Thursday, October 11, 2018
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
LOOKING FOR A MATE
(Testimony behind the teaching)
When I was in my early twenties, I was a single minister and I traveled all over singing and preaching the gospel of Christ. And because I traveled a lot, I never really got a chance to know people my age. To say the least, it was lonely. Sure, I would have loved to date but when you are called into the ministry, your reputation is everything and at least in that day, people looked at you differently because you were a minister. I finally decided to take my situation to God in prayer and I was led to a passage of scripture in Genesis where God put Adam to sleep so He could make Adam a help mate.
How many of you who are single would love God to give you someone who was made just for you? I sure did especially because I was in the ministry. I wanted someone who had the same commitment to God as I had. I wanted someone who understood the ministry and the sacrifices it would take to serve God in that capacity. This is how I was after I gave my life to Christ. Before then I was like so many other guys I grew up with. For that, I am not proud. But God started changing my "want to" when I came back to him and I didn't want to live a sinful life anymore. To the best of my ability, I was serious about my relationship with God.
Anyway, I started dwelling on this portion of scripture in Genesis and I started asking God what he wanted me to understand about this. And then one day it clicked. God wanted to put me to sleep, so to speak, like He did Adam. I understood that I needed to receive the woman God wanted for me by faith. I needed to understand that God had someone especially for me and that He was preparing her for me. And even though I didn't know who she was at the time, I began to pray for her and ask God to bless her and to keep her safe.
It wasn't immediate but after a short time, I began to sense the reality of my prayers and according to Mark 11:24, I began to believe that I had already received my helpmate. And every time I felt loneliness set in, I would pray. Every time I was tempted to give in, I would pray. I would say something like, "Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the one you have given me, that one you are preparing for me. I just ask you to bless and protect her according to 2 Timothy 1:12, " I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that you are able to guard what I have entrusted to you until that day."
From the time I began to pray to the time I received God's promise, it was six months, give or take a few days. We met one day and we were married in four months. Bettie and I have were married in 1983 so we have been married now Thirty-five years. I won't tell you it has been easy because we have had struggles like any couple would, with finances, etc....
But the key to a happy marriage is the same key used to unlock a happy life, Always put God first and He will add those things to your life that you are believing Him for. I truly believe that and He has shown Himself faithful throughout the years.
Listen, Maybe this is you and you love God but you have felt the need to compromise your life in order to find happiness. This doesn't have to be. Maybe you've done this and you feel ashamed or maybe you've been hurt because you put yourself in a compromising situation. God loves you and He wants to heal you and forgive you of your sins. Just ask Him and make Jesus the Lord of your life. He will show himself faithful to you. God bless you. Amen.
FINDING THE PERFECT MATE
(More on the Subject)
My endeavor in life is to pursue God and His kingdom before all else. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness".
That doesn't make me perfect nor does it mean that I will accomplish this daily goal but, at least, I know it is God's will.
And with all the strength that is in me, the things of God will always take "first place" in my life. And I am promised, if I will put Him first, all things, the nations of the world seek after, "shall be" added to my life as well. Yes, God knows what we have need of and He knows we need some things. Things are a blessing from God.
I am talking to the men here but, women, this also applies to you.
Men go after a lot of things for a lot of different reasons but the biggest thing a man goes after is a woman. And as of late, this is causing men a lot of problems. Remember Bret Cavanaugh? But Proverbs 31 tells us, a woman who loves and serves God has a value far above rubies. A godly woman should be a blessing of God that overtakes a man who is totally sold out to Him. For you see, Adam was asleep when God created Eve. He didn't pursue her because she wasn't even created yet. (I am speaking in the area of personal promise.) And if you pursue someone you think is perfect for you, more than likely, you are going to be disappointed. And the same goes for you, women.
Colossians 3:2 tells us, "set your affections on things above". We need to rest in faith that God has someone just for you and let Him put you to sleep in that area of your life. If you can't do that, the Apostle Paul said, it is better to marry than to burn (with lust).
Men, the pursuit of women is a form of idolatry and it is not God's way. He is a jealous God and He will have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3).
Men, you should not worship a woman nor should you put her on a pedestal.
Neither should you put her down or make her to walk ten paces behind you. A woman's place is right along side of her man. The woman is to be her man's equal, a helpmate, not arm candy.
Matthew 6:20 tells us to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal". And then it says, "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".
Men, if you have a woman who loves God and puts Him first, love her, praise God for her and commit her to your Heavenly Father every day. But if you stow her away in your heart as some personal prize or possession, you can expect the worst to come your way for she is not supposed to be the treasure of your heart, Christ is.
That doesn't make me perfect nor does it mean that I will accomplish this daily goal but, at least, I know it is God's will.
