As much as I love you, and want the best for you, the love I have compared to GOD'S LOVE is like comparing a drop of
water to the Pacific Ocean! Always remember He loved you enough to die for you...if you ever doubt God's love for you, read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, to see all that God did and said when He came to earth in the form of Jesus, the Christ (John chapter one, verse 1-14).

Pray with me, please.
"Holy LORD Jesus, I look forward to the day that I get to see you and experience your grace in all of its glory. Walk with me today, so that I can confidently face the challenges in my path and live faithfully before you and before others. Father, I do believe that the best of what the Holy Spirit wants to do in me lies ahead, so use me to your glory. In Jesus' name I ask it,Amen."

September 15,2009
I want you to look at your life in what may be a new way for, you...I want you to see your life as a personal trip with Jesus as your companion. Everything you do, see, and experience He shares with you !

Believe it or not, this isn't far from the truth - if you'll read the book of Genesis, you'll see that God Himself would walk in the garden with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening.
Imagine what that must have been like - and then try to see your life as exactly that, a walk with your Lord, together, experiencing all of life together. Things don't seem so lonely now, do they? >smile<

August 6 2009
I recently went on a very important trip - to Australia - a landmark in mine and Patsy's life, because Jesus Christ made it possible.
He is the one who authorized the tickets, He is the one who touched the souls of those there to invite us, and we were excited to go.
Afraid, yes...we were entering uncharted territory, going to stay at a home on the other side of the world!
But we had walked with Jesus for more than twenty years, we had laboured for His people, and done without on occasion so others could have some thing or other.
We understood it was a gift from our Lord to us, a landmark gift, and precious to us. I kept saying, over and over, "The Lord sent us clear to the other side of the world to rest, and enjoy...He must really love us !"
I was, and am still, amazed.
Yet the enemy got involved, wanted us to believe we had fallen short in some way. While Jesus had told us we were to go for a month, and rest, others told us we were to stay for 3 months, and work, and learn certain kingdom principles.
We did not recieve that as being from the Lord.
We have always believed in Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for our sins, yet this person claimed we were sinful in our attitudes, because we did not recieve their testimony.
A long time ago, someone did not recieve what I had to say, and I was hurt.
I prayed about it.
Jesus said "They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me, so don't be sad."
I wanted to share this, but wasn't allowed to.
I wanted to talk about the Lord, and what the trip had meant to me, but was informed my opinion wasn't regarded as important.
I hadn't done 'as expected.'
Expectations can get any of us into trouble...when Jesus came, the son of a carpenter, He was not what the Jews had expected of Messiah.
Many rejected Him.
Yet for those who believed, He became the Light of Life, the rebirth of many who are now the sons of God, the firstborn among many brethren !
I am one of those reborn. If we can't agree on all things, it does not mean we cannot fellowship. You don't HAVE to agree with me to walk in love with me, or I you.
We have the same Salvation, Jesus, walking with us, arms around us, loving us into the Kingdom, and enjoying our walk with us. He isn't prejudiced because of where we live, or the colour of our skin, or how we were raised, or what denomination we belong to.
He saves blacks, whites, reds, and yellows, Baptisits, Methodists, Catholics, and any other denomination you can think of.
We are all sinners, saved by grace, and made righteous by the Blood of Jesus.
None are 'more important' than any other, and no one's message is greater than another's.
We are all servants of the same Master.
I wish everyone understood that.
It's more important to walk in love than it is to be proclaimed as 'being right.'
I hope this helped someone...I feel better having shared it, and still treasure what the Lord Jesus Christ did when He sent us overseas - I just hate how others viewed it !
We have been separated from friends because we don't believe in the same kingdom principles they do.
I believe the Bible, always have, always will. We merely interpret some of it differently.
Why is this grounds to demolish a friendship?
I don't believe it is, but how do you remain friends with someone who has written you off?
Pray for us, please, and for all involved.
Thank you.

July 21st, 2008
Christians are made one by one commonality - JESUS - and
are separated by only one difference, doctrine.

Everyone has a different perspective because their life experiences are different...I realize that differences in doctrine are more than merely a difference in perspective; but also realize that those differences in perspective are what leads us to make the choices we do!

Jesus did not want the disciples to argue...consider these words He spoke to His disciples: Matthew 23:8-12

We have One Teacher, the Holy Spirit, who was sent to teach us...read 1 John 2:27-28.

We are not to be contentious...any disciple studying the Bible can see that - and it is much more important to be obedient than it is to 'prove a point'.

If the Holy Spirit is the Teacher, and Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, then they have a job to do...the very best we can do is be teachable enough to listen. Remember how Mary sat at Jesus's feet and learned?

Our God is the Living God!
June 8th,2008
I'm working a 3rd shift job now, and it's shaken up my schedule...please forgive me for not doing this as regularly as I used to!
Today I visited a man in Jail who wanted me to call his wife on his behalf...he had gotten drunk and shot the stove when she wouldn't make him dinner.
Now he wants her back, and is afraid she won't forgive him.

A friend of mine wrote recently, explaining (sort of) how she felt she had let her younger sister down, and she was willing to take the blame for their falling out, and all the hurt that came of it...she just wanted to be sisters again...

I know a man who's been wrestling with his childs' drug addiction, and who is so hurt he is willing to push the child away rather than continue to see them hurt themselves...

This is a hurtful world we live in; we need God in every part of our lives, every day, and in every way!

We need patience.
Understanding.
Peace.
Love.
Joy (Oh how I pray for Joy and Peace)!

What we really need can be summed up in this short prayer:
"Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. May thy kingdom come, thy Will be done, here on earth just as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever, amen."

Jesus told us to pray like this.

WHY?

June 1st, 2008
I'd like to share
my testimony with you;
after getting saved at 12, I turned my back on the Lord and brought nothing but fear and shame down on my family by using drugs and alcohol...I cursed, and did many other bad things, and one day God decided enough was enough! He got me back into church in a miraculous way, filled me with His Spirit, and showed me many miraculous things!
It was'nt the end of my backsliding, however...I would take 2 steps backwards, then 3 forward - I ws making headway, but those backwards steps hurt me! God eventually taught me that He wants nothing but good for me, and whenever I trusted Him and obeyed, I got it...but rebelliousness brought me pain, suffering, and heartache! I still make
Lord than I've ever been before mistakes, but I've gotten so much closer to the Lord than ever before!

