RISE AND SHINE

Are Christians not Supposed to Judge?

Often people will quote Matthew 7, when they say don't judge. The Bible does not say, don’t judge at all. Jesus was saying, don’t be a hypocrite and judge someone for the same sin you are doing. When you fix your issue, then you will be qualified to judge fairly.

Matthew 7:5, You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Judgements are a part of everyday life. God shows us how to judge righteously. He says you will know a Christian and false prophet by their fruits (Matthew 7:20). He gives us clear indications on how to recognize someone who is saved, and those who are not saved. To do that requires one to analyze and make a judgment.

He tells us if we see our fellow brother sinning to rebuke him, which some people would consider judgmental. You need to do it with kindness of course (Galatians 6:1). Luke 17:3, Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. See also 1 Timothy 5:20, Titus 1:13, & Matthew 18:15-17.

There’s a book in the Bible called Judges. Why would God appoint judges if we are forbidden to judge? Judges 2:16, Then the Lord raised up judges.

God says we will judge the world and angels (fallen angels I presume). 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

I’m not saying to be over judgmental or critical, but judgement is good, beneficial, and sometimes necessary if done correctly. I certainly hope you have good judgement and are not void of all judgement.

John 7:24, Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.

Leviticus 19:15, “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

Christians are to hold each other to a higher standard and keep each other on the right path.

1 Corinthians 5:12, For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

Our Salvation is Similar to a Marriage.

Salvation is like a marriage covenant. When a husband and wife unite in marriage, they become one flesh (Mark 10:8). When you and God unite, you become one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17, But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

True, born again, Christians are betrothed to Jesus, and will soon be united with her groom, at the marriage ceremony (rapture). When we become betrothed to Jesus we also become a child of Father God. God doesn't just become our Father in-law, but he loves us so much that he fully adopts us as his very own child, and we will fully share in the inheritance that belongs to his son Jesus (Romans 8:17). Ephesians 1:5, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

The Jewish people are currently the ex wife of Father God. God loves Israel and is pursuing her, because he wants her to repent and return to him.

Our union with God is more than a casual acquaintance or friendship. It's an intimate and personal relationship. God loves us like a husband loves his wife. He is willing to provide for us (Philippians 4:19), he wants to be our friend (John 15:14-15), he wants us to cast our anxiety on him (1 Peter 5:7), God wants to comfort us (Isaiah 66:13), he wants to wipe away our tears (Revelation 21:4), he loves us dearly (1 John 4:19), and is willing to die for us (Romans 5:8).

CHRISTIANS

Ephesians 5:23, For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, and is himself Savior.
Ephesians 5:25, Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
2 Corinthians 11:2, For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
EPHESIANS 5:30-32, For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. See also Ephesians 5:28-29.
Revelation 19:7-8, …For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. See also Revelation 21:9.

For more information on this topic, please check our my article, The Jewish Wedding Custom & Jesus our Bridegroom. The rapture of the church, is the wedding of the Messiah and his bride, the church.

ISRAEL

Ezekiel 16:8, …So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.
Isaiah 62:5, as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Jeremiah 3:13-14, …Return, faithless people, declares the Lord, for I am your husband. I will choose you.
Isaiah 54:5, For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
Isaiah 62:5, For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Israel broke her marriage covenant by her adultery (Idolatry) (Jeremiah 31:32 & Ezekiel 23:37). Adultery is a reason divorced is allowed, so God divorced Israel. Jeremiah 3:8, She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce.

God is perusing Israel and many will eventually repent and return to him in the last days (Hosea 3:1-5). Though, if they or anyone rejects God and marry another (anti-Christ), salvation is forever lost.

For more details on why salvation is lost if someone takes the mark of the beast in their right hand or forehead, check out this article, The Mark of The Beast - It's a Marriage

Who Are The Two Witnesses?

I think most everyone agrees that one of the two witnesses is Elijah. Malachi 4:5-6, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers... During the Passover feast, Jewish people often set a place at the table for Elijah. They are anxiously awaiting his return.

