It Is Okay To Be Spiritual, But Not Religious

Proverbs 19:17, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

I hear many, many, people saying that they are “spiritual but not religious.” I concur, if you simply mean that you don't live a religious church life. I am also very spiritual, but not religious. I love talking about God, beliefs, the afterlife and the inspired King James Bible. I live each day in the fear of God, desiring at age 59 to love God and love my neighbour as myself as the Bible teaches. In am now in the third act of my life, nearing the end of my journey on earth.

I don't go to church at this time in my life. My father didn't go to church either. He saw how phony it all is today in churches. My father wisely said, “Religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this world.” My Dad was right! My father was a Skid Row preacher for over 30 years in Chicago, helping the poor and needy and destitute of life, giving them the Gospel. That is “pure religion” according to God's inspired Word. James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

If you can find a good church in your area today that:

1. Doesn't use the Devil's corrupt modern Bible revisions
2. Doesn't preach the damnable heresy that you must “repent of your sins” to get to Heaven
3. Doesn't distribute toxic “Chick Tracts” which pervert the Gospel of free grace
4. Doesn't embellish the Gospel by adding following Christ, turning from sinful bad habits, surrendering all to Christ, and living a lifestyle of repentance to be saved.
5. Doesn't kick people out the door (for telling the truth, I was kicked out of Harvest Baptist Church on Guam, Campus Church at Pensacola Christian College, Family Baptist Church in Pensacola; and the pastor and his wife deliberately mistreated me at Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola, so I would be hurt and never come back, and I didn't). All of the aforementioned so-called "churches" preach another gospel. The Bible says they are all bewitched, cursed by God (Galatians 1:6-7, 3:1-3).
6. Actually loves people as individual human beings created in God's image

Then I say, GOOD LUCK finding such a church, because in Pensacola I haven't found a single one! By God's grace, I will go to church (as my poor health permits) when I can find one that does not pervert God's simple plan of salvation, does not promote Satan's corruptible seed, actually goes soulwinning, and they love sinners enough not to kick me out the door for being a truth-teller. The quickest way to be kicked out of a church is to simply TELL THE TRUTH! Today's churches are spiritually dead and pathetic! It is apostasy.

The inspired Word of God teaches that true religion is to help suffering people—the fatherless and the widows—and avoid falling into the sinful trap of the world. James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” That teaching is directly taken from the Holy Bible. You cannot show me one passage of Scripture which commands God's children to be religious, in the sense of going to church to worship God on Sundays.

Hebrews 10:25 Has Nothing To Do With Skipping Church

So many people misinterpret Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” This passage of inspired Scripture has nothing to do with skipping church on Sundays. This writer gets it right. Hebrews 10:24-25 is about abandoning Christ and His Body entirely.

By God's wondrous grace and mercy through His Holy Spirit, throughout my 24 years of faithful website ministry since 2002 I have built many relationships, leading lost sinners to salvation (they are my children in Christ), investing in believers (aka, feeding Jesus' sheep), who have also encouraged me in the faith. We pray for each other as we fear and obey God. It’s the community of believers, not the 501C3 state licensing and church building, that matters. No doubt pastors who rely upon tithes from their congregation will vehemently disagree with me on this. So be it, but I am right.

The danger wasn’t in missing church in Hebrews 10:24-25; the danger was in missing Jesus. Hebrews 10:25 is not about forcing Christians into buildings. It’s a call to stay faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ, which by His grace I have done and will continue to do until He takes me home to Heaven one glorious day. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

So, next time some jerk uses this passage to pressure or guilt you to attend church (which I have had painfully done to me in the past), just remember that you haven’t forsaken the assembly. You’ve just found a deeper way to live it by avoiding bad churches that will corrupt your faith if attended, and might lead you into neo-evangelical apostasy. It is much better to just stay home from church on Sundays, than to attend a corrupt fake church.

