When God breaks our bones

Psalm 51:7-8

King James Version

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 

While studying for today's service, I saw this passage in an entirely new light. 

I know the history of this, according to my Bible margin notes, this was a Psalm written in response to the David and Bathsheeba adultery incident. God sent the prophet Nathan to point his long, bony finger at King David's nose and declare, "THOU ART THE MAN." 

At this point, David has a choice. Does he react as most kings did and have Nathan killed for DARING to embarrass the king in front of his royal entourage? Does he react like his predecessor, King Saul, and begin to give a litany of excuses meant to exonerate himself of guilt without the required repentance?  Or does he respond in genuine repentance of heart and humbly bow to the holy God of the universe?

According to this Psalm, David made the right choice. He responded in genuine repentance. He threw himself on the great mercy of his loving God- trusting him to bring the heavenly ruling that only the creator can bring. 

But, the key to his whole response, I believe, is found in verse 8: "that the bones WHICH THOU HAST BROKEN may rejoice."

David had been a shepherd. He understood that sheep wonder sometimes. Sheep go astray sometimes. Hence, the biblical passage, "All we like sheep have gone astray."(Isaiah 53:6)

Sometimes, when a sheep (usually a lamb) habitually strays away from the shepherd's chosen pasture, the shepherd has to take drastic action. The shepherd had 2 different staffs: One with a hook and one with a hard, round end. The one with the hook is used to hook the sheep around the neck and pull the wayward sheep back in the direction the shepherd wishes it to go. The one with the ball is used when the hook has been tried several times and the sheep refuses to be redirected. The shepherd will crack the ball on the hard-headed sheep's head to try and get its attention and redirect it. It's a form of punishment. 

If, however, it continues to try and stray into dangerous territory, then the shepherd will break one of its legs and reset it. Yes, this causes the sheep pain. But, no it's not done because the shepherd is mean or hateful. It's done out of love. Because the shepherd knows that if the sheep is allowed to continue to stray, it will eventually be harmed much worse than a broken leg. There are poisonous snakes that can bite and kill them. There are bears, wolves, and lions that will kill and eat them. There are treacherous cliffs that the sheep can fall off. 

So, to teach the sheep to stay close to him, the shepherd breaks its leg. This does create more work and hardship for the shepherd. For the next few weeks, while the leg is healing from the break, the shepherd must carry the sheep around with him as he moves the herd from pasture to pasture. He must still tend to the rest of the flock, but this one he must carry. He carries it to the new pasture and makes it lay in the green grass to eat, so it can eat. He carries it to the still waters so it can drink. 

But, an amazing thing happens. Over time, the sheep becomes accustomed to three things: a) being close to the shepherd, b) hearing the heartbeat of the shepherd, and c) hearing the voice of the shepherd. While it's healing, the sheep falls in love with the shepherd in a new and deeper way. Long forgotten is the temptation to wonder. Long forgotten is the fact that it was the shepherd who broke its leg. All the sheep knows now is that it wants to be close to its master and hear his voice and heartbeat.

Finally, when the sheep is healed, the shepherd allows it to walk with the herd. But, the sheep no longer wishes to wander or stray.  (I learned much of this shepherd information from a sermon by Lee Stoneking over 30 years ago)

David had had to do this to his own sheep. So, when God came and broke his spiritual leg, David didn't respond with excuses. David didn't respond with rebellion. David accepted the loving chastening of his shepherd and responded in repentance. 

Was it pleasant to be corrected? No. Did he enjoy being publicly humiliated- especially in front of his own court? No. But scripture tells us, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11)

But God had called David "a man after (God's) own heart." Why? Because David had spent most of his life in hot pursuit of a loving, intimate relationship with his creator. 

So, when David's shepherd broke David's spiritual leg, David was able to immediately respond in true repentance. 

His response resulted in several good things. 

1) Unlike Saul, whose anointing and throne were ripped away from he and his family, David's throne and bloodline were left secure.

