Stony Ground Conversions

 Over the years, I have encountered people claiming to be Christians. Before you give me the "judge not" sermon, remember that we are known by the fruits of our lives. The faithful Christian will have good works of the Spirit. I callyy these people Stoney conversion Christians.

Some claim to believe in God but have never reached the point of a transformed life. Their hearts are hardened by sin and are deceived by Satan.

The parable of the sower teaches us a crucial lesson about conversions, particularly those that occur on stony ground. Some fell on stony ground when the sower went forth and sowed the seed. Please make no mistake: the seed was good, but there was no soil for it to grow. This perfectly illustrates the problem with stoney ground conversions.

These conversions lack a fundamental change in the convert's life. There is no fruit of salvation, no spiritual life transformation, and indeed no fruit of repentance. The seed did not take root because it had nowhere to anchor itself and flourish.

Let's be clear: a true conversion must produce visible changes. Without the evidence of a transformed life, we must question the authenticity of the conversion. Stoney ground conversions are superficial at best and deceptive at worst. They give the appearance of growth without the substance.

We must be vigilant in recognizing these shallow conversions and not mistake them for genuine spiritual rebirth. True faith takes root in fertile soil, producing abundant fruit that testifies to its authenticity. Anything less is not enough.

Although the number of people claiming to be Christians may be declining, a significant portion still professes faith without demonstrating genuine conversion. These individuals lack the fundamental characteristics that define true followers of Christ.

First and foremost, many self-proclaimed Christians struggle with forgiveness, a cornerstone of the faith. They hold grudges, seek revenge, and fail to extend the same grace they claim to have received. This glaring inconsistency reveals a superficial understanding of Christianity's core principles.

Moreover, numerous "Christians" continue to practice a life of sin without remorse or effort to change. They compartmentalize their faith, conveniently ignoring biblical teachings when it suits their desires. This blatant disregard for God's commands exposes their lack of genuine commitment.

Perhaps most telling is the absence of a transformed heart and mind. Authentic Christianity results in a radical shift in one's thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Yet, many who claim the title show no evidence of this internal revolution. They remain unchanged, clinging to worldly values and pursuits.

It's time to confront this discrepancy between profession and practice. True Christianity demands more than mere lip service; it requires a complete surrender to God's will and a visible transformation in one's life. Those unwilling to embrace this reality must question the authenticity of their faith.

Children Leaving The Church

I have often been asked  by parents why their children have left the church. I do not like to be judgmential but it could be the parents are the reason. If you're wondering why your children aren't in church, it's crucial to understand that your actions and priorities directly shape their faith. Your children have noticed that church attendance was never a priority in your life, influencing their disengagement from faith. This awareness should make you feel more responsible and aware of the significant role you play in your children's spiritual journey. Even the best example from parents often fail to see their children serving the LORD. So, this should create a  strong sense of responsibility in every parent.

Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

Deuteronomy 11:19 You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.

 This realization should empower you to take a more active role in nurturing their spiritual growth. Once your child has left your home, you will find you have less influence over their life choices. 

I understand balancing life's demands is challenging; sometimes, church attendance can be pushed aside. Sports events, job commitments, and personal pleasures often take precedence, and I recognize the challenges this presents. However, it's important to remember that these outside interests should not replace spiritual activities, as they message your children about what truly matters in life.

Furthermore, the lack of spiritual leadership from the father has been a critical factor. Children look to their parents, especially fathers, for guidance in matters of faith. Your absence or indifference in this area has left a void that your children have filled with other pursuits. Fathers who do not attend church with their children are telling them by their actions serving God is not a priority in life. 

The hard truth is that your lack of commitment to your professed faith has significantly influenced your children's non-serving of the LORD. Your inconsistent actions speak louder than any words you might have shared about the importance of faith. It is true that what parents do in moderation, their children often do in excess.

It's time to face the facts: your children are not part of the church and, sadly, not part of the household of faith because of the example you've set. However, there is hope. If you want to see a change, it's crucial to recommit to your faith and demonstrate its importance through consistent actions. This recommitment is for your children and your spiritual growth and fulfillment. It's a step towards a brighter future for your family.

