The Shepherd's Flock USA

Let God use you. Give Him total control of your life. If God has no control of your life, Satan is controlling you. Satan will let you think that you yourself are controlling your life. He is a deceiver and a liar. If you want to know which one is controlling your life, examine the results of what you do. You might even walk the walk and talk the talk but look at the results of what you do compared to the Scriptures. The battle between good and evil begins in the mind and our mind is full of defective data and as they say, bad data in is bad data out. Saying this another way, you are not what you think you are, you are what you think. You can be transformed by the Word, if you read it enough. A few years ago, we sent astronauts to the moon. One of them reported “we have a problem Houston.” It is now 2014, and born again Christians here on earth, are saying “we have a problem God.” You can be sure that He knows that we have a problem. Our problem is ignorance to God’s truth which is causing our immorality. We have God’s instruction book (the Bible) but we don’t read it or follow His directions.

Jesus Christ said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This is not rocket science, what part of that statement do we not understand? Jesus did not say your religious leaders are the way, the truth, and the life. He said “I am.” Sure, we all know about Jesus Christ, but most of us don’t KNOW Him, and do not have an intimate relationship with Him. The proof is not in the pudding, it’s in the fruit, the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Each one of us are a branch, and Jesus is the vine, and if we are not fastened to the vine, we can’t do anything for God. If we’re not producing fruit, the vine dresser (God), removes us and throws us in the fire. If we are producing fruit, God prunes us so that we will produce better fruit and more fruit. Is He pruning you? If He is not pruning us, we have a life threatening problem and will end up on the brush pile to be burned. The old saying of “your playing with fire” has a sobering, truthful outcome.

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:12).

We should read the above again, and let it sink into our mind until we understand. Jesus would tell us not to listen to their talk (our leaders), but look at the results of what they do! I’m not an astronaut, but I can tell you we have a problem America! It’s about “control”, and the evil within is taking control. God’s instruction book tells us “as it was in the day of Noah, so shall it be.” Let each one of us understand that silence in the face of evil, is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless.

Not to speak is to speak.  Not to act is to act. Are the churches just going to turn the other cheek, or just raise a white flag of surrender to this cancerous evil? Or, are the Christians going to come together as one, and lock and load? Our commander-in-chief will lead us, if we obey and follow His commands.

Since the gospel narratives are mainly concerned with Jesus earthly ministry, it is important that the main aspects of His teaching be recognized. The most important of these are: the Kingdom of God (Matt 5-7; 24-25); His divine authority over humankind (Matt 7:28-29; Mark 2:10); His own role as God and Messiah demonstrated by miracles and signs (Matt 16:15-20); the significance of His death and resurrection (Matt 16:21; Luke 24:26; the relationship His disciples and subsequent believers are to share with Him (John 13-16); and the urgency of His commission to believers to make disciples (Matt 28:19-20).

Of the many events of His earthly life, the most significant, without a doubt, are His death and resurrection. On these two pivotal, historical incidents rests the validity of the entire Christian faith (1 Cor 15:14). It is vital then to understand the nature of these two events. The death of Christ was first of all a humiliating physical death ( John 19:18, 33). More than that, for a brief time it constituted a spiritual separation from God (Matt 27:46).

Within this moment there occurred the inexplicable mystery of the Father punishing the Son for the sins of the world (1 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 5:21). This event, although it was the greatest crime of human history, was in the plan of God (Acts 2:23), and thus became the basis of salvation for sinners (Isa 53:5).

The power of the death of Christ would be nullified without His bodily resurrection. Although it does not justify us, the resurrection demonstrated that His death, by which believing sinners are justified, was valid (1 Cor 15:12-20). While skeptics have denied the bodily resurrection of Christ, the historical evidence for it is overwhelming: the many separate accounts of post resurrection appearances, the empty tomb, and the transformed disciples.

Every life that has been dramatically and wonderfully changed by believing in Christ since the first century is a testimony to its historical reality. Furthermore, it is the power of the Resurrection that marvelously empowers Christians today to live the Christian life (Eph 1:19-20; Phil 3:10).

