The Cyberservant

Restoration

2010-08-01T07:25:00.002-05:00

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. Acts 3:19-21

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Cor. 15:20-28

Hallelujah

2010-04-27T06:50:00.003-05:00

eLinews.com

Will the church please stand up...

2010-03-19T06:41:00.003-05:00

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

I've been told that I am someone that does harm to the "church" by the way I believe and live my life. Since I am not a card carrying member of a denomination or "church", and refuse to give heed to the "ordained" ones...I am obviously living outside the authority of the sanctioned organizations and have become one who doesn't teach sound doctrine because I don't have the degree or the blessing and ordination from men and women who believe they do.

There is only one Shepherd and One who has All Authority. Jesus. Should I ignore Him and refuse to submit to Him then I would be doing the Church harm. Do I fail and sometimes believe things that may not be of God? Absolutely! I'm still living in an age where I see in part and until He comes...I will continue to learn and grow as I seek and submit to Him.

The last words of Jesus to His disciples was "all authority was HIS and they were to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." He never said..."go start a church". Of course, believers were to get together and encourage one another and be the "church", but sadly over the years they chose to divide themselves into groups and follow leaders. The word "church" has been translated from the Greek word "ecclesia" which simply means "called out". It has nothing to do with a building or house or an organization.

Even when Paul started encouraging early home/community fellowship...he warned people to follow Christ and not the leaders of the community. He knew people were saying things like..."I belong to Paul or I belong to Apollos" and though there were people who obviously were in leadership roles, the focus and submission was to be Christ Jesus only. Elders, deacons, bishops, teachers, etc., were elected/selected to "serve" the community fellowships...but they were certainly not the "authority" that the believers were to completely submit to. They were men and women who as we all know...didn't have it all together either.

What I find that has truly become "harmful" to the church...are the organizations/churches that have developed the past 2,ooo years with their creeds and doctrines of men. The "I follow this denomination or that "church" to me is an abomination. It slaps Jesus on the face and tells Him that He is not the "Authority" of the "ecclesia". That what He accomplished was not enough. That the sanctioned leaders of the "church" know better on how to teach people to live lives of obedience and submission to Christ alone.

I believe when we take up our cross and follow Jesus and submit to His authority alone, the Holy Spirit who lives in us, leads and teaches us...and we are believers who are "called out" and live a life that absolutely looks different than the norm. We will be considered harmful to the "church" because of what looks like rebellion to those who follow their traditions. But I also believe that we also see those whom God has placed as elders, deacons, teachers, prophets, etc., and readily submit to them when they are speaking truth. I have those in my life who are envolved in these "churches/organiztions/home groups" that I trust. Yes, I still believe they are believers! If God is moving in them...hopefully, I'm willing to hear and learn.

What I find most offensive and harmful is when people call themselves Calvinist or Baptist or Catholic, or Methodist, or whatever... and proceeds to teach me their traditions and doctrines. It tells me who they really follow and it saddens me. There is only one church and all who follow Jesus are a part of it. The apostle Paul warned the Galatian believers; "But if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you another gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contray to that which you received, let him be accursed."

I know many of you will say that even though you belong to a certain denomination, you still follow Jesus. I don't doubt that at all..but, I will still remind you that the curtain was torn, and the Temple crumbled, and you are now a new creation and the temple where God resides.

Jesus loves me this I know

2010-02-21T08:28:00.004-06:00

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8

The "prosperity doctrine" that has been preached by many is a doctrine that I believe is not of God. Scripture shows clearly that fame and fortune is not the Gospel message. But people follow those who promise a hope in something. But hope in wealth is not the answer. There is only hope in Christ Jesus.

We all sin and we all struggle with our understanding. But God will deliver us and by his kindness will expose us to bring us to repent. All of us have a chance to repent and be restored. In just the past few years, many "famous" evangelists, pastors, leaders, have fallen because of their struggles and with their preaching a gospel contrary to that which was preached.

Seek Jesus. Not man. God will restore those who have fallen but we must continue to be wise and listen to God and be involved in His work. Look up to see your deliverer!

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/suzanne-hinn-wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce/19365220?icid=main|htmlws-sb-w|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Fsuzanne-hinn-wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce%2F19365220

In the beginning God created...

2010-02-09T07:24:00.001-06:00

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Meet you in the Garden...

2010-01-28T11:30:00.006-06:00

When my time finally comes...I'll meet you in the garden.

Just a suggestion?

2010-01-17T08:14:00.003-06:00

"Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:30-31

Do you think Jesus meant what he said?

Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-15T13:55:00.002-06:00

Give to World Vision (click here)

We've all seen the disaster in Haiti. Many of you have already given and that is good. When things settle down, World Vision will remain and will need continued support. Bless them and give as God leads you. May we remember to continue to reach out and do all we can to help our neighbors.

2010

2010-01-04T07:35:00.002-06:00

"As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." I Corinthians 12: 20-22

We begin a new year and I believe it will be a tremendous year for the Body of Christ! Yes, we will see war, earthquakes, famines, and nations falling due to the economic situation of our world. It may be the worst year ever as evil tries its hand to bring chaos into our lives.

But on the other side, I believe this year will start bringing God's people together. The church will rise to the occasion and start becoming what God has called us to be. A people full of love and selfless serving to those who are in need. At least this is my desire!

It's time for believers to join together. It's time for the church to become the church. As Paul points out in 1 Corinthians, we all need each other! That doesn't mean you need to go join a church...the church is not a place or a particular denomination, it's people. It's the Body of Christ. If you are out of fellowship with believers, you need to find others who believe and become a part of that discipline. There is no such thing as "Lone Rangers" in the church. Paul notes that even the "Head" cannot say to the "feet" "I don't need you!" Jesus is the Head and He knows each of us are part of the Body...and He needs and desires us to be a part of the Body.

It's time to become useful as a member of the Body of Christ. Look up and know that you have a purpose and are needed. We all are needed. None is left behind to go it alone.

It's a new year and it's a new day. Come Lord Jesus!

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T16:02:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all.
I hope as the new year begins, I will once again try to maintain The Cyberservant blog. I have been pulled in so many directions...but, this coming year is important. I believe we are coming near to a great change and awakening in the church. May Jesus reign and may we live for Him!

The Day of Atonement

2009-09-28T08:26:00.000-05:00

Yom Kippur 2009 starts at sundown on Sunday 27 September (Kol Nidre), and lasts all day Monday 28 September, 2009 until sundown. This day marks the culmination of the Days of Awe, the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement is described by Maimonides as "the universal time of repentance" (z'man teshuva lakol). It is spent praying and fasting.

Yom Kippur is mentioned biblically in Leviticus 23: 26-32

http://www.jewishbyte.com/yomkippur.php

The Day of Atonement COVERED sin, but did not REMOVE sin. This is the meaning of Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement.” The Hebrew word Kippur means “covering,” not removal.

1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

The fall of Babylon

2009-08-28T07:44:00.002-05:00

After this...I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor. And he called out with a mighty voice,

"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
It has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt of every foul spirit,
a haunt of every foul and hateful bird;
for all nations have drunk the wine of her impure passion,
and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,
and all the merchants of the earth have grown rich with the wealth of her wantoness."

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

"Come out of her, my people,
lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
for her sins are heaped high as the heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities."

Revelation 18

Scripture gives us history and reveals the future. Babylon is a system. A financial system that will be destroyed in the last days. But Babylon will not go down without a fight. As we have seen throughout history, Babylon has tried to control the world and has really done a pretty good job of doing just that. But like all governments and systems who turn against God, Babylon will meet its demise. With the appointment of Ben Bernanke to continue as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, it seems more than obvious (to me) that we are very close to the fall of Babylon. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=a7CC61ZsieV4

The world monetary system had to come to this. Those who are trying to rule the world think they are creating a system to control the people and keep their power. God will use this to bring about His purpose and we will see as Jesus returns who will fix what. Man's time of management must come to an end...I pray it is soon. Come Lord Jesus!

Blaming man

2009-07-16T11:30:00.002-05:00

"The whole group of believers lived in harmony. No one called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything. With great power the apostles continued to testify that the Lord Jesus had come back to life. God's abundant good will was with all of them. None of them needed anything. From time to time, people sold lands or houses and brought money to the apostles. Then the money was distributed to anyone who needed it." Acts 4:32-35

Christians are whinning about Obama taking the USA down the road to socialism. I am one who is finding this a hard transistion, but at the same time, I cannot ignore Scripture or choose to ignore or justify Scripture to make my politics work in my favor.

If the "church" would have remained steadfast in it's purpose...we would be a different world. But sadly, Christians think they have "rights" to prosper (even when many slam the prosperity doctrine teachers) and believe that it is unjust to have governments to take what they have earned.

If Christians believed that "their possessions are not their own" and shared willingly as was the example of the early "church" .... God would not have had to use "governments" to right the wrong that we as "Christians" have done.

We find in Scripture that God disciplines his people. We are being disciplined because we have ignored God's laws and God's ways....and God uses whomever He chooses to bring about discipline and turn His children back to Him.

Fight as you may against the evils that have come upon the USA and the world...but God is not silent and God is not finished as we see Him using the unjust to bring about change. Real change. The change that will bring the nations down to fall at His feet.

We can try to blame those who don't believe in God for all the corruption in this world...but it is not them who are to blame. It is us...believers in God, believers in His Son Jesus Christ, who have the promise of the Holy Spirit to lead us...who are to blame.

May the Lord forgive us and teach us to love as He loved.

He is risen...

2009-04-05T21:25:00.003-05:00

I just read this from David Wilkerson's blog...so true.

