Wednesday, July 31, 2024

The War of The Worlds


One of the first scary movies that I ever saw was The War of The Worlds. It was made in 1953 - the year I was born. The movie was based on the 1898 novel by Orson Welles.

I'll spare you all of the details about the movie but will tell you that it didn't look good for Planet Earth. Nothing could stand up against the Martian machines.

The Martians made great advances against humankind. Humans became so desperate to stop the onslaught that the U.S. finally dropped a nuclear weapon on three of them. It had no effect at all.

Near the end of the movie, after all hope was lost, the people began huddling in churches, praying to God for deliverance.

Sound familiar? It is a recurring practice in much of the Bible.

"The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him." - Psalm 37:40

In the movie, it wasn't until the people started praying that the enemy began to falter. They basically succumbed to a virus - the common cold.

We always seem to ignore God when things are going fine. But once the poo hits the fan we drop to our knees. And then, only after trying to solve things on our own.

The prophet Isaiah left us some words to live by when he said, "Stop trusting in mere humans ." - Isaiah 2:22

Since the beginning of time it seems like God has been trying to get that through our thick heads. If we come to Him BEFORE we find ourselves in trouble, He often keeps us out of that situation. But we never learn.

We are in a real-life 'war of the worlds' right now. And although things can seem rough at times we should rejoice that OUR God is the one TRUE God. The name above ALL names.

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:17-18

The War of The Worlds (1953) - Full Movie

Monday, July 29, 2024

Going Home


There are certain songs that have a special meaning in my heart. Going Home is one of them. Why is it so meaningful? Well, there are several reasons.

Maybe it's the simple beauty of the singer's voice. It's amazing to me.

Second, I have seen Sara Groves perform several times, so perhaps there is a personal reason I like this song so much. The entire crowd sang this song with her.

It also brings back memories of a time in my walk with Christ when I was more excited about the Lord. I long for that again.

But I think that the thing I long for the most is the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The words of the chorus relect this feeling. And I cannot wait!

Going home, I'll meet you at the table
Going home, I'll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be going, to be going home

Sarah's words are based in scripture. Another reason that I love this song. It's filled with truth.

"Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The reason I can't wait for His return is the condition that our world has degenerated into. It's sad to watch.

The world of today features so many things that are against God and His commands for us. DEI for example. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. That's just a way of tipping the scales based on race and sexual orientation, and God does not like that from the start.

"The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him." - Proverbs 11:1

When companies begin favoring LGBTQ+ fools over "normal" people, that's something that God hates. Punishment cannot be far off. Especially after that Olympic opening ceremony. But more on that in a future story, should the Lord tarry.

We are capable of so much better. It must break God's heart to see all of these things happening. Our hope rests in Him.

But I do sense a change in the hearts of a few of us. We have begun to push back against examples of DEI hirings of companies. Remember Bud Lite's recent as campaign? It cost the company millions! Good.

Another example is the head of the Secret Service. If she was the best person for the job, we are in a sad situation. But sadly, she was another DEI hire that went bad.

When the Lord does return I hope He finds us fighting against such things. In the words of a recent presidential candidate...

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

We must be found fighting for God and His Word when our Lord returns.

Oh, I cannot wait to be going home!

Going Home - Sarah Groves

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Angel Lies


A lot of people think that, when we die, we all go to heaven and become angels. Both of those beliefs are false. Not everyone will go to heaven. And we DO NOT become angels.

It troubles me when I hear people, even alleged Christians, say these things because I know they are believing a lie. And where do lies come from? Satan. Satan is "the father of lies" according to Jesus.

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44

Only those who have trusted in Jesus get to go to heaven. "Admit, Believe, and Forever Receive" is what we taught the VBS kids last week. If we have not repented, admitted our sinful nature, we don't get to go to heaven. Peter lays it out pretty clearly in the Book of Acts.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38

Now, regarding angels. Do we turn into angels when we die? Let's see . . . How can I say this gently?

NO!!

We do NOT turn into angels. Angels are created beings who serve God. We do not turn into angels. Yet a lot of people believe that, for some unknown reason. It's a lie. (See previous paragraph re: Satan)

Truth be told, we actually do get new bodies.

"It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." - 1 Corinthians 15:44

So, to sum up, not everyone gets into heaven and we do not turn into angels when we die.

The Bible must be our sole source of truth, not our feelings or movies or what someone else has said. Jesus told us that one of the signs that the end of things is upon us would be deception. We are living in those times right now.

"Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you." - Matthew 24:4

"Do not be deceived." - Galatians 6:7

"Don’t be deceived." - James 1:16

Many are being deceived right now. Don't be one of them. Trust in God alone.

Who Will Go To Heaven? - Gotquestions.org

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Such As These


Each year of VBS is different. The kids change, each one growing into who God wants them to be. We teachers grow and change as well. We are often taught things by the very kids we are supposed to be teaching! It's crazy.

For me, this year I was taught some amazing things by a young little dude named Felix. He'd slap my hand with a smile (high five) and then give me a hug.

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. - Matthew 19:14

Jesus was totally correct. Their innocence, their willingness to smile and love. They trust others easily. They have not yet become tainted by the world. It's very refreshing.

I looked in on my little buddy's class when they were singing one of the VBS songs. His mom was holding him in her arms. Everyone was facing away from me. Everyone except Felix that is.

He looked kind of bored and tired. But then he saw me and gently waved. I waved back and smiled. And then HE smiled.

The lesson I learned from Felix this week is this. Love freely and without condition.  Never be afraid to express that love. Someone may really need it. But do so gently and with the innocent intent of a child.

A child's love is pure. There are no ulterior motives. Remember what Jesus said . . .

"The kingdom belongs to such as these."

We must love God like a little child would - freely, unconditionally, trusting, without motive. And then, when we enter in to God's Kingdom, we will be greeted with open arms.

Do we love like that? Is that how we love others? Is that how we love God?

Monday, July 22, 2024

The Open Door


There is nothing quite like a sudden scream from the wife to get your attention. That happened in our house this week. A mouse dared to show itself and my wife screamed. Naturally, I went to investigate. And to see if I could get her down off the ceiling fan.

It was a cute little baby mouse. Aww. So I tried to catch it with my hands. Those little guys sure are elusive - hopping and jumping and running along the baseboards. We tried to get him outside by opening the door but he wasn't interested in the 36" wide opening. More running and jumping ensued.

The little guy avoided all of our attempts and eventually disappeared into the house somewhere. My wife then began thinking about her anticipated inability to sleep with a live mouse in the house. Sadly, it was time to bring in the heavy equipment - a mouse trap. Within an hour we heard a 'snap' and sadly the little mouse was dead.

It's kind of hurts when we have the knowledge and the ability to help others but are then ignored by the very ones who need the help. They're too distracted, or prideful it seems.

Welcome to the world of a Christian, someone who has been charged by God to share the Gospel.

"And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim The Gospel to the whole creation." - Mark 16:15

And most of the time the people who need to hear it are not interested. So what do we do?

First, change your name to Jeremiah. Lol! Just kidding. Jeremiah, of course, was "the weeping prophet." No one listened to him either.

But read that command from Jesus again. It says to "proclaim" The Gospel, not to win people over or to change their minds. That's not our job. That's the Holy Spirit's job.

"Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." - 1 Corinthians 3:7-8

Perhaps the next time my wife sees a mouse in the house I will speak the Good News about Jesus to it. Then it can believe, receive, and walk right out the door and be saved.

Saturday, July 20, 2024

When Sin Entered In


"Out of the mouth of babes . . ." - Psalm 8:2

This was VBS week at our church. Vacation Bible School is something I never experienced as a kid. But you know, I kind of wish I did. It's absolutely wonderful!

Our church uses the Answers In Genesis curriculum. They come up with great ways to entertain the kids, but also ways to get them thinking. About Jesus.

I teach the junior age group (ages 9-12) which is great. My own grandchildren have trained me well for how to relate to them. However, this week one of the children taught ME something. And it's not good.

Our lesson for Tuesday was about Corruption - one of the "Seven C's" in the AIG lesson plan. Corruption came to the human race when Satan tempted Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden.

As part of that day's lesson, each child was given some Play-Doh and told to make something that represents the sin and evil that resulted from Satan successfully tempting Eve.

Most of the older boys made snakes. Simple, easy, fun to scare the girls with. I walked around inspecting all of their works. That's when one of the Team Leaders motioned for me to come over.

"Look what Jimmy is making."

"What the heck is that?!" I asked.

Jimmy had made a ball and was pinching at it with his fingers; making little peaks all over it. Jimmy held it up for me to see and said, "It's a Covid molecule."

"A what?!"

What have we done to our children? What kind of world do we live in where we create bioweapons to kill other humans?

