![[Facebook]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/facebook.png)
![[Twitter]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter.png)
![[YouTube]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/youtube.png)
![[Amazing Life Church Home]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/church.png)
![[Mail]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mail.png)
Category Archives: Light and Salt
“Let us Pray”
Let us Pray
I wanted to take a few minutes and share some thoughts on the happenings in our country.
Let me say from the onset that I will not be diving into a political dialogue. My heart, and my concern, is always for the church, and our responsibility to the world we live in.
I can think of no greater responsibility that we have in this present time than prayer.
Racism and division is the driving force of so many different groups today. Racism is horrible. I don’t even understand why it exists today.
The division in politics, and yes even in the American church, is tearing apart our democracy, and our influence as Christians.
At this point I do not believe that speeches, nor even pleas from the pulpit can fix this.
We, as followers of Christ, must pray.
There is a scripture that has been placed on pillows, calendars, and cards for generations.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Many people will say this is taken out of context. I am not going to debate the theological points of this passage.
I believe that if we turn from our division, and turn towards a unified message of the Gospel. Repent of our judgment and hate. Humble ourselves and cry to Him for forgiveness and healing, that God will hear.
I would remind us all of two awesome men of God from the OT.
Daniel, a prophet was in captivity when He began to pray for his people.
Daniel 9:4-6
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,
5 we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.
6 Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.
He aligned himself with the sins of his people.
Nehemiah 1:6-7
6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.
7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.
Once again an awesome man of God aligned himself with the sins of his people.
Both of these are examples of a unified message.
I may be ok.
You may be ok.
Our world is not. Our country is in trouble.
It is our responsibility, as Christians in America, to join in a unified prayer for our country and it’s leaders.
2 Timothy 2:1-3
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Please join with me and the congregation of Amazing Life Church to pray for our country and the people within. God has used this country to change the world, and He is not through with us yet.
Pray in faith believing, and In the name of Jesus.
He is faithful to hear and to answer.
#inHisname
Every Single Day
Every Single Day
Prayer is not something that you always randomly do. Yes there are times when we are moved to pray. Still I believe you should make an appointment to pray. Set a time, and do everything possible to keep the appointment.
I would encourage everyone to do this. Even if it is just a few minutes. Be faithful and pray. I am in my third year of this, and it has changed my life. Embracing this Godly connection is awesome.
The last couple of weeks I have been overwhelmed with the goodness of God.
Sharing with other ministries, building relationships, and simply resting in His presence.
I come to you today in the name of Jesus, to share some thoughts titled, “Every Single Day”
Before I get to the message I want to share a couple of passages to set the tone.
Isaiah 41:8-10
8 “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 43:1-2
1 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
What awesome promises from a Holy God.
Luke 9:23-25
23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?
Luke 9:23 JB Phillips
Then he spoke to them all. “If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me.
There is some awesome stuff in these passages. Verses 24-25 have a clear message. You can live a long life, become wealthy. Have many children, and accumulate much property. You may just live normal life. You are still going to die.
If you lose your life, “give up your life for His life in you.” You will have gained everything of eternal value.
Just a little time on verse 23.
Luke 9:23
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Pick up the cross daily.
The cross is not a burden. It is an instrument of death. Jesus was going to die on the cross. He used the example to teach us that we must die to ourselves.
Die daily to our ways.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galatians 5:24 NASB
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
So what happens through all this process. I give up myself. Turn from who I am, and become who He is in me. Die to my ways, my desires. YES YES
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
Accepting Christ means giving up your self and your will, in favor of His. We have to pick this firm commitment up, “Every Single Day.”
I must not fail to mention the benefits.
Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Our victory in Christ
Romans 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
“Every single day we pick up our cross, and every single day we walk and live in His victory.”
Who is tired of doing it your way? Getting No results!!
Maybe it is time to do it His way. The benefits are awesome, and they are eternal.
Blessings to you all. #inHisname
Time to Pray
Time to Pray
Prayer and faith has joined together for thousands of years to move the hand of God. These principles are the foundation of our relationship with Christ, and our ability to fulfill His purpose for our lives.
It is one thing to pray for an immediate need. God is ever ready to hear and answer as your faith touches His heart. These type of prayers occur many times over our life with Christ.
