When He Is Old, He Will Not Depart From It

When the disciples turned away the little children, Jesus rebuked them and used the circumstances to teach them about a vital key for every Christian and the fact that God works through children and those who are pure like children.

Matthew 19:14 “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

When God works through children, there is a blessing that follows them throughout their lives.  This is my first hand witness that is shared with my wife. 

God started to work with us at the same time even before we met!  This is an awesome experience to relate.  The year was 1964.  The Lord appeared to Sis. Cindy while she was waiting for her older sister; who was attending a class at church. 

The Lord wrapped His arms around her, bearing witness of His great love for her.  From that moment on; she always felt the Lord’s presence with her.

At the same time, several miles away, my next door neighbor’s grandson; and my childhood friend, Timmy; was coming home from his catechism class and couldn’t wait to show me his new book.  Pointing to a picture of Jesus, he said, “This is God.”  At that moment, God wrapped His arms around me and in my soul those three words spoke volumes of knowledge as a witness to the Mighty God in Jesus Christ. 

Ten years later, Cindy would be introduced to me in High School, by the choir teacher.  We spent a lot of time for the next two years getting to know each other, but then drifted apart because of religious differences.  It was not God’s time.

Thirty five years later the Lord brought us together for His divine purpose.  On October 23, we will celebrate our one year anniversary.  It is still a great wondrous blessing of how God witnessed to two innocent children, pure at heart, nearly forty eight years ago.  As children, we were strangers to each other.  Later, in our youth, a foundation would be laid; an introduction, for the work of the Gospel together; thirty five years later.  We know that we were brought together for God’s will and purpose.

The children of the church; some who come at very young ages by themselves; along with the children of members; the second and third generation Christians; children like Cindy and I, who were spared much of the destruction of worldly lifestyles who have walked and talked with the Lord from our youth; our children are those pure in heart whom Jesus is referring to in the sermon on the mount.  There is a profound awareness and connection that comes with the Lord bearing personal witness to children.

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

Those with young children today, in the church; have the opportunity to train up Apostolic Children.  Yes they may stray; but there will be an anointing upon them and they will only go so far.  They will not completely depart.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”

Praise the Lord and thank you Jesus that my parents knew the Lord before my birth.  God gave me and Sis. Cindy the same blessing of David; called from a God fearing home, trained up in the Lord.

Psalms 71:17 “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”

There will come a time when all children will have great, great grandparents in the Lord.  That will be an incredible world, in the generations ahead; and beyond into the millennial rule of Jesus Christ. 

The reality of the second coming of our Lord, Jesus the Christ and the millennial peace stirs my soul with great anticipation.  Meditate on these glorious thoughts and let the wonderful world of God’s rule come to life in your heart, mind and soul.

No Greater Love

Evan was a young man who had become debilitated by a heart condition during his teenage years that left him in a wheel chair.  At the rate that he was weakening, there was not much hope of seeing his twenty first birthday.  In contrast, his younger sister, Patty had always been the picture of health and was very athletic.  Evan loved to be a spectator and attended all of his sister’s sports competitions.  They were very close and modeled an awesome sibling love for one another.  Evan shared in Patty’s accomplishments.  He took great joy in cheering Patty on to victory.

One day, Patty contracted a very rare virus that attacked her lungs. Within twenty four hours, the virus rendered her one lung completely useless and had destroyed half of her other lung.  Placed at the top of the transplant list, she received a donor lung, but her body rejected it.  Her only hope to receive another lung was to be gifted one from a family member.  Evan would be a perfect match, and the only viable donor; but that would hasten his already foreboding death.  This information was being discussed, in private, by the parents and the doctor.  It meant life for their daughter and a much more shortened life expectancy for their son.  Evan overheard the discussion and went immediately to Patty and offered her one of his lungs.  Both in tears, Patty turned down his offer. Then Evan said, “You have done many exciting and great things and I have lived through your accomplishments.  My life only exists in you. Don’t take that away from me.  This is my opportunity to do something really great with my life.”  Their parents and the doctor had overheard and observed this incredible conversation.

We hear of people who spontaneously rescue others at the cost of their own life.  Giving one’s life for another is the supreme sacrifice and act of love.  Some do it to save a family member or a good friend; but some do it for complete strangers, acting in total abandonment of their own life. 