"When we stand before God at the judgment, we won’t be judged by our ministries, achievements or number of converts. There will be but one measure of success on that day: Were our hearts fully surrendered to God? Did we lay aside our own will and agenda and take up his? Did we succumb to peer pressure and follow the crowd, or did we seek him alone for direction? Did we run from seminar to seminar looking for purpose in life, or did we find our fulfillment in him?"

Faith

2009-03-17T21:18:00.003-05:00

"Our faith is not meant to get us out of a hard place or change our painful condition. Rather, it is meant to reveal God’s faithfulness to us in the midst of our dire situation. God does at times change our trying circumstances. But more often, he doesn’t - because he wants to change us!"

I love those sentences! They come from David Wilkerson...to read the rest go to:

HAVE FAITH IN GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

March 17, 2009

Since I have my life before me...

2009-03-01T07:50:00.003-06:00

At 12 years old, Brooke Bronkowski knew her purpose in life. She committed herself in the way most of us want to commit...but are afraid to do so.

"Since I Have My Life Before Me" by Brooke Bronkowski

"I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.

You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I'll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that's all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I'll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I'll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.

I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!"

Brooke's life was ended in a car crash when she turned fourteen years old...Brooke led more people to the Lord than most of us ever will. During her funeral, the pastor invited those who attended her funeral (her school and community) and 200 people came forward to accept Jesus into their hearts. Each person was given a Bible that Brooke had kept in her garage to hand out to those she would have the opportunity to minister to. Brooke was faithful to her words.

"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart" Ecclesiastes 7:2

From the book "Crazy Love" Overwhelmed by a Relentless God * By Francis Chan
http://www.crazylovebook.com

Just a thought...

2009-02-18T08:20:00.004-06:00

"Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him." Psalm 115:3

We may ask God...Why are so many people dying of starvation?

The fact that God gave man the task to subdue the earth and take care of what He provided, I think we really don't have the right to ask God the question, but to answer Him when he asks us...

Why are so many people dying of starvation?

A Question

2009-01-24T06:46:00.003-06:00

"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him." Matthew 17:1-3

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Most people teach that when you die, if you are a believer in Christ, you come into the presence of God. But the scripture teaches many things like what we have read in the second scripture above. After Jesus finished his work, ascended to the Father and waits for a period of time, he is to return and then the "dead in Christ" will rise. But yet in the first scripture that comes from Matthew, Jesus hadn't died yet, he had not crushed the serpents head, destroyed death and was raised from the dead...yet, Moses and Elijah came to see him. How could they be raised from the dead if Jesus hadn't completed his work?

It would seem there is a contradiction here. Are people (believers) who die dead and waiting for the resurrection or when they die do they immediately step into the presence of God?

I have my understanding...which is really not yet quite clear and I'm not even sure if it's completely biblical. But, what do you think? Whether you comment or not is not the point. But this is something that I think if you struggle with, the Lord will reveal some things that we may have missed that will change a lot of our understanding.

Martin Luther King Jr * The Drum Major Instinct

2009-01-18T07:54:00.006-06:00

"And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto him saying, ‘Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.' And he said unto them, ‘What would ye that I should do for you?' And they said unto him, ‘Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.' But Jesus said unto them, ‘Ye know not what ye ask: Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?' And they said unto him, ‘We can.' And Jesus said unto them, ‘Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of, and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.'" And then Jesus goes on toward the end of that passage to say, "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all." Mark 10: 35

A couple of years ago our family spent a day in Atlanta. We decided to spend most of it at the Martin Luther King Jr museum. Within walking distance was also the church that Dr. King was the minister. It was a humbling day to see how much this man did to bring about change in America. We purchased books and other material such as his sermon "The Drum Major Instinct".

A friend sent me a link to Mike Huckabee's site which has the whole sermon laid out in an easier to read fashion that what most sites offer.

Please read this great sermon. If allowed, the message will change you.
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?Page=The%20Drum%20Major%20Instinct

The measure you give...

2008-12-02T10:36:00.000-06:00

"Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Mark 4:24-25

Jesus tells a parable about a sower. One who sows seed along a path, on rocky ground, and in good soil. Of course, the seed that was sown in the good soil brought forth grain and yielded thirty to sixty to a hundredfold.

We have the responsibility as believers to sow into the lives of those whom God places in our care. We can casually speak and teach and see where the seed falls, but if we refuse to plant it deep into their hearts and care for what we plant... how do we expect people to grow? If we teach and then walk away without toiling the soil, watering, and take time to allow the seed to grow...it will get choked out by the things that will grow around it or by animals eating the seed before it has time to grow roots. But how many times do we give up nurturing because of our lack of time, energy, or our thinking that if "they don't care...why should I?!"

I'm sure there were quite a few times when Jesus looked at the 12 disciples and thought "What was I thinking?! These guys will never get it!" But at the same time He knew, "As I keep watering and caring for the seeds I've planted, they will grow and the results will yield much fruit!? This I believe is why Jesus said..."the measure you give will be the measure you get and still more will be given to you."

Don't give up caring for those God places in your life. Love and nurture each one because you know...they are a child of God's.

Lead as a servant

2008-11-10T07:42:00.000-06:00

"Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus..." Phil 2:3-5a

Our society dictates who is in authority, businesses have created positions of authority, and of course, the church has done the same. Writing to the Phillipians, Paul reminds the leaders and the church what our actions should be like. How to serve and give as Jesus did.

Todays leaders are taught to use their authority to bring about the demands of the hierarchy. Being a believer in Christ Jesus our Lord makes the chain of command a bit out of place with society. Church leaders are called to be servants. To serve in a manner that reflects the Father. Love, mercy, and grace abound in the Father, yet, too many times as leaders we tend to use our authority to establish ourselves, our position in our church, in our schools, in our business, etc., instead of leading and teaching by example the ways of God and to establish His kingdom purposes for man.

Love, as always, is the key. The greatest thing that we all need and want...yet the hardest to give and the hardest to receive.

How many times have we heard it said, or we've said, "I love him/her...but I don't have to like him!" Such a sad state of mind! So much the more we need to sacrifice our time and attention for that soul. For his/her sake? No, for our own growth. Our own understanding of knowing how to lay die our lives as Jesus did for that one. Not just that one...but even for us.

Lead as a servant. No, we won't change the world, but, He will.

Come Lord Jesus.

2008-10-19T16:38:00.002-05:00

Like many of you, I'm a little overwhelmed at what is going on in America. We truly have come to an age which Scripture describes as a time when people will accept lies over the truth. Certainly, mankind has always been screwed up and has accepted lies over the truth, but since we are living today, and we are living in such screwed up understanding of basic morals...accepting that this is "progressive evolution of man" even the church has decided that the Scriptures are really not from God. Lies and immorality are the norm. If the church really believed what Scripture teaches...things would be much different.

Though most of the time I have voted, I have voted Republican which was once considered the conservative party. This certainly has changed, as well as, the Democratic Party whom now seems to have moved way beyond their foundation.

We are at a time of crisis. And it's not about money, it's not about Wall Street or bank credit. It's about serving God or serving man. This nation has fallen and most don't even realize it yet. It will get worse and one day, by the grace of God, we will wake up to see just how far we've fallen. But the masses have spoken and they want a new saviour. We will get a new saviour(s), as scripture teaches us we will, and then in God's timing, our eyes will be open and we will repent and return to the True Saviour, who is Jesus the Messiah, the One who came and gave His life so that ALL of mankind will be saved.

Whomever wins the next presidency will win because of the heart of the nation, just as it has happened in the past. God will give us what we ask for...it really doesn't matter of the main two who are running because they both lack leadership in spiritual matters. They actually think that man's ways, laws, and leadership can save us.

I can't vote this year for a president. Really...I shouldn't have voted for anyone in the past elections but felt like there was a better evil than the other. Today, I repent of that.

I haven't been very vocal during this election period. I have tried to hold my thoughts in and just let things happen. But now that it seems that Obama will become the next president, I feel that this truly is the beginning of the end...not so much because of him, but because of what the masses have made him to be. Should McCain somehow pull this off, it will be the same in just a little different way. He too...has made the choice to follow a road that leads to nowhere.

We will get change....that's for sure. And it's not because the world is following men who don't believe, it's a reflection on the church for not following the Lord and repenting and giving our hearts and minds to Him. The world doesn't know better....but we should. It's time for the church, the true believers and followers of Jesus, to repent and turn to Him.

Fasting

2008-09-08T07:02:00.002-05:00

"This is the kind of fasting I have chosen:

Loosen the chains of the wickedness,
untie the straps of the yoke,
let the oppressed go free,
and break every yoke.
Share your food with the hungry,
take the poor and homeless into your house,
and cover them with clothes when you see them naked.
Don't refuse to help your relatives.

Then your light will break through like the dawn,
and you will heal quickly.
Your righteousness will go ahead of you,
and the glory of the Lord will guard you from behind.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer.
You will cry for help, and he will say, "Here I am!"

Get rid of that yoke.
Don't point your finger and say wicked things.

If you give some of your own food to feed those who are hungry
and to satisfy the needs of those who are humble,
then your light will rise in the dark,
and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun.
The Lord will continually guide you
and satisfy you even in sun-baked places.
He will strengthen your bones.
You will become like a watered garden
and like a spring whose water does not stop flowing."

Isaiah 58:6-12

Credit Card Ministry

2008-08-11T21:44:00.005-05:00

Due to the job I once held, I had to attend a Benny Hinn meeting quite a few years ago. I sat through it and figured out quickly that this was not what Jesus had in mind. The link below is an article that made my stomach turn...Hinn, in my opinion, is a good reason why so many find Christianity is not an option for them.

Lord, come quickly.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2360893,00.html

He is not silent.