Yes, I know some parents who faithfully took their children to church, prayed with them, read the Bible, and taught them the way of salvation, but they left the church when they became older. It is heartbreaking to parents who have done all they could to raise their children in the ways of the LORD to see them forsake their spiritual teachings. More often than not, these children have witnessed how their friends missed church to play sports and attend concerts and entertainment events while they were required to participate in church. They feel they missed out on essential areas of life because they were in church. This poor spiritual leadership of those who did not have a God-first priority made it hard on those trying to raise their children right.

However, each person is responsible for their salvation and has the free will to choose their life path. The hope of the parents who raised their children godly is that they will return to the LORD one day. This hope should inspire us all to continue our efforts to make our children's spiritual lives a priority. It's a journey we're all on, and your determination can make a significant difference. Let this hope inspire you and keep you optimistic about the future of your children's faith. Prodigals do come home.

A Sunday Sermon

 Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The importance of gathering together as believers cannot be overstated. It's not merely a suggestion but a vital necessity for spiritual growth and resilience. When we assemble, we create a powerful synergy that strengthens our faith and fortifies our resolve.

Bearing one another's burdens is not just a noble ideal; it's a fundamental responsibility towards our fellow believers. By supporting each other, we create a robust network of faith that can withstand the trials and tribulations of life. This mutual support system is essential, especially as we face increasingly challenging times.

The strength we derive from other believers is unparalleled. We grow stronger in our faith through our interactions, shared experiences, and collective wisdom. We must actively seek out these opportunities for connection, refusing to isolate ourselves or become complacent in our spiritual journey.

As the day approaches, it becomes even more critical to intensify our efforts in community building. We must encourage one another with greater frequency and fervor, pushing each other toward righteousness and unwavering faith. The challenges ahead demand nothing less than our total commitment to supporting and uplifting one another in our spiritual walk.

The LORD has spoken in His Word the reason for the falling away.

1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Like Satan in the Garden, seducing spirits act with subtleness or craftiness; more specifically, they insert grains of truth along with deceptive doctrines that, over time and repetition, draw one's thinking away from God's standards.

Seducing spirits and doctrines of demons don't announce themselves as coming from Satan but instead are packaged as being "smart," "modern," or "advanced." The purpose, however, is always the same.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

Satan is not after our faith for miracles, prosperity, or God's blessing – he is after our faith in Christ as Savior, to pull people away from the Savior who came to save our souls and to destroy God's creation.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,

2 Corinthians 11:3 - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be deteriorated from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Hebrews 3:12-19 - Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.   

Revelation 2:4-5 - Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

2 Peter 2:20-22 - For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.   

Matthew 24:10-13 - And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.   

Revelation 3:11 - Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised them that love him.

1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The exodus of Christians from the Church is a pressing issue that demands our immediate attention. Many are abandoning their faith communities due to a severe lack of commitment. These individuals are not loyal to their fellow Christians, choosing personal comfort over communal support. They're easily offended and unable to handle constructive criticism or differing opinions within the congregation. Instead of focusing on spiritual growth, they've become caught up in the cares of life, prioritizing worldly pursuits over their relationship with God. For these people, the Church is no longer a priority. They've relegated it to an afterthought, attending only when convenient. This lackadaisical attitude towards faith and community is detrimental to both individual spiritual health and the strength of the Church as a whole. It's time for Christians to reassess their priorities, recommit to their faith, and recognize the irreplaceable value of active participation in a church community.

A report issued by Dr. George Barna, Director of Research Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University Release Date: August 6, 2024, states: The cultural awareness sparked by the COVID pandemic and the 2024 presidential campaign has led millions of Americans to realize just how depraved American society has become. Corrupt politicians, dishonest journalists and media outlets, broken social institutions, immoral religious leaders, unconstitutional government programs and policies, and more have generated non-stop headlines highlighting the decadence of American society and the demise of the United States. The depth of the depravity is shocking. But the deterioration of this once-great nation begs the fundamental question: How did we get here? What happened to so quickly introduce new philosophies of life and ways of living that radically depart from America's historical Christian moorings and consensus? The indisputable cultural decline is a direct result of the spiritual collapse of Christianity in the nation. We are living in a day of deceit and confusion.