Our lives have been saved by Jesus Christ laying down His life for us while we were yet sinners and strangers to God.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

As part of his final instructions, before His death; Jesus talked to His disciples about His love for them and all who believe on Him:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  (13)   Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  (14)  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  (15)   Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:12-15).

The gates of hell shall not prevail

As the people began to praise the Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior; the praise turned to worship.  Gathered in the presence of the child born, the son given, the one called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us; the WORD, Jesus Christ was present and the power of the Holy Ghost rained upon the people because hearts were emptied and broken; the spirit of a contrite heart of the people radiated in oneness to Heaven and Heaven fell upon the people.  Then the music came up in a theatrical response of power; but it was a human power and the pastor interceded and stopped the music; directing the people to true humility in Christ, to find a place to pray and truly connect with our hearts and not with music and the people emptied themselves.

Human nature craves the spot light.  We are impressed with the pomp and glory of man.  Recently, the whole world stood still when because a young man and woman got married.  Yes, he is the second heir to the throne of England.  But God has called us to be first heirs of His Kingdom; first fruits of Christ’s glory with Him on His throne.

James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.”

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne”

God has extended to us an invitation to rule and reign with Him for all eternity, not in a corrupt and limited kingdom of man that has death as its end; but eternal glory!  Christ, Himself, tells us not to chase after the folly of human material wealth!

Matthew 6:19 & 20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:” 20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

We can build a church and it can become a very impressive and glorious organization; but is it the real and true living organism of Christ?  There is no end to Christian organizations; but are we allowing Christ to build His church in and through us?  Is God building His house through us?  The Psalmist warns us:

Psalms 127:1 “…Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”

Matthew 16:18 Jesus said: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Having been on the project management team in 1986; of a 20 million dollar Physical Education Complex, for Northeastern Illinois University; this is said with first hand experience; there must be a very special relationship been that architect (Christ) and the contractor/builder (the people).  The architect breathes his vision through the builder and it becomes manifest.   Christ must breathed His vision through us if the church is to be built by the Master, Jesus Christ.  It is all about our relationship with Him!

We can make great music, write awesome books and preach powerful messages, but if it is not God breathed, then it is in vain.  It all begins at the altar of Christ’s throne, where we must empty ourselves in brokenness so that the God of the Universe can build His glory in us and create that which is eternal in our mortal flesh!

The gates of hell shall not prevail

As the people began to praise the Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior; the praise turned to worship.  Gathered in the presence of the child born, the son given, the one called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us; the WORD, Jesus Christ was present and the power of the Holy Ghost rained upon the people because hearts were emptied and broken; the spirit of a contrite heart of the people radiated in oneness to Heaven and Heaven fell upon the people.  Then the music came up in a theatrical response of power; but it was a human power and the pastor interceded and stopped the music; directing the people to true humility in Christ, to find a place to pray and truly connect with our hearts and not with music and the people emptied themselves.

Human nature craves the spot light.  We are impressed with the pomp and glory of man.  Recently, the whole world stood still when because a young man and woman got married.  Yes, he is the second heir to the throne of England.  But God has called us to be first heirs of His Kingdom; first fruits of Christ’s glory with Him on His throne.

James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.”

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne”

God has extended to us an invitation to rule and reign with Him for all eternity, not in a corrupt and limited kingdom of man that has death as its end; but eternal glory!  Christ, Himself, tells us not to chase after the folly of human material wealth!

Matthew 6:19 & 20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:” 20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

We can build a church and it can become a very impressive and glorious organization; but is it the real and true living organism of Christ?  There is no end to Christian organizations; but are we allowing Christ to build His church in and through us?  Is God building His house through us?  The Psalmist warns us:

Psalms 127:1 “…Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”

Matthew 16:18 Jesus said: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Having been on the project management team in 1986; of a 20 million dollar Physical Education Complex, for Northeastern Illinois University; this is said with first hand experience; there must be a very special relationship been that architect (Christ) and the contractor/builder (the people).  The architect breathes his vision through the builder and it becomes manifest.   Christ must breathed His vision through us if the church is to be built by the Master, Jesus Christ.  It is all about our relationship with Him!

We can make great music, write awesome books and preach powerful messages, but if it is not God breathed, then it is in vain.  It all begins at the altar of Christ’s throne, where we must empty ourselves in brokenness so that the God of the Universe can build His glory in us and create that which is eternal in our mortal flesh!

