Put on The New Man :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: May 16, 2021 by RR7

When we put on a new shirt or blouse, it can change our whole outlook on life. Instead of dingy and tattered clothes, new clothes can just make us feel good. Scripture tells us of something we need more than we need new clothes…our life needs to be made new.

As we look around this fallen world, most people see no need for Christ. They may think He was a nice man who taught wise lessons. He was a nice and very wise Man, but He is much more. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. In Him, we find new life, so the sinful life of worldly ways becomes dingy, worn, and needs to be renewed.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee seeking truth, came to Jesus and confessed that he knew Jesus was a teacher come from God, but it’s not enough to know that Jesus’ teachings are good. In order to find salvation through Him, there’s more required than just head knowledge about who Jesus is.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5-7).

Nicodemus was confused, but Jesus explained the truth to him by explaining an incident recorded in Numbers chapter 21. The Israelites had spoken against God, forgetting that He had brought them out of dismal slavery in Egypt. God sent fiery serpents that would bite the people and bring death. The people finally admitted that it was their sin that had caused this, and the Lord told Moses to make a serpent of brass (a symbol of sin) and put it on a pole. When someone looked to that symbol of sin on the pole, they would be healed. That seems like a strange story until Jesus fully explained it.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

The Israelites admitted their sin, repented, and God sent the cure for sin. The ultimate cure for sin and the eternal death it brings is looking to Jesus, who became sin for us and died on the cross at Calvary.

The world holds many temptations and struggles. It’s human nature to sin, and that separates us from God. Sin is burdensome, and it takes a toll on us. We grow weary of the unfulfilling life of sin. It may seem that there’s no point in living. Then, you look to the cross and realize that God truly loves you. He gave His life so you can live. You may think that sounds like a nice pie-in-the-sky hope, but when you look at your life and see all the sinful things you’ve done, you only see your sin. Don’t be discouraged. There is no sin you’ve ever committed that God won’t forgive.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).

Jesus said that, so you know it’s the truth. The only thing that will condemn you to eternal death is if you choose to reject the free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ. If you do that, then He hasn’t condemned you, but you’ve condemned yourself.

Once you have seen your need for salvation through Christ and accepted His sacrifice for your redemption, you need to put on the “new man.” Just like an old garment, the old man (or woman) needs to be changed. When you repent, you don’t need to go through your entire life telling God (or any man) every sin you’ve ever committed. You’ve probably committed more sins than you can even remember. Repentance is changing your mind about the sin you once embraced and turning away from it. Once you’ve changed your mind, begin living life in a new way. Turn away from the ways of the world.

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19).

People who haven’t come to the saving grace of Christ don’t understand how lost they are. We can see the results of this lasciviousness, which is unbridled lust and moral impurity, in many lives today. Abortion, homosexuality, child abuse, cold-hearted murders, and more are signs that the world is in the clutches of Satan’s power. When you come to a saving knowledge of Christ, the immorality of the world should no longer appeal to you. You put on the new man who follows Christ.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Friends and family may not understand your new attitude and try to pull you back to the life of sin you once embraced, but don’t turn back. You have a new life in Christ. You are a new creation.

John was one of the men closest to Jesus when He walked this earth. He must have been amazed to learn of being born again and the Holy Spirit living inside of believers. He knew that Jesus first brought His Good News to the nation of Israel. Though the nation as a whole rejected Him, a few Jewish men and women chose to follow Him. Because the leaders rejected their Messiah, salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus is open for all people.

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13).

This is a spiritual rebirth. The word translated “son” actually means a child, son or daughter. Being a child of God is a privileged place. By faith we accept His death, burial, and resurrection, and that means we are reborn into a new life in Christ. As newborn children, we need to learn of God’s ways. Scripture is our textbook, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher. Measure your life by Scripture, and put on the new man instead of holding onto the old.

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:8-10).

Our works won’t save us, but once we claim Christ for salvation, we need to work on our way of life. Our new life in Christ should show to everyone around us. The old man should be gone, and the new man should be an example to the world.

Jesus Christ came into this fallen world to become the final sacrifice for our redemption. His death was not a tragedy but a victory. His blood wasn’t tainted by sin, and only our faith in His death, burial, and resurrection will bring eternal life. Only God’s pure blood could pay the price of our redemption. When we truly accept Him, our life is no longer our own. We need to live for Him.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

That isn’t asking too much. Jesus shed His blood for you; you accepted His sacrifice, so now you need to put aside the sin that the world accepts and live for Christ. Apply Scripture to your daily life and walk in His ways. Put on the new man and let the world know that you’re a Christian.

