​For many years Christians have begun to settle for less of God.  Less church, less Bible study, less prayer time, less holiness, and less seeking God.  Why is this now become the new standard within what is supposed to be the Body of Christ?  Jesus Christ did not settle for less even knowing what the plan of God was for His life.  He did ask that the cup could be passed from Him, yet even in the same prayer, not His will but God’s will be done in His life (Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42; Mark 14:36).  To be Christ-like or a Christian, should reflect the goal of not settling for less of God but more of Him within their lives.  When Christians choose to settle for less in their lives they are allowing more room for the spiritual enemies of their Christian faith to have a foothold (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:11).  They are saying to God and His enemies there is a vacancy for something else to have access to what is supposed to be God’s.  This settling means more than what is on the surface level.  A drawing back signifies that selfishness, ungodliness, and other things have more importance to that person than God (Hebrews 10:38-39; Luke 9:62; 1 John 1:6).  Even within churches, there may be a settling for less truth of God being spoken, less opportunity for God to move among the people as He desires, or less of God in general and more room for carnality of culture or gratification of fleshly desires.  John the Baptist declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).  This is the person Jesus declared to be very important to the kingdom of God (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28).  There should be more believers like John the Baptist who are willing to declare they will only settle for less of self and less of flesh and not settle for less of God or the things of God.  This prepares the way for Jesus Christ to enter and make an impact not only on that person’s life but those around them who will allow Jesus to touch their lives (John 1:23).  Christians, especially in these last days, must understand the importance of God is needed now more than ever.  Settling for less of God sets people up for failure who are looking for the truth of God.  Instead of offering more of God, they are offering gifts for attending church, coffee and doughnuts to satisfy the flesh, less truth of God to better their lives, and more culturally relevant things to cater to the carnality of people.  People, and not just Christians, need the Word of God to convict them of sin by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), the power of God to move in their lives, and fellowship centered around Jesus Christ as Lord and Master for them to find the peace, joy, love, and other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) they are looking for in their lives.  May more Christians, especially pastors and preachers, step up to give others more of Jesus and not settle for less of God and less in God.  This mindset benefits no one.  Let’s change the region by allowing God to be the center of the lives of the people not settling for less in God to only place His label upon people as a false claim for fire insurance on the day of judgment.  This is the time everyone needs more of God not less.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​As many Christians live for God there will be interactions with people who declare they love God but do not have the actions that reflect this type of talk (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).  Throughout time and within the Bible certain people have animal-like tendencies that are not so good for true Christians to partake with when seeking to please God.  Let’s take a look at these animals biblically and naturally to understand how these people work against the kingdom of God.  Foxes naturally are cunning, eat small things and can only shake their prey until they die, camouflage themselves in their surroundings until they attack, vocalize with a whine, yelp, explosive call, combative call, growl, and bark, and are related to wolves.  These are some of the reasons the Bible states that it is the little foxes that spoil the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15).  Religious foxes have plans to use their craftiness to gain favor with people but are cowardly by doing it more in a small intimate setting because they know they cannot stand against truth in a bigger setting.  When these foxes are not handled biblically they will not only rip off the fruit of a good vine to have for themselves but also ruin the growth of the branches by cutting it off from the vine (John 15:1,5).  Some of the Pharisees went to Jesus and told Him that He needed to go away because Herod was determined to kill Him (Luke 13:31).  Jesus responded by calling Herod a fox because he was sly, crafty, skulking and cowardly (Luke 13:32).  Herod was determined to come against Jesus and the plan that God had for Him to complete.  Possums are more known in the United States and Canada but there are some religious parallels with certain people that gather among religious groups.  Possums are opportunistic to feed on whatever is vulnerable or available for them to partake of with little to no hassle (Jude 4,12-13).  They are also solitary and nomadic animals who only thrive where they can hide, feed, live in darkness, and then leave when attention or light is directed to them (John 3:19; John 11:10; Ephesians 5:11; 1 John 1:6).  When threatened they produce a foul-smelling fluid in their mouth leaving those around them with this stench if it is placed upon them (Proverbs 18:21; James 1:26).  