HOW TO BE FREE

JOHN 8:31,32  THEN SAID JESUS UNTO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED.

AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.

TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST LOVE THE WORD OF GOD, THEY LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD.

DISCIPLES OF JESUS HAVE A RELATONSHIP WITH THEIR MASTER.

I REMEMBER HOW BOUND I WAS WHEN I FULLY GAVE MY LIFE TO JESUS.

AS THE HOLY SPIRIT LED ME INTO THE PATH OF THE WORD OF GOD, MAJOR CHANGE TOOK PLACE IN MY LIFE. THE THINGS THAT I USE TO LOVE I BEGAN TO HATE AND THE THINGS I USE TO HATE I BEGAN TO LOVE.

THE TRUTH OF THE CRUCIFIED RESURRECTED CHRIST BECAME REALITY IN MY LIFE.

I BECAME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, A DISCIPILINED FOLLOWER OF MY LORD.

DISCIPLES MAKE DISCIPLES  WHO MAKE DISCIPLES.

JESUS CALLED US TO BE DISCIPLES THAT WE MIGHT HELP OTHERS TO BECOME DISCIPLES.

IF WE DON’T ALLOW GOD’S PROCESS BY CONTINUING IN THE WORD OF GOD WE WILL NEVER BE FREE OURSELVES. IF WE DON’T CONTINUE TO LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD, WE NEVER CHANGE AND WE NEVER TOUCH OTHER PEOPLES LIVES THROUGH WHAT GOD WAS ALLOWED TO DO IN US .

IF WE BECOME FREE, WE CAN LEAD OTHERS INTO DISCIPLESHIP.

WE WERE BORN TO IMPACT THIS WORLD WITH THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

WE WERE ALL BORN TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD THROUGH PRECEPT AND CONDUCT. 

 

 

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DON’T GET CAUGHT-UP IN OTHER PEOPLE’S STRIFE

WE ALL KNOW PEOPLE WHO SEEM TO STAY IN STRIFE. EVERY TIME YOU’RE AROUND THEM,YOU CAN FEEL IT. PERSONALLY, IF I CAN, I AVOID THAT KIND OF PERSONALITY. BUT IT’S VERY HARD IF THEIR STRIFE IS DIRECTED TOWARD YOU, OR THOSE YOU LOVE.

TODAY, WE WILL DISCOVER WHAT THE WORD HAS TO SAY ABOUT STRIFE: AND MY ADVICE TO YOU IS OUR TITLE FOR THIS MESSAGE: DON’T GET CAUGHT-UP IN OTHER PEOPLE’S STRIFE. AVOID IT WHEN YOU HAVE THE CHOICE.

ONE OF THE HARDEST CHALLENGES IN OUR WALK WITH THE LORD, IS TO STAY OUT OF STRIFE: JAMES 3:14-16 – BUT IF YE HAVE BITTER ENVYING AND STRIFE (OR QUARELING) IN YOUR HEARTS, GLORY NOT (DO NOT BE PROUD),  AND LIE NOT AGAINST THE TRUTH.

            THIS WISDOM IS NOT FROM ABOVE, BUT IS EARTHLY, SENSUAL, DEVILISH.

            FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE IS, THERE IS CONFUSION AND EVERY EVIL WORK.

STRIFE OPENS-UP THE DOOR FOR EVERY EVIL WORK! WHEN I SAY THIS, I MEAN, STRIFE OPENS-UP THE DOOR FOR THE ENEMY OF OUR SOULS, TO BE INVITED INTO OUR HOMES, CHURCHES, AND WORK PLACES. THESE ARE EVIL WORKS SUCH AS: HATRED; PERVERSION; SIN; SCOFFING; GOSSIP; PRIDE; ANGER; AND FLESH.

ALL OF THESE CAUSE DIVISION; AND MANY TIMES, SEPARATION AND DIVORCE. NOT TO MENTION ALL KINDS OF CRIMES AND WARS —-AND YES, CHURCH SPLITS.

PROVERBS 10:12  HATRED STIRRETH UP STRIFES…  HERE, WE SEE STRIFE ORIGINATES FROM HATRED.

PROVERBS 16:28  – A FROWARD MAN SOWETH STRIFE: AND A WISPERER SEPARATETH CHIEF FRIENDS. THE DISOBEDIENT MAN OR WOMAN SOWS DISSENSION AND DAMAGES FRIENDSHIPS.

OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS BEEN MY ADVICE: DO NOT HAVE CONVERSATION WITH A PERSON OF STRIFE. IT IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD, AND IS POISON TO THE SOUL OF THOSE WHO GET INVOLVED WITH SUCH,  AND IT CAUSES DIVISION. 

IT IS VERY EASY TO CHOOSE SIDES, AND MANY BE DEFILED.  IT IS NOT INNOCENT; IT IS DEVILISH: OR WE COULD SAY DEMONIC!

IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THOSE WHO GET INTO STRIFE, ALWAYS NEED A COHART, OR ACCOMPLICE. THEY HAVE A HARD TIME EXPRESSING IT WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE; AND MANY TIMES , IN THE CHURCH, THEY “DRAW-IN” A STRUGGLING NEW CONVERTWHO IS STILL ON THE  “MILK BOTTLE”, SO-TO-SPEAK. THEY DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND THEY ARE BEING USED BY THE HATE OF ANOTHER HALF-BACKSLIDDEN CHRISTIAN.

PROVERBS 17:19 – HE LOVETH TRANSGRESSION (OR LOVES TO OFFEND) THAT LOVETH STRIFE;  AND HE THAT EXALTETH HIS GATE SEEKETH DESTRUCTION.

THIS VERSE WARNS THAT OFFENSES ARE EASILY COMMITTED BUT DIFFICULT TO DISSOLVE OR GO AWAY. IT’S LIKE ‘WILD FIRE” ON DRY TIMBER: IT IS HARD TO EXTINGUISH.

PROVERBS 22:10 – CAST OUT THE SCORNER, AND CONTENTION WILL GO OUT; YEA, STRIFE AND REPROACH SHALL CEASE. IN THIS VERSE, WE ARE REMINDED THAT CONTENTION AND BICKERING WILL EXIST AS LONG AS THE SCORNER IS AROUND. A GOOD REFERENCE FOR THIS IS MATTHEW 18:17 – AND IF HE SHALL NEGLECT TO HEAR THEM, TELL IT UNTO THE CHURCH: BUT IF HE NEGLECT TO HEAR THE CHURCH, LET HIM BE UNTO THEE AS A HEATHEN MAN AND A PUBLICAN (AS A PAGAN AND TAX COLLECTOR).

THE FUEL IS WHAT KEEPS THEN FIRE BURNING.  —-I KNOW SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO GET OVER THINGS, AND FORGIVE,  ESPECIALLY IF IT IS AN ON-GOING OCCURANCE. BUT FORGIVENESS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT IN GOD’S WORD. WE ARE COMMANDED TO FORGIVE 70 TIMES 7 IN MATTHEW 18:22. IT IS SAID, THAT MEANS 490 TIMES IN ONE DAY.

IF ONE PARTY TO A QUARREL, REALLY WISHES FOR PEACE, HE CAN OFTEN OBTAIN IT BY SIMPLY ABSTAINING FROM MAINTAINING HIS CONTENTION. HIS OPPONENT   WILL GET TIRED OF A ONE-SIDED WAR.

PATIENCE, MEEKNESS, AND QUIET ENDURANCE WILL MAKE PEACE IN THE END. THIS WAS CHRIST’S METHOD. HE BROUGHT PEACE BY HIS ACTIONS OF BROTHERLY LOVE, PEACEABLY SUBMITTING TO WRONG.

