David J. Stewart

Why I Don't Like Or Recommend The Roman's Road

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0000

John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Our text passage of Scripture gives the plain reason why I do not like or recommend the Roman's Road method of leading a lost sinner to Christ. God specifically authored the Gospel of John to convince the reader that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, the Christ, so that by believing we will be saved. God didn't write the Epistle of Romans to show us how to get to Heaven, that is why He gave us the Gospel of John. Why use the wrong tool for the job?

John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” In John chapters 19 and 20 we read about Jesus' death on the cross, burial and physical resurrection three days later. That's everything anyone needs to know to be saved. You are a SINNER and Jesus is the SAVIOR!

John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

The Problem Of Using The Book Of Romans

There's much debate today over obscure passages of Scripture in Romans 10:9-10 and 13.

Some Bible students claim that Romans chapter 10 is about the future physical restoration of the nation of Israel, and that the passage has nothing to do with the eternal salvation of a sinner. I reject that theory!

Others claim that you cannot be saved unless you confess Christ publicly (Romans 10:9-10), and pray a sinner's prayer (Romans 10:13). But John 12:42-43 refutes that heresy concerning Romans 10:9-10. And Romans 10:14 refute that heresy concerning Romans 10:13. You don't have to "confess" the name of Jesus publicly to be saved, just as the saved Chief Priests did not confess Christ in John 12:42-43. And according to Romans 10:14 we are saved at the moment we BELIEVE, regardless of whether we pray or choose not to pray.

The Epistle of Romans has caused much confusing regarding how to be saved. And although we do read helpful Scripture passages in many books of the Bible concerning salvation, it would be foolish to ignore the Gospel of John, or supersede it with other books of the Bible, when God specifically authored the book of John to show us the way of salvation. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

I mean, you could use a screwdriver and hammer to make a hole, but why not use the drill that God intended for you to use? Why use a spoon to cut a block of cheese instead of a sharp knife? Would you use a pair of scissors to cut your lawn's grass, while a power mower sits in the garage? God used the Apostle John to pen the Gospel of John for the specific purpose “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31b). So, why use any other book of the Bible?

Don't Complicate The Gospel

2nd Corinthians 11:3 speaks of “the simplicity that is in Christ.” I am so sick and tired of men complicating God's simple plan of salvation. The Gospel of John is very clear that we are saved simply by believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, simply by accepting His sacrificial death on Calvary's cross as full payment for our sins, believing that He was buried, but then resurrected physically from the dead three days later. This is "the gospel" according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-6. Believe it, oh sinner, and the work is done!

The beauty of God's simple plan of salvation is that in the Scripture we're never given a level of faith that has to be reached in order to go to Heaven. Isn't that wonderful? If your only hope for Heaven is Jesus Christ for what He did though Calvary's cross 2,000 years ago to pay your debt of sin, you are saved.

Hatred Of People Hurts The “New IFB” Movement

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Galatians 5:14-16, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Before I say anything, let me say that I love Pastor Steven Anderson and am not writing this article to be mean or lash out against him and his New IFB. There's a big difference between lashing out against someone, versus taking a stand upon one's convictions. I am an independent fundamentalist Baptist Bible preacher (not New IFB); and moreover, a born again Christian since age 13. I have disliked the heretical New IFB teaching that Christians should hate LGBTQ+ sinners. It is wrong and unbiblical!

Respectfully said, I have heard Pastor Steven Anderson for decades spew hatred of sinners from his pulpit at Faithful Word Baptist Church. His favorite go-to passage is our Scripture text from Psalms 139:21-22, particularly where King David says: “I hate them with a perfect hatred.” Pastor Anderson wrongly assumes that this is the proper Christian attitude for all believers to have, that we should all vehemently hate homosexuals and wicked people. But those were David's feelings, not God's. Kindly said, he is wrong! His father taught him hatred for homosexuals, what he calls the "Reprobate Doctrine" (in this article I compare what Pastor Jack Hyles taught versus Pastor Anderson). To hate anyone goes against everything the Holy Bible teaches for a Christian (Matthew 5:43-44, 22:37-39; John 3:16-17; Jude 1:22). John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center has addressed the issue of Pastor Anderson's intense hatred for LGBTQ+ people. There is debate among Bible preachers how the government should handle homosexuals. Some more liberal preachers say that homosexuals should be allowed to be who they are, and left alone. I think this is an irresponsible view. Homosexuality is a threat to any society, because it's not merely confined to their private homes. There has been an obvious attempt by the homosexual community since the 1980's to aggressively push their wicked agenda. Furthermore, they are being allowed to legally adopt children in the United States. That is shocking and very disturbing!

Other preachers think that homosexuals found guilty in a legitimate court of law, should be executed according to Leviticus 20:13, which is still a moral law that never changes. Ceremonial laws were only for the Jews, but moral laws never expire. What bothers me is when pastors hypocritically say that murderers should receive the death penalty, but not adulterers, rapists, pedophiles or homosexuals. What gives any pastor the right to selectively decide which moral crimes are worthy of capital punishment? The inspired King James Bible plainly teaches that homosexuality is a sin and a crime (Romans 1:24-32; Leviticus 20:13).

Years ago when I first learned about Pastor Steven Anderson around 2009, I couldn't stand the guy because of his hatred for unrepentant sinners. But like many people I started listening to his sermons and he grew on me. Most of what Pastor Anderson says is good practical biblical advice and life changing. I hate sin and love any preacher who exposes sin, but hating people is just plain wrong!

As a side note: Many of today's Baptist pastors are pathetic. When I met with Pastor Brad Moffett of the shameful neo-evangelical Family Baptist Church in Pensacola in April of 2025, Brad actually claimed that God's prohibition for women to wear men's clothing in Deuteronomy 22:5 was only ceremonial law and doesn't apply today. Not surprisingly, his wicked wife wears her sexy pants in public. Dear reader, Deuteronomy 22:5 is MORAL LAW, which never expires. If it was wrong 3,500 years ago for women to wear pants, it is still wrong in 2026!

Hatred Limits A Preacher's Effectiveness For Christ

But unfortunately for the New IFB, the inspired Word of God warns us in 1st Corinthians 13:1-3 that without love for people, even the greatest preaching and sacrifice is for nought. The old adage is very true: People don't care what you know, until they know that you care.

1st Corinthians 13:1-3, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

Respectfully, Pastor Brad Strand and Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) in their Bible commentaries interpret this passage to apply only to Christian brethren loving one another, but I humbly disagree with that idea. This Scripture passage plainly teaches that if you can preach great sermons, you're just making a bunch of noise if you lack love for people. The Bible doesn't specify or limit this truth only to the saints. A pastor will be ineffective to the same degree that he fails to love people.

Now, Pastor Steven Anderson has been very successful from a secular point of view. His Faithful Word Baptist Church is now running around 300 to 400 people in attendance in Phoenix, Arizona. But most of those people are like him, intensely hating the homosexual community, publicly saying that they wish LGBTQ+ sinners were dead. So, is that really success just because you have drawn a crowd of like-minded haters?

Also, Brother Anderson has been banned in at least 33 countries, so that he cannot reach those millions of people for Jesus Christ. By spewing hatred, Pastor Anderson has greatly limited and hurt his ministry. He is like sounding brass making a bunch of noise, ineffective from Heaven's point of view. Yes, they do get many lost sinners saved, for which I praise God, but the New IFB could reach 100 times more lost sinners for Christ if they would stop hating unrepentant sinners.

God Does Not Rejoice In The Death Of The Wicked

Ezekiel 33:11 plainly teaches that God Himself has no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Kindly said, Pastor Anderson has a long history of saying vile hateful things, shaming the cause of Jesus Christ. On June 12, 2016, 49 people were murdered and 58 were injured in a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which was a popular LGBTQ+ venue. The shooter, Omar Mateen, targeted the club during a "Latin Night" event, and the attack was deemed an act of terrorism. Steven Anderson praised the shooter and celebrated the murders, calling for all homosexuals to be murdered. Dear reader, that is not a true man of God, that is a hatemonger! People will not tolerate hatred!

In sharp contrast to Pastor Anderson's rejoicing in those 49 murders, read what the inspired Word of God teaches in Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” God Himself, our faithful Creator, does not rejoice when wicked people die!!! 2nd Peter 3:9, “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.” The LORD wants all men, even the vilest of criminals, homosexuals, pedophiles and all walks of humanity, to repent of their unbelief to trust Christ to be saved. That is love!

Mr. Anderson is a clone of hate-preacher Fred Phelps (1924-2014), whose church members used to hold big signs thanking God for dead fire fighters, dead miners, dead children, murdered 911 victims, and anything else offensive to infuriate the sensitive public with his hateful shenanigans. I admit having mixed feelings for many years concerning Pastor Steven Anderson and his ministry. He recently threw me under the bus, for disagreeing with Pastor Matthew Stuckey's heresy that the Epistle of 1st John wasn't written to help believers with the assurance of salvation, to KNOW that we have eternal life. 1st John 5:13 plainly calls Matthew Stuckey a theological liar.

New IFB Pastors Have No Respect Or Love For Others

When I rebuked Pastor Stuckey on Facebook on May 30th, 2026, Pastor Steven Anderson broke off all contact with me, unfriended me on Facebook and blocked me out. I am done being disrespected, mistreated and bullied to stay silent by aggressive New IFB members, while their pastors grossly butcher the inspired Word of God. I have a right to speak up! Unlike 95% of their incompetent pastors in the New IFB, I actually have an earned degree in Pastoral Theology that took me eight years to earn from Hyles-Anderson College (1985-1993), signed by my hero of the faith Pastor Jack Hyles.

Pastor Matthew Stuckey was born on June 2, 2000, making him 26 years old today. He has no formal theological training. I am literally old enough to be Matthew's grandfather, yet like the rest of their ungodly heartless New IFB pastors, Matthew has zero respect for me as a fundamentalist Bible preacher or human being. Do you know what that horrible guy did to me? When Pastor Anderson threw me under the bus and broke off our ministry friendship last month, Matthew posted laughing Emojis on Facebook to mock me. He thinks it's funny that Pastor Anderson broke off our ministry friendship. That's typical shameful behavior in the New IFB.

So, I seriously question the so-called "success" of the New IFB movement, when they spew hatred for sinners. Sickeningly, 80% of the churches in Germany rallied behind Adolf Hitler during World War II. Is that success? The Bible has much to say about striving for Christ lawfully. There's a right way and a wrong way to serve God. The New IFB definitely preach Christ of contention, but like the Apostle Paul, I thank God for their soulwinning efforts, which is the ONLY reason I support Pastor Anderson's ministry. To God alone be the glory.

In sharp contrast to Pastor Matthew Stuckey laughing at what happened on May 30th, I wept in tears because someone whom I thought was my friend, Brother Anderson, wasn't my friend ministry at all. I don't think he understands the concept of true friendship. In my humble opinion he manipulates and uses people, and the day that you offend him (as I did) you're axed.

Pastor Roger Jimenez is living proof of what I say. He and Pastor Anderson were close buddies for over 20 years, who are both from Sacramento, California. I heard Pastor Jimenez say that he wouldn't want to be a pastor if it weren't for Pastor Anderson. He loved Brother Anderson and greatly looked up to his friend! But when Pastor Jimenez (the long time pastor of Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento) refused to make a malicious YouTube video in 2024 to attack Pastor Anderson's older brother Clint Anderson, for allegedly "kidnapping his daughter" Miriam, their friendship was over. Pastor Anderson proceeded to regularly attack his "friend" for the next 2 years to destroy him, and he did. That was very wrong and unchristian.

Kindly said, I am not lashing out against Pastor Anderson like I did last week, for which I have already apologized to everyone, including him. I never should have thrown his children in his face. Whatever did or didn't happen under his roof is none of our business! But I will say that Pastor Anderson has made many enemies among peers by his contentious nature. I'm talking about Tommy McMurtry, Matt Furse, Adam Fannin, Joe Majors, Roger Jimenez and countless other wounded and disgruntled pastors. I am sick and tired of all the fighting within the New IFB. They bite and devour each other like savage wolves! There's a reason why Pastor Anderson has been banned from entering into at least 33 countries, because of his hateful unbiblical attitude toward unrepentant sinners that is toxic and contagious. I won't call the New IFB a "cult" anymore, but they are "cultish" in some ways, pandering to their leader.

Truly said, many members of the New IFB are mean, cruel and heartless toward others, showing zero respect. Pastor Steven Anderson called Attorney David Gibbs Jr. a "fat slob." Kindly said, that is not how a man of God should talk. We all have areas in our life that could use some improvement. I am not lashing out against anyone. Dear reader, the way we treat others matters. Right doctrine matters! I just want to be a blessing. I am not trying to attack the New IFB for personal reasons, God knows my heart. Contrariwise, I am rebuking their unbiblical hatred for LGBTQ+ sinners. God is love. God doesn't have love, GOD IS LOVE!!!

Things You Should Have Learned Back In Kintergarden

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:51:00 +0000

Matthew 7:12, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

It ceases to irritate me when I see adults failing to use good manners. We all should have learned back in kindergarten decades ago to say: “please,” “excuse me,” “I'm sorry” and “thank you.” Yet, sadly many adults have terrible manners. When I hear children being demanding of adults, rude, not saying “please,” I kindly correct them, as adults should do.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of good manners, highlighting that respectful conduct is a hallmark of upright living and that we should treat others with dignity and kindness. Key principles include esteeming others above oneself and using polite, kind speech to build others up (Philippians 2:3, Ephesians 4:29).

Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

Dear reader, be considerate of OTHERS. If other people are rude, inconsiderate and mean, don't you join them! It matters not if you are at the grocery store, the bank, church or rotting behind bars in prison, we all need to learn to say: “please,” “excuse me,” “I'm sorry” and “thank you.”

In prison it is a matter of survival. I heard that from Michael Franzese's father, John "Sonny" Franzese (1917-2020), who was an infamous underboss in the Colombo crime family in New York. John told his Son Michael that to survive in prison you must learn to say: “please,” “excuse me,” “I'm sorry” and “thank you.” Michael grew up in a mob environment, but his father initially did not want him to be involved in organized crime, but unfortunately he was drawn into the dirty criminal business.

When John was arrested the Prosecutor's office offered him a sweet deal, a drastically reduced prison sentence if he would snitch on the mob, but he refused. John "Sonny" Franzese spent a total of over 50 years in prison for racketeering and other serious crimes that ended with his release in 2017 at the age of 100. It was in prison when Michael became a born again Christian and he travels the world today as a Gospel evangelist. His true testimony from being a hardened murdering gangster to a born again Christian is quite remarkable.

I am often reminded of what John "Sonny" Franzese taught his son about surviving in prison, because those same good manners will help us survive throughout life, without which proper etiquette you will only hurt, offend and aggravate people.

I never go to any local business without bringing a loose cart in the parking lot into the store with me. I'm going that way anyway, so why not grab a cart or two? Lazy people just carelessly leave their shopping carts sitting in the parking lot, without consideration for OTHERS.

You can tell a lot about a particular community by driving around and looking at stuff like that, to see if people give a damn or not. If you go into Walmart or Target and see merchandise laying on the floor and no one cares to pick it up, and garbage lying on the ground throughout the neighborhood, that speaks volumes about people's irresponsible and selfish attitudes toward the things of OTHERS. I care; therefore, I NEVER toss my garbage onto the ground. I would NEVER leave my cart randomly sitting in a store's parking lot. I would either return the cart to the cart corral or bring it back into the store where I got it.

People are so bad that they refuse to even flesh the toilet. When I see paper towels lying on the floor in a public restroom, I pick them up to throw away and then wash my hands. My goal is to always leave whatever public place I enter cleaner when I leave than when I arrived. The old adage is very true: Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching? How are your manners dear reader?

When the traffic light turns green, I have heard drivers lay on their car's horn in anger because the vehicle in front of them didn't move right away. That happens to me from time to time, when the car in front of me just sits there when the light turns green. I NEVER touch my horn!!! I have actually sat through an entire green light that turned red again, while the car in front of me didn't move, and I just calmly waited and didn't honk my horn. I just don't want to be an impatient kind of person.

I decided a long time ago that when I go into any business, and there is a long waiting line, I will just stay calm and wait as long as it takes. If I get too frustrated I will just quietly leave and come back another day, but getting upset, emotional and angry is a loser's game.

Every month before I step foot into CVS to go to their Pharmacy, I have to prepare my mind for whatever may happen, so I don't get caught off guard and become angry. Case in point, last week I called the CVS Pharmacy ahead of time to ask the pharmacist if my pain medications were ready, and she confirmed that they were ready. But when I got to CVS an hour later, she said she was busy and hadn't got to it yet, and told me to come back later. I kindly thanked her and said I'd be back later. I didn't complain. I drove 15 minutes away and she called me to say that the drugs were ready. Arrggh! But I thanked her, didn't complain or get upset, and I just had a good afternoon anyway.

It is so much better to live life that way, then to always be a nervous wreck, angry at everyone, and have a poor Christian testimony. Believe me, people do see how we behave, respond and treat OTHERS. I truly don't consider myself a good Christian, I don't. But I do want to care and be nice to everybody, because everyone is having a rough time. 1st Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” God knows that there have been plenty of times in my life when I didn't glorify God, but I don't want to be that guy ever again. The dear Savior deserves our very best!

Victor Nischik Denies A Free Grace Gospel

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Galatians 1:6-8, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Victor Peter Nischik (1934-2015) was a long time deacon at the First Baptist Church of Hammond for nearly 27 years. Dr. Hyles became their new pastor in 1959. Pastor Hyles performed the wedding for Jennie and Victor in 1961. Mrs. Nischik sadly filed for divorce in 1986. At the time Mr. Nischik was employed at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Mr. Nischik left the church frustrated in 1988, but Jennie continued working as Dr. Hyles' lifelong secretary. That has always bothered me a lot! As far as I am concerned, Mrs. Nischik belonged AT HOME with her family, not working as Dr. Hyles' secretary!

