Friday, April 29, 2011

Shake, Rattle and Roll

During this time of the year, the spring, God is always doing His thing. There are tremors, earthquakes, and tempestuous weather. The storm is raging, the wind is howling, the water is flooding.

One may think of this season as inclement weather; a time that not much harvest is being done, or even
a time and a season for planted harvest to sprout and blossom. There is a time and a season for everything.

 I think of this time as on the day of Pentecost when they were all on one accord in the upper room; the Holy Ghost came as a rushing might wind, and filled the house where they wee sitting, according to Acts 2:2.

This season also remind me of the time of the Crucifixion of Christ; when the sun would not shine, the moon would not rise and the earth refuse to stand still; they were all on one accord.



Matthew 27:50-53

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.


*** The thing different about this season is the grave is not giving up bodies. This will happen at the return of Christ in the mist of the clouds. O what a day this will be when we can fellowship, rejoice and all be on one accord again, as in the upper room.

***Lets not be shaken or even rattled at seasons as this because God is preparing us and the world, His creation for His return. Everything has to be prepared for Him to receive His bride.


Until we meet again - soon.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Restore Unto Me Joy

Psalm 51:12

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

    Many times we get caught up in this fast pace world; this is why we do the wrong things; not taking time out to give God his glory. We began to take things for granted; thinking life will always be here for us. Many times, thinking certain situations and incidents will never happen to us.  We must think again, by giving our life, our existence in this world a second thought. What is the purpose and mission for our existence? Is it to please God? Or is it to please ourselves.

    Our life is a destiny we, or no one else, have travelled before. In order to continue our journey many times we must walk a lonley road; we must hold on tightly to God's unchanging hand. He is the only one that will never leave or forsake us; this is His promise to us.

    From the beginning of my life as a child I did  not know how to depend on God. I always depended on my parents, while they depended on him for our whole family.  I found it easy being a child because all things were given to me.

    All during grammar school I continued to depend on my  parents because they were there for me; and I did not know God as I should. I went to church occasionally, mostly with my family. When I sought God with all my heart, soul and mind, I began to know him as He is, my saviour. This was at a time that I was seeking to be saved.

   Before I started going to High School I knew God as someone who had saved me, and wanted to keep me in his will, not knowing what His will for my life was. My parents were my first teachers. The only things I knew was exemplified by them. Later in life the Holy Spirit started being my greatest teacher. I began to lean and demand on him who saved my soul from sin.

    By the time I entered college I knew God was the one. I began to know him as the center of my life. I didn't wait until I  needed him. I called on him every day to bless me, my family, friends and others. I learned that the joy of the Lord was my strength and He was a pleasant help in my time of need.  Going to college was a task for me. Commuting from the county to the city each morning, and returning home late in the evenings with a one year old child to care for. At this time my parents were deceased, and I had no grant parents. I only had other siblings. This is why I had to learn who God was, who he would be and who He had been in my life.

    When I entered the work force I had to use the joy He had given me, in order, to get through the day. My job  was very demanding. I drove an hour each way to and from work. I learned to began praying each morning as I opened my eyes. I learned through prayer He would work things out. The things that were impossible for me, was just right for him. At the end of each day I thanked him by giving  him His glory and praise for being with me, and never leaving me. As task on my job got hard, I found out I had to pray more deeper and longer, so that my thoughts would be his thoughts; and my ways would be his ways. I also learned that complaining would not help anything. It would only hinder me. I thought about those that did not have a job to go to,  a car to drive, money to pay for rent, food, clothing, and shelter. When I was working on this job I did not realized that I was carrying out  God's mission by  helping thousands of people monthly.

    When I entered retirement I never realized I would be so blessed. I began praying more; a daily communication with God, my day and my tomorrow. I have began writing as I promised myself; I have also began helping those who can not help themselves. I gave my life to the workforce for many years; now I have given it so God can use me. He has richly blessed me and restored unto me the joy of my salvation.

    God's promise to us is, He will restore to us the years that has be consumed; and we shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord our God, that has dealt wondrously with us; and we shall never be ashamed, according to Joel 2: 25 & 26; amen.


Until we meet again - soon.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Remembering Him

Matthew 28:1-3

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as show:

***After the crucifixion of Christ, then after his burial, the stone which blocked the tomb entrance was rolled away. The angel rolled the stone away so Jesus followers could get in; not for him to get out because He had already risen.


Matthew 28:6,7,9,10

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

***After the resurrection of Christ, his women followers acknowledged that He had risen and worshipped him. Some of his original disciples doubted after they had met Him in Galilee.


