Have You Strayed? :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7 Category:General Articles, Ron & Nathele Graham

You hear it all the time. Someone attended Sunday school and youth groups as a young person. They gave their life to Christ, but as life went on, they strayed. They made choices that drew them farther and farther from that straight and narrow path. Now, their soul is yearning to return to Jesus, but they think their sins are too great; they’re certain that there’s no forgiveness for them. Let me assure you that you haven’t sinned beyond what Jesus will forgive.

It seems as if rebellion is a part of human nature. It’s not a beneficial part, but many young people do tend to stray as they get older. If the child was blessed with God-fearing parents, he or she was given a solid foundation and will eventually realize they’ve strayed and come back to their Christian beliefs.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

It’s not only young people who stray, but everyone is prone to sin. Life is better if there’s no rebellion, but God is loving and forgiving. He’s always willing to hear a prayer of repentance.

In this day and age, we have many distractions and temptations. This isn’t a new problem, but it seems as if the availability of temptation is greater today. The internet can lead anyone astray. Some videos found online are pure filth, and there’s also much false doctrine to be found there. Television and movies graphically depict sin and make it look pleasurable. Popular music today is full of vulgarity.

When I was young, the Beatles sang “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” but soon the Rolling Stones sang “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” One step at a time, the level of vulgarity was lowered until rappers sing (if you can call it singing) of killing and sexual degeneracy, and Katy Perry sang praises of sexual relations with aliens. Even professing Christians listen to this filth and are drawn away from the straight and narrow path. They should be reading their Bible.

Public schools and colleges teach everything except right and wrong. Well, they do teach wrong… evolution, choose your own gender, it’s ok to have two mommies or daddies, etc. Morality is laughed at in today’s society, and we see the results of filling our thoughts with glorifying sin as rioters and looters demand respect by destroying lives and businesses. That is nothing to respect. Remember, you have a choice in what you look at and listen to. God knows what choices a person will make, but that doesn’t mean He’s happy with our sinful rebellion.

When an adulterous woman was brought before Jesus for Him to condemn her because of her sin, He didn’t condemn her. Still, He didn’t just let her go on her way without confronting her sin. “…And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11b).

If you’re one of those Christians who has slipped down the slope deeper into sin, you may be questioning if you’ve sinned too much for salvation, or if you ever were saved. Those are questions that need an answer.

Christians sin. It would make things much easier if, when a person accepts Christ for salvation, all temptation and failures stopped. That’s just not how it works. In all actuality, life can get harder. Before accepting Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions, sin was just normal. You weren’t a threat to Satan because you were on his side. Friday night partying with friends could lead to all kinds of mischief. One sin always leads to another, and there’s always consequences. Before you know it, a baby is on the way, or you’ve contracted some deadly disease and wish you had practiced abstinence. This all fits into Satan’s plans. If you’re not a Christian, well it’s just a part of life in the fast lane. If you do profess to be a Christian, you need to put it behind you and get back to pleasing God.

If you paid attention to the Bible stories in Sunday school, you might remember a story about the prodigal son:

There was a father who had two sons. The younger son wanted his inheritance so he could go off and live life his own way. “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want” (Luke 15:13-14). This young man had no money, no food, and no friends. He should have made a better choice and stayed in his father’s house, but now he had to do something drastic. He found a job feeding swine. That’s about as low as a Jewish man can sink. Even the swine’s food looked good to him. He was at the end of his rope and realized that he was better off at home.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:17-19).

Does that describe you? Did you stray from your Heavenly Father’s protection because you wanted to live life on your own terms? It’s time to come to your senses and return to the Father.

The prodigal learned the hard way that the rules he had been subject to in his loving father’s house were rules for his protection. That young man had to admit he sinned, then humble himself and return to his father. As it turned out, his father was overjoyed at his return.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

If you’ve strayed from God, you can be sure that He’s looking for your return. Whether you’ve hit rock bottom, or just strayed a little, God wants you to repent and come back to fellowship. The father in the story had a great celebration at his son’s return. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:24). It’s time to return to God.

We all have choices and make decisions. The decisions that are based upon Scripture always turn out right. Decisions based on lust or greed lead to sin, and sin always has consequences. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).

