Life on the Flipside

Wheat or Tares?

2024-05-09T14:21:00.003-05:00

Are you the Wheat or the Tares?

For women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

Hebrews 6: 18-19 ......it is impossible for God to lie.

Now to today's topic: Who are the tares?

Matthew Chapter 13

"Another parable He set before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man sowing good seed in his field.

13:25 But while the men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares in the midst of the wheat and went away.

13:26 And when the blade sprouted and produced fruit, then the tares appeared also.

13:27 And the slaves of the master of the house came and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where then did the tares come from?

13:28 And he said to them, An enemy has done this. And the slaves said to him, Do you want us then to go and collect them?

13:29 But he said, No, lest while collecting the tares, you uproot the wheat along with them.

13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Collect first the tares and bind them into bundles to burn them up, but the wheat gather into my barn."

------

This parable is speaking to us about the people in the churches. Truely repentant believers will be gathered as the harvest. (The wheat). Those who are not truly repentant and have not turned from their sins ( the Tares/ Weeds) will face the judgement of Christ and will end up in the Lake of Fire with Satan.

For many years I was a Tare "growing" in a church full of Tares. I did not understand that salvation required me to truly repent of my sins and to turn to God and walk with Him and allow Him to transform me.

Instead, I believed the misinformed who said "Just believe in Jesus, or just take this class, or be baptized with water, He has covered all of your sins with His blood. It no longer matters if you sin - you're covered."

Sisters, let me tell you,

It matters.

We either choose to walk with God or we choose to walk with Satan.

We cannot try to straddle the fence either; do a little good here, a little naughty there.

Forgiveness is there for the (few) times we do sin as a saved repentant believer. Asking forgiveness will restore our fellowship with God. This is not lost salvation for those who have truly repented - but lost fellowship. Truly repentant believers are in God's hand and no one can pluck them from His hand. (John 10: 27-29) Hallelujah!

But my heart truly aches for all of the misinformed believers in Jesus.

Choose today whether you will be the wheat or the weeds.

Choose today who you will follow.

If you have not received Christ as your Savior, you can do that today. Pray a prayer to God and repent of your sins which have separated you from Him, and believe into the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ONLY way to make things right with God.

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

Give Yourself Grace

2024-05-06T06:40:00.001-05:00

Transformation: A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

I have believed in Jesus since I was about six years old. Lately, I have been impatient with my journey to transformation. I am less loving than I want to be. I am less generous than I want to be. Less patient, less Holy.

I can see the progress that God is making in me, but I long to be fully transformed.

As I study the book of Genesis, someone pointed out that of the 50 chapters of this book, half of them are about Jacob. Jacob and his transformation.

God told Jacob that He would be with him. Then the Lord said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you'” (Gen. 31:3).

But one of the first things Jacob did was to try and manipulate his relationship with his brother Esau by sending a contingent of gifts ahead of himself because 20 years earlier Esau had threatened to kill him. This was shortly after Jacob had an amazing encounter with God where Jacob wrestled with God all night and was left with a permanent limp from where God touched Jacob's hip.

This marked the beginning of Jacob's transformation.

We all need that initial encounter with God that gets our undivided attention.

Mine came in 2004 when our oldest son left this earth at the age of 25 from cancer.

But here I am, 20 years later, still in the process of being transformed by God.

But, maybe I should give myself grace. Jacob was about 130 years old when he went to Egypt and saw his lost son Joseph. At that time Jacob was a new/different man. God had transformed him.

The point to notice here is that God transformed Jacob. He did not transform himself.

From the writings of Witness Lee we can get some advice on how we can allow God to transform us.

"We should lay our inner condition before God and even tell Him that we are short in every matter. No matter what our inner condition is, we should bring it to God. There is a hymn "Just as I Am." This means that we should come to God just as we are without trying to improve or change our condition [ourselves].

....The more we come to God according to our [true] condition, the better.

Instead of caring about our condition, we enter into God's presence to contact God by looking to Him, worshipping Him, beholding Him, praising Him, giving thanks to Him, and absorbing Him."

This is how we become transformed. One day at a time. We need to relax in God's plan of transformation and give ourselves some grace.

2024-04-29T14:08:00.001-05:00

John 21:15. "Then when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs."

For women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching rebuking correcting and training in righteousness." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

Hebrews 6: 18-19 ......it is impossible for God to lie.

Now to today's topic: Who or what are "these"?

What came to mind when you read this verse? When I first thought about this verse I thought Jesus was talking about Peter's fellow fishermen.