The Standard of Truth

The Standard of Truth

Since the expulsion of man from the Garden of Eden, Man has lived with a false standard.  The devil swindled man out of his divine inheritance and call; leading him to accept lies and falsehoods.  For the past 6,000 years dishonesty has triumphed and has gone unchecked.  Man wanted to choose for himself the standard, choose for himself that which is right and that which is wrong.  Just as the devil was once a bright morning star, an angel of the highest rank; a cherubim of perfection and beauty; one that sang God’s praises continuously at the throne of the LAMB; his voice was purity of sound and his music delighted the heavenly host; his vanity took hold of his senses and he said to himself; “I can be like the Most High, in fact I can be the most high!;”  so did Adam say that he could be his own god and rule himself.  Just as the devil’s vanity led to rebellion and his perfection turned to iniquity in his heart; Adam’s intellectual vanity turned to iniquity with one fatal act of disobedience.  Eve was deceived; and Adam could have been her savior; he was still without sin.  He could have led his wife away  from sin, away from the standard of lies and into the light of the LORD.  Instead, he followed his wife instead of leading her.  The first marriage became a disaster; and all mankind was led into accepting lies and deceit as the standard.  Adam accepted the devil, the enemy as his god.

KING OF TYRUS AN ANALOGY OF THE DEVIL

God came to the prophet Ezekiel in a vision and revealed the fall of Lucifer to him as a type of king of Tyrus.

1.  This was the WORD of the LORD

2.  This being was the sum of wisdom, beauty and perfection.

3.  He was in Eden with Adam and Eve; all mankind was cut off from Eden.  Only God, the devil, Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.

4.  His “pipes,” his voice was perfect workmanship of the Creator.

5.  He was a Cherub that covered the throne of God; one of three; the other two are Gabriel and Michael.

6.  He was at the mountain of God; at His throne.

7.  He was perfect from the day he was created until iniquity was found in him.

8.  His beauty and brightness led to vanity.

Ezekiel 28:11-17 KJV Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (12)  Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.  (13)  Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.  (14)  Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  (15)  Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.  (16)  By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.  (17)  Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

LUCIFER’S FALL FROM GRACE

God also came to Isaiah and revealed the truth about the fall of Lucifer; about how he allowed his vanity and intellectualism to lead him into iniquity.

1.  Lucifer fell from God’s Grace.

2.  He was the son of the morning (in Hebrew; the Morning Star).

3.  He believed that he could remove God from His throne and take over; that he could be the same as the Most High or be the Most High.

4.  Man will someday look upon Lucifer in his pitiful and powerless state; laugh and ask, “Is this the one we have been afraid of?  Is this the one that made the earth tremble?”       

Isaiah 14:12-17 KJV How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  (13)  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  (14)  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  (15)  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.  (16)  They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;  (17)  That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

We can’t even imagine a world without deception, lies and inferior products.  Just in my short 52 years a false standard has become normal.  A one pound can of coffee is now only as little as 9 ½ ounces.  A one pound can of fruits and vegetables; is now around 10 to 12 ounces.  The Good News is that a new world is coming to replace injustice with justice.  It will be a world that will stand on a new standard.  It will be the standard of truth.  It will come with the return of Jesus Christ! 

Soul Winning

How do we win souls for Jesus Christ?  We must first realize that it is Christ in us that will win souls.  The Great Commission given to the Church is 1) to preach or spread the Gospel to the world.  2) Baptize new believers and 3) teach, nurture and feed spiritually new and seasoned converts.  It is the LORD who calls, converts and saves those who respond to the LORD’s call.

BE A PEOPLE PERSON

When we love people and enjoy fellowship; being outgoing and gregarious in our nature; people will be drawn to us.  Out of our genuineness, people will want to be around us and want to talk with us.  Being hermit, or the proverbial wall flower; makes winning souls next to impossible.  We need to be available to people.  Many times, we see the same people out in the community, at school, the library, the stores we shop at as well as our place of business and work.  A word of caution needs to be addressed here.  Always pray before approaching anyone with the Gospel.  Make sure that you pray daily for the help to represent Christ.  If we are offensive to the people that we have to be in contact with; especially at school and work; it could change the whole dynamic of our job for the worse.  We must not lean on our own understanding, but seek the LORD and His wisdom.  We are called to be Ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

As ambassadors for Christ, we are authorized representatives of Jesus Christ.  We have the authority because there is power in the name of Jesus as long as we act within His will.  Ambassadors get out and make themselves available.  We need to be exposed to people.  Increase the circle of your friends and the people with whom you come in contact.

