Tag Archives: Gays

October 14, 2015 · 12:51 pm

If We Just Ignore Gays, They’ll Go Away, Right? (Part 4)

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What was God thinking about when He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden? Didn’t He know that the much more clever serpent (Satan) would attempt to take the Kingdom away from man through deceit and spiritual warfare?

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:5)

God wants royal sons and daughters who are worthy of His kingdom. He wants His royal family to learn how to trust, obey, and worship Him in all situations, but achieving this status takes time, training, and testing of our faith in Him.

For Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden was their classroom. They were trained over a period of time, maybe even decades, and then the serpent (Satan) administered their final test to them.

Now, remember: Adam and Eve had authority to rule over everything on the earth as God’s ambassador. They could have ordered the serpent to shut up and go away, but they didn’t use their authority that day to do so. Instead, they listened, believed the serpent’s lies, and sinned.

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. (Luke 16:10 NLT)

Because Adam was unfaithful with the handling of His authority to rule in the Garden of Eden and to keep just one commandment, Adam never did receive full authority to rule over the whole earth.

Therefore, Adam’s treason in the Garden resulted in his − and through his lineage − all of mankind’s spiritual death, a life apart from the Spirit of God. So, instead of being a son in the Kingdom of God with royal benefits, Adam and all the rest of mankind after him became slaves in the kingdom of darkness, under the cruel god of this world: Satan.

But even with Adam’s failure, our Father had another garden and a second Adam in mind so the Kingdom of God would eventually rule on earth.

(Excerpt from Storming the Kingdom by Larry Nevenhoven, 2014, an Amazon eBook)

Adam’s sin resulted in the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, but sadly, another fall happened there. God’s government on earth fell so that the god of this world became Satan along with his demonic horde.

(Continued in Part 5…if you’re interested, the full series to date can be seen here.)

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October 10, 2015 · 11:48 am

If We Just Ignore Gays, They’ll Go Away, Right? (Part 3)

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To understand today’s same-sex marital problems, we have to first realize that we live in a fallen world and that the god of this world is not the Lord God Almighty and Creator of Heaven and Earth, but rather, the god of this world is a usurper and a thief named Satan. We believers must open our eyes and quit walking around with our heads in the clouds and tossing out trite phrases, like: “Don’t worry! God’s in control” and “I’ve read the end of the Book. We win!”

Because for the most part, God is not in control in today’s world. If anyone doubts me, go to abortion clinics or the prisons in North Korea where 75,000 Christians are held captive for their beliefs or the sex trade in Asia where five-year olds are repeatedly raped for money or to my home on one of my bad days. These examples should wake us up!

Okay, now that we’re on the same page, let’s look at God’s original blueprint and what happened.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created…male and female…And God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it… (Genesis 1:26-28)

God created man and woman to be His ambassadors on earth. Each had specific strengths to help the other one and to carry out God’s plans. They were also told to have babies, which – yes – meant they had sex. Interestingly enough, procreation was accomplished without Youtube videos or sex guides. It was innate and a part of our human makeup.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24)

Adam and Eve had a great deal going for them, but was the Garden of Eden a perfect place to live?

Actually, it wasn’t!

(Continued in Part 4…if you’re interested, the full series to date can be seen here.)

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October 3, 2015 · 7:49 am

If We Just Ignore Gays, They’ll Go Away, Right? (Part 2)

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For two thousand years, Christians have agreed on at least one thing – we live in the last days. To go along with this belief, each generation of believers has hoped to see with our own eyes Christ arriving from heaven to whisk His bride off to the marriage supper of the Lamb. So far, this has not happened, but my generation remains as optimistic as ever that this will happen soon.

How can we remain so hopeful after all these years of it not happening yet?

The Lord wisely gave us a profound mystery to encourage us: marriage between a man and a woman.

The Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 5:22-33 how the husband and wife are to mirror Christ and the church. In marriage, the husband is supposed to love his wife like Christ loves His church (or bride) and the wife is to be submissive and loving like Christ’s bride.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. (Ephesians 5:31)

This verse has a natural meaning and a spiritual one. The natural meaning obviously refers to men and women leaving their parents, living together, joining together sexually, physically, financially, and in every way possible to become a inseparable union before God.

The spiritual meaning is that Christ Himself left His Father to come to earth to be the Second Adam, and to bring forth from His body a bride (the church), much like God brought forth Eve from Adam. Then Christ returned to His Father in heaven and will soon return in the fullness of time to hold fast to His bride forever.

There is no doubt that the Apostle Paul is referring to men, women, Christ, and the Church in these verses.

So, who else understands that we live in the last days and wants to pervert this profound mystery?

(Continued in Part 3…if you’re interested, the full series to date can be seen here.)

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September 26, 2015 · 2:15 pm

If We Just Ignore Gays, They’ll Go Away, Right? (Part 1)

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It had been a hot September Saturday at the Oldsmobile-Cadillac dealership with heavy traffic from our advertisements. I worked late because of a used car delivery for a last-minute customer. The other salesmen had long since gone home, leaving just the sales manager and me to close up the place.