On page 115 of his helpful book, “I Never Knew You,” my ministry friend Michael P. Bowen writes:

According to many verses in the bible, especially those warnings God gave to us through Paul in the book of Galatians, you should never listen to anyone’s message that runs counter to the message given to us by Christ, and you should never attend a church where the pastor tells the flock that they must add works of discipleship to faith in Christ’s “finished work” as the way to enter heaven. 

That’s exactly the reason why I no longer attend any of the local churches in my current hometown. The other churches here are either Catholic, who equate Mary as being equal to Jesus, or Jehovah’s Witnesses’ churches that deny the deity of Christ, as well as other non-believing apostate churches which have rewritten the bible to suit their needs for power and dominance. 

Please do not misunderstand me. These are “good people” and they would give you the shirts from off of I Never Knew You 116 their backs. They are all wonderful people, but they have been deceived by unbiblical plans of salvation, and unless they “change their minds” and trust Christ alone as their savior, they have no hope. Believer, it’s people like you and me who have to reach them. [emphasis added] —Michael P. Bowen, “I Never Knew You,” p. 115; ©2009; hard copies are available at Amazon

Jesus is the Head of the Church and is still leading His children. The building is not the church.  True Christian community is built around Christ, not a calendar or a service. I can show you dead church services all across the United States, where a bunch of deadbeat religious people get together to eat food, gossip and slander godly preacher like Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) who actually made an eternal impact for Christ while on earth. Your average pastor today is an incompetent disgrace. You can count me out!

Again, Hebrews 10:25 warns against abandoning the community of believers, not merely skipping church services. This passage emphasizes mutual encouragement and love, especially as the end approaches. Millions of believers are now finding all of their spiritual needs met online, without the misery of being abused, shunned and mistreated by local carnal churches.

When I attended Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola in 2024, their pastor Bill Adams couldn't have cared less about me as a human being, so he sent his wife over to intentionally be mean to me in church, hoping that I would leave offended and not return. Since no one wants to be where they are not wanted, and since I am a true gentleman, I quietly left and never returned. They were delighted. I speak to the utter shame of Bill Adams and his horrible wife.

Once I gave a Gospel of John and $20 cash to a homeless man in San Diego who was rummaging through a garbage container in an alley. He said something I have never forgotten: "Thank you for being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer." What a beautiful thing to say! Yes Sir, I want to be a doer and not just a hearer of the Holy Bible.

The adage is very true: Positions and titles will come and go, but the way you treat people will always be remembered.

The inspired Scripture teaches that unadulterated "pure religion" is to help the down-and-outer, the poor, the maimed, the forgotten, the despised, the imprisoned, the unwanted, the dregs of society; and yet remain unspotted by the filthy wickedness which has enslaved many of them.

I discourage you dear reader from donating your hard-earned money to today's fat cat charities like the Salvation Army, who pay their CEO $443,000 each year. You won't find a single large charity that doesn't pay their top leaders outrageous 6-digit salaries, in some cases fifteen times what the average American earns in a year. The CEO of the American Red Cross, Gail McGovern, has a reported annual salary of $1.3 million! Don't be a fool to give one dime to Red Cross! And that's a so-called “charity.”

I think it would be a marvellous thing if the trillions of dollars in charity and church tithes suddenly dried up, and those people had to genuinely go to work for a living. Of the estimated 350,000 churches in America, I dare say that 1,000 of them are great churches. And I'm talking about small off the radar churches in rural areas that we never hear about. I wouldn't give you a dime for today's garbage mega churches. That's .003% of churches that are great today! To the other 99.097% God says, “You're fired!” Revelation 2:5, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” God has already removed the charter of nearly all churches! God is not in their presence.

I dread going to churches today because they are very boring. I've been either kicked out, or deliberately mistreated so I wouldn't come back, in the past four churches that I've attended. Today's unloving and incompetent pastors are a shameful disgrace, and their ungodly wives. I certainly don't need that unpleasantness and chaos in my life, and neither do you dear reader.