But after giving it more thought, I think the Lord was wise not to tell us what "these" were. It may be different for every person.

These children

This spouse

This job

This money

This house

This location

This boyfriend

This church/denomination

This friend

This pastor

This sin.

We are told to love the Lord with all our heart, all our mind and all our soul. (Matt 22:37)

And when it comes to love it is not love as the world defines love. It is a love that is committed to obeying. When God loves us it is with our absolute best eternal outcome in mind; even if He has to discipline us. It is not "If it feels good it must be love" attitude of this world.

We have to realize that it wasn't until Peter proclaimed his love for the Lord over "these" that the Lord gave him His instruction.

Peter needed to be all in.

Am I all in?

Are you all in?

I do not believe the Lord can use us (even our prayers) unless we are all in to following Him - not "these".

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

In the Church But Not of the Church

2024-04-23T07:05:00.006-05:00

For women only.

There is the saying: Be in the world but not of the world. Based on John 17:11 , 14-15

To me this says: Be a part of the world evangelizing for Jesus, but don't take part in the wicked sins of the world.

American churches have lost their way.

They have put entertainment, isolation, idol worship and rituals, or "tickling ears" over God's Righteousness.

We must change this saying now to:

Be in the church, but not of the church.

Christ speaks of this in Revelation chapters 3 and 4 when He says to be overcomers of the degradation of the various churches.

A sad time we live in.

God help us to restore your righteous word in the churches.

https://youtu.be/VG4LUz69SGc?si=5CFHkOPk3Qs7x-yI

Seasoned With Salt

2024-04-18T06:46:00.002-05:00

Seasoned with salt.

For women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may argue with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

Hebrews 6: 18-19 ......it is impossible for God to lie. If I think two scriptures are contradicting each other, I have misunderstood scripture or the translation is poor.

Colossians 4:5-6.

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are without, redeeming the time.

4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

At a recent family dinner, I put a sign in front of the gravy. "Super salty!" I wanted to warn my family that the ham gravy was really salty. Way too salty for me!

But on the opposite end, yesterday I made a pot of ham and beans from the ham bone from that dinner. When I tasted it, it was very bland. It was not enjoyable to eat.

So, what did I do? I added some of the extra salty left-over gravy to the pot of beans, and just like Goldilocks and the three bears, the soup was just right.

The scriptures above are from my concluding study of Colasians. They stood out to me because I have a hard time getting the message of God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ "just right".

My tendency is to be too salty. I am often blunt to the point of being offensive. But to be clear, just saying the name of Jesus offends a lot of people.

So to me these verses are saying use the wisdom God has given me, and make good use of every opportunity to proclaim Jesus.

But verse six is also saying, make my words palatable to the listeners (just the right amount of salt) and surround them with the grace that God has poured out on me.

I will be meditating on these two verses for quite awhile.

God's blessings to you.

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

Who Should Christians Avoid?

2024-04-12T06:28:00.002-05:00

Who are some of the people followers of Jesus Christ are told to avoid?

For women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

Hebrews 6: 18-19 ......it is impossible for God to lie.

Now to today's topic: Who are some of the people Christians are told to avoid?

1 Corinthians 5:11

"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother [Christian] if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one."

Sometimes scripture needs no further comment.

This may be one of those times.

One explanation might be needed (I needed it) a reviler is someone who speaks abusively or contemptuously to or of another person or thing:

You see or hear this almost every day. Check your Facebook page.

As much as we think we are strong in the faith, sin is contagious. As followers of Jesus we are called to be holy as God is holy.

1 Peter 1:16. Be holy, because I am holy.

Do not follow the practices of the culture around you; follow God's Holy Word.

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

Stop striving!

2024-04-08T11:09:00.001-05:00

.for women only*

Groundwork.

Man, and, his, are used frequently in this post to refer to mankind.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's post.

In Genesis 6:3 We read: "And Jehovah said, My Spirt will not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; so his days will be one hundred and twenty years."

What does it mean My Spirit will not strive?

At this point in time right before the Great Flood God was truly disappointed in the humans He had created.

Genesis 6:6. "And God repented (was sorry) that He had created man on the earth and it grieved Him in His heart."

Here God had created us (humans) and put His Spirit in us, just to see that people had for the most part rejected Him and His guidance. There were a few exceptions: Abel, Enoch, Noah as we are told about. But, things were really grim.

So Gen 6:3 says that God is going to withdraw His Spirit from man and limit each one the number of years he can live.

