FACING THE CROSS PT. 2

FACING THE CROSS PT. 2

This was an eye and a heart opener as I was reading what John recorded about the goings on of the evening of the Last Supper. John chapter thirteen verse one until John chapter seventeen verse 26 are the things that stood out to John. Chapter 18 verse one they depart and go to the garden.
John 13
1. Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
(4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
[7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ]
8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet.
15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him.
17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.)
[We never see foot washing mentioned again. Never by any of the apostle’s or anyone else. Why? Because it was never intended to be a custom, but rather an example of serving the needs of others no matter the title of office you hold. It was to show us to be humble and serve, rather than demand to be served. We must be watchful that we don’t become high-minded and think we are the ultimate, and everyone should run to our beckon call and fulfill our needs and desires. In the world and sorry to say in the church world there are some also that as they gain notoriety, popularity, wealth, and a title, you see them change. They are riding in limo’s, and have people carry their bags, and people to do almost everything for them. Jesus was bringing this out the first thing after they ate supper, so it was very important. They key to being great, the key to being a leader, is being a servant. We should be looking for how we can serve and lift others up. As we do that God will have others looking to serve our needs as we give and serve others. It’s a sowing and reaping principal, as well as being humble. Jesus knowing that this will be his last time together with them tells them many things they will need to know. He starts with the example of being a servant so this must be very important and key to everything else. Let’s continue reading the rest of what John records happened and look at the amount of revelation Jesus shared that night.]
18. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
John 14
1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him,
and have seen him.
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 15
1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12. 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.
16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16
1. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things
to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18. They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27. For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
John 17
1. These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
John 18
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
[Those chapters sure contained a huge amount of teaching and I have heard 100's of sermon topics that came from those chapters, but never realized till now that it was all spoken at the last supper.

LOVE IS A WORD THAT IS TOSSED AROUND, BUT WHAT IS IT?

LOVE IS A WORD THAT IS TOSSED AROUND, BUT WHAT IS IT?
IN OUR AMERICAN LANGUAGE WE ARE SO LIMITED. WE SAY I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER, AND I LOVE YOU. IT’S THE SAME WORD BUT BETTER MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS. WE USE LIKE AND LOVE INTERCHANGEABLE AND IT DOESN’T WORK SO WELL. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. IN THE GREEK THEY HAVE FOUR WORDS FOR LOVE WHICH GIVE A MORE CLEAR PICTURE .
1.Caritas (agapēe, αaγ?αaπpη?) is an unconditional love directed towards one's neighbor which is not dependent on any lovable qualities that the object of love possesses. Agape is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance
2.Friendship (philia, φfι?λ?ι?αa) is a strong bond existing between people who share a common interest or activity
3.Affection (storge, σsτtο?ρ?γ?η?) is fondness through familiarity, especially between family members or people who have otherwise found themselves together by chance.
4.Eros (έ?ρ?ω?ς?) is love in the sense of 'being in love'.

Passage 1 John 4:7-8(KJV.)
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[LOVE: AFFECTION, UNEARNED OR UNMERITED FAVOR.]
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a.(KJV.)
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[TONGUES: LANGUAGE NATURALLY ACQUIRED OR UNNATURALLY ACQUIRED. THE TONGUE OF A TRIBE, A NATION, OR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF SPEAKING IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE WITHOUT IT’S HAVING BEEN LEARNT.
MEN: HUMAN BEING, MALE OR FEMALE, OF ANY NATIONALITY.
ANGELS: MESSENGER- AN ANGEL OR BY IMPLICATION A PASTOR.]
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[CHARITY: AFFECTION, UNEARNED OR UNMERITED FAVOR.]
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[BURNED: TO LIGHT, TO SET FIRE, TO HAVE PASSION FOR.]
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[ENVIETH: TO COVET OR DESIRE, TO WANT .
VAUNTETH: TO BOAST ONE’S SELF, OR GIVE A SELF DISPLAY.]
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
[UNSEEMLY: INDECENT OR SHAMEFUL.]
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8.Charity never faileth:

Philippians 4:4-9 (KJV.)
4.Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5.Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
[MODERATION: DOING WHAT IS APPROPRIATE, MILD, REASONABLE, GENTLE, AND FAIR. NOT INSISTING ON THE LETTER OF THE LAW. SHOWING MERCY AND GRACE.]
6.Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[CAREFUL: ANXIOUS, TAKING THOUGHT, OR DISTRACTING CARE.]
7.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8.Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
[VIRTUE:: IMPRESSIONS MADE ON OTHERS IN THE AREAS OF MORAL GOODNESS, EXCELLENCE.
9.Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
LET’S END WITH WHERE WE BEGAN.
Passage 1 John 4:7-8(KJV.)
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
WE MUST WALK IN AND LIVE IN ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR FATHER GOD WHOM IS LOVE. TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. DO NOT MAKE PEOPLE EARN YOUR LOVE, BUT RATHER GIVE IT FREELY WITH NO STRINGS OR CONDITIONS. GOD GAVE FREELY, AND SO MUST WE.

OFF TUNE PART 2

OFF TUNE PT. 2
2 CORINTHIANS 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
NOTICE PAUL DIDN’T SAY WE’RE TRYING TO GET , OR WE’RE WORKING ON IT, NO!!! HE SAID WE HAVE IT.
There has been a misconception about Faith. Some have the idea that you float around with no problems, or troubles. What you need to know is that problems and troubles will come. The devil wants to knock the faith out of you. To go to the destiny God has for each of us, and to walk in God’s promises, and to stand in God’s blessings, we must maintain that Spirit of Faith. There will be a battle, however through Faith and God’s word we will stand victoriously.
Paul didn’t say we don’t have any troubles. Look at Second Corinthians 4:8.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
TROUBLED: pressured by circumstances.... Antagonism of persons
DISTRESSED: hemmed in
PERPLEXED: with out a way, without resources, at a loss, puzzled.
DESPAIR: utterly without a way, utterly without resources, not with abandonment of hope, not fully at a loss.
Paul was saying he was pressured on every side, yet not hemmed in, he was puzzled and to the natural eye and looked like there was no way and no resources, however not utterly without a way, or resources, for he not abandoned hope.
Some say if we have the Spirit of Faith that we shouldn’t have any trouble.
NOT so for troubles will come. A Pew warmer that doesn’t really do anything for God nor study His word may not have as much trouble come their way. Trouble comes to challenge the word in your heart. The Spirit of Faith is for people who want to be Giant Killers, mountain movers, kingdom expanders, city changers, nation changers, family changers, and devil crushers.
THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE.
1. PIONEERS: BELIEVE THERE’S SOMETHING JUST AHEAD. THAT THERE’S SOMETHING ON THE WAY. THAT THERE ARE SOME PLACES THEY’VE NEVER BEEN, AND SOME THINGS THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THAT THERE’S SOME PEOPLE THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN. THEY KEEP MOVING ONWARD AND BLAZING A TRAIL.
2. SETTLERS: THEY GO A WAYS STOP AND SETTLE THERE. NEVER GO ANY FARTHER. NO DESIRE TO LEARN OR GO DEEPER.
3. MUSEUM KEEPERS: ALWAYS WILLING TO DUST OFF THE MEMORIES OF THE PAST AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WAY BACK WHEN.
THINK ON THAT AND FIND WHICH ONE OF THE THREE CHOICES YOU FIT INTO.
In Second Corinthians 4:9 it says," Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. "
We are persecuted but not alone, we are knocked down but not destroyed. One translation says we are knocked down but not knocked out.
PAUL COULD BE SHIPWRECKED, SNAKE BIT, BEATEN, AND LEFT FOR DEAD, AND THAN GET UP AND SAT THANKS BE UNTO GOD WHO ALWAYS CAUSES ME TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST. THE SPIRIT OF FAITH ALWAYS SPEAKS THE DESIRED RESULT IN THE FACE OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SAY THE OPPOSITE. YOU MUST NOT FREAK OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MESS. YOU CAN NOT PLAY LET’S MAKE A DEAL ( I’LL DO THIS IF YOU DO THAT ). We don’t build up brownie points that we can trade in for help. God is not moved by needs, nor titles, nor good works. He is moved by faith. We must believe and therefore speak.

