Attributes Of A Champion

Issue 15      [May 16, 2010]REVELATION OF TRUTH   - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

One must first and foremost have come to the knowledge and revelation of God almighty and realize that Jesus Christ was God robed in flesh. Man can help lead you to scriptures but just like salvation it is God and God alone who reveals himself to you. Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus when God revealed it to him. Although it took a man of God to teach him, It was God who gave him the revelation.

 Passion – This will fuel you in your journey to your goal. The greater the passion, the greater the ability to overcome opposition. Passionate People create a passionate atmosphere. A man with a great passion is determined to succeed no matter what the cost. A man finds a treasure in a field, he will then do everything within his power to purchase that field or maybe he is one that can NOT hold his peace.
Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones , and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Belief and Values – What values do you possess? Morals and Integrity? What we believe in will become solid and it is what makes us. If you have weak beliefs you will be a weak person. Remember people with strong beliefs are not easily swayed or blown about by every wind of doctrine
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine , by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Energy – This is emotional gas that will fuel you on your road to success. The more energy you emit, the more it will rub off on others and will convince them of your dedication to what ever the goal is you are striving for. Energy, excitement, and determination, they all seem to go hand in hand.

Chain Of Command - We have to realize that we can’t be saved w/o a preacher. We have to be willing to be submissive and obedient, that we may eat the good of the land. God - Pastor - Saints. In that order, not to be Lords over Gods heritage but because the pastor has to give an account on the day of Judgement.
^{Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even} * For he watches for your soul

Strategy – This is what maps out our direction. The Bible is our “map” if you will, The Pastor is the one who delivers the strategy to us that we may understand. He can also redirect our steps when we slip off the beaten path.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish .2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance
John 3:5 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit , he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Communication Skills – Communicate with others as well as yourself. Share your vision with others and it will energetically transferred. Connect and create repore with people, It unites us with others. People keep their guarded walls up to those only whom they don’t know. The Bible even speaks of having a good report of those without. We need to constantly be reaching out to everyone with a heart of love.
Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges , and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly : and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Inner Discernment -
     To be able to place you pride, flesh, and feelings aside. To have a craving for the knowledge of being right or wrong.
     Many people can be shown the error of their ways but they are unable to place their pride to the side and change. Some would rather bury up in a lie than be carried to the truth.
     A true champion will desire to go beyond his/her feelings, throw caution to the wind, reach out for true knowledge and thus they will move up in the world. They are the ones who put themselves out so they might reach a higher plateau of understanding and wisdom.
If you have a desire; I mean a no-holds barred, give it to me gun - barrel straight, desire for the knowledge of right and wrong then you have met one of the criteria for being a true champion.

     You can not fix that which is not broken or I should say you can never fix that which is not KNOWN to be broken. Some may know that the roof is leaking but are too embarrassed to either fix it themselves or ask for help. If you put your pride to the side, your roof can be fixed. If your pantry has no food and your too prideful to ask for assistance then death by starvation is on you! Remember that Satan plants those thoughts in your head of being all alone and no one cares. Satan desires for you to do without (physical or spiritual) so don’t give him the satisfaction. Bust him in the mouth and go on for Jesus!

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Editors Comments:

I will leave you with this final note:
     Unless your name is loser then you are not allowed to quit. Quitting is for losers, So when you step out the door Give ‘em your best smile and a “winning” attitude because you are a child of the king!

     I hope you’ve enjoyed this issue of BEACON In The Night. I pray that you receive what you need to battle the forces of evil. As my grandmother used to say “Get all you can, and can all you get”. !!
Just remember that even though everyday is a battlefield it doesn’t have to be a bone yard, especially when they might be your bones. With every last breath you have in you, never give up, never give in, never give out.

     With the Lord as your Heavenly father and knowing that we are more than conquerors, then Satan is more than defeated
Isaiah 59:19-20 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Please send all comments and opinions to :
JW Grisham
7669 Sonny Barrow Rd
Baker, Fl. 32531
As always “If I don’t see you soon . . I’ll meet you in the morning”
- J W Grisham




as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Another Day

Another Day

Issue 14 [May 2, 2010]

     As I was listening to a song (consequently) titled “Another Day,” the literary side of my brain started to kick in, and I felt that I’d better do some cooking while the grease was still hot! At the end you will find the words to this song sung by a group from Defuniak Springs, Florida called “Robert And James.” That is about all I know concerning the song.

     I want to take you back to 2005, when I moved to Florida. I was a back-slider, and I was just attempting to get out of a bad situation in my life. I was in the middle of a mental tornado and it felt like an F-5. I was in the process of (what I felt) was a mental or nervous breakdown (I was never diagnosed or anything like that). My parents were moving to central Florida to chase after the little white ball. They wanted me to come and take care of the property in Baker, Fl while they moved to Inverness and buy a home there.

     I agreed and in March 2005 I took up residence and called it home. I had many, many things wrong with me, as I’m sure you’ll note that ALL back-sliders do. A friend moved down with me and we tried to keep one another out of trouble. I was at my lowest I felt I had EVER been. It took me a long time to recuperate and just to where I even wanted to be around anyone.