I BELIEVE MANY TIMES THE FIRE WOULD GO OUT IF A THIRD PARTY DIDN’T ADD THE FUEL. BUT A THIRD PARTY WHO IS ALWAYS IN STRIFE THEMSELVES,  INTERFERES, NOT AS A PEACEMAKER; BUT TO TAKE ONE SIDE; OR TO MEDDLE IN PURE MISCHIEF MAKING, DELIGHTING TO STIR UP THE EMBERS OF STRIFE; OR TO SHOW THEIR OWN POWER  AND IMPORTANCE.

GREAT HARM IS DONE, BY MERELY CARELESS GOSSIP OR TALE-BEARING. WHEN AN ELEMENT OF SPITE IS ADDED AND THERE IS A DELIBERATE TTEMPT TO AGGRAVATE A QUARREL, THE TALE-BEARER IS DEFINITELY CRUEL. MOST TALES ARE LIKE SNOWBALLS, THEY GROW AS THEY PROCEED.

THE WORD OF GOD SAYS IT SO WELL, EVEN A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND: II TIMOTHY 2:23-25 – BUT FOOLISH AND UNLEARNED QUESTIONS AVOID, KNOWING THAT THEY DO GENDER STRIFES.

               AND THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE: BUT BE GENTLE UNTO ALL MEN, APT TO TEACH; PATIENT,

               IN MEEKNESS INSTRUCTING THOSE WHO OPPOSE THEMSELVES; IF GOD WILL PREADVENTURE (OR MAYBE) WILL GIVE THE REPENTANCE TO THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF THE TRUTH.

I ASK YOU TODAY, IF YOU HAVE AN AGENDA, JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE RIGHT—-TURN THAT OVER TO GOD AND LET HIM WORK ALL OF THIS OUT FOR YOU.

THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT-UP IS SOMEONE ELSE’S STRIFE, TO REPENT, AND STAY AWAY (IF POSSIBLE), FROM THAY ANGRY AND UNFORGIVING PERSON, AND PRAY THEY WILL REPENT OF THEIR UNFORGIVENESS, BEFORE YOU FA;; INTO THAT SNARE WITH THEM.

SPEND TIME YOU HAVE BEEN WASTING: LISTENING, AND JOINING-IN ON THEIR STRIFE,—-IN PRAYING FOR THOSE THEY ARE AGAINST; THAT THEIR LIVES WILL CHANGE.

FOR HE THAT WILL LOVE LIFE, AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS THAT THEY SPEAK NO GUILE.

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THE HARVEST

 

I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE THE GREATEST HARVEST, IN THESE LAST DAYS, THAN EVER BEFORE. I BELIEVE ALSO, THERE WILL BE USED EVEN THE BABES-IN-CHRIST WHO ARE NOT EVEN READY TO GO OUT, BY CHURCH STANDARDS. MORE AND MORE OF GOD’ CHILDREN WILL FEEL THE CALL THAN EVER BEFORE. THE BIGGEST CHURCHES MAY BE INVOLVED; BUT SO WILL THE SMALLER ONE’S WHO DON’T EVEN HAVE A BUDGET TO GO-OUT.

GOD BEGAN TO SPEAK TO ME:

“I WILL PROVIDE ALL THEY NEED AND I WILL SEND THEM. MANY WILL STAY HOME AND PRAY, BUT THOSE WILL RECEIVE THE HARVEST JUST AS MUCH AS THOSE I SEND. I AM READY, BUT MY CHILDREN ARE NOT READY. THE FIELD’S ARE ALREADY WHITE  TO HARVEST.

WHY ARE MY PEOPLE NOT READY FOR HARVEST? BECAUSE THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO DO IT. THEY WANT TO REST IN ME, BUT THEY DON’T WANT TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THAT GREAT HARVEST, WHY DO I CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THEM? BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IS IN MAN. I KNOW THEY HAVE THE DESIRE, BUT TO MUCH OF THIS LIFE CONSUMES THEM. THEY ARE MINE AND I LOVE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM, BUT THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN THE PLAN I HAVE: THAT …NONE SHOULD PERISH… 

I DESIRE MY CHILDREN TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP ME, WHICH THEY DO, BUT I HAVE MORE FOR THEM———IT’S NOT THE BLESSINGS THEY SHOULD BE SEEKING, BUT THE BLESSER; THEN I WOULD GIVE THE CHARGE TO GO. THEY ARE WAITING FOR A SIGN, BUT IF THEY WILL SEEK ME, I WOULD GIVE THEM DIRECTIONS. THEY ARE SO CAUGHT-UP IN THIS LIFE, THEY FORGET WHY I CALL THEM.

MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN…  THERE IS A DOUBLE MEANING HERE. IT IS THE WILL OF THE PERSON INVOLVED. MY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN SO INVOLVED WITH THE GOING-ON AROUND THEM, THAT THEIR MINDS ARE ON THE THINGS OF THIS LIFE.

AS I GIVE THIS MESSAGE, YOU MIGHT SAY, I’M NOT ONE OF THEM. WELL, I SAY YOU ARE! YOU HAVE A MIND-SET TOWARD TODAY! WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO; AND TOMORROW WHATMYOU MARE PLANNING. I SAY TO YOU…TOMORROW WILL TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS OF ITSELF…TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION…  OF SOME WHO WILL NOT LIVE THROUGH TOMORROW.

SOULS ARE IN THEBALANCE.

WHAT ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SCALES FOR YOUR LIFE?

WHY THIS MESSAGE? BECAUSE I WANT MY OWN TO WAKE-UP TO THE FACT THAT I WILL NOT ALLOW THISN EARTH TO STAND FOREVER. I HAVE MY PLANS FOR THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH AND THE LAST SOUL TO COME IS HOLDING BACK. WHEN IT…WILL LET…  IT WILL BE TIME FOR MY COMING. I HAVE YOU HERE TO BRING IN THE HARVEST SO THAT LAST SOUL WILL BE WON; SO I CAN LIVE ETERNALLY WITH MY OWN.

TO SET THIS IN MOTION, I WANT MY OWN TO WOK IN THE VINYARD. THE HARVEST TRULY IS READY, BUT THE LABORERS ARE STILL FEW. PRAY THE LORD OF THE HARVEST WILL SEND LABORERS INTO THE WHITE FIELDS.

I WILL CLOSE THE HARVEST, WHEN ALL IS READY.

YOU ARE TO GIVE THIS MESSAGE, AND GIVE MY OWN THE WARNING TO ALL WHO WILL HEAR. MY OWN WILL UNDERSTAND AND QUIT WAITING FOR A GREATER REVELATION; BUT SOME WILL SAY, TOMORROW I WILL CONTINUE WITNESSING, WHEN THEY MIGHT NOT OPEN THEIR EYES TO TOMORROW. GO AHEAD, CHILDREN, GET YOUR HOUSE IN OODER, BUT DO FIRST THINGS FIRST. YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES HAVE PASSED.

THIS IS WHY MY ENEMIES HAVE GOTTON SO MUCH ATTENTION. THEY CONTINUE TO KEEP SO MUCH STIRRED-UP, THAT MY OWN CHILDREN HAVE GOTTEN INVOLVED IN THE BATTLE INSTEAD OF ALLOWING ME, AND ASKING ME TO FIGHT THOSE BATTLES.

YOU ARE TO PRESENT THIS MESSAGE WHEREVER I OPEN THE DOOR.

I JUST NEED MY OWN TO SEEK ME DAILY; AND ALL AROUND THEM WILL CHANGE.

THEY WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY TODAY.

BE GOD-CONSCIOUS AND NOT MADE-TO-BE WORLD CONSCIOUS.