Hebrews 4
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
One who believes will speak and be confident and trust the lord’s word. We then can enter into rest and not distress. You must remember you are the believer, and God is the performer. He will bring it to pass. So in the middle of adversity you can be relaxed, full of peace, full of joy.
I want to share a true story that may help you see more how faith works. It is called, "That cat did not get my bacon." A minister who was just starting to see the faith message about calling things that be not as though they are, however he was off tune, but God got him on track. He had gone out visiting congregation members. While at one members house he was given a nice side of bacon in a grocery sack. He put on the front seat and drove to the next members house parking the car out front and leaving the windows down as it was a warm day. These members had a cat, which was outside at the time. While he was inside the cat got into his car and ate the bacon. When the minister was coming back to the car he saw the cat jump out of the car window and run off. He got in the car and saw the bacon was gone. The minister said, I’ll tell you one thing I’m a faith person. As he drove down the road he started saying that cat did not get my bacon. That cat did not get my bacon. As he was going down the road say that the Holy Spirit spoke up in his heart and said, " who are you kidding", "That cat got your bacon." "Now you can believe me for some more bacon, because there is more bacon where that bacon came from, but that cat did get your bacon." He then saw what he had been doing. He was calling things that were as thought they were not. That was not faith it was a lie. He needed to be calling things that were not as though they were. He should have been saying that cat got my bacon, and Father I ask for some more bacon. I believe I have more bacon.
Anyone out there ever had a time when the cat got your bacon? The bacon is gone. You were full of faith, but now perplexed. You don’t have to be in despair God’s got more bacon.

The Same Jesus, Church age, Anointing,Equipping,and Commission Pt. 1

PART 1
Same Jesus, Same Church, Same Anointing, Same Equipping, and Same Commission.
We have the same Jesus, and we are in the same church age, and we have the same anointing, and the same equipping, and the same commission as Peter, James, John, or Paul. So what keeps us from walking in the way they did? What keeps us from seeing the same kinds of miracles today that they saw? Why do so many of us perish, and are sickly? Why are so many of us in need? One word sums it up. That word is "Knowledge". The lack of it, or the rejecting of it.
What we don’t know, or what we do know and choose to reject, can hurt us. It can even cause us to die before our time. It can cause us to live a poor sickly terrible life. Knowledge used wisely can lift us up and cause us to live a more abundant life.
On December the 24th 1978 about noon time my sister lied about her horseback riding knowledge, and it cost her life as a result. When we were younger we owned a Shetland pony, which we rode a limited number of times. This day in 1978 she and her husband were out at a friends home in the country. This friend had a large horse and my sister wanted to take it for a ride. She was asked if she knew how to ride. Of course was her answer. She said, "I know how to ride." Every horse is different and if you have never ridden a particular horse, you must be ready for anything that can happen. Even on a familiar horse you must be ready for unexpected behavior from the horse. She didn’t have the knowledge or the experience to ride such a large powerful animal, or take control of the animal if it got out of hand. The friend believed she could ride and let her ride the horse. The horse bolted down the road, and made a sharp turn through an open gate into it’s favorite field. My sister wasn’t ready for this and fell off the horse hitting her head on a rock. She had 3 more rides to take. One was to the hospital in an ambulance. The second was a few hours later to the funeral home. The third was to the cemetery. She lost her life, because she did not have the knowledge she needed. Let us get the knowledge of our God, of our Savior, and of all his promises, so we don’t end up in dire straits without the answer we need, just as my sister did.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

New Living Translation Passage Hebrews 2:14-18:
14 . Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Verse 18 in the King James says... For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Succour is a word that means to come to the aid of anyone that is tempted.

New Living Translation Passage Hebrews 4:14-16:
Christ Is Our High Priest
14. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
King James Version Passage 1 Corinthians 10:13
13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Escape: Exit to go out.
King James Version Passage 2 Peter 1:2-4:
2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Lust: a strong overpowering desire for something.
James 1: 12-15
12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
We find in James that a temptation is a strong desire in us that draws us away when enticed. We must control our desires and bring them into line with the word of God. If we have hidden desire in our heart the devil will tempt us and entice us trying to get us to sin. David hid the word in his heart that he might not sin. That is what we must do. Entice is a fishing term. Fishermen try to entice the fish to bite the bait. I went fishing with my dad in some old strip mining pits many years ago, and I watched my dad try to entice a huge bass to take the bait. A school of six huge bass came up into view, and my dad went frazzled trying to lure and entice them to bite. He used every lure in his tackle box to no avail. These fish didn’t get that big by falling for the lures of fishermen. My dad then used a live bait. It was a small fish called a rosy. It was a goldfish with a rose colored spot on it’s underside. A huge bass came up to it and was staring at it for a long time. It moved slowly in and opened it’s mouth. My dad wad going wild with anticipation. The bass sucked in the rosy and spit it out so fast that the bait was 4-5 feet away before my dad jerked the pole. The bass went down deep and later returned. Five of them were deep in the water but still very visible. One was up looking at the rosy again. It looked like he was going to go for it when all of a sudden the other five came up around the rosy and the first bass. They then turned and the one went off into the deep and the first bass followed. That showed me something else, which was that we need to be surrounded with good solid full of knowledge that can step in and help us in time of temptations and testing. Also that we need to be watching out friends and step in and help if we see a situation that could be a temptation or harmful to them and help them out.
In First Corinthians 10:13 We found out with every temptation the devil brings God has a way of escape for us. And in Second Peter 1:2-4 we find out that we are given all things that pertain to life and godliness, however that doesn’t just drop on us we have to do something to obtain everything that has to do with life and godliness. That is to get knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue.
In that knowledge we find that in James 1:22 it says,"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." There the knowledge is telling us we need to not only hear the knowledge but act on that knowledge.
When Jesus walked this earth, where ever he was, demons trembled, sickness, disease, death, lack, and needs were all powerless to stay. People were healed and needs met when Jesus came on the scene. The only place Jesus could do no mighty works was where offence and unbelief ( doubt ) was present.

Passage Mark 6 :1-6 KJV.
1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Offended: to see in another what I disapprove of. And what hinders me from acknowledging his authority. To cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another. To put a snare of stumbling block in the way of.
Unbelief: faithlessness, ( neg. ) Disbelief.
Teaching: to cause to learn, To effect learning. In effect to impart knowledge to.
What did Jesus do when he met this group of people so full of offence, unbelief, and doubt. He went about teaching... bringing knowledge to them.
THERE IS A LOT IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE THAT GETS PASSED OVER AND IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO I WILL GO INTO IT DEEPER IN MY NEXT POSTING AS PART 2.

