Whether individuals want to be saved or not, the entire world of humanity is savable. Being only savable individuals will do them no good, until they act upon God's salvation plan, receive it, and fulfill it.
Here's an example: Someone puts $100,000.00 in the bank in your name. They give you the account number and show you the proper paperwork which states that the money is all yours. No strings attached.
But this is the most important part: If you never act upon your rights to the money and if you never go to the bank and actually draw it out, then the money will never do you any good. It can’t! Because you never fulfilled the giver's plan to just go and get the money, even if it is yours.
You first had to know about the money and know how to get it. Then the decision was yours, as to whether you drew it out or not.
The same thing applies to God's salvation for humanity. First, you’ve got to know about it, know what it is, and then make the choice as to whether you are going to accept it, receive it, and fulfill it. It’s all up to each individual as to whether they will receive God's salvation plan or not. I don't like the second choice, do you?
Fall of 1997
Saturday, February 19, 2011
You! Carry His Cross!
Have you been called to carry the cross of Christ? Do you feel like it is a burden too heavy to bear? Do you worry about what others might say?
To carry the cross of Christ is a unique burden unlike any other. It requires sacrifice of ourselves to be able to bear the cross of Christ; in order that we may lead others to that same cross. What does the cross represent? It represents death. In the biblical days the cross was a means used to execute people. The term used was crucify.
When we carry the cross of Christ, in essence, what we are doing is dying out to ourselves. We no longer should have control over our lives, but that Christ in us, should have complete control through his word and through our willingness to serve him.
The heaviness of the cross can come in many ways. It can be through intercessory prayer, sometimes spontaneously. It can be through denying ourselves various pleasures to our carnal man. It can also come from being under a burden for the lost of this world, as well as various other ways.
Jesus knew what his cross represented. He knew that he had to willingly give his life upon his cross, in order that we may have life. Jesus denied himself and took up his cross in obedience to God's plan. Had he chosen to deny God's plan, he could have called for legions of angels to come down from heaven and take him off of the cross, or even come off of the cross by himself. But he chose to be obedient to God's plan.
Did Jesus suffer pain? Did he feel the nails driven into his hands and feet? You bet he did, in fact, he felt the very heaviness of sin that was placed upon him on the cross for you, me ,and the whole world. Did Jesus feel ridiculed for hanging on that cross? Was he made fun of? Was he laughed at? Most assuredly the answer to all of the questions is yes.
As Jesus bore his cross through the streets of Jerusalem, his life was at all exposure to the public. As his back was torn open and bleeding from the stripes, the crown of thorns pressed into his head causing blood to fall to his face. In his weakened state, the cross became too heavy for him to carry. As Jesus fell down in the street, a Roman soldier grabbed the arm of someone nearby.
This was Simon, the Cyrenian. Unknowingly to Simon, Jesus had called him through the Roman soldier, to be the first one to take up the cross of Christ. Simon probably did not want to do it, but somehow, he knew that he had to. He obeyed and carried the cross of Jesus.
When we take up our cross to carry it for Christ, we are undertaking a responsibility of magnitude proportions unknown to us. The weight of the cross will at times, feel too heavy to carry, but all the while, the hand of Jesus is right there lifting us up.
Taking up our cross and following Jesus will require some suffering. Will you feel pain? Yes, you will feel pain physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Will you feel the burden of the heaviness of sin as you observe how sin is destroying mankind? Yes you will feel it, as you reach out to help those that are lost in sin. Will you feel ridiculed for bearing a cross by the way you live? Will you be laughed at? Yes, you will be ridiculed, laughed at, made fun of, by anyone and everyone; sometimes even by your own family members.
Will you feel like giving up? More than likely you will. Sadly, some will give up and never receive the eternal rewards that Jesus opened up for us through his death on the cross. Others however, will endure the pain, the suffering and all of the ridicule because they want, they need, they must have, they crave, the eternal rewards which comes after bearing the cross.
Jesus is calling all of us that will, to carry our cross and deny ourselves. We all have a choice. Do we make the choice to go through all of the sufferings involved with carrying our cross for Christ here on this earth, or do we deny Christ, enjoy our worldly pleasures for a season here, and then receive our just rewards in the flames of Hell?
Myself, I have chosen to carry the cross that Jesus had asked me to bear. I know what it will involve and require, and I also know that,(I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me-Philippians 4:12).
Jesus is always calling us to carry our cross for him, sometimes though, we may not hear him calling. But when you do hear him call you, answer him by taking up your cross, deny yourself, and follow him. This life here is but a vapor. Eternity is much longer than our finite minds can comprehend. Do not deny the cross. When the Roman soldier grabs your arm, do not refuse, but take up the cross of Christ and follow him.Feb 15,1998
To carry the cross of Christ is a unique burden unlike any other. It requires sacrifice of ourselves to be able to bear the cross of Christ; in order that we may lead others to that same cross. What does the cross represent? It represents death. In the biblical days the cross was a means used to execute people. The term used was crucify.
When we carry the cross of Christ, in essence, what we are doing is dying out to ourselves. We no longer should have control over our lives, but that Christ in us, should have complete control through his word and through our willingness to serve him.
The heaviness of the cross can come in many ways. It can be through intercessory prayer, sometimes spontaneously. It can be through denying ourselves various pleasures to our carnal man. It can also come from being under a burden for the lost of this world, as well as various other ways.
Jesus knew what his cross represented. He knew that he had to willingly give his life upon his cross, in order that we may have life. Jesus denied himself and took up his cross in obedience to God's plan. Had he chosen to deny God's plan, he could have called for legions of angels to come down from heaven and take him off of the cross, or even come off of the cross by himself. But he chose to be obedient to God's plan.
Did Jesus suffer pain? Did he feel the nails driven into his hands and feet? You bet he did, in fact, he felt the very heaviness of sin that was placed upon him on the cross for you, me ,and the whole world. Did Jesus feel ridiculed for hanging on that cross? Was he made fun of? Was he laughed at? Most assuredly the answer to all of the questions is yes.
As Jesus bore his cross through the streets of Jerusalem, his life was at all exposure to the public. As his back was torn open and bleeding from the stripes, the crown of thorns pressed into his head causing blood to fall to his face. In his weakened state, the cross became too heavy for him to carry. As Jesus fell down in the street, a Roman soldier grabbed the arm of someone nearby.
This was Simon, the Cyrenian. Unknowingly to Simon, Jesus had called him through the Roman soldier, to be the first one to take up the cross of Christ. Simon probably did not want to do it, but somehow, he knew that he had to. He obeyed and carried the cross of Jesus.
When we take up our cross to carry it for Christ, we are undertaking a responsibility of magnitude proportions unknown to us. The weight of the cross will at times, feel too heavy to carry, but all the while, the hand of Jesus is right there lifting us up.
Taking up our cross and following Jesus will require some suffering. Will you feel pain? Yes, you will feel pain physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Will you feel the burden of the heaviness of sin as you observe how sin is destroying mankind? Yes you will feel it, as you reach out to help those that are lost in sin. Will you feel ridiculed for bearing a cross by the way you live? Will you be laughed at? Yes, you will be ridiculed, laughed at, made fun of, by anyone and everyone; sometimes even by your own family members.
Will you feel like giving up? More than likely you will. Sadly, some will give up and never receive the eternal rewards that Jesus opened up for us through his death on the cross. Others however, will endure the pain, the suffering and all of the ridicule because they want, they need, they must have, they crave, the eternal rewards which comes after bearing the cross.
Jesus is calling all of us that will, to carry our cross and deny ourselves. We all have a choice. Do we make the choice to go through all of the sufferings involved with carrying our cross for Christ here on this earth, or do we deny Christ, enjoy our worldly pleasures for a season here, and then receive our just rewards in the flames of Hell?
Myself, I have chosen to carry the cross that Jesus had asked me to bear. I know what it will involve and require, and I also know that,(I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me-Philippians 4:12).
Jesus is always calling us to carry our cross for him, sometimes though, we may not hear him calling. But when you do hear him call you, answer him by taking up your cross, deny yourself, and follow him. This life here is but a vapor. Eternity is much longer than our finite minds can comprehend. Do not deny the cross. When the Roman soldier grabs your arm, do not refuse, but take up the cross of Christ and follow him.Feb 15,1998
Walk By Faith
II Corinthians 5:7,For we walk by faith, not by sight:
When the Israelites began their exodus out of Egypt; out of the dominating grips of Pharaoh, they had no idea of the journey that lied ahead. I can imagine that their confidence in God was probably quite shaky, just as it is with ours, when we begin our walk with the Lord. But as they journeyed onward, what they probably did not realize at the time, was that they were walking by faith.
As they walked out of Egypt, they came upon what they thought was a barrier which was the Red Sea. As they approached the shore of the sea, closing in upon them from behind was the Egyptians, due to Pharaoh's hardened heart as he changed his mind about the Israelites freedom.
It was now decision making time.” Do we go back to Egypt under Pharaoh's bondage or do we trust in God to provide a way of escape? Since they decided to trust in God, he showed them that he would provide them a way of escape from the Egyptians. With this being a catastrophic storm for them, God also reassured them with peace, patience and confidence in him, during their storm.
As God parted the Red Sea, gigantic walls of water lined a dry pathway completely to the other side. Now this is where their faith had to kick in. They had to trust God to hold back the waters on both sides as they walked to the other side of the Red Sea. As they walked across the dry seabed to the other side, there were probably many that were scared. Many were probably terrified seeing the massive walls of water on both sides of them. But just as God is faithful with his promises, he safely brought all of the Israelites to the other side of the Red Sea, and then folded the waters back in, on top of the Egyptians that were chasing them.
So it is with us today. As we walk along this long journey of life with God, we must walk by faith and not by sight. Looking at the storms of life raging all around us, is not God's plan. We need to look beyond the storms to the other side of peace and safety. Then we can look back from the side of safety and see where the Lord has brought us from. This will increase our faith in God, as we continue to trust him during our current and upcoming storms.
As long as we stay in the ark of safety by continuing our relationship with God, trusting him, we will continue to walk by faith and God's word will be quickened in our hearts by his spirit, and we can retain confidence in him, as we walk by faith and not by sight.
1997
When the Israelites began their exodus out of Egypt; out of the dominating grips of Pharaoh, they had no idea of the journey that lied ahead. I can imagine that their confidence in God was probably quite shaky, just as it is with ours, when we begin our walk with the Lord. But as they journeyed onward, what they probably did not realize at the time, was that they were walking by faith.
As they walked out of Egypt, they came upon what they thought was a barrier which was the Red Sea. As they approached the shore of the sea, closing in upon them from behind was the Egyptians, due to Pharaoh's hardened heart as he changed his mind about the Israelites freedom.
It was now decision making time.” Do we go back to Egypt under Pharaoh's bondage or do we trust in God to provide a way of escape? Since they decided to trust in God, he showed them that he would provide them a way of escape from the Egyptians. With this being a catastrophic storm for them, God also reassured them with peace, patience and confidence in him, during their storm.
As God parted the Red Sea, gigantic walls of water lined a dry pathway completely to the other side. Now this is where their faith had to kick in. They had to trust God to hold back the waters on both sides as they walked to the other side of the Red Sea. As they walked across the dry seabed to the other side, there were probably many that were scared. Many were probably terrified seeing the massive walls of water on both sides of them. But just as God is faithful with his promises, he safely brought all of the Israelites to the other side of the Red Sea, and then folded the waters back in, on top of the Egyptians that were chasing them.
So it is with us today. As we walk along this long journey of life with God, we must walk by faith and not by sight. Looking at the storms of life raging all around us, is not God's plan. We need to look beyond the storms to the other side of peace and safety. Then we can look back from the side of safety and see where the Lord has brought us from. This will increase our faith in God, as we continue to trust him during our current and upcoming storms.
As long as we stay in the ark of safety by continuing our relationship with God, trusting him, we will continue to walk by faith and God's word will be quickened in our hearts by his spirit, and we can retain confidence in him, as we walk by faith and not by sight.
1997
What Would Jesus Do?
What would Jesus do? That seems to be the most popular phrase going in the Christian world at this present time. But what does it really mean? How should we apply it to our own lives in this present age? Would Jesus react or respond to things in this modern day, as we usually do? Or, would Jesus have his own unique way of responding to things in a way that we never could?
In the Christian world, an honest and sincere person knows that to call himself a Christian, is to desire to be Christ like. We set ourselves up with goals of determination to become like Christ, in our actions, our spoken words, and in our compassion towards others. But unfortunately, we seem many times, to fall short of being like Christ.
All situations in our lives, requires a response of some kind. Some responses are happy, joyous, excited, humorous, sad, grievous, angry, or vengeful. But when faced with a situation of some kind other than a happy one, and to say,” what would Jesus do",in no way allows us to compare ourselves to Jesus, as to what response we will give.
You see, for us to attempt to respond as Jesus would, is simply something that we cannot do. This is not to say that when we respond with love, compassion, honesty, sincerity, and integrity, that we are responding improperly. For these are the things that we as Christians are required to do. But for us, these are unnatural responses. These are acquired attributes of God's nature, which in reality, is really who God is.
The reason: all of humanity have been born into sin. It’s our nature to respond to less than happy circumstances with anger, malice, hatred, or revenge. So due to this fact, there is no possible way that we could respond as Jesus would.
Jesus Christ was born completely perfect. There was no sin in his life nor guile found in his mouth. Jesus Christ, was God Almighty manifested in the flesh, which in that case, all of what God is, was wrapped in a robe of flesh, making it a sinless body.
(Colossians 2:9-For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily). The completeness of God, his nature, his love, his perfection was found in Jesus Christ. Because of this, he knew how to respond to every situation that he was faced with. God’s ways are above our ways and his thought are higher than our thoughts.(scrip. ref. Isaiah 55:9).
Sometimes we can respond to a situation properly by the words we may say or in the actions that we perform. But because of our nature of the flesh and our being born into sin, what we do may be right, but what's in our heart may not be right. That is not always the case though. I am sure that most of the time when we do the right things, that we do mean it from our hearts. But there are those times when we are not right in our hearts about some situations, even though what we do or say is the right thing. But that was definitely not the case with Jesus. Being perfect as he was, his responses to all situations were always proper in his words and actions, and most importantly, that was what was in his heart.
To ask the question,” what would Jesus do",should not expect an answer of, “ well I think this is what Jesus would do".If it does, we’re only kidding ourselves.
We cannot give an exact response or reaction to our circumstance as Jesus would. But what we can do is, abide in his word, study it, live it, and allow the light of his word to light the very paths that we take in life. By doing so, we allow God's perfect nature to work in us and through us, and as we grow with God, our responses can be of the very attributes of God.
The phrase,” what would Jesus do",is a very good motto that all Christians should apply to their lives. But just remember that our natural responses to things will probably not be as to what Jesus would do. But his attributes can be in our responses in life, after we have been born again.
So the next time you are in a situation that appears less favorable, go ahead say it,” what would Jesus do",and know that his attributes of love can be in your response, if you let it.
Dec 4,1997
In the Christian world, an honest and sincere person knows that to call himself a Christian, is to desire to be Christ like. We set ourselves up with goals of determination to become like Christ, in our actions, our spoken words, and in our compassion towards others. But unfortunately, we seem many times, to fall short of being like Christ.
All situations in our lives, requires a response of some kind. Some responses are happy, joyous, excited, humorous, sad, grievous, angry, or vengeful. But when faced with a situation of some kind other than a happy one, and to say,” what would Jesus do",in no way allows us to compare ourselves to Jesus, as to what response we will give.
You see, for us to attempt to respond as Jesus would, is simply something that we cannot do. This is not to say that when we respond with love, compassion, honesty, sincerity, and integrity, that we are responding improperly. For these are the things that we as Christians are required to do. But for us, these are unnatural responses. These are acquired attributes of God's nature, which in reality, is really who God is.
The reason: all of humanity have been born into sin. It’s our nature to respond to less than happy circumstances with anger, malice, hatred, or revenge. So due to this fact, there is no possible way that we could respond as Jesus would.
Jesus Christ was born completely perfect. There was no sin in his life nor guile found in his mouth. Jesus Christ, was God Almighty manifested in the flesh, which in that case, all of what God is, was wrapped in a robe of flesh, making it a sinless body.
(Colossians 2:9-For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily). The completeness of God, his nature, his love, his perfection was found in Jesus Christ. Because of this, he knew how to respond to every situation that he was faced with. God’s ways are above our ways and his thought are higher than our thoughts.(scrip. ref. Isaiah 55:9).
