CLEAN YOUR HOUSE!!

Last Week I threw out Worrying, it was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me; I couldn't do things God's way.
I threw out a book on MY PAST (didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with NEW GOALS, started reading it today.
I threw out hate and bad memories, (remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too, threw out the one from long ago.
Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, AND I MUST.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought. WOW, you should've seen the dust.
I ran across an OLD FRIEND, haven't seen him in a while.
I believe his name is GOD, Yes I really like His style
He helped me to do some cleaning and added some things Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE AND FAITH, Yes I placed them right on the shelf.
I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT- its called PEACE. No thing gets me down anymore.
Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn't any space.
Its good to do a little house cleaning, get rid of the things on the shelf.
I sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF. (Author unknown)
God Bless!!
Pray!

This was sent to me. Thanks Fran!

DON'T BE A SQUEAKY WHEEL!

I realized at the point I was straying away from God I was quick to point out all of the wrongs Christians were committing against me. I never seemed to talk about the Christians that showed me love and support through everything and prayed for me daily. Hopefully some of them will read this and take my thank you now.

Often times we forget to pat the person on the back that gives us hope because we are squeaking about the problems hoping it will get fixed. In case you are someone that is trying to be the supportive Christian I just want to let you know you are not going unnoticed. There may be times that you do things and never here a thank you but, the influence and effects you are having are greater than you will ever know. I know that many times you may feel like you are not making a difference but I am here to tell you that you are. If you have just encouraged 1 person when they were down and out it is worth it to continue showing that joy and love. That right there is the reason for this blog. If I or someone placing a comment on here can help just 1 person then it is all worth it. I love you all and thank you for the chance to reach out to you, if you feel alone or doubt being loved then just place a comment on here to me. I love you and I know other Christians that feel the same. I hope this can become a support network that will help Christians and win souls.
God Bless!!
Pray!

FOLLOW ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS!

Matthew 25:14-29 v29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath

I hear more and more people complaining that God doesn’t speak to them or answer their prayers. So, that is our topic today. As in the parable above, God gives each of us different amounts of things. Talents can be literal talents or it can be knowledge or direction. This is the part that blows me away, we get upset about what we don’t have or that we seem to have less than others. Why should God give you more when you aren’t even using what He has already given you? Why should He show you more when you aren’t doing what he already put on your heart to do? Why should He answer your prayer even though you aren’t completely following Him and His word? I know it seem like a little thing that may not line up exactly with God’s word to you, but what if you leave out just one cup of sugar or add one cup of milk too many to a cake recipe. It doesn’t come out right! Take care of what God has given you and shown you then He’ll give more. If God has put an idea on your heart that you should be doing, QUIT WAITING!
God bless!!
Pray!

HEARTBROKEN!

2 Cor. 5:20 - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

I have been researching various blogs and websites out right now that are Christian based. While doing this research of course I found sites setup purely to try to discount Christianity. While I expected this there was one site in particular that broke my heart. This particular site is made up of people confessing to be former Christians. While the thought of that is gut wrenching, the reasoning they have is what breaks me. As Christians we have a tendency to be over zealous, judgmental, callous, and even hypocritical at times. Many times I do not believe this is what we mean to happen but, it does. The real disturber comes in though when you couple those things with inaccurate scripture usage. As I said in a prior post, we suffer from Bible Laziness and now it is driving others away from the grace we have received. I am not pointing fingers at one instead I am pointing at all of us. We really need to evaluate what we say, what we have done, and what scripture we think we know.
OPINION + SCRIPTURE = LOST SOULS
It doesn’t matter if you are quoting the scripture correctly, when you leave bible facts and begin with your opinion it drives people away. Whose hands are covered in the blood of those people? I want to ask you to pray that somehow God will be able to reach these people that have been jaded by our actions? Then pray that God will teach us our failures and how to correct them so that we may be the ambassadors we are called to be.
God Bless!!
Pray!

WHO DISMEMBERED THE BODY OF CHRIST?

Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

I want to run something by everyone today that I hope leaves room for discussion and hopefully change. This is a topic that most people will agree with out loud but, they do not feel the same way between them and the wall. There seems to be a trend amongst churches that they should remain separate from each other. It is as though each church is afraid of losing a member of their church to another church. I really have a hard time with all of this. In the grand scheme of things aren’t we supposed to be about adding souls to the kingdom and building up those souls once they have been reached?
I have been considering trying to put together a revival type function that everyone in my city and the surrounding areas would be invited to but, I am afraid to hold it at any specific church. People seem to be put off by the location. Well it’s over at that Pentecostal church and I’m Baptist so I can’t really go. Then you hear well it’s at another Pentecostal church and I don’t want them trying to steal our members so I discourage members of my church from going. What happened to all being a part of the same body? It is as though Christians have hacked up the body, or church, into pieces and spread them among the denominations and said play separately. Have any of you heard united we stand divided we fall? Isn’t it time that Christians stand up together regardless of denomination or church and praise together, worship together, and work together to reach this world? How can we expect a non-believer to want to come to know Christ when the current Christians only want to be with the people from their own church? This us four and no more attitude has not been bypassed by you just because you have 300 members in your church, if you are unwilling to communicate and work with other churches you still have the same mentality.
What is the deal? Why do churches have so many issues working together? Is competition that fierce?
God Bless!!
Pray!

