Defragmenting Life 4

The motivation behind acquiring possessions.

What is the motivation of the possession? Why do you want to acquire something? Do you want to impress someone? Someone who is here today and gone tomorrow? Someone who can’t accept you for who you are?

Why do you want something and what for?

You and I are to be salt to those who don’t know Christ. If we become just like the world then what is the difference between us and someone who doesn’t know Christ? Where is the savor and flavor in us?

Do we want to gain the whole world and lose our soul?

Offerings, donations and even our good deeds cannot buy God off but many have been bought off by possessions even kings, prophets, and disciples, so be careful the possessions you get, and receive don’t end up owning you and make you feel obligated to those who would exploit and use you for their gain.

We all must look to God in our dependence and confidence. We must not put trust in things or ourselves but in Him. God is constant, never changing, and full of assurance. He has endless and amazing gifts that never rot, decay, loose their value or become a chore.

Defragmenting Life 3

Things acquired for a false assurance.

I think the most dangerous sign of materialism is when we start to use material possessions to replace and remove our trust or reliance on God. Some do this subconsciously, some do this because they don’t have a relationship with God and some do this because they want to find a way around God but they are only fooling themselves.

I’ll use this example: A husband and wife buy wedding rings as a symbol of their dedication, love and responsibility to one another and God. But if they buy a wedding ring not just for the symbol of commitment to one other BUT for resell value , that ring is NO longer a symbol of a loving commitment, BUT a sign that marriage is not a death to us part partnership but a temporary legal engagement.

A ring based solely on resale value and not on the symbolic meaning of commitment shows there is not just a lack of trust between this couple but also in God. The ring more or less has becomes a control issue and a false assurance. A person says in their heart that I am in charge of my life and I don’t have to be dependent on ANYONE - if things go sour. I am my own mountain. I am my own wall. I need no one. I can pawn this expensive ring for a few cold bucks in my pocket. I have never known a person who has gotten through a failed marriage with money… or anything other material possession.

What most people fail to understand is the concept that God give and God take away. Why did our parents take things away from us when we were younger? Sometimes they took things from us for a punishment but they also took things away from us because they could possibly be harmful to our lives. (I am talking about possessions only here! Not people.)

Things also happen! That ring can fall into the toilet, down the sink, or into the sea on that boat trip. Stock markets fall; cars break down and get stolen, houses rot and decay and even catch on fire. Every material possession looses its luster and money disappears. The love for possessions only adds worry for those possessions. (Matthew 6:19-34) (Luke 12:28-34)

When we try to control our lives by material possessions we are trying to replace the happiness God can give to us. If we try to have happiness only in our possessions, we will never find and live the happiness God intends for us.

Defragmenting Life 2

Things acquired for convenience.

Most of us buy things for enjoyment and because they make things convenient.

We buy a cell phone because it is easy to stay connected with family, friends and work. We buy zip lock bags so when we’re done with the contents in the bag we can simply throw away the bag. It saves us on having to wash out a plastic container and having to store that container when we are done. We buy computers that are easier and faster to work and play on and need less virus software. We buy stocks and bonds in hopes they will help us in the retirement years and will make it easier to help pay for our kids rising college tuition. We buy gas grills instead of charcoal grills because they are less messy and faster to cook on. We buy a universal remote for our television, DVD player, and recorder in hopes we won’t have to use three remotes or have to dig through our couch so frequently. We buy storage boxes to store all our stuff that we don’t use all the time in. We buy large flat screen televisions because they are sometimes easier to see with our aging eyes and/or because they a lot funnier to watch movies and play video games on. We buy new improved formulas, gadgets, and tools in hopes they will make our cleaning and building faster, cleaner and more energy efficient.

There is nothing wrong with convenience in our lives but it does become a problem when it starts affecting our life and those around us.

Our want for convenience affects many aspects of our lives and sometimes we partake in things of this world because of mere convenience but in seeking convenience, these things of the world “can” trip us up if we are not careful in how we use them.

Since I started with cell phones let's use cell phones as our example. Cell phones are wonderful especially if your entire network of friends and family are on the same network but cell phones have also made things of life easy to trip over.

No longer is your phone at your office desk or at home in the kitchen hanging on the wall but now is own your person or near your person most of the day. Now those who want or feel the need to call you can do so at a whim – regardless of what time it is and who you are trying to spend quality time with. There are people out there who GOT to have their “phone” fix.

I am sure the man who brought in those wild gourds, to put them in the stew he was sharing with family and guests, didn’t know they were poisonous. He brought them in out of convenience. They were close by and not too far away to fetch. (2 Kings)

Cell phones MAKE it so easy for someone to state how they are feeling without thinking their thoughts thoroughly through.

Gossip, presumption, cheating and lying, to name a few, are at anyone’s disposal if they are caught in the wrong moment and have lack of self-restraint/ control.

Some people are now apt to call out of gut reaction to something they hear or see instead of thinking the entire situation through.

Have you ever wondered how our grandparents survived without cell phones? Technology back then did not make things convenient to call whenever they had a whim. If you were upset with someone, you would either wait until you were near a phone or you would have to write a letter and in either case you had time to stop and think before it was too late and had to retrieve your foot from your mouth. Inconvenience gave the opportunity for saving grace.

Nowadays things are so immediate. You want to call someone- you can do it right then and there. You want to buy something you can do it right then and there. No longer do you have to go to the store. You can buy it right on-line or on your phone. Some grocery stores even deliver now. Some would say, “That should be a great thing! We no longer have to stand in long lines, fight traffic and spend gas money but that is also one less opportunity to shine our light for Christ and share that love of Christ with others. One less opportunity to see what God has planned to enrich our or someone else’s life.

When Paul wrote, “Your ambition should be a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands” (1 Thess 4:11) he did not mean we were to become hermits and secluded individuals. He was talking about staying away from situations that may lead into gossip, slander, lies, presumption and talk that is not well thought out before spoken. Talk that could not just be harmful and disrupted but sinful and not a good witness for Christ.

Things bought for convenience are great but just be careful how and when you use them.

Defragmenting Life (Thought life)

If you have children you know what it is like to go into their room and everything that was neatly on their shelves, in their toy boxes, hanging and stacked in their closet, and folded in their dresser has somehow become floor camouflage. Even their beds aren’t untouched by the carried away, spontaneous moments of imagination and play.