Sometimes we can respond to a situation properly by the words we may say or in the actions that we perform. But because of our nature of the flesh and our being born into sin, what we do may be right, but what's in our heart may not be right. That is not always the case though. I am sure that most of the time when we do the right things, that we do mean it from our hearts. But there are those times when we are not right in our hearts about some situations, even though what we do or say is the right thing. But that was definitely not the case with Jesus. Being perfect as he was, his responses to all situations were always proper in his words and actions, and most importantly, that was what was in his heart.
To ask the question,” what would Jesus do",should not expect an answer of, “ well I think this is what Jesus would do".If it does, we’re only kidding ourselves.
We cannot give an exact response or reaction to our circumstance as Jesus would. But what we can do is, abide in his word, study it, live it, and allow the light of his word to light the very paths that we take in life. By doing so, we allow God's perfect nature to work in us and through us, and as we grow with God, our responses can be of the very attributes of God.
The phrase,” what would Jesus do",is a very good motto that all Christians should apply to their lives. But just remember that our natural responses to things will probably not be as to what Jesus would do. But his attributes can be in our responses in life, after we have been born again.
So the next time you are in a situation that appears less favorable, go ahead say it,” what would Jesus do",and know that his attributes of love can be in your response, if you let it.
Dec 4,1997
What's Important?
In this age of microwave food, drive thru restaurants, drive thru banking, CDs faster computers, cellular phones, bigger houses, nicer cars, etc,it would appear that these things are the most important necessities in today's society. But are all these things really necessities, or, are they really just the luxuries that allows us to "keep up with the Joneses?"
Is it really that important to trade into a new car every two or three years? Why do you want a bigger house? Did you get a stain on the carpet or decide to change the wallpaper? What is important? Is your status in society, especially to those in your "inner circle",so important, that you neglect to see the needs of others? Do you consider your children to be a blessing or a commodity? If they somehow do not fit into your plans in life, do you just ship them off to boarding school? What is important? Does your job really require those eighty hours a week, or, are you really that caught-up in the "rat race",always trying to get a bigger piece of the cheese?
What is important? Jesus said in John10:10-The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Are you allowing the thief(Satan),to steal your life? Every time you devote a little more time at the office, or try a little harder to stay a head of the Joneses, you are allowing the thief to steal away precious time that cannot be replaced. This allows him to destroy your life, killing off what really is important in this life.
How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you seem to find more time for those "little pleasures of life",than time alone in prayer with God? Jesus said in the latter half of the scripture, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. What kind of life is Jesus speaking of? For one, he is speaking of an abundant spiritual life through a relationship with himself, the saviour .Sin destroyed our relationship with our heavenly father, and it took Jesus to give back to us our life (relationship) that we lost with God in the garden of Eden.
What is important? Is material wealth more important to you than spiritual wealth? Where do you set up your treasures? Jesus told us not to lay up treasures here on this earth, such as boats, cars, houses, money, etc, because these things will rust away, tear up, need repaired or replaced. Also, much material wealth opens a door for thieves to break in and steal what you have.
What Jesus instructed us to do, is to set up our treasures in heaven. For in heaven, there will not be any rust thievery, or corruption. But the most important portion of this passage is found in the next verse of Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Where is your heart in life? Are you laying up for treasures here upon this earth through material wealth? If you are, then that is where your heart is. That is powerful, but it is God's truth.
What is important? Paul wrote in II Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
That is rather self-explanatory isn't it. All of what we see now in this life is temporary. But it is those things which we do not see now in this life, which are eternal. The bible states that this earth will melt with fervent heat. That includes all of the material wealth and gain that we can see now on this earth.
When Jesus said that he came that they might have life more abundantly, it was not limited completely to spiritual life only. God does not mind us having nice things in this world, for God created this world for us to live in, and he also gave us a mind to create and invent things in order to contribute to everyday life, and allow it to run a little more smoothly as knowledge increased in mankind.
But he did not intend for us to set our treasures on this materialistic earth, for it will all come to an end one day. We are to seek our God and establish that lost relationship with him again, setting our treasures in heaven.
What is important? In this world of today, when people will kill someone because they want their jacket or tennis shoes, it is obviously clear, that the world is setting their treasures in all of the pleasures and material wealth that this world has to offer. With no regard for life as precious as when God gave it, society as a whole, is on a downward spiral toward complete destruction.” What can you do for me, or what's in it for me",is the attitude of this world, when it should be "what can I do to help you?"
What is important? Do you need to re-evaluate your life and your priorities? Do you fall into the category of those who are setting up their treasures here on earth? Have you ever stopped and took the time to see what is really going on in this world? Or, are you safely tucked away inside your own little bubble, hoping that it does not get popped?
Next time you decide to work overtime just to get some extra money to but that.....whatever, stop and think about it, open your heart and begin to look through the eyes of Jesus, and then you will really begin to see what is important, and if you are setting up your treasures here on earth or in heaven. Oh, and one last thing, ask yourself, what would Jesus do?
Nov 20,1997
Is it really that important to trade into a new car every two or three years? Why do you want a bigger house? Did you get a stain on the carpet or decide to change the wallpaper? What is important? Is your status in society, especially to those in your "inner circle",so important, that you neglect to see the needs of others? Do you consider your children to be a blessing or a commodity? If they somehow do not fit into your plans in life, do you just ship them off to boarding school? What is important? Does your job really require those eighty hours a week, or, are you really that caught-up in the "rat race",always trying to get a bigger piece of the cheese?
What is important? Jesus said in John10:10-The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Are you allowing the thief(Satan),to steal your life? Every time you devote a little more time at the office, or try a little harder to stay a head of the Joneses, you are allowing the thief to steal away precious time that cannot be replaced. This allows him to destroy your life, killing off what really is important in this life.
How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you seem to find more time for those "little pleasures of life",than time alone in prayer with God? Jesus said in the latter half of the scripture, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. What kind of life is Jesus speaking of? For one, he is speaking of an abundant spiritual life through a relationship with himself, the saviour .Sin destroyed our relationship with our heavenly father, and it took Jesus to give back to us our life (relationship) that we lost with God in the garden of Eden.
What is important? Is material wealth more important to you than spiritual wealth? Where do you set up your treasures? Jesus told us not to lay up treasures here on this earth, such as boats, cars, houses, money, etc, because these things will rust away, tear up, need repaired or replaced. Also, much material wealth opens a door for thieves to break in and steal what you have.
What Jesus instructed us to do, is to set up our treasures in heaven. For in heaven, there will not be any rust thievery, or corruption. But the most important portion of this passage is found in the next verse of Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Where is your heart in life? Are you laying up for treasures here upon this earth through material wealth? If you are, then that is where your heart is. That is powerful, but it is God's truth.
What is important? Paul wrote in II Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
That is rather self-explanatory isn't it. All of what we see now in this life is temporary. But it is those things which we do not see now in this life, which are eternal. The bible states that this earth will melt with fervent heat. That includes all of the material wealth and gain that we can see now on this earth.
When Jesus said that he came that they might have life more abundantly, it was not limited completely to spiritual life only. God does not mind us having nice things in this world, for God created this world for us to live in, and he also gave us a mind to create and invent things in order to contribute to everyday life, and allow it to run a little more smoothly as knowledge increased in mankind.
But he did not intend for us to set our treasures on this materialistic earth, for it will all come to an end one day. We are to seek our God and establish that lost relationship with him again, setting our treasures in heaven.
What is important? In this world of today, when people will kill someone because they want their jacket or tennis shoes, it is obviously clear, that the world is setting their treasures in all of the pleasures and material wealth that this world has to offer. With no regard for life as precious as when God gave it, society as a whole, is on a downward spiral toward complete destruction.” What can you do for me, or what's in it for me",is the attitude of this world, when it should be "what can I do to help you?"
What is important? Do you need to re-evaluate your life and your priorities? Do you fall into the category of those who are setting up their treasures here on earth? Have you ever stopped and took the time to see what is really going on in this world? Or, are you safely tucked away inside your own little bubble, hoping that it does not get popped?
Next time you decide to work overtime just to get some extra money to but that.....whatever, stop and think about it, open your heart and begin to look through the eyes of Jesus, and then you will really begin to see what is important, and if you are setting up your treasures here on earth or in heaven. Oh, and one last thing, ask yourself, what would Jesus do?
Nov 20,1997
What Are You Thankful For?
Well it's here again. Got here before you knew it, huh? Are you ready for it? Have you already made your plans for this year?
Okay, okay, so tell me, what’s here? The holiday season! It seems to come around quicker and quicker each year, doesn’t it.
With Thanksgiving just barely behind us, and Christmas running a steady pace to catch us, not to mention New Year's Eve pushing a close third, have you stopped to think about what the holiday season should really represent?
During the mad rush at the shopping malls and outlet stores, the world is quite thankful, regardless of how it appears. For you see, they are thankful for the pre-Christmas sales which come after the gigantic mark-up, which are placed on the sale items which were already sky-high anyway, bringing the items to a price, that through the greedy schemes of pricing, no one really knows what it is worth, what it really costs, or how much is too much! STOP!
Will this be on your Rich's card? Ah, but of course, plastic. The thankfulness of that little plastic card. Oh I'm not worried, I can pay it off next year. I’ve just gotta get everyone something extremely nice. Furthermore, I am not gonna let my so-in-so, out give me this year!
It's time to party! Plenty of holiday reasons to throw a party. Um, let's see. The company Christmas party,ah yes. I'd better make arrangements for someone to drive me home, cause I doubt I'll be able to drive after that party.
Oh yeah! My buddy's annual Christmas party at his house, can’t miss that one. I’d better plan to spend the night there; maybe his cousin will be there......
Come on gang! Lets all go to downtown Atlanta to see the lighting of the Rich's Christmas tree. It is our family tradition, yall know we never miss it.
Finally, at last. Days and days of football to watch. I’ll just grab a couple of twelve packs, couple of bags of chips and I'll be all set.
Don't forget to stop by the package store honey. We must really go all out this season for our dear friends, they think so much of us, you know.
Get the picture? Everyone is thankful for something during the holidays. But sad as it is though, most of those type of people mentioned above, will have very little or no thankfulness at all for the one true reason in which we observe the holiday season. That reason is Jesus.
No, we don't know as to when Jesus Christ was born, but without his birth we would have no chance of ever receiving salvation, for we would not have the name of Jesus to call upon for that salvation. Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The observance of December 25 as Christmas or Jesus' day of birth, has widely been accepted throughout the world. But to say that Jesus was born on December 25,does not coincide with scripture, speaking of the shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, Luke 2:8.
During the month of December, Israel’s weather is cold and wet, which designates that shepherds would not be out in the fields wet and freezing to death. Possibly, Jesus was born in the spring or early summer.(The date of Jesus' birth is not the focus of this article).
We as Christians, should observe the holiday season with thankfulness. Not as worldly thankfulness or should I say, greediness, but as that of a genuine spirit of Christ likeness, humble and meek and with respect unto our savior.
During this season in which people set aside this time to give gifts, when throughout the year they normally would not, we Christians should set aside some special time alone with God in prayer, and express our thankfulness to Him. But let us not cease from those times alone with God, after the holiday season is over. We should continue in them throughout the year as normal.
Allow this holiday season, to be a time for reflecting back on your life before you became a child of God. Remember your past holiday seasons when you were perhaps, like the people mentioned earlier. Remember what God has delivered you from, and see where He has brought you to now, as you continue your relationship with Him.
Let's not allow ourselves to become so wrapped up in all of the "holiday hoopla,” that we completely annihilate the perfect "reason for the season."
Give gifts, get together with your families, enjoy each others' company. But let's not forget to invite and warmly welcome the most important and best gift, that God gave this world, and that is Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world, John 1:29.
11-3-97
Okay, okay, so tell me, what’s here? The holiday season! It seems to come around quicker and quicker each year, doesn’t it.
With Thanksgiving just barely behind us, and Christmas running a steady pace to catch us, not to mention New Year's Eve pushing a close third, have you stopped to think about what the holiday season should really represent?
During the mad rush at the shopping malls and outlet stores, the world is quite thankful, regardless of how it appears. For you see, they are thankful for the pre-Christmas sales which come after the gigantic mark-up, which are placed on the sale items which were already sky-high anyway, bringing the items to a price, that through the greedy schemes of pricing, no one really knows what it is worth, what it really costs, or how much is too much! STOP!
Will this be on your Rich's card? Ah, but of course, plastic. The thankfulness of that little plastic card. Oh I'm not worried, I can pay it off next year. I’ve just gotta get everyone something extremely nice. Furthermore, I am not gonna let my so-in-so, out give me this year!
It's time to party! Plenty of holiday reasons to throw a party. Um, let's see. The company Christmas party,ah yes. I'd better make arrangements for someone to drive me home, cause I doubt I'll be able to drive after that party.
Oh yeah! My buddy's annual Christmas party at his house, can’t miss that one. I’d better plan to spend the night there; maybe his cousin will be there......
Come on gang! Lets all go to downtown Atlanta to see the lighting of the Rich's Christmas tree. It is our family tradition, yall know we never miss it.
Finally, at last. Days and days of football to watch. I’ll just grab a couple of twelve packs, couple of bags of chips and I'll be all set.
Don't forget to stop by the package store honey. We must really go all out this season for our dear friends, they think so much of us, you know.
Get the picture? Everyone is thankful for something during the holidays. But sad as it is though, most of those type of people mentioned above, will have very little or no thankfulness at all for the one true reason in which we observe the holiday season. That reason is Jesus.
No, we don't know as to when Jesus Christ was born, but without his birth we would have no chance of ever receiving salvation, for we would not have the name of Jesus to call upon for that salvation. Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The observance of December 25 as Christmas or Jesus' day of birth, has widely been accepted throughout the world. But to say that Jesus was born on December 25,does not coincide with scripture, speaking of the shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, Luke 2:8.
During the month of December, Israel’s weather is cold and wet, which designates that shepherds would not be out in the fields wet and freezing to death. Possibly, Jesus was born in the spring or early summer.(The date of Jesus' birth is not the focus of this article).
We as Christians, should observe the holiday season with thankfulness. Not as worldly thankfulness or should I say, greediness, but as that of a genuine spirit of Christ likeness, humble and meek and with respect unto our savior.
During this season in which people set aside this time to give gifts, when throughout the year they normally would not, we Christians should set aside some special time alone with God in prayer, and express our thankfulness to Him. But let us not cease from those times alone with God, after the holiday season is over. We should continue in them throughout the year as normal.
Allow this holiday season, to be a time for reflecting back on your life before you became a child of God. Remember your past holiday seasons when you were perhaps, like the people mentioned earlier. Remember what God has delivered you from, and see where He has brought you to now, as you continue your relationship with Him.
Let's not allow ourselves to become so wrapped up in all of the "holiday hoopla,” that we completely annihilate the perfect "reason for the season."
Give gifts, get together with your families, enjoy each others' company. But let's not forget to invite and warmly welcome the most important and best gift, that God gave this world, and that is Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world, John 1:29.
11-3-97
The Perfect Moment
She waited for what seemed like hours, anticipating the perfect picture. Her desires to take the prize-winning picture, had overwhelmed her to the point, of possibly missing her chance for any picture at all. As she realized that her hesitated attempts at any picture at all had just slipped away, she wondered if she was even cut out to be a photographer at all.
But was it too late? Could she possibly still have a chance for her perfect shot? As she sat with a new plan of action running through her mind, she realized that yes, she did have another chance at her perfect shot. But it would take careful planning to set the scene up. After minutes of patient waiting, as she allowed ample time for the scene to meet her required specifications, the perfect moment finally arrived and she took her perfect picture.
Johnny was captivated with Brenda. To him, her face was that of perfection. As he watched her from a distance, he just knew that she would be perfect for him. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but how could he? He had not even approached her for a date yet, let alone, to ask her to become his wife.
As he continued to see her at work daily, he finally worked up enough courage to introduce himself to her and begin a friendship with her.
Months and months had gone by, and still Johnny had not asked Brenda out for a date. You see, Johnny was waiting for the perfect moment in which to ask Brenda out. As their friendship deepened, Brenda, very attracted to Johnny, threw many subtle hints at him, hoping he would ask her out on a date. Unfortunately, Johnny never picked up on the hints. All the while, Johnny was head over heels in love with Brenda, but to no avail, he still had not asked her out on a date. Got to be the perfect moment, he thought.
After several more weeks of just friendship, a new guy was hired at the company, which ushered in some competition for Johnny. Several weeks passed and Brenda went out on a date with the newly hired man. This sent Johnny into a state of hopelessness laced with desperation. It appeared that Johnny had lost all hope in his pursuit for Brenda.