***This brings to our remembrance the way we were when we first met Christ. By continuing to seek him for salvation brings about a different way of knowing and remembering who He is in our life.


Let's continue to remember Him, our Saviour, for all the sacrifices He made for us; so that we might have eternal life through him.


Until we meet again - soon.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Three Days Of Love, Passion And Grace

(Speak to us Lord - It is Good Friday)

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God sent his son, Babe Jesus, the Anointed One into the world so that through him we might be saved. God looked all over and couldn't find nobody. He became flesh to be born through a virgin in a manger, as the son of man, and through the spirit as the son of God.

He grew up as Joseph's son and Mary's babe, Jesus of Nazareth. The question people asked, "could any good thing come out of Nazareth? As a teenager He taught leaders in the synagogue. Later in  life He continued going  about taking care of his father's business. He walked, taught, and preached to his disciples; doing miracles. He increased in wisdom and stature, and had favour with God and man. The upper class citizens were ignorant to, and could not perceive the God in him. They went about to crucify him with the majority of the votes.


Acts 1:3

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Jesus' crucifixion was of intense and  emotional pain, love and rage on the cross to conquer the sting of death;
He became sin when He knew no sin; He reconciled all things unto himself on earth and in heaven through his death. He had the power to lay down his life and to take it up again; but He had so much love for us that he could not imagine doing that. After His crucifixion He showed himself to His disciples convincing them that He was alive. He spoke to them over a time of forty days, talking about the Kingdom of God.


Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

God is merciful, and loves us so much. When we were still in our sins,  he gave us our lives back again when he raised Jesus from the dead. His grace and mercy brought us through. We are living this moment because of you. We were once blind but now we can see; you saved a condemned person like me. By the grace of God we have come a long way.  At the cross, at the cross is where I first saw the light; and my sins were washed away.


Until we meet again - soon.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Lord's Ceremonies

The Lord has many occasions in which He wants to fellowship, pray and sup with us, but these are three important ones:


 Lord's Day

Is the first day of the week, or Sunday; the day associated with our Lord Jesus Christ. It should not  be confused with the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.

Exodus 20: 9-10

Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:


Lord's Prayer

A way of communicating with our Lord and Savior. It in done in the name of Jesus. This is the model prayer:

Matthew 6: 9-13  & Luke 11: 2- 4

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. A'-men.


Lord's Supper

Usually done during worship service, when Christians share bread and wine (or grape juice) with the purpose of remembering Christ, receiving strength from him, and rededicating ourselves to His cause; until He returns.

I Corinthians 11:24-25

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is  the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.


Let's use these occasions to celebrate His return.


Until we meet again soon.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Uttermost Praise

They prepared Jesus to enter Jerusalem with uttermost praise.

Mark 11:7-10

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.


***Throughout Jesus' journey into Jerusalem, on that Sunday we now call "Palm Sunday;" He was given the highest honor and praise. Garments and branches were laid before and after his path. Showing  royalty, honor and praise.

The crowd  surrounded him shouting "Hosanna, meaning save us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

An important thing to remember is that though He had not yet died and risen with all power, the crowd praised him anyway. His crucifixion being a weekend later.


***Jesus does make house calls. When the weights of this world seem to be overwhelming, Jesus will come to our rescue by answering our call to him.


Lets give God our uttermost praise - until we meet again soon.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Are We Living In Vain Or, Are We Living Fruitful?

(Dialogue- Speak to Us Lord)

As I meditated today, I began to think about today's youth, and the broken hearts of the parents. The thought of what King Solomon said came to my mind, "Everything we do under the sun is vanity."

Do we wake up each morning doing our own thing, or do we awake each morning saying, "Thank you Lord for another day," and having our mind set to bless others. The bible says, "H is mercies are new every morning." They are for us to enjoy life to its fullest, in the right way, and for his good pleasure.

Does our life just impact us, our family and our friends only; or does it impact the whole community in which we live?  Think on this wise:


II Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always have all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work;

***God has blessed us richly so that we can be a blessing to others; not only to our family and friends, but to communities, cities and many surrounding areas, nationally and also internationally. There is no limitation on His blessings. In order to receive all his wonderful blessings, we must keep his commandments, his word.

The bible says, We shall be the head and not the tail; we shall lend and not borrow. God blesses us and our seed coming in and going out. This is the promise he made to our forefathers.

He will bless everything we set our hands to; but we must do the work of him that sent us; doing it with all our might, as well as we can. People we talk to, counsel, teach and preach to will also be blessed; because we have hidden his word in our heart so that we may not sin against Him.


Proverb 16:3

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.