But thankfully God did not stop working there. He prepared the way for His Son to enter the world and save man from this miserable predicament.

Jesus came, lived, taught, died, rose, and ascended on High all for us to be able to regain God's Spirit within us. Praise God!

We do not strive for that privilege however, the striving has ALL been done by Jesus the Christ.

In addition we do not strive for:

Faith - faith is from God

Calling - God calls us

Salvation - From God

Gift of the Holy Spirit - God

Deliverance from sinning - All God

Growth in righteousness - you guessed it. From God.

We can recover God's Holy Spirit to work (strive) in us IF we repent of our sins and believe into the Lord Jesus and follow Him.

God wanted to lead us and guide us from the beginning. That desire is still there today. The offer is on the table. Don't miss out!

Sometimes not striving is harder than striving.

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

The Law given to Israel is dead

2024-04-02T15:34:00.001-05:00

Colossians 2:14 “ Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances [ the law ], which was against us, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.”

For women only *

What does this mean? If Christ has nailed the law to the cross; for Christians to pick it back up is heresy.

Nailing the law to the cross of Christ = crucifying the law.

The law is dead.

The path to God is no longer trying to be obedient to laws and ordinances ( which is impossible to do), - but following Christ.

Christ has opened the curtain separating us from God. There He is! But only if you repent and turn from your sins and accept Christ as you Savior and helper. The law is replaced by freedom to live a life of obedience which is easy to do if we (Christians) slow down and follow the guidance within our hears of the Triune God. The Living God.

On my own:

Law – fail – Law – fail – Law – fail

With Chris in me:

Christ – Success – Christ – Success - Christ - Success – and never ending Joy

Christ has taken the Law which we do not have the power in ourselves without Christ to obey and moved it out of our way. Hallelujah!

Phil 4:13 “ I can do all things [what ever He asks] through Christ who strengthens me.” Including living a life free from sin.

How earth shattering and monumental the sacrifice of Jesus was. We must not dishonor His sacrifice by continuing to sin.

Matthew 27: 50-51 “ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His Spirit. 51) And behold, the veil [curtain] of the temple was split in two from top to bottom [ Note: TOP to bottom], and the earth was shaken and the rocks were split.”

This sacrifice was for you.

Karla

May God bless you,

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful for Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. ~ Karla

The Rapture Part 4

2024-03-28T05:24:00.001-05:00

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's "past misunderstanding of scripture".

All Christians Will Be Raptured Before the Great Tribulation Part 4.

If you have not read Part 1, 2 and 3 of this series it would be helpful to do that now.

Part 4. What will the Early Overcomers do? And, when will the rest of the believers be raptured?

As a reminder, the early overcomers will be those waiting, in Paradise and living on the earth, for the return of the Lord, who have consecrated their lives in obedience to the Lord and have reached full maturity. There is no more work for God to do in them. Rev chapters 12 and 14.

Also the 144,000 Jews who have kept their faith and obedience to God, and His law for the children of Israel.

Rev 7:4

These overcomers who have been raptured to Heaven will have the job (with God's angels) of throwing Satan and his followers down from heaven to the earth.

Satan will be in a great rage and the Great Tribulation will begin.

Rev 12: 3-13

Sometime before the 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation ends the remaining Believers will be raptured to the air (not heaven) to meet Jesus. First those believers who are dead in Christ, then those believers still living on the earth. 1 Thes 4: 16-17

All who have been raptured will stand before Christ and be judged for their lives as believers.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

After this judgement of all believers, the Overcomers will be invited to the wedding feast with Christ. Rev 18

Those who are not chosen for the wedding feast will not perish but will undergo further instruction and discipline.

1 Cor 3: 15 " If anyone's work shall be consumed [deemed unfitting] he shall suffer loss, but he shall be saved, yet so as through fire."

And then the Overcomers will have the privilege of fighting the war of Armageddon under the leadership of Christ. They will fight the 10 kings and their armies who wage war against God and will defeat this great army. Rev 17: 14

Finally, the Overcomers will have authority over the nations during the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom. Rev chap 20; Rev 12:5

Satan will be bound during this time. The 144,000 will have the priestly roles during this time.

Having the knowledge of the roles of Overcomers (and the pain of being immature/sloppy Christians) should make us all seriously stop and evaluate our lives of faith. Only those who consecrate their lives to complete obedience to God will become Overcomers.

Those who reject Jesus Christ will spend eternity in The Lake of Fire with the Antichrist and Satan - forever in torment.