I guess there is a time for everything - a time to play and a time to clean up. (Clean up. Clean up. Everyone do you part. Clean up. Clean up. Everyone do your share.)

Even us adults have to un-clutter our lives once in a while.

It may not be the usage, consumption, or lack of effort in sorting material possessions but the way we think over, absorb, and hold on to information.

Our minds get so camouflaged with the matters and details of life we can no longer see the foundation of our lives and what truly matters in life. That goes for activities too!

Ever get over loaded with information and activity?

Has someone ever dumped or unloaded a lot of hefty information in your lap and then walked away? Has someone ever done something to yank your shirt collar?

How about when the aspects and events and tasks at hand get to be SO much to handle that you just end up becoming SO task oriented that you fail to see those around you being turned off by your super taskmaster mode. You’re giving orders here and there and forgetting you are being somewhat insensitive to other people’s feelings around you. (Then you realize… did I just grow horns, become red, and become a great pitchfork poker?)

Then there are some us who get so bombarded with so much information, jobs and tasks that we begin to get bogged down and then literally shut down. Sleep is good for the mind but when your mind is tired because it has a three-ring circus running around inside of it and you happen to be the strong man trying to hold up the elephant there is a problem.

I personally tend to think WAY too much on certain aspects of life which bogs me down emotional and physically. I start to put things on my shoulders to the point I am emotionally and physically drained and worn out.

So what do we do when we cannot discern the matters of the world verses the matters that truly matter in life that us give peace of mind and joy?

There is a wonderful illustration in Luke that might help us understand what truly matters in life.

Luke 10:38- 42 says “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it- and I won’t take it away from her.”

Martha had her eyes on the details of life. She had made a problem for herself. Ever get so blinded by all the things in life that you get carried away by them and make yourself upset and frustrated? Do you sometimes get even more upset because others aren’t helping you out to solve the problem or they don’t even perceive the tasks, that need to be done, as a problem?

Martha made herself a bomb.

I can see Martha thinking this: “Dinner must be served by this time. This many places must be set. This many dishes must be clean. These food items must be prepared in this way and this manner or else it will not be perfect. It will soon be getting dark and I wonder if I have enough oil to keep the lanterns lit. The main course isn’t being cooked as well as I would like. Why is my sister who knows how do these things as well as I not helping me?”

Mary, on the other hand, is in a different state of mind. Her mind and eyes are on Jesus.

Ever have dinner with a large group of friends? There is a lot of talk and activity. Mary, in the middle of all this activity, has quieted herself down in front of the Lord and simply listened. She made herself available to listen to what the Lord had to say to her and everyone else who had inquiring ears. Her eyes are on Jesus not on the activity and matters going on around her. Notice she didn’t try to argue with Martha, she just stayed focused on Jesus.

Yes there are a lot of things to be done in life. There are a lot of things that are said. There are a lot of things happening in the world around us but where is our focus?

I will admit first hand that it is difficult to see past those missiles of tasks, ideas, and opinions coming towards us everyday. During times of struggle, it is sometimes difficult to pray. It is sometimes difficult to open our bible and read. It is difficult to just sit and be still and be quiet both inside and out. It is hard to find clarity.

Yes it takes a MAJOR effort and step on our part BUT if we just take that step… those few minutes of quiet and few words/ thoughts to ask God to help clear our minds, we’ll find that
Jesus is the greatest interceptor of clattered thinking.

Philippians 4:6 “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

The cluttered pieces of life will be placed in their rightful place and you will see what truly matters in this life.

Th0ught5 –Ripples and Waves

There is a show, called Numb3rs, on television. It’s basically about two brothers who solve crimes for the FBI. One brother is a FBI agent and the other is professor/genus in mathematical theory. In the show, the brother who is a genus uses mathematical theories to solve crimes but unfortunately his theories are not always understood by his brother and co-workers so to help them understand the ideas behind the theories the professor brother often uses illustrations to explain the theories.

Now recently I have seen and felt the effects of a bad understanding. Most of us would have an idea what is a “misunderstanding” because we have all had them and "been there" but many of us would wonder what would be considered a “bad” misunderstanding.

A bad misunderstanding to me is when it effects a large group of people but instead of going into intimate details of this ordeal, which might be construed as some form of gossip -down the short or long road ahead I will give you an illustration.

Most of everyone hates misunderstandings. I say “most” because there are individuals and beings out there that like to use misunderstandings to their advantage or social gain. One way to divide and conquer their opponent is to provide opportunities and breeding grounds for misunderstandings to occur. Then there are misunderstandings that just happen innocently but they somehow make a big mess.

As I mentioned before, am currently watching and experiencing this ripple affect which is spreading like a stone dropped in a pool of water and every ripple that is produced is changing in size and speed as it moves further from where the stone was dropped into the water. I say “stone” now but in actuality the incident was really just the size of a pebble.

The incident, the pebble, which has caused this affect, was quite innocent in circumstance and nature has transformed into waves - due to those “experiencing” the ripple - and in a sense, those experiencing this ripple have made ripples of their own which have carried this mishap into something that was really nothing from the start.

Like rocks aligned near a beach getting hit by a simple wave, these rocks all have been giving the opportunity to output a splash and ripple pattern of their own.

When these different individuals have been hit by the same wave their different sizes and shapes and perspectives and moods - have perceived the hit differently.

The responding output ripples of these rocks aren't just different but can even be more damaging then the simple initial ripple, which was not harmful at all.

Think of it as rowdy bar scene in a movie. A guy innocently loses his balance and bumps into another guy who knocks a waitress over who is carrying beers to a table. The beer is dumped into some guy’s lap who only sees the guy who bumped into the waitress and decides to give the guy that drenched him a black eye, which proceeds into even larger bar fight and people going to jail.

People have different perspectives, attitudes, notions, bias, responses, and even insecurities and unless the individuals who get hit by the ripple initially realize the ripple was just a ripple - the responding ripples from that tiny pebble will become something much larger and different then what actually happened in the first place.

Remember playing that game in school, where one kid whispers something in another kid’s ear and that kid passes it down to another kid and that child repeats what they thought they heard and by the time the last child in line gets what is supposedly said by the first kid – it is totally different.

Probably the least affected will be the ones who started the miscommunication in the first place.

And those mostly affected will be those who further down the line from initial ripple.
Incidents like this one can adversely a large group of people because of understandings or misunderstandings of the original intent of the pebble.