On June 19, 1993, Dr. Donald A. Waite (1933-2014) interviewed Victor Nischik (1934-2015). I won't link to the interview on YouTube, simply because it contains graphic talk. Mr. Nischik is a wicked man who blatantly lies about Pastor Jack Hyles, accusing him of subscribing to Sexology magazine and exchanging Playboy magazine with acquaintances. Anybody who knew Brother Hyles could laugh at such ungodly ridiculous accusations. Dr. Hyles didn't even watch Hollywood movies! Pastor Hyles' dear ole mother sat in front of him in church, until 1984 when she went home to be with Jesus in Heaven. Don't you tell me that Brother Hyles lived a sordid double lifestyle in the face of his mother who raised him in godly faith.

I am fully convinced that Victor Nischik is an evil liar! Nischik is subtle, so full of crap. It is obvious he is a blatant liar. You can feel his hatred in his 1993 interview with Dr. Waite. According to Mr. Nischik Brother Hyles beat his wife into total submission. If that were true someone world have seen it, because they centered their lives around attending church. I don't believe a word of any of it.

Nischik claims that Dr. Hyles offered to have female church members have sex with him if he wanted. I don't think so! The only one saying that crap was Vic Nischik! All he does is twist Pastor Hyles' sermons out of context, connecting dots that don't exist to deliberately create doubt in the mind of listeners. Woe unto Mr. Nischik at the Great White Throne of Judgment!

Dr. Donald A Waite (1933-2014) is a wicked slanderer! These are evil men. Vic Nischik falsely accuses Dr. Hyles of trading Playboy magazines with people, and of watching smut videos in his office, and sharing details of what he did in bed with his wife. That is not Pastor Hyles! No real man would do any of the contemptible things that Victor Nischik claims. Nischik claimed that after 1970 his wife Jennie wasn't allowed to have sex with him anymore, per Pastor Hyles. Do you really believe that Vic Nischik didn't have sex with his wife for 16 years before she divorced him in 1986? If you do, I feel sorry for you friend.

All that being said, here is an excerpt I made from the 1993 interview in which Mr. Nischik accuses Brother Hyles of preaching a counterfeit Gospel that leaves off repentance. Nischik alleges that thousands of people will go to Hell because of Pastor Hyles' false plan of salvation. Well, that speaks volumes against Victor Nischik and helps clear up the matter. By saying that Dr. Hyles preached a false Gospel that leaves off repentance, it plainly reveals that VICTOR NISCHIK WAS NOT SAVED. He died in 2015 and I sadly think he went straight to Hell.

In the disturbing excerpt that I made, you can hear Mr. Nischik (who was my age in his late fifties at the time of the 1993 interview), unjustly criticize the First Baptist Church of Hammond for using The Roman's Road, for leading lost sinners to pray a sinner's prayer to be saved. According to Nischik more is required. He believes that you must repent of your sins to turn away from them, and live a changed life to evidence that you are really saved. THAT IS THE HERESY OF LORDSHIP SALVATION!!! I am fully convinced that Vic Nischik is in Hell forever!

Why should we believe anything that a man says who is wrong on God's simple plan of salvation? Mr. Nischik couldn't be more wrong! The only righteousness that I posses is God's imputed righteousness through faith alone in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). Clearly, Mr. Nischik was involved heavily at the First Baptist Church of Hammond in Indiana for 27 years, and he superficially lived the Christian life, but he had never been born again!

Pastor Steven Anderson's Blatant False Theology On Christ's Second Coming

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

2nd Timothy 2:15-16, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

Mark 13:32-33, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

I listened to a heretical sermon today from Pastor Steven Anderson. He preached the sermon on Sunday morning, July 5th, 2026, titled: “The Rapture Is The Second Coming.” For someone unlearned who doesn't know any better the sermon might sound sensible. However, what I am about to show you proves that Steven Anderson is very wrong on the Rapture and Christ's Second Coming.

In this chart from chapter 2 of Pastor Anderson's YouTube movie titled: 'THE BOOK OF REVELATION,' you can see in comment numbers 35 and 36 that he errantly teaches the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the Abomination of Desolation. Listen for yourself in Part 10 of his Revelation series, at 31:00 minutes into the video, where he states:

“When does the Rapture take place? 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week.” —Pastor Steven Anderson, 'Revelation - Part 10' (Time: 31:00 minutes into video)

Pastor Anderson admits that many believers have accused him of setting a date, which he ridiculously denies. You can hear him say this at 31:19 minutes into Part 10 of his Revelation series. Dear reader, like it or not, Pastor Anderson has already SET A DATE! Anderson says that the Rapture of the saints and Jesus' Second Coming are the SAME event, which events he errantly says will occur 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week. This fact alone exposes him as a FALSE TEACHER!

Pastor Anderson alleges that he is not setting a date since no one knows when Daniel's 70th week (aka, the Tribulation period) starts. I hope you clearly see that he is in fact, DATE SETTING! Jesus emphatically declared that NO MAN, not even the angels in Heaven, know the time of His return (Mark 13:32-37).

At 34:06 in Part 10 of his Revelation series, Pastor Anderson says Jesus only meant that no one would know the time when He said it. Huh? Pastor Anderson says the people alive during the Tribulation will know the time of Jesus' return. That is blatant false teaching!!! Yet, if you listen to the sermon that he preached on July 5th, “The Rapture Is The Second Coming,” you'll hear him accusing saints (like me) who believe in a Pretribulation Rapture of ignoring Scripture, lying and making stuff up. Kindly said, Pastor Anderson is woefully guilty of everything that he accuses Pretribbers of doing.

Pastor Anderson is adamant that the Rapture will occur 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week. The very title of his July 5th sermon, “The Rapture Is The Second Coming,” reveals his ignorance of Scripture. Anderson is literally teaching that Christ's SECOND COMING will happen 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week. So, if this be true, then people WILL KNOW, and the angels WILL KNOW, the time of Jesus' return.

Mark 13:34-37, “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

But there is no need to watch if we already know that Jesus is coming back 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week. Pastor Anderson is making a fool of himself to say that he is not setting a date, when he just plainly stated that the Rapture will happen 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week, and 75 days after the Abomination of Desolation...

“So, I'm not setting any kind of date, I never have and I never will—until I see the Abomination of Desolation and then I'm going to start setting to set a date. And hopefully I'm still alive at that time.” —Pastor Steven Anderson, 'Revelation - Part 10' (Time: 35:25 minutes into video)
That is DATE SETTING!

Kindly said, Steven Anderson is a college drop out! He quit Hyles-Anderson College in 2006 and never graduated. I enrolled in 1985 and eight years later by God's grace I graduated with honors in 1993. Here is my diploma singed by Pastor Jack Hyles. Kindly said, Anderson never finished his training to be a pastor, which is clearly evident in his many theological blunders.

Here are some more articles I've written in defense of a biblical Pretribulation Rapture:

God knows that I didn't write this article to be unkind, nor in a malicious spirit toward Brother Anderson, God forbid. I wrote this article because right doctrine matters!

Homosexuals Are Made In God's Image

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Genesis 1:26-27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

The inspired Holy Bible is our Creator's Owner's Manuel for humanity. The old adage is true: When all else fails, read the instructions.

The Bible teaches in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” As I've mentioned in numerous recent blog articles, I am a big amateur fan of astronomy. It is my humble opinion that God made the universe and all the remarkable endless wonders therein to impress us as his creatures, who are all made in His image. James 3:9, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”

Kindly said, that is why I take a strong biblical stand against Pastor Steven Anderson and his New Independent Fundamental Baptist (New IFB) cult of followers who preach hatred for LGBTQIA+ people, who were all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). It didn't come as a surprise recently that Pastor Anderson's four oldest children have come out publicly against him and his wife with accusations of parental abuse. I say that kindly, but truthfully. Hatred just begets more hatred. One thing that I have learned during my lifetime is that people will not tolerate hatred. Dear reader, life is too short to live with a burden of hatred.

God created the universe and all therein to “wow” us, because He yearns for praise from His creatures. Just as God loves to be praised, so do we as human beings love to be praised. Proverbs 27:21, “As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.” That is part of what it means to be made in the image of God.

And just as we get our feelings hurt and are grieved, so also is God hurt and grieved. Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” When Jesus healed ten lepers of the horrible disease of leprosy (incurable at the time), only one man bothered to return to thank the dear Savior. That really hurt Jesus' feelings. Luke 17:17, “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” I can hear some religious Pharisee at church saying, “Oh Jesus, you're so negative!” I love this inspired Scripture passage, because it teaches that it is perfectly okay and not wrong to express our hurt feelings are grief.

It is a natural part of life that people will sometimes hurt our feelings, and as human beings made in God's image we have a natural need to express those hurt feelings, as part of the healing process. Don't ever let anyone scold you, or try to make you feel bad or guilty, for expressing hurt feelings. If Jesus shared His hurt feelings, and He clearly did, then so can we. It is perfectly acceptable to assertively, in a passive voice, tell someone that your feelings have been hurt. Jesus' feelings were hurt that only one man who had been healed thanked him.

Homosexuals were all created in the image of God, their Maker. Kindly said, I do not believe that homosexuals were “born that way.” Just like all sins, homosexuality is a choice. Some people may have a disposition to steal, lie, lust or experience homosexual tendencies, but sin is always still a choice. That being said, we have all been made in the image of our Creator. No one is beyond the hope of the gospel, including homosexuals.

Just because as a Christian I do not go along with the homosexual agenda doesn't mean that I hate LGBTQIA+ people. Quite the contrary, I love them all unconditionally with God's endless love. Or better said, I am allowing God to love homosexual people through me. I do not love others; but rather, God who is love, loves them THROUGH ME. We are all selfish by birth and by nature. The Christian life is lived on purpose. That is, we must choose to walk in the Holy Spirit by faith (Galatians 5:22-25), or else by default we will walk in the flesh, in sin (Romans 7:14-25).

In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said to love EVERYONE as our self. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Jesus didn't exempt any classes of society. He didn't disqualify unrepentant sinners. No, Jesus commanded us to love all of our neighbours, regardless of who they may be. That doesn't mean we must approve of their sinful lifestyles or choices. It doesn't even mean that we have to like them. But we do have to love everyone unconditionally with God's love, which means to treat everyone the exact what we would like to be treated. This is THE GOLDEN RULE according to Matthew 7:12.

Jesus Christ died for all mankind (John 3:16; 1st John 2:2). Not only are homosexuals made in God's image, but God's only begotten Son Jesus died for them on Calvary's cross 2,000 years ago (Romans 5:6-9). We have a solemn obligation as God's children to be ambassadors to the heathen world (2nd Corinthians 5:20-21). It is not our right or place to decide who is reachable or unreachable with the saving power of the truth of the gospel. God gives the increase (1st Corinthians 3:7-9). Our job is to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15b). Every creature includes everybody!

We Are Saved By Christ's Obedience, Not By Works

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Romans 5:19, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

The inspired King James Bible teaches that when Adam sinned, he opened the floodgate of sin and death upon the world. Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” This is why we live in a fallen world. This is why a drunk driver may swerve into your driver's lane and take your legs off in a crash. This is why things dry rot, wear out and break. This is why there is disease, pain and sickness, and then we grow old and die.

But thanks be to God the Father for sending His only begotten Son Jesus into the world to redeem humanity. Whereas mankind had utterly failed again and again to perfectly obey the law, Jesus did fulfill it perfectly. Therefore, Jesus Christ has become the end of the law to all who believe on His name. Romans 10:3-4, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” That it, if you will put all of your trust (reliance, faith) in Jesus as your personal Savior, God will count your faith for righteousness.

Romans 4:4-5, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” I am surprised how many unlearned preachers foolishly teach that people were saved by works under the Mosaic law. Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016) was the biggest purveyor of this terrible heresy. Consequently, Ruckmanites today like Robert Breaker, Gene Kim and William P. Grady still promote this unbiblical rubbish that people were saved by works in the Old Testament. Dear reader, don't you believe it!

Romans 4:4 plainly teaches that if salvation has ever been been works, then God owed those sinners salvation, and it wasn't by grace. I hope you are not that gullible to believe them.

It was Christ's perfect obedience to God's Old testament law that qualified Him to be “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b).

The Wonderful World Of Astronomy

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Genesis 1:14-19, “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”

I absolutely love astronomy! For the past couple years I've been watching YouTube documentaries about the universe, which have sparked my curiosity into the subject. The more that I learn the more intrigued I become, fascinated by God's amazing universe. Psalms 145:3, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Our faithful omnipotent God is more than amazing!!!

Did you know that NASA says there are approximately one septillion stars? That's a 1 with 24 zeroes behind it! Yikes! And yet of those one septillion stars, mankind will only ever be able to physically visit one of them, our own Sun (which is 93 million miles away). The next nearest star Alpha Centauri is 4.24 light years away (25 trillion miles). Even if one of our fastest space probes travelling at 40,000 mph were to attempt the journey from Earth to Alpha Centauri, it would take 625 million years! So you see, man will never visit any star except our own Sun.

Astronomy is one of my hobbies, which I am getting more heavily into lately. I can't get enough of it. Every night as I sleep, I listen to the Calm Space or Sleepy Science YouTube channels. The man's voice from Calm Space (in the Netherlands) is very calming and I love learning facts about God's wondrous universe. The man's voice is also relaxing on the Sleepy Science (in the United Kingdom) channel. Here is my favorite video explaining the Observable Universe (what we can see) versus the Actual Universe (what exists). This guy is good; he knows his stuff. I encourage you to listen to these channels at night. I keep the volume just high enough so that I can understand what is being said, but not so loud that it wakes me up. Setting the volume at the proper level is important. The videos are each 2 hours long, intended to help you sleep. I love this stuff!

Helpful Tools For The Hobbyist Astronomer

I recently learned about some really awesome apps for mobile phones:

Sky View (SkyView® is an app that lets you identify and learn about celestial objects in the sky, day or night. You can use your camera, schedule alerts, time travel, and share your discoveries with friends and family. I paid a one time fee of $4.99 to enable the full version, which lets you see all the full color constellations and thousands more stars)
Star Tracker (Pretty much the same function as Sky View, but different controls. Get outdoors with your friends and enjoy star gazing! Let StarTracker guide you to explore the universe. I paid two fees: $0.99 and $2.99 to enable the full version)
NASA (Launch into the joy and wonder of space exploration with the NASA app! Stream live mission coverage on NASA+, see the latest images from the moon and beyond, and so much more.)
International Space Station (The Spot the Station mobile app is designed to notify users when the International Space Station (ISS) is visible overhead from their location.)
Stellarium Mobile (Stellarium - Star Map is a planetarium app that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars.)

It was the 4th of July yesterday. I couldn't sleep, so I was outside this morning in my backyard using Sky View and Star Tracker. I love these tools! The GPS technology inside your phone allows the apps to locate and display where stars, planets, meteorites, the International Space Station and other astronomical things are found. It's amazing technology!

The Amazing Planet Venus

You can even use the apps inside your home. If you want to know where Saturn is, the app will show you. I've been watching the bright planet Venus all week in the evening sky from West Pensacola where I live. For the month of July, the planet Venus is called the “Evening Star” in the western sunset, and the Morning Star at sunrise in the east. Since Venus orbits closer to the Sun than Earth does, it is usually found close to the sun in the sky.

Venus is a remarkable planet, with an average surface temperature of 867° Fahrenheit, and an atmospheric pressure of 1,350 psi. Earth's pressure is 14.7 psi at sea level. Venus rotates at a speed of about 4 mph, which is slow compared to other planets in the solar system. Whereas the Earth turns on its axis once every 24 hours, Venus has a rotational period of 243 days, making one day on Venus longer than a year on Venus (which is 225 days). That is so weird!

The Soviet Union sent a total of eighteen probes to Venus as part of the Venera program between 1961 and 1984. The probe to survive the longest lasted for 127 minutes before the atmosphere of sulfuric acid, extreme pressure and lead-melting heat destroyed it. The Venera 13 probe holds the record for the longest survival on the surface of Venus, lasting 127 minutes before succumbing to the extreme conditions. Wow! List of missions to Venus.

It is my humble opinion that God made all these remarkable planets, stars, nebulas, black holes, galaxies, supernovas, dark matter and endless wonders of the universe to impress us as his creatures, who were all made in His image.

You can see the planet of Venus each night in July by looking to the western sky at sunset. It is the brightest object in the evening sky, which you cannot miss. If not blocked by trees or buildings, you can also see the planet Jupiter to the lower right of Venus.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

The story of Galileo's telescopic observations illustrates how a tool for seeing and collecting evidence can dramatically change our understanding of the cosmos. Early telescopes were primarily used for making Earth-bound observations, such as surveying and military tactics.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was part of a small group of astronomers who turned telescopes towards the heavens. After hearing about the "Danish perspective glass" in 1609, Galileo constructed his own telescope. He subsequently demonstrated the telescope in Venice. His demonstration of the telescope earned him a lifetime lectureship. After his initial success, Galileo focused on refining the instrument.

The initial telescope he created (and the Dutch ones it was based on) magnified objects three diameters. That is, it made things look three times larger than they did with the naked eye. Through refining the design of the telescope he developed an instrument that could magnify eight times, and eventually thirty times.

