Dying for your Christian Faith

For it is recorded in the Holy Bible that some Christians will have to die for their faith in Christ. It is hard for some of us Christians to acknowledge that fact yet we do appreciate that whatever is written in the Holy Bible is true and shall come to pass.

What then is the comfort for Christians if their belief in Jesus Christ exposes them to earthly danger? Why should Christians hang on when they are in danger of being killed and not abandon the faith for a while and when danger is gone they repent? In fact, the Holy Bible has a wealth of records for people that died for their faith in Jesus Christ and they never denied their faith even to the point of death. None of the Heroes of the Christian faith retaliated. Remember Stephen when he was stoned to death (Acts 7:54 – 60).

We Christians have hope that God the Father is on our side and therefore no one can stand against us and prosper (Romans 8:31). Our strength is the unrelenting Love of God for us. That we are exposed to tribulations, distress, persecution, sometimes famine, nakedness, peril or sword (Romans 8: 35) cannot separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Holy Bible also tells us not to fear them that can only kill the body but do not have the power to put the soul in hell. The hope for Christians should be that of escaping hell after death. No pain can be compared to being separated from God the creator forever and ever after death, that is, in hell which is the second death. All the pain of the world concentrated in one place cannot compare to the pain in hell.  This makes Christianity the safest religion of all in the world.

How to Gain Strength to Stand Trials

I appreciate that it is not easy to stand such trials when you are practically faced with them. Sometimes it might seem like the problem, persecution or peril will never be gone. The temptation to seek human made solutions or trusting on your own understanding comes to mind quickly and promise an easy way out. If you want to keep your heavenly line clear for proper support in your situation, never yield to that temptation.

The trick is trusting in Jesus Christ at all times. This will make you report all forms of trouble to Him all the way you face persecutions. Christians simply have to focus on God through prayer, seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and never be distracted. Just like Stephen the Martyr, the Holy Spirit let him see heavens open when persecutions intensify (Acts 7: 54). This will make you focus on your hope for better things that Christ has in store for you and not on the pain that you experience.

Christian Reality

Once you are a Christian you must know from day one that you are prone to hate from all other people for what you have become. You however must be grateful to God for every moment you are alive.

Money to Offer as Tithes

Tithes are a tenth of whatever a person earns as income or profits.  This portion of your profits should be declared in your local church as tithes to God your provider, not the leaders of the church. People have said a lot about tithes while many want to keep other laws recorded in the Holy Bible but not the tithes. This has raised a controversy on tithing. I still insist that the right thing is to follow what the Holy Bible says and we can rely on revelations and visions given to the chosen ones that live with us in the world today.

Some believers have declared that they have a descent method, one acceptable to God, of using their tithes without surrendering it in church. Some declare having told God how they will be using their tithes and it was accepted to God. I do not have the answer but one thing I know is that the Word of God does not change and whatever is recorded in the Holy Bible, it must be observed as it is. Later I will tell of a vision that touched on tithes but for now you can read the Holy Bible from the book of Malachi 3:8 – 9 and then consult your innermost being to know the truth. I therefore wonder if anyone can negotiate with God to bend some of His Words and remain on the acceptable will of God. You be the judge.

The wide spread abuse of tithes

I cannot exhaust a list of things that brethren, church leaders, pastors, deacons and treasurers do with the money offered for tithes that they should not be doing. I know that as you read this line you are reminded of at least one of the things that you know someone is spending the tithes on wrongly.

What exactly is tithing expected to be used for

I will be honest; I haven’t taken time to study what it should be used for but I have been taught that it is aimed at helping widows, the needy, and I want to say that according to the revelations of hell given to Seven Youths in Korea, tithes must also be used to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Korean Youth had a casual visit to hell with the Lord Jesus Christ and saw people suffering in hell. Each of the people had a metal place around their necks written the sin that made them go to hell. Some of the plates were written ‘I’m here for fornication’, ‘I’m here for lying’, ‘I’m here for being normal’, and ‘I’m here for not giving tithes and offering’.  Jesus Christ said to the youth, ‘If people withhold their tithes and offering, it hinders the worlds of the Lord and the Gospel is not preached’.

