True Humility

One of my Facebook friends recently posted a meme with this prayer: “Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled of You.” Technically, this is impossible. We are all unique individuals with talents, hopes, and dreams. God didn’t create us to be robots. A Christian can pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and then obey His promptings instead of fulfilling selfish desires. 

A personal example that comes to my mind happened over twenty years ago. While walking around my neighborhood, I saw five boys playing football in a church parking lot. A thought crossed my mind that when their football landed by me, that would be a sign to witness to them. Seconds later, the football bounced my way when one of the boys made a bad punt. However, I wanted to be by myself and went straight home. God kept telling me to go back. So I put my shoes on and hurried to the parking lot where the boys were still playing. After one of them scored a touchdown, I asked the boys to take a time-out. All five got born again.

I’ve heard worship songs with the line “more of You, less of me.” While these may be sincere attempts to be humble, I think they are a bit degrading. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” God is not glorified when man criticizes himself. There’s a difference between humility and being humiliated, which the New Oxford American Dictionary defines as “make (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and self-respect, especially publicly.” 

John the Baptist did say in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The Jewish prophet was exalting Jesus’ ministry above his. I like The Message Bible’s rendering of this verse: “This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” Preachers need to be cautious not to exalt themselves and their ministries more than the God they serve.

One friend of mine used to pray for God to make him humble until I pointed out what James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Fasting is one way of doing that (Psalm 35:13), but that won’t do much good for one who isn’t submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

Colossians 2 warns of false humility. Verse 18 connects that with “…worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Verse 23 goes on to say, “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

Another way to humble yourself is by seeking to meet other people’s needs. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Jesus famously demonstrated this by washing His disciples’ feet.

The late Mac Davis sang, “Lord, it’s hard to be humble.” The truth is it’s not that hard. We simply need to exalt Jesus and others more than ourselves. C. S. Lewis wrote, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Another minister pointed out, “Humility is knowing who are you in Christ and who you are without Him.”

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”  - 1 Peter 5:5

Heaven on Earth

An objection that sometimes comes up when sharing the gospel is “heaven is here on earth.” Recently I heard that from a panhandler who wanted money from me (I handed him a snack and a gospel tract but he soon gave them back). It later occurred to me there is no need to beg in heaven. I could have also asked this man where one could find the Pearly Gates and the streets of gold on earth.

That beggar might have been a Jehovah’s Witness. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches that only 144,000 people will get into heaven while all other Jehovah’s Witnesses will live forever on earth. Before the latter could happen, Jehovah’s Witnesses left behind after the rapture will have to suffer through a tribulation period and avoid taking the mark of the beast. That certainly won’t be heaven on earth.

Back in 1987, Belinda Carlisle had the #1 hit “Heaven is a Place on Earth” (from an album called “Heaven on Earth”). The lyrics talked about a couple enjoying each other to where it’s almost heavenly. That is God’s intent for marriage. However, the Bible makes it clear heaven and earth are two separate places. The very first verse mentions God creating two separate realms. Genesis 28:12 describes Jacob’s ladder reaching from earth to heaven. 

This is coming a time when a city in heaven will relocate to earth. Revelation 21:2 talks about the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God.” This occurs after the millennial reign of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment. 

In the meantime, God wants His people on earth to live as citizens of heaven. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus said, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As ambassadors of Christ, we can bring increase to the number of people who will have a heavenly home by being a witness for Him and fulfilling the Great Commission.

“May you be blessed by the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 115:15

A Living Sacrifice

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, a federal holiday during which Americans remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. Regardless of where you’re from, I believe it’s important to honor your nation’s soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend freedoms often taken for granted.

The dictionary gives several definitions of the word sacrifice. One is “an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.” Having served in the U. S. Army myself, it grieves me to see people dishonor military personnel. Many servicemen and women have been killed, wounded, or paralyzed so that even ungrateful civilians can live in a free society. 

Sacrifice is also defined as “an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure.” Although Abraham was instructed to offer his son Isaac as an obedience test in Genesis 22, God forbids the sacrifice of humans such as those done to the pagan deity Molech. Satanists conceive children for the purpose of offering them on an altar. Some consider abortion as another form of human sacrifice.

Various religions practice animal sacrifices. Muslims who make a pilgrimage to Mecca are required to sacrifice lambs and goats. They also sacrifice cows and camels in a festival known as Eid. Under the Old Covenant, Israelites sacrificed doves, bulls, lambs, and goats. For the most part, this practice stopped in 70 AD when the Roman army destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem.