Galileo's most powerful telescope had a magnification of 30 times, but today's consumer telescopes go as high as over 800 times! For example, the $8,000 Celestron 14" EdgeHD OTA has a focal length of 3910mm and a maximum useful magnification of 840x. It is designed to provide high-quality images with its advanced optical system. The $5,000 Sky-Watcher 16" Flextube GOTO Dobsonian has a magnification strength of 812x. The $700 Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonian 8" Telescope yields a magnification of roughly 300x. Even the cheaper telescopes for a couple hundred dollars today are far more powerful than anything Galileo and the early astronomers used. Galileo would be amazed! We are so blessed.

The telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatories on the Big Island in Hawaii has a magnification of 3,000x. The most powerful telescope in the world is the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), with a 39-meter primary mirror, which has a magnification of up to 12,000x.

God Knows The Exact Number Of Stars

For under $100 you can purchase a decent pair of 15 x 70 Astronomy Binoculars to observe the stars. If you already have a tripod for a video camera, these binoculars will fit on the same tripod (they're all standardized). You need a tripod because the glass get heavy over time. It has never been easier to study, be fascinated by and follow the sky. God is more than amazing!

Astronomers are unsure if the cosmos keeps going infinitely, or if the universe has an end to it. Based on the following Scripture passage, I think the universe has an end to it. Psalms 147:4, “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.” If God telleth the number of stars, it sounds like there's an exact number, which would indicate that the universe does end. God not only knows how many stars there are, but He calls them all by their individual names. Wow! NASA guesses there are at least one septillion stars! I cannot even wrap my brain around that gargantuan number because it is so big. Let me write it out, so you can see how many stars there are in the known universe...

1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars!

Just to count to one trillion (if you could count one number per second non-stop) it would take 31,700 years. Then there's quadrillion, quintillion, sextillion and septillion. These numbers are so large that the human mind cannot process them. And yet, our omnipotent God who spoke them into existence by the mere power of His Word has a personalized name for each star.

Before 1924, astronomers all thought the Milky Way Galaxy was the universe. It wasn't until 1924 that astronomer Edwin Hubble (1889-1953), discovered that there were other galaxies far beyond our own Milky Way Galaxy. Dr. Hubble discovered that the Andromeda Galaxy is located 2,480,000 light years from the Earth.

Then in 1929, Dr. Hubble discovered that the universe is expanding, which discovery led to the theory commonly known as The Big Bang. Scientists worked backwards and calculated that the universe must be 13.77 billion years old. But since the universe has continued to rapidly expand during that time, astronomers are able to peer 46.5 billion light years into the cosmos.

When I was a kid, I used to walk up the stairs on a moving escalator, which made me feel like I was moving super fast (and I was). Although my feet were stepping up the stairs at a normal pace, I was moving much faster since the escalator was also carrying me up to the next level. That's similar to what has been happening to the cosmos for the past 13.8 billion years.

Although no object can travel faster than the speed of light (671 million mph), space itself can. That is an amazing reality and concept. So, during the past 13.8 billion years (a measurement of time), the cosmos has expanded 46.5 billion light years (a measurement of distance). This is why astronomers will never be able to see beyond 46.5 billion light years into the cosmos, because the light being produced now is too far away to catch up. Literally, the cosmos is expanding faster than the speed of light, so that light will never reach earth's telescopes.

It is my humble belief that the universe ends just beyond the point where man cannot see further. What would be the point? And remember, God “telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names” (Psalms 147:4). If you'd like to just try it out, you can freely download limited versions of Sky View and Star Tracker. My favorite though is Star Tracker. It only cost $3.97 total for enable the full version. First I paid $0.99, and then there was a $2.99 charge. I'm not sure what the $0.99 was for, I cannot remember. There are no monthly charges, which was the first thing I checked to make sure. I hate monthly payments.

If you have any interest in astronomy, even if to just follow the moon and some of the brightest stars, I think you'll enjoy the Star Tracker app. I turned on the grid lines in the app, which centers around the bright Northern Star, Polaris. I like the background planetarium music. It's an amazing tool. I just wanted to share something that I enjoy with everyone. I love this stuff! God is so good. Proverbs 18:1, “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.”

The Hated Independent Fundamentalist Baptist

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:30:00 +0000

Hebrews 11:36-40, “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

I love that truthful phrase in Hebrews 11:38b, “Of whom the world was not worthy.” This world is not worthy of the saints of God whom they persecute, prosecute and belittle. There is an alarming increase on social media of videos containing wicked slander, criticisms and hatred of Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFB). I for one am proud to be a lifelong Independent Fundamental Baptist. I thank God for my strong roots. When I was about 12 years old, I was born again in an IFB church on Chicago's northside. I was baptized in an IFB church. I was trained to serve God in an IFB church. God is good.

The ungodly hypocrites who make these slanderous videos act like they are above sin, but they are just as wicked in the sight of God as the fallen Christians whom they tear down. There but for the grace of God, go we! In the United States, our news media are infamous manure spreaders! Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) is correct that the only thing you can believe in the local newspaper is the date.

Pastor Jack Hyles is absolutely correct, “No one can withstand the attack of a critic.” In my humble opinion, most of the people who hate on IFB churches have deeper ill-seeded feelings at work, than any sincere criticism of an IFB church. There is a Satanic agenda at work to discredit, undermine and destroy today's IFB churches. The reason why is obvious, because they come closest to being New Testament churches that get the job done for God.

The ongoing hatred of IFB churches isn't a new phenomena. The heathen world has always hated the New Testament church. Revelation 12:10b calls Satan, “the accuser of the brethren.” Those haters today who slander and tear down the IFB are in league with the Devil. You're never more like the Devil than when you accuse others.

Now, I'm not defending anybody who commits a crime, God forbid. But what I see happening is thousands of malicious wicked haters are connecting dots that don't exist to discredit the IFB movement. They dig up all the dirt they can. They overturn every rock. They have their magnifying glass in hand, scrutinizing today's IFB churches and colleges for every fault, sin, crime and mistake they can find to slander, put down and attack Christians.

The inspired King James Bible says in Hebrews 11:38b concerning the saints, “Of whom the world was not worthy.” We are a royal priesthood. 1st Peter 2:9, “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.” Oh, what a great privilege it is to be a child of God, a born again believer.

God Created The Moon, Not A Cataclysmic Event

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:12:00 +0000

Genesis 1:15-16, “And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.”

Psalms 8:3-4, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

Psalms 104:19, “He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.”

The level of unbelief, ingratitude and wickedness in American society today toward our Creator is staggering. The inspired Holy Bible is very clear that God made the moon, not two asteroids crashing into each other billions of years ago.

According to NASA (the smartest people on earth) the moon just accidentally happened...

The Moon formed from debris created by a massive collision between the early Earth and a Mars-sized body called Theia about 4.5 billion years ago. This impact ejected material into orbit around Earth, which eventually coalesced to form the Moon. SOURCE

What ingrates! Why is it so difficult to believe that God made the moon? But wait, there's much more to the story. The Scripture tells us that when wicked people embrace the sin of homosexuality, they don't want to retain God in their thinking...

Romans 1:26-28, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

Sadly, NASA has embraced the deplorable homosexual movement. So, it doesn't surprise me that NASA doesn't want to retain God in their thinking. There is nothing any more wicked than to attribute the creation of the universe to natural causes without God. NASA are just one of countless heathen organizations today who throw God under the bus.

I love astronomy and have been watching many intriguing documentaries on YouTube. I've seen several dozen videos, maybe even a hundred so far. Sadly, not once, has any of those videos glorified God as our Creator. I'm not kidding, not even one! What an insult to our omnipotent Creator who spoke the universe into existence by the mere Word of His mouth (2nd Peter 3:5). God is good!

Psalms 19:1-3, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”

God made the moon, and the sun, and the Milky Way Galaxy, and the stars and beyond.

Jeremiah 31:35, “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name.”

Don't Let People Confuse You About Your Salvation

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Romans 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

A man hears the gospel and believes it to be saved. But then he hears someone say that if he didn't pray a sinner's prayer, he isn't really saved. So he prays to ask God to save him. Then someone else says he didn't really get saved if he didn't publicly confessed the name of Jesus. So he tells others that he trusted Jesus as his personal Savior. Then someone tells him that he didn't really get saved if he only believed in his mind, but not with his heart. So he worries about his sincerity in the matter and is confused. Then someone tells him that if he still indulges in sinful bad habits, he has never repented and is not saved. Another person tells him that if he isn't following Christ in obedience, he isn't saved. And on and on it goes!

What saith the Scripture? 2nd Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Dear reader, God doesn't want you to become a basket case of religious scrupulosity. God wants all of His redeemed children to have total peace of mind, especially concerning His promise of eternal life.

Let me say without debate that the life you and I choose to live has absolutely nothing to do with God's free gift of eternal life. Romans 6:1, “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?” The dear Lord doesn't want us to live in unrepentant sin, but if we do, His grace will abound so that we can never be in jeopardy of losing His gift of eternal life. As believers we always fall “in grace,” but never “from grace.” Only a lost person who tries to get to Heaven by keeping the works of the law has fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).

I went through a nightmare for many years, being misled by preachers. I trusted Jesus as my personal Savior at age 13. But due to the unbiblical sinner's prayer, I was confused and couldn't find peace concerning the assurance of God's salvation. In the Christian high school that I attended in Chicago at our Baptist church, I finally mustered up the courage at age 17 to go ask my Baptist pastor for his help with my fear of not being saved. I had often cried, literally, worried sick for the previous 4 years that I might die in my sins and end up in Hell.

I kept wondering if I left something out when I prayed the sinner's prayer. Since I couldn't remember what I had prayed, I worried. So, I started asking for God to save me again and again and again, probably 50 times at least over those 4 miserable years. I would read religious tracts line by line, and carefully agree with each point, and then I would pray again and ask God to save me, as directed in the tract. I would then tell myself that I am saved, but it just didn't resolve my fears, worry and tears. What if I missed Heaven? What if I ended up burning in Hell forever? I was terrified.

So, I mustered up the courage one school day to go talk to my pastor, with the teacher's permission. I remember as I approached his office door that it felt like I was going to talk to God. I knocked on his door and he welcomed me into his office, and I told him of my concerns, fear and inability to settle my assurance. He assumed that since I didn't know I was saved, it surely must mean that I wasn't. Respectfully said, that was his first blunder.

Then my pastor made his second big blunder. He did the worst possible thing he could have done, he led me in another sinner's prayer. Oh boy, that was the whole problem! He prayed and I followed after him, and he assured me that I was saved. But I went home scared, still uncertain if I was really saved. He called my parents to tell them I had received Christ that day, and then he announced to the entire church congregation the following Sunday that I got saved. Now that everyone thought I was saved, I was afraid to tell anyone that I still feared that I wasn't. I felt trapped in my miseries of uncertainty that I was saved. I did trust Jesus with all my heart, mind and soul as my Savior, but I just couldn't find the peace that I was saved. In hindsight, I was afraid of something that I did not fully understand, and that stupid sinner's prayer was hindering me from learning what I needed to know.

My Dad was a preacher, who water baptized me weeks after my pastor assumed that I was saved, because he led me in another sinner's prayer. But I still remember how scared I was on the day I was baptized, thinking about 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟲:𝟭𝟲, “𝗛𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱; 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗻𝗲𝗱.” Would I be damned for getting baptized, still not knowing if I am saved? I felt trapped and went ahead with the baptism, but I was still worried and uncertain about my salvation.

I went off to Hyles-Anderson College at age 18, not knowing that I was saved. I was hoping to settle my fears at Bible college. Unfortunately, that fear stuck with me for the next 8 years during Bible college, because the First Baptist Church of Hammond and their Bible college all use the sinner's prayer. Now, I am not criticizing my home Bible college and the people whom I love, cherish and am indebted to who investing in my life as a young man training to be a preacher. But the fact of the matter is that FOR ME AT LEAST, the sinner's prayer was toxic.

Although Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) preached some great sermons, and he was correct on the gospel, he strongly promoted using the sinner's prayer, which obscured the truth FOR ME and prevented me from resolving my issue. Ironically, I have heard more helpful sermon by Brother Hyles since I have graduated (especially over the past 10 years), than all my time in Bible college. I was so busy laboring in the 'B' Bus Ministry, working various secular jobs, providing for my family, et cetera, that I missed most of Dr. Hyles' sermons while in college. I taught a Sunday School class every Sunday morning, and I worked on Wednesday evenings, so I was only able to hear Brother Hyles Sunday evenings.

One of the sermons that has helped me, which I've only heard in recent years (now at age 59) for the first time is titled, "FUNDAMENTALIST HERESY." In this sermon Brother Hyles explains that prayer does not save us, but faith. Inviting Jesus into one's heart doesn't save anyone, faith does. For whatever reason, I didn't get the answers I needed while attending Hyles-Anderson College. I did sit on the edge of my seat during all those years, learning new helpful truths about salvation, trying to complete the puzzle. As I said, I am not criticizing my beloved home college, but I have gratefully learned to present the gospel without the sinner's prayer, which has never been a problem. It is the sinner's prayer that causes problems!

I am forever grateful to the folks at Florida Bible College and Calvary Community Church in Tampa, whose godly pastors' A. Ray Stanford (1916-2012), Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), Max D. Younce (1935-2023) and Ralph Yankee Arnold have opened my eyes to the clarity of the gospel. I cherish this quote...

“There is power in this Gospel message. Most people just don't know how to present it... The clarity of the Gospel is what makes it easy for them to believe.”—Pastor Yankee Arnold, “WHY GRACE CAN SAVE THE WORST MAN!”

God used the prolific writings of my long time ministry friend of 20 years, Pastor Max D. Younce, who is a graduate of Florida Bible College, to solidify my salvation beliefs. In particular, it was his wonderful book titled, "SALVATION AND THE PUBLIC INVITATION," that helped settle my assurance of salvation once and for all, and I have never doubted God's gift and promise of salvation for one second since. PRAISE GOD!

To clarify, there is nothing wrong if someone wants to accompany their faith with a sinner's prayer, but every soulwinner has a solemn duty to make sure a lost sinner understands that praying, asking, publicly confessing or calling is NOT required to get to Heaven. 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩. I learned that great quote from Dr. Younce. I miss my ministry friend.

Furthermore, a lost sinner should never have to walk down a church aisle to learn how to be saved. Dr. Younce addresses this primary problem in his book. Preachers who require people to walk an aisle are adding an unnecessary step to God's simple plan of salvation. Likewise, no one should ever be required to pray a sinner's prayer to be saved, when God is already freely offering eternal life as a gift to whosoever simply believes that Jesus did it all for them.

I exhort you dear friend to get grounded and settled in the inspired King James Bible, and avoid listening to the incompetent herd of misguided, confused and foolish neo-evangelical preachers today who will have you all turned around, confused and worried about your salvation if you let them. Romans 3:4a, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar...” And please don't leave off the last portion of the verse, in Romans 3:4b, “...as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” I love that warning! It means if what you are preaching and teaching aligns with what God is saying in His inspired Word, then you WILL BE vindicated on Judgment Day. But if what you are telling people is unbiblical and false teaching, then you will be in serious trouble with God (Proverbs 30:5-6).

That all being said, I DO NOT use the sinner's prayer anymore, and have not used it for twenty years; but if I did use it, I would absolutely make sure to explain that prayer is not required to be saved. For the ungodly toxic New IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptist) movement to mandate a sinner's prayer to get to Heaven is utter theological incompetence. They are deliberately obscuring the gospel with manmade garbage. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Balaam, The Son Of Bosor

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:30:00 +0000

2nd Peter 2:14-16, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.”

Jude 1:10-11, “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

Balaam, The Son Of Bosor
(by Evangelist Justin Zhong)

This is excellent sermon truth by Evangelist Justin Zhong. FALSE PROPHETS can speak God's Word with cunning words like Balaam. God spoke through Balaam (Numbers 23:5). But just because God was speaking through Balaam doesn't mean that he was a righteous man. Sometimes God uses wicked people for His purpose.

The Spirit of God was upon wicked Saul (1st Samuel 19:23). In Matthew 10:1 the Bible names Judas Iscariot as one of the apostles to whom God gave power to cast out demons. Reprobate false prophets like Judas can cast out devils (Matthew 7:21-23). But just because Judas had power from God to cast out devils doesn't mean that God endorsed him. Pharaoh's Satanic magicians had the power to do miracles.

Caiaphas led the sinister plot to murder Jesus, yet Caiaphas prophesied the truth concerning Jesus' crucifixtion, burial and resurrection (John 11:49). False prophets can tell the truth sometimes, cast out devils, and even be used by God to bless people; yet they can love money and be of the Devil. You cannot judge a preacher by mere appearance alone.

Just because somebody in a church is doing the right things, working miracles, saying the right words and helping people in the community, doesn't mean that they are good people.
Effectiveness is not the same thing as faithfulness. Pastor Joel Osteen is a very effective speaker, but he is unfaithful, not preaching the truth of the inspired Word of God. Just because God is blessing you doesn't mean that everything you are doing is right.

Pastor Steven Anderson is a bold fiery preacher, but he is unfaithful, not preaching the truth of God's inspired Word that God unconditionally loves everyone (John 3:16). No preacher is faithful who teaches hatred for people. Just because somebody is doing some right things, saying some right words, and helping some people in the community—doesn't mean that they are good people. Popularity is not the same thing as faithfulness.

Infamous murderous gangster Al Capone (1899-1947) was well-liked in Chicago for his generosity to the poor during early days of The Great Depression. The infamous gangster distributed food and clothing to the needy, for which many people in the community loved him. But was he a good man? Reports indicate that there were at least 522 gang-related killings in Chicago during the 1920s, a portion of which can be attributed to Capone and his evil criminal organization. Even Judas Iscariot was given the power to cast out devils and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1). As you know, Judas was not a good person, he betrayed Jesus to death.