Proverbs 20:7

The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.

What we do in life has many effects on others, always remembering that we are our child's first teacher, counselor and role model. We  find our children always imitating what we do in life. We must pray for wisdom as King Solomon did to make good judgements concerning our family, friends and others involved, especially our children.

Our life can be more than as a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away, as James 4:14 states. We can live our life to its fullest, being fruitful and multiply to help others.

We can live life, doing nothing, and helping no one.  God does not want that life for us because He has made many sacrifices for us through his son, Jesus Christ. He said, Greater works we shall do than those he has done."  God still has many missions in life for us to accomplish, and our first assignment is to Love ye one another as He has loved us. If we don't love our brothers and sisters, all the work we have done in, for and through him is in van.


Lets continue to have a fruitful life - until we meet again - soon.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Who Is I am That I am?

From the Minister's Heart  (My Pre-Easter Sermon, Sunday, April 10, 2011).

Moses was born a Hebrew child, his mother could not hide him any more from Pharaoh's Army; because Pharaoh had gave a decree that every son that is born should be cast into the river. She made a basket and put him in it, then put it by the river. Pharoah's daughter was bathing in the river as she saw the basket, she sent her maid to get it. (If  Jesus allowed Peter to walk on water, we know that a basket can float on water). She sent  her maid toget a Hebrew woman to care for Moses. Moses's sister went and got her mother, who was also Moses's mother to nurse him. (When God has a plan and purpose in our life, He put us at the right place, at the right time to do the right thing).

Moses grew up a Hebrew child, among the Egyptians. (Can't anybody plan anything like this but God. God had this situation under control).One day Moses was out among others, when He saw an Egyptian  task master beating an Hebrew servant. Moses killed the task master. He thought no one saw him but when he found out someone did, he fled to the wilderness, getting away from Pharoah.

In the land of Midian, Moses saw women trying to get water from a well and the men were pushing them back. Moses took control of the situation and the men ran. For this act of bravery Jethro, a Median Priest, and father of the women showed favor to Moses, by giving him  his oldes daughter, Zipporah. (How many of us want God to show us favor.  I want him to ask me again, "What do I want. All we have to do is what He ask us to, and He will show us favor).

Exodus 3:1-6

Tells us, "Moses led Jethro's heard to the edge of Sinai Mountain. On the mountain an angel appeared to him as fire in a burning bush. Moses went closer to the bush that was not being consumed God  told him not to come any closer. God said, "Take off your shoes this is Holy Ground. God said, "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob". Moses was afraid and hid his face. ( Most of the time we don't fear God; because when we do something wrong we don't try to hide it anymore. We just do it in the open).


Exodus 3:7-14

Tells us, God began to tell Moses what He wanted him to do. He said,  "I have seen my people afflicted in Egypt, and heard their cry. I want you to go to Pharoah and tell him to let my people go so they may worhip me in the wilderness for 3 days." (The three days to me meant: 1 for the father, 1 for the son, and 1 for the Holy spirit). He also said, "You will also bring them to the land of milk and honey; the land of Canaan." Moses aked God, "who shall I tell the children of Israel sent me, God said, " Tell them I am sent you to them."


In Genesis - I am that I am is Jehovah Jireh- The Lord who will provide.

In Exodus - He is Jehovah Rapha - Our Lord who heals.

In Leviticus - He is Johovah Midaddesh - The Lord who santifies.

In Deuternony - He is the Lord our God  - He is a jealous God.

In Judges - He is Jehovah Shalon - He is the Lord our Peace.

In Psalm - He is Jehovah Rohi - The Lord is my Shepherd.

In Isaiah - He is Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

In Jeremiah - He is Jehovah Tsidkeau - He is the Lord our Righteousness.

In Ezekiel - He is Jehovah Shammah- The Lord is Present.

In Daniel - He is the Messiah - The Anointed One.

These are the names of I am that I am in the old testament.

They crucified I am that I am by hanging him on the cross. They nailed his hands and feet to the cross. They pierced him in the side. Making sure he could not get off the cross. They did this to our Lord and Saviour.
Blood and water came running down. This is why we are covered under the blood and we are walking in his grace. The great I am that I am never said a mumling word.

Who do you say I am that I am is:

Some may say, He is a doctor in a sick room; He is a  lawyer in a court room; water when we are thirsty; bread when we are hungry. Most of us say, "He is a mother to the motherless; a father to the fatherless.
I say, "He is my day and my tomorrow.

O the blood of Jesus, O the blood of Jesus; It will never; It will never lose it's power.