The incident, innocent or not, can become negative notions or feelings based on previous histories, experiences, attitudes and insecurities. Add vocal and facial expressions to the mix and you have puddle of assumption that has turned into quick sand.

Words and ideas can be powerful but they are only powerful if we give them residence within us.

And unfortunately it is often based on a negative perspectives or judgments on others or even ourselves that make up this mess.

It can be like an ant taking poison to the rest of the hive or a Trojan horse into gates.

Sometimes we can carry the ball of fire all by ourselves without any help from others who intend or don’t intend to hurt us. Even the devil doesn’t have to work too hard to get those bees in the hive all a buzz when they already have circumstances and unresolved issues that are still working among them.

Usually presumptions and unresolved issues can be cleared up if parties are standing on Christ- in humility, honesty and love but if one is just phony or wants to hold onto hard feelings then the parties who want resolution can only do one thing....

There is a painting I saw recently when we went to the Oregon Coast. I had seen it several times before but this time it was a sequence of pictures of the same picture. The pictures were of a lighthouse sitting on a piece of rock jutting out of ocean and a man standing just outside the door of the lighthouse as a surge of a wave comes crashing into the backside of it.

With every proceeding picture the humongous wave is surrounding the bottom of the lighthouse and coming ever closer to where the man of the lighthouse is standing and just before the bottom the lighthouse is totally surrounded by water and the man of the lighthouse swept out to sea, the man of the lighthouse goes inside and shuts the door where he is protected.

2 Samuel 22:2 These are the words he sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies. The waves of death surround me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I called to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.

Psalm 92:15 They will declare, "The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!"

Psalm 94:22 But the LORD is my fortress; my God is a mighty rock where I can hide.

Psalm 144:1 Bless the LORD, who is my rock. He gives me strength for war and skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer. He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in him. He subdues the nations under me.

God is our rock and he has built a lighthouse in Christ for us to go to and to be sheltered and protected in. This lighthouse was the one who simply told the storm to stop and it did - but in order for any storm to stop inside us we must give it to the LORD.

God gave us free will but it is our choice or not to weather out the storm and crashing waves on our own or seek protection in the LORD who is our high tower in the storms and waves of life. If we try to weather out the storms and crashing waves of life, by ourselves, we are doomed to sorrow and hardening of the heart.

Thoughts, presumptions, insecurities, a person’s outward reactions to you and others you love must be given to the LORD. We must all stand on the ROCK of Christ that will stand forever. We must all enter his strong tower to be perfected and protected in his wisdom, grace and love as the ripples and waves of life come our way. Sure we will hear the ripples and waves and maybe even some vibration but in Christ we can walk out every word and action in love.

There we endure. There we live. There we remain the men and women of the lighthouse.

John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Growth, Boldness, Vine & Wine

Currently I have been trying to grow some red grapes in our backyard. We bought a grape vine early this spring, dug a hole and planted it in some good soil and covered and surrounded the area with a layer of mulch. It has been watered everyday and gets plenty of sunshine but so far it has only grown about 4 feet and is covered with leaves. Come to find out while reading a magazine, grape vines need poor soil to produce grapes… and if you coddle them you’ll get just what we got… lots of leaf and vine and little else. Grape vines I guess thrive in gravely, sandy, calciferous soil that hardly retains moisture and holds little if any fertile soil. Sounds a lot like the natural surroundings we have here in Texas… in short we tried too hard and got poor results.

Who would of thought a grape vine would grow fruit in such poor conditions?

This reminded me of Jesus:
“Yes I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15:5-8

Jesus came to earth to face what kind of conditions? You might say the soil conditions were pretty stony, hard and unfertile. In fact it lacked the soil type to keep people from getting thirsty and satisfied. Some would even agree the conditions were extremely turbulent.

Jesus is the vine of life. A person who tries to grow on any other vine or a counterfeit won’t just produce any good fruit but will suffer greatly and will even suffer eternity if they don’t find Christ before they leave this life.

Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.” John 15:1-4

Without Jesus we can do nothing of good in this world. This world’s soil type is a hard, gravely, sandy, unfertile and certainly keeps many thirsty - metaphorically speaking.

The world being so however…. Is a great place to grow “Christ-centered fruit.”

It is a great place to mature us, Christians, as we remain “connected” to the “Vine” and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The conditions regardless if they are favorable or not in our eyes, will have a favorable moment if we are willing and listening to what God has us to speak at the precise moment he wants us to speak or act. Sometimes it takes boldness but that boldness is not dependent on our perception of ourselves or those we are speaking to but God’s understanding of that person or people we are to speaking/witness to.

Witnessing should come as natural as breathing… but as human beings we like to THINK too much! Agreed??? Witnessing should come from a Christ-centered love that is not based on self-perception or a pre-determined, laid out plan but you merely being a vessel of Christ’s love.

Sometimes we are blessed by being this vessel but this vessel shouldn’t get any credit for merely doing what it was designed to do.

“And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely doing what he is suppose to do. In the say way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty’.” Luke 17:9

God did not make you into a robot or some copy of someone else. He doesn’t want you to follow some “Way of the Master” method. He made you, the person you are, to witness to the people he had planned for you to come into contact with long ago. (Remember God knew his people in advance.) God wants you to be yourself not someone you are not and God will do the rest.

Building on the WORD:
“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere –“ Acts 1:8

“For it won’t be you doing the talking- it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:20

“This will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply!” Luke 21:13

“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you the full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message. “ 1 Thessalonians 1:5

“With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ You are a witness of all these things. And now I will send you the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised.” Luke 24:47

“For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your poets says, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28

“For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3.

Fruit into Wine: When it comes to the moving of God, God can make water into wine. (John 2) He can do the same in us. Fruit is instant and wine is quickly created and poured out of an individual for all to see and enjoy. Often it defies and challenges human understanding and rational.

Our lives are changed in a moment. We, as vessels, once used for things we were no intended for, found our true purpose. The transformation from old wine skin to new wine skin was instantaneous when we surrendered our life to Christ. (Everything was made new again.)

The old was replaced by a new spirit and heart -for the old would not hold up during the fermentation process of the new wine that is made with the new fruit that grows under the watchful eye of the master gardener.

The fruit is tested and tasted and turned into wine to be shared with the less fortunate. The taste is either sweet to those seeking a better life or it bitter to those who have given up conscious, morality and life is self. (Matthew 9:17, Luke 5:38-39)

And let us remember with every taste/test of a wine thief, we know we are becoming aged to perfection.

