But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:7-10)
Holiday Greetings from the Breakers,
The last two months have flown by quickly! I guess the old saying is true, times really does fly when you are having fun! We’ve kept busy these last two months and learned how to be joyful of the many blessings God has bestowed upon us in our lives.
Our little Emma turned 2 years old on December 10th, and we are so blessed with such an intelligent, jovial, and well-behaved child. She’s learned her numbers and her A B C’s, and is talking up a storm. She’s also in that phase when she laughs at everything! This always helps to keep a smile on our faces.
WANDERING TO AND FRO...
For Thanksgiving we went to Oklahoma to visit my Mom and Sister. We had a great time of fellowship with them and enjoyed the food. The only heart-breaking moment of the whole trip was when our little Emma fell off the couch and hit the coffee table, landing square on the black, metal handle of the drawer, and knocking almost half of one tooth out, while chipping another. Blood was everywhere! Our poor girl cried and cried, as her upper lip became terribly swollen.
We all got sick on the trip also with chest-colds and fevers, so when we left, it was like we had an entirely different little girl that not only looked different by sounded different as well. Eventually she healed and it was good to have our little girl back again.
For Christmas we drove down to South Florida to visit Laura’s family and we had a great time together. Emma enjoyed seeing her cousin and they played well together. I also had a great time going out with my father-in-law throwing the cast net. Something that was really special to me, since my Dad is no longer here and I never did get to go do that with him like I would have liked.
WITNESSING AS WE GO...
As you probably know, it’s hard to witness to people nowadays, for we live in a very wicked and perverse generation in which most people don’t want to think, much less hear about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (It seems like each year more and more become “offended” when they hear the term CHRIST-MAS.) But as we travel we find we still have opportunities to pass out tracts and to witness to people, especially to the many Hispanics we meet.
Sometimes, you don’t have to do much to get a chance to witness, as opportunities just drop into your lap. For example, coming back from South Florida, my wife and I stopped at Smiley’s Antique Market to stretch our legs. There, I found an excellent book on the truth about the Masonic Lodge, so I set it on the counter and began looking around again. When I came back, I found one of the workers there, an elderly gentleman, reading the book. He then said, “Oh, sorry, I was reading your book. I had a father who was a Mason, and I always wondered what they believed.” This led to me witnessing to him and telling him how they were a secret society and were really worshippers of Lucifer. I then witnessed some about Jesus. He didn’t get saved, but at least the seed was planted, as he seemed very interested to study more and find out the truth about salvation for himself.
This time of year is actually my favorite (not for the Christmas Trees or the gifts or even the turkey, but) because I enjoy looking for the Salvation Army bell ringers that hang around outside of stores seeking donations. My favorite thing to do is go up to them and ask, “So, you’re with the Salvation Army? Can you tell me how to get saved?”
Usually this catches them as a surprise, and most of the time they don’t have a clue what I’m talking about. I then explain, “The Salvation Army was started in the 1800s by General William Booth with the goal of trying to win souls for Jesus Christ. So, if you are with that organization, then shouldn’t you know how to tell people how to get saved?”
The most common answer is, “Um, I’m just a volunteer. I don’t know anything about that.” I then ask, “Well if you can’t tell me how to get saved, can I tell you how?” Most often they are all ears, and I enjoy taking them to the Gospel and showing them Christ crucified for their sins, and their need to come to Him and His shed blood alone by faith in order to be born again.
I’ve won a lot of Salvation Army volunteers to the Lord over the years this way, but this year was different, as I continually heard what most of the people I’ve had a chance to witness to this year have repeated. They all say things like, “To get saved, you have to ‘ask’ God to save you.” Or “I ask and beg God every night for forgiveness of my sins.”
Of course we know this is not the Gospel, for salvation is by FAITH, not by Begging for forgiveness outside of trusting in what Jesus Christ has already done for you on the cross of Calvary. But we’ve even heard this “Beggar’s Gospel” being preached in many Independent Baptist Churches in which my wife and I have visited this year. What ever happened to the blood of Jesus? Why don’t ministers preach it anymore?