It’s important for you to have answers ready for anyone who wants to know about the changes they see in you. People will want to know why you prefer to spend time with Christian friends rather than partying with old acquaintances. Your old friends may have some cruel words to say to you, but don’t be discouraged. Witness to them and help them come to salvation through Christ.

“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:13-16).

The word “conversation” is the King James way of saying “way of living.” If your life reflects Christ, don’t be ashamed, but show love and have answers for those who only mock Christ who lives in you. The first Christians faced violent persecution, but they would not deny Christ even if it meant death.

Brothers and sisters, the world is in a mess. This mess is caused by the evil workings of Satan. We represent Christ to this fallen world, and the new man needs to be put on and left on. Christ was crucified to purchase our redemption.

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6).

Christians belong to Christ, and our sins that brought eternal death were nailed to the cross. Our salvation is secure when we accept Christ’s blood sacrifice.

“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).

That’s a very secure place to be. You can only show your appreciation by living for Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

When you give your life to Christ, don’t let your past sin control your new life in Christ. Put off the old man and put on the new man. Live for Him who died for you.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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Fast and Furious :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: May 16, 2021 by RR7

The fulfillment of Bible prophecy has become fast and furious, so this article is longer than usual.

Consider the following facts:

One, concerning world government: on May 7, 2021, Dave Hodges reported on The Common Sense Show that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is demanding a global tax in advance of global governance.

Two, a reader sent me an e-mail that said:

“I’m picking up a lot of noise from the Global Reset mob regarding all world nations/governments being coerced/forced to immediately agree to compulsory inoculation of everyone with no exceptions.”
“I expect that most of the world’s diverse populations WILL readily accept this because it will be sold as the only alternative to prevent 3rd/4th etc., waves of the virus.”
The next few weeks (not months) should indicate to any thinking person (prepared to do some research of their own) whether I’m on the money or simply an alarmist.

Three, on May 5, 2021, Breitbart carried information from a Guardian article that said, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the birth rate in the U.S. fell by four percent in 2020 — the largest yearly drop in five decades.”

According to the article, “The findings echo a recent Associated Press analysis of 2020 data from 25 states showing that births had fallen during the coronavirus outbreak.” (The writer’s comment: Some pundits believe one purpose of the so-called Covid Crisis is population reduction. In fact, a former vice president of Pfizer said future vaccinations “could be used for mass murder.”)

(This writer’s comment: For whatever it is worth, it is not hard to find articles that say the U.S. government and CDC understate reports of adverse reactions to the vaccinations.)

On May 6, 2021, Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson “cited government statistics showing more Americans have died after getting the COVID vaccine (average is 30 people per day) in four months than from all other vaccines combined in more than a decade and a half.”
Carlson said, “The number of deaths is likely much higher than what VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) is reporting.”

(This writer’s comment: Others have had blood clots, strokes, gone blind, been paralyzed for life, and more. According to a committee of academics in the UK, death and other adverse reactions will be much greater by the time people take their third round of vaccinations if they are not significantly improved.)

Four, concerning mandatory Covid vaccination: a May 6, 2021 blog by Stephen Kokx, Content Marketing Manager for LifeSiteNews.com. says:

“Big Pharma doesn’t want healthy people; it wants customers.” (This writer’s comment: Big Pharma is making multiplied billions of dollars from their effort to force everyone on earth to be vaccinated, get booster shots, perhaps be vaccinated for variants the rest of their life, etc. On May 7, 2021, there was a report on a March 16, 2021 article titled, “Pfizer execs discuss hiking the vaccine price after pandemic wanes.”)
“The global medical establishment not only rejects but detests the idea that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (Writer’s comment: They contribute large sums of money to globalists that are trying to establish a godless world government.)
“The pressure being put on every man, woman, and now child to get the COVID sludge injected into their veins is an all-out assault on the human person as a creature made in the image and likeness of God.” (This writer’s comment: Globalists and Big Pharma are ignoring the fact that some ‘misleadingly-labeled vaccine[s]’ alter the DNA of the vaccinated, and this could lead to major religious implications.)

https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/big-pharma-doesnt-want-healthy-people-it-wants-customers

Five, in a LifeSiteNews.com article on May 6, 2021, Doug Mainwaring reported that The American Journal of Therapeutics has published a research paper calling for Ivermectin to be “globally & systematically deployed as a treatment for COVID-19.”