It is all about people

1.     People must first see our example of Christ living in us.

We will witness more by what we do than what we say.  Everything about us must reflect the light of Jesus Christ.  Our family, friends, coworkers and neighbors will need to see that we are different and that the difference is Christ in us.

Proverbs 14:25 KJV A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies

2.     People must first see we care before they care about what we say.

What kind of fruit are we baring in our lives?  Do others see Christ in us?  Do they see a genuine and sincere person who helps and volunteers; one who speaks only positive things about others; and hates all evil?  Do we offer tangible help or do we only speak about an invisible Jesus?  James says that pure religion is to help those in need, especially widows and orphans.  Do we offer good works to those whom we seek to save?

Proverbs 11:30 KJV The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

3.     People must receive truth from us; the reason for our hope.

Everyone who has become baptized and who has received the Holy Ghost has been convinced by truth.  That is a start; and every new convert can be used by Christ to win souls.  In addition; we must become immersed in the WORD and become as skilled as possible in using the WORD of God to spread the hope of the Gospel.

1 Peter 3:15 KJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Soul winning begins with us being an example of Christ and being willing and prepared to share the hope within us.  We should be beacons of the light of Jesus.  We represent Him as ambassadors.  Above all be prayed up and stay prayed up!  Rely on Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost.  Pray for an anointing and always work within the Holy Ghost.  Meeting people will become easier.  The LORD has called you to this task.  Do it with joy in the LORD!

Except The Father Calls

Man chose Satan over God in the Garden of Eden.  From that moment of sin, man cut himself off from the tree of life.  He had the freedom of choice up to that point.  As with all choices, we are free to the moment of choosing; then our choice will either open a vista of unlimited options or plunge us into a garden of thorns.  Man chose to do it the hard way; rejecting God, he was thrust into a future of toil and hard work among the thorns.  No longer living in paradise; enjoying the fruits of the Garden of Eden; now, he had to scratch out of the ground of thorns and earn his daily bread by the sweat of his brow.  The ground was cursed because of man’s sin.  From that point on, God left man to his own devices.  God has had a, “hands off policy,” giving man freedom of choice; but the choices are limited.  Paradise in Eden is off the table of offerings along with the tree of life.

Every bad decision limits our choices.  Every bad financial decision of the past administrations of the United States has put the nation in bondage to debt.  We the people are picking up the tab for the corrupt and foolish selfishness of our elected governmental leaders.  We say, “In God we trust,” but we don’t.  Only God will be able to clean up the mess that we are in now as a nation; and as a people.

Man is cut off from God by his own choice.  Jesus said that no one could come to Him except the Father in Heaven draw them.

John 6:44 KJV No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Man has to live out the punishment of choosing sin.  All have been cut off except for those few that God has reserved the right to choose for His purpose.  From the world of paganism and sin, God called Abram from a family who was in the idol making business.  God called him out, of the darkness of ignorance; into the marvelous light.  From dead powerless gods to the one true Eternal, Creator God; Abram was given a choice of paradise and the tree of life.  Abram chose God over Satan.  Through this one faithful man, God brought about a nation and then a king named David, a man after God’s own heart.  Through this king, a lineage would be established through whom God would come to man, as Jesus Christ, son of David.  Abram, who the LORD renamed Abraham and his descendants were the exception to being cut off from the tree of life, but they still had to choose God.  The history of Israel proved them to be a people who remained rebellious as a nation and chose pagan gods over the LORD. 

Our world and our nation have cut themselves off from God!  They mock God and refuse to allow Him in our schools and in public places.  There will come a time when all who call upon the LORD shall have access to God and the tree of life.

Joel 2:31-32 KJV The sun shall be turned into darkness; and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.  (32)  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

We are approaching that day and very well may be in the time when those who call upon the LORD will be saved; when God will make salvation available to all who call upon His name.  Down through the generations since that day of Pentecost, when Peter gave the first sermon of the Christian Church; many have been called; but only a few have chosen God.  We see large Christian denominations that have a form of Godliness, but who deny the power thereof.