I HAVE SENT YOU IN THE WORLD FOR A MISSION FOR ME. DON’T TAKE UP THE WORLD’S MISSION. THE WORLD’S MISION IS EARTHLY; MINE IS ETERNAL. ETERNAL LIFE SHOULD SHOULD BE YOUR MAIN CONCERN AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.

MUCH IS DONE BY THIS ONE AND THAT ONE TO FIGHT THE BATTLES IN COUNTRIES, WHICH, GOOD FOR THEIR CALLING IS THIS; BUT MY HARVEST IS THE CENTER OF MY CREATION. MY REASON FOR CREATING MINISTRY , IS SOULS IN THE BALANCE.

TOUCH HEARTS. I WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION BY THE MOVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; BUT YOU HAVE TO BE IN LINE WITH ME TO RECEIVE THE MESSAGE THAT WILL BRING THEM IN. 

GET BACK TO THE BASICS OF CHRISTIANITY.

GET BACK TO MY WAY OF DOING THINGS.

THOSE WHO SEEK, KNOCK, AND ASK , RECEIVE MY DOORS OPEN FOR THEM.

ASK ME, SEEK ME, AND KNOCK.

I AM WAITING!”

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THE MEANEST AND THE BADEST

THE SCRIPTURES RECORD MANY WHO WERE DEMON POSSESSED AND HAD ALL KINDS OF DISEASES THAT ARE INCURABLE, BUT ALL OF THESE ARE NO MATCH FOR JESUS. HE SOUGHT AFTER THEIR SOULS.

MANY CHRISTIANS ARE BOUND-UP WITH THINGS THAT KEEP THEM FROM GOD’S BEST FOR THEM. 

JOHN 4:9-14 – THUS SAITH THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA UNTO HIM, HOW IS IT THAT THOU BEING A JEW, ASKETH DRINK OF ME, WHICH AM A WOMAN  OF SAMARIA? FOR THE JEWS HAVE NO DEALINGS WITH THE SAMARITANS.

THIS WOMAN KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JESUS, SHE JUST KNEW HE WAS A MAN, ALTHOUGH SHE DID BELIEVE THE MESSIAH WAS TO COME. BEING A SAMARITAN, SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY A JEW  WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER, MUCH LESS TALK TO HER.

JESUS HAD A PLAN IN MIND. HE DELIBERATELY WENT THROUGH SAMARIA FOR THIS REASON; TO TALK TO HER. HE WAS ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, EVEN IN HIS DEATH.

HE COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER ROUTE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR HIM, BUT HE HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT UP THE ROAD.

THERE WAS A GREAT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE SAMARITANS CONCERNING WHERE THEY SHOULD WORSHIP.

BUT JESUS HAD A GREATER MISSION THERE THAN JUST ONE WOMAN. HE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING REVIVAL TO THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA.

HE WAS ABOVE ALL PREJUDICE.

HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN WHERE TO WORSHIP, AS WHERE THE JEWS AND SAMARITANS, BECAUSE THE WORSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE. IT WOULD BE IN THE HEARTS OF THE BELIEVERS: THE JEW FIRST, AND THEN THE GENTILES.

MANY TIMES WE DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE CROSSING OVER HE PREJUDICE BARRIERS TO WITNESS JESUS TO THOSE WE CONSIDER OUR ENEMY, OR DIFFERENT FROM US. THEIR CUSTOMS SOMETIMES TURN US OFF, AND WE ARE SOMETIMES INDIFFERENT TOWARDS THEM, MAYBE EVEN AFRAID OF THEM.

JESUS BEGAN TO TELL THE WOMAN ABOUT HER LIFE THROUGH THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE. SHE HAD A BAD REPUTATION, AND ONLY THE MEN WOULD TALK TO HER.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT? SHE CAME TO THE WELL ALONE, NOT LIKE THE CUSTOMARY TIME OF THE DAY WHEN THE WOMEN GATHERED TO DRAW WATER.

JESUS GAVE HER THAT LIVING WATER THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE WELL, IT WAS EVERLASTING LIFE!! SHE WENT AWAY WITHOUT HER WATERPOT, AND BROUGHT OTHERS TO THAT WATER THAT WAS NOT FROM THE WELL, AND THEY CAME TO JESUS AND RECEIVED SALVATION.

WE AS BELIEVERS ARE TOLD IN MATTHEW 28:19, TO …GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS… BUT SOMETIMES WE SHUN THOSE OF WHICH GOD REALLY WANTS US TO WITNESS.

THE MOST UNLIKELY ONE’S ARE THOSE WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CATCH IN GOD’S KINGDOM.

HERE, I AM REMINDED OF A MISSIONARY TRIP, WHEN BEFORE GOING, I PRAYED, “GOD, GIVE US THE SOULS OF THE ‘MEANEST AND BADEST’ (WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD ENGLISH, BY THE WAY), BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT’S THE WAY I PRAYED. 

WE WERE HAVING A TENT REVIVAL IN SOTO, A VILLAGE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

THE SERVICES WERE GOING WONDERFUL. GOD WAS MOVING.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN!!  – THERE WAS A LOUD COMMOTION. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I WAS ERNESTLY PRAYING FOR A LADY WHO WANTED TO GET SAVED  AND WANTED PRAYER FOR HER HURT LEG.

I WAS STILL PRAYING FOR HER LEG WHEN MY HUSBAND AND BILL POSEY YELLED TO US TO GET OUT OF THE TENT AND RUN INTO THE FIELD  BEHIND THE TENT.

ROCKS WERE SAILING INTO THE TENT WITH MIGHTY FORCE!!

SOME OF OUR FRIENDS HAD COME TO THE REVIVAL WITH THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS. THEIR WINDSHIELDS GOT IN THE LINE OF FIRE, AND WERE CRASHED AND SHATTERED.

SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN FIGHTING, WERE INTOXICATED.

WE FOUND OUT LATER FROM MISSIONARY MITCH MARTINEZ, THEY WERE TWO FACTIONS ROCK BATTLEING, AND WE JUST SEEMED TO BE IN THEIR CROSSFIRE.

THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE RUSHED INTO VEHICLES AND SPED OFF, AWAY FROM DANGER.

I NOTICED MY HUSBAND, ROY PORTER, BILL , JERKED OUT TWO TENT POSTS, AND WERE READY FOR CONFRONTATION IF NEEDED BE.

THE NEXT NIGHT, ONE OF OUR FRIENDS, MIRIAM SANCHEZ, WENT TO THE POLICE AND ARRIVED WITH THREE POLICEMEN. ONE OF THEM WAS VERY BIG AND HAD KILLED SOME PEOPLE, SO HIS REPUTATION WAS WELL KNOWN AMONG THE PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING WENT WELL THAT NIGHT, AND THE POLICEMEN GOT SAVED.

THE THIRD NIGHT, WE HAD NO POLICEMEN. I GUESS THE POLICE THOUGHT WE DIDN’T NEED ANY BECAUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS QUIET.

MY HUSBAND SPOTTED SOME OF THE ROCK THROWERS GATHER AROUND IN VARIOUS PLACES, SPREADING-OUT,  HE HAD NO GUN, SO HE ASKED THE MISSIONARY FOR THIS WOODEN BRUSH. HE WRAPPED A HANKIE AROUND IT, AND STUFFED IT INTO HIS POCKET. IT REALLY DID LOOK LIKE A GUN.

THE WORD GOT AROUND, “THE PASTOR HAS A GUN.”

SOME SAID, “THE PASTOR????

HE ASKED SANDRA SLIGH TO PREACH FOR HIM, SO HE COULD KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS AND I WAS TO GIVE THE ALTER CALL IN WHICH ONE OF THE FACTION WHICH WAS INTOXICATED, GAVE HIS HEART TO CHRIST.