I Am Not Down On Great Churches

Please don't misunderstand my article. Pastor Jack Hyles dedicated the latter years of his life preaching three great truths:

1. THE BOOK (the exclusivity of the inspired King James Bible for English people)
2. THE BLOOD (Jesus' literal liquid blood sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat in Heaven)
3. THE BODY (the importance of local New Testament churches worldwide)

I am all for going to church, if you can find one worth attending. I receive thousands of emails at my website ministry, many from frustrated believers who cannot find a good church to attend in their area. Dr. Hyles used to advise people in such a situation to move to a great church. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, and in many cases, impossible. As much as I love Brother Hyles, he was only a man with his own prejudices, sins and faults (like we all do).

I wrote this article to encourage those of you, who like myself, don't have a great church to attend. Going to church just makes you religious, it doesn't make you a good Christian or right with God. The churches are filled with tares (unsaved people) today. The churches by large are as carnal as can be these days. Church attendance is declining fast in America!

The sickening idea that you're just supposed to quietly attend a church and be quiet while hearing blatant heresy concerning salvation from the pulpit is unbiblical. I 100% agree with Dr. Jack Hyles, if a church becomes corrupt and you cannot change it, walk out the door!

Most People Don't Understand How Pain Affects A Person

Job 16:1-2, “Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.”

Most people haven't a clue how chronic pain adversely affects a person. I was severely rear-ended by a church bus in 1992. My neck felt like an iron rod was shoved down my spine. I was sent to the hospital. X-rays showed that nothing was broken, but they didn't notice that my neck was crooked. The severe accident permanently misaligned my neck, a condition called Reverse Cervical Curve. This abnormal alignment places undue pressure upon the cervical and thorax area of the spine, which causes the disks at C5-C6-C7 to slip out of place and protrude in 2004. My condition worsened so that by 2009 I required neck surgery. I underwent the same surgery in 2010 to correct deficiencies from the first surgery. Unfortunately, the second surgery made me much worse, leaving my upper body afflicted with burning nerves.

Since February of 2004, my life has been adversely affected by constant agonizing neck pain, neck stiffness that never goes away, and the entire right side of my body feeling half asleep continually. Since my second neck surgery that didn't go well, I have also suffered from constant burning nerves throughout my upper body, and both arms feeling inflated with air all the time. To say the least, I am miserable all the time in physical pain and discomfort.

I have tried my best over the decades to kindly explain to people how my pain adversely affects me, but they just don't understand. Very few people, unless they are suffering them self, or have a close loved one who has suffered horribly in constant agonizing pain and afflictions, can know what I suffer through. I never feel like going anywhere. I don't want to do anything. I don't feel like playing my musical instruments. I don't feel like talking to anyone. I don't want to talk to anyone on the telephone. I let my voicemail filter all oncoming calls 100% of the time. This is my miserable life.

That being said, I am grateful to God for what remaining health I do have. I am overall healthy, other than my permanent neck injury since 1992, and Type II diabetes which my doctor has kept under control for the past couple years (my A1C is holding steady at 5.7%; it was 10.8% in 2023). I take a 15 mg weekly injection of Mounjaro which has helped me very much. It is a remarkable medication.

That all being said, I live in a lonely world of constant neck pain, burning nerves, and related bodily afflictions. Although these ailments became “the new norm” a long time ago, they cease to suppress my ambition. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything, including going to church. As much as I'd like to live a normal life again, I cannot. These are the cards in life that I have been dealt.

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 happeneth to them all.” I was in the right place at the wrong time in 1992 when I got hit by that church bus. And then in 2005, I fell 15 feet down conveyor slide at work which worsened my neck injury. And then in 2010, my second neck surgery made things even worse. Time and chance happens to everyone. Like Proverbs 27:1 says, we don't know what another day may bring.

Permanent pain changes one's life permanently. 

The Simplicity That Is In Christ

1st John 4:13-15, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Dear reader, the beauty of God's simple plan of salvation is that in the Scripture we're never given a level of faith that has to be reached in order to go to Heaven. Isn't that wonderful?

How much do you need to be saved? Just enough! You need just enough faith to obey John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Do you believe dear friend?

To go to Heaven, all you need to do is just BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you.