2) The penalty for adultery under the law for both parties was stoning- even for a king and a new queen. But, this penalty was never exacted by his loving God because of David's repentance. 

3) David's right standing and relationship with God were restored. 

When we go astray, and God must chastise us (spank us or break our leg), it's not because he's mean. It's not because he is trying to show how in charge or how big and bad he is. It is, quite simply, because God loves us and desires that we are right with him and have the opportunity to make heaven. 

But, in order to do that, we must submit our wills to him and follow his leading. We cannot insist on having our own way and still expect to make heaven. It has never and will never work that way. 

If we do not enjoy being chastised by God, then we need to make up our minds to obey and follow his word and voice. Because if we stray, he will whoop us. He will break our leg if need be, in order to try and lead us from pasture to pasture and eventually to heaven. 

Why don't you pray with me:

"Lord, I love you. I don't enjoy being chastised. So please help me to hear your voice. Illuminate your word to me. Guide me and direct me so I can grow closer and closer to you and avoid causing you to have to whoop me. But, if I do stray, I accept your loving correction- no matter how harsh it may seem to be. I know you have only my best in mind. In Jesus' name!"

A heart problem

 

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

This world is getting crazier and crazier. 

In my grandparent's generation, killing a child on purpose whether in or out of the womb would have been unthinkable. Now? Many consider it a Constitutional right to murder a baby in the womb- and some even advocate that we should be able to kill a child up to 2 years old for any reason at all! Never mind that children are a precious gift from God no matter the situation or how the baby got there.

In my generation, it was still considered taboo to be gay- and it was still a crime in many states. Now, not only is it not criminal to be so perverted, it is considered criminal to speak out against anything LGBTQ in many places. It doesn't matter that these lifestyles lead to death, depression, disease, etc, we're supposed to stand back and approve. 

I learned the other day that a young girl I know through my work is proudly moving to another town soon to "move in with her boyfriend." I couldn't help but think, "Doesn't anyone get married anymore?" 

Everyone is hollering about their own rights to do what they want, politicians are promoting crazy policies, and people are killing each other over stupid stuff. 

What has happened? How did our once somewhat pure society get this bad? 

The answer is a simple one:

"All we like sheep have gone astray..." 

We've turned from the principles of God and turned to the principles of "if it feels good, do it."

Everyone keeps pointing to Government, education, philosophy, and new ideas as ways to protect our society and keep us going. But those are the very things that have gotten us this bad off in the first place! 

The early church was largely uneducated and somewhat poor. But they followed Jesus and experienced and lived his truths. As a result, they changed the world they were living in into a much better place. 

Now, we have educated preachers and teachers in churches in almost every corner of the western world, but can't seem to do anything to stop the deepening decay of our world.

Why? 

To use an argument the gun rights people use (and I agree with), we don't have a gun problem. We don't have a law problem. We don't have a drug problem. We don't have a crime problem.

WE HAVE A HEART PROBLEM!

We go to church to check our religious blocks and say we are believers. Yet, we spend our days and nights pushing things that God says are abominations! We allow music and movies into our lives and homes that promote all the ungodly things that drove God to go to the cross in the first place! 

We can't change our world through political action- though we should vote.

We can't change our world through programs and policies- though helping people is never a bad thing. 

But as an old-time Pentecostal preacher once preached- WE NEED TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!  

What is that main thing? 

 Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We need revival! We need an old-time move of God to sweep over our world and bring us to real repentance! 

The real answer to all our ills is found on our knees!

 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If we want to see people being kind to one another, helping one another, and living the kind of lives the scriptures say we should, it starts with us falling on our faces before our merciful God in real repentance!

Repentance is not saying, "God I'm sorry," and then continuing to do the same things! 

Why are young people leaving the church in droves? Because they're looking for something real that they're not finding in the religion they're being given. 

But, if we will fall on our faces and let God clean us out and refill us with his powerful Spirit again, then start living what we're teaching- then we will begin to see people begin to turn to Jesus again! 