Let us make the most of every opportunity for doing good. Let us not act thoughtlessly but try to understand what the Lord wants us to do in every opportunity or changing condition…. Let the Holy Spirit fill and move us in the correct manner and action. We are God’s ambassadors, God’s perfected wine in Christ, so let us ask that he give us the boldness to speak - as we should and pour out God's love. (Ephesians 5:15-18, 6:19-20)

I am not a wine drinker but I enjoy the good wine that is poured out of others. It is full of character and glimmers with beauty.

The Witness in You

Heading to the surf?

Do ever think about your witness? If you are Christian, you probably do pretty often but it tends to be pushed aside with everyday life.

We stand in lines … grocery stores, post offices, coffee shops, county and governmental departments, movies theatres, airports, the occasional amusement/ water-park, home improvement stores, clothes stores, and pharmacies.

We sit… on buses, in planes, in carpools, in doctor and dentist offices, auto repair shops.

We imagine the day without any inconveniences. We go to A. B. C. D. and home again. We mind our own business. We get in and get out. We live in our little world… some smaller then others.

But what happens when the unanticipated happens, when the unplanned occurs, when there is a pump in the road, when the TomTom of your day unexpectedly goes wacko? When the unforeseen and unpredicted make an untimely visit? That flat tire happens? The undesirable for some reason picks you?

What do you do? What do you think?

Do you think the devil is really trying to mess up my plans today? Do you think I really have some bad luck today? Do you think God has painted a target on your backside telling the enemy- try this servant? Do you get frustrated and angry? Do you get hostile? Does fear flare up inside of you? Do you try to hide or retreat or withdraw? Do you go into panic mode or automatic “I got everything under control mode”?

Do you ever look around in those times to think maybe God has something for me to do here or has me here for a specific reason?

Maybe God wants me to talk or witness to someone? Our actions speak a lot about who we are. Our actions speak a lot about the person God has made us to be. Our actions speak a lot about God if we are willing and watchful to be his hands and feet.

We may not be some famous preacher, or evangelist, or even a great speaker but we are who God made us to be for certain moments and for specific individuals that he had chosen long in advance for us to talk and reach.

Seeds… sometimes we are just that - in a person who is willing to listen. We are seeds but with enough watering those seeds will grow and they will their FIND TRUE LIFE in CHRIST.

For some of us witnessing means we have to be bold, aggressive and strong and - boldness, aggressiveness, and strength doesn’t fit our self-description of ourselves but God disagrees.

You know there are different levels of boldness, aggressiveness and strength? God did not just put those different levels within us but he has also put grace, love, compassion and humbleness in us as well.

He made us uniquely different and that uniqueness in Christ’s love is what matters most. We all have different experiences so we may reach different individuals and God makes us qualified even when don’t share some of those different and even difficult experiences.

The people in this world are confused. They don’t know what they believe? They really struggle with the concept of faith – for one because not many of us have taken that step forward and said, “I believe because I have seen.” I believe because I had asked and it was taken care of.” I believe because what seemed impossible became possible.” I believe because I am not the same person I was before I came to Christ. I believe because I spoke to him this morning or a few moments ago."

Some of us have seen the devil, have seen demons, have seen angels, have seen Jesus Christ, had visions and dreams from God and have personally felt the power and gentleness of God.

God is real and his son Jesus Christ is real. Don’t feel shy about saying “I used to think people who talked like this were crazy but now I know what I used to doubt is REAL.” Don’t feel embarrassed to say, “Some would consider me a religious nut but craziness and hype don’t last for this LONG! In fact I remember thinking of others who spoke to me, like I am talking to you right now, were crazy or on something but now I know different”

People have no concept what is their ticket into heaven or hell. People believe things we have spoken about are as true as fairy tales. People believe that if they are a good person then they will make it to heaven. What makes them a good person? I don’t know a single person who is as “good” as Jesus Christ “who” has died for our sins so if we trust and believe in him then we will live for eternity in heaven. People don’t know their life purpose is held in the hand of Jesus Christ, if they just come to him. Not some saint or statue or tree or animal, or walking path or getting a certain number of individuals to accept their religion but Jesus Christ is they way into heaven and life. Some don't even know the power we have in Jesus Christ but that is for another time.

Unfortunately the world and its foolish ideas and false religions have confused many and they simply don’t care anymore. Their take is “whatever happens… happens.”

But Gods seeds of truth, hope and nourishment are just a few words and actions away if we stay focused and open to clues that are shared and said.

Have you ever noticed when we share spiritual matters with others, pieces of information tend to fit into a puzzle even if those pieces of information seem to be brief. Sometimes the puzzle pieces are pretty dark and sometimes they are pretty outstanding but what makes that puzzle work (to our knowledge and without our knowledge) is Christ.

Remember sometimes it isn’t always positive but if we trust God, stay humble and remain genuine we see much more about God, this world, and this life. It’s not about us. It’s about Jesus, his love and how he made a way for us to share heaven with him.

So the next time the unexpected happens. The unforeseen occurs, the untimely makes a visit or the person who you last expect to be speaking to stands in line with you or sits beside you….

Remember God makes you qualified in his life not what we think makes us qualified.

May God give you all the words and actions you need for his glory and that person's soul.

Is it Criminal to be a Christian? What has changed?

The only hope a people have is in God but a people who don't trust in God have no hope at all.

Christianity is gradually being seen as a big negative by governments around the world including the United States -which was founded on Christian principles and beliefs.

This is nothing new to those in Christian faith. They have seen this rolling ball for sometime.

I appreciated United States history. The only history I disliked was European history but now I see it has some real importance too. At least the "old" history books that have remained truthful... and not even the History channel does that anymore. New history texts and many history shows have pushed the truth from them. And why? Is it no longer refreshing to hear the truth? It is better to live in denial? I rather hear the truth so I can fix my mistakes instead of repeating them.

Have you seen the media, government leaders and court systems lately? It seems they have tied Christianity up and thrown her into a closet with her mouth-tapped shut. And they only bring her out when it benefits them then quickly push her aside.

Does anyone ever think about where these ideas and beliefs came from when our founding fathers started to build America? What did they see that caused them to construct a government different then what they saw and came from? What did they base America on and why? AND why did they come to America first of all?