God is not the author of confusion, period. His word is clear, consistent, and unchanging. The Bible explicitly states that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't flip-flop on His messages or change His mind on a whim. If you're experiencing constant shifts in what God is telling you, it's a clear sign that you must develop and apply your spiritual discernment, a crucial skill in navigating the complexities of faith.

Too often, believers mistakenly attribute Satan's deceptive messages to God's voice. We are commanded to test the spirits and diligently search the scriptures. Stop jumping from one "God told me" moment to another, especially when these supposed divine instructions contradict each other or the Bible itself.

The problem is a "know it all" attitude among those who think they know God's voice.

It's crucial to anchor your faith in the solid foundation of God's written word rather than relying solely on fleeting emotions or impressions. God's faithful guidance aligns perfectly with His character and scriptures, which remain steadfast and unchanging. If you're constantly changing course based on what you think God is saying, you're likely not hearing from God at all. This spiritual arrogance has invaded the Church.

Spiritual arrogance is a dangerous pitfall many people face on their spiritual journey. It manifests as a know-it-all attitude, where individuals believe they've reached the pinnacle of spiritual understanding. This misguided confidence leads to an unwillingness to learn from others, effectively stunting their growth. They have head knowledge without heart experience.

Those afflicted with spiritual arrogance often disregard those who possess genuine knowledge and experience. They dismiss valuable insights, believing their limited understanding to be superior. This arrogance stems from a lack of true spiritual discernment, as they need to recognize the vast depths of wisdom beyond their narrow perspective.

It's crucial to understand that genuine wisdom comes with humility. Those who are genuinely enlightened acknowledge that there is always more to learn. Spiritual arrogance, on the other hand, is a clear indicator of someone who has no true wisdom. It's a barrier to personal growth and a hindrance to meaningful spiritual connections with others. Cultivating humility is essential for genuine spiritual growth.

To avoid this trap, one must remain open-minded, respectful of others' experiences, and committed to lifelong learning. Only then can one hope to achieve genuine spiritual growth and understanding.

Remember, our God is a God of order, not chaos. He doesn't tell you one thing today and something entirely different tomorrow. Seek His unchanging truth in His word, and stop falling for the confusion masquerading as divine guidance.

God has strategically positioned you where you are for a divine purpose. It's time to stop questioning your circumstances and start recognizing the ministry He has entrusted to you right where you stand. You are not a victim of chance but a chosen instrument in God's grand design.

Understand this: God has placed you where you are now for a reason. Your current situation, whether challenging or comfortable, is not a mistake. It's a calling. Open your eyes to see the ministry God has given you in the place you are today. Your sphere of influence, your struggles, and your strengths are all part of His plan.

It's time to stop being the unstable man James warns about, tossed by the wind and double-minded. Cease your aimless wandering like a star without orbit. Instead, plant your feet firmly in the soil of your current circumstance and bloom where you're planted.

Take up your cross and follow where God leads you. This isn't a suggestion; it's a command. Embrace your position with conviction, knowing God has equipped you for this moment. Your obedience in staying put may be the very thing that sparks a revival in your community, workplace, or family.

Stop looking for greener pastures and start cultivating the field God has given you. Your purpose is not elsewhere; it's right here, right now. Seize it with both hands and fulfill the calling God has placed on your life in this very place.

What Is All The Hype About 2030?

 A few years back, I taught a class on the Book of Daniel, and during the class, we discussed the end of the age. At that time, 2030 was being given as the year to complete the United Nations Agenda 2030. It is also the year that transhumanists predicted significant changes to the human body. Some transhumanists believe they can avoid death and become gods. 

Here is the projection for 2030.

In 2015, the WEF published an essay that expressed what life would probably be like in 2030. The result were many people living in smart cities, living in shared, communal buildings that no one owned; and every single item one could think of was rented, shared, and delivered by drone. This since deleted essay partly reads:

Welcome to the year 2030. Welcome to my city – or should I say, “our city”. I don’t own anything. I don’t own a car. I don’t own a house. I don’t own any appliances or any clothes.