2008-07-31T08:15:00.004-05:00

"The LORD spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said, "Go to the potter's house. There I will give you my message." I went to the potter's house, and he was working there at his wheel. Whenever a clay pot he was working on was ruined, he would rework it into a new clay pot the way he wanted to make it. The LORD spoke his word to me. The LORD asked, "Nation of Israel, can't I do with you as this potter does with clay? Nation of Israel, you are like the clay in the potter's hands. "At one time I may threaten to tear up, break down, and destroy a nation or a kingdom. But suppose the nation that I threatened turns away from doing wrong. Then I will change my plans about the disaster I planned to do to it. "At another time I may promise to build and plant a nation or a kingdom. But suppose that nation does what I consider evil and doesn't obey me. Then I will change my plans about the good that I promised to do to it. "Now say to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: I'm going to prepare a disaster and make plans against you. Turn from your evil ways, change your lives, and do good.' "But they will answer, 'It's useless! We'll live the way we want to. We'll go our own stubborn, evil ways." Jeremiah 18:1-12

Here in America, we see our leaders are drifting farther and farther away from God. History shows that God's Word is true. He is not silent in making us aware of the consequences of our desire to turn away from Him. When will we learn? We talk about repenting...but, that seems to be all it is. Talk.

May we all come to a place that we desire to repent. Desire to seek God. Desire His will over our own. I need help in that area. I assume we all do. Pray the Lord has mercy and gives us a new heart and mind that desires to love Him, honor Him, and give Him our all.

Creation

2008-06-24T07:03:00.002-05:00

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

It seems there is a huge push within the Christian world to accept that evolution as being taught by the scientists is a fact. I guess it's kind of like how global warming as Al Gore is pushing is a fact even though there is evidence to the contrary.

I realize there is an evolutionary process in our world. But it still comes back to who created that one thing that set the process in motion. I find the idea that God create a little atom and then boom we, the planets, the stars, the universe...simply evolved. To even think we could take a monkey in this day and age and evolve it into a human being seems comical. We know we can't do that. Or better yet, a fish evolves into a man.

What is it about Christians wanting to disregard the creation account? Why does it seem that evolution makes more sense than the creation account? Both "theories" take faith to believe. My problem is that it takes so much more faith to believe in evolution and yet, so many wise theologians have fallen into the camp of evolution and are trying hard to change the mindset of believers.

What a world.

The power of God

2008-05-20T07:23:00.000-05:00

Pope in Yankee Stadium

2008-04-20T15:32:00.004-05:00

AP Photo - Frank Franklin II

I am not Catholic but I have been watching the mass on TV today and really have been moved by the commentary as well as the service. Even though I have a lot of issues with the doctrines of the Catholic church, I am very aware that Jesus' name is being proclaimed around the world! That in itself is a blessing to the nations. May today be more than a service. May it be a beginning of hearts wanting to change and know Jesus the Lord.

This coming Saturday, April 26th please join the nation again for a day of repentance and prayer.

ReignDown USA

Timeless treasures

2008-04-01T08:13:00.002-05:00

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12

"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." Proverbs 4:18

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Proverbs 9:10-12

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." Proverbs 10:12

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." Proverbs 12:1

"The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." Proverbs 12:15

"He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

"He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who is kind to the poor." Proverbs 14:21

"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life that one may avoid the snares of death." Proverbs 14:27

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble." Proverbs 16: 3-4

"To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." Proverbs 16:16

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

"A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed." Proverbs 19:17

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established." Proverbs 19:21

"A man's steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can man understand His way?" Proverbs 20:24

"The spirit if man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27

"He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor." Proverbs 21:21

Peace on earth, goodwill to men.

2008-03-20T08:25:00.003-05:00

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written; "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21

We have heard it said that we are at war with evil. I have heard from many believers in Jesus that we need to fight and destroy those who are trying to destroy others and need to protect the innocent. It's a hard thing to grasp when coming from Christian believers that we need to attack "evil" before they attack us. How do we justify this? What does scripture say? What does your heart say?

We reap what we sow. That goes for individuals as well as nations.

...but the greatest of these is love.

2008-02-24T12:03:00.005-06:00

"So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Our friend and brother, Jackie Street, has passed away from this life. In my fifty plus years on this earth, there have been only a few people that I remember to have lived or are now living the life that all believers in Christ are called to live. Jackie was one of them.

Jackie never said much. In fact, over the passed twenty plus years that I have known Jackie, and if I had recorded everything he said in my presence, which was many, many, many days in our lives, I probably couldn't give you more than a day's worth of him talking. But the things he did say were always meaningful to me even when I couldn't understand him. He loved God and His laws and he loved America and it's laws. He always had mounds of books and papers with him and he could quote many laws and show you how America had strayed so far from our beginnings. Then he would remind you of God's laws, and more importantly, God's character. He would remind you that in all of the mess we have made within the context of church or the context of government...LOVE was the most important thing to know and to abide by.

There are many teachings on what it will be like with the coming of Jesus. How He will come to reign on earth for a thousand years. I believe that He will come and I am looking forward to that day! In fact, I believe that day is very near and I pray that all of us will live to see Him come.

Something that the apostle Paul wrote, makes me think that when that day comes, my friend Jackie will rise from the dead. Paul writes in Romans 8:19 - 21; "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing (literal - unveiling) of the sons of God; for the creation itself was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of HIM who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God." And the apostle John wrote in Revelation 20: 4-5; "I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended."

In my understanding, many will reign with Christ for a thousand years. Those who are raised at the first resurrection are those who had committed their lives to Christ and refused to bow to the system (the beast or image of the beast) of this world. They are the ones who took seriously the words; "I have been crucified with Christ! It's no longer me that lives...but Christ who lives in me!" Galatians 2:20

Jackie taught everyone he met, not with words, but with his character. He humbled himself before God and man and lived a quiet and servant filled life. He never asked anyone for anything. He never took anything from anyone but gave generously when no one was looking so that he would not bring attention to himself. When hundreds came together to remember him this week and tell their stories, each person knew they were Jackie's closest friend. He would spend hours contacting each person he loved by phone, text messaging, or in person. I never knew the commitment he had with so many...I just thought he contacted me because I was a special friend to him. And I was....as was hundreds and hundreds of people around the world.

This servant of God lived in a manner that now makes me ashamed of whom I have become. With all that I do and how I try to live my life as a servant, I have never impacted those around me by being a man that was truly committed to love. To love unconditionally. To love without wanting something in return, to love because Jesus loved. To love because God is Love. Jackie knew he was created in the image of God and that was enough reason to love. He knew by reading the Scriptures that his genealogy went all the way back to Adam...who was a son of God. (Luke 3:38) I believe that Jackie's ministry was to help us all see that we are God's children and we need to live and act like His children. What an amazing thought! If only we believed we could.

You may have never had the privilege of meeting Jackie Street face to face, but you have heard his silent voice many times. If you have ever turned on your radio to listen to music, or bought a CD, Jackie could have very well been the one that laid down the foundation that made the song you cherish come alive in your heart. We will see Jackie again...but he will be in his new and improved glorious body, and I believe will be leading us in learning the righteous ways of God. He will again show us that the greatest gift of all is Love.

Jackie Street

June 17, 1959 ~February 17, 2008

Goodbye sweet Jackie, we will miss you!

Thank you for showing us what we all know you knew so well.............
"The greatest of these is Love"!

A memorial service for Jackie Lane Street will be held
Saturday March 1, 2:30 PM to 3:30PM at the Belcourt Theatre

Nashville TN

Please visit: A memorial page for Jackie @ Textured Artists

A gift from God

2008-02-03T12:35:00.000-06:00

"You were once dead because of your failures and sins. You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God's anger just like everyone else.

But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us. We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God's kindness (grace) that saved you.) God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show his extremely rich kindness in the world to come. God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It's not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. Ephesians 2:1-10

I gave my life to the Lord. I was baptized. I am a member of the church. I have faith. I believed. I repented. I...thankfully, know that none of what I just wrote is true.

I love the scripture above. It puts everything in perspective about me. I have nothing to do with my salvation and I love knowing that! Because if it was me and the power I have to change my self by believing, repenting, confessing, or any works, I would never have changed.

We want so much to brag about our walk with God...or should I say, I want! I love doing good things for the Lord, but I know in my heart, I always seems to wonder if I do good enough, will others like me more or will God bless me more for being good. Will God see that I am a capable servant and warrior for Him? Will He stop what He's doing and call the angels and say..."Look! Look at that guy! He's really making things happen by being so good and choosing all the right things to do! He is the perfect disciple! He repented and believed and gave his heart to me!"

It's a hard thing to understand. We know we have choices to make. To repent. To confess. To steal or not to steal. Yet, Scripture clearly shows us that God is the one who chooses to make us a good vessel or a bad one. With warts or with perfect skin. Yes...HE is the potter and we are the clay. So, how do we take the Scriptures that say..."repent, believe, confess, and justify them with the Scriptures like the one above that says...YOU don't have anything to do with it! Being saved is a gift from God. All I know is that by faith, I believe my choices are only the result of the gift from God.

The translation I used above is the "God's Word" translation. I love the line they translated as; "God saved you through faith as an act of kindness." Now the questions for you and I to search for is "Whose faith? Yours? or God's?"

Oprah - Deceiving a nation.

2008-01-16T07:04:00.000-06:00

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." 2 Peter 2:1-3

For a very long time I have been saddened that Oprah Winfrey, whom I believe has a call from God on her life, has fallen prey to the deception of false teachers and their teachings. Being as powerful and famous as she is, it shouldn't surprise us that she has been swayed by the world and all that the world thinks it has to offer.