Dr. John R. Rice's Conflicting Theological Statements

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:33:00 +0000

John 3:14-16, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The inspired King James Bible presents God's simple plan of salvation very plainly, so that if you take the Bible at face value there is no controversy. The problem arises when well-meaning, but men of corrupt minds, start tampering with the Word of God to satisfy their own whims and agendas. The raging debate over repentance is nothing new.

I get frustrated when I read articles by India missionary David W. Cloud, who likes to quote Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) to support his perverted view that you cannot get to Heaven unless you are first willing to change your behavior. Mr. Cloud vehemently accuses professed Christians of not being saved unless their lifestyle clearly reflects it. This is a form of Lordship Salvation.

To Forsake Sinful Behavior Or Not To Be Saved

Here is one of the quotes that David Cloud likes to reference from Dr. Rice's religious tract: “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” (which was written in 1949) ...

To repent literally means to have a change of mind or spirit toward God and toward sin. It means to turn from your sins, earnestly, with all your heart, and trust in Jesus Christ to save you. You can see, then, how the man who believes in Christ repents and the man who repents believes in Christ. The jailer repented when he turned from sin to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. —Dr. John R. Rice, 'What Must I Do To Be Saved?'

Uh, no, that is NOT what Bible repentance means. Respectfully said, Dr. Rice is very wrong! He clearly gives the wrong impression that to get to Heaven you must make a strong effort to forsake your sinful behavior, which is 100% works.

Ans yet, read what Dr. Rice wrote elsewhere in 1963 regarding repentance, totally contradicting his 1949 tract...

"There are those hyper-dispensationalists who think that John the Baptist preached a different Gospel from Christ when he commanded repentance (Matt. 3:2). But it is the same repentance Jesus commanded in Matthew 4:17, in Luke 13:3 and 5, and the same repentance that Paul preached in Athens that God “now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30 31). Repentance is not a different plan of salvation from having faith: it is part of the same plan of salvation. Or rather repentance is simply another way of describing or looking at the plan of salvation. One who turns from sin to God has done so by trusting in Jesus Christ. A change of mind toward sin is necessarily involved in saving faith. ...Everyone who genuinely repented under the preaching of John the Baptist put his trust in the Saviour John the Baptist preached, and was regenerated. There is no such thing as being “a disciple of John the Baptist” in any honest sense without being a disciple of Jesus, that is, without trusting Christ for salvation." —Evangelist John R. Rice, “Acts: Filled With The Spirit,” pp. 251-252; Sword Of The Lord, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; ©1963

Well, which is it Dr. Rice? Does a person have to turn away from sinning earnestly with all their heart to get to Heaven? Or can they simply trust the Lord Jesus Christ? It cannot be both ways! Dr. Rice's contradictory statements are confusing at best.

So, which is it, do we have to “turn from your sins, earnestly, with all your heart” to be saved; or do we simply trust Jesus Christ, and in so doing we have automatically turned from our sins? Dr. Rice's 1949 tract has stirred MUCH controversy in the religious world, providing ammunition for the Lordship Salvation cult who quote his bad theology.

Evangelist David C. Cloud (a missionary to Nepal in India for over 30 years) is a good man as far as good men go. But he is a bitter enemy against Pastor Jack Hyles, for which I do not respect him. David Cloud has horribly dubbed Dr. Hyles: "The King Of Shallow Soulwinning!" On the Day of Pentecost, the Bible says the Apostle Peter preached the Gospel and 3,000 people got saved. No one was interrogated. No one had to be watched to see if their life changed. No one was required to forsake their sinful lifestyle. They simply "gladly received his Word" (Acts 2:41). That is, they heard the Gospel and they BELIEVED it! (Galatians 3:2). Now, David Cloud can call that type of soulwinning "shallow," but it is the Bible way and the only way to be saved! I have read Mr. Cloud's plan of damnation, and it is not the free grace Gospel.

When David Cloud met with Pastor John Wilkerson (senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana) on April 12, 2022 (per Mr. Cloud's request), Mr. Cloud wasn't man enough to come by himself, he brought another pastor along to gang up on Pastor Wilkerson, who did come by himself. I don't know why Dr. Wilkerson bothered to meet with that scumbag, because as anticipated David Cloud used the meeting to criticize, further smear and tear down the First Baptist Church of Hammond and their pastors for preaching Easy Believism. SHAME on David Cloud and his Satanic plan of damnation (i.e., partial faith in Christ plus works).

It was David Cloud who started spreading the untrue garbage that Pastor Curtis Hutson and Dr. John R. Rice didn't agree on salvation. They both believed the same Gospel!!! They just presented it differently. The only difference is that Dr. Hutson refused to use the stupid phrase "turn from sin," but Dr. Rice unfortunately did and it confuses people still today.

From the quote I just shared with you from the book, “Acts: Filled With The Spirit,” Brother Rice made it very clear that he believed: "One who turns from sin to God has done so by trusting in Jesus Christ." That is the opposite of what we are hearing preached in 90% of Bible colleges and churches today! Look at this Satanic tommyrot preached at Bob Jones University (BJU) nowadays by Dr. Steve Pettit. BJU are ungodly Calvinists. RUN from that accursed cult!

Sadly, Dr. John R. Rice has hindered many people from getting saved by his sinful use of the unbiblical phrase “turn from your sin,” which is nowhere found in the inspired King James Bible. It is a wicked thing to read into the inspired Word of God what it doesn't say.

Likewise, I believe that cartoon artist Jack Chick was saved, but he also sinfully embellished the simple Gospel, requiring people to “be willing to turn away from sin (repent)” in billions of his Chick Tracts (on the back page, step number 2, in his perverse plan of damnation). Romans 5:6b plainly says, “CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY”!!!

There is no requirement to be willing to reform your life of sin before God will accept your faith in His only begotten Son. Although preachers will continue to debate and argue over this matter, the FACT remains that not one verse in the inspired King James Bible teaches that God won't save you unless you are first willing to reform your life of sin. Those wicked pastors are trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit, trying to force sinners to forsake their sinful ways to receive God's free gift.

I do believe that Dr. John R. Rice was saved, because he plainly stated that “One who turns from sin to God has done so by trusting in Jesus Christ.” Unfortunately, his foolish teaching in his 1949 tract requiring the reader “to turn from your sins, earnestly, with all your heart” to get to Heaven, which impossible requirement would scare any sinner away. If someone had told me that in 1979, I never would have received Christ as my Savior, because I would have felt that such a requirement was too difficult for me to achieve.

Even when I was saved, I used to pass on the Lord's Supper in church, refusing to partake of it because of some ongoing sins (or I should say things that at the time I thought were sinful) I had in my life as a young teenager. I learned years later that the only qualification to partake of the Lord's Supper is to be saved. Had I know that truth, I would have partaken of the Lord's Supper and not pass on it, as I did for a few years. I took things serious as a teenager. So, if someone had foolishly told me that I have to be willing to turn from my sinning to be saved, I would have declined their offer, as does this woman on an airplane when Evangelist Ray Comfort pressures her to stop sinning to be saved. That is not the Gospel!

As much as I love and respect Dr. Rice, he really messed up by using unbiblical terminology, which has misled multitudes of people concerning what you must do to be saved. What irony! The very name of his booklet is: “What Must I Do To Be Saved?,” and yet he fails to accurately present God's simple plan of salvation to the reader.

Perhaps you ask, “What about John 3:20?” John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” Yes, that is a powerful Scripture passage. Most people will not come to Jesus because of sin. John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Jesus said, “ye will not come”; He didn't say, “ye cannot come.” Most people won't come to Christ to be saved because of their love for sin.

No doubt this is why so many preachers require that you first be willing to forsake your sinful ways as a prerequisite to saving faith. However, please don't leave off John 3:21, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” 2nd Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” Bible repentance is a change of mind. That is, it is acknowledging THE TRUTH.

Here is one of the best quotes that I've found on repentance by Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951):

“Which comes first, repentance or faith? In Scripture we read, 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Yet we find true believers exhorted to 'repent, and do the first works.' So intimately are the two related that you cannot have one without the other. The man who believes God repents; the repentant soul puts his trust in the Lord when the Gospel is revealed to him. Theologians may wrangle over this, but the fact is, no man repents until the Holy Spirit produces repentance in his soul through the truth. No man believes the Gospel and rests in it for his own salvation until he has judged himself as a needy sinner before God. And this is repentance.” ('Except Ye Repent,' p. 16)

We learn from Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 13:23-34 that many religious people (who do “MANY WONDERFUL WORKS”) are not saved and consequently, they are going straight to Hell when they die! There are far more religious people who do GOOD works than BAD works, who are unsaved and going to Hell. The point being, neither good works or bad works are conclusive evidence that a person is either saved or unsaved. The only true evidence of the new birth is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit (and that is something that only God can see).

If it weren't for 2nd Peter 2:6-7, we'd never know that Lot was saved, whose own family laughed in his face when he tried to warn them of the coming destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:14). Proverbs 25:19, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”

The truth is that getting saved does not change a person's personal character one iota. Not one bit! The only difference is that the Holy Spirit has come to live inside the body of every believer (1st Corinthians 3:16-17; 1st John 3:34; Romans 8:9). You don't have to “decide to change” nor have a “change of direction” to be saved. Respectfully, I hear errant preachers attempting to use the Epistle of 1st John to teach that a person is not saved if they're still living a deathstyle of sin. 1st John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” This means that a person committing wickedness is of the Devil, but the Bible doesn't say they are not saved. Even the apostle Peter was called “Satan” by the Lord for thinking contrary to the Scripture (Matthew 16:23).

And also, here is what Pastor Bob Gray Sr. rightly said about Bible repentance ...

“Repentance means to change your mind—change your mind—change your mind about how you want to get to Heaven to what God says you've got to do to get to Heaven. If you've got to repent of all your sins, you're still headed for Hell tonight.” —Pastor Bob Gray Sr., 'Why You Should Be A Part Of A Growing Church'

There is no controversy if you believe the Holy Bible dear friend. The only reason why so many preachers insist that you must be willing to turn from your sinful ways to be saved, is because they are attempting to force YOU to do the job of God's Holy Spirit. That is, they are requiring YOU to commit to live a changed life to be saved, or to prove that you are saved. Yet, repeatedly we are told in the inspired Holy Scripture that it is God's Holy Spirit who produces the “fruit” of righteousness in God's redeemed children, and not we ourselves.

To tell someone that they must be willing to give up their sinful bad habits to get to Heaven is effectively to require them to keep the law to be saved (Romans 3:19-20). It is very unfortunate that Dr. John R. Rice foolishly chose his words when he wrote his religious tract in 1949, because multitudes of people still today recognize and follow Dr. Rice as a leader in fundamentalism. But we must remember that Brother Rice was merely a man, fully capable of doctrinal error, and he is very wrong in his tract.

We must NEVER tell someone “to turn from your sins, earnestly, with all your heart” to get to Heaven, because no such teaching can be supported with the inspired King James Bible. The very suggestion is intimidating to any sinner. The antithesis of John 3:20 is not turning from your sin, it is turning from your unbelief to trust the 'GOOD NEWS' of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen the third day. The only change of mind regarding sin that you need to have, to be saved, is to admit that you re one. The only thing that you and I contribute to our own salvation is the sin that made it necessary.

Pastor Brad Strand Gets Repentance 100% Correct

Wrong Repentance is Deadly!

Don't Play Russian Roulette With People's Lives

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:04:00 +0000

Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

For me, I heard a doctor say something helpful many years ago that I adopted: "You cannot take two drinks of alcohol if you don't take the first." I think that is great wisdom.

I heard Brother Lester Roloff (1914-1982) in a sermon tell the true story about a man who had never taken any alcohol in his life. The man signed up for a cooking class which included drinking a glass of wine with various meals. So, the man drank wine for the first time, and over time it escalated until he became a full blown drunkard.

It's not my place to condemn anybody who drinks alcohol, but for me personally I have chosen all my life to steer clear of alcoholic beverages. Pastor Jerry Falwell (1933-2007) used to call Nyquil "Baptist wine." I really like that. He was so right. I admit that to help me sleep I drink a cup of Nyquil here and there. But like Pastor Falwell wisely said, since we Baptists don't drink alcohol, we use medications like Nyquil instead to get the same effect. So, we need to be careful and use discretion and wisdom.

Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” The inspired Holy Bible warns that there is a deceptive nature to alcohol. It is no mere coincidence that the writer of Proverbs 20:1 warns about the deceptive nature of booze. Many people have lived to rue the day that they bought into the Devil's lie that they could handle booze. Many a great men have fallen because they were deceived to think they could handle alcohol, that they wouldn't ever become the next statistic.

Granted, most people handle their booze well, but it only takes just one time. To me, drinking booze is a form of playing the deadly game of Russian Roulette.

Please don't become the next victim of booze; or worse, make someone else your next victim.

A 26 Year Old Drunken Woman Murdered a Police Officer on Guam

The Counterfeit Gospel Of Evangelist Dylan Novak

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Dylan Novak was born on March 15, 2002, in Indianapolis, Indiana. His ministry website is at: https://celebrityevangelist.org. I found the following video today about Dylan giving a New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible in 2023 to Ozzy Osbourne (real name: John Michael Osbourne, 1948-2025). Jack Osbourne (Ozzy's son) said that the gift meant the world to his Dad.

What Ozzy Osborne said about being Christian & the Bible Before Death

In all his videos and Statement of Beliefs on his website, Dylan plainly requires that you not only accept Jesus as your personal Savior, but ALSO as your personal “Lord.” To an unlearned Christian, that addition may seem to be harmless since Jesus is the Lord. However, you need to know that when Dylan Novak refers to accepting Jesus as “Lord,” he means recognizing Christ as the supreme authority in your life, which involves a commitment to follow His teachings and guidance. This acceptance signifies a personal relationship with Jesus, where individuals trust in Him for salvation and strive to live according to His will. This is another gospel.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Departure Sparks Spiritual Questions

John Michael Osbourne—better known as Ozzy Osbourne—succumbed to his battle with Parkinson’s disease this past week at the age of 76. Much has already been written about the former frontman of Black Sabbath and how his legacy shaped not only the emergence of heavy metal but of the broader entertainment culture as well.

What’s perhaps most interesting—and maybe unexpected—is the number of conversations his death has sparked about spiritual things. Chief among them, his own spiritual beliefs. READ MORE

Sadly, all of Ozzy's rhetoric about believing in God wasn't enough to save him from Hell. I sure hope that he went to Heaven, but we won't know under the afterlife.

Dylan's Deadly Misunderstanding Of The Gospel

Nowhere in the inspired King James Bible do we read that to get to Heaven you must accept Jesus as your “Lord.” Pilgrim's Progress author John Bunyan (1628-1688) said it best:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan

In the preceding video Adrienne Bankert asks Dylan Novak the question:

“With Ozzy, do you know if he ever prayed the prayer of salvation?”

Dear reader, you don't get saved by praying a prayer of salvation, you get saved by faith (taking God at His written Word) to accept Christ's sacrificial death on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He was buried, but then resurrected physically from the dead three days later. This is “the Gospel” (Good News) by which all who believe it are instantly, irrevocably and permanently saved (1st Corinthians 15:1-6; Romans 1:16).

In the neo-evangelical video, Dylan mentions the thief on the cross who did nothing but, ”he acknowledged with his lips that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

“Well maybe Ozzy gave his life to Christ at the end.”

Again, this is not how you get saved dear reader. Judas Iscariot gave his life to Christ, becoming one of Jesus' very apostles. Yet, Judas died in his sin of unbelief and went to Hell forever. The false prophets in Matthew 7:21-23 devoutly followed Jesus, calling Him: “Lord, Lord.” They boasted of having done “many wonderful works” in Jesus' name, but Jesus still denied knowing them as His redeemed sheep. They had failed to do the will of the Father in Heaven, which we learn in John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” I don't see anything in that passage about accepting Jesus as one's “Lord” to get to Heaven. Wicked preachers have perverted God's simple plan of salvation, adding and embellishing the gospel.

At about 12:45 minutes into the video, Dylan says:

“We don't know because if you look at the thief on the cross, that thief on the cross didn't do anything to further the gospel. All he said was, "Remember me, Lord." He acknowledged with his lips that Jesus Christ was Lord. And Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise." He didn't have to be baptized. He didn't have to go to seminary. He didn't have to go profess Christianity or following Christ to anybody. He believed and he was saved. So again, we see through scriptures. It doesn't matter when as long as you give your life to Christ. And it's with a sincere transformation, change, and acknowledgement in your heart.” SOURCE

Oh my, that's the Satanic deception of Lordship Salvation (which is rooted in Calvinism). Dylan is clearly associating a positive change in one's behavior with being saved. If salvation is truly by grace, then you don't need to start or stop anything to be saved. Eternal life is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23). Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty.

The Deadly New Living Translation (NLT)

The NLT that Dylan gave Ozzy Osbourne as a gift is of the Devil. Unfortunately for Ozzy, the so-called “Bible” that Dylan gave him which is “easier to read” contains ALL of the same corruptions as all of Satan's modern English Bible revisions. Case in point...

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) - Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT) - Mark 1:15, “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Do you see how the NLT perverts the truth of God Word? The Greek verb for “repent” in Mark 1:15 means “to think differently.” It DOES NOT mean to repent of your sins!!! Wicked but well-meaning men changed God's Word. Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Anyone who tells you that God won't save you unless you are first willing to repent of your sins, to be willing to clean up your life of sinful bad habits, has been inspired by demons.

Biblically, you don't need to feel some deep profound regret, sorrow or a desire to reform to be saved; but you do need to acknowledge that you are a guilty hell-deserving sinner. You need to know why you need to be saved (because you are a sinner), and from what you're being saved from (burning in Hell forever). We are SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR.