     Time will heal all scars. It may have been a year before I could honestly say, I was thankful for waking up. It actually crept up on me unaware. I found myself driving to work and enjoying the sunrise. I could sit out on the front porch listening to the birds singing, the crickets chirping, and truly appreciate the opportunity of waking up and having one more day.

     I was still a back-slider and I was still living in sin. I sank farther and farther into drinking and the drugs became more frequently used. I found Cocaine to be readily available and an acquaintance taught me how to “purify” it into a solid form, which was great for smoking.

     There are 3 ways that our body learns things, Audio (which is to hear it), Visual (which is to see it), and kinesthetic (movement and touch). I had always known that spirits took on many forms. Be it drugs, drinking, tobacco, music, and so on. I had felt them all thru my life but when I began to smoke cocaine I started to have a very personal one on one relationship with some real heavy hitters. I saw them in their rare form and how that they worked on us. I found myself thinking things I never would imagine. I thought of my friends conspiring against me and the paranoia was like I never before conceived. It was a short-lived episode in my life but to this day I am still scared to death to ever have to face those again.
I was held prisoner by alcoholism. I found that a drink (to relax or calm my nerves) was more important than duties around the house. I may only have bologna or cheap sandwiches to eat, but I made sure I had enough alcohol to get me thru the night. As long as I had enough to get me thru till I went to bed I knew that I would deal with everything else the next day.

     I had to have a cigarette. I may get low on money and only be able to drink a six pack that night but I HAD to have a cigarette. I was too prideful to use change if I had a couple of dollars, but when it got real tight I scrapped up pennies and nickels and dimes just so I could get a pack of smokes. If I had a cigarette, I knew I could make it thru these hard times.

     My heart was in shambles. I couldn’t find my way to looking for a filler. I was too broken of a man. It was well over a year before I could even consider anyone. I later began to talk to people and realize that it was going to be ok. I could bring myself to have friends again and maybe even let my guard down (just a little bit, though).

     I began to realize that the running was over. I was eating husks and I didn’t have to. It was time to go home and see if Father would allow me to work as a hired hand. I am not worthy of anything, but father, if you would see fit, I will be thankful for any crumbs you send my way.

     Being from West Tennessee, I had become accustomed to being able to visit a “Good” church every 30-50 miles in any direction. So as I began to investigate the “Pentecostal” churches in the surrounding areas, I could not find one where I had been comfortable with the standards. I may have had a problem with my flesh and back-slid, but my faith in Doctrinal Issues would NEVER be in question. I may have had more problems than Carter had liver pills, but if its not deeply rooted and grounded in strong Apostles Doctrine then I was willing to start preaching to myself (just kidding).

     I got up one Sunday morning and as I was pulling out of my drive, I felt the Lord urge me to travel north. I said Lord; the only thing that way was Andalusia and Brewton. I am 35 miles to Andalusia and 40 plus miles to Brewton, but never-the-less, where you lead I will follow. I got to the intersection to turn left to Brewton and Right to Andalusia, and I pulled over. I asked the Lord, Ok, Now what? Again he urged me and I went to the Right. I went into town, found a phone book and wrote down the address to Andalusia Apostolic. I sat down in the back and listened to the preacher. I came back the next Sunday and listened some more. Being a little gun-shy I wasn’t going to jump in head first till I found out what this preacher stood for. After the service, as we were talking, I simply came out and asked him, “Ok, I gotta know, what do you believe?”
In April it will be 5 years, and I have not regret a mile I ever traveled for the Lord. I started out with a car that the wheels were falling off. I would drive 200 miles a day when we were in Revival to get ones to and from church. Later God saw fit to “Loan” me a beautiful reliable car. He not only changed my life, he brain washed me. No, this is not in the negative since, but he washed my heart, my soul and my mind.

      There are times when I begin to speak that I end up a “ball-bag” because, “If you had known me before I knew him, you’d understand why I love him so!” There are few times I testify of Gods mercy that I don’t thank him for the “opportunity” of another day, the “privilege” of truth, and “allowing” me to live for him.
I have heard many say (and I believe it), that it is harder for a back-slider when coming back to God. They have to work twice as hard as those who never left the House of God. It is a constant battle, but one thing it did for me is give me a true appreciation for what I lost.
I don’t suggest anyone to backslide to get a greater appreciation for God and what they lost, because I am only one of thousands who walked out on God. If we had statistics of how many walk away from the truth, and if we knew of all those who never made it back, the numbers would be staggering. I am simply one that was allowed to come back.

     I realize that I will have to reap what I have sown, but it is a minuscule price to pay for being able to come back to the House of God. Psalms 27:4 is a scripture I quote many times and it says; “One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after. . . .” I an so thankful that God give me a desire. A desire to live, a desire to die, a desire to pray and fast, a desire to overcome, and a desire to hold on when the going gets tough. As I walk thru the valley, it is nothing compared to the pain of dwelling in the tents of the wicked. I was a prisoner in a very dark dungeon and thought I would never see the light of day again. So for me it means everything, no matter how bad it gets, that I can wake up and choke out the words “Thank you, oh Lord, for giving me . . .Another day.”

