Christian Stewardship

Matthew 9:9 “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom (tax office); and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

A lot of individuals when they hear the words “Christian stewardship” immediately think of helping someone, or giving once or twice a year to a charity; however, Christian stewardship is much deeper and includes a host of other activities. Christian stewardship is putting faith into action. It is accepting what our Father wants us to do in order to teach, help and/or restore value to a person’s life and accepting a lifestyle that our Father has for us.

Christian stewardship is using the talents, skills, and abilities that He has given us in order to spread the gospel and benefit others. Christian stewardship involves stepping out on faith and believing and trusting in our Father. It involves knowing that He is by our side and will guide our path accordingly through the Holy Spirit. It is doing exactly what Matthew did in the above passage and that was—he followed Jesus.

Our Father has called everyone to be faithful stewards in their lifetime. This means using your skills and abilities according to what our Father has given you. One might ask, “What can I do? I don’t have the money? Or belong to a local church.” Our Father directs us to do His business at the time that He has appointed for us to do them. He directs our paths and leads us toward His will. What we don’t ever want to do is—resist the Holy Spirit. Whether we have money or not; belong to a local church or not we have been called as Christian stewards—disciples for our Saviour and we must be about our Father’s business when He calls.

At times we would like to pick and choose which talents we want to share with others and which lessons or scriptures we want to teach. But we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that is guiding us, not man, not money, but the Holy Spirit, who is guided your talents in order to reach His flock. As a Christian Steward we must be obedient to our Father’s Word and His commandments, and never lean on our own understanding of how and why certain things are done as they are. Thus, remembering that our Father has a purpose to everything that He does.

We might say, “I’d rather write a couple books, or prepare Christian newsletters, rather than go to a prison to preach.” Or “I’d rather just sit in a pew and listen to a minister preach, not minister myself.” But we cannot think on those lines. When our Father sees us He does not see the fleshly body that we see in the mirror. Our Father sees the spiritual body within us, which He foreknew before the foundations of this earth. What our Father has planned for his faithful stewards are so much larger than we or anyone else, can ever expect, comprehend, or imagine, and will all come in due season.

Christian stewardship is NOT making a name for oneself in society; nor is it performing works for praise, recognition, and self-esteem; it should not be a boastful, tiring or grievous event; nor should it involve a quid pro quo mentality (I do for you, you do for me); nor is it giving simply because those around you are giving, in order to prove that you are a Christian at face-value.

Christian stewardship comes from our Father’s grace and love. It is our heavenly Father that will give you the ability to give and share according to the means He has provided you with at that specific time. Whether it consists of giving time, money, skills, or abilities all should be done—cheerfully. For it is mentioned in II Corinthians 9:7 that our Father loves a cheerful giver, and it reads, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Becoming a cheerful giver is also a part of Christian stewardship; however, we must remember that this does not always mean giving money to a ministry or to a certain charity or cause. Thus, requiring the giving of only money is very common in most ministries today; however, it is actually a very small percentage as a cheerful giver. A cheerful giver may include, but not limited to, reading scriptures to the elderly; volunteering with a local ministry; feeding the poor and needy; spreading the good news, by the means our Father has provided us.

A cheerful giver may also help by managing the environment; Christian counseling; willingness to share possessions, that are no longer in use or in abundance, for needy families; offering a meal to your Minister and his family; preparing a meal for the homeless, widows and needy; as a Minister baptizing, giving communion to others, and saving souls; actively praying for those in need; and using your talents and skills to support the teaching of our Father’s Word.

As a Christian steward we must understand that we should always give where we are being spiritually fed. But it is the Holy Spirit that will inform us as to whether or not we are being spiritually fed. Thus, it will not be based on how many times we’ve stepped into a building made with hands. Therefore, when you think of giving, always remember to ask the heavenly Father for direction and to guide you on a path that is pleasing toward Him and not pleasing toward man. Proverbs 3:5, 6 states, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Christian stewardship should be a daily part in everyone’s lives. It may mean meditating over our Father’s Word and applying it in our everyday language and how we treat one another on a daily basis. It may include actively praying in the Spirit and thanking and praising our Father for the many, many things that He has done for us. How He has kept us from the snares of wickedness and shielded us from the lusts and cares of this world. Thank Him for the breath of life, health, sanity, peace, forgiveness and many more.