In a sense we're making a circle AGAIN but this time we, as Christians, have no other undiscovered land to go. God will have to rapture us out of here or we will have to be persecuted, imprisoned, spit on and treated unfairly for what we believe. That is unless there is a CHANGE.

Sometimes it helps to read what our founding fathers and officials wrote to see things in a different perspective: They were rebels in the sight of those who wanted to rule over them but why were they considered rebels? What did they believe that made them rebels? Why were they considered intolerant?

John Adams wrote:
“We recognize no Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!”
[April 18, 1775, on the eve of the Revolutionary War after a British major ordered John Adams, John Hancock, and those with them to disperse in “the name of George the Sovereign King of England." ]

• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” [letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress]

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798

What does that say about the United States today?

John Adams
"The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and the attributes of God.” [June 28, 1813; Letter to Thomas Jefferson]

"I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson

“Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity… and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system.” [October 4, 1790]

"Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell." [John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1817]

Samuel Adams: |
“ He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all… Our forefathers opened the Bible to all.” [ "American Independence," August 1, 1776. Speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia]

John Quincy Adams:
• “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"? --1837, at the age of 69, when he delivered a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts.

“The Law given from Sinai [The Ten Commandments] was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code.”
John Quincy Adams. Letters to his son.

Elias Boudinot: |
“Be religiously careful in our choice of all public officers . . . and judge of the tree by its fruits.”

Charles Carroll - signer of the Declaration of Independence |
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." [Source: To James McHenry on November 4, 1800.]

Benjamin Franklin: |
“ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech

“In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” [Constitutional Convention, Thursday June 28, 1787]

In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."

In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."

Alexander Hamilton:
• Hamilton began work with the Rev. James Bayard to form the Christian Constitutional Society to help spread over the world the two things which Hamilton said made America great:
(1) Christianity
(2) a Constitution formed under Christianity.
“The Christian Constitutional Society, its object is first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.”

On July 12, 1804 at his death, Hamilton said, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.”

"For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests." [1787 after the Constitutional Convention]

"I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man."

John Hancock:
• “In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments, …at the same time all confidence must be withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but foolishness… Resolved; …Thursday the 11th of May…to humble themselves before God under the heavy judgments felt and feared, to confess the sins that have deserved them, to implore the Forgiveness of all our transgressions, and a spirit of repentance and reformation …and a Blessing on the … Union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights [for which hitherto we desire to thank Almighty God]…That the people of Great Britain and their rulers may have their eyes opened to discern the things that shall make for the peace of the nation…for the redress of America’s many grievances, the restoration of all her invaded liberties, and their security to the latest generations.
"A Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, with a total abstinence from labor and recreation. Proclamation on April 15, 1775"

Patrick Henry:
"Orator of the Revolution."
• This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”
—The Last Will and Testament of Patrick Henry

“It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]

“The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”

John Jay:
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393.

“Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received either from the clergy or the laity. It appears to me that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his attachment to Ahab ["Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord?" 2 Chronicles 19:2] affords a salutary lesson.” [The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 1794-1826, Henry P. Johnston, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1893), Vol. IV, p.365]

Thomas Jefferson:
“The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.”

“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.”

"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” (excerpts are inscribed on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial in the nations capital) [Source: Merrill . D. Peterson, ed., Jefferson Writings, (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc., 1984), Vol. IV, p. 289. From Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, 1781.]

Samuel Johnston:
• “It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans (Muslims), pagans, etc., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans, or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves." [Elliot’s Debates, Vol. IV, pp 198-199, Governor Samuel Johnston, July 30, 1788 at the North Carolina Ratifying Convention]

James Madison
“We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all of our heart.”

“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” [1778 to the General Assembly of the State of Virginia]

• I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare the unsatisfactoriness [of temportal enjoyments] by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way.
Letter by Madison to William Bradford (September 25, 1773)

• In 1812, President Madison signed a federal bill which economically aided the Bible Society of Philadelphia in its goal of the mass distribution of the Bible.
“An Act for the relief of the Bible Society of Philadelphia” Approved February 2, 1813 by Congress

“It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.”

• A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven. [Letter by Madison to William Bradford [urging him to make sure of his own salvation] November 9, 1772]

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches. He discovered this model of government from the Perfect Governor, as he read Isaiah 33:22;
“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
He will save us.”

[Baron Charles Montesquieu, wrote in 1748; “Nor is there liberty if the power of judging is not separated from legislative power and from executive power. If it [the power of judging] were joined to legislative power, the power over life and liberty of the citizens would be arbitrary, for the judge would be the legislature if it were joined to the executive power, the judge could have the force of an oppressor. All would be lost if the same … body of principal men … exercised these three powers." Madison claimed Isaiah 33:22 as the source of division of power in government
See also: pp.241-242 in Teaching and Learning America’s Christian History: The Principle approach by Rosalie Slater]

James McHenry – Signer of the Constitution
"Public utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions. Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience."

Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."

LOOK carefully at that one again!

Thomas Paine:
“ It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences, and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author.”

“The evil that has resulted from the error of the schools, in teaching natural philosophy as an accomplishment only, has been that of generating in the pupils a species of atheism. Instead of looking through the works of creation to the Creator himself, they stop short, and employ the knowledge they acquire to create doubts of his existence. They labour with studied ingenuity to ascribe every thing they behold to innate properties of matter, and jump over all the rest by saying, that matter is eternal.” “The Existence of God--1810”

Benjamin Rush:
• “I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them…we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government; that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible; for this Divine Book, above all others, constitutes the soul of republicanism.” “By withholding the knowledge of [the Scriptures] from children, we deprive ourselves of the best means of awakening moral sensibility in their minds.” [Letter written (1790’s) in Defense of the Bible in all schools in America]

• “Christianity is the only true and perfect religion.”

• “If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into our world would have been unnecessary.”

"Let the children who are sent to those schools be taught to read and write and above all, let both sexes be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education”
Letters of Benjamin Rush, "To the citizens of Philadelphia: A Plan for Free Schools", March 28, 1787

Justice Joseph Story:
“I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society. One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law. . . There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying its foundations.”
[Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States p. 593]

“Infidels and pagans were banished from the halls of justice as unworthy of credit.” [Life and letters of Joseph Story, Vol. II 1851, pp. 8-9.]

