Human Stampede

This is my favorite time of the year!! Living in Florida we get a break, from the extreme heat, which we endure for most of the months, in the year. We get a chance to take a break from the massive fly, mosquito, and other insects whose home we have invaded. As good as all that sounds to us in this State, it still doesn’t even compare to the truth, of why this is my favorite time of the year.

It is the Christmas season. A time for celebration, of the birth of our Lord and Savior.  Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Actually, this was the best news that mankind has ever received. Our redeemer who was prophesied, in the Old Testament has finally arrived, to deliver us back to the Father!!

The really strange thing about, this time of the year, the season if that is better to understand. Is the fact, that like everything else in this country is all about the money. Today is the United States is known as Black Friday. It is the largest shopping day of the year. Some folks have given their lives, in hope to get that sale item, at a discount price.

How is that possible?    They waited in line for several hours, at the store that was having the best sale price, on the merchandise, which they want to purchase. When the door finally opens to let the shoppers inside, there is a massive stampede of wild and frustrated human beings racing inside. If somebody loses their balance, or gets pushed down, they will be trampled, and some have died in the process!!

The reason this day even exist is so that we can get the best gifts for Christmas, at discount prices. The pressure that we put on ourselves to please our families, friends, and sometimes those, that we don’t even like is tremendous. What makes a gift valuable?     What makes a gift valuable at the expense of a person’s life?

The best possible gift has already been given. A gift more valuable, than anybody can afford. Only one person had to die in order for everyone that would choose to accept this gift can freely receive this gift. Ponce De Leon came to Florida from Spain, in search of the fountain of youth. He never found it, but this gift is much better than what he was looking to find.

This gift is the living water. All who drink of this water shall never thirst again. John 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

This gift is the bread of life. All who eat of this bread shall never hunger again. John 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

His gift is light. The light of the world. The only true light is a world filled with darkness. John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

This gift was the complete package. Everything that we would ever need as humans was wrapped up in this One gift. John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This gift is the gift of eternal life. Whosoever that receives this gift will never perish. John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Now we know where this gift has come from. It came from our Creator, our Father God. He gave us the best and most perfect gift, which anyone could ever hope to receive.   Do you understand why Father did this for us? It goes back to the beginning of the creation of man. We were created to have a relationship with the Father. Everything in our Bibles hinge, on the fact, that we were created to have a working relationship, with our God. We are to have fellowship, and enjoy our time with Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. 

If we would have folks getting as excited over Jesus, as they are on sale day, it would be a much better place to live!!

Merry Christmas…                  Ain’t God good?

           ….Much love    

A Place of Foolishness

Good Morning!!   It is Thanksgiving morning, and I am still like a child when it comes to the Holidays, at this time of the year. Christmas is not a Holiday. It is a Holy-day!! It is a birthday, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!! I don’t say happy Holiday’s during Christmas. I still say Merry Christmas with a smile on my face!!

Something has been rumbling through my Spirit this week. It appears that there is really not much trouble, with getting sinners, into the alter. Sunday morning service is a great time to see the move toward the alter in front, of any living church in America. Yes,….that is right,….any living Church is a key word. 

When you get older in this life you have the chance to compare different times in your life. Some things were better, and some are worse over time. I have noticed a difference, in the overall posture to the ones going to the alter, to give their lives over to Jesus. Now, I am not saying that this is the standard of operations, but it seems to be going in that direction. 

It seems like a slow motion capture effect. They waltz down to the front with a smile on their face. When they get there they take a knee, it they were being knighted, and bounce right up. On the way back to the seat, that is closest to the back door, they take time to shake, all the hands on the way. 

This leaves me discombobulated in wonder of what just happened. I am not saying, that these people can’t be Saved, because that is not my call. It is a rarity to see somebody in tears anymore crying out to God, to have mercy on them. It is even more rare to see them pray, for longer than ten minutes. 

It is my job to tell all those that will hear that there is a Savior. That we don’t have to burn in a Hell, which was never meant to inhabit humans. There is hope, and His name is Jesus!!

With all these things being already said, we can move on into today’s thought. The more that I read the Word of God; it seems that the biggest challenge is not to get folks to believe. The biggest challenge is to get those that profess that Jesus is the only way, to stay on the right path. 