A Christian steward must always remember that our reward is not in this life, nor in this world; rather it is stored up among the many riches and treasures in our Father’s kingdom, which is not of this world. Luke 12:42 reads, “And the LORD said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” And that’s what we strive for as faithful stewards, everlasting life in our Father’s kingdom, and our portion of meat in due season.

We can never let anyone discourage us from following our Father and living according to what His plans are. People will always proudly voice negative opinions when you are about your Father’s business.  By stating such things as, “You can’t teach!” Or “You don’t know anything!” Or “I don’t believe you!” Or “Why should I listen to you when you don’t go to a local church!” Remember, Satan will always work through others, mostly those whom you are close with, in order to make war or place doubt in the minds of our Father’s remnant.

Therefore, as a faithful Christian steward, we must always recognize when Satan, the prince of the air, has entered the conversation or has entered the room. And remember, our Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people, but He still faithfully persevered, prayed with all diligence, and remained about His Father’s business, as a faithful steward, until His death.

Living with Sin

I John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us.”

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

Romans 3:23 Paul reminds us that, “We all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

We are all sinners, each and every one of us and have fallen short of the glory of our Father. However, through the blood of our Lord and Savior Yeshua/Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven. When we confess and repent and ask our Father to forgive our sins, He does, and know longer remembers them, rather He blots them out as Isaiah 43:25 tells us. However, we must earnestly repent and return from our wicked, abominable, sinful deeds that are unpleasing to our Father. We can not simply repent and continue to do the same act on a daily basis.

Remember, a person does not have to confess and repent over and over and over again for the same sin. For if this is done you are calling our Father a liar, stating that He does not forgive and blot out our sins as the scriptures tell us. We must be mindful that when we honestly repent in the name of Yeshua/Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. We must repent for those sins of our past; sins of our youth; those sins that are brought to remembrance; and those sins that have been committed unknowingly.

Now, we don’t have to have a long prayer, or a special prayer, or go to a priest or minister for prayer, our Father hears our prayers. I’m reminded of the shortest prayer in the Bible in Matthew 14:30, “Lord, save me.” An earnest cry from Peter the disciple when he began to sink in the water and our Savior stretched out His hand and saved him.

Our Father certainly hears our prayers; however, what happens when we backslide? James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to Him it is sin.” II Peter 2:21 says, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

We can break these two scriptures down in this way: If you have told your child not to play ball in the house, and you come home one afternoon, to find them playing ball in the house, their punishment is going to be greater because they knew right from wrong. Whereas, you may be more lenient; or chose not to give them a punishment, because you never told your child not to play ball in the house.

Once we have read the gospel that a certain act or lifestyle is unpleasing in the sight of our Father, we must repent, turn away from the sin, and pray for forgiveness. If we choose to discredit the scriptures to suit our own personal needs and the traditions of the world that is—sin. We cannot pick and choose what scriptures we believe and what scriptures we don’t believe. Our Father will view this as disobedience, pride, stiffnecked and stubborn and will judge us accordingly. We will never be able to justify a wrong-doing in front of our Father; nor should we ever try. For we should always live to please and serve our Father not man, traditions of man or the world. Our Father’s Word is—as is, and it never changes; for He is the same, today, yesterday and forever.

Our Father wants us to walk righteously so that we will be able to stand in front of the Son of man without blemish, and inherit the kingdom that was promised to our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Forgiving Ourselves

Some have committed sins that are really horrible, and unthinkable; once we have confessed those sins, repented from those sins, and turned away from those sins, it is time for us to forgive ourselves. We have the comfort in knowing that our Father has forgiven us; therefore, we don’t have to beat ourselves down with memories, and moments of sadness, doubt and fear. Our Father has forgiven those sins.

When our former sins come to mind rejoice in the marvelous Father that we serve; a God that forgives our sins upon asking. Rejoice in His grace, rejoice in His mercy, rejoice in His love, rejoice in the fact of knowing that our sins have been forgiving and will never be brought up again by our Father. Jeremiah 31:34. Our Father has forgiven our transgressions and we ought to forgive them as well. Never dwelling in the past but rejoicing in the future.

Beyond Repentance

Now, I’m reminded of a story that happened a few months ago. An older man committed murder 30 years ago; he started getting closer to our Father and reading and studying the Word daily. He began to have remorse over his actions 30 years prior and repented for his crime. But he knew that he didn’t bring closure to this crime. Therefore, he turned himself in and suffered the consequences of his crime.

