benheliles.com - Benjamin H. Liles: 2020

Living in the Spirit: What it means to Abide

By Benjamin H. Liles

I know from time to time I tend to go over this verse, but I believe it's time to fully understand what's being said here. Paul, in addressing the people at Galatia, talks to them as to why we ought, as people of Jesus the Messiah ought to be united. At the time of his authorship of Galatians the people there were falling into their former ways, and why Paul said to them, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9, New King James).

By, Benjamin H. Liles

I know that the tone and seriousness of this article is going to be practically the same as the last one I wrote, which was exactly written two weeks ago today. Frankly, there is a huge lack of truth in today's world, even here in America. So, knowing that here we go: there is a need for diminished truth in this age, both within and without the so-called Christian world. On one hand there are some who creep around, the sneakers I will call them, who distort and disengage from the Bible, God's word. The writer of Jude says, "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4, New King James).

To Be Searched and Known

By Benjamin H. Liles

I sit here almost a month later and sometimes you have to figure out ways how to communicate what's on your heart. In between helping my parents take care of things on their property, my learning to develop sites/do some programming, after all the labor intensive things are done I have very little energy left. But there's something that's been bugging me. I don't like bad teaching, and this time I lay it at my own feet. If I'm not mistaken I believe I may have said, at least in one post, "When you go to Hell, you're separated from God and His love."

By Benjamin H. Liles

As I sit here thinking of how to title this article, and in the process of writing this, I feel whole-heartedly burdened for certain acts done in the name of Jesus. Here's an example: when someone says something like, "Will you ignore since it is none of your business and let them believe in madness or will you try to educate them(not force them)?" and the response back is, at the very end, "Education enough" isn't demonstrative of being like the Messiah. It actually shows a specific type of malice, even in my own view. And I gave that comment. Wow, great job, Benjamin! Right?

By Benjamin H. Liles

After having a light breakfast earlier, and then a nap, I decided to write at least one more article before I go help my parents with whatever project they need done. So, about this article, "Answering Questions," took a little time to think on. I'd like to think this will be a short letter, not necessarily a long one.

I know Peter addressed the issue of answering questions by saying, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ" (1 Peter 3:15-, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I had a very interesting dream just a little bit ago. In the dream I had I was conversing with Someone I could not see. At the same time I was being shown a group of cynical, questioning people. One thing I kept hearing from "Someone" was "Be the light as I am the Light." I knew in my heart then and there who the Someone was: Jesus, my Lord and Messiah. Here's the thing, it's okay to question things and to be cynical. At this moment in time I cannot and dare not declare myself a pastor or even a minister of any church. But I feel a very strong calling to "Do life with others, and be a light."

By, Benjamin H. Liles

I'm just going to get to the point quickly tonight. We all know the story of David and Goliath within the pages of the Bible. Goliath was a giant the Philistines used to scare and scatter the armies of Saul's people of Israel. The story goes that this young man comes to see his brothers, David, and gets tired of hearing Goliath tormenting and harassing the people under Saul's command. He cannot wear the armor that Saul gave to him, so he goes to a stream, picks out certain pebbles, and goes to fight Goliath.

By Benjamin H. Liles

While at the store this morning, getting some food my wife and I need for our home, it was impressed upon me, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," Jesus taught (Matthew 5:3, New King James). It's an interesting thing to me as well. My wife and I don't receive much for the course of the month. But what exactly is Christ, the Messiah, saying in that verse? While I looked up what poor is in Greek, for that's the language the New Testament is written in, one gets a sense that the idea of poor is as how a beggar comes forward: begging, cowering, crouching.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The reason so many turn from a message of Christ crucified is that they see God as some angry, punishing disciplinarian who just couldn't wait to kill Jesus, His Son, the Messiah. They look at the verse where Jesus has given the parable of the talents, it reads, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours" (Matthew 25:24-25).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I'm sitting here, thinking as to how I fulfill these upcoming verses; no, they're not strictly about me nor anyone else, but can and could be applied to many within these upcoming verses. I was looking over some of my past articles and it dawned on me: I'm writing a bit less now than when I came out of my gall bladder surgery. At that time in my life I felt hot for God; on fire would be the best way. Over time, I cooled off, got cold. But it seems that lately, I've just been...eh...lukewarm.