SOON AFTER, I SAW MY HUSBAND WITH TWO MORE. HE SAT THEM DOWN IN CHAIRS AND BEGAN TO TALK TO THEM, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DEALING WITH THEIR HEARTS.

BOTH YOUNG MEN GAVE THEIR HEARTS TO JESUS, AND SHORTLY AFTER, ONE OF THEM PULLED OUT A BUTCHER KNIFE AND HANDED IT TO ROY.

HE STILL TODAY HAS THAT BRUSH AND KNIFE IN HIS STUDY.

SEVERAL OF THE ROCK THROWERS GOT SAVED, AND STARTED A BASEBALL TEAM. I’M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT FABULOUS BASEBALL PLAYERS THE DOMINICANS ARE!

THE NEXT YEAR WENT THERE, AND PRESENTED THOSE GUYS A BOX OF BASEBALLS, AND THEY, IN TURN, PRESENTED ROY WITH A BASEBALL OF ALL THEIR SIGNATURES, WHICH STILL IS A PRIZED POSESSION OF HIS.   NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!! 

 

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LOVE YOUR HUSBAND

LOVE YOUR HUSBAND

Woman of God, do you struggle with the question:
What is my role in God’s kingdom?
I desire to be the best I can be in every area of my life,
But where are those older women who are supposed to teach me?
I want to please God.
I want to be a godly example in my home.
Help me!
Well, this message was birthed by God, to do this very thing.
I will attempt to answer your questions.

I am only a woman myself, with your same desires.
God has dealt with me to write this message just for you.
You may not even be a Christian, but the Lord somehow prompted you to follow this site.

No marriage can work without God in the center of the home.

As we go through the Scriptures together,
I ask you to have your Bible open.

Today we will be studying Titus 2:4 –
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
I want to zero in on a portion of this verse.
…that they may teach the young women to…love their husbands…
Why would we have to be taught to love our husbands?
There must be some of us who have a problem in this area.
If not, it wouldn’t even be mentioned in the precious Word of God.

I feel we need to love our husbands in three areas:
Phileo (in the Greek) which is friendship love
Agape (in the Greek) which is the God kind of love
Awhab, (pronounced aw-hab’, in the Hebrew) Which is sensual or romantic love

In our hearts, we must have more love for our husbands than anyone on this earth, because we are supposed to love them in three areas
whereas we only love all others with two kinds of love.

The God Kind of LoveLadies, love that husband first with the God kind of love.

Begin to look at him as God sees him.
The way you get to this place, is to put God first in your life.
God requires time with you; and you can’t really be a woman of God without it.
My secret place with God is early in the morning, in the sunroom of our home. – I get my Bible, study material, and my journal and spend time with my Lord alone.
Sometimes I write prayers to God in My journal.
Many times things have come up during the day I would not have reacted to in the right way, except that God had given me a Scripture or inspiration that helped me to walk in the Spirit that day.

If we love the Lord our God with all our soul and all our might,
He will help us to love our husbands the way He planned in the beginning.
God will help us show respect to that man so our children will do the same.

The God kind of love is not selfish nor jealous.
The God kind of love can only come from our Creator.
So ask Him for it.

Friendship love
This kind of love should have been the love with which your relationship began; and should continue throughout your lives together.
Our husbands should be our best friend.
Treat him that way, he will warm up to it.
It is a proven fact that there is still a little boy inside every husband.

We should desire to be with them more than anyone else on this earth.
Many young women make the mistake of “switching friends” when the children come along. The children become our best friends and the husband feels pushed aside.
Girl, why did you marry that man in the first place?
Because you just couldn’t live without him. Well, what happened?
You who work outside the home, might say, “The children need all my attention when I get home.”
You that are stay-at-home moms say “I have been with these children all day, I don’t feel like giving my husband special attention when he gets home. I’m exhausted”.

Spending time with God each day can help you to put your priorities in order. Don’t forget, you chose that man to be your husband.

Romantic or Sensual Love
This kind of love is just as important as the other two because God sanctioned it for husband and wife together (only). Courtship before marriage is a time to learn things about each other and spend time with the one God has led to you.
It seems to me there is too much sexual contact experienced during the courting period in this day and time.
Sensual love is only to be experienced by husband and wife.
It is a gift a bride and groom give to each other after the wedding ceremony.
It is ordained by God and should be kept alive all the days of your lives together. It is wonderful and is worth waiting for.

I will sum-up this message today with these words.
Many women want to choose there own way of doing things, but I have found through trial and error, over the years, that the Word works.
Human intellect always thinks it’s right, but throughout the years, as man has come back to the Biblical point of view, they have found stability in it’s principles.
We know, as a woman of God, the power of the Word and the power of prayer, has brought us into a greater insight and revelation of the Lord’s intentions for us, which is always good: what is best for us.

God’s Word never fails.
His plan is to bring us to the place He wants us to be as wives.
He shows us the correct way, which cannot be improved upon.

Your own way might work for a while, but rebellion to God’s Word brings a curse with it every time. We can receive a curse or a blessing.
We all should desire God’s blessings.
This is my desire for you also — blessings!

My prayer for you is, that you will put into practice what you have learned today, with God’s help.

I speak blessings over you; spiritually, physically and financially.

The Word of God says:
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2)
This is God’s will for you.

Let’s look at a bad marriage example
Laura is married to a young man she doesn’t even like.
When they were dating, he was very affectionate and attentive.
He also sent her gifts, but she knew nothing about him.
It happened so quick, she was swept off her feet.
They were married soon after they met,
but she really didn’t know him.

She began to see traits in him she had never noticed before.
He was jealous. He soon became violent and beat her many times.
She is trapped.
What happened?

We need to know more about those we become attracted to.
We should only become interested in a man of God,
not some one who only professes to be a man of God.
Ask questions before you get too interested.

You who are already married, don’t make the mistake of trying to change him to be what you want him to be.
That never works.
Ask God to do the changing each time you see something about him you don’t like.
Pray for him.
Maybe it’s you. Maybe you are too sensitive, so pray the same prayer for yourself.
“Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. Help me and my husband to be the woman and man of God you created us to be.
Help our friendship to grow, that we might have a greater understanding of each other”.

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WHAT IS THE ANOINTING?

CHRIST MEANS “THE ANOINTED ONE.”

TO UNDERSTAND THE ANOINTING, WE MUST INVESTIGATE THE “ANOINTED ONE” – JESUS CHRIST.

LETS LOOK AT JOHN 1:32-34. WHEN “JOHN THE BAPTIST” BAPTIZED JESUS IN THE RIVER JORDAN  …THE SPIRIT DESCENDED AND REMAINED ON HIM…(I JOHN 1:33).

JOHN 3:34 DECLARES THAT JESUS HAD THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE. (WE DO NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE.)

LUKE 4:1,2 – SAYS …AND JESUS BEING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST RETURNED FROM JORDAN, AND WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS, BEING FORTY DAYS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL…

          JESUS WAS TEMPTED HERE WITH: THE LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYE, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, THE SAME WAY THE FIRST ADAM WAS, AND FAILED.

JESUS BEING THE SECOND ADAM DID NOT FAIL.

WE SEE HERE, AS SOON AS JESUS WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT HE FACED THE DEVIL HEAD-ON.

WE CALL THIS THE “TEMPTATION OF JESUS.”

THIS WAS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS MINISTRY TO BEGIN.

JESUS WAS ALWAYS SUBMITTED TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER.

AFTER DEFEATING THE DEVIL ON HIS OWN GROUND, VERSE 13-21 READS – AND WHEN THE DEVIL HAD ENDED ALL THE TEMPTATION, HE DEPARTED FROM HIM FOR A SEASON.