On that thought, I’ve included with this prayer letter a blog I’ve written about why salvation isn’t by “ASKING” or “BEGGING” rather by “Accepting” or “Believing” what Jesus did at Calvary is sufficient to give you eternal life. I hope it’s a blessing. I’m sure you already know it, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of sound Biblical doctrine. And as always, we encourage you to pass it along to others who might not understand and could be lost because they are trusting in their “ASKING” rather than resting solely in the ATONEMENT of Jesus.
WONDERING WHEN JESUS WILL COME AND TAKE US HOME...
I really thought the Lord was coming back in 2010. I was wrong, and I’ll be the first to admit it. But now I’m looking around and seriously wondering if the year 2011 couldn’t be the year He comes for us.
There are a variety of reasons that this could very well be, but I’ll just mention a few.
Did you know that 2011 is the 400th year celebration of our blessed King James Bible? And did you know that in the Bible there were several times when God waited 400 years before he did something? For example, there were exactly 400 years between the closing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. Could it then be that 2011 is when Christ returns? We’ll have to wait and see, but what a great time that would be for his return!
2011 also marks the 63 anniversary of the nation of Israel. Could it be there is only seven years left of tribulation for them, and then Jesus returns at Armageddon on their 70th anniversary of existence?
Looking at American Politics, I can’t help but see some interesting things that point to Bible prophecy, as politicians forward their agendas by ramming through their unread laws that most American’s don’t even agree with.
I’m sure you have all heard of the Health Care Bill that was passed this year forcing all Americans against their will to buy Health Care Insurance. But did you know that it doesn’t take affect until 2014? If the Rapture is indeed in 2011, then 2014 would be three and a half years later, and would line up close to the time when the Bible tells us the Anti-Christ is to take control and force people to take the Mark of the Beast. And what a great way for him to do it, for every American will have their own doctor, and he would just inject the chip under their skin!
Congress also passed a bill that makes it illegal to own seeds, grow your own garden, and give away food to others. How interesting, as the Bible tells us those in the tribulation period will not be allowed to buy or sell, save those who have the mark. So without the mark, it’ll be illegal to buy food, but, it will also be illegal for someone to grow their own food. So their only choice will be to take the mark or starve.
Finally, Congress passed a law to regulate the Internet, which allows them to shut down anything they deem unsuitable anytime they want. This is the death knell to free speech in our country. So why not read my website at: www.rrb3.com. Because it just might not be there much longer!
So let’s recap: The “Food Safety Act” makes it illegal to own your own seeds or plant your own garden. That means if you want food, you have to go to the government to buy it. And how will a person buy it in the Tribulation if they don’t have the mark of the Beast? And, how better to give the mark of the Beast to all people then to force them to have their own healthcare doctor who will inject the chip under their skin? And what better way to shut down any opposition to their agenda then to control the internet and be able to shut up anyone who exposes their plan?
Do you see how close we really are to the rapture? Everything is in place. It’s all set up. All we lack is some sort of “disaster” or “event.” Hmmm. Could the rapture be the event the Devil is waiting for?
Whether Jesus comes or not in 2011, we know He is coming soon. And the signs of His soon appearing are everywhere. Sometimes it’s scary to see Satan’s New World Order being created right before our eyes, but when you look at it from a Biblical perspective, its actually quite exhilarating, as it means he’s coming back even that much sooner!
Thanks again for all your continued prayers and support. Happy Holidays and a joyous New Year to you all. 2011 could be the year of Christ’s return. We encourage you to witness more as we are determined to do the same!
Keep looking up,
Robert, Laura, and Emma Breaker
1 Sam. 12:24!
Our Kitchen we built from the ground up in our Alabama House. Please pray it would sell soon.
Me with a fourteen foot sailboat my Mom gave me that we brought back from Oklahoma. You’ll remember in my last prayer letter I talked about my desire to travel and preach on a live-aboard sailboat. Well, at least this one is a good starter for helping me practice my sailing!
Laura, Emma, and I after Emma’s lip healed.
Emma after her disastrous fall into the coffee table
Laura, Emma, and I after Emma’s lip healed.