What was wrong with him? Why did it have to be a perfect moment? Did he blow it? Did he wait too long? Would he ever have a chance with Brenda now, or was the chance gone forever? This pushed Johnny into an emotional state of depression. He knew that he loved Brenda, but would she even still consider him now or not?
What Johnny didn't know, was that Brenda was in love with him and she did what she thought was best to get Johnny's attention to the issue at hand.
After months of worrying and loosing hope, Johnny finally approached Brenda. Asking her out, she leaped into his arms shouting yes, yes! Two months later, Johnny and Brenda were married. As of today, they have been married for ten years with two children, and are extremely happy. Johnny’s perfect moment came after too many lost opportunities and one almost too late decision. But in the end, Johnny’s perfect moment rewarded him with happiness.
Are you waiting for the perfect moment in your life to come, so that you may give your life over to Jesus? Do you have to get some things in order before you can follow Christ? Do you think that you've got to change your ways before you can become a follower of Christ?
Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30,Come unto me, all ye that labor 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 for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Is your reason for the perfect moment just an excuse to not follow Christ? Do the ways of the world really have that much control over your life, preventing you from choosing Christ?
II Corinthians 6:2,For he saith,I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Will your "perfect moment" to give your life to Jesus become your eternal death sentence? Will you wait too long and seal your eternal destiny to everlasting fire and brimstone?
Or, will you accept Christ's death on the cross as your "perfect moment",and give him the rest of your life? The choice is yours. Which do you choose?
Dec 21,1997
But was it too late? Could she possibly still have a chance for her perfect shot? As she sat with a new plan of action running through her mind, she realized that yes, she did have another chance at her perfect shot. But it would take careful planning to set the scene up. After minutes of patient waiting, as she allowed ample time for the scene to meet her required specifications, the perfect moment finally arrived and she took her perfect picture.
Johnny was captivated with Brenda. To him, her face was that of perfection. As he watched her from a distance, he just knew that she would be perfect for him. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but how could he? He had not even approached her for a date yet, let alone, to ask her to become his wife.
As he continued to see her at work daily, he finally worked up enough courage to introduce himself to her and begin a friendship with her.
Months and months had gone by, and still Johnny had not asked Brenda out for a date. You see, Johnny was waiting for the perfect moment in which to ask Brenda out. As their friendship deepened, Brenda, very attracted to Johnny, threw many subtle hints at him, hoping he would ask her out on a date. Unfortunately, Johnny never picked up on the hints. All the while, Johnny was head over heels in love with Brenda, but to no avail, he still had not asked her out on a date. Got to be the perfect moment, he thought.
After several more weeks of just friendship, a new guy was hired at the company, which ushered in some competition for Johnny. Several weeks passed and Brenda went out on a date with the newly hired man. This sent Johnny into a state of hopelessness laced with desperation. It appeared that Johnny had lost all hope in his pursuit for Brenda.
What was wrong with him? Why did it have to be a perfect moment? Did he blow it? Did he wait too long? Would he ever have a chance with Brenda now, or was the chance gone forever? This pushed Johnny into an emotional state of depression. He knew that he loved Brenda, but would she even still consider him now or not?
What Johnny didn't know, was that Brenda was in love with him and she did what she thought was best to get Johnny's attention to the issue at hand.
After months of worrying and loosing hope, Johnny finally approached Brenda. Asking her out, she leaped into his arms shouting yes, yes! Two months later, Johnny and Brenda were married. As of today, they have been married for ten years with two children, and are extremely happy. Johnny’s perfect moment came after too many lost opportunities and one almost too late decision. But in the end, Johnny’s perfect moment rewarded him with happiness.
Are you waiting for the perfect moment in your life to come, so that you may give your life over to Jesus? Do you have to get some things in order before you can follow Christ? Do you think that you've got to change your ways before you can become a follower of Christ?
Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30,Come unto me, all ye that labor 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 for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Is your reason for the perfect moment just an excuse to not follow Christ? Do the ways of the world really have that much control over your life, preventing you from choosing Christ?
II Corinthians 6:2,For he saith,I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Will your "perfect moment" to give your life to Jesus become your eternal death sentence? Will you wait too long and seal your eternal destiny to everlasting fire and brimstone?
Or, will you accept Christ's death on the cross as your "perfect moment",and give him the rest of your life? The choice is yours. Which do you choose?
Dec 21,1997
The House of The Heart
Where do most people live? In a house of some sort. Due to the many cultures in the world, each type of housing associated to each culture could be different than others. Some houses may be no more than just thickets and brush tied together, others may be composed of mud, while even others may be built of wood, bricks, sheet rock roofing, etc. Get the picture? All people live in some sort of dwelling place that they call home.
But what about the heart? Not our fleshly heart that pumps life for us, but our true self. The place where we make all of our decisions in life. The place where we either allow the Spirit of God to live, or our adversary, Satan.
In our fleshly heart that's inside our chest cavity, there are several chambers inside from which blood flows as well as oxygen and blood cells. It’s a process that runs continuously, it never stops. But if it does stop, then you stop. Heart attack!
Our spiritual heart operates in the same way. There are two flows of messages running in our hearts continually. One is the message of life coming from God, and the other is the message of deception and death coming from Satan. These messages are continually flowing in all humanity, in which all mankind will have to make a choice as to which message that they will listen to. If one chooses the message of eternal life, then that person will heed to God and become born again as the bible states. Then, at the fulfillment of the born again experience, the Holy Ghost will then live in the heart of that person, and begin to "clean house” in that spiritual heart. If one does not choose the message of eternal life, then he has chosen the message of eternal death whether he acknowledges it or not. Our choices are either eternal life with God, or eternal death and torment with Satan for all eternity. If one does not choose eternal life with God, but chooses another way of life no matter what it is, then that person has chosen eternal death and torment for all eternity, when the time of death occurs. There are no other choices.(For the focus of this article, we will discuss the message of eternal life and our choices in that life).
Once a person has the spirit of God dwelling on the inside of them, then it is up to that person to allow God to do his work in them. By the choices that person makes, that will determine as to what God is able to do for them. The reason: God will not override the power of choice that he has given to all humanity.
Let's consider for comparison, that our spiritual heart is like a house. In a house there are several rooms in which a variety of functions are performed. We shall take each room one at a time and discuss the activities relevant to that room. Keep in mind, that each room of a house has a spiritual application as well, which we shall discuss per room.
Our first room is the living room, also called the family room. This is the room where family oriented activities usually occur. These activities will range from playing with the children, reading, listening to music, warming by the fireplace, entertaining friends, playing games, as well as many other things. This is a high volume room. Much of the daily life is spent in the family room. It’s cozy. It’s clean. It’s messy. It’s lived in. It’s your room of relaxation. It’s your family room.
In the family room of our heart is where we can find relaxation in the spirit; a time of fellowship with Jesus. A time to kick off the shoes, sit back in the recliner, and spend time with him. Here, we can loosen the load of life in prayer to God. We can warm up by the fire of God's spirit. We can also allow God to speak to us through reading his word, or by just sitting and meditating on him. In the family room of our heart, we can praise and worship God with singing, thankfulness, or just plain adoration for our Savior. You will always find Jesus in the family room of your heart. For in family, you’ll find love.
Our next room for discussion is the kitchen. Next to the family room, the kitchen is probably the most important room in the house. In the kitchen we can prepare our meals, sit around the breakfast table and enjoy that morning cup of coffee, help the kids with their homework, wash dishes, read the newspaper, or contemplate on the day's schedule. The kitchen is always used for much more than just cooking meals and eating.
In the kitchen of our heart is where we can find God doing most of his work. In the kitchen is where we can find the fire of the Holy Ghost cooking up his perfect plan for our lives. John the Baptist said:(....he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:)Matthew 3:11.
Did you catch that? With fire! Where is fire normally found in a house? Right. In the kitchen. God does his work through fire. Not a literal fire as to burn our bodies, but with a spiritual fire, the Holy Ghost! This fire in our spiritual kitchen is burning away the impurities of our hearts, purging our souls with spiritual cleansing, and renewal. It is a fire that no man can quench; but that the inward man would continue to grow stronger, by the very burning of the fire of the Holy Ghost.
So often we may spend too much time in another room of our heart's house where the fire doesn't burn quite as hot. After lingering too long in the dampness of the basement of our heart, we feel a strong desire to head back to the kitchen, where the fire of the Holy Ghost is. We soon learn to stay close to the kitchen of our heart.
The next room is the bathroom. In our bathrooms, we become clean. We take showers or baths, to cleanse our bodies of dirt and grime. The bathroom is also where we,...well, you know.
Our spiritual bathroom works closely with our kitchen. In our spiritual bathroom we become clean again. It’s the place of our repentance; to rid our spirit man from the impurities of sin. Before we can enter our spiritual kitchen where the Holy Ghost fire is, we must first go to our spiritual bathroom to cleanse ourselves of our sins. This is done by confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness, and repenting from those sins. By doing so, we stay close to the fire in the kitchen.
Our next room is the bedroom. The bedroom is a room of privacy. No one is allowed into the bedroom unless they knock first. In this room, we are who we are. In the bedroom we sleep, we rest. We can go into this room close the door and lock out the rest of the world. It is a room of intimate privacy. It is a room of peace.
In our spiritual bedroom, we will meet there with God for intimacy with him. This is where we can pour out our hearts to him. We can say things to him in this room, that we could never say in any of our other rooms. It is a room of prayer. It is a room of travail for others. It is a room where we are the most vulnerable to God, open to him completely. The spiritual bedroom allows us to find peace for our souls, peace for our hearts, peace for our lives, spiritually and physically.
Our last room but certainly not least, is the bonus room. Many of the newer built houses of today have a room which is considered a bonus room. Sometimes builders leave it unfinished as to allow the homeowner to do with it as he wishes. In the bonus room we could find a pool table. The computer could be there. Video games or maybe even a hot tub could be found there. The bonus room could be used as a sewing room, a music room, an entertaining room, or an anything you want room. The whole purpose of a bonus room is just that. It’s a bonus! An extra room. A room not a part of the original deal. Thrown in at no extra charge. You didn't earn it or pay for it; it’s, it's....a blessing!
God meets us in our spiritual bonus room much more than we may ever know. This is where we receive blessings from God that we have not earned nor deserve. The times in our lives when we may have "lost it",and we find God right there in our bonus room pouring out grace and peace upon us, which we definitely did not deserve. The countless times as we go through the course of our lives, never realizing how much protection God has placed upon us; protecting us from things unknown to us. Or, the material blessings he allows us to receive from time to time. In which we would have previously given up prayer for the blessings that he has bestowed upon us according to his riches in glory.
The spiritual bonus room allows us to experience God in mighty ways in church services, provided we go there expecting a bonus blessing. The spiritual bonus room serves as a haven for blessings. Undeserved, unearned, and not worthy to receive, but nevertheless bonus blessings.
Take a tour of the house of your heart. In which room do you spend most of your time? If you spend too much time in your heart's basement or garage working on little projects for God, rarely spending time in the rest of your heart's house; then maybe you should put your projects on hold and linger in each room of your heart's house to get reacquainted with God again.
May I suggest a visit to the bathroom to become clean again? Perhaps time in the kitchen by the "fire",stopping off in the family room for praise and worship, ending up in the bedroom for privacy and intimacy with God? After a good cleaning of your heart's house, I am quite sure that Jesus will take you by the hand and lead you from the bedroom to the bonus room; and you know what happens in the bonus room.....
Nov 5,1998
But what about the heart? Not our fleshly heart that pumps life for us, but our true self. The place where we make all of our decisions in life. The place where we either allow the Spirit of God to live, or our adversary, Satan.
In our fleshly heart that's inside our chest cavity, there are several chambers inside from which blood flows as well as oxygen and blood cells. It’s a process that runs continuously, it never stops. But if it does stop, then you stop. Heart attack!
Our spiritual heart operates in the same way. There are two flows of messages running in our hearts continually. One is the message of life coming from God, and the other is the message of deception and death coming from Satan. These messages are continually flowing in all humanity, in which all mankind will have to make a choice as to which message that they will listen to. If one chooses the message of eternal life, then that person will heed to God and become born again as the bible states. Then, at the fulfillment of the born again experience, the Holy Ghost will then live in the heart of that person, and begin to "clean house” in that spiritual heart. If one does not choose the message of eternal life, then he has chosen the message of eternal death whether he acknowledges it or not. Our choices are either eternal life with God, or eternal death and torment with Satan for all eternity. If one does not choose eternal life with God, but chooses another way of life no matter what it is, then that person has chosen eternal death and torment for all eternity, when the time of death occurs. There are no other choices.(For the focus of this article, we will discuss the message of eternal life and our choices in that life).
Once a person has the spirit of God dwelling on the inside of them, then it is up to that person to allow God to do his work in them. By the choices that person makes, that will determine as to what God is able to do for them. The reason: God will not override the power of choice that he has given to all humanity.
Let's consider for comparison, that our spiritual heart is like a house. In a house there are several rooms in which a variety of functions are performed. We shall take each room one at a time and discuss the activities relevant to that room. Keep in mind, that each room of a house has a spiritual application as well, which we shall discuss per room.
Our first room is the living room, also called the family room. This is the room where family oriented activities usually occur. These activities will range from playing with the children, reading, listening to music, warming by the fireplace, entertaining friends, playing games, as well as many other things. This is a high volume room. Much of the daily life is spent in the family room. It’s cozy. It’s clean. It’s messy. It’s lived in. It’s your room of relaxation. It’s your family room.
In the family room of our heart is where we can find relaxation in the spirit; a time of fellowship with Jesus. A time to kick off the shoes, sit back in the recliner, and spend time with him. Here, we can loosen the load of life in prayer to God. We can warm up by the fire of God's spirit. We can also allow God to speak to us through reading his word, or by just sitting and meditating on him. In the family room of our heart, we can praise and worship God with singing, thankfulness, or just plain adoration for our Savior. You will always find Jesus in the family room of your heart. For in family, you’ll find love.
Our next room for discussion is the kitchen. Next to the family room, the kitchen is probably the most important room in the house. In the kitchen we can prepare our meals, sit around the breakfast table and enjoy that morning cup of coffee, help the kids with their homework, wash dishes, read the newspaper, or contemplate on the day's schedule. The kitchen is always used for much more than just cooking meals and eating.
In the kitchen of our heart is where we can find God doing most of his work. In the kitchen is where we can find the fire of the Holy Ghost cooking up his perfect plan for our lives. John the Baptist said:(....he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:)Matthew 3:11.
Did you catch that? With fire! Where is fire normally found in a house? Right. In the kitchen. God does his work through fire. Not a literal fire as to burn our bodies, but with a spiritual fire, the Holy Ghost! This fire in our spiritual kitchen is burning away the impurities of our hearts, purging our souls with spiritual cleansing, and renewal. It is a fire that no man can quench; but that the inward man would continue to grow stronger, by the very burning of the fire of the Holy Ghost.
So often we may spend too much time in another room of our heart's house where the fire doesn't burn quite as hot. After lingering too long in the dampness of the basement of our heart, we feel a strong desire to head back to the kitchen, where the fire of the Holy Ghost is. We soon learn to stay close to the kitchen of our heart.
The next room is the bathroom. In our bathrooms, we become clean. We take showers or baths, to cleanse our bodies of dirt and grime. The bathroom is also where we,...well, you know.
Our spiritual bathroom works closely with our kitchen. In our spiritual bathroom we become clean again. It’s the place of our repentance; to rid our spirit man from the impurities of sin. Before we can enter our spiritual kitchen where the Holy Ghost fire is, we must first go to our spiritual bathroom to cleanse ourselves of our sins. This is done by confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness, and repenting from those sins. By doing so, we stay close to the fire in the kitchen.
Our next room is the bedroom. The bedroom is a room of privacy. No one is allowed into the bedroom unless they knock first. In this room, we are who we are. In the bedroom we sleep, we rest. We can go into this room close the door and lock out the rest of the world. It is a room of intimate privacy. It is a room of peace.
In our spiritual bedroom, we will meet there with God for intimacy with him. This is where we can pour out our hearts to him. We can say things to him in this room, that we could never say in any of our other rooms. It is a room of prayer. It is a room of travail for others. It is a room where we are the most vulnerable to God, open to him completely. The spiritual bedroom allows us to find peace for our souls, peace for our hearts, peace for our lives, spiritually and physically.
Our last room but certainly not least, is the bonus room. Many of the newer built houses of today have a room which is considered a bonus room. Sometimes builders leave it unfinished as to allow the homeowner to do with it as he wishes. In the bonus room we could find a pool table. The computer could be there. Video games or maybe even a hot tub could be found there. The bonus room could be used as a sewing room, a music room, an entertaining room, or an anything you want room. The whole purpose of a bonus room is just that. It’s a bonus! An extra room. A room not a part of the original deal. Thrown in at no extra charge. You didn't earn it or pay for it; it’s, it's....a blessing!