It's not Jesus + something else. It's Jesus + nothing!

It's not Jesus + repenting of your sins. No, it's Jesus + nothing!

The Gospel (Good News) is this: Jesus died on a cross 2,000 years ago to pay our debt of sin. He was buried. Three days later He physically resurrected from the dead.

1st Corinthians 15:1-6, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

All of the following junk that we commonly hear in churches today is NOT part of the Gospel:

1. repent of your sins
2. be willing to turn from sin
3. become a Christ follower
4. invite Jesus into your heart
5. pray a sinner's prayer
6. walk down a church aisle
7. live a lifestyle of repentance
8. faithfully run the run until the end
9. invite Christ into your life
10. make Jesus your "Lord"
11. commit your life to Christ
12. surrender your life to Christ
13. turn from your wicked ways
14. confess Jesus publicly
15. get water baptized
16. do good works
17. live a changed life
18. be sorry for your sins
19. have a change of heart
20. make full surrender of your will

As we just read in 1st Corinthians 15:1-6, the gospel is simply three things: Jesus' crucifixtion, burial and bodily resurrection the third day. Simply BELIEVE IT and the work is done! Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

AC/DC's Brian Johnson Will Soon Split Hell Wide Open

1st John 2:22-23, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”

AC/DC's infamous frontman Brian Johnson (born 1947) made some disturbing blasphemous comments about the only begotten Son of God years ago in 2011...

In a recent interview with PopEater.com an AOL blog the 63-year-old Johnson said, "Well, I don't believe in religion, let's put it that way. I believe all religions are bad. I think they're a waste of time. Jesus was a clever man. He wasn't the son of God. We all know that he was a very clever, wonderful man and he said, 'Church is in here, meaning you are your own church.'" SOURCE

I feel sorry for Brian, now age 78, knowing that when he soon enters into the afterlife he must answer to God. Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

Psalms 50:22, “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.”

Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Those are some frightening passages of Sculpture if you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior. I got born again at age 13. That was 46 years ago. It seems like just yesterday.

I actually share Brian Johnson's disdain for religion. Tragically, over 95% of Baptist churches (my own denomination) preach a counterfeit plan of salvation which required being willing to turn from your sinning to get to Heaven. This is another gospel. I am at the place where I am reluctant to even call myself a Baptist anymore. I prefer being non-denominational like Jesus.

The sad thing is that the heathen world do not discern the difference between religion and the truth, which are two separate and very different distinct things. The Gospel is truth, not religion. Religion is man trying to fit us with glasses to see things through a human filter; whereas God wants to open our eyes with the truth of His inspired Word. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Brian Johnson's net worth is around $90 million in 2025, primarily from his career as the lead singer of AC/DC since 1980 and his songwriting contributions. What saith the Scripture? Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Kindly said, Mr. Johnson is a fool for risking his eternal soul on the altar of enjoying this temporary life. He is blinded by his earthly success and enormous wealth. 2nd Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

According to 1st John 2:22 Brian Johnson is an antichrist. What saith the Scripture? 2nd Timothy 2:13, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

The band's most infamous song is titled: “Highway To Hell,” has sadly unofficially become our national anthem in the United States. Truly, the members of AC/DC are traveling the Highway to Hell, literally. Former AC/DC frontman Bon Scott died at age 33 on February 19, 1980, just months after AC/DC released the “Highway to Hell” album on July 27, 1979. His death was due to alcohol poisoning, which the coroner recorded as “Death by misadventure.” So sad.

Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Unless Brian Johnson and the other members of AC/DC repent of their unbelief to trust Jesus Christ, they will all split Hell wide open when they die and burn in fire and brimstone forever. Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The Crystal Clear Gospel Of Jesus Christ

Famous Chicago Bears' Coach Mike Ditka Died Yesterday

James 4:13-17, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Mike Ditka, the legendary Chicago Bears Football coach and player, died on October 9, 2026, at the age of 86. Mike Ditka was the Chicago Bears’ head coach from 1982 to 1991, and he led the team to a Super Bowl win in 1985 (Super Bowl XX). He was a great coach whom I followed closely as a teenager in the early and mid 1980s. The Chicago Bears are known as the “Monsters of the Midway” due to their strong defensive history, particularly highlighted during their dominant seasons in the 1940s and the famous 1985 team. I and my Christian high school friends were big Chicago Bears fans.

