Romans 12:2

Rom 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

Be Prepared

1 Pet 3:15: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...

http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

The Three Parts of Man

Gen 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

The significance of Genesis 1:26 is important. Just like God is a trinity, so are we. God is The Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost and we are body, mind and spirit.

Body is the physical part of a person.

Mind is considered to be the soul of a person, the heart.

Spirit is a vital principle held to give life to physical organisms.

http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

In The Beginning

John 1:1-5:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

In Christ

2 Cor 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

How is Life Even Possible?

I sit up and think over my life and try to figure out how it's possible for me to even breathe, think and understand. Then with a cumbersome sigh I say to myself Psalm 8:3-4:

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
                                ⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
           human beings that you care for them?
 

Then I think once more and say to myself, "How is life even possible?"


http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

Happy Black Friday!

Happy Black Friday! Don't forget to shop for The Salvation Series Books! $9.99 Paperback, $6.99 E-book.
http://www.amazon.com/J.-D.-Wilson/e/B004HZA1AS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

The Argument for God and Time

What is the argument for the existence of God? Suggesting that God must have a beginning and putting Him in the realm of time is a baseless argument.  But if you suggest that God himself is eternal and encompasses eternality, then your argument is true.

Many people believe that an actual infinite or timeless God cannot exist, because the cosmological argument proposes that time began at the beginning of the universe. But this argument fails to establish that infinity had to exist before time, that time itself had to be created. If it is suggested that something has no end, which is the definition of infinity, then you must also believe that it has no beginning as well.

Understanding the endlessness of God is how we understand the potential in us as human beings. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” This scripture is important because God himself made us to be a representation of His image, which is why timelessness has to be evident. God formed us and therefore we contain a time in which God exists. We, ourselves, are the definite proof that there is a God. So, understanding that God came before us is how we understand that God will remain God after our time on earth is done.

Genesis 1:1- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

 

 http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

Hebrews 4:15

Heb 4:15 : For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.


http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

What is truth?

          Can truth be defined?  Truth can be, at times, metaphysical or abstract and it can defy the natural existence of people and places and therefore make things supernatural. Defining truth is important because when you find truth you find an absolution, assertion or a meaning. As long as a fact or belief can be disproven then it’s not true. Which is why American court systems have limitations and the litigant who wins is the litigant with the smartest lawyer who knows how to maneuver a court system.  

Let’s take the example of God. Is it factual that there is a God and if the existance of God is true, then what makes Him true?  In the scripture, John 18:38, Pontius Pilate, Governor of Rome, specifically asks Jesus, “What is truth?” the night Jesus was arrested and went before Pilate. Jesus never gave an answer but Pilate concluded that there was no fault in Jesus and sought to release Jesus.

 

Jesus did not have to answer Pilate because the truth was already revealed to the Roman Governor. Pilate knew and recognized that Jesus is Lord and in fact wrote on Jesus’ cross ‘JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS’ in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The 53^rd chapter of Isaiah, written 600 years prior to Jesus’ birth, stated what the Lord must go through and what was said by the prophet Isaiah is what happened.

 

So, what is truth?  The truth is only truth when it is revealed to be true and can’t be discredited. Jesus dying on the cross for our sins was revealed and can’t be adjudicated, therefore making Jesus Lord, which is a fact that can't be discredited and is therefore The Truth.

 

 John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Isaiah 53:5- But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

http://thesalvationseries.wix.com/butterflypublishing#

 

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.   -Ecclesiastes 9:11

The importance of this scripture, written by King Solomon the son of David and King of Israel, is to inform everyone of what role fairness plays in a Christian's life. King Solomon was known as being very wise, performing many acts of wisdom and is also known as one of the 48 prophets. In this particular writing, King Solomon considered that even when all things are equal there are particular incidents that can produce unexpected results solely based on time and chance. Sort of like a phenomenon of the unexplainable.
So what role does fairness play in a Christian's life? Well, let's just say that fairness does not have a role in a Christian's life. Just because someone does everything right does not mean that time and chance will not be a factor. Time and chance will always be a factor and therefore make life for anyone unfair.
www.thesalvationseries.com

Amazing Grace

2 Cor 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Acts 18:9: One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
Acts 18:11: So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

www.thesalvationseries.com

When the solution is simple, God is answering. -Albert Einstein
www.thesalvationseries.com

Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
www.thesalvationseries.com

Read a free excerpt of Broken: The Salvation Series Book #1 by J.D. Wilson

Read a free excerpt of Broken: The Salvation Series Book #1 by J.D. Wilson

Chapter 1

Cheryl sat in church on another Friday evening as the reverend taught about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and what it means. Her aunt and uncle always took her to church and Cheryl just buried her head in the bible as if she were religious.

Cheryl never read a word of the Bible though and would never listen to anything the church leader had to say. She pretended to listen, but was really occupied with other things-like what she was going to wear tomorrow and whether she should wear sandals or flip-flops with the outfit she picked out in her head. The truth was she didn’t trust church leaders, especially anyone who called themselves a pastor.