God meets us in our spiritual bonus room much more than we may ever know. This is where we receive blessings from God that we have not earned nor deserve. The times in our lives when we may have "lost it",and we find God right there in our bonus room pouring out grace and peace upon us, which we definitely did not deserve. The countless times as we go through the course of our lives, never realizing how much protection God has placed upon us; protecting us from things unknown to us. Or, the material blessings he allows us to receive from time to time. In which we would have previously given up prayer for the blessings that he has bestowed upon us according to his riches in glory.
The spiritual bonus room allows us to experience God in mighty ways in church services, provided we go there expecting a bonus blessing. The spiritual bonus room serves as a haven for blessings. Undeserved, unearned, and not worthy to receive, but nevertheless bonus blessings.
Take a tour of the house of your heart. In which room do you spend most of your time? If you spend too much time in your heart's basement or garage working on little projects for God, rarely spending time in the rest of your heart's house; then maybe you should put your projects on hold and linger in each room of your heart's house to get reacquainted with God again.
May I suggest a visit to the bathroom to become clean again? Perhaps time in the kitchen by the "fire",stopping off in the family room for praise and worship, ending up in the bedroom for privacy and intimacy with God? After a good cleaning of your heart's house, I am quite sure that Jesus will take you by the hand and lead you from the bedroom to the bonus room; and you know what happens in the bonus room.....
Nov 5,1998
Supplemental To A Trophy On Hells' Mantlepiece
A true and sincere child of God does not have to become a trophy on Hell's mantlepiece. As we, the Apostolic Tabernacle church family have recently heard through the preaching of Brother Brian Williams, we must strive daily to stay completely under the blood of Jesus. Even momentary slipping into our sinful past can draw us deeper into a sinful life if we allow it. We must stay submitted to God's will continually.
As Brother Williams stated near the end of his message, that quite possibly what would hurt God the most at judgment day, would be those who have known him, had a close relationship with him, had been covered by the blood of Jesus, but had themselves, held back parts of their lives, never surrendering completely to God. Unfortunately, this would prevent them from taking part in God's eternal glory at that awaited day.
We must continue to sincerely draw closer to God through prayer and press on daily towards the mark for the prize of the high calling. We must also stand against the wiles of the devil and remember the price that Jesus paid for us at Calvary. Then when our day comes to leave this world, we won't have to worry about becoming a trophy on Hell's mantlepiece.
Aug,1998
As Brother Williams stated near the end of his message, that quite possibly what would hurt God the most at judgment day, would be those who have known him, had a close relationship with him, had been covered by the blood of Jesus, but had themselves, held back parts of their lives, never surrendering completely to God. Unfortunately, this would prevent them from taking part in God's eternal glory at that awaited day.
We must continue to sincerely draw closer to God through prayer and press on daily towards the mark for the prize of the high calling. We must also stand against the wiles of the devil and remember the price that Jesus paid for us at Calvary. Then when our day comes to leave this world, we won't have to worry about becoming a trophy on Hell's mantlepiece.
Aug,1998
Roadblocks On The Road To Hell
She could not see it coming. Everything is okay. I can handle it, she thought. Unfortunately, she did not realize that she was in so deep. So many times her mother would talk to her about getting into church and allowing God to clean up her life. But she always rejected her mother each time with,” Maybe later, not right now, I am just not ready yet."
At each time of rejection, her mother would go into her bedroom, lock the door and cry before God for her daughter. These cries would pray roadblocks onto her daughter's path. For you see, this daughter in question was on the road to Hell.
Her life was full of torment. Her casual use of cocaine turned into a full-blown addiction. This addiction in turn, led her into prostitution in order to earn enough money to buy the drugs. Her pathway of life was free and clear of all obstacles that would prevent her from going to Hell, except one. A praying mother.
As time would have it, things grew worse. Three separate times in one year she overdosed on cocaine and nearly died. And each time her mother was praying roadblocks onto her pathway.
After years of prayers erected a countless number of roadblocks onto her daughter's pathway to Hell; she finally exercised her power of choice, stepped off of the road to Hell, and stepped onto the pathway to God's salvation and was eventually saved. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
******************************************
Johnny knew he shouldn't do it. He knew it was wrong. But he just could not seem to be able to stop gambling. Each week after he received his paycheck, he would take off to Vegas to gamble. Johnny had been vowing for years to move away from the Vegas area, but his gambling addiction held him prisoner there.
Some years earlier, Johnny’s life was going quite well. He had a strong, thriving ministry in his church. Even now, his wife and children are still strong in the small Pentecostal church there in town.
Johnny's life made a complete turn around though, when he landed a new job across town. He began working longer hours and even began missing church services from time to time. All the while, Johnny’s wife was faithfully praying for her backsliding husband. Her prayers were continually throwing up roadblocks onto Johnny's pathway to Hell.
Due to the fact, that Johnny is one of God's children, but now, in his backslidden condition, if at the event of the tragic loss of his life, he would become a trophy on Hell's mantlepiece.(As we know, that is where Satan puts those that once belonged to the most High God).
Johnny's wife truly loved him and was faithful unto him as God's Word says to be. She continually lifted him up in prayer unto God, throwing roadblocks onto his pathway.
Johnny loved his wife. Even though he had backslidden out of church, became addicted to gambling, he was still faithful to his wife. Temptation presented itself each time he entered into the gambling hall, but he still retained his integrity of faithfulness to her.
Weeks turned into months and months into years. Johnny had fallen so deep in debt to the gambling casino, that he had to sell his house. This left his family homeless. Luckily, someone in the church took in Johnny's family, leaving him all alone. Johnny’s wife became bitter for a short while, only to repent of it and begin her praying for Johnny again. She knew her prayers were keeping Johnny out of Hell, but she never knew just how close to the gates of Hell that he really was.
Finally the bottom fell out. Johnny, still homeless and in debt for thousands, decided to end it all. He stole a gun, aiming to commit suicide.
At this point, Johnny’s wife had prayer chains going for him from all of her church family. Through this group prayer, enough roadblocks were placed onto Johnny's pathway to Hell, to divert his path back to God.
After coming back to God with a deep repentant heart, God cleansed him, forgave him, and restored his life back to what it was before his backsliding. God even cleared Johnny completely from his several thousand dollars of debt with his awesome mercy and grace. Prayers from a faithful wife and a compassionate church family. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
*****************************************************
If I can make it home just one more time, I won't do it again, Mike thought. This time though, Mike was extremely too drunk to drive, but he was behind the wheel of his truck trying to get home.
Every Friday afternoon after work, Mike always heads to the local pub suitably called, The One More For The Road Pub. Mike was the first customer to buy the first beer there a little over four years ago when the pub opened. He has been going there since day one.
Mike is a real good guy when he's not drinking. He works good, he’s easy to get along with, and he's good to his wife. But after several drinks, he becomes more like Dr.Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
This particular Friday was typical, but different. You see, Mike has a co-worker/friend, that had gotten into church about five years earlier, and this friend has been praying for Mike. Mike’s co-worker/friend knows what it is like to desire to drink beer. You see, God delivered him from the grips of alcohol at the time of receiving His true salvation. Many times, Mike’s friend has invited him to church, only to be rejected each time.
This Friday was no different. In that, his friend invited him to church again. This time though, Mike did not want to hear it. As his friend was inviting him, Mike lost it. He stormed into his friend, slamming him against the wall and breaking one of his ribs.
As his friend got up off of the floor in intense pain, Mike got into his truck and sped off. Mike’s friend fell to his knees crying, and began to pray for Mike. He knew that Mike's life was headed straight down the road to Hell and he felt as if there was nothing that he could do. Throughout Mike's friend's prayers, roadblocks were erected in Mike's life, diverting his path to Hell. A couple of years ago, one particular roadblock erected when Mike received a DUI for driving drunk. His license was suspended for six months and he had to attend a DUI class. Sadly though, after getting his license back, he eventually went back to drinking and driving again.
Mike's friend could have become bitter due to his injury and many rejections. But he remembered what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44....Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
So because Mike's friend was committed to God and to seeing Mike saved, he continued to pray for him, placing roadblocks in Mike's pathway. As Mike's friend lingered longer at the job praying for him, God, with his infinite love for His children, healed him of his broken rib injury; as Mike sat at the bar drinking, becoming increasingly drunk. Even though Mike was addicted to alcohol he knew his limit. He always stopped at his limit in order to get himself home. But not this time.
As the hours passed by, night time fell and the pub's bartender finally had to cut Mike off from any more beer. Mike staggered out of the pub and somehow made it to his truck. He headed down the road, home.
As Mike tried to get home, his friend was under a heavy burden for him in prayer. He knew in his thoughts that as he prayed, he had to be putting up roadblocks onto Mike's pathway, so he continued praying.
Mike was feeling a little more confident now. He was almost home. He kept thinking, please let me get home just one more time, and I won't do it again! But Mike had forgotten about that extremely sharp S-turn only one half mile from his home.
As he headed closer and closer to the S-turn, he just knew he had made it. He vowed he would never do it again. He began to realize just how much he stood to lose if he didn’t. He even thought about taking up his friend on his invitation to church.....someday. Just as Mike approached the S-turn.....BLINDNESS! A tractor-trailer barreling down from the opposite direction had his bright lights on and never saw Mike coming. As he suddenly dimmed his lights and slowed down for the S-turn, Mike, thinking that he was going to hit the tractor-trailer, swerved to the right, ran off the road, over the ditch, and head on into the giant oak tree at the S-turn.
Mike's truck exploded into a ball of flames, killing him instantly.
At the notifying of the accident to Mike's friend, he wept intensely. As he thought over and over, he said,” Why Lord, why did Mike have to die? I prayed for him for so long, why didn't he get saved?” Mike’s friend waited patiently for God's answer. In God's timing, Mike’s friend was told what happened. This is what God told him:
"Mike's pathway was filled with many roadblocks to deviate him from his road to Hell. But he chose not to heed to the roadblocks. Your invitations were roadblocks but were never accepted. Your prayers were roadblocks, but the convictions placed on Mike's heart were never acted upon. Mike continued to drink and never took seriously your compassion and concern."
"At the time of your injury, inflicted by Mike, he had placed his hand on the knob of the gates of Hell. Instead of helping you to the hospital and apologizing for his actions, he sped away to the pub and drank himself drunk."
"But what had actually happened was this: he had pushed those gates of Hell open, and placed his foot inside the door. At that point for him, there was no turning back. He had reached a point inside the flames of Hell where no one could reach him or save him".
"Friend, all of your prayers did their job. They erected plenty of roadblocks into Mike's life, but he continued to detour around them and stayed on the pathway to his own destruction. It was his choice. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
*******************************************************
She loved the Lord. All of her life, with the exception of just a few years, she has lived for God. She’s been faithful in church attendance. She raised all of her children in church; taking them to Sunday School and other church functions. She has been a good wife and mother, completely faithful.
But unknowingly to her though something was missing. With it being unknown to her, she would not know how to seek for it.
Her life was good, her spiritual life; complacent. Things were too comfortable for her as well as her family in the religious department. Somehow, a separation between holiness and worldliness never existed. This also applied to her children as they became adults as well.
Failure at studying God's Word in depth, in order to seek out God's lifestyle preference, was commonplace amongst the whole family. The attitude was that of,” God knows we are going to sin a little; these things are not that bad, He understands."
But one day something happened to her oldest son. On his job, he met a man that began to share biblical things with him. He revealed things to him that he had never heard of or had been taught before. These things would change her son for the rest of his life.
Her son began to feel a hunger and a desire to seek God again. Only this time, it would be through the guidance of his new friend on his job. Bible studies with his friend revealed things to him that neither his mother nor his Sunday School teachers had ever taught him. This sparked a flaming desire in him, to fulfill these new revelations in his life.
Throughout the course of conviction on his heart, her son repented of his life of sin and fulfilled this revelation of truth; becoming a new creature in Christ.
After the fulfilling of this truth, her son began to carry a burden for his family. It was a heavy responsibility to carry, since he knew that his family did not understand this truth, and would reject it for some length of time.
Nevertheless, he prayed for them, continually lifting their names before God in prayer. He prayed for God's protection in their lives, due to the fact that they did not have this truth. These prayers that this mother's son was praying, were prayers of roadblocks onto his family's pathway to Hell.
As her son continued to pray for his family, his prayers were not only placing roadblocks onto their pathways to Hell, but they were also tearing down their resistance to God's truth. Throughout her son's five years in this truth, he has seen his prayers do many things in order to get his family into this truth.
His prayers have been according to God's will and not his own, in order to accomplish his goal. He has seen one sister and brother become divorced from their spouses. He has seen his dad lose his job and his retirement pension. He has also seen his dad on his deathbed due to a stroke; along with an awesome miraculous healing with no lingering paralysis due to prayer. These prayers are continually placing roadblocks onto their pathways to Hell.
To date, this mother's son continues to pray prayers of roadblocks onto his family's pathways. This son has complete faith and trust in God, to believe that his prayers will eventually pave the path for his family into God's complete truth. In the meanwhile, he will continue to pray for his mother, his family, and all concerned, in order to erect the many roadblocks in their lives that will prevent them from going to Hell. Then when the long awaited day arrives, he will see his family walking down the aisle of truth and into God's true church. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
*****************************************************
A faithful mother. A faithful wife. A faithful friend, and a faithful son. All four of these people in the aforementioned stories, have one thing in common. Faith. Without faith in God to see their prayers answered, none of these people would have ever prayed for the people in their own lives. But due to their faith in God and their knowledge of his love for those that are lost, they continued to pray for those involved.
Faith and burdens go together. One must first have a burden for someone in order to pray for them. That is where faith kicks in. It is faith that reassures the person praying, that the roadblocks are going up in those lives of the lost. Hebrews 11:6,But without faith it is impossible to please him:....To please whom? To please God. We must have faith in God and believe that he will do what he said he would do, and that is to save the lost.
How many roadblocks do you think it required to get you off of the road to Hell? How many prayers do you think it requires to keep you off of the road to Hell? How many people do you think prayed roadblocks onto your path? No one may ever know how many people that it took to pray them onto God's path. It could have been only one person. What if that one person had not prayed roadblocks into your life? Where would you be? Possibly like Mike?
Saint of God, do not stop praying for those lost loved ones! Do not stop praying for that co-worker! Do not stop praying for that backslidden spouse! Do not stop praying for that lost son or daughter! Do not stop praying for a world that is lost and dying, and running as fast as they can on the road to Hell!
Who knows? Your prayers may be the ONLY prayers that are putting up.....
Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
written 10-25,26,28&11-5-98
At each time of rejection, her mother would go into her bedroom, lock the door and cry before God for her daughter. These cries would pray roadblocks onto her daughter's path. For you see, this daughter in question was on the road to Hell.
Her life was full of torment. Her casual use of cocaine turned into a full-blown addiction. This addiction in turn, led her into prostitution in order to earn enough money to buy the drugs. Her pathway of life was free and clear of all obstacles that would prevent her from going to Hell, except one. A praying mother.
As time would have it, things grew worse. Three separate times in one year she overdosed on cocaine and nearly died. And each time her mother was praying roadblocks onto her pathway.
After years of prayers erected a countless number of roadblocks onto her daughter's pathway to Hell; she finally exercised her power of choice, stepped off of the road to Hell, and stepped onto the pathway to God's salvation and was eventually saved. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
******************************************
Johnny knew he shouldn't do it. He knew it was wrong. But he just could not seem to be able to stop gambling. Each week after he received his paycheck, he would take off to Vegas to gamble. Johnny had been vowing for years to move away from the Vegas area, but his gambling addiction held him prisoner there.
Some years earlier, Johnny’s life was going quite well. He had a strong, thriving ministry in his church. Even now, his wife and children are still strong in the small Pentecostal church there in town.
Johnny's life made a complete turn around though, when he landed a new job across town. He began working longer hours and even began missing church services from time to time. All the while, Johnny’s wife was faithfully praying for her backsliding husband. Her prayers were continually throwing up roadblocks onto Johnny's pathway to Hell.
Due to the fact, that Johnny is one of God's children, but now, in his backslidden condition, if at the event of the tragic loss of his life, he would become a trophy on Hell's mantlepiece.(As we know, that is where Satan puts those that once belonged to the most High God).
Johnny's wife truly loved him and was faithful unto him as God's Word says to be. She continually lifted him up in prayer unto God, throwing roadblocks onto his pathway.