We admired Walter Payton (1954-1999), a running back for the Chicago Bears. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Payton could bench press 400 pounds and yet gracefully dive over opposing team players to score a touchdown in the end zone. He was an amazing athlete.

We adored the team. The nickname “The Fridge” was given to William Perry, a defensive tackle for the Bears. The nickname originated when a teammate remarked on Perry's size while they were in an elevator together, saying he was “as big as a refrigerator.” The Bears were incredible! I've never been a sports enthusiast. Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) loved sports and followed professional teams closely, knowing all the statistics by heart.

Tragically, Mike Ditka was known for his strong Roman Catholic faith, which played a significant role in his life. If you know anything about Catholicism, then you know it is a false religion that contradicts many Biblical teachings...

Coach Mike Ditka Dies – His Strength and Iron was His Catholic Faith 

October 9, 2026 | by Catholics for Catholics

By Elizabeth Gresosky

The family of Mike Ditka announced on Friday that the football legend has passed away at the age of 86.

Ditka was the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he coached the Chicago Bears for 11 seasons, leading them to a Super Bowl victory in the 1985 season and earning the title NFL Coach of the Year in the years 1985 and 1988. 

But more importantly, Ditka was proud of his Catholic faith.

John Yep, President of Catholics for Catholics, issued the following statement:

“As a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I grew up hearing countless stories about legendary Coach Mike Ditka. Nicknamed Iron Mike – a moniker he earned due to his rugged, tough playing style, brusque manner, and his upbringing in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a gritty steel-manufacturing town – Ditka’s real strength came from his Catholic Faith. He once said, 

‘But I am so grateful for the Roman Catholic faith with which I was raised. My dad didn’t go to Church, but my mom was a terrific Catholic – a fervent convert to the faith – and always saw that we went to Mass and Catholic school.’

There is nothing like our Catholic Faith which equips us to face the hardships of life with the Iron Will that Coach Ditka exhibited throughout his life. 

It’s only fitting that he passed away on the Friday before the Bears head to Lambeau Field on Sunday to play the Packers in this storied rivalry. Let’s pray for his soul because at the end of our lives everything here stays behind, even his memorable 1985 Super Bowl ring. What matters most is our Catholic Faith and love for Jesus. 

Coach, you will be missed greatly and one day we hope to see you again. Until then… God Bless and Go Bears!!”

In a 2018 interview, Ditka spoke volumes about the importance of the Catholic faith, the need for more vocations, the value of the sacraments, and more. SOURCE [emphasis added]

I cannot warn you enough to avoid the Catholic religion. We are warned by the Apostle Paul in 2nd Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” That “power” is the free grace Gospel according to Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The toxic sacramental salvation of Catholics and Lutherans cannot produce the required new birth to enter into God's Kingdom (John 3:1-7). The word “sacraments” is not even found in the inspired Holy Bible.

Whereas Catholics are errantly taught that their priests have power from God to forgive men's sins, the Word of God plainly teaches in 1st Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Neither the Pope or any Catholic priest have power to absolve men's sins. If you trust a priest to forgive your sins, you won't be forgiven and will spend eternity burning in the Lake of Fire.

I truly mean no unkindness to Mike Ditka or his family. My intent is never to be unkind, rude or hurtful toward anyone; but rather, to warn you that what Catholicism teaches goes 100% contrary to what the inspired Holy Bible teaches. There is nothing in the Bible about partaking of manmade sacraments to get to Heaven. Roman Catholicism is a prisonhouse of religion!

Whenever a famous person dies, I immediately become curious what they believed about God, His only begotten Son Jesus, the afterlife and salvation. It is one of my hobbies. I love learning the biographies of famous and infamous people.