“At the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration [i.e., the First Amendment], the general, if not the universal sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedom of religious worship.”
[Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States p. 593]

Noah Webster:
“ The duties of men are summarily comprised in the Ten Commandments, consisting of two tables; one comprehending the duties which we owe immediately to God-the other, the duties we owe to our fellow men.”

“In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed...No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
[Source: 1828, in the preface to his American Dictionary of the English Language]

Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God [Exodus 18:21]. . . . If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws. [Noah Webster, The History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie and Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, 49]

“All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” [Noah Webster. History. p. 339]

“The Bible was America’s basic textbook
in all fields.” [Noah Webster. Our Christian Heritage p.5]

“Education is useless without the Bible” [Noah Webster. Our Christian Heritage p.5 ]

George Washington:
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”

“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]

"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]

During his inauguration, Washington took the oath as prescribed by the Constitution but added several religious components to that official ceremony. Before taking his oath of office, he summoned a Bible on which to take the oath, added the words “So help me God!” to the end of the oath, then leaned over and kissed the Bible.

Nelly Custis-Lewis (Washington’s adopted daughter):
"Is it necessary that any one should [ask], “Did General Washington avow himself to be a believer in Christianity?" As well may we question his patriotism, his heroic devotion to his country. His mottos were, "Deeds, not Words"; and, "For God and my Country."

“O Most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ, my merciful and loving Father; I acknowledge and confess my guilt in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of my sins, but so coldly and carelessly that my prayers are become my sin, and they stand in need of pardon.”

“ I have sinned against heaven and before Thee in thought, word, and deed. I have contemned Thy majesty and holy laws. I have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to have done and committing what I ought not. I have rebelled against the light, despising Thy mercies and judgment, and broken my vows and promise. I have neglected the better things. My iniquities are multiplied and my sins are very great. I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing and desire to be vile in my own eyes as I have rendered myself vile in Thine. I humbly beseech Thee to be merciful to me in the free pardon of my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son and only Savior Jesus Christ who came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me.”
[George Washington; from a 24 page authentic handwritten manuscript book dated April 21-23, 1752
William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian (New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35.]

"Although guided by our excellent Constitution in the discharge of official duties, and actuated, through the whole course of my public life, solely by a wish to promote the best interests of our country; yet, without the beneficial interposition of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we could not have reached the distinguished situation which we have attained with such unprecedented rapidity. To HIM, therefore, should we bow with gratitude and reverence, and endeavor to merit a continuance of HIS special favors". [1797 letter to John Adams]

James Wilson:
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
Supreme Court Justice appointed by George Washington
Spoke 168 times during the Constitutional Convention
"Christianity is part of the common law"
[Sources: James Wilson, Course of Lectures [vol 3, p.122]; and quoted in Updegraph v. The Commonwealth, 11 Serg, & R. 393, 403 (1824).]

________________________________________________________________________
Public Institutions
Liberty Bell Inscription:
“Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof” [Leviticus 25:10]

Proposals for the seal of the United States of America
• “Moses lifting his wand and dividing the Red Sea” –Ben Franklin

• “The children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” --Thomas Jefferson

On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Franklin's proposal adapted the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea. Jefferson first recommended the "Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by night. . . ." He then embraced Franklin's proposal and rewrote it

Jefferson's revision of Franklin's proposal was presented by the committee to Congress on August 20, 1776.

Another popular proposal to the Great Seal of the United States was:
" Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God"; with Pharoah's army drowning in the Red Sea

Article 22 of the constitution of Delaware (1776)
Required all officers, besides taking an oath of allegiance, to make and subscribe to the following declaration:
• "I, [name], do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."

New England Primer:
Used in public and private schools from 1690 to 1900 second only to the Bible
Some of its contents:
A song of praise to God
Prayers in Jesus’ name
The famous Bible alphabet
Shorter Catechism of faith in Christ

Janet L. Folger wrote a book called: "The Criminalization of Christianity"
Here are just a couple questions she asks….

Which of the following actually happened in America ?

A. A man is fired for displaying Bible verses in his work space.

B. A judge orders a mother not to teach her daughter anything that could be considered “homophobic.”

C. High school students are trained to roam the halls in search of verbal “offenses” to report to law enforcement officers.

D. A pastor faces a prison sentence for reading from the Bible.

E. All of the above.

ANSWER (E.) All of the above. Here’s where: A) Idaho , B) Colorado, C) West Virginia, and D) Pennsylvania .

Things are getting dark and they are only going to get darker with the decline of those who have no knowledge of God and have no relationship with Jesus Christ.

Think carefully and wisely. Being a Christian should never be considered criminal. It is criminal to go against those who uphold Christian values and morals. When a government moves and rules against the laws and regulations of God it will fall. When a government tries to erase and deny all ideals and laws of God it will fall. Man is not God and man is only a fool to act as if he is God. A system built on the ideals of man will fall and be washed away for it has moved it self into shifting sands and off the safety of the firm foundation of God’s truth. The men and women of history have spoken about walking away from God and Jesus Christ and have warned to not fall away from Christians pillars set up by God. They sought God. They would be disgraced by what they see today in America.

Be strong but be civil in the way of Christ Jesus.

Don't Assume

Recently I was listening to a man on Christian talk radio, who is suppose to be very knowledge in Christian circles talking about Pentecostals (specifically Assembly of God churches), which I am a member of, and he made the comment that Pentecostals believe that you must speak in tongues to enter heaven. Where did this man get this idea and information?

Did he go to a Pentecostal (Assembly Of God) church and hear this or just hear something in the gossip train? There is only one way into heaven and that is through Christ Jesus and through him alone. If you have the gift of speaking in tongues… great but if don’t that is all right TOO but it is not the deciding factor of getting into heaven.

My older sister thought in Pentecostal churches that we carry around poisonous snakes and if you get bit while the snake handlers are walking around the congregation and die then you must have recently sinned against God. (I had to laugh when I heard that.) Snakes in an Assembly of God church… I would imagine most, if not all, of our congregation high tailing out of the church building as fast as they could. The others left would probably be stomping on its head.

Where do such ideas and beliefs come from? It would be just as easy to assume that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are only welcomed in the Pentecostal churches then in other churches but I know for a fact that there are Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptists, Catholic and non-domination believers filled with gifts of the Holy Spirit! Amen. May God continue to work and awakened his people to his awesome power of His Spirit.

Do not assume anything of any individual or a church until you witness it yourself! Do not assume that just because one church is doing something, the other churches with same denominational name is doing or going to do the same thing.