If you do not give tithes and offering, you defile your body and your holiness is compromised. Remember that the whole purpose of this website is to promote holiness without which no man shall see the Lord after death. You may browse following this link ‘Revelations of Hell’ if you want to read the whole story on the visit to hell by the Korean Youth.

Conclusion

For now, I have nothing more to add. I do want to recommend for you to start abiding by the Lord’s laws and observe His Word without compromising. Now that you know the truth, it would be sin for you not to practice it.

Your Call from the LORD

The years you to live are few, even if you may live 70 years from today. Life in this world is short and if you are lucky, you will make it for up to a total of 100 years. Soon you will be out of the body and face eternity in one of two places; in torment or in joy. The key to determining your destiny after death is what you do in the few years remaining, counting from now.

I have been exposed and watched a multiple episode TV programme known as ‘1000 ways to die’. Fortunately, the 1000 methods are covered in this web site ‘…’. This programme is evidence of that no one knows when and how they will die. Many die young when they thought it was time to explore life. Most of these death cases are attempts for new methods of escalating sin to a higher level and several are human carelessness. Many therefore die and go straight to hell.

All I’m interested in is promoting a life that will inherit Heaven after death. What you do makes up for where you will spend your eternity. I have had a good read on the book by Bruce Wilkinson entitled ‘A life that God rewards’. Bruce’s focus is on life after death rewards and treasures. Jesus Christ hits the nail when He says in Revelations 22: 12, ‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work’. The time to work for the reward Jesus Christ is talking about is the few days, years if you are lucky, you have before your time is up. It is unfortunate that for all of us, their time will come to an end too soon than we may think.

I implore you to consult your inner spirit of what you can do for the Kingdom of God in the few days you have in this world. Work at living a life that touches and influences a change for Jesus Christ. For questions, you may like to drop a question on the ‘Ask a Mentor’ page in the top navigation.

I do care that some people don’t believe that a living person can have an out of the body experience and be taken to hell on a casual visitor or as a damned soul. I clearly understand that Jesus Christ has instructed me to write this article and leave it at this, and the Holy Spirit will complete the rest. That is why I’m not going to try to convince you because that’s not my job, mine is to tell you.

Before I address the core of the article, I will say that my article is based on the Holy Bible and testimonies of John Bunyan, Bill Wiese, Marry Bexter, Jenifer Peres, Victoria Nehale, Bishop, Emanuel Eni and Earthquake Kelley.

How Hell Feels

• Certain portions of hell are prison cells and chambers. The place is terribly hot and dark (Jonah 2: 2, Jonah 2:6, Isaiah 24: 22, Prove 7:27).
• Demons control the place. Demons are enormous and powerful far more than the damned souls, out of symmetry, ugly/scary and hateful. They are assigned to torcher souls forever and ever.
• In hell you feel powerless and under merciless control of demons.
• There is strong thirst, hunger (Deuteronomy 32:22-24) and strong toxic smell.
• The environment is blasphemous, cruel and merciless.
• Hopelessness on ever getting better.
• Screams from billions of people loud and penetrating through your ears.
• You cannot see what is coming up against you because there is blackness and darkness that may be felt.
• Fear that cannot be defined by human words (Isaiah 24:17).
• Your five senses are sharper and you can real each moment Jesus Christ was preached to you.
• Your life on earth ailments remain such that if you were blind on earth, you will be blind in hell too.
• There is shame and souls are necked, shameful indeed.
• There is no humidity, absolute dryness, let alone some water.
• Screams of agony for mercy, but no mercy.
• The need for sleep but it’s not possible.
• Regretful life.
• Finally, all these things should kill you, but you don’t die.

Ask you innermost being for details. Even if you are not a Christian, I suggest you take time to do a spiritual enquiry through talking to the air and Jesus Christ will reveal Himself to you. Buy yourself a copy of the Holy Bible, in a language you understand, and read it as your spirit leads. Consult with the nearest Christian leaders; pastors, councillors, preachers, deacons, etc. This activity will save your life in eternity. Ask me on the ‘Ask a mentor’ page if you need more information.

The Holy Bible Defines Holiness

Holiness is not being perfect but it has a lot to do with the attitude towards sin. I believe that it is a Christian’s privilege to attain a state in which he or she is entirely free from sin, both inward and outward. This is not to say that evil and vicious suggestions from the mind and others will not be made to the holiness pursuer but that he or she will not comply nor be sympathetic to the suggestions both outwardly and inwardly.