If you’re paying a physical price for your own choice to sin, don’t blame God. For instance, yoking yourself in marriage with a non-believer can bring little happiness. You can’t blame God when your spouse decides to have an affair or makes it difficult for you to worship God. You may have to live with the consequences of your bad choices, but like the prodigal son, there’s always forgiveness waiting if you return to God.

When Christians fail in their walk with Jesus, it becomes a burden on their mind. They begin questioning whether or not they are saved and what will happen if they die. Either you accepted Christ for salvation or you didn’t. If you did and you’ve been living in opposition to God’s ways, you need to stop. Right now, you need to turn away from the sin that’s dragging you down and destroying your relationship with your loving Saviour. Stop living as the prodigal son, humble yourself, and ask forgiveness. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and has been calling for your return and has been seeking you.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

If you’ve strayed from your faith, then you need to get back into fellowship. Jesus wants you back in fellowship.

If you wonder if you ever were really saved, why spend time wondering? Make that confession of faith now. Then, turn from the sin that’s destroying your life. If you’ve never turned to Jesus for salvation, do it now. All you have to do is recognize you’re a sinner and that only Jesus Christ, God Almighty, loved you enough to shed His blood to take your sin away. You cannot change the past, so don’t be held back because you think your sin’s too great and cannot be forgiven. There’s no little sin; they all separate us from God. The only unforgivable sin is to reject Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide you away from the sin in your life, but you need to follow His prompting. The first step is to give your life to God.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

Everyone has sinned, even the most pious elder in the strictest of congregations. Jesus knows every sin you will commit, but has forgiven them at the Cross. You need to humbly turn to Him for forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).

Admit that you’ve strayed, and confess your sin to Jesus. He already knows it, but by confessing it, you bring it to your own mind. Were you sincere in your confession? If so, He’s forgiven you. Now you need to forgive yourself. Don’t keep straying away, but live your life to honor Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos”— God breathed.

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Almost There :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR7 Category:Daymond Duck, General Articles

While preparing a message for an upcoming event, I decided to look back at things I have written about world government.

I have written too much to mention in this article, but I want to recall some of it because it has relevance for today and the upcoming election.

These things will help readers understand what is going on, and why some believe we are almost there.

One, concerning world government, Daniel said, “The fourth beast (the Antichrist’s government; the coming New World Order) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces” (Dan. 7:23).

Two, concerning world government, John said, “And it was given unto him (the Antichrist) to make war with the saints (those that become believers during the Tribulation Period), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Rev. 13:7).

So, the Antichrist will rule over all nations, and people should be aware that many globalists are working hard to turn the UN into a world government by 2030.

Three, Winston Churchill said, “The purpose of the New World Order is to bring the world into a world government.”

This famous politician (not a preacher) said, “New World Order” means world government, and it is important to understand that the Bible teaches that it will be headed by the Antichrist, and he will be a Satan worshipper (Rev. 13:4-6).

Four, in 1990, Pres. George H. W. Bush (Bush Senior) said, “Out of these troubled times (out of the Persian Gulf War), our fifth objective—a new world order—can emerge.”

Know that world government is an objective of the U.S., and the “Deep State” has been working to bring it in for years.

Five, know that the establishment of a world government is in the UN Charter.

Six, in 1997, Pres. Bill Clinton said, “What I am trying to do (to build a global system) is to promote a process of reorganization of the world.”

Seven, on May 14, 2008, Barack Obama was running for president of the U.S.; and Michelle said, “We are going to have to change our conversation; we’re going to have to change our traditions, our history; we’re going to have to move into a different place as a nation.”

On July 24, 2008, U.S. presidential candidate Obama supported a “globalized world,” and he said, “The burdens of global citizenship bind us together.”

On Oct. 30, 2008, candidate Obama said, “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”

On Oct. 24, 2014, Mr. Obama had become president, and he issued a Proclamation urging all 50 governors in the U.S. and all officials under the U.S. flag to observe “UN Day” with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

He released a joint statement with the UN Sec. Gen. at that time, Ban Ki-moon, that said global government should be further empowered.

Eight, on Sept. 25, 2015, the UN was presented with a document called “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Supporters called this document a “New Universal Agenda.”

This word “Universal” comes from the preamble of the document, and it means this document covers the entire earth and more.

Some experts said the document calls for a one-world government, a one-world religion, and a one-world economic system to be established by 2030.