Mainwaring wrote that “Many have wondered if perhaps governments and Big Pharma have an agenda to push the vaccine while eliminating cheaper, more effective ways of treating the coronavirus.”
“They (the authors of the study) cite many examples of ‘Ivermectin distribution campaigns leading to rapid population-wide decreases in morbidity and mortality,’ prompting them to conclude that as an oral agent, ivermectin is “effective in all phases of COVID-19.”
The authors of the study wrote, “In the context of Ivermectin’s long-standing safety record, low cost, and wide availability along with the consistent, reproducible, large magnitude of findings on transmission rates, need for hospitalization, and mortality, widespread deployment in both prevention and treatment has been proposed.”

The article is loaded with more information from the study.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/medical-journal-calls-for-ivermectin-to-be-globally-systematically-deployed

Six, concerning forced vaccinations: on May 7, 2021, Bill Koenig wrote, “This is all rapidly leading to a one-world political order, one-world religious order, one-world financial order. It is leading to kingdoms against kingdoms and final-day pandemics that will lead to massive deaths spoken of in the Bible.”

Concerning kingdoms against kingdoms: the Bible clearly says the Antichrist will go forth “conquering, and to conquer” (Rev. 6:2); he will receive power from Satan, and people will ask, “who is able to make war with him?” (Rev. 13:4).

Seven, Pres. Biden fully supports a godless world government.

Biden is the Pres. that asked a “Christian” preacher friend to offer the benediction at his inauguration, and the prayer was closed, not in the name of Jesus, but “in the strong name of our collective faith.”
This is the kind of thinking that left God out of the Democrat Party Platform.
The Biden administration denied a permit for prayer at the Capitol on the National Day of Prayer.
The U.S. national motto is “One nation under God,” our money has “In God we trust on it,” but Biden issued a proclamation on the National Day of Prayer, and that did not mention God even once (he is the only Pres. to do this since the National Day of Prayer was initiated, and he calls himself a good Catholic.).
A misnamed bill, called the “For the People Act” (some call it the “Equality Act”), has been introduced in Congress that decreases the rights of Christians and faith-based groups, and will most surely lead to persecution of Christians.
Some of our leaders seem to be inadvertently begging for the Tribulation Period to begin and the judgment of God to fall on the U.S.

Eight, many Democrats support the globalist desire for nations to surrender their sovereignty to a world government, eliminate patriotism and nationalism, and refer to citizens as citizens of the world instead of their nation.

The U.S. has held a Memorial Day parade to honor our veterans for 101 years, but the permit for a parade in 2021 has been denied supposedly to prevent the spread of Covid.

But Black Lives Matter rioters and looters were not only allowed to march in a parade; they were encouraged to do so, and Mayor DeBlasio participated and painted “Black Lives Matter” on a street in Manhattan.

Veterans’ groups plan to sue the city of New York for discrimination against veterans, if the city continues to refuse their permit.

Nine, concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine: it has been estimated that Russia had more than 100,000 troops on the Ukraine’s border.

Russia told world leaders those troops would be withdrawn by May 1, 2021.

On May 6, 2021, it was reported that the U.S. estimates that Russia still has not removed about 80,000 troops, and those that withdrew left most of their weapons behind, enabling them to rapidly return if Russia tells them to.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed in skirmishes this week, bringing the total to 36 for the year.

Ten, in Mar. 2021, the Biden administration put a clause in its Covid Relief Plan (called the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021) that provides $4 billion debt forgiveness for black farmers and ranchers, but not white farmers and ranchers.

Businesses owned by women and minorities can also get debt forgiveness for up to $10 million (not more than $5 per location), but white men that own restaurants will be last in line and must hope the money does not run out.

If the Democratic Party’s forgiveness of debts is based on the color of one’s skin is not racism, what is it?

Eleven, concerning global hyperinflation and an economic collapse during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 6:5-6): on May 4, 2021, it was reported that the average price of a new home in the U.S. has increased by $35,872 in one year.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the price of lumber is more than 4 times what it should be for this time of the year.

It has been reported that the cost of renting a house will surge, and homeowners shouldn’t be surprised if the cost of their house insurance soars.

(This writer’s comment: Some existing houses are selling for more than the asking price because real estate agents and speculators know that fuel prices, the retirement or resignation of truckers in large Democrat-run cities because of the Defund the Police movement, and other things are causing the number of people that can afford a new house to dwindle fast. Readers that are planning to sell their current house should take note of this.)

On May 10, 2021, there was a report that U.S. national debt is now increasing at the rate of about 1 million dollars per minute.