New Testament believers don’t need to sacrifice animals. Instead, Romans 12:1 commands us to “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” One way we do that is not allowing our flesh to rule us and do things uncharacteristic of Christians. That can be more difficult that simply giving an offering to the Lord. It’s often said a dead sacrifice cannot climb off the altar.

We can also be a living sacrifice by praising God. Psalm 116:17 talks about offering “the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Hebrews 13:15 tells us, “…to continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Often the best time to praise the Lord is when we don’t feel like it. Rather than magnify problems we’re facing, we should magnify the God who can help us overcome those problems.

As you progress in your Christian walk, God will likely instruct you to sacrifice certain possessions. Often it’s because He wants to replace that with something better. Once I felt led to get rid of demo tapes of my music recorded before becoming a believer. Because most of those recordings were instrumentals, I questioned the necessity of doing that. Then one night at church, I approached a pastor’s wife who’s also a songwriter. Before I said anything to this woman, she suddenly told me, “You need to be careful of the music you listen to...even instrumentals because of the minstrel behind it.” I knew this was a confirming word from the Lord. After erasing the music from my past, I felt lighter inside. Since then I’ve produced new music that glories Him. 

Occasional fasting from food can be another form of sacrifice to honor God. However, no amount of personal sacrifices will atone for a nonbeliever’s sins. They need to put their trust in the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” - Matthew 9:13

Will Universalists Go to Heaven?

Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith let it be to you.” God’s promises of salvation, healing, and provision are available to everyone but don’t happen by default. One must be willing to receive those promises and then obey His instructions for them to manifest.

A concept isn’t true just because a group of people believe it. That certainly applies to the doctrine of universal reconciliation, which states everybody will spend eternity in heaven. It’s scary to think what the Lord will say to ministers who preached this false gospel when they stand before His throne. 

I do believe universalists who are born again but lack biblical knowledge will get into heaven. It wasn’t until a year into my faith walk when I received the revelation that Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). We are saved by faith in Christ, not because all our spiritual beliefs are 100% in line with Scripture.

However, mature Christians who suddenly become universalists cross a dangerous line when they start promoting their “gospel of inclusion” to where it discourages nonbelievers from getting right with God. 1 Timothy 4:1 tells us, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” In Matthew 15:14, Jesus refers to “...blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

Jesus also said in Mark 9:42, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” It reminds me of the time I witnessed to a woman who claimed there’s no such place as hell and even tried to use Bible verses to back up what she believed! As I walked away from this woman, I thought about the little boy that was with her. If he grows up believing there’s no hell and dies without knowing the Lord, both he and the woman could face eternal torment.

James 3:1 warns, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Universalists will have to give account for the lost souls who could have gotten saved had they heard the true gospel from them. I pray every professing Christian reading this who endorses universal reconciliation will repent before it’s too late.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” - Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

O Christmas Tree…Oh No?

With the holiday season approaching, many businesses and individuals have already put up decorations. Among them are Christmas trees. A popular carol “O Christmas Tree” originated from Germany as “O Tannenbaum”, which translates as “O Fir Tree.” The original lyrics had nothing to do with Christmas. Nevertheless, I remember singing the German version a time or two while in grade school.

Like other holiday traditions, some Christians oppose the usage of Christmas trees. One of my Facebook friends made a judgmental comment that people putting up Christmas trees “are worshiping the devil and have a mental disease.” Before giving my life to Christ, I didn’t have a Christmas tree in my apartment because of the time and expense involved. Instead, I drove up to Mom and Dad’s house for the holidays and enjoyed looking at their decorations. Nowadays, I still don’t own a Christmas tree mainly due to my missionary lifestyle.

Once I heard evangelist Jesse Duplantis talk about the time he bought and gift-wrapped a Christmas present for Jesus (“Why not? It's His birthday!”). Jesse then placed the present underneath his Christmas tree. The spirit of God bugged Jesse to tell Him in advance what His present was! This story serves as a reminder the Lord is not as stuffy as we sometimes perceive Him to be. God wants us to have fun and enjoy life as long as He is numero uno (Matthew 6:33).

Why make a big fuss over Christmas trees? I’ve never seen anyone bow down and worship one. In fact, most trees are decorated with a star on top to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Rather than protesting traditions with supposedly pagan origins, how about promoting the Reason for the Season…the One who eventually died on a tree for us?