Snakes are very biblical animals yet dangerous in both the religious and natural aspects.  Snakes use their mouth as their best weapon to inject venom, for those of the poisonous breeds, and kill their prey before consuming them (Matthew 12:34; James 3:10).  Some snakes become dormant for a season after consuming prey.  Each of these animals uses their mouths to accomplish their tasks of killing and eating.  When applied in the religious aspect these people use their mouths to kill many things and people of God whether by compromising doctrine to permit sin, killing the reputation of holy people, or splitting a church (Ephesians 4:29; Psalm 141:3; Matthew 12:36-37).  In every form these people much like the animals are not used to build things or have good reputations but more for their bad qualities of harm and selfishness.  True Christians should expose these types of behavior with the Word of God to bring biblical repentance (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 John 1:9).  May Christians have discernment and wisdom in understanding these characteristics and know how to handle these types of people.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​Within the last few years, anyone who has read the Bible concerning the last days can see the last days are not coming, they are here.  Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and other signs of the end (Matthew 24:6-8) currently occur.  This leaves the serious need to think if each person is ready for Jesus to come back and gather God’s people at any moment (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52).  One parable that Jesus used to discuss this topic is the parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  Jesus discusses these 10 virgins who have not been touched or perverted by the world or any person.  Although all are virgins there are five wise and five foolish (Matthew 25:2).  All of the virgins took their lamps meaning they had the light within their life (Matthew 25:3-4) but the wise took oil in their vessel (Matthew 25:4) while the foolish did not (Matthew 25:3).  This vessel is a jar or pail used to carry extra oil for the lamp.  Even though many Christians may have their lamp burning for now how many are ready to endure to the end looking for the return of Jesus at any moment?  These foolish virgins were living for the moment and were not ready to stay burning throughout the time of darkness until they went in to be with the bridegroom aka Jesus Christ.  Modern society and culture push the ideology to live for the now and live for yourself but this sets up those who are like the five foolish virgins for failure.  When a cry or warning was made in the middle of the night (Matthew 25:6) all of the virgins arise and trim their lamps to get ready (Matthew 25:7).  The five foolish realize they are running out of oil and will not make it (Matthew 25:8) so they ask to use some of the oil the five wise virgins have.  The five wise have to decline the offer to make sure they are ready to go with the bridegroom when He comes (Matthew 25:9).  This process cannot take place even for people today because every person must choose if they are ready for the return of Jesus Christ to gather God’s people (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 1:10; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10).  When the five foolish virgins go to get more oil, the missing element of what they needed due to their lack of commitment to endure, the bridegroom comes and takes those who are ready into the marriage celebration (Matthew 25:10).  The five foolish virgins return to see the five wise virgins are not present and the door is shut to the house where the bridegroom has taken the other virgins so they begin to ask to be let in but the bridegroom denies them entrance saying He does not know them (Matthew 25:11-12).  God’s people must be ready for the return of Jesus Christ at any moment.  Christians must live their lives according to the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), walk with God for themselves (Micah 6:8; Colossians 2:6), and make sure they are ready to endure until the end (Matthew 24:13).  It does no Christian any good to have a good start and quit before the end.  All Christians must run their race and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) until either their time on earth is done or Jesus returns for God’s people.  Do not water down the Christian walk because endurance will not take place (Revelation 3:16).  Be ready!  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​For many years, preachers and pastors have been declaring the last days are coming, but reading the Bible, one can see that the last days are now here.  True men of God have been attempting to get the people ready for the end of time for so long some people choose to scoff or mock those men of God (2 Peter 3:3-4).  Evidence of the Last Days can be found throughout the Bible as the people are described by character and conduct.  2 Timothy describes the Last Days’ people as lovers of self or self-centered, lovers of money or greedy, proud and arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, profane, without natural human affection, relentless or no appeasement, slanderers, loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good, betrayers, rash, full of self-conceit, and lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:2-4).  These types of characteristics are abounding in modern society and culture.  