Entire holiness has a positive character. I believe it includes the spiritual graces such as love, meekness, humility, etc. By this I do not mean that these holy graces are so complete in measure and growth as to forbid higher development, so that the soul, in this state, can never love more, be more meek, more humble, more believing but there will be constant growth.

The Thin line between Temptation and Sin

This brings us to the critical and crucial point of defining the difference between sin and temptation. We know that temptation can culminate into sin but temptation is not sin. A holy being may be tempted, since both the holy Adam and the holy Jesus Christ were tempted; to Adam it was before sin, and to Jesus Christ it was without sin.

The exact point of difficulty is, at what precise point along the line of temptation it is that the tempted soul begins to sin; what of influence the temptation may be supposed to have before the soul becomes stained. It is clear that it is not at the point where the evil is suggested that sin begins, for in that case the temptation and the sin would be inseparable, if not identical.

Anything to be a temptation must have a natural power to awaken an impulse toward it, and sin does not reside in a mere impulse of nature but starts at the point where the soul is conscious of a mood to yield to what it supposes to be sin.

Holiness is not unanimous

Probably from the lack of a better know word to me, I used the word unanimous to mean that so two people display holiness the same way because people differ in character. Character comes from physical (such as male and female) and mental dissimilarities. The great change which passes upon souls when they are translated from sinfulness into holiness does not destroy their original or natural differences.

Two people that we may assume to be equally holy, like your pastor and mine, may under certain circumstances, appear to be quite dissimilar as to moral qualities.  The one may impress us as possessing transcendent virtue and the other as possibly really bad. The reason why they so differently impress us will be found to arise from natural, and not moral, dissimilarities.

Temperaments or characters come to play; one could be of a highly nervous temperament, another of decidedly collected; one could be sanguine, another distrustful; one impulsive, another dispassionate. If these naturally different people obtain the grace of God through Jesus Christ, it will not change their temperaments, but grace will only control and regulate them.

Therefore, the seat of all moral quality is the soul. Properly, nothing can be said to possess moral quality but the soul. Acts indicate the moral quality of the person who performs them just as the fruit declares the nature of the tree. However, that fruit is not always precisely what a superficial observer supposes it to be before it is judged properly. It needs to be critically tested by a correct standard. For example, equally good fruit may not be equally large and round and well-colored. The sting of an insect, or pressure of a twig, or some other exterior impingement may have blemished it, without damaging its flavor. It will be no fault of the tree, and will prove nothing against it, if something external has left such marks.

In a world where error, ignorance, and infirmity leave their imprint on all that is human, it will not be wise to expect to find any living person (Pastor, king, president or whoever) to be free from such marks yet if we mark the definition given earlier on for what sin is, you will note that though these are found along with sin, they are not sin.

A holy Christian may fall for the sins listed in this article ‘ Living a Holy Life does not mean living out of this world’.

LIving pure in the World

All people are called by God to live a holy life but it does not mean that they must exit the world to live in some space of their own. For that reason, you will notice that the holy Christians also identify with the following life reality issues:

1. Imperfection. It is not possible to have a perfect Christian anywhere in the world. Therefore, there is no possibility of “entire holiness”. Therefore, the most perfect and holy men are always subject to imperfections while they remain in the body. Anyone that purposes to live a holy life must understand that sin obscures and weakens, and holiness strengthens and invigorates; sin confuses, distracts, and leads to error; holiness tranquilizes, imparts candor (the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech) and carefulness, and leads to truth.
2. Physical infirmities. Being a holy living Christian does not exclude one from physical imperfection. You will see holy living Christians experience bodily infirmities such as disease, deformity, and organic and structural imperfection. This has got nothing to do with the Spiritual man and therefore you will see a perfect physical man but imperfect in the spiritual and vise versa.
3. Mistakes in conduct. As long as the mind is subject to making an improper judgment, as the case is for all humans, conduct and emotions resulting may also be improper. Actions and feelings result from the views the mind takes, or the influence of unavoidable constitutional tendencies. When an improper judgment is formed, an improper or incorrect action or feeling may follow.
4. Temptation. Even when we expect Christ like qualities from holiness pursuers, they are not free from the temptation to sin. Jesus Himself was tempted (Matt. 4:1). “The disciple is not above his Lord” (Matt. 10:24).
5. Sinning. The Christian is not exempted from sinning. Christians may fall and sin and bring guilt and condemnation again upon their souls, just like everybody else. Therefore, anyone who pursues holiness is a under constant need of personal watchfulness and of divine assistance.
6. Sorrow. Had there never been sin, possibly there had never been sorrow; but the holy Jesus sorrowed, so while upon earth may his disciples. “The servant is not above his Lord” (John 13:16).
These are just a few of life reality issues that may be mistaken for hypocrisy when observed amongst those that declare themselves holy. Holiness is simply about adopting God’s attitude towards sin; ‘HATE SIN’.