Johnny loved his wife. Even though he had backslidden out of church, became addicted to gambling, he was still faithful to his wife. Temptation presented itself each time he entered into the gambling hall, but he still retained his integrity of faithfulness to her.
Weeks turned into months and months into years. Johnny had fallen so deep in debt to the gambling casino, that he had to sell his house. This left his family homeless. Luckily, someone in the church took in Johnny's family, leaving him all alone. Johnny’s wife became bitter for a short while, only to repent of it and begin her praying for Johnny again. She knew her prayers were keeping Johnny out of Hell, but she never knew just how close to the gates of Hell that he really was.
Finally the bottom fell out. Johnny, still homeless and in debt for thousands, decided to end it all. He stole a gun, aiming to commit suicide.
At this point, Johnny’s wife had prayer chains going for him from all of her church family. Through this group prayer, enough roadblocks were placed onto Johnny's pathway to Hell, to divert his path back to God.
After coming back to God with a deep repentant heart, God cleansed him, forgave him, and restored his life back to what it was before his backsliding. God even cleared Johnny completely from his several thousand dollars of debt with his awesome mercy and grace. Prayers from a faithful wife and a compassionate church family. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
*****************************************************
If I can make it home just one more time, I won't do it again, Mike thought. This time though, Mike was extremely too drunk to drive, but he was behind the wheel of his truck trying to get home.
Every Friday afternoon after work, Mike always heads to the local pub suitably called, The One More For The Road Pub. Mike was the first customer to buy the first beer there a little over four years ago when the pub opened. He has been going there since day one.
Mike is a real good guy when he's not drinking. He works good, he’s easy to get along with, and he's good to his wife. But after several drinks, he becomes more like Dr.Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
This particular Friday was typical, but different. You see, Mike has a co-worker/friend, that had gotten into church about five years earlier, and this friend has been praying for Mike. Mike’s co-worker/friend knows what it is like to desire to drink beer. You see, God delivered him from the grips of alcohol at the time of receiving His true salvation. Many times, Mike’s friend has invited him to church, only to be rejected each time.
This Friday was no different. In that, his friend invited him to church again. This time though, Mike did not want to hear it. As his friend was inviting him, Mike lost it. He stormed into his friend, slamming him against the wall and breaking one of his ribs.
As his friend got up off of the floor in intense pain, Mike got into his truck and sped off. Mike’s friend fell to his knees crying, and began to pray for Mike. He knew that Mike's life was headed straight down the road to Hell and he felt as if there was nothing that he could do. Throughout Mike's friend's prayers, roadblocks were erected in Mike's life, diverting his path to Hell. A couple of years ago, one particular roadblock erected when Mike received a DUI for driving drunk. His license was suspended for six months and he had to attend a DUI class. Sadly though, after getting his license back, he eventually went back to drinking and driving again.
Mike's friend could have become bitter due to his injury and many rejections. But he remembered what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44....Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
So because Mike's friend was committed to God and to seeing Mike saved, he continued to pray for him, placing roadblocks in Mike's pathway. As Mike's friend lingered longer at the job praying for him, God, with his infinite love for His children, healed him of his broken rib injury; as Mike sat at the bar drinking, becoming increasingly drunk. Even though Mike was addicted to alcohol he knew his limit. He always stopped at his limit in order to get himself home. But not this time.
As the hours passed by, night time fell and the pub's bartender finally had to cut Mike off from any more beer. Mike staggered out of the pub and somehow made it to his truck. He headed down the road, home.
As Mike tried to get home, his friend was under a heavy burden for him in prayer. He knew in his thoughts that as he prayed, he had to be putting up roadblocks onto Mike's pathway, so he continued praying.
Mike was feeling a little more confident now. He was almost home. He kept thinking, please let me get home just one more time, and I won't do it again! But Mike had forgotten about that extremely sharp S-turn only one half mile from his home.
As he headed closer and closer to the S-turn, he just knew he had made it. He vowed he would never do it again. He began to realize just how much he stood to lose if he didn’t. He even thought about taking up his friend on his invitation to church.....someday. Just as Mike approached the S-turn.....BLINDNESS! A tractor-trailer barreling down from the opposite direction had his bright lights on and never saw Mike coming. As he suddenly dimmed his lights and slowed down for the S-turn, Mike, thinking that he was going to hit the tractor-trailer, swerved to the right, ran off the road, over the ditch, and head on into the giant oak tree at the S-turn.
Mike's truck exploded into a ball of flames, killing him instantly.
At the notifying of the accident to Mike's friend, he wept intensely. As he thought over and over, he said,” Why Lord, why did Mike have to die? I prayed for him for so long, why didn't he get saved?” Mike’s friend waited patiently for God's answer. In God's timing, Mike’s friend was told what happened. This is what God told him:
"Mike's pathway was filled with many roadblocks to deviate him from his road to Hell. But he chose not to heed to the roadblocks. Your invitations were roadblocks but were never accepted. Your prayers were roadblocks, but the convictions placed on Mike's heart were never acted upon. Mike continued to drink and never took seriously your compassion and concern."
"At the time of your injury, inflicted by Mike, he had placed his hand on the knob of the gates of Hell. Instead of helping you to the hospital and apologizing for his actions, he sped away to the pub and drank himself drunk."
"But what had actually happened was this: he had pushed those gates of Hell open, and placed his foot inside the door. At that point for him, there was no turning back. He had reached a point inside the flames of Hell where no one could reach him or save him".
"Friend, all of your prayers did their job. They erected plenty of roadblocks into Mike's life, but he continued to detour around them and stayed on the pathway to his own destruction. It was his choice. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
*******************************************************
She loved the Lord. All of her life, with the exception of just a few years, she has lived for God. She’s been faithful in church attendance. She raised all of her children in church; taking them to Sunday School and other church functions. She has been a good wife and mother, completely faithful.
But unknowingly to her though something was missing. With it being unknown to her, she would not know how to seek for it.
Her life was good, her spiritual life; complacent. Things were too comfortable for her as well as her family in the religious department. Somehow, a separation between holiness and worldliness never existed. This also applied to her children as they became adults as well.
Failure at studying God's Word in depth, in order to seek out God's lifestyle preference, was commonplace amongst the whole family. The attitude was that of,” God knows we are going to sin a little; these things are not that bad, He understands."
But one day something happened to her oldest son. On his job, he met a man that began to share biblical things with him. He revealed things to him that he had never heard of or had been taught before. These things would change her son for the rest of his life.
Her son began to feel a hunger and a desire to seek God again. Only this time, it would be through the guidance of his new friend on his job. Bible studies with his friend revealed things to him that neither his mother nor his Sunday School teachers had ever taught him. This sparked a flaming desire in him, to fulfill these new revelations in his life.
Throughout the course of conviction on his heart, her son repented of his life of sin and fulfilled this revelation of truth; becoming a new creature in Christ.
After the fulfilling of this truth, her son began to carry a burden for his family. It was a heavy responsibility to carry, since he knew that his family did not understand this truth, and would reject it for some length of time.
Nevertheless, he prayed for them, continually lifting their names before God in prayer. He prayed for God's protection in their lives, due to the fact that they did not have this truth. These prayers that this mother's son was praying, were prayers of roadblocks onto his family's pathway to Hell.
As her son continued to pray for his family, his prayers were not only placing roadblocks onto their pathways to Hell, but they were also tearing down their resistance to God's truth. Throughout her son's five years in this truth, he has seen his prayers do many things in order to get his family into this truth.
His prayers have been according to God's will and not his own, in order to accomplish his goal. He has seen one sister and brother become divorced from their spouses. He has seen his dad lose his job and his retirement pension. He has also seen his dad on his deathbed due to a stroke; along with an awesome miraculous healing with no lingering paralysis due to prayer. These prayers are continually placing roadblocks onto their pathways to Hell.
To date, this mother's son continues to pray prayers of roadblocks onto his family's pathways. This son has complete faith and trust in God, to believe that his prayers will eventually pave the path for his family into God's complete truth. In the meanwhile, he will continue to pray for his mother, his family, and all concerned, in order to erect the many roadblocks in their lives that will prevent them from going to Hell. Then when the long awaited day arrives, he will see his family walking down the aisle of truth and into God's true church. Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
*****************************************************
A faithful mother. A faithful wife. A faithful friend, and a faithful son. All four of these people in the aforementioned stories, have one thing in common. Faith. Without faith in God to see their prayers answered, none of these people would have ever prayed for the people in their own lives. But due to their faith in God and their knowledge of his love for those that are lost, they continued to pray for those involved.
Faith and burdens go together. One must first have a burden for someone in order to pray for them. That is where faith kicks in. It is faith that reassures the person praying, that the roadblocks are going up in those lives of the lost. Hebrews 11:6,But without faith it is impossible to please him:....To please whom? To please God. We must have faith in God and believe that he will do what he said he would do, and that is to save the lost.
How many roadblocks do you think it required to get you off of the road to Hell? How many prayers do you think it requires to keep you off of the road to Hell? How many people do you think prayed roadblocks onto your path? No one may ever know how many people that it took to pray them onto God's path. It could have been only one person. What if that one person had not prayed roadblocks into your life? Where would you be? Possibly like Mike?
Saint of God, do not stop praying for those lost loved ones! Do not stop praying for that co-worker! Do not stop praying for that backslidden spouse! Do not stop praying for that lost son or daughter! Do not stop praying for a world that is lost and dying, and running as fast as they can on the road to Hell!
Who knows? Your prayers may be the ONLY prayers that are putting up.....
Roadblocks on the road to Hell.
written 10-25,26,28&11-5-98
Please Leave A Message
You have reached Wayne Barber. I am not in right now, please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I'll return your call. Thanks".BEE--EEP!
How frustrating! In today's society, it seems as if everything is hurry, hurry, hurry, got to have it right now,” I can't wait that long","I'm not in right now","call you if I get a chance",kind of attitude.
It appears these days, that there are gadgets for everything. Pagers, cellular phones, caller ID, call block, call back, high resolution television, cameras, vcrs, computers, you name it, we've got it.
It seems like everyone is always on the go. No time to slow down, stop, and enjoy life. But there is one thing that everyone should slow down and listen to; and that is to one's own heart.
Think about it for a moment. Our heart in a way, could be compared to an answering machine. Just as an answering machine gives an outgoing message and receives incoming messages, so does the heart. On probably all answering machines, an outgoing message is heard first, and then the caller will leave their incoming message. But with the heart that may not always be the case.
How would it work then? You ask. One way in which this could work, is by how one would display themselves; through their actions, their spoken word, their attitude, the places they go, and even in their desire to live for God.
One's lifestyle will indicate as to what type of messages are incoming on their heart's answering machine. If their life is full of corruption, sin, evil thoughts and evil activities, then it's quite easy to see who is leaving messages on their heart's answering machine. Yes, It's Satan, ole slewfoot himself.
But this does not have to continue. How can one change the incoming messages? You ask. Simple. By changing the outgoing message that their heart's answering machine is sending out. How does one do that? You ask.
An outgoing message can be changed in this manner. First, by desiring to make a change in one's life, and make the decision to begin to follow Christ. Secondly, allow the answering machine of the heart to send an outgoing message saying,” Jesus help me".
Then, when Satan calls and your heart's answering machine picks up, he will find that your tape is full and it will not receive anymore messages from him. In other words, Jesus has called and filled your incoming tape full of his messages; and by doing so, Satan cannot even reach the answering machine when he calls, except unless one erases Jesus' messages.
When Jesus calls your heart's answering machine what will he hear? Will the outgoing message say,” You have reached Wayne Barber, Satan take a hike, and yes Jesus, fill my heart's answering machine with your messages so that I may hear you and become more like you". Or, will Jesus hear this:” You have reached Wayne Barber. I am not in right now Jesus, I’ll call you if I can, but don't wait up for me, I am having too much fun living my life in sin. You see, Satan has offered me so much and I ........BEEE--EEP! Cut off!
July 26,1998
How frustrating! In today's society, it seems as if everything is hurry, hurry, hurry, got to have it right now,” I can't wait that long","I'm not in right now","call you if I get a chance",kind of attitude.
It appears these days, that there are gadgets for everything. Pagers, cellular phones, caller ID, call block, call back, high resolution television, cameras, vcrs, computers, you name it, we've got it.
It seems like everyone is always on the go. No time to slow down, stop, and enjoy life. But there is one thing that everyone should slow down and listen to; and that is to one's own heart.
Think about it for a moment. Our heart in a way, could be compared to an answering machine. Just as an answering machine gives an outgoing message and receives incoming messages, so does the heart. On probably all answering machines, an outgoing message is heard first, and then the caller will leave their incoming message. But with the heart that may not always be the case.
How would it work then? You ask. One way in which this could work, is by how one would display themselves; through their actions, their spoken word, their attitude, the places they go, and even in their desire to live for God.
One's lifestyle will indicate as to what type of messages are incoming on their heart's answering machine. If their life is full of corruption, sin, evil thoughts and evil activities, then it's quite easy to see who is leaving messages on their heart's answering machine. Yes, It's Satan, ole slewfoot himself.
But this does not have to continue. How can one change the incoming messages? You ask. Simple. By changing the outgoing message that their heart's answering machine is sending out. How does one do that? You ask.
An outgoing message can be changed in this manner. First, by desiring to make a change in one's life, and make the decision to begin to follow Christ. Secondly, allow the answering machine of the heart to send an outgoing message saying,” Jesus help me".
Then, when Satan calls and your heart's answering machine picks up, he will find that your tape is full and it will not receive anymore messages from him. In other words, Jesus has called and filled your incoming tape full of his messages; and by doing so, Satan cannot even reach the answering machine when he calls, except unless one erases Jesus' messages.
When Jesus calls your heart's answering machine what will he hear? Will the outgoing message say,” You have reached Wayne Barber, Satan take a hike, and yes Jesus, fill my heart's answering machine with your messages so that I may hear you and become more like you". Or, will Jesus hear this:” You have reached Wayne Barber. I am not in right now Jesus, I’ll call you if I can, but don't wait up for me, I am having too much fun living my life in sin. You see, Satan has offered me so much and I ........BEEE--EEP! Cut off!
July 26,1998
Objects Are Closer Than They Appear
Objects are closer than they appear. How many times have you seen this phrase on the passenger side mirrors of most vehicles these days? Quite frequently I'm sure. What the auto manufacturers have done, is to increase the visual range of passenger side mirrors; which gives a better view of the "blindside" of your own vehicle. But in doing so, the objects that you see in these mirrors, appear to be farther away from your vehicle than they really are. In a lane changing situation, improper judgment of another vehicles' distance could cause a tragic accident.
As we travel down the highway of life, there will be many lanes that we may have to change to from time to time. It’s during these lane changes that we become the most vulnerable to the objects in life that could cause us a tragic accident.
As we breeze down an open stretch of the highway of life, this gives us indication that our life is going rather smooth, with possibly only a handful of potholes to mention. But just as soon as things appear to be going okay, there come the objects in life trying to trip you up, attempting to cause you to lose control of your life.” I can handle it".Yeah, that's what we all say.
So you have let up in your prayer life and reading God's word doesn't seem to be as important as it once did. Oh yes, you still go to church, but now it seems to be more routine than sincere desire. So through the course of slipping up on the important things, you begin to find an interest again, in some of the things that you had once turned away from when you initially came to the Lord.
So you begin to flirt with them. You may even allow them to become a part-time part of your life again. You think that you are strong enough as not to allow them to become a habit or even worse, an obsession; but unknowingly to you, these objects in your life are closer than they appear. But even worse; for all of the objects that you do see, especially those that you are already flirting with, there are even still, more objects in your blindside that you do not see. These are the ones that creep up on you from behind when your guard is down, especially since you are flirting with other things already.
Weakness, we all have it. For some, it will be certain things in their lives that they may possibly have been exposed to before coming to Christ. For others, it may be in entirely different areas of their lives in relation to their own individual weakness.
When we maintain our prayer life and read God's word, this will enable us to have strength and power over these weak areas of our lives. But when we do not, these weak areas become the objects in our lives that are closer than they appear.
As we barrel down our own life's highway, let us pull off from time to time to fill up our spiritual gas tanks, by praying and reading God's word. The pace of this life is from fast to overdrive, and a daily time in prayer and reading God's word, is the only way to keep our spiritual tanks full, allowing us to run in "holiness maintenance throughout this life.
Allow the mirrors of your heart to reflect the wide, visual range of the ugliness of sin in this world; and do not allow your weaknesses to become objects in your life, because they will be closer than they appear.