May 13th, 2008
I simply cannot get over or begin to understand how truly GOOD God is!!!
He makes a beautiful world for us, sends a Saviour to die for us when we fail, leads us to repentance by His Spirit, and blesses us for our obedience...
What do we do?
Well, speaking for myself, I usually make grave errors, jump the gun, walk in the flesh instead of submitting to the Spirit, and go places before praying about it.
Occasionally I do what is expected of me.
And still God loves me. Why?

He sees the finished product. When you're looking for a nice table for the kitchen, you don't go out in the woods and look at the trees - it's too hard for us to imagine that tree over there becoming our table...but go into a furniture store, find the perfect table, and a thrill goes through you! " I've got to have that," you say. "It's just what I need!"

That's how God feels about you.
You're just what He needs, wants, desires...He sees the finished product and is in love with it.

God is in love with you.

He proved it when He died for you, making a way for you to be with Him forever.

April 29th, 2008
PRAISE GOD!
He has been moving mightily in the Ingram household!
God is so very good - He touched an artist and Christian minister to do an oil panting of my wife...every rock, tree, and stream was significant in some way!
Patsy had no idea of this...she was completely unaware! The painting was of her at age 16, when we met and were married - and looked exactly as she did back then, right down to the blue jean skirt she loved so well.
Patsy was touched, deep down in her spirit...I believe the Lord Jesus is healing her and touching her in ways she doesn't understand!

He will heal and touch you, as well - just ask, and He will be there for you!

April 11th, 2008
Jesus cameto give us new LIFE, and that WE SHOULD WALK IN THAT NEWNESS OF LIFE DAILY; how can we do this if we don't forgive ourselves, and forget about our past lives?

"ALL have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God..."
You're no different than anyone else; accept the forgiveness offered you in faith, forget about those things that are behind you, and look ahead o those things God wants you to walk in NOW...

Find a good Bible-believing church, make yourself at home there, serve the Lord as best you can, and feed on His faithfulness!

February 17th, 2008

Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Isa 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
Isa 52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

Have you ever read such a beautiful promise in your life? The Lord is going to cause His people to know Him, and to know His Name...Jesus means Salvation, aND salvation is what He has become known for!

Are you in a trial or temptation?

Jesus can deliver you; He can save you from the trials you're involved in.

Break foorth into joyful singing - the Lord has given us Salvation, he has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem!

Praise God!

February 10th, 2008
NO SERMON TODAY - INSTEAD, STUDY 1ST JOHN CHAPTER 4

February 3rd, 2008
I'd like to go over these Scriptures again from a slightly different perspective;
Job 3:11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
Job 3:12 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
Job 3:13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
Job 3:14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;
Job 3:15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
Job 3:16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
Job 3:18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
Job 3:19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
For Job's part, he wishes he'd never been born, and cites the reasons why: but I'd like you to look over the last three verses in particular....
Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
Job 3:18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
Job 3:19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
Isn't it amazing how many of us, when we hurt really badly, seek death for these reasons? And if you ARE seeking death because of pain, I certainly want you to continue to press on because LIFE IS WORTH LIVING, and many people willl hurt if you are gone - but if you've LOST A LOVED ONE I'd like you to take comfort in those last three verses!
Good people, just like Job was a good person, ARE troubled by the wicked, and by the things they do...good people DO become weary, and seek after rest...we DO become weary of hearing people (or the enemy) speak against us, and we seek to be free from class distinctions, and from all our work, which sometimes oppresses us.
Yet those who have gone on before us have rest from the enemy, frall om oppression, and from the turmoil of life

January 28th, 2008
Job 3:20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;
Job 3:21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
Job 3:22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
Job 3:23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?
Job 3:24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
My only answer to Job's question is "Because they NEED that Light..."
looking back on my life, I find that I grew a lot during the hard times. All of us do.
Perhaps God looks ahrad of us, and prepares us for what we need to make it trough the (for us) uncertain future.
I've been sick lately....too sick to sit down and praise the Lord as I normally do, but not too sick I couldn't go to work; I've started a new job, and cannot miss any time in the 1st 90 days, or I'll lose that job.
I started back praising the Lord, and I started feeling better.
Too often, we (I) let things slide, and our lives start to Sli-ide right along with the 'things." Yet if we get out eyes off of the 'things' and on our Lord, we see an improvment in our circumstances.
Keep your eyes on the Lord.
Walk with Him; talk with Him; pour out your very heart to Him, and He will lift you up.

January 21st, 2008
As I get ready for curch today, I make breakfast,, cleaning up behind myself, and all the others who have stumbled through my kitchen, making a mess, and leaving it there for me to clean.
I'm angry - aggravated with my children, short-tempered with my grandchildren, as I clean, try to get ready for church, try to get everyone else ready, and prepare this mini-sermon.

Is any of this really a big deal?

No, not really - I've simply allowed the worries of the day to overcome me. It happens to all of us some time, and all we really need to do is step back, take a deep breath, and give thanks to the Lord God for Himself, His Son, and His Spirit.
God is good, an everpresent help in times of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him. Practice trusting.
January 13th, 2008
John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Matthew7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat thew7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I'd like you to read these scriptures over and over...make sure you understand what they're saying - it could make a lot of difference in your life!
Matthew 7:21-23 has always been the scariest verse in the Bible to me, because you get the impression these people believe they were Heaven-bound, and were disappointed.
I don't want YOU to be disappointed!

Take care to know your own heart, each and every day... serve Jesus with a glad heart, giving to Him whatever you can out of a happy heart, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver!

January 6th,2008
It's the first mini-sermon of the year and I'm excited about 2008!
It's going to be a year of new beginnings, and I'm looking forward to what God has planned for my life, and for my family.
Are you?
Are you looking forward, or is your spirit stuck looking backwards, contemplating some awful wrong that was done to you in the past?
As Christians we have no choice; if we want the Father to
forgive us then we need to forgive others as well.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mathew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness heals the hurt; bitterness inflames it!

Our heavenly Father loves us so much, and doesn't want us to hurt, so He instructs us in the way that is best for us...2008 will be a wonderful year of new beginnings - will you take part in it?

