A heart problem

 

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

This world is getting crazier and crazier. 

In my grandparent's generation, killing a child on purpose whether in or out of the womb would have been unthinkable. Now? Many consider it a Constitutional right to murder a baby in the womb- and some even advocate that we should be able to kill a child up to 2 years old for any reason at all! Never mind that children are a precious gift from God no matter the situation or how the baby got there.

In my generation, it was still considered taboo to be gay- and it was still a crime in many states. Now, not only is it not criminal to be so perverted, it is considered criminal to speak out against anything LGBTQ in many places. It doesn't matter that these lifestyles lead to death, depression, disease, etc, we're supposed to stand back and approve. 

I learned the other day that a young girl I know through my work is proudly moving to another town soon to "move in with her boyfriend." I couldn't help but think, "Doesn't anyone get married anymore?" 

Everyone is hollering about their own rights to do what they want, politicians are promoting crazy policies, and people are killing each other over stupid stuff. 

What has happened? How did our once somewhat pure society get this bad? 

The answer is a simple one:

"All we like sheep have gone astray..." 

We've turned from the principles of God and turned to the principles of "if it feels good, do it."

Everyone keeps pointing to Government, education, philosophy, and new ideas as ways to protect our society and keep us going. But those are the very things that have gotten us this bad off in the first place! 

The early church was largely uneducated and somewhat poor. But they followed Jesus and experienced and lived his truths. As a result, they changed the world they were living in into a much better place. 

Now, we have educated preachers and teachers in churches in almost every corner of the western world, but can't seem to do anything to stop the deepening decay of our world.

Why? 

To use an argument the gun rights people use (and I agree with), we don't have a gun problem. We don't have a law problem. We don't have a drug problem. We don't have a crime problem.

WE HAVE A HEART PROBLEM!

We go to church to check our religious blocks and say we are believers. Yet, we spend our days and nights pushing things that God says are abominations! We allow music and movies into our lives and homes that promote all the ungodly things that drove God to go to the cross in the first place! 

We can't change our world through political action- though we should vote.

We can't change our world through programs and policies- though helping people is never a bad thing. 

But as an old-time Pentecostal preacher once preached- WE NEED TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!  

What is that main thing? 

 Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We need revival! We need an old-time move of God to sweep over our world and bring us to real repentance! 

The real answer to all our ills is found on our knees!

 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If we want to see people being kind to one another, helping one another, and living the kind of lives the scriptures say we should, it starts with us falling on our faces before our merciful God in real repentance!

Repentance is not saying, "God I'm sorry," and then continuing to do the same things! 

Why are young people leaving the church in droves? Because they're looking for something real that they're not finding in the religion they're being given. 

But, if we will fall on our faces and let God clean us out and refill us with his powerful Spirit again, then start living what we're teaching- then we will begin to see people begin to turn to Jesus again! 

Why? Because they will see him living through us! They'll see the changes he's making in us! They'll see the miracles of the Bible coming to life before their very eyes! 

Come on church!

Stop playing politics and vying for tax dollars, bigger buildings, and religious degrees! 

Start praying! REALLY PRAYING for God to cleanse us- and then the world around us! 

He's the answer that our world needs- but they won't see it unless we begin to pray and truly repent! 

For God's sake, and for the sake of our world, let God change our wicked hearts! Let him turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh once again! 

The God of the universe became a man and allowed his own creation to nail him to a cross made of wood he created, using nails made of metal that he spoke into existence, all to shed the cleansing blood that his righteousness required to save us from our own sins! 

He gave his all and defeated death in order to allow us a way to become the sons of God! 

What we've given him lately is far far less than he deserves! 

Let's give him our all! Let's truly let him live through us! 

Let's truly Repent and turn back to him and his ways! Then, let's watch the changes he brings to a lost and dying world! 

None of these things move me...

 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. (Acts 20:22-25)

Paul was a true man of God. He stood in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds on many occasions. He loved God. He loved God's people. 

Any way that he could find that did not break scripture to reach out to people, he was willing to give it a try. 

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9: 18-22)

What an attitude! 

In our opening passage in Acts, if you follow the story over several chapters, Paul had been told by God that he was being sent on a mission to the gentiles to bring them into the fold. As such, the Jews (who were already angry at his conversion) were ready to kill him for trying to convert the Gentiles to worshipping the one true God. This did not sit well with "God's chosen people." 

But Paul had heard from God. In fact, early on, he was told "how great things he must suffer for my names sake." (Acts 9:16).

