Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16| Dateof Comment 08/25/2024 I know that each one of us has a different walk with our King. But one thing that I would bet on is that you still have those days where it seems you are just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast. In the midst of all of that doubt tries to creep up on us. King David who had a good walk with God even had those days and wrote about it: Psalm 94:18-19 (New Living Translation) I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. We serve the same God David served and he is here to support us also and to remove the doubt. When we pray for help, he does this: Psalm 116:1-2 (New Living Translation) I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Paul even said to never cease praying: Romans 12:12 NLT Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT Never stop praying. 08/24/2024 The king of Saudi Arabia created a big golf course in the middle of the desert. It was impressive seeing this huge green area in the middle of a desert where nothing can grow. The Saudi king invited a bunch of celebrities to view his impressive work of engineering. Included in that list was Arnold Palmer. As the party progressed the Saudi king asked Arnold what he would like. He said, "Ask me anything and I will grant it." Arnold Palmer was caught off guard and wasn't sure what to say. He did not want to offend the king in any way. After thinking for a while he finally asked, "Just give me a club." The Saudi king said, "Your request will be granted." After the everything was all over Arnold Palmer went home. Time had passed and nothing came about what happened during the event with the king. The king kept his promise. One day when Arnold Palmer went home to get the mail and there was a certified envelope from the king of Saudi Arabia. Arnold said to himself, "It's definitely not a golf club." But when he opened it up, he discovered that it was good for a beautiful 500-acre Club. Isn't it interesting when we think of what a club is and what a king thinks a club is. Maybe we should be thinking more like what a king does. I know that my King thinks like this: Romans 8:32 (New Living Translation) Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Isn't this quite a promise. We serve a big God, and we need to think bigger. Only our motives can destroy what big things God has for us. 08/20/2024 I asked, "God why are you taking me through troubled waters." He replied, "Because your enemies can't swim." I then asked, "Why do I always feel like I am failing and struggling?" God answered, "Because your growth and accomplishments come from facing challenges and overcoming difficulties. Every failure is a stepping stone to success." I then asked, "Why do I feel like life is filled with pain and helplessness?" God responded, "In your weakest moments I am by your side. I use your pain to shape your character. Your helplessness is used to showcase my power." I continuing on and asked, "Why do I have to experience disappointment and setbacks?" God replied, "Because in disappointment you learn to trust. In setbacks you learn to persevere. I am with you every step of the way guiding you toward victory." Finally I asked, "Why do I always feel confused and lost?" God answered, "Because you overlook my plan for your life. When you focus on me I will smooth your path and provide you with clear direction. Trust me! Everything is within my control. President Donald Trump 08/19/2024 In our ministry we have college students, gang members, law enforcement, firemen, and the ghetto that is being blessed because I see how their lives are changing because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. As God blesses us with success it can be harmful by distracting us even if we are still serving God. Blessings are great but do not let them quench your fire for the King. He does not like it when our love diminishes for him and/or the people in the church: Revelation 2:2-5 NLT 2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Our Lord is looking for those who are on fire for him. You all have kept my desire strong for Jesus, but I do have to admit that if I did not have you and this ministry that God gave me that I could see myself falling into this trap. Once a week we should all do a self-check and ask the question "Is my fire for my Lord improving or am I going downhill." Interacting with brothers and sisters in Christ and the Holy Spirit can relight the fire. I was in church today and a lady came forward to ask this question of the congregation. She was right on and the question needs to be answered by each one of us. When unbelievers come into the fold they need to see a church with people on fire for the Lord. We send a negative message to them when we are not. 08/18/2024 Have you ever read a bible verse and asked why they said what they said? This is one of them: Romans 14:8 (NLT) If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. I asked myself "How I could honor God being dead?" I thought to myself that Paul wrote this. He understood the spiritual side of God better than anyone. He also knew what kind of death he was going to face. When we die because we stand our ground for Jesus Christ that honors God immensely. Peter did it better than anyone when he asked to be crucified upside down. His reason was: "I am not worthy to die the way my Lord did." Peter brought glory to the Lord when he died. I then asked myself if anyone is alive today that lives this verse. I began to realize that President Trump fits this bill. In many ways his life is similar to Paul's. Both knew God existed growing up but neither had the personal relationship. Paul woke up when Jesus approached him on the road to Damascus and President Trump received his awakening by the Holy Spirt during the first year of his presidency. They both began serving God at this point. President Trump wants to restore this country back to "One nation under God". President Trump brings up the name of Jesus Christ a lot. They are trying to kill him just like they did Paul. Both of them fought and is fighting for Jesus Christ even under the threat of death. President Trump totally understands this verse. I am thankful that he is still fighting for me and Jesus Christ even with the threat of prison and death. Even though both represent Jesus Christ their calling makes them different. Paul was called to be a "pastor" and President Trump is called to be a "warrior". Just remember this when you think President Trump is crude, the warrior King David was crude and God would not let him build the temple because of the blood on his hands. President Trump is faced with the same type of situations as David; yet David was called "the apple of my eye" by God. Do not expect President Trump to be a pastor when God created him to be a warrior Continue to pray for President Trump because the enemy is after him big time and that he continues to honor the Lord. For us, this is the greatest personal thing we can do to honor our King while we're alive. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 08/15/2024 When God put your mother and father together, he put those two people together to produce you. You may have been a mistake to your mother and father. They may not have even intended for you to be here, but God did. See God doesn't make mistakes. The whole purpose for your mother and father was to produce you. God wanted you. Your earthly father is not the architect of your story. Your earthly father is not the author of none of your chapters. Your heavenly father, on the other hand is always there guiding you and shaping your journey. He has a plan for you. One that is filled with purpose and meaning. Even if your parents did not foresee your arrival, God did, and he crafted you with intention and love. Embrace the fact that you are here for a reason. A purpose that goes beyond any earthly plans. Trust in God's plan for you; for it is perfect and deliberate. Your story is still being written by the one who never makes mistakes. Donald Trump Jeremiah 29:11-12 NLT 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 08/14/2024 Since the new regime took over in 2020 there has been so much more evil making itself present. It is definitely like the days of Noah. Have you ever wondered what God is up to? From history God seems to do something big every 2,000 years. We are living in the next 2000-year cycle. His prophets are predicting that God is about to release his glory. It is almost 25 years past this time. Why does it seem like GOD is missing the boat on this one? Peter had an answer to this question: 2 Peter 3:8-10 NLT 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. I firmly believe that when God's glory is present that the enemy does not have a chance. He will suffer major losses where those who are against God will die early. God is trying to preserve us and get us to change our mind to accept him. God is looking for men and women who accept Jesus Christ because of his sacrifice he made for us. He is not looking for second-hand Christians who only go to church because someone else goes. We accept him and do what he wants because we love him. This is what he expects of us: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. If you truly honor him with your body your love for him and people will grow. You should experience a disdain for the old sinful habits that you had growing up. People will see a change in your life as you give your full body to Christ. If your life looks like this, you need to question your salvation: 2 Peter 3:3 NLT Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. If you do not study God's word you will not even know what the truth is. For example: I know Trump was sent for a specific purpose by God to clean the swamp, but many Christians do not have a clue what is happening in that man's life and what he was called to do. Your refusal to change or learn the truth is not good because: Galatians 6:7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 08/08/2024 Lately my buddy has been getting requests from gang members in the area of forgiving other people. These guys have deep hurts relating to what their dads were like when they left home. We all know that Jesus wants to forgive our sins if we are willing to confess them. Why would Jesus want to do that? He understands James 2:8 NLT Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The key word is "LOVE". In fact, he loved us so much he shed his blood for us. If we loved like that, we would also lay our lives down for another person and would want to forgive others who harmed us. Jesus lived his life this way: John 13:34 NLT So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Romans 12:9 NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:10 NLT Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Some may say that it is humanly impossible to love like that but Colossians 1:8 NLT He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. The Holy Spirit wants to show us how to love people like Christ did. The second step is to not be a hypocrite. The parable of the debtor will remind you that Jesus has forgiven the massive number of sins we have in our own life: Matthew 18:23-35 NLT 23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. 26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. 28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. 29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. 31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” This analogy says: Colossians 3:13 NLT Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. How many of us behave like this? I look at people differently when Jesus and I am the persons in this story. Look at all the other problems we cause by unforgiveness: Matthew 6:15 NLT But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. John 20:23 NLT If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Man, it can even mess with your prayer life: Mark 11:25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” I firmly believe that how we forgive people can also bring people into the fold: James 5:20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. This verse describes God and Jesus very well. Nehemiah 9:17 NLT They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, Some may never ask for forgiveness. If you want peace again in your life you still need to let it go. Other than the thief on the