“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:18-25).

Ordinarily, I do not use the New Living Translation in my writings, but I will make an exception here for the sake of clarity:

“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

^” Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

^” So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen” (Romans 1: 18-25) New Living Translation (NLT).  (emphasis added)

WICCA

Many years ago, I used to write letters to the editor to my town newspapers. They were almost always published because the liberal editors loved the barrage of rebuttals which would pour in against me.

One day, a man in the choir dropped a newspaper in my lap.  He was actually my writing mentor – taught me so much about getting my point across in very few words.  After he dropped the newspaper, he said to me “You’ll know what to do.”

I was shocked as I viewed the front page with it’s top story:  “Wiccans in the Woods Celebrating Mother Earth.”  The article was written in a way as if the paper was promoting this wicked form of false worship.

The next day I called the editor of the paper.  I asked him if he would consider allowing me to write  a front page article on true Christianity.  After telling me that this would not be possible, he offered to publish me as a feature writer -not a letter to the editor writer.  He said that he would like to send out a camera crew to take my picture for the article.   I agreed.

There was one stipulation from me.  I told him that the only way I would write this piece was if he assured me (in writing) that ALL of my words be published. He agreed.

I thanked the Lord for this opportunity to share His Gospel.  I wrote about the stark differences between WICCA and Christianity. I said that the Wiccans were worshiping the creation, while we (Christians) worshiped the Creator of the Universe.

I wrote about our Creator’s love for each of us and how He was involved in the affairs of men and women.  I wrote about God sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on that horrid Cross, to pay the debt for our sins that we could never pay.

I wrote that sin separated us from a Holy God and that He wanted us to be reconciled to Him. That could only happened through His Son Jesus Christ.

And so it was published.  What Satan meant for harm – God took and used it for His Good, and for the good of many who read the article.

God’s Not Dead

If the reader has not seen the original movie “God’s Not Dead” I highly recommend it.  I won’t go into the plot so as to not ruin it for those who want to watch.

But I will say this:  Find a person who not only claims to be an Atheist, but obsesses on pushing their atheistic views on others so as to recruit them; and I guarantee that if truth be told, and this person opened up about their life, you would find an ANGRY person.  You would find a person who blames the God whom they say does not exist, for something that happened in their life.

It’s truly sad. 

There is a saying that goes like this:   “There are no atheists in foxholes.”  I believe this is true. A lifelong “atheist”  will cry out  “God help me” when faced with death.

VERY TELLING.

Do you have a person in your life who claims to be an atheist?  I have many. But I came to the point when I realized that God must be the One who gets through to the “haters.”  The more you push against them, the nastier they become. The more Scripture you give to them, the more they laugh.

So, what can we do?

Love them and pray for them.  There is a man on Twitter whose sole purpose for being on there is to tout his “atheism” in hopes of drawing others to his sad conclusions.

I watched this man for many days.  I wanted to say something to him, but it was as if God was holding me back.  I felt in my spirit to show Christian love to him and most importantly to Pray for him.

He finally opened up to me that he went to seminary and that he was saved during college.  He knows that my boys (grown) refer to themselves as atheists now. I feel that the Holy Spirit has led me in this friendship.  I pray for this man every day – expecting God’s answer.

I am hoping and praying that the Lord will bring him back. I pray for God’s will to be done in his life.

But I don’t for one minute believe that he is an atheist.  I believe that something happened in his life which made him bitter towards God.

Brethren, I believe that many of us have these people in our lives. Sometimes, they are in our immediate families. Sometimes they are friends or co-workers.  Show love to them and do not argue with them.

Most importantly, PRAY for them every single day!

The Arm of God is not too short to reach anyone, and that includes those who are angry with Him!

How Can I Be Saved?

Shalom b’Yeshua

MARANATHA!