Passion moves us to pray for a friend or loved one. Tragedies and failures move us to pray for God to intervene.
There is a call today for a different kind of prayer. Consistent prayer. Finding a time everyday to spend in prayer.
There doesn’t have to be a specific need or request. Sometimes it is very broad in nature. At other times the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray for God to move in more specific areas.
Whatever the case, it is time to pray.
It has been decades since revival has spread across this entire nation. Yes, there has been regions where God moved with great power. Many were saved and set on fire for God.
Probably because people in the region were faithful and consistent, in their prayers.
If the American church would pray for this country and it’s people, as much as it criticizes them, there would be an awesome return to Godly principles, and revival would happen across this land.
Passionate, persistent, consistent prayer will change you, and the world you live in. Here is a few of my favorite passages on prayer.
Ephesians 1:18
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
It is time to pray, and join it with faith.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
God has covered all the bases. Every question that arises. Every doubt and fear has been vanquished by His love and grace.
It is time to pray. Passionate, persistent, and consistent prayers.
#inHisname
How long will you wait?
How long will you wait?
Today we move forward with the greatness of God. Opportunities to share Jesus, to reveal His purpose, and to support our community, must always be our mission.
There is nothing more important than being relevant. Not only within these walls, but to everyone who walks through the door. We must also be relevant in our community.
The doors are open, and I am asking you to pray that we carry His story with every opportunity that is presented.
Matthew 9:1-7
1 Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city.
2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.”
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He *said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.”
7 And he got up and went home.
There are a lot of things going on in these seven verses.
First, Jesus went home. Home was a place that He once said gave their prophets no honor. Home is sometimes a difficult place to minister.
The paralytic man was brought to Him. This account is referred to similarly in Mark and Luke. I believe that Jesus was teaching us that we have a responsibility to bring needs to Him.
Jesus saw their faith. “When we bring a need to Jesus the person may not have the faith to receive. We must have the faith for them!!!”
Jesus forgave the mans sins. I find that interesting, particularly because the man didn’t ask for forgiveness.
“Jesus dealt with the most important need first.” It was also an opportunity to teach the skeptics who He was.
“Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” And he got up and went home.”
Once again Jesus is using an opportunity to teach who He is.
Mark 3:1-5
1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.
2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3 He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”
4 And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
With each of these cases get up required obedience. “Get up, pick up your bed and go home. Get up and come forward.”
Luke 22:45-46
45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,
46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:46 NLT
“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”
Acts 9:10-12 NASB
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”
Acts 12:6-8
6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
You want freedom, you have to get up.
Acts 26:16
But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you.
Paul is blind from the bright light. His circumstances are not conducive to move forward.
In the midst of your circumstances God is saying you have to get up before you can get going.
“The Phrase Get Up-Is A Call To Action!!” Let me share just a few things that require action.
Jesus supply’s every need-Grace is sufficient.
Everlasting life-all things work together for good.
preparing a place in heaven-power to bind and release.
lives can bear fruit-free indeed-nothing impossible.
answer prayers-with us always-works greater than His.
abide in Him His words abide in you ask what you will
ask in His name and receive-With us always.
With all of these and more action is required. You must get up and believe. http://bit.ly/2fq0Ffw
#inHisname
It’s Not My Opinion
It’s Not My Opinion
I spend a lot of time in sermons, Bible studies, and yes, my blogs addressing opinions within the church world. There are those who criticize that because they believe that everyone has a right to their opinion.
We are talking about the word of God, redemption, eternal life, light of the world stuff.
There are lives hanging in the balance while people in the religious circles are defending their opinion. Attacking those of us who defend the truth of the Gospel. Not by opinion, but by the word of God. Not twisting it to confirm some religious issue. Simply telling the truth.
The truth is that God does not measure the value of someone based on your opinion. He found value in prostitutes, thieves, rebellious folks. He found value in the Jews that He came for, who rejected Him, and the Gentiles that He commissioned Apostolic ministry for.
He found value in children, working people, and slaves. People who had little knowledge of the scriptures that told of Him. People who knew every passage that announced His coming.
He found value in the sick, the diseased, and the oppressed.
The hungry and the poor.
I share all of this to remind us that Jesus loved everyone. He taught us to do the same.