A lot of people would say, “Why did he do that, he was free?!” Well, another form of repentance is fixing a particular situation if it warrants it. He repented, but the victim’s parents never had closure to the murder of their child. In this situation the person repented; however, he felt the need to take it a step further in order to bring closure to the situation.

Remember, this is what this man’s heart and/or Holy Spirit led him to do. This does not apply in every situation of repenting; however, if a person has an opportunity to fix something where they have deliberately caused oppression, sickness, heartache, or the like, of another individual, or family, they should ask our Father, and our Father only, for His guidance in resolving such situations. For every situation will be according to our Father’s will. Not the will of man, not the will of family, or friends; priest or ministers; co-workers or neighbors; but according to our Father’s will.

Our sins are forgiven, blotted out, and never mentioned again. We should be led by the Holy Spirit in everything that we do. We should trust in His Word, trust in His mercy, trust in our faith. Our Father should be the director of our path, the captain of our ship. Let Him guide you toward peace, love, joy, and harmony. If we continue to dwell on the sins of our past, we fall short from the glory of our Father, and will not dwell in peace, love, joy, and harmony. Forgive yourself always, for you have been forgiven.

Beheaded for Christ

Devotion for the Martyred

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:9-10

Dear brothers and sister in Christ,

May the voice of the martyred or soon to be martyred individuals always remain in your prayers.

Grace and peace be unto you, from our Father, creator of the heavens and the earth and our Lord and Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ.

Let us humbly direct our attention to the book of Acts 7:51-60. The apostle Stephen, whose name means “crown” was the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death for his testimony of faith in our Lord Yeshua/Jesus Christ. Soon after James one of the twelve disciples was slain by King Herod in the book of Acts 12:1-2, in the days of unleavened bread.

The disciple Peter also, according to historical studies, was crucified on a Roman cross, under the reign of Nero, about 33-34 years after the death of our Saviour; however, Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward."

This topic should really open our eyes and realize that the Bible, in fact, is forbidden, in nearly 50 countries. Some restricted nations include countries such as, China, North Korea, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iraq, and Syria Libya and Algeria just to name a few, are where government policy may have anti-Christian laws or practices that prevent Christians from obtaining Bibles or other Christian literature. This can lead to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their faith. In hostile areas, such as India, Ethiopia, Turkey, Indonesia, Columbia, Nigeria, and Nepal, governments consistently attempt to provide protection for the Christian population from being victims of violence because of their faith.

    

If we take a moment and turn to Hebrews 13:3 it reads, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”

Sometimes we don’t realize how privileged we are here in North America to have the freedom to read and/or carry our Bibles in the library, in the restaurant, at the park, in an airport, or while riding in the train. We can read and take our Bibles when ever and where ever we choose to take them. We don’t have to read the Bible underground, or read via candlelight, or sneak into a basement. What’s really the reality of it all is people are being thrown in jail, beaten, tortured and decapitated, for praying to our Father, delivering Bibles to others, starting churches in small villages, or speaking our Saviour’s name.

It is important for Christians to read your Bible and to stay in our Father’s Word. Once you have acquired the knowledge and have read the Bible in the Spirit it will read like a novel to you. You will begin to read scriptures that you have read before, but now they will make sense. We will never know everything; for our Father’s wisdom is just way too much above our comprehension; however, he will guide us to what He wants us to learn. 

Now, the Bible tells us that persecution must occur before this generation has ended. Let’s look at Mark 13:9. In this chapter our Saviour is referring to the tribulation in the last days. Yeshua’s/Jesus’ disciples asked him what will be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled and the sign for the end of the world? Jesus answers by saying, “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” So although it’s not happening here in North America this is happening in other parts of the country.

Let’s read Matthew 24: 9 again referring to the prophecy of the end and again Jesus says, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” Also, in Luke 21:12 Jesus says, “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.”

So let us remember, just because we are not seeing this happen here in North America it does not mean that this is not happening, it may not make the 6:00 or 11:00 p.m. news but it is happening everyday. There are evangelists secretly baptizing new Christians in Vietnam. These evangelists and Christians hike to muddy mountain trails to share and hear the gospel with tribal groups.