From her daily TV program, film company, a magazine, an XM radio station, and now her own TV network, she is able to literally reach nearly every person in the world, 24 hours a day, and teach the masses the deception that she has come to believe. Sadly, many believers in Christ Jesus are faithful watchers of her show and truly think she is doing a great service to the world.
Believers need to wake up and start repenting and praying for God to open our eyes to what is happening around us, and give us the strength to love as He loves.

One of her most important messages is the daily program that she promotes on her website called "A Course in Miracles" with Marianne Williamson. Here are some of the things this course teaches: (Excerpt from author Warren Smith http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm )

* There is no sin. . . "
* A slain Christ has no meaning.
* The journey to the cross should be the last useless journey.
* Do not make the pathetic error of clinging to the old rugged cross.
* The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray.
* God is in everything I see.
* The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.
* The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power.
* The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.

As believers in Jesus and believers in the Scriptures, is this from God? Is this what the world needs to know and come to believe? Satan has come like an angel of light and the masses have fallen prey to years of subtle deception, but now, it's not that subtle anymore.

I am personally not against Oprah! But the purpose of this post is to encourage you to be aware of what you allow in your heart and mind and become diligent in praying for Oprah and the many who are deceived by the father of lies. Pray that she will use the platform that God has given her for the purpose of GOD'S KINGDOM. Oprah grew up in the church and has heard the Good News. I believe she accepted that Good News but now has been misguided and is in need of a divine appointment and anointing from God.

Grace

2008-01-14T07:09:00.000-06:00

"For to you it is graciously granted for Christ's sake, not only to be believing on Him, but to be suffering for His sake also." Philippians 1:29

For many years now we have heard teachings that promote prosperity. Promoted by the idea that when you follow certain doctrines you will be blessed with health and wealth and because of your beliefs...you actually deserve it and have earned it.

I really have never understood how so many have fallen into believing such a lie when all of us can read scriptures for ourselves. We see that from the beginning those who follow God will be persecuted and will deal with suffering. And as Paul puts it...graciously suffer for Christ's sake!

That doesn't mean all believers will walk around in rags, are sick, and have nothing...but God graciously allows suffering to believers to bring us to a maturity in graciously knowing the suffering that Christ endured for us. This suffering teaches us and helps us to remain focused on Jesus instead of ourselves. Paul also reminds us in Romans 5:

"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us."

The time is coming soon when we will see this world turn upside down. Disaster will come to this land, the whole world, and the doctrine of prosperity will fade from our hearts and minds. We will graciously be granted to not only believe in Christ and the power of resurrection, but we will graciously be granted to suffer for His sake.

It's hard to rejoice when we are going through trials and tribulations. But I pray that all of us will learn and know that God is in control and His purpose, His Will, will be done in our lives and in this world. That is something to rejoice about! We may not see how things can work out in our sufferings...how it could be good, but God knows.

Bring glory to God

2008-01-11T10:22:00.000-06:00

"Stay away from sexual sins. Other sins that people commit don't affect their bodies in the same way sexual sins do. People who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. Don't you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, whom you have received from God, lives in you. You don't belong to yourselves. You were bought for a price. So bring glory to God in the way you use your body." I Corinthians 6:18-20

In our age we have become such a perverted people. It's all around us. Turn the TV on, open the pages of a magazine, listen to the radio, get on the internet, or just walk around a busy shopping mall. Sexuality is the order of the day and we can't run or hide from it. It surrounds us and captivates us like nothing else in our society. It makes it hard to live a holy and pure life.

Let's be honest. We all struggle with it. Men probably more than women, but now I'm not so sure. I think the media has created a mindset in women that teaches them from a very young age, that sex is the way to gain power and to completely satisfy ones desire to serve self.

But...and that's a big but, the younger generation has much more sense than that! They are realizing that there is more to life than serving ones self. No not all kids think this way, but God is raising up a generation that is seeing there is more to life and this life starts and ends with Jesus. I am excited about our young people. I have witnessed (even this day!!) how God is moving in them and bringing them to a place that previous generations only received a small portion of His mighty power in their lives. They are wanting and desiring to be pure and holy and are coming against the evil in this world. Praise God for His mercy and grace!

For us older ones...we need to repent and be holy. We need to be pure and immersed with the Holy Spirit and not allow this wickedness into our homes, our businesses, the church, and our lives anymore. We need a cleansing from God that will empower us to stand strong against the schemes of satan.

Be pure as He is pure. Be holy as He is holy. Run from wickedness and run to Jesus! Jesus is coming soon and we must be ready. Look up and know He is God.

Chiang Mai - Thailand

2007-12-27T07:33:00.000-06:00

My nephew David Allen, along with his wife Michelle and their two children are part of this great mission team in Chiang Mai.

Christmas List

2007-12-23T19:47:00.000-06:00

"For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

It's almost Christmas day. The day we celebrate our Lord and Saviour's birth. Most of us have finished shopping or making presents for all our family and friends on our list. Just a few more hours and those we love will receive their gifts that we have taken the time to find for them and in return we will be opening gifts that they have given to us.

It can be a wonderful season for us as we think about giving to others. It doesn't have to be an expensive present, just something that shows them our love and thankfulness for them. It's a time when we think about the homeless and those who are lonely, sick, or in prison. It reminds us to think of someone other than ourselves.

But when was the last time we put Jesus on our Christmas list? Or how do we acknowledge that He is in the list? We remember His words, "when you do it for others, you do it for me" but do we understand the meaning behind that? Scripture tells us that we are being changed into the image of Christ and that is something most of us yet can't grasp the meaning. I know what it means to me...but what does it mean to you? Have you thought about being like Christ Jesus? Do you recognize Christ Jesus in others? This is how we give our gifts to Christ. For all who belong to Him are being changed into His image. Is Jesus on your Christmas list?

Happy birthday Jesus!

The Journey

2007-12-19T07:24:00.000-06:00

"And Jesus said to them, Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Luke 9:3-6

Because of the way my life is, I normally don't sit around our house. I have recently because of a health problem and yesterday had surgery. So, I have time to think about things and get reacquainted with our stuff. Stuff that we have been acquiring for many years. We are certainly not extravagant in what we purchase, but I am amazed at how much stuff we have. Especially the needless stuff like trinkets!

Jesus sent the 12 apostles out and told them to leave their stuff behind. Take nothing. God would be their provider and they will have what they need. They were also given the gift of healing as they went through the villages spreading the gospel. There was nothing in their way to distract them from their mission.

How hard is it for us to do these things? To leave all behind to follow Jesus. We think we need our stuff for the journey. And sometimes, I guess we do. Not all are called to the type of ministry the apostles had...but all of us are called to do the same things. To spread the gospel and be light to a dark world.

I guess as I reflect on this, I come to the conclusion that I spend more time on keeping my stuff instead of releasing it. I work hard to make sure our stuff stays safe and we have the comforts of life around us. I need to balance that out. I wrote a song many years ago where the chorus says;

I have more than enough, I have more than I need
Is the state of my heart lost in this age of greed?
How can I carry this cross that You've given to me?
Heal the state of my heart.

It's a good reminder as we are coming up on Christmas. I haven't had time to go buy more "stuff" for our family. I hope I can keep it reasonable. Merry Christmas all.

April 26, 2008

2007-12-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

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

I often get into discussions with people who are overwhelmed by the sickness of our world. The murders including abortion, adultery, hate, pride, greed, lack of self-control, disease, famine, natural disasters...and on and on. Many of these people claim Christ as Lord and Saviour and I am always concerned by the way they think that it's the "world's" problem that we live in such a godless society.

The verse above is constantly thrown out to the church. You'd think that at some point and time we might actually take this incredible truth, believe it, and actually do what God is calling us to do.

God isn't telling the world (unbelievers) to do this...He is telling believers to do this! Repent, turn from your wickedness, humbly approach His throne and seek His face...pray and He will hear us, turn our hearts around and heal our land. The problem isn't the world's problem, it's ours. It's all of us who believe in the Lord God Almighty, and His son, Jesus the Christ, Saviour of all mankind.

Today is a good day to get started on this. Each one of us has the ability to start the process with those whom we know. To band together and humbly ask the Lord to cleanse us from the selfishness that has invaded our hearts and minds...and repent to allow the Lord to heal us and heal our lands.

The time is short. Even the world recognizes this. Now, it's up to us who believe to repent and allow the Lord to heal us and bring this world to order.

April 26, 2008, hopefully, the church will all be together as one for the purpose of healing our world. But it needs to start with each of us today. Whether you agree with the doctrines of those who are trying to get the church together for this day should not matter!
Please consider your part and join in if you can! http://www.reigndownusa.com

Giving Thanks

2007-11-22T09:36:00.000-06:00

"It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Phillippians 1:9-11

Happy Thanksgiving!

Condemnation

2007-11-04T21:09:00.000-06:00

"Judge not that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3

This comes from the sermon on the mount where Jesus is talking to the Jews who started following after him. He was teaching them how they should treat each other. The word for judge would probably be better translated by using the word "condemn". Quit condemning each other! Why condemn someone in something when in another area of life you are just as bad as the one you are condemning. Seems like we still haven't learned to do that.

It's sad how each denomination uses certain doctrines to condemn each other with. One says that if you're not baptized...you are not saved. One says if you take the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner...you're history. One says if you don't follow the law then you are missing it and not worthy of being called a believer. If you don't do it our way, believe our way, exactly the way we believe...you are a heretic and not a "true believer" and are condemned.