Rev 20

Verse 10

And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where also the beast and the false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Verse: 14

And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Verse: 15

And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

The Rapture Part 3 of 4

2024-03-25T05:21:00.002-05:00

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's "past misunderstanding of scripture".

All Christians Will Be Raptured Before the Great Tribulation Part 3.

If you have not read Part 1 and 2 of this series it would be helpful to do that now.

Part 3 . Who are the 144,000?

Rev 7:4

"And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:"

The short answer: I believe they are 144,000 Jewish people (sons of Israel) God has chosen to be Overcomers and be raptured before the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

Although the Jews are going to be extremely worldly in the end times, God will find a remnant (as He always does) who are faithful to Him and the law He gave them. I do not believe they are recent converts to Christianity as some do. All of the Overcomers who are raptured early are faithful to God in every way.

Romans 11:25. "For I do not want you, brothers, to be ignorant of this mystery (lest you be wise in yourselves), that hardness has come upon Israel in part, until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in."

Despite the fact that God has blinded most of the Jews from seeing Jesus as Savior; they are still God's chosen people whom He loves.

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6).

Like the man-child and first fruits, the 144,000 Jews will be raptured to heaven before the start of the Great Tribulation.

"But you have come forward to Mount Zion and to the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; and to the myriad of angels, to the universal gathering." Heb 12:22

Next up: What will the people raptured before the start of the Great Tribulation do? And, when will the remaining Believers be raptured?

* this post is for women only because God's word clearly says as a woman I am not to teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

The Rapture Part 2 of 4

2024-03-19T05:19:00.001-05:00

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's "past misunderstanding of scripture".

All Christians Will Be Raptured Before the Great Tribulation Part 2.

If you have not read Part 1 of this series it would be helpful to do that now.

Part 2 . Who are the First Fruits?

Just as the Man-Child described in Part 1 were fully mature believers who are resting in Paradise; First Fruits are similar, only they will be fully mature believers still living on the earth when Christ begins the "end times".

The book of Matthew describes what this will look like in Chapter 24.

Matthew 24:37 For just as the days of Noah were, so will the bcoming of the Son of Man be.

24:38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day in which Noah entered into the ark,

24:39 And they did not know that judgment was coming until the flood came and took all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

24:40 At that time two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.

24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.

24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes.

Notice that the men were working in the field and the women were grinding grain. They were humble people doing humble work to care for their families. They were not Professional Christians with fancy degrees or fancy titles or fancy robes. This tells us that anyone can be an Overcomer. And it is likely the humble person may be more holy than the preacher who might be very worldly.

These believers have recognized that there is a Holy God Creator. They also recognize their own lack of holiness and that they are powerless by themselves to overcome their plight. They accept the gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ and turn from their sins and accept the help of the Holy Spirit to transform them.

I believe the ones in the field and the ones grinding grain are all Christians. We can get a sense of this by reading in the next chapter in Matthew.

Matthew

25:1 At that time the kingdom of the heavens will be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

25:2 And five of them were foolish and five were prudent.

25:3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, did not take oil with them; :4 But the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

25:5 And while the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

25:6 But at midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Go forth to meet him!

25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their own lamps.

25:8 And the foolish said to the prudent, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.

25:9 But the prudent answered, saying, Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.

25:10 And as they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast. And the door was shut.

25:11 And later the rest of the virgins came also, saying, Lord, lord, open to us!

25:12 But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.

25:13 Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

The word oil in the Bible often represents the Holy Spirit.

Only those who Overcome are invited to the wedding feast. The rest will be excluded from this great honor. But don't despair, God still has a plan for them.

So it is not the saved who are raptured prior to the Great Tribulation; it is the fully mature saved Overcomers who are raptured prior to the Great Tribulation. They will not have to endure the calamities and persecution during that time. Although it is certain that they have already endured persecution - some even unto death.

Scripture tells us:

John 15: 20

Remember the word which I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you also;

Matthew 5: 11;12. when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

2 Timothy 3:12 And indeed all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Next up: Who are the 144,000?

* this post is for women only because God's word clearly says as a woman I am not to teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

Rapture Part 1 of 4

2024-03-15T05:16:00.001-05:00

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's past misunderstanding of scripture.

All Christians Will Be Raptured Before the Great Tribulation.

First of all we need to define the Great Tribulation.

The Book of Daniel in the Old Testamnt of God's word prophesies about the "end times" of this current Age of Grace. There will be seven difficult years. The second half (3 1/2 years) will be horrific destruction and persecution of all religions with many supernatural calamities.

