Loose him, and let him go...

This is about a man formerly known as being dead, very dead.

Yeah, that could be me as I was indeed once spiritually dead but instead this is about Lazarus, a man who actually was physically dead but then raised to life by Jesus Christ.

While this does have everything to do with me as well this is really a look at the spiritual picture that Jesus drew for us when He raised Lazarus from the physical grave.

We have all been spiritually dead and many of us still are.

Some will stay in this spiritual state for eternity. Important eternal safety tip: this is not a good path in life (death) to take...

The picture was drawn by Jesus like this:

Simply put Lazarus was very dead. In fact he was dead for four days. If this happens to any of us we too will stinketh for sure.

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. John 11:39

But notice what Jesus said in this verse. Jesus said to "Take ye aware the stone". This is the first insight into how this relates to our own spiritual deaths and renewing unto life.

It is Jesus who provides for all of us the way to eternal life. He is the One that 'takes away the stone' for us.

In verse 44 we see Jesus literally setting Lazarus free. It may sound like something that did not need to be said but if Lazarus was not removed from his graveclothes then life definitely would not have been very fruitful for him within the Kingdom of God.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:44

When we get freed from spiritual death we are literally free to do what God has purposed us to do within His kingdom. We are no longer in bondage (graveclothes) to do works of death as before but we are free to do works that bring God glory.

Do not be deceived as many will tell you that the Kingdom is not yet here. Jesus Himself said it was:

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

So when Jesus commanded for Lazarus to be loosed and let go from his graveclothes we too are freed when we come into the newness of life through Jesus Christ!

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Look on the bright side, it will get worse...

And then, if you are a child of God, it will get better.

Much better!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:  And though after my skin worms destroy this body , yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.  Job 19:25-27

Humanism verses Jesus...

Humanism essentially says that you are only human and will mess up, make mistakes or do bad things. It says that since you are just like everyone else then being human is ok...

The Christian church today has adopted this humanistic mindset as part of it's twisted doctrine in that many if not most pastors today preach that it is essentially ok if you sin because they teach that you are, after all, only human and a sinner. They then sugar coat it by saying "at least you are saved and under grace now".

By now some readers are reaching for their excuses. They don't want to chance having to give up their favorite vice (sin).

The church today is very much confused over what is a sinner and what is a saint, or as Paul put it, a new creature.

The church today, with its humanistic doctrine, makes those sitting in the pews comfortable in their sins.

Jesus called sinners to repent and to stop sinning.

He said to "sin no more".

This is the correct mindset a true believer ought to have and the end goal should be to sin no more.

When a true believer does sin then that sin is exceedingly sinful to them and they immediately repent.  They desire to sin no more.  They fully understand the command of Jesus to "sin no more".

The church has compromised with humanism and is now a comfotable haven for sinners who love their sin. Pastors preach a gospel of greasy grace while Jesus emphatically taught to repent and sin no more.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:14

...And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:11

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:32

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?...What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Romans 6:1-2,15

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.Romans 7:11-13

Don't start the day off with an ungodly and humanistic mindset. One that has you convinced that you are bound to sin and that there is nothing you can do about it.

Instead start the day off with the correct mindset and purpose in your heart to go and sin no more.

Bearing Precious Seed!

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:5-6

Bearing Precious Seed!

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:5-6

What are you excited about and why do you want to go to heaven?

Too bad people can't be more excited about God our Father than they are about their favorite political hero, sports team, athlete, musician, preacher, celebrity, etc...

Most likely the majority of these folks are not giving any real thought as to why they want to go to heaven other than they are glad they don't have to suffer in hell.

They don't want to go to heaven because they are excited that their Heavenly Father is there, they are just happy to miss that horrible place called hell.

I wonder how many of these pleasure seekers will actually make it to heaven...

What are you excited about and why do you want to go to heaven?

This is a sign of incorrect priorities

Regardless manmade etiquette rules that dictate that the American flag be flown over the Christian flag the Bible clearly states this is the wrong priority for those who are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom:

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them , and embraced them , and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country , that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city...By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:13-16, 24-27

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:18-19

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  1 Peter 2:9-12

God would rather none to perish but for all to come to repentance.

But most of us would rather just kill them all and quickly without any thought towards repentance of the souls that are lost.

I find it ironic and perhaps a bit hypocritical that people on social media are celebrating the first day of James Mattis as Secretary of Defence in that the US had 31 air strikes over in the Middle East today.

These same folks were condemning, which they should have, Obama's administration being at war continuously for the 8 years he was POTUS.

You cannot condemn one person for being a war monger and then turn around and applaud another for the very same thing.

What ever happened to Christians having a desire to save souls?

It seems we are too quick to seek the death of the heathen without any consideration of their souls.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

6th Charlie ALERT Cadets meeting: Building Catamarans!

We had a great time today for our January meeting. Today we started with an inspection with ALERT men giving the father's guidance on gig line and hand position standards.

Then we went out for a quick father and son canoe trip across the lake and back using single canoes. The purpose was to compare the sense of stability with a single canoe with what we were to build next.

Then we were instructed by some awesome ALERT men on how to attach two canoes together with three poles and rope using clove hitches.

While we were building the canoes one of the ALERT men and one of the fathers paddled across the lake to wait to be picked up as mock casualties.

The fathers and sons worked really well together and built two catamarans.

We made good time across the lake to pick up the two casualties and they had a leisurely time on the ride back while laying on the spinal board. The rest of us did the paddling. It was a great workout.

We then disassembled the catamarans in awesome time and returned everything to its proper place in storage.

We then gathered together to discuss what spiritual lessons we could draw from what we just did.

One of the ALERT men said Ecclesiastes 4:12: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

We found with using one canoe we got around ok but the sense of stability was definitely questionable in the sense that you really had to focus on your balance. When we took the two canoes and used three poles to secure them together to make the catamaran the two canoes definitely provided a greater sense of stability and strength in the water.

It is like that with believers. While one can stand his own, having two or more fellow Christians together provides much more stability and strength.

 Here are a few pictures from the day:

Elijah and I got there early and took some pics and read some scriptures together.

Lake Loma

Sgt. Miller teaching everyone the clove hitch