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Song For Your Basket:

Another Day
When I wake up, every morning, at day light
Before I look out, into the world, to meet the day
Its so peaceful, every morning, at daylight
And I thank God for giving me another day
Chorus
When I ride down the road of our great country
And I see, that old flag along the way
I stop, for a moment of silence
And I thank God for giving me another day
If I look, make it up there, to glory
And I look out, on the gold milky way
I’ll sing and I’ll shout, Halleluiah
And I thank God for giving me eternal day
And when I see a mother holding a new-born baby
And I see all the joy on her face
A happy, happy feeling comes all over me
And I thank God for giving her this day
Chorus 1x
… And I thank God for giving me another day~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Editors Comments:

     A couple of things I ask of the Lord a few years ago was a desire for more of Him, a Beautiful God-SENT companion, and I also asked for the wisdom and ability to put pen to paper the words that will grip someone’s heart.

     With words, I want to draw a picture that will make you laugh, and cry. I want the ability to get inside your head and your heart. I want to write about the things that will make people think and use it to better their life, so they might believe in themselves. To know that if they give it all they have, they C - A - N succeed. One desire I have is to reach as many as I can (before) they experience the life I lived. I want to keep them from writing, as I do, “The Memoirs of a Back-slider.”

If It's To Be - It's Up To Me

Issue 13 [April 18, 2010]

     If you want something to happen, you can’t just sit by and expect God to make it happen. “God, I want to see Revival, make it happen!” or “God, I want the Holy Ghost, give it to me now”. Well, you have a desire to see something, but what are you doing about it. Faith without works is dead. I can have faith that God will make a way for the light bill to be paid but if I don’t show up for work, then not only will I lose my job but also my electricity. God will not, I repeat, NOT allow you to sit back, get fat and lazy and just hand you things for your life. Blessings don’t come thru a feeding tube. You will be required to do something for it.

      We have become laid back and its time for God to “kick-start” our spirit. What was it Jesus said, “this only comes by prayer and fasting”. He didn’t say it came in the mail, ordered from the Sear-Roebuck catalog. He didn’t say a rich uncle left it in his will. He didn’t say it was bought for a dollar at the Caring and Sharing, and no, it was not in the lost and found section at your local country club.

     I know many people in today’s society are not willing to place their life on the table for open scrutiny, but I will confess and repent before you all and say I have been lazy and selfish. I have allowed my flesh to get the best of me and yes I have even been found looking for the carpet.

     Eating is a hobby of mine and I could go professional if one would allow me to fill out an application. Fasting is not something that you should do “in-between meals”. Nor should it be said that you fast 8 hours a day every day, between 10 pm and 6 am (sleeping). The more the sacrifice, the more rewarding, and the more it gives you a healthy spirit. I make it a point to fast one day a week to help keep this flesh under subjection. Exercise should be a part of our daily routine. Prayer, fasting, and reading our Bible is all an essential part of our walk with God. Spiritual obesity will cause health problems and may lead to many other spiritual diseases. Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and so on is just as real as in your carnal life.

     Prayer is a necessary part of our communication with God. We may miss out if we our frequency is off a little bit. Prayer needs to be like drugs; addictive. We need to develop a consistent prayer life. The problem with that is we become distracted by everything that clutters up our life. Job, home, bills, this, that, and so on. The proper way to handle these clusters is to do a daily cleaning of our house. Make the bed every day, sweep and mop the floor, Make a mess; you need to clean it up, wash the dishes and so on. Prayer is just such the answer. We ALL know this, but we become slack in our walk as we get older in the Lord. Remember if its to be - Its up to me. No one can pray or fast for me, and since God died on the cross for me, it’s the least I can do for him.

     Read our Bible. For some, it is not a problem but for others, it can develop into a Dentist Appointment (one that is put off). I love to read my Bible, but if I allow myself to get caught up in my everyday carnal activities, then I will go all day without reading my Bible. I will have to repent and tell the Lord I will do better the next day if he allows me to have a next day. I have found that if I “begin” my day with prayer and reading my Bible that it will be a better day entirely.

     Lost loved ones are dear to us and we want to see them saved but are we working in the wrong direction? Only we know our family like we know our family. With some, preaching might get them to a place of repentance, and with others we have to be delicate and just simply live it in front of them. Some of us have unbelieving companions and we can show them the right way and they automatically lock up, but if we pray consistently and fast for their soul, then with them we have a better chance.

    I am not sure of the quote but I believe it was Coach Bear Bryant that was asked, Do you treat all your players the same? He replied, NO, but I treat them all fair. I say that to say this, Not everyone responds the same. Some may need a little coaxing, while others just need a large boot to their backside, and a few of them simply wait to be invited. Pray and ask God to show you the proper manner of reaching your lost loved ones. Most importantly live it in front of them day and night. Never compromise your integrity to appease them.