OFF TUNE PART 1

OFF TUNE
2nd Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Passage 2 Timothy 2:15 New Living Translation
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
In this room There are hundreds of voices talking. Radio, Tv, and micro wave. Do you hear them? NO.
You need a radio, Tv, or micro-wave receiver to tune them in. When you turn a radio on and you hear nothing or static do you think it is broken or the station is not transmitting? No you start turning the tuning dial or digital tuning button to pull in a station. There all kinds of formats like news, country music, bluegrass, gospel, and you choose which one to listen too. Some stations have a mix. Some stations you don’t want to listen too.
The Bible has many subjects that we need to tune in to, and the devil has many voices out there trying to capture our attention and distract us away from the word, and take us down a path to destruction.
This Bible tunes us into Guidance, direction, health, healing, deliverance, protection, provision , and much more. The devil is out there slinging Mis-direction, confusion, sickness, snares, lack, poverty, doctrines and traditions that are contrary to the Word, but taken as gospel fact. We need to know the difference, the real truth, and tune in and walk in God’s truth.
FAITH is a mis-understood subject that has many voices out there. What faith is, and how faith works are subjects that have been taught wrong and even when taught right some have not paid earnest heed, and only grasp it in part, and went off teaching, believing, and walking it in error.
FIRST faith calls things that be not as though they were. It does not call things that are as though they are not. Faith calls the unseen into reality. Faith does not call seen things as though they are not there.
Faith Operates on absolute truth. Faith off tune just a little becomes a lie.
I was in a church once and a person with a cold was there. Someone said do you have a cold and they said no I do not for I walk in divine health. They thought that was faith, however it was a lie. They had a cold. They were calling something that was as though it was not and that is a lie. The fact is Jesus did pay the price for their health and healing but they were not in possession of that health at the moment. They should have said yes I do have a cold, however Jesus took stripe so I have be healed and by His stripes I am healed. That is calling that is not as though it were and it shall come to pass. Let’s look at what Paul said and what David said.
2nd Cor. 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Paul was quoting David from Psalm 116 David was in the middle of trouble and affliction. He said death compassed him. In the middle of this David called on the Lord to deliver him. Nothing has changed in the natural yet.
Then David made this statement in Ps. 116:1-10
1. I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
David said God had delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling, and that he would walk before the lord in the land of the living. He then said I have believed therefore have I spoken. The spirit of faith believes and speaks how it ought to be rather than how it is and then the Lord brings it into reality and changes the circumstances. Faith changes things that are seen by believing and speaking things that are not seen as tho they were, and they will be. Faith is an attitude that says this is the way it is. People that do not understand faith will look at you like you are crazy, and may say,"Who do you think you are ?" They may take your " I believe therefore I speak" as arrogance . David acknowledged the mess he was in then spoke what he wanted the outcome to be. David had this spirit of faith early on. David believed his God. He believed Gods protection, his deliverance, and his blessing was on him. He did not believe it was god’s will to hurt or destroy him, or make him sick, or that you just don’t know what God will do. No he believed God would do exactly as he says he will do with no shadow of turning. He believed in the God of victory and deliverance and provision, for every circumstance that comes your way. David was a young lad tending sheep when his father came and sent him out to the battle with some food for his brothers and the captain of their troop. David’s elder brothers were with the army facing the Philistines and Goliath. 1st Sam. 17 tells the account of this battle. While David was there he heard Goliath come out and rail against the army of God, and he saw no one step up to silence him. He also heard the men speaking of a reward that Saul was offering to the man who would kill Goliath. David’s oldest brother started to get mad when he heard David speaking with the men about the reward. He had words with David and ask him why did you come and who is watching those few sheep? He told David I know your pride and naughtiness of heart you just came to watch the battle. ( what battle they were all afraid and cowering from this Goliath) His brother was ashamed of what David was witnessing. He was trying to drive David away so he would not see they were doing nothing but hiding. People will always try to stop you especially if they are doing nothing. You must turn away from the detractors and distractions and go on with your life and destiny. David said what have I done? Is there not a cause? Then he turned from his brother and began talking with the men again as to what Saul would give the man who would stop Goliath. David did not look like a warrior. He was not huge, nor strong, nor a seasoned soldier, he was but a teenager.
David said he would silence this un-circumcised Philistine. No one thought he would stand a chance with Goliath, however he made his case in front of King Saul. He told of how he slew a bear and a lion and this un-circumcised Philistine would be as one of then seeing he has defied the armies of God. Saul finally was persuaded to let him try. Sometimes people will start to agree with you , however they want you to do it their way. Saul equipped David with his own personal armor and weapons which were to cumbersome and heavy and unproved for and by David. David used his sling which he was use to . You must use what God has equipped you with, rather than what another person wants you to use. Goliath tried to harass David with his words, but David then told goliath just how it was going to be. Goliath never had anyone talk back to him before. You can not allow the devil to speak and let it go unanswered. David believed and therefore he spoke and it became so. Never run at your giant with your mouth shut. The spirit of faith believes and speaks. It declares the outcome in the middle of adversity. It is so strong it will aggravate those weak in faith. They will say you are arrogant, or a smarty pants. Confidence is the attitude of the spirit of faith.
Joshua and Caleb had a spirit of faith. They said let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able. They believed therefore they spoke.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE OR COLLATERAL BLESSING

COLLATERAL DAMAGE OR COLLATERAL BLESSING
WHICH DO YOU BRING WITH YOU?
COLLATERAL: RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE OR PARALLEL
DAMAGE: INJURY TO A PERSON ( SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY, FINANCIALLY, OR SOCIALLY, OR PROPERTY
BLESSING: BENEFITS NOT EARNED
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER GIVEN?
LET’S LOOK AT THAT BLESSING. THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER GIVEN WAS RECORDED IN LUKE 2: 1-15
Luke 2:1-15
1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
THE FUTURE AND DESTINY OF MANKIND ( THE HUMAN RACE ) WAS LAYING IN A MANGER WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES. JESUS WAS AND IS THE ANSWER TO ALL MANKIND’S PROBLEMS. HE RESTORED OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER GOD. HE SHOWED US WHAT THE FATHER WAS LIKE.

Passage Acts 10:38
38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Passage Luke 4:18-19
18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
[ NOTICE HE DID NOT SAY A FEW OF OR SOME OF BUT HE SAID (THE) AS IN ALL OF THEM, AND (THEM THAT ARE ) AS IN ALL THAT ARE BRUISED. HE LEFT NO ONE OUT.
JESUS WAS A BLESSING FROM BIRTH
Passage Luke 23:46
46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Passage Luke 24:6-8
6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8. And they remembered his words,

Passage John 3:16
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
THROUGH DEATH AND RESURRECTION HE REMAINS A BLESSING
HE THEN COMMISSIONS US TO GO AND BE A BLESSING.
Passage Mark 16:15-18
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.



Passage Acts 3:19
19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
BLOTTED OUT: TO OBLITERATE, ERASE
COLOSIANS 2:13-15
13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
HE ERASED FOREVER THE ORDINANCES AGAINST US
Passage Isaiah 43:25:
25. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Ephesians 5:1
1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
WE ARE TO BE LIKE HIM TO ERASE PEOPLES PAST AND NOT REMEMBER IT AGAINST THEM ANYMORE.
THE GREATEST BLESSING OF ALL TIME CAME TO RESTORE US TO AND SHOW US THE FATHER. WE ARE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IMITATING THE FATHER AS DEAR CHILDREN. ( THE WORD FOLLOWERS LITERAL MEANING IS IMITATE ) THERE ARE MANY PLACES LOST PEOPLE GATHER TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHAT THEY CALL LIFE. SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD. BOWLING ALLEYS, POOL HALLS, SWIMMING POOLS, DANCES, MOVIES, BARS, CLUBS , GROUPS, RIDING AROUND, THEME PARKS LIKE SILVER DOLLAR CITY, AND ETC. I WAS LIKE EVERY OTHER LOST SOUL GROWING UP. I DID WHAT I COULD TO HAVE FUN AND LIVE LIFE. THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAD PROBLEMS WITH OTHERS AND A FEW THAT HELD GRUDGES, HOWEVER IN MY OBSERVATIONS AS I REFLECT I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE HOLDING PEOPLE TO THE SINS OF THEIR PAST AS I HAVE SEEN "CHRISTIANS" DOING IT. I CAN ONLY USE EXAMPLES THAT I KNOW ARE TRUE , I WILL NOT MAKE ANY UP AND I WILL NOT USE THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE IN MY EXAMPLES. THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE PEOPLE DID YEARS AND DECADES AGO. THE SAD THING IS AS PROFESSING CHRISTIANS WE ARE NOT TO DO THAT. MANY ARE HOLDING PEOPLE TO THEIR PAST AND MOST OF THEM HAVE GIVEN IT TO THE LORD AND BEEN FORGIVEN AND GONE ON. THEY DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT ANY MORE. AND IF THEY HAVEN’T GIVEN IT TO THE LORD IT STILL ISN’T ANYONE’S PLACE TO HOLD THEM TO IT. IT’S THE PLACE OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN TO RESTORE THE ONE WHO’S MISSING THE MARK IN LOVE. THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE ONE HOLDING THE OTHER ONE TO THEIR PAST.
REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT TWO MONKS WALKING ONE DAY. AS THEY APPROACHED A STREAM THERE WAS A LADY STANDING THERE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CROSS. THE OLDER MONK OFFERED TO CARRY HER ACROSS. SHE ACCEPTED THE OFFER, AND HE CARRIED HER ACROSS AND SET HER DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE MONKS WENT ON BACK TO THE MONASTERY . LATER THE ON THAT EVENING THE YOUNGER MONK SAID TO THE OLDER ONE, WE TOOK A VOW TO NOT TOUCH A WOMAN YET YOU CARRIED A WOMAN ACROSS THE STREAM. THE OLDER ONE SAYS IT IS NOT ME WITH THE PROBLEM, FOR I PUT HER DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WENT MY WAY. IT IS YOU WITH THE PROBLEM FOR YOU ARE STILL CARRYING HER IN YOUR MIND. THAT WAS AN ILLUSTRATION. NOW FOR A TRUE EXAMPLE THE NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE GUILTY. WELL LIKE I SAID I WON’T USE NAMES. COUNTLESS TIMES I’VE HEARD A CERTAIN PERSON’S NAME MENTIONED AND THEN THE SAME PERSON ALWAYS SAYS, " NOW IS THAT THE WOMAN THAT HAD A CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK?" THE CHILD OF THAT WOMAN IS NOW OVER 30 YEARS OLD, AND YET THIS ONE PERSON IS STILL HOLDING HER TO HER PAST. WHY DO PEOPLE DO THAT? SOME SAY THINGS LIKE THAT TO GIVE THEMSELVES A SENSE OF BEING ABOVE OR BETTER IN COMPARISON , ALL THE TIME THEY ARE BEING SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND SINNING IN THEIR ACTIONS. THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON WE ARE TO JUDGE AND THAT IS OURSELVES. THERE IS ONLY ONE FOR US TO COMPARE OURSELVES TO AND THAT IS JESUS. IF WE JUDGE OTHERS WE WILL BE JUDGED. IF WE SHOW MERCY WE WILL RECEIVE MERCY.