Why? Because they will see him living through us! They'll see the changes he's making in us! They'll see the miracles of the Bible coming to life before their very eyes! 

Come on church!

Stop playing politics and vying for tax dollars, bigger buildings, and religious degrees! 

Start praying! REALLY PRAYING for God to cleanse us- and then the world around us! 

He's the answer that our world needs- but they won't see it unless we begin to pray and truly repent! 

For God's sake, and for the sake of our world, let God change our wicked hearts! Let him turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh once again! 

The God of the universe became a man and allowed his own creation to nail him to a cross made of wood he created, using nails made of metal that he spoke into existence, all to shed the cleansing blood that his righteousness required to save us from our own sins! 

He gave his all and defeated death in order to allow us a way to become the sons of God! 

What we've given him lately is far far less than he deserves! 

Let's give him our all! Let's truly let him live through us! 

Let's truly Repent and turn back to him and his ways! Then, let's watch the changes he brings to a lost and dying world! 

Another lesson from my dog: The call of the Father

 John 6:44

King James Version

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

This is Angel. Her nickname from me is Angel Cakes. She's a sweet little girl who's currently 5 years old. About 4 years and 8 months ago, Angel and her brother (Teddy Bear) both came down with the deadly dog disease, Parvo. We knew they weren't feeling well but we weren't quite sure what the problem was. 

One stormy night, Angel didn't come in with the rest of the pups. She stayed out in the back of our backyard, in the rain, just lying in the grass. Others in the family called and called her but got no response. Finally, my wife came to me with desperation in her voice saying, "Honey. Something's wrong with Angel. She's out in the rain and won't come when we call."

I was alarmed and went and opened the back door. I stepped out onto the back deck and called out into the storm, "Angel Cakes!" 

No response. 

Again, "Angel Cakes, come here girl." 

No response.

Knowing that when dogs feel they are about to die, they will (many times) seek a dark place apart from others, I went and got the huge flashlight we had and shined it out into the storm. When I located her with the light I again shouted, "Angel Cakes. Come here, girl!"

She looked toward me, slowly stood up, and began to make her way to us as fast as she was able (which wasn't very fast since she was not feeling well at all). 

The next morning, we took Angel and Teddy Bear to the vet and they were diagnosed with Parvo. They were given IVs and shots and were sent home with us. 

They both survived, thank God. 

But, what if Angel hadn't heeded the call and stayed out in the storm in her sickness?

She probably would've died that night- alone in her storm. 

But, she did respond. And she received the love and treatment she needed to bring her through her sickness, enabling her survival. 

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Jesus said that his purpose in coming to this earth and being lifted up on the cross was to draw all men unto (him). He further stated that he came to "seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Many of us like to say that we "found God," like he's lost somewhere and we had to look really hard to find him. And to us, it may have seemed that way. We were lost in our sickness (sin). We were at the end of our ropes. We thought it was too late for us. When suddenly, a light shown around us and we were able to see the way home out of our storm. And we thought, "this is what I've searched for all of my life."

But, the truth is, Jesus was calling to us. In the middle of our sins. In the middle of our storms. Jesus saw our predicament and was calling to us- drawing us. He shined his holy light of love around us and illuminated our path home. 

We thought we were looking for him, but he was looking for us. 

We thought it was all over, but he showed up and brought us out. 

When we, like Angel, got up out of our sickness and storm and made our way to him following the path he showed us (repentance), we began a relationship with him that is unlike anything in this world. 

Sometimes, when I'm letting the dogs inside, Angel will deliberately hang back. She waits for me to open the door and call her name. Then she excitedly comes in all smiles (yes dogs can smile) and wagging nearly her whole body because I once again proved to her that I'd come calling her. Then she knows she is still loved and important to me. 

Just as, when I get a little bit lost in this big old world, my savior calls me back to him. And he proves one more time that he loves me and he'll still leave the 99 behind to come looking for the one who's gotten a little lost (me). 