     Is there something gnawing at you all the time? Maybe God is wanting to use you. Do you feel God nudging you in a particular direction during the service? To go over and pray for someone, or to step out of your pew and worship God with your WHOLE heart?

     Oh, but I can’t step out of my pew and go up front and begin to praise the Lord, I will be the only one. Everyone will see me and I will be embarrassed. I want to grab the tambourine and just shake loose the flesh but I am scared of what everyone will think. I am not a glory hog. I can’t begin a victory march around the church, everyone will think ,. . . Well, I don’t know; something?!

     You’re right, they will think something, they will think; wow, look at bro/sis so and so worshipping God, I sure wish I could get out there and do that. Maybe God is waiting on us and maybe Revival is being held up because we all can’t get out of our pew and truly worship God like he wants, we desire and should do! If its to be - it’s up to me. Maybe what your church needs is a worship leader. Not one who has a “position” in the church, but one who is always dedicated to giving his/her all for the one who gave all for us. Someone who can put their pride to the side and worship God in the fashion he is TRULY deserving. When I leave the church I need to ask myself the question: Did I give my all in the service tonight?

     The children provide great mirrors of the adults. If we were to do an experiment and have the children to “play” the adults in church during worship and preaching, what do you think “WE” would look like when they played us? Would we appear as real Christians and one that loves the Lord, or would we be portrayed as one of an intimidated and starchy person?

     I know I can but answer for myself and as I sit and ponder if the children were to “play” me, I know that I am lacking. I may worship and sing but I realize now that I am NOT giving my all.

     I’m going to break all this down and close in saying this quotation of a preacher. “If you always give what you’ve always gave, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got!” Remember if it’s to BE - its up to ME! Don’t let Satan rob you any longer.

     We want results within the church but the question before you today is this; are you willing to pay the price to get the results you desire? ? ?

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Scripture For Your Basket:
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God
1 Samuel 30:8 And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all
2 Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines
Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
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      A wise man once stated: “ The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Chinese Proverb
    I have to be the one to make the first step. My (future) wife and children, church, pastor, and lost loved-ones are counting on me.
   
I pray (as always) that this will stir you up and motivate you to reach for more of the Lord and “grab another rung on the ladder.” You know what I always say, “BUST that Devil in the mouth and keep on trucking for Jesus!”

    { For those who eat at Italian restaurants; be on the lookout for barking table-dogs. . . . ha ha . . .you know who you are}
Editors Comments:
 

The Untouchables

Issue 12          [April 4, 2010]

     Lets me direct your mind to a particular moment in time and briefly discuss Al Capone, and the man who put him behind bars; Elliot Ness. The group of people who brought him down were called “The Untouchables” because in Chicago they had the best law enforcement money could buy. This particular group of people could NOT be bought. These people were not for sale. I am simply borrowing the title to talk about something that God brought to my attention, and that I may bring it to yours.

     When God calls a person to be saved he uses conviction to prick their heart, they are remorseful for their sins, they go down to an old fashioned altar, repent , Baptized in Jesus Name, filled with the Holy-Ghost, speak in tongues as the spirit gives the utterance and their name is wrote in the lambs book of life. This is for those who God has pricked their heart.

     Now lets look at the other side of the coin. What about those who are never changed. King Agrippa told Paul “almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian”. There was a rich man that Jesus spoke to and when he told him to sell all that he owned and give to the poor, the man walked away because he had many possessions. The list goes on and on, but they are all in the same boat. They are “The Untouchables”. The can not be moved and they refuse to sell out to God. They pay the Devil to live for him but they wont allow God to pay them to live for Him. I’m sure if you’ve lived as a Christian for any length of time you have quite possibly met someone who was one of the untouchables. For what ever reason they just couldn’t give up the world and live for Jesus. Something was there too rooted in their heart to let go of.

     There are those who wouldn’t even give God a chance to work in their life and then there are others that may feel a prick and maybe even attempt to live for God. These are, like the parable spoke in the 4^th chapter of Mark.

^{Mk 4:14} The sower soweth the word.  ^{Mk 4:15} And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.  ^{Mk 4:16} And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;  ^{Mk 4:17} And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.  ^{Mk 4:18} And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,  ^{Mk 4:19} And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  ^{Mk 4:20} And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

     There are people who have even attended church but not totally give over to the Lord. There are those who change sides as the seasons change  throughout the year.

      What’s the most you will pay for a lunch or a dinner at a restaurant? $10, $20, $50 ? What will be the price you pay when you have the preacher for dinner? Your health, Your companion? Your children? Not to mention when you die your soul will burn for eternity.

      If for some reason you don’t understand everything he preaches, DO NOT have him for dinner. Never make them look bad in any way. You can NOT be saved without a preacher and they have to give an account for your soul.

      If a preacher corrects little Suzy or Little Johnny or maybe he bruises your ego, then swallow your feelings and thank God that he loves you enough to steer you in the right direction.