Everything is all about each person having everything as fast, as convenient, without hassle, and without confrontation as possible. As good as this may sound it has created a society that does not look to God but to themselves for their answers.  If they cannot find the answer for themselves they search for it online or from other people who hold similar opinions to ensure no conviction regarding what is lacking.  This leads to the last point of 2 Timothy to be powerful on the topic of religion, lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4).  A person of this mindset desires to have the label of a Christian while denying the very God they declare they serve entrance into their life (2 Timothy 3:5).  This denial of power belies the genuineness of their profession of faith.  The most condemning part of this type of people is when this character becomes not only the Christians of a region but the preachers and pastors as well.   Jesus even warned, “Let no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4).  The word deceive in this passage means to roam from safety, roam from truth, roam from virtue, or to go astray.   In the very next verse, Jesus warns that many will come saying they are Christ or anointed of God deceiving many (Matthew 24:5).  Some people may think, “I’m not listening to anyone that declares they are Jesus” but this is not what this verse is stating.  Jesus is warning against those who pretend to be anointed of God and teach or declare ways to live that are contrary to how a Christian should walk with God.  The spiritual enemy of Christians knows the best way to defeat God’s army is to water down a Christian’s walk with their God not create a full-fledged attack against their faith.  More Christians need the truth of God not a religious experience within a lukewarm assembly.  Do not settle for a half-attempted walk with God.  Jesus did not half-attempt to be crucified for the sins of the world so why do so many people want to give Him less than what He deserves?  Jesus deserves His people to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).  There is hope!  This deception can be overcome.  The answer to this deception is to study the Bible to know what God says (2 Timothy 2:15), be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14), be faithful to a true house of God (Hebrews 10:25), and endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​In modern times, some churches hold onto a form of godliness but substitute the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5).  This happens when a walk with God is not present.  It becomes easier to have this form of godliness and substitute the power of God for worldly agendas to make the church more seeker-friendly or easier than churches that use the power of God.  When the power of God is substituted it leaves that church as nothing more than a social club saying a handful of Bible verses and leaving room for the next cultural trend to make its way into the events of the church.  This is not the idea that Jesus Christ had in mind when establishing His church.  Jesus Christ set up His church on the foundation of Him being the Son of God giving His life that all may be born again and to overcome the spiritual enemies of their faith (Matthew 16:18).  When popular trends, worldly ideologies, and a lack of acting on the Word of God are evident the social club with a church name does not see true salvations (Acts 3:37-38), real deliverances (Mark 5:8-9,13), or transformations but gatherings of lukewarm believers if not cold pagans that are present for the social status of the group (Revelation 3:15-16).  This makes Jesus want to vomit.  Churches should have the power of the Holy Ghost present by carrying out the book of Acts as well as the rest of the Word of God and having lost people born again (John 3:3), believers being discipled in the things of God (Ephesians 4:11-12), and the church being the cleansing station (1 John 1:9) for not only the people present but an influence on the region of holiness through a walk with God.  Too many times pastors want their churches to be like the cool kid on the playground with friends everywhere but no real substance to any of the friendships.  The purpose of the local church is to help people start a relationship with God, understand the things of God, and mature to know how to lead others in the same process they have participated in.  Without these biblical purposes a church assembles and does not build God’s kingdom by impacting the lives of believers but instead gathering people to have a bigger number of members.  This is evident when churches become known for the sin that is within their camp rather than the holiness that should be abounding among the people.  If substituting the power of God is not a good thing why do some churches conduct themselves this way?  The answer is insecurity and longing for acceptance rather than standing for the truth of God.  David stood before Goliath not in the number of soldiers on his side, but in the name of God (1 Samuel 17:45).  It is not with the social acceptance of everyone else that Christians can have victories in their lives but by standing on the foundation of the Word of God and with the power of God through the Holy Spirit making the difference in those that walk with God.  A Christian must run the race even if they are the only one to finish and keep their faith (2 Timothy 4:7) by enduring to the end to be saved (James 1:12; Matthew 24:13).  May more Christians and churches not substitute this wonderful power of God that is designed to give His people victory but use this resource to change their lives and the lives of others around them.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org. 