I try to read and study as much as I can. Because of the internet, I am able to find a massive amount of material to study and learn from. But it's a bit scary out there. I fell into some blogs the other day that at first glance, seemed to be decent blogs. Then I realized their whole purpose was to condemn others for not following the "scriptures" exactly the way they believed. I think pretty much every known minister, church, author, was found to be heretics and sinners that were damned to hell for preaching "another gospel". Now, believe me, some that they were talking about are clearly walking outside of the Christian faith...but most of them were believers who just didn't see certain scriptures the way they understood them. Because of this, it was not just judging them by their fruit...but it was pure "condemnation". How sad that some feel that their purpose is to destroy others by making fun of them, calling them names, and never trying to teach and rebuke in love. Love..was the last thing I saw coming from these sites. Love...was not the point. Love...had no place to try and restore those whom they thought had walked away from the "truth".

I admit that when I hear or read things that I disagree with...it's hard not to just slam them for being so ignorant of the Word! But...as believers we need to be careful. We need to be reminded that none of us see the complete picture yet. We all see in part by our lack of knowledge, experience, maturity, faith, understanding...and as we condemn each other for that, we will also reap condemnation.

Sure...some purposely teach false doctrines for their own personal gain or glory. But we need to be stronger than that and be wise on how we present the "Gospel".

Today may be the day.

2007-10-30T07:47:00.001-05:00

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." John 16: 13-14

For years I have studied and looked for "the things that are to come". I have asked the Lord to guide me by his Spirit and to reveal his plan. I've looked and still look for the signs...and probably like everyone since Jesus ascended to the Father on a cloud, have been confused by what I'm looking for.

Thousands of articles and books have been written about the coming of Jesus. I've read half of them! and just when I think I have a "truth" about something...it seems that something else comes up that disqualifies that truth.

I've come to the conclusion that however anyone decides how it will happen or when it will happen...I can probably ignore it! Even if some are right on the timing...when it happens it will probably not look like or seem like what anyone has suggested. So where do I go from here?

Hopefully, I'm going to simplify my search. I'm going to walk through each day believing God will accomplish everything he wills...and I will trust in him, and by faith, live as if he is coming today.

In defense...

2007-10-22T21:00:00.001-05:00

There's a website that has the complete "promo" by John Hagee for his newest book "In Defense of Israel". I don't know much about this website, I was directed there to listen to this promo on the book.

Hear for yourself what John Hagee says: http://threshingfloor.onevoicemm.net/weblog/?p=868

As much as I wanted to blast this man immediately upon hearing and seeing this promo, I decided to go purchase the book to see if what his promo says is backed up by the book.

This is what he says:

The Jewish people, as a whole did not reject Jesus as Messiah.

Jesus did not come to Earth to BE the Messiah.

Jesus refused by word and deed to be the Messiah.

The Jews cannot be blamed for not accepting what was never offered.

What can I say...yes, it is in the book too. Hagee says he believes that Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour of mankind. His understanding of Jesus' purpose for the Jews is laid out in the book and as you read you could easily get caught up in his theology...if you choose to ignore a lot of other scriptures too.

I don't know Hagee. I've listened to him off and on (sort of as I passed by a station) and do not agree with some of his theology and especially his eschatology. But hey, I'm a little off too!

I think this is a dangerous book and will lead to things that we wished it would have never led us too. It scares me that Christians like Hagee seem to forget that as believers in Christ Jesus, we are called to love. So, calling for us/Israel to strike first before "they"can strike us....just doesn't seem right.

But, to agree with Hagee on something, He says that no matter what some try to do to trigger world events (which he certainly seems to be trying to do), nothing will happen unless it is God's will and God's timing. I feel that this may be part of God's timing...and His will, will be done whether Hagee has it right or wrong.

Go into all the world...

2007-10-14T20:45:00.001-05:00

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

I love this picture. This is my dad doing exactly what the Lord had asked his disciples to do. A simple farmer from Texas, the Lord called him to minister in Korea and he landed there in 1954 right after the Korean war had come to an end. For over thirty years he preached the Gospel to the "nations" and baptized them. He sent hundreds out to mission fields to many nations from a small college that he established to what is now a University. The nations are hearing the Gospel, believing the Gospel, and living the Gospel.

This is what we are all called to do. It doesn't matter who you are, where you are, what you do, or where you are going...present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Love the way Jesus loved and be a light to the world.

Quotes

2007-10-01T08:14:00.000-05:00

I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.--H.G. Wells

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. --Mahatma Gandhi

Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ's 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity. –Unknown

Dancing with Jesus (Lifehouse's Everything Skit)

2007-09-18T06:57:00.000-05:00

We struggle with the things and ways of this world. Reach out to Jesus again. The Dance can begin today.

Belief

2007-09-02T19:54:00.000-05:00

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name."
John 20:30-31

Belief is a gift from God. Just like grace. Just like faith. Some get a lot of it and some receive just a small amount. Maybe it's as small as a mustard seed, but it's still there and it's enough.

Oils on this Canvas

2007-08-27T13:48:00.000-05:00

God had us in mind from the beginning.
He created the oils, the canvas, and painted a beautiful picture.
We are that picture.

Spread the Good News.

The Barbarian Way

2007-08-22T07:26:00.000-05:00

"The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out - until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels." Exodus 40:34-38

The civilized build shelters and invite God to stay with them; barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go. The civilized Christian has a routine; the barbarian disciple has a mission. The civilized believer knows the letter of the law; the barbarian disciple lives the spirit of the law. The religiously civilized love tradition; the barbarians spirit loves challenges. The civilized are satisfied with ritual; barbarians live and thrive in the mystical. For the civilized disciple, religion provides stability and certainty; for the barbarian, a life in God is one of risk and mystery.
And maybe even a little insanity. There's no way to escape that barbarians can appear out of their minds. No reasonable person would ever fully follow God everywhere He calls. God is simply unreasonable. (from the book: The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus * Published by Nelson Books)

May we all choose "The barbarian way!"

My son, do not forget

2007-08-20T15:46:00.000-05:00

"My son, do not forget my teachings, but let you heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, so you will find favor and understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:1-6

After fourteen years of giving every word of advice to my son, I still feel that I haven't done or said enough to help him face the world on his own. So many things run through my brain and I wonder if I was able to communicate it to him....just in case he came across a situation where he would have to make a decision that could possibly change his life. How do you let go?

I was reading today and ran across the scripture above. Did I teach my son the commandments? I know I lived it...but was he watching? Did he recognize the ways of the Lord...or was I just a little too human and wasn't the example that he needed to see?

I remember when I was young and left home. I'm sure my parents wondered about me! I'm sure they were afraid that I never listened or cared about their faith. But I did. It was bound around my neck and written on the tablets of my heart - though I may have not felt or seen them, I know I certainly tried to ignore them, but there it was. And one day tragedy happened and God came. His Word came and melted my heart and His Love came and covered me in such mercy and grace that I was overwhelmed by His compassion. Then I knew. This was Truth. This is what my life was created for. To love and serve God. I wait patiently for that day to see the same for our sons. That day will come. God promised.

Hot or cold?

2007-08-06T07:31:00.000-05:00

"To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: The amen, the witness who is faithful and true the source of God's creation, says: I know what you have done, you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I'm rich. I'm wealthy. I don't need anything. 'Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

I advise you: Buy gold purified in fire from me so that you may be rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them so that you may keep your shameful, naked body from showing. Buy ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together. I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 13: 14-22

I think as we read what the Spirit says to the church of Laodicea, we recognize that many of us have become a part of that church. We have given into the teachings of man, rather than listening to the heart of God. We compromise our call by being neither hot or cold in our walk with Jesus. We perform religion rather than living our lives being led by the Spirit.

The day is coming, and even here, as followers of Christ are being silenced by the religions of the world. Will we continue to be silent? Will we dare to die to self and live for Christ? Let us all join in the battle and love as Jesus loved...without compromising our faith and the Truth. Choose to be hot or cold...being lukewarm is not an option.

Giving all

2007-07-16T07:45:00.000-05:00

"Looking up, Jesus saw people, especially the rich, dropping their gifts into the temple offering box. He noticed a poor widow drop in two small coins. He said, "I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. All of these people have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

May we all learn to give. Learn to die to self. Learn to look to God for all our needs. I don't know how to do that yet, but boy, do I wish I could have that kind of faith and live that way. I know that's what we are all called to do, but, I still have a lot of the world living in me and it keeps telling me that dying to self and giving all is irresponsible. Is it? I don't yet. I haven't had (haven't chosen) to live that way. I assume that at some point in our lives, especially if the world continues down the path we are going, we will have to learn how to have faith. How to give. How to die to self. How to love. How to be like Jesus.

The Call - 07/07/07

2007-07-12T07:44:00.001-05:00

"John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was, "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 3:1-2

Living in Nashville it was only a 20 minute drive to LP Field, home to the TN Titans. For others in my family it was a 31 hour flight from Thailand and a 12 hour drive from Texas...and for the other 80,000 plus who came to The Call, who knows how long it took and what sacrifices were made to be with believers for the purpose of repenting, fasting, praying, and worship with a house full of believers in Jesus.

This being an event led by those who are of the charismatic persuasion, it was sad how few churches in our area promoted the event and didn't encourage believers to attend. Love and unity...such a hard thing for the church. We pride ourselves on accepting non-believers into the fold, but we stand strong against those who believe in Jesus, the Saviour of all mankind, because of petty differences in doctrines. Even with that said, there were believers from all denominations , cultures, nations, that joined together and spent about 14 hours straight, asking the Lord to unite us all as a people.

As the Lord seems to be preparing His people for revival, the world seems to be getting closer and closer to another world war. This is a time that we must stand and unite, put away the silly differences, and seek the Lord in all we do. God will unite us...one way or another. I just pray that we will stand together as His church, one people, in days to come.