Dear friend, Christ died on Calvary's cross 2,000 years ago to pay for your sins and mine. Why would He demand that you be willing to forsake your sinful ways to be saved, which very idea is IMPOSSIBLE? No one has ever turned away from their sinning. You may clean up your life enough of sin to live above reproach, but you can never rise above sinning; no one can. If salvation is truly by grace, then you don't need to start or stop anything to be saved. Eternal life is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23).

After watching the video, it does sound like singer Jerry Lee Lewis did go to Heaven, because he simply trusted Jesus as his personal Savior. But what Dylan is preaching about accepting Christ as one's “Lord,” giving your life to Christ, and experiencing sincere transformation and change, is NOT God's simple plan of salvation. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!! Dear reader, since what someone believes will determine where they spend eternity, it is imperative that we present the gospel correctly. I love what Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold said:

“There is power in this Gospel message. Most people just don't know how to present it... The clarity of the Gospel is what makes it easy for them to believe.”—Pastor Yankee Arnold, “WHY GRACE CAN SAVE THE WORST MAN!”

I have no doubt whatsoever that Dylan is 100% sincere, but he has been lied to and deceived by today's ungodly neo-evangelical preachers. I couldn't help but notice the name of Billy Graham emanating from a book on Dylan's bookshelf in the background.

Beware Of False Prophet Billy Graham (1918-2018)

On their BGEA website the following demonic heresy is what they teach you must do to be “born again”...

So how can we be born again?

First, we must admit our sin—that we can’t live up to God’s perfect standard on our own.

Then we must ask forgiveness for that sin and repent, which means to make every effort in turning away from that sin.

Finally, we ask Jesus to be part of our lives.

That’s when God’s Spirit penetrates our hearts to guide us and help us be more like Him. That’s when we’re born again. [emphasis added]

SOURCE: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?

Where does the inspired King James Bible tell us to “make every effort in turning away from sin” to be born again? It doesn't! Billy Graham is a lying false teacher, as is his protégé Dylan Novak!

Also, where does the inspired King James Bible tell us to ask Jesus to be part of our life to be saved? It doesn't! Billy Graham and his foolish followers are hellbound infidels—imposters who masquerade as children of God. What you've just read is a false plan of salvation, which cannot produce the necessary new birth to enter into God's Kingdom. Billy Graham is guilty of mixing and confusing living the Christian life with God's free gift of eternal life, which is received by faith alone in the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. These wicked men are preaching the Devil's fraud of LORDSHIP SALVATION!

In 1st Corinthians 15:1-6, the inspired Word of God plainly defines “the gospel” as three things:

Jesus DIED on a cross to pay our debt of sin.
Jesus was BURIED.
Jesus physically RESURRECTED from the dead three days later.

The only prerequisite necessary to believe the Gospel is to admit you are a guilty sinner, because you need to know what your being saved from. You are a sinner and so am I dear reader (Romans 3:10-23). There is a penalty (wages) for our sins, which is death (Romans 6:23). This includes a second death in the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8).

The Bad News is that we are all guilty sinners deserving of being punished in the fires and torments of Hell forever. The Good News is that God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, into the world to die on a cross for our sins, to make a way of escape through His shed blood (Romans 5:9).

Biblically, you don't have to turn away from your sins to go to Heaven; but rather, Christ died on the cross to pay your debt of sin (and mine). Whatever changes God wants to see happen in your life after you get saved is His department, and you can be assured that He will attend to it. God is not an absent parent (Hebrews 12:6-8).

Jesus fully bore the weight and curse of our sins so that we don't have to. The Devil's fallacy of Lordship Salvation (which Billy Graham and his followers like Dylan Novak errantly preach) place the weight and burden of sin upon the sinner instead, which is an impossible burden to bear. Who can turn away from their sinning? That's right, no one. Psalms 130:3, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”

Please be awake to righteousness! These devilish false prophets need to be exposed (Titus 1:9-14; Ephesians 5:11; Matthew 7:15; Galatians 2:5; Jude 1:3). I have been saddened when I attended local churches throughout Pensacola, Florida, and I've heard foolish pastors quoting and bragging on Billy Graham.

By partaking of Operation Christmas Child (OCC), tens of thousands of compromised churches across the country are supporting and wickedly bidding Godspeed (2nd John 1:11) to Franklin Graham (whose corrupt plan of salvation is the same as his father's plan of damnation). Franklin Graham's OCC has taken in billions of dollars, which Charity Watch Dog Groups have exposed for the organization's lack of transparency to reveal where the money is going. I won't give OCC a penny and neither should you!

The world is going to Hell while corrupt churches are dropping the ball about how to get to Heaven. Merely “becoming a Christ follower” is the popular teaching today in neo-evangelical dead churches, but that won't produce the required new birth to get to Heaven. Salvation only comes to those who cease from all their own works, and rest in Christ alone, relying upon His death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection from the dead three days later.

We get saved by receiving Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full-payment for our sins, believing that He was buried, but then raised up from the dead the third day. 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” That is one of my favorite Bible passages. Philippians 1:17b, “...knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

If Billy Graham went to Heaven, then there are at least TWO gospels. The inspired Holy Bible warns in Galatians 1:6-9 that there is only one gospel, which the Apostle Paul defines for everyone in 1st Corinthians 15:1-6. There is nothing in Paul's Gospel (which he received directly from Jesus according to Galatians 1:12) which requires turning or repenting of your sins to be saved. There is nothing in Paul's Gospel that requires giving your life to Jesus, becoming a Christ follower, or of experiencing some radical change or transformation of one's heart to be saved. In fact, if you are a child of God, your salvation did not change you a bit. I encourage you to listen to a classic MP3 sermon of the same title by my favorite preacher of the Christian faith, Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). ...

Your Salvation Did Not Change You A Bit

Sadly, I Doubt If Ozzy Went To Heaven

I have combed the internet for information about Ozzy's beliefs, especially before he died. All I keep reading is that Ozzy believed in God. What saith the Scripture? James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” I fully agree with Ozzy that you don't have to go to church to believe in God, but believing in God is not enough to enter into God's Kingdom. You must accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross 2,000 years ago as full payment for your sins, believing that He is risen from the dead! If that was Ozzy's only hope for eternal life and forgiveness of sins, then he went to Heaven.

Sadly, throughout his 50 year career as: “The Prince of Darkness,” I've never found any place on social media or elsewhere that Ozzy expressed faith alone in Christ as his hope for Heaven. Merely saying that one is a “Christian” doesn't make it so. Hellbound Mormons, Roman Catholics, Church of Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses, Greek Orthodox, Lutherans and countless other pseudo-Christian cults claim to be “Christian,” but they all trust in partial faith in Christ plus something more (works).

Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty.

Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith.

Turning away from sinful ways would be a work. Faith puts all of the merit where it belongs, on the object of our faith, Jesus and His work.

If to “repent” means to forsake our sinful ways TO BE SAVED, but Jesus already paid for our sins by dying on the cross, then what are we repenting from?

The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU.

If salvation is truly by grace, then you don't need to start or stop anything to be saved. Eternal life is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23).

One is saved by God's grace through faith in the finished Work of His Son on the Cross as payment in full as our pardon for sin.

It is my earnest hope and prayer that Ozzy's family will come to the light of the truth of the saving gospel before it is too late. Only God, Ozzy and those already in the afterlife know where Ozzy went when he died. I sure hope he trusted Jesus as his personal Savior before he died. Believing in God isn't enough. Receiving and reading a new modern Bible version isn't enough. Getting excited about having a Bible that you can read is not enough. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I Encourage You To Listen To Attorney David Gibbs Jr.'s Life Changing Preaching

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Titus 1:1-3, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.”

Attorney David Gibbs Jr. founded the Christian Law Association (CLA) in 1969. Since then, the CLA has been providing free legal assistance to Bible-believing churches and Christians who are experiencing difficulty in practicing their religious faith because of governmental regulation, intrusion, harassment in the workplace, or prohibition in one form or another.

I also encourage you to sign up for their free monthly newsletter, which provides legal advice for churches and Christians, as well as informing readers about harassment, persecution and legal matters across the United States regarding the Christian faith.

The following video is one of the most precious sermons I have ever heard. What a blessing!!! I hope you will take the time to listen to it dear friend. ...

Second Mile Christianity

A simple online search in any search engine will provide hundreds of sermons by Brother Gibbs which I encourage you to seek out and hear. Your life will be changed dear reader.

Here is another one of my favorite life-changing sermons by Evangelist David Gibbs Jr. ...

“HE HATH DONE ALL THINGS WELL”

(David Gibbs - Wednesday AM - Bus Convention 2018)

How Good Of A Fake Are You?

7 Things A Seeing Christian Must Do

As we learn in our text passage from Titus 1:1-3, God reveals His inspired Word through preaching. Bible preaching helps us think and live right!

“America's greatest need is to see Christians who know how to love!” —Evangelist David Gibbs Jr., “HIS VOICE”

Hundreds of millions of people spend literally tens of thousands of hours accumulatively in their vehicles travelling to and from work, appointments, church, events, school, et cetera. Sadly, the vast majority of those people only listen to music, perhaps some news here and there, or a random talk show; but I dare say less than 1% of people listen to Bible preaching. Certainly there is nothing wrong with listening to music, and it can help us wind down or calm our mood after a rough day or night at work. But I encourage you to consider incorporating some Bible preaching into your time spent driving, for your edification.

“No one is any better a Christian than they are kind.” —Dr. David Gibbs Jr., “HIS VOICE”

I burned Pastor J. Vernon McGee's (1904-1988) THRU THE BIBLE MP3 collection to a CD. I was able to fit Genesis through Joshua onto one CD disk as MP3s. Whenever I start my car, the Bible commentary automatically begins to play, and I can hear Brother McGee teach the King James Bible. The MP3s are all available to download for free. That was my choice for preaching in my car, but there are many great Bible preachers to choose from.

“Without love your voice is noise.” —Attorney David Gibbs Jr., “HIS VOICE”

Most people wait until an emergency comes before seeking answers. Most people don't prepare in fair weather for the coming stormy weather. By listening to Bible preaching during calm and fair weather, you are saving up for a rainy day, preparing for the worst when it one day arrives. Plus the truths that you learn can be used to help others (family and friends) who are struggling through difficult times in life.

“There's a whole world out there that needs you and the Lord!” —Evangelist David Gibbs Jr. , “Wednesday AM - Bus Convention 2018”

I hope you will seek out sermons online by Evangelist David Gibbs Jr., which God will use to conform you more into Christ's image (Romans 8:29). I have listened to his sermons for many years and I've never been disappointed. God always uses Dr. Gibbs' preaching to speak to my heart. Prepare to be blessed. To God be all the glory (John 15:5).

Why God Hates Roman Catholicism

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 07:30:00 +0000

Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”

Truly, a picture is worth 1,000 words! There is not a bigger Satanic cult on the planet than Roman and Russian Orthodox Catholicism. Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” So, why do Catholics persistently tempt God by bowing down to worship graven images? IDOLATRY!

Exodus 20:3-5, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.” Again, why do Catholics disregard God's inspired Word to worship idols?

Thus, it is no wonder why Jesus said in Mark 7:9, “And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” The dear Savior practically gives the address of the Vatican in Rome, and the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. These are the Devil's religious headquarters!

The sin of idolatry is a horrible sin. Catholics do it intentionally, which is evil. The inspired Word of God strictly forbids making idols and graven images, nor to bow down to them in worship. To venerate the dead is wickedness!!!

Because it is so obvious that bowing down to graven images woefully contradicts the plain commandment of God's Word, the ungodly Vatican has completely REMOVED God's second commandment from the Ten Commandments. You couldn't make this stuff up! It is unreal!

What blows my mind is why anyone would continue going to the Catholic church, when it couldn't be more obvious that Catholicism is a deadly PRISONHOUSE OF RELIGION!!!

There is no debating whether Catholics venerate (worship) their patron saints, the Virgin Mary, and their Pope. These photos don't lie! Those people are wickedly bowing down to graven images (idols), committing the sin of IDOLATRY.

Exodus 20:3-5, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.”

The very fact that the Vatican has dishonestly and deceptively REMOVED the second of God's Ten Commandments, and then divided the tenth commandment not to COVET into two commandments (to make up the difference), proves that the Vatican fully knows they are wrong. Why would they tamper, change and corrupt God's Word to facilitate their IDOLATRY unless they knew it was wrong? Clearly, the Catholic church has told on themselves by changing God's Ten Commandments. Even a small child can see that something is not right.

I can tell you with all confidence based upon the authority of the inspired Holy Scripture that God hates the Catholic religion with a passion. God does not hate the individual people, they are victims of a Satanic deception. But God hates every falsehood. Psalms 119:104, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Dear reader, the closer you draw to a holy and true God, by dwelling and meditating in His inspired Words, the more you will hate every falsehood, deception and evil thing. God is truth!

I implore you dear reader to RUN AWAY from the Catholic church as fast as you can, and never return! When I think about the Catholic church with their exquisite architecture, trillions of dollars, granite marble floors and elaborate grand designs in their impressive church buildings, I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 23:27, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.”

Lot's Life Shows Us The Consequences Of Not Living A Separated Life

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Genesis 13:12-13, “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”

Genesis 14:12, “And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.”

There is an important truth to be learned here. Take a careful look at our two text passages of inspired Scripture. We learn in Genesis 13:12 that Lot, Abraham's nephew, “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” That means he set the opening of his tent toward Sodom, so he could see the city. Lot's heart was already in Sodom. The very next chapter of Genesis tells us that Lot “dwelt in Sodom.” Lot's heart was already in Sodom before he even moved there. This is why for many years now my favorite Bible verse has been Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

This passage of Scripture should clearly show you dear reader the danger of having unwise and sinful desires. It was very unwise for Lot to desire to move to such a wicked city. It would be like wanting to move to “Sin City” Las Vegas today.

And as we learn from this inspired passage of God's Word, our desires ultimately shape our decisions and outcome. Look at all the horrible dire consequences because of Lot's foolish fatal decision to move to the heathen city of Sodom, and because of his worldliness:

Lot was so worldly that his two son-in-laws laughed him to scorn, when he tried to warn them of the imminent fiery judgment upon Sodom. Those men and two of Lot's daughters were destroyed in Sodom.
Lot's beloved wife looked back and died, turning into a literal pillar of salt.
The broken family brought booze out of Sodom. Lot got drunk and impregnated both of his daughters.
Two heathen nations (Moabites and Ammonites) were birthed from Lot's immoral relationship with his two daughters.
Lot and his family lost their home. If Lot had chosen to live somewhere less convenient away from Sodom, they would have been okay. Abraham was okay.
Lot's Christian testimony was forever ruined. Lot is remembered for more than anything else as the man who impregnated his two daughters. So sad.
Abraham had to mobilize 318 trained men to pursue the captors and successfully rescued Lot, his family and others. Lot was so fortunate to have an uncle who cared.

These are just some of the obvious dire consequences of Lot's horrible decision to move with his family into the city of Sodom, but there were hundreds of horrible consequences for generations to follow. The heathen Ammonites and Moabites wouldn't have existed if it weren't for Lot's carnality. Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. Lot created a gigantic mess by his sinful ways!

The Ammonites are often depicted negatively in the Bible, particularly for their hostility toward the Israelites and Satanic practices such as child sacrifice to their god Milcom. The Ammonites did not show hospitality toward the Israelites. The Moabites are depicted negatively in the Old Testament due to their idolatrous ways and frequent hostility toward the Israelites.

Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words! From just looking at this tragic story of Lot and his family in the Old Testament, we see a living example of why biblical separation is so important. Lot never should have purposed in his heart to move to such a wicked place as Sodom. I cannot help but suspect that when Abraham gave Lot a choice of where to live, and Lot chose the well-watered plains of Jordan, that Lot already had his heart set on Sodom. One thing is abundantly clear, Lot did end up dwelling in Sodom with his family. Lot would have been better off moving his family down into the sewer system of New York.

What are the desires of your heart dear reader? Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Romans 15:4a, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...” Let us learn from the tragic mistakes of foolish Lot that the decisions we make have real life consequences!

If Lot hadn't moved to Sodom his wife wouldn't have died. If Lot's wife hadn't died he wouldn't have impregnanted their two daughters, because his wife would have been present to prevent such wickedness. It was their two daughters who instigated the sins. Lot's other two daughters wouldn't have died in Sodom, with their husbands who didn't believe Lot's warnings. Oh, how sin thrills and then it kills! Oh, how sin fascinates and then it assassinates! Do you see dear friend how sinful decisions often lead to dire consequences?

Biblical Separation Matters

It's bad enough that the heathen world mocks and laughs at me for preaching against the sin of women wearing pants in public. But then there are ungodly pastors and worldly pastor's wives today who mock, resist and criticize me for preaching the truth about modesty.

There wouldn't have been a debate 100 years ago about whether or not it is wrong for Christian women to wear pants. You couldn't have found a lady in a pair of trousers a century ago in the United States. Just because our deteriorating moral culture now approves of women wearing sexy pants in public, doesn't mean that our holy Creator has changed. You know as well as I do that NO WOMAN would dare wear a pair of pants to meet the Savior at the Judgment Seat of Christ. She will wear a dress!

I am so sick and tired of ungodly neo-evangelical pastors and their wicked wives condemning my Bible preaching against women wearing pants in public. It is a sin!

1st Timothy 2:9-10, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

There is nothing “modest” about pants on women and you know it! To debate this passage of Scripture in a sinful attempt to justify women wearing pants today, is no better than homosexuals who wrest the Scripture in a wicked attempt to justify same-sex marriage. Anything can be justified if you try hard enough! In the Old Testament, Jezebel wanted Naboth's wine vineyard, so she did whatever it took to falsely accuse and murder Naboth, and she did! Only a fool would dare wrest God's Word to justify women wearing immodest pants!

