Monday, December 17, 2012

Know Your Enemy Video Series, Parts 6- thru 10


Continuing to share this well researched, informative video series that explores the New World Order from a Christian perspective. The segments are about 8-10 minutes. There are about 77 parts in total. They can be watched one by one or in huge chunks like we did. It is important to know who our enemy is. Not that Christians have anything to fear but, we are to be wise.

Never heard of The New World Order? Check the links for more information and of course watch Mark Fairley's intense series below.

1Pe 5:8,9 NKJV - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Eph 6:11, 12 NKJV - Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Know Your Enemy Video Series parts 1 thru 5

Wanted to share this awesome, informative video series that explores the New World Order from a Christian perspective. The segments are about 8-10 minutes. There are about 77 parts in total. They can be watched one by one or in huge chunks like we did. It is important to know who our enemy is. Not that Christians have anything to fear but, we are to be wise.

1Pe 5:8,9 NKJV - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Eph 6:11, 12 NKJV - Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
Part1 thru 5


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

We Live What We Believe...Right?

We may live in Canada, but the American presidential race is just as much a part of our daily lives as our own politics, after all, every Canadian news broadcast, provides us with a steady diet of American politics, especially as the big day approaches.

On that note, it therefore seems appropriate to share this.
The chill up my spine started when we first learned that Mitt Romney was a Mormon... What does that have to do with anything you ask? Well, let's first dis-pell the myth that what you believe in (faith wise) has no impact on anything regarding politics. What you believe in has everything to do with who you are and what you stand for and yes, ultimately, shines out through all you say and do. I say this as one who follows Jesus Christ and believe it or not, I was once was recruited to run as a candidate, in the 1995 Ontario Provincial election. No, I am not a politician, but as someone who believes it is important to speak up for certain issues such as, the protection of ALL human life and the sanctity of marriage as God designed it to be according to God's Holy Word - I would often write letters to editors of newspapers, magazines as well as our national radio station. Turned out someone was listening and out of the blue one day in my mail box, was a letter asking if I would consider running for the Family Coalition Party. Even though at that time in my life, I had never really watched even local news and knew zilch about politics, this gracious man, said that they wanted me to run based on the morals and ethics that I believed in so passionately. I guess he felt he knew me enough, through the words that he read in those letters to the editor.

Shocked that this could be asked of me, I said yes. I assume, embarrassed, my family watched as I actually got to participate as an official candidate in our provincial election. I knew I didn't stand a chance at getting in, but just knowing we stood for all that I knew God wanted me to stand for, was worth the opportunity.  Besides, how often do you get asked to be a political candidate! Maybe, just one person would listen and consider the facts.

In Ontario, we only had thirty days to campaign our brains out and that was it. Public Debates, door to door brochure distribution, lawn signs and even television interviews were all a part of my thirty day whirlwind political experience. So thankful that we don't do the never-ending campaigning like our neigbours down south. Needless to say, as a politician for a very short time, being anything less than the sum of what my faith in Jesus Christ meant to me, was all I could be. What my faith was/is mattered then and matters now.

The point of bringing all that up was to affirm that what a candidate believes in does matter because we live out what we believe. When a candidate refuses to answer a question regarding their beliefs, that does not reflect the truth about who they are. We can't live dual lives as Christians, so it is only "normal" that we are excited and willing to discuss our views. After all our views reflect what God teaches us in His Word. Well they should...

As a Christian, if I supported issues that are contrary to the Word of God, that would make me a hypocrite - it would be fair for others to question the legitimacy of my faith. Why? Because to live contrary to what we believe would mean,  living a lie. If I don't live truthfully, with honour and integrity every moment, then may God deal with me as He sees fit.

It isn't a secret that Mitt Romney is a Mormon. That is his choice. As you can see, if you check out the links below, we definitely know, contrary to the claims, that Mormonism is not a Christian doctrine. Knowing that, what concerns my husband and I, are the Christians who seem blinded to what this man  is representing. As we witness,  public figures that we believe are Christians, support this candidate just because he is a Republican and/or because he supports what true believers in Christ would...it is clear that the truth about what Mormonism is all about just doesn't come into play. No doubt, they have heart warming family focused commercials. They support life and "traditional" marriage, but, that doesn't mean as believers in Christ, we are to support Mormonism. What this man believes, he will live out. He rarely answers questions regarding his beliefs and that alone is a huge pause for concern.