Dear reader, life is so short. I just learned today that famous singer Bob Marley (1945-1981) was only 36 years old when he died. Bob Marley died from acral lentiginous melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer that started under his right big toenail in 1977 and later spread to his brain, liver, and lungs before his death on May 11, 1981. Bob Marley died so young. Life is short, Hell is hot, and eternity is a long time.

Keith Moon (1946-1978) of the rock band 'The Who' died at age 32 from a drug overdose. Amy Winehouse (1983-2011), who had a beautiful singing voice (there's a nice concert on YouTube of Amy singing with Tony Bennet), died of alcoholism at only age 27. Her Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was 40%. That's nearly half of her blood saturated with booze! I digress.

My point is that life is short. Mike Ditka made it to age 86. By God's grace, I will turn 60 on March 5th, 2027. I am not entering into the third act of my life. Please don't let the Catholic religion take you to Hell forever with them. Salvation is found only through childlike faith in Jesus without works, not by joining some church or getting dunked in a baptistry tank. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The World's Most Beautiful Sunset

Ephesians 4:21-27, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 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. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”

If my dear Savior was willing to forgive me for the things in life I've done wrong, then I certainly can forgive everyone else for what they've done to hurt me. Until you've forgiven somebody who is wrong, and you are right, you've never tasted of the Heavenly manna.

Here are one dozen worthy quotes on forgiveness to ponder:

“He who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life.” —Johann K. Lavater 

“Nothing in this low and ruined world bears the meek impress of the Son of God so surely as forgiveness.” —Alice Cary

“Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness, or else forgiving another.” —Jean Paul Richter 

“It's a choice, that's all it is. Forgiveness is a choice. And it's a choice you ask God to help you keep. It doesn't happen overnight. Forgiveness is an ongoing battle.” —Tammy Faye Bakker

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” —Mark Twain

“We win by tenderness; We conquer by forgiveness.” —Frederick William Robertson

“Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge, and dares to forgive an injury.” —Edwin Hubbel Chapin

“Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at.” —Laurence Sterne

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” —Mahatma Gandhi

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred.” —Corrie Ten Boom

“Not to forgive is to be imprisoned by the past, by old grievances that do not permit life to proceed with new business.” — Lance Morrow

“Forgiveness doesn’t make the other person right, it makes you free.” —Stormie Omartian

There is no greater feeling in all the world than to just forgive everyone. Let go and let God. I decided a long time ago to just forgive everybody, even those who have never asked for my forgiveness. Forgiving someone in no way excuses someone from the coming judgment from God for their wicked words and behavior. Forgiveness is releasing someone who has wronged you into God's hands for judgment. They're going to be judged by God whether you release them or not, but by placing the offender into God's hands you can find peace and move on.

This is why we are taught in Romans 12:19-21, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

I cherish this promise from almighty God. Nobody ever gets away with wrongdoing. NO ONE! Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” One day in the afterlife, you and I and every human being who has ever walked this earth will be held accountable by our Creator for every word spoken (Matthew 12:36), every deed (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), and even our very thoughts and motives (Proverbs 24:12). There is no escape!

On my website ministry, since 2002, I preach against many corrupt churches and wicked pastors. It's not a matter of forgiveness, any more than you could accuse John the Baptist of refusing to forgive Herod for sleeping with his brother's wife. John was being a preacher of righteousness and truth when he spoke out against Herod's sin, faithfully doing what God made him to do, preach. So, we must use wisdom to discern between Bible preaching which is necessary, versus refusing to forgive somebody on a personal level. Of all the ungodly pastors that I preach against, there's not one of them whom I hate or wouldn't befriend if they sincerely contacted me in a spirit of good will.

The main reason why it has been easy for me to forgive all my enemies is my faith in God, believing that the LORD will keep His solemn promise to avenge me. Just knowing that God won't allow those who have hurt me to go unpunished is enough to calm my soul. God's Word is enough for me. Matthew 8:8, “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus marvelled at the centurion's response, saying that He had not found such faith in all of Israel. I find it amazing that the “greatest faith” Jesus found in all the land wasn't from a Jew, but a Roman centurion. I think that is beautiful. A Gentile had the greatest faith!