Reward for being on the Lord's side

No single effort into fearing God goes unnoticed by Him, the Almighty. God rewards those that fear Him in various ways. It must be noticed that the rewards are realised while we live in this world and the ultimate reward is inheriting the kingdom of God.

 
Reading in Exodus verse 17, we learn about the Hebrew midwives that feared God by saving the male Hebrew boys. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, feared God more than they did the command of the earthly king of Egypt. Pharaoh the king had instructed that only new born girls should not be killed. Indeed God noticed and rewarded the midwives for saving the Hebrew new born boys.

It can be noticed that the Bible does not mention whether the midwives told the truth to the king or they lied by saying that the Hebrew woman were strong such that they give birth without assistance, but what matters is that they protected God’s purpose by keeping the male new born babies alive. The good news is that God rewarded the Midwives with earthly gifts.

Verse 20 and 21 of Exodus 1 records (NKJ) ‘Therefore God delt well with midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them’. The New International Version records that ‘…He gave them families of their own’. The earthly common understanding of households and families mean having marriage partners and children. If the midwives were female, which is most likely the case in this instance, they were provided with husbands, children and a place to live.

This reward must have been a great need for the midwives and it was earthly. The reward was attracted to the midwives by their act of fearing God. God determined the type of reward and it was good and ideal for the time and the midwives. The same God that did this for the midwives is the same God that can reward you if at any instance you take His side without fear of anyone.

This is a challenge paused to all living people today, ‘fear the Lord and get rewards as determined by His Holy purpose for your life’.

On another note, I liked the idea of sharing Christian based articles at faithwriters.com. You may like to check it out.

Storms in your life

The storms of life hit everyone and it is good news that three Holy Bible authors address this issue. Mathew (Mat. 8:23 -27), Mark (Mark. 4:35 -41) and Luke (Luke 8:22 – 24). Thus the issue on storms of life cannot be ignored in real life situations.

The first thing to note is that Jesus instructed His disciples to cross the river and therefore it was Jesus’s perfect will that they should cross over. It must have been fulfilling to the disciples to do the will of Jesus Christ, and further fulfilling that He had to come with them. Even today, if we walk in Jesus Christ’s will we are guaranteed that He is on our side. He has promised to be with us till the end of times.

The second thing to note is that the disciples listened to Jesus Christ. The real indication that one is a follower of Christ is abiding by every instruction. Disciples had purposed to do whatever Jesus Christ told them to do.

The third thing to note is the occurrence of a might storm. A storm can be defined as a violent disturbance in the air causing wind, rain, thunder, etc. It must be acknowledged that magnitude of the storm was very disturbing because the Holy Bible records that some water spilled into the boat. In our lives, a storm can be defined as difficult times a person experiences in life.

Note:

Even though it was Jesus Christ’s will that the disciples and Him cross over to the other side. Likewise, it does happen in our lives that we experience storms of life. Some of preachers today dispute the reality of experiencing storms of life for Christians yet in fact Christians are the ones that may face tough times simply for being believers. Some Christians even want to quit Christianity because believers may attract storms just by being a Christian.

Storms of Life Examples

• Job loss – this may befall anyone, believer or non-believer.
• Loss of a loved one – This could be your marriage partner, children, parents, friends and family.
• Hate from work mates.
• Marriage challenges – When your partner turns against you, even abandon your home or any other form of marriage challenges.
• Troublesome children – Disrespectful, criminal and mischievous children resemble storms of life.
• Troublesome neighbours, etc.