2 Timothy 3:1-6 KJV This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Only the chosen, who have answered the call; and who have overcome the world; will avoid the White Throne Judgment; they are the saints of the Most High and judgment is upon them now.  Christ will gather them and protect them from the Great Tribulation.  They will be called to the marriage supper of the LAMB.  All of the rest will stand in judgment.  If the Father in Heaven is calling you now, then take responsibility for your calling and choose Christ so that you will be counted worthy to escape the Great Tribulation that will come upon the entire world.  You can choose now or you can choose in tribulation as Joel says above; “and in the remnant; who the LORD shall call.”  The remnant; are those who will be left behind.  You don’t want to be left behind when Jesus gathers His saints.  Answer the call, the choice is yours!

Do You Have A Contrite Heart?

A Contrite heart; is soft and pliable; like fresh clay in the Master Potter’s hands; the Master being Jesus Christ.  He wants to form us into useful vessels of the Gospel and for His Kingdom.  A contrite heart is quick to repent and is teachable.  It is free from strife, free from rebellion.  It cooperates and submits to authority.

In 1953, Marlon Brando starred in a movie called, “The Wild One.”  With it, an American Youth icon of defiance was born; marking the official start to the beatniks and the beat generation of young people who felt “beat down” by society as they dropped out of traditional society.

It was all done under the foreboding shadow of the nuclear “mushroom cloud,” and the “cold war.”  Hardened hearts used the government as their scapegoat and as an excuse for the “anti-establishment movement.”  Each generations since has become more hard hearted and more rebellious.

It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be moved to soften our hearts.  David said in Psalm 51: “That the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.”

Jesus removed all of the excuses for anger.  No longer would it be acceptable; an eye for an eye; and a tooth for a tooth.  Anger is not acceptable to God and not compatible with Christianity; and vengeance belongs to God.  If we even have just anger for our brother; our gifts to the LORD are unacceptable.  Jesus wants us to reconcile with our brother.

Matthew 5:21-24 KJV Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  (23)  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  (24)  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Strife is not a Christ like way of life.  Jesus Christ wants us to make peace and be soft hearted.  We are to be child like in innocence.  We are not to be fighters; we are to be peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9 KJV Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Making peace not only pleases God, but we receive an immediate blessing as well.  Being at war with people is not fun; it is destructive and costs greatly.  The proverbial Hatfield’s and McCoy’s type feud will not be tolerated in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus says to love our enemies and bless them that curse us.

Matthew 5:43-45 KJV Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  (44)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  (45)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

There is a new world coming with the second coming of Jesus Christ.  It will be built upon the principles that he established with His disciples.  Man has had 2,000 years to enact Christian principles and to put the world at peace.  Unfortunately, man has chosen to be the “Wild One,” to live in defiance to Jesus Christ.  The time is coming when every knee will bow to the LORD; when defiance will be turned in fellowship in Christ and the world will be at peace.  Will you defy Jesus at His return or will you change your heart now and embrace love and peace?  The choice is yours!  You can be the servant that Jesus says; “well done good and faithful servant, enter into the Kingdom; enter into life.

Birthing a Burden in the LORD

The LORD has been speaking to you and wants you to experience personal revival.  Through your personal revival, the Mighty God in Jesus Christ wants to live in you and work in you through the Holy Ghost.  On that day of Pentecost when Peter spoke the first sermon ever, in the Christian Church, the Church of the Living God was birthed and a generational burden was birthed.

That burden is to 1) Preach the Gospel; 2) Baptize those called by God; 3) Nurture to maturity the new converts; and 4) Keep the mature Christians faithful and on fire for the LORD. 

If you have been moved to bend your knees before Jesus Christ; if you call Jesus LORD; then the burden given to Peter has been passed on down to you by the Holy Ghost!  Awake!  Stand up for Christ and answer the call.  Now is your time to birth a burden for the Gospel; to birth a burden to be one of the human tools through whom Jesus seeks and saves the lost.

Christianity is all about salvation in Jesus Christ!  You have now been given a spectator calling!  Now is the time to actively live for the Gospel and participate in the Church.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob birthed their burden in the LORD at an altar of rocks not hewn by human hands.  Our burden in the LORD must be birthed at an altar of the rock not hewn by human hands.  That rock is Christ and that altar can be built in your heart, any time and anywhere.  Today is the day of birthing your burden in the LORD. 

