It's Not a Secret Anymore! Even the Phoenix Magazines Knows About Us!

The other day a blessed sister in Christ, Jean a passionate Seed Sower for the Lord, (or you could say Evangelist) called with excitement in her voice, as she stated, "You made it! They have you in the magazine!" Catherine and I met with her as she showed us this magazine, Phoenix Magazine which posted 101 FUN Things to Do!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! READ WHAT IT STATES FOR NUMBER (95)

If you can't read it here's what it says.

Evangelical street-preachers. Atheist street-preachers. Crypto-hippie homeless dog owners. Steroid-popping bar backs. Press-on-nail center maidens. We could go on all day. Without a doubt, Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe boasts the most diverse human ecosystem in the Valley. After you turn 30, it becomes harder to justify actually going into any of the bars, but Mill's people-watching pleasures are an all-ages treat. millavenue.com

Now those who report what is going on using this 160 page magazine think that we are something to come to watch. How exciting is that!

 I PRAY THAT OUR CHURCHES WOULD ENDORSE US IN THE SAME MANNER! 

I pray that many will come to hear as we boldly proclaim the  reason why our Lord had to leave His Heavenly Throne and descend to Earth. His coming was not so that we would just know about Him, or accept Him as we have been told, but that He needed to show us how imperfect we are. (Even the demons believe in Jesus and they shudder!) 

He came to show us the standard God requires from us, "Perfection". In (Mat. 5:48)  He stated that we needed to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. How could any of us claim to have achieved such a high standard? What is the standard that we would be compared to? Sadly most of us compare our goodness to others. It's easy for us to look at others and claim that we are not as bad as they are. So we are decieved into thinking that we are GOOD... even good enough to get into Heaven. 

In (Mat 5:17)  Jesus clearly explained what it would take to be accepted, or as Paul states adopted into the Kingdom.  "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."  He lived a perfect life, just like he proclaimed in (Mat. 5:48).  And again in (Mat 19:17)  And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." In (Luke 18:18-20) He explained what we would have to do to measure up to His standard.

Several times in the four Gospels, Jesus states that we needed to keep the Commandments. In (John 14:15) Jesus puts it simply,  "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

So with that in mind how many of the Commandments can you name? Oh, and for some of you just concentrate on the Ten that God took the time to write on the stone tables. You can find them in (Exodus 20: 3-17).

Remember this is the standard that God will Judge you by. Lets try a few to see how you do. 

• Have you ever lied, 
• Taken anything that doesn't belong to you, (the value doesn't matter) 
•  Used God's Name in vain, you know swearing. How many of you know that the Lord stated the He would not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain? (Ex. 20:7) Just that one sounds pretty serious but how many of us have violated that one and many times? 

I Pray that you understand the meaning of what I'm saying. This is NOT legalism as some have accused us of. It's just stating the fact, that none of us is good enough to be adopted into the Kingdom. Jesus is very specific as He stated in (Mat. 4:17) and several other places,  From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

So help me with this one, it sounds like we have to admit that we are Law breakers and  not qualified to be admitted into the Heavenly place with our Holy, Perfect and Righteous Lord. We deserve to be punished, correct?  Once that part is clear, I think He has opened our eyes to see how filthy we really are. It's the Grace of God who provides that reality. (Eph. 2:8-10), reveals that to me. Now because of that knowledge I must REPENT, have sorrow, regret, remorse, not to just turn from my sins but as Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery, "Go and sin no more"

Once I realize that I have offended God, and what Jesus had to go through to save a wretched sinner like me, how could I continue to violate the same Laws that Jesus paid the fine for that set me free by taking the punishment that I deserved. 

Now that I know why I have been set free and have been adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven I MUST, I MUST be an obedient servant and do as my Lord, my Savior commands... Go and tell everyone I meet!