GROWING UP SPIRITUALLY PART 1

AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, AFTER THE PRAISING IS OVER, AFTER THE SINGING IS OVER, AND AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP IS DONE, AND WE DEPART FROM HERE ,WE WILL SEE PEOPLE IN THE HALLS, AND SITTING IN THEIR ROOMS, AND GOING ABOUT IN ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. DO THESE PEOPLE EVEN HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE LIFE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM IN AND THROUGH JESUS? THE ANSWER IS A VERY RESOUNDING NO IN MOST OF THEIR LIVES THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE LIFE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH JESUS. WE HAVE A PURPOSE AND THAT IS TO GIVE THEM A CLUE ABOUT THIS LIFE THAT IS WAITING FOR THEM. MANY PEOPLE IN CHURCH DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS WELL. IT IS TIME FOR US TO GROW UP AS CHRISTIANS AND BEGIN TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HAVE AN INFLUENCE IN THIS WORLD FOR CHRIST. THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSING, THANK GOD FOR THE BENEFITS, THANK GOD FOR THE VICTORY, AND THANK GOD FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT, BUT IT’S TIME WE GET BACK TO BASICS AND REMEMBER THERE IS A DYING WORLD OUT THERE HEADED FOR HELL.
INFLUENCE: THE ACT OR THE POWER OF PRODUCING AN EFFECT WITHOUT APPARENT FORCE OR DIRECT AUTHORITY.
IN OTHER WORDS WE ARE GOING TO LEAD THEM BY HOW WE LIVE AND CONDUCT OURSELVES.
Hebrews 5:12-14
12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
PAUL SEEMED TO THINK THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAD PASSED IN THE CHRISTIANS LIVES HERE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE GROWN AND MATURED ENOUGH TO BE TEACHER, HOWEVER THEY HAD NOT. SAD TO SAY BUT A LOT OF CHRISTIANS TODAY ARE IN THAT BOAT. THEY HAVE BEEN IN CHURCH A LONG TIME AND THINK THEY ARE SO SPIRITUAL, BUT THEY ARE NOT, FOR THEY HAVE NOT GROWN AND MATURED. THEY ARE STILL BABES.

1 Corinthians 3: 1-3
1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
PAUL FOUND ANOTHER BUNCH THAT WASN’T GROWING HERE AT CORINTH.
1 COR. 3:4-8
4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
PAUL SHOWS THEM AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY WERE YET CARNAL AND INTO HERO WORSHIP AND PRIDE. THEN IN VERSE NINE PAUL BEGINS TO INSTRUCT THEM IN THE MILK OF THE WORD. HE STARTS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION THAT WE MUST ALL LEARN AND BUILD UPON.
1 COR. 3:9 PAUL TEACHES A VERY BASIC YET VERY NEEDED TRUTH IN THIS VERSE.
9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
WORDS AND WORD PLACEMENT SPEAKS VOLUMES. THE MORE WE UNDERSTAND THIS THE MORE WE CAN INCREASE OUR INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD. SMALL WORDS CAN HAVE BIG MEANINGS.
3. THINGS WE MUST KNOW IN ORDER TO INCREASE OUR INFLUENCE IN THIS EARTH.
NUMBER ONE IS THAT WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD.
THERE IS A SMALL WORD IN THAT STATEMENT THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. THAT WORD IS WITH, AND IT TELLS US FOUR THINGS. IF WE UNDERSTAND THESE FOUR THINGS AND SETTLE THEM IN OUR HEARTS WE WILL BE ON OUR WAY TO A GREATER INFLUENCE ON OTHERS IN THE WORLD. GOD WILL BE ABLE TO USE US TO BRING MANY INTO THE KINGDOM AND TO HELP THEM GROW.

1. THE WORD WITH IMPLIES GOD IS THE LEADER. HE IS THE LEADER.
2. WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS
EXAMPLE. SAY I WAS ASKED BY THE PASTOR IF I WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF CLEARING OFF EVERYTHING ON THE PLATFORM. ALL THE CHAIRS AND EQUIPMENT SO THEY COULD RE-CARPET. I ACCEPT THE JOB, HOWEVER I CAN’T DO IT ALONE SO I GO ASK ANOTHER MAN IF HE WOULD HELP ME DO THIS TASK. WHEN HE SAYS YES HE BECOMES A FOLLOWER AND I BECOME THE LEADER IN THE TASK. IF WE ARE GOING TO BE FOLLOWERS, LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH THE LORD THEN WE MUST SETTLE IT ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT HE IS THE LEADER, AND WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS.
3. HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK. HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK. WHO DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK? HE DOES. HE LORD DOES. THERE MAY BE SOME AREAS HE WANTS US TO WORK IN THAT WE MAY NOT WANT TO WORK IN, HOWEVER WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT WE UNDERSTAND THAT HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK AND THAT WE AS FOLLOWERS MUST WORK WHERE HE SAYS.
4. HE DETERMINES WHAT WORK IS TO BE DONE.
THAT MEAN ONLY WHAT HE SAYS TO DO IS WHAT WE DO. WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO STICK OUR HANDS INTO BUT WE MUST NOT. ONLY WHAT HE SAYS TO DO IS WHAT WE DO. WE MUST FOLLOW AND NOT TRY TO LEAD.
THERE IS A SIMILAR WORD TO LABOURERS AND THAT IS AMBASSADORS.
11 COR. 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER AND AMBASSADORS FOR HIM.
AN AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON THE BEHALF OF THE ONE HE REPRESENTS.
IF WE ARE GOING TO BE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS THEN WE MUST TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO HIM. WE MUST FIND OUT WHAT WE SHOULD SAY WHEN WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN OUR ROLE AS AMBASSADOR.
1. WE SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF THE ONE WE REPRESENT
2. AN AMBASSADOR PROMOTES THE INTERESTS OF THE ONE HE REPRESENTS.
THAT TELLS ME THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF THE FATHER WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO DISCOVER THE INTERESTS OF THE FATHER.
FIRST WE MUST HAVE A FOUNDATION IN OUR LIVES IN ORDER TO BE THE RIGHT INFLUENCE , AND TO BE ABLE TO PROMOTE THE TRUE INTEREST OF THE FATHER.
THAT FOUNDATION IS THIS.
FIRST AND FOREMOST THE NUMBER ONE WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO OUR FATHER IS. THE FIRST NECESSARY NEED OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TO KNOW THE FATHER, NOT JUST KNOW OF HIM. IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE FATHER YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO LOVE AS HE LOVES, YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO FORGIVE AS HE FORGIVES, WE ARE TO IMITATE OUR FATHER.
Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV.
1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
FOLLOWER IN THIS SCRIPTURE MEANS TO IMITATE
Ephesians 5:1-2 NEW LIVING BIBLE
1. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Ephesians 5:1-2:
1. THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
2. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a [a]slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.(A
THE MAIN PURPOSE IN JESUS COMING TO EARTH WAS TO RECONCILE US AND REDEEM US BACK TO GOD, HOWEVER HE HAD MANY OTHER THINGS HE DID ALONG THE WAY. HE ALSO WAS A FOLLOWER AND AN AMBASSADOR OF THE FATHER. HE CAME TO SHOW US THE FATHER.
JOHN 14:8-11
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.