I read something to day from an article on Facebook and I lost it in the feed. I would love to credit the individual because it moved me, and confirmed something that I have preached, and wrote about for years. It is very simple.
This is what was said. “When the church stops talking about Jesus, it has nothing to say.”
Many times our sermons and studies are sprinkled with our opinions. That is a normal thing, to some degree. Everyone shares from personal experience and understanding.
I read a lot. I read doctrine, theological principles. commentaries, and lexicons. All of these are valuable, and they should be used to confirm facts.
I am fully aware that there are things in the Bible that no one really understands. I have heard a number of opinions on end time, after death, and various other references in the Bible. We accept them as the Word of God, and await revelation and understanding as the need presents itself. It will come.
My overwhelming concern is the the telling of the story of Jesus. Our mission to the world is not to build denominational foundations. Walls of doctrinal and theological principles. I love to study and I love all this stuff.
Our mission is to win the lost, and then teach them to win the lost.
It will not be raving against sin that will do this. It will be telling the story of Jesus.
His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
It will not be your opinion that wins them. It will be the love of Christ that overwhelms them.
We must view everyone as if they have value in the eyes of God. Knowing that they do have value, they were made in His image. Everyone has a Divinely appointed destiny.
They are simply waiting for someone to tell them the story of Jesus.
Remember what brought this on today.
“When the church stops talking about Jesus, it has nothing to say.”
Have a great week and be blessed. #inHisname
The Quest for Excellence
The Quest for Excellence
For the most part I am a very positive guy. While a lot of folks are crying the doom and gloom of sin, I see awesome opportunities. Opportunities to share His story. Reach out in our communities. Get involved in the structures of our towns and cities, interjecting the light of Christ as opportunities present themselves.
Not necessarily with words, but with our lives and our love for our communities. Giving, teaching, blessing, and sharing with the same passion that Jesus did.
I won’t deny that I embrace every chance I get to challenge those who misrepresent the Gospel, and the 5 fold ministry.
These things are my passion, and I will never stop addressing these issues, not with my opinion, but with the Biblical authority that is very plain.
Paul often spoke in terms of being excellent. Excellent in our lives, and our presentation of the Gospel. Excellent in our communities. In our thoughts and our actions.
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
What an awesome passage to encourage us to thrive in the excellence of our Lord. Guarding our hearts with the mind of Christ, and doing things that cause the world to see Jesus in our actions.
Jesus taught us by example to love and respect people with needs. Healing the sick, encouraging the hopeless. Feeding the poor, and forgiving the sins of the hurting and wounded.
He also taught us to stand against the religious system that failed to do this. The same religious system that rejected Him, and His love for those who hunger and thirst.
The same religious system that refuses to embrace sinners with the love and grace of God today.
I will never understand how the church expects people to follow Christ, and believe in His love and grace, when the first thing they do is tell them that this same Jesus will send them to hell.
I pray everyday that we all embrace excellence. In our thoughts, words, love, and our work. Doing our best, being our best, as we share our hopes and dreams in this amazing world.
All the while, with every opportunity, telling someone about Jesus.
Partake of Him and you will never hunger. Drink of Him and never thirst. He is eternal life, and there is plenty of room in His kingdom for everyone.
Regardless of the sin or failure He is there to forgive, and pick them up.
I love the Lord. What an awesome season for the story of Jesus. Live it, tell it, and watch it change your world.
Praying blessings for you always, In His Name.
#lovewins #hopelives. #inHisname
Awesome Message by Bishop Richard Hilton
Take a look at this great word from the Lord, shared by Bishop Richard Hilton, and awesome worship by Theresa Hilton. http://bit.ly/2wjwGZP
I love the Journey
I Love the Journey
I have spent a lot of time addressing topics that I have issues with. I never shrink away from defending Biblical principles regarding the church. In many of my posts I share the Biblical version of the Gospel. The Gospel is not open for opinion. It is clearly defined as the story of Jesus.
I have wanted to tell a little bit about myself and the journey that God has blessed me to walk. By the way I am praying that there is a lot of journey left.
In prayer I say to the Father often, I have always been in your hands, and will always be in your hands.
With all the mistakes and bad decisions I have made over the course of my life. God has always been with me. Loving, correcting, teaching, and forgiving.