      A REAL parent will correct their child. A REAL parent that loves their child will keep them from doing things that will harm them later in their life. Would you allow your child to play with a loaded gun or maybe let your baby play with a bottle of bleach?

      When you truly love your child you will do things that are that child’s best interest. It may hurt their feelings or bruise their pride but when its all said and done, that child knows you love them and will return that love.

      What about those children who are never changed no matter how you work on them? There are children who can misbehave and you can beat their backside till they are within an inch of their life and they will immediately run back to the mud hole and do the same thing. Untouchable. . .

      As they get  older, you can plead and beg your children to turn from their ways. They’re on a road of self-destruction. They’re on the highway to Hell and running just as fast as they can travel.

      I have seen cases where God seemingly only dealt with someone only a couple of times and others he has dealt with ALL their life. I can’t explain why he takes some out after only 1 or 2 times and others (like me) he has dealt with time after time and showed mercy and grace unrelenting.

      As I lived as a backslider for 4 years I knew that every night I laid my head down that this could be the night that God removed his hand of mercy and let me go. That, my friend, was an endless nightmare. Waking up because the hounds of Hell were on my trail.

      If you are one who has never felt the power of God flowing thru your veins, or if you are one who has walked away from the plow, if you are breathing, then there may still be time.

      I hate to make this sound so carnal, but life can be like “Rolling The Bones”. You can roll the dice and roll the dice, but remember that every time you roll, it is your soul on the line and you never know when you will crap out. Never forget this: The house ALWAYS wins.

    If you are allowed to experience “truth” and you can feel God tugging at your heart, I BEG you please don’t turn him away. You never can tell if that will be one time too many.

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Scripture For Your Basket:

Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 

Ac 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 

Ac 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Mt 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 

Mt 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Mt 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 

Mt 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

Mt 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

 

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Editors Comments:

      Philosophical Question: If time travel were possible would you change your past? Me, I don't feel I would. Simply because I know the life I have been delivered from can be used to reach and rescue others like me from the pit of Hell (here and there). Would I go and relive those years? Dear God NO! As the song says "Too many miles behind me, too many trials are thru. . ."

     Remember that Getting ready and Staying ready are not the same thing. Call Jenny Craig, lose a few pounds and ride off into the sunset? No, you have to reach a healthy lifestyle and keep working at it. The same goes for a relationship, you don't "honeymoon it" for the rest of your life, it is a continual work in progress. A relationship with Jesus is the same, and oh yes, it is worth it!!

     Like a plane, when you get off course, God will redirect you for a safe landing, but if you pilot it yourself and "override" Him, you are guaranteed to hit the drink!

To Thine Own Self Be True

Issue 11          [March 21, 2010]

     I am sure we have all heard this phrase. I myself heard it several years ago but I never TRULY grasp what it meant, or what it meant to me. I think of being in school and wanting to be IN with the crowd. No one actually wants to feel left out. No one wants to be in a crowd of people and feel like the odd ball. Now if you look at it, anyone can be the one that feels out of place. If we as Christians are in school, then when we dress and live holy, we will feel out of place and not fit in. If you take that same group of people and place them in a Youth Rally and Gods spirit moves, then they will be the ones that will feel out of place. We all have a place that we feel comfortable. The root of the solution is to be yourself. I feel this is more for young people trying to live a Holy and acceptable life but it can also be for some of us “not-so-young” living the same life.

     Weather it is school or the workplace or maybe even in our own home, we should be true to ourselves.  Guys don’t have to be guys, and girls don’t have to be girls. Example: A tambourine is sometimes looked upon as a girly instrument but it is perfectly safe for a guy to praise the Lord with it and not be in touch with his feminine side. Drums and the bass is sometimes looked upon as a guy thing but I can tell you of some girls who can play them better than most guys - hands down.

     We can be our self (as long as it coexists with a holiness living by the word of God). I have seen some who are around worldly friends and they lean toward the world and they might join in the fun of making fun of someone, but if they are true to themselves, they can stand up on their own feet and declare that this is their friend and take up for them.

     Be your own person. Don’t worry if you think someone will make fun of you, just be your self. If you like to read books then read books, and don’t fear those who call you a book worm or a geek, in a few years from now it will not be an issue and your life will continue.

     When I went to Adamsville Jr./Sr. High School between the years of 85 -90 I was made to feel that if you’d have money or play sports then you were a nobody and you had to “fit in where you could get in.” I wanted to be liked and not to feel an outcast, so I went along with what the other kids said and did. What they wore and listened to and so on and so on. I even went along with a couple of kids making fun of a Pentecostal girl because she wore dresses. That one time was a short lived moment but I still feel remorse 20 years later, because I was not true to myself.

     My life took a turn for the worse and I ended up not graduating in 1990. I moved off and ended up going to Texas for the summer, then on to Memphis for school. That summer I lived in Texas I had decided that I could be anyone I wanted to be, where no one knew the little snot nose geek from Morris Chapel, Tn. I made up my mind when I got to Memphis that I would wear my cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, Stetson hat and be the man I “wanted” to be and not the man I was trying to be.