The Bible tells us in the Book of Romans that we have all become "inventors of evil," and right it is.

"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil." - Romans 1:29-30

Romans 1 goes on to say that . . .

"Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:32

Our children, who were ages 4-6 years old when Charlie Vector Oh One Niner hit, have been both scared and scarred.

It's like Alec Guinness at the end of the movie The Bridge On The River Kwai.

"What have we done?"

Thank God, we have a Savior - Jesus - who takes away the sins of this fallen world. John the Baptist introduced is to Him.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29

What Have I Done - The Bridge On The River Kwai

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Sugar Is Sweet


We have a hummingbird feeder hanging high up on the edge of our roof. My wife and I love to watch the hummingbirds coming and going.

Whenever either of us sees one at the feeder we call out, "Hummer!" Just in case the other wants to come see it.

We also get other visitors at our hummingbird feeder BESIDES hummingbirds. Like ants. We get lots of ants. When the nectar gets low, the ants can actually climb in through the feeding holes. Sadly, that's where most of the visiting ants die.

It's quite a hike for those little guys - all the way up the wall of our house and out onto the roof overhang and down to the bottom of the feeder. But they love the sweet stuff SO much that they are willing to die just to have some.

Do you like doughnuts? Me too. However they are not good for me. They are filled with sugar. They taste SO good! Yet they increase our blood sugar which leads to diabetes and ultimately death.

We humans sure can be obsessive about the things that we love. And, just like the ants, we sometimes die in pursuit of our desires through vices like drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc. We become addicted because we crave it, just like Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit.

Thankfully we have a Savior available to us to save us from our sin and the death that it causes. His name is Jesus. It is though our belief in Him that we are saved.

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." - Romans 10:9-10

What is YOUR hummingbird feeder? 

Monday, July 15, 2024

We The People


"Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words with never hurt me."

That childhood limerick might have worked for us kids when I was growing up but in the political arena of today it has proven to be a big, fat lie.

We witnessed an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump this past Saturday. I have a few questions.

How did a 20-year old guy get on top of a nearby building with a rifle? Somebody in the "Secret Service" did not do their job.

The news media always seems obsessed with finding out who the shooter was. And, in nearly every case, they ALWAYS get it wrong. At first, we heard it was a Chinese national. Wrong. What's really going on here?

Let's go back to a story about Jesus in The Bible and I'll take a look.

"Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." - Luke 22:1-3

There are several things worthy of note in those three verses, but the biggest is this: Satan ENTERED Judas.

Pro tip: Satan will not enter where the Holy Spirit (The Restrainer) is present. That tells us all we need to know about Judas. And each other.

Next, it was the chief priests and the teachers of the law who wanted to KILL Jesus. Who would they be in the present-day Trump scenario? I'll let YOU answer that. There are several possibilities.

That brings us to the third interesting thing in this Luke 3 text. "They were afraid of the people."

Pick up your copy on the U.S. Constitution. I'll wait.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

We, the people, have it within our power to elect officials. WE choose. We do NOT have the right to kill them.

When our elected officials get into the habit of referring to their opponents as 'Hitler' or as a 'threat to democracy,' they need to remember that WE are in charge, not them. Their inflammatory words only encourage others to act according to Satan's will, not God's.

It is In God We Trust, not Satan.

Here's an interesting quote from Joe Biden as reported by The Western Journal:

"Days before an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden said it was time to “put Trump in a bullseye.” - The Western Journal

The left, it seems, will go to anything length to maintain their grip on power. So, am I saying that the shooter was hired by The Left? No. But what I AM saying is, that if they did, it would not surprise me.

"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." - Ecclesiastes 10:2

If we place our hope in presidential candidates we are fools. Trust in God, not man. "In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States of America. It's about time we act like we mean it. To God be the glory. Not man.

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Aha!


Are you a good detective? What I mean is, are you good at figuring things out. Why did something happen? What caused it to happen? Or better yet, WHO caused it to happen?

We had a big storm go through our area a few days ago. Lots of rain. Maybe you heard about the dam in Manawa being breached and the resulting flooding.

During the storm my wife and I heard a loud bang. It wasn't thunder. It was a one-off whack of something in our backyard. I got up and went to investigate.

I could see no fallen branches in the yard. No storm damage at all. What the heck was it then?

Well, it was a pine cone. It's in the picture above. It's sitting on the metal housing of our air conditioner. How could a pine cone make such a loud noise?