In all these examples and more, it does not mean you are outside the will of God. It simply is a storm of life. Don’t doubt the will of God for your life.

How to deal with the storms of Life

Referring to the reference scripture, the Holy Bible tells us that the disciples of Jesus had tried all they could and eventually realised they could do no more. They realised that they needed someone stronger that they were because all their skills and expertise had failed them. It was only then they turned to Jesus for help.

Storms are a serious drain to life; emotionally, financially, spiritually and otherwise. Jesus solved their problem in an instant by calming the storm by His Word. Jesus Christ is a lasting solution even today. Just call on Him through prayer and He will be true to you by providing a way out from your storms of life.

Spiriatual Growth

Spiritual growth is applicable to believers. Growth entails knowing the Lord Jesus Christ progressively better. This process starts after accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your saviour. Growth is a characteristic of life; all living things grow.

Spiritual growth is therefore expected from every believer because no believer reaches a point of no growth while living in this world. There are many things that a believer can do to enhance his or her spiritual growth, out of which six will be highlighted.

1. Get assured of being a new creation through accepting the Lord Jesus Christ – to identify with spiritual growth you must first be born again because it is not possible for a non-believer to grow spiritually. The moment you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour, you become a new creating and gain entry into spiritual person (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. Abandon / shun all sin – Romans 6:1 -2, exhorts people to abandon all types of sin. It is not possible to grow spiritually if you still engage in some ungodly practices. For example, if you have been a drunkard, fornicator, thief or liar, you have to stop.
3. Communicate with Jesus Christ through prayer – Ephesians 4:6 – 8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 emphasize the need to pray. It is encouraged for brethren to have prayer partners yet having a prayer partner should not be a reason for not praying alone. A believer should have a special prayer time. Prayer serves as a shield for the believer.
4. Read the Holy Bible at all times – the more you read your Holy Bible, the more you change. The Holy Bible is a mirror on which your life should reflect. Let the Holy Bible talk to you.
5. Tell others about Jesus Christ – Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ helps you grow.
6. Belong to a certain denomination – this makes you have a spiritual home and the pastor your spiritual leader.

The six highlighted points are good practices that lead to enjoying life as a Christian. Abandon these at your peril and you may be a victim to the enemy.

Immitate God your leader

Imitating God is likened to children that wish to be like their parents. Likewise, Christians should have the same mind-set of God. All that have accepted Jesus Christ are now children of God, and therefore must imitate Him. If we assume the childhood relationship with God, we therefore must aim at pleasing God in everything we do.

Below are two reference portions of Scripture that put forth the need for Christians to be imitators of Christ:

1. According to the scripture, we must walk as beloved children (Verse 1) if we are to imitate God. This confirms that we are children of God. 1 John 3: 1-3, ‘behold the love the manner of Love the Father has given unto us…and we are’. This means that even if people don’t like the fact that we are God’s children, it is true. He, God, loved us and yes Jesus Christ loves us. The love of our God is seen in the things He gives to us.

Since there is love share between God and us, we as children of God don’t want to disappoint our loving Father. The drive should not only be escaping hell, but not to disappoint our God. Therefore, we must do only that which is pleasing to our Father. Though a child of God may fall, but the right conduct is to repent immediately after realising that the Father is not pleased with the bad things s / he has done. Never mind what other are doing or expect you to behave, just strive to please God. The reference scripture highlights several things that we should avoid as children.

1. We must walk worthy of holy children of God (1 Peter 1: 15 – 16). Verse 3 to 5, lists things that children of God are no to do. Such immoral practices should not be heart of amongst believers. All doers of such deeds do not have a share in the kingdom of God, it does not matter whether they are preachers, deacons, etc. and there are justified reasons to participate. Prophets and the apostles of old emphasised the importance of holiness. 1 Corinthians 6: 9 supports the notion of immoral acts as a hindrance to heaven’s inheritance.

If you are convicted by this article, correct your mistakes. The time to repent is today. Do not be afraid but take a stand even when it calls for you to lose some benefits from the world. the call is extend to people experiencing all sorts of challenges; widows, youth, etc. The issue is between you and God and not the people around you.