Sometimes we’re easily offended. Every one of us are guilty of this. Everyone one of us, at some point in our life, try to justify our own sins or the sins of others. But don’t let that stop you from searching for the truth. Don’t let that consume you. Don’t allow yourself to walk away from God because the truth was too hard. You don’t have to agree, just take a look for yourself…
“I think God would want me to be happy” is a common response in today’s Church whenever we’re being spiritually corrected. But is that a fair statement? Does God want us to be happy? It would seem only right that God would want us to be happy and enjoy life to the fullest, but is that what God really wants for our lives? Is the Joy of the LORD the same as happiness? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the Truth in our video, Does God Want Me To Be Happy?
Revelation 20:11-15 Matthew 18:7-9 Matthew 26:40-41 John 21:15-19 Romans 7:14-25 Psalms 37:3-4 1 Samuel 13:14
Does God Want Me To Be Happy?
How to Have Joy
Oftentimes, we fall into this trap because we have been told that God loves everyone and just wants us to have the best. That statement in itself is true, but the problem with that statement is that we base ‘love’ and ‘best’ on cultural standards instead of Biblical standards. According to Biblical standards, God’s desire for us is to have life and life more abundantly. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be a millionaire because that’s living life more abundantly, and let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with being a millionaire; that’s just not what God was promising.
Having life and life more abundantly had nothing to do with material things; instead, it was about living without the chains of sin, shame, anger, depression, anxiety, etc. God’s promise was FREEDOM. Freedom from the chains and strongholds of this world. And happiness is one of the biggest strongholds of this world. If we stop chasing happiness, then we can start chasing freedom. Then and only then will be filled with The Joy of The LORD. And the Joy of The LORD, that is our strength. God doesn’t want us happy, He wants us filled with His joy because happiness doesn’t lead to freedom.
“No one is perfect” is a common phrase in our world today, but is that the Truth or is it just another excuse? And if it is the Truth, then does that mean no one will ever be perfect? Does God expect me to be perfect? Should we aim for perfection, or would that be prideful to do so? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the answer to the question “Does God Expect Me To Be Perfect?”
Matthew 5:48 Colossians 4:12 Romans 12:1-2 Ephesians 5:25-27 Ephesians 6:10-18
Perfected in The Image of God Verses
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Galatians 6:15
7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:7
These verses are saying that no longer are you your past, but now you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. You are now being transformed into a new creation. Look at what Paul writes in his letter to the Romans.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
You are being perfected into the Image of God, as Adam was perfectly made in the Image of God. How? Because the veil has been removed from our eyes and our eyes are being opened by the Holy Spirit who is now living in us.
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
We’ve often heard the phrase, “God understands.” But does He? Does God let certain sins slide because He knows that we’re only human? Does He let it go because at least we wanted to do good? Join ArieRashelle as she answers the question, “Does God Understand?”
John 14:16-17 2 Corinthians 15:7 John 8:34-36 Romans 6:1-2 Ephesians 5:1-2
How Much Does God Understand?
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Does God understand? God understands that we are dust. He understands that we will fall into temptation and give into sin. God understands that sinners sin, but that doesn’t mean that God overlooks sin. On the contrary, God, in fact, expects us to be perfect as He is perfect. Why? Because if we strive for mediocrity, the most we can be is mediocre. Why would we strive for anything less than perfect?
The purpose of Jesus becoming a baby and dying a man was so that He could take our sin upon Him. It was so that one day we would live with Him forever in Eternity. If we don’t strive for perfection and settle for mediocrity, we deem Jesus’ sacrifice pointless. We can be mediocre on our own. We don’t need help with that; this why we have to strive for perfection. The only way that we can become better is to strive for better. Jesus first overcame, and therefore we will overcome. If you have been saved, then you have been set free, so why would you return to slavery when Christ set you free?
So much does God really understand? Well, Jesus understands that sin is hard to overcome. He understands what it’s like to be tempted in every way, so never feel as though you can’t go to Him. You can go before the Throne of Grace no matter what sins you are ashamed of. Christ died for you. He died for you knowing exactly what you have done and will do in the future. Christ died so that you could live. Repent, and He shall save you. Once you repent, you are freed in Jesus’ name. So, live your life as one who has been freed, not as a slave.
I’m a good person, and I love God, so why would I go to Hell? Besides, if God is really a good and loving God, why would He even create a place called Hell? Maybe Hell is just a part of purgatory for really bad people like murderers or rapists until they’ve paid off their debt for their sin. Join ArieRashelle as she answers all of these questions and more in our video, Why Would a Loving God Send People To Hell?
1 John 4:8 Romans 5:8 Matthew 5:21-22 Mark 9:47-48 Matthew 18:34-35 Matthew 7:13-14 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Matthew 8:11-12 Matthew 25:41 Deuteronomy 30:19-20 John 15:1-6 John 14:15 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Revelation 21:8 Romans 10:9 Acts 3:19 1 Corinthians 6:11 Colossians 2:13-14
Why Would a Loving God Send People To Hell?
Why Would God Create Hell?
41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”
Mark 10:18
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:10-12
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
John 15:9-10
The Love of God
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
3 the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.