Delegates from 193 nations unanimously approved it and applauded the decision.

Nine, two days later, on Sept. 27, 2015, Pres. Obama assured the UN of America’s commitment to the “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” goals.

He called the UN document “one of the smartest investments we can make in our own future.”

The next day, he addressed the UN and said, “Global integration (the merging of nations) is an agenda that transcends the narrowly defined interests of nation-states.”

He was saying merging nations into groups such as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico (USMCA) is more important than their national sovereignty.

Be aware that the USMCA went into effect on July 1, 2020, and globalists believe it is more important than the sovereignty of the U.S.

I believe ten global trading blocs will form. Shortly after that, each one will elect a leader (the Ten Kings), and then the Antichrist will appear.

Ten, Pres. Obama’s vice president was Joe Biden, and he called for the establishment of the New World Order (world government) on several occasions.

On April 5, 2013, Mr. Biden spoke at the Export-Import Bank Conference in Washington, DC where he said, “The affirmative task we have now is to actually create a new world order.”

Mr. Biden was saying it is now America’s job to create a literal world government.

Suppose he gets elected, and he or whoever replaces him follows through with this.

Eleven, on May 28, 2014, Vice-Pres. Joe Biden told the U.S. Air Force Academy graduating class, “I believe we and mainly you have an incredible opportunity to lead in shaping a new world order for the 21st century.”

Mr. Biden said the 2014 Air Force Academy graduating class could help shape a world government (Biden supports the surrender of U.S. sovereignty to a world government; this explains why the globalists hate Trump. He opposes it.).

Twelve, on Jan. 21-24, 2015, a group called the World Economic Forum (WEF) met in Davos, Switzerland.

These globalists agreed to speed up the development of regions of nations all over the world.

Speeding up the development of regions of nations will speed up the surrender of their national sovereignty. (There is reason to believe it has been speeded up.)

Thirteen, here is some information about the UN Sustainable Development goals for 2030 that people need to pay attention to because Mr. Biden is running for president of the U.S., and he has spoken out in support of the UN goals. Mr. Biden is running for president of the U.S. Mr. Biden is running for president of the U.S.

For one thing, the document’s preamble says, “All countries and stakeholders, acting in a collaborative partnership, WILL (not may—WILL) implement this plan.”

By 2030, the UN WILL be transformed into a body that can require all nations to obey the UN. (The Constitution of the U.S. will be irrelevant, and global law will prevail.)

Unless God intervenes, in less than 10 years, the UN WILL become a satanic one-world government, and the U.S. will be required to obey the laws of the UN.

One government official said not a single human being will be allowed to escape this next great leap forward (this includes everyone in the U.S., but he is overlooking the Rapture).

One reporter said the world’s children will now be indoctrinated with the idea that we are all “global citizens” (people will be citizens of a borderless world, not citizens of the U.S., Mexico, Canada, etc.).

For another thing: in 2015, then UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon called the UN Sustainable Development goals the “start of a new era.” (A New Era has started, and America will not return to what was considered normal a year ago.)

Fourteen, on Jan. 1, 2016, it was reported that the UN Sustainable Development goals for 2030 had gone into effect and that everyone should expect all nations to make a strong push to bring them to pass.

Trump was elected president in Nov. 2016, and he called for making America great again (MAGA. This opposes the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it has created a big problem for the globalists, Deep State, etc.).

Fifteen, on Mar. 10, 2016, it was reported that the UN had released a Master Plan called, “Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.”

According to the report, every government is now required to promote wealth redistribution; government control of all production, a reduction in the consumption of goods and services, the consumption of less meat and frozen or convenience foods, the use of fewer and smaller vehicles and appliances, the use of less air-conditioning at home and at work, and the use of smaller houses and apartments.

Governments must take control of all education systems to ensure that children are “agents of change” that support world government; governments must indoctrinate everyone to accept a new set of attitudes, values and beliefs to promote a new culture of peace and non-violence (the global Ethic or world religion); and governments will provide universal healthcare, mental health services, sexual and reproductive services to everyone on earth.

Understand that this is not what the UN wants to accomplish in the next 50-75 years; this is what the UN wants to accomplish before 2030, and you need to ask yourself if these are the things you want our next president to support.

As far as this writer is concerned, there is ample proof that America is the victim of an organized effort to weaken the U.S. and bring in the New World Order.