ASKING VERSUS TRUSTING
Some people believe nefarious forces are at work in our world today poisoning our water systems, spreading chemtrails in our air and putting sterilizing drugs in our food, all to dumb us down and keep us from thinking for ourselves and practicing logical thought patterns. Whether that is true or not, the fact is there are very few Christians who actually THINK about what they are preaching nowadays. For if they would just read their Bibles, and think about what they read, they couldn't possibly be saying some of the illogical things they are saying and preaching in pulpits across this land.
In this article, let's focus on the modern teaching of salvation by "ASKING" for forgiveness. Where is this in the Bible? Is there a verse that says a man need only beg for eternal life and forgiveness of sins, and God will grant it to him simply because he asked? Of course not!
In the Bible, New Testament salvation is not by ASKING, rather by BELIEVING or TRUSTING. That is to say, salvation is by FAITH (Eph. 2:8,9) and not by WORKS.
This modern day teaching, which I've even heard preached by many Independent Baptists, of telling a Sinner, "Just Ask Jesus to save you," is not only unbiblical, but it is completely illogical! Let us look at why.
1. ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS RUINS THE TYPE OF JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Under the Old Testament law, a man had to have a sacrifice for his sins. He was instructed by the scriptures to take a lamb to the priest and place his hand upon that lamb and shed its blood for his sins. Once it was slaughtered, the blood was taken and offered up on the altar by the priest, and the man's sin was forgiven him. But no where do we find the man "asking that lamb for forgiveness!" Nor do we find the man "asking the lamb into his heart" (a popular expression today in which people instruct sinners to simply "Ask Jesus into their hearts.)
No, the sinner in the Old Testament who offered up the lamb for his sins didn't ask for anything. He simply obeyed God by doing what he was told. He cut the throat of that lamb and trusted the blood it shed as sufficient to forgive his sins.
2. ASKING FOR SALVATION DOES AWAY WITH JESUS' SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS
As we read the New Testament, we find that Jesus is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. As the Lamb, he fulfilled prophecy by dying a sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of mankind.
Jesus not only wanted to die. He had to die, for his death, burial, and resurrection were prophecied in scripture. And his death was the only way man could be forgiven eternally, the innocent dying for the guilty.
To tell a sinner to "Ask God to save them" is to instruct them to come to God apart from that sacrifice on Calvary. For if a person could by saved by simply "asking God for forgiveness" then why did Jesus die?
Jesus could have simply stayed in heaven and said, "Okay, I'm going to start a new dispensation. Anyone who simply asks me to save them, I'll give eternal life!" But did He do this? Most certainly not! Instead, He choose to die for the sins of man. And then he said, "All those who accept this sacrifice by faith will be saved!"
See, then, how the "Asking Gospel" does away with the sacrificial blood atonement of Jesus? It is trying to get to heaven apart from Jesus Christ and what He's done on Calvary.
3. ASKING GOD FOR SALVATION IS A WORK DONE BY MAN RATHER THAN FAITH ALONE IN WHAT JESUS HAS DONE
As already stated, salvation is by FAITH and not by works (Eph. 2:8,9). That means salvation is only by trusting in what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary, and not by doing something yourself apart from that.
As simple and logical as it is, it must be stated that asking Jesus to save you is not accepting him to do so by faith. Asking is a work that man does. It is begging God for something and then hoping he'll do so. It is man doing something in order to try to obtain God's favor. This is a work. It's man's own action to try to gain forgiveness, rather than simply resting upon the finished work of Jesus Christ by faith alone.
4. ASKING IS NOT RECEIVING
To ask someone for something is not to receive something. Let's say I come up to you and I ask you for 100 dollars. Are you going to give it to me? Probably not! I therefore am wrong to assume that I'll receive it, just because I asked for it. How then do modernist Christians instruct a sinner to ask God to forgive their sins, and then assume that he automatically receives forgiveness just because he asked for it? Why would God forgive anyone just because they asked?
No, Biblically, God set it up that the only way he will save a man is when that man trusts His finished work alone for salvation! The asking Gospel is very presumptuous.