          AND JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT INTO GALILEE: AND THERE WENT OUT A FAME OF HIM THROUGH ALL THE REGION ROUND ABOUT. AND HE TAUGHT IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES …

HE NOW GOES BACK TO NAZARETH WHERE HE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP, …AND AS IT WAS HIS CUSTOM, HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND STOOD UP TO READ.

(WE SEE HERE HE WENT TO CHURCH WHERE HE TOOK AN ACTIVE PART.)

SOMEONE HANDED HIM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH.

HE OPENED THE BOOK AND FOUND THE PLACE WERE IT WAS WRITTEN IN ISAIAH 61:1,2:

          “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME” BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREAH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR: HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKEN-HEARTED, TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THEM THAT ARE BRUISED, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD (LUKE 4:18-19).

VERSE 21,32 – AND HE BEGAN TO SAY UNTO THEM, THIS DAY IS THIS SCRIPTURE FULFILLED IN YOUR EARS.

          AND THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE; FOR HIS WORD WAS WITH POWER.

IMMEDIATELY, THROUGH THE ANOINTING, HE CAST OUT AN UNCLEAN DEVIL, AND HIS MINISTRY “TOOK-OFF.”

NOW, WHAT ABOUT US, AS SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVERS?

          WHEN JESUS ASCENDED BACK INTO HEAVEN, HE SENT US THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO ARRIVED HERE TO ABIDE WITH US FOREVER, AND GIVES US POWER (JOHN 14:16; ACTS 1:8).

JOHN 14:12 – VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME, THE WORKS (GREEK, ERGON – TOIL {AS AN EFFORT OR OCCUPATION}; IMPLIES AN ACT, DOING, LABOUR OR WORK.)  THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO: AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO; BECAUSE I GO UNTO MY FATHER.

JESUS SENT US THE HOLY SPIRIT ANOINTING: TO CHANGE US INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST, WHO IS OUR PATTERN, AND THAT WE MIGHT DO THE WORKS OF CHRIST. 

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THE SECRET PLACE

PSALM 91:1-4 – HE THAT DWELLETH IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.

I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS: MY GOD; IN HIM WILL I TRUST.

SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER, AND FROM THE NOISOME PESTILENCE.

HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS THOU SHALT TRUST: HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER.

BELOVED, DO YOU FEEL ALONE TODAY? LONGING FOR A TOUCH OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE? TODAY IS THAT DAY FOR YOU. GOD MADE THIS DAY, AND HE WILLS THAT YOU REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

NO. YOU CAN’T CHANGE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AROUND YOU, BUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER CAN, AND WILL. HE WILL GIVE YOU GRACE AND JOY YOU NEED FOR THE DAY.

BELOVED, BEGIN YOUR DAY IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE ALMIGHTY, AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WILL DEFINATELY ABIDE UNDER HIS SHADOW.

YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN.

YOU WILL NEVER FEEL FORSAKEN AGAIN.

TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL.

TURN YOUR DAY OVER TO HIM.

DON’T WASTE YOUR DAY WITH DOUBTS AND FEARS.

WHEN WE ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS.”

NOTHING WILL EVER COME YOUR WAY THAT GOD CAN’T TAKE CARE OF. HE NOT ONLY WANTS YOU TO GIVE YOUR TROUBLES OVER TO HIM; HE ALSO WANTS YOU TO LEAVE THEM WITH HIM, AND NOT TAKE THEM BACK AGAIN.

GOD’S PRESENCE IS THE ONLY REFUGE FROM TROUBLE.

HE ALONE HAS YOUR ANSWER.

…IN HIM WILL I TRUST OR CONFIDE… TELL HIM YOUR SITUATION. IT’S GOOD AT TIMES TO CONFIDE IN PEOPLE; BUT SOMETIMES THEY WILL BETRAY YOUR CONFIDENCE, BUT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL NEVER BETRAY YOU.

YOU CAN TRUST HIM TO SILENTLY BEGIN TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLRMS, AND GIVE YOU JOY ALL ALONG THE WAY THROUGH THEM: THE JOY IN KNOWING HE HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL.

…SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER… DO YOU KNOW THAT THE ENMY OF OUR SOUL, SATAN, HAS A SNARE OR TRAP FOR ALL OF US?

AS WE ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, HE WILL MAKE US AWARE OF (REVEAL TO US) THE TRAPS AND SNARES SATAN HAS PLANNED FOR US, PERSONALLY, SO WE CAN AVOID THEM.

SOME OF MY AUDIENCE ,POSSIBLY, IS INCARCERATED. YOUR BODY MAY BE LOCKED-UP, BUT YOUR SPIRIT CAN BE FREE, AND STAY FREE!

…HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE NOISOME PESTILANCE(RAGING EPIDEMIC)…

SARS IS THE MOST FEARED EPIDEMIC IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY, AND WE KNOW TERRORISM IS A GREAT POSSIBILITY.

WE NEED NOT FEAR. WE NEED ONLY TO ASK GOD FOR PROTECTION.

THE PROPHETS FORTOLD THE EPIDEMICS WOULD COME, AND WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS ARE ALL INEVITABLE.

I FEEL JESUS’ COMING IS SO SOON WE CAN ALMOST FEEL HIS BREATH SURROUND US.

…HE SHALL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS…

HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED A MOTHER HEN COVER HER CHICKS WITH HER FEATHERS?  IT IS A PRECIOUS SIGHT TO BEHOLD TO SEE HER LITTLE ONE’S RUN FAST TO GET UNDERNEATH HER FEATHERS. SHE DOES THIS WHEN DANGER IS NEAR.

WHEN YOU SEE TROUBLE COMING, DON’T RUN FROM GOD, BUT RUN TO GOD. GET SNUGGLED-IN UNDER HIS FEATHERS.

…AND UNDER HIS WINGS THOU SHALT TRUST…THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN A PROTECTING, SAVING LOVE.

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAT THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS (JOHN 15:13).

WE NOT ONLY HAVE PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES, BUT SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

PICTURE TO YOURSELF WHATWHAT THE SHELTER OF THE WING OF THE MOTHER HEN IS TO HER YOUNG, AND IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE PRECIOUS PROMISE OF OUR TEXT MEANS TO THE BELIEVER.

IT MEANS HAPPINESS, CONTENTMENT, AND COMFORT.

THEE SOUL IS HAPPY IN GOD.

OUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH GOD.

SEE HOW THE YOUNG BROOD ARE ARE HIDDEN UNDER THEIR MOTHER’S WINGS?  THE YOUNG BIRDS CAN FEEL THE BEAT OF THEIR MOTHER’S HEART.

THERE IS A NEARNESS TO THE HEART OF GOD.

SO THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE SHELTERED ONE, BEHOLDS AND FEELS THE HEART AND LOVE OF GOD.

THIS IS NOT PROMISED TO EVERYONE, BUT ONLY BELIEVERS WHO DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH.

YOU WHO ARE NOT A BELIEVER, AND YOU DESPERATELY WANT TO KNOW THIS KIND OF LOVE AND PROTECTION, PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME:   “JESUS, COME INTO MY HEART, AND SAVE MY SOUL. FORGIVE ME OF ALL MY SINS. I DESIRE TO SERVE YOU. I TURN MY LIFE OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME, AND I ASK YOU TO DELIVER ME FROM ALL UNFORGIVENESS OF OTHERS, AND FROM EVERY STRONGHOLD IN MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR SAVING AND DELIVERING ME. I AM SAVED!!! IN JESUS’ NAME.”