Pray

2007-06-22T08:32:00.000-05:00

"As council members listened to Stephen, they became noticeably furious. But Stephen was of the Holy Spirit. He looked into heaven, saw God's glory, and Jesus in the position of authority that God gives. So Stephen said, "Look, I see heaven opened and the Son of Man in the position of authority God has given him!"

But the council members shouted and refused to listen. They they rushed at Stephen with one purpose in mind, and after they had thrown him out of the city, they began to stone him to death. The witnesses left their coats with a young man named Saul.

While council members were executing Stephen, he called out. "Lord, Jesus, welcome my spirit. Then he knelt down and shouted, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them." After he had said this, he died." Acts 7: 54-60

Stephen is considered the first martyr of the church. From that day to the present, millions of followers of Jesus have had to make the same stand as Stephen made. Most of us sit in the comfort and safety of our homes and rarely think about those who are being persecuted and killed for their belief in Jesus. We live in countries that allow this freedom of faith, and since we don't experience the persecution first hand , we tend not to think about it.

I encourage us all to pray for our brothers and sisters throughout the world. A good source to find news about what is going on with the our persecuted believers is the website Persecution.org. Bookmark that page and go to it often to pray for those who are truly living a persecuted life.

May the Lord Jesus come back quickly and may we remain faithful as we wait for His return.

Fast & Pray

2007-06-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

There is a great revival going on in America and across the world. Starting Memorial Day and going for 40 days to 7/7/07, believers are called to fast and pray. For those of you who have never been a part of something like this, I would challenge you to take part in it.

The ending day will be a time of worship and praise and will be held in Nashville at LP Field, home of the TN Titans.

Fasting can be anything from 1 meal a day to the full 40 day fast. "Pray without ceasing" is the call from the apostle Paul. I hope some of you will consider to be a part of this. This has nothing to do with the call to any particular "denomination" but a call to those who love and believe in the Lord...the Church! Visit this site to learn more: http://www.thecall.com

Saul becomes Paul

2007-06-07T08:01:00.000-05:00

From Islam to Christ. Khalil, A radical Egyptian terrorist changed from a murderous "Saul" to a forgiving "Paul" after Jesus Christ visited him in a soul-penetrating dream. This hater of both Christians and Jews set out to discredit the Bible, but instead, he was transformed when Jesus appeared to him and changed his heart.

http://dreamsandvisions.com/

That's My King!

2007-05-20T21:19:00.000-05:00

"Rev. SM Lockridge describes the King of Kings with a stream of superlatives and adjectives, powerfully and majestically - He's Indescribable!"

Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego CA
from 1953 - 1993

I found this on one of the websites I visit often. http://www.notjustnotes.ws

You will enjoy this!

Jesus in China

2007-05-13T18:03:00.001-05:00

May we all desire to follow Jesus. Should you take the time to view the videos below...it will change your heart and give you more of a reason to stand strong in your faith.

For more information on those who created these films: ChinaSoul

Seeds of Blood - Episode 1 of "The Cross - Jesus in China"

The Bitter Cup - Episode 2 of "The Cross - Jesus in China"

The Spring of Life - Episode 3 of "The Cross - Jesus in China"

The Canaan Hymns - Episode 4 of "The Cross - Jesus in China"

Whatever you do...DO IT!!!

2007-05-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

"Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

One of the things I try to do in my job, is go beyond what any one expects me to do. I learned this from my dad...but I have a long way to go to be considered like him. He was an extremely hard worker and even though he was a minister and teacher, you would often find him in the fields of Korea helping farmers, in villages working on homes, picking up trash along the roads we walked, serving the poor as he found them or they found their way to him...and in our own house he was mopping the floors, washing dishes, raking the lawn, or fixing things that were broken. He was always whistling or singing a hymn and everyone around him knew that life was good no matter what circumstance you might find yourself in at the moment. They knew that he knew the Source of life.

Though I am sort of like my dad in the physical aspect of work...I am not quite like him in the spiritual part yet. For some reason, maybe it's my generation, or maybe it's my lack of love...but I am always judging others at how lazy and inconsiderate they are for not caring about their work! Not all people...but mostly the ones who claim to be believers in Jesus and say they desire to walk in His ways.

It makes me sad that this has become such an issue with me. I tend to think about this a lot these days and I keep trying to figure out why I do...and why I care so much about this!

Since another situation came up this week with a "believer" who seems to not care that what was done (or should I say, not done) has affected so many others who were depending on her to do her job, this has been a week of anger for me. I want so bad to confront...but at the same time I have been beaten down for so long with those who seem to not care, that I want to just ignore the whole thing and never allow myself to be a part of this persons life.

Prayer is an option here. I can pray and pray and pray, and maybe one day this person will finally see that when she doesn't "work as you're serving the Lord" you make a bad impression on those who don't know the Lord, as well as, the ones that do know the Lord and were depending on her. Or I could pray and pray and pray, and maybe one day the Lord will break my heart and allow me to see that we've all got problems and I need to take the log out of my own eye before I pull the splinter out of someone else's eye!

I hate it when I write and something like this comes out! I just want to be angry and a bit self-righteous! I want to be right and kick a little dust and shake my fist at those who don't have it together...and could care less that they don't have it together!

Oh well, I really do want to be like my dad. Sing and rejoice as I work and give my all to those I come in contact with. I hope I can do that one day. But honestly, I hope all of us believers will want to be that way...it sure would help our stress level and I would imagine it might change the world a bit.

Walk with Jesus folks. Whatever you do, work hard and give it your all. Just like you were doing it for the Lord. Remember, so many will only see Jesus when they see you.

Judas - friend or foe?

2007-04-23T07:18:00.000-05:00

"Then Judas, who betrayed him, asked, "You don't mean me, do you, Rabbi?" "Yes, I do," Jesus replied." Matthew 26:25

"One disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, was near him at the table. Simon Peter motioned to that disciple and said, "Ask Jesus whom he's talking about!" Leaning close to Jesus, that disciple asked, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "He's the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I've dipped it in the sauce." So Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. Then, after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered him. So Jesus told him, "Hurry! Do what you have to do." John 13:23-27

The National Geographic own the rights to the "Gospel of Judas". This was recently released for public reading and viewing and has already had quite a few scholars write books about the text.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/document.htm

I spend a lot of time reading and researching what "scholars and theologians" are saying about the scriptures and other writings relating to the Christian faith. Many of them are so involved in trying to find reason to not believe in Jesus...that at times, it's comically sad to read their thoughts.

http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?ml_video=85406

I do understand why it's important to research these writings. Just knowing how "Scripture" was deemed "Scripture" should make us all desire to study and research the writings of the past. Just look at all those "who believe" and we see that our understanding and our translation of "Scripture" is based on how we have been taught to believe...or how we've been taught to translate languages into our own language.

There is one thing that we can count on as we grow in our faith. Jesus didn't leave us completely on our own to figure it all out. Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it doesn't see or know Him. You know Him, because He lives with you and will be in you." John 14: 16-17

I believe God has given us the "Scriptures". I believe the "Spirit of Truth" confirms this in our hearts...even when we don't understand or agree. Certainly Paul and Peter had their arguments!

Won't it be great when Jesus comes and we will all see and understand!

Keep looking to Jesus and trust the "Spirit of Truth".

Pursuing the faith.

2007-04-16T08:28:00.000-05:00

"But these miracles have been written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that you will have life by believing in Him."
John 20:31

I love to read and study the Scriptures. I am constantly learning and seeing how the Lord continues to change my heart and mind as I pursue a life that is a reflection of Him. I don't do a great job at being a reflection of my Lord and Saviour, but I hope that one day I will be like Him.

Beside reading Scripture, I read a lot from those who have also pursued or are pursuing their faith. I read the writings of people who are in nearly every denomination, and faith. I want to understand how they came to their conclusions since most of them read the same Scriptures that I read. It's a strange thing to know that we all read the same scriptures...yet, we all have our slant on what the scriptures say!

Having walked in the faith of Jesus Christ for many years now, I have come to a place where I realize that those who love and follow Jesus are doing exactly what I do. They are pursuing their relationship with God and desiring that God reveal His Truth. Why we all come to different understandings? I have no clue! But I pray that we continue to seek Jesus and live as people who love and desire fellowship with those who believe, and desire to love those who don't believe and be an example of Christ to them.

One day we will all see clearly. We all will understand. But no matter who you are, what church you attend, whether you have no faith or a ton of faith, keep pursuing. For those of you who do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, I could never give you or teach you to believe. But I do know Jesus can and will.

Good Friday & Easter

2007-04-07T22:10:00.000-05:00

"At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud vocie, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"...Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice and died." Mark 15:33,34,37

I have always found the term "Good Friday" to be strange words for what was to have happened on that day 2000 plus years ago. Traditionally, Jesus was to have died on "Good Friday" and I assume that was "good" because with His death, life would be given to mankind. The thought is "good" but how he was tortured and hung on a cross, certainly doesn't bring the word "good" to my mind!

I also have been at odds with the tradition of the "church" in how it has become truth that Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday. I'm certainly not a theologian, nor a mathematician, but Jesus made it clear that he would die and 3 days and 3 nights later, he would rise (Matthew 12:40). Tradition teaches Jesus died Friday afternoon, buried before sundown, Saturday, then Saturday night, and then He rises on Sunday morning. Two days. Sort of.

When I studied this many years ago, I came to my conclusion of this strange tradition. Since the newly found state/church under Constantine, many traditions and newly created doctrines started to not only be taught, but forced on the people to help control and bring peace...or "fear" to keep people in line and give them reason to live under the newly formed government/religion.

Simple reading of scripture and other materials available from that period, you find that at the time of Passover, an 8 day long festival, Jesus was crucified in the middle of Passover and rose from the dead at the end of it. So many pictures of this throughout Scripture!