Evil is everywhere, but is concentrated in our government at the highest levels. It was Truman who said “the buck stops here.” Not to be outdone by President Truman, the current President is destroying the value of the buck by his socialist and Marxist agenda. It was Tom Hanks who played Forrest Gump in the movie in which he said “Stupid is as stupid does”, which means that an intelligent person who does stupid things is still stupid.

Compare this to a quote by Jesus, when He said “But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it.” (Matt 11:19) My point is simply this: Look at the results from this leader and his Administration, the Congress, and the voters. Another President Truman quote was: “My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference.”

As we know, Congress is made up of two house’s, the upper house and the lower house, which is the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The upper house I call the “sin-it”, and the lower house I call the “out-house”. There are two things in common with these two house’s, one is that they are both full of B.S., and two, they are made up of mostly lawyers, which make up approximately 84% of
the membership. The Administration is made up of Muslims, atheist’s, agnostic’s, communists, Marxists, and secular people.

Add to this, the White House, where the First Lady said upon her husbands election, “for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.”  What does this say for the millions and millions of Americans, where their husband is not the President? Are these millions of women not proud of America because their husband is not the President? Of course not! Racist is the word that comes to mind.

How many Americans know what’s inscribed on the Presidents ring that he wears on his wedding finger? As I recall, it’s inscribed with: “There is no god but Allah.” He has worn this ring for 10 years before he married Michelle, and still wears it. The words are written in Arabic. This report was from WND (World Net Daily), by Dr. Jerome Corsi.

Getting back to Forrest Gump, even though it was just a movie, he had more common sense than half of the people in this country. I base that on the outcome of the voting and the results of their choice. I wonder how many of those voters now understand the evil results of their choice for our nations leader, as he and his comrades destroy our country? There are many lessons to learn about what has happened and continues to happen to our nation.
Removing God from our schools was one of the main lessons. Accepting “pro choice” was another lesson. And, accepting same sex marriage/union is another lesson. There is so much blame to go around and some people are worse than others. But, we all are at fault and guilty for what’s happening in America. Let those who are without sin, throw the first stone! The silence from the professed Christians, is deafening!

If we are a professed Christian, it is our job, our duty, our responsibility, to share the “good news” of Jesus Christ with other people. We are to be a “witness” for  Jesus Christ. Since we can’t tell the wheat from the tares (weeds), it’s difficult to know which people are wheat and which are tares.

It is not our place to judge people, therefore I believe we should witness to anyone and everyone, that we are lead to witness to. Some people will be open to this conversation and some will be closed. When we do witness to whoever, and that person professes to be a Christian, many will tell you, point blank, “Your preaching to the Choir.”

My interpretation of this comment is: I’m okay where I am, as a Christian. They go with what they have read, were taught, their feelings,  and are not “open” to a discussion about Christianity. It’s like they built a hedge around themselves and are not receptive to your witnessing for Jesus Christ, because they have all the answers.

If Jesus Christ is your best friend and your Lord, we should be sharing the good news with others and testify about His love and goodness to us. Each one of us should have a testimony about what He has done and is doing in our life. Some of these “Christians” will tell you that Rev. Smith (or whoever) is their spiritual advisor. Personally, Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit are my Spiritual advisors. Too many professed Christians bet their own soul on the words, teaching, opinions, of “a” preacher.

I listen to many, many, preachers. It’s not important to me if they are a Rev. or a Dr. the important thing to me, are they teaching the truth? If we don’t read, pray, and meditate on God’s Word, how do we know if they are teaching the truth or watering it down or changing it? My point is this, it is OUR responsibility to know God’s truth. If your defense is “my preacher” didn’t tell me that, you have no excuse. Jesus said in John 8:31, “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” He didn’t say to continue with what a preacher told you. Unfortunately, many of the clergy today are “hired hands”. If your not familiar with what Jesus Christ said about a “hired hand”, read John 10:9-16. These Scriptures are about the Parable of the Good Shepherd.