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths” - Colossians 2:16

A Conversation with the Church of Almighty God

A recent surge of friend requests I received on Facebook included members representing the Church of Almighty God, an organization I hadn’t heard of before. Their graphics accompanying their posts reminded me of those used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Therefore, I suspected this group is a cult. To find out more about this “church”, I watched a BBC documentary about them that looked rather disturbing. Then I logged onto their website. Immediately, a chat window opened up. I decided to respond to the other person online. Here’s how the conversation went (my comments are in bold)…

Hello, and welcome to the Gospel of the Descent of Kingdom. Think back on the “Your kingdom come” prayer that we have often made in the past. Now, God's kingdom has already descended, and God has returned in the flesh to express the truth and carry out the work of judgment in order for us to be able to come face to face with God and listen to His voice with our own ears! Do you want to understand the details of God's work? You are welcome to get in contact with us.

What do you mean “carry out the work of judgment?” I thought we are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

It means God has already carried the judgment work on earth.

How?

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). In the last days, God has already comes into flesh and expressed a lot of truth to judge our corruption, He uses all aspects of truth to reveal our corruption, that is God's end-time judgment work.

How has "God has already come into flesh"? I thought that's supposed to happen at Armageddon. 

(My question got deleted and the first paragraph from them was repeated)

This sounds like a cult. Revelation 19 says Jesus will come back on a white horse with the armies of heaven. The Lord warned of deceivers prior to His return. 

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:23-24) Yes. there are may false christ will happened before Jesus return. But I think How to Distinguish Between the True Christ and False Christs that's a big thing for each of us.

So who is Jesus Christ to you?

The creator. Can I share with you a video about How to Distinguish Between the True Christ and False Christs? I think you are a devote [sic] Christian. About Jesus return is a big thing for us 

(This was followed by links to two YouTube videos, which I didn’t bother to watch)

Are you born again? If so, I’d like to know how you came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Sure. Why not. But it's a long story. Shall i add you on Fb or Skype?

How about sharing it here? Just a paragraph or two would be fine.

I couldn't express by very simple words.

I want to make sure you follow the real Jesus Christ…so please answer this question. How can someone know that if he (or she) dies before His return, he will go to heaven instead of hell?

How do i know if He is God. I know God form [sic[ His words. John 1:1-4  Today Jesus has returned in flesh and express truth in a new book. Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. God comes back let us recognize Him through His voice (words).

I cannot agree with your claim that “Jesus has returned in flesh” Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM…” There are other things that must happen before the Lord’s return such as the rapture of His Church and enforcement of the mark of the beast system in Revelation 13.

Yes. What is the real rapture only when Jesus come back and open the mystery of it. But the Bible also mentioned that “… I come as a thief” (Revelation 16:15). “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)

“… for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes” (Matthew 24:44). Luke 17:24-25. “For as the lightning, that lightens out of the one part under heaven, shines to the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and again be rejected of this generation.”

I have another question. What if someone came to one of your meetings and had a demon. What would you do?

What do you wanna to know?

I saw a news report about your group killing a woman because she had a demon. 

We welcome those who wanna seek the truth. who welcome the lord return. Do you believe the media?

Usually not.

Friend In my opinion We have to know the fact ourselves and master the principle of discernment, only in this way can we not repeat what others say. When Jesus performed His ministry in Judea. Many people resist Jesus. John 7:12 said :”Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people.” Matthew 12:24 said :”But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Mark 3:21-22 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving

I’m an evangelist that shares the gospel mostly on the streets of various cities. The priority of every born-again Bible-believing Christian should be getting people saved instead of trying to get them to join a particular church or group. Many people are in hell right now because they were taught false ideas such as doing good works or simply believing there is a God will get them into heaven. Even the demons believe there is a God and tremble.

Yes. You are right. Friend I would like share the truth about the report (another YouTube link was sent). Have you ever read more about Almighty God's words.

Now you sound like a Mormon

Almighty God's said "God seeks those who long for Him to appear. He seeks those who are able to hear His words, those who have not forgotten His commission and offer up their heart and body to Him. He seeks those who are as obedient as babes before Him, and do not resist Him.”

"Those who are not cautious when they encounter the new work of the Holy Spirit, who run their mouths off, are quick to judge, who give free rein to their natural instinct to deny the rightness of the Holy Spirit’s work, and also insult and blaspheme it—are such disrespectful people not ignorant of the Holy Spirit’s work? Are they not, furthermore, the ones of arrogance, inherently proud and ungovernable? Even if a day comes when such people accept the new work of the Holy Spirit, still God will not tolerate of them. Not only do they look down upon those who work for God, but also blaspheme against God Himself. Such foolhardy people will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come and they shall forever perish in hell!”

Mat 12:31-32 Why I say to you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven to men. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Let me clarify by saying I’m not trying to stir up doctrinal debates but find out the truth about the Church of Almighty God since I’ve seen Facebook posts by other members of your group that looked suspicious. My concern is that you are not following a cult leader or counterfeit deity. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

Thank You. can I have you name plz?