Paul knew that Jesus had given his all for us. He also knew that, in following Jesus, we must give our all to him. No matter the sacrifice. No matter the cost. If we go broke, that's okay. If we are beaten and imprisoned, that's fine. If we die, thy will be done, Lord. 

Whatever level of our lives we are dealing with, ALL levels must be submitted to God. 

We cannot serve Jesus on Sundays and Wednesdays, but the rest of the time is ours. It doesn't work that way. 

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We don't get to choose ANYTHING! Our job as Christians is to do 3 things:

1) Listen (Pray and seek his will) 2) Hear (Find his will) 3) Obey (DO what his will is for all situations.) 

We don't belong to ourselves. We are his. 

As Christian leaders, we are to seek out a fresh word for those we minister to. We cannot just regurgitate a sermon from years ago. Those we are helping to feed deserve (and God requires) fresh manna from heaven. 

As husbands and fathers, we are to seek God in all situations and be willing to sacrifice ourselves (lay down our lives) for them in every way. It doesn't matter how hard I have to work to care for my family. It doesn't matter how many hours I have to work, how many jobs I have to do, to care for my family. They are my family and my responsibility. It is all a labor of love. And this doesn't negate my responsibility as spiritual leader of the home. 

God spoke to Paul about much of what he would have to suffer. In fact, on several occasions, he was told by different people that if he went to Jerusalem, he'd wind up in chains. But, Paul was trying to be used of God to win the bride of Jesus. "None of these things move me," he said. 

Jesus paid his all for his bride. Paul was willing to join him on his quest. We should be willing to die in caring for our bride and in trying to win the bride of Christ. 

When Jesus gives us a mission, we will be tested. Many times, things will come up that point out the possible negative effects of staying the course. When we come to those crossroads, we have a choice. 

Do we stay the course and suffer the affliction that may come, knowing that we are in the will of God. Or, do we leave the course and choose "the easy way." The easy way won't take us to heaven, but we can choose it. The easy way means to cater to our flesh and disavow our mission from God. The easy way may make it easier to live here, but it means hell for eternity. 

May we all take Paul's attitude when we are looking at the possible consequences of launching out in faith for Jesus. May we look at them, shrug our shoulders, and say, "None of these things move me." 

None of these things will sway me from the course that Jesus has set for me. 

  

A sincere apology and plea

It has come to my attention that some of my blogs have come across to some people that I think I know more than they do. 

I don't.

The purpose of this blog is to spread God's word with whosoever will read it. I'm not a Bible School grad. I don't have a TH.D. Many of you who read this have much more education than I. Lot's of you have accomplished many more things than I ever have. 

I only share what the Lord illuminates to me- as he gives it to me. Many times, I'm learning as I'm writing it down for you. It's similar to a preacher preaching a sermon. The Lord gives him a passage of scripture and illuminates it to the preacher while he's preaching. You can hear him saying, "I've never seen this that way before," as he's preaching. 

That's all I'm doing as I'm writing this blog. 

I'm not trying to prove how smart I am. 

I'm not saying I have it all together. 

I'm not looking down on anyone. 

I don't think that my readers need to "come up to my level."

In fact, I believe many of you can teach me a thing or two. 

I DO believe that we all need to come up to the levels that GOD wants us to be at. 

So, if I've offended any of you, I'm truly sorry. If I've come across to anyone that I think I've "arrived" at some high place in God and I think I'm above anyone, I'm very sorry. 

Please forgive me. 

The only thing I can do is pray, and humbly seek God for the words he wants me to write. 

If I hurt anyone, I'm sorry. 

But, do me a favor. Pray for me. I need the Lord's guidance in all that I do or say (or write). 

And if you think I've missed the mark, let me know. As long as you're not rude or ungodly in what you say, I'll listen. And I'll take it to prayer. 

Thanks for your prayer and for reading the few words the Lord gives me. 

God bless you all.   

Use the whole verse

Pet Peeves. Everybody has them. Some of them are important (Yes, we all should wash our hands before we eat). Some of them are silly (what real difference does it make which way the toilet paper sits on the dispenser?) 

Like any other human being, I have my own set of them. (Don't worry, I'm only going to get into one today). 

But, the Pet Peeve I'm going to cover today, truly does matter and can have eternal consequences. 

First of all, give me KJV or nothing else. The other versions distort, twist, and nullify huge sections of scripture. I'm only going to give one example of this before I get on to what this post is really about today. (Okay, so I'm going to cover 2 pet peeves. Think of it as a two for one deal?)

John 3:13 is an awesome verse. It contains truth that many people do not truly know:

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Here Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and tells him something amazing! Read it and see if you catch it. Did you get it? It's awesome!