So, I love you, Angel Cakes. 

And I love you, Jesus for continuing to prove how much you love me. 

What this world needs is a fresh dose of the fear of the Lord.

 Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We live in a crazy world. The news seems to be full of chaos. The whole world seems consumed with voices screaming about "their rights." 

Just because they have been wronged (or perceive that they have been wronged), they feel that they have the right to riot, rape, destroy property, disrespect and threaten law enforcement, and even murder people. People who, most of the time, had nothing to do with the wrongs these people are protesting about. But, I guess it's okay to do wrong to other people simply because you have been wronged. 

The educated and enlightened among us pipe in and say these people should not be prosecuted. After all, they've been wronged. They have a right to protest in the Constitution. Never mind that while the Constitution allows free speech and "peaceful" protests, it does not allow for violent protests. 

The liberal elite among us basically tell us that abortion is moral, LGBTQ is normal, people are not born men or women but have the right to change their gender, all workers should be paid the same regardless of their workload or effort, it is not our responsibility to work and care for our families- rather it's the Government's job to take care of all of us, and on and on it goes.

We have a whole political movement that basically says that every religion is okay- except Christians and Jews. Everything should be allowed, except the voices of those that point out God and his ways. 

Basically, the world has flipped its collective lids. Right is wrong, wrong is right, and whatever is gray, have a happy day! 

The reason all this goes on now is that we, as a society, have thrust God out of our lives and ceased to fear him. 

Now brother, you say, God doesn't want us to fear him. After all, he's all about love. 

Really, let's look at what Jesus said about this:

Luke 12:4-5

King James Version

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

So, Jesus says we should fear God. 

Now, brother, you say, that doesn't mean fear. That really means respect. 

The word for fear in verse 5 in the Greek means, "to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away)

1. to put to flight, to flee

2. to fear, be afraid

   1. to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm

      1. of those startled by strange sights or occurrences

      2. of those struck with amazement

   2. to fear, be afraid of one

   3. to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm)

3. to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience                                                                                                                                                                          Does this sound like simply respecting God? It basically means we are to cower in fear before his awesome might and power.  We are to understand that HE makes the rules and HE is the judge of all of us. It is HE that will send us to heaven or hell for eternity. And that fear should cause us to willingly defer our will to his and be willing to obey HIS will for our lives as found in his word.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Our country was founded on the Bible. Our Constitution was based upon the Bible. Our laws were based upon the word of God. But, we have turned from this and we are reaping what we've sewn.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                If our nation is to stand, it is because we, as a people, repent and turn back to God. This will only happen when we realize that we are not the arbiters of our own fate, We are not the ultimate authority for our own lives. There is someone that we will all have to answer to one day- he is our creator and savior (if we allow him to save us). If not, then he is our creator and judge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             He will decide our fates based upon our obedience, or our disobedience.                                                                                                                                                                       If we will kneel in complete repentance and submission to him, then we will be able to stand in the face of the evil that is overcoming our land and push it back.                                                                                                                                                                        If we do not repent, then our country will cease to be and worse: we ourselves will go to hell.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. True wisdom doesn't come from college degrees and education. True wisdom comes from the Lord God almighty and his word.                                                                                                                                                 Truly, the only hope that we, as individuals and we, as a country, have is Jesus. But, for this to happen, we all need to repent and obey him and his word- before it's too late. And for that to happen, we need a fresh dose of the fear of the Lord!                                                                                                                                                                                      Lord, please do whatever you need to do to wake us all up, restore our fear of you, and help us to repent. Before it's too late.

4.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XemQwDQ7mY&ab_channel=JohnnyPowell

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Let go!

We have 7 dogs and a cat in our home. As such, sometimes we find ourselves battling fleas. This morning, one was on my shirt. Della was trying to catch it. I pulled back on the material (thinking to help her) and it wasn't long before she said, "Let go." I was confused. Let go of what? So, she said it again, "Let go." I finally realized that she had meant to let go of my shirt.

