Issue 25 [October 3, 2010]
If you were driving to work and someone flagged you down to warn you of the bridge out ahead would you be angry at that person for making you late for work or thankful to them for saving your life?
Many people are so easily offended when you speak of something that is contrary to their ideas and opinions. The way they grew up or the way their family was raised. If its an opinion of democrat or republican, red or blue, coffee or tea, friend it is just that, an opinion and we should agree to disagree and try to remember that everyone is made up completely different.
If there is something out there that can help you to be a better person, to help you and your family raise the bar of your relationship and even save your soul then maybe it won’t hurt to hear them out. You can in fact hear someone out and know that they mean you no ill will. They are just a friend and with concern would like you to reach your full potential. In fact even if you don’t agree on something just remember that if they didn’t care for you they wouldn’t make the effort to help you!
Now that I have gone thru setting a foundation of caring, maybe you wont be offended and know that this is done in a manner of love and concern. Do as you wish, but just know that I love you.
Lets build a foundation of scriptures:
* Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
These two passages speak of God in the beginning and of the Word and how they are intertwined. The word was in the beginning, so was God. Matter of fact the word IS God. You cant change the word and you cant change God.
* Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
This is telling us that the Lord will not change, not for you, not for me. The Lord will not tell you to live one way and to put off things of the world but its ok for me to do those things. Me and Jesus can NOT have our own thing going. What he said for one to do fifty years ago, he said for all to do today.
* Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The scripture says here that If a man add to the word of God, that the plagues in Revelation shall be added unto him. If a man takes away from the Word of God that his name shall be taken away from the book of life. Its not wise to change the word of God.
* Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
This scripture speaks of people who lie and what is to befall them when they die. So If we change the word of God, wouldn’t you say that we are liars? God says one thing and we said he said another, would we be classified as a liar? If the word plainly said we are to refrain from some particular deed and we say “that’s not what that means” is that considered a lie?
Does the Bible ordain and allow women to preach, to be a bishop, or a pastor?
1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Does the Bible say anything concerning a “Christmas Tree”?
Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not
What is the feeling of God concerning “Abominations”?
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Lev 18:29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
Lev 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Dt 17:4 And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
Dt 17:5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die
Mt 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mt 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mk 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Lk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Does The Bible Have Requirements Concerning The Bishops?
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1Ti 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
What Is The Teaching of Hair In The Bible?
1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Co 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Co 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1Co 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1Co 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1Co 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Co 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
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Editors Comments:
Due to limited time and space, I hope that you will take this as a quick study guide and not a full teaching lesson. As always, never take my complete word for it, but line me up with the word of God and prove me right or wrong. Let the word be true and every man a liar. I hope this will stir up your mind and help you to strengthen your roots in the word of God.
For some this may be something you've always known about or maybe never cared to learn. For others I write this for your sake, in hopes that you will use this as a stepping stone and not a stumbling block.
I know that by writing this I will quite possibly offend someone. My intent is never to offend or provoke to wrath. If the "WORD" is what offended you. . . take it up with the man upstairs.
I feel if you are sincere about your walk with God (even if you are offended) you will search out the scriptures and move up in the Lord. That, my friend, means that my goal is accomplished.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
ONE GOD - Collalition Between Old and New
Issue 23 [September 19, 2010]
Almighty God
OLD -Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
NEW - Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
I am
OLD - Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
NEW - John 8:58 s said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.
Holy One
OLD - Isaiah43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
NEW - Acts 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
First and Last
OLD - Isaiah44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there Is no God.
NEW - Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
The Rock
OLD - Psalms 18:31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
NEW - 1Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
One Husband
OLD - Jeremiah 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
NEW -2Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin
One Master
OLD - Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
NEW -Mt 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
One Sheppard
OLD - Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
NEW - John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
One Savior
OLD - Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
NEW - Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
One Redeemer
OLD - Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
NEW - Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
The Word Of God
OLD - John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
NEW - Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Lord Of Lords
OLD -Dt 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
NEW - Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Every Knee Shall Bow
OLD - Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
NEW -Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
I Am He
OLD - Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
NEW - John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
One Creator
OLD - Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth
NEW - John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Jn 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Jn 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Jn 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Jn 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. Jn 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. Jn 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into he world. Jn 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
King Of Israel
OLD - Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
NEW - John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
The Lord Is Coming Soon
OLD -Zechariah 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Zec 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee
NEW - Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Mt 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Mt 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
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Editors Comments:
I would like to say that I am NOT the foremost authority in discussing ONE God teaching. I told the Lord I would do what he ask, so here I am, and here we go.