IF YOU PRAYED THIS PRAYER WITH ME, I NOW ASK YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP, AND MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS WEBSITE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD. YOU TOO ARE NOW GOD’S OWN. GOD BLESS YOU.

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THE BRUISED REED

SOMETIME BACK, THIS PHRASE, BRUISED REED, CAME INTO MY SPIRIT AND KEPT COMING OFF AND ON UNTIL I SEEMED TO FORGET IT.

BUT SHORTLY AFTER, MY LORD SPOKE TO ME IN MY TIME WITH HIM, TO MEDITATE ON THIS AND KEEP THINKING ABOUT IT UNTIL HE OPENED IT UP TO ME.

I AM SURE MANY SERMONS HAVE BEEN PREACHED ABOUT THE WORD “REED” CONCERNING THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD, BUT I SENSED HE WANTED TO SHOW ME MORE CONCERNING HURTING PEOPLE, WHETHER SAVED OR UNSAVED.

SO, THIS IS THE MESSAGE. I WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU AS HE OPENED IT UP TO ME.

REED IS MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES MORE THAN BRUISED, BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING SAID, WE WILL LOOK AT BOTH MEANINGS AND HOW THEY ARE USED.

BRUISED MEANS, CRACK IN PEICES; CRUSH; DICOURAGE; OPPRESS; STRUGGLE TOGETHER.

REED MEANS (BY RESEMBLANCE), A ROD FOR MEASURING; SHAFT; TUBE; STEM; CANE; REED;CALAMUS (A SLENDER, CLIMBING PALM PRODUCING  CANES); A STALK.

ISAIAH 42:3 – A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH: HE SHALL BRING FORTH JUDGMENT INTO TRUTH.

I GET FROM THIS SCRIPTURE, THAT THE BRUISED AND BROKEN; THE CRUSHED, DISCOURAGED, AND OPPRESSED STRUGGLING SOUL IS NOT WORTHLESS TO THE LORD.

MANY TIMES WE MARK PEOPLE OFF AS NO-GOOD; BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT RELATIVE YOU LOVE DEARLY WHO IS AWAY FROM THE LORD? OR WHO IS GOING THROUGH THE MOST HORRIBLE TIME IN THEIR LIFE? DO YOU MARK THEM OFF? NO! YOU TRY TO HELP THEM. YOU PRAY FOR THEM, AND HOPE THEY WILL GET HELP OR CHANGE.

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THEM TO CHANGE. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WORTHLESS SOUL WE THINK IS USELESS TO THE LORD, OR EVEN ONE WHO HAS HURT YOUR FAMILY TO THE PLACE THAT YOU WISH THEY WERE DEAD? WHAT ABOUT THEM?

JUST AS GOD FORGIVES US, WE HAVE TO FORGIVE THEM BEFORE BITTERNESS SETS IN AND MANY ARE DEFILED (HEBREWS 2:15).

HOW WE ACT AFFECTS THOSE WATCHING OUR LIVES.

AS WE APPROACH THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD, WE NEED TO BE MUCH IN PRAYER CONCERNING THAT PERSON IN OUR FAMILY WHO CAUSES THE MOST TROUBLE, AS OUR FAMILIES COME TOGETHER.

MANY TIMES THEY ARE FEARING THEMSELVES, HOPING THEY DON’T SAY THE WRONG THING, AND WISHING THEY WERE DEAD, SO THEY WON’T EVEN BE IN THE PLACE TO CAUSE TROUBLE.

THEY SOMETIMES ARE DEALING WITH THEIR OWN SECRET PAIN AND WE JUST SEE THEM AS A BIG PROBLEM WE WISH WOULD JUST RESIGN FROM THE FAMILY OR GO AWAY.

FAMILY GATHERINGS SHOULD BE A TIMES OF PEACE AND JOY. SO WHAT DOES A PERSON DO WHO DREADS FACING THAT PERSON WE DISLIKE SO MUCH? WE ARE ALL AFFECTED!

SEARCH YOUR HEART. MAYBE YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CAUSES THE PROBLEM BY YOUR UNBELIEF, YOUR LACK OF TRUST THAT GOD CAN HANDLE ALL OF THIS, AND YOU BEGIN SPREADING YOUR CONCERNS THROUGH-OUT THE FAMILY.

EVENTUALLY, A FIRE IS STARTED, AND ALL ARE CONCERNED, AND EVEN DREAD THE GATHERING. THIS SHOULD BE A TIME OF LOVE AND HEALING.

BEGIN NOW. PRAY FOR THAT PERSON YOU DISLIKE.

THEY COULD BE THAT SMOKING FLAX JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT HERE, …AND THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH…

IF JUDGMENT COMES UPON A PERSON, GOD IS THE ONE WHO WILL DO IT. NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY, THEY STILL HAVE SOMETHING IN THEM THAT GOD LOVES. THERE MAY NOT BE A FIRE THERE, BUT THERE IS STILL SMOKE THAT REPRESENTS THERE COULD BE A FIRE IF YOU PRAY FOR THEM; AND GOD, IN TURN, KINDLES THAT FIRE, AND MAKES THEM INTO WHAT HE WANTS THEM TO BE.

JAMES 3:8,9a,10,19,25

      …AND IF YE FULFILL THE ROYAL LAW ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF, YE DO WELL:

     BUT IF YOU HAVE RESPECT OF PERSONS, YE COMMIT SIN…

      FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.

      WHEREFORE, MY BELOVED, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH:

      FOR THE WRATH OF MAN WORKETH NOT (DOES NOT PRODUCE) THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.

      BUT WHOSO LOOKETH INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, AND CONTINUETH (OR LIVES)  THEREIN, HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER, BUT A DOER OF THE WORK, THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIS DEED.

JESUS DIED FOR THAT PERSON YOU DISLIKE SO MUCH.

NO MATTER HOW WORTHLESS OR USELESS IN THE WORLD’S SIGHT, EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT AND WORTHWHILE TO GOD.

ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU THE ROOT OF THEIR PROBLEM. TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM, EVEN IF THEY ARE DEAD WRONG ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BUT PRAY THEY WILL SEE THEM THROUGH GOD’S EYES LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.

MATTHEW 12:9-20 – AND WHEN HE WAS DEPARTED THENCE, HE WENT INTO THEIR SYNAGOGUE:

      AND, BEHOLD, THERE WAS A MAN WHICH HAD HIS HAND WITHERED. AND THEY ASKED HIM, SAYING, IS IT LAWFUL TO HEAL ON THE SABBATH DAYS? THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM.

      AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHAT MAN SHALL THERE BE AMONG YOU, THAT SHALL HAVE ONE SHEEP, AND IF IT FALL INTO A PIT ON THE SABBATH DAY, WILL HE NOT LAY HOLD ON HIM, AND LIFT HIM OUT?

      HOW MUCH THEN IS A MAN BETTER THAN A SHEEP? WHEREFORE IT IS LAWFUL TO DO GOOD ON THE SABBATH DAYS.

      THEN SAYETH HE TO THE MAN, STRETCH FORTH THINE HAND. AND HE STRETCHED IT FORTH AND IT WAS WHOLE, LIKE THE OTHER.

      THEN THEN PHARISEES WENT OUT AND HELD COUNCIL AGAINST HIM, HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM.

      BUT WHEN HE KNEW IT, HE WITHDREW HIMSELF FROM THENCE: AND GREAT MULTITUDES FOLLOWED HIM, AND HE HEALED THEM ALL;

      AND CHARGED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE HIM KNOWN:

      THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,

      BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BLOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED: I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW JUDGMENT TO THE GENTILES.

      HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

      A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND A SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUEINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.