     There were a few who mentally tested me but I held my ground and as I was just moving up from Texas, everyone called me Tex and it stayed with me for years. I went from a school of 525 students between 7-12 grades to a graduating class of over 550 and a school campus on 2 city blocks. This was a culture shock but I overcame the obstacles and moved up. I was a changed man all because I stood my ground, showed my true friendly smile and I was true to myself. When I walked down the halls, I actually had people who knew my name and yelled “Hey Tex” as I walked by. Many I didn’t even know who they were. I had become a better man because I conquered my life (or to some extent anyway). A man once said “Conquer your mind and conquer your flesh and you can conquer the world”  - ME, just now! Ha ha

     Can I say you will reach a plateau of great understanding and wisdom that will baffle the world? Can I say that you will be a rich and powerful person to which men will fall at your feet to serve you? NO, but you will be on your road to a happier life. When you are true to yourself and live for God, and face the challenges of the world with a positive attitude then you, my friend, are on a quick road to success.

     A man should not measure success as buying and selling and getting gain, but success should be measured by one that is true to their self and lives to serve the Lord with all their heart, and all their mind and all their soul and all their strength! This, my friend, is the measurement of real success. When you set a goal in your life and you achieve it, then guess what, you’ve JUST become a success!!

     Why is the 2 percent of the world dictating what the other 98 percent can or should do? Only 2 percent of this world is atheist but they have been successful in removing prayer in school and the ten  commandments from the court house walls and just this year they are removing the manger scenes from the city squares. It is even been made a “hate crime” to “Biblically” discuss the “alternate lifestyles”. Well, an abomination is still an abomination, no matter who wears the pants, dresses, or high heels. We will leave that for another episode!

     Why not be the superhero we all dreamed about as kids. We don’t have to wear a cape and run around with superpowers. We have all the super power we ever need and it‘s called . . . .The Holy Ghost! Instead of joining in and making fun of the oddball, why not befriend that person that is being made fun of, and maybe you can win them to the Lord. Is that not what Jesus would do?

     Our life is made up of several levels of tests. In my own mind I am convinced that some of these levels are like video game levels, where we have to pass the test here to go on to the next one. Kinda like “Giants” in our life and we have to face our giants and defeat them. We can not go around or over or under or especially ignore it, but we have to go THRU and conqueror it!

     God has confidence in us or else he wouldn’t put the test in front of us. Didn’t’ he say he wouldn’t put anything on us more than we could bare?! We have to begin to believe in our self. Reach deep down and find who you are. When you do I’m sure you will be able to go a lot farther in your life, because you have been true to yourself.

  You can raise the bar and set the standard of integrity. Yes there may be a few skirmishes with those that are without, but always remember, anything worth having never comes easy.

       One last thought before closing. I want to stress the importance of being yourself. If you live for God, hold your head high and NEVER be ashamed of who you are. In all actuality, those that follow the crowd and make scornful remarks about you, if they were truthful to themselves, they would say, that they wish they had the moral fortitude to be a strong person like you. Truth be known, all those who have no backbone envy those who do. It always has been, and always will be.  You can take that to the bank!

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Scripture For Your Basket

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me

Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread

Psalms 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  Psalms 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Psalms 73:17ntil I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.  Psalms 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a-whoring from thee.

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

I Corinthians 10:13 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.

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Editors Comments:

 The feeling of inadequacy is just as much a disease as Pride. From one end of the spectrum to the other. There has to be a happy medium, and a healthy balance. What man can conquer if he is too humble to fight? What man can show compassion if he is overwhelmed in confidence?

     Life is an ongoing balancing act. Too much discipline will cut short some, and too much compassion will cause corruption in others. Life is a curios creature and one to be treasured, but also respected.

       I have found the more I go to the Lord in prayer, the more he redirects my steps when I falter or fail. Until the last breath is drawn, it is a continual work in progress!

     I have been privileged to know TRUTH and He granted me a desire which is more precious than Gold. Keep your money world, I got Jesus (He's never needed T.A.R.P. funds)!!!

What Difference Can I Make

Issue 10          [March 7, 2010]

Miss Thompson

by Robert Strand

      Teddy Stallard certainly qualified as “one of the least”. . .  disinterested in school, musty, wrinkled clothes, hair never combed, one of those kids with a deadpan face, unfocused stare. Unattractive, unmotivated, and distant, he was just plain hard to like.

      Even though his teacher said she loved all in her class the same, she wasn’t completely truthful. She should have known better, she had Teddy’s records and she knew more about him than she wanted to. The records showed that while Teddy was a good boy, he had little help from home. His mother was dead and his father was disinterested.

      Christmas came and the boys and girls in Miss

Thompson’s class brought presents. Among the presents was one from Teddy Stallard, wrapped in brown paper and scotch tape. When the teacher opened it, out fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume.

      The other children began to giggle . . . But Miss Thompson put on the bracelet and some of the perfume on her wrist. Holding up her wrist for the children to smell, she said, “Doesn’t it smell lovely?” The children ooohed and aaahed, taking their cue from their teacher.