Dec 4,1997
As we travel down the highway of life, there will be many lanes that we may have to change to from time to time. It’s during these lane changes that we become the most vulnerable to the objects in life that could cause us a tragic accident.
As we breeze down an open stretch of the highway of life, this gives us indication that our life is going rather smooth, with possibly only a handful of potholes to mention. But just as soon as things appear to be going okay, there come the objects in life trying to trip you up, attempting to cause you to lose control of your life.” I can handle it".Yeah, that's what we all say.
So you have let up in your prayer life and reading God's word doesn't seem to be as important as it once did. Oh yes, you still go to church, but now it seems to be more routine than sincere desire. So through the course of slipping up on the important things, you begin to find an interest again, in some of the things that you had once turned away from when you initially came to the Lord.
So you begin to flirt with them. You may even allow them to become a part-time part of your life again. You think that you are strong enough as not to allow them to become a habit or even worse, an obsession; but unknowingly to you, these objects in your life are closer than they appear. But even worse; for all of the objects that you do see, especially those that you are already flirting with, there are even still, more objects in your blindside that you do not see. These are the ones that creep up on you from behind when your guard is down, especially since you are flirting with other things already.
Weakness, we all have it. For some, it will be certain things in their lives that they may possibly have been exposed to before coming to Christ. For others, it may be in entirely different areas of their lives in relation to their own individual weakness.
When we maintain our prayer life and read God's word, this will enable us to have strength and power over these weak areas of our lives. But when we do not, these weak areas become the objects in our lives that are closer than they appear.
As we barrel down our own life's highway, let us pull off from time to time to fill up our spiritual gas tanks, by praying and reading God's word. The pace of this life is from fast to overdrive, and a daily time in prayer and reading God's word, is the only way to keep our spiritual tanks full, allowing us to run in "holiness maintenance throughout this life.
Allow the mirrors of your heart to reflect the wide, visual range of the ugliness of sin in this world; and do not allow your weaknesses to become objects in your life, because they will be closer than they appear.
Dec 4,1997
It Takes More Than Deliverance
It's not enough just to be delivered and gain a victory over the areas of temptations of our own individual lives. But that we would allow God to rearrange, to balance the imbalance of the desires of our weaknesses. So that, after this transformation of our desires in our weak areas, we would no longer have weakness in those areas; and no lure of temptation in those areas will have any lustful effect on us anymore. To lust after something of our weakness, is to want to achieve it, even for a moment, even if it means that we must sin to achieve it.
But when our desires for certain weaknesses have been transformed, our lust for them will become dormant. Once we achieve this transformation of our desires, as we grow stronger in God, we won't have any desires to flirt with those weaknesses again.
As long as we stay with God and stay committed to Him, in this state of transformation, our desires for those weaknesses will remain dead. But, if we don't stay close to God, then yes, we can be lured back again into those weaknesses, even if the desire is supposedly dead.
If all we ever achieve is deliverance and gain a victory over the temptation of our weakness, then the desires for those weaknesses are still there. In which at some point, we will ultimately fall prey to those weaknesses again. Which will bring forth a yearning to satisfy those desires; and again, even if it means sinning to satisfy them.
What we must do, is pray that God would re-balance the imbalance in our desires of those weak areas of our lives. So that, being in perfect balance, we will be more as Christ was towards those weak areas. No, I am not saying that Christ was weak and had weaknesses as we; but what I am saying is that we can face these things with strength and complete victory as He did. Jesus was tempted in like manner as we are; but He being God, with the same spirit as we have in us, showed us that we too can have complete victory over areas of our lives that we struggle with. But only after we pray and ask God to re-balance our imbalance in our weaknesses, which destroys our desires for those weak areas.
Example: A person in the world drinks alcohol semi-occasionally but doesn't have a drinking problem. He gets into church and becomes born-again. He knows that it wrong to drink alcohol, so immediately and throughout his relationship with God, he never drinks again. Why? Because he never had a lustful, weak desire for drinking. He did not have an imbalance in his desires for drinking. It was a fun thing to do only for the time. But now being in God's church, he no longer sees it as fun or good for the time; so he has no problem with drinking, nor is tempted in that area.
But let's say that the same person had a weakness for gambling. In the world, he gambled everyday. Whether it was for money, food, merchandise, it didn't matter. Many times he gambled away his whole paycheck, and was left broke. Family life was going down the drain, fast. But after getting into church and becoming born-again, his gambling subsided and stopped for a long time. But due to his desires for gambling, one day it crept back into his life and he began gambling again. If it continues, it will become increasingly worse. Even though he was born-again, his desires for gambling are still there. He continues to hold onto that one ray of hope, that the next one will win big. Wants to become rich then stop gambling, he says. Most likely it will never happen. But what does need to happen, is that he would become rebalanced in his desires for gambling. In which only God can do.
In conclusion, we all have weaknesses. There is no one that does not have any weaknesses. Due to those weaknesses, our desires to fulfill them are still there. You know your own weaknesses; and you know what it takes to fulfill them; again even if it means sinning.
We must all pray and ask God to re balance our desires for our weaknesses, so that, after He does, we won't succumb to those weaknesses or be lured by them anymore. Healing yes. Cleansing yes. Purified yes. But only after our desires have been rebalanced.
Note: Let it be known that I have not revealed my own weaknesses in the examples. Through God's impression to me to write this; I based this commentary off of my own weaknesses, as God impressed me to write this possible solution to our problems. The examples were strictly fictitious.
Nov 2,2000
But when our desires for certain weaknesses have been transformed, our lust for them will become dormant. Once we achieve this transformation of our desires, as we grow stronger in God, we won't have any desires to flirt with those weaknesses again.
As long as we stay with God and stay committed to Him, in this state of transformation, our desires for those weaknesses will remain dead. But, if we don't stay close to God, then yes, we can be lured back again into those weaknesses, even if the desire is supposedly dead.
If all we ever achieve is deliverance and gain a victory over the temptation of our weakness, then the desires for those weaknesses are still there. In which at some point, we will ultimately fall prey to those weaknesses again. Which will bring forth a yearning to satisfy those desires; and again, even if it means sinning to satisfy them.
What we must do, is pray that God would re-balance the imbalance in our desires of those weak areas of our lives. So that, being in perfect balance, we will be more as Christ was towards those weak areas. No, I am not saying that Christ was weak and had weaknesses as we; but what I am saying is that we can face these things with strength and complete victory as He did. Jesus was tempted in like manner as we are; but He being God, with the same spirit as we have in us, showed us that we too can have complete victory over areas of our lives that we struggle with. But only after we pray and ask God to re-balance our imbalance in our weaknesses, which destroys our desires for those weak areas.
Example: A person in the world drinks alcohol semi-occasionally but doesn't have a drinking problem. He gets into church and becomes born-again. He knows that it wrong to drink alcohol, so immediately and throughout his relationship with God, he never drinks again. Why? Because he never had a lustful, weak desire for drinking. He did not have an imbalance in his desires for drinking. It was a fun thing to do only for the time. But now being in God's church, he no longer sees it as fun or good for the time; so he has no problem with drinking, nor is tempted in that area.
But let's say that the same person had a weakness for gambling. In the world, he gambled everyday. Whether it was for money, food, merchandise, it didn't matter. Many times he gambled away his whole paycheck, and was left broke. Family life was going down the drain, fast. But after getting into church and becoming born-again, his gambling subsided and stopped for a long time. But due to his desires for gambling, one day it crept back into his life and he began gambling again. If it continues, it will become increasingly worse. Even though he was born-again, his desires for gambling are still there. He continues to hold onto that one ray of hope, that the next one will win big. Wants to become rich then stop gambling, he says. Most likely it will never happen. But what does need to happen, is that he would become rebalanced in his desires for gambling. In which only God can do.
In conclusion, we all have weaknesses. There is no one that does not have any weaknesses. Due to those weaknesses, our desires to fulfill them are still there. You know your own weaknesses; and you know what it takes to fulfill them; again even if it means sinning.
We must all pray and ask God to re balance our desires for our weaknesses, so that, after He does, we won't succumb to those weaknesses or be lured by them anymore. Healing yes. Cleansing yes. Purified yes. But only after our desires have been rebalanced.
Note: Let it be known that I have not revealed my own weaknesses in the examples. Through God's impression to me to write this; I based this commentary off of my own weaknesses, as God impressed me to write this possible solution to our problems. The examples were strictly fictitious.
Nov 2,2000
Integrity
Integrity. That is what it is going to take in these last days to win souls to the Lord. As we continue in our relationship with God we must not cross the boundary lines that we have placed in our lives, which would be contrary to God's Word.
As we choose to stop doing certain things in our lives after becoming a child of God, we must remain firm and in control through God's overcoming strength to abstain from these things.
As our friends and families observe us not partaking of those things that we once did, this writes impressions upon their hearts that maybe there is more to God than they know. But it is not only what we do or not do in front of our families and friends, but it is what we do and not do when we are all alone or in the midst of strangers where no one knows us.
I believe that is where God really watches us. How do we act around total strangers? Do we cuss and become as vile as they or do we retain our attitude of holiness (not self-righteousness), to possibly win those to the Lord? How do we conduct ourselves when no one is around? How do you act when it is just you and God or do you sometimes forget that God is there? What are the words that you say? What do you listen to on the radio while working? Don't think that just because you are by yourself that no one is going to hear that rock n roll music playing. You are not by yourself. God is there! Anyway, the rock n roll music will enter into your heart and it will eventually show on the outside.
Do the right things at all times, but most importantly when you are all alone or around total strangers. Retain your integrity. Someone once said, "If you lose your wealth, you've lost nothing. If you lose your health, you've lost something. But if you lose your integrity, you've lost everything. Stick to the guidelines that your shepherd (pastor), sets, to keep us all under the watchful eye of the Lord.
Summer of 1997
As we choose to stop doing certain things in our lives after becoming a child of God, we must remain firm and in control through God's overcoming strength to abstain from these things.
As our friends and families observe us not partaking of those things that we once did, this writes impressions upon their hearts that maybe there is more to God than they know. But it is not only what we do or not do in front of our families and friends, but it is what we do and not do when we are all alone or in the midst of strangers where no one knows us.
I believe that is where God really watches us. How do we act around total strangers? Do we cuss and become as vile as they or do we retain our attitude of holiness (not self-righteousness), to possibly win those to the Lord? How do we conduct ourselves when no one is around? How do you act when it is just you and God or do you sometimes forget that God is there? What are the words that you say? What do you listen to on the radio while working? Don't think that just because you are by yourself that no one is going to hear that rock n roll music playing. You are not by yourself. God is there! Anyway, the rock n roll music will enter into your heart and it will eventually show on the outside.
Do the right things at all times, but most importantly when you are all alone or around total strangers. Retain your integrity. Someone once said, "If you lose your wealth, you've lost nothing. If you lose your health, you've lost something. But if you lose your integrity, you've lost everything. Stick to the guidelines that your shepherd (pastor), sets, to keep us all under the watchful eye of the Lord.
Summer of 1997
If and When....
If I ever get my life straightened out then I'll go. If I didn't have to work so much. If I didn't have this fishing trip to go on. If I can ever get all of these bills paid off. If I wasn't so tired. If I could ever get to feeling better. If my wife would stop nagging me so much. If my wife would get out and get herself a job. If this playoff game wasn't coming on, you know I've got to watch it. If me and the guys weren't going out tonight. If, if, if if.....
When I get a little older and settled down, got too much fun to have right now. When I finally stop smoking and drinking, you know I won't be a hypocrite. When the kids are grown and moved out, then I'll probably go. When I get married, then maybe me and the wife will start going. When I get a new vehicle, you know that old truck of mine. When the time comes, God will let me know. When I get a better job. When I get some things worked out. When, when, when, when....
If I had of listened to him and went with him to his church, maybe I wouldn't be in prison right now. If I had of accepted their invitation to church, maybe me and my wife wouldn't be divorced now. If I had of allowed them to teach us that home bible study, maybe we wouldn't be homeless right now. If I had of listened to my mother and started going to church, maybe I wouldn't be six months pregnant with no husband right now. If I had started reading the bible like he said, maybe I wouldn't be involved in this satanic cult that I'm in. If I had just gone to that one church service with him, maybe I wouldn't have killed that man. If I had started going to those youth church services, maybe I wouldn't be addicted to all of these drugs right now. If I had started going to those women's church service meetings, maybe I wouldn't be walking the streets as a prostitute right now. If I had been willing for God to change me, maybe I wouldn't still be gay and have contracted aids. If I ever get one more chance to know Jesus, I won't dare pass it up.
When will these flames ever end? When can I have some water? When will these hideous creatures stop biting on me? When will this torment ever end? When will the pain go away? When can I see my mama? When can I see Jesus? When will I ever get out of this place called Hell? If and when, if and when, if and when?
Don't let your "if and when" excuses cause you to have "if and when" regrets for not giving your life over to God. Call on Jesus now! Before it's too late. If and when, if and when, if and when.....
Jan 13,1998
When I get a little older and settled down, got too much fun to have right now. When I finally stop smoking and drinking, you know I won't be a hypocrite. When the kids are grown and moved out, then I'll probably go. When I get married, then maybe me and the wife will start going. When I get a new vehicle, you know that old truck of mine. When the time comes, God will let me know. When I get a better job. When I get some things worked out. When, when, when, when....
If I had of listened to him and went with him to his church, maybe I wouldn't be in prison right now. If I had of accepted their invitation to church, maybe me and my wife wouldn't be divorced now. If I had of allowed them to teach us that home bible study, maybe we wouldn't be homeless right now. If I had of listened to my mother and started going to church, maybe I wouldn't be six months pregnant with no husband right now. If I had started reading the bible like he said, maybe I wouldn't be involved in this satanic cult that I'm in. If I had just gone to that one church service with him, maybe I wouldn't have killed that man. If I had started going to those youth church services, maybe I wouldn't be addicted to all of these drugs right now. If I had started going to those women's church service meetings, maybe I wouldn't be walking the streets as a prostitute right now. If I had been willing for God to change me, maybe I wouldn't still be gay and have contracted aids. If I ever get one more chance to know Jesus, I won't dare pass it up.
When will these flames ever end? When can I have some water? When will these hideous creatures stop biting on me? When will this torment ever end? When will the pain go away? When can I see my mama? When can I see Jesus? When will I ever get out of this place called Hell? If and when, if and when, if and when?
Don't let your "if and when" excuses cause you to have "if and when" regrets for not giving your life over to God. Call on Jesus now! Before it's too late. If and when, if and when, if and when.....
Jan 13,1998
Heaven Suffereth Violence
Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.(ref Matt.11:12). What does this mean? First, what does suffereth mean? Suffereth in the biblical sense means allow. Which would mean to say that heaven allows violence. What is violence? Violence in an earthly meaning would be: crime, wars, violation of rights, fighting, looting, killing with no regard for human life. These violent acts are usually committed by inhumane, ruthless and cold-blooded people, which are controlled unknown to themselves, by spiritual wickedness.
How do the violent take heaven by force? Are we the saints of God, the violent that takes heaven by force? If so, then in what ways can we use violence to take heaven by force? Do we storm heaven literally, sweep in there, and fight physically with the wickedness of the spirit world? Or is there another way? No we don't storm heaven literally and yes there is another way.
It is called faithfulness. How is faithfulness violent? Isn’t faith something that you feel in your heart toward God? Is there more to faithfulness? Is faithfulness really one way of taking heaven violently by force? It is.
Fervent praise and worship in church services is violent faithfulness. It tears down barriers and strongholds through the force of praise and worship. This kind of fervent worship upsets the kingdom of darkness tremendously.
Another way of being violent with your faithfulness, is by being faithful to God's call on your life. Faithfulness goes a long way. Every time you are faithful in your walk with God, it bombards heaven by force with violence. Our faithfulness is violent by force, through paying our tithes and offerings of our monetary income to God's kingdom. These tithes and offerings are distributed to support God's kingdom in many different ways. From supporting our local man of God, to foreign missionaries all around the world. This is violence in heaven as we trample down Satan's abilities to hinder God's work around the world, by supporting with our money.
Another way of faithful violence is through consistency. Be consistent at what you do for God's kingdom no matter what it is. Use your talents, use your voice in prayer, use your willingness to be God's servant. This is like a thorn in Satan's side. Our consistency to remain faithful throughout our storms and trials, is violence to Satan's kingdom. It shows him that we know that he who is greater is in us than he who is in the world. It also continues to loosen Satan's grip on our lives, as we face our storms and trials head on with our feet firmly planted on the rock of Christ.
To be violent and take heaven by force, does not mean to always pray in fervent intercession at the top of our voices, straining our vocal chords out. Yes. Prayer is definitely the most effective way of taking heaven by force violently. For it's through warfare prayer in intercession that the spirit prays the things that we know not what to pray.