John 3:16
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
On January 22, 1973, America legalized abortion. From that day to now, we have taken the stance that a woman has the right to choose to keep her baby or to have an abortion. The world made up its mind on January 22, 1973, that it was alright to have an abortion, but in the last ten years, the Church has begun to change its stance in favor of abortion as well. Which leads us to this video, Is Abortion a Sin?
We have celebrities, political leaders, and influential people who claim to be Christians. Yet, they not only support a woman’s right to choose, some even go as far as to spend their Birthday at Planned Parenthood, but they also try to justify their beliefs that God or Jesus would support a woman’s reproductive rights with Scripture.
If it is not really a baby, but just an embryo or a fetus, then that can’t actually be murder, can it? Does the Bible even make a stance on abortion, since it is a relatively new procedure? Join us as ArieRashelle dissects the Bible in search of the answers to this controversial question, “Is Abortion a Sin?”
Jesus told us to abide in Him, and He would abide in us. So, therefore, if we believe and repent, then we are now abiding in Him. But what happens if we turn away from Jesus? Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation? If we turn away from Jesus, does that mean we were never really saved? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture for the answer to these questions and more in her video, Can You Lose Your Salvation?
John 10:27-28 Romans 8:38-39 Luke 8:13-14 John 3:18 John 5:24 Matthew 7:16-20 Matthew 12:33 2 Peter 2:20-22 Genesis 1:27 Genesis 3:6 Ephesians 4:22-24 Hebrews 4:15
Can You Lose Your Salvation?
More Verses on Losing Your Salvation:
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:1-5
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Ephesians 5:6-11
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
As time goes on, Halloween seems to become a bigger and bigger holiday, and more and more Christians seem to participate. But is that okay? There isn’t anywhere in the Bible that says, “Thou Shall Not Celebrate Halloween.” Yet something about this holiday seems to give some Christians the heebie-jeebies. Is Halloween evil? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he searches scriptures for answers to the big question, Can Christians Celebrate Halloween?
The origins of Halloween are in the occult, specifically the pagan festival of Samhain. Therefore, why are Christians celebrating this pagan festival? Because if it is pagan, then it isn’t of God. If it isn’t of God, then it is evil. Therefore, why are Christians celebrating and participating in Halloween if it’s evil?
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Recap:
John Ramirez’ Five Reasons Christians Shouldn’t Celebrate Halloween:
1. Legal Rights 2. Eternal Mistake 3. Important Satanic Holiday 4. Grieves Holy Spirit 5. Demonic Candy and Costumes
How We Got Rid of Unwanted Spirits
How exactly did we get the demonic spirits out of our home? An entire night of prayer and worship as we walked throughout the home, anointing the different rooms and doorways with anointing oil. We also spoke scriptures of protection and peace over each room as we had our worship, such as Psalms 23, John 14:27, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:7, etc.
We all often wonder what happens when we die. It’s common for people to wonder about the afterlife. Eternity is a difficult concept to grasp. Do we all spend eternity in Heaven with God? Do we spend eternity somewhere else? Do we become ghosts? Do we roam the Earth if we have unfinished business? Does everyone go to a better place? Does the Bible actually give us an explanation? Join ArieRashelle as she searches the Bible for the answers to these questions in her video What Happens When You Die?
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’
29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Luke 16:22-32
What Happens When You Die?: Eternity
Eternity With God
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4
Eternity In Hell
5 And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:5-8
What about the rest for those who won’t die, but are raptured?
Those who go up in the rapture receive their rest during the Millennial Reign of Christ.
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
Revelation 20:4-5
Now how can we be so sure? Keep in mind, the rapture and pre-first resurrection has already happened, this is the first official resurrection referring to the rest given to those who go through Tribulation and do not take the mark nor worship the beast or its image.
As explained in the video above, rest refers to a time of peace without temptation or suffering. This would be that time for those who went through the Great Tribulation because the Devil or Satan is chained up for the full thousand years.
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be released for a little while.
Revelation 20:1-3
So the Millennial Reign of Christ is the rest for those who went through The Great Tribulation, which would include those who were raptured up. For more on the rapture and when it occurs, check out our Rapture video. Until next time, God Bless.
For more on the Millennial Reign of Christ, click our Creation Story pic below!
Every 40 seconds, someone dies from suicide (World Health Organization statistic). Many of these are bible-believing Christians who couldn’t find hope in this world and thought it would be better if they were dead. So many believe that the only way they will ever find peace is if they take their own lives. As a Church, we have failed to address this and find a way to help those who struggle with Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide, which leads us to ask the question: Is suicide a sin? Is there such a thing as a spirit of suicide? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find answers to these questions in our video, Is Suicide a Sin?
We believe that suicide is a spirit, as we believe every sin has a spirit behind it. 1 John 4:1 tells us, “4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” We believe that it is a Spirit of Suicide that plants the seed that someone is worthless, hopeless, doomed, or disgusting, in their head. Therefore, finding relief would begin in the mind. It all starts with changing your thoughts. But how do you do that? You have to make a conscious decision to change your thoughts. Then you fill your mind with scripture to tell you the truth. That you are not worthless. That you are loved. You are beautiful. You are wanted. You are not disgusting. You are a Child of God.
Encouraging Verses
God Knows You and Hears You
17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
Psalms 34:17-19
22 Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalms 55:22
13 For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalms 139:13-14
‘11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Jeremiah 29:11
God is With You
20 We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. 21 In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.
Psalms 33:20-22
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