I have come to a better understand why this is true. Our battle is one of a Spiritual nature. Satan doesn’t mess with the sinners of this world. There would be no reason to do that, because they are already his. It is once that we come to Jesus, which he turns the heat up on us. Before this event he pretty much leaves us alone.

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 If we will read our Word very closely, we can tell, that most of the Bible is written, in this way. I know that we are to strive to know, and trust the Lord.  The best examples that we have in the Bible are the Apostles. The sad part is that they walked with Jesus, and still didn’t grasp it until later on.

One of my favorite verses, which I use to entice the Christian folks to pray, for this nation is this one.

 2Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

Once again Father is telling those of us, who say that we love Him, to get our act together, and do the right thing first. Then He will straighten the mess out, that we let happen.

Peter is talking about being humble, in the book of 1 Peter.  

1Peter 5:5-6  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Am I just going crazy here, or can anybody else see what I mean?     One of the major reasons that this world, and especially the United States is in the mess, that it is, in is our fault. Now is not the time to get mad, and snort through your spiritual noses, at these words. It is the time to repent of the sins that we love to hold on to, and pray a prayer that Father will honor!!

The church has become a place of foolishness. The ratio of divorce in the church, and in the world is not much different. Neither is the murder rate. Yes,…abortion is as prevalent in the church also!! Sunday morning hangovers and drug hangovers are also common place, in the church. We can’t even give the Lord our undivided attention for two hours, because we need to text somebody, or somebody has texted us.

Check out what Jesus said in the book of Matthew.  Matthew 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

According to this passage we are guilty of the shape that things are in. I say WE, because I am along with the Christians that are guilty. My mission here is to not point fingers at folks. My mission is to expose the wrongs in our lives, and to show how it can be better.

You might say that it is not your fault, because you have your ticket to Heaven.   WOW!!    I guess you have fire insurance, and that is all that you care about. That is really sad, if that is the way that you feel. I want to leave you with two verses for your consideration. The first one is Jesus speaking.  Mark 3:35  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

The second verse comes from the book of first John. John was the one that had a closer relationship with Jesus, than the other disciples. John also wrote five books in the New Testament. 1John 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Just sayin’….       Ain’t God good?

          ….Much Love   

Lowest Level of the Playing Field

You might not be able to tell simply by looking at my life. The clothes that I choose to wear, and the food that I buy at the local grocery store. My main method of transportation, and certainly not the way in which I walk. However, I am here to testify to you today, the goodness of God, in my life today!! 

I am in the process of learning that life is not based on the quality of the things, which we own. It really is not about who has the most toys, in their home, and inside that huge garage. It is not even about who has the most children, if they are not loved and wanted.   “OUCH”         That had to sting a few Americans!!

Life has done a complete turnaround for me, because I used to think, that whoever had the most toys wins.      That might have been correctly thinking, but what was the payoff prize?          Don’t you think it strange that those with the most money do the least with it?       I am not talking about the general working class person. I am talking about these folks that have more money, than I could count, and remember where I was by memory. 

One of the greatest thrills that I get in my life these days is the chance to help somebody. I am on the lowest level of the playing field when it comes to helping others. I don’t have much, but Jesus has given me a heart to be of service. Sometimes it is not a sacrifice from my pocket. It comes from my time.         Have you ever considered that most of the time, that a time sacrifice is required, you are really short of time?

That might be a hidden blessing from God. Father gives us all kinds of good things, but that is not the only way, in which He blesses us. Sometimes He blesses us in what He saves us, and some of the things that He saves us is trouble. Sometimes that flat tire is prolonging your journey long enough to save your life. 

Why would Father want to save my life?   I want to go to Heaven right now, besides I don’t have anything really going on here.      This is where you are misguided.     You have a lot more going on, than you realize. It is not about you anyway!!  It is about the Son of God our Father, and our job to magnify His name, on the earth. It is all about the relationship, that each one of us has with Jesus.

I believe that we tend to run amuck, such a simple plan, that God has for each of us. Can I be bold enough to place all this in a nut shell?        (1) God created all that we know. Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Human being have messed this all up, with the theories, which are in rebellion to Father’s creation.

(2) The presence of sin corrupted Father’s perfect creation; mankind. Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

(3)Father was not shocked, at this happening, because He had already known, and made a preparation. John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(4) Here we find the most beautiful, while yet being the most gruesome sacrifice, ever known to man. Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(5)Most of us have been alright with all these facts so far. However, this is the place that it begins to get sticky. 1Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

This is not what I signed up for!!     I am nobodies but my own!!      I just want to pick, and choose the things that I want in my life!!        Does this sound like anybody that you know?       It could be you.      I knew that I have said this, in my life before

.