cross no one asked Jesus for forgiveness. Because he loved us so much, he asked, "Father forgive them because they do not know what they are doing." So it may be time now for you to forgive and let it go. Time to live in freedom with Christ. If you really want to be able to forgive people, strive for this: 2 Corinthians 5:14 NLT Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 08/05/2024 There is more to the story of the demon possessed man in the cemetery than what meets the eye: Mark 5:1-2 5 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This is interesting in itself. Usually when my buddy goes out on the streets, we pray that the demonic influences run whenever the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned. The enemy flees from us which we have witnessed. But this man came towards Jesus. Were the demons curious or was the Holy Spirit drawing the man to Jesus? Mark 5:3-8 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. 6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” The demons had a lot of respect for Jesus and God like addressing him "Son of the Most High God". Jesus had amazing respect for his Father and the enemy knew this hoping that he would lessen the pain if he used the phrase "In the name of God". Mark 5:9-10 9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. What is this distance place? I am sure evil is present in the entire world. You can't get much further than that not unless they were afraid that Jesus was going to send them directly to the Lake of Fire right away. Mark 5:9-10 11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” 13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. If Jesus gave the demon's permission to enter the pigs just because they asked, why would he not do requests for his children too. Granted if you ask for a Ferrari instead of a new car, he may not listen to you. What are your motives for wanting that Ferrari? Did you ever wonder what happened to the demons after the pig's drowned? Did they perish too? I have always wondered what Satan does to his minions when they fail. Mark 5:14-17 14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. When we have our mind on worldly things this is what happens. We see the money that was lost when the pigs were drowned because we do not understand the spiritual thing that just happened. Fear drives God away from us. Mark 5:18-20 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. So many people think that in order to serve God that you need to become a missionary. Then why did he tell the man “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” I know that many of you have testimonies that God wants you to share right where you are. Notice that his home was in the "Ten Towns" and he began witnessing to those who told Jesus to go. Jesus eventually came back to this place and this man's testimonies changed the community: Mark 7:31-37 31 Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. 32 A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. 33 Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” 35 Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! 36 Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. 37 They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” The people began to want Jesus after they heard his testimony of this one man. The motto of this story is Jesus will do things for us if we ask him with proper motives. Second, our testimonies will bring people into the fold of Jesus Christ when we honor his name. 07/29/2024 I am sure that most of you have heard about what happened at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris. There is a painting of Jesus sitting with his twelve disciples (last supper) before he was going to be crucified. The enemy has replaced Jesus with a witch and his disciple have been substituted with trans, drag queens, homosexuals and everything else that's wrong today. We are definitely in a battle of good versus evil. Paul knew about these things and talked about it and how to prepare for it in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT The Whole Armor of God 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. God does things through men: Amos 3:7 Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. The enemy also accomplishes his evil bidding through men. That is why Paul says we are in a spiritual battle. our heart defines which side we will be on. If you are big into fame, money and power you will give your heart to the enemy. That is how he gets control of so many people. Many famous people have physically traded their soul to get what the enemy has to offer. Many of those physically worship the enemy by doing sadistic things in worship like child sacrifice. Have you noticed how bold the enemy has become by openly committing atrocities. The reason this all started is the church's philosophy that showing love to these people is by letting them get away with it. Other people in the church are like the Pharisees. They want to be served, noticed and hear messages that do not convict the heart. We need to be thankful that God has other plans for America even with the large number of gutless churches that exist. I firmly believe that the spiritual battle that is going on today is being won by God anyway. The enemy in his desperate predicament will try anything to turn the tables. What happened in the Olympics had consequences: Deuteronomy 28:20 NLT 20 “The Lord himself will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in everything you do, until at last you are completely destroyed for doing evil and abandoning me. Paris went completely dark except for a church on the hill that was fully lit up. Jesus would confront these people. Jesus was not a pacifist but a confronter as we should be. He even prepared his disciples to confront. Sometimes weapons are used to do battle: Luke 22:36-38 NLT 36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” 38 “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. Jesus could care less about collecting swords. They were to confront the enemy. The Holy Spirit can guide us in how to confront the enemy. I can tell you now that he does not want us to burn down every abortion clinic. But