This may be elementary for you but Its deep water for me. although I grew up in a Pentecostal church and my granny taught me who Jesus was, I never questioned it and so I never had a reason to know scripture for it. I just always knew there was ONE God and his name was Jesus but I didn't know scripture to back up my knowledge. The older I get, the harder I have to work to retain knowledge.
When we live a certain way we need to have a small idea of WHY. If we were a cubs fan it would not be because they were the greatest ball team, it would be because we just like them.
Salvation should not be that way. We should live it because it is the right way,. It should not be the right way because we live it.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Keys To Asking God
Issue 24 [September 19, 2010]
When You Ask, Be Specific
* Don't just ask God to Heal. (Oh, God heal..,. heal what... Oh God move.. move where.... oh God help... help who?) Be Specific. God knows the very secrets of your heart but he loves to hear from you so talk to him.
* ( OH God, reach down to bro/sis *** and give them a touch in their body. Lord put a spring in their step. Lord, reach down and grant bro/sis *** with the ability that will match their desire. Lord you know how they witness and reach for the lost). Lord touch the pastors mind and grant him the wisdom he needs for the situations that arise with in the church.
Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Luke 17:6 “ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it shall obey you”
Unwavering Belief
* Abraham was a man, had reached the age where he could not sire children. Biology and the course of nature states that it just doesn't happen. That's why Sara laughed when she was informed of the promise to have children. ONLY thru Gods hand, and divine intervention did this thing take place. Abraham had faith in God more than faith in nature.
* If you study, many of the ones in the New Testament that received their healing, it was thru them having faith in God and pressing thru the crowd. The crowd represented trials or opposition. The Syrophenician woman was believing Against ALL odds. The woman had no hope and if she had listened to everyone
she would have went away empty.
Matthew 8:13 “ and Jesus said unto the centurion, go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee”
Romans 4:18 “ Who against hope, believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be”
John 14:14 “ If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it”
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Offer Value To The Benefactor
* God desires for us to worship him willingly. He could make us, but where would his desire be extinguished. If we worship him willingly he inhabits the praise of his people. Its not his will that any shall perish but all come to repentance. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. There is value in our lives, and all he asks for us in return is to live for him.
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart
Matthew 10:31 “ Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows”
Ask A Benefactor
* Jesus Christ the hope of glory, he is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or ask. The same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Isaiah 40:12 “ Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out Heaven with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance.”
Isaiah 44:6 “ Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of Host; I am the First and I am the Last; and beside me there is no God”
Ask Until –
(If you want something, never give up until you receive it)
(If you want something, never give up until you receive it)
* Luke 18:5 “ Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest her continual coming she weary me”
Find The Right Frequency
I am not trying to be critical but you have to know that the last key is Frequency. If you communicate with anyone, be it HAM radio, CB radio, Satellite, cell phone, etc... there are certain radio waves, or frequencies. If you are on 1 frequency and the other person is on a different one then communication should not be expected.
If the frequency is almost like the real one and you can get half the signal then you may only get half the communication. You are most likely to not get a clear and present danger signal when trouble comes. You may not receive a signal telling you about a blessing coming by your way and you could not be in the right place to receive it. The proper frequency is most important in your communication with God.
Pr 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
For everything real there is a counterfeit. There are spirits out there that will SEEM right but will lead you down a path which dead ends.
Ac 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.
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.
The Holy Bible, King James Version. Pradis CD-ROM:Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1994.
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Editors Comments:
I pray that this newsletter will help you in your struggle and give you some ammunition in your fight against the adversary.
As always I can NOT stress the importance of motivation, determination, inspiration plus some perspiration and you can reach your destination - HEAVEN!
I am not an authority nor do I possess any great and majestic gifts. I am merely a simple man with an undying desire to be all that I can be, help all that I can, and give my all for the one who gave all for me - Jesus Christ!