Matthew 24:21 "For at that time there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred from the beginning of the world until now, nor shall by any means ever occur."

Matthew 24:29 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

This post is not specifically about the end times but about the rapture, so we will not dwell on the Tribulation today.

The next term we need to define is rapture.

Rapture is the lifting up of people unto God or Christ.

We will focus first on one group for this post - The Man Child.

Revelation 12:5. " And she brought forth a son, a man-child, who is to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

Rev 20:6 "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for thousand years.

Rev 20: 6 clearly states that there is more than one resurrection/rapture. This man-child consists of the saints who have left this earth (died) and are resting in Paradise. (see post on Heaven/Paradise). But they are not average believers. They are of the group - Overcomers.

Simply put, Overcomers are mature believers in Christ Jesus. They have overcome the degradation of the various churches described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Meaning they do not take part in the apostasy and heresy of these churches which Jesus admonishes. Overcomers have also overcome this life of sin. There is no more work for God to do in them.They are fully mature and are like Christ. Overcomers will experience special rewards.

This rapture of the man-child overcomers will occur sometime before the second half of the tribulation. They will go directly to the throne of God in the 3rd Heaven. We will address what they will do there in another post.

Next up: Who are the First Fruits?

* this post is for women only because God's word clearly says as a woman I am not to teach or have authority over any man. Karla

Expired!

2024-03-12T14:31:00.012-05:00

Ephesians 4:6. "Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your indignation."

for women only*

The expiration date is the day we become angry.

Now that is a hard one!

But we all know what happens when we let our anger stew. Next thing we know anger has turned into bitterness, bitterness that can last for years.

We have to deal with our anger right away. Take a moment (or a few) and calm down and then pray about how God wants you to deal with the situation.

Other verses to consider are:

James 1:19,20

"You know this, my beloved brothers; but let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

1:20 For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God."

We have the choice as to whether we even become angry in the first place. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can learn to take control of our emotions.

1 Cor Chapter 13 is a good place to read to remind us what Christians are to be about.

*Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach men or have authority over any man.

We Need You in Church!

2024-03-09T06:17:00.001-06:00

If you can manage going to the grocery store, it is likely you can handle going to church.

For women only*

Watching a church service on-line is no substitute for attending church in person. If you need assistance, try calling your church office.

Hebrew : 24,25 "And let us

consider how we may spur one

another on toward love and good

deeds, 25 not giving up meeting

together, as some are in the habit

of doing, but encouraging one

another--and all the more as you

see the Day approaching."

John 4:14: “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water …"

"Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart" Jer 15:16

Psalm 119 : 103. "How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

I realize nor everyone can make it to church. God bless you if you can't. Enjoy your on-line service.

God bless you if you can.

Hope to see you next week!

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I am not to teach men or have authority over any man.

Noah Found Grace

2024-03-05T08:37:00.015-06:00

Noah was saved because he was a good man.

Noah was saved because he was a good man. Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect. . .for women only* Gen 6:8 "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" 1 Cor 15:10 " But by the grace of God I [Paul] am what I am ; and His grace unto me did not turn out to be in vain, but, on the contrary, I labored more abundantly than all of them, yet not I but the grace of God which is in me." This verse in Corinthians seems to be saying to me that Noah did not find favor (grace) with God because he behaved well. But, Noah-found-grace. He found the way/the power to live righteously through finding God and His grace. In Ezekiel 14:14 we read that Noah is linked with Daniel and Job who all found the power to believe and act on that belief in incredible ways; not because they were super good people on their own merit, but because they found God and found the power from God to give them the strength of faith they needed to overcome the Prince of this earth - Satan 2 Cor 12:9 " And He said to me [Paul] My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness...." Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Zech 4:6 " .....not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, says Jehovah of hosts." Noah discovered the power of the Holy Spirit. Noah was not a "good guy" by his own efforts. He found the power supply provided by God. We have the same "power supply" freely offered to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who came to save us from ourselves. Bottom line: The righteous walk of Christians is achieved when they surrender themselves ( their sinful life) and receive Christ into their being. Col 1: 26, 27 The mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations but now has been manifested to His saints; 1:27 To whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, That is the source of power. Christ is our only hope. Salvation does not come through being 'good', saying the "right prayer", taking the "right class" or any other man-made hoops people are told to jump through. It is a surrendered life to Christ Jesus. God did not say of Noah, Look there is a human acting right. He said look there is a human who is connected to Me and receives My power through faith.