Professed Christian women wearing pants is a far more serious issue that most people realize, because along with it comes a subtle feminist mindset. No doubt most religious women who wear pants would quickly deny being a feminist, but their behavior speaks for itself, denying their words. There is no argument that women started wearing pants in mainstream American society in the 1960s during the women's liberation movement. Christian women (especially pastor's wives) who wore pants throughout their life will weep bitter tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ, realizing that they were advertisements for sinful immodesty and feminism.

Dear reader, there is a whole system of rebellious thinking that goes along with a woman wearing pants, the very opposite of biblical fundamentalism. I wouldn't give you a dime for a shameful pastor's wife who wears pants in public. SHAME! She is also dropping the ball as a mentor for the other females in a local church, setting the bar of morality very low. Ladies, I cannot stress enough the importance for you to wear dresses, skirts, culottes and skorts in public. Please don't become a billboard for the Devil and the world by wearing pants. If what I have just preached is silly or offensive to you, it is only because you are not right with God.

Jack Hyles Speaks On BIBLICAL SEPARATION

The Importance Of Little Things

The seemingly little decisions and choices that we make on a daily basis matter dear reader, more than you could possibly ever know. ...

“If you want to never do anything that is terribly wicked, then you never do anything that is slightly wicked.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, "Unjust In The Least"

Biblical separation is intended to keep us as far away from sin as possible. That is why I have never drank even a single drop of booze, because you can't take two drinks if you don't take the first. I want to stay as far away from the deadly consequences of sin as I can.

I arranged some of the icons on my two computer desktop screens into the shape of a cross, to continually remind me that I am a child of God and need to be careful where I go on the internet. Literally, you are being watched dear reader. The government, police, hackers, corporations and God knows who else, monitor your movements on the internet with tracking cookies. You might as well imagine that you are looking into a one-way mirror, where thousands of people can see you, but you cannot see them, because that is the truth!

I don't want worldly friends. If you are a born again Christian, then you either need Christian friends or no friends. I'd rather be alone with no friends, than to hang around ungodly heathens who do not fear God. I FEAR GOD!!! I understand that one day in eternity I must stand before God and give account for my deeds (Ecclesiastes 12:14), words (Matthew 12:36) and thoughts (Proverbs 24:12). We must all appear before God to answer for our life (Romans 14:10-12).

There are no unimportant things. Please don't make light of modesty ladies. The way that you dress in public very much does matter. I'd rather have other ungodly woman snicker, mock and put me down with their hateful words; than to become an advertisement for the Devil and the heathen world's standards of clothing and immorality. It all boils down to how much you care!

Nearly all neo-evangelicals will foolishly tell you that sharing the gospel is what really matters, and not what we wear or put into our mouth, but it does matter, it really does. When you see a long-haired fella smoking a joint, covered in badass tattoos and wearing black leather, you don't think that he is a Christian who loves God. No, you think he's a roughneck. I carry visible gospel tracts everywhere I go, attached to my phone with a rubber band, and I wear my phone on a chain around my neck. I do that so people can see that I am a Christian. For many years I wore my “Jesus” and “John 3:16” cap. I like to proudly let people know that I am a Christian.

I can spot Mormons a block away, because there's always two males in white shirts with ties riding a bicycle and wearing a safety helmet. Jehovah's Witnesses travel in groups and always carry satchels. Baptists going soulwinning are all but an extinct species today. My point is that when Christian women wearing pants in public, it sends a clear message that she belongs to the world's system of low standards. She is worldly and far from God.

I could go on and on about Biblical separation. Pastor Jack Hyles has written an entire helpful book on the topic titled: 'Jack Hyles Speaks On Biblical Separation.'

Tragic Lessons From The Life Of Lot

I think the tragic life of Lot in the Old Testament is the best living illustration of where a lack of biblical separation can lead a family. Lot lost his wife, his two daughters and their husbands to death, all because he decided to move to Sodom. That's five premature deaths because of Lot's selfish decision to relocated his family into “Sin City” Sodom. Lot had to live with those deep regrets for the remainder of his life.

There are so many important lessons that we can learn from the tragic story of Lot. No doubt Lot never would have commit incest with his two daughters had he not drank the booze, which wise preachers rightly call 'LIQUID DEVIL!' Lot was foolish. I THANK GOD that I've never touched a drop of booze in my life, and I don't plan to start now. While under the toxic influence of alcohol, people are capable of committing the worst unimaginable evils. I've heard my share of horrific true stories of what alcohol does to bring out the monster in people.

It is unbelievable how much destructive damage, misery and destroyed lives resulted from one small decision by Lot to move into Sodom. The city was where the fresh markets were displayed. In Sodom you could buy succulent roast lamb, chicken or beef over the fire at the local barbeque. Sodom was where the action was at! Oh, but it came with a hefty price tag! Sodom was where prostitution ran wild. Like many liberal progressive cities today like Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, the sin of homosexuality was openly seen all over Sodom. If you were a wicked sinner, Sodom was where you felt right at home.

If you are a redeemed child of God dear reader, I encourage you to separate from the world. I do not mean don't watch television or listen to secular music. Some Christians may want to do that, and that is fine. But I personally like 1970s country music with a pedal steel guitar. I like some of the Beach Boys music, which I think is fine. As a musician I like just about any kind of pretty quality music. But I won't hang around worldly friends who live in open sin, smoke pot, skirt the law, do not fear God, and are only going to drag me into their miseries.

According to 2nd Corinthians 6:14-17, we should never go into business together with an unsaved person. Nor should we ever marry an unsaved person. I am speaking to the saved here. If you are a child of God and you marry an unbeliever, you will have the Devil as a spiritual father-in-law. You don't want that, trust me friend!

The older I grow, both physically and spiritually, the more I am realizing the great importance of maintaining biblical separation from the wicked. And that includes separating from wicked pastors and churches who use Satan's corruptible seed (the perverted modern Bible revisions), and preach Satan's deadly Lordship Salvation counterfeit plan of salvation. These are not genuine New Testament Bible-believing churches; but rather, they are in the same boat as the pseudo-Christian religious cults who are working against the cause of Jesus Christ.

I also encourage you to separate from worldly believers who do not fear God. These are “perilous times” as foretold in 2nd Timothy 3:1-7. I knew an elderly Christian man years ago who divorced his wife. Before the ink had even dried on the divorce agreement, he married another woman. After one year he divorced her too, and remarried his first wife. Folks, that is as wicked as the Devil. The guy is faithful to go to church! A lot of foolish believers think that just because someone goes to church, that somehow makes them a good Christian. It doesn't!

That being said, I would never condemn anyone for any sin. I am the biggest sinner that I know, because we all know ourselves better than anyone else. Peter said in Luke 5:8, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Peter had been fishing all night long with his peers and caught zilch, notta, nothing. Jesus told him to give it another try. Peter was reluctant to do it, but said in verse 5, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” I love that!

Have You Been Born Again?

Dear reader, even if you are not sure the Holy Bible is God's inspired Word, and quite frankly you aren't really sure of anything, it doesn't matter just so long as you obey the gospel by BELIEVING IT! It is perfectly acceptable for you to have doubts, just so long as you act upon what little faith you may have to obey the GOOD NEWS!

Anyone who comes to God as an admitted guilty sinner—accepting Christ's sacrificial death on the cross 2,000 years ago as full payment for your sins, believing that Jesus was buried, but then physically ressurected from the dead three days later—is saved instantly, irrevocably and permanently.

Don't Let Anyone Entice You To Do Something Wrong

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

2nd Kings 6:25-30, “And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.”

Proverbs 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

I was listening to the King James Bible today, from the Old Testament book of 2nd Kings. I love the Old Testament. I agree with Evangelist Lester Roloff (1914-1982) who said that the Old Testament will put iron into your blood. He is speaking spiritually, of course. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Please don't miss that truth dear friend, God gave us the Old Testament FOR OUR LEARNING. Amen.

As I was listening to this disturbing passage today from 2nd Kings, which was a time of famine in the land, I became infuriated at the wicked woman who said to a stranger: “Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.” That evil stranger had no intention of ever killing and eating her own son. She was a pathetic manipulative liar, and as far as I am concerned, demon inspired. Can you image someone being so evil that they would even try to convince you to murder, cook and then help eat your own child? That is exactly what the wicked woman did, but she lied and after eating the other woman's child, fled with her own child. She took advantage of a stranger. It's not hard to understand why so many people in the world hate people. People will do to you whatever you let them do. Always be on guard.

The Ungodly “Friend” From Hell

When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I was walking to the grocery store one day with my friend Bobby. He tempted me to steal a small carton of chocolate milk. Now, God knows my heart, that such a wicked thought had never once entered into my mind. I know for a fact that as a good kid I never would have tried to steal that milk, had my so-called “friend” not taunted, tempted and pressured me to do it. At first I refused to do it. But Bobby started calling me a “chicken.” So I relented and did it under pressure from Bobby to steal.

But I got caught. The store owner stopped me and said: “Son, open that bag,” and I did and he saw the chocolate milk. The elderly man said I was not allowed to come back into his store until he talked with my mother, and he asked me for her phone number, and as an otherwise honest boy I gave it to him. On the way home I kindly asked Bobby to please not tell anybody about the incident. Bobby was so rotten and evil (also about age 7 or 8) that when we arrived home, he literally ran throughout the neighborhood hollering: “David got caught stealing from Johnny Joes! David got caught stealing from Johnny Joes!” I was crying. My grandma was crying. My mother was upset when the store owner, Johnny, called her.

From that day forward, I never once stepped foot into Johnny Joes' store again, because I was too ashamed of what I had done. I walked to other grocery stores in the area, some a few blocks farther away, so I wouldn't have to face the stigma and shame of being a thief, all because my crooked ungodly “friend” Bobby pressured me to steal that chocolate milk one day. Bobby was a low character boy, and I fell for his trap.

The good thing is that I learned some lasting character lessons from that painful incident:

There's no such thing as a “friend” who entices you to do something wrong. Proverbs 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Bobby was never a true friend.
I never should have succumbed to Bobby's enticing words. He was an evil influence. If someone today were to ask me to do something wrong, I would tell them to: “Get the hell away from me!”; and you do the same dear reader if someone entices you to do evil.
When you do wrong, evil people will rub your face in it. Proverb:22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Always protect your name and innocence. What Bobby did was evil. It was his idea in the first place and he pressured me to steal, and when I did and got caught he went and told everybody in a malicious effort to destroy my reputation. To run through the neighborhood tearing down someone whom you enticed to do evil is ten times more evil.
Ultimately, I have no one to blame but myself for what I did that day. In our text passage from 2nd Kings, that foolish mother who killed, boiled and ate her child with a complete stranger who enticed her to do it, has no one to blame but herself. She ran crying to the king begging for justice, but she did that to herself and her own child. And worse, she had to live with that regret for the rest of her life.
People will entice you to do wrong, but you alone will suffer the consequences. That woman's baby is dead, but the other woman still has her baby. People will manipulate lie and take advantage of you if you are weak and foolish. That is why I have and always will reject Medicare Advantage Plans. All they are is greedy private insurance companies wanting to screw you out of your due benefits. They're a bunch of dirty thieves! I have to live with getting caught stealing for the rest of my life. Bobby didn't get caught, I did. He convinced me to do something wrong, and I succumbed to his Satanic mouth. I suffered the consequences alone, but nothing bad happened to him.
The people who entice you to do wrong will disappear from your life. That foolish mother never saw or heard from that evil stranger again, the wicked woman who pressured her to boil her child; just like the evil serpent who ruined Eve's life in the Paradise of Eden, and then was never seen or heard from again. I have no idea where Bobby is today, and I really couldn't care less. His father was a Chicago police officer who used to physically beat his wife. I'd see her working at Jewel food store, in the deli, with a black eye. Bobby is probably no better. People will ruin your marriage if you let them, and then go their merry way. The people who hurt you will leave you alone in your misery.

By God's grace, I will never again allow anyone to entice me to do something wrong, unethical, immoral or illegal! We never know when evil will rear its ugly head in our life's journey, but we can plan ahead of time to say, “No.” We can avoid hanging around bad influences. As a general life's rule, I wouldn't want to be around anybody who doesn't like to share Bible truths, talk about the things of God, and who has a heart for sharing the gospel to win souls to Christ.

Bible Characters Who Were Enticed

In the inspired Holy Bible we find numerous examples of wicked people who enticed others to do evil:

The serpent enticed Eve in the Garden of Eden. By her ungodly behavior she brought down her whole family. They lost Paradise. Her wickedness led to the death of Abel.
Potiphar's Wicked Wife Enticed Joseph to commit adultery, but he refused.
Aaron was enticed by the Hebrews in the Wilderness to make them a graven image to worship. In Exodus 32:24 Aaron tells his brother Moses that he just put a bunch of jewelry and gold items into the fire, and lo and behold a calf mysteriously came out...lol.
The wicked Philistine princes enticed Delilah, offering her money if she would betray Samson to find the secret to his strength. I calculated that they paid her about $420,000.
The wicked Pharisees enticed Judas Iscariot, offering him 30 pieces of silver, which in today's money would amount to about $1,250.
The Devil enticed Jesus, offering Him all the power and glory of this world if He would bow down to worship and serve him. Satan enticed Christ three times, trying to get Him to jump off a tall pinnacle of a temple, and at another time he enticed Jesus to turn some stones into bread.
Bathsheba enticed David while bathing naked on her roof. I personally believe this for two reasons. First, all women have a sixth sense when it comes to men looking at them. There's no way that she washed naked outside without knowing that the king could see her from his palace. Second, when David tried to commit adultery, she didn't refuse the king. A godly woman would have refused and if necessary scream and resist.
Jonadab enticed Amnon to rape his half sister in the Old Testament. If you let them, people will ruin your life with bad advice (Psalms 1:1-3). Always be on guard. That is why my favorite Bible verse for many years has been Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Though The Stars Fall, Do Right!

Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968) taught that truth, and he preached it often. Though the stars fall, do right! There's nothing to weigh, consider or ponder; if it's wrong, I'm not going to do it. Prisons are full of fools who allowed someone else to entice or pressure them to break the law. People will entice you to do something wrong, and when you do they'll blackmail you to do something else wrong, or threaten that they'll go to the police. That is how small crimes lead to big ones.

“All things truly wicked start from innocence.” —Ernest Hemingway

“If you want to never do anything that is terribly wicked, then you never do anything that is slightly wicked.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, "Unjust In The Least"

I live by these precious quotes and truths today. Throughout your life you will meet evil people who have no problem skirting the law, breaking the rules and doing what is wrong.

I used to work with a shady man at the U.S. Postal Service about 20 years ago, who would go to lunch without clocking out. He'd work out at the gym while on the clock getting paid. He stole boxes of toilet paper from the post office. I stayed away from him! His wife (that he swindled from her husband) was a devout Roman Catholic. I shared the gospel with him and he claimed that I had led him to the Lord. So, he went around the workplace telling everyone that he was a Baptolic (half Baptist, half Catholic). I have no idea if he really got born again or not. Only he knows that. I am not condemning the guy, because we are all wicked sinners. My point is that he was a bad influence, so I maintained my distance from him, lest I go down with him if he ever got caught. To my knowledge he never did. What saith the Scripture? 1st Timothy 5:24, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.”

Dear reader, by God's grace I implore you to become vigilant in this matter of not allowing wicked people to entice you to do something wrong. Teenagers especially, be vigilant in this matter of being truthful, chaste and righteous. Temptations abound for youth today. As we grow older not so much. I'm just an old man living a boring life, and I like it that way. Proverbs 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

These Are Perilous Times

We are living in a greedy culture today of ungodly people who couldn't care less about loving one's neighbor as thyself. My dog Miss Pickles peed blood on the floor at PetSmart yesterday. The vet charged me $105.95 for a urine analysis and another $147.66 for some antibiotics ($259.73 total). A cat had also scratched her eye on Friday and that cost me $182 for a stain test and some antibiotic eye drops earlier in the day yesterday. I checked online for pricing. For just 4 ounces of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (antibiotics) liquid, the vet charged me $146. I found it online (only veterinarians can buy it; $20.45 for 16 ounces). So, for what costs them $20.45, they charge their customers $590.64! I see this greed everywhere I go today. Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

All in all, I am thankful that Miss Pickles seems to be doing better. The urine analysis showed white blood cells and bladder cells present, which the doctor said is likely either a UTI (Urinal Tract Infection), or possibly early signs of cancer. The dog is 5 years old as of January. She has gotten hold of a Little Debbie fudge brownie the day before, which I read online can caused digestive bleeding; but the vet said he didn't think that was the problem.

The Stain Test confirmed that the cat scratched her left cornea. There's a spiritually dead Presbyterian church a block away from my house. I've never seen more than 3 or 4 people present. Someone at the church feeds the cat, and there's a bowl of water. So I call it the “Presbyterian cat.” When I was walking Miss Pickles Friday evening, she ran ahead (her leash is about 15 feet long). She ran around the corner of the church building and I heard a loud yelp, and she came running back. When I turned the corner I saw the black cat, who hadn't budged until she saw me. She had clobbered Miss Pickles before I could see what was going on! Thankfully, the doctor said her eye seems to be healing well. No more cats!