The two most common speculations about the second witness are usually, Moses and Enoch.

Moses

People often speculate Moses because some of the miracles that will occur during the tribulation are some of the miracles attributed to Moses during his life. Another reason Moses is said to be the other witness is because at the transfiguration both Moses and Elijah appeared together and spoke with Jesus.

Enoch

The other common guess is Enoch. He was raptured just like Elijah was. I lean towards the belief that the second witnesses will most likely be Enoch. My reason may be more of a process of elimination. I don't believe it can be Moses because the Bible says, Hebrews 9:27, And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. The two witnesses will both die in the middle of the tribulation (Revelation 11:7-8). For it to be Moses it would have to contradict this scripture because Moses has already died (Deuteronomy 34:5-6 & Jude 1:9). Neither Elijah or Enoch's bodies were changed to immortal at the time they were raptured. Both Elijah and Enoch are currently in heaven in their natural bodies. Unlike the rapture when all living believers and those who have died from the time of Jesus on, will be transformed to immortal (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 & 1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

The Bible does not say who the two witnesses are. It does not say Elijah will even be one of them, only that he will return before the day of the Lord. It could be two currently anonymous people. Though I tend to believe it will be both Elijah and Enoch.

Simply Put

Your Righteousness = Hell

(Ezekiel 33:13 & Galatians 2:21)

Your Works = Hell

(Romans 4:2-6 & Romans 11:6 )

Your Righteousness + Your Works = Hell

(Isaiah 57:12-13 & 64:6)

God’s Righteousness = Heaven

(Romans 3:22 & Romans 10:3)

God’s Righteousness + Your Works = Heaven + Rewards

(Philip 3:9, Matt 16:27 & Rev 22:12)

There is a difference between working for your salvation and living out your faith. When we are working to earn salvation or to earn God’s love, we are not in right standing with God. If your child felt they constantly needed to earn your love by doing things, they would never have peace and it would break your heart! That child never fully understood your love for them, if that's their mindset. Once we realize we can never earn salvation on our own and it's a free gift, our trust moves from us to Jesus. While, good works don't save you, they make God feel loved. You will be able to see who’s heart is really with the Lord based on their obedience towards him. Jesus says if you love him you will keep his commandments. A saved person will be eager to please the Lord because of their love for him. We are not going to love someone and never do anything for them. So Relax, if you have a relationship with Jesus, you are saved!

For more on this topic, check out my article The Dangers of Working for Your Salvation.

Your Eternity is Chosen Now!

If you're living your life without an intimate relationship with God, then don't be surprised when he wants to spend an eternity without an intimate relationship with you. People will try an access his home (the heavenly kingdom) and move in with him, but if he doesn't know you, he will not allow you to enter into his personal residence.

Many people know about Jesus, and even believe he is God and died for their sins, but they don't know him personally. James 2:19, You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

It's MORE THAN a head knowledge of Jesus. You should actually love the man who paid a very high price to keep you out of hell. Romans 10:10, For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Deuteronomy 6:5, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. This is called the greatest commandment.

Jesus will say to many people, who actually believe that Jesus is Lord, depart from me, I never knew you (Matthew 7:23).

Get to know him now by reading the Bible and praying, because time is short. Jesus is coming back soon to gather up his people before the tribulation starts. That is a time where the righteous men and women will not be here to restrain the evil and the wickedness of man will bloom world wide. The judgements of God will start pouring out for all the evil people choose to embrace.

Merry Christmas!

Thank You for reading and forwarding my blog to others!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family. I pray that God will bless you all year long and that your family will draw closer to God everyday!

Here is a really good video from Bill Wiese called the Christmas gift. https://youtu.be/m5FubTOZuOo?si=BV3-MghTg5-QcFnp

Merry Christmas,

Jenny

Jenny's Page of Shorts

Check out my tab called SHORTS. I know many of you don't have time to read long detailed articles. I have put together summaries on a few of my articles, along with some summaries on different topics.