HERE WE SEE BRUISED REED MENTIONED AGAIN WHERE JESUS QUOTES FROM ISAIAH 42:3.

JESUS IS SO GENTLE THAT HE WILL NOT BREAK A BRUISED REED, NOR QUENCH SMOKING FLAX. WHAT OTHERS WOULD TREAD UPON OR CAST INTO THE FIRE, HE WILL STOOP AND PICK UP AND SAVE; WHAT OTHERS WILL CRUSH AND QUENCH IT’S DYING SMOKE, AS THE REMNANT OF A TAPER, HE WILL NOT QUENCH; BUT WHERE THERE IS LIFE, HE WILL GIVE LIGHT, AND WHILE THERE IS LIGHT HE WILL SUSTAIN IT. HIS TREATMENT OF THE BELIEVER WHO IS THE WEAKEST, AND, SO TO SPEAK, LEAST ALIVE, IS MARKED BY LONGSUFFERING AND GENTLENESS.

WHEN THE MAN CAME INTO THE TEMPLE WITH THE WITHERED HAND, JESUS KNEW IF HE HEALED HIM ON THE SABBATH DAY, HE WOULD BE CRITICISED BY THOSE, HIS ENEMIES, WHO WERE JUST WAITING TO TRAP HIM.

JESUS KNEW WHAT HIS ENEMIES WOULD DO, BUT HE HEALED THE WITHERED HAND ANYWAY. 

IF ONE PERSON ACTS LIKE JESUS AT YOUR FAMILY GATHERING THIS YEAR, IT WILL INFLUENCE OTHERS  TO DO THE SAME, BUT IF THAT REBELLIOUS PERSON WHO CAN’T FORGIVE, STARTS SOMETHING, DO LIKE JESUS DID, DON’T EVEN TRY TO DEFEND YOURSELF. LET THEM SAY WHAT THEY WILL, AND GET BUSY IN ANOTHER ROOM. SOMETIMES SILENCE BRINGS CONVICTION. NO ONE CAN HAVE A HOT ARGUMENT WITH THEMSELVES ALONE.THEY WILL LOOK FOOLISH!!!

IF ANYONE KEEPS LOOKING STEADILY INTO GOD’S LAW FOR FREE MEN, HE WILL NOT ONLY REMEMBER IT BUT WILL DO WHAT IT SAYS, AND GOD WILL GREATLY BLESS HIM IN EVERYTHING HE DOES. (JAMES 1:25 LB).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!I HOPE THIS WILL BE YOUR BEST EVER. MAY THE SAVIOR LEAD YOU AND ME THROUGHOUT THE THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL OF LIFE.     

       

  

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WAIT

THERE IS MUCH ABOUT “WAITING” IN THE SCRIPTURES.—-MOSTLY ABOUT WAITING ON GOD. OUR MANNER OR METHOD OF WAITING IS AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AS THE BLESSINGS ATTACHED. TOGETHER WE WILL STUDY SOME OF THESE. THE TITLE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE IS “WAIT”.

OUR SCRIPTURE READING IS FOUND IN ISAIAH 40:29-31, AND VARIOUS VERSES OF THE PSALMS.

WHEN WE THINK OF WAITING, IN THE NATURAL, IT “GOES-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN”. NONE OF US LIKE THAT WORD. WE ARE SO USED TO FAST FOODS AND QUICK SERVICES. —-WE MOVE QUICKER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! SO, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT IS IT?

IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS? OR IS IT OUR FAULT?

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME (AND I ASSUME MOST ARE), IF YOU HAVE ANY  EXTRA TIME AT ALL, YOU FEEL GUILTY NOT TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, SO YOU FIND SOMETHING TO DO. BUT  IT’S NOT JUST THE NATURAL MAN THAT SUFFERS IN THIS BUSY LIFE. IT’S OUR RELATIONSHIPS: WITH GOD; WITH FAMILY; AND WITH FRIENDS.

WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND WEAR-OUT OUR BODIES IN THIS FAST “GET-IT-DONE” SOCIETY, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT A LOT, AND DO SOMETHING WITH OUR HANDS: BECAUSE WE HAVE ABUSED OUR BODIES WITH “GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE NOW! ALL OF IT!”

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW SOME ARE SLOTHFUL AND NEVER GET ANYTHING FINISHED. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. BUT MY MESSAGE TODAY IN NOT JUST CONCERNING TAKING SOME TIME TO REST OUR BODIES AND MINDS, BUT WAITING ON GOD: RESTING IN HIM.

ISAIAH 40:31 – THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.

IF THERE’S A WAY TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. WELL LOOK AT THE PRECEEDING VERSES (29,30) – HE (GOD) GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT; AND THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.

SO IT IS, THAT GOD IS WHERE WE GET OUR STRENGTH.

LIFTING WEIGHTS AND EXERCISING IS GOOD TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUSCLES, BOT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, AND PEACE OF MIND, AT THE SAME TIME. THE LACK OF PEACE AND HOPE, CAN MAKE THE STRONGEST WEARY.

MANY HAVE GREAT PLANS, IMPORTANT PLANS, BUT IF THEY DON’T WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, THAY JUST RUN IN CIRCLES AND NEVER GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.

ISAIAH 40:31 (AMPLIFIED) –  BUT THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD (WHO EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE IN HIM)  SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER; THEY SHALL LIFT THEIR WINGS AND MOUNT UP (CLOSE TO GOD)  AS EAGLES  (MOUNT UP TO THE SUN); WALK AND NOT FAINT OR BECOME TIRED.

THIS IS A VERY FAMILIAR VERSE WITH MOST PEOPLE, BUT DO WE REALLY COMPREHEND IT’S CONTENT, –IT’S MEANING?

THE LORD’S STRENGTH IS A STRENGTH UNFAILING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT—-HE INCREASES STRENGTH.  HE WHO IS NEVER WEARY STRENGTHENS THOSE WHO ARE TIRED, AND UPON HIM, THAT IS OF NO MIGHT, HE LAVISHES POWER.

THOUGH AGE AND VIGOR BE AT THEIR PRIME, EVEN YOUTHS AND YOUNG MEN FALL (V.30). NATURAL STRENGTH AT IT’S BEST CAN BE EXAUSTED, BUT NOT THE SUPERNATURAL. THEREFORE, THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD IN THE EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE; THE EARTHLY; AND FIND GRACE FOR DOGGED PERSISTENCE.

“FOR THE FAITHFUL, THERE IS NO FAILURE; AND FAITH KNOWS NO WEARINESS.”

IN VERSES 28-29, WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF “STRENGTH FOR HOLY LIVING”. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH; STRENGTH IS RENEWED BY WAITING ON THE LORD; AND GOD ADJUSTS THE SUPPLY OF STRENGTH TO THE PRESENT NEED.

ISAIAH 64:4 –  FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.

 HE HAS TO BE WAITED FOR. IT IS QUITE TRUE OF HIM THAT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING FOR US; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT HE IS OFTEN A LONG TIME IN THE WORKING OUT OF HIS PURPOSES.—-BUT HARDLY NEVER HAPPENS OVER-NIGHT.

THEN, BECAUSE MAN CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT DONE QUICKLY, THEY FOOLISHLY BEGIN TO THINK GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO IT FOR THEM, THEY FAIL TO SEE GOD’S GOODNESS. SO THE POINT OF IMPRESSION MAY BE: THAT IN ALL THE REVIEWS WE CAN TAKE OF THE PAST: —-GOD HAS SURELY BROUGHT TO PASS GOOD THINGS; EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE WORKING, IT IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING HIM,  TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

THAT IS HARD FOR US TO COMPREHEND, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND US, HAVE PROMISED US THINGS THAT NEVER COME TO PASS, EVEN THOUGH WE WAITED AND WAITED FOR THEM.