      When school was over that day, Teddy lingered behind. He slowly came over to her desk and said softly, “Miss Thompson . . Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother . . And her bracelet looks real pretty on you too.

      The next day the children had a new teacher; Miss Thompson had become a different person, no longer just a teacher, but now an agent of God. She truly loved them all . . But especially the slow ones and particularly Teddy. Soon Teddy showed dramatic improvement!

      She didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time. Then this note: “Dear Miss Thompson: They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. Love, Teddy Stallard”

      And four years later: “ Dear Miss Thompson: as of today, I am Theodore Stallard M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know I am getting married next month on the 27^th. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have know; dad died last year. Love Teddy Stallard”

      What difference can anyone make? Obviously this lady didn’t possess any great talent or ability. She didn’t have any great wisdom and knowledge. This teacher had no great anything, all she had was an opportunity to befriend a child.

      Satan will get us to hold ourselves back by making us think we can’t do anything. What can I do? I’m old, or I’m too young, or I’m uneducated, or I’m this, that or another but the fact of the matter remains, all we have to be is . . . Willing! That’s all God requires of us.  I read a quote just the other day that says “God doesn’t call the Qualified; He qualifies the called.” When I read that I said “BAM! Devil, take that in the ol’ kisser!”

      I will tell you a story and should shed some light on how important the little things can be.

      A recently widowed lady was encouraged to purchase a parrot for company. It can talk and will be of some comfort to you. She went to the local pet store and purchased the most beautiful and expensive bird the man had. She was told that the birds had a 200 word vocabulary and she shouldn’t have a problem with communication.

      She returned the next day and with a touch of frustration in her voice, she explained that it will not speak.    

      “Does it have a mirror? Parrots like to see themselves and think its another bird to talk to?!” The widow bought the mirror and went back home.

     

     The next day she returned again with the same problem. “What about a ladder?” the man asked. “Parrots enjoy walking up and down ladders for exercise.” She purchased the ladder and went home.

      Two day later the lady returned to the shop and was fuming mad and to announce that the parrot was dead! “I’m terribly sorry to hear that ma’am” said the store keeper. “By the way, did the bird say anything, anything at all before it died?”

      “Yes” she said. It said, “Don’t they sell bird food down there at that store?”

      Funny huh? Sadly enough we are like this also. We are looking for ladders and mirrors and many other things we think we need for our life. When its all said and done, all we are really needing is something simple such as food.

      We don’t have to be anything special or of some great something, all we have to be is willing and obedient. Remember the widow woman only gave two mites but in doing so she gave more than them all because she gave out of her heart and NOT out of abundance. She didn’t have any special talents or great gifts either, she was merely willing to be obedient.

      I have to place myself in the category of feeling helpless also. I write these newsletters and do my best to put my heart and soul into writing them in hopes that something I say can be of benefit to someone. As I sit at my computer and write, afterward I will print a rough draft and begin to proofread. As I sit at my desk and read what I wrote I will tell the Lord, “You know, you did pretty good!” or I will see something in it that I didn’t see the first time and say “WOW, I never saw that before. You never cease to amaze me, Thank You for allowing me to write for you Lord!”

      I am no big somebody with any great talent, wisdom or marvelous something. You know what I am? I am the same thing we ALL can be . . . .  “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about somebody who can save anybody!”

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Scripture For Your Basket:

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

I Samuel 14:25 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

The Holy Bible, King James Version. Pradis CD-ROM:Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1994.

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Editors Comments:

   "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for Good men to do NOTHING." - Edmund Burke (British Statesman and Philosopher) Remember that a penny is .01 cent and is not much by itself and many people overlook them on the street, but that one penny is a down payment on a million dollars.

       A humble heart and a contrite spirit is a beautiful treasure, just don't allow it to hold you back from reaching your potential. Do what you can and God WILL reward you for your actions.

"Good, Better, Best never let it rest. Til your Good gets better and your better gets best!" - unknown

Weeping May Endure For A Night

Issue 9          [February 21, 2010]

     How many times have we gone thru, what we felt was, the Valley of the Shadow of Death? How many times when we were in the middle of the valley, and it felt like there was no hope in sight and we were seemingly in the middle of the ocean going down for the last time? We felt like we had surpassed the breaking point. Can you count the tears that you have shed over the loss of a loved one, a financial burden, some form of personal persecution, or just simply going thru some growing pains in the Lord?

     For just a minute I want you to look back at that time in your life, no matter how painful it may still be for you, and just for a minute, put your self back inside and feel the anguish, loneliness and the despair and all the hopelessness that you had felt.

     Ok, now I want you to look back at the very moment when you received your deliverance. Think of how overwhelmed you were with joy, gladness, and how those feelings of relief were, just knowing that you were thru your valley and instantaneously had been transported to the mountaintop.

     It is easy to relive those times now because you know the outcome of those trials and you can remove yourself from those painful memories just like that. The hard thing to do is “simply hold on” when you are in the heat of the battle and you are trying to encourage yourself.