It's Todd. I will be leaving my house soon and need to log off when my roommate is ready to leave.

Okay. Would you like to know more detail about our Church? I would like to seek the truth with you.

I need to go now. Have a nice day. Jesus is Lord!

(end of chat session)

The Church of Almighty God claims Jesus has already come back to earth in China. If that's true, then why don’t they post videos and photos of the Lord Himself? Obviously the real Jesus Christ hasn’t returned yet. Let’s continue proclaiming the true gospel until He does.

“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” - 2 Corinthians 11:4 

Family Traditions

Uncle Greg in action

Among the things that make the holiday season memorable are family traditions. One dictionary defines tradition as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.” While growing up in Moorhead, Minnesota, my family had our share of Christmas rituals. One of them was my sister Tanya and I took turns opening up the little flaps on our advent calendar.

My immediate family always opened presents on Christmas Eve after Dad came home from work in the late afternoon (or in the morning if he had the day off). To pass the time Tanya and I played the board game Monopoly, which often took two hours to complete. Sometimes we also went to a candlelight service at the Lutheran church we attended across the river in Fargo, North Dakota.

Later that night I would get together with my mother’s side of the family at Grandma Tweiten’s house. Often we ate a light dinner but then always sang Christmas carols before opening presents. Eventually, my Aunt Gaye added a tradition I grew to appreciate…singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. After all, that’s whose birthday we’re supposed to be celebrating. 

Christmas Day afternoons were spent with my father’s side of the family. Initially, we met at Grandma and Grandpa Post’s house. Then in 1979 my uncle Greg bought a large house in Fargo. From that point on, Post family gatherings usually took place there. By that time we had a tradition that actually started years before during the summer.

Grandma and Grandpa Post also owned a mobile home near Lake Lida in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. At the end of one family gathering, Uncle Greg jokingly ran after our car as Dad began driving away to take us home. Tanya and I got such a kick out of that we always begged Greg to run after the car when leaving other gatherings. Soon Greg and his wife Jill started having kids. They often joined their father in his runs.

One time I came back to Fargo for a visit and stopped at Greg and Jill’s for another family gathering. Before leaving I asked Greg if he would “keep up the tradition.” Greg replied, “Nah, I don’t think so.” I then said, “Yeah, you’re probably getting too old for that.” When I left the room, Greg told the rest of my relatives, “I can’t let him get away with that.” Moments later as I pulled out of his driveway, Greg emerged from the house and ran after my car while using Grandma’s cane. I wish someone had filmed that hilarious Kodak moment! Years later I managed to capture one of Greg’s runs with my camcorder and later added the “Chariots of Fire” theme to the video.

The word tradition originates from the Latin word tradere, which means “deliver” and “betray.” Likewise, the Bible talks about traditions in both the positive and negative sense. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” On the other hand, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” (Mark 7:8)

Like many other families, my parents did the Santa thing. Tanya and I woke up on Christmas morning to find more presents for us under the tree or on the living room couch. Back then I enjoyed the extra gifts but now wish we had done something else to emphasize the reason for the season such as reading the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. 

Family traditions can build togetherness but should ultimately draw us closer to the Lord instead of away from Him.

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” - Colossians 2:8

The Name of the Lord

In Matthew 1:21, the angel Gabriel told Joseph (regarding his wife Mary), “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” The Amplified Bible further states that Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name for Joshua (“Yeshua”), which means Savior.

Occasionally I meet people who prefer to call the Son of God by alternative names. A few years ago while in New York City, I visited a church where the Lord was usually referred to as Yeshua. If I'm witnessing to a Jewish person, I'll use the name Yeshua. Otherwise, I call Him Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I believe the Lord doesn't mind His people calling Him by different names if done reverently. Married people refer to their spouses by a variety of names: “Honey”, “Sweetheart”, “Dear”, “Darling” and possibly some other nickname in addition to their actual first name.  

When it comes to receiving salvation, it’s important to call on the one name that makes this possible. Some people told me they will only pray to God and not mention Jesus at all. That’s like trying to drive a vehicle without any fuel in the tank. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Later in verse 18 of this same chapter, religious authorities commanded Peter and John “…not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

In today’s politically correct society, military and police chaplains have been pressured not to pray in the name of Jesus. Again that short-circuits the power of God from flowing in a person’s life. Their prayers simply won’t work. Look at what Jesus said in John 14…

  

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

Strangely enough, I’ve met individuals who object to the name of Jesus simply because the letter “J” didn’t come into existence until about 500 years ago. But regardless of what language a person speaks, there is power when the name of the Lord is spoken with boldness. One morning I was lying in my bed when I suddenly heard a voice speaking in my left ear. Initially, the voice repeated the word “attention.” Then it uttered all kinds of profanity at me. After putting up with it for about five seconds, I hollered, “Satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!” Then the demonic voice stopped.