Well, the pines trees in our yard are quite tall. 80-90' tall. Drop an unopened pine cone on your head from 90' in the air and you will understand. Bang!

We have a swamp on our family farm in Michigan. One summer we noticed its water level was dropping. Why? Lack of rain? Global warming? Farmers over-irrigating their crops? No. What then?

A pair of beavers had built a dam upstream and blocked off the water source. It was easy to figure out once we waded upstream.

Why does God allow certain things to happen in our lives? Even bad things. Is it for some yet unforeseen reason?

Joseph is a perfect example of God using him for His ultimate glory. God saved Israel by having his brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20

But the day Joseph got sold into slavery, he had no idea why. He was probably wondering,  "Why is all of this happening to me?"

What has God done in YOUR life? Has something happened that was initially bad but God used it for HIS glory?

"Walk upstream" and investigate the events of your life. Have we missed something that God wanted us to do for Him? What are the clues? And why you of all people?

I encourage you to look back at your life from where you are today. What were the turning points, the decisions, the milestones. Look closely. You just might be surprised. And praise God!

"Now all these things are from God." - 2 Corinthians 5:18


Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Treading Water


I have a friend who has Stage 4 lung cancer. He's undergoing chemo right now. His brother-in-law describes him as "not lookin' very good" and that the chills he gets from the chemo are "hard to watch."

Neither of these guys professes a faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever seen the movie The Perfect Storm? Sadly, it's a true story. It doesn't end well for the crew of a small fishing boat, battling against a giant wave.

At the end of the movie Mark Wahlberg's character ends up treading water in the middle of the ocean.

All alone. Without hope.

That reminded me of an old Bill Cosby comedy routine entitled Noah. Cosby told a humorous story of the Genesis 6 accounted, twisting it to make it funny.

"Noah."

"What do you want!?"

God then gave Noah a command regarding some hippos, and when Noah complained to God, telling Him that he was "sick and tired" of the whole project, God replied, "How long can you tread water?"

We can get pretty frustrated and upset when things don't go the way we want them to. Instead of trusting in God, we fight Him at every turn because we like to have things OUR way. According to OUR plan.

When we have a life threatening illness or some other major event in our lives, we can complain all we want. Our complaining won't change anything. What we need to do is get right with God.

When Mark Wahlberg's character was left alone in the middle of the ocean, do you think he prayed? Maybe. My cancer-stricken friend. Do you think that HE prayed? Maybe. But here's the key. God only listens to the prayers of His children.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;” - Psalm 34:15

And how do we become righteous in God's sight? Bow do we become one of Hos children? Only By repenting of our sins,  acknowledging God for who He is, and placing our faith, hope, and love in Jesus.

He may not take us out of the storm we are going through, but He has proven that He can calm storms and ride with us through them.

"He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." - Mark 4:35

God can calm the storms in our lives IF we let Him, and IF we believe.

Noah - Bill Cosby

Monday, July 8, 2024

Sow What


I have a theory. It's about why we often feel like we are alone. Even in a room filled with many people, it's like they aren't even there. Why?

Open your Bibles to the Book of Luke, the 14th chapter. We read . . . 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26

I used this verse in another story recently called Hate One Another? In that story we learned that the translation of the Greek word for 'hate' actually means to 'love less.' Question . . .

If Jesus wants us to love others less than we love Him, would He not provide opportunities for us to draw nearer to Him through times of loneliness? Through a loved one's sickness or death? Don't many of our prayers spring forth from such events? Hmm . . . 

It's not about 'loving others less' that God wants. It's loving Him MORE.

Think about your own life for a moment. Of all the people you know, who do you love the most? A spouse? A mother or father. A child? A friend?

Jesus wants us to love HIM more than we love THEM. And it's not really that He wants us to love them any less. We are commanded to love everyone.

"Love one another as I have loved you." - John 13:34

Here's my theory. When we are feeling alone, we should draw nearer to God. He loves us and will demostrate His love for us by giving us opportunities to love others.

Of course, my "theory" is not really a theory at all. It's the truth.

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart."Psalm 37:4

We all desire to be loved, right? Then love God! Delight in Him! Sow love!! Then watch what happens.

"Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." - Galatians 6:7

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Gaslighting


Gaslighting is defined as "psychologically manipulating someone over a period of time." Examples of gaslighting would be something like "our border is secure" or "the president just had a bad day."

Of course, KJP had to be the featured picture for today's story about gaslighting. She does it so well.