There are evangelists who have been threatened, fined, arrested and thrown in jail for ministering to ethnic groups in remote areas of Vietnam. Yet, they continue to share the good news of the gospel of our Saviour. There are evangelists that have been arrested for making copies of the Bible. These individuals are risking their lives and freedom for the Word.

Evangelists in Mauritania, continue introducing Muslims to Yeshua/Jesus Christ despite death threats; unfortunately, some were killed by Muslim extremists. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Our Saviour laid down his life for us so we should not hesitate to lay down our life for him without question.

A few years ago, 70,000 Christians in India had their homes destroyed; and Hindu radicals killed many pastors and burned Bibles all because they do not want them to convert to Christianity. There were 70,000 people displaced during that incident.

We are extremely fortunate here in North America to be able to read our Bibles, go to or start a church of our choice. We can openly pray, spread the gospel of Yeshua/Jesus Christ without reproach. Let’s not take that for granted any longer.

In those countries they want to hear the Word so desperately. There is a huge famine in their land, not a famine of food, but a famine of the Word; a famine of the Word of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ.  These individuals are risking their lives to fellowship with other believers; rather they fellowship in homes, in basements, in the woods, in caves, or on mountain tops, it doesn’t matter. They want to hear and read the Word of our Lord Yeshua/Jesus Christ. Matthew 18:20 tells us, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Yeshua/Jesus Christ is right there in the midst of the two or three of you. He’s with you in the cave, mountain, basement, or the like. He’s right there listening. We should never pass up a time to fellowship with someone wherever the mood may strike.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:39 “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”  Are you a fan of Yeshua/Jesus Christ or a follower? Will you lose your life for Him, or keep your life for this world? Please continue to keep the voice of the martyred in your thoughts and prayers.

May our heavenly Father bless you with His love, grace, peace and mercy; protect you from the hour of temptation and fill you with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:

Our sources are from The Voice of Martyrs magazine and website at: http://www.persecution.com or www.prisonalert.com

Where Are The Dead

Where Are the Dead?

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”

A lot of Christians, especially new Christians, have questions regarding the dead. Where are the dead? Where are their loved ones? Is there a place called Purgatory? Is my loved one looking down on me? Do they visit me? What happens to those who commit suicide? What happens to those who were cremated?

We’re going to take a look through the scriptures and find out just where the dead are and if our loved ones are watching over us.

Flesh bodies and Spiritual bodies

We have two bodies: The flesh body and the spiritual body. I Corinthians 15:40 “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”

Our flesh body is the body that we see when we look into the mirror. Our flesh body gets sick, it gets tired, it gets hungry, it gets full, it loses teeth, and it loses its hearing and sight as we age. It also has hairs that turn gray and shed. Our flesh bodies get angry, and boastful; it can be filled with pride, greed and lusts. Our flesh bodies can experience moments of sadness, become overwhelmed, and overburdened. Our flesh body can display every human emotion that there is on this earth. And most importantly, the flesh body dies.

However, our spiritual body is our inner being and does not die. We do not see our spiritual body when we look into the mirror. Our spiritual body loves those things which are heavenly. The spiritual body is not flesh. Our spiritual body is what our Father sees when he looks at us. He may see loads of strength, courage, faith, joy, peace, love, or happiness. Our Father sees in us, what we do not see. That is why a lot of times when we look at the prophets in the Bible who may have been young, timid or lacking some tradition of man, such as wealth, status, education or the like, were used by our Father. For education and status are not impressive characteristics to our Father. Our Father saw the inner being in those prophets as He sees in us, and knew the inner being before the foundations of this world.

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Our Father knew us before the foundations of the earth and knows which individuals are capable of fulfilling His prophecy.

Now, when the flesh dies—that’s it. The flesh returns to dust as it is written in Genesis 3:19, “…for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” The flesh is clay. Thus, when we bury our loved ones we are burying their flesh, which will turn to dust, which will evidentially evaporate, leaving the skeletal remains. When we go to visit our loved ones in the cemetery—they are not there, their skeletal remains are there.

Immediately at death, the inner being, or spiritual being goes back to the Father who created it. II Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD.” Where is the Father? He’s in heaven. All souls return to the Father who created them. Now, this does not mean that all will spend eternal life in heaven…all souls return to the Father who created it, and will await judgment to decide if they will inherit the kingdom, or experience everlasting torment in the lake of fire. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow, not, even as others, which have no hope.”

I Thessalonians 4:13.