JESUS WAS SAYING IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME THEN YOU HAVE SEEN THE FATHER. HE IMITATED HIS FATHER , HE DID WHAT THE FATHER SAID WHERE HE SAID TO DO IT, AND IN DOING SO SHOWED US THE FATHER. WE ARE TO DO THE SAME THUS SHOWING THE FATHER TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD, AND INFLUENCING THEM TO COME TO THE FATHER.

Conversion

CONVERSION
THE ACT OF BEING CONVERTED:
1 a : to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another b : to bring about a religious conversion a : to alter the physical or chemical nature( or properties of) b (1) : to change from one form or function to another
I WAS LISTENING TO DAVID JEREMIAH RECALL A TIME THAT HE HAD TO BORROW A CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE HE HAD TO BE. A FRIEND LOANED HIM HIS CAR. HE GOT READY TO GO AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED LOW FUEL. HE WENT TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS GOING TO FILL UP. THE CAR HAD DIESEL EMBLEMS ON THE FENDERS AND THE GAS CAP SAID DIESEL ONLY, SO HE FILLED IT WITH DIESEL, AND WENT ON HIS WAY. AS HE WAS GOING THROUGH A SMALL TOWN ALONG THE WAY THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER AND BUCK AND STOPPED DEAD. AN OLDER MAN STOPPED TO SEE IF HE COULD ASSIST. HE RAISED THE HOOD AND SAID THIS IS NOT A DIESEL IT HAS SPARK PLUGS. DAVID CALLED HIS FRIEND AND FOUND THAT HE HAD CONVERTED IT TO A GASOLINE ENGINE AND HAD FORGOTTEN TO TELL HIM.

IT STILL LOOKED LIKE A DIESEL FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE HE NEVER CHANGED THE EMBLEMS AND WARNINGS. IT HOWEVER NOW RAN ON A DIFFERENT FUEL THAN IT USE TOO. IT DID NOT MATTER HOW LONG IT RAN ON DIESEL BEFORE, IT NOW RAN ON GAS, AND DIESEL WOULD CAUSE IT PROBLEMS.
New Living Translation (NLT)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
King James Version (KJV)Passage Matthew 18:3:
3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND

King James Version (KJV)Passage Luke 22:31-32:
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
CONVERTED HERE MEANS TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
AT CONVERSION YOU STILL LOOK THE SAME. IT’S THE INNER PERSON THAT HAS CHANGED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. YOU ARE STILL HUMAN. YOU LOOK THE SAME. THE ENGINE OR YOUR HEART IS DIFFERENT. IT HAS BEEN CONVERTED. YOU CAN NOT RUN IT ON THE SAME FUEL THAT IT USE TO RUN ON. IT USE TO RUN ON THE THINGS OF DARKNESS BUT NOW NEEDS LIGHT TO FUEL IT. AS A CHRISTIAN YOU WILL SPUTTER, STALL, AND EVEN STOP DEAD, AND EVEN POSSIBLY SHIPWRECK THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN THE PROCESS IF YOU TRY TO KEEP RUNNING YOUR LIFE ON DARKNESS.
LIGHT FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON DARKNESS. DARKNESS FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON LIGHT.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FUEL DARKNESS
King James Version (KJV)Passage 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
1. 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(LACKING SELF CONSTRAINT OR CONTROL) good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Fear, gossip, being judgemental,and anything else that kills, steals, destroys, or hurts is in the kingdom of darkness.


THINGS THAT FUEL LIGHT.

Passage 1 Corinthians 13 :
1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
.PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8

4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE TO FUEL OUR CONVERTED LIVES WITH . ISAIAH.5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING THAT ALL THE TIME. AND CAUSING PEOPLE WHO TRUST THEM TO END UP A SHIPWRECK . SO MANY CHRISTIANS AND PASTORS AND DENOMINATIONS ARE DOING JUST THAT. THEY TEACH FOR TRUTH THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND THE DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. WHEN I GOT SAVED I WAS TOLD SO MANY THINGS ABOUT GOD THAT WAS NOT THE TRUTH. THINGS LIKE GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS HEAL. THE BIBLE SAYS JUST THE OPPOSITE. GOD SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED. GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER. THERE IS NO SHADOW OF TURNING IN HIM. THAT IS JUST ONE PLACE THAT WRONG TEACHING HAS SHIPWRECKED MANY LIVES. I FOUND IN THE WORD OF GOD THAT HE HAD JESUS TAKE ALL OUR SICKNESS AND DISEASES AND BY HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED. I HAD TO CHOOSE IN THE FACE OF TRUTH TO CONVERT SOME WRONG THINKING INTO RIGHT THINKING. THE CHURCH HAD ME SO BEAT DOWN AND SICK, BUT GOD HAD A PROVISION TO GET OUT OF ALL THAT AND I FOUND IT AND LAID HOLD OF IT. THE SICKNESS THAT CAME EVERY YEAR NOW HAD TO STOP AND IT DID.
WE MUST LOOK INTO GOD'S WORD AND STAND ON IT AND IT ALONE. OUR SPIRIT IS CONVERTED IN A INSTANT, HOWEVER OUR MIND AND BELIEFS ARE CONVERTED DAILY AS WE CONFRONT TRUTH FROM THE BIBLE AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT OVER ANYTHING ELSE. AS WE DO THAT WE ARE TRANSFORMED INTO THE CHILD OF GOD THAT WE SHOULD BE. IF WE CHOOSE TO NOT ACCEPT THE TRUTH WE STAY CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.

Romans 12 KJV.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
TRANSFORMED: TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER, IMPLYING CHANGE.
SOME OF THE MEANINGS OF CONVERTED WERE VERY SIMILAR.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND, TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
IN THE PRESENCE OF TRUTH, LIGHT, AND LIFE CHOOSE THESE OVER FALSEHOOD,DARKNESS, AND DEATH.

WISDOM

IN THE PRESENCE OF WISDOM ONE SHOULD DO MORE LISTENING THAT TALKING

Once Upon A Time

ONCE UPON A TIME JESUS PAID IT ALL..
OR HE PAID NOTHING AT ALL.

