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)

Stones & Planks

I am grateful that we serve a God who loves and knows our heart. He knows our struggles with sin and does not condemn us but empower us by His Spirit to overcome. There are times we walk in the victory and there are moments we don't. For that reason we are instructed to pray "Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:" (Mt. 6:11-13 KJV)

I am thankful that today we are not stoned for ours sins as in the days of old. However today, people throw stones with their words of judgment without knowing a person's walk with the LORD. 

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)

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)