it angers him when we do nothing to confront the enemy. Jesus came to save the world, but he is also the model of how we should live. Jesus lived to do what his Father wanted and loved people so much that he was willing to forgive those who crucified him. Jesus also stood up against sin. He threw out the money changers in the temple at the beginning and end of his ministry. He sure could make those tables fly and spoke many unkind words in his anger while he did it. He even insulted the pharisees who traded honoring God for position and power. It is also our job to stand against those who push God out of our daily lives. Our King needs to be in everything. I firmly believe that this spiritual battle going on today is not new. Many times the battle is already being fought by angels in heavenly realm. The battles can last many days as Daniel discovered. Daniel 10 12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” What they did at the Olympics will be vindicated: Galatians 6:7 NLT 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Put on the full armor OF GOD, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. We are to pray for our enemies but "Lord, if they do not repent and serve you, I ask that you take them out by whatever means you deem fit." 07/23/2024 Have you ever thought about the power of anointing oil? We know that it can make things more holy: Leviticus 8:10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it, making them holy. The disciples after they cast out demons and healed the sick by the authority of Jesus Christ would anoint the people whether it was to make one more holy or to mess with the enemy who may try to come back. If Jesus did it, it is good. Mark 6:13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. I have found out that when God has you anoint something it has a long-lasting effect. One night when I fast asleep God had my buddy anoint my home and farms in the middle of the night. This happened several years ago. I moved into the farmhouse and rented my house out to my niece. After they moved into my house things began to change in their lives. Her boys are starting to respect their mom like they never have before. They enjoy each other's company like never before. Their friends would rather hang at the house then any place else in town. Everyone in that family is seeing the results of that anointing. If God has you anoint something expect to see something big and long lasting. Even if you do not see results firsthand, they will happen behind the scenes. God has us bless his needy children in the ghetto. They always anoint the money to make it go further. Could you imagine what could happen when those bills come into contact with someone else who handles them. Give everything to God and anoint your blessings so that they will impact those who come into contact with your blessing. Anointing can increase the reliability and protection of a blessing because you acknowledge that it is from him. God uses the power of anointing oil to drive out the enemy. My buddy did this to a park that was too dangerous for families then. Because he did it in the manner God wanted the drops placed, the parks are now starting to fill with families. God also had him anoint the ghetto for its power over the enemy. That anointing has changed that community. Prayer over something is great but turbocharge it with anointing oil. Anointing oil can even keep a jet flying which is another story. Those pilots thought my buddy was looney when he anointed their jet. It was not until the return flight God gave the pilot ability to sense something was wrong. The copilot did not sense anything out of the ordinary, but the pilot shut it down anyway and would not leave until the jet was inspected. They diagnosed a circuit board that was going bad that would have shut one of the engines down during the flight home. From then on, the other pilots wanted their planes anointed too. One of those pilots claimed he had the most peaceful flights after his plane was anointed. Anointing can work anywhere it is tried but God must be a part of it. 07/21/2024 Somebody brought up an excellent point that if you substitute United States for Israel in the book of Jeremiah, you will have all true statements. Jeremiah was trying to warn the people of the coming judgment if they did not turn away from their sins. He had a difficult job because the great number of false prophets were telling the people that everything was great. Naturally, we only want to hear the good things and we want to kill those who tell the truth. The nation did not repent and eventually were conquered by Babylon. The people were hauled off to a foreign land and held prisoner for seventy years. Have you even thought about why God is not judging us like he did when Jeremiah was prophesying to the people? Could it be because of the prayer warriors siding with God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. Our God is a God of covenants. Is he honoring the covenant the pilgrims made with him in the 1600's? Covenants can generate a lot of power. Exodus 19:5 NLT Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me Exodus 34:10 The Lord replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you. Never forget when we do not keep our covenant with God what may occur in our future. Joshua 23:16 If you break the covenant of the Lord your God by worshiping and serving other gods, his anger will burn against you, and you will quickly vanish from the good land he has given you.” Could it be because Jesus Christ himself may be involved in this decision? Main reason that Jesus has not come back is because the gospel has not been able to be preached across the world. This is because of the lack of technology required to get the job done. Today, this all has changed. God has blessed the United States with abundant technology. I believe that Jesus Christ wants to use this technology to bring the message to everyone. Jeremiah did not have anybody like President Trump either to clean up the swamp in his time. Wait until people find out that President Trump was sent by God. Kim Clement prophesied right after the world trade center was blown up that a man from New York was going to come