Challenge Of Faith Ministries
Consider This!
|
|
Challenge Of Faith Ministries Consider This! |
|
|
"REACH FOR THAT GOAL!" Too often we find ourselves stopping short of the GOALS we have set to reach in life, especially, the SPIRITUAL GOAL that Jesus Christ wants every Believer to Achieve. We all know so well how Dedicated and Devoted the Apostle Paul was in his Commitment to the LORD, and yet, he admitted his need to REACH HIGHER. He wrote: "That I may KNOW HIM and the POWER of HIS RESURRECTION, and the FELLOWSHIP of HIS SUFFERINGS, being "CONFORMED" to His Death. NOT THAT I HAVE ALREADY ATTAINED OR AM ALREADY PERFECTED; BUT I PRESS ON, that I may Lay Hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also Laid Hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have Apprehended, BUT THIS ONE THING I DO, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND REACHING FORWARD TO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD, I PRESS TOWARD THE "GOAL" FOR THE "PRIZE" OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." Philippians 3:10-14 Christian Friend, are you really "SATISFIED" with your SPIRITUAL GROWTH? Do you feel you have "ARRIVED" SPIRITUALLY? There are those who think they have, but that is for God to Judge. Sometimes we reach a "PLATEAU" and stop short of the "GOAL" Jesus has for our lives, TO BE THE PERSON HE WANTS US TO BE! "When you've reached a PLATEAU and your Strength is almost gone, but the Lord says, "GO," that's the time to PRESS ON!" (Hess) The song that should ring in our Hearts and Minds is, "I'm PRESSING ON the Upward Way; New HEIGHTS I'm gaining every day; Still PRAYING as I'm ONWARD BOUND, LORD Plant my Feet on HIGHER GROUND! Lord lift me Up and let me Stand, by Faith on Heaven's Tableland. A HIGHER PLANE than I have Found, LORD PLANT MY FEET ON HIGHER GROUND." In the Sports Realm, Winning Teams have learned the very important lesson that to be the "BEST" AND "VICTORIOUS" they must as a TEAM, take it to a "HIGHER LEVEL!" Have you ever played DARTS? Where do you AIM? Well, that's easy, you AIM Right at the Bulls Eye! I have played, and there were times when I missed the Board altogether, or hit one of the Outer Circles, and sometimes very Close to that Center Point. Could that be a picture of our Life and Walk with the Lord? However, the very fact that you as a Believer are Actively "AIMING" AND "PRESSING" ON TO "CONSISTENTLY" HIT THAT "SPIRITUAL" BULLS EYE, YOU ARE GOING TO FIND AS YOU TOTALLY DEPEND UPON THE LORD AND THE POWER OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT, THAT YOU "WILL DRAW CLOSER" WITH EACH PASSING DAY TO THAT CENTER POINT, AND PROGRESSIVELY BECOME MORE CHRIST-LIKE! Now we KNOW that we will be like HIM when we see HIM FACE TO FACE, but HE wants us 'TODAY" to "GROW" more like HIM, to Effectively Share His Amazing "LOVE" AND "GRACE" WITH A DYING WORLD. Say with the Apostle Paul, "This one thing I do, Forgetting those things which are BEHIND, and Reaching Forward to those things which are AHEAD, I "PRESS" TOWARD THE "GOAL" FOR THE "PRIZE" OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************* "POOR OR RICH?" No, I am not referring to "POVERTY" or "PROSPERITY" on a Financial Basis, but whether you are in a state of POVERTY OR PROSPERITY SPIRITUALLY. There is a tremendous difference between the two! In the message of Christ to the Seven Churches of the Revelation, He said to the Church at Laodicea, an APOSTATE Church, "Because you say I AM "RICH" and have become "WEALTHY," and have need of "NOTHING" and do not know that you are "WRETCHED" "POOR" "MISERABLE" "BLIND" and "NAKED!" Revelation 3:17 How sad that this Body of Professing Believer's, whether in reference to the Local Church in Laodicea at the time of this writing, or the Professing Church at a future point as the Age of Grace draws to a conclusion, how sad that they would think so well of themselves, without realizing they were absolutely SPIRITUALLY EMPTY! SPIRITUALLY BANKRUPT! In stark contrast, when Jesus spoke to the Church at Smyrna, a SUFFERING, PERSECUTED BODY OF BELIEVER'S, He said, "I know your "WORKS" "TRIBULATION" and "POVERTY!" BUT YOU ARE "RICH!" Revelation 2:9 Someone has well written, "You may have much Gold and Grandeur, yet by GOD be counted "POOR!" He alone truly has "RICHES" WHO HAS CHRIST, THOUGH NOTHING MORE! Friend, every True Believer in the Crucified, Buried, and Risen Lord Jesus Christ can sing: "I've got a Mansion just over the Hilltop, in that Bright Land where we'll never Grow Old; And someday Yonder we will never more Wander, but Walk on Streets that are Purest Gold." Jesus assures us "In My Father's House are many Mansions, If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you. I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF, THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO." John 14:2-3 The Apostle Peter wrote: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant Mercy has Begotten us again to a LIVING HOPE, through the RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD; To an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled, that does not fade away, RESERVED FOR YOU IN HEAVEN!" I Peter1:3-4 Can you believe it? The Lord not only gives to every Believer the GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE, but He gives us so much more. "For as many as are led by the SPIRIT OF GOD, THESE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD. For you did not receive the spirit of BONDAGE again to FEAR, but you received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, by whom we cry, ABBA, FATHER! The SPIRIT Himself bears witness with our spirit that we "ARE" CHILDREN OF GOD, and if CHILDREN, then HEIRS! HEIRS OF GOD, AND JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST!" Romans 8:17 What a glorious Position we have been given by the GRACE OF GOD. Everything CHRIST POSSESSES, WE SHARE, for we are Heirs with Christ, our Lord and Savior. "He owns the Cattle on a Thousand Hills and the WEALTH in every Mine!" "The Earth is the Lord's and "ALL" its FULLNESS, the WORLD and ALL who dwell in it!" Psalm 24:1 How much the Apostle prayed, "That the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may KNOW what is the HOPE of HIS Calling; what are the "RICHES" of the Glory of HIS Inheritance in the Saints!" Ephesians 2:7 How "RICH" I am that CHRIST is Mine! O Yes, "A Wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, a Wonderful Savior to Me; He Hides my Soul in the Cleft of the Rock, where RIVERS OF PLEASURE I SEE!" "Do not lay up for yourselves Treasures on Earth, where Moth and Rust Destroy and where Thieves break in and Steal. But lay up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven, where neither Moth nor Rust Destroys and where Thieves do not break in and Steal. FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO." Matthew 6:19-21 WELL FRIEND. HOW "RICH" ARE YOU? Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************* "STYLE ISN'T EVERYTHING!" "Add to Your Faith, Virtue, to Virtue knowledge, to knowledge, Self-Control, to Self-Control Perseverance, to Perseverance Godliness, to Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and to Brotherly Kindness, LOVE. For if these things are yours and "ABOUND" YOU WILL BE NEITHER "BARREN" NOR "UNFRUITFUL" IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. For He who LACKS these things is Shortsighted, even to Blindness, and has FORGOTTEN that he was Cleansed from his Old Sins....For this reason I will not be NEGLIGENT to REMIND you always of these things, though you KNOW AND ARE ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this Tent, TO STIR YOU UP BY REMINDING YOU!" II Peter 1:5-13 I read an article about a man who attended a Fair and saw another man leading a Fine, Well-groomed Horse. He asked the Owner, "Is that a Saddle Horse?" The Owner replied, "No Sir, this Horse will buck off a Saddle. Nothing can stay on his back!" Again the man asked, "Is he a Driving Horse?" "NO, he was hitched to a Cart, but he quickly made Kindling Wood of it." was the reply. "WELL, THEN, WHAT IS HE GOOD FOR?" the man asked. The Owner answered, "STYLE" MAN, "STYLE!" JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURE HE MAKES!" The man went on to say, "Once I was in a Church Building and saw People clad in fine clothes coming into the Morning Service. I asked the Preacher, "Are those People WORKERS in the Church? "NO" he answered sadly. "Do they visit the Sick, and Minister to the Poor? Do they attend the other Services of the Church? "NO" he sadly answered again. WELL, I SAID TO MYSELF, "THAT'S THE "HORSE" NOTHING BUT "STYLE!" Is this what the Lord had in mind when He said, "These People draw near to Me with their Mouth and Honor Me with their Lips, BUT THEIR "HEART" IS FAR FROM ME AND THEY WORSHIP IN VAIN!" Matthew 15:8-9 The Lord wants an "ACTIVE" Family! A Family that is Bearing Much Fruit, for Jesus said, "ABIDE" IN ME, AND I IN YOU. As the Branch cannot bear "FRUIT" of itself, unless it "ABIDES" in the VINE, NEITHER CAN YOU, UNLESS YOU "ABIDE" IN ME. I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. HE WHO "ABIDES" IN ME AND I IN HIM, BEARS "MUCH FRUIT" FOR WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." John 15:4-5 Friend, if you are "ABIDING" in Christ, and adding to your Faith the VIRTUES listed in the passage from II Peter recorded above, You must be BEARING FRUIT for His glory, but if you are "NOT ABIDING" in Christ, obviously your Christian life is "BARREN" AND "UNFRUITFUL" and you are "SHORTSIGHTED" even to "BLINDNESS" and you have "FORGOTTEN" that you were "CLEANSED" FROM YOUR OLD SINS. Maybe you are saying, "But you don't know the Trials and Tribulations that have touched my life. If you knew, you would know why my life is BARREN AND UNFRUITFUL. Dr. Angelou made this statement on a TV program. "I HAVE LEARNED THAT WHEN I AM GOING THROUGH PAIN, I DON'T HAVE TO BE ONE!" We all know what it is to pass through Difficult and Hard Times, and yet, we have our LORD'S Promise that "HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT AND HIS STRENGTH MADE PERFECT IN OUR WEAKNESS." II Corinthians 12:9 By the Grace of God, we can be a Blessing even in Hard Times, and the Word of God challenges us with these precious words: "Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of ALL MERCIES, and GOD OF ALL COMFORT. WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TRIBULATION, (Now here is the POWER POINT) THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO "COMFORT" THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY TROUBLE WITH THE "COMFORT" WITH WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE "COMFORTED" BY GOD." II Corinthians 1:3-4 When we are "ABIDING" IN THE VINE, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, we will Look on the Needs of Others, and manifest the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT and we will SHOW the REALITY of our FAITH. As James wrote: "Show me your FAITH without your WORKS, and I will show you my FAITH BY MY WORKS." James 2:18 Say Friend, HOW IS YOUR STYLE? ARE YOU BEARING MUCH FRUIT? ARE YOU BEARING "ANY" FRUIT? "O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER. LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD "SAY SO" WHOM HE HAS REDEEMED FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY." Psalm 107:1-2 Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ***************************************************************************** "IS SEEING BELIEVING?" How many times have you heard the statement, "IF I COULD ONLY SEE I WOULD BELIEVE!" "SHOW ME SOMETHING SPECTACULAR, SHOW ME A SIGN, AND I WILL BELIEVE!" However, in most cases, SEEING IS JUST SEEING AND NOTHING MORE! Consider the time when Jesus and His Disciples were in a certain place followed by 5000 Men, plus Women and Children. It was now evening and Jesus, realizing they were in need of food, received from a Young Lad 5 Barley Loaves and 2 Small Fish. "And when He had given THANKS, He distributed them to the Disciples, and the Disciples to those sitting down...So when they were "FILLED," He said to His Disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain so that nothing is lost." John 6:9-12 Note carefully the different response to this Amazing Miracle Jesus had just performed before their very eyes. "Then these Men, when they had seen the SIGN that Jesus did, said, "THIS IS TRULY THE PROPHET WHO IS TO COME INTO THE WORLD." John 6:14 The Miracle made it clear to them that Jesus was indeed the Long Promised Messiah that was to come into the World. BUT, let's go deeper into the account to see what took place with the great crowd that was FED to complete SATISFACTION! After the Miracle, Jesus and the Disciples were found across the Sea of Galilee. GUESS WHAT? YOU GUESSED IT! The Great Crowd crossed over and followed, because they wanted to be with Jesus, BUT, FOR WHAT REASON? Jesus knew the reason, and speaking to this VERY SAME CROWD who had just witnessed the day before the feeding of the Multitude, He said, "I SAY TO YOU, YOU SEEK ME, "NOT" BECAUSE YOU "SAW" THE "SIGN," but because you "ATE" of the Loaves and were "FILLED." Do not labor for the FOOD which "PERISHES" but for the FOOD which endures to EVERLASTING LIFE, which the SON OF MAN will give you, because GOD THE FATHER HAS SET HIS SEAL ON HIM." John 6:26-27 NOW HERE'S THE CRUNCHER! Hearing these words of Jesus, they had the "AUDACITY" to say to HIM, "What "SIGN" will YOU perform then, that we may "SEE IT" AND "BELIEVE" YOU? WHAT WORK WILL YOU DO? John 6:30 What in the World did they "SEE" the day before? Friend, all that they "SAW" was a Delicious "FREE' Meal, and they would gladly follow JESUS ANYWHERE for a FREE MEAL TICKET! They asked for a SIGN that they might BELIEVE HIM, when HE had already given them a "SIGN," BUT, it did not move them to BELIEVE IN HIM. "SEEING IS SEEING!" "BELIEVING IS "SEEING" THE UNQUESTIONABLE FACTS, THAT RESULTS IN A "TRUE COMMITMENT TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!" The FACTS stand clear: HISTORY CONFIRMS THAT: "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, THAT HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES." I Corinthians 15:3-4 O YES, FRIEND, AND THESE FACTS OF CHRIST'S DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION WERE FORETOLD IN SCRIPTURES WRITTEN HUNDREDS OF YEARS BEFORE CHRIST ENTERED OUR WORLD. READ THE FACTS, AND YOU WILL BE CONVINCED THIS IS NOT THE WORK OF MAN, BUT THE MARVELOUS WORK OF GOD TO BRING US ETERNAL SALVATION. "These things have I written unto you who BELIEVE in the Name of the SON OF GOD, that you may "KNOW" THAT YOU "HAVE" ETERNAL LIFE." I John 5:13 Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ******************************************************************************** "LET YOUR "WALKING" DO THE "TALKING!" We are all familiar with the advertisement: "LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING!" I'm sure there are many people who do not heed this suggestion, and travel from store to store hoping to find an article that they may need to acquire. But, there are others who open the "YELLOW PAGES" and save themselves a lot of time finding a specific store that stocks an item they want to purchase. How many times have you let your "FINGERS" do the "WALKING?" Every Person who has placed a LIVING FAITH in the LIVING LORD who gives a LIVING HOPE, is called to "WALK" WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING HIM!" Colossians 1:10 Maybe not "YOU" but for many of us, there was that moment, or perhaps, even a period of time when we "TALKED" but didn't "WALK" the "WALK!" Every Believer knows exactly how Eternal Salvation has been received. "FOR BY "GRACE" ARE YOU SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE "GIFT" OF GOD, NOT OF "WORKS" LEST ANY ONE SHOULD BOAST!" O how much we LOVE that verse of Scripture, and INDEED WE SHOULD. But, we MUST NOT end reading that portion of Scripture at that point, because the FOLLOWING verse says: "For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, HIS POEM, Created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that we should "WALK" IN THEM." Ephesians 2:8-10 Friend, IF YOU WERE "ACCUSED" OF BEING A "CHRISTIAN" WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH "EVIDENCE" TO CONVICT YOU? The story is told of Paul Gustave Dore, an outstanding Artist, who was traveling in Europe and had lost his Passport. When he was about to cross the border to enter another Country, he was asked to show his Passport. He tried to explain what had happened, and hoped the Guard on duty would recognize him and allow him to pass through. However, the Guard said that many people attempt to cross the border claiming to be somebody THEY ARE NOT. Mr. Dore kept insisting that he was Paul Gustave Dore, and finally, the Guard got a Pencil and some Paper and told him to sketch some of the people who were standing nearby. He immediately began to do his SKILLFUL ARTISTIC WORK, and as the Guard VIEWED his WORK, he was CONVINCED HE WAS THE PERSON HE CLAIMED TO BE. HIS ARTISTIC "WORK" WAS THE STRONG "EVIDENCE" THAT GAVE "PROOF" TO HIS "WORD!" James, the half brother of Jesus wrote: "BUT BE "DOERS" OF THE WORD, AND NOT "HEARERS" ONLY, DECEIVING YOURSELVES." James 1:22 We must ask ourselves, "Do the "ACTIONS" of our Lives, give "PROOF" that we have been BORN AGAIN? IS OUR "TALK" BACKED BY OUR "WALK?" Jesus said, "I AM the VINE, you are the BRANCHES, he who "ABIDES" in ME, and I in him, BEARS MUCH FRUIT, FOR WITHOUT ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING!" John 15:5 What a marvelous testimony is recorded in the Book of Acts about Peter and John. After clearly stating to the Sanhedrin. who were the Leaders of the people, "Neither is there SALVATION in any other, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED." these men had to acknowledge, "When they SAW the BOLDNESS of Peter and John, and perceived that they were UNLEARNED and UNTRAINED Men, they Marveled. AND THEY "REALIZED" THAT THEY \HAD BEEN WITH "JESUS!" Acts 4:13 O yes, Friend, their "WALKING" WAS THE "PROOF" THAT THEIR "TALKING" WAS GENUINE, AND EMPOWERED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. ""I SAY THEN: "WALK" IN THE SPIRIT, AND YOU SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH!" Galatians 5:16 "See that you "WALK" circumspectly, NOT AS "FOOLS" BUT AS "WISE!" Ephesians 5:15 "You were once "DARKNESS" but NOW you are "LIGHT" IN THE LORD. "WALK" AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT!" Epheaians 5:8 Christian Friend, the HOUR on GOD'S TIME CLOCK is getting very late! IT'S TIME TO, "LET YOUR "WALKING" DO THE "TALKING!" Comments click here: www.djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "ON "WHOM" OR "WHAT" ARE YOUR EYES FASTENED?" In the glorious account of the "TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS CHRIST" of great significance are these awesome words: "And when they had lifted their "EYES" they saw NO man, SAVE "JESUS" ONLY!" Jesus was Transfigured right before the eyes of Peter, James, and John, "And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, TALKING WITH JESUS!" The Apostle Peter was so impressed with what he SAW and HEARD that we read, "Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, let us make here "THREE" Tabernacles, ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR MOSES, AND ONE FOR ELIJAH! While he was still speaking, behold a Bright Cloud overshadowed them, and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED, HEAR HIM! Matthew 17:1-8 Jesus Christ the Lord stands FOREVER as the UNIQUE ONE, "Far above all Principality and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every Name that is Named, not only in this Age, but also in that which is to come." Ephesians 1:21 "That at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow, and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER." Philippians 2:10-11 "Who is the ONLY POTENTATE, THE KING OF kings, AND LORD OF lords." I Timothy 6:15 The "SUPERIORITY" of Christ's Person is clearly revealed! "He is the Image (the exact likeness) of the Invisible God, the Firstborn (the Preeminent One, the Sovereign) over all Creation." Colossians 1:15 Jesus Christ precedes "ALL" things! Speaking to the Jews He said, "Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see MY day, and he SAW it and was Glad." Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet Fifty Years Old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM!" John 8:56-58 He declared to them His Deity and Eternal Existence! "Great is the Mystery of Godliness: GOD was manifested in the FLESH; JUSTIFIED in the SPIRIT; Seen by ANGELS; PREACHED among the GENTILES; BELIEVED ON in the WORLD, RECEIVED up in GLORY." I Timothy 3:16 The "SUPERIORITY" of Christ's Power is clearly revealed. "For by Him were "ALL" things Created, and by Him "ALL" things Consist or are Held Together." Colossians 1:16-17 Not only was Jesus Christ the Instrument by Whom the World's were Created, but in Christ was the VERY LOCATION OF ALL CREATIVE POWER ITSELF. "All Hail the POWER of JESUS Name let Angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the Royal Diadem and CROWN HIM LORD OF ALL!" The "SUPERIORITY" of Christ's Position is clearly revealed. "HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH!" HE IS THE "SOURCE" OF "LIFE" TO THE CHURCH, AND THE "SEAT" OF "AUTHORITY" OVER THE CHURCH, THAT IN "ALL" THINGS HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE!" In light of these Marvelous Truths, it there any Wonder when Peter, James, and John were smitten to the Ground on that Holy Mount that they NO LONGER SAW MOSES OR ELIJAH? O NO, "THEY SAW NO ONE BUT "JESUS ONLY!" Recalling this tremendous event, Peter wrote: "We did not Follow Cunningly Devised FABLES when we made known to you the POWER and COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, but were "EYEWITNESSES" OF HIS MAJESTY. For HE received from GOD the FATHER, Honor and Glory, when such a Voice came to HIM from the Excellent Glory: "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. And we Heard this VOICE which came from HEAVEN when WE were WITH HIM on the Holy Mountain." II Peter 1:16-18 8ay Friend, Are your Eyes Fastened upon JESUS? HAVE YOU CROWNED HIM SAVIOR AND LORD OF ALL? It has well been stated, "IF CHRIST IS NOT LORD OF ALL, HE IS NOT LORD AT ALL!" "WHOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED!" Romans 10:13 "HE WHO HAS THE SON, HAS "LIFE!" Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************* "I JUST CAN'T WAIT!" "I can't wait until I'm SIXTEEN," said the 11 year old girl, "I want to do the things my big sister does." The Young Girl then added, "WHY DOES IT HAVE TO TAKE SO LONG?" Did you ever feel that way when you were growing up? Human progress is a slow "PATIENT" process. Anything that is worthwhile usually takes time, and involves maintaining a "PATIENT" spirit and attitude. I knew a few Young Men preparing for the Ministry at a Bible College, who left School and the Preparations they were receiving behind, because they were too "IMPATIENT" to stick around until their studies were completed, and went out to conquer the world "UNPREPARED!" They failed to realize that "IF" the Lord led them to prepare for the Ministry, there would be ample opportunities to serve the Lord right where they were until their studies were completed. Every Believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit must REMEMBER, "The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, "PATIENCE!" Galatians 5:22 How powerful are the words of the Apostle Paul, who before his conversion to Christ, PERSECUTED Believer's, casting them into prison and even consenting to their DEATH, as in the case of Stephen, the first Martyr. He wrote: "I was shown Mercy, so that in me, the WORST OF SINNERS, CHRIST JESUS might display HIS "UNLIMITED PATIENCE" as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive Eternal Life." I Timothy 1:16 Aren't you THANKFUL for the Lord's "PATIENCE" with you? I know I am very THANKFUL for His "PATIENCE" with me. Later, the Apostle wrote: "You know my Way of Life, my Purpose, Faith, "PATIENCE!" II Timothy 3:10 Do you see it, Friend: Experiencing GOD'S "PATIENCE" he in turn manifested "PATIENCE" as he served the Lord. The Apostle Peter also stressed the importance of "PATIENCE" concerning the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote: "The Lord is not "SLOW" in keeping His Promise as some understand "SLOWNESS!" He is "PATIENT" with you, NOT WANTING ANYONE TO "PERISH" BUT THAT EVERYONE COME TO "REPENTANCE!" II Peter 3:9 We are living in a very "IMPATIENT" day. It's Fast Flights, Fast Foods, Fast Cars, Fast Wealth, and yet, the most important things in life take TIME! Think of the Young Lad in Grammar School who wants to be a Surgeon. Think of the Years that lie ahead to achieve that NOBLE GOAL! O yes, "PATIENCE" is so vital to reach many of the GOALS that we set. ABOVE ALL, for the Believer, IT IS THE "GOAL" TO "PROGRESSIVELY" BECOME MORE LIKE OUR SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WITH EVERY PASSING DAY. Have you ever said, "Please be "PATIENT" with me..GOD has not "FINISHED" working on me." Potent is the Prayer of the Apostle Paul: "We pray this in order that you may live a Life WORTHY of the LORD, and may PLEASE HIM in every way. Being Strengthened with all POWER according to HIS glorious MIGHT, so that you may have GREAT "ENDURANCE" AND "PATIENCE!" Colossians 1:9-10 "Take Time to be Holy, the World Rushes on. Abide in Him Always, and Feed on His Word. By Looking to Jesus, more Like Him you shall be. Your Friends in your Conduct, His Likeness shall see." Keep in mind the marvelous Promise of God: "Being Confident of this very thing; That He who has begun a GOOD WORK in you, will "COMPLETE" it until the "DAY OF JESUS CHRIST!" Philippians 1:6 HALLELUJAH, HE IS FAITHFUL! Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "IN TIMES LIKE THESE!" As we enter the NEW YEAR 2005, "IN TIMES LIKE THESE" that we are experiencing these days, with all its Uncertainty, Fears and Worry, we need a FIRM FOUNDATION upon which our lives are safely built. A FOUNDATION that will hold us STRONG and TALL no matter what may take place in our personal lives or in the World around us. Our Lord Jesus Christ stated as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, there are "TWO" FOUNDATIONS upon which the life of everyone in the entire world is built. He said, "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and "DOES THEM" I will liken him to a "WISE MAN" who built his house upon a "ROCK!" And the "RAIN" descended, and the "FLOODS" came, and the "WINDS" blew upon that house, AND IT "DID NOT" FALL, FOR IT WAS FOUNDED UPON THE "ROCK!" And everyone that hears these sayings of Mine, and "DOES NOT DO THEM" shall be likened unto a "FOOLISH MAN" who built his house upon the "SAND!" And the "RAIN" descended, and the "FLOODS" came, and the "WINDS" blew and beat upon that house, and it "FELL" and GREAT WAS THE "FALL" OF IT!" Say Friend, is your LIFE, and is your FUTURE built upon "SAND" or upon the "ROCK?" Someone asked, "Well, how do you KNOW on which FOUNDATION you stand? There are so many Denominations and Religions in the World. Friend, THE ANSWER IS CLEAR! All who have received by FAITH JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR, have their lives BUILT on the ROCK! We joyfully sing "ROCK OF AGES cleft for me, let me hide myself in THEE. Let the Water and the BLOOD from YOUR wounded side which flowed. Be of SIN, the double cure, SAVE FROM WRATH and make me PURE!" In direct contrast, "ALL" whose lives are built upon SAND, are those who have "NOT" responded to the Words of Christ, and have refused to acknowledge Him as the ONE DOOR TO HEAVEN. Jesus said, "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. "NO ONE" comes to the FATHER except my ME!" John 14:6 How important it is to understand that the RAIN and FLOODS and destructive WINDS touch the lives of "ALL" on both FOUNDATIONS! The Lord never promised His Redeemed Family a BED OF ROSES! O NO! He said, "In the World you will have TRIBULATIONS, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." John 16:33 Along with the "MANY JOYS" and "BLESSINGS" we share, we face MANY TESTS and TRIALS that are often difficult to understand and hard to bear. However He promised, "MY Grace is Sufficient for you, and MY Strength is made PERFECT in weaknesses! II Corinthians 12:9 Although such TESTS touch everyone, the END RESULT is completely different! Great will be the FALL of those whose FOUNDATION IS SINKING SAND! "He who believes in the SON has EVERLASTING LIFE, and he who "DOES NOT" believe the SON, SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDES ON HIM!" John 3:36 What Peace and Safety Believers possess, for we can say "The LORD is my "ROCK" and my "FORTRESS" and my "DELIVERER." II Samuel 22:2 In HIM our Souls find Comfort and a Holy Hiding place when the STORMS OF LIFE BEAT UPON US. In HIM we find Grace Sufficient to meet our need, and Strength that is made perfect in the midst of all our TRIALS. HIS Grace is the Pathway. and Faith is the magnet that draws us into the Eternal Protection of the Fortress of His Love. With CHRIST AS OUR "ROCK" FOUNDATION A "BLESSED NEW YEAR" IS ASSURED! Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "GOD AND THE GEESE!" The story is told of a Man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS. His Wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have FAITH IN GOD AND JESUS, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy Eve, his Wife was taking their children to the Church Service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about the BIRTH OF JESUS. She asked her husband to come, but he refused. "THAT STORY IS NONSENSE!" he said, "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a Man? That is ridiculous!" So, she and the Children left, and he stayed at home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening when suddenly he heard a loud THUMP! Something had hit the window. Then another THUMP! He looked out the window, but could not see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have hit the window. In the field near his house he saw a Flock of Wild Geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the blinding snowstorm, and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them, it seemed, had flown into his window. The Man felt sorry for the GEESE and wanted to help them. The Barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought, where it's warm and safe. Surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm before heading south again. So he walked over to the Barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open Barn and go inside. But the GEESE just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the Barn or realize what it could mean for them. He tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to SCARE them, and they moved farther away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail to the Barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the Barn, but they only got more SCARED and scattered in every direction except toward the Barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the Barn where they would be warm and safe from the storm. "Why don't they follow me?" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If I were only one of them, then I could SAVE them," he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into the Barn, got one of his own GEESE, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the Flock of Wild Geese. He then released it, and his GOOSE flew through the Flock and straight into the Barn, and one by one, the other GEESE followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken earlier replayed in his mind. "If I were only one of them, then I could SAVE them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his Wife earlier. "Why would GOD want to be like us? THAT'S RIDICULOUS!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the GEESE, BLIND, LOST, AND PERISHING! GOD HAD HIS SON BECOME LIKE US, SO HE COULD SHOW US THE WAY AND "SAVE" US. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his SOUL became quiet, and pondered this wonderful thought. He now knew why CHRIST had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell on his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer. "THANK YOU, GOD, FOR COMING IN HUMAN FORM TO GET US OUT OF THE STORM!" "Let this mind be in you which was also in CHRIST JESUS, WHO BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD, did not consider "EQUALITY" WITH GOD something to be GRASPED, but made HIMSELF of no reputation, taking the VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT, being made in HUMAN LIKENESS. And being found in appearance as a Man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS. Therefore God has EXALTED HIM, to the Highest Place, and given HIM a Name that is above every Name, that at the Name of JESUS every knee should bow, in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER." Philippians 2:5-11 OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS! HE LOVES YOU WITH EVERLASTING LOVE! Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "HAVE YOU MADE THIS REQUEST?" "Now it came to pass as JESUS was "PRAYING" in a certain place, when HE ceased, one of HIS Disciples said to HIM, "LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY!" Luke 11:1 So HE said to them, "When you "PRAY," say: Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily Bread, And Forgive us our SINS, as we Forgive those who have SINNED against us. And lead us not into Temptation, but Deliver us from the Evil One." We call this "THE LORD'S PRAYER" but in reality it is the "DISCIPLES PRAYER" and I'm sure most of us can repeat this meaningful PRAYER as many do in Worship Services around the world. When you meditate on each phrase, it opens wider doors of Praise, Gratitude, Humility, Relationship Concerns, Knowing and Yielding to the Will of God, and the need to "Put on the Whole Armor of God, to be able to "STAND" against all the "WILES" of the Devil." Ephesians 6:11 Has there ever been a time when you were on your knees in "PRAYER" at the Lord's Throne of Grace, when your "MIND" went totally BLANK? Has this ever happened even when you knew there were many important requests on your heart to share with the Lord? I know it has happened to me, and in addition, there were times when I just knelt in TOTAL SILENCE not knowing how to "PRAY" for things heavy on my heart. Friend, if that has happened to you, then be very thankful the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to write on this important issue. Note these words of Scripture: "Likewise, the SPIRIT also helps our infirmities. FOR WE "KNOW NOT" WHAT WE SHOULD "PRAY" FOR AS WE OUGHT; BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US WITH "GROANINGS" WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED. AND HE THAT SEARCHES THE HEARTS KNOWS WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE HE MAKES INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD." Romans 8:26-27 Christian Friend, when those moments come when you are on your knees before the Lord, the Holy Spirit is the One who comes along to help us. This verse of Scripture REVEALS that we DO have an INFIRMITY, for so often we do not know what we should "PRAY" for as we ought. It is a wonderful "TRUTH" to know that God has given the HOLY SPIRIT to make INTERCESSION FOR US with groanings which cannot be uttered. In those moments when in silence we do not know what to say to the LORD, the HOLY SPIRIT, who indwells us, knows "EXACTLY" what is on our hearts. He knows what we are "FEELING" and intercedes in our behalf at the THRONE OF GOD, and GOD, "Who searches the hearts, KNOWS what is the MIND of the SPIRIT." Not only does the HOLY SPIRIT work in our behalf concerning our PRAYER LIFE, but the Word of God further states: "Seeing then that we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST who has passed through the Heavens, JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, let us hold fast our CONFESSION. For we do not have a HIGH PRIEST who cannot "SYMPATHIZE" with our "WEAKNESSES" but was in all points "TEMPTED" as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN. Let us therefore come "BOLDLY" to the THRONE OF GRACE, that we may OBTAIN MERCY, and FIND GRACE to HELP in times of need." Hebrews 4:14-16 "PRAYER" is a Glorious Privilege that God has given to all who "BELIEVE" and who have "ACCEPTED" JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR! To such, with pointed words, JESUS says, "Men ought "ALWAYS" to "PRAY" and not to "FAINT!" Luke 18:1 "LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY!" Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "ARE YOU CASTING YOUR BREAD?" Living in a day when perplexing problems are faced every day, it is so easy for those in such situations to become very PESSIMISTIC about life. The Word of God however, admonishes us to put aside a Pessimistic Spirit, Selfishness, and a Self-centered life, and reach out to others in a Spirit of HOPE, NOT HOPELESSNESS! The Challenge of the Word of God to each Believer is to "CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATERS; FOR YOU SHALL FIND IT AFTER MANY DAYS!" Ecclesiastes 11:1 That's quite a statement. What does it really mean? God is exhorting us to LET OUR BREAD OF LOVE, GRACE, AND CHARITY GO OUT UPON THE WATERS, AND THE BLESSINGS WE SEND OUT THAT BLESSES OTHERS WILL IN SOME WAY RETURN TO US WITH BLESSING! The following is a great testimony to the TRUTH of God's Word. His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish Farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby BOG. He dropped his tools and ran to the BOG. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy Carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's Sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed Nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the Father of the Boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I WANT TO REPAY YOU," said the Nobleman. "YOU SAVED MY SON'S LIFE." "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish Farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the Farmer's own Son came to the door of the Family Home. "Is that your Son?" the Nobleman asked. "Yes," the Farmer replied PROUDLY. "I'LL MAKE YOU A DEAL. LET ME PROVIDE HIM WITH THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION MY OWN SON WILL ENJOY. IF THE LAD IS ANYTHING LIKE HIS FATHER, HE'LL NO DOUBT GROW TO BE A MAN WE BOTH WILL BE PROUD OF." And that he did. Farmer Fleming's Son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the WORLD as the Noted Sir Alexander Fleming, THE DISCOVERER OF "PENICILLIN!" Years afterward, the same Nobleman's Son who was saved from the BOG was STRICKEN with pneumonia. WHAT SAVED HIS LIFE IN TIME? "PENICILLIN!" What was the name of the Nobleman? LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL! What was his Son's name? SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL! O yes, Friend, don't FAIL to "CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATERS, FOR YOU WILL FIND IT AFTER MANY DAYS!" Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com *********************************************************************************** "WHAT GIVES YOU JOY? The Word of God is clear about what give the CREATOR and REDEEMER and also all in Heaven "JOY," for Jesus said, "I say to you, that likewise there will be more "JOY" in Heaven over "ONE SINNER" who "REPENTS" than over NINETY-NINE just Persons who need no Repentance." Luke 15:7 Well, at least they may "THINK" they need no Repentance, but the Scripture is clear that "ALL" have Sinned and come short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23 Yes, Friend, "ALL" need the Forgiveness that Jesus Christ came to provide through His Death and Conquest of the Grave. Again, Jesus said, "These things have I spoken to you, that MY "JOY" may remain in YOU, and that YOUR "JOY" may be FULL!" John 15:11 When Jesus prayed to the Father in His High Priestly Intercessory Prayer, He prayed, "But now I come to YOU, and these things I speak in the World, THAT THEY MAY KNOW "MY JOY" FULFILLED IN THEMSELVES." John 17:13 Friend, are you "BASKING" in the "JOY" of the LORD? The Psalmist David wrote: "YOU will show me the path of LIFE; In YOUR presence is FULLNESS OF "JOY!" AND AT YOUR RIGHT HAND ARE "PLEASURES" FOREVERMORE." Psalm 16:11 Even when we are struggling through Pain and Disappointment. Even when the Burdens are Heavy, and the Tears roll down our Cheeks, still, "God's Favor is for LIFE; "WEEPING" may endure for a NIGHT, BUT, "JOY" COMES IN THE MORNING." Psalm 30:5 The Apostle James wrote: "My Brethren, count it all "JOY" when you fall into various Trials, knowing that the Testing of your Faith produces Patience." James 1:2-3 "O, send out YOUR Light and YOUR Truth! Let them Lead me; Let them Bring Me to YOUR HOLY HILL and to YOUR Tabernacle. Then I will go to the Altar of God, TO "GOD" MY EXCEEDING "JOY" and on the Harp I will Praise YOU, O GOD, MY GOD!" Psalm 43:3-4 The Apostle Peter, exhorting each Believer to "OPENLY" MANIFEST the "REALITY" of their "FAITH," wrote: "That the "GENUINENESS" of your "FAITH" being much more Precious than Gold that Perishes, though it be Tested by Fire, may be found unto Praise, Honor, and Glory at the Revelation of Jesus Christ; WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN, YOU "LOVE!" THOUGH NOW YOU DO NOT SEE HIM, "BELIEVING" YOU "REJOICE" WITH "JOY" UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY, RECEIVING THE END OF YOU FAITH, THE "SALVATION" OF YOUR SOULS." I Peter 1:8-9 Friend, Jesus pointedly said, "Take Heed and beware of Covetousness, FOR ONE'S LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS HE POSSESSES." Luke 12:15 We all enjoy 'THINGS," sure we do, but they do not produce LASTING "JOY!" "Jesus is the "JOY" of Living, He's the King of Life to Me. Unto Him My "ALL" I'm Giving, His Forevermore to BE. I will "DO" what HE Commands Me, Anywhere HE leads I'll Go; Jesus is the "JOY" of Living, "HE'S THE DEAREST FRIEND I KNOW!" IS HE YOUR "JOY?" HE CAN BE, AND WILL BE, IF YOU ACCEPT HIM AS YOUR "LORD AND SAVIOR!" With Christ directing your life, then you will sing: "JESUS" AND "OTHERS" AND "YOU WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPELL "JOY!" "JESUS" AND "OTHERS" AND "YOU" IN THE HEART OF EACH BOY AND EACH GIRL. "J" IS FOR "JESUS" FOR HE HAS FIRST PLACE! "O" IS FOR "OTHERS" WE MEET FACE TO FACE! "Y" IS FOR "YOU" IN WHAT EVER YOU DO, PUT YOURSELF "LAST" AND SPELL "JOY!" Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ****************************************************************************** "WHAT IS YOUR STANDARD FOR LIFE?" Is there an "ABSOLUTE STANDARD" for "MORALITY" in our World today, or is everything "RELEVANT?" Who decides what is "RIGHT" and what is "WRONG? If there is a Standard for Morality, where is it found? There is a STARTLING verse of Scripture that states, "In those days, EVERY MAN DID THAT WHICH WAS "RIGHT" IN HIS "OWN" EYES." Judges 17:6 Can you believe that? These words were recorded 1100 years before Christ entered our world. WHAT "CHAOS" must have existed during that period of History. What a dilemma, each one setting his own STANDARD and doing WHATEVER seemed RIGHT in his own thinking. Yes, it was "IN "THOSE" DAYS!" Well, WHAT ABOUT "THESE" DAYS? IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE? Today, thousands march to make a strong statement that taking the LIFE of an UNBORN BABY is a Woman's RIGHT! Thousands march declaring "SAME SEX" marriage is Morally "RIGHT!" Soap Opera Programs flaunt IMMORALITY and INFIDELITY in marriage. Taking a step in a different arena of life, an Islamic acknowledged that many Iman's have declared a Holy War against all INFIDELS of the World, and that by KILLING an Infidel, THEY ARE ASSURED A PLACE IN HEAVEN! WHO IS RIGHT? The former Chief Justice of Alabama Supreme Court stated, "To restore MORALITY, we must "FIRST" recognize the "SOURCE" from which "MORALITY" springs!" And Friend, WE ARE NOT THE "SOURCE!" WE ARE NOT THE "AUTHORITY" FROM WHICH "MORALITY" SPRINGS. The LORD of CREATION, and the LORD of SALVATION is the "ONLY ONE" who has the AUTHORITY to establish an "ABSOLUTE STANDARD" for "ALL" Mankind. "HE is GOD, and there is NONE beside HIM!" GOD is the "FINAL AUTHORITY" Who has given to the World an "ABSOLUTE" STANDARD in the Holy, Infallible "SCRIPTURES" that are designed to "ELEVATE THE HUMAN RACE TO ITS "HIGHEST" POTENTIAL, and was never designed to "BRIDAL OR DEPRIVE US" from Life's Best! "The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield; the Lord will give GRACE and GLORY. NO "GOOD" THING WILL HE WITHHOLD FROM THOSE WHO WALK "UPRIGHTLY!" Psalm 84:11-12 "All Scripture is God Breathed. and is Profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction and Training in Righteousness, that the Man of God may be "COMPLETE" and thoroughly equipped for EVERY GOOD WORK!" II Timothy 3:16-17 This is why the Eternal Son of God, the Crucified, Buried, and Risen Lord declared "ALL "AUTHORITY" IS GIVEN TO ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH!" Go therefore and make Disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, Teaching them to "OBSERVE ALL THINGS" THAT I HAVE COMMANDED. and Lo I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE." Matthew 28:18-20 Friend, you are "FREE" to CHOOSE to live any LIFESTYLE and by any MORAL STANDARD you desire to follow, BUT, YOU ARE NOT 'FREE" TO CHOOSE THE "CONSEQUENCES" OF YOUR CHOICE! JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY" FOR FAITH AND LIFE WILL HAVE THE "FINAL" WORD. "He that BELIEVES on the SON, has EVERLASTING LIFE, but he that DOES NOT BELIEVE ON THE SON, SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE "WRATH" OF GOD ABIDES ON HIM." John 3:36 Everybody has to "CHOOSE" which way to GO! CHOOSE CHRIST AND LIVE! Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com ******************************************************************************* "SOMETIMES IT'S PAINFUL, BUT HE LOVES YOU!" I read about a Christian Biologist who on one of his field trips, found a large flask-shaped "COCOON" of an EMPEROR MOTH. He was intrigued by its peculiar construction, for it had a narrow opening on one end through which the full-grown insect would eventually force its way out. The great disproportion between this opening and the size of the imprisoned LARVA made him wonder "HOW" the "EXIT" could possibly take place. However, the pressure in which the Insect's Body is subjected in passing through such a narrow ESCAPE HATCH is a provision planned by God to force the "JUICES" into the vessels of the Moth's Wings. After several months, the Christian Biologist noticed that the imprisoned one was trying to escape from it Cocoon. He watched for an entire morning, but the creature never seemed to get beyond a certain point. At last the patience of the Biologist was exhausted, and taking a pair of scissors, he clipped a few of the confining threads around the opening. IMMEDIATELY, and with PERFECT EASE, out came the MOTH, but, it dragged behind it a SWOLLEN BODY, and little shriveled WINGS. The tenderness of the Biologist in helping the creature to ESCAPE, had become its RUIN! It never was anything but a STUNTED ABORTION, CRAWLING ABOUT BLOATED AND UGLY, WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE SPENT HOURS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR ON RAINBOW WINGS. The Biologist said, "That lesson stood me in good stead. It helped me to understand what the Germans mean when they speak of the "HARDNESS OF GOD'S LOVE!" Friend, when you are passing through TOUGH TIMES, with much SORROW and DISTRESS, and long for GOD to "CUT SHORT" the Struggles, and bring Deliverance. REMEMBER, God's "LOVE" seeks the PERFECTING of each Believer, and He will not "CUT SHORT" what is necessary to make us the PERSON HE wants us to be. He allows CHASTENING, and DISCIPLINE that we might be PARTAKERS of HIS HOLINESS. "Whom the LORD "LOVES" HE Chastens and Scourges every Child whom He receives. Now no CHASTENING seems to be JOYFUL for the present, but Painful......... Nevertheless. "AFTERWARD" it yields the PEACEABLE Fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS to those who have been TRAINED BY IT." Hebrews 12:6-11 O YES, CHRISTIAN FRIEND, IT MAY "HURT" BUT GOD "LOVES" YOU, AND ONLY WANTS WHAT IS "BEST" FOR YOUR LIFE. "GOD'S WAY IS THE "BEST" WAY, GOD'S WAY IS THE "RIGHT" WAY. I'LL "TRUST" IN HIM "ONLY" HE KNOWS WHAT IS "BEST!" Comments, click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************* "FAITHFUL & TRUE IS THE WORD OF GOD!" Some time ago, the London Daily Telegraph reported: "There are 10 times more STARS in the night SKY than GRAINS of SAND in the Worlds DESERTS and BEACHES, Scientist say. Astronomers have worked out that there are Seventy Thousand Million, Million, Million, or 7 followed by 22 ZEROS, STARS visible from the Earth through Telescopes. The total is said to be the most accurate estimate yet of the number of STARS. Dr. Simon Driver, who led the study at the Australian National University, said, "Even for a Professional Astronomer used to dealing in MONSTER NUMBERS, THIS IS MIND BOGGLING!" It has been stated that without a Telescope, it is only possible to see around 5,000 STARS from the darkest places of the Earth, and just 100 in the middle of a large City. Rather than count the STARS one by one, Dr Driver and Colleagues from the Royal Observatory, Johns Hopkins University, St Andrews University and the University of New South Wales, counted all the Galaxies in one small region of the Universe close to the Earth. By measuring the Brightness of each GALAXY, the team was able to estimate how many STARS it contained and extrapolated for the entire night sky.." Should this be a GREAT SURPRISE to us who believe the Holy, Infallible, Eternal Word of God? NO NEVER! OVER THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED YEARS AGO GOD made a promise to a man named ABRAM. "Get out of your Country, from your Family and from your Father's house, to a Land that I will show you. I WILL MAKE YOU A GREAT NATION; I WILL BLESS YOU AND MAKE YOUR NAME GREAT AND YOU SHALL BE A BLESSING." Genesis 12:1-2 As the years went by, Sarai and Abraham were CHILDLESS! When Abram told the Lord he had no heir, we read, "Then HE brought him outside and said, "Look now toward Heaven, and COUNT the STARS, if you are ABLE to NUMBER them." And HE said to him, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." And he BELIEVED the LORD, and HE accounted it to him for RIGHTEOUSNESS." Genesis 15:3-6 But that is not ALL! O NO, there is much more! After all, how many STARS can a person count without present day TELESCOPES? Think of it, in the year 150 BC Hypartus said he counted them and declared there were only 1,022 STARS IN THE SKY. Then 1400 YEARS after Hypartus made his startling declaration, Ptolemy corrected his number and declared there are 1,026 STARS IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE. SO MUCH FOR THEIR CALCULATIONS! Now, let's get back to ABRAHAM and the DECLARATION OF GOD ABOUT THE STARS IN THE HEAVENS. "Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of Heaven, and said, "By MYSELF I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, Blessing I will Bless you, and Multiplying, I will Multiply your Descendants as the STARS OF THE HEAVEN, "AND" AS THE "SAND" WHICH IS ON THE SEASHORE...and IN YOUR SEED ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED BECAUSE YOU HAVE OBEYED MY VOICE.!" Genesis 22:15-18 Friend, can you number the SAND on the Seashores? I can hear you say, "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! NOW YOU GET A TRUE BIBLICAL PICTURE OF HOW MANY STARS ARE IN THE HEAVENS WHEN YOU REALIZE THEY ARE AS MANY AS THE SANDS OF THE SEASHORE. "BUT" UNDERSTAND, GOING BACK OVER THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED YEARS AGO, THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD KNOW THERE WERE AS MANY STARS IN THE HEAVENS AS GRAINS OF SAND UPON THE SEASHORE, WAS BY "DIVINE" REVELATION. THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY THIS WAS POSSIBLE TO KNOW IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME! "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK." II Timothy 3:16-17 YOU can TRUST the WORD OF GOD, for it is TRUTH! THIS PRECIOUS WORD OF TRUTH DECLARES, "WHOEVER CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD, SHALL BE SAVED!" Romans 10:13 OPEN YOUR HEART TODAY, TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! HE WILL DO EXACTLY AS HE HAS SAID. JESUS SAVES! Comments, click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************* "AMERICA! THE GOOD NEIGHBOR!" The following excerpts, from a Canadian Newspaper, is worth sharing. "AMERICA: THE GOOD NEIGHBOR!" Widespread but only partial news coverage was given to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by *Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian Television Commentator. Although presented on his radio show in 1973, over 30 years ago, Mr. Sinclair's message most certainly touches the hearts and lives of many AMERICANS and their ALLIES today, after the SENSELESS loss of innocent lives on SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. "The Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the AMERICANS as the most GENEROUS and possibly the LEAST appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the AMERICANS who poured in BILLIONS of DOLLARS and FORGAVE others BILLIONS in DEBTS. None of these countries is today paying even the INTEREST on its remaining DEBTS to the UNITED STATES. When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the AMERICANS who propped it up, and their REWARD was to be INSULTED and SWINDLED on the streets of Paris. I was there.....I SAW IT! When earthquakes hit distant Cities, it is the UNITED STATES that hurries in to help. This Spring, 59 AMERICAN communities were flattened by TORNADOES. NOBODY HELPED! The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped BILLIONS of DOLLARS into discouraged Countries. Now newspapers in those Countries are writing about the DECADENT, WAR MONGERING AMERICANS. I'd like to see just one of those Countries that is GLOATING over the erosion of the UNITED STATES build it own Airplanes. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC 10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly AMERICAN PLANES? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the Moon? You talk about Japanese Technocracy, and you get RADIOS. You talk about German Technocracy, and you get AUTOMOBILES. You talk about AMERICAN TECHNOCRACY, and you find Men on the MOON, NOT ONCE, but several times and Safely Home Again. You talk about SCANDALS, and the AMERICANS put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their DRAFT-DODGERS are not pursued and hounded. They are on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian Laws, are getting AMERICAN DOLLARS from Ma and Pa at home to spend here. When the Railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the AMERICANS who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, NOBODY loaned them and old Caboose. BOTH ARE STILL BROKE. I can name you 5000 times when the AMERICANS raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the AMERICANS in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco Earthquake. Our Neighbors have faced it ALONE, and I'm one CANADIAN who is tired of hearing them get KICKED AROUND. They will come out of this thing with their FLAG HIGH. And when they do, they are ENTITLED to thumb their nose at the lands that are GLOATING over their present troubles. I HOPE CANADA IS NOT ONE OF THEM." "STAND PROUD, AMERICA" Comments, click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "KEEP LOOKING UP BUT ALSO AROUND YOU" "LOOKING for that BLESSED HOPE, the GLORIOUS APPEARING of the GREAT GOD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST." Titus 2:13 Very often the Children of God express a variety of ideas as to the "RETURN" of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. However, there can be no disagreement regarding the fact of HIS RETURN. The whole of Scripture gives testimony to this Glorious Hope of the Redeemed Body of Believer's, THE TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said, "IF I GO AWAY, I "WILL" COME AGAIN and receive you to MYSELF, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:3 The Apostle Paul declared, "The LORD HIMSELF shall descend from Heaven." I Thessalonians 4:16 In addition, Heavenly Messengers said, "This same JESUS who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen HIM go into Heaven." Acts 1:11 This "BLESSED HOPE" revealed in Scripture, is not a Man made idea to make life a little more tolerable in a world of suffering and tension, BUT REAL, TRUE, and VITAL. It is a "HOPE" that has relevance to the Jew, to Gentiles, and to the TRUE CHURCH OF GOD. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. Give no offense to the JEWS, or to the GREEKS, or to the CHURCH OF GOD. Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, BUT THE PROFIT OF MANY, THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED." I Corinthians 10:31-33 The "CERTAINTY" that surrounds the coming of Jesus Christ is seen in the constant fulfillment of SCRIPTURE which is taking place before our eyes. This is seen in the "RESTORATION OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL" (Ezekiel 37) "IN THE REVIVAL OF THE OLD ROMAN EMPIRE" (Daniel 2) "IN THE RISE OF THE POWER OF THE NORTH" (Ezekiel 38) "IN THE ROARING ADVANCE OF A WORLD RELIGIOUS SYSTEM" (Revelation 17) "IN THE REVOLUTION AND VIOLENCE IN THE WORLD" (Matthew 24) "IN THE REVIVAL OF WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY OUTREACH" (Matthew 24:14 Jesus said, "WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, KNOW THAT "HE" IS NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOOR." Matthew 24:33 Friend, ARE YOU READY FOR HIS COMING? "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED." Acts 16:31 ARE YOU HOLDING FORTH THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL? "Now then, WE ARE "AMBASSADORS" FOR CHRIST, as though GOD were pleading THROUGH US, WE implore you on CHRIST'S behalf, BE RECONCILED TO GOD." II Corinthians 5:20 "See then that YOU walk CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as FOOLS, but as WISE, REDEEMING THE TIME, FOR THE DAYS ARE EVIL. Therefore do not be UNWISE, but understand what the WILL OF THE LORD IS." Ephesians 5:15-17 Comments, click here: djvb7777@aol.com *********************************************************************************** "HISTORY REVISITED AT ATHENS, GREECE" After Saul of Tarsus met Jesus on the Road to Damascus, his one passion was to PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD. On one of his Missionary Journey's, the Empowered Apostle visited, yes, of all places, "ATHENS, GREECE" where the worlds Greatest Athletes, and thousands of Spectators, recently gathered for the exciting 2004 OLYMPICS! This Missionary Journey of Paul takes us back to the FIRST CENTURY and the Scriptures gives a vivid description of what he found when he entered this Great Historical City. "Now while Paul waited for them at ATHENS, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw the City was given over to IDOLS. Therefore he REASONED in the Synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile Worshippers, and in the Marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers encountered him, and some said, "What does this BABBLER want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION. And they took him to the AREOPAGUS (this was the High Court of Athens that met on Mars Hill just west of the ACROPOLIS) saying, "May we know what this new Doctrine is of which you speak?" Paul saw that they were a very religious people, and said to them, "I found an "ALTAR" with the inscription, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD!" Therefore, the ONE whom you worship without KNOWING, "HIM" I PROCLAIM TO YOU!" Acts 17:16-23 What an opportunity, and Paul seized it! He shared the wonderful Gospel of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ from the Dead, when he paid the sin debt of us all. "And when they heard of the Resurrection of the Dead, some "MOCKED" while others said, "WE WILL HEAR YOU AGAIN ON THIS MATTER." However, SOME JOINED HIM AND BELIEVED!" When the Seed of the Gospel is planted, there are different responses, but PRAISE GOD, there are those who BELIEVE! GOD does not hold BELIEVER'S ACCOUNTABLE for the results, but to be FAITHFUL SEED PLANTERS! The sad part of Paul's visit to ATHENS is, if those who "MOCKED" remained in their state of "UNBELIEF" they will have all ETERNITY to REGRET that they did not humble themselves and open their hearts to the ONLY source of Eternal Salvation and Peace with God, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. "Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have PEACE WITH GOD, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST." Romans 5:1 The story is told of a quiet Chinese Man who was constantly teased by his friends because he had little or nothing to say. One day he picked up a Gospel of Luke which he found lying on the road. He read it over and over again, and although he had never met any Christians, he became a True Believer. From that moment, he could not keep the "GOOD NEWS" to himself. It was not long before his friends grew weary of hearing it. "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU" they asked, YOU NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO SAY BEFORE AND NOW YOU CANNOT STOP TELLING US ALL ABOUT JESUS?" Like the Apostle Paul, he caught a VISION of a LOST WORLD in need of JESUS CHRIST, who said, "The HARVEST TRULY is PLENTEOUS, but the LABORERS are FEW. Therefore, PRAY the LORD of the HARVEST to send forth LABORERS into his HARVEST." Matthew 9:37-38 ARE YOU WILLING TO BE USED? Comments: click here: djvb7777@aol.com ********************************************************************************** "IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET "HOME!" I do not know the Author of the following, but feel led to share it with you. "Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a Baseball Game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The game was scoreless, with the Lord's team at bat at the bottom of the ninth inning, and two batters were already out. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named LOVE! "LOVE" swung at the first pitch and hit a single, BECAUSE "LOVE" NEVER "FAILS!" The next batter was named |