Now, these souls are NOT rejoicing having a great time in the kingdom. We can’t possibly imagine a serial killer having a marvelous time in heaven. As the book of

II Esdras 7:75-99 points out, there are holding places or gulfs for the holy, righteous, unrighteous and the ungodly. Some believers refer to this place as Purgatory or Hades. As Christians we definitely want to fall under the holy or the righteous, for the unrighteous and the ungodly will not inherit the kingdom.

The Holy

The Holy are those who keep our Father’s commandments and laws. They believe in the Creation not evolution. They have not defiled themselves sexually, with male, female or beasts and have walked righteously in the Word of our Father, keeping their language pure. Studying, reading and praying fervently in the Spirit and waking in love. They constantly meditate on our Father’s Word. They are conscious as to what they watch and listen to. They do not get wrapped up in the cares and lusts of this world. They are peacemakers, meek in spirit and filled with love. They have a relationship with our Father and are true faithful followers of Yeshua/Jesus Christ. The Holy are ready to be martyred for the faith. They rejoice in knowing that their names are written in the book of life.

The Righteous

The Righteous are those who may not have always walked righteously according to our Father’s Word. They believe in the Creation and not evolution. They may have done things and said things that they aren’t proud of. They attempt and or/do keep the commandments and laws of our Father. They may slip into temptation but quickly escape and repent from wrong-doings. The righteous read, study, and pray fervently asking our Father to guide their paths according to His will. The righteous evidentially will want to become disengaged with the cares and lusts of this world. The righteous are immediately convicted upon any wrong-doings and/or chastised by their Father. They have a relationship with our Father, hear from our Father, and are striving to be and/or are true faithful followers of Yeshua/Jesus Christ. They meditate daily on our Father’s Word and are ready to inherit the kingdom. They rejoice in knowing that their names are written in the book of life. The righteous look forward to the end of days, and may be martyred for the faith.

The Unrighteous

The Unrighteous are those who are fans and not followers of our Lord and Saviour. They believe in the Creation and may believe in evolution as well. They don’t have a faithful relationship with our Father. They may pray every now and again, do good deeds, and be a cheerful giver. They may even go to church every week. However, they don’t pick up their Bibles to study, drawing themselves nearer to our Father and living life accordingly. They pick and choose which commandments and laws they will follow and quickly dismiss the others. They will believe half of what is being said or taught and disbelief the rest, or fit the scriptures according to the traditions of man.

They are concerned with the cares and lusts of this world and are acceptable to those things that are not of God, and/or are abominable to our Father. The unrighteous live mainly according to their flesh. The unrighteous, more than likely, do not want the world to end. The unrighteous may be good people; however, they do not live righteously, nor do they hear from our Father. They can not say for certain that their names are written in the book of life.

A lot of Christians do not like the term “unrighteous” but it simply means they are not living righteously according to our Father’s commandments. Can they change? Of course they can; however, after death it will be too late.

The Ungodly

The Ungodly are your atheists, witches, wizards, sorcerers, and worshipers of other gods. They do not believe in our Father’s Word, His Son, His resurrection or the Holy Spirit; however, they can be good people.  But being good does not get a person into heaven.

We know from scriptures that we all are not all going to die. But we will all be changed. Changed into what? We will be changed into our spiritual bodies. There are some of us who will be here right up unto our Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ return. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” I Corinthians 15:51

We must be changed into our spiritual bodies before we enter the kingdom of Heaven. Flesh bodies cannot enter into the kingdom. For our Father’s glory is too holy and too marvelous for our flesh to enter into His presence. “For this corruptible (flesh body) must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15:53 Nobody can enter into the kingdom of God in a flesh body we must be without blemish.

What happens to those who commit suicide?

You have just broken the Sixth Commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” This commandment does not say, “You can’t kill others but you can kill yourself.” Those who have committed suicide have interrupted our Father’s plan; and He will not be happy to see you. Whether you go to heaven or spend eternity in hell is up to Him; however, we never want to test our Father. Ecclesiastes 7:17 says, “Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?”

Many of the saints and prophets of the Bible have experienced hardships, depression and overwhelming thoughts. But they still pushed forward with the help from our Father.  Jeremiah 20:14 Jeremiah says, “Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be the blessed.” And Job says in his sorrow, “So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.” Job 7:15-16. Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy, never let him take your joy. Yeshua/Jesus came so that we may have life, continue to press on in the faith.

