus Christ. At this point in our times, it is critical that we are extra observant among our own gatherings, in our own fellowships, in our own congregations, that the wicked people of the world do not destroy us.

IT IS CRUCIAL that Christians avoid fellowship and friendship with the idolatrous people of the world. IT IS CRITICAL that Christians separate themselves from known wickedness, and gather together in the congregation of fellow Christians to uphold each other in these terrible days. And for God’s sake: STOP ATTACKING MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, his faithful followers, and their beliefs in the midst of the wicked worldly!

I could care less whether a pagan understands me or my faith! They are not a part of my Kingdom, and I will never be a part of theirs!

Luke 6:22-23

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23 AV)

Last year I took a chance and reached out to an American estranged daughter of a mother struggling mightily with health issues and possible homelessness. Anyway, this angry daughter came back at me that I was trying to take her “money” and the prospects of her helping would not be forthcoming.

As most of you know by this time, I do not have a money-making ministry, and I am very poor by the world’s standards; yet, I am magnificently rich with the blessings of God as He teaches me and others through me the mysteries and meanings of fullness in His Word. So the worlds of the rich, American, angry daughter, and our poor ministry collided briefly. It was so uneventful, so nothing, that it barely sent a tiny ripple through the fabric of human existence. However, her wrong focus with her accusations of taking her money, rather than discussing solutions for her mother’s well-being, illuminated the “wealth” of the world that is worshipped without righteousness.

My ministry on Facebook began a couple years ago. I made all the mistakes most Western Christians make when they get on Facebook. I was exposed to so many impoverished, orphans, widows, oppressed, persecuted, and hungry, that I began contributing the little money I had to help others. You know what happened, right? The minute I started sharing my money, the floodgates opened, and demands came pouring into my messenger, my emails, and my phone.

One of my African friends explained to me that businesses in Africa are made off the finances provided by the rich Americans. That choice goods sent to Africa for the orphans, for instance, were culled for the best being resold or kept by the business owner, and just the remnants shared with the kids. That the money sent in donations often went directly into the pockets of the requesters without aid being shared. That children’s pictures were sometimes shared by different people to publish the harsh living conditions in poverty to receive donations.

When my Bank noticed that I was sending money to these different places to help the impoverished, they asked me to come in for a meeting. They were deeply concerned that I had fallen victim to the money scams and questioned me on the recipients of my generosity. Eventually, I came to the truth, and recognized that I was being used.

I stopped giving money. I offered teachings of the Word of God FREE to all. I enrolled hundreds of eager students into our Academy without charge to train Christians with the Bible and prepare them to carry on a ministry based upon God’s Truth. Immediately, thousands of requests came to me for the purchase of laptops, help with the Internet, printers, and money for incidentals. (I even got a request to help purchase goats, wedding attire and handkerchiefs for an upcoming wedding; when I declined, the request changed from goats to chickens). Students, though initially excited to attend classes, found that they had to actually study and do work without any new shiny computers coming their way. Quickly, enrollment decreased dramatically, and instead of hundreds of students we had just a few. The Word of God was not as valuable to them as the hope of receiving gifts and rewards from the rich Americans.

African and American lovers of money are EXACTLY ALIKE. Those who do not walk the path of Christ, those who reject righteousness in favor of worldly excesses and riches will do ANYTHING to get and keep wealth and fame. They will be at the top of the pyramid, making schemes to bring in that money at the expense of dignity, truth, holiness, family, and help. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! They climb over the orphaned, young, elderly, poor, mentally ill, oppressed, naked, sick, disabled, to reach the top pinnacles of glory in this world.

MONEY is the false god of the greedy. It is time for Christians to proceed with caution for all requests for money and recognize that it is NOT a righteous act to give attention to the unrighteous efforts and evasions of the seekers of riches.

Believers who choose and profess to be followers of Jesus Christ have always been baptized. However, in the Early Church, there were some requirements by individual churches before baptism took place. In most churches, before baptism occurred, the believer would first be instructed in the beliefs and practices of Christianity. These students were called “catechumens,” which is a Greek word meaning “oral handing down.”

Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165) wrote this about the procedure of becoming a Christian:

“As many are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. They they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the in same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the
washing with water.”

People didn’t just raise their hands quietly in a pew, with everyone’s head bowed, nor did they dramatically go to the altar with popular music stirring their souls. How did they become a Christian?

THEY PRAYED AND THEY FASTED!

They prayed and they fasted, because it was a serious and life-changing step that they were committing to, and the decision was not taken lightly.