As I walked into the sales manager’s office to hand him the keys, a car with what appeared to be a middle-aged couple pulled onto the sales lot to look at used vehicles. Both stepped out of their car to check out one particular auto. They then looked toward the sales manager’s office as if to see whether sales people were still available for helping them.

That’s just dandy, I thought, now the sales manager is going to make me wait on those two people. I’m tired, hungry, and want to leave now.

“Larry,” said the sales manager, “if we just ignore them, they’ll go away.”

He turned off the lights and we left. His words ended up proving to be accurate because the couple drove off.

This is how most of us Christians have handled the American gay rights movement so far. 

And our results mirror our attitudes, in that, we almost always end up losing.

Admittedly, the gay rights movement’s ranks are not filled with a bunch of wimps. They are tough adversaries who understand how to pressure governments, politicians, corporations, major media outlets, churches, and whomever to win battles. They wield fear and threats like swords to cut down their foes.

Sadly, we Christians are not prepared for this type of warfare. We enjoy “nice” fights with scriptures lobbed back and forth like nerf ball grenades in a church sanctuary. The declared winner is the one with the most scriptures to justify his stance. Cake and coffee served afterward in the church basement.

Well, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news because this ain’t ever happening.

So, what can we believers do?

(Continued in Part 2)

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June 29, 2015 · 12:29 pm

Will God Judge America? (Part 1)

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When Jesus began His ministry in 27 AD, Judea and Jerusalem had been under harsh Roman rule for over sixty years. King Herod sat on the throne and considered himself to be “King of the Jews,” although he was not from the lineage of King David, was appointed by Rome, and was of Arab ancestry.

The priests that ran the Temple were mainly Sadducees, who were aristocrats that did not believe in a resurrection of the dead, an afterlife, and angels or demons. The two high priests, Annas and Caiaphas, were Sadducees and appointed by King Herod. Both high priests were not a part of the lineage of Aaron or even Levites.

The Romans forced the Jews to pay high taxes as did King Herod, who was rebuilding the Temple and other buildings. Life was a daily struggle for the Jews, living in Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem.

If you check out Deuteronomy 28, you will discover that the Jews were struggling because they lived under the curse and suffered from the Judgments of God.

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:28)

Jesus’ earthly ministry was aimed at the Jews because the promises of God were first given to the Jews. He constantly preached a message of repentance to them.

How did Jerusalem and Judea respond to Jesus’ ministry? Not well.

“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.” (Luke 19:42-43)

Jesus prophesied the total destruction of Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. His prophecy came to pass on 70 AD when Rome destroyed Jerusalem, its Temple, and killed nearly one million Jews.

So, if God judged His chosen people, why do we Americans think that we can avoid His judgments?

(Continued in Part 2)

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June 15, 2015 · 11:37 am

Memories Pizza, Indiana, Christianity, And How Not to Win Spiritual Battles (Part 13)

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The #1 Rule in spiritual warfare: we can’t defeat the kingdom of darkness with darkness in our own hearts. We must repent.

The #2 Rule in Spiritual Warfare: run toward the battle with healing and compassion in our hearts.

 The #3 Rule in Spiritual Warfare: obey the voice of the Lord and don’t take any u-turns.

 The #4 Rule in Spiritual Warfare: Make up our minds to sink or swim, live or die, on the battlefield. So, let’s plant our feet and stay there until victory is achieved or they carry us off.

Let’s say we do our best to follow the above rules of spiritual warfare, now let’s ask ourselves one final question, okay? What do we hope to accomplish by fighting in a spiritual battle between businesses and gay marriages?

Do we business people want to justify our opposition to same-sex marriage by not serving gay weddings, even though we willingly serve fornicators, adulterers, liars, and other sinners for their weddings?

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)

This is not a winnable battle because it is based on hypocrisy. The Lord will not back us.

You see, the reason to fight spiritual warfare is to punch holes in the darkness covering people’s eyes so that light can break through and reveal Jesus Christ to people. Then, the people can choose whether or not to follow Jesus. Their decisions will be based on facts rather than deceptions.

Thus, what should our answer be to the question I asked in Part 1:

Should we listen to Patrick Buchanan, James Dobson, Rick Scarborough, James Robison and Dr. Michael L. Brown to follow their lead down the slippery slope to possible civil disobedience?

I believe the answer is “no.”

(Conclusion. We will deal more with this topic in future series, looking at it from a different angles.)

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June 1, 2015 · 9:01 am

Memories Pizza, Indiana, Christianity, And How Not to Win Spiritual Battles (Part 11)

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If you keep in mind that the god of this world – Satan – has been in control since the Garden of Eden, then it’s easier to understand how tough it had to be for Abraham to obey God, especially when He said, “Take your son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Can you imagine how many demons screamed in Abraham’s ear as he rode his donkey? Can you guess what they said? Probably something like: “Don’t obey that voice! God wouldn’t ask you to do that! You will destroy your calling and ministry! Go home and talk it over with Sarah!”