ONE SAD EXAMPLE IS, AND ORPHAN WHOSE PARENTS PROMISED TO COME SEE THEM AND TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE DAY. – I KNOW A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAT ALL DAY ON THE ORPHANAGE STEPS, WITH HER LITTLE PURSE, WAITING FOR THAT PARENT WHO NEVER CAME.

IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO THINK ON A REALM LIKE THIS, THAT WAS A NEGATIVE REALITY—-BUT WE HAVE PROMISES FROM OUR GOD THAT HAVE ALREADY COME TO PASS FOR US; BU WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MANIFESTATION.

WHAT A LONG TIME OF WAITING AND PREPARATION BEFORE GOD MANIFESTED HIS SON; BUT …IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME…JESUS CAME, TO SAVE THE WORLD.

WE ARE NOW, WAITNG FOR HIS RETURN. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET US ALL REMEMBER, THAT WHEN WE SEE JESUS EARTH’S TRIALS WILL SEEM SO SMALL. ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS DEAR FACE, ALL GLORY WILL ERASE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL, WHEN WE SEE CHRIST.  

LUKE 12:36,37 – AND YE YOURSELVES LIKE UNTO MEN THAT WAIT FOR THEIR LORD, WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; THAT WHEN HE COMETH AND KNOCKETH, THEY MAY OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY.

      BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL GIRD HIMSELF, AND MAKE THEM TO SIT DOWN TO MEAT, AND WILL COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM.

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FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART II

IN CONTINUING, “FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART I”, I FIND MYSELF STILL IN A PRISON, BUT THIS IS A STATE INSTITUTION CALLED PERRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, INSTEAD OF FEDERAL.

A GOOD FRIEND, WHO WAS ONCE AN “ACQUAINTANCE IN CRIME”, ZEB OSBORNE, WAS ON THE YARD AS A PRISON MINISTER, AND WE STARTED TALKING OLD TIMES AND OUR PAST.

I NOTICED SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT HIM. HE NEVER MENTIONED HE HAD GOTTEN SAVED, OR THAT I WAS ON MY WAY TO HELL. 

I THOUGHT HE HAD A POSITION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, SO I ASKED HIM TO HELP ME GET TRANSFERRD TO A BETTER INSTITUTION. HE DID, AND I WAS TRANSFERRED TO DUTCHMAN, AND THEN TO GOODMAN WHICH WAS AND IS A MEDIUM SECURITY INSTITUTION.

I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DRAWING ME INTO THE CHURCH SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS. ON MARCH THE 12TH, 1986, LIBERTY MINISTRIES CAME TO STEVENSON INSTITUTION FOR A CHURCH SERVICE THAT NIGHT.

I RODE IN THE PRISON TO STEVENSON CHURCH SERVICE MANY TIMES. WHEN THE ALTER CALL WAS MADE, I WOULD WANT TO GO DOWN TO THE ALTER, BUT MY HANDS WOULDN’T LET ME TURN LOOSE OF THE PEW IN FRONT OF ME. BUT THIS NIGHT, I LET GO, AND GAVE MY HEART TO JESUS.

WHEN I DID, THERE WAS DEFFINATELY A CHANGE IN MY LIFE. THE LORD PUT A HUNGER FOR HIS WORD IN MY HEART. WHEN I RETURNED BACK TO GOODMAN, AFTER THE SERVICE, I TOOK A PAPERBACK BOOK AND STUCK IT IN THE BLINDS TO CAUSE AN OPENING IN THE WINDOW FOR THE STREET LIGHT TO SHINE THROUGH. THIS WAS SO I COULD READ MY BIBLE. I READ MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE,  JOHN AND A PORTION OF ACTS.

SOMEHOW, I KNEW GOD HAD MORE FOR ME.

WHEN I WENT BACK TO CHURCH, MARCH THE 21ST, LIBERTY MINISTRIES WAS THERE AGAIN. PASTOR ROY PORTER JUST HAPPENED TO BE PREACHING ON THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST, AND I RECEIVED THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST THAT NIGHT. AND I TELL YOU, LIFE DON’T GET ANY BETTER THAN BEING SAVED AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY GJOST.

THINGS REALLY STARTED CHANGING IN MY LIFE. I WAS GOING UP FOR PAROLE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO I PRAYED ABOUT IT. MY FRIEND ZEB OSBORNE, SPOKE ON MY BEHALF AT THE PAROLE HEARING. THEY TOLD HIM HE WOULD NOT BE MAKING PAROLE. SO HE CAME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT NEWS, AND I TOLD HIM, “I DON’T ACCEPT THAT.” THEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GOD BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD. I ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY GAVE ME MY PAROLE!!!

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS WAS NOT MY FIRST TIME TO ASK THE LORD IN MY HEART: I WAS WAITING A NEW TRIAL FOR BANK ROBBERY, WHILE I WAS IN JAIL. I WAS READING THE BIBLE, OCCASIONALLY. THERE WERE NO PREACHERS COMING IN, SO I MOSTLY JUST READ. I THOUGHT I HAD GIVEN MY LIFE TO THE LORD, BUT IT WAS LIKE ALL THE TIMES I ASKED THE LORD TO HELP ME, AND I’D NEVER DO IT AGAIN, BUT I DID DO IT AGAIN.

I WAS JUST WANTING HIM TO HELP ME OUT OF A SITUATION.

IT’S WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT A LOT, “JAILHOUSE SALVATION.” IT DOESN’T STICK. YOU ARE STILL ON YOUR WAY TO HELL, I’M SORRY TO SAY.

BUT IT HAS TO BE THE REAL DEAL.

WHEN I GOT OUT OF PRISON, GOD REALLY STARTED MOVING I MY LIFE. SOMEONE WAS PAYING FOR MY COLLEGE TUITION AT ERSKINE THEOLOGICAL SIMINARY. I WENT ONE SEMESTER AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD EXPELLED ANOTHER STUDENT WHO WAS WORKING ON HIS MINISTRY LISCENSE FOR PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST, AND I KNEW IT WASN’T THE PLACE FOR ME TO BE, SO I LEFT.

I WAS AT HOME ON MY KNEES PRAYING AND WORSHIPPING AND ASKING GOD TO SEND A COMPANION IN MY LIFE. I HAD NOR MORE THAT GOT THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH, THAN I HEARD A KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR. IT WAS MY EXWIFE. WE HAD BEEN DIVORCED 14 YEARS. SHE WAS SAVED, AND LIVING FOR THE LORD. WE SHORTLY REMARRIED. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS PRAYING AND ASKED THE LORD FOR A SON: THREE WEEKS LATER I FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT. IN ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS, I FOUND OUT IT WAS A BOY. GOD IS GOOD.

GOD PLACED ME IN A MINISTRY OF GOING BACK INTO THE PRISONS TO MINISTER TO THE INMATES OF ALL AGES.

GOD HAS TAKEN ME TO PLACES I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD GO. I HAVE MINISTED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. WHAT A JOY IT HAS BEEN TO SEE PEOPLE GET SAVED AND HEALED.

I HAVE A TRIP COMING UP JANUARY 2011 TO GO BACK TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I NEED YOUR PRAYERS. 

I AM OPEN TO GO INTO PRISONS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS THE LORD LEADS AND PROVIDES.

O HOW WONDERFUL IT IS FOR YOU IF JESUS IS IN YOUR HEART!! AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW JESUS, YOU CAN ASK HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE. REALLY MEAN IT AND HE WILL COME IN. IT WOULD BE THE GREATEST THING YOU COULD EVER DO.

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