Tag Archives: Finding The Savior

Tough but True!

“It is a remarkable fact that all the heresies which have arisen in the Christian Church have had a decided tendency to ‘dishonor God and to flatter man’. “  Charles H. Spurgeon

We live in a time like none other in the history of the Church~Body of Christ.  There is not a single day that goes by that we don’t read a story in mainstream media and/or Christian media,  or hear on the news or a from a radio station of another Christian organization that is “falling away” from the blessed truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)   I know I’m not alone in watching with great sadness churches (some denominational– others interdenominational– some non-denomination) changing their views, policies, doctrine and ministries to suit the “times”.  We are warned often in the New Testament of those who will creep unawares into our churches… and those who will walk away from the One True Gospel because of  the self centered, lust-filled and power-driven old “person” within us.  Charles Spurgeon witnessed it.  We are witnessing it!  Like a “whirlpool sucking everything into the darkness”.

I wrote several postings last year about wolves in sheep’s clothing ( Matthew 7:15), however they weren’t read by many.  A year later, apostacy has escalated at an alarming rate as I watch Christian (?) ministers/ministries/organizations move away from the true Gospel… to a

‘people-pleasing gospel’

or a ‘cotton candy Christianity’

or a ‘cultural gospel’

or a ‘New Age gospel’

or a ‘question the Bible gospel’

a ‘jump on the band wagon gospel’

or a ‘mix Christianity with other religions’

All of these are deceiving many in our churches,  and the members follow along, like the “blind leading the blind” not questioning. (1 Timothy 4:1)  Why???  I’ll tell you why… because the average Christian has no idea what they really believe or why they believe it because they spend no time in the Word of God, “testing the spirits” (1 John 4:1)  I know that sounds tough and hard, but, it is the truth.  As I’ve written many times before… you don’t need a theological degree to read and study the Word;  you don’t need an education in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.  All you need is a personal relationship with God!  That relationship comes through repentance and personally receiving the “gift of salvation–the blood of Christ” that reconciles us to the Father; making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life and then the Holy Spirit takes up residence within your heart and at that moment you are a brand new person, with a new life.  With the abilities to read and study the Bible.  Earnest prayer for understanding, asking the Holy Spirit for discernment and a willingness to surrender your own will to the will of God—-the Word will become something you crave and can’t do without!!

Much Praise to The One Who is The Giver of Eternal Life

The unconditional love of the Almighty LORD God given to sinful, God rejecting, and self pleasing mankind is the most amazing representation of WHO He is.  He sent His ‘only’ Son to die and pay the penalty of our sins, then offers to us as an amazing free gift … we don’t need to work or try to be perfect (we couldn’t anyway), because Our Savior Jesus Christ who was without sin chose to take all the sins of world as the price required for salvation and freedom from the bondage of ‘self’!   The Word of God is the most amazing book ever written!   Here, thousands of years after the initial writings, the original manuscripts are still with us.  The Bible is God-breathed words penned by the holy men He chose.  

Let us never cease to be in awe of  the one and only True LORD God and His  endless grace;

 The salvation freely given to us by the precious blood of the Lamb of God;

The Holy Word of God!  ©Streim

If anything I’ve written here disturbs you… pick up your Bible.  Find out for yourself!  Read and ask God for wisdom, as it is His Will that you read His words of love and caution.  Your heart must first be in the right place with the Father and Lord Jesus to receive instruction.  Here’s a few verses you get you going… reading them in context gives the depth.  All four of these references are from our Lord Jesus:  Matthew 7:15; 10:16, Luke 10:3 and Acts 20:29.  Be blessed…

 

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Wolves and Artificial Sweeteners~ Part 1 http://wp.me/p1Ypb1-7V  

Warnings Given With Love  http://wp.me/p1Ypb1-tB

 

Hannah’s Prayer

Since today is the National Day of Prayer (as appointed by our government) , I wanted to share what I believe is one of the most beautiful prayers of  thanksgiving I’ve read in the Word of God.  It is my hope, that each of you as you pray remember Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and 18 “pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Hannah’s Prayer

And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.  “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.  “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.  “The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength.  Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.  “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.  The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.  He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them.  He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.”   1 Samuel 2:1-10 (NKJV)

Hands raised in Praise

♥ Streim

Weeping…

Overwhelming physical pain… lack of sleep… emotional weakness… mental exhaustion… sadness and despair everywhere.
Weeping for the children crying, hungry, sick and daily dying.
Fathers and mothers discouraged from trying.
Hatred filled people killing; warring nations!
Hearts and spirits losing sanity; forlorn.
Who can help them, when all from them is torn?
Rigid people who expound the name of Christ,
Too busy wasting time on matters of the world.
When the lost and weak need the love of Christ shown and told.
Too many church goers wearing blinders on their hearts
Too many Christians waiting for a leader to help the broken
Too many Christians living lives; nothing more than a token
A token, sadly speaking, for the hatred rages on
Waging protests and challenging others; “they don’t think my way”
My prayer is that the Creator of the Universe; the Father to us all
Would singe the conscience of ones who are disobedient…
After all, the Savior Jesus was sent for one purpose
To bring peace; release from sin’s penalty.
Jesus wasn’t crucified to change the government of the day
He died, He shed His blood so anyone could call upon His name
Repent and be reborn; becoming more like Him and less like the self
But I see too much putting the “commands” and example of Christ on the shelf.
Oh bitter tears; broken hearts and wounded souls…
Overwhelming physical pain… lack of sleep… emotional weakness… mental exhaustion… sadness and despair everywhere! ©Streim
My youngest brother, Tygen Lee Coad, passed away Thursday morning from congestive heart failure and acute renal failure.  He was only 57 years old.  He was one of those I describe above. 
During his last hours of lucidity, he spoke to my oldest brother on the phone and said he asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins.   Finally, we knew he was ready…
Tygen was a big guy, I used to tease him about looking like Jessie Ventura (the wrestler), however he had a uniquely gentle heart.  He loved cats and Christmas!  He had one beautiful blue eye and one light brown eye.  He was known by the name Ty to most his friends and clients.  Tygen was adventurous in his work.  After being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, he started his own business in San Antonio creating elaborate “cat towers”.  Quite often the towers were made-to-order for professional basketball players, football players and media people.  
He will be missed much by his only son Tygen Lee Coad, Jr., two grandchildren, my other two younger brothers Bob and Skyler, myself and numerous nieces and nephews.   Rest baby brother… and I will never forget your laugh!
 

Ecclesiastes 3:4  “…A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;”