By Benjamin H. Liles

There are certain things that many people can teach on: finances, history, business, accounting, atc. But one of the hardest things to teach well on is God's word, the Bible. Why? First off, without properly understanding the Bible, all sorts of error and deception can take place. Secondly, doing so with the mindset of an unbeliever heaps a load of trouble on those shoulders of the person teaching scripture. Lastly, as James points out, "Not many....should become teachers...[we] will be judged more strictly" (James 3:1). So, the bottom line about teaching scripture is to do so while properly handling His word correctly, and not in deception.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I've thought over how I want to phrase this over the past many hours since yesterday when it was put on my heart to write this. Consequently, I know it's been almost a month since my last post. How then can we be faithful and pleasing when consistency is the key? There is this preface: we are called and chosen by Christ Jesus to obey His commands as well as to love each other. Without that faith, and even love, means absolutely nothing (see 1 Cor. 13:1-2).

By Benjamin H. Liles

In recent days protests not only have mounted across these American States but worldwide as well. Overall, many people are saying that those in the minority ought to and need to have equal rights as everyone else. To this I add a caveat as well. What about the Native American, the Chinese-American, Filipino-American, among the few who are also marginalized? Some of these folks have fought and died for the freedoms we so richly have and hold dear in the States.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I'm back to listening to and/or watching American Gospel: Christ Alone yet again with my wife, Tanya. One of those things I'd rather dare to be is to be transformed by God's Word, the Bible, through His Son, Jesus the Messiah. Paul commends us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2, New King James). The thing about the gospel message isn't that it's about daring to be a Matthew, a Daniel, an Isaiah, or even a Jeremiah. Each of those books I just mentioned speak on an aspect of the person-hood of Jesus the Messiah.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I've been wrestling with this idea from the start. How can man, been born of a woman, claim deity, die on a cross, and then "supposedly" raised from the dead? I know I'm phrasing this from a non-Christian point of view when in fact I am a Christ-follower. The debate has been a hot one for years. The Catholic Church alone has said their position is that -- at the outset of the Council of Trent, "If any one [says], that by faith alone the [godless] is justified...let him be [cursed/damned]." I have more of a problem with a position of a church to claim they speak on behalf of Christ, when almost everyone in this day and age has at least one Bible.

By Benjamin H. Liles

When I say this it's not to demean any part of the Bible, either in part or total, but one of my favorite verses comes from Psalm 24, it says: "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from the God of his salvation" (Psalm 24:3-5, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I want to say this to make this fully clear: the prosperity message that some "teachers" give and exclaim is one centered on their own greed. It's their "word of faith" that has them "name it and claim it" they say the rest of us can achieve. But, and this is a great big HUGE BUT - we're told within the pages of the Bible, Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:4).

By Benjamin H. Liles

The biggest thing I can say about Patricia Bradley's book, Standoff, is that from start to finish is that it is suspense-filled. If I had to put it in terms of what professional reviewers, as some authors would say about her work, I'd say it this way: "Patricia Bradley has the skills needed to write relevant, life-changing stories; filled with romance, the love of Christ, and enough suspense to keep you wanting to know more throughout this fast-faced read." Normally, I'd stop there, divulge a bit about the book and maybe talk a little about who Patricia Bradley is. But before I even get to the book at hand, let's go through who Patricia Bradley is.