You see, Mt. Moriah is not just any piece of land, but rather, it’s the most valuable real estate in the history of the world. This is where the Temple and Jerusalem were built. Thus, Abraham’s journey to the altar with his son was most likely one of the greatest spiritual battles of all time with every step being brutally contested by the kingdom of darkness.

The victory did not happen until Abraham reached for the knife to slaughter his promise – Isaac.

“Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Genesis 22:12)

 Abraham trusted the Lord so much that even if he were forced to sacrifice his son, he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead.

There are no u-turns in spiritual warfare. We must hear the voice of the Lord and keep obeying it until victory is achieved or until a new command is given to us by Him. Our faith must be focused on Him to work out all of the details, no matter what the circumstances look like to our natural eyes.

The #3 Rule in Spiritual Warfare: obey the voice of the Lord and don’t take any u-turns.

(Continued in Part 12)

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May 15, 2015 · 10:28 am

Memories Pizza, Indiana, Christianity, And How Not to Win Spiritual Battles (Part 10)

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After finishing His sermon on the mount, Jesus walked among the crowds of people. A leper appeared from the crowd, bowed before Him, worshipped Him, and said, “If You’re willing, You can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out with His hand and touched the leper, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” The leper was healed.

Wait! What’s wrong with this story?

Jesus and the leper were both Jewish and followers of the Law. Thus, the leper should have been many, many yards away from everyone. His clothes should have been torn, his head bare, his robe should have been held up by one hand to cover his mouth and mustache, and he should have warned all by only saying, “Unclean! Unclean! Unclean!”

Also, Jesus should not have touched the leper because He then would be unclean until sundown or required to undergo a ceremonial washing.

But because Jesus cleansed the leper by healing him, Jesus did not break the Law.

Gays, lesbians, transgenders, and so forth are today’s lepers.

How many times did Jesus rebuke the leper for sinning against the Law? None. Did He refuse to honor the leper’s request because of the man’s sin? No. Did Jesus point out the man’s sin? No. Did Jesus mention He was offended or say something stupid like, “I love the sinner, but hate his sin?” No.

Then, why should we Christian business people act any different than our Lord did with the leper.

You see, we Christian business people need examples of how to win spiritual battles. Who’s better than Jesus?

The #2 Rule in Spiritual Warfare: run toward the battle with healing and compassion in your hearts.

(Continued in Part 11)

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May 3, 2015 · 2:36 pm

Memories Pizza, Indiana, Christianity, and How Not to Win Spiritual Battles (Part 8)

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When a believer’s mind is renewed in the knowledge of God, it is a powerful kingdom of God tool. Yet, when it is not, it ends up being shaped and molded by the environment the believer lives in and is open to deception by the god of this world.

And guess what?

The god of this world (Satan) is able to disguise himself as an angel of light.

As of now, there are dozens of lawsuits against American Christian businesses who have refused to provide their services for gay weddings or gay events in their cities or regions. So far, these businesses have one thing in common: they  will all lose.

How can this be, right?

All of these businesses have made covenant agreements with their states and other governments to follow the laws of their governments. But each believes it’s now okay to break their covenants because of their religious rights as stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution and their views on Christianity.

Yet these businesses still believe God is on their side.

I believe the god of this world has deceived these businesses into taking religious stands which they can never win.

Oh yes! They may have supporters who believe they are fighting the good fight, but the accuser of the brethren will point out their breaking of covenants to the Lord. This is not a good position to wage a spiritual battle from.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30)

Maybe the businesses should have counted the costs ahead of time and sold out or closed down before being confronted by gay activists. They would at least have avoided the ridicule being poured on them by the world system and its media outlets.

This is not how to win spiritual battles.

So, how can we win?

(Continued in Part 9)

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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April 29, 2015 · 9:33 am

Memories Pizza, Indiana, Christianity, And How Not to Win Spiritual Battles (Part 7)

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At one time or another, we have all heard believers described as Christ’s ambassadors. But what does the word ambassador mean?

Ambassador is the highest-ranking person who represents his or her own government while living in another country. (Merriam- Webster)

Let that definition rattle around your brains for a moment or two. It is eye-opening.

You see, you and I – as ambassadors – are the Father’s highest ranking persons of the kingdom of God here on earth. We are under the Lordship of King Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And as ambassadors of the kingdom of God, we have no authority to speak our own viewpoints to the world around us, but rather, we – as ambassadors – must speak the words of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because they have appointed us to act as their representatives.

Okay, are you with me so far?

Because Jesus has not returned to earth as yet, the kingdom of God is a spiritual one, living within each believer. It is filled with power and not just empty words. This kingdom is eternal and more real than the world around us, but to access the kingdom of God within us, we must do it by faith and through our relationships with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

There are no shortcuts to walking in the fullness of the kingdom of God, but if we do it properly, there should be evidence for others to see:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:22-25)

How can we ever lose a spiritual battle with this type of backing?

Ah, grasshopper, God gave us minds which are either the kingdom of God’s allies or its foes.

(Continued in Part 8)

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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