Click HERE to see the Shorts tab.

Who Killed Jesus?

I see arguments back and forth about who killed Jesus. Some are adamite it’s the Jewish people and others say it’s the Romans. I’ll tell you the answer. All of our sins are what placed Jesus on that cross. Jesus was sinless. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus would still be alive today if he did not freely exchange his life for ours. Stop trying to figure out who was worse and killed the Messiah. It was all of us.

Did Jesus tell his disciples that His second coming would be in their lifetime?

Matthew 16:28, Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

It doesn't say they will not die because they will be raptured. It says some won't die until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. This statement did not say the disciples would experience his second coming, it said some will see it. We know Jesus gave his disciple John the vision of the end times. John is the one who wrote the book of revelation. Other disciples may have had visions from God but John is the one who recorded it.

In Matthew 24, Luke 21, and the whole book of Revelation, Jesus tells us things that will occur before his second coming. You can check out my End Times page for more detailed information. Many prophecies need to be fulfilled before the return of Jesus (not the rapture). For a list of Prophecies that have been fulfilled, are in the process of being fulfilled, and some of the outstanding prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled click HERE.

Play Detective

Research is your friend, if you want to know the truth. Those who have an agenda view the truth as an enemy to fight. Many don't even know they are in a spiritual battle for truth. The devil twists and hide truth to keep people from salvation. Make sure what you believe is the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:5, Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves...

I've read articles that will use Bible verses to support a point they are making. If the verse is just listed and not quoted, I will look it up. I don't know how many times I have done this and the verse does not support their point. I know sometimes I have accidently typed numbers wrong when writing down a verse, and I will give leniency to authors for mistakes. When I notice it's done multiple times and they take the verse out of context to prove their point, I know I can no longer trust that source. Unfortunately, many people are too trusting. They believe the research was done and an accurate conclusion by the author, scientist, priest, was reached. I don't want someone else interpreting the Bible for me. That is the Holy Spirit's job as I read His Word. 1 John 2:27, But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie just as it has taught you, abide in him.

The reason for my post today is because I was reading an article on a popular Catholic website. They included a quote from a founding church father. A red flag went off and I played detective. It took some research and I finally found the quote. I noticed it was only a partial quote that was used in the article and the full quote completely changes the meaning. This was done more than once in that article. People want to be right so bad, they hide the truth. Most would have read that article and trusted what the author said, causing them to possibly be talked out of believing the truth. This upset me because it seemed like an intentional deception. You do not want to trust people with your salvation. The Bible warns us so many times that people will lead us astray. We are responsible for what we believe and our own salvation. Philippians 2:12, ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

My goal is to point you in the direction of truth and then have you take off running in it. I don't want you depending on any person or church for your spiritual growth. I only want you to depend on God and be led by the Holy Spirit. Romans 10:17, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. John 17:17, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Any doctrine you believe in should have it's foundation in the Word of God. Have you ever heard the phrase "be a Berean"? They were praised and called noble. This was because the Berean Jews researched in the Bible the message they heard from the apostle Paul to make sure he was speaking truth. Acts 17:11, Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Proverbs 25:2, It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

The Bible and UFO’s

Here is an excellent video from Bill Wiese called The Bible and UFO's. It’s only 9 minutes long.

https://youtu.be/xMhbQ1HqfO8

What does the Lord require of you?

Micah 6:8, … what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Building the Heavenly Kingdom

God does not exist to build your kingdom. You exist to build his Kingdom.

- Frank Turek -

Don't build up your kingdom.

Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Mark 8:36-38, For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Build up God's Kingdom.

Luke 4:43, But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Matthew 28:18-20, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...

People don't think Jesus is coming back any time soon so they live life for themselves as if he isn't coming back. They are building up their own kingdom and trusting in their wealth to provide for them instead of God. Unfortunately, in the end, their money and their good works won't save them. Click to read the Dangers of Working for Your Salvation. It's only through a loving relationship with Jesus where your lives have been united together that saves you. Click to read Salvation Explained. The only thing you can take to heaven with you are souls. Preach the Gospel and speak Truth (John 17:17)!

Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

A short message to those who are or feel like orphans.

God created you because he wanted you to love! If you have accepted Jesus as your savior, you are apart of a big family. The devil wants you to feel alone, abandoned and unloved but, you are none of those things (Deuteronomy 31:8 & John 16:32). Your Father is the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are valuable and special (Psalm 149:14 & Jeremiah 1:5). God has good plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).

Romans 12:4-6, Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

If you haven't and would like to accept Jesus as your savior and become apart of God's big family click HERE. Becoming apart of the family of God is immediate the moment you accept Jesus as Lord. Finding your family on earth will come, just be patient.

You will do many good and wonderful things while on earth because God has made you for a purpose (Exodus 9:16). Your life may be hard and that's probably because the devil is trying to get you to give up and quit. Don't do it!

Romans 8:37-39, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you would like to contact me click HERE. Here are some more Bible verses for the fatherless, and orphans.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-orphans.html

Is Celebrating Halloween ok for a Christian?

I enjoyed Halloween growing up. I used to like scaring people and getting dressed up. I had many spooky decorations. As I matured in my faith and grew closer to God, I felt a strong conviction from him that he did not want me to participate in celebrating this day. The conviction came upon me very strongly. When I sat back and really thought about it, I realized that this day celebrated evil and things that oppose God. I knew that I did not want to be a-part of anything that dishonored God. I gathered up my decorations and got rid of them. I have not turned back or even missed celebrating that day.

My children have grown up not celebrating Halloween. We used to live in a place where the streets were filled with trick or treaters. Many of the costumes portrayed death and hell. My kids would look out the window at all the people walking by and I would say to them we are watching death and hell pass us by. We would have a mini party at home celebrating life and thanking Jesus for what he did on the cross.

I’m not going to go into a deep study about Halloween. You can find many sermons and teachings on this topic and why Christians should not celebrate this day. I did just wanted to touch on a few things about why celebrating this day does not glorify God but the devil and his demons.

Bible verses use some of the following words. I would like to let you know what they mean. It will help you understand what the bible is describing as you read the Word of God.

Necromancy - Conjuration of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events. MAGIC, SORCERY
Spiritism - A belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium.
Mediums - An individual held to be a channel of communication between the earthly world and a world of spirits.
Witchcraft - The use of sorcery or magic. Communication with the devil or with a familiar. Rituals and practices that incorporate belief in magic and that are associated especially with neo-pagan traditions and religions (such as Wicca).
Sorcery - The use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining. MAGIC
Divination - The art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers.

Witchcraft
Witchcraft and black magic glorifies the devil. I go through and list miracles the devil and his demons are able to do in Part 1 of my article the called Mark of the Beast. When you get into wicca or witchcraft or are calling up demonic spirits who are using the powers of hell. God considers this evil (2 Chronicles 33:6).

Deuteronomy 18:9-13, When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God. In this next verse God is speaking. Micah 5:12, I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells. If God wants to destroy witchcraft why would we celebrate it and wear witch costumes?

Vampires
People dress up like vampires who suck blood which is an act God forbids. Leviticus 17:14, For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.

Death & The Grave
The opposite of life is death. Jesus came to give us life and life in abundance while the devil is out to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Death is celebrated on Halloween. Children and adults will dress up in skeleton costumes or like the grim reaper.

Proverbs 8:36, …all who hate me love death. Revelation 1:18, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Isaiah 25:8, He will swallow up death forever; …

People put out grave stones on their front lawn. They glorify something that Jesus redeemed us from. Hosea 13:14, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! See also Psalm 49:15.

Hebrews 2:14, Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. 1 Corinthians 15:55, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Christians should not celebrate evil and death that Halloween glorifies. Honor God by giving him thanks and glory for defeating death, hell and the grave. He is willing to freely give anyone who seeks after him life and life in abundance.
Here is a short video from Pastor Curry Blake about Halloween. Click HERE