What happens to those who have been cremated?

Those who have decided to get cremated have had their flesh turn to dust faster. However, immediately at their demise the moment the Father no longer breathed His breath of life into them, their soul went to the Father who created it. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7

While you were sleeping

Take a moment and think about the last time you were sleeping. Do you remember the events surrounding you? What was going on in the world around you? If we just take a moment and reflect…when we are sleeping we do not know that we are sleeping. We may have dreams or nightmares that we’ll remember when we wake up; however, while we are sleeping our conscious bodies are unaware that we are sleeping. When we are asleep we have no knowledge of being asleep; likewise the dead know nothing. “…but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their love, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

Can I talk with my loved ones after death?

“He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.” Mark 12:27. “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and the god of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Matthew 23:32. “For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.” Luke 20:38

With the above scriptures we must be aware that any spirit that is seen of someone who has passed is a spirit of Satan. Satan comes in many forms and he can even take on the form of a loved one. Therefore, we must not error believing that it is a relative or friend. Our relative or friend is no longer in existence. Some of us error because we want to see our loved ones so deeply, not taken into account what the scriptures tell us. Satan or his messengers has disguised himself as our loved ones. Therefore, it is not your loved ones that you see, for they have no knowledge of life or the world around them, it is Satan. Our Father is a God of the living, not of the dead.

Our Soul at Death

Remember, our soul immediately goes to the Father who created it when we take our last breath. Let’s remember the thief on the cross next to our Saviour. Let’s turn to Luke 24:42-43 it reads, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” There soul was going to paradise, not the flesh body. And as we read further down in Luke 24:46 Yeshua/Jesus says, “…Father into thy hands I commend my spirit…” So once again our spirit returns to the Father at death.

Now, let’s take a look at Revelation 6:9-11 and it reads, “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

So once again the souls of those that were martyred for the Word of God were under the altar in heaven, they were not in the ground in their flesh bodies. They were murdered for Yeshua/Jesus Christ and overcame, and have received white robes in heaven.

In closing, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15.

Our loved ones can no longer talk with us, sit with us, nor do they have any recollection of what is happening on earth. They are not angels protecting us, or watching over us. When we go visit our loved ones graves, they are not there. Only their skeletal remains are in the ground, their flesh bodies have turned to dust, your loved ones are not there. Their souls have returned to the Father who created it. Now, this does not mean that all souls will have eternal life in the kingdom, they are awaiting judgment. And only those souls found worthy to enter the kingdom will have everlasting life.


Written by T. Nicole Rubio

Church Worship Gone Wrong

What's the Real Reason Why You Sing?!

Let's not forget why we worship, sing and praise our heavenly Father. As faithful Christians we need to mean every word we sing to our Father, heart, mind, body and soul. Some us are merely, spitting out words to a song. These individuals are in no means mocking faith, religion, or our heavenly Father; they are trying to get those Christians to stop playing church, and actually start living the lifestyle of a Christian. 

Uploaded by PrepHeavens on Jan 26, 2012

Produced by First Orlando Worship team, this is a hilarious illustration of how some of us worship. Sometimes when we worship, we don't really mean it. What would it look like if we were to sing what we really meant? This was an illustration from a sermon about worship. Sung by George Livings, Doug Pierce, and Melissa Vasquez.

Life as a Christian

How Does One Live a Christian Lifestyle

When we hear the word “Christian” we automatically think of a person who believes in our Father and his Son Yeshua/Jesus Christ. We think of someone who may go to church on Sundays and someone who celebrates such holidays as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, being a Christian does not just entail going to church on Saturday or Sunday; celebrating the holidays, singing in the church choir; serving on the usher board, deacon board, worship committee, or all the other boards and committees in the church. It is a daily walk with our Father and Messiah. It is developing and having a relationship with our Father and his Son.  It is taking up the cross daily, and loving those things which you once hated, and hating those things which you once loved.

Luke 14:26 states, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” This verse does not mean, hate as in wrath or anger, but hate the lifestyle and lusts of their flesh. For example, if your father spends a lot of time drinking liquor or going to exotic bars you would hate his lifestyle, but you would still love him.

If your daughter degrades the poor and needy, you would hate her attitude towards them; however, you would still love her. For a faithful Christian hates the lifestyles of those who are not actively seeking, striving, and walking in the Light. Romans 8:13 states, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” A Christian’s lifestyle should never cease striving to walk in the Spirit, and not give into the desires of the flesh.