Assumptions can kill friendships and bonds. Don’t assume that the reason someone (including the pastor) is teaching or sharing something with you or the congregation is because he has found out about your secret life or has noticed your faults but realize these words of knowledge come from God and conviction and correction sometimes hurts. Be grateful that God convicts you now and not later and be grateful that he loves so much to correct you. A shared word isn’t always a word from God but examine yourself before God and see if it does pertain to you. And don’t assume the reason something bad is happening to someone or some church is because they haven’t trusted or obeyed God. Remember Job… this may not just be their test but your test as well.

Division within the Church…

From the Inspirational Study Bible

How many pulpit hours have been wasted on preaching the trivial? How many churches have tumbled at the throes of miniscuity? How many leaders have saddled their pet peeves, drawn their swords of bitterness and launched into battle against brethren over issues that are not worthy discussing?

So close to the cross but so far from the Christ.

We specialize in “I am right” rallies. We write books about what the other does wrong. We major in finding gossip and become experts in unveiling weakness. We split into little huddles and then, God forbid, we split again…

Are our differences that divisive? Are our opinions that obtrusive? Are our walls that wide? Is it that impossible to find a common cause?

“May they all be one,” Jesus prayed.

One. Not one in groups of two thousand. But one in One. One church. One faith. One Lord. Not Baptist, not Methodist, not Adventist. Just Christian. No denominations. No hierarchies. No traditions. Just Christ.

Too idealistic? Impossible to achieve? I don’t think so. Harder things have been done, you know. For example, once upon a tree, a Creator gave his life for his creation. Maybe all we need are a few hearts that are willing to follow suit.

(From No Wonder They Call Him Savior by Max Lucado)

Max Lucado then asks these questions:

What differences divide believers today?

What issues do you think Christians should not fight over? What issues are worth discussing?

What can we do to build a sense of unity in the church?

Why is a lack of unity harmful to the church?

How can believers remain unified when disagreements arise?

How can you help your Christian brothers and sisters focus on the common ground you share?

Vision of Two Women

I asked the Lord to give me some inspiration yesterday morning. I sat on my bed and opened my bible and began to read Daniel.

We are covering Daniel during our devotion time for the boy's youth program at church. When I was done reading I closed my eyes to relax and reflect but I must have gotten too relaxed because I must of dozed off when I saw this vision.

Vision of two women.
I saw a woman come into a house where another woman was. They were both wearing something that looked like togas. The woman who came into the house carried long silver like rods that were at least 7 or 8 feet long.

The two women went into a white room where the windows were covered but still let the natural light come in from the outside. The room had no pictures and was empty of furniture.

There the two women began to start their work, working on the rods and I got the distinct impression they were making a basket out of the long silver rods.

Then I opened my eyes and as I started to look for answers, I first thought of Moses in the basket but then I was reminded by the Spirit of the story in Zechariah 5

I would have just shared this vision with the church I attend and not shared it with my fellow Christians but I believe we all need to be aware of what is being prepared and what is happening.

Zechariah 5
Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, "Look up! Something is appearing in the sky."
"What is it?" I asked.
He replied, "It is a basket for measuring grain, and it is filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land."
When the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, there was a woman sitting inside it. The angel said, "This woman's name is Wickedness," and he pushed her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again.
Then I looked up and saw two women flying towards us, with wings gliding on the wind. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they picked up the basket and flew with it into the sky.
"Where are they taking the basket?" I asked the angel.
He replied, "To the land of Babylonia, where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on it's pedestal."

The Line to Cross

Our love for God has to be stronger then the dark forces that come against us. The vitality of Christ must always be the main focus in our lives. The more we walk in faith the more and greater the dependence upon God. Life is delicate, fragile and precious and it can only be satisfied and accomplished fully when guided and lived with God.

These are all great truths but I forget sometimes what it must be like for a person who doesn’t know God or doesn’t have a relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ.

The questions that must come in the quiet moments in that person’s life as they sit on a picnic table watching the waves roll in on the shore: What is my purpose? How can I get past this pain? Who is right and who is wrong when it comes to certain religions or should I just take a little of everything to make sure I am covered when I die?

The truth of a Christian life sounds foolish to a person who doesn’t know Christ Jesus but we as Christians know it often takes a lot of discipline to remain foolish in the eyes of others. We also know that our foolishness has paid off many times and has strengthened us in difficult times. Our lives speak to unbelievers or those on the fence. We don’t do the same things we used to do. The way we live out our lives is just “different”. People can see it in our eyes and faces and it is undeniable the joy we have when speaking about our God and our Jesus Christ.

We forget that the unbeliever and/or fence walker is still comparing themselves to the world and each other? We forget that they are still looking for something that is sufficient to take away the emptiness, loneliness, hurt, anger, depression and anxiety. We forget that they still look at Christianity as just another religion. We forget that they have a salad bar God, chosen and picked out to their likening.

And then we also wonder why they still look to a pastor or reverend to give their loved one a proper burial when they don’t seem to believe in God?

The point is they do believe in God. The point is they are looking for answers. The point is they are comparing themselves? The point is they can see a difference in a person with Christian values verses someone who doesn’t have Christian values. The point is they are looking for something to fulfill them and give them a real purpose in life.

The only thing is they need that line to cross. Where is that line?

We all remember that line. The day we gave our lives to Christ. Some of us crossed that line through hardship and difficult circumstances. Some of us just knew that it was the time to give our lives to Christ. Some of us found the end of ourselves and were fortunate to find Christ waiting there for us. In all instances Christ was that line. He was the one who we found as sufficient. He was the one who opened our eyes to a life that we were blind to before. He was the one we compared our lives to and found that we needed Him as Lord and Savior everyday of our lives. He was the one who gave us purpose and the love to reach out, a love that is beyond our understanding or ability. He is that truth and that fulfillment in life and through all good things grow, mature and last. He is the only one can provide you eternal life in Heaven instead of hell.

Jesus Christ is that line.

RECALL NOTICE -

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as SIN,
as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect.
The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is
P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload
your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) , for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will need to be scrapped
into the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention!

Signed,
GOD

Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by "kneemail."

"For with God, nothing shall be impossible"
Luke 1:37
"Obstacles are the things we see when we take our eyes off our goal".