December 30th. 2007
As I write this, I'm reminded that this is the last sermon of 2007; I'm not sad about this, but excited - 2008 is to be a year of new beginnings!
Lets end this one AND begin the new one the same way - by praising the Lord!
Psalm 96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Psalm96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Psalm 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Do you do these things? If the answer was no, then know this: God allows u-turns; its called repentance!
You don't have to be a walking Bible encyclopedia...just be a witness to what God has done for you.
Praise Him for all His wonderful works (after all, you're one of them), and walk as one saved from a great death, and given a second chance...because you are, and were.

December 23rd, 2007
As I sit here writing this, my newest grandson Douglas on my left, playing wth a toy, and a cup of coffeee on my right, waiting for me attention, I can't help but think how truly fortunate I am
It's the time of year we set aside to celebrate Jesus' birthday, and yet I'M THE ONE with all the presents.
God is so good.
He could find no better way to show His love for us than by dying for us, forgiving even those who so brutally murdered Him.
We are all so very fortunate to be chosen by the Lord,
Ephesians 4 says we are to "Walk worthy of the vocation to which we are called..."
this Christmas, lets walk worthily before the Lord, expressing our gratitude for all He has done for us by how we live. Jesus will love a gift like that from you, and me.
December 16th, 2007
Christmas is almost here!

Years ago, our family began the practice of "Giving to Jesus" for His birthday!
Here's what we do:

1.Get an envelope, a sheet of notebook paper, and a pen or pencil for each family member, and pass them out.
2.Write your name across the envelope.
3.Write down what you'd like to give Jesus for His birthday-
it could be more time spent with Him (He loves that!), or setting aside time to read the Bible, ANYTHING you'd LIKE to do, but haven't yet...
4.Write down the date of your gift, and sign it...yopu should have something like "Lord Jesus,this year for Your birthday, I'd like to spend thirty minutes with just You every morning. Michael Ingram, December 24th, 2007"
5. Put the page in the envelope, seal it, and hang it on the tree, if you like.
6.Take up the sealed envelopes after Christmas is ever and save them...next year give them out again, only with NEW envelopes, so they may be resealed and kept private and personal.

Next year, when you open your envelope, you'll see what you gave the Lord the year before, and can write under THAT year your new gift...You can fit twenty years on 1 piece of paper!

We also read the Bible story before passing out gifts.

Inviting Jesus to be present at your Christmas fellowship is an excellent idea, too!

December 9th, 2007

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Jesus Christ DIED for you...if you've heard ANY OTHER gospel or way to God, IGNORE IT!

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Thats an easy, straightforward statement. Read it and understand it...the Bible teaches the Way to life everlasting - NO OTHER religious book or teaching can give you what the Bible can, and thats eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ.

December 3rd, 2007

Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: 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. Amen.

!st John 4:8 "He that loves not has not known God; for God is love."

Go ahead - take the time now and read these Scriptures in context...that is, read the entire chapter...
Done?
Do you realize how important love is?

Just agreeing with me isn't enough - you must love in DEED as well as just your thoughts!

How have you shown your love in the past month? or in the past year?

Who did you show it to? If it was just your friends and family, then you're no better than the heathen - they love their friends and family, too!

Matthew 5:44-48 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

November 18th, 2007
The Lord has been teaching me a LOT about His Spirit, the sacrifice Jesus made when He gave His life for us, and the end result of that sacrifice...

I've tried for YEARS to repay Jesus for what he's done for me - to give Him my life back to Him in return for what He gave me;
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

While I've successfully obeyed the Scripture above, I HAVEN'T always listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit...and often with disastrous results, or at the very least, undesirable ones.

We make our lives pleasant or unpleasant through the choices we make...whether we choose the works of the Spirit, or the will of the flesh, is up to us.

Gal 5:16-26 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

See that last verse? Often I had been 'desirous of vain glory...and envious'
Now I merely want to be pleasing to my Lord.
If that would be to be a carpenter for the rest of my life, well and good; if He should wish otherwise, so be it.

1Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

See the difference? Being desirous of serving the Lord, doing what He wants, as opposed to serving Him for vain glory, or other selfish reasons...WHY we do something means much to the Lord, and we are much happier and well-pleasing when we lay aside all malice, and hypocrisy, guile, envy, and ugly words, and we serve God with sincerity of heart.

November 11th, 2007

When you were saved, Jesus forgave you of all your sins; he wiped the slate clean!
As far as the East is from the West, thats how far he removed your sins from you!

We need to be more like Him...rather than harbor unforgivness, we should forgive one another.

Rather than force our own opinions on one another, we should share the Word of God with each other, in love encouraging one another and pointing each other towards the Kingdom of God for Christ's Glory.

It hurts us when we argue.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are not saved because we are good, or talented, or special in some way more than others; we are saved because we accepted God's free gift of salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Walk with Jesus...do what He would do...serve God with all your strength.

Enjoy your walk, and help others do the same.

God is GOOD.

Putting feet on your prayers...putting feet on your faith!

James had a lot to say about faith, and how it should 'behave'.
Lets look at some of what he had to say..you may read the whole chapter, if you like!

James 2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

If you pray for someone, say, Sister Cheryl at church, who's just lost a loved one...should you just pray, or would it be better to pray, and deliver her a casserole, and some love and understanding, personally?
Maybe you might go to the funeral and support her there...

Another case:
Old Miss Crenshaw can't get around much anymore, folks say.
Should you listen, nod your head, pray for her, and go on, or should you stop by and offer your Saturday up to Miss Crenshaw, and do a few chores for her?
Mow the grass, clean the gutters, maybe fix a few things around the house?
You COULD, you know...God has given you the gift of strength, health, and vigor for you to USE, not for you to keep selfishly to yourself.

If we are to be Christlike in deed and in truth, then we MUST get off our keisters and DO, not just pray.

October 28th, 2007

Have you ever felt like you'd been taken for granted?
Like people just didn't care for you any more?
What made you feel that way?

Think about it...did people not spend the time with you they used to, or did they stop recognizing your accomplishments, or what?

Everyone feels this way at one time or another...and the best thing WE can do is make sure it isn't OUR fault they feel that way!

Take a friend some cookies...bake a pie for a neighbor, or send a special card or note to an old friend!

Talk to the Lord.

That's right, we often take HIM for granted, too...so this year, go out of you way to love HIM more and more everyday, and SHOW IT by what you do!

October 21st, 2007
I've gotten all types of compliments on this site since I started it years ago...and that's nice, but it's not why I started the site !