Genesis 6:9......."Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generations; and Noah walked with God. If you have not received Christ as your Savior, you can do that today. Pray a prayer to God and repent of your sins which have separated you from Him, and believe into the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ONLY way to make things right with God. May God bless you, Karla * Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man. I am thankful for Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. ~ Karla

2024-02-28T12:53:00.002-06:00

Psalm 46:10 is talking about letting God do it all.

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God.

This is a message that I have personally received from God. I thought it meant to sit back and do nothing and let God handle the situation. Now I have a different view.

I was listening to The Biblical Nutritionist, Annette Reeder and she had a guest Dr on her YouTube channel (link below). One thing he said really caught my attention.

He said (Paraphrasing) When you get the diagnosis of cancer, do not run to get your port put in or to schedule your first chemo session, Be still before God and let the Holy Spirit direct you.

Wow!

This has given me a whole different perspective of what "be still" means. It doesn't mean do nothing. It means wait for the Lord to direct my path. There may be a lot that He wants me to do; but by His way and not my own way.

I am so thankful that I have a Living God that interacts with me. No other faith view can claim that.

May God bless you,

Karla

Here is a link to the interview.

https://youtu.be/ZxnM4ZKrQKw?si=GBSoybQ1OsiFGL7O

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. ~ Karla

2 Timothy 3:1-5

2024-02-27T03:49:00.001-06:00

2 Timothy 3:1-5 is talking about this corrupt world.

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

2 Timothy 3: 1-5

"But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:3 Without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, not lovers of good,

3:4 Traitors, reckless, blinded with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

3:5 Having an outward form of godliness, though denying its power; from these also turn away."

I have seen these verses posted by Christians to point fingers at how bad the non-christians of this world have become. And I agreed with them.

But it has recently been brought to my attention that these verses are not talking about the "world" but instead are talking about Christians.

Lee points out (and rightly I believe)

"The subject of 2 Timothy is inoculation against the decline of the church."

Not of the world.

So I will have to once again "eat humble pie" and "get off my high horse" and focus on gaining and maintaining the purity of the gospel message which I am continuing to receive and understand.

The work is becoming more and more difficult but we Christians must persevere, until the Lord returns to gather His followers to Himself.

Read the verses again with Christians in mind:

2 Tim 3:1-5

But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

3:2 For men [Christians] will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:3 Without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, not lovers of good,

3:4 Traitors, reckless, blinded with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

3:5 Having an outward form of godliness, though denying its power; from these also turn away.

Lord, help each one of us to examine this scripture word by word and allow You to show us where we are failing in Your call for us to live a life that is pleasing to you - a life of righteousness. Amen

May God bless you,

Karla

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. ~ Karla

God Hears and Answers All Prayers

2024-02-22T05:49:00.001-06:00

God Hears and Answers All Prayers.

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.
.
.for women only*

This post has been many weeks in the making.  It is difficult to write that many of my prayers most likely went un-answered over the years.

Let's begin this journey of exploration with the Old Testament.

First let's list some of the people who prayed to God:

Gen 20:17  Abraham - Father of many nations
Numbers 11:2  Moses - Prophet
1 Samuel 1:10 Hanah - Mother of Samuel 
2 Kings 4:33 Elisha - prophet
2 Kings 19:15 Hezekiah  - king 
2 Chronicles Isaiah and Hezikiah prophet and king 
Ezra 10:1 Ezra -prophet
Nehemiah 1:4 - leader-supervised the re-building of Jeruselem
Job 42:10 Job - suffered fiercely 
Jeremiah 32:16,17 Jeremiah - prophet
Daniel 6:10 Daniel - prophet
Jonah 2:1-10 Jonah - a reluctant prophet

As you can see, most of these people of prayer were prophets, or kings.

Nehemiah 1:5  tells us.  " And I [Nehemiah] said, I beseech you, O Jehovah the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

It should be noted that God reprimanded the nation of Israel in Isaiah 1:15
"[God]  Thus when you spread forth your hands, I will hide My eyes form you; Even though you multiply your prayers, I will not hear.  Your hands are full of blood."

Isaiah 59:1,2 "No, Jehovah's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor His ear so heavy that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have become a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear you."

So now the obvious question is:  How have things changed since Jesus Christ died for our sins.  Have the "rules" changed?

The rules have changed! Because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ EVERYONE who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior can have access to God through prayer. Hallelujah!  It is ONLY through Jesus however.