​A person can find a church on what seems to be every corner within our region in the Bible Belt.  At first thought, this is an amazing testimony to have such access to places established to worship God.  On the other hand, how many different doctrines are going forth from so many places of worship?  How many churches have substituted the power of God for pleasing people (2 Timothy 4:3-4)?  Being a Christian for years and now a pastor in this region, I’ve learned that the best source to do anything from is the Word of God, also known as the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4).  When some people read the Bible there are verses they choose to omit or not use because those verses bring conviction or a sense of being uncomfortable for either themselves or the people around them.  The Bible even warns readers to not change what it says (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; 2 Timothy 2:15).  With this type of mindset the Word of God is diluted to not have the power of God needed to change people’s hearts and lives (2 Timothy 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:13).  Christians should be God’s people according to what He describes in the Bible.  If Christians add modern culture, modern definitions, or other ideas to the practice of Christianity, this mingles the unholy with the holy (Leviticus 10:10; Leviticus 20:23-26; Mark 7:14-19: 1 John 2:15-17).  The new product of this mingling is a form of religion that no longer has the same definition as biblical Christianity (Isaiah 40:8; John 17:17; Matthew 24:35).  How many parts of the Word of God does a person have to pull out before that person is no longer a Christian?  Much like a game of stacking small wooden blocks into a tower and slowly pulling out one piece at a time from the middle or bottom.  How long will this tower last before the right piece is taken out creating its destruction (Proverbs 16:18)?  If people are going to declare themselves to be people of God they must conduct their lives according to His Word or they void the credentials of their declaration (Romans 1:28).  Christians cannot change the Bible to suit their lifestyle or how they desire to believe, but they must adapt themselves to the whole Word of God and its instructions for living a holy, clean, and repentant life unto God.  This is by no means the easiest life to live with such a holy standard but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) especially with His mercy and grace covering those who repent (Hebrews 4:16) making them spotless before Him (2 Peter 3:14).  God does not change (Malachi 3:6), and Jesus does not change (Hebrews 13:8), so why do so many people change the Word of God or the image of God to fit what they desire (Romans 1:25)?  The answer will vary depending on the sin that person does not desire to give up to be completely submitted to God, but the overall answer is pride.  Pride in thinking they are the exception to the rule (Proverbs 16:5; Psalm 10:4).  Pride in living how they desire for God and not allow God to lead them by His Word or His Spirit (Galatians 6:3; Obadiah 1:3).  Sadly, this seems to be what most people label as Christianity but true Christianity is being a living sacrifice unto God and being the temple of God (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:19-20).  May Christians everywhere be God’s people according to the Bible.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​Recently, a few shepherds within this region have stirred up issues in the public eye being unprofessional and borderline non-Christian.  While it is good for pastors to stand against unbiblical issues and address such activities taking place within the community from in and out of their pulpit, these issues should be handled as biblically as possible.  When there are problems Jesus said to go to that person and address the issue (Matthew 18:15-18).  Issues that are handled with a desire for public recognition, stirring up strife, or helping the community with hidden motives do not benefit the people. Shepherds, also known as local pastors, are called by God to feed and lead God’s sheep (Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:4; 1 Peter 5:2).  Pastors who have been established by God have the authority of the Spirit of God to address issues within the region while false shepherds do not have the authority or the anointing creating a stirring of issues rather than a solution.  A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep while a hireling only comes to have the look but runs when danger arises or when the attention leaves (John 10:11-13).  A true shepherd leads sheep beside still waters, helps them find rest in green pastures, restores their soul by leading them in paths of righteousness, protects them from evil, and brings comfort (Psalm 23:1-4).  This passage reflects the Lord Jesus Christ as the Shepherd but sets the precedent for His under-shepherds, the local pastors (Ephesians 4:11).  Those who attempt to be shepherds who do not feed and lead or obtain their role of a pastor unbiblically enter into this position not by the door God has established and are thieves and robbers (John 10:1).  Those who have been sent out from another pastor or biblically as the book of Acts enters into this role as a true shepherd of the sheep (John 10:2).  