Never take my or ANYONE'S complete word on anything dealing with God, look it up and prove a man to be correct or not. Scripture says in Romans 3:4 that God be true and every man a liar. Meaning man can lie or misquote but God is not the author of confusion. If man contradicts the word then man is wrong, no matter WHO they may be!!!
Monday, January 31, 2011
God Still Answers Prayers
Issue 22 [August 29, 2010]
A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.
A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God, If you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.
"Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk”. It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street." This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.
Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will". He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.
Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street." The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.” Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he had just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. “What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you." The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half-crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk." His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.
This is a story I found as I was perusing thru my library (you like that word, perusing?)and I had to sit down and begin to write. I have had this in my collection for over 12 years now and it touches my heart every time I read it.
See, we don’t have to anybody special and we don’t even have to be an anointed man of God to be used. There are people out there in the world in need and if we are praying people, then God will hear our cry. If you ask God to be a help to people, and you are willing to obedient then God can use you.
Just as this young man found out, it may feel weird or sound crazy at first but if it is God asking you to do something for him then do it and question not. When you get to the end of your task, it will all come to light and you will understand. Remember that Gods ways are not our ways.
There is a scripture (Isaiah 43:13) in the Bible that says "I will work, who shall let it?" The field is white and ready for harvest but the labors are few. In the world of selfishness, greed, personal gain, corruption and evil inventions on every hand, it doesn't take much to simply stop what your doing in your life, take a deep breath, listen for that still small voice and you too can be of benefit to someone today.
God will NEVER ask or send you to do a task with which he won't provide the tools and the surety of being able to complete it. What you give in self-LESS-ness God will repay you at least double. I have never heard of God not paying His debt. Matthew 10:42 "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."
One of the greatest tools that Satan has, is to tear down our faith. If he can make you doubt God, or that God will let you down or he doesn't care for you, then his job is accomplished. Flesh has a self destruct program built inside of each and every one of us. We have to continually remind ourselves thru many avenues that God will answer our prayers and he WILL take care of us. Trust God, he'll NEVER fail!
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Scripture For Your Basket:
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.
John 16:23-24 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you
The Holy Bible, King James Version. Pradis CD-ROM Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1994.
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Editors Comments:
I heard a man say one time "God gets excited over them that get excited over HIM." If we will put our flesh to the side and spend more time trying to please him, then we will come out in our everyday life much better.
I am an inquisitive man. Meaning, I am eager for knowledge and when something comes up I think about it until I have to study it out and know what it is. If we will study out the Bible and not just take someone's word for it, our life we be richly blessed.
Don't just think you're right about what you live, but KNOW why you live it. Get a better understanding and when that wind begins to blow in your life, your roots will hold you firm and unmovable.
I wish to thank each and everyone for all that you have done to contribute to the publishing of this newsletter. Getting it out to those who need a few words of faith. Please continue to pray that God will help me help you and others along the way. As long as I am breathing there is work for me to do.
The ONE Percenter
Issue 21 [August 15, 2010]
What do you do when you FEEL that all that you do is in vain? What happens when you attempt to motivate the church, but the only sound comes from the chirping of the crickets? What do you do when you bring countless ideas to the table but are drowned out by a countless flow of negativity and lack of enthusiasm?
What do you do when you attempt to lead by example and when you turn, all you see behind you is disgruntled looks by the dignified onlookers. What do you do when you get out and invite people to come to church and you spend time, effort and energy, blood, sweat, and tears into it, just to find out no one showed up? What do you do when you cry out to God to answer an unspoken prayer and day after day, Satan throws it into your face that its all in vain?
I tell you what you do. You forget those pessimists who drown in their own sorrowful state and do what YOU have to do to make Heaven your home! Live it for yourself! Let those who never will; accomplish their goal!
I used to think that it mattered what others thought of me. I felt that to be liked I had to “be like” them but ya’ know what I found out?! FORGET them! Never allow anyone, no matter who it is, to drag you down. You find out what you want in life and go for it! Don’t worry about what they think, you are a 1 percenter. What is a “one percenter?” Allow me to explain it another way.