But, it dawned on me, How many times do we do God that way? 

He's trying to help us with a problem and he keeps saying, "let go." Yet, we keep holding on to it. 

It could be a sin. When he tells us to repent, he's essentially telling us to let go of the sin so that he can take it away and wash us in his blood. That way, we can be holy in his sight.

It may be a situation that we're trying to fix. God sees it. He knows how to fix it. He keeps telling us to "let go." Let go of our lost children. Let go of the job situation. Let go of our political anxieties. Whatever it is, when we hold onto it with our hands, we don't allow him to step in and take control. 

More often than not, the harder we try to fix it, the worse the issue becomes- and the more aggravated we become. Why is it so hard for us humans to trust God with our troubles? He tells us to "cast all (our) cares upon (him)." (1 Peter 5:7)

Sure, he could force us to let it go. But, God wants us to willingly release to him what we are holding in our hands into his all-powerful and all capable hands. That way, when he fixes it, we stand in awe of his amazing handiwork. But, when we stubbornly try and turn the problem this way and that way, he just sits back and watches us- waiting on us to come to the end of ourselves. 

When we finally reach the end of ourselves and realize that our efforts are truly doing nothing to fix anything, then we will finally give it to him. Much like a toddler who is trying to take something apart finally looks up at the parent and says, "help," we lift the problem to God. He smiles, takes it from us, and corrects the problem as only he can. 

What an awesome Father we have. He loves us and is ready, willing, and able to take care of whatever needs to be taken care of. 

So, whatever the problem in our lives: a sin, a sick loved one, a job, political worries, wedding plans, etc., we need to give it all over to him. God is well able to fix the problem. And he's ready to take it out of our hands and make something beautiful out of it. 

When we do, we'll be amazed at the end result for he truly does all things well.

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

Amending our lives to agree with the Amen

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. (Jeremiah 7:3)

Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. (Jeremiah 26:13)

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

My beloved wife was listening to the Bible this morning. The section that was being read was Mark 16. I've read it many times, but for the first time I noticed that it ended with the word, "Amen."

The word Amen means, "so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled," when it is used at the end of a discourse (teaching).

So, by saying Amen after this verse, the word of God says, "they went forth (so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled), and preached every where (so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled), the Lord working with them (so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled), and confirming the word with signs following (so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled)."

So it is (past because it's already happened), so be it (present), may it be fulfilled (future). 

The word "Amend," means "to be or make well."

That's a mouth full in itself. But, when I looked up the word Amen in scripture and was working my way down the list of all those verses (there are many. It should tell us something about agreeing with God's word and will.), the app I was using (Bible Gateway) also listed Amend along with Amen. 

When I noticed this, it was as if the Lord whispered, "take notice, pay attention."

Our Engish word Amend literally comes from the word, Amen. 

We Christians like to throw the word repentance around a lot! When asked what repentance means, we tend to answer "to turn away from sin," which is true. However, we are leaving off 1/2 of the equation with that answer.

An alcoholic can turn away (repent) from alcohol and no longer drink, but that repentance doesn't mean he's forgiven by God.

A drug addict can turn away (repent) from drugs and stop using them, but that repentance doesn't make him right with God. 

God's word gives us all a huge clue to the other half. 

When all we do is repent and we do not replace it with God and his ways, we create a vacuum in our lives. That vacuum will be filled with something. And because of our fallen and sinful nature, it's usually not something good.

Our Engish word Amend literally comes from the word, Amen. 

Why did I restate that? 

To amend our lives we do not just make a change. Rather, we are making that change towards God and his ways. We truly are coming into agreement with God on how to live our lives. We are amending our lives to come into agreement with his Amen!

That means we change (past- because it's forgiven when we make the change towards God), and we change (present- because we intend with his help to live in God's ways right now), and we change (future- because we intend with his help to live in God's ways forevermore). 

So we do not simply repent by turning away from sin, but we amend our lives to come into allegiance with him and comply with how his word says we are to live. 