And with all the strength that is in me, the things of God will always take "first place" in my life. And I am promised, if I will put Him first, all things, the nations of the world seek after, "shall be" added to my life as well. Yes, God knows what we have need of and He knows we need some things. Things are a blessing from God.
I am talking to the men here but, women, this also applies to you.
Men go after a lot of things for a lot of different reasons but the biggest thing a man goes after is a woman. And as of late, this is causing men a lot of problems. Remember Bret Cavanaugh? But Proverbs 31 tells us, a woman who loves and serves God has a value far above rubies. A godly woman should be a blessing of God that overtakes a man who is totally sold out to Him. For you see, Adam was asleep when God created Eve. He didn't pursue her because she wasn't even created yet. (I am speaking in the area of personal promise.) And if you pursue someone you think is perfect for you, more than likely, you are going to be disappointed. And the same goes for you, women.
Colossians 3:2 tells us, "set your affections on things above". We need to rest in faith that God has someone just for you and let Him put you to sleep in that area of your life. If you can't do that, the Apostle Paul said, it is better to marry than to burn (with lust).
Men, the pursuit of women is a form of idolatry and it is not God's way. He is a jealous God and He will have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3).
Men, you should not worship a woman nor should you put her on a pedestal.
Neither should you put her down or make her to walk ten paces behind you. A woman's place is right along side of her man. The woman is to be her man's equal, a helpmate, not arm candy.
Matthew 6:20 tells us to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal". And then it says, "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".
Men, if you have a woman who loves God and puts Him first, love her, praise God for her and commit her to your Heavenly Father every day. But if you stow her away in your heart as some personal prize or possession, you can expect the worst to come your way for she is not supposed to be the treasure of your heart, Christ is.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Higher Ground: Death of a Lama
Higher Ground: Death of a Lama: One morning just after dawn I climbed the narrow stair case from the sleeping room up to the kitchen. I grabbed a cup from from the shelf...
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Saturday, October 6, 2018
SOMEONE TOUCHED ME (What every minister should KNOW and what every believer should DO)
In Luke 8:46, Jesus declared, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
.
There was such a large crowd of people around him that he was literally being pushed from side to side. It looked like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" with one big difference, they weren't there to "pick his brain". For these people had heard that he was a miracle worker and they wanted to be healed.
.
At any rate, they may have felt, if they didn't get help right then, the chances were pretty good, that they would have to wait for the angels to stir the water, which was said to only happen once a year, at the pool of Bethesda. There was one major drawback though. You would have to physically be there, in Bethesda, and jump in the pool as the angels were stirring the water, or it wouldn't work.
.
Maybe this is the reason the people wanted to be among the first in line with this man, Jesus, who worked miracles. And as all of this heavenly commotion was taking place, Jesus looked up and said, "Someone touched me!"
.
Now, I'm sure those around him who heard what he said, thought, "What? Why did you say that? Look around! Everybody's touching you. Yet, he wasn't referring to the crowd, for after he said, "someone touched me" he said he knew that virtue had gone out of him. (Read the story - Luke 8:40-47)
.
When Jesus wasn't ministering to people, he would often go away to pray.
.
He did this because ministering to those in need would leave him physically weak. Yes, even Jesus suffered weakness for "he was in all points like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and weakness is not a sin. In fact, God's strength is made perfect in weakness.
.
This is why many times an anointed man or woman of God will find themselves worn out after delivering a message or giving personal ministry. They find themselves depleted of strength. Then they will often go to a restaurant with some of the church folk, to get a cup of coffee or to enjoy a late night meal in an effort to rebuild that which was depleted. Yet, the downside to eating that late at night is unfortunate weight gain.
.
Samson shook himself to regain his strength but Jesus went away to pray and he is our example and our pattern for living. Jude, the brother of Jesus, told us in verse 20 of his letter, "building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost".
.
The following is something every believer should do for those who have ministered to them the word and prayed for the sick.
.
The people of God should always minister to the one ministering before and after he or she has ministered. For it is the power of agreement which will let God have his way in a service. And it is after they have ministered, usually when they are alone, that the devil will come and try to tempt the minister's flesh in their weakened state or try to place on them a spirit of discouragement.
.
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelite's were winning the battle. But Moses' arms would get tired. And as soon as his arms came down to his side, they would start losing again.
.
But when Moses’ hands grew heavy, they decided to take a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down (Exodus 17).
.
How many times has a prophet of God gotten sick and died and someone wanted to say that he must have had sin in his life? But most likely, the sin in his life belonged to those who were being ministered to because they would not give support to the prophet of God.
Yes, they have a responsibility to pray and obey God. But believers must do their part as well. Until Satan's head is crushed well under our feet. God bless you and godspeed!
.
There was such a large crowd of people around him that he was literally being pushed from side to side. It looked like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" with one big difference, they weren't there to "pick his brain". For these people had heard that he was a miracle worker and they wanted to be healed.