Jesus told Nicodemus that he (the son of man) not only ascended to and descended from heaven, but that at that very moment- while he was speaking those sacred words to Nicodemus- HE (Jesus) was also in heaven! 

How can this be? Because there's only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) and that one God is omnipresent (everywhere all at once). So, though he inhabited the body of the son of God and was speaking to Nicodemus, he was also still on the throne in heaven watching and controlling everything!

In short, he told Nicodemus, "I'm God. Do you truly understand who you are talking to right now?" 

Wow!

Now, what do a few other versions say?

NIV 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

NLT13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[a] has come down from heaven.

The Voice: 13 No one has ever journeyed to heaven above except the One who has come down from heaven—the Son of Man, who is of heaven.

I could go on and on. The NIV and NLT are bad enough. They leave off the whole phrase "which IS IN heaven." This relegates Jesus' whole existence to inside that body- totally changing the whole meaning and context of the verse.  

But, the Voice is even worse: they leave the phrase in, but change one word. IN becomes OF. Again, this totally violates the actual scripture's meaning and relegates Jesus to existing only within that body- but it does admit he came from heaven. 

There are hundreds of changes like this. So, give me KJV or give me nothing. 

Next Pet Peeve:

When you quote a verse (I mean you as in anyone), please quote the whole verse.

There are Christian catchphrases that we all like to use that are nice to hear. But, they leave off the rest of the verse (or context) and totally distort the actual meaning. Here are just a few. 

"Resist the devil and he will flee."

 This catchphrase makes it sound as if the devil comes against you, you tell him no and wave him away. And he's so afraid of us that he takes off running with his tail between his legs. 

Then why doesn't this actually work in practice? Why doesn't he just leave when we resist temptation? Why doesn't he run away when we don't blow our stack at that person that deserves it so much? 

Because it's a partial verse. Here's what it actually says:

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Read that, please. Yes, it does say that if we resist the devil he will flee from us. So, what's the problem, brother Winskie? 

The problem is that we skip the first part of the verse and think all we need to do is resist the devil. But, it says we are to "SUBMIT (OURSELVES) TO GOD first. THEN, we can resist in God's strength and authority. THIS will cause the enemy to flee! 

If we don't submit to God first, we can resist the devil all day long and he ain't going nowhere, bro. 

Do you see how leaving off part of it changes the whole meaning? 

How about this one?

"There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." 

That sounds like an absolute guarantee! Once we're born again, it's a 100% guarantee that we will never be condemned. We have a one-way ticket to glory and nothing can stop us now!! 

Wait. There's one minor detail that they left off. What does Romans 8:1 actually say?

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Did you catch the difference there? 

If, after we are born again, we choose (because we still have choices to make) to please our flesh rather than strive to please God's spirit, we can (depending on what we do) sin and bring condemnation against ourselves. It's NOT an absolute guarantee. It depends upon whether we follow our fleshly desires or the leading of God's spirit. 

Or, how about this one? 

"God will give you the desires of your heart." 

Holy Cow! What a deal! Let's make our list up right now! 

New Car.

New Truck.

Fix my spouse.

New home.

New job...

Wait. Before you go too far. Let's check out the verse where the phrase comes from.

Psalms 37:4

"Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Delight (in the Hebrew) means to be soft and pliable.

Lord (in the Hebrew) means the self-existent, eternal God. 

desires (in the Hebrew) means prayer or petition

heart (in the Hebrew) means the inner man: mind, will, heart, understanding.

So. If we allow ourselves to become pliable (easily bent, flexible- in other words moldable into any shape he cares to make us into) in the hands of almighty God, he will answer our deepest and most heartfelt prayers. Why? Because they will line up to his word and will. 

It's all about submission to God. We submit to him and let him change us. Then, when we pray, our prayers will line up with his will and he will answer them. 

It's not a blank check to get anything we may fancy. 

But, Lord, we really need a new truck. 

If he thinks we do, he'll make the way. But, just because we're a believer, doesn't mean he'll give us anything we want. If our parents won't do that, why would God?

But, the point is, when we use scripture, we must use the whole thing. 

If we shorten it into a soundbite that sounds good to people's ears, we could be setting them up for a potentially catastrophic event to their faith. This could cause the new believer to leave their faith. 

Absolutely, we should use scripture and claim the promises of God. But, when we do, we've got to use it complete and in context. 

If we do not, the results could be devastating. 

God's power is not a lottery ticket. It's a necessity for our lives.

Mark 16:16-18

King James Version

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 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.