John 4:6. " I am the way,  the truth and the life.   No one comes to the Father but through Me [Jesus]. "

Having that settled, how do believers maintain fellowship with God?  Notice this is maintaining fellowship  NOT salvation.  Salvation cannot be revoked.

James 5:16 " Therefore confess your sins to one another, that you may be healed.  The petition of a righteous man avails much in it's working"

In the book of 1 John 1: 6-10 we find " If we say that we have fellowship with Him [God] and yet walk in the darkness, (sin) we lie and are not practicing the truth; but if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin.  If we say that we do not have sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and 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."

So this is telling us that we have all sinned and need the salvation provided by Jesus the Christ.

But it also says that if after we repent and believe into Jesus we will occasionally sin, we can still confess our sins and He will forgive them and restore our fellowship with God.

That fellowship goes both ways.  I remember as a girl I stole a sweet treat from the cupboard and ran behind the house to eat it.  Right after I ate it I heard my Mom calling me.  I was scared to face her.  She must have known what I had done!  I went to her crying and apologizing for stealing the treat.  As it came to be she wasn't even calling me for that but for something else.

The point is.  I hid from her because of my sin.  I was avoiding fellowship with her.  When we sin against God we also hide from Him and avoid fellowship (prayer).

Anytime there is a sin against a family member, that fellowship is thwarted until the matter is cleared up.  It is the same with us and our Father God.  But when we keep the channels of prayer open by regularly confessing our sins and receiving forgiveness, we can enjoy being in God's presence. 

If we maintain fellowship we can abide by:

 1 John 5:14,15  "And this is the boldness which we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us and if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask (in His will) we know that we have the request which we have asked from Him."

Praise God that we can have fellowship and a prayer life with God through the sacrifice of Jesus IF we turn from our sins and believe into Him.

But we cannot have God`s ear AND keep on sinning shamelessly.

If you have not received Christ as your Savior, you can do that today.  Pray a prayer to God and repent of your sins which have separated you from Him, and believe into the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the ONLY way to make things right with God.
Karla 

*  Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have  authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

2024-02-19T13:20:00.001-06:00

Phillipines 4: 6-9

"In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every man's understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, what things are true, what things are dignified, what things are righteous, what things are pure, what things are lovely, what things are well spoken of, if there is any virtue and if any praise, take account of these things.
9 The things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you."

When we as Christians,  inside and outside the church, get "off track" and display ugliness, it is most likely because we are not spending enough time with God in prayer, and not spending enough time in His Word.  This has been true in my life.

When we fellowship with God, His peace enters into us, keeping us "on track" and focused on the right things.

**********************************

If you have not received Christ as your Savior, you can do that today.  Pray a prayer to God and repent of your sins which have separated you from Him, and believe into the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the ONLY way to make things right with God.

Karla

*  Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have  authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. ~ Karla

Repent AND Believe

2024-02-08T11:13:00.001-06:00

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

* for women only

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's past misunderstanding of scripture.

Just believing in Jesus saves me.

I believe now, that this is a false, incomplete statement.

Scripture tells us in James 2:19.

"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder."

It is not enough to just believe in Jesus. Even evil demons believe in Him.

Something crucial is missing. What is missing?

Repentance.

Just as John the Baptist preceded Christ, repentance always precedes forgiveness. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins.

Luke 24:47. "And that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

So, what is repentance?

Repentance is sorrowfulness for our actions. It is a change of mind. Repentance is turning.

Repentance is not a casual one time "sorry". It is a determined on-going change of mind and heart.

So who has told us in the Bible to repent?

John the Baptist Matt 3:11. "I baptize you in water unto repentance...

Jesus : Matt 4:17. "From that time [forward] Jesus began to proclaim and say, repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near."

The 12 Disciples: Mark 6:12. "And they went forth and proclaimed that men should repent."

Peter. Acts 2:38. "And Peter said to them, repent and each one of you be baptized upon the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Paul 2 Cor 7: 9.

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to God, that in nothing you might suffer loss from us.

Who compels us to repent?

Jesus!

Acts 5:31. "This One God has exalted to His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."

There is no repentance unless the Holy Spirit has pierced the heart of the sinner.

Romans 2:4. "Or do you despise the voices of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that God's kindness is leading you to repentance."

Who should repent?

Everyone!

Acts 17:30. "Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now charges all men everywhere to repent."

You may think of yourself as pretty holy, but ask God to show you your sins. You will likely be amazed (and overwhelmed - (as I was!)) at how much you sin. Repent for each one and put each sin to death with the help of the Holy Spirit.