A Christian lifestyle means leaving the cares and lusts of this world behind, and walking in a new Light with our Father. A Christian lifestyle involves spiritual growth and maturity in faith; it involves seeking our Father and his kingdom, rather than focusing on finding Him, for our Father is certainly not lost. We must seek Him in order to hear from our Comforter daily. It involves having a relationship with our Father, rather than just saying, “I believe in the Father and his Son.” For example, a person cannot honestly and accurately state, “I believe John or Jane is my friend,” when they don’t have a relationship with them, or spend time with them, or know their likes and dislikes. Only knowing of the existence of John or Jane does not constitute a relationship or friendship.

The faithful Christian is known by their fruit, not how many homes, cars, or degrees they have, or where they live; rather how their spirit displays meekness, peace, love, understanding, and joy, in the Word. The Christian loves telling others about his or her Father and the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ. For they are not ashamed to spread the gospel, learn the gospel, or read the gospel; whether it be to friend, family, or those in passing.  

The lifestyle of the Christian has a balanced lifestyle in mind, body, and spirit. It is important to be balanced on all levels emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. For without balance the lifestyle would be shaky. I think when most faithful Christians seek this Way, often wonder why they didn’t seek this Way before. For the lifestyle has longer, peaceful days; a happier heart; a healthier outlook on life; less stress fewer worries; and all needs met from our Father.  

A Christian lifestyle involves keeping the commandments and laws of our Father, those laws and commandments that He has set forth for all generations to keep. It involves repenting and restraining from those things which are not acceptable in His eyes. It is walking in obedience, so that we may be able to stand before the Son of Man without blemish. It is forgiving as well as praying for all guidance, a righteous path, and a pure heart. The faithful Christian is always watching and patiently waiting for the return of our Messiah.

For the faithful Christian understands that his return can happen at any time or day; thus also acknowledging that our return to Him can happen at any time or day as well. Subsequently, as we are waiting for His return; however, our time on this earth may cease at any time or day, at the blink of an eye. The lifestyle of a faithful Christian certainly would not want to die in sin, but always ready for that moment in time.

The lifestyle of a faithful Christian can be a very lonely Way, for narrow is the gate to righteousness and wide is the gate to destruction.  Many of our family, friends and acquaintances are choosing and/or have chosen the wider gate involving the many, many cares and lusts of this world. For everything that is in the world will soon turn to dust, but the faithful in the Word will shortly have their reward in the everlasting kingdom filled with milk and honey. For all that is in this world and of this world will pass away, but our Father’s Word is everlasting.

Matthew 7:13,14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” And although the faithful Christian’s lifestyle may be lonely at times, we are never alone. For our Father, the Son, with the Holy Spirit as our Comforter is with us always, keeping us as the apple of his eye, with restful nights, and peaceful days.

(Sayings 1:4), “Jesus said, "Unless you become like little children, you cannot know the meaning of Life, for your minds must be cleared of the falsehoods of this realm if you are to be taught Eternal Truth." Matthew 18:3, “…Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Our Messiah wants all to become as children, getting the debris out of our minds and focusing on his love, teachings, and salvation. And this is what a Christian lifestyle should entail, not just one or two days out of the week, but everyday, throughout the day. For a faithful Christian should be able to rejoice with all surety in knowing that their name is written in the book of life.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Christian Stewardship

Living as Stewards

Matthew 9:9 “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom (tax office); and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

A lot of individuals when they hear the words “Christian stewardship” immediately think of helping someone, or giving once or twice a year to a charity; however, Christian stewardship is much deeper and includes a host of other activities. Christian stewardship is putting faith into action. It is accepting what our Father wants us to do in order to teach, help and/or restore value to a person’s life and accepting a lifestyle that our Father has for us. Christian stewardship is using the talents, skills, and abilities that He has given us in order to spread the gospel and benefit others. Christian stewardship involves stepping out on faith and believing and trusting in our Father. It involves knowing that He is by our side and will guide our path accordingly through the Holy Spirit. It is doing exactly what Matthew did in the above passage and that was—he followed Jesus.