As the years of Christianity expanded, the catechisms of the early churches increased. About AD 215, a Roman writer named Hippolytus wrote about an elaborate process required by an early church to become a Christian. The Christian was first examined for suitability in a detailed process that looked at their background. If they were a slave, their Masters were interviewed. The jobs they held were examined, and many had to give up their jobs or take vows specifically designed to prevent their work from touching their Christianity. For instance, a soldier would have to take an oath that he would not execute anyone, or a sculptor or painter would have to vow never to make a false image.

After the lifestyle was thoroughly investigated, they would spend three years being taught the the things of Jesus Christ. Some churches had formal classes, others informal, but most all of them required study of the Word of God before acceptance into the faith. After deep study of the Word of God, and thoroughly learned their religion, they would receive baptism and full membership in the Christian Community.

Normally, Baptisms would be saved up and done twice a year, on Pentecost or Easter. Baptisms were often delayed or denied. It was a serious business, and early church leaders did not take baptism lightly. They held a very dim view of those who sinned after baptism, and were allowed sometimes only one major lapse, before they were removed from the congregation.

Because of the seriousness of Baptism, many withheld going to the waters, and chose instead to keep sinning until it was all out of them. It was not unusual to wait until just before death before taking baptism.

IT SURE IS DIFFERENT TODAY!

Sadly, I have seen so many lightly enter into baptism and beginning the walk with Jesus Christ, then giving it up for worldly affairs. It seems like baptism and salvation and redemption are just little activities that are necessary to belong to the newest fads, and once the newness wears off, it matters no more.

No one should become a Christian, if the Word of God is not known! No one should become a Christian lightly! No one should become a Christian if rejection of sin and the ways of the world is not upon their lips! No one should become a Christian for any reason other than they choose to follow their Lord Jesus Christ!

Christian leaders have a responsibility to teach the Word of God to those who seek to know Him, and to restrict baptism to those who truly seek Him. How can Christian leaders know for sure of the truth behind the request of a seeking person? We can’t! But what we can do is establish a program that requires learning the Word of God, that requires walking the ways of Christ, that takes the time to explain what being a Christian is all about. Then, if the person rejects the things of Christ after receiving them, it is completely their fault, and the leader is blameless!

2 Peter 2:21-22

“21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:21-22 KJV)

Citation: Hill, Jonathan. “Handbook to the History of Christianity.” Zondervan. Oxford 2006.

The most terrible, embarrassing, and humbling mistakes I have ever made in my ministry occurred in the instances that I failed to hold my tongue. I’m not talking about profanity, nor am I talking about the loose talk of the world. I’m speaking of sincere spiritual witness about my Lord Jesus Christ, and the requirements a believer must take to be born again, and received into the Kingdom of God.

When I was a young Christian, I just couldn’t shut up. When someone showed even the tiniest interest into the things of God, I was there with a highlighted Bible, some well practiced phrases, an exuberance to reflect the Holy Spirit that is always inside me, and a concrete goal that the person will confess, repent, and accept in that very day. How many people did I discourage, how many people did I turn away, because I failed to stop talking long enough to address the issues and concerns that brought them to me? Oh, dear God, what trouble did I bring to those who came to me with hunger for milk, and I fed them meat they could not chew?

It’s a matter of timing, an issue that seems to be focused on a lot by me these days. The big timings of God, and the smallest timings of God are all the same. Either you allow the LORD God to control things in His Time and in His Way, or you take control, plow forward with a loose tongue, and lose any hope of completing the Will of God.

Profitable witness to the Word of God and His saving Grace, requires mastery of flowing with the timing of God. It is vital that you speak the things He wants you to speak, then shut up, especially:

1. After you ask a question. Let the perspective converts think about what you have asked, and then answer it from their perspective. Don’t prompt them for the correct responses, because there aren’t any. The LORD God brings every type of person, with different beginning beliefs, experiences, outlooks, and emotions. If you don’t shut up and listen to their concerns, you risk alienating and confusing them in their most vulnerable moments.

2. Anytime you ask for their commitment to Christ. Our Kingdom does not have a “complete knowledge and understanding” requirement for entrance, and the new converts are not going to know the deep things of God immediately. They are going to have misperceptions, mistaken beliefs, and worldly thoughts. If they are not able to address these things, in their own ways, then their path toward Jesus Christ is made rocky and curved as they try to balance the things of God with the things in their own minds. The important and critical things of salvation to the person must be presented accurately and completely. But the deeper things of faith can wait; have confidence that the LORD God will present it all to them, in His Time, and avoid overloading the young Christian with things that are unimportant to him at his new birth.