Not everyone that is called a shepherd has been established by God and have His heart (Jeremiah 3:15).  Pastors have been anointed to address issues and make sure wolves do not come in to attack the sheep of God (2 Timothy 4:1-4; Acts 20:28-31).  Another aspect of the local pastor is to make his ministry free from the appearance of evil or misconduct (2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).  When a Christian, especially a pastor, displays a lack of self-control and other means of aggression toward members of the community this does not paint an accurate picture of a biblical pastor who is called to love, feed, and lead God’s sheep.  Do pastors have emotions and things they deal with?  Yes, because they are still human but lacking the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in the majority of situations addressing a community is not the proper use of a pastoral title.  May the pastors of this region begin to join together to address the issues that need to be handled but conducted with a biblical resolution and behavior.  I can only speak for myself as a pastor, but one person waving a religious title within the community does not represent every pastor who is doing their job of feeding and leading God’s people biblically.  May conviction and repentance come for those who hold this title but are out of line biblically or who have made a public spectacle of the office of pastor.  May God lead each person to the biblical pastor they are called to be under as their shepherd to be fed and led in the things of God.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​In America, there are roughly 300,000 churches.  That should be a great thing for any Christian to hear.  If there are so many churches within our nation why is America in such turmoil and having such moral issues?  The answer is not all churches are biblical churches.  With so many people gathering in buildings or streaming online to places that have the name of a church, as well as some that do not apply the name church, the biblical definition of what a church really is has not been discussed in a long time throughout America.  Some people may say, “If it has a lot of people there it must be God”.  Adolf Hitler had a massive gathering under him, was he led by God?  No!  He was actually led by an anti-Christ spirit (1 John 4:3; 1 John 2:18).  Knowing a place has a title or name does not indicate that is what the place really is.  More than a person’s opinion, let’s look at what the Bible has to say about church descriptions.  The first description of a church is more than a building.  The church is the consecrated, holy people who assemble together to worship God but do so in a holy place to honor God in His house (Hebrews 10:25; John 17:14-16).  The second description of a biblical church is found within the missions of the church.  The missions for every church should be preaching and teaching, discipleship, fellowship, worship, maturing the believer, and missions and evangelism.  A biblical pastor is ordained to lead God’s people in the missions God establishes for the church (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-12).  Part of the pastor’s job is to feed, encourage, and rebuke the people with the Word of God through preaching and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2-4).  Another part of the pastor’s job in a biblical church is discipleship (Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2).  Part of discipleship is the hands-on application of what is learned personally from the pastor.  Not having access to the pastor is the opposite of discipleship.  Listening to sermons from the pulpit is not discipleship.  Jesus spoke to the multitude but only had a few true disciples (Matthew 13:10, Matthew 24:3, Mark 4:34, Mark 7:17, Mark 10:10).  Fellowship as a mission of the church is not eating on multiple occasions, but creating and reconfirming relationships as a church family by sharing testimonies (Acts 4:33; Acts 14:27-28), having meals together (Acts 2:42,46), and by spending time with one another (Acts 2:47; Hebrews 10:24-25).  The worship mission of a biblical church is not having a good band that plays music but worship abounds in everything that is conducted within the church.  If God is not worshipped in His own house what is the point of the church?  God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth with a heart close to God (John 4:23-24; Matthew 15:7-9; Psalm 138:1-2; Psalm 95:6-7; Psalm 89:7).  The next mission of the church is maturing the believer.  This may be one area that is creating such a divide among the churches other than preaching and discipleship.  Pastors are called to mature the believers (Ephesians 4:11-12) but some do not attempt this for fear of people leaving and taking their money with them.  Even when a person gets born again (John 3:3) they still need maturing to leave the sinful nature behind them (Galatians 3:1-3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Revelation 3:2-3).  May there be an increase in biblical churches within our nation and fewer churches compromising to carnality or fleshly desires.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org. 

