Ken Blue Ministries

“DON’T CALL ME A SINNER!”

February 11, 2013 by Ken Blue

(Shall I call you a coward because you are afraid to read this article?)

By Ken Blue

I had a “friend” of Face Book until I called into question a vulgar sign she had posted. Her response was to tell me where to go, which I cannot because of Jesus, and to stay off her page. I was glad to do the latter. I did not mention sin, nor did I accuse her of sinning. Regardless, I was informed that she did not like anyone telling her she was a sinner.

None of us likes to be called sinners, or face what we really are. But, the facts can’t be hidden, even on Face Book.

I will not call YOU a sinner; I’ll let you decide for yourself. If you don’t like the word “sinner,” find a more appealing synonym. Let’s run the test.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3. I am sure you don’t have anyone or anything you have replaced God with. GUILTY!
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:” Exodus 20:4. Do you have any material objects you put ahead of God? GUILTY!
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7. Do I need to say anything about this? GUILTY!
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8. I am sure you have always set aside a day, just for God. GUILTY!
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12. I am sure your mother and dad would be proud of you, if they knew you like you know you. GUILTY!
“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13. Ah, you say, I have never killed anyone. Did you ever want to? Then you are a murder in your heart. GUILTY!
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14. Jesus says, if you have lusted after someone, you have committed adultery in your heart. GUILTY!
“Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15. GUILTY!
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16. Ever tell a lie? GUILTY!
Thou shalt not covet…” Exodus 20:17. Ever want that which belonged to another? GUILTY!

You see, when you go by your own standards, you can be better than anyone. But, when you judge yourself by God’s truth, you are GUILTY on all accounts. That’s not good.

Now, if you don’t want to be classified as a sinner, we will help you with some other descriptions. In fact, we will let God describe you.

“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:11-23.

Is this a correct description of you?

THE RABBI WHO WAS IGNORANT OF HIS TEXTBOOK

February 8, 2013 by Ken Blue

By Ken Blue

Nicodemus was a Rabbi who was ignorant of the Scriptures. One night he went to Jesus for clarification. This is what Jesus told him.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 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. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” John 3:3-10.

It was typical for many of the Jewish teachers to be ignorant concerning their understanding of their own Scriptures. Paul described them this way. “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 3:14.

Nicodemus, of all people, should have understood the necessity of national repentance and its rebirth. Old Testament Scriptures allude to it repeatedly:

“Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” Isaiah 66:8.
“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10.
“In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1.
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” Ezekiel 11:19.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26.

At the end of the Tribulation, there will be a remnant of Jews who will realize that Jesus was their Christ, and they will turn to Him with great repentance. (Isaiah 53 & 54 will fit here.) That remnant will become the “New Nation” through which Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth. Its headquarters will be in Jerusalem. He will rule through King David, and the Twelve Apostles.

“ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Nicodemus was a teacher of the Old Testament, and should have understood the many prophecies of this future event for those within the nation who will repent. Those Jews who will not repent, will not see, or enter the Kingdom, but will be cast into “outer darkness.” This transformation will be brought about by the miracles Jesus will execute against their enemies. Their own hopelessness, the Word of God, and the outpouring of the Spirit on them will produce a nation that will be “born again.” Thus, Nicodemus should have known what “born again” meant concerning Israel.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE ON THE DARK SIDE

February 5, 2013 by Ken Blue

By Ken Blue

Many years ago, I, and three of my cousins from Wenatchee hiked deep into the Cascade Mountains searching for a lake that was reported to be a great fishing spot. After about four hours into the forest, we realized that we were lost, and we had no idea where the lake was. I still remember how terrified I felt when I realized that none of my older cousins had any idea where we were either. By the grace of God, some hours later, we stumbled out of the woods onto a logging road. We started walking down the road. Several minutes later, a Forest Ranger came down the road from behind us. We told him our situation, and ask if he could help us. He invited us to get into the truck, and in few miles later we were back on Hwy 2. What a relief to see our car, and to know exactly where we were in relation to home.

There are three important landmarks you must identify, if you are going to know if you are lost or not.

You don’t know where you came from. Most people in spiritual darkness have no idea about what they have inherited from their forefathers. God created Adam and Eve, and He instructed them about what to do, and not to do. He also told them the consequences of disobedience. They disobeyed, and not only did they begin to die physically; they were cut off from a relationship with God. Every child of Adam, that’s you and me, was born separated from God. Until you know where you came from in relation to God, you are lost.

You don’t know why you are here. You know that you are somewhere. But do you know why God has you on His earth? If you think it is for sex, to suck air in and out, and drink His water, you are a lost as a goose in a hail storm. Why would God have you exist? The answer is clear. He loves you and wants you to see, and understand that. Then He wants you to live for, and praise Him. That’s why you are here. You are to use your life for Him. If you don’t know that, you don’t know why you are here, and you are lost.

You don’t know where you are going. You may joke about it, but you are on a fast trip to somewhere. The question for you is, where are you going? If you don’t know, then you are lost. I will make it as simple as I can.

You are lost from God, and in your sins. The wages of your sin is physical death, and eternal separation from God in a place called hell. However, God loves you, and He wants to save you from the penalty of your sins. That is why Jesus died on the cross. He died to pay for all your sins. Read carefully the following scripture. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13. Read it until you understand it, and believe it. Then call on Him, asking Him to save you. He will!

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a reach like me.

I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”

THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING

February 2, 2013 by Ken Blue

By Ken Blue

“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” Job 4:8. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7. “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:” Hosea 8:7.

This is the law of the universe. What you sow, you must reap. If fact, you will reap what you sow. You will reap after you sow, and you will reap more than you sow. “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”

Those of you, who are determined to have sex with every person you date, have no idea what you are doing. First, you are dishonoring God, and your own body. Then you are exposing yourself to all kinds of incurable diseases. Then, many infants come into this world with no father, and in many cases the mother doesn’t even know who the father is. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you are destroying your ability to trust the opposite sex, and you are setting yourself up for a life of insecurity. You will reap more than you sow.

The next harvest you will reap will be the results of cigarettes, alcohol, and the drugs you put in your body. If you think you can smoke, drink, use drugs, and not reap the consequences, you are the biggest fool in the county. Once these vices get hold of you, they will not let go. They become your master, and you become their slave. “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” You may joke about it now, but you will not be laughing at harvest time.

Finally, you cannot be a companion of fools without becoming one yourself. You see, it is the books you read, and the people you associate with that mold, and make you. It is a slow process, but it is at work. By the time you realize what is happening, you will be there. Look around yourself. The people you follow are leading you to their lifestyle. There are too many warning about this in the Bible to list them. However, this one ought to wake you up, if anything will. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20. You should read, and commit that verse to memory. If you insist on running with fools, then rest assured, you are one, or soon will be. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” There’s no escape, keep sowing, but don’t wonder why you have the harvest you will reap when it comes, and come, it will.

YOUR EPITAPH?

January 31, 2013 by Ken Blue

By Ken Blue

When life is over, and it will be soon,

What will be the epitaph on your tomb?

Was your life a waste, breathing in and out?

Was self-gratification what it’s about?

Were you like an animal, with only three drives?

Was it reproduction, comfort, and food to survive?

Will you die like an animal with no legacy?

When the curtain is pulled, then, where will your soul be?

Did you hide in darkness, with fear and doubt,

Afraid to discover what life’s all about?

Did you drown your conscience with music’s blare,

Trying to please friends; their approval share?

Friends won’t go with you when you enter death.

Your soul will depart at your final breath.

He who has Christ Jesus, has eternal life.

He who has Him not, shall never see life.

“He that hath the Son hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:.