MISTER COFFEE

..........I WANT TO RELATE A STORY THAT HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE TITLE "MISTER COFFEE " COMES FROM A MAN THAT WAS POOR, AND WALKED THE TOWN LOOKING FOR ODD JOBS. HE WOULD SWEEP AND CLEAN PARKING LOTS FOR A CUP OF COFFEE. HE COULD NOT DRESS VERY WELL. HIS CLOTHES WERE SHABBY, AND HIS HYGIENE WAS FAR BELOW WHAT OTHERS LIKED. KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE MADE FUN OF HIM. I FELT SORRY FOR HIM, AND THE WAY HE WAS TREATED BY OTHERS. THEN ONE DAY I FOUND THAT I WAS JUST AS BAD AS THE ONE’S WHO TORMENTED HIM. IF WE ARE TRUE TO THE WORD OF GOD. IF WE PREACH THE WORD. AND IF WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD. THEN WHEN WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH A TRUTH OF HIS WORD AND WE ARE NOT LIVING IT, WE STAND AT A CROSSROAD OF CHOICE. WILL WE THEN CHOOSE THE WORD AND BETTER OURSELVES AND THOSE AROUND US, OR WILL WE CHOOSE TO GO OUR OWN WAY DOWN A PATH OF DISOBEDIENCE AND DESTRUCTION TO OURSELVES AND OTHERS. I THOUGHT I WAS DOING ALRIGHT IN MY WALK AS A CHRISTIAN, HOWEVER I FOUND AN AREA THAT WAS NOT DOING SO GOOD ONE DAY.
IT WAS A BITTER COLD DAY. SNOW WAS PILED ALL AROUND. SLIPPERY ICY SIDEWALKS AND STREETS WERE WHAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I MADE IT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND WAS SITTING THERE WARMING UP AS THE DOOR OPENED AND A COLD BLAST OF AIR CHILLED THE ROOM. MR COFFEE WALKED IN AND SAT DOWN. I NOTICED THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY LOOKED AT HIM WITH DISGUST. PEOPLE WERE WHISPERING AND MURMURING ABOUT HIM. SAYING THINGS LIKE, " WHY DID HE HAVE TO COME IN HERE?" I WAS THINKING THEY NEED TO BE QUIET. THEY ARE HURTING HIS FEELINGS. HE CAN HEAR THE HARD HARSH WORDS THEY ARE SAYING. THEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THOUGHT THE LORD INTERRUPTED MY THOUGHTS WITH THIS STATEMENT. "YOU ARE JUST AS BAD MICHAEL. YOU’RE THINKING THE SAME THINGS. ONLY YOU HAVEN’T SPOKEN THEM OUT YET. IT IS IN YOUR HEART." I WAS ASTONISHED AND CONVICTED AS I REALIZED I WAS JUST AS GUILTY AS THOSE WHO SPOKE THEIR DISGUST OUT, FOR IN MY HEART I WAS JUST THE SAME. THE LORD SAID THIS MAN HAS BEEN TREATED SO UNJUST ALL HIS LIFE, AND I DON’T WANT TO FIND YOUR FOOTPRINT OR THUMB PRINTS ON HIS BACK. I SAT THERE AND ASK THE LORDS FORGIVENESS AND REPENTED OF MY WRONG WAYS.
GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. WE ARE NOT TO BE A RESPECTER OF PERSONS EITHER. James 2:1-13 KJV. 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9. But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
VERSE NINE TELLS US IF WE HAVE RESPECT OF PERSONS WE COMMIT SIN . VERSE TEN SAYS THAT IF WE MISS IT IN ONE POINT WE ARE GUILTY OF ALL. ISN'T THAT A MIND BOGGLER IN A WORLD FULL OF RESPECT OF PERSONS. WE MUST BE DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD. WE MUST DO THE RIGHT THING NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US. SO WHAT DID I DO AFTER THIS REALIZATION AND REPENTANT ACTION. I STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION WITH MR COFFEE. AS WE TALKED I COULD SEE THE HORRORIFIED LOOKS ON THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE. THEY HAD NOW TURNED ON ME, BECAUSE I WAS MAKING MR COFFEE FEEL WELCOME.
THEY WOULD RATHER HE STAYED OUTSIDE AND FROZE TO DEATH THAN BE INSIDE WHERE THEY WERE. I THEN FORGAVE THOSE THAT LOOKED DOWN ON ME AND TOOK NO OFFENCE TOWARDS THEM. FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD, SO I THEN BOUGHT MR COFFEE A GOOD BREAKFAST. WE TALKED SOME MORE, AND THEN I SHOOK HIS HAND AS WE PARTED WAYS THAT DAY. WHEN GOD LOOKED AT MR COFFEE I WANTED THE ONLY FINGERPRINTS OF MINE ON HIM TO BE ON THIS HAND AND IN HIS HEART.
WE CAN ONLY CHANGE AND MAKE CORRECTIONS IN THIS LIFE. WHEN WE ARE GONE WE CAN NOT COME BACK AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. WE MUST GET IT RIGHT IN THIS LIFE. WE MUST RENEW OUR MINDS TO THE WORD OF GOD AND THEN LIVE IT.
Passage Luke 16:19-31 KJV.
19.There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
THE ONLY INFLUENCE WE HAVE ON OTHERS IS DURING THIS LIFE ON EARTH. LET'S MAKE IT THE RIGHT THING WE SHOW THEM. LET'S SHOW MERCY NOT JUDGEMENT TO OTHERS.

TESTIMONY FROM THE PAST

ONE DAY EARLY IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT WAS BAD. WE DID NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE WORD. HOWEVER WE DID KNOW THE NAME OF JESUS, EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT KNOW THE FULL AUTHORITY AND POWER THAT IT COMMANDED. MY WIFE WAS COOKING SOME GROUND BEEF IN A SKILLET. THE GREASE WAS COOKING OUT OF THE MEAT AND WAS GETTING TO THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD BE DRAINED OFF. IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD 350 DEGREES IN TEMPERATURE. MY WIFE WAS FINISHING UP SOME OTHER PART OF THE MEAL AND WAS THEN GOING TO DRAIN THE OIL OFF THE BEEF. IN THE MEAN TIME OUR SON WHO WAS A TODDLER CAME IN AND GRABBED THE SKILLET HANDLE AND PULLED IT OVER ON HIS ARM. HE LET OUT A SCREAM AND HIS ARM WAS COVERED WITH THIS HOT BOILING OIL. HIS ARM WAS INSTANTLY BEET RED. MY WIFE GRABBED HIM UP AND WRAPPED A BLANKET AROUND HIS ARM AND BEGAN TO PRAY AND SPOKE TO THE ARM IN JESUS NAME TO BE RESTORED WITH NO BLISTERING OR SCARING AND FOR THE PAIN TO LEAVE. HE STOPPED CRYING THE INSTANT MY WIFE TOLD THE PAIN TO GO IN JESUS NAME. I CAME HOME RIGHT AT THE TAIL END OF IT ALL. OUR SON FELL ASLEEP IN MY WIFE'S ARM AND SHE LAID HIM DOWN. I ASK HER WHAT THE BLANKET WAS FOR. SHE SAID TO SHIELD HER EYES FROM SEEING HIS ARM, BECAUSE SHE KNEW IT WOULD BE HARD FOR HER AT THAT TIME TO BELIEVE FOR A HEALING AND RESTORATION WHILE LOOKING AT THE BURNED ARM. IT WAS TO PROTECT HER FAITH FROM DOUBTING. WE HAVE SINCE GROWN AND DON'T LET WHAT WE SEE INFLUENCE OUR FAITH. OUR SON SLEPT FOR A SHORT WHILE AND WOKE UP LAUGHING. WE WENT OVER AND UNWRAPPED HIS ARM AND IT WAS PERFECT. NO BURNS, NO RED SPOTS, NO BLISTERS. WE DID NOT KNOW MUCH, BUT WE STOOD ON WHAT WE DID KNOW AND GOD WORKED A MIRACLE FOR US..