We are told in the Bible that many will come in His Name and yet He will separate them. Just because people say they are Christians, it doesn't mean they are. We can know the Truth.

Check out these articles:

http://carm.org/is-mormonism-christian




It was actually an article today, that prompted this posting:  CNN (click here) Sadly, Billy Graham, representing his association, stated that they will officially no longer be referring to Mormonism as a cult. That statement definitely caused us to realize that Christians need to become more informed and to pray for all who are under deception. The Mormons and all humans are loved by God and we are to share his love. But, we need to be clear minded and know what is True Christianity.

For any one interested in learning the truth about what Mormonism really is all about, here is a list of video collections. It is worth being informed and to take the warnings in God's Word to "test the spirits." Be not deceived and pray for all, that they may know thee Truth of Jesus Christ.


Jhn 14:1 KJV - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
Jhn 14:7 KJV - If ye had known Me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye knowHim, and have seen Him.


Video research list on Mormonism:

The God Makers 1 & 2

What's Wrong With Mormonism?

 Racism in Mormon Doctrine

Is Mormon Christian?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Ignorance Is Not Bliss...

No Child
As far back as I can remember, thanks to the belief of a couple of Doctors, that because of the genetic neuromuscular disorder I had been born with,  having a child, would never be an option. Apparently pregnancy for me, would be fatal. Meaning, if I ever were to be found with child, it was a given, that I would require an abortion.
At the time, due to ignorance on my part, the term abortion evoked no emotional response whatsoever. As far as I understood and accepted, was that it was a simple medical method of terminating a pregnancy, comparable to any of the surgical procedures I had been undergoing. Needless to say, we just didn't dig any deeper, perhaps it was the idea the ignorance is bliss. In the 1970s - early 1980s, in our family anyway, the Physician's word was law, never to be questioned. Mere civilians were incapable of knowing anything. Remember the world wide web was non-existent at this point. 
Pregnant?
Admitted to our local hospital's pediatric wing, for a minor back operation. Sparing the sordid details, the bottom line, a young man that was admitted as well, within hours, began making inappropriate advances toward me, like no boy ever did before. Day by day escalating the level of his offensive behaviour, from kissing me to so on and so forth. Proclaiming he was going to "teach" me things. Naive, awkward and afraid, I reluctantly complied. It was actually as if he and I both know I had no say in the matter. Difficult to understand, unless you knew the details of my emotional and mental state. To say I was an insecure, affection, love starved young girl would be an understatement. Something stirred inside me, no matter how young I was, when I was shown any kind of attention or affection by a male, no matter how twisted or unacceptable it was. It really was a given to me, that saying no to anyone was just never an option. (That even was applied to other family members and friends I loved as well - talk about that in the next post.) Saying no, having choices was not something I knew about back then. Yes, I had been verbally and emotionally bullied in school and in other places, by people I loved and believed I could trust, as early as I can remember. Even then as sad and afraid as I was, to report it to my parents, just wasn't an option. Innately, it was a given, that I must have deserved whatever it was. I don't say this to seek pit or anything, I just want to say the truth as it was. And again to help anyone else out there, who may have been under similar lies. Not until grade four or five, did I begin telling my Mom about the bullies. But, it didn't change the fact that I did believe I must deserve this. I only told her because I was so scared, I wanted someone to stop it. She tried, God bless her, but she couldn't stop it.
It is this mentality that may help myself and any one who cares, to understand why at fourteen, I had submitted to being used in some young man's game. By the end of my week's stay in the hospital, there I was, fourteen, and based on what I thought he did to me, thought I could be pregnant. Had such a thing happened today, criminal charges would have been laid against him.
In my case, I admit the "creeps," I encountered, seemed to have a form of radar, able to sense the desperateness for love and attention that oozed off of my person.
No one saw what happened as anyone else's fault but my own, including myself. Thanks be to God, through a friend more than a decade later, I would be informed that I had been a victim of abuse and exploitation. (yes, I still struggle with believing it wasn't all my fault.) Not just at this time but other accounts as well prior and after this particular "incident." I still struggle with these acts as not being my own fault. The hows and why's aren't relevant to the point of why I am sharing this story, but I do want to say that only up until my thirties, I had believed the lie, that any male who paid any attention to me, must mean they actually liked or wanted me (not meaning sexually), that they could be the one I am to marry. And as recent as five years ago, I also learned that, for most of my life (I am fourty-six now), when it came to anyone I care about, to say no, or oppose, anyone regarding anything, including abusive behaviour of all kinds, would result in rejection. A lesson, I apparently on a subconscious level from cause and effect, from first hand experience learned at a very wee age. A stronghold like that, can only be torn down by the Truth of God and through true friends with insight. I am so thankful for the ongoing work, He is always doing in my life. It is the very reason I am able to share these stories, hoping to help even one person by testifying that after countless attempts on my own, only the finished work of Jesus Christ can heal our hearts and set us free. As well as fill the chasm in all of our hearts longing for love and acceptance. There is hope for all. Only that unseen enemy, will tempt us to believe the shame and guilt that often can rear it's lying head - no matter how many times you have received God's forgiveness. Those lies are a normal part of that spiritual battle that wages war. To tear us down, weaken and render us ineffective using lies and whispers into our hearts. That includes the use of family members and other who we often believed we trusted. On that note, back to the point of this post.