Our Father has called everyone to be faithful stewards in their lifetime. This means using your skills and abilities according to what our Father has given you. One might ask, “What can I do? I don’t have the money? Or belong to a local church.” Our Father directs us to do His business at the time that He has appointed for us to do them. He directs our paths and leads us toward His will. What we don’t ever want to do is—resist the Holy Spirit. Whether we have money or not; belong to a local church or not we have been called as Christian stewards—disciples for our Saviour and we must be about our Father’s business when He calls.

At times we would like to pick and choose which talents we want to share with others and which lessons or scriptures we want to teach. But we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that is guiding us, not man, not money, but the Holy Spirit, who is guided your talents in order to reach His flock. As a Christian Steward we must be obedient to our Father’s Word and His commandments, and never lean on our own understanding of how and why certain things are done as they are. Thus, remembering that our Father has a purpose to everything that He does.

We might say, “I’d rather write a couple books, or prepare Christian newsletters, rather than go to a prison to preach.” Or “I’d rather just sit in a pew and listen to a minister preach, not minister myself.” But we cannot think on those lines. When our Father sees us He does not see the fleshly body that we see in the mirror. Our Father sees the spiritual body within us, which He foreknew before the foundations of this earth. What our Father has planned for his faithful stewards are so much larger than we or anyone else, can ever expect, comprehend, or imagine, and will all come in due season.

Christian stewardship is NOT making a name for oneself in society; nor is it performing works for praise, recognition, and self-esteem; it should not be a boastful, tiring or grievous event; nor should it involve a quid pro quo mentality (I do for you, you do for me); nor is it giving simply because those around you are giving, in order to prove that you are a Christian at face-value.

Christian stewardship comes from our Father’s grace and love. It is our heavenly Father that will give you the ability to give and share according to the means He has provided you with at that specific time. Whether it consists of giving time, money, skills, or abilities all should be done—cheerfully. For it is mentioned in II Corinthians 9:7 that our Father loves a cheerful giver, and it reads, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Becoming a cheerful giver is also a part of Christian stewardship; however, we must remember that this does not always mean giving money to a ministry or to a certain charity or cause. Thus, requiring the giving of only money is very common in most ministries today; however, it is actually a very small percentage as a cheerful giver. A cheerful giver may include, but not limited to, reading scriptures to the elderly; volunteering with a local ministry; feeding the poor and needy; spreading the good news, by the means our Father has provided us; managing the environment; Christian counseling; willingness to share possessions, that are no longer in use or in abundance, for needy families; offering a meal to your Minister and his family; preparing a meal for the homeless, widows and needy; as a Minister baptizing, giving communion to others, and saving souls; actively praying for those n need; and using your talents and skills to support the teaching of our Father’s Word.

As a Christian steward we must understand that we should always give where we are being spiritually fed. But it is the Holy Spirit that will inform us as to whether or not we are being spiritually fed. Thus, it will not be based on how many times we’ve stepped into a building made with hands. Therefore, when you think of giving, always remember to ask the heavenly Father for direction and to guide you on a path that is pleasing toward Him and not pleasing toward man. Proverbs 3:5, 6 states, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Christian stewardship should be a daily part in everyone’s lives. It may mean meditating over our Father’s Word and applying it in our everyday language and how we treat one another on a daily basis. It may include actively praying in the Spirit and thanking and praising our Father for the many, many things that He has done for us. How He has kept us from the snares of wickedness and shielded us from the lusts and cares of this world. Thank Him for the breath of life, health, sanity, peace, forgiveness and many more.

A Christian steward must always remember that our reward is not in this life, nor in this world; rather it is stored up among the many riches and treasures in our Father’s kingdom, which is not of this world. Luke 12:42 reads, “And the LORD said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” And that’s what we strive for as faithful stewards, everlasting life in our Father’s kingdom, and our portion of meat in due season.

In closing, we can never let anyone discourage us from following our Father and living according to what His plans are. People will always proudly voice negative opinions when you are about your Father’s business.  By stating such things as, “You can’t teach!” Or “You don’t know anything!” Or “I don’t believe you!” Or “Why should I listen to you when you don’t go to a local church!” Remember, Satan will always work through others, mostly those whom you are close with, in order to make war or place doubt in the minds of our Father’s remnant. Therefore, as a faithful Christian steward we must always recognize when Satan, the prince of the air, has entered the conversation or has entered the room. And remember, our Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people, but He still faithfully persevered, prayed with all diligence, and remained about His Father’s business, as a faithful steward, until His death.