Every life has a purpose. Even when you go off course you still have a purpose. You complicate the process when you move beyond His plan but He will help you move back in line with His will.
I have found myself at an age that I thought would have taken a lot longer to reach. I know that sounds weird, but the years pass so fast. Even faster than I ever imagined.
With that said I feel a greater urgency than ever. I don’t have time to deal with issues and yes, even people that aren’t going where God is taking me. That simply means that their purpose is different than mine. If I can help I will, if they have a word for me I will listen.
I am just saying that I don’t have time to waste.
I love the church, and I love the Gospel. It has been my life since I was 16 years old. I pray for the church every day. The Gospel story is the greatest message that the church has. The story of Jesus will change lives, heal divides, and strengthen relationships.
We live in an awesome season of ministry. Opportunities to change communities, reveal Jesus to the burdened and the hopeless. We have an opportunity like never before.
An opportunity to tear down walls of unbelief. To bring faith and hope to folks who have none. To help these people find their purpose in the Kingdom of God.
There are all sorts of new things, and new ideas to reach into the hearts of those who have yet to follow Christ. I am for everyone that holds true to the Gospel message.
Music can change, I love it. The presentations become more technological. These computer generated ministry helps are awesome. Still, the Gospel message is the only message that can change lives.
I am dedicated to that message. The story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Confirm it from the OT. Preach it with passion and Kingdom authority. Allowing everyone, no matter their lifestyle or their depth of sin and failure to hear that amazing story.
Jesus loves them and we must do the same.
My passion is preaching personal responsibility. Our responsibility to be the light and the salt in our world. Reaching beyond walls of division, and digging deep into the darkness that surrounds the lost.
I don’t preach inspirational stories, reminding people of the good old days. When times were different, and the world was so much better.
Make the world better now, if you don’t like it. Move beyond the past, and bring your knowledge and faith in Christ to the world you live in.
Inspiring people to grow and move forward. Forgiving those who have wronged you. Letting go of who you used to be, and become who He has created you to be.
I guess I just can’t help preaching a little bit.
I have a wonderful church family. Faithful and dedicated to the message we share at Amazing Life Church.
My wife Betty is an awesome gift of God. Our kids are such a blessing, and we have friends that we love with all our heart.
When you get a chance you can subscribe to my blog. That way you will be notified when I post something new.
Be prepared. I can get controversial, and I will definitely call out with intense passion, when I hear or read something that corrupts the Gospel.
Tell your story, along with the story of Jesus. It will change lives and change your world.
With a prayer for blessings and favor to all, I will close for now.
Oh, don’t forget, I love this journey. Praying that you love yours. In His Name.
#lovewins #hopelives
The Gift of God
The Gift of God
I have been wanting to do a post for a while on what seems to be a fixation on sin in much of the church.
I am aware that the religious community will not like this but I do pray that you read the entire post. I am not the type to judge and condemn others for their beliefs. I am, however the type that will passionately address what I believe is wrong.
Let me say unquestionably, that what the Bible says is sin, is sin. I didn’t write it, and I do not have the right to alter it. With that said, and this is probably for another post. I along with all of you have a responsibility to study, and pray, for understanding. As the Apostle Paul taught us our covenant has a spiritual concept, and must be understood with spiritual discernment.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
With all this said, Here I go!!
It seems to me that there is only one sin that the church world is concerned with. I have read many posts regarding homosexuality. All kinds of amazing topics that grab attention.
5 Reasons why the church must publicly denounce it, or you will be labeled as approving it. Does that mean if I don’t call out liars that I approve of their lies. Revelation 21:8 says all liars will be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
What about people steeped in selfish pride and arrogance.
What about the seven abominations found in Proverbs. By the way, none are sexually related.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
If I don’t cry out against these, naming them, and publicly berating those involved. Does that mean I approve of it, or condone it.
The church uses homosexuality as the sole reason for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Take a look at this.
Ezekiel 16:49-50
49 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.
50 Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.
The word abominations comes from the Hebrew word, Tow’ebah, strongs #8441. It means, (a disgusting thing. In a ritual sense it means, unclean food idols, and mixed marriages. In a ethical sense it means, wickedness.)
However, if you read the book of Jasher you will find that every sort of sexual sin there is, was being committed in these cities. Along with many other despicable acts of rebellion and disobedience.
