A New Spirit
 

2/27/2004
 

Revelation 19:10 ... For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
 

Genesis 13:13  But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
Genesis  19: 24-25  Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorra, from the Lord out of the heavens.  So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
 

Revelation 6:16 -17 "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?''
 

There is a change happening in America.
Yesterday, Rosie O'Donnell was married to Kelli Carpenter.   The editorials written to the editor of the  San Francisco Chronicle are all pro-gay  marriage.  It's a sad day for America, our moral fiber seems to be pulled to shreds.  Do I approve of gay marriages, absolutely not.  The word says that woman was made for man, not that man was made for man.  This is the same word that, if received in the heart and acted on, become the basis of a covenant, a contract, an agreement, between God and man.  HE will be YOUR God.
 

There is only one God, so, therefore, if I want to get into heaven, I ought to do it His way.   After all, would you let a murderer into your home to sleep over night?  How about a rapist?  Well, God is also exclusive.  While he will allow a sinner, the sinner must first confess their sins, turn from their ways, and change.  A contrite, repentant heart will be accepted by the Lord.  So, what will happen to each person wedded in San Francisco, or in Massachusetts, or in any civil court across America?  What would you do?  Would you allow a thief into your home to sleep over night?
 

Yes, these weddings seem like love.  The same San Francisco Chronicle has statistics regarding the number of gay marriage divorces ( in Sweden ) vs. the divorces among straight couples.  The differences are amazing.  The statistics show a gay couple is less likely to divorce than a straight couple.  A straight couple has the devil and his demons working desperately to break up a marriage, which is approved by God, and has no need to break up a gay marriage.  It is already sinful and no work is required by the devil to break it up.  The devil himself know this scripture:
 

2 Peter 2:
4-6.  For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;  and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 
 10.  and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
 14.  having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.
 15.  They have forsaken the right way and gone astray ...
 

So, it's not about love.  Love should not be the issue, because, we are all called to love one another.  We are not called, however, to have a sexual union of man-to-man or woman-to-woman.  That is scripturally called an abomination.  What's worse, however, is that in San Francisco, and now in New Paltz, NY the equal rights of the individual have become more important than our relationship with God.  We have traded the perfect for the imperfect.  We have accepted less, when we could have had more.  We have pushed the envelope on the limits of the constitution where as government supports gay marriage, it also is turning a blind eye to the truth.  Our relationship with God requires we be turned toward Him, not away.  On this issue, it is written:

Romans 1:
 24.  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
 25.  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
 26.  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
 27.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

Can any one of us claim to be more righteous, more self-less, more anything?  I think not.  However, our choices make a difference is how we are viewed by God.  Now is the right time to repent, put an end to - or never start - to follow these ways.  God is still ON the throne, He is still watching.  He is requiring that we not speak evil of dignitaries, not put the constitution higher than His own Word.  Our goals need to be set higher, because anything less just won't make it to heaven.

As to the dignitaries of our government, I present to you this warning from Jesus Himself:

Luke 17
 1.  Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
 2.  "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 

I caution you to cease your activities.  You too need to change your thinking, change your ways, and repent. 

This is a new spirit of toleration.  This new spirit that is invading America, is one that asks us to allow what is not allowed.  Tolerate what should not be tolerated.  How fitting that this is all happening at the same time that the movie The Passion of the Christ is released to movie theaters.  Is the movie a work of fiction?  No, it is a dramatization of what happened.  The American news press only sees that the movie is the most violent movie ever produced.  I don't disagree.  While released on Ash Wednesday, God has provided an opportunity for every Christian, of every denomination to realize one important thing:  If you were not bold before in the Lord, He has broken the ice for you.  God alone has given us a Road to Emmaus opportunity to say "Are you the only one who doesn't know what has happened in Jerusalem?"  Consider that God Himself has opened the door.  What will you do with the opportunity.  This is also a different Spirit, one from heaven itself.
 

So, the two Spirits are released at the same time::
   The Spirit of Lust, Self-Will, and Adultery
    And the Spirit of God to allow YOU and ME to talk to people about our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 

The Passion of the Christ is only a movie.  The opportunity tells me we are approaching, or are already in the time of  Joel 2:28 "... I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. "   Which spirit will YOU choose?
 

Not choosing is a terrible option, in case this seems to be your choice.   If you are not drawn to God, then you are drawn away from God and you are not a part of His Life and His Light.
 

I was in San Francisco.  I saw the Passion of the Christ.  I have started.  
 

If you are gay, remember Jesus loves you and wants to help you overcome.  I do not condemn you.  I truly want to see you come into a loving relationship with the Lord.  Don't be fooled by those who claim equal-rights.  This is the conclusion of the matter...
 

2 Peter 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption...
 

You can only be bound to that which you choose to be bound to.  Pray with me now:
 

Lord Jesus, I cannot free myself from the bondage that satan has over my life.  I need Your help.  Please forgive me of my sins and don't forget me.  I have been deceived, but, you are my one and True Advocate, my help in time of need.  Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer.  I will never forget that at this moment when I prayed you heard me, You looked into my heart, and you said "Yes" to me according to the truth that is in my heart.  Your mercy endures forever.