.
At any rate, they may have felt, if they didn't get help right then, the chances were pretty good, that they would have to wait for the angels to stir the water, which was said to only happen once a year, at the pool of Bethesda. There was one major drawback though. You would have to physically be there, in Bethesda, and jump in the pool as the angels were stirring the water, or it wouldn't work.
.
Maybe this is the reason the people wanted to be among the first in line with this man, Jesus, who worked miracles. And as all of this heavenly commotion was taking place, Jesus looked up and said, "Someone touched me!"
.
Now, I'm sure those around him who heard what he said, thought, "What? Why did you say that? Look around! Everybody's touching you. Yet, he wasn't referring to the crowd, for after he said, "someone touched me" he said he knew that virtue had gone out of him. (Read the story - Luke 8:40-47)
.
When Jesus wasn't ministering to people, he would often go away to pray.
.
He did this because ministering to those in need would leave him physically weak. Yes, even Jesus suffered weakness for "he was in all points like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and weakness is not a sin. In fact, God's strength is made perfect in weakness.
.
This is why many times an anointed man or woman of God will find themselves worn out after delivering a message or giving personal ministry. They find themselves depleted of strength. Then they will often go to a restaurant with some of the church folk, to get a cup of coffee or to enjoy a late night meal in an effort to rebuild that which was depleted. Yet, the downside to eating that late at night is unfortunate weight gain.
.
Samson shook himself to regain his strength but Jesus went away to pray and he is our example and our pattern for living. Jude, the brother of Jesus, told us in verse 20 of his letter, "building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost".
.
The following is something every believer should do for those who have ministered to them the word and prayed for the sick.
.
The people of God should always minister to the one ministering before and after he or she has ministered. For it is the power of agreement which will let God have his way in a service. And it is after they have ministered, usually when they are alone, that the devil will come and try to tempt the minister's flesh in their weakened state or try to place on them a spirit of discouragement.
.
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelite's were winning the battle. But Moses' arms would get tired. And as soon as his arms came down to his side, they would start losing again.
.
But when Moses’ hands grew heavy, they decided to take a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down (Exodus 17).
.
How many times has a prophet of God gotten sick and died and someone wanted to say that he must have had sin in his life? But most likely, the sin in his life belonged to those who were being ministered to because they would not give support to the prophet of God.
Yes, they have a responsibility to pray and obey God. But believers must do their part as well. Until Satan's head is crushed well under our feet. God bless you and godspeed!
Friday, October 5, 2018
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Monday, October 1, 2018
Sunday, September 30, 2018
THE NIGHT EVIL CAME TO VISIT...
The family was living in Belton, Missouri at the time when my older brother and I became very ill. Mom called the doctor and dad placed us both in their bedroom at the end of the hallway to make it easier for the doctor to examine us both at the same time. And after he came and performed his examination, he informed our parents that we had a bad case of the chickenpox and that he was concerned for us because our fevers were high. And as he left, he told both of them that they should keep a very close eye on us over the next several days.
.
It was later that evening, when our parents were sitting alone in the living room, that one of them looked up and saw a tall, dark, figure like a man start along the hallway, down toward their room where we were laying. And almost immediately after one saw it, the other saw the same figure and they both began to pray as they watched in horror and they asked God to quickly intervene.
.
And before they had even finished praying, suddenly a figure much like the first one appeared, yet this one was white like light and it started quickly after the other.
..
Before the dark figure could reach us, the white figure quickly overtook it and they both disappeared. Soon after that, our fevers began to break and we were on the way to recovery.
.
I have thought about this story over the years and there is no doubt in my mind, had our parents not prayed, one or both of us might have perished. For that black figure was, no doubt, a spirit of infirmity that was sent to cause us great harm and that white figure was an angel who was sent as an answer to prayer and he quickly dispelled the evil that had visited our home that night.
..
It was later that evening, when our parents were sitting alone in the living room, that one of them looked up and saw a tall, dark, figure like a man start along the hallway, down toward their room where we were laying. And almost immediately after one saw it, the other saw the same figure and they both began to pray as they watched in horror and they asked God to quickly intervene.
.
And before they had even finished praying, suddenly a figure much like the first one appeared, yet this one was white like light and it started quickly after the other.
..
Before the dark figure could reach us, the white figure quickly overtook it and they both disappeared. Soon after that, our fevers began to break and we were on the way to recovery.
.
I have thought about this story over the years and there is no doubt in my mind, had our parents not prayed, one or both of us might have perished. For that black figure was, no doubt, a spirit of infirmity that was sent to cause us great harm and that white figure was an angel who was sent as an answer to prayer and he quickly dispelled the evil that had visited our home that night.
Psalm 91:10-12 "No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways."
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