I started SJFR.com to show Jesus to unsaved folk, particularly in these last days before Jesus returns for His people...I also wanted to do something for God's people, so there's a lot here for them, too !

The thing is, a lot of days, I struggle...I have ups and downs, just like a lot of you do...I work a lot, take care of my wife, who's been sick for years, and that means doing boring things like cooking, cleaning, and laundry !

What Jesus Christ did for me, and His daily Presence in my life, is what keeps me going!
Without Jesus, I couldn't make it, because I wouldn't want to make it.

Jesus Christ, His Spirit, and his Father are what brighten my days.

Thank You.

Without them, there would BE no site.

If there's ANYTHING good in my life, it's due to Them, Their influence, Their ministry. All I do is go through the motions.

Any bad in my life is likely my fault.
I hope you'll take this message to heart...apply it...learn from it...and allow it to encourage you in some way.

God is GOOD.

October 14th, 2007
I’ve been married to the same woman for well over thirty years now, and I love her a LOT!
When she’s sick, I worry.
Since she’s been sick daily for the last nine or ten years, it’s sometimes hard for me, and often I’m depressed.
I feel out of it, not interested in doing things I usually enjoy.
Sometimes I get angry, at other times I just want to sleep.

It’s times like these that I run to Jesus Christ, or to the Father, or to the Lord Holy Spirit.

I run get my Bible.

I read “With God, all things are possible.”

I read that “I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any created thing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord.”

I read "Behold, I give you power over serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

I pray a little more, ask the Lord to help me understand His Word, and use it properly.

My faith is strengthened…I feel like going on , and not only going on, but FIGHTING!

And I continue to go on, not only living, but standing against my Lord's enemies - enemies like fear, doubt, and unbelief.
Enemies like sickness, and pain.

I'm comforted to know that one day, Patsy and I will live with Jesus in Heaven, with NEW bodies that can do marvelous things, bodies that don't hurt. or get sick, or suffer in any way.

October 7th, 2007
Ecclesiastes 10:1 "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour."

How do you like THAT comparison?
Yet we who are saved should be wise, if we are like Jesus...and that's what being a Christian means, isn't it?
Being Christlike?

When we aren't, we stink...go read Ecclesiastes 10:1 again!

See what I mean?
Now, I sent out a newsletter this week; it was well-received, and I'd like to recopy it here, since it applies so well:
Proverbs 18:24a
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:"

What are friends, except people we haven’t met yet?
And if you want your ministry to grow, why can’t you start by simply making friends? Friends are a gift from God, yet we tend to treat them with less than casual indifference at times.

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

When we minister to others God has placed in our way, we’re actually ‘laying down’ a part of our life for them. After all, we're setting aside our time for someone else, aren't we?
Everything we do, every decision we make, sows a seed; what are you sowing into your own ministry?

Here’s a clue: It’s not really your own ministry - it’s the Lord’s - and He is just letting you work in it.
And if it's the Lord's ministry, then it WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!
When people reject something you've said, they're not rejecting you, they're rejecting the Lord.

Are people getting you down?
Ephesians 6:12 tells us the problem isn’t people:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Perhaps Satan is USING someone else to hurt you - fair enough. He's used YOU to hurt other people, too, I'm sure.
Maybe you were used unwittingly; well, the folks hurting YOU didn't plan it that way, either - they were set up, just as you were!
Put your life and your ministry into God’s perspective; pray, and ask Him to make your heart right in His sight, and go on.
Walk with Jesus, and he will cause your ministry to Him to increase.
Never lose your focus.
It's serving Jesus for real, all the time, no matter what.

September 30th, 2007

Men, in Ephesians chapter 5, and verses25 through 31 we are told to love our wives and be willing to die for them;
yet most of us won't even wash the dishes without complaining!

Ephesians 5:25-31 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Now, if your marriage is having problems, I just want you to ask yourself one question:

Are you being obedient to God's Word?

Disobedience often brings rebuke, or some other thing we don't like, and in the case of your marriage, COULD bring divorce...examine yourself, see if you've been obedient, and if not, ask forgiveness, repent, and be obesient from now on.

September 23rd, 2007

Today a friend of mine gets baptized...after 30 long years of drug addiction, she's given her life to Jesus Christ!

Angels everywhere praised the Lord the day she got saved.
Why did they praise the Lord? Well, it was He that led her to salvation!

Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In fact, EVERYTHING good that happens to you is from the Lord...

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

See what I mean?

God is so good! In fact...
that 'accepted in the beloved' means that we are highly favored and loved!

No wonder Psalm 150 says we should praise the Lord - EVERYTHING Good we receive comes from Him!

Psalm 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Praise the Lord today for His goodness to you - thank Him sincerely for all you have...the roof over your head, the clothes on your back, shoes on your feet, a God who loves you, regular food, a computer to use to go online, your job, your loved ones - you have so very much!

Many are blind, or deaf, or sickly, or addicted to drugs...
stop and thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ everyday for His Goodness and love towards you, and yours.

September 16th, 2007

Ever had something really STRANGE happen to you, and wondered why?

I don't mean strange-WONDERFUL, either - I mean , like, strange-AWFUL!

That's where Proverbs 3:5 comes in:
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

...but the first word almost always stops people- TRUST!

Trusting someone else is hard to do, especially if its your life, or the life of a loved one that is involved...yet I've learned, as I've walked with the Lord, that He can be trusted, and I've learned that I need to trust Him MORE and MORE.

I've learned to RUN to Him when the strange-awful stuff comes my way.
and, I've learned that bad things often happen to good people...if it didn't, we wouldn't have anything to compare the good times with, or to rejoice over.
Bad times are also a learning experience; It teaches you where you are in Christ Jesus!

For example, what if you DON'T trust when the bad stuff happens? Does that make you a bad person?
Not necessarily - but it DOES point out an area where you need to change.
Now, THIS is IMPORTANT - you can write this down, all right?

"Any area you do not trust God in is an unsubmitted area of your life, and one where Satan will try to enter in at, to tempt you to backslide."

Now do you understand why it's so important to learn to trust?

What if you backslide?

What if your life is filled with fear, doubt, and unbelief, and you're forced to hide most all of your life, and never make Heaven?
Compare that to this: you walk with Jesus, hand-in-hand, taking JOY in all you see; you still have doubts and fears, but you trust in the Lord to take of them, and they're quickly forgotten. You take pleasure in your walk, enjoy your children and grandchildren, and one day enter Heaven, excited to finally see your Lord face-to-face.