​In modern times there is a focus on self.  From how fast and easy things can be to make one’s life better to taking a pill to hide sexually transmitted diseases keeping the pleasure in one’s life while ruining someone else’s life.  This same mindset has bled into how the modern church operates.  Churches accommodate to make things easier for the attendee, receiving gifts for coming to church, and making things focused on each parishioner.  With this standard of church operations does it line up with the biblical precedent of what Jesus says makes His disciples?  The answer is no.  Sure, it may get people in the door to give them a sermon, but by using these methods people are not coming to hear the truth of being a disciple of Jesus they are coming for the social factor or the opportunity to be served while feeling religious.  Let’s look at what Jesus says makes His disciples.  In the Gospels, Jesus says that His disciples must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23).  The word deny in each of these verses means to abstain or disown.  Being a true disciple of Jesus means getting rid of the selfish motives and desires to take up the cross or the plan God has for each person’s life and following Jesus.  The cross was God’s plan for Jesus (Psalm 22:16-18; Isaiah 53:3-7) to redeem anyone who would choose to accept this free gift (Romans 6:23).  Each believer has a plan and purpose that God designed for them (Jeremiah 1:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6).  These plans may at times seem like a hard load to carry especially when one’s flesh desires easier or to be selfish.  Jesus did make note of His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).  Both of these aspects reflect being associated with Jesus and working with Him to accomplish what God wants completed, not leading one’s own life and fulfilling aspirations.  When one’s heart is aligned with God and the Word of God their desires are more focused on pleasing God rather than selfish ambitions.  A true disciple also keeps the commandments of God because of their love for Jesus (John 14:15; John 15:10).  To practice sinning is lawlessness which is the opposite of being submitted to Jesus Christ’s commandments or the Word of God (1 John 3:4).  The sinful nature within each person desires to be selfish.  Christians are to be selfless (1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4), obedient (1 Peter 1:14; 1 John 5:3; Luke 11:28), and faithful (Luke 16:10; Proverbs 28:20; 1 Corinthians 4:2).  Jesus led by example of His selfless lifestyle by putting God’s will above His own desires (Luke 22:42; John 5:30).  The definition of being a Christian is not only one who professes Jesus with their mouth but bases their life on His teachings by conforming to the Word of God.  The word conform is powerful meaning to have the shape of or to bring into harmony with through obedience.  A person must allow God to have power in their life not just a form of a Christian (2 Timothy 3:5).  May Christians everywhere not be selfish people who have a religious air to them but be true disciples of Jesus.  Christians who truly deny their sinful desires daily, who live out God’s plans and purposes for their lives, and who follow Jesus by working with Him to give glory and honor to God by obeying the Word of God.  For more information about discipleship and Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

The Bible refers to many types of hearts but there are three that really stand out, goats, wolves, and sheep.  Out of these types of hearts, the goat can be one of the more interesting when studied from the Bible.  The sheep type of heart is the one that follows God, is submitted, and remains in the flock under the shepherd.  Naaman was a captain of the army of Syria (2 Kings 5) who became a leper.  Leprosy is an infectious disease that affects the skin and nerves creating paralysis and deformities.  This disease creates a segregation between the leper and the healthy public.  Naaman takes a large amount of treasures with him for the man of God.  When he goes to the prophet Elisha the prophet sends out his servant to give Naaman instructions to wash in the Jordan River 7 times to be clean.  After some frustration and a change of heart Naaman obeys and becomes clean from his leprosy (2 Kings 5:8-14).  Naaman attempts to give Elisha some of the treasures, but the prophet chooses to not receive them.  After Naaman leaves, Gehazi sees the opportunity to obtain some of the riches Naaman offered Elisha (2 Kings 5:15-24).  The importance of this passage is Naaman receives the message of the man of God and is made free from the object plaguing his life while Gehazi allows his mind to change his heart to fall into rebellion and lawlessness separating him from the man of God had called Gehazi to.  In Gehazi chasing Naaman’s treasures, he receives the curse that Naaman was made free from (2 Kings 5:27).  Rebels are like goats who believe in God to some extent, but are not satisfied with the things of God or the Word of God.  Natural goats like to have free range and not be limited to what they cannot do.  They like to feed on everything around them due to curiosity even if it is dangerous to their health.  Goats are vocal from loud calls to screams.  Goats display playful behavior in leaping, head-butting, and chasing games.  So one may ask, “What is the big deal about this?”  According to the Bible, goats are not a good allegory, especially when discussed by Jesus Christ.  Jesus said that He would separate like a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32-33).  The sheep on the right hand of God will enter into Heaven (Matthew 25:33-34) while the goats on the left hand of God will enter into Hell (Matthew 25:33,41).  Until this separation takes place the sheep and goats are together but there is a stark difference in their behavior due to obedience to the Word of God.  Spiritual goats like to have free range because they do not want to be told what to do or how to live even how to live for God.  These goats like to feed on everything in the world and not the things of God even though what they feed on from the world can bring their own destruction.  They are vocal about their rebellion and voice their disagreements with church leaders and the Word of God as opposed to seeking the truth in Jesus Christ.  The playful behavior of spiritual goats reflects leaping from one sin to another, butting heads with Christians, and chasing sin.  Jesus Christ is not satisfied with goats due to their lack of obedience to Him and their unwillingness to live for God (John 14:15).  Everyone should strive to be a sheep to be in the right standing with God.  ​