Although she knew that it was a cult she was under as a child, Cheryl could not bring herself to trust a leader, much less a God.

Her aunt and uncle had church leaders over many Sundays and Cheryl always found a way to get out of having dinner with them by always sleeping over her friend Khali’s house. Those were the only days she believed there was a God.

Cheryl accepted Christ into her heart a month after living with her aunt and uncle, but only because her aunt said it was the right thing to do. That was nine years ago and since then Cheryl learned to smile when necessary and say amen when appropriate.

Cheryl started rubbing her head because of the exploding pain in her temples. For the last hour she’s had her head down pretending to focus on the bible that was in front of her. She could never focus in church, not tonight, not ever.

She would just sit there each time waiting for the service to be over.

She looked over at her aunt who was nodding her head, agreeing with the reverend. Cheryl put her head back down and pretended to study the Bible in front of her.

Finally, when her headache got really strong, she whispered to her aunt that she wasn’t feeling well and that she’d call one of her friends to drive her home. She didn’t want to disappoint her aunt by leaving early, but she had a headache since lunch at school. Her head pains were also an excuse enough to get away. Cheryl would normally stay in the service for her aunt, but she didn’t want to. Her aunt was deeply religious and believed every word in the bible. When the reverend told everyone to turn to a scripture Cheryl excused herself, as if she was going to the ladies room, and headed for the hallway.

Cheryl felt relived as soon as she stepped into the hallway.

Mrs. Bower came out of the church office and saw Cheryl.

“How are you doing Ms. Cheryl?” Mrs. Bower had a wide smile and wore glasses that were way too big for her face.

“Ok, I guess.” Cheryl answered in like manner.

“Are you leaving early?”

“Yes. I got a headache while I was in there. I think it’s too hot in there or something.”

“Well, I could turn the air up.”

“No. That’s ok, I’ll just leave early.”

“Well before you go, I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to take on the Youth Minister position.”

“Youth Minister? I don’t-”

“It’s a fascinating job and I always see you studying the bible so you’re the perfect choice for the position.”

“I just don’t think-”

“Crystal will be leaving us in July,” continued Mrs. Bower ignoring Cheryl’s decline. “You would have plenty of time to think about it.” When she was done talking, Mrs. Bower then stood there smiling waiting for Cheryl to say something.

“I’ll…think about it,” Cheryl said halfheartedly.

“Oh, praise the Lord. And the Lord will bless you, you know.”

Cheryl smiled as she saw Mrs. Bower walk through the door she just came from.

Continuing her journey, Cheryl bypassed the ladies room and went out the side doors. She took her phone out of her pocket and called Khali, one of the few true friends she’s made since moving to Chest Shire Falls. Khali was such a good friend by agreeing to pick her up and Cheryl would do the same for Khali in a heartbeat, if she had a car of course. Closing her phone she rubbed her head again. “Headache: Go Away,” she ordered the pain in her head.

She started walking in hopes the ache in her head would go away.

Looking ahead she saw how beautiful the church ground was. The lawn had been mowed the day before and the church gates were freshly painted. But Cheryl was not one impressed by the outside appearance of things. Yeah, the church was beautiful, just like the old church she attended growing up.

She winced at the memory of her childhood church. If only people knew what was going on inside that church, then maybe they would have seen that the radiance of that church was only a visage.

Cheryl stopped and waited by the church steps for Khali to pick her up. Khali used to attend Friday night bible study with her, but she just stopped one day. Then she stopped coming to Sunday service and now she attends church only sometimes.

Suddenly, Cheryl heard someone coming up behind her and she turned around.

The guy she had often seen at Truman High School was coming toward her. She remembered him because he is always parked in the school parking lot dropping his brother off in the morning and picking his brother up from school in the afternoon.

He was the “bad boy” of the town. Earlier in the year she saw him beat a few kids up outside the school for ganging up on his brother. He had some bruised ribs after the fight. She could tell because she saw him hunched over a little when he walked his brother back to his car.

Later, she saw a rather large bruise on the left side of his head when he picked his brother up from school the next day. It was the day, among many days, that she was waiting for Khali to say goodbye to her boyfriend, Brandon. She remembered him being in his car that day and when he looked her way she turned her head. If he saw her looking at him she wouldn’t have known because she didn’t look his way again.

The three boys that ganged up on his brother had worse injury.

Cheryl’s aunt even knew about him. “There’s that dangerous boy,” she heard her aunt say one day on their way to church. Cheryl looked out her window and saw him walking from his job at the pen factory to his grayish-blue car.

Now he sat in front of her on his bicycle.

“Hasn’t your mother taught you to never to be by yourself at night,” he said jokingly.

She looked at him, “No.”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed then,” he said in like manner.

“Maybe I am.”

His smile died down.

She cocked her eye brow and took mace out of her pocket and showcased it, “Or maybe I’m not.”

He had a half-smile, “I suppose you think that mace will save you from weirdoes.”

She didn’t answer him. After a long silence he spoke. “My name is Justin Crawler.”