Miss Pickles didn't pee blood this morning on her pee pads in the living room by her portable playpen. I'll be giving her liquid antibiotics for the next 14 days, and eye drops in her left eye for 7 days. She wouldn't allow me to put the syringe in her mouth, so I mixed her antibiotics with a tablespoon of yogurt, which the nurse said I could do. The dog likes that. Lord willing, she'll be back to normal. I also had her groomed yesterday, since it is hot and humid outside. I got her the shortest number 10 haircut. And they cleaned her teeth. That cost $122. I also have three Zebra finches, and I bought some Millet and liners for them yesterday at PetSmart. It all came out to about $600. Praise the Lord! It was a hectic day, especially for Miss Pickles.

I took this photo of her last night at the animal hospital...

Miss Pickles

In these perilous times people don't care about their neighbours like they should, charging as much money as they possibly can just because they can. But God is still faithful.

God's free gift of eternal life is still 100% free, completely paid for by the precious blood of Jesus. Don't you dare believe any lying preacher who says you must be willing to forsake your sinful bad habits to get to Heaven, because that is works (Jonah 3:10). Christ died on a cross 2,000 years ago to pay for our sins, because there is nothing that we can do to remedy the situation. The very idea of having to be willing to turn from your sins to be saved is preposterous, because NO ONE has ever done so. The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. If salvation is truly by grace, then you don't need to start or stop anything to be saved. Eternal life is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23).

Thank you sincerely for reading my ministry blog. God is good and faithful.

Pastor Brad Strand Is Wrong To Call Eternal Security A “Secondary Doctrine”

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

1st Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Before I get into my article, let me say that I have tremendous admiration for Pastor Brad Strand. Today, he has been faithfully pastoring a small country church in Texas for decades, a man after my own heart. Brother Strand was one of my favorite Bible professors at Hyles-Anderson College in the late 1980s. He was already laboring on his intriguing Bible commentary back then, which he told us about. He spent 30,000 hours over 33 years preparing his invaluable Bible commentary. I bought five copies (2 new and 3 used).

That being said, as a fundamentalist Bible preacher myself, I feel compelled to correct doctrinal issues when I humbly disagree with any preacher, regardless of who they are. I have corrected Pastor Jack Hyles (my hero of the Christian faith) when I thought he was wrong.

That being said, in his commentary for 1st Corinthians 13:12, Pastor Strand points out that the Bible concedes we see through a glass darkly for now, which means that no one has it all figured out. 1st Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” He uses this premise to teach that as believers we ought not be dogmatic or condescending toward our Christian brethren in secondary doctrines.

Here is Brother Strand's disturbing commentary for 1st Corinthians 13:12...

Paul admitted that we know “little” (For now we see through a glass, darkly) compared to what we shall know when CHRIST returns. If 1 Corinthians 13:12 emphasizes anything, it stresses that we ought to be slow to be dismissive (flippant and indifferent) and condescending toward others who may hold a different theological view concerning
“secondary doctrines not related to salvation; such as: (1) when the rapture of the church is to occur (Lk 17:27); (2) eternal security” (Jn 10:28-29, Mt 13:44-45, Gal 5:16-17,21 and II Tim 1:12); (3) Calvinism (Mt 28:19a), predestination (Rom 8:29 and II Thes 2:13); (4) differences between the versions of the Bible (Lk 11:51, Acts 7:45 and Heb 10:39); (4) gap theory (Gen 1:2b, 28c); (6) music standards (Psa 47:7 and Eph 5:19); (7) personal standards (Rom 14:1, 22a and 1 Cor 6:12); (8) tongues (Mk 16:17a, Acts 2:3a, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13a, 17-18 & 10:44-46 & 19:6); (9) global warming (Gen 1:25, II Pet 3:7 and Jud 21:25); and (10) etc. (Rom 14:1b and Phil 1:17). According to Paul truth exists, but it is our process of acquiring it that is limited and imprecise (Deut 29:29).

NOTE: Outside of the doctrine of salvation (Gen 49:18, Exo 14:13, 30-31, Psa 74:12, Jonah 2:9, Hab 1:5, Mt 7:13-14, Lk 7:50, Jn 4:14 & 5:29 & 6:28-29, Rom 13:11, Titus 3:5a and Heb 6:1c), which came to us via great LIGHT (Gen 1:3b, Lk 2:30-32 & 18:34 and Jn 1:3-5), every other theological subject is, at best, clouded. Meaning: The Word of God can appear to us at times in dark speeches (1 Cor 13:12 and Num 12:7-8). —Pastor Brad Strand, The Strand Study Bible, p. 1902

Now, kindly said, I would agree with Pastor Strand that issues like global warming, music standards, gap theory and personal standards are non-essential “secondary doctrines” not worth fighting over in the churches. However, I strongly disagree with him that important issues such as eternal security, predestination, Calvinism and differences between the versions of the Bible are mere “secondary doctrines” that we shouldn't be dogmatic over.

Eternal Security Is NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

Brother Strand goes on in his commentary (on the same page for 1st Corinthians 13:12) to define “dogmatism” as: “the foolish art of deceiving one's self into seeing absolutes where they don't exist.” Huh? Say what? That is ridiculous when we're talking about the biblical doctrine of eternal security! I detect a level of contempt in Pastor Strand's words for those Christians who debate over these matters. That is not good.

Eternal Life and Eternal Security are NOT two separate Bible doctrines, they are one and the same teaching. If you have Eternal Life, you have Eternal Security! I am surprised that Brother Strand considers Eternal Security a non-essential doctrine. How can Pastor Strand glibly dismiss Eternal Security as being a mere “secondary doctrine” that we shouldn't be dogmatic to fuss over? How can he teach that Eternal Security is not an absolute truth? I couldn't disagree with him more, respectfully.

Dear reader, if you deny the great doctrine of Eternal Security, then you are saying that we must DO SOMETHING to remain saved. If you think you can lose it, then you clearly believe YOU must do something to keep it, and that is WORKS. Salvation is of the LORD, not man (Jonah 2:9). The only thing that you and I contribute to our own salvation is the sin that made it necessary. What do you mean that Eternal Security is a secondary doctrine? No Sir. No way!

The biblical truth of Eternal Security is just as important and worthy of fighting over to contend for the faith, as is the gospel itself.

Calvinism Is NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

Furthermore, Calvinism is of the Devil. John Calvin (1509-1564) is either burning in Hell now and forever, or else there are two different gospels. John Calvin emphasized that to get to Heaven, one must repent to turn from your sinning, have faith in Jesus Christ, and live according to God's commandments until death. This is NOT the gospel.

Perhaps the most notable Calvinist of our generation is Dr. Albert Mohler (president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) in Kentucky. Richard Albert Mohler Jr. (born 1959) has been the theologically incompetent President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Hillcrest, Kentucky since 1993. The man is a brilliant writer and loves to read many books. In that respect, he is a man after my own heart. I humbly think Dr. Mohler is a good man and sincere in his beliefs. That being said, he is unfortunately WRONG on God's simple plan of salvation. ...

“We don't affirm easy-believism.” —Dr. Albert Mohler Jr. 'Have We Really Misunderstood the Gospel for 2000 Years?' (23:47 time in YouTube video)

What a darn fool! Dr. Mohler is openly a 5-point Calvinist, an infidel, as is his mentor Dr. John MacArthur (1939-2025). These men are theologically dangerous, despite both being likable personalities and good men (as far as sinful humans go). Although I admire certain aspects of both men, I also loathe their corrupt view of God's simple plan of salvation.

How can Pastor Strand carelessly make light of the damnable false teachings of John Calvin, which are dooming millions of men's souls to everlasting fire, torment and damnation in Hell? There is no way that Albert Mohler is a born again believer when he openly teaches that as Calvinist's, “We don't affirm easy-believism.” Dear reader, if you think getting saved is hard, YOU ARE NOT SAVED! What do you mean you don't affirm Easy-Believism?

Was it not easy for 3,000 people to get saved on the Day of Pentecost? Sure it was easy, they gladly received the gospel which the Apostle Peter preached unto them (Acts 2:41).

Was it not easy for Cornelius and his companions to get saved? Sure it was, they simply believed the gospel truth which Peter preached unto them (Acts 10:43-44).

Jesus likened getting saved to looking at an object on a pole (John 3:14-16).

Jesus likened getting saved to drinking some water (John 4:13-15).

Jesus likened getting saved to eating some bread (John 6:48-58).

Jesus likened getting saved to walking through a door (John 10:1, 9).

Albert Mohler is a fool. It is very free, simple and yes, easy, to get to Heaven. You simply need to believe that Jesus did it all for you.

Therefore, I have to strongly disagree with Pastor Strand that Calvinism is merely a “secondary doctrine” that Christians should not be dogmatic to oppose and expose! This is not a matter that we are in the dark about. We can be absolutely certain that all five tenets of Calvinism are FALSE.

Calvinism teaches the heresy of Limited Atonement (i.e., that Christ only died for the redeemed, not all men). The very idea that we cannot know absolutely that Christ died for all men is absurd. 1st John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Brother Strand is very wrong in this important matter. We can know of an absolute certainty that Calvinism is blatant heresy!

And the same argument can be made for predestination. It doesn't take a trained theologian to expose Calvinism as blatant theological fraud. If you'd like to learn more about the false teaching of predestination as taught by John Calvin (1509-1564), and the correct biblical teaching of predestination, I highly recommend reading this free book in .pdf format by Pastor Max D. Younce (1935-2023) titled: 'NOT CHOSEN TO SALVATION.'

RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

The Differences Between Bible Versions Are NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

I am appalled that Pastor Strand would glibly make light of the threat of Satan's corruptible seed. The corrupt modern Bible revisions change God's simple plan of salvation, by redefining what it mans to repent and believe.

The Greek verb for “repent” in Mark 1:15 in the King James Bible is metanoeo, which means, “to think differently.” It is a change of mind. It DOESN'T mean to “change your hearts and lives,” which is what the corrupt ERV says!!! . . .

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) — Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” [emphasis added]

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) — Mark 1:15, “He said, “The right time is now here. God’s kingdom is very near. Change your hearts and lives, and believe the Good News!” [emphasis added]

That is wrong, wrong, wrong! You don't have to change your own life as a requirement to be saved. Rather, it is the indwelling Holy Spirit that comes into a person at the time of salvation that changes one's heart and life, over time as one grows in grace by nurturing on the milk of the Word (1st Peter 2:2).

To “repent” just means to think differently. The word itself doesn't even tell us what to change our mind about. For that, we need to examine a particular Scripture passages' content to determine what to change our mind about. In the case of Mark 1:15 the Bible plainly tells us. We need to think differently to believe the gospel to be saved.

Many foolish men have made a religion out of repentance. They have made a Christ out of repentance. Instead of repentance facilitating (to make possible) believing to be saved, wicked but sincere religious men have made it into an additional step to be saved. No one has ever been saved who didn't repent. That is, change their mind to admit two things: You are a guilty SINNER; and second, Jesus is the SAVIOR.

Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) said it well...

"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership—the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word." —Pastor Harry Ironside, 'Except Ye Repent,' chapter 3

That is vastly different than being willing to forsake one's sinful bad habits to be saved, which is a false gospel commonly taught in most churches and religious institutions today.

Some smart alec will say that you have to turn “from” something in order to turn “to” something. Well, then the answer is very obvious, the opposite of belief is unbelief. The truth is that you must change your mind from whatever has been hindering you from coming to the light of the truth of the GOOD NEWS (Jesus' crucified, buried and risen) to be saved. So, if a man has believed, has HAS repented. It is a false teaching to question whether or not someone has “repented” who has already put their childlike faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Initially, getting saved does not change a person one bit, except that now you have the gift of Christ's Holy Spirit living inside your body (Romans 8:9; 1st Corinthians 3:16-17; 1st John 3:24, 4:4). It is the Lord's Holy Spirit working in us that changes our life, but this is not a requirement to be saved. You see, the ERV is teaching doctrines of devils, requiring people to change their own life (which is human effort) as a requirement to be saved. This is reformation, not repentance, which does not bring regeneration (the new birth).

So, as you can clearly see for yourself, the issue of exposing the Devil's different Bible versions is not a mere “secondary doctrine” that we cannot be dogmatic over. We certainly can! I am absolutely certain that the Devil's Bible revisions are dangerous!!! All of Satan's apples have worms! All of Satan's Bible revisions attack the deity of Jesus, remove the Godhead, and water-down the truth of God's eternally inspired Words.

Calvinism, Denying Eternal Security and False Bibles Are Absolute False Teaching's We Must Divide Over

Although I agree that Christian believers ought not fuss and needlessly divide over secondary doctrines; such as, the timing of the Rapture, age of the earth, Zionism, standards of dress, music styles and tithing; I full disagree that critical issues; such as, eternal security, Calvinism (limited atonement, predestination, perseverance of the saints, et cetera) and differences between the Bible versions are mere secondary doctrines that ought not divide us.

So, kindly said, if you follow Pastor Brad Strand's advice for his commentary on 1st Corinthians 13:12, then you will wickedly support Pastor John MacArthur's and Dr. Albert Mohler's damnable Calvinist heresies. Calvinism is anything but a secondary doctrine! It is major false teaching! That is an absolute fact!!!

And any false teacher who denies eternal security (e.g., Dan Corner, Seventh-Day Adventists, Catholics and many Protestants) has been inspired by demons. Of that I am certain! This is not a mere secondary doctrine that we ought not be dogmatic over. Eternal Security is Eternal Life, and you cannot separate these two biblical doctrines. To deny the eternal security of a believer is to deny a free grace gospel, which is the simplicity that is in Christ. Catholics deny eternal security because they teach that works (avoiding mortal sins) are required to stay saved. That is a major damnable false teaching, not a “secondary doctrine.”

That all being said, I appreciate Pastor Strand's Bible commentary. It is truly a masterpiece of English literature, and I sincerely mean that praise. I cherish The Strand Study Bible, which you can purchase on Amazon. I bought some used ones from Abe's Books and eBay. Buy one while you still can, because I don't think they are still in print. I have learned so much truth from Brother Strand. I love the guy for his labors for Christ! To God alone be all the glory.

Consider Your Ways

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Haggai 1:7, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”

One thing that I have learned in life is that God will not force someone to do what is right. If you have a rebellious wife, you can pray for her morning, noon and evening, but God will not force her to repent (change her mind) to do what is right. Sadly, America has a serious problem with defiant rebellious wives today because of the Satanic influence of feminism. The inspired Holy Bible in our text passage of Scripture says to, “Consider your ways.”

And if you have a stubborn ungodly husband, all your prayers won't influence God to force him to repent to do what is right. But the Bible does say in 1st Peter 3:1, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.” Many Christian wives angrily demand that their husband do this or do that; but she is as lazy as a hound dog on a hot summer day, she tells lies and goes behind his back deceitfully, she is more stubborn than her husband when it comes to apologizing or admitting when she is wrong. I tell you with Scriptural authority than no husband will ever “be won” by that kind of shameful wife.

Haggai 1:7, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” We all need to consider our ways. The English word “consider” is translated from three different Hebrew words which mean: “to put, the heart, above.” And then the word “ways” means: “road, or course of life.” Hence, we are to put our heart above the road we are traveling to examine it.

“I said there's only one thing that'll take a man to Hell. You know what it is? It's the opposite of faith, it's unfaith or unbelief. That's all. Now then, what will take a man all the way to Heaven? Faith, in Jesus Christ. What is the one prerequisite to being saves? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” —Brother Lester Roloff, “Faith”

“A man that's not a Christian can't be honest. Now that's gonna hurt some people, but that's the truth. You cannot be honest until you come to Christ, because you're living a life of ingratitude; and you're living on God and won't recognize him. And God supplies and holds everything together, and in him you live and move and have your being; and yet you won't recognize God's ownership in your stewardship, you're being dishonest. You're God's property by creation, by sustenance and by regeneration; and if you don't recognize it, you're not honest with God. Nobody! I believe that the main the root of honesty is recognizing that God owns everything. Living off of Him.” —Brother Lester Roloff, “Faith”

Life is short dear reader. Are you prepared to meet God? Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Cultural Christians Are Not True Christians

I learned this week that Elon Musk is a “Cultural Christian.”

Cultural Christians are individuals who appreciate Christian values and culture but do not actively practice the Christian faith. They may identify as Christian due to their upbringing or cultural environment, rather than a commitment to religious beliefs. Cultural Christians often enjoy elements of Christian culture, such as holidays and traditions, without adhering to the faith itself. SOURCE

Dear reader, kindly said, Elon Musk is treading on thin ice! He is living dangerously! Being a Cultural Christian is not the same as the new birth. In the past Elon identified as an atheist, but now says he is agnostic (unsure).

Around 2014, famous horror writer Stephen King (who has been dubbed The King of Horror) said publicly that he is no longer an atheist. Stephen King stated that he made a decision to believe in God, noting that it was better to believe than not to believe, especially during his struggles with addiction. He has expressed that while he is a believer, he remains uncertain about the existence of an afterlife. What saith the Scripture? James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), a Founding Father of the United States, considered himself part of Christian culture, despite his doubts about the divinity of Jesus. Sadly, unless he repented on his death bed, Thomas Jefferson is burning in Hell now and forever.

Jesus Is The Great “I AM”

Nobody is saved who denies Jesus' deity (John 8:24). The pronoun “he” in John 8:24 is in italics in the King James Bible. Which means the verse literally reads: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.” Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

Some people have foolishly alleged that Jesus never claimed to be God. Oh, but He did dear reader, He most certainly did in John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” The unbelieving Jews fully understood that Jesus was claiming to be God, evidenced by their angry response in John 8:59, “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”

The unbelieving Jews knew exactly what Jesus was claiming, that He is God almighty! The Jews said to Jesus with contempt in verse 57, “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” Jesus replied by saying that He existed before Abraham was even born. What saith the Scripture? John 10:33, “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” The Jews fully understood that Jesus claimed to be God almighty!