Proverbs 3:5 can make that happen, IF YOU OBEY.

Notice it doesn't start out by saying, "If you want to, you can..."
Instead, we see it as a commandment - something to be obeyed!

And why does God give us commandments? Is it to show us who's BOSS, or is it to insure we have better, happier lives?

You decide.

September 9th, 2007
Here're a few of my favorite passages of Scripture:

Psalm 37:3-9 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Trust in the Lord, and do good - wow - you could spend the rest of your life in obedience to that one, and do well...
couple it with Proverbs 22:4:

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

BETWEEN THOSE TWO SCRIPTURES YOU COULD LIVE, BE PROSPEROUS, AND HAVE EVERYTHING YOU'D EVER NEED...

What's stopping you? Only you.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He'll give you the desires of your heart...Commit..trust...He will make it happen...He shall make us righteous...

I get the picture here of a passionate, loving God who wants to bless His children who love Him, and trust in Him !

What is YOUR mental picture of God like? Does it line up with Scripture? If not, don't you need to change your opinions?

The remainder of the text deals with your heart; cease from anger, forsake wrath, don't do evil...

Bottom line:

Do you want God to judge you and punish you, or judge you and bless you?

It's entirely up to you - if you're involved in sin, stop.

September 2nd, 2007

This won't be so much a mini-sermon as it will be a witness for the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
My wife and I have literally struggled to make our family close, and it seemed we just got farther and farther away from each other...

we started getting closer to the Holy Spirit, and just placing our lives and the lives of our family memberes in His hands, and this is what we started seeing:
1.Our son, loving us more and more, and demonstrating it by both words and actions.
2.Our younger daughter, working hard to take care of business, home, and children - a better "juggler" you won't find, and she still finds time to read her Bible, call her parents and share, and pray with us when she needs to.
3.Our oldest daughter has learned God is a miracle worker...and is constantly amazed at how much her Mama and Daddy know about being parents, and caring for infants, and since she is a new mother herself (of a miracle baby), she wants to spend time learning from us!
Glory to GOD!!!
We are certainly enjoying all the attention, love, peace and joy in our household...and we're learning to trust in God more and more each day.

And on top of it all, we're learning more and more about the Person that is the Holy Spirit!

Pray for us, and praise God for His Goodness!

August 26th, 2007

What is a Christian? Why are there so many different Christian churches? Why are there so many different types of Christians?

A Christian is someone who is born again (John chapter three) and who wants to be like Jesus, that is, live a Christ-like life...

There are so many different churches because there are so many different types of people, i.e., many people are soulwinners, and like to hang out with other soulwinners; finding like-minded individuals, they start a church together, founded on their similar beliefs. Be careful - many cults start this way...

Just as the body has many parts, and is made up of individual parts that create a whole, so is the Body of Christ, who is also referred to as the Bride of Christ; this Body is made up of individual parts which make the Body of Christ. For example, just because you are not a nose, doesn't mean you can criticize noses, or that you are superior or inferior to them in some way - it only means you are different because you are placed differently in the Body.

You are unique.
No one is exactly like you, and no one can be or do just what you do.
Do what you do for Jesus Christ.

If you have other questions, email me at jailman3@hotmail.com...if I get those emails, I will try my best to answer them.

Take care, and walk with Jesus!

August 19th, 2007
Sorry I missed last week - my computer was in the shop!

Psalm 34:8 exhorts us to " taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

The Greek words for "taste and see" (ta'am and ra'ah) actually mean "to perceive and behold", and the word for "Good" is "tob" and it means "Good in its widest sense".

In other words, it pretty much means what it says - "try God and see that He is the best!" might be another way of putting it...no, I'm not rewording the Scriptures for my own uses - I'm just trying to get you to TRY GOD and see if He doesn't satisfy you...and then get your friends to do the same.
You could be a commercial for God.
A real-life advertisement.
A soul-winner.
Proverbs 11:30 says "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

Does that mean that he (or she) who does NOT win souls is unwise?

You be the judge.

August 5th, 2007

Recently the Lord Holy Spirit pointed out that I prefer handling things myself rather than entrusting them to Him...
and that He was sent by Jesus to be our "Helper, Teacher, Guide, and Comforter," and that He could do a much better job than I could.

I agreed.

I surrendered everything concerning my life to the Holy Spirit...and things got rather exciting!
At His urging, I called on a church I hadn't visited in 15 or more years...and finding it for sale, was urged by the Lord to believe for 170,000.00 U.S..

The name of the new church is to be
the Ephesians 4 Gospel Church and I'm looking forward to pastoring it...all my experience so far has been with the Martinsville City Jail, where I've ministered since the mid-nineties.
The folk getting OUT of jail need a place where they'll be ministered to, and I believe the Lord will provide it!

Pray for us.

And give your life into the hands of the Lord Holy Spirit - Jesus sent Him to you, you know...trust Him!

July 29th, 2007
Both Psalms 106:1 and 107:1 are in agreement:
"Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Psalm 105:1 is similar, which says:
" "Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people."

While there are minor differences, I want you to concentrate on the similarities, and the message...

"Give thanks unto the Lord..."

Did you wake up this morning? Do you have all of your faculties? Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, sense of touch intact?
Can you walk?

We ALL have so much to be thankful for. I am reminded of a girl named Joni, who without arms or legs, became a Christian artist. By overcoming, we can do so much!

This past week, a friend of mine named Jimmy brought to me a butterfly he had found - the only ornamentation on it was a cross, right in the center of its back!
That butterfly was a perfect depiction of the following scripture:

"Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Taking up our cross is something we do daily...its what helps us to continue to serve, and help, and love others everyday even when we are going through times that seem to us to be hopeless!
Read on...
"1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

"Revelations 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. "

"Revelations 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."

"Revelations 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."

"Revelations 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"

"Revelations 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

"Revelations 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

"Revelations 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

"Revelations 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

NOW you have plenty of reasons to overcome...copy this, print it out, make several copies, and put them where you'll see them every day...memorize these words, and soon, being an overcomer will be a part of your everyday life !

By overcoming, you are giving thanks unto the Lord...you are showing in your life the HE IS GOOD, and you are copying His ways (Psalms 25)...