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

I'm not the only one to notice this, but there's something missing in the church today. Jesus and the Apostles prayed for multitudes and they were healed, delivered, set free, changed immediately. In fact, the normal standard for the time was complete and immediate healing. 

Now there is a school of thought that says that the gifts of the spirit were for only the Apostles and those that they personally laid hands-on, but no further. The scriptures above disprove that theory. In Mark, it says, "these signs SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE." That's everybody that believes. It doesn't say the signs will follow "you and all you lay hands on and nobody else after that who believe." 

And to further destroy the argument, in Acts 2 the Apostles teach that the promise (what promise? The promise of the Holy Ghost! Acts 1: 4-8) is unto you (that generation), and to your children (next generation), and to all that are afar off (all following generations) even as many as the Lord our God shall call (until the Lord returns at the end)." So the infilling of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the spirit that come along with it are supposed to be a part of the church until Jesus returns! 

That having been said, what's wrong with the church? We get together and we sing, clap, dance, praise, worship, hear fireball preaching, etc. But, it's very rare (in the western world) that we see the Lord "confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20). 

Yes, there are examples of the Lord blessing people with healing, deliverance, finances, etc, in our services, but it's different. In scripture, nearly all healings and deliverance happened immediately- yes that means instantaneously. Rarely was it not immediate. 

Now, when it happens, it's usually a process of repeated prayer and time. Immediate healing is rare.  We go to church. Go through at least part of the service. Feel the spirit's moving. Go up for the preacher (and sometimes a few fellow saints) to pray for us. Feel the touch of the spirit. And go home believing for, but not seeing the healing we're needing. Our faith grows some because we felt the touch of God. We see some improvement over what it was. But, the problem persists. It can sometimes take weeks or months to be completely healed of the problem. BY then, if we testify of the healing to an unbeliever, they- in their minds- can say "it happened naturally over time. The prayers had little or nothing to do with it."

Yet, the same preacher that prayed for us, can go to a third world country that's full of abject poverty and see blinded eyes opened, limbs replaced, cancerous tumors disappear, demons cast out (they don't refer them to a psychiatrist to be given medicine for their mental issues), etc. 

Why? Why is there such a big difference in results between the affluent countries and the poor? 

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BELIEVE. We have doctors and medicines and psychiatrists. So, we treat God as a lottery ticket. We go up and buy our ticket: "I'll take a chance on prayer. If God heals me, great! If not, I can always go to the doctor." That's why we don't ask for prayer for a cold. We know we can buy Nyquil. Why ask for prayer when it's a simple medicinal fix? 

I'm not against doctors in principle. Luke in scripture was a doctor. But, you don't hear of Luke taking his bag to sick folks homes and only calling in Paul to pray if his medicines didn't work. I believe it had to be the other way around! Luke started following Paul and his God precisely because when Paul preached, 

"3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

(1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

Luke, the man of science, was converted to Jesus because he saw diseases and afflictions he had battled for years being healed with a prayer! 

There were many that confused people with their eloquent, educated and enticing words, but Paul challenged them with this: 

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:18-20)

Basically, Paul was saying, you might speak well, but have you got the power? We shall see! 

But, not only have we stopped relying on God, we've truly stopped following him like they did. I believe there's another reason for our lack of power. 

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The people of the early church spent nearly every day in a state of prayer. Yes, they had chores and jobs to do, but, they truly relied on God for everything, They believed that it is in God that:

"28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. " (Acts 17:28)

God is who allows us to work. God allows us to breath. God allows us to walk. God allows us to think. God truly is in control. 

So, why do we spend so little time with him? Hebrews 12 tells us to lay aside every weight AND the sin that so easily besets us. We know sin separates us from God, but do we understand that there are habits and practices in our lives that are not sinful- but they are thieves of time? We are only given so much time. 

Twenty Four hours a day is all we get. If we spend that time playing games, scrolling Facebook, watching youtube, etc, how much time have we used up that could have been spent with God? How much praying could we have done? How much reading and studying the scriptures could we have done? 

How much time did the Apostles spend with God after they got the Holy Ghost? 

Acts 6: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Yes, ministers are to be servants to the people, but the congregation had grown to the point that it was interfering with the more important job of studying the Word and praying. The apostles were going from house to house daily teaching and preaching and praying. God was adding new born again believers every day. God was healing people every day. They had to study and pray for hours every day in order to recharge their spiritual batteries for the next home service.

Contrary to many folks teaching, being filled with the Holy Ghost is not a one-time thing. Three times in the first four chapters of Acts, the word records the Apostles (and those with them) being filled with the Holy Ghost. We, like a car, can only go so far before we need a refill. The early church had to pray and study every day to grow their faith.  