Lord, please help us to amend our lives to be pleasing to you. Help us to repent AND amend our lives to comply with your amen!

Let the watchman do his job- and respond the right way!

Ezekial 33: 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

We have seven dogs in our home. This means that we have seven watchdogs. None of them are small. They range from about 70 pounds to 110 pounds. So anyone who's foolish enough to break into our home will most definitely be in trouble!

However, the dogs will usually bark and growl and carry on to let us know something is up and to warn the person or people outside that there will be consequences if they don't leave. Unfortunately, we sometimes don't want to be bothered to check out the commotion. Sometimes, we yell at the dogs to "shut-up!" 

In ancient Israel, the cities were walled. They kept watchmen on the walls to scan the landscape- checking for any danger. God ordered that they be there. It was to warn the people and spur them to action. God told them that if the watchman sounded the alarm and the people did not respond, they would die- and their blood would be on their own hands.

Just as with our dogs, many people would ignore the sound of the warning trumpets. Some would be irritated. Some would even yell at the watchman to shut-up! 

But, what of the watchman themselves. 

6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

If a city came under attack, and the watchman didn't warn the people, then people would die. Because he didn't warn the people, God held the watchman accountable for every death he allowed. 

In the military, if you're on guard duty, you can get in serious trouble if you slack off or go to sleep while you're on guard. The guard is required to be diligent. If he is not, people could die- including himself. In a time of war, the guard can be executed if he doesn't do his job and people are hurt and killed because of it. 

God is just as serious about watchman as the military is about its guards. 

God told Ezekial: 

 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

God told Ezekial "I'm going to give my people warnings through you. If you tell them and they don't hear, you and I are okay, but they're in trouble. But, If you don't tell them, you have a problem with me!" 

Ezekial was arrested, jailed, and hung up (not with a noose) in one of the castle dungeons. People were telling their Watchman to "Shut-up!" Ezekiel went through a lot to obey his calling and his Lord. 

Today, God still has watchmen. They're called preachers. Preachers, be they Pastors or evangelists, are to listen to God. When God gives them warnings, they are to tell the people to "Repent!" Whatever sin(s) the Lord leads them to call out, we the people should listen in the fear of the Lord. Why, because the warnings are coming from God almighty, not the preacher. If we refuse the warning, our blood will be on our hands. We could go to hell. God is not playing! NO sin will enter into heaven. 

Too many times, we want to tell the preacher to shut up! Too many times, we want to ignore the preacher. We don't want to be bothered with having to change. If he irritates us bad enough, we may want to persecute him or try and get him fired. But, the preacher doesn't work for us. He works for God. The preacher is God's watchman to us. 

But, if the preacher chooses to scratch our ears and tell us what we want to hear, rather than what God is telling us, then we will still go to hell! We won't be able to tell God, "He didn't warn me." God gave us a conscience and most of our homes have a Bible in it. We can pray and seek God and read His word ourselves. In fact, scripture tells us to do just that. 

But, the preacher who refused to warn us will go to hell as well. He doesn't get off the hook because he refused to warn us. 

Beware, people, God is not mocked! God will one day call all of us to judgment. He is not playing with sin. If our preacher is warning us, don't fight him. Repent! And thank God you have a preacher that will stand in the gap for folks. If our preacher is not warning us, we need to find another preacher. The one we have is in it for personal gain of some sort and has no love for God or people. 

So let our watchmen do their jobs. Pray for God to warn them and for them to hear and deliver the warning. When the warning is given, let us seek God in true love and repentance! 

Pray for the watchmen and the state of the world. Jesus is soon returning and we all need to be ready when he returns.   

Did the Apostles disobey Jesus?

Matthew 28:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 2:38 King James Version (KJV)

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.

Here's the question: Did the Apostles disobey Jesus here? If they did, why didn't Matthew stand up and say: "Wait a minute Peter. You heard what the master said." He didn't! And that day they baptized 3000 people in the name of Jesus FOR THE (in order to get) forgiveness of sins.