Live the way Jesus showed you to live - walk with Him in integrity (trueness of spirit)...lay aside any secret sin-life you may have (the Holy Spirit will help you), and walk with the Lord everyday !

July 15th, 2007

Romans 8:12-14 "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Have you ever been to visit someone, only to find they weren't at home? Or they were at home, but you had interrupted them somehow?
These could be examples of not being led by the Spirit of God - His timing is always perfect, His ways are the ways of salvation, and if we'll be sensitive to what He wants, if we train ourselves to be spiritually minded, and not carnally (fleshly) minded, we'll have life and peace.

Have you ever noticed that its harder to do the right thing than it is the wrong thing?
Walking in the Spirit takes an effort - your will is involved in causing you to overcome the temptation to just lay there and do nothing, or the temptation to do fleshly things...for example, I sometimes fast (a spiritual thing) when I want to get in the Spirit, and here is why:

1.I know Jesus expects me to fast (Matthew 6:16).
2.Fasting denies my FLESH and makes me spiritually SENSITIVE (I can hear from the Lord better).
3.It is an act of my WILL to overcome the natural tendency to feed my body, and by doing so I show God my faith.
4.My prayers change when I fast...their focus is usually on others, not myself, unless I have some great need.

By stepping out in faith, and denying myself something I want, I become closer to my Lord -

Mat 10:37-39 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

July 8th, 2007
On vacation, and today is my 31st wedding anniversary !

July 1st, 2007
JUDGMENT and JUDGING
I hope everyone reading this will take it to heart, and be obedient.

Revelations19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelations shows us who the judge is…

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

After reading this, how can we continue to judge each other?

Colossians 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
1Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

How can we avoid judgment ourselves ? Read on…

1Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

James4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

After reading these things, if we take them to heart, we will be changed - obedience to God’s Word always brings change !
Disobedience, on the other hand, brings judgment and chastisement.

June 24th, 2007
Psalm 45:1

" My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Does this strike a chord within you ? Do you understand what the Psalmist is trying to say ? I won't elaborate, because this verse may mean many things to many people; but I sometimes feel exactly like this - my tongue as the pen of a ready writer !

Another scripture comes to mind:

Luke 12:11-12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

I believe we can use this scripture to trust the Lord at all times for what to say in any situation - our tongue can ALWAYS be "the pen of a ready writer"!

June 17th, 2007

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I've had the BEST Father's Day in history!
Got a nice new HAMMER (I'm a carpenter), did a little work for a friend of mine and ended up with a NICE riding lawnmower as a result, got a nice shirt, and the kids are coming by for lunch!
Could it get any better than this?

Probably - but you have to enjoy the good when it comes your way...there's more than enough bad in the world, so don't add to it!
The GOOD that comes your way is like nuggets of gold you find on your life-path; pick them up, delight in them, and keep walking!

May God bless you as you walk before Him !

June 10th, 2007
Recently a friend and I were talking about "abiding in the Vine"...(John chapter 15)
Psalms 91 is much the same message - abiding in the Vine, which is Jesus, is much the same as "dwelling in the secret place of the Most High" and "abiding in the shadow of the Almighty".

Understanding it and learning to do it are two different things.

In order to do this, I must reach towards my Lord and Saviour with more effort than I do anything else; and not only SEEK Him out, but STAY with Him where He is !

Most folks just pray and go back to where they were, and what they were doing before they started praying.

If I'm abiding in the secret place of the Most High, the Vine, then I'm there CONTINUALLY - and it follows that we'll TALK together, have communion together, continually.

Try it one day.

Challenge yourself to have communion with the Lord Jesus ALL DAY...

Sounds HARD, doesn't it? It's not - that's just a lie of the Devil !

It's easy to do when you put your mind to it - decide to do it wholeheartedly...

so get STARTED already!

June 3rd, 2007
It is amazing to me how easily man is drawn away from serving God, and is led by the nose by his own selfish desires to serve HIMSELF !
We are all obviously vain, selfish creatures who deserve whatever we get...yet the Lord is gracious, kind, long suffering, and loving to those who love Him !
Read Galatians chapter 5, and compare the works of the flesh with the works of the Spirit of God, then take a good hard look at your life...and see who you've been living for!

May 27th, 2007
"...rejoice in the dance..." Jeremiah 31:13
There are times I've felt like dancing to the Lord, and done it...and there are times I've felt like dancing to the Lord, and was too embarrassed to do it!
If the Spirit of God is leading you to do a thing, and you don't do it, it is called "quenching the Spirit";
The Bible tells us in 1st Thessalonian s 5:19
" Quench not the Spirit."

Why is this important?

The Lord loves us - and if He tells us to do something, it's for our own good ! Quenching the Spirit is not only being disobedient, but will likely hurt us in the long run!
On top of all that, the MORE OFTEN we follow the leading of the Holy Ghost, the more we'll become used to doing it, and the more often we'll be USED by the Holy Ghost.

We're also told, "Walk in the Spirit, and you won't fulfil the lusts of the flesh...
"Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

So long as we walk in the Spirit, we don't sin...
and that's GOOD, right?

Let's all try to CONSCIOUSLY obey the leading of the Holy Spirit...and do what the Lord wants us to do - after all, He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us...
1st Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

May 20th,2007
My confession and belief is covered in Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."

So far, He's given me a pretty good life...a fine family, LOTS of grandchildren...and most important of all, Himself!
He wants me to trust Him more, and I'm willing!
Teach me, Lord Jesus!
What is YOUR confession? What, exactly, do YOU believe, and why?
Are your beliefs solidly grounded in Scripture, or are you "building your house on the sand?"

What you believe will be tried; that's a promise.

Jesus said, "In this world, you SHALL HAVE tribulation; but be of good cheer - I have overcome the world."
The Bible also states "Many are the afflictions of the righteous - but THE LORD delivers him out of them all."

We show our beliefs to GOD and OTHERS when we go through tribulations...by what we SAY and what we DO!

Examine yourself, and see if you be in the Faith or not.

May 13th,2006

Son Michael got a miracle when being transferred from one hospital to another... and we're waiting for more miracles to come!
Reason I put this in the sermon part of my site is this:
SOMETIMES we need to get out of God's way and let Him do His thing...It's a HARD lesson for me to learn, but I'm getting it, and I hope you will too!

No one could help Michael but the Lord...I confessed Scripture over him, and prayed, but did nothing else...and the LORD has healed him!