and clean up our corrupt government and promote Jesus Christ at the same time. All of these reasons may be true, but I can tell you this thing he is doing is a gift. He loves it when we are thankful for the blessings we receive or about to receive. Jeremiah would have loved to experience what our God is about to do. Psalm 18:30 (New Living Translation) God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. Ephesians 3:20-21 (New Living Translation) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen 07/20/2024 A lot of hospitals use ultraviolet light to kill pathogens that are lurking in the midst. So, it is with God's light. When his light is present the disease of sin decreases its intensity. It may even flee. Hospitals also use disinfectants to finish the job. Infections are a serious thing when they get started in the patient. God uses the blood of his Son to completely disinfect us. After all we do not want to affect the body by being unclean. Having fellowship with godly people will help prevent the infection of sin from coming back. They will also make you accountable. 1 John 1:7 NLT But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 07/06/2024 Before we were born God had talents picked out that he was planning on giving us. He gave us these abilities for the events he was planning to do in the future and to prosper us too: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Almost all of us are using some of the talents that God gave us today. Most of us work today to provide for our families. There is nothing that you do in the work world that could also be used to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. I remember when I was younger that I was writing programs on the computer to simplify my work. I told God that there's no way that this stuff could be used to glorify your name. Thirty years later he proved me wrong. Back then the internet did not exist, but God knew it was coming. My computer skills today are being used to glorify the name of Jesus Christ and to be a benefit to my audience. My audience was personally selected by God. I never dreamed I would be writing comments and putting up funny videos. These are all the things that he wanted me to do because of what the enemy tried to do with covid against everybody. Everyone should look to our King to get intel on what we can use our talents for. He may even have you wait until circumstances are where he wants you. I had to wait for the internet to mature and the gang ministry to begin. Remember this: Psalm 33:11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. Psalm 138:8 NLT 8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Everyone has the talent to do something for God. For many of you he is ready now. Some of you may have to wait. I hear that God is building an army behind the scenes that the enemy does not know about. Our God is a master of war and knows how to use strategy to win. Pharoah had to learn that the hard way as demonstrated in Exodus. God will grow what he has you doing today. Just as the parable of the talents, God is watching to see how we perform before he gives us more. We started out with gangs. God then added our law enforcement into the mix. Next, he had us help him bless his amazing children in the ghetto. Let's not forget about the college students who are doing amazing things for their fellow students. Now we are making a difference to our firefighters. It has all been orchestrated by our God because of how much he loves everyone in these ministries. I am also sure that everyone that God has us working with also honors who he is. Another excellent reason the ministries we have are so successful is because of you praying for us. We need to do the same for those who are also serving God. This is the only way to maximize their impact on people and protect them from the enemy when we bind him. He hates our success bringing glory to our King. He will stop at nothing to make us stop. So, keep on praying for all of those you know serving God. We are all excitedly waiting to see what God does next. 07/03/2024 They say, "government is not the answer but Jesus Christ is" is a very true statement, but a government who does not know Jesus is a disgrace to the world. Proverbs 14:34 NLT Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Ignoring what is going on in our government will eventually result in our persecution. We all need to stand agianst the evil in what is going on today. 2020 was the year Christians voted for demonic candidates when we had those who were a lot closer to what God wanted. You need to check out how your representitive votes on bills that oppose God. I have checked and there are many representatives who voted for God. I even bet you already know which political party opposes God the most. Make America Great Again with Jesus in control of our leaders lives. I guarantee this is what our King wants also. Godliness makes a nation great. The current administration has no use for godliness and it shows. When America was founded we were one nation under God. I want America to be restored to this status because my King will honor this nation again if we honor his great name to the world. 06/26/2024 Being a child of our King has many perks. This is one of them: Psalm 121:7-8 NLT The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. What is interesting about this verse it can apply to the ungodly by the power of prayer. There have been many people fervently praying for their loved ones for their salvation. God has applied this verse to their lives also until they come around to give their hearts to Jesus Christ. God has brought people out of dark places that would have killed those who were not prayed for. So, continue trusting in the Lord and to pray for those who need salvation for as long as it takes. Isaiah 40:31 NLT But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. 