It seems to me, God speaking through the prophet, was concerned about the poor and the needy. INTERESTING ISN’T IT?
Jesus put an emphasis on unbelief when He commissioned the disciples to tell His story.
Matthew 10:13-15
13 If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
14 Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
15 Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Verse 15 Amplified
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].
Please understand, this is not an effort to condone or minimize anything. I am simply saying that there are many things that people are dealing with. Many of which affect the condition of the church and it’s message to the world.
I believe in being fair. If I started naming sins from the pulpit, I would have no time to share the story of Jesus, (The Gospel Message). Most people have something they are dealing with. Is one more dangerous than the other?
When did we as a church stop believing in the redemptive power of the Gospel. The message of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. When did the church stop trusting that message to change the lives of the hearers?
We as a church need to listen to the voices crying out in the world.
The people who are in desperate situations. Sexual addictions, drug addictions. Those in poverty and horrible living conditions. People being abused every day with no hope of having a normal life.
Do we in the church really believe that these folks don’t know their condition?
They need to hear a message of hope. Something that will build within them the faith to change their circumstance. Something that they can believe in. A friend that will walk with them every step as they transition from their past and become a follower of Christ.
They need to hear that someone loves them, not hates them.
Yes we hate sin, and the destruction that it causes in peoples lives and families. That is why the Apostle Peter wrote this.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I could go on for hours but I won’t. I will close with some words from an old Hymn. Words I have shared many times.
“Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word; Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.”
Be blessed and let me know what you think.
#lovewins #hopelives
I Prayed-He Heard
I Prayed, and He Heard
Together, we are experiencing a change in the atmosphere. I really love this stuff. “Something going on!!!”
Not long ago I shared a quote on twitter by Frank Bartelman.
The depth of your repentance will determine the height of your revival.
We live in a world where people want something for nothing. The church world is no different. I say this broadly.
Nothing real, nothing lasting, ever comes without repentance and prayer. “Lots of it”
I want to share some thoughts titled, “I Prayed, and He Heard”
When I began to think of Sunday’s message I had nothing. I looked at notes, scriptures, thoughts that I had jotted down. Nothing seemed right. So I prayed.
Usually in these situations I simply ask for a word. A place to start. The word came very quickly and it branched out with two more words that I will get to today.
In prayer, I heard the word, overwhelmed. It led to the word encompassed, and the word mourning. We will get to them all.
David wrote a Psalm after he had been delivered from all his enemies, including Saul.
Psalms 18:1-6
1 “I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.
5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.
David had been overwhelmed, encompassed. He prayed and God heard.
He wrote again about confidence in God’s protection.
Psalms 61:1-4
1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.
Another Psalm David wrote when he was hiding in a cave.
Psalms 142:2-4
2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul.
“overwhelmed, encompassed, in mourning”
Emotions all over the place. Defeat, fear, doubt, sorrow, enemies abound.
David went on.
Psalms 142:5-7
5 I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
6 “Give heed to my cry, For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are too strong for me.
7 “Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, For You will deal bountifully with me.”
Much of David’s life sounds like some of our days, and weeks, and years.
Overwhelmed, with life events, family and relationship problems. Financial situations, and on and on.
Encompassed, surrounded by negative influence. Situations that look hopeless, no way out.
Mourning, with a broken heart for family, friends, failures.
“Still have to face the issues”
What did David do? He prayed, and God heard.
James approached these issues with something of a different take. Now for those of us who have lived a while we understand that life events just happen. Without reason, without sin, or without failure. They just happen.
“It still feels the same.”
Still James wrote that we must look at ourselves. Probably because mankind has never changed. We still continue to make mistakes, bad decisions, and chase our fleshly desires.
James 4:8-10
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
If I could give a short commentary for these 3 verses it would be this.
“There are times, when we ain’t all that.”
Yes, there are times when we must accept some accountability for the things that come our way. It doesn’t make us bad people. It does however mean, that our heart must break for our part in the mess we are in.
James 4:8-10 AMPC
8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].
This is all about verse 10.
10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” Here is the link for the video of this message. http://bit.ly/2tbBXnH
We pray-He Hears.
Blessings to you all.
#lovewins #hopelives