WE ALL WORSHIP THE SAME GOD! WRONG!!!!

2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

I finally have reached the end of my ability to leave this one alone. I think the thing that bugs me the most about the “We all worship the same God” statement is the fact that is not even close to being logical. Can anyone make sense of that statement? If you can please comment as soon as you can!

How do you figure we are all worshiping the same God but he is giving everyone a different story? Let’s look at Islam for instance. I have listened to people of late that seem to think that they worship the same God we do they just don’t believe in Jesus. Where do you come up with this thought? The bible says that Christ is our savior, the son of God made flesh to pay for our sins. Yet people of the Islamic faith are taught that Christ was a good man but he was just that a good man and falls below the greatest prophet, Muhammad. Now call me crazy, or logical, but why would the same God give us two different truths? Last I checked there is no such thing as 2 truths, maybe 2 perceptions but not 2 truths. I wish that you would really begin to pay attention to what people are spouting and what the bible says. I am going to say this very boldly so that everyone can understand where I am at on this: YOU ARE NOT PART OF CHRISTIANITY IF YOU TEACH CONTRARY TO THE WORD OF GOD! I am tired of people selling themselves as a Christian movement because they have good moral beliefs but then they think they are here working towards becoming Gods. Be for real!!! The bible continuously states that there is only one God, if you contradict that you are not a Christian and your eternal destination will not be pleasant.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I want you to understand something. I love every person that is reading this post, whether they agree with me or not. The bible clearly states over and over again that there will be false prophets and teachers. The people trying to convince you that they are Christians but they do not line up with the Bible or they add extra books to supplement it as new revelations are the people God warned about.

Matt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Please do not be fooled. I know that some of these religions have great morals, take care of people, show great amounts of love, and are filled with good people. All of those qualities are great, but they don’t give you eternal life. Please believe me when I say it, if someone says they are a Christian yet they contradict, add to, or take away from the Bible they may look nice but they are going to kill you. They may not physically kill you but, their beliefs will spiritually condemn you to hell!!!

Remember 1 John 4:1 - When in doubt pray about it .

God Bless!!

Pray!

I’VE GOT IT TOO GOOD TO GO GOD

KJV - Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

I want to talk to you today about things that are separating you from God; but they sure are fun! How many times to we as Christians try to reach someone but to no avail because they don’t want to give up things of the world? They don’t want to give up partying, drugs, sex, or clubbin’. Well I am going to reveal a fact that some people may find hard to swallow. One day you will give it up! The choice to make is do you give it up on the way to heaven or on the way to hell?

Now I know many people probably think that is a little harsh, but is it? I know that there are things in this world that are very appealing and that if you become a Christian you really should not be doing them anymore; but are they important enough to burn for? If someone held a gun to your head and told you to quit getting drunk on Friday nights or they will kill you what would you do? If you really think about it, the things in this world that we are enslaved to are holding a gun to our spiritual head, if you don’t quit the trigger will eventually be pulled and you will spend an eternity in hell. I understand not wanting to give up things that feel good, but how good is good enough for death? When you die you no longer get any of it.

I know a lot of people think this is just right wing junk, but most people hate the truth when it disagrees with their lifestyle anyway. I just want to let you know that although this seems harsh it is true, but when you turn away from the things of this world and dedicate you life to Christ the rewards far exceed the pleasures of this world. I would imagine the rich man from Luke 16 was not thinking of the consequences when he was living the high life, when he realized it was too late. Please do not let time run out on you. I know things are running smoothly and you feel as though you have the world at your feet, but what happens when times get hard? Please don’t wait until tomorrow, get right with Christ today.

God Bless!!

Pray!

ARE CHRISTIANS HELPING CHRISTIANITY?

Let me start by saying the following is in know way meant as judgmental or as finger pointing. I would just like to express my thoughts and hear some of yours.

There have been several events in my life that have caused me to ask the very question above. I don't care to elaborate on the specifics of those events but, more on my reactions and thoughts of how we might help instead of hinder the kingdom of God. I regret to say that I allowed some of the events of my life to turn me away from God. (I do love honesty even at my expense) I now look back and realize that as a Christian I knew better but, I allowed it to happen anyway. Many people tend to say that their actions cannot be judged or monitored because their convictions are between them and God. They generally follow this with "people should be looking at God not me." While that statement is true the only people that know this are generally already Christians. I grew up in church and the preacher always stressed to keep your eyes on the Lord because man will fail you. While that statement is true it is not something for Christians to lean on as an excuse for their actions.

1. As a general rule people who have never been in church do not know the Bible. They do not realize that while we are Christians we still "come short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23 KJV) Why don't they realize that? They have not spent every Sunday sitting in church learning these things. The only Bible that some people may read is Frankie 1:1, the way I live my life. Now this is not to say by any means I am perfect or do not come short, God knows how short I really am. I can put my best foot forward in all events and pray for the strength and guidance to be as Christ-like as possible.