So does this matter at how we look at this day? I personally think it does. Bad doctrine is bad doctrine. This particular doctrine has become truth to many...and the only way it has become that, is that certain "religious wise men" have decided that the "Scriptures" are flawed...but after years and years of examining the Scriptures, I see more and more how God doesn't make mistakes in presenting His Truth. I may not understand all of it...but, I believe God is much bigger than man.

Easter Sunday:

"The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He's not here. He has been brought back to life as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Then go quickly, and tell His disciples that He has been brought back to life. He's going ahead of them into Galilee. There they will see Him. Take note that I have told you." They hurried away from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples."
Matthew 28:5-8

There were many witnesses to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. I believe the witness of the many. I believe them not because they witnessed and knew Jesus personally, but I believe them because now I know Him personally.

He has risen! Hallelujah!

What would Jesus do?

2007-04-05T07:12:00.000-05:00

"Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses' Teachings and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

I was talking to a gentleman the other day at our baseball training center. They have been coming for a few weeks and seem to be enjoying the progress they are seeing with the instruction that they are being given. The father was in a talkative mood and as we sat watching one of my trainers teach his son, he started talking about all sorts of things.

Because we have a scripture on our business website, most everyone who walks in the door know that we are believers in Jesus. We don't push our beliefs on anyone...but many that come, after a few weeks will start asking questions about our faith. They seem to see a difference in the way they are treated and feel comfortable that we are not the typical "christians" pushing an agenda.

Anyway, in my conversation with this man, I asked him what he did for a living. He was in construction. A type that mainly folks who have more money than the average would call on.
Without any other question than that, he said an odd thing. He said something like, "It's a great business and I've done well, but one of my biggest problems has been working with all these "born again Christians" with their Lexus, Mercedes, BMW 's that have that fish on the back of their cars. They scream the loudest, always try to get me to come down on the price, and then when I complete the job I have a hard time collecting my money." I knew exactly what he meant. I spent 25 years in the "Christain" music business!

Isn't it sad that this type of conversation has become common among people? Maybe it's not so bad outside the "Bible Belt"...but here, right in the middle of it all, I hear, and witness this type of attitude toward believers in Christ. How sad.

My encouragement to all of us who believe...love your neighbor. Respect them and give them the honor due to them. Show them Jesus.

You are no longer condemned!

2007-03-27T07:32:00.000-05:00

"So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned." Romans 8:1

Before the apostle Paul wrote the line above he allowed us to see who he was. A corrupt man sold as a slave to sin. A man that had nothing good living in him and one who continued to do evil things. But he received an insight from God that we all need to see. Evil is present even when we want to do what God wants us to do, but because of Jesus, we have been rescued from a life of sin.

Many of us still walk around as if there is no hope. We look at our lives and feel that we are just not worthy because of how we constantly do things that we know is sin. We feel that God could never allow us eternal life because of how we live this life. Meditate on the scripture above. It's not about who we are...it's about who Jesus is. It's because of His life. It's because of His faith. His obedience. It's because of His victory that we are no longer condemned. This is Good News! Change your mind and your heart and live knowing He has delivered us.

Lost Sheep

2007-03-21T07:09:00.000-05:00

"What do you think? Suppose a man has 100 sheep and one of them strays. Won't he leave the 99 sheep in the hills to look for the one that has strayed? I can guarantee this truth: If he finds it, he is happier about it than about the 99 that have not strayed. In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost." Matthew 18:12-14

Translation of Scripture can be misleading at times. In the Scripture above, something is missing that I think is a key to understanding what Jesus was really saying about the lost. Verse 14 in the God's Word translation says: "In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost." Translated in this way makes it sound like the sheep could possibly stay lost and might not ever be found and brought back to the fold.

A more literal translation of this verse is found using the "Young's Literal Translation". In Young's verse 14 reads: "...so it is not the "will" in presence of your Father who is in the heavens, that one of these little ones may perish." The "Concordant Literal Translation" reads: "Thus it is not the "will" in front of your Father Who is in the heavens that one of these little ones should be perishing."

The original word in the Greek for "will" is the word "Thelema". It's meaning according to Strong's Lexicon is:

what one wishes or has determined shall be done

of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ
of what God wishes to be done by us
1. commands, precepts

will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

In my opinion, this puts a whole new meaning to the lost sheep. The "will" of God, or the purpose of God, has been determined. He "will" find the lost and bring them back to fold.

Most of us have been taught that our will can over ride God's will. In other words, we have the choice to be and stay lost. Is that really what Scripture teaches?

"He turned their heart to hate His people, to plot against His servants." Psalm 105:25

"All abiding on the earth are reckoned as naught. According to His will is He doing...with those abiding on the earth." Daniel 4:35

"(He) is operating all in according with the counsel of His will." Ephesians 1:11

"Consequently, then, it is not of him who is willing, nor of him who is racing, but of God, the Merciful." Romans 9:16

"Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening. Romans 9:18

"Has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor?" Romans 9:21

"Heaven must receive Jesus until the time when everything will be restored as God promised through his holy prophets long ago." Acts 3:21

"For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers." 1 Timothy 4:10

"and He Himself is the propitiation (covering) for our sins; and not only ours, but for those of the whole world." 1 John 2:2

These are just a few Scriptures that let us know what is God's will. There is a picture of mankind struggling with life throughout Scripture, and we certainly know how much we struggle today! But we are told that God has the right to make different subjects from the clay. One for honor, one for dishonor. We are told that God is doing what he wills for those abiding on the earth.

I am told that what I believe is considered heresy in the doctrines of the modern "church". It's interesting that the early church held to the doctrine that God was in control and willing that "none should perish". I hope and pray that the Scriptures above have not changed in their meaning...and there are many more that let us know God's will for mankind is that HE is willing to save those He created. I may not fully understand Scripture, or the ways of God...but I do understand the words mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love.

Every Scripture is inspired by God

2007-03-05T07:40:00.000-06:00

"Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval. They equip God's servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If I were an auto mechanic, I would have to constantly read and study about how to repair engines. With all the new technology that go into cars, and all the different manufacturers, you would have to be prepared when someone rolls into your shop so that you could fix the problem.

If I were a businessman, I would study to make sure I was on top of things in the business world. If I were a nurse or doctor, I would certainly have to know what was going on in the world of medicine to make sure my patients were taken care of. If I were a teacher, my students would expect me to know the subject I was teaching on.

If I am a Christian, why wouldn't I do the same? Why wouldn't I be going back the the book that has all the information I need to learn and study all that God has written down to be able to help not only myself, but others who need to learn about the ways of God.

We know that many people, including those who claim to be Christians, don't believe that the Word of God, or what we call the Bible, is really the Word of God. Because of the many different doctrines that the denominations teach, most have come to the conclusion that either it's not the Word of God, or no one will be able to really understand the Word of God...so why continue to read and study.

Just like if you are studying for a test in school, if you don't read and study the text, you would never be able to even come to an opinion about the questions given. But if you were to study the text, the history, and look deep into the questions given, you would at least have an opinion on what God is telling His people.

I have to admit, the more I study I seem to have more questions. But the more I study and go to the Source, my faith and belief become stronger. I see that the Word is true...whether I understand it or not at the time, I know that God will give me the answers as I continue to seek Him. The Teacher and the Source of all that I am pursuing to know.

It's easy to let the ministers/pastors/theologians tell us what to think and believe. But just like you, they are still learning and growing in the Lord, maybe not even as fast as you are learning and growing! Stay the course. If you want to know if the Bible, the Word of God, the Scriptures are true and real...read and study. Ask the Lord to give you understanding. He promises in the Scriptures that His Spirit WILL lead you to the Truth.

May we all be diligent in seeking God and His Word.

God spoke the world into existence

2007-02-26T08:43:00.000-06:00

"In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Spirit of God was hovering over the water. Then God said, "Let there be light!" So there was light. God saw the light was good. So God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light day, and the darkness he named night. There was evening, then morning--the first day." Genesis 1: 1-5

God spoke the world and all things came into existence. For those who have been given the faith to believe, that's not a hard concept to swallow. God is God and He can do anything, in any way He desires to do it. One thing we notice by reading the Scriptures is that as man continues to find proof about the creation, the history of the world, how things are...they seem to find that Scriptures has already given them the answers.

Once again God's own laws prove that the Scriptures are from God. Yes, there will be many who will try to disprove and refuse to believe, but as most things that have come to light in the world of science over the years, I believe man will find that God does things by His own Laws to show us who He is. Follow the links.

http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/6010621.html
http://www.scienceprovescreation.com/

"The Wild One - Part 3"

2007-02-18T20:44:00.000-06:00

"When John's messengers had left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. "What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind? Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear splendid clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces. Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet. John is the one about whom Scripture says, 'I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way in front of you.' I can guarantee that of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John. Yet, the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than John." Luke 7:24-28

Wow...can you imagine Jesus saying this about you? "Of all the people ever born, NO ONE is greater than John". What commitment John had to God and to the people. To give up all that was around him and to call people to repent. No other agenda. Repent. Be baptized and repent! Change you ways. Change the direction you're going! Repent. Someone much greater is coming and you need to repent! He's coming to baptize you with fire! Repent. Repent and be baptized!

We need to hear those words more often...but more than hear it, we need to heed them. Jesus is coming just like He did before...and we need to repent and be prepared. He's coming to reign on earth and He's coming and many will reign with him as servants in His kingdom. I want to be one of them. I want to serve our risen Saviour and I hope all of us desire that.

May we become what Jesus said after he talked about John being the greatest ever born up to that time: "Yet, the least important person in the Kingdom of God is greater than John."