The reason why many Christians become bitter and enraged with anger is simply because they don't really believe that God will make good on His promise to avenge them. Granted, it is difficult to wait a lifetime to be avenged, but God will make good on His promises to hold everyone accountable for their words and behavior. Even if someone intentionally ruined your day with their words, God will hold them accountable for their cruelty. Matthew 7:2, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Truly, what goes around does come around.

Many people believe in karma. “Karma” is an ancient Indian term that refers to the principle of action and its consequences in various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism. Pastor Jack Hyles called it, The Reciprocating Law of Life. Regardless of what people may call it, God must balance the equation. If you hurt other people but don't suffer for it, then Jesus Christ must suffer for it. One way or another, somebody's got to pay! That is what Calvary's cross is all about. But if you reject God's free gift of forgiveness by refusing to receive Jesus as your personal Savior, then you alone will pay your debt of sin in Hell forever (Revelation 20:12-15). Somebody must pay for all wrongdoing.

The first words uttered by Jesus on the cross were: “Father, forgive them.” Forgive who? Herod, Pilate, Judas, the apostles who abandoned him, the solders who crucified Him. Luke 23:34, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” The most Christlike thing you can do is to say: “Father, forgive them.” Who's that enemy you have? Who is it that has deeply hurt you? I can think of dozens of people who have deeply hurt me, especially pastors and pastor's wives. The Christian army is the only army in the world that kills its wounded.

God knows that I do not harbor hatred or bitterness against anyone. Life is too short to live with a burden of hatred dear reader. It has been rightly said that bitterness is the only container that dissolves itself. As I grow older, Lord willing, I choose to get better not bitter.

The world's most beautiful sunset is knowing at the end of each day that you have forgiven everyone, and you refuse to harbor bitterness toward anyone.

In some cases you will not be able to rectify, make restitution or reconcile with people you may have hurt in the past, simply because they have died or moved away and you wouldn't even know where to begin to contact them. God understands your circumstances friend. You can only do what you can humanly do. Make peace with those whom you can, and leave the rest in God's hands, committing your ways unto “he that keepeth thy soul” (Proverbs 24:12b).

Muslims Are Required To Sit Sideways On The Toilet

Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Respectfully, I once worked with a devout Muslim named Ed about 25 years ago. Ed would bring his carpet to work, lay it down on the ground in the hallway out of sight from coworkers, face Mecca in Saudi Arabi, and pray five times a day in cycle with the moon. That is why the Islamic symbol is a crescent moon on their flag. Muhammad worshipped the moon.

And let me say that my intent in writing this article is not to make fun of Muslims; but rather, to focus on the burden of false religion that weights men's souls down with rituals, superstition and fear. Religion wants to fit you with glasses, but the Lord wants to open your eyes. Islam is a burdensome prisonhouse of false religion that cannot produce the required new birth to enter into God's Kingdom (John 3:3).

Ed also used to bring a squirt bottle with him each time he went to relieve himself in the restroom, to cleanse in accordance with his false religious beliefs (i.e., the Hadith). While sharing a casual conversation one afternoon, I kindly asked Ed if he believed urinating on himself would send him to Hell. His energetic response was, “You got that right!”

You see, in their religion's holy book the Hadith, Muslims are taught that cleanliness is required to please Allah. They must wipe them self after using the restroom with their left hand. I am not making thus stuff up. Christianity offers true liberty from the power of sin and the Devil, but false religion will enslave you! 2nd Peter 2:19, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” Jesus said the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

Also, Muslims are prohibited from facing directly towards the Qibla (the direction of the city of Mecca), or having it directly behind them, while using the toilet. Instead, they must position themselves slightly to the right or left to avoid facing the city directly. Yes, you read right, Muslims are required in their false religion to sit sideways on the toilet. Which also means they evidently must also bring a compass with them into any toilet, to know which direction faces Mecca. Can you image such superstition? Islam is a religion of utter bondage and misery. Some Muslim scholars disagree about this required ritual when inside buildings, but it is absolutely mandatory when in the wilderness (outdoors). Dear reader, this is manmade superstition, bondage of the soul and body, not Biblical truth. I feel sorry for Muslims.