These lies, repeated over and over again, become truths in the minds of the gullible.

Our best weapon against gaslighting is called discernment - doing our own investigating to find out whether or not something is true.

We need to use discernment in our daily conversations, while scrolling through social media, and even while sitting in a church pew.

Jesus warned us about false teachers.

"Watch out that no one deceives you." - Matthew 24:4

Jesus knew that false teachers would come. And He said that it would be a sign of His coming and "the end of the age."

When the Berean Jews heard the disciple's teachings, they went home and examined the scriptures to see if they were true and the disciples commended them for it.

That is the key. We must constantly be going through the Bible, imprinting its truth on our hearts, so that when we hear some strange teaching or story, we will recognize it for what it is. A lie.

It's a sad thing when our government lies to its people. It's even worse when lies and half-truths come from the pulpit. Don't trust anyone. Like Jesus said, "There is no one good. No, not one."

For as good as Karine is at gaslighting reporters and the American people, there is still someone better. Her boss. No, not Joe. Although he too is pretty good. I'm talking about Satan.

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44

Know the truth. Live the truth. Speak the truth.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Pass It On!


Have you ever watched the movie Lucy? It stars Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman. I'm not sure I want to watch it. It looks a little creepy.

I've seen a few clips on YouTube though (hence the creepiness opinion). In one of the clips I watched (link at bottom), Lucy calls Professor Norman (Freeman) to talk about his theories.

She is seeking advice on what to do next with all of the knowledge she has accumulated.

Lucy: "All this knowledge. I don't know what to do with it."

Professor Norman: "If you think about the very nature of life, I mean, from the very beginning, the development of the first cell, divided into two cells, this whole purpose of life has been there. Pass on what was learned."

What do we do with all of our knowledge about Jesus, the Gospel, and the Bible? Not many, it seems, want to hear what we have to say. Still, that's what God wants us to do - to spread the news about Him. It can prove to be a difficult assignment. Yet, here we are.

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

So, what do we do? How do we approach the unapproachable? We have all this knowledge. How can we make them want to hear it? We have to make it about them, not about us. So, ask them questions . . . about themselves.

We have to get beyond the "Do you believe in God" question. How about using a real-life situation to share the Good News.

"Did you see where Mandissa died? Man, I saw her at Lifest not that long ago. She was only 47. At least she knew where she was going when she died. It makes you wonder. How about you? Are you right with God?"

Of course, they will answer 'yes.' Then share your testimony about how YOU got saved.

"I used to think I was going to heaven too. But then I actually read the Bible. In the Book of James it says this: "You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe that - and tremble in terror" (James 2:19). There's got to be more than just believing that God exists. Is He Lord over your life? Do you follow His teachings? Why then are you living with someone? How we live our lives reflect our beliefs. What will you say to Jesus if you died in a car accident tomorrow? His answer will be, "Depart from me. I never knew you." (Matthew 7:23). Unless you KNOW Him. I love you and don't want you to spend eternity in hell. Please consider giving your life to Christ today! Right now!"

Pass it on.

Monday, July 1, 2024

The Spirit Speaks


I am leary of "Christians" who say things like, "I have a new word from the Lord" or "God spoke to me today." My response is usually, "Really? Have you ever read the Bible?"

"You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:3

That's pretty clear.

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." - Revelation 22:18-19

Old Testament or New, God's Word is what it is. There are no NEW words to be added, or words to be removed. Period.

Still, God can and does communicate with us through His Holy Spirit. We might feel convicted about something in a sermon, or hear a news story and feel compelled to help someone or to pray.

But the key to living an obedient Christian life is to actually DO what the Bible says. And the Holy Spirit will never lead us to do something contrary to it.

Here's a question: If we are led to do something, and then don't do it, are we not disobeying God? And if we claim to be followers of Jesus but do not do what He says, are we truly, really, His followers?

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46

Here's another question: If we feel led to do something, is it really from God? Or is it just our human feelings?

In the Book of Acts Peter had a vision. "A voice" told Peter (in a trance) to do something. Peter questioned it. The voice answered.

"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for." - Acts 10:19-21

How did Peter know that the Spirit was speaking to him? He went downstairs, as the Spirit had told him to do, and there were the three men.

When we feel led by the Holy Spirit, it is our duty to follow, being discerning as we do so. Our actions should always line up with God's Word. God DOES test us. And, when He does, will we pass the test?