I certainly wouldn't want my testimony to be "I asked God to save me" and then wonder if he ever did or not!
5. ASKING INSULTS THOSE WHO ARE WANTING TO GIVE, AND IT DOES AWAY WITH FAITH
As we've seen, it's not only anti-biblical, but also illogical to preach salvation is by simply "asking" God for salvation, especially when God said faith must be involved. But these people who ask God for salvation usually don't have faith. For if they did, they wouldn't need to ask. It's like this. Let's say I said I will give you 100 dollars, all you have to do is believe me and come and take it out of my hand by faith. And let's say you would rather just stand there and ask, "Can I have it?" Why, I'd be offended! I told you it's yours, all you have to do is believe it and receive it! But you won't take it. You just want to ask me for it.
Do you see the problem? You'll never get it until you believe me and take it. You can't ask for it and then expect me to come to you and then place it in your hand. I made the condition, and your asking doesn't even enter into the picture. It's there, it's available, and you must pick it up. To ask me is to insult me!
Why would it be any different with God? He offers eternal life by faith, and all He asks is you believe it and receive it. How can you do that if you are "asking" for it?
6. ASKING LEAVES MEN DOUBTING AND WONDERING IF THEY RECEIVED SALVATION
When a person follows the modern Beggar’s Gospel, instead of salvation by faith alone, they often are left without any assurance. They don't know for sure if they have salvation, because as afore mentioned, asking is not receiving. This often times leads to them praying again and again and asking God over and over for salvation or forgiveness. This proves they were never saved in the first place, for it they were, why would they have to ask again?
7. ASKING DAMNS SOULS TO HELL
Asking is not God's plan of salvation. Receiving by faith is. If this be the case, then where will a sinner end up who's trusting in their “asking?” Why, they would end up in HELL!
What's so sad about those who preach the "Asking" Gospel is they don't care enough about souls to think this out. They've been taught the bloodless, Beggars Gospel, and they are teaching it to others. Rather than repent and preach the Gospel correctly, they would rather continue in their doctrine, especially when their denomination, their congregation, and their friends all preach the same thing. So instead of reading the scriptures and changing their position, they choose to attack and ridicule those like myself who point out the obvious - that the Asking Gospel is not God's plan of salvation.
SUMMARY
As we've seen, asking God for salvation is neither Biblical, nor logical. How could anyone be so bold as to expect God to give them eternal life, just because they asked or begged him for it? And, how can they expect to receive it, when they are not trusting his finished work alone for salvation? And how can they think they are saved when they have no assurance and they simply ask God over and over, thinking if he didn't save them before, then he definitely will do so the next time. How presumptuous! But the saddest thing is this heresy damns souls to Hell! For those who adhere to it, are guilty of trusting in their works (their asking) rather than in trusting in Jesus' blood sacrifice alone as sufficient.
This is not a popular message, as many Christians don't want to even think about this topic. They want to believe that every person who says he is a Christian really is. But this is very naive. The truth is, this is exactly what Satan wants. He wants people deceived into thinking they are saved when they really aren't. That's why when people like me begin to expose this conspiracy, we are immediately branded as "trying to talk people out of their salvation!" or trying to "retread" people (At least that's what I've been accused of).
I like to respond to such people in the following way, you know, just to make them think: "Yep, it's possible to lose YOUR salvation. But it's not possible to lose GOD'S salvation. So who saved you, YOU or GOD?"
You see, there are many people who are trusting in something they've DONE, and they truly think they are saved because of it. That is their own salvation. They are trying to save themselves by something they do or say. But they are lost and on their way to Hell. They do not have God’s salvation.
They need to hear the truth, and they need to examine themselves (2 Cor. 13:5) to see if they truly are saved. You would think if someone really cared about souls, they'd be in favor of this.
So "asking God for salvation" is not God's plan of Salvation. Instead it's God who "asks" you to come to him and receive his free gift of eternal life by FAITH alone in his blood atonement at Calvary. Are you saved? If not why not? Jesus has done all that’s necessary. Do you believe that’s sufficient? Or do you still think you must ask?