Cheryl did not want to speak to anyone tonight, so she ignored him. Boy, I wish I had a car, she thought. She turned and started walking toward the road.

Justin rode his bike alongside her, “That’s when you say that your name is…” He left space open for her to speak.

“Aren’t you going to tell me your name?”

“No, because my aunt told me to never give my name out to strangers,” she said sarcastically.

Justin smiled a little. “A little humor to go with that beauty; how excellent.”

She didn’t turn around nor smile, which was exactly the opposite of what he was trying do.

Cheryl now waited impatiently for the car that was supposed to pick her up.

“Do you even know where you’re going?”

“Look, I’ve heard all about you.”

“What have you heard?”

“That you are the “bad boy” of the town and that I should stay away from you.”

“I’m not a dangerous kid.”

“Say that to the three boys you beat up in the school parking lot.”

Justin became real serious, “I couldn’t let them get away with hurting my little brother. He’s all I have left of my family. I can’t lose him.”

She saw Justin stop before his emotions ran over him. “Anyway, I’m only trying to see if you are okay.”

“I’m fine, just leave me alone alright?”

“Not until you tell me where you’re going.”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Because I care.”

“No one cares”

“You sound like me sometimes.”

She pretended his words didn’t mean anything to her. “Then maybe you should spend your time inside the church, instead of outside.”

“No,” Justin said casually, “I mean it obviously hasn’t worked for you.” Justin stopped his bike. “I just wanted to talk to you and figure out why your eyes are always sad.” He got off his bike and walked beside her.

“I see you outside the school when I pick my brother Lionel up. You talk to no one.”

“I do talk to people,” Cheryl said defensively, “just not to you.”

Justin ignored her disdain and continued, “You completely isolate yourself…” He looked back at the church, “Are you running away from something?”

“I said I have mace so leave me alone.”

Justin looked around, “You’re not exactly in the safest part of town.” He paused. “Listen, I just don’t want you to get hurt. That’s all.”

“And why do you care if I get hurt?”
 

___Want to read more?
 

Buy now on Amazon:

 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+salvation+series+book+%23%3A+Broken&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Athe+salvation+series+book+%23%3A+Broken&ajr=0

 

Buy now on Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-salvation-series-book-1-jd-wilson/1112258377?ean=2940014991414

 

 

www.thesalvationseries.com

WHAT IS A FALSE PROPHET

The words "false prophet" has been on my mind for a while now and I figure I should tell everyone what a false prophet is. Have you ever noticed that some preach the bible but don't follow the bible? In this case, they are more than hypocrites because they are leaders,  in this case they would be defined as a false prophet - and there are many of them. A prophet is defined as a person who speaks for God or a deity, or who speaks by divine inspiration (Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prophet). 

It is important for a Christian to understand what the bible defines as a false prophet. Matthew 7:15 states: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." In other words, a false prophet will seem to be peaceful, innocent (like a sheep) but really they are ravening wolves (like the devil, evil). The bible further states (verse 16), “Ye shall know them by their fruits" (fruits of the spirit, Galatians chapter 3). If they do not have these "fruits of the spirit" it would be very hard to say that they are of God, when they don't have even a basic principle like love. God (JESUS) took the time to explain to us about false prophets because of their intentions (or inner agenda, motives).

If someone's sole purpose is to distract you and get you off the message of God (JESUS) then they are really working for Satan. The same Satan that is known to give half-truths or lies (Genesis chapter 3). Because Satan omitted the fact of human beings, who once couldn't die, would die if they ate the forbidden fruit, this makes Satan’s words a half-truth (a lie) because omission is, in fact, lying. Matthew chapter 7:13-14, tells us to enter in at the strait gate and being under false teachings would only try to hinder you from getting into heaven.

So let us be wise before we are quick to follow someone on twitter or Facebook, because some just might be a false prophet.

 Share what you think.

www.thesalvationseries.com



Can a person deny God by their actions?

To the pure all things are pure, but to the defiled, unbelieving nothing is pure. They claim to know God but by their actions deny Him. Titus 1:15-16

In this scripture the writer, Paul, tells Titus that to some all things are pure. But only those who don't believe in God and who are defiled is nothing pure. Paul learned early that our words can in fact deny God as written in Mark 14:26-30, when Paul denied Jesus more than once and the cock crowed (Mark 14:72). But Paul tells Titus that our actions can deny God also. He specifically points out those who claim to know God but are really unbelievers. It is important that a Christian knows this distinction.

There are many people that a Christian will meet in which you might think they are holy, but in fact they are impersonators.

Do you know anyone who is impersonating? Share what you think.

www.thesalvationseries.com

The Matrix of God is Awesome!!!

                                                 The Matrix of God is Awesome!!!
I guess some would contribute the inevitability of life as a way to demean God and say that He is not worthy or honorable, but He is. Never think that God is not Awesome!!! www.thesalvationseries.com

And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. www.thesalvationseries.com

The only thing you can say about me is that I do my best.www.thesalvationseries.com