By 2030, several body augmentation capabilities will enable humans to be more intelligent, stronger, and more capable than we are today. Wearables will be one form of body augmentation that will surpass today's fitness trackers. In the future, we can expect the arrival of contact lenses that can take pictures or video, universal language translator earbuds that allow us to communicate anywhere in the world, and exosuits that increase physical strength.  We will also see increased use of implants ranging from brain microchips and neural lace to mind-controlled prostheses and subdermal RFID chips that allow users to unlock doors or computer passwords with the wave of a hand. However, the most potent body augmentation will come from biological augmentation as a result of increased insight into our genomes, advances in IVF technology that may allow us to select the most intelligent embryos, and powerful CRISPR gene-editing technology, which may one day give us the ability to eliminate all heritable diseases. 

These body augmentation capabilities will lead to more resilient, optimized, and continually monitored humans. They will also impact job opportunities for those with and without augmented abilities and sports competition with hierarchies based on body augmentation.  All this is expected to happen by 2030. Why 2030?

John the Revelator saw through the ages events that would happen in the end times, one concerning the devil.

 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Rev,12:12

It would seem that the enemy of our soul knows something significant will occur in 2030. What could be so crucial than Satan is pushing to accomplish these agendas by 2030?

In the Book of Daniel, we are told that the mystery of the end times will be revealed later. Has the mystery been unsealed? I believe it has, and we are seeing the fulfillment of things that have been revealed in the past few years.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

For many years, I believed that the increase in knowledge was secular knowledge. However, in the past few years, it has been revealed to be end-time knowledge. What we have been taught about end-time prophecy is not valid.

In the past few weeks, I have concluded that what I believe about the Second Coming of Christ is essential to my salvation. Here is why I say this.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Not understanding the prophecies concerning the end time can destroy one faith.

Where is the promise of his coming? Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continued as they were from the beginning of the creation.

For the past 2,000 years, there have been numerous predictions about the specific day of the end of the world and the return of Jesus by pastors, prophets, and Christian scholars. However, these predictions have all turned out to be incorrect. This is mainly because many of these teachings are based on interpretations and beliefs from the 1500s, which are now considered flawed and outdated. A significant event that changed the understanding of prophecy occurred in 1948 when Judah became a nation. This marked the first time since the Assyrian Empire defeated Israel as a nation that Israel had been established. Following their defeat, the people of Israel had been scattered. A similar fate occurred to Judah when the Babylonians defeated them and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The final destruction of Judah took place in 70 A.D. when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Any interpretation of prophecy should be based on these historical events related to Jerusalem. The phrase "times of the Gentiles" is specific to the Gospel of Luke. According to Jesus, "And they [the Jewish people] will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). Many people misinterpret Luke 21:24 and the events related to the times of the Gentiles.

Some claim that when Israel became a state on May 14, 1948, and then captured the Old City of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in June 1967, the times of the Gentiles ended. But this is an erroneous interpretation of the verse. For years, I believed that the Six Day War ended the times of the Gentiles. But this is not true. Jordan controls Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

The era began during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Babylonians invaded Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled the Jewish people for 70 years (Jer. 25:11). Under King Cyrus of Persia, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple (cf. 2 Chr. 36:23).

There have been times since the Babylonian Captivity when Israel controlled Jerusalem, but Israel's sovereignty did not last. For example, after Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes, who ruled ancient Israel from 175 BC to 163 BC, defiled the Temple, the Jewish people rallied under the Maccabees to revolt. They recaptured Jerusalem and cleansed and rededicated the Temple but only controlled the city for over 100 years.

Then the Romans took control. Again the Jewish people rebelled (A.D. 66–70); again, in the Bar Kokhba revolt of AD 132, they were defeated. Even since becoming a state in 1948, eastern Jerusalem and the Temple Mount have been primarily controlled by Muslims, not Jews.

So when will the gentile time end and the nation of Israel be restored?

Hosea 6:2 says, "After two days he will revive us (Israel and Judah); on the third day he will restore us." (in brackets added) In Bible prophecy, a day is often a millennium or 1000 years.  In other words, after being put aside for 2000 years, Israel and Judah, both southern and northern kingdoms, will be restored to the land, and Jerusalem will be in the hands of Israel once again.  The question is, when was Israel put aside?  If we can figure out when this 2000 or 2-day period began, we can ascertain when the 3rd day will commence, and hence Israel and Judah will be revived.  It began precisely at the time that Jesus announced that He would be going away, six months before he was crucified on Passover A.D. 30.  Jesus made a direct reference to Hosea's prophecy where he said that he would be going away and that they (the disciples) would not be able to come where he was going.2 You see the point is that Israel would be hidden from God's view for two whole days or 2000 years. Then on the third day they would be restored.  When does this third day begin?  Exactly 2000 years after this day at the end of 2029.  This is the period between the 69th and 70th week spoken of by Daniel. 