     Many times in our life we have to endure hardships because they may be there for several reasons. From giving God glory, to spiritual growth, to bringing it upon ourselves, and so on. I don’t want to focus on why we face trials and valleys but the survival skills needed to endure them.

     I realize that when you’re reading this, you may find this to be elementary and things you pretty much know but as the old saying, “Repetition Is The Key To Learning” we will just recap what you probably already know.

     Lets just jump right on in to the valley. Picture if you will, here you are in the middle of a valley. You have been fighting for a little while now. You are tired and very sore. It can make you aggravated sometimes. You may feel the urge to bite someone’s head off. Even your dear pastor can smile and give you words of encouragement but you are so sore from the battle, you are ready to snap his head off.

    

     Please remember that this is flesh and it may feel normal to feel this way sometimes, but its never profitable to act upon them. See Satan’s tactics for what they are and cut them down accordingly.

     You will feel all manner of emotions and they will come flooding your heart in different waves. Do your best to handle them to the best of your ability.

     In the carnal world, I have found that being backed into a corner will bring out your animal instincts. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you are faced with self preservation. This is the nastiest of the nasty. In the spiritual realm it can be the best of the best. Channel this self preservation, use it with Godly wisdom, and let that Devil have it right between the eyes!

     When you are in the heat of the battle, you can call for reinforcements. If you will find you a place to escape in your mind, close your eyes, focus on God, and begin to call out to him. His ear is not heavy that he can not hear and his arm is not short that he can not reach out to you. When you are praying, go into thanksgiving and work your way into praise. Thanksgiving is about what God has done for you. The centerpiece is you but when you praise God it is focused on Him. If we can get our mind off US and on HIM.

     We can not only see reinforcements heading in our direction but our mentality will be changed also. Thanksgiving and Praise is like tithes and offerings. Thanksgiving is what you owe God, but praise is what you give God.

     We can find that He will prepare a table for us before our enemies. We can celebrate and praise God almighty in the very midst of our problem. We can find hope in the middle of hopelessness, we can find encouragement in the middle of despair. We can find joy in the middle of sorrow, and we can find victory in the middle of the battle.

     I feel like that most of our survival skills are about remembering. One of Satan’s best tactics is for us to forget what God has done for us, and that we will only focus on the here and now. He’ll tell you that God doesn’t care, no one else cares, you are all alone, you’ll never make it out alive, you’re going to fail, and you’re no Christian, You have messed up and this is God punishing you. so on and so on! Take it for what it is. . A lie from Hell! Throw it back at him and keep on for truckin‘ for Jesus.

     Endurance, determination, and persistence is another key to our survival. “It is pretty hard to destroy a man with a real incentive to succeed“.  - Author unknown. This is where being stubborn and bull-headed can become a true asset for you. If you are determined to survive then you can make it thru to the other side.

      If I can  deliver to you that which I wish, it would be this thought. Tell yourself, I am NOT going down. I will fight the fight with the last breath I have. I may not come out unscathed but I WILL come out.

     One of Davids mighty men, the Bible speaks that his sword clave to his hand. Friend, do you realize how much blood of his enemy was shed, that blood dried on his hand and clave to his sword?! Wasn’t it a man named Shammah that stood in the middle of a lentil field and said NO MORE! I will draw my last breath on the field of battle but you shall not intimidate me, NO MORE! (I am paraphrasing in my own words).

     When you feel that you have nothing to lose, then you have nothing to hold you back. Some of histories bigest mistakes on the battlefield was when the enemy oppressed the underdog and pushed him into a corner.

     Repetition is the key to learning so keep scripture in you head at all times. Keep a song in your heart at all times, Get you an Attitude Of Gratitude, praise God thru all things and I assure you, you’ll find that . .  Joy Comes In The Morning!

     I am still the least in my tribe when it comes to discussing these things but I made a promise to God so take it up with him! Ha ha I don’t have all the answers by no means. I’m not sure what the questions are sometimes, and I may not know what tomorrow holds but thank God I know who holds tomorrow!

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Scripture For Your Basket:

Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

2Samuel 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

2Sa 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 2Samuel 23:10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

2Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. 2 Samuel23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory

Lk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Jn 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

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Editors Comments:

   To my knowledge, Mr. Webster has the largest vocabulary known to man, but even Mr. Webster could not stand in our shoes and tell with words of the greatness of God. Many times I just stand in HIS presence in AWE, and with no words worthy of Him, I simply proclaim with tears what my soul tries to say. So many times I stand with fear and trepidation and just Basque in His glory.

      I have found, the more I glorify Him, the more he blesses me. The less I make myself out to be, the more he lifts me up! I don't know about you, but when I think about Joy coming in the morning, it just makes me want to shout an do a little jig! I'm looking for the rapture, listening for the trumpet!

    I also wish to dedicate this to a good friend of mine who is facing a hardship. Remember that ALL things work together for the good . . . and (I'm here for you) sincerely, brother J