If we’re going to play “follow the leader”, there is only One Leader to follow, and He is Jesus Christ. It is OUR responsibility to know and understand what’s required of us, from God and Jesus Christ. God wants us to be more like Jesus Christ and Jesus wants us to believe, repent, surrender, and obey the Scriptures and His teachings. For those of you who suggest that they are in the “choir”, let me share with you what the Scriptures say, and that is this: Your righteousness is as filthy rags and we are all sinners!

If you made the trip to the altar and repented of your sins, contrary to what you may have been told, that is not your last step to take for your Christian walk, that was your first step. Repentance is not a one time thing, it may be a daily thing to do at anytime we do something wrong….in God’s eyes. Almost all professed Christians believe, or “hope” to go to heaven.

But, Jesus Christ tells us that if we’re “lukewarm” as a Christian, He spews you out of His mouth, i.e. He vomits! The people of the world are “cold”, and “lukewarm” Christians are unacceptable, so if your not “on fire” for Christ, you didn’t “get it”! We should witness to everyone! It’s a good way to give them your testimony of what Christ has done and is doing in your life. Don’t let them stop your testimony by telling you that you are preaching to the choir. Because, if they are not singing praises to Christ, their not even in His choir!

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Have you ever wondered why too many Christians fail to show their enthusiasm for serving the Lord? If they are the salt of the earth,  did they lose their salt flavor? (Matt 5:13-14). Do they hide your light under a basket or shine bright for others to see? Is serving your Lord a part-time job or a full-time job?If we serve him part-time, do we receive full benefits, or are the benefits only given to full-time workers? How often do we praise him and thank Him?Do we love him with all our mind, soul, and heart, or do we only love him when things are going well for us? If Jesus Christ is your Savior and saved you, can others see what Christ has done for you, by the way, you live, and want what you have received from Him? Are you “on fire” for Christ because of what he has done and is doing in your life? Do you have a testimony on what Christ has done for you? Are you maturing in your Christian journey with Him? Is your life fruitful for Him? Does He live “in” you and does God live “in” you and does the Holy Spirit indwell you? Is Christ your first priority? Is he your best friend? Do you witness for Jesus Christ and share the “good news” with others? Do you read your Bible once in a while or daily? Do you die of self, and live for Christ daily? Is your goal to be sanctified by Him? Do you fear God and love God, and is your love for God what drives you?

Is your love for Christ a religion, or a relationship?  Our relationship with Jesus Christ will be indicative in our enthusiasm in serving Him. Let’s compare our enthusiasm in serving him, with the enthusiasm we show in things of this world.If your favorite college football team is playing, do you show much enthusiasm when your team scores and when they win the game? Same question for other sporting events. If your son or daughter kicks the winning goal for their soccer team,  are you enthusiastic? Of course, you are and it shows! If you’re a golfer and make a “hole in one” does your enthusiasm show?

There is no end to the things where we show our enthusiasm in worldly things. If you are a born-again Christian and know that Jesus Christ will take your soul to heaven for eternity, how much enthusiasm do you show? Or, do you hope so, think so, and maybe so, believe He will take you to heaven? If you are a member of “the body of Christ,” you know so, and therefore you’re pressing on and maturing in your Christian journey. If your lifestyle hasn’t changed, you probably didn’t get it. We have all been invited to the wedding. Did you give Him your RSVP? Keep your focus on Jesus Christ, not the things of this world. You’re in the world but don’t have to be of this world.

He is preparing a place for you. Are you ready for the trip? He will come as a thief in the night, therefore be alert and be ready and look for His second coming. Tomorrow may be too late, salvation is today. Procrastination is not the answer.

Your life here on earth is your short-range plan while eternity should be your long-range plan. Choose wisely. Let your life “in” Christ be contagious for others as they observe your enthusiasm in serving Christ.

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Feb. 2, 2011

Lowell Mahler Sr.