2. When a Christian is hurt he/she is going to look to the body of Christ, fellow Christians, for love and support. While that person has been in Church and knows better than to look to man, at that time of hurt he/she feels like the people in his or her church are the only people he can look to for that love. No this is not what that Christian should do, but the plain truth is that is what he does.

I continue to watch situations go on around me and see Christians make excuses for the way the are living or try to point out how hypocritical Christians are. While they may be right, pointing that fault out is not helping anyone. The non-believers already hold this opinion of us, do we really want to support them. Are we ready to stand at the judgment seat of Christ and give the reasons above as to why we have not led more people or any people to Christ?

Close: I believe that know is the time that Christ speaks of in John 4:35-38, "look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest....." As you go through your day look for opportunities to share the gospel, ignore the opportunities to point out flaws, and count your salvation as the greatest gift of all.

God Bless!!

Pray!

GET YOUR OWN WORD!

I want to share something with you that I preached on at the beginning of the year but, I have had multiple discussions about lately again.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I know you are thinking you have heard this all before but let's look at it a little different this time. I know most people think of this as a verse telling you to learn your bible so that you can share with others when the time arises and they will know you are a Christian. Other people look at this as a verse telling you to know your Word so that you can defend God, I don't think He needs us to do that. Still others look at this as a verse saying study to support what you believe. While each of these have some merit I want you to think differently today.

In the short time I have been in ministry I already have had people ask me to give them a word. I have heard many preachers preach on this very thing. I talk to "Christian" friends who can't wait to go to church so that they can get a good word, because their week has been so rough. Still others want to sit with someone and listen to them explain the Bible because they love it but they do not understand it on their own. Let me be southern for a minute and say all of that's hogwash!

I want to share a couple of thoughts with you. I forewarn you that I am not always the greatest at being political, but I do love the TRUTH! We live in a society that is probably worse than any other time in history. We have taken the if it doesn't hurt me who cares stand for so long that now the most obscene things are commonplace and we don't understand why. I am going to share the ultimate answer to our problems in two words. Are you ready? Biblical laziness!!! What?! I know you can't believe it, can you? I talk to people everyday so are devoted church goers. I mean if the doors are open they are there. If we are cleaning up the church, they are there. If we are having a bake sale, they are there. They love the Lord, they support their church, and they read their Bible right along with the Pastor on Sunday and Wednesday. I would say I don't mean to be harsh, but the time for coddling is over. We are in the end times. You may think that is crazy but if you would read that book a little more you would recognize the amount of prophecy that has already been fulfilled, and you would be on the same bandwagon as pretty much every Christian preacher in the world.

Now let's bring it down a notch. Let's take a look at a some really good reasons to study.

1. The time is coming when we may not be able to freely meet in this country. The world is doing everything that they can to outlaw the Bible from everywhere. I am sure that if they can accomplish that Church will not be far behind. There have already been attempts to rid all of Canada of the Bible by listing it as hate material because of the condemnation of homosexuality. Here is a hint, if we didn't need to be reading it and it didn't matter if we did; Satan would not be working so hard to get rid of it. Light Bulb!!

2. When the time comes that we are meeting in underground churches or in basements of our homes and there isn't a "preacher"; who's going to give you your word? The greatest preacher and teacher resides in every Christian, the Holy Spirit. I love listening to a good preacher just as much if not more than the next person, and hey I do my share of preaching. Here is the secret though, we have no special knowledge that you can't get as well. The Holy Spirit is the greatest preacher and teacher there is. If you talk to most preachers they will tell you that the sermons that you have loved the most have been guided and preached by the Holy Spirit and they were just a mouthpiece. You can know as much or more than any preacher does.

3. Now, let's get real heavy for a minute. Your family member that never comes to church all of a sudden has questions and God is drawing them. This family member will NOT talk to the preacher, bad experience with preachers. Are you going to let them go to hell because you are not sure what scriptures to share with them or take them through because hey you just listen to the preacher on Sunday? When Christ is drawing a person that has some church history, they almost always want to see scripture to back up what you are saying. Are you going to sneak into the other room and call the pastor to get a word?

4. Finally, the word is your weapon. Ephesians 6:17 ....the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Your greatest weapon against Satan is scripture. Even when Christ was tempted by Satan He continually quoted scripture to fight him. He did not go into some long explanation defending what He was or was not doing, He quoted scripture. If scripture is what Christ would use to fight off Satan during trials and temptations I believe it is good enough for me to use as well.

Remember that I love each and every person out there. I want you to understand that without time spent in your Word you are going to war with no weapons. Going to this war without a weapon leads to spiritual death. Please remember Christ loves you and made sure you had the tools you need and Him by your side. If you are not using those tools or He is not standing with you please take the time to fix that. If you are not standing in Christ and do not know Him as your Savior, please contact someone. You can reach me via email and I will return your email or if you will send me a phone number I will call you. I love you and more importantly Christ loves you.

God Bless!

Pray!!