By Benjamin H. Liles

In a day and age where it's hard to connect with one another, much less be inseparable and confidential, Heath Adamson has done a really great job with this book The Sacred Chase. The definition for intimate means "marked by a warm friendship developing through long association; suggesting informal warmth or privacy." Jesus said to the disciples, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I believe we all have a story to tell, and some are easier to write than others. Yet, when it comes to re-telling someone else's story to movie I have to say it's best to keep things as close to reality than to make up things that never happen. In Jeremy Camp's life, he has found immeasurable faith, happiness, and a love to keep Jesus Christ front and center. I first heard of Jeremy Camp and his music as the music ministry of Petra was coming to a close.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Most people who have a singular vision of defining themselves and how they see things operate by what some of us call odd behavior. Take for example Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and numerous others who dared to make things happen and to get their organizations going. Now imagine applying this through Jesus Christ! Michael Hyatt, in my honest opinion, goes all out on giving the best possible advice in honoring Christ, putting people before ourselves (the leader), even so far as to giving special offers in order to position their brand, their company even better.

The way the former McDonalds looked on the outside.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The local McDonalds in the Highland Lakes area of Texas has been receiving a face lift the past few months. Located at the address of 1605 Highway 1431 W, McDonalds has been in the area for at least thirty years, according to James Stewart, the contractor of the job. "If there are no other problems we're looking at an opening of May 13," he said.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I know it's been a number of weeks since I last posted. Some possibly wonder if I'm even going to keep doing what I have set out to do from the beginning: review Christ-centered books (fiction and non-fiction), as well as talking about the Christ-centered walk, how to be a Christ-centered follower, and so forth and so on.

By Benjamin H. Liles

While I have at least one other book that Lisa Harris wrote, I have to say I found this book to be a true heart stopper. She starts this book off with a character either dying or being close to death, due to a sniper aiming for the main character but missing. Most books I glance through and get the gist of, and then there are books like this one that Lisa has written that just hooks you in from page one.

By Benjamin H. Liles

It is a very interesting thing to me just how long my wife and I have been married. For a total of eleven years together, as a married couple we've been through some amazing things together. It takes a lot for couples to even begin to stay the course, as it may be, any more. In this day and age, what with Coronavirus (COVID-19, a SARS-like disease) spreading and killing some, things are even more tough and difficult. What will help in a time like this?

By Benjamin H. Liles

I love how, in this day and age, we in the Church are being called to lead others to be the future church. But how can we do that when it is far possible we weren't taught right? Let me explain this better: I believe Jonathan Pokluda does a wonderful thing with and in this book. He explains things rightly, but I want to show from scripture, as does "JP" with his book, a biblical approach to doing exactly that.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The last book by James Hannibal earned worthy praise from me, The Gryphon Heist. He has done a superb job yet again, this time with his book Chasing the White Lion. James Hannibal, the way I understand it in the sense of what Louis L'Amour would say of his characters, is the kind of guy who can wake up sensing something is wrong when the day is bright and clear as day. In fact, what can be known of James Hannibal is that he "is a two-time Silver Falchion award-winner for his Section 13 mysteries, a Thriller Award nominee for his Nick Baron ops series, and a Selah Award finalist for his Clandestine Service series" (from the book cover of this book).

By Benjamin H. Liles

At the time that I write this a pandemic has taken a vise-like grip on the world. There are those told by their nation, their state, their leaders to -- in short -- "Stay calm and carry on." I find that it's not only a great segue into Kristen Welch's book about being made to move mountains, but that in this time our focus ought to be on the One who heals all when we look at Him. He told Nicodemus, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life" (John 3:14-15, Berean Study)

By Benjamin H. Liles

When I say what I do it's not that this is by any means a spoiler alert: I don't know who Grant Baldwin is. Aside from that, have I enjoyed this wonderful book? Indeed. He has wonderful ideas about what makes for a successful speaker and how to make it happen. Let's dive in a bit more, shall we?

By Benjamin H. Liles

Amanda Cabot's new book, Out of the Embers, is a quick-paced, well thought out story with believable characters as well as a strong suspenseful story. While Amanda Cabot resides in Wyoming, she also has written the bestselling books A Stolen Heart, A Borrowed Dream, and A Tender Hope. She has also written numerous series: Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, among others.