Another time while evangelizing on the streets of Minneapolis, I approached two girls who told me they worshiped Satan. When I started sharing the gospel with them and mentioned the name of Jesus, one of the girls ran away screaming!  

Never let anyone try to discourage you from using the name of Jesus. It’s one of many weapons God has given us to maintain victory over the enemy.

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:10-11

My First Love

Mention the phrase “first love” and people often think of a significant other. During grade school, there were numerous girls I liked. One who I consider my first real girlfriend was named Kathy. We were first-grade classmates at Riverside Elementary School in Moorhead, Minnesota. Then I got transferred to a different school but came back to Riverside for sixth grade. Once again, Kathy and I were in the same class. We started exchanging notes and calling each other.

On February 14th of that school year, I received two valentines from Kathy. I also received valentines from kids that made fun of our relationship or discouraged it. Nevertheless, Kathy remained an off and on girlfriend throughout my junior high years before she broke up with me for good. We remained friends during high school. Kathy always smiled at me whenever we passed each other in the hallway. 

The last time I saw Kathy was in 1983 when I was 19. My dad sent me to Godfather’s Pizza one night to pick up dinner for the family. Kathy happened to be working behind the counter. After I picked up the pizza, Kathy gave me that beautiful smile. Although I was still attracted to her, I knew we weren’t meant to be a couple.

Over the next eight years, I went through a variety of relationships until I became a born-again Christian in 1991. Nine years after that, I got married on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, that marriage was short-lived. My new wife left me for a man that had been my best friend. She subsequently filed for divorce.

Not long afterward, I decided to search for Kathy online and found her bio on her employer’s website. I sent Kathy an email and she replied with an update on her life. Since Kathy had also become a Christian, I started sending her my monthly newsletter. Eventually, we drifted apart again due to theological differences.

Fortunately, there is One who will never leave us or forsake us. Regardless of your marital status, Jesus wants to be the lover of your soul. Often people look to other individuals or things for fulfillment. The Lord rebuked the church of Ephesus for leaving their first love in Revelation 2:4.

The Lord is saying to everyone today, “Be My Valentine.” Will you let Him be the first place in your heart?

“We love Him because He first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19

Hu Are You?

An objection that often comes up when sharing the gospel is there are many religions in the world. One I’ve seen advertisements for is Eckankar, a Minnesota-based group that labels itself the “Religion of the Light and Sound of God.” Literature put out by ECKists claim: “Singing ‘Hu’ (pronounced “hue”) draws us closer to God.” I was skeptical of this and decided to do some online research. 

According to Wikipedia, Hu is Arabic for the English pronoun “He.” In Sufism (a mystical form of Islam), Hu or Huwa is a pronoun used with Allah. So “Allah Hu” means "God, just He” or “God Himself.” Eckankar’s current leader Harold Klemp professes Hu is a “...word people anywhere can use to address the Originator of Life.” He also declares, “Jesus stands out so prominently and so brightly because he loved God back equally...true Masters all have love for God.” Jesus is not one of many masters but “...the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

Eckankar’s web site states, “Regardless of your beliefs or religion, you can sing HU to become happier and more secure in God's love.” Scripture says otherwise. In Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus didn’t respond to the Canaanite woman crying out to Him until she humbled herself and worshipped Him. John 9:31 says, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”

You can sing “Hu” or any other mantra until you’re blue in the face but that won’t connect you with the true living God nor will it give you eternal life. That can only happen by knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

The Mind of a Believer

Some people have this idea that to be a Christian, you have to check your brain at the door. Recently an atheistic businessman published a LinkedIn article titled “Religious People have lesser IQ than non-believers!” In an attempt to back up his claim, the author included numerous graphs such as the one pictured here. He also added the caption “Charts speak for themselves.” 

We will now let God’s word speak for itself...

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” - Psalm 14:1 and 53:1

“...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” - Romans 1:21-22

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” - Romans 8:6-7

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In his book and seminar “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist”, apologist Frank Turek states, “Christians don’t get brownie points for being stupid.”

Despite the atheist’s claim Pentecostals have the lowest IQ, Spirit-filled Christians who regularly pray in tongues can receive downloads from heaven that cannot be accessed through natural means...

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” - 1 John 2:20

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” - 1 John 2:27

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” - Jude 20

I agree the atheist’s charts do speak for themselves. They speak of individuals who put them together “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4). All they have to do is repent and then they can have the mind of Christ.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." - Isaiah 1:18