(See how there are so many incredible events in our lives that can be talked about, to testify to God's unfailing love and the declaration of our Sure Hope!)
Mom, Dad...
Back to the story. Terrified of telling my parents that I might be pregnant and what they would think of me, it took a week to get it out. In fact, the night I couldn't hold back any more, all I could do was sob and repeat over and over through my tears, shame, guilt and fear...was,"It's the worst thing in the world, it's the worst thing in the world..." I wasn't able to spit it out, oddly enough, my insightful Mom guessed right away and then my Dad seemed to know as well. There was no yelling, basically, just a matter of fact response about "it takes two" and that if I was pregnant, I would have to have an abortion. Hearing the word abortion still evoked no emotion. The understanding that it would save my life, made it a non-issue, I suppose. Thankfully, due what I believe was God's intervention that week, the thing I thought happened, didn't and I was not in need of an abortion.
Ignorance Is Not Bliss
The nonchalant attitude about abortion then, was based on sheer ignorance and false assumptions, and that if it was to save my, then that was the justification, regardless of what the truth of abortion really was. In spite all that happened, my young life was in a downward moral spiral, and it was a very real possibility that sooner or later, I could very well end up aborting a child.
Please note that during these days, I had not been living for Jesus and was terrified of death, and in search for the meaning of life. If you have read in any previous posts, due to the neuromuscular disorder that meant no babies, I was also apparently to die at the age of twenty. Turned our, that was due to a false diagnosis and then a mis-understanding I wouldn't know about until I was about twenty three. Another contributing factor to my unstable emotional state.
Needless to say, what happened next, proves beyond doubt, that God's protective Hand so obvious, I am thankful to see it now. When we don't care about Him, He still loves us so much, He often protect us. Reflecting back, there are numerous times when things could have turned out so much worse, but certain factors, altered the scenarios that "could have been."
The Light Bulb Moment
 About six months after this scare, now fifteen, while working at my first summer job, in another hospital, I just happened to "stumble" upon a small paper back book, just lying on the library table. The topic just happened to be all about the cold hard facts of abortion, containing story after story from medical personnel, detailing the different methods they used to kill the babies. They also detailed about how they often had to take further action to kill the lives that didn't succumb to the murder attempt. The most impacting content, were the full colour, no holds barred, explicit  graphic photos, images of baby after baby, literally cut up in parts or in whole, dead. In some cases trash cans, loaded with infant remains. The reality was unavoidable, to this day, I can not look at any of those images. It was what sparked the last post about the "New Abortion Caravan" concerns.
This is to affirm that yes, there is a time and place for the use of graphic, gory images, to help spread the truth, that to abort is to murder. In my case, it was needed and God made sure I found this book. I can say beyond a doubt, that had I not and based on my emotional state, I would have easily ended up pregnant sooner or later. From that moment forward, my life changed and I would never put myself in a position like that again.
Zero Chances...
Needless to say, once I knew the truth about abortion, not even my fear of rejection, would permit me to let any male get “that far.” Well, that was until I could be what I thought was 100% protected from pregnancy. Desperate to find the "one" true love and feeling it was not helpful to say no, at the age of sixteen I convinced my parents and Doctor to permit me to have a tubal ligation, lying about my reasons of course. To me at the time, no other form of birth control would protect me, not even oral contraceptives. Needless to say, those I lied to, believed me, I had it done. It was actually the most painful procedure I ever had. Sadly, it was now as if I had license to do whatever I believed I needed to do to win the favour of a man,  my immoral behavior escalated and debauchery flooded my life. Loneliness, fear and sadness pervaded and looking for love in all the wrong places, left me with guilt, shame, and a bad reputation. It would be about five years or so before God's love shone so bright, I finally surrendered my all over to Jesus Christ, along with His forgiveness, cleaning and healing. He saved my life, beyond any doubt. Boys weren't the only threat in my life...
Sharing The Truth Matters
Pass It On ...
It is so important that all citizens old enough to reproduce, should be made aware of the truth about abortion. Not to mention hearing the stories about those who have survived these murder attempts. Countless young women are like I was, I am not alone. Abortions have been performed on women who have not completely understood just what it all meant. And so many who have not been shown by their Doctor when asked, "what does my baby look like at this stage in the womb?" and so on, thus resulting in abortions done to naive, ignorant females. I know a woman who told me her heart broken story, that she didn't know abortion was murder until her dead child exited her body. At that moment she knew and could do nothing.  By then it was too late. To this day, she carries the guilt of that action because she refuses to surrender her life the Only One Who can save and forgive her.
Then there are the males who adamantly declare it is a woman's right to choose what happens to her body. Countless of them believe they are being liberal and supportive, again, no real knowledge of what really happens and what can happen.
All of us who know abortion is murder, spread the information. Not trying horrify children as this recent "Caravan" seems to be doing. But to the ones the truth will help. Save our children.
Useful Links
Click the Names to go to each site.
Former Abortionists Speak out
Abortion Methods 
Campaign Life Coalition
Facts About Fetal Development
Abortion Facts
Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor
Abortion Survivor Stories
Warning Very Graphic Videos of Abortions  (We can't even watch-but it may be the "book" I once needed to see the truth)