By Benjamin H. Liles

It's tragically funny how things are in this world at the moment: there are those who struggle to get things done, abusive relationships, some losing their jobs, and to top it all off we have COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus). Store shelves in the local arena around the states in America are either emptied or becoming empty. Countries abroad are also as well in panic mode. Yet there is a word for you today: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2, New King James).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I've read a few of Jill Eileen Smith's books and every one of them are beautifully well-written stories. So, it comes as no surprise that Star of Persia: Esther's Story is as wonderful as her other works. In this version of Esther's story, she meets Vashti, the wife of Xerxes, as a young girl and is told by Vashti, "You have a place in history" more or less. Just as we're told within the pages of the Bible about Esther, her story here is just as perilous.

By Benjamin H. Liles

When I think about the heritage of any group of people there's no other that I can say has a depth and beauty as those of the Hebrew faith. Beck does an amazing job with in-depth maps, pictures and explanations of places, people, and things that even though this isn't a comprehensive atlas, it gets the job done. For my wife and I we enjoyed going through this book, honestly. In our genuine faith of being more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah, we believe this is a must have book for those who see him as their Lord.

By Benjamin H. Liles

As a peculiar people God calls out from the world, Christians (authentic and bold), are called to stand strong and firm. Regardless the many dangers and threats to themselves. Robert Jeffress has written this book to help many of us who feel bombarded daily to hold even stronger to our faith. Jeffress is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. He has written countless numbers of books that have done well: Pathway to Discovery, Pathway to Victory; Second Chance, Second Act; and finally, Hearing the Master's Voice.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Considering this is a book review of Angelia White's Yes Sisters, I just want to briefly say there are some women out there who undeservingly resemble a form of Cinderella: they are beautiful, they have something to offer life and to the community, but also they are often marginalized, mistreated, and even held back by those who either love them or who don't care about their dreams. With that said, I believe everyone ought to rise to their full potential, men and women alike.

By Benjamin H. Liles

What comes to mind when you think on the word worry? Anxiety? A need to run away? Maybe to fight? Or do you feel like you can't do anything at all? There's no need to panic. Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the phrase popular when he said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Jesus the Messiah said it this way: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?...Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:25-34, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Believe me when I say I know it's been a while since I've written anything on faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Yet, I want to quote two very different men who had seen the risen Lord Jesus. The first being John Mark, who wrote his gospel narrative we know as the Gospel of Mark, wrote, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Warning - This book is about as dangerous as an amusement park thrill ride that you just keep wanting to get back on! Tom Threadgill hammers home a beautifully crafted suspense/mystery within the pages of Collision of Lies. While him and his wife live in Tennessee, the plot of the story is set in San Antonio. He is also a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), too.

By Benjamin H. Liles

In the last article I said that the Christ-follower will do all to stand firm, awaiting the hope of the Lord and Savior bringing salvation. In this article I will outline how we do that, but to quickly go over it, we're told in Hebrews 9:28, "the Messiah...will appear a second time...to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Within scripture, especially in the New Testament, we see a people the Lord has carved out who belong to Him who endure and can endure according to the strength of the Lord and not on their own merits.

By Benjamin H. Liles

          So, I'm reading tonight a bit of my Bible. I was listening to a video about "Am I Truly Born Again?" and the points being made. Here are those four points, quickly: 

By Benjamin H. Liles

One of the newest books out, which is been highly anticipated from Revell, is master storyteller Susan May Warren. Way of the Brave is the latest in a line of books she has come out with that will pull the reader in and keep you until you have read the very last word. Other books that have done well for Warren are Storm Front from the Montana Rescue series as well as Flee the Night and It Had to be You.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The first book this month I get the utmost pleasure of reviewing is Jenny Donnelly's book, Still. She has a wonderful way of telling stories and giving advice that centers around the point she's making. The graphic alone, for the book, looks chaotic and busy (just like how our lives work day in and day out). The whole point of that here is of what Jesus told the disciples as well as us today: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid" (John 14:27, Berean Study).

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