Think about who I am that I am is to you - until we meet again - soon.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Surviving The Last Days

Jude 1:17-20


But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.


***Friends remember what the apostles of Jesus told us. Mockers will come in the last days and do things that are not of God in every evil way. They will start arguments just to please themselves; the Holy Spirit does not  reside within them.

Friends build your lives up strongly in the faith of God, learning to pray with power and strength in the Holy Spirit.


Jude 1: 22-24

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.


***Try to help those who argue against you; those who doubt; snatching some from the fames of hell; help others find the Lord by being nice to them. Be careful not to get caught up in their sins; hating their sins, but helping them.

Glory to God, our Lord who is able to save us through Jesus Christ. One who has power over sin and death is able to kep us from blackslidding. Making us sinless and perfect in his presence with tremendous joy forever.


Until we meet again soon.


(High lights of a SS lesson).

Friday, April 8, 2011

Will The Work That I Have Done Speak For Me?

Dialogue - Speak to us Lord

Sometimes it may seem like all the work we have done throughout our live time was in vain. Bills was stacked on top of bills, and nothing important was accomplished.


Ecclesiastes 2:17 - 22

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour where in I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun.  This is also vanity.

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath no laboured  therein shall he leave it for his portion.  This also is vanity and a great evil.

For what hath a man of all his labour, and or the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?


***Sometimes it seem as though we spend most of our young adulthood being educated; so that we may spend the latter part of our life working to make a better life for our family. We really hope that they appreciate it. We are also settings examples on how parents should work and take care of their family; and try to appreciate the good things in life, and not to take anything for granted.

***Life is pretty much what a person makes of it. It is a joy to have strength and be able to work. It is a  blessing to be able to work and support our family. Many people that are ill can't say the same. They wish they were able bodied.

***Teaching our children how to spend and use money and other things wisely in life is up to us. This is part of training a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it, according to the bible.


Lets count it all joy that we are abled bodied people. The work that we do does speak for us.

Until we meet again soon.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Clean Heart

FROM THE MINISTER'S HEART

David, the son of Jessee, a shepherd boy who grew up to be a King, and a man after God's own heart.
After sinning with another man's wife, he also became a murderer and an executioner. He was drawn to her by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.

After being confronted by a prophet of God, this is what King David said, the strong points are:

Psalm 51: 1-2, 4-5, 9-12

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.


This action did not have to necessary take place with King David; it could  have been any one of us.  The bible says, All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The sin don't have to be adultery; it can be anything that separates us from the love of God, as sin does.

There are so many divorces and separations taking place in the world today, that it is unbelievable.
God said," He hates divorces," but there are certain stipulations in which one can get a divorce as, infidelity.
Many people rather house keep, shack or cohabitate, which is another sin, rather than marry, commit.

God said, " Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband, I Corinthians 7:2.

A family that prays together will stay together; and there is power and strength in family unity. No one wants to be alone.  The bible says, It is not good for man to be alone. Leaving mother and father, he should cleave to his wife and be no more twine, but as one flesh.

Let us, as a family, continue to pray together so that we can stay and grow together in God's love.


Until we meet again soon.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Talk About Personal Beliefs

The gospel is about the birth, ministry, death and ressurection of Jesus, the Christ.

II Timothy 2: 8 - 10

Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.


*** Never forget that Jesus, the son of man, was born into King David's family; he is God simply by the fact that he rose from the dead.

We suffer all day long for righteousness/Christ sake because we are living for him; and because we are the fruit of his labor. We will continue to suffer and endure things for the salvation of those who are chosen.



II Timothy 2:15

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

***Preaching and teaching the word of God requires us to study it; so we my be ready at all times to teach, preach, edify and console others when the need arises.

If we will suffer for Christ, then the day will come when we will rule with him. All the things we went through will have been well worth it.


Lets continue to be witnesses for Christ - until we meet again soon.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Dialogue - THE CHILD WHO CRIED WOLF

 


We must protect our children in every way possible, from  this troublesome generation, as Jesus states to his disciples, "Save yourself from this untoward generation, Acts 2:40.

We all are sheeps growing up among wolves.  We must watch and pray for our children, and teach them to do the same, because our adversary, the devil, is going to and fro as a roaring lion seeking who he may devour. He knows the promise of salvation is to us and our children, and to all that are away, as many as God is calling.

He comes in many forms: Peer pressure; predators, suicide mission; drugs, crime and terminators...


II Timothy 3:1-5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.

Traitors, heady, high minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


***In the last days, many of those we know will turn from the righteousness of God by following their own sinful nature.


Let’s continue to protect our children from this wicked generation.


 Until we meet again soon.