99 percent of the world is only willing to give 1 percent toward their goal. Then you have the “one percenter” group who are willing to give 99 percent to reach their goal. Let me ask you, who do you think will achieve success? I think Stevie Wonder can see where I’m going with this.
The Bible says that “it is forever settled in Heaven” but as a preacher said, “What we need to do is get it forever settled in our hearts.” You show me a man (or woman) who has an undying love and desire and I’ll show you a winner no matter what.
Opposition from outside the church. We face things outside the church from family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, ands perfect strangers. When we wake up in the morning and go to face the day of our routine or usual activities we walk out into the world and there it is - Opposition. We are not OF the world, we are merely renting this flesh until our time is up. We are on a temporary visa and soon we will be heading to our homeland. Keep it in your mind that we should not concern ourselves with the problems of this world. Do your best and toss aside the rest.
Opposition from inside the church. A preacher made the statement not too long ago, It takes far less to be conservative than it did 50 years ago. I will go a step farther and say, it takes far less than it did 20 years ago. Churches of today have become rich and increased with much goods. Better automobiles and bigger homes, higher credit limits, more elegant clothing and not to forget the gadgets which are consuming our minds. I am NOT against possessions, only when it begins to lull us away from our true purpose on why we are here. Possessions are not sin as long as you hold them but its when they hold you that they become a distraction. Scripture says that “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.” This not only means physical but mental also.
When you hold to doctrine and those around you see it as personal conviction, hold your head high and keep moving. Remember that God reminded Elijah that there were 7,000 that have not bowed their knee to Bail. When those around you snub you because you don’t want to join in their “fun” remember that we all have a Heaven and a Hell. Some may get theirs now but you desire to enjoy yours later. Don’t forget that not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter in.
Revelation 3:14 -17 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I remember Brother Ballistero was preaching a message last year and he made the statement: “In my words, you are either a snowball, a fire ball or a spitball.” This is a true statement which this passages of scripture is very familiar to all apostolics but the sad thing is we never look at it with the possiblility that WE could be the one that God is refering to as “lukewarm.” Our problem is we can always see everyone else and we can see other churches but we can never seem to rid ourselves of the beam in our own eye.
Conquering obstacles in our everyday walk, we have to program our minds. Our flesh has our minds to naturally “self-destruct” so we must use any tactic necessary to RE-program our mind for success. This is why praying, fasting, reading our Bible and associating ourselves with good brethren is so essential for our survival. Go to church as often as you can, listen to preaching on tape, anything you can do to keep positive-ness in your everyday walk.
Some don’t put too much faith in “motivational speakers” and there are some who are not Christian oriented. These speakers are motivating people in their careers and helping them overcome certain obstacles which they might encounter. I have found that I can take most anything that they say and use it for our spiritual walk. Whether it be the “10 Attributes of a Champion” or “The 5 Keys to Asking” or whatever it is, I take what they say and find a way to use it our walk with God.
Never give in, Never give out, and most certainly NEVER up! God said in his word that his grace is sufficient, he would never leave us nor forsake us, If we had faith as a grain of a mustard seed, and If God be for us, just to mention a few scriptures. If you are sincere in your heart, then go to God with an humble and a contrite spirit and I guarantee you that he will move in your direction and give you what you need to not only survive but to overcome! Try Him and see.
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Scripture For Your Basket:
1 Kings 8:57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1 Kings 20:28 And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
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Editors Comments:
Sometimes you will have to stand alone. God is always with you, but as far as friends, family and even church friends, there will be times in your life you may have to stand alone, but this does not mean you will BE alone.
When the early Christians had to face persecution, they didn't have the crowd to back them up, they stood alone. You may stand alone in the crowd (as far as your natural eye can see) but never forget you will not BE alone. God is always there by your side.
I ask each one of you to help me pray about this situation of the newsletter. I am researching and considering turning this into a "non-profit" and expanding. I have basically been funding this whole thing out of my own pocket (with some help from other people who have been very generous). If I go thru with the nonprofit then I can maybe get some financing thru other sources.
When you take a stand for Jesus, I guarantee that he'll take a stand for you!!
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