May 3rd, 2007

Life can be exciting, disappointing, lovely, painful, joyful, depressing, and fulfilling, all in turns...
Sounds a bit like a roller-coaster ride, with all those ups and downs, doesn't it?

Walking with Jesus is the only stable thing I have going for me in my life right now - and YOUR WALK should be the same way, if you lean on Jesus enough !

In my area, unemployment is high, businesses are failing, and existing companies are cutting hours...yet Jesus is still there, lifting me up, providing for my needs, and even teaching me how to exist on less money !

There is always something trying to interfere with your fellowship with Jesus - don't allow it !

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Worship the Lord, no matter what - take time and seek Him, no matter what - and enjoy your walk with Him on this earth as best you can...

April 23, 2007

Jesus said in John chapter three "You must be born again..." then later in John chapter 6, verses 28 and 29, He said,

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Have you believed on Jesus Christ? Have you been born again?

Don't guess - be certain ! No one is able to make this decision but you - and your future depends on it!

April 16, 2007
I'd like to share a poem a friend sent me from Australia...

Rise Up Lord within My Life

Rise up Lord within my life,

Release me from all conflict and strife.

Your Holy Spirit, guides me all the way,

As I live for you each and every day.

Jesus saved our souls,

His undying love and Grace were our goals.

He freed us from all worldly cares,

My Redeemer, Lord & Comforter are always there.

Rise up Lord and live with me.

May I abide with thee for all eternity?

Your Holy Love will see us through,

as our focus is always on you.

Jesus Christ your awesome with me.

Your patience & grace comforted me.

When I was down deep within the pit,

your love lifted me up and comforted.

Rise up Lord within my life.

Release me from all conflict and strife.

Your Holy Spirit guides me all the way,

As I live for you each and every day.

Amen

This really spoke to me, as I hope it will to you...Jesus is so very good and kind, so loving and helpful, so wondrously forgiving and caring.
Our past sins may still affect us in ways we had no way of foreseeing, yet He is still there loving and helping to heal both us, and those we've hurt.

"Lord Jesus. please forgive me for all those I've hurt, heal them and help them, and deliver them from the pain I've caused them over the years...dlift them out of unforgiveness, strife, fear and doubt, and set them on a high place. In Your Name I ask it, Lord Jesus, amen."

April 15th, 2007

Praise God !
Since I've been consistently seeking a closer personal relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, Psalms 23 has become more and more beautiful to me...I've put part of it to music, and sing it throughout the day; I meditate on it, delight in its message, and thank God He chose me to be His servant.

Seek a closer personal walk with the Lord; seek to know everything there is about Him. It's said in the Old Testament that "Enoch walked with God...." be like Enoch - and walk with God!

EASTER

Today we celebrate our Lords' rising from the dead; having been brutally murdered on a cross for OUR sins, He rose from the dead, giving us new life in Him as well !

How have you responded to Jesus's gift of life?
Are you BORN AGAIN ? (read John chapter three)

If you are, how are you serving Him ?
If you are lukewarm, He will spue you out of His mouth...
Judge yourself, so you will not be judged by Him later !

He is RISEN !
Hallelujah!

Jam 4:13-17 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Think about it...pray about it...walk in it !

Galatians 2:20-21 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

Think about it; if it wasn't for Jesus Christ, and His obedience, even to the death on the cross, you wouldn't be who you are right now!

You are a Christian

Being a Christian isn't something you do on occasion, when you feel like it...being a Christian is what you ARE, and you ARE a CHRISTIAN ALL the time...
How good you are at being a Christian is up to you!

How much effort do you put forth?
How often do you pray? (Jesus spent time with the Father every morning and evening)
How often do you study your Bible?
Have you ever read it from cover to cover?
How often do you witness to others?
How GOOD are you at being a Christian?

I don't ask you these things to condemn you in any way...instead, I hope to "charge you up" or "get you excited" about putting forth some real effort towards your goal, which is living Christlike.

March 18th, 2007

When we read of the adventures of the old testament prophets, kings, and judges who did mighty exploits, we often become excited, (I know I do) and wonder why God doesn't move like that today.

He does.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I change not;....."

We wonder at the great men of God because it is so far from what we personally experience ourselves - but it doesn't have to be; these men and women all had one thing in common...they believed God!

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Hebrews 11 is the "hallmark of faith" chapter...read it and you'll see what I mean!
But verse 6 is the key to all of it...

If we believe in Him, we will walk in obedience to His Word, loving and forgiving our enemies, praying for our pastors and teachers, tithing to our church, praising the Lord in good times and in bad, speaking to others as the Holy Spirit leads us, and witnessing to others of the saving power of Jesus Christ!

Don't live your Christian life with blinders on - get to know your God, believe in Him, be OBEDIENT to Him, and you'll start your own personal faith walk!

March 11th, 2007
Proverbs 3:1;3:22
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.......Wherefore, I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion;for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?"

I've copied the first and last verses of Ecclesiastes chapter three for a purpose...they ARE tied together, and you are more than welcome to get your Bible out and read the chapter in it's entirety; in fact, I hope you will!

People in the world have a saying - "CRAP HAPPENS" - and it's true! But there's a REASON it's true:

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Or, as the world says, "WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND"

What have you been sowing? Have you been reaping a bad harvest because you've been sowing to your flesh?
Can you change gears and start sowing GOOD seed?
Of Course you can!

Now that we understand better WHY we go through some things, lets look again at verse 22:
Wherefore, I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

How can you rejoice in your own works if they're evil?
Straighten up and fly right, as Mama likes to say...

March 4th, 2007
"TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding...in ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Last week, we talked about your thought-life a little; let's go there again, for just a moment.
Many people think of God as a PUNISHER of bad deeds...and while there is some truth in that, it certainly doesn't reveal anything of His basic nature!

God hates sin because He loves YOU, and sin hurts YOU!

God is also a Gentleman; He doesn't force Himself into lives unwanted, and while He will judge everyone at some time, He will judge us based on OUR decisions, and whether or not WE DECIDED to be obedient to His WORD!

It makes sense then that we should be careful of what we do or how we think...if you'll examine yourself, you'll be amazed at the areas you can improve in !
As you improve, others will notice as well, and perhaps ask you whats going on in your life - use this as an opportunity to witness to them about Jesus!