Did they change to the "triune formula" after the day of Pentecost? NO!

Read Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19, etc. In EVERY case they baptized in Jesus name! So should we throw out the book of Acts? NO!

The fact is that there is NOT ONE reference from Acts to Revelations where baptism is ever done or referred to in the "triune formula."

Jesus said in John 17: 12-20 (about the Apostles):
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

So, Jesus said that folks are to believe on Him through the Apostles word, and prayed for the Apostles and all of us who would believe on him THROUGH them.
So, why the discrepancy between Matthew 28 and the rest of the NT?

There's NOT one. Matthew 28:19 says "IN THE NAME (singular) of the Father, the son, and the HG." So, there is ONE NAME that encompasses Father, son and HG. What name does that? JESUS!
 Colossians 2:8-10King James Version (KJV)

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

The Godhead IS IN JESUS- NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! Look at Isaiah 9:6. Who is Jesus?

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

So the baby born on "the first Christmas" as some call it, was The "wonderful Counsellor".

What is a Counsellor? One that COMFORTS AND GUIDES?Who is the Counsellor in the New testament that Comforts and guides the people of God? THE HOLY GHOST. So, this baby was THE HOLY GHOST in HUMAN FLESH. (John 14: 16-18)

Read further, "THE MIGHTY GOD." This baby was GOD IN HUMAN FLESH. (1 Timothy 3:16) Read more: THE  EVERLASTING FATHER. So this baby was THE FATHER in human flesh! (John 14:7-9)

So, since Jesus IS the Father and Jesus IS the son (who disputes this?) and Jesus IS the HG. Then the ONE NAME of Matthew 28:19 of the Father, son, and HG) IS JESUS!

Therefore, the Apostles didn't disobey Jesus! They actually OBEYED him and used his NAME!

Father, Son, and HG, are not 3 gods that operate in a "Godheadquarters" (as I've heard it taught). Rather, they are TITLES or ROLES that the ONE God of the universe has taken on.
I'm a Father, a son, and a preacher. Yet, if I sign a check using those titles that describe who I am, what bank will cash it? No-one! My name is Michael Winskie. If I write you a check with my name on it, then it is legal for you to cash!

God is Father in creation, son in redemption, and HG in his people now, but his saving name is JESUS!

So, in order to obey Matthew 28:19, we MUST be baptized in JESUS name! If we do not, then we are not using his name and are disobeying the commandment he gave is Matthew 28:19!

Further, Jesus said in John 3:3-5, that we must be born again. When asked to explain further he said, we must be "born of water and of the spirit."

Acts 2:38 obeys this command also!
We must be baptized in Jesus name (born of water) AND filled with the HG (born of the spirit).

The apostles followed Jesus for 3 1/2 years. They were believers. They had been baptized. Yet, Jesus told Peter:
Luke 22:32King James Version (KJV)

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

WOW! Peter was a believer. Peter had been baptized, but he STILL WASN'T born again! When was his new birth completed?
Acts 2:1-4

2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Then, after being born again on the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and told the masses of people who asked " Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?" (Acts 2:37) to "Repent, and be baptized EVERY ONE OF YOU for the remission of sins, AND ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
This is the ONLY plan of salvation that ANY of the Apostles EVER taught.
This agrees with EVERYTHING Jesus taught in his earthly ministry.

If you have not obeyed Acts 2:38 in it's entirety, you ARE NOT scripturally born again. It's that simple.
I do not say this to be mean. I say it in the hopes that MANY will complete the born again experience.

If you have repented and been baptized in Jesus name, but have not received the baptism of the HG, then you are still in the spiritual womb and are not born again.

If you have repented, but not done the other 2 steps, you are in the spiritual womb, but are not born again.

If you have repented and received the baptism of the HG, but have not been baptized in Jesus name, then you are in the womb, but have not been born again.

PLEASE, Obey Acts 2:38 before it is too late!