Let's go back to Matthew 24'. By this time, the disciples had understood the meaning of Jesus' first coming – to suffer and to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world in fulfillment of such scriptures as Isaiah 53.  Their question meant, 'Are you now going to fulfill the rest of the Messianic program and bring an end to the times of the Gentiles and restore the kingdom by reigning as the promised descendant of King David and bringing back the glory / Shekinah to Jerusalem?'  Jesus responded, 'It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' In other words, this event will happen but not at a time you can know or even when you need to know.  Jesus goes on to say that the immediate requirement of the disciples was to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as would happen ten days later on the Day of Pentecost (Shavuot), and to take the Gospel message to the ends of the earth (i.e., to the Gentile nations).  During this time, the Kingdom of God will be entered into by those who are born again of the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in Jesus the Messiah.

Following this, Jesus ascended into heaven in the cloud (Shekinah) from the Mount of Olives with a promise from the angels that 'This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'  Acts 1.11.

In the book of Leviticus, God warned Israel, just after receiving the 10 Commandments and the new construction of the Tabernacle, that if they failed to keep these commands and did not listen to God, then He would punish them, and their enemies would defeat them. This happened some 900-1000 years later when Babylon took Judah and Benjamin away into captivity in the 6th century BC for 70 years, which ended in Daniel's time.  They did not listen.  But this is not where the warning ends.  In verse 18, God warns Israel again that if they still refuse to listen to Him after all this, He will punish them seven times over.  Well, 7 times 70 years = 490 years.  But the fascinating point is that God repeats this "7 times over" warning three more times.

For the past 2,000 years, pastors, prophets, and Christian scholars have made numerous predictions about the specific day of the end of the world and the return of Jesus. However, these predictions have all turned out to be incorrect. This is mainly because many of these teachings were based on interpretations and beliefs from the 1500s, which are now considered to be flawed and outdated.

A significant event that changed the understanding of prophecy occurred in 1948 when Israel became a nation. This marked the first time since the Assyrian Empire defeated Israel as a nation that Israel had been established. Following their defeat, the Jewish people had been scattered. A similar fate occurred to Judah when the Babylonians defeated them and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The final destruction of Judah took place in 70 A.D. when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Any interpretation of prophecy should be based on these historical events related to Jerusalem.

The phrase "times of the Gentiles" is specific to the Gospel of Luke. According to Jesus, "And they [the Jewish people] will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24).

Many people misinterpret Luke 21:24 and the events related to the times of the Gentiles.s for four times in verses 18, 21, 24, and 28.  Unrepentant Israel would be punished 490 + 490 + 490 + 490 = 1960 years for not listening and carrying out God's commands.

After Jesus was crucified, the temple in Jerusalem and, therefore Judaism in the form of the sacrificial religious system, lasted another 40 years, ultimately being defeated by the Roman army via General Titus in A.D. 70 .  So now, from this time on the Jewish system would be punished and put aside to fulfill the 1960 year "banishment."  They would be removed from God's view, as mentioned in Hosea 6.  So where does the 1960 years added onto A.D. 70  leave us?  Well, AD 70 + 1960 years = 2030.

And there we have it… Proof that 2030 is highly significant from two different methods of calculation using the Bible.  But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how the world is going.  Morals are steadily declining.  There are political upheavals and various other signs on the earth that something is not quite right.  One of the first physical signs will be in the heavens.  The "judgment of the thirds" will result in a giant asteroid called "Wormwood" breaking up and hitting the earth. There will also be other signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  In the last days, there will be political, religious, and financial upheaval in the world, all with a healthy dose of deception. 

Everything points towards 2030 and beyond, the critical point of convergence at which the world is ending as we know it in the church age.  

The call that the Bridegroom is coming has gone out. Are you ready? Are your lamps trimmed and burning? Do you have the oil needed to meet the LORD? Are you awake and watching and prepared for the hour that the LORD returns? We may not know the day or hour, but we can identify the events that will take place. Are you ready?