One day I shared the free grace Gospel with Ed, but I might as well have been talking to one of the machines we serviced. When I told Ed that I knew 100% I am going to Heaven, he was greatly offended. I still remember his response. He angrily said, “How arrogant! How prideful you are to say that you 'know' you are going to Heaven. You had better do your best and hope that you make it!” In Ed's corrupted mind, he has been taught since childhood that Heaven must be earned by good works, serving Allah, and following a bunch of burdensome rituals.

Whereas in Christianity, we believe that Jesus Christ has already paid our debt of sin, so that we can receive God's “free gift” of eternal life in a moment of time, and know for certain that our name is written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). This is eternal security! Please don't ever let anyone lie to you who says that there's no such thing as “eternal security.” Eternal life is eternal security! Muslims cannot grasp the beauty of knowing that we have eternal life as Christians, because their religion is steeped in works instead of faith.

False Religion is a Prisonhouse of Bondage

I am reminded of Jesus' precious words in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In sharp contrast to Islam, in God's simple plan of salvation you simply come by faith (taking God at His written Word) as you are, as a wretched guilty sinner (Romans 3:19-20); you receive Christ's sacrifice on Calvary's cross 2,000 years ago as full payment for your sins, believing that Jesus died, was buried, but then miraculously resurrected from the dead the third day. This is the only “gospel” according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 and Galatians 1:6-8.

When you place your trust in that Gospel (Good News, Glad Tidings) as a needy sinner, God reads your mind and works the supernatural miracle of the new birth (John 1:12-13). That is, you are born again by the Holy Spirit of God in response to your faith in the Word of God (1st Peter 1:23). Getting to Heaven is that simple, easy and free. Please don't let anybody inspired by Satan tell you something different dear reader. Islam is of the Devil.

And to add, the Quran (their Muslim bible) teaches that God has no son. That tells us right there that Islam is a counterfeit antichrist religion. The Quran explicitly states that Allah has neither taken a son nor has any partner in His kingdom. This is mentioned in several verses, including Surah Al-Isra (17:111) and Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:91). 1st John 2:22-23, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” Enough said.

Why Wicked People Love False Religion

Kindly said, false religion will take you to Hell if you let it. The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” I humbly believe that anyone who is pure (sincere) of heart will ultimately end up at Jesus' feet, a King James Bible, and a free grace Gospel. I also believe the reason why billions of people are victims of false religion is because they are not pure of heart. In other words, if you want to discover the truth you will find it. Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Many people follow a certain false religion because it vibes with their own agenda, low moral values, family tradition, superficial, et cetera.

The Bible teaches that people who follow false prophets love to have it so. Jeremiah 5:30-31, “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” The Hebrew word Shammah for “wonderful” used here doesn't convey our modern splendid meaning; but rather it means, “ruin, that is, consternation: fear resulting from the awareness of danger.” The prophet Jeremiah is saying that he is frightened by something fearful (horrible) which has happened in the land. False prophets are preaching lies and God's people are gladly eating it up hook, line and sinker.

That's exactly what I have been saying for the past 24 years of my website ministry! The churches are full of lying incompetent pastors today who are wrong on repentance and the Gospel, damning the souls of men to Hell forever; and ungodly complicit churchgoers just continue to empower them to spread more lies. The truth is still being preached be a few faithful preachers today. So, the problem is not that churchgoers are innocently ignorant; but rather, they are entrapped by something in psychology called, 'Motivated Perception.' That is, they only see what they want to see. That is why only the pure in heart shall see God.

The man who believes nothing is better off than a man trapped in false religion, because the man who believes nothing is still searching for answers. I cannot warn you enough to avoid the Islam religion, as well as Judaism and other demonic manmade false religions. John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Let God's Word ring true, but every man a liar.