We find a remarkable Scripture passage in Job 23:12, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job said that he considered and highly regarded God's Word more than his food. Do you regard God's Word as being more valuable than a Little Caesar's pizza? Do you esteem the 8,810 promises of God in the inspired King James Bible more than your favorite meal? Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Consider Your Ways

According to Hebrews 9:27, we all have an appointment with the Grim Reaper, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Most people are not prepared to die. Most people have never been born again.

By God's grace and mercy, may we all consider our ways. Haggai 1:7, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”

God Sees Your Suffering, Burdens And Life

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Genesis 31:7-12, “And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.”

I was listening to Willard Waggoner read the book of Genesis yesterday and today, and I heard this passage of Scripture, and two phrases caught my attention:

but God suffered him not to hurt me (verse 7)
for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee (verse 12)

I love the book of Genesis. I love the amazing true stories, especially the story of Joseph. God is so beautiful the way that He always works behind the scenes. Dear reader, we have a wonderful, good and faithful Creator, God.

Jacob had cheated his brother Esau out of his inheritance. Jacob had deceived his father by conspiring with his manipulative mother Rebekah to trick Isaac. When Rebekah heard that Esau was plotting to murder Jacob, she sent Jacob to live with her brother Laban. So, Jacob married his cousins Leah and Rachel (and their two handmaidens), and they all bear unto him 12 children. Laban cheated Jacob 10 times, lowering his wages. When a wild animal killed some of the livestock, Jacob took the loss instead of Laban. Again and again, Laban defrauded Jacob, just as Jacob had defrauded his brother Esau. What goes around comes around! This is the reciprocating law of life.

Jacob said if Laban could have robbed him of everything, he would have. Genesis 31:42, “Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.” But God protected Jacob and his family. I love these two statements that Jacob made:

but God suffered him [Laban] not to hurt me (verse 7)
for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee (verse 12)

I especially love that last statement from Genesis 31:12. God told Jacob that He had seen all the horrible things which his uncle Laban had done unto him. I love that truth because it means God sees everything that happens in our life too.

Psalms 139:1-4, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”

Nothing escapes the eyes of God! NOTHING! Dear reader, you are known to God. The LORD knows the very number of hairs on your head...

Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

I'm sure you've often prayed like I do and felt like it's a big waste of time. I admit that I don't see God answering my prayers. In fact, not any of them! I used to struggle with religious scrupulosity and felt like it must all be my fault. I thought to myself, “Maybe I did something wrong, or perhaps I didn't do something that I was supposed to do, and God is offended.” But as I grew in grace I came to understand that it wasn't anything I had done wrong. It is normal for God to appear to ignore us when we pray. Anybody who says differently is a liar!

There were periods in the Old Testament when several hundred years passed without a single miracle being mentioned in the Bible. Jesus taught the people in the synagogue that in the time of famine in the days of Elijah, only one widow was provided food by God. The rest starved to death (Luke 4:25-26). Joseph and his family sojourned in Egypt in peace for 30 years. But then a wicked Pharaoh rose up who knew not Joseph, killing the Hebrew male babies. The Hebrews were enslaved for 400 years! The lesson to be learned here is that God doesn't always work in our time frame, and in the way that we desire.

Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

When I pray today, I don't look for visible results. The Scripture tells us in 2nd Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” If we pray and wait for visible results, we are trying to force God into our thinking and mold, walking by sight. I have learned that God works behind the scenes in mysterious ways. The LORD loves to work that way!

We see this truth bared out in the Old Testament book of Esther. In those ten intriguing chapters we see the hand of God at work, yet “God” is not mentioned even once in all ten chapters. There is no mention of the “Lord.” The lesson to be learned here is that when you cannot see the HAND of God at work, just trust the great HEART of God.

God sees your burdens, heartaches, needs and suffering dear reader. It burns my heart with joy and comfort to know that God told Jacob, “I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee” (Genesis 31:12b). God sees when our spouse does us wrong. God sees when thieves rob our possessions. God sees when someone does evil against us, whether it be bearing false witness or trying to destroy our name and reputation with slander. God sees it all.

Another Scripture passage comes to mind from Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” We all have an appointment with the Grim Reaper (death), and then we must answer to God (Romans 14:10-12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Hebrews 9:27).

Nothing escapes the scrutiny of God. He is the keeper of our soul. Proverbs 24:12, “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” I love that Bible verse. It means God doesn't need any juries in Heaven, because He already knows THE TRUTH of all matters. No one will be able to deceive or lie to God. It greatly comforts my soul to know that our omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God sees everything going on in everyone's soul and life, so that we must all be judged for every word (Matthew 12:36), our intentions (Proverbs 24:12), and every deed done (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Sometimes The Best Thing To Do Is Absolutely Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:30:00 +0000

2nd Samuel 1:10-14, “So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?”

I could show you umpteen examples from the inspired Holy Bible where people would have been MUCH better off had they simply done nothing. In our text Scripture passage from 2nd Samuel, an Amalekite confesses to King David that he has killed King Saul. He was lying of course, Saul commit suicide, but the Amalekite did attempt to kill Saul. He sincerely thought by slaying David's enemy that the king would be pleased and reward him handsomely, but to his horror David was enraged and instead ordered him to be executed for treason. Had the Amalekite done absolutely nothing when Saul begged for him to kill him, the Amalekite would have been just fine. The lesson here is clear: Be careful about doing what people ask you to do.

I cannot think of a better example of what not to do then the way the south handled the issue of slavery. For decades prior to the American Civil War (1860-1865) there had been protests and talk up north from activists and preachers about freeing the slaves down south. This constant antislavery rhetoric from the Union made southern Confederate slave owners paranoid, big time! I mean, the slaves were their cash cow, their life's blood. Without the slaves who would work the cotton and tobacco fields? The plantation owners down south didn't want to lose their slaves.

So, when Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was elected as U.S. President on November 6, 1860, the south panicked. The best thing that they could have done was absolutely NOTHING! But under the misguided leadership of the first and only president of the Confederate States, Jefferson Davis (1808-1889), the south decided to secede from the northern Union, and that is what compelled President Lincoln to start the Civil War. If the southern states simply hadn't seceded, they could have kept their slaves. Abraham Lincoln said so, as I will show you in a moment.

Several hundred thousand men and teenage boys were killed by each other. Approximately 250,000 to 420,000 boys under the age of 18 were involved in the American Civil War, with estimates suggesting that around 100,000 Union soldiers were 15 years of age or younger. That is a shocking statistic! Sadly, many of them were killed in a needless battle over slavery that didn't even need to be fought!

The most common musket balls used during the Civil War were .58 caliber Minié balls, which were designed for rifled muskets, and .69 caliber balls for smoothbore muskets. The .58 caliber Minié ball was approximately 0.58 inches in diameter, while the .69 caliber ball was about 0.65 inches in diameter. Minié balls caused extensive damage to the body due to their design and high velocity, often resulting in severe tissue destruction and shattered bones. This led to a high number of amputations during the Civil War. An estimated 60,000 amputations were performed during the Civil War, with a significant portion of those being necessary due to the severe injuries caused by the weapons of the time. Approximately 75% of those who underwent amputation survived the procedure, many wishing they had died.

Abraham Lincoln Wasn't Concerned About Freeing Slaves

In a shocking letter written by President Lincoln to Horace Greeley (founder and editor of the New-York Tribune newspaper) on August 22, 1862, Lincoln states:

Executive Mansion,
Washington, August 22, 1862.

Hon. Horace Greeley:
Dear Sir.

I have just read yours of the 19th. addressed to myself through the New-York Tribune. If there be in it any statements, or assumptions of fact, which I may know to be erroneous, I do not, now and here, controvert them. If there be in it any inferences which I may believe to be falsely drawn, I do not now and here, argue against them. If there be perceptable in it an impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be right.

As to the policy I "seem to be pursuing" as you say, I have not meant to leave any one in doubt.

I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored; the nearer the Union will be "the Union as it was." If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors; and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.

I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men every where could be free.

Yours,
A. Lincoln.

Wow! All that President Lincoln cared about was saving the northern Union. The Confederacy fought a costly and egregious war that never even needed to be fought in the first place, all because they were enamored with unwarranted paranoia and fear over nothing. If the south had just done NOTHING, no slaves would have been freed. The south created their own dilemma by wrongly reacting due to their fear (False Evidence Appearing Real). Pastor Jack Hyles was absolutely right, who said: “It's not our actions that destroy us; it's our reactions.”

I admit that I am guilty of having often done this very same thing throughout my life, allowing my stupid fears to cause me to make bad decisions that caused even more pain, loss, suffering and grief. I am a worrier by nature, which makes it all ten times worse! So, knowing this about myself, I have to be careful not to make hasty decisions. I have painfully learned that oftentimes the best thing to do is absolutely NOTHING. Or as Dr. Jack Hyles used to wisely say, “Don't make decisions when your decision maker is broken.”

For every time in my past that I regret having not taken action when I should have, there are far more times that I regret having taken action instead of just doing nothing. This is why we all desperately need God's wisdom, to know how to respond in different given situations.

When the Apostle Peter drew His sword and cut off the servant's ear in defense of Jesus, Peter would have been better if he had done nothing. Peter had previously told Jesus that he would prevent Him from being crucified, for which Jesus called the apostle, “Satan” (Matthew 16:23). Peter had good intentions, but he was very wrong (Proverbs 14:12). It was absolutely necessary for Jesus to be crucified that God's free gift of salvation could be offered to humanity. Peter had tunnel vision, failing to grasp the big picture of what was going on.

So, when you're in a situation and not sure what to do, sometimes doing nothing is the best thing. Let the other person make the first move. It all depends on the particular situation, but I think in many cases we'd be better off doing nothing. Exodus 14:14, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” You don't have to always react to someone's words or a situation. Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Throw The Cross Into It

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Exodus 15:25, “And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them.”

That tree dear reader symbolizes the cross upon which Jesus Christ died for you and me, and for the sins of the whole world. Throw the cross into it!

One of my loyal ministry followers told me that his father commit suicide today. My heart broke with sympathy and empathy for my Christian brother. Oh my. We never know what's going on in someone else's mind. There but for the grace of God, go you and I.

I comforted my friend, letting him how sorry I am for his father's death. I am so very sorry for his inexplicable loss, pain, grief and suffering. My best friend during childhood, Greg, commit suicide with his father's shotgun in Tennessee. He was only 22 years old. I wept bitterly at the funeral for Greg. I placed my pocket New Testament in his coffin. Although I miss my friend, no one can take away all of the cherished memories I have of my childhood and teenage years spent with my best friend. We went to the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, together with our church's youth group as teenagers. We attended the same public and then Christian schools together.

Greg strayed away from the Lord, dropped out of church, started drinking booze, and then the family moved from Chicago to Tennessee. A few years had passed and then one day I learned that he had killed himself. I was heartbroken. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968) was absolutely right, who said: “Behind every tragedy in human character is a slow process of wicked thinking.” That is why for the longest time now my favorite Bible verse has been Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

I was reminded today of a beautiful sermon by Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) titled: "Throw The Cross Into It." I shared that sermon with my grieving ministry friend today.

In the sermon Brother Hyles talks about a woman who was one of his church members in Garland, Texas. She called him in panic one day to let Pastor Hyles know that her husband had just commit suicide, and she found his body. Brother Hyles rushed to their home and arrived before the police did, and he saw the man's brains lying on the floor. Dr. Hyles opened the Bible and showed the man's distraught wife Exodus 15:25, “And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them.” She threw the cross into her tragedy! The cross is the answer to everything.

The multitude of Jews in the Wilderness came across some much needed water, but it was toxic. In Exodus 15:25, Moses cried out to the Lord, and God showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the bitter water at Marah, making it fit to drink. This event demonstrated God's provision and guidance for the Israelites in their time of need. Dear reader, we have the precious old rugged cross of Jesus Christ to throw into all of our burdens, bodily pain, bitterness, loss and inexplicable trauma that happens in life.

Pastor Hyles shares another story about a woman in his church in Texas who became bitter against God when her baby died. He showed her Exodus 15:25, but she refused to put the cross into it, holding onto her anger and bitterness against God. Weeks later Brother Hyles said that he and his wife read in the local newspaper that the woman had murdered her husband. The bullet had entered into the top of his head and exited at the bottom of his neck, which indicated that she killed him while he was on his hands and knees begging for mercy and forgiveness. Then she drove off speeding over 80 mph and died in a crash.

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Whatever your burden may be dear reader, throw the cross into it. If you are fighting bitterness, throw the cross into it. Whatever your loss or heartache may be, throw the cross into it. If you are going through a divorce, throw the cross into it. If you were the one who filed for divorce, commit adultery or had an abortion, throw the cross into it. THROW THE CROSS INTO IT!

My heart is with my brother in Christ whose father killed himself today. I have been thinking lately about famous country singers' Mel Street, Faron Young, Naomi Judd and Tom Hall, who all sadly commit suicide. There but for the grace of God, go all of us. Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Famous movie producer Ridley Scott (Aliens, Blade Runner, Gladiator) had a younger brother named Tony Scott, who was a movie producer in England. At age 68 Tony jumped off the 185 foot high Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles to his death. Ridley was heartbroken. Life is so short and unpredictable. We don't know what another day may bring (Proverbs 27:1).

“You can't keep from becoming bitter, but you can keep from staying bitter. Throw the cross into it!” - Pastor Jack Hyles, “Throw The Cross Into It!”

Don't let bitterness rule your spirit concerning enemies, family and disgruntled former friends who have hurt you. Let God fight your battles dear child of God. Exodus 14:14, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Throw the cross into it.

I love you dear reader with God's unconditional love, whoever you may be. We all go through difficult times in life, and seemingly unbearable tragedies at times, but the cross is the answer! John 16:33, “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.”

People Everywhere Are Checking Out

noreply@blogger.com (David J. Stewart) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

John 16:33, “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.”

This woman is so right, people these days are losing interest in everything. Jesus foretold in Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” People are checking out. People are surviving from paycheck to paycheck. Inflation is sky high. The educational system is trash. People are depressed.

I ran across this intriguing YouTube video today. This woman speaks much truth.

Millions are starting to lose interest in everything

I use a nifty free website called Note GPT that converts any YouTube video into text. Here is some of this woman's text:

There is a shift that is occurring where people are beginning to lose interest in everything and it's causing them to retreat from society. People are radically changing the way that they are living their lives. I know that I have felt this. When you look around our society, you see that everything is really operating on this fear-based narrative.

We are living in a world right now where we're just waiting on the next big event to happen, and we have an extreme amount of financial pressure and economic stress that is overshadowing almost everything that we do. The amount of work that is having to go into life just to maintain it, and to survive; people are getting overwhelmed and exhausted and are completely checking out.

I mean, when you look at the statistics, more people than ever are living paycheck to paycheck. Nobody has any money in savings. People feel hopeless that they'll never be able to own a home. They're having to move into their vehicles. Our food system is trash. Our education system is trash.

And just the awareness is discouraging that the people who have been in charge and are controlling this system, that we are currently operating in; it's not going so well. And I think more people are waking up to the fact that when we are living in this overwhelming state of fear, we are easier to be controlled and manipulated.

When we're comparing ourselves to other people, it's easier to sell us stuff. We are never happy and we're constantly on this hamster wheel of working really hard just to like, meet our most basic needs. The world is currently operating on a level of corruption that we have really never been aware of before, or a lot of us have not been aware of just how corrupt a lot of systems are operating; and not just within the U.S. but globally as well.

We are constantly on our phones and screens and social media. We're becoming more and more disconnected from each other, and it's making social interactions more challenging for us and for other people. We're losing the ability to have a community and form connections with other people.

We have been disconnected from nature and outdoors, which is a place where a lot of people can find peace and calm from this place of fear. It is causing people to have this overwhelming sense of anxiety and depression, and we have major mental health concerns that are going on with the majority of people, and that is a red flag that something is wrong.

We can only handle so much stress before we completely shut down, which I think is what is happening to a lot of people. We are becoming overwhelmed and from that place of overwhelm, you know you have to fight-flight or freeze, and we have been in fight and flight for a long time and freeze is where a lot of people are going to, where they are just completely checking out and this is the shift that is leading us into a deep awareness of what is going on, and that awareness is an uncomfortable place to be there; in that place where you are seeing past the veil you know has been over us for so long.

Please keep in mind that she is speaking from a carnal viewpoint, not a Christian one. The first half of her video caught my attention because I could relate to her intriguing comments, which I think we all can. Something is amiss in American society today. People everywhere have lost interest in living. Where are the little league baseball games at the local parks? Where are the bands today? Where are the Christmas carolers in December? The pleasant American culture that I grew up in during the 1970s and 1980s has deteriorated beyond recognition. Everybody is enamored with gadgets and social media. We've never been more connected while being disconnected. I liked it better back in the 1970s before there were any microwaves, credit cards, computers, cellphones, Red-Light Cameras, A.I. generated music, et cetera.

As born again Christians, God doesn't want His children to follow the fear, worry and stress of this temporary crazy world. Jesus encourages us in John 16:33, “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.” Everything's alright in my Father's house. The Holy Bible tells us how to handle this troublesome life down here on earth...

Colossians 3:1-4, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

That is why when by God's grace I wake up each morning, I seek the LORD early. I listen to the King James Bible or some Bible preaching. I check my ministry emails and get to work writing. By the good and faithful Lord's grace. I begin each day by setting my mind and affection “on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) wisely said that as he grew older he ran to the Bible like a starving man. I fully agree! If we don't pray and abide in the Scripture daily, we are telling God by our behavior that we don't need His help and guidance. I desperately need God!!!

I Need Thee Every Hour

I need Thee ev'ry hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like Thine
can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

Hear song

I really like the pedal steel guitar in this song, 'The Old Rugged Cross.'

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!