Author of illustration (unknown)

Godly Jealousy

A great message by Michael Youssef:

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/leading_the_way/20080508/

Chasing the Wind

I recently read a blog that talks about when our faith is being challenged and it used the illustration by Jesus from Matthew 7:24-37.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”

I agree that if you build on any other foundation other then Jesus Christ your faith will crumble and crash to the ground in the storms and squalls of life but our faith should not just be a single sided matter of concern. Our faith should be partnership between Christ and us.

The foundation of our faith was not just given and chosen for us so we could build whatever we want to build on it. The foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ is given to us so we can accomplish all that God has planned for us.

Yes God has given us many desires, abilities and giftings but not used, constructed and mended together properly with the help of God they will all fall apart. And when it comes crashing to the ground you won’t just be scratching your head telling yourself that was a waste of time but you will be running to Jesus in agony, hurt and despair. There are many people in this world who don’t know God yet have been gifted with things God has given them and they build on foundation which is not Christ and they wonder why everything they do does not fulfill them. Some have just accepted these unsuccessful happenings or ventures as just a part of life but for you the believer in Christ Jesus it does not need to be that way!

(Ecclesiastes 2:11) says “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”

You don’t need to be left chasing the wind.

You see chasing the wind comes from human thinking and understanding and having no intervention or guidance from God.

Imagine if you will, God wants to build you a beautiful Arts and Craftsman home on the foundation (Jesus Christ) he has poured for you but you want to settle for a single -wide mobile home to park on it. You want to be settled and done. You don’t want to have to go through a lengthy construction process and struggles and costs that build a house. Nothing is wrong with a single -wide mobile home except if your spiritual home is built like a mobile home you might have some real problems when the real storms come and you may faultier and even fall away from your faith and Salvation in Jesus Christ.

Single-wide mobile home mentality is: It is a person who has at one time in their life "given" their life to Christ but has gone no further in their partnership with the Godhead (Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.). It is being selfish and single-minded. Obviously I am not talking about baby Christians here, I am talking about someone who's relationship with God is a one time act of surrender to the Lord and they have gone no further in their Christian walk. They don't study the word of God. They don't do anything to help their fellow man experience the love of Jesus Christ, and there is little difference between them and an unsaved person lost in this world except they may come to church on an occasion. Theses individuals biblical beliefs are weak at best. When faced with a challenge in their life, they immediately take the human route of understanding instead of the higher route which is to holdfast and trust in God. You say, Jeff, that sounds judgmental? I don't mean to sound judgmental. My objective is to show you, it is better have a relationship and partnership with God then a silent one and be lost. My concern for these individuals is if their is no inward or outward change than I wonder if they are saved or have fallen away to the allures and beliefs of this world. If so their souls are endanger.

The blueprints and building materials God has for you in life add more beauty and fulfillment then you and I can possibly imagine and they don’t include wheels and a hitch. They are permanent and long lasting. That mobile home of faith doesn’t have chance when the storms come to challenge and test your faith.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have-Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.”

God wants to help you construct that beautiful house of faith in your life that will withstand the storms, squalls, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and that fire on judgment day but in order for that to happen you have to make Jesus Christ the contractor of your life. You have got to stop your human thinking and reasoning and seek a heart of God.

1 Corinthians 3:17-20 “…For God's temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple. Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, "God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness." And again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless."

Now the dangers of building by yourself: There have been times in my Christian walk where I thought I was doing God a favor by doing works and service by my own will power but all I did was slip into human thinking and understanding. My human thinking and understanding left me empty, tried, frustrated and worn out. And in the end I saw no point or meaning. It was fruitless and it got me in trouble with God.

It is a terrible thing to find out your efforts have been in vain…

It is probably just as bad as taking too many steps. You feel prompted to act in a situation and so you move in what you "think" God wants you to do but find out instead of taking just that one step God wanted you to take, you took five additional steps... and that is when you usually find yourself over your head in a mess that only God can straighten out.

And it’s hundred times worse when it’s not just yourself who are involved but others as well. You are left feeling like the only thing you can do then is apologetically, humbly; regrettably and even mournfully bow out of the situation.

Another danger of building by yourself is recorded in Matthew 7:21-23

“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.”

Meaning and purpose is useless without God. Just knowing the content about something is very different then living in the content of something. This is the same with God. We may know a lot of content in God’s word but it is very different when living out God’s word. All knowledge of content of God’s word (without God) is useless but knowing God’s word in hand with God is priceless.

Christ maintains and builds his church via the Holy Spirit. He is the foundation and with CAREFUL instruction from the Holy Spirit a person’s faith can be built to withstand all the trials this life has to bring. A peer faith is what God desires but a faith built by our understandings not Godly understandings is hard build on.

Guidance from the Holy Spirit is the assurance we won’t be left chasing the wind or find ourselves doing things unauthorized by God (Matthew 7:23).

Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me.” John 16:13-14

Every person who claims to be a Christian must look to God’s Holy Spirit for instruction in his or her lives.

The Holy Spirit gives us a spiritual birth. This spiritual birth helps us build upon God’s truths of Christ Jesus making them tangible for us not to just “know” but to put into practice in everyday life, everyday trial, everyday test, everyday challenge and everyday joy.

Yes the partnership with God brings fulfillment, Godly understanding, discernment and joy …so we don’t have to go chasing the wind. Ask God, "Lord am I truly living the life you want me to live?" Study the bible as you do this and ask God to build your assurance in Jesus Christ.

You will certainly be brought into challenges but challenges are good for us. They are faith boosters.

Rom 5:3	We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure.
Rom 5:4	And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
Rom 5:5	And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

God won't give you anymore then you can handle and He will slowly build you a strong house of faith as you trust and follow in the Lord Jesus Christ. The storms will come but keep your eyes on God and see what He does. Others may even ask you how you can stand so strong and you can answer, "Because of all that the Lord has done and has continued to bring me through."

1Peter 1:7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

May God bless you in all of His truth!

Taken to Heart

Condemnation, fear, accusation, negative sentiment that isn’t from God but is taken to heart can really hurt you. It can strip you of your peace and make you feel physically burdened. Lord Jesus guard our hearts and minds, and restore those who have been hurt by things that aren’t true and aren’t from you. And we thank you in Jesus name. Amen.

Colossians 3:15-17
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful heart. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Max Lucado's Fear LESS Part 1 (Video)
http://maxlucado.com/fearless/message01.html

Max Lucado's Fear LESS Part 2 (Video)
http://maxlucado.com/fearless/message02.html