If reading these scriptures pierces your heart; Rejoice! It is God's gift to you. Repent of your sins and believe into the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of eternal life. What should your next step be? Immediately be baptized out of obedience and as a witness to your repentance to receive the additional gift of the Holy Spirit which will lead you and guide you. Acts 2:38

Just as faith without works (evidence) is dead; repentance without a change in behavior is not true repentance.

Repentance brings us to God. Jesus (because of His sacrifice) brings God to us. ~ Lee

Repentance -》believing in Jesus -》forgiveness-》salvation -》 eternal life with God.

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I am not to teach or have authority over any man.

In God's Image

2024-02-01T09:32:00.002-06:00

Made in God's image means I look like God.

Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

.for women only*

Please note this Blog is shifting focus away from art.

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible. 2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed." My church may teach something different. I may disagree with God. But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie. Hebrews 6:18. If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's "past misunderstanding of scripture".

Genesis 1:27 "And God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

It is easy to believe that "made in our (God, Christ and Holy Spirit) image" means we look like God, but I am coming to the understanding that it means something deeper, something very different.

Colossians 1:15 " Who [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation,"

2 Corinthians 4:4 "In whom the god of this age [Satan] has blinded the thoughts of the unbelievers that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine on them."

We were created to receive God's Holy Spirit. Humans were the only creation of God with the capacity to receive His Spirit. As Nee points out, We are like a glove perfectly fitted to receive "God's hand". We were created as a perfect vessel to receive God's Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, that has all been spoiled as we have adopted the sinful nature which has been passed down from generation to generation beginning with the first created humans - Adam and Eve.

Instead of holding the Glory of God, we are born with a tiny spirit that is self-serving and un-holy.

It is only through the Life of Christ that we can be restored to be what God created humans to be from the beginning. Vessels of the Living God.

Paul asks believers in 1 Corinthians 3:16. "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

As believers we are now driven by the Holy Spirit within us that begins the work of replacing our sinful nature. Hallelujah!

Here are the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Gal 5:22-25

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

5:23 Meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

5:24 But they who are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh [sinful nature] with its passions and its lusts.

5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

I encourage us all to be God-driven with His Holy Spirit within us as God intended it from the beginning of man-kind.

* Scripture is clear that as a woman I cannot teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla

New Auction

2013-12-18T13:30:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I was sitting and looking out the window and saw a G in the clouds. I thought to myself, well, it could be a C but just as I thought it the tail wrapped around and formed a perfect G.

It felt like it was God's way of saying that He knew I was especially thinking about Gabe during this time of year. Even though our wonderful family has grown to 18 beautiful people this year, I still miss Gabe.

The painting below is being auctioned off in memory of Gabe. 100% of the proceeds will go to St Jude's St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They do wonderful work there and don't charge families a single penny for the care of their children. The auction starts at just $5.00. Please consider getting the auction started.

Thanks and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all!

Persimmon on Doily

Bid Here

Something Different

2013-11-14T08:57:00.000-06:00

"Vases"

22" X 22"

Oil on Panel

I have been reading the book "Painting the Impressionist Landscape" by Lois Griffel and this is an exercise from the book. It has been an interesting read and the subject of impressionistic painting is something new for me. I think I am going to have to go back and read the book more slowly to see if I can really grasp the concept.

Here is how this painting might look framed.

New Auction

2013-11-06T15:25:00.001-06:00

Heavy Jug with Fruit

8 X 10

Oil on Panel

~~Bid Here~~

SOLD!

I have been away from painting for a while now and I have to say I have enjoyed the break. It has been fun to do a little quilting and to get my head up and take a look around at other things in my life. I have started work on a new still life so hopefully I will have new art to share in the near future.

In the meantime.......

This painting which was completed in 2011 is now up for auction at Daily Paintworks. 100% of the proceeds will go to support a hospice home in Penfield NY called the Shepherd Home. I met the director of this home by playing Words With Friends on my computer. We have become somewhat of pen pals and are enjoying getting to know each other. We both have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. How cool is that !?

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and would you please consider getting the bidding started for this painting? It starts at just $5.00.

Karla

Student Work

2013-10-02T07:35:00.003-05:00

Ellen's Painting

I just have to brag on my latest student's work. This painting was done by Ellen. Isn't it terrific? She accomplished this with just nine hours of instruction with me.

For comparison: Here is a cute painting Ellen did before she took my class. What a fast learner! What a great student!!