This concept was share with me in a sermon by Sister Vicki Oliver in 2007.  It changed my life and it can change your life too.  God birthed a burden in Sister Oliver and moved her from an average church member into being an anointed evangelist; renown in children’s ministry.  Along with her husband, they have a gift for working with the youngest of children in the preschool through grade school age; as well as all of God’s children, even into their 90s!  They are the LORD’s anointed servants of the Gospel.

The night I first heard Sister Oliver speak, she said, “With birth there is noise, don’t be afraid to open up to the LORD.”  Through her, the Holy Ghost moved around 400 people to their knees in deep and emotion renewal, revival and recommitment to the LORD.  I was one of the 400.  Weeping and wailing before the LORD opens our hearts to the LORD.

After David sinned with Bathsheba; God revealed his sin through Nathan the prophet and David went to his knees in repentance and a new and clean heart was given to David as he birthed a new burden in the LORD.  He realized that the true sacrifices before the LORD are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.  David’s new burden made him a man after God’s own heart.  Read about David’s birthing experience of repentance and renewal in Psalm 51; especially the following verses.

Psalms 51:10-19 KJV Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (11)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  (12)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  (13)  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  (14)  Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.  (15)  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.  (16)  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.  (17)  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  (18)  Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.  (19)  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

We all need deliverance from blood guiltiness; we have all sinned and the blood of our savior Christ the LORD was shed for our sin; to redeem us and reconcile us to God.  Zion and Jerusalem are symbolic of the Church and the Kingdom of God.  Once our heart is right; our sacrifices are acceptable to God and our prayers are sweet incense to the LORD.  Renew your baptism today!  Birth a new burden for the LORD!  Revival starts with you and with me.

Make Prayer A High Priority

Make Prayer A High Priority

How do you prioritize your time each day?  For most people, an eight hour a day job takes up at least ten hours a day with lunch and travel time.  Many people claim that they are not morning people and that getting to work 15 to 20 minutes late each day is justifiable as long as they tack it on at the end of the day.  It is hard for me to understand this, “Not a morning person concept.”  No one is born that way; it is a result of socialization which at some point is a matter of choice. 

Commuting by bus to his daily job, Dad had to leave the house by 6:25 am every morning.  Mom always had breakfast on the table at 6:03 am, and you could set your watch by it.  That meant that the entire household had to arise by 5:30; in order to come dressed to the breakfast table.  My commute to college put me on the same bus as Dad in order to be on time for an 8:00 am class.

Since a major chunk of our daily schedule is out of our control by our work and school, how do you make God a priority with prayer?  Sharing Dad’s schedule through my four years of high school and four more years of college; prayer time was from 5:00 am to 5:30 am every morning.  There is a great blessing to put prayer first in your day. 

But you might be one of those fuzzy morning people who are not functional until 10:00 am.  If that is the case, you’ll have to find a schedule that works for you.  The early morning schedule worked well for me during high school and college, but has eluded me for the past 25 years.  It is my experience; that the human body functions best on a regular schedule, even on weekends.

Making God a priority through prayer, will require a commitment to a time that will work best for your schedule.  The important thing is to plan ahead and set a goal to pray a certain amount of time each day and stick with it.  Keep a prayer log and maybe even a prayer list.  Keeping a list of people who need your prayers helps you remember them.  Make a standard list of prayer needs that need daily and repetitive prayer; such as family members, friends, coworkers and supervisors.  If there is no acute need in their lives; pray for blessing of health and protection; pray for spiritual, emotional, physical and financial blessings.  These are the people in your daily life who need God’s blessing through your prayers.  Pray for your church’s mission, ministry and leadership; pray for foreign missions and specific missionaries that your church supports; pray for youth programs and all of the children.

A pastor friend of mine gave a sermon a few years ago and made the statement, “Pray big; God can handle it.”  Sometimes we think that we shouldn’t pray for something big; but as my friend pointed out; there is no example of anyone asking God for too much or for something too big.  The follow scripture is given here in three translations.  Each one says the say thing with a slightly different slant.  Put them all together and feel confident is your prayers.

Ephesians 3:20 KJV  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Ephesians 3:20 CEV I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 MSG God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Prayer is a gift and a blessing from God.  He anxiously waits to hear from us.  Make prayer a high priority in your life.  The LORD will transform you through your prayers.