But it's faithfulness that is the consistency of the violent taking heaven by force. By being faithful, our faith is being strengthened. By being faithful, we are growing stronger with God and gaining more overcoming power over Satan. This is the violence that takes heaven by force and breaks the stronghold of Satan in our lives. It’s our faithfulness.
Faithfulness stands on its own. Faithfulness is powerful, and because of faithfulness, we’ll see Satan's kingdom crumbling before our eyes, if we will just step back and observe our own lives, as to where we were before we came to God, and where we are now ,since becoming established and committed unto God, and most importantly, where we are going with God, as our faithfulness takes us into a deeper realm of spiritual experiences with him. Yes, heaven does suffereth violence, and we the violent, faithful saints WILL take it by force.
Jan 19,1998
Father and Son
"Come here my son. Come here and let me love you".
"But father, I am not a very good son. I am not even worthy to be called your son. I have done so many wrong things in my life. How can you still call me your son?"
"Come my son, sit here and I will tell you."
"A long time ago, way before you became my son, I was watching you. I saw you when you were a little boy as your mama took you, your brother, and your sisters to Sunday School to learn about me. You really liked Sunday School didn't you."
"Yes father I did."
"I continued to watch you as you grew older and became a teenager. Of course I know all that you did, even the bad things. But one thing that I noticed about you, that sadly, most people do, is that as you grew older, you never used my name in vain. You always seemed to give me respect even when you were not living for me."
"I always tried to reverence your name father, no matter what kind of life that I may have been living."
"You see my son, I looked deep inside your heart to the real you. Of course you did not know it, but I was looking beyond your life in your world, for I saw that you had a heart of sincerity. It took me a long time, but I was finally able to crack through the hard layers of your heart, and then I began to call you. You never knew it, but I had been working with you for a long time before you ever met your brother Joe. My son, Joe was just the icing on the cake. He did his part perfectly."
"So after years of work and preparation, I brought you unto myself to become my son."
"But what about all of the times that I failed after I became your son?"
"My child, I knew your weaknesses. I knew where your struggles would be, and I knew that some things were going to be extremely difficult for you to get a victory over. But I continued to look beyond those things and searched your heart. Every time you failed, you asked me to forgive you. Many times you never cried when you repented and asked for forgiveness, but I read your heart, and I knew that you were truly sincere when you asked me."
"But I failed at the same things for so long. How were you able to put up with it?"
"You see, I knew that after you became my son, that you would sell yourself out to me and I knew that you would mean it. I delivered you from many things as you know, and your thankfulness goes deeper than you may realize. But one thing that really touched my heart, was that even from a child, you always had it in your heart, that you did not want to go to Hell. Many times people do not think about that, but you did. In fact, that was one of the reasons which led you to come to me."
"But father, how could you have allowed me to continue failing in my weaknesses and not correct me?"
"Oh my son, I did discipline and correct you, but you never knew it. Most importantly, you received my correction and discipline properly."
"But father, why did you not allow me to be turned over to a reprobate mind and allow me to believe and do as I wanted to?"
"Because my son, you believed in me. Your heart was full of love for me, and I knew how much you really wanted to be with me. I watched you and listened to you as you prayed. Many times you were so broken before me, it was as if you were devastated within yourself to know that you had sinned against me. You were always so humble and willing for me to use you, and I also saw your childlike desire to be obedient to me."
"But father, many times I was disobedient to your word. I felt many times that you tried to draw me into prayer and also to fast, but often I failed to respond."
"That I know my son, but your sincere willingness to be obedient was what I looked for. For I knew that through the fulfillment of my plan, I would see you become more obedient unto me as you continued to grow spiritually. My son, even though my thoughts are infinite and I know the beginning and the ending of all things, and since I am the sovereign, all-powerful God, there are times that if I choose to, I can refrain from looking into my children's future to see the outcome of things, and then observe them as to what choices they will make, when placed in a difficult or tempting situation. For as you know my son, I gave all of humanity the power of choice."
"So father, if we made the wrong choice about something, then you were not able to work out your plan for us at that particular time, and we then had to go through that situation again, or even face something more difficult in order for you to fulfill your plan. Is that right?"
"Exactly my son. Many times your troubles would not have been as severe, had you remembered that I was with you. But you attempted to satisfy the situation yourself and you were not able to do so."
"But how father were you able to love me so deeply and forgive me, especially when I would get so angry at times, sometimes by expressing myself violently and destructively, as if I was trying to release some deep rooted anger inside?"
"Because my child, I created you. You are a part of me. Without me you would not exist. Remember in your world, you had two children of your own? You loved your children with everything you had. If you had to, you would have given your life for them. That’s how much I love you my child. I did give my life for you and for the whole world, if they chose to accept it. Many did, but many did not."
"When I saw the mass destruction that sin had done to humanity, I had to do something. Oh I knew what it would take. I even gave shadows of what it would be in the Old Testament of my word. Because of sin, there was no one in the entire world that was holy and without sin. So in order for humanity to be reconciled back unto me, I had to do it myself. I did not want to destroy all humanity and create new people. So that is why I saved your older brother Noah and his family during the flood."
"I knew that because of the power of choice, that there would be a countless number of people that would choose to serve me and love me. I knew that they would have a change of heart and turn away from sin and begin to live for me. Due to the fall of Adam and Eve, all of humanity was born into sin. No one could come home to be with me until they were cleansed from their sin."
"So that is when I wrapped myself in a robe of flesh and came upon the earth through the virgin birth of Mary, and became the man Jesus Christ. It was still me, for as you know I am the only God, there are no other gods before me or after me. But this time, I was just as human as you, but at the same time I was still God also. I had to do it. There had to be a sacrifice given from the shedding of blood for the remission of all sin. That is why I gave my human life in the body of Jesus Christ, as the sacrifice for the world. But as a Spirit, I live for all eternity."
"All those who will accept me as their saviour,I will in no wise cast out. But those who do not, are cast into outer darkness for all eternity. My son, true love goes deeper than your carnal mind can comprehend."
"That is why I loved you no matter what you did in your world. As long as you held on and continued to persevere toward perfection and holiness, I continued to strengthen you. When you let up and lost your way at times, I had to allow things into your life, so that it would lead you back to me through a fresh spirit of repentance never gave up on you my child. No matter how it appeared at times, I never turned my back on you."
"Father, I understand now why you called me and saved me. It is because of love."
"Yes my son, it is love.
Oct 30 & Nov 2,1997
"But father, I am not a very good son. I am not even worthy to be called your son. I have done so many wrong things in my life. How can you still call me your son?"
"Come my son, sit here and I will tell you."
"A long time ago, way before you became my son, I was watching you. I saw you when you were a little boy as your mama took you, your brother, and your sisters to Sunday School to learn about me. You really liked Sunday School didn't you."
"Yes father I did."
"I continued to watch you as you grew older and became a teenager. Of course I know all that you did, even the bad things. But one thing that I noticed about you, that sadly, most people do, is that as you grew older, you never used my name in vain. You always seemed to give me respect even when you were not living for me."
"I always tried to reverence your name father, no matter what kind of life that I may have been living."
"You see my son, I looked deep inside your heart to the real you. Of course you did not know it, but I was looking beyond your life in your world, for I saw that you had a heart of sincerity. It took me a long time, but I was finally able to crack through the hard layers of your heart, and then I began to call you. You never knew it, but I had been working with you for a long time before you ever met your brother Joe. My son, Joe was just the icing on the cake. He did his part perfectly."
"So after years of work and preparation, I brought you unto myself to become my son."
"But what about all of the times that I failed after I became your son?"
"My child, I knew your weaknesses. I knew where your struggles would be, and I knew that some things were going to be extremely difficult for you to get a victory over. But I continued to look beyond those things and searched your heart. Every time you failed, you asked me to forgive you. Many times you never cried when you repented and asked for forgiveness, but I read your heart, and I knew that you were truly sincere when you asked me."
"But I failed at the same things for so long. How were you able to put up with it?"
"You see, I knew that after you became my son, that you would sell yourself out to me and I knew that you would mean it. I delivered you from many things as you know, and your thankfulness goes deeper than you may realize. But one thing that really touched my heart, was that even from a child, you always had it in your heart, that you did not want to go to Hell. Many times people do not think about that, but you did. In fact, that was one of the reasons which led you to come to me."
"But father, how could you have allowed me to continue failing in my weaknesses and not correct me?"
"Oh my son, I did discipline and correct you, but you never knew it. Most importantly, you received my correction and discipline properly."
"But father, why did you not allow me to be turned over to a reprobate mind and allow me to believe and do as I wanted to?"
"Because my son, you believed in me. Your heart was full of love for me, and I knew how much you really wanted to be with me. I watched you and listened to you as you prayed. Many times you were so broken before me, it was as if you were devastated within yourself to know that you had sinned against me. You were always so humble and willing for me to use you, and I also saw your childlike desire to be obedient to me."
"But father, many times I was disobedient to your word. I felt many times that you tried to draw me into prayer and also to fast, but often I failed to respond."
"That I know my son, but your sincere willingness to be obedient was what I looked for. For I knew that through the fulfillment of my plan, I would see you become more obedient unto me as you continued to grow spiritually. My son, even though my thoughts are infinite and I know the beginning and the ending of all things, and since I am the sovereign, all-powerful God, there are times that if I choose to, I can refrain from looking into my children's future to see the outcome of things, and then observe them as to what choices they will make, when placed in a difficult or tempting situation. For as you know my son, I gave all of humanity the power of choice."
"So father, if we made the wrong choice about something, then you were not able to work out your plan for us at that particular time, and we then had to go through that situation again, or even face something more difficult in order for you to fulfill your plan. Is that right?"
"Exactly my son. Many times your troubles would not have been as severe, had you remembered that I was with you. But you attempted to satisfy the situation yourself and you were not able to do so."
"But how father were you able to love me so deeply and forgive me, especially when I would get so angry at times, sometimes by expressing myself violently and destructively, as if I was trying to release some deep rooted anger inside?"
"Because my child, I created you. You are a part of me. Without me you would not exist. Remember in your world, you had two children of your own? You loved your children with everything you had. If you had to, you would have given your life for them. That’s how much I love you my child. I did give my life for you and for the whole world, if they chose to accept it. Many did, but many did not."
"When I saw the mass destruction that sin had done to humanity, I had to do something. Oh I knew what it would take. I even gave shadows of what it would be in the Old Testament of my word. Because of sin, there was no one in the entire world that was holy and without sin. So in order for humanity to be reconciled back unto me, I had to do it myself. I did not want to destroy all humanity and create new people. So that is why I saved your older brother Noah and his family during the flood."
"I knew that because of the power of choice, that there would be a countless number of people that would choose to serve me and love me. I knew that they would have a change of heart and turn away from sin and begin to live for me. Due to the fall of Adam and Eve, all of humanity was born into sin. No one could come home to be with me until they were cleansed from their sin."
"So that is when I wrapped myself in a robe of flesh and came upon the earth through the virgin birth of Mary, and became the man Jesus Christ. It was still me, for as you know I am the only God, there are no other gods before me or after me. But this time, I was just as human as you, but at the same time I was still God also. I had to do it. There had to be a sacrifice given from the shedding of blood for the remission of all sin. That is why I gave my human life in the body of Jesus Christ, as the sacrifice for the world. But as a Spirit, I live for all eternity."
"All those who will accept me as their saviour,I will in no wise cast out. But those who do not, are cast into outer darkness for all eternity. My son, true love goes deeper than your carnal mind can comprehend."
"That is why I loved you no matter what you did in your world. As long as you held on and continued to persevere toward perfection and holiness, I continued to strengthen you. When you let up and lost your way at times, I had to allow things into your life, so that it would lead you back to me through a fresh spirit of repentance never gave up on you my child. No matter how it appeared at times, I never turned my back on you."
"Father, I understand now why you called me and saved me. It is because of love."
"Yes my son, it is love.
Oct 30 & Nov 2,1997
Does Satan Know Your Name?
Are you being attacked by Satan and his forces? Is your life filled with battles and storms? If not, then are you involved in prayer? Are you standing up for God when others are falling? Are your prayers doing any damage to Satan's kingdom? If not, then Satan is not worried with you. He’s not messing around with those who are not doing him any damage. Why? Because they are obviously supporting his kingdom, by not praying against his works, by not fighting spiritual warfare, and by not standing up for God's kingdom.
When Satan goes before the throne of God to accuse the brethren, does he mention your name? Does he bring up railing accusations to God about you? As it was with Job, when Satan went before God, he accused Job of turning his back on God if calamities were allowed into his life. Does Satan accuse you of turning your back on God if your life becomes too chaotic? Or, is it possible that your name is never mentioned? Does Satan ask permission of God to attack you? If he doesn’t, then he should be.
Child of God, do you know who you are? Do you realize the power you have within you in the Holy Ghost? Are you aware that God has told you in his word, that you have power over all the power of the enemy, Luke 10:19?
What are you waiting for? You have enough power through prayer, to keep Satan on the run wagging his tail behind him. But it's only through prayer. Intercessory prayer, warfare prayer, fervent prayer! The Bible says..."the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force",Matthew 11:12.It's going to take fervent and violent prayer to take down the kingdom of darkness. Patty-cake prayers are a thing of the past.
The only way for Satan to be concerned with you, is to pray, pray, pray! With violence. Then and only then, he will not only be concerned with you, but he will accuse you before the throne of God as he did with Job. At that point, God can allow him to bring calamities into your life; so you can prove to Satan once and for all, that you are a child of the most high God and that you are sold out to him.
Or, on the other hand, would you prefer for Satan to say...."Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?"
Oct 8,1998
When Satan goes before the throne of God to accuse the brethren, does he mention your name? Does he bring up railing accusations to God about you? As it was with Job, when Satan went before God, he accused Job of turning his back on God if calamities were allowed into his life. Does Satan accuse you of turning your back on God if your life becomes too chaotic? Or, is it possible that your name is never mentioned? Does Satan ask permission of God to attack you? If he doesn’t, then he should be.
Child of God, do you know who you are? Do you realize the power you have within you in the Holy Ghost? Are you aware that God has told you in his word, that you have power over all the power of the enemy, Luke 10:19?
What are you waiting for? You have enough power through prayer, to keep Satan on the run wagging his tail behind him. But it's only through prayer. Intercessory prayer, warfare prayer, fervent prayer! The Bible says..."the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force",Matthew 11:12.It's going to take fervent and violent prayer to take down the kingdom of darkness. Patty-cake prayers are a thing of the past.
The only way for Satan to be concerned with you, is to pray, pray, pray! With violence. Then and only then, he will not only be concerned with you, but he will accuse you before the throne of God as he did with Job. At that point, God can allow him to bring calamities into your life; so you can prove to Satan once and for all, that you are a child of the most high God and that you are sold out to him.
Or, on the other hand, would you prefer for Satan to say...."Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?"
Oct 8,1998
Dirt and Blood
There are two things that I know of that man cannot make or reproduce. That is dirt and blood.
Dirt is a creation of God, and he used even just the dust of the dirt to create man.
Blood is the lifeline of man. Only God can create life and only God can create the blood to be the lifeline of man. Remove the blood and there is no life. Man then goes back to the dirt of the earth.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin upon all of mankind that was ever to be born after them. Since Adam was the man, and the man is considered to be the spiritual leader of his household, when he partook of the forbidden fruit that God had commanded them not to eat of, it was he, the man, that tainted humanity’s blood through his sin. This is passed onto all that will ever be born.
But God had a plan. We know that the Bible says that God is a Spirit, and a spirit does not have a body as we do, therefore a spirit does not have blood as we do. God knew in his infinite wisdom, that he, in spirit form, could not redeem mankind from their sins. But since he created all things, he was also able to create for himself, a body, to walk amongst man and ultimately die on the cross, to redeem mankind back from sin.
In Acts 20:28, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
So according to that scripture, God, himself, purchased the church, with his own blood. How is this possible? This is where God had to intervene and perform a miracle. Recapping, since Adam sinned, he brought sin upon mankind, not Eve. She was only a pawn in the hand of Satan, and he deceived her and used her to get to Adam. So it was Adam’s sinned blood that was passed down to all generations. So God, bypassed the pro-creation of a man and a woman, namely, Joseph and Mary. He then, by the Spirit, impregnated Mary, so that the sinned blood of the man, would not enter into the baby Jesus as he was formed and grew in Mary’s womb. This allowed Jesus to be born of woman, but completely without sin, since the sinned blood comes from the man. It was this sinless blood, that enabled Jesus to be tempted as we are, but yet he was not born into that nature of sin, as we all are, thus giving him to ability to resist the temptations and sin.