3. When you are not sure what to say next. Either you are speaking for the LORD God, at the movement of the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of the Word of God in the name of Jesus Christ, or you are not. If you are at a loss for words, then that means that you are not being given words to speak. Do not try to break the silence with your own words. Have confidence that when the words need to be spoken, they will be given to you. Embrace the silence for what it is, and Praise God that He has control of even the silent times, as he moves the people to the places they need to go, deep inside themselves, where no one else can know or go.

4. When people express disappointment. It is in our nature to explain why something went wrong or to offer a quick solution to problems that we have overcome already. However, if you allow people the opportunity to vent, you gain both an understanding of the problem, and a foundation where the Word of God can be laid through His Moving. It is these times when the person becomes primed for seeking and hearing the Word of God. We must restrain ourselves from offering quick solutions, and remain quiet enough in ourselves to speak His Words as He gives them to us. The best witnesses of Jesus Christ are the quietest. They are able to actually hear what the interested people are saying, and what is most confusing to them. Most importantly, good and quiet witnesses are able to allow the foundation of Jesus Christ to be laid, as they serve the milk of God’s Word to the new babes in Christ in His Time and in His Way.

Hebrews 5:12-14

“12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb 5:12-14 AV)

One of the coolest things for a Christian to witness is when the forces and agents against the LORD God are moved by Him in preparation for His Works to be completed. The righteous people of the LORD God carry out the works that the LORD God Wills; but often, those works cannot be accomplished until the conditions and times are just right.

The knowledge of the timing of the works of the LORD God is essential for Christians. It is this timing that allows for the preparation of all of the players and actions to come together to ensure the success of the Works for Him.

This preparation is exemplified in the story of Esther. She was advised by her father that the Jews were being persecuted and threatened with death by the wicked Haman, and she was in a perfect position to stop it. Esther was married to King Ahasuerus, and he loved her above all others, and had made her Queen. Still, there was protocol to follow, and just to enter into his presence without being summoned risked a death sentence to her. Esther had to make her husband aware of the wicked acts of his chief Prince Haman, and his threats against the LORD God’s people, but to blurt it out in the wrong time would result in her own death, and the empowerment of the Prince. So Esther began the process of doing a great work for the LORD God and saving His People, by letting Him know of her efforts, and her relinquishment of control to God’s timing.

1. She asked the Jews to fast and pray. Her father, Mordecai, led the Jews to accomplish the fast and bring God’s attention to the movement to protect both himself from the gallows, and the destruction of God’s People.

2. She went to her husband and arranged a great feast for the next two days, to be attended by only her, King Ahasuerus and the wicked prince Haman.

Then the timing of God and his preparation of the players begin…

1. Ahasuerus was prepared by God to receive the distressing information and understand the deep implications by causing his sleep to be disrupted. Because he was unable to sleep, he commanded the book of records to be brought before him to read. Within those records, was the report of Mordecai’s loyalty and great actions to honor and protect the King. Ahasuerus’s heart was moved to reward Mordecai’s service.

2. The wicked prince Haman was prepared by God to pronounce the reward to be given to Mordecai by allowing Haman to think that that the King was preparing to reward him instead. Haman mistakenly assumed that the King was asking what reward should be given him, when in fact Ahasuerus was preparing to reward Mordecai. Haman recommended that the man in the King’s favor be given glory and authority, and he excitedly prepared to receive those honors.

3. The faithful servant of God, Mordecai, was prepared by Him to receive the promotion to prince, and to lead and protect His people, when the timing of God caused the works of Him to be completed at the hands of Esther.

All the while, Esther waited, until the LORD GOD had made the preparations for His Works to be carried out in His time. She prepared the banquet, the King prepared to sleep, Haman prepared to be honored, and Mordecai prepared his people. In God’s time, Mordecai was made prince, and Haman was hung in the gallows that he had ordered to be prepared for Mordecai.

Today, I wait in anticipation of a great work of the LORD God’s to be completed, and the restoration of the integrity and honor of one of His people. I have witnessed His preparing many people, some righteous and some wicked, to bring His Work together in a platform that will eventually lead to one of His Works being done. And when I grow impatient for this holy and just act to be completed, I remind myself of the story of Esther, and how critical it is that we allow the timing of the LORD God to move at His Will. It’s a matter of time, His time, that is going to make the difference, and bring the most glory to His Ways.