Some abortion Statistics: Approximately 42 MILLION babies are aborted/murdered each year worldwide and about 114, 000 per day!  Click here for more details

People Pleasers are Not God Pleasers

  In fact if you are one of those people who agree with those who matter to you and you rarely say "no" to them. Guess what, it means you are not being who God created you to be. It is a God given desire to want to be accepted by those we love, but complete surrender and compliance is not honouring to Him. Guess what, I was finally opened to seeing that behaviour in myself about twenty years ago, but unfortunately, I put those people ahead of God and struggled with letting go of what they think and making them "like" me. Here I am fourty six and only five years, God used an event to open my eyes, to see how my compliance and fear of rejection of one person in particular, was actually hurting the very one I loved. Because I (and even others) was so terrified of disagreeing or saying the full truth to them, for fear of their reactions or being rejected by them, this person, had grown to be so in control of their environment and those around them, (out of fear of their own pain and perceived rejection), that they were denial about their own behaviour. In fact, their first reactions to most close people in their life, was to blame everyone else for their unhappiness and problems. The eye opener for me and actually so were oth, would not be true

Sunday, July 1, 2012

New Abortion Caravan?

In light of the recent tour campaign called the "New Abortion Caravan," sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, cruising through our Canadian streets, I felt it was a good time to share this.
First of all, we appreciate the intent of the above project. In no way shape or form, do we endorse any kind of abortion, for any reason at any stage of pregnancy. However, upon viewing the actual caravan and the images displayed on the exterior of the vehicle, we must state that we were rather disturbed by what we saw. We completely understand the intent of their mission and that many, do not know the truth about how abortions are performed or understand that human life really does begin at conception. By presenting graphic images of aborted children for all to see as they cruise through town. In our opinion, is irresponsible to the very ones they are trying to save and protect.
After reading the comments of fellow citizens, in our local media sources, it was very clear that we are not alone regarding our concerns. As we feared, horrified parents wrote about their young ones having nightmares, after these images had been viewed, violating their children's young minds. Some parents also stating that they found themselves being asked questions about the images, but the children were far too young to know the truth of what they represented.
It is fair to mention that, we who already are very aware of the truth of abortion, can not look at the photographs for obvious reasons. But our main concern is the well being of impressionable young minds. We feel it is not appropriate to basically force everyone to view these poor murdered babies. Making the information available, including graphic images is important, but children must be considered, when creating such campaigns.
As for an effective method, it is a known fact, that the  more we are exposed to graphic images, movies, books, etc. the more our minds become numbed to the original effects. The images of murdered children are not something we want anyone to ever become ambivalent about.
One commenter, in defense of this project, stated that the justification for such images to be so blatantly presented is that, “If something is so horrific we can’t stand to look at it, perhaps we shouldn’t be tolerating it.” To that we would respond with, "We do not tolerate it, not one bit. But, as much as we don't, it does not negate our responsibility to protecting the minds of our children and our choice to not look at such photos. Two wrongs, never make a right."
On that note, we say, yes, the truth about abortion should be made known. And yes, we must do what we can to take a stand to protect the innocent, but that also goes for the innocent ones that have been born among us already.
A Time And Place
All that being said, there definitely is an appropriate method, time and a place when the tragic truth about abortion, needs to be presented with graphic images. I will tell you why in the next post...