So God, which is a Spirit, created for himself, a body to inhabit, namely Jesus, so that he could purchase the church back unto himself, when he was crucified on the cross. But that body, and that Spirit was not two separate entities. The same Spirit, that created the body, is the same Spirit that was inside of the body of Jesus. One in the same. Not two separate beings of a Trinity; which is non existent as a three person Trinity anyway.
It was God’s own blood, that was shed to redeem mankind from sin. But it had to be done through the son Jesus Christ, as a fleshly human body on this earth. He was called son, only because the actual body did have a beginning, when he was born from Mary.
In conclusion, blood is the lifeline of man. God created a perfect, sinless body, with sinless blood, to redeem mankind from their sins. This is why, man cannot create blood nor dirt, because there are some things that only God will do himself.
Dec,2010
Dirt is a creation of God, and he used even just the dust of the dirt to create man.
Blood is the lifeline of man. Only God can create life and only God can create the blood to be the lifeline of man. Remove the blood and there is no life. Man then goes back to the dirt of the earth.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin upon all of mankind that was ever to be born after them. Since Adam was the man, and the man is considered to be the spiritual leader of his household, when he partook of the forbidden fruit that God had commanded them not to eat of, it was he, the man, that tainted humanity’s blood through his sin. This is passed onto all that will ever be born.
But God had a plan. We know that the Bible says that God is a Spirit, and a spirit does not have a body as we do, therefore a spirit does not have blood as we do. God knew in his infinite wisdom, that he, in spirit form, could not redeem mankind from their sins. But since he created all things, he was also able to create for himself, a body, to walk amongst man and ultimately die on the cross, to redeem mankind back from sin.
In Acts 20:28, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
So according to that scripture, God, himself, purchased the church, with his own blood. How is this possible? This is where God had to intervene and perform a miracle. Recapping, since Adam sinned, he brought sin upon mankind, not Eve. She was only a pawn in the hand of Satan, and he deceived her and used her to get to Adam. So it was Adam’s sinned blood that was passed down to all generations. So God, bypassed the pro-creation of a man and a woman, namely, Joseph and Mary. He then, by the Spirit, impregnated Mary, so that the sinned blood of the man, would not enter into the baby Jesus as he was formed and grew in Mary’s womb. This allowed Jesus to be born of woman, but completely without sin, since the sinned blood comes from the man. It was this sinless blood, that enabled Jesus to be tempted as we are, but yet he was not born into that nature of sin, as we all are, thus giving him to ability to resist the temptations and sin.
So God, which is a Spirit, created for himself, a body to inhabit, namely Jesus, so that he could purchase the church back unto himself, when he was crucified on the cross. But that body, and that Spirit was not two separate entities. The same Spirit, that created the body, is the same Spirit that was inside of the body of Jesus. One in the same. Not two separate beings of a Trinity; which is non existent as a three person Trinity anyway.
It was God’s own blood, that was shed to redeem mankind from sin. But it had to be done through the son Jesus Christ, as a fleshly human body on this earth. He was called son, only because the actual body did have a beginning, when he was born from Mary.
In conclusion, blood is the lifeline of man. God created a perfect, sinless body, with sinless blood, to redeem mankind from their sins. This is why, man cannot create blood nor dirt, because there are some things that only God will do himself.
Dec,2010
Don't Abort Me, I Am A Baby In Here!
"Hey wait a minute! Don’t do this, think about it first. I am not just some blob of tissue in here with no feelings and no desire for life. I am a living, breathing human being with a God given soul waiting to be born. Give me a chance at life. Don’t just end it for me before it ever begins. I want to live too! You see, right now you're in control of my life, and just because I am not out there with you right now, doesn’t mean that I don't want to be. I do want to be, but if you exercise your control over my life and end it, then I'll never get to be out there with you.
Let me tell you what will never happen if you abort me: There’s just something about hearing a child's voice saying,” mama" or "I love you",but you'll never hear that if you abort me. Or how about the times when I would scrape my knee outside while skipping rope or playing and only you mama could make it better. What about my first day at school? You won't get the chance to hold back the tears while you take me there and say bye-bye.
Oh and don't forget about little league. You won't get to see me hit that home run or catch that pop fly either. Another thing, come Christmas time, you won't get to see me open up my presents that you would have gotten me, as well as you would have taken pictures of me having fun with them. But you see, I won't be there at Christmas time, if you abort me.
Or how about my first date? Oh the adolescence years and crushes. How exciting they would have been. Don’t forget my high school prom. You know you would have wanted to see my date and take pictures. But I wasn't there.
Or how about the times when I would have been sick, and only you mama would have known how to take care of me. Or the frustrations of life, that only a mother would know how to give the right advice. Or the bond that a mother and her son somehow always seem to have. Or the chance to meet your future daughter-in-law and grow to love her. Or the grandchildren. To welcome them with open arms.
To experience a lifetime of happiness, sadness, good times, bad times, successes and failures, excitements and disappointments, dreams and achievements, love, anger peace, contentment, life. But you won't know or experience any of these things with me, if you abort me.
I guess the last thing and certainly the most important is, you’ll never get to teach and share with me about the goodness of our God in heaven. For which he gives all life and only he has the right to take it away.
So if you abort me, it will indicate to me, that you don't really know about our God and who he is. For if you did, you would never consider aborting me.
Mama, meet Jesus and allow him to show you who he really is and give me a chance to live, as he once gave you, your chance.
Signed,
The cries of one unborn baby
May 19,1998
Let me tell you what will never happen if you abort me: There’s just something about hearing a child's voice saying,” mama" or "I love you",but you'll never hear that if you abort me. Or how about the times when I would scrape my knee outside while skipping rope or playing and only you mama could make it better. What about my first day at school? You won't get the chance to hold back the tears while you take me there and say bye-bye.
Oh and don't forget about little league. You won't get to see me hit that home run or catch that pop fly either. Another thing, come Christmas time, you won't get to see me open up my presents that you would have gotten me, as well as you would have taken pictures of me having fun with them. But you see, I won't be there at Christmas time, if you abort me.
Or how about my first date? Oh the adolescence years and crushes. How exciting they would have been. Don’t forget my high school prom. You know you would have wanted to see my date and take pictures. But I wasn't there.
Or how about the times when I would have been sick, and only you mama would have known how to take care of me. Or the frustrations of life, that only a mother would know how to give the right advice. Or the bond that a mother and her son somehow always seem to have. Or the chance to meet your future daughter-in-law and grow to love her. Or the grandchildren. To welcome them with open arms.
To experience a lifetime of happiness, sadness, good times, bad times, successes and failures, excitements and disappointments, dreams and achievements, love, anger peace, contentment, life. But you won't know or experience any of these things with me, if you abort me.
I guess the last thing and certainly the most important is, you’ll never get to teach and share with me about the goodness of our God in heaven. For which he gives all life and only he has the right to take it away.
So if you abort me, it will indicate to me, that you don't really know about our God and who he is. For if you did, you would never consider aborting me.
Mama, meet Jesus and allow him to show you who he really is and give me a chance to live, as he once gave you, your chance.
Signed,
The cries of one unborn baby
May 19,1998
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Can You Run The Race and Win?
The Olympics are coming!
The Olympics are coming!
That is what you will hear from all athletes whose plans include a chance at making the Olympic team. The Olympics is a world-wide known event in which top athletes from all over the world compete for the gold metal, as to say that they are the best in the entire world at their level of competition. It takes years of hard, dedicated training to get into perfect form, to qualify for a place on the Olympic team. Some athletes make it but many do not.
But let us talk about something that in comparison, is like the Olympics, but in this race everyone can win.
It is called the race for your eternal destiny. Can you run the race against all odds and win your reward in heaven? In the Olympics, only one person receives the top prize of the gold metal. But the Apostle Paul said in:
I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Paul says to run that ye may obtain. Obtain what? He tells us in:
II Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
So in this race for heaven, we may all receive the prize!
To qualify for the Olympic team, an athlete must train daily to work out flaws and perfect his skills and talents.
Paul also said in:
II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In reading and studying God's word, we are going through the training and perfecting of our skills to continue in running the race towards heaven.
When competing in the Olympics all athletes must wear a uniform of some sort which identifies which country they represent as well as for protection. As we run the race towards heaven, we must be clothed in God's uniform so that when the obstacles of life come in our way, we will be protected and able to stand against those obstacles that would try to hinder us in our race towards heaven. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11,13-17
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
For the athlete, there are always sacrifices to be made. Because for them, the reward of winning the Olympics is far greater than that which was sacrificed. In the race for heaven we must also make sacrifices. For our reward will be far greater in heaven at the end of this earthly race.
Peter tells us in I Peter 2:11,
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Paul also tells us in Titus 2:12,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Even Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24,
Then Jesus said unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Self-sacrifice is essential in order to run any race. It helps in the training of a person and also shows commitment on the part of the athlete and Christian.
In the Olympics, an athlete must be able to endure many things in order to win. These things range from exhaustion, fatigue, pressures upon them to win, etc. The athlete's endurance must withstand all.
In the race to heaven, we must also have the endurance as well, in order to withstand against all things contrary to a Christian life that could tear down our chances of winning the race.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:13,
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:10,
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Endurance is one of the most important qualities to possess in order to run any race. Especially in the race to heaven. Paul gives us something good to remember in: Philippians 4:13,
I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me.
With Jesus Christ on our side training us, as an athlete's coach would train them, we CAN win the race to heaven and receive our eternal prize. For some, the Olympics is a once in a lifetime chance to be labeled the best. In this life we live here on earth, this IS our once in a lifetime chance to win the race to heaven. After this life here on earth, the chances are over.
Can you run the race?
Can you run the race, and win?
1996
Are You Selfish Of Your God?
Matthew 28:19 " Go ye therefore and teach all nations..."
Mark 16:15 ..."go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Romans 10:14- How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15- And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Are we selfish of our God? Do we sometimes feel like he is our God only and no one else? Do we sometimes feel that we, Pentecostals are the only ones that have truth? In these last days God is pouring out his spirit upon all flesh. That excludes no one, for we all, are flesh.
If you are now in God's church, and came out of the world as I, then I am quite sure that someone shared God and his truth with you, just as someone did with me. Otherwise, we might not be in God's church today, had not someone taken the time to share him with us.
What we must do, is to remember the great commission to "teach all nations." That is why God calls some to the foreign mission fields, to work the harvest there. But we all have a part to play in this commission. We are to attempt to reach the harvest that is in our little corner of the world. There are souls out there that most likely, only you can reach, when no one else can. This is the part of God's harvest that is meant for you to reach.
Many times as we witness, we become discouraged because of the many rejections that we receive. We even feel sometimes like, " what's the use, every time I try to talk to someone about the Lord, I get turned down." Unfortunately, this can cause us to become selfish of our God, even to the point that we stop witnessing to people altogether.
But one thing that we must remember, is that God gives the increase, not us. What we must realize, is that our witnessing is accomplishing different things with every individual. With one, we may only be tilling the ground because of its' hardness. In another, we may be planting the seeds in previously tilled ground. While in another, we may be watering seeds that have been previously planted. That is all that we can do. We cannot bring forth the increase of souls into God's kingdom. That part is for God alone.
But due to rejection, discouragement, and many other things, we do, become selfish of our God, even if we really don't want to.
Do you witness to people on your job? How about at Wal-Mart or Winn-Dixie? Do you look for open doors or attempt to make your own to witness about Jesus? Through wisdom and experience, we should be able to take just about anything of a conversation and direct it toward a witnessing opportunity about Jesus.
Many times people will shut us down, just because they do not know anything about the Lord. Those type of people need a bible study, and if you can get one out of every ten people to consent to a bible study, then you are definitely in the ball park, batting a thousand.
Were you won to the Lord through a home bible study? Did you come to the knowledge of God's truth through a home bible study? Both my wife and myself came to the knowledge of God's truth through a home bible study, so I know they work.
Sometimes God places us in unique situations so that we may share him with someone. Too many times though, we pass up the opportunity by not being sensitive with God's spirit. But is it really insensitivity or is it selfishness due to a lack of prayer? When our prayer life becomes dull and dry, our selfishness of God increases, because we have lost the burden for souls, and our witnessing to others dries up as well.
Unfortunately, I have been in situations where afterwards I would say, " I should have witnessed to them." But was I insensitive or selfish? How was my prayer life at that point and time? Was I in a hurry to get somewhere or to do something? Or did I simply forget that I was once in their shoes? Do we sometimes forget where the Lord brought us from? Do we sometimes forget that we were on the road to Hell before we were born-again, and that others are still on the same road to Hell as we were? Is our forgetting really just a poor excuse of selfishness? Do we even think sometimes, " my four and no more?"
We do not need to be selfish with our God. For he has not always been our God as our savior, but was once our God as our judge. But let us remember that he wants to be everyone's savior and no one's judge. But how can he save if we are selfish of him and will not share him with others? God uses people to spread the gospel of his word, not angels. We are his mouthpiece in sharing his truth with others. Just remember this, someone shared God and his truth with you. Why not return the favor and share him with someone else. You will never regret it.
written Sept 8,1997
revised Oct 29,2001 " And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"" How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher.
Mark 16:15 ..."go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Romans 10:14- How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15- And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Are we selfish of our God? Do we sometimes feel like he is our God only and no one else? Do we sometimes feel that we, Pentecostals are the only ones that have truth? In these last days God is pouring out his spirit upon all flesh. That excludes no one, for we all, are flesh.
If you are now in God's church, and came out of the world as I, then I am quite sure that someone shared God and his truth with you, just as someone did with me. Otherwise, we might not be in God's church today, had not someone taken the time to share him with us.
What we must do, is to remember the great commission to "teach all nations." That is why God calls some to the foreign mission fields, to work the harvest there. But we all have a part to play in this commission. We are to attempt to reach the harvest that is in our little corner of the world. There are souls out there that most likely, only you can reach, when no one else can. This is the part of God's harvest that is meant for you to reach.
Many times as we witness, we become discouraged because of the many rejections that we receive. We even feel sometimes like, " what's the use, every time I try to talk to someone about the Lord, I get turned down." Unfortunately, this can cause us to become selfish of our God, even to the point that we stop witnessing to people altogether.
But one thing that we must remember, is that God gives the increase, not us. What we must realize, is that our witnessing is accomplishing different things with every individual. With one, we may only be tilling the ground because of its' hardness. In another, we may be planting the seeds in previously tilled ground. While in another, we may be watering seeds that have been previously planted. That is all that we can do. We cannot bring forth the increase of souls into God's kingdom. That part is for God alone.
But due to rejection, discouragement, and many other things, we do, become selfish of our God, even if we really don't want to.
Do you witness to people on your job? How about at Wal-Mart or Winn-Dixie? Do you look for open doors or attempt to make your own to witness about Jesus? Through wisdom and experience, we should be able to take just about anything of a conversation and direct it toward a witnessing opportunity about Jesus.
Many times people will shut us down, just because they do not know anything about the Lord. Those type of people need a bible study, and if you can get one out of every ten people to consent to a bible study, then you are definitely in the ball park, batting a thousand.
Were you won to the Lord through a home bible study? Did you come to the knowledge of God's truth through a home bible study? Both my wife and myself came to the knowledge of God's truth through a home bible study, so I know they work.
Sometimes God places us in unique situations so that we may share him with someone. Too many times though, we pass up the opportunity by not being sensitive with God's spirit. But is it really insensitivity or is it selfishness due to a lack of prayer? When our prayer life becomes dull and dry, our selfishness of God increases, because we have lost the burden for souls, and our witnessing to others dries up as well.
Unfortunately, I have been in situations where afterwards I would say, " I should have witnessed to them." But was I insensitive or selfish? How was my prayer life at that point and time? Was I in a hurry to get somewhere or to do something? Or did I simply forget that I was once in their shoes? Do we sometimes forget where the Lord brought us from? Do we sometimes forget that we were on the road to Hell before we were born-again, and that others are still on the same road to Hell as we were? Is our forgetting really just a poor excuse of selfishness? Do we even think sometimes, " my four and no more?"
We do not need to be selfish with our God. For he has not always been our God as our savior, but was once our God as our judge. But let us remember that he wants to be everyone's savior and no one's judge. But how can he save if we are selfish of him and will not share him with others? God uses people to spread the gospel of his word, not angels. We are his mouthpiece in sharing his truth with others. Just remember this, someone shared God and his truth with you. Why not return the favor and share him with someone else. You will never regret it.
written Sept 8,1997
revised Oct 29,2001 " And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"" How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher.
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