Examine Yourself: Are you a Christian or Follower of Christ?

How do you know you're saved? by Paul Washer

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves..." 2 Corinthians 13:5a

Are you a Christian or a Follower of Christ?  You may be asking, "Aren't they the same thing"?  Let me answer that for you - NO they are NOT the same.  

How do you distinguish one from the other?  How do you know whether you are a Christian or a Follower of Christ?  

This video will answer your questions. Please watch! I came across it on Facebook and I was ready to scroll past it because I was confident of my answer:  YES, I'm sure that I'm saved!

However, I felt a pressing to listen to this message by Paul Washer.  As I listen his words pierced through me - dividing my soul and spirit.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." ~ Hebrews 4:12 NIV

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

America & The Church - Repent and Return!

 
[As the secretary to President Obama, I was entering the Presidential office when I saw the President with a man who was his personal physical therapist.  The President was undressed with only a white towel wrapped around his waist as he laid on a table having his back massaged.  When I entered the room, he was startled and arose quickly to greet me.  He immediately directed me not to disclose what I saw.  He was very secretive about the therapist and what he was there for.

I happen to glance over to the President's desk and there were piles of books.  There was a small New Testament and a very large and thick book.  I saw the name "Graham" on the spine as the author.  The title of the book was "Psalm 5".  There were several other Christian literature books but my attention was drawn to the NT and the thick book.  However, all the books were vintage.  The President noticed my glance towards the books and he quickly interjected and lead me away to my desk which was in the same room as his.

He again reiterated the importance of not disclosing what I have seen as he pulled out my chair so I can sit down.  He was very cordial.  Moments later there was a man approaching the office and I quickly rose up from my chair and stood by the entrance to keep him from entering because there was no door.  I notified him that the President was not available to meet with him.   The man was adamant in seeing the President as he tried to force his way in but I had blocked him.  Then the President, fully dressed, met us at the entrance where we were standing.  I left.]

THIS DREAM WAS GIVEN TO ME ON 3/14/14  THIS IS PART THREE

The End of "Self"

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me ~ Galatians 2:20 NLT

Has "old self" been crucified and remains crucified? It's time for a self examination!

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ~  2 Corinthians 15:5 ESV

Consider when you first came to the LORD:

• there was passion 
• spent time in prayer and intercession
• immersed in worship
• attended services and prayer meetings
• read the bible daily
• read books pertaining to Christian Living
• zeal to evangelize 
• sought opportunities to serve and fellowship
• fasted

Choose: PRIDE OR BREAKTHROUGH?

PRIDE OR BREAKTHROUGH? 

If you were to take a balance scale and put “pride” on the left hand side and “breakthrough” on your right hand side, which one will sit higher and which one will lean lower?
Now the deciding factor to that question is determined by how you answer the following:

HOW DESPERATE ARE YOU?

Have you yet come to the point of being sick and tired of “being sick and tired”? If so, are you willing to let go of what is holding you back from experiencing total freedom?

Hidden Secret

In the night hours where the hidden is unseen, man fumbles in darkness with their sexual sin.

They intensely wrestle with flesh’s appetite, disputing if masturbation is wrong or right.

“Surely the bible does not speak of this thing. It only condemns of those for-ni-ca-ting.

'Surely you're not hurting anyone?  If unsure, just repent when you’re done!”

Suddenly a myriad of images appear

Dissolving all traces of “holy fear”…

A naked man, woman or even a child

Pornographic scenes begin to run wild.

Arousal stimulates their body to unwind

Overlooking the One who searches their mind.

“Surely the darkness will hide me” – deception speaks

“Who sees Us? And Who will know?” they shriek.

Quickly their flesh renders to “lust’s influence

An orgy of demons now taking residence

One night here, one night there

they’ve easily fallen for satan’s snare.

Silently they hide behind the darkness of night

Living contrary to sons and daughters of LIGHT

For the Word declares “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed,

or hidden that will not be made known.” (Luke 12:2)

Plead Your Case: Guilty or Not Guilty

But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love] ~ Rev. 2:4 (Amplified Bible)

In Revelations this charge is against the Ephesus assembly. And today this same charge is held against the “church” both individually and corporately.


In the previous verses the angel (messenger) acknowledges their endurance and their intolerance of the wicked as well as testing and judging those who call themselves apostles. In doing so they have found them to be impostors and liars!

The Ephesus assembly was recognized for their industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble. Yet in all their toiling for the Lord’s Namesake physically they have deserted Him spiritually. Their hearts have abandoned their first love.

Fear of God

In Exodus 20:18 we see a people that have witnessed the power of God and were afraid of His presence. “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die,” they cried to Moses. “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin” Moses responded.

Re-connecting to God

There has been a disruption that has caused many to disconnect from God's heart.  For many it came in the form of hardships, afflictions, rebellion and overall consumption of ministry.  Although we engage in prayer, reading the bible,  services, conferences, worship, and all godly functions, we have disengaged our hearts. 

Awaken Me, LORD

"AND TO the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Sardis write: These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit ] and the seven stars: I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but [in reality] you are dead.

Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.

Osama Bin Laden's Death

Last night as news broke out about Osama's death there has been a flood of facebook status' rejoicing in what they say is a historical moment for USA.  Some are questioning and debating whether his death occurred back in 2001 and the government has been hiding the truth for a decade.  Whether he died ten years ago or yesterday,  I do not share in the same excitement as many.  I just cannot rejoice in someone's death regardless what they have done.

Threshing Floor: Have You Purchased YOURS...

As I was reading a post from Apostle Theresa Harvard Johnson on Scribal Anointing Literary Network called "It WILL Cost you!" there was mention about David purchasing a threshing floor (1 Chronicles 21).  This immediately drew my attention to the significance of the threshing floor.  This is a place that I truly believe everyone needs to purchase for themselves!  Atleast those who desire to walk in the Spirit and become the pure instruments of God!  This is a dying process to "self" and it is a place that will cost you!  It will cost you more than just something - it will cost you EVERYTHING!  In this place of threshing there is pain because its a tearing of the flesh, but its also a place of blessings and power! 

Wages of Sin is DEATH

As I was drawn into the presence of the Lord in travail for sins of this world, I can hear the heart of the Father cry "Their sins are great, Their sins are great".....His cry was not only for those who do not know Him, but for those who call themselves sons & daughters.  People of God, please hear the cry of the Father in this hour.  He desires that none shall perish, but there is a great deception amongst His flock. 

We cannot live according to our ways and expect to please God in all we say or do.  Despite the messages coming forth from the pulpits that He is a loving God who forgives, there is also a Just God, A Holy God a God WHO is a Consuming Fire (Heb. 12:29)