Mrs. Clinton was supposed to complete Pres. Obama’s goal of fundamentally transforming the U.S. and empowering the UN, but God put Trump in office; and “Make America Great Again” clashes with Obama’s goal.

Satan’s Deep State is behind it, and they are desperate to get Trump out of office because four more years of Trump will interfere with the UN’s goal of world government by 2030.

People need to pay careful attention to these goals because Biden is clearly on record for supporting Obama’s goal to fundamentally change America, and for his desire to create and lead in the shaping of the NWO (Google the quotes).

Know that the Rapture will take place before the Antichrist appears, but these things indicate that if Biden (or someone of the Deep State’s choice) becomes president, that person will bring in the NWO, and that would be a strong indication that the Rapture is close.

For your information, one of the Sustainable Development goals is population control (a global right to abortion, LGBQT rights, etc.).

Biden said if he is elected, one of his first executive orders will be to re-fund Planned Parenthood and do anything he can to be as pro-abortion as he possibly can be. (He is supporting the UN agenda which requires the weakening of the U.S.)

Having said this, here are five recent events that seem significant:

One, on June 19, 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced that it will hold its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in Jan. 2021 and the theme will be the “Great Reset.”

The “Great Reset” means changing every aspect of society by redistributing the world’s wealth, enacting a global tax, supporting world government, and more.

On that same day, former U.S. VP, Al Gore, went on TV to call for a “Reset” of the global economy to support “climate change.”

He said air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels heightens the death rates of the Coronavirus.

Expect what the WEF agrees to at that Jan. 2021 meeting to be pushed on the world shortly thereafter.

Mr. Biden has already come out in favor of tax increases in the U.S., and if he is elected, he will be at the president’s desk when the request to fund the New World Order goes around the world.

Two, on June 25, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Charter, UN Sec.-Gen. Guterres said, “The world needs an overarching level of multilateral governance that can sideline problematic ‘national interests.’” (In my words, he was saying, “The world needs groups of nations, not one person, with the power to set aside the desires of individual nations.”)

Guterres said there is a need to “reimagine the way nations cooperate.”

Guterres added, “We need a networked multilateralism, bringing together the U.N. system, regional organizations, international financial institutions and others.” (Know that I believe the Bible teaches that 10 regional groups of nations will rise and be headed by the 10 leaders or 10 kings before the Antichrist rises.)

Three, on June 26, 2020, it was reported that Facebook will start blocking and removing everything that criticizes the globalist agenda.

They immediately placed a “hate speech” warning label on a Republican pro-Trump video campaign ad.

The video shows true events, but Facebook gave in to people that want to silence the events.

The next day, it was reported that Republicans and conservatives (Sean Hannity, Jim Jordan, Kayleigh McEnany, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and others) are flocking to a new app called @parler_app

Four, on June 29, 2020, NYC Mayor de Blasio announced plans to cut $1 billion from NYC’s police budget.

Some of the leftists complained that defund the police means defund, not cut.

Many local police departments won’t submit to globalist control, so the globalists want all local police departments disarmed, dismantled or placed under the federal government to weaken the resistance to their global policies.

In years past, some globalists have suggested that U.S. troops be sent out of the U.S., and troops from other countries be brought into the U.S. to deal with U.S. citizens that might want to resist the surrender of America.

Citizens need to elect politicians that won’t go along with these control tactics.

God may use the next U.S. presidential election to impact how soon the New World Order will take over, but regardless of who wins, events are now moving with unprecedented speed, and we are almost there.

Five, in my article that was posted last week, I reported that Atty. Gen. Barr said that some of the individuals and groups that have been involved in the violence in the U.S. may be supported by foreign entities.

A friend sent me an article this week that says the U.S. has caught Communist China supplying weapons to Antifa and Black Lives Matter.

https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-07-03-communist-china-providing-automatic-weapons-to-antifa-black-lives-matter.html

I am not making any of these things up, and if these things are true, there are no words to convey how serious all of this is in light of Bible prophecy.

The NWO could drag on for a while, or something could happen that causes it to come together almost overnight.

Many think things are happening fast now, but they will happen faster in the future.

Every church member needs to be sure they are really saved, and every person that hasn’t accepted Jesus as their Saviour needs to sincerely do that immediately.

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com