TESTIMONY PT. 1
Hello everyone. My name is Michael. I have been a Christian since 1975. My experience in the church was bad, and not the way it should have been. It has been said that Christians shoot and bury their wounded. A lot of them do, because they have never renewed their minds and hearts to the Word of God. They call themselves Christians and walk in the world.The church I first attended was not teaching any thing helpful to a Christian, let alone a new convert, a babe in Christ. When I started going I was not a saved person. My girlfriend attended there so I went with her, and we got married, and continued to attend. I got saved in that church, only because of a group that came and ministered the Word of Salvation to us. Six months of sitting in services at that church and never heard any word on salvation. We continued there for about 2 years.Never were we taught the things we were to need to walk this new life. Nothing on Walking in Love, forgiveness, not taking offence, health and healing, miracles, authority in Christ, or anything we really needed at all. In 1977 we moved to another church that was teaching more of what was needed to live in this world as a Christian. Only they weren't living or walking the talk they were speaking.I got offended ....!!! Hurt..!!!! And unforgiving..!!!!! Which lead to a life of bitterness for the next 23 years.. (What a waste) I continued to go to church, but it was out of duty not out of a heart of love, or being thirsty and hungry for righteousness and the kingdom of God.In 1982 We moved to a third church and sat there 18 years out of duty, sulking in bitterness, not able to walk in the calling on our lives to teach, preach, and sing the Word.One day in the year 2000 something happened that caused me to think and reflect on a statement that my daughter said about me. That day it all turned around for me. Angry and upset over what she had said, I sat in my study alone, when I spoke out loud to myself a question. I said, " what she said was true, so why am I getting so upset over it?" Just as I said that I heard a voice say," I'm glad you ask, now we can get this taken care of." What happened after that changed me from an unforgiving, bitter, unproductive, hurtful, not able to help others, into a minister of the Word, seeing people healed and set free, helping others find the way, helping others grow in the things that they need to walk in Victory in this life in Christ.I am doing my best with God's help to keep others from walking down that long wasted path i walked, being bitter and unproductive. God has us testifying of our past ( being like an open book ) and then teaching a foundation of what we need to live a Christ centered lives. How to deal with hurtful, unforgiving, offensive, unlearned in the scriptures, rejecting people. And not not becoming like that, but instead becoming one who walks in Victory and draws people to Christ.The day it all turned around in my life was awesome. The Lord just started speaking once that question left my lips. I am going to take you through that day and what the Lord showed me in the Word that transformed me from a loser to a winner in Christ.I will be talking about a dark past that I never really wanted to even remember let alone share with others. The Lord said to be an effective minister that I would need to be an open book, nothing hidden or covered up, in order to reach and help others. I told Him yes I can do that, so in the next blog posting I will go through my testimony of where I had been, and what happened on that day of the great turnaround, to where I am today. Then the Lord and I will start some foundation teaching and build on that, to deeper things in Christ. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.JOHN 10:10ANYTHING THAT KILLS, STEALS, OR DESTROYS IS FROM THE DEVIL.AND ABUNDANT LIFE TO THE FULL COMES FROM GOD.

TESTIMONY PT. 2
Many things happened from the time I gave my heart to the Lord until that turn a round day in 2000. As I stated in the First Posting the Christians, and Churches I attended were not teaching any substantial, meaningful, fruitful things pertaining to how to live a Christ centered life in this world. I was offended at them and found a church that taught more, but they didn't walk in it. I was more offended and found yet another church, where I spent 18 years pouting and drowning in unforgiveness and bitterness toward others. One day my daughter said a statement about me, and I got upset over it. When You live in bitterness even the truth will upset you. As I was sitting in my place of study thinking on what she had said, and rehearsing those words in my mind, I spoke out loud these words. I said, " What she said was true so why am I so mad and upset about it?" As soon as those words left my lips I heard a voice from deep within my heart say, "I'm glad you asked, Now we can take care of this problem in your life." All those years in church hearing the word but not living it was about to come to a head. That word was in me and God was about to bring it out and show me what I needed to do. On this day He turned my whole life around and launched me on a journey that amazes me.. First the Lord asked me if I remembered what my son had said his favorite scripture was.Sure I said it's Song of Solomon 2:15 which says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."He said that I had walked in bitterness and unforgiveness so long that it was like a brother to me, and I let the little things set me off, and they were choking the life out of me.He then directed me to go to MARK 11:22-26King James Version (KJV)Passage Mark 11:22-26:22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.The Lord told me when it comes down to it without forgiveness nothing will work. First I had to forgive the hardest person in the world to forgive.( MYSELF ) and all the others I had ought against.He then directed me to this passage of scripture.Passage Hebrews 12:11-15:11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;The Lord said," Michael you have walked in bitterness, and you have defiled many. You can't progress and a lot of those you hurt haven't progressed either. " ( I'll come back to this point and tell you what I had to do to make it right.)There was one more set of scripture that the Lord took me too, that day, and it set me free so I could go back to HEBREWS 12:11-15 and do something about that root of bitterness, and those that I had defiled (hurt).He then took me to PSALMS 51:1-141Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.THIS IS AN AWESOME PASSAGE I BROKE DOWN AT VERSE 10Oh Lord what do I need to do.1. Realize the things that I've done.2. forgive others and myself and ask the Lord to forgive me.3. Ask God to remove that root of bitterness from me.4. Ask God to create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.I did all those steps and what freedom came over me.. Heaviness lifted. Was that all I had to do? NO I had to go back to all those that I had hurt and speak to then about my life and my new life and ask them for forgiveness, and bring a restoration to all our lives... ( I'll tell you about that in the next posting.)

TESTIMONY PT. 3
Hebrews 12:14-1514. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;As I stated in the last posting I had defiled or hurt many people as I walked in bitterness all those years. Asking the Lord to forgive and clean me up wasn't going to be all I needed to do. He told me I must go back to many of them and ask for their forgiveness. One very important thing He impressed on me was this truth. Many times we know we must go back to people and make amends or restitution. We charge out and find those people and talk to them and think, If they accept my apology great, and if they don't, well I tried. I did my best. No you haven't. The Lord told me to go to these people, but only when he told me to go to each one, and to listen for the words to say to them, and only say those words. He was working in their lives and only can we say we did our best is after we do it in God timing and with the words he gave us to say.Everyone hears forgiveness in different ways and words.The first thing I had to do was go to my wife and to my children and ask their forgiveness, because I was a mess for most of the kids lives. Then to about six other people from the past I must go. As I was weed eating the back yard on afternoon, the Lord began to speak to me about going to a man named Sonny. I said yea right he would probably shoot me if he saw me on his front porch. The answer was still the same you must talk to him. As i was trimming the yard I looked up and Sonny was coming cross the alley towards me. I shut the weed eater off and he ask me a question and we started talking. A miracle in itself. He was asking about some people that had moved into the neighborhood. As we talked I was listening for the right words to say concerning forgiveness. The Lord told me with Sonny the way he hears I'm sorry will you forgive me is in the word apologise. I said, Sonny we have had a problem for a while. I did some things that I shouldn't concerning you. He said, I know I've wanted to kill you for at least four years. ( It was bad between us ) ( real bad ) I said to him that I was not that person anymore. I guess he could see that word apologise was about to come out. He said forget it that is water under the bridge. ( He did not want to hear that word come from me because it would then take the burden off me and force him to make a decision concerning the situation.I told him no it is not water under the bridge, and I want to apologise for my actions of the past. He looked at me and stared at me for a moment and the said OK... We talked for a long time and have been like brothers ever since. He has asked me to watch his house when he is gone. My apology placed a choice for him to make. To accept it or to reject it. He accepted it and it was awesome. Whichever way he went in his choice to accept or reject my apology, I could truly say I did all I could do, because I listened for the words to say and said them. I didn't have to wait for when to go because he came to me. He was ready.One of the others I needed to go to came a little later at a store. The Lord said now is the time just go up to him and start talking as if nothing ever happened between you at all. ( He had a chainsaw cranked up and was yelling for me to come out of the house. He was mad at me for something I had done. I came out with a rifle and we then each went back into our houses. ) Bitterness defiles many and many had I defiled. It was bad in those bitter years. And now the Lord was telling me to just walk up and start talking to him as if nothing ever happened between us. He said this man sees forgiveness in that act of walking up to him and talking as if the past never happened. I did just that and stood in that store and talked and talked like had never missed a step .. In every case I went back to the people the Lord told me to go too. I listened and said what the Lord said to say. And all of them gave me the forgiveness I was seeking. We are all friends. I know you won't always get 100% good results like I did, but if you just rush into it and not listen for what to say and when to go you sure won't get 100% good results. Doing it in God's way and God's time is the only way you can say I did all I can do.I was restored in Christ and restored to the people I had hurt in the past. Now I needed to get back into the Word and get a foundation and build a good solid mature Christian out of myself and go on to teach others as God had called me to do.