The reality is that nobody on this planet is a free agent. We all belong to somebody. Either we belong to Father, or we belong to Satan. Romans 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

It is not like we had another choice, and that is a great thing, because all down the ages folks have been messing this choice up. We were even told what the right choice was, and the blessing, that would come along with that correct choice. We were also told the wrong choice along with a list of the curses involved with making that choice. 

Deuteronomy 30:19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

I think I realize what you are saying.      However, I am confused at the way that you started this post. Can you explain what you were doing there?

I was showing the fact of the goodness of Father in my life originally. Then something changed to alter the course that I was on. I believe that this verse can explain it better than I can. Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Ain’t God good?

            ….Much Love              

So Called Men of God?

Here is something that really bothers me with some, “so called,” men of God. I am talking about some, which are really popular, and seem to be well respected, in some of the Christian circles. Sometimes they will take a scripture, if not a few of them, and they seem to twist it into something else. I am aware that sometimes we can get a little misguided in what, or the way, that we believe. Usually before long Holy Spirit will do His job, and guide us back.

 John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

It seems like when these people are teaching something “new,” that only a select few have seemed to have found, then something changed. They seem to get aggressive that they are right, and only want to deal with those that believe the same way. 

I am really walking on eggshells in the way that I am trying to talk about this subject. I never have been one that was worried about offending anybody, if I felt that I was right. In this event I am only worried about offending Father.  1Chronicles 16:22  Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

The saddening truth with these particular folks, which I am talking about, I can’t tell if are anointed or true prophets. It is not that they are teaching a different gospel, and then again, they are teaching a different gospel. They are taking a verse in the Bible, and saying that what it says is not what it means.

Would you like me to show you what I am talking about?  Most of my readers know by now that God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

2Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. To me that verse goes hand in hand, with this verse. Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 

You know I would believe anything that Jesus said. I have no problem trusting the Words that Jesus spoke are true. However, these geniuses that are teaching, that some folks were born to go to Hell. They say that some have no hope of Salvation. I have a real problem with believing that school of thought.

Wasn’t Satan already in the presence of God, when sin was found in him?

  Isaiah 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

These same folks teach about Holy Spirit, saying that He has changed from the writings of the Old Testament. They actually say that He no longer reveals Himself is an unknown tongue. He no longer gets inside of a person, and manifest Himself in anyway, other than a guide for our conscious. These folks say that any other manifestation of Holy Spirit is not of the true Spirit, and it is another spirit.

Well dear readers I am here to tell you that is not the first time, that our God has been called a devil.

Matthew 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. I am not going to beat anybody over the head with scripture, until you say that I am right. I don’t want to do anything except lead you to the water of the truth, in the Word. It is up to all of us to decide whether we will drink of the well of eternal life.

I do have a couple more scriptures to submit for the edifying of your wisdom.   Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

It really seems to me if that statement that Paul is true, and I believe that it is. Either every Words of the Bible are true, or it is not fit to burn for heat!! The choice is ours to make.  I believe the Bible myself, and I believe this statement. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and I believe in the Trinity. I believe anytime that it says anything about Jesus, that it also includes Father, and Holy Spirit.  I really believe that there is no change, in any part, of the Trinity of God.

You know what?   I also believe that when good folks get confused, and start thinking that it might be about us, that is when they start preaching, and teaching a new thing. However, it is not about anyone of us. The only part that we play, in this entire deal is the fact, that we have been invited to be a part of God. We don’t have an option to change anything, which we don’t like about the way, in which things are running.

We are blessed to be chosen to begin with, because we deserve Hell!! Some of us are going to get exactly what we all deserve to have, in our lives. The remaining people are going to receive such great mercy, that we did nothing to receive other than believing, on the shed blood of Jesus, for the sacrifice of OUR sins. 

If you are offended by what I have just said, then you need the Salvation of the Lord in your life. Don’t let you pride rob you of such a great event in your life. Those that have been washed in the blood realize what a mess that we are, or at least have a better understanding of it. We are not offended, because we are redeemed!!

Ok.    Last thing.     Mark 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Ain’t God good?

          ….Much Love