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Know Your Enemy Video Series Part 2

Ephesians 5:11-14 says, "Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
Battles

Battles or Wars are most always about one side against another. One side is generally considered to be the enemy, the oppressor, or the villain if you will - usually guilty of injustice, unsavoury behaviour or just plain evil acts against others. History is riddled with infamous individuals, Attila the Hun, Maximillian Robeshpierre, Idi Amni, Pol Pot, Vlad the Impaler, Ivan The Terrible, Hitler, Stalin, Caligula, and Mao, just to name a few. All who stand against tyranny and wicked acts, are considered the "good" side or the, opponent (it depends what the issues are). Their intent generally, to stop or hinder the enemy, seeking justice and vindication.
Of course there are situations in battles or causes, where it seems impossible for most of us to select a "side," due to the fact that both sides seem ambiguous. I would say those situations are more common when dealing with moral or ethical issues as opposed to actual physical wars.
An Invisible Enemy?
We have just mentioned some very real, visible enemies that have truly existed. To say our enemies are physical in nature, sounds like a redundant statement to most. However, to say we have an invisible, very real enemy, would sound like sheer nonsense to others.
Well, no matter how much we may not believe that reality, it is true. You may have heard of him, known by many names, Abaddon, Accuser, Adversary, Apollyon, Beast, Beelzebub, Dragon, Father of Lies, Deceiver, King of TyreSerpent In The Garden, Dragon, Devil,  Prince of the Power of the Air, Rulers of Darkness, to name a few, best known as Satan or Lucifer.
Denial
There are Christians, who are afraid, they refuse to acknowledge that this invisible enemy is real and refuse to believe that there is a spiritual battle raging against us, 24/7. As believers, we believe the Bible is God's infallible Word, so for anyone who doubts this reality. Please, read His Word. We should not obsess or fear our enemy, but we are not to ignore him. In fact, we have very clear direction from God about what to do.
Invisible? Not!...
The Bible clearly states: Ephesians 6:12 - "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
Our enemy disguises himself as a sheep in wolves' clothing. He prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. 1Peter 5:8  "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
C. S. Lewis writes about spiritual warfare, in his book called The Screw Tape Letters: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."
It is with this in mind, that we want to share the links to an in depth study, presented in video format, called Know Your Enemy, produced by a fellow in Scotland named Mark Fairley. We "stumbled" upon the series, when researching the subject of the French Revolution and it's relation to the Illuminati. (Do the research, and you learn that it is all true: Illuminati, Freemasonry and the New World Order )
Intrigued by the first few ten to fifteen minute segments, we were hooked and just watched all 10+ hours of this intriguing series, in only two days! Because this study is so extensive, we are planning on presenting entries for each subject as the documentary progresses, hoping to expound and study further. Click here for the full playlist of the "Know Your Enemy" As Christians for more than twenty years, we thought we knew the enemy's basic strategies. We were very wrong,  this series contains facts and insights that opened our eyes even wider, learning some very key points about Satan's strategy beginning from the inception of evil, Satan's rebellion and the common thread all the way through history, until now. The producer, presenter Mr.Fairley, clearly has devoted much prayer and time in researching and producing this presentation "Exploring the New World Order from a Christian perspective."
Fear Not and Trust Him
Luke 10:18 NIV - He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Acts 26:17-18 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Romans 16:19-20 NIV - Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
What we choose to believe, doesn't make the the truth any less truthful.
Remember....
Ephesians 6:13 - Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Click here to watch Know Your Enemy (Part 2) - Lucifer
Know Your Enemy