RUNNING WATER

.................RUNNING WATER...................Doctors of the past had a problem. Lot's of their patients died that shouldn't have. When surgery first started the doctors fixed the problems and the patients still died, even when it was a minor operation. Finally about the time of the Civil War a doctor discovered that there were germs, that we couldn't see, that were causing the problem. Up until that point doctors never washed their hands before surgery. They could have had anything on them. They would go from patient to patient without washing their hands. So they were putting germs into the wounds from their hands, thus causing infections that killed the patient. During the Civil War doctors started washing their hands before surgeries. The mortality rate did not improve much if any, and they were puzzled. Then it came to one of them, that they were washing in a basin. That means all the germs were being contained in the water they were washing in and were still on their hands. So they started to wash in running water and the survival rate climbed upward.GOD SHOWED US THIS IN LEVITICUS 15:13, BUT MAN MISSED IT UNTIL THE CIVIL WAR.LEVITICUS 15:13 And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in RUNNING WATER, and shall be clean.DIRTY HANDS OR CLEAN HANDS.....IT MAKES A DIFFERENCEPSALMS 18:20-2420. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.RIGHTEOUSNESS: Right standing with God. Godly conductCLEANNESS: Pureness21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.22. For all his judgements were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.23. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.24. Therefore hath the LORD recompenced me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.RECOMPENCE: Reward .. YOU ARE REWARDED ACCORDING TO THE CLEANNESS OF YOUR HANDS.PSALMS 24:1-51. The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?4. He that hath CLEAN HANDS, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.CLEAN: innocent, guiltless, blameless.PURE: cleanSWORN: done it seven times becoming an oath of agreement. this means seven time right then and there. not an accumulation of times. The seventh time a thing was done in succession it became settled. example: When a guest had eaten and were ready to leave the host was required to ask them seven times if they enjoyed it and would they like to return again. The guest was required to answer yes six times out of respect and the seventh time they were to answer their true heart on the matter and that settled it.Deceitfully: Having a tendency or disposition to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.So if you have kept your hands clean and a pure heart and not sworn deceitfully then verse 5 is for you.Verse 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of salvation.PSALMS 26:1-7 KJV.1. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.3. For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.( dissemblers: Those that do in secret, conceal, or hide.5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.6. I will wash mine hands in innocency ( Cleanness ): so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.Ever wonder why some people say the right things, and pray the right things, but they never get any prayers answered? Or why some churches have long prayer list, but most people get off them only when they die.2 Cor. 6:14- 7:114. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ( INFIDEL: disbelieving, untrustworthy )16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.2nd Cor. 7:11. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.One reason is because we have had, and many churches have had, dirty spiritual hands.QUESTIONS These are just a few things to ask ourselves, there are many more, but let's see how we do with these1. Should we watch what we see, hear, and say?Genisis shows us the power of vision.Genisis 30:27-43 KJV27. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.28. And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.29. And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.30. For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?31. And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.32. I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.33. So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.34. And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.35. And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.36. And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.37. And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.38. And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.39. And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.40. And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.41. And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.42. But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.43. And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.JACOB NEW THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU LOOK AT OR SEE ALL THE TIME, AND USED THIS TRUTH TO INCREASE HIS HERDS.WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LOOKING AT LATELY? WHAT YOU CONTINUALLY LOOK AT BECOMES A PART OF YOU.Proverbs 18:21 KJV.21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE...( WORDS )WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SAYING..? IT IS EITHER WORDS OF LIFE OR WORDS OF DEATH.THE WORD LOVE HERE MEANS TO HAVE A STRONG ATTACHMENT TO IT. IN OTHER WORDS YOU SAY IT SO MUCH IT BECOMES A PART OF YOUR LIFE AND EXPECTANCY, AND YOU WILL EAT IT OR RECEIVE IT. CHECK YOUR SPEECH AND SEE WHAT YOU ARE ALWAYS SPEAKING, AND SEE IF IT IS LIFE OR DEATH THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING.EXAMPLE ( THIS IS A TRUE STORY ) There was a man that ever since he was young ( about 2 years old ) he was always saying that he would not live to see 40 years old. He became a christian and knew he was called to minister. Still he was always saying he would never live to see 40. He enrolled and started to attend a Bible School in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area of Oklahoma. HE WAS 39 AT THE TIME AND STILL SAYING HE WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE 40. THE BIBLE TEACHERS TRIED TO GET HIM TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS WORDS BUT TO NO AVAIL. TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY A TUMOR WAS FOUND IN HIM AND HE WENT INTO A COMA. THE PREACHERS AND TEACHERS PRAYED FOR HIM, HOWEVER NO IMPROVEMENT. ONE OF THEM SAID SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT HERE. THE MAIN TEACHER WAS PRAYING AND THE LORD TOLD HIM THAT THERE WERE SPIRITUAL LAWS THAT HAD BEEN SET IN MOTION AND THEY COULD NOT BE REVERSED AT THIS TIME. THE MAN DIED BEFORE HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY. AT THE FUNERAL THE PASTOR TOLD THE MOTHER OF THE MAN WHAT GOD HAD SAID. SHE SAID YES HE ALWAYS SAID HE WOULD DIED BEFORE HIS 40TH FROM A VERY YOUNG CHILD ON HE KEPT SAYING THAT HE WOULD DIE BEFORE HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY.. THIS MAN ATE THE FRUIT OF HIS WORDS.WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SAYING? DO YOU SAY THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER. IF YOU DO THEN YOU BETTER CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE SURE IT IS WHAT YOU WANT IN YOUR LIFE. THE MORE YOU SAY IT, THE MORE YOU HEAR IT , THE MORE IT BECOMES A REATITY TO YOU.2. Should we cheat, lie, steal, murder, or commit adultery?LET'S PICK STEALING OUT OF THAT GROUP. EXODUS 20:15 THOU SHALT NOT STEALHAVE YOU EVER STOLE OR ARE YOU STILL STEALING? EVER TAKE LONGER LUNCHES OR BREAKS THAT YOU ARE GIVEN. EVER BRING HOME PENS, PENCILS, RUBBER BANDS, PAPER CLIPS, FROM WORK AND KEEP THEM. IF YOU HAVE THEN YOU HAVE AND OR ARE STEALING.3. Should we dabble in witchcraft?DEUTERONOMY 18:9-139When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.4. Should we put anything between us and God?SO MANY THINGS THAT MANY CHRISTIANS DO ARE NOT WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING. MANY CHRISTIANS READ HOROSCOPES. MANY CHRISTIANS HAVE BOUGHT THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS AND EVEN TAKEN THEIR KIDS TO THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES, WHICH ARE ABOUT WARLOCKS AND WITCHES....SATANIC. GOD SAYS SUCH THINGS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO HIM.ABOMINATION: detestable and contrary to His character.HOW DO WE GET RID OF DIRTY SPIRITUAL HANDS?Passage Ephesians 5:25-27:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.THIS SCRIPTURE TO HUSBANDS HOLDS THE KEY TO CLEANNESS. THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD. WASHING: CLEANSING... THIS IS AN ACTIONKing James Version (KJV)Passage James 1:21-25:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.WE MUST LAY ASIDE ALL THE DIRT OF THIS LIFE BY WASHING IT AWAY WITH THE WORD OF GOD. BE A DOER OF THE WORD AND NOT A HEARER ONLY.PUT THE WORD IN YOUR HEART.PSALM 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.WE MUST KEEP AND DO THE WORD. NOT WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US, NOT WHAT PREACHERS HAVE TOLD US, NOT WHAT TRADITION HAS TOLD US, BUT WHAT THE WORD REALLY SAYS. THE ACTION OF DOING THE WORD WASHES US AND KEEPS US PURE.