Cooperate with the Lord...be SURRENDERED to Him...ALLOW Him to move in your life, to lovingly correct you...draw NEAR to God, and He will draw near to you!

February 25th, 2007

Phillipians 2:5-12:
2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Does this mean we have to WORK for our salvation? No, we KNOW that isn't so...because of Ephesians 2:8-9 which says "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
This is instead the attitude we are to have...notice verse 5 starts out by saying "Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus..." we're talking about a way of thinking here !

Study these lines, memorize them, go over them again and again until you begin to live them...couple them with the Twenty-third Psalm, and you'll begin to see your life change for the BETTER!

Patsy and I confess the 23rd Psalm over ourselves every night before going to bed; I use it often during the day to remind myslf what the Word says about me and my relationship with the LORD...

Learn the Word of God and LIVE IT!

February 18th, 2007
Shake off every thing that has been holding you down!
Step out of the weariness that has been holding you back, step forward in FAITH, and do the works you know the Lord God wants you to do!

Be a witness for your Lord...praise Him, lift up your hands to Him, pray to Him, and when He brings someone to you, treat them just as you would if Jesus Himself were there..."for if you do it (anything you do for others) unto the LEAST of these my brethren, you've done it unto Me."
That's what Jesus said!

Step out in faith - trust in the Lord with
ALL your heart - don't try to second guess God -
and abide in Him, and you'll see miracles happen in your life!!!

February 11th,2007

Jesus is LORD!
Proclaim it everywhere you go !
Jesus is RISEN!
Tell others how THEY can be reborn as well!

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation...it's our job to RECONCILE others to Jesus Christ by letting them know of His free gift:

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jesus said:
Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Notice we are called to preach the GOSPEL to every creature...and that signs will follow those who believe!
If we go out in FAITH, and speak what the Lord tells us to speak, we are merely being obedient!
BE OBEDIENT !

February 3rd,2007

The Lord Jesus has been impressing upon me lately that what I SAY (my confession) is very important to Him..."From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" is what the Bible tells us...

What have YOU been saying? Is your confession and your Christian life walking together, hand in hand? Or have you, like myself, been speaking negative things about your life?
If you've been doing like me, then repent!
Ask forgivenesss and STOP DOING what you've been doing...speak God's Word over your circumstances...continually!
And watch Him change not just your circumstances, but YOU, as well!

1/28/2007

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

It may seem odd to say this, but you, every one of you, have the responsibility to go home, and study to see if the things I say (or anyone else says re the Bible) are true.

Why study? The answer is in Ecclesiastes...
Ecclesiastes 7:12:
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

As you see, wisdom is both a defense and a life-giver.

How do you get wisdom? By studying, surely...but look in Psalms for more:
Psalms 111:10:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Cultivate a fear of God in your life; remember that fear of God is like respect...obey Him in all you do, set aside the sin that so easily overcomes you, and walk with the Lord Jesus in a wise way.

1/22/2007

Galatians 3:24-29 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Ever feel superior to others because of your training, money, influence, job, etc.,?

Set aside that kind of foolish thinking, and seek the Lord ...humble yourself before Him and ask Him to "create in you a pure heart, and renew a right spirit within you."

Likewise, know that you are Christ"s (I speak to the saved among you) and that you are no longer under the law, but that the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me from the Law of Sin and Death...Romans 8:1

January 13th,2007

Read Psalm 150 with a prayerful heart - ask the Lord to speak to you, and do what He says!

January 6th, 2007

One of the things Jesus has been instilling in me lately is this:
You know that person who annoys you SO MUCH? The one you can hardly stand to be around?
JESUS DIED FOR THEM, TOO!

Stop and think about that...

If the Son of God loved them enough to die for them, shouldn't you love them, too?

Shouldn't your behaviour towards them be different?

You're a Christian, right? Then your attitude towards that person should be "Forgive them, Father, they know not what they do..."

Check THIS out:
2Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

In other words, we don't fight the way worldly people do; we pull down evil works wherever we find them, and we don't allow evil imaginations or thoughts in our heads...what Jesus said about it is what we think about it!

Jesus loved you enough to die for you...do you love Him enough to take up your cross and follow Him?

December 30th, 2006

I set aside my life daily for others...it isn't something I generally talk about - I just do it.

I've learned to LIKE doing this, to enjoy doing for others more than for myself - but I had to make myself press on several times. Some days it's still hard.

The mind is the spiritual battleground for our lives and daily decisions - and if the enemy can get us to believe his lies, he will trap us in unbelief.

Unbelief cripples our fellowship with God - we must "believe that God IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

I have praised the Lord on a harp for 15 + years...and just three days ago, the sling broke, it fell to the ground and part of it broke in half.
Before I could even cry out, the Holy Spirit reassured me it was alright...and I believed Him!

Today I repaired it, at no cost to me. It plays just fine.

God is good.

The flip side? On my budget, I couldn't afford a new harp = they're 300.00 and up!
I could've cried, fussed, shouted, or whined...I could've done ANYTHING but trust God, and the lack of faith would've kept me from attempting its repair!

Don't let Satan keep you from walking in faith.
Check yourself out daily...make sure you're not being deceived, and if you are, you know what to do about it!
Ask forgiveness.
Repent.
Keep walking in faith.

December 24th, 2006

Merry Christmas!

Thank GOD that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, always obedient to the Father, died for the sins of the world, and rose again on the third day after His crucifixion...

Since we know that every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning, (James 1:17)
then we should stop and give thanks for Jesus Christ daily!

And we should thank GOD daily for our health...and our homes...and our spouses...and children...and grandchildren...and the food we eat...our clothes...shoes...
cars...trucks...vacations...and anything ELSE good you can think of!

In fact:
From now ON, decide to live thankfully!

December 17th, 2006

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Jesus Christ is our sin offering...He is the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world, and the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.
(Romans 8:2)

Look a little further at verses 5-8;

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED...
NOT CARNALLY MINDED -
AND ENJOY A LIFE OF PEACE!

December 10th, 2006

Fear, doubt, and unbelief seem to be the chief “complaints” of the day. Symptoms of these three include but are not limited to:

1.Depression.
2.A strong feeling of failure.
3.Feelings it will NOT get better.
4.Lack of confidence in yourself and others.

There IS an answer to this stuff: Find out what God says about you in His Word, memorize it, and take it the same way you would medicine - WHENEVER

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