Twelve, concerning the effort to silence former Pres. Trump’s opposition to world government and the surrender of U.S. sovereignty: on May 4, 2021, Trump announced the launch of a new platform called “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump” at www.DonaldJTrump.com/desk.

Thirteen, concerning a covenant of peace in the Middle East: on May 7, 2021, it was reported that Jared Kushner has created a group called the “Abraham Accords Institute for Peace” to strengthen the normalization agreements between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

The group will include advisors from some of the Arab nations, Democrats, and others that are interested in peace.

Fourteen, concerning corrupt government: according to Caroline Glick, a highly respected Israeli journalist, the U.S. will soon have a two-tiered justice system “where favored groups are protected, and disfavored groups are left to fend for themselves.”

Fifteen, more on corrupt government: massive fraud is being found in the audit of voting in Arizona, and Democrats are in a frenzy to stop the audit. (The DOJ is even threatening auditors with criminal prosecution over their involvement in the audit.)

Maricopa County officials are ignoring subpoenas from the state legislature.
They are refusing to provide routers demanded by the state senate.
There has been testimony that the election was run by Dominion employees, a private company with ties to China, instead of Maricopa County officials that were supposed to be in charge.
This is the only audit of its kind in the U.S., and if the Dept. of Justice, Supreme Court, and others had not been corrupted, the globalists probably would not be in a position to surrender America’s sovereignty today. But do not worry, God knew about their godless world government before the foundation of the world, He has an amazing plan to protect His people (the Rapture), and He will deal with it (the Tribulation Period).
The audit should be finished next week.

Sixteen, more on corrupt government, Jesus said the last days will be like the days of Noah when the wickedness of man was great (Matt. 24:37).

There seems to be a deliberate effort to increase violence in the U.S.

The U.S. border with Mexico has been thrown wide open to terrorists, drug cartels, and others.
Officials have banned most deportations of illegal aliens, they want them to vote, etc.
Officials are giving amnesty to illegal aliens, not allowing the Border Patrol to do their job, etc.
Officials have bailed rioters and looters out of jail and allowed them to continue burning down buildings, destroy police cars, etc.
Officials have reduced police protection with the “Defund the Police” movement, released criminals from prison early, etc.

Seventeen, concerning God giving people over to a reprobate mind (Rom. 1:28): the CDC has started referring to expectant women as “people who are pregnant” and “people who are breastfeeding” because they do not want to call them mothers, women, or females, and now a Democrat from Missouri is calling them “birthing people.”

They even pretend that people do not know what gender they are, and people can call themselves any gender they want, although God said there are two genders.

There was a time when professional groups called this a mental illness, but now many celebrate it and say those that oppose it hate people.

Something Franklin Graham said covers this: “You can argue all you want, you can try and deny the Truth all you want, but God’s Word is the final arbiter.”

Eighteen, on May 8, 2021, Jonathan Cahn released his latest prophetic message (about 33 min.), revealing his unique understanding of what is going on and what to do.

This writer strongly recommends it, and here is the link. https://youtu.be/L9hd9AIgmL4

Nineteen, according to the Bible, Jerusalem will be a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone for the whole world at the end of the age (Zech. 12:2-3).

The first 10 days of May 2021 have brought violence in Jerusalem, at the Temple Mount, and in Judea and Samaria.

On May 7, 2021, widespread violence injured 17 Israeli police (about half had to be hospitalized) and 205 Palestinians (many carried away on stretchers).
On May 8, 2021, 1 Israeli police officer and 90 Palestinians (14 hospitalized) were injured.
On May 9, 2021, the IDF announced that Israel will be sending 3 more battalions of troops to the area to try to calm the situation.
On May 9, 2021, the UN Security Council met in an emergency session, condemned the Palestinian violence, and urged Israel to halt eviction plans in East Jerusalem.
On May 10, 2021, it was reported that the violence is escalating, and more than 150 rockets have been fired into Israel so far. Several were fired at Jerusalem; 1 house was hit, and the Israeli Knesset had to evacuate.
On May 10-11, 2021, more than 200 rockets were fired into Israel, killing 2 Israeli women, injuring about 70 Israeli soldiers, and damaging many structures.
Israeli retaliation in Gaza killed about 20 people, including women and children.
Through the years, there have been many flare-ups that were settled before war broke out, but at the time of this writing, a ceasefire is not on the horizon.
This is a very serious situation, and if this is not settled soon, it could lead to some of the end-of-the-age prophesied wars.
One Israeli writer is calling it “a battle for the Temple Mount.”

Finally, if you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com