The Wild One "Part 2"

2007-02-12T10:04:00.000-06:00

"But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, "You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God's coming anger? Do those things prove you have turned to God and have change the way yo think and act. Don't think you can say, 'Abraham is our ancestor.' I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire. I baptize you with water so that you will change the way you think and act. But the one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into a barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out." Matthew 3:7-12

It seems pretty obvious that the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming to John for the wrong reasons. Being religious leaders, I'm thinking they thought that if they were to show the people that they respected John and were baptized, the people would still respect them and continue under their leadership. They really weren't interested in changing their ways or wanting to repent and follow God. It's kind of like it is today within our religious systems. We have leaders that refuse to teach the truth for fear of losing their "flock" losing the position, or losing their "job".

John goes on to tell them that God is about to use His ax to cut out the roots that are useless. Roots that will be thrown into a fire. God was about to bring in a people who desire to follow Him and He was capable of making true followers out of the stones that were laying about! Their physical relationship to Abraham didn't matter...it was about their heart.

Our God is a consuming fire. He will clean the threshing floor of our hearts and burn the husks which does not glorify Him. We will become pure wheat. The One John was foretelling would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. A message that the "religious" could not comprehend.

May we lay down our "religion" and follow Jesus.

John the "wild one".

2007-02-05T08:06:00.000-06:00

"Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was, "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near." Isaiah the prophet spoke about this man when he said, "A voice cries out in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'" John wore clothes made from camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him. As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River." Matthew 3:1-6

What I find amazing about John the Baptist is that he was obviously a strange man who refused to be a part of the religious system. He hung out outside the towns, wore strange clothes, ate weird food, and told people to repent and change their ways. To hear his message...people had to find him! What was it that drew them?

We don't talk about sin much these days. We are so bombarded with stuff from the world that we have allowed ourselves to think that looking, speaking, or even doing things that we know should not be part of our character, is just the way it is and it's no big deal to allow it in to our lives. I think that's what drew people to John...they were tired of the sin in their lives and wanted more out of life. They wanted to change and searched the one out that encouraged them to really change and be a part of something much more real than their religious system or their religious leaders provided. It was a heart change...a way to become what God had created them to be. To be more like Him.

In the past 30 and more years, we have seen so many religious leaders fall because of great sin in their lives. We have seen ourselves fall because of sin in our lives...because some of us really refuse to truly repent. To really turn from our sins.

God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us from our sins. Not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world. May we hear the message of John the Baptist...the message he spoke to the religious ones! May God send more people like John to the church and bring us a new understanding of what it means to repent and what it means to follow Jesus.

Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

2007-01-28T21:40:00.000-06:00

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well. If someone wants to sue you in order to take your shirt, let him have your coat too. If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don't turn anyone away who wants to borrow something from you.
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust. If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward? Even the tax collectors do that! Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends? Everyone does that! That is why you must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:38-48

What if President Bush said, "I have decided to take Jesus words and apply them to the situation we find ourselves in with the world. Today...I will not oppose those I believe are evil. I will turn the other cheek and choose to go the extra mile by stopping all that we are doing to fight evil. I have decided to love as Jesus loved, and I ask that all of us pray for those we believe are persecuting us and give them all they ask for, outside of your faith in our Lord."

What would we do as a nation? Since the USA is predominately Christian...would we choose to submit to a leader that would ask us to live and love as Jesus commanded? Would we be willing to lose all that we know as a "free nation" and possibly allow "evil" to come in and take over? We see in scripture and in recent history that that has certainly happened in the past...and now that we all know we are at a place in history where there really is no way to win this war...what are we called to do as believers?

In the flesh...we want to protect our country, our freedom, our way of life...but what about in the Spirit? As followers of Jesus Christ...what should be our response to all that has happened since that dreadful day we know as 9/11? I have heard many a sermons that called us to attack and protect...as well as, we should try to understand and love those who persecute us. It's astounding at the diverse ways Christians read scripture and come to their conclusion of peace or war.

No need to comment or respond to this message...but where do you stand? Knowing what Jesus called each of us to do and what we should be...would it be right to continue in war to protect our way of life? Or is it time to stop and release ourselves into a place of servitude and surrender? A possible "captivity" by another nation...so that one day, maybe years of praying to the Lord for our release...we will be allowed to go free and in to the promise land.

2007-01-21T23:06:00.001-06:00

"Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other. However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life. This is a statement that can be trusted. I want you to insist on these things so that those who believe in God can concentrate on setting an example by doing good things. This is good and helps other people." Titus 3:3-8

There's nothing we can do to win God's approval. To recieve His mercy and grace, we can't work or do anything that would make ourselves righteous or holy and be able to stand in His presence because of anthing that we are able to do. But because of God's love for us...even before the creation, He chose to send Jesus and make a way for all to be saved. It is because of Jesus and His faith that we are saved. And because of Jesus, those of us who have been given the faith to believe are able to tell others about God's great love for us. We are given the call to tell others and set an example as we walk out our faith. This is a great gift! Freely given to us...tell the world what Jesus did and be an example.

The 10 Commandments...The Laws

2007-01-14T08:50:00.000-06:00

"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20

Here in America, there has been a fight on posting the "10 Commandments" in public. Many believers, as well as non-believers are trying to say that we are not bound by those laws anymore and they need not be posted. Some say that we shouldn't post them since they are religious in nature, they offend those who do not follow the religions that tend to believe the laws are worthy of display.

Since most of you who read this come from a Christian background...I wonder how you feel about this particular subject. Not only about "posting the commandments" but what do you feel about all the "laws"? As you know, there are hundreds of them written in the Old Testament. Are they relevant? Do we need to follow them, ignore them, use them as a guideline? What did Jesus mean for those who follow Him?

Let us know what you think. What you believe. What you struggle with...Post your thoughts and hopefully, we can help each other as we walk through this.

Daniel 4

2007-01-10T07:20:00.000-06:00

"From King Nebuchadnezzar. To the people of every province, nation, and language in the world. I wish you peace and prosperity. I am pleased to write to you about the miraculous signs and amazing things the Most High God did for me. His miraculous signs are impressive. He uses his power to do amazing things. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom. His power lasts from one generation to the next." Daniel 4: 1-3

Everyday we hear the news of more trouble between the nations. The war is spreading and just the fear of who might do what...is bringing more nations into the picture of wanting to "protect" themselves from what they deem to be "evil empires" out of control. Is there hope for us in this age? Is there hope our leaders will change and we will ever be able to live in peace?

For those of us who believe in the Saviour of the world, Jesus, we know that one day He will rule the nations and there will be peace. Scripture says that the whole earth will be filled with the glory of God and learn of His ways. When and how will this happen? Many have written how it will be...but I think we may be surprised that it doesn't come to pass in the way recent books and movies have portrayed the end!

Take the time to read Daniel 4 today. Here's a great and wonderful story how God intervenes in the lives of leaders. How He used an evil leader to bring about His purpose. Neb came to know God! Gave glory to God and led his nation and proclaimed it to the world.

It all may seem to be out of control...it will probably get alot worse before it gets better..but God in His perfect plan will use the leaders of each nation, good or bad, to bring us to a place of repentence and a place of acknowledging the Most High God.

Scripture says that God places those he chooses in leadership. We are called to pray for them and recognize them as God's chosen. Not just our nations' leader. But every nations' leader. God will use them to bring about HIS purpose. Pray for the leaders of the nations. God can change their hearts and minds whenever HE chooses to do so. Walk in faith, not by sight!

Amazingly and miraculously made.

2007-01-07T07:30:00.000-06:00

"You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop. Your eyes saw me when I was only a fetus. Every day [of my life] was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place. How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are! If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you."
Psalm 139: 13-18

In our day and age we are bombarded by the media that constantly makes us feel that we need to change ourselves to look like and be like...pick a star. It could be a movie star, a famous writer, musician, politician, athlete, minister, doctor, teacher, scientist...anybody, just not yourself! We are reminded daily that we're overweight, underweight, too tall, too short, too rich, too poor, too old, too young...etc. In other words...we're just never good enough.

I'm all for working to change those things that we need to change! To try and better ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually...but to try and be like "so and so" is where we need to change our way of thinking.

As the scripture above states...God made each of us just the way He wanted us to be. He recorded each day of our lives before we were born and gave each of us a purpose to be whom He created us to be. You can go through your life looking at others who are doing great things and wishing you could do those kinds of things...or you can realize, YOU are amazingly and miraculously made!

Thy will be done...

2007-01-02T09:51:00.000-06:00

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10

I learned a long time ago not to make new year resolutions (promises). It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't any good at keeping my word. And when I broke it, I felt regret and felt the pain of letting myself down as well as others.

Jesus taught us to pray; "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"...not mine. Not ours. But God's will. We can try to will ourselves to do anything, but most of the time when we try to will it on our own, we will fail. Things happen that we don't foresee and before you know it, we have slipped right out of our "resolution or promise". The apostle Paul cried out in Romans 7:

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner-being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

We need to set goals and continue to try to do the right things for ourselves and others. That's not a bad thing to do! But be wise in what you "promise" to do.

A new beginning

2006-12-31T20:16:00.000-06:00

After 10 years of sending out a weekly encouragement message to hundreds of subscribers, today marks the day of a new season for
The Cyberservant.

Will this go on for the next 10 years? Who knows! All I know is that I must continue until I believe the Lord would have me stop all together. My hope is that He will return and there will be no need.

I will post randomly and hope The Cyberservant subscribers follow and hope that others will find us and join in on our desire to serve the Lord.

May the Lord continue to move and bring us all in a closer relationship with each other and with Him. May He teach us and give us insight and a desire to "seek the kingdom of God."

Many blessings, The Cyberservant

10 previous years of The Cyberservant http://www.dotcommusic.com/servant