06/24/2024 Jeff Dunham the extremely talented ventriloquist was having a discussion with his puppet Peanut on how many things have been taken away since he was a kid because it is too dangerous. Jeff said he even rode bicycles without a helmet and turned out normal. Peanut looked him in the eye and said, "Normal people do not talk to puppets. You should have worn the damn helmet." It is true that our present-day culture puts a lot of effort in protecting our head with helmets. But why is it that so little effort is put into protecting our hearts. Our hearts are very important to our King. The heart determines our relationship to the things of God. What was in Davids's heart was why God made him king: 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Our brain is physical, and our heart is spiritual. Like the brain you can put stuff in it but what are you putting in it? Romans 5:5 NLT And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. OR Acts 5:3 NLT Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. You cannot have both. One will push the other out. Matthew 6:21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. God has the ability to open our heart: Acts 16:14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. Do you want to be blessed? It sure helps if our hearts are pure: Matthew 5:8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God cannot use a hard heart: Matthew 13:15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ Your heart reveals your motive for everything you do: Matthew 18:35 NLT “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Sin is the number 1 killer of the heart. Paul's letter to Timothy, James and John tells us how to protect our hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22 NLT Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. James 1:21 NLT So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 1 John 5:21 NLT Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. Even though the enemy wants to take over our hearts, there is hope: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. A good friend can make us accountable which will help guard our hearts against evil. Our hearts reveal everything to our King. Let it be something that will bring honor to his name. 06/17/2024 Before GPS driven equipment I would plant corn in a field that had long rows. The rows would seem to always have a curve in them. My lot younger son asked me why my rows were not straight. I made up a BS story and told him it is because of the corealis effect of the earth. It's rotating and since the rows are long it made my tractor plant like that. He took my word for it as the reason it happened. He is a lot older today and he would definitely question my logic. Our King wants us to be like my younger child. We need to believe everything our King says and not question it. In these last few years I have learned how special children are to God. Mathew 18:2-4 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Our kids have angels in the presence of the Father: Mathew 18:10 10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. I know you college students do not like to be called children but continue to have faith like children and do not let us adults corrupt your faith. Us adults need to have the faith our young children have because the enemy of this world has corrupted us older people. To our children Jesus Christ has no limits, so why do we impose limits on him. 06/16/2024 King David had a life of intrigue. Even with all the enemies wanting to kill him he would write down things like this. 1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. It is easy to see why God liked David because you can see how he acknowledged the true awesome Yahweh throughout Psalms. I believe that our President Trump sees God in the same light with all the attempts on his own life. Even though our lives are small compared to these two men, this verse is still true for us. This same God wants to have relationship with us: Ephesians 3:17-19 (New International Version) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Pay attention to the part where it says, "you may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people." You and I were never to take on life alone. Once we begin to get the fullness of God we have to watch for the enemy's deception. I watched the Jesus Revolution movie bringing the hippie generation to Jesus Christ. The man who talked to the pastor to open his church to the hippies temporarily lost focus on that pastor's authority. Sometimes we have to wait even if we may be right. That is how God wants it. We are valuable to God when we serve him but so are the other people who serve him. Let's never forget it is God's ministry and not yours. This will help keep us humble. If you do not believe me, just ask God to get lost or ignore him and you will see your ministry die in front of your eyes. It is his and will always be his if it is going to succeed. 06/05/2024 As I was growing up I was like anyone else looking for friends. The friends I was most grateful for are the ones who Jesus Christ was a part of their life. Friends who know Christ do not like it when any sort of evil is present. We only did things that were honorable to our King. We had lots of fun. I did a lot of dirt biking growing up and I did have friends of the world who were also interested in what I liked and we did hang out during the day. I never found anyone who liked Jesus and dirt bikes. That was as far as I would go because of the excessive beer drinking and drugs that they did at night. It is true that bring up your children with godly perspectives does work. I knew what was right and I had the support of my friends in Christ. The bible talks about worldly friends and what things you can expect from them: 2 Timothy 3:4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. James 4:4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 1 Peter 4:4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. You know you have a real friend if this happens: John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus wants to be your friend: John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. Romans 5:11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. They say you can't take anything into heaven when you die. This is not true. If your friend loves Jesus he will be there in God's Kingdom too. Who knows that may be someone that you bring to Christ. They now need a friend who is on God's side: Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