Monday, May 14, 2012

He's Alive and I'm forgiven.... A Resurrection Sunday Post


My favourite Easter Sunday song is a wonderful one called, "He's Alive!" Check out as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection today! http://youtu.be/5TvBdqyGjZA This song was penned by Don Francisco taken from the perspective of Peter.


Do you know what happened to Peter? He was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. On the night Jesus was giving His disciples symbols to remember what He was about to do...you know...the bread that represents Christ's body broken for us and the wine, His blood shed for us for the remission of our sins.




Mat 26:26-29 NASB - While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."


That very night when Jesus told His disciples what was to happen and He specifically told Peter that Satan had asked to sift Peter like wheat. (read Job for another similar situation) Jesus said He had prayed that his faith wouldn't fail. Peter reacts to Jesus' words with a declaration that he would basically do anything for Him. As you can read from Scripture, this would not be the case...


Luk 22:31-34 NASB - "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!" And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."

When Peter did what Jesus said he would do and the rooster crowed, the truth of what he did, hit him hard, of course it would. We can imagine the depths of despair he would have fell into. You commit to your friend, you promise you will never let them down, that you would even die for them...then the true test comes... your friend is being rejected and beaten, if you show that you know them, they will turn on you too. Instead of proudly defending that friend, you cower and deny that you know them. To make it worse, your friend told you that you would do that, but they had prayed for you. Instead of accepting their words and heeding their warning, our backs go up and we defend our self (always an act that stems from pride) insisting they are wrong. Then you do the very thing you vowed to never do.

In my early walk with Christ I would often reflect on followers like Peter and King David. I don't know about you, but sinning and stumbling weighs me down. It's been about twenty four years since my walk in Him first began and since then, I have learned that when/if we sin, God will convict our heart but that yucky ongoing condemning feeling comes from God's/our enemy, Satan and his minions. For me it was a struggle to receive and accept God's forgiveness and continue walking in that forgiveness. 

In fact, in my early days as a believer, I didn't know the fundamentals of what life in Christ means so I would invite Jesus into my heart every time I watched a tele-evangelist give an altar call. The weight would lift and I would "feel good" for about thirty minutes, until I blew it again. Thankfully, God knows what and who we need to help us grow up in our faith and within months at my new church (about 24 years ago) a sweet young lady approached me. She had approached me at an earlier time with her phone number, but I was too chicken to call her. Thankfully, she did not give up and came up to me and asked me point blank, "If you died today, do you know you would go to Heaven?" My response, was "No." From that point forward she has been my "big sister" in Christ. My dear sister Sue, was sent by God to help me know what so many new believers and even older believers do not seem to know. The number one thing that so many struggle with is that because of Christ's finished work, we are forgiven. There is nothing we can do to earn that forgiveness. 

Here are some key fundamentals that I have been learning for the past twenty some years...

1. We all sin and as believers are not to sin, but if we do:
1John 1:8-10 NASB - If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Isa 1:18 NASB - "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.


2. We have assurance of Salvation. We can know for sure that we will spend eternity in Heaven.



 1 John 5:11-13 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 
 
He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 
 
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 
 
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

3. New life begins the minute we believe in Him and we become a new creation. 

2Cr 5:17 NASB - Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Gal 2:20 NASB - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.


4. We are to trust in God, He knows all things and He will give us all we need to walk the way He wants us to. 
Pro 3:5-6 NASB - Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.



Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares 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. 

Be encouraged!