I love my wife dearly, but we didn't meet and get married. We met and liked each other. As our relationship grew we spent more and more time together talking- getting to know each other. The more we knew, the more we trusted each other. Finally, we ended up married- and we've grown from there. I trust my wife implicitly. I can trust her with my feelings, my thoughts, my past, my present, and my future. I have no need for any other women because she has my complete trust. I know she won't do anything to harm me and only wants my good. 

The more time we spend with God in his word and in prayer, the closer our relationship will become. The closer our relationship becomes, the more faith we develop in God. The deeper our relationship grows, the stronger our faith becomes. 

Now, the stronger our relationship becomes, and the deeper our faith becomes, the more we understand that he means what he says and says what he means. He has only our good in mind. When he says, "by (his) stripes we are healed," (1 Peter 2:24) he means it. 

So, why do we not see God moving in the "educated and enlightened" world we live in like he did back then and does now in "backwoods places (as many call them)?" 

We've made God unnecessary in our daily lives. Our faith is small because we do not allow him room in our lives to prove himself. If we would lay aside the weights that tie us down and spend time with him in prayer and his word, we'd be amazed at what he'd do. If we would understand that his love is everlasting and that he truly is ALMIGHTY, then we would be awed by the works that he would begin to do among us once again.

There are some among us that he uses in this manner even now. But, we treat them as if they are just odd prophets that swoop in and do things for us and leave. But, scripture doesn't say it's only for a select few. Scripture says, "these signs shall follow them that believe." 

People like to sing about the "old-time religion," but the real old-time religion had God confirming his word with signs and wonders. 

We have a faith problem and we have a relationship problem. 

We need to turn off the TV and the Computer and go into prayer. We need to put down our hobbies and books and start spending time in prayer with him.

God has not changed. What he did then, he will do now. What he does overseas, he will do here. God's power is not a lottery ticket that might bless our lives. He is a necessity to carry us through this life and into eternity. 

I'm troubled about many things in these troubled times. Please join me in prayer.

I have my own personal issues that I could probably fill several pages up with. But, I'll make it short and sweet. Please pray for my family.

Looking around at the broader picture is even more troubling.

There are people running scared to death worried about a virus that has a much lower kill rate than the Flu. I'm not advocating foolishness, but who do you put your trust in? God? Or the Government?

If your faith is in man's government, get ready to be very disappointed! As Reagan said, "The scariest words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." If the Government is our help, you can bet it will put them even further in our pockets and lives- and it will come at a very steep cost!

If God is who you trust, then keep praying and let him have control. He's busy working everything for our good and his glory. So, just hold on, help is on the way! Count your blessings. How many times has he made a way where there seems to be no way?

One time we were in desperate need and God sent a little old lady over with a sack full of groceries to feed our young family! One time we were so in need, my wife and daughters were out in an abandoned yard picking Raspberries and Blackberries, when a church van full of food showed up in our driveway! One time my wife and I weren't working for 6 months (not by choice) and God kept us fed, clothed, sheltered, gas in the car, etc for 6 months! Whatever you're going through, rest in him! He will make a way!

There are powerful people within our government that are trying to use this virus crisis to crash the economy in order to 1) steal the upcoming elections and 2) even go so far as to completely convert our nation to a Socialist nation! And many people do not know how bad this would be!

Look at Venezuela. They had a democratic government and a thriving economy. The people were promised lots of government freebies if they voted in a socialistic government. They did. Now, a dozen eggs cost them a month's wages! It's horrible!

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pay for it. If we go full socialism, say goodbye to free speech. Say goodbye to freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to own things yourself- even freedom of your own bank account. There will be no more freedom to work hard and make your own way and care for your family!

We now have a government that is willing to let hundreds of people go to a business but will only allow 10 inside of a church. They close churches and allow abortion clinics and liquor stores to stay open? Does any of this make sense to anybody?

As Reagan said, if we lose freedom here, there is nowhere else to run to. America is the last bastion of freedom left on earth.

On the flip side, there are those who are ready to go to arms to fight the government because of the acts of tyranny the Government has already done. I understand this. I even to some degree support it, if necessary. But, we better be very sure there's not a better way to do this before we start pulling triggers.

There's no such thing as a clean war. Evils are perpetrated on all sides. Many thousands would die- and not just of bullets, but of starvation and pestilence. And even if we went to war and won, who's to say the government we end up with won't be worse than the one we fought? When one set of humans defeats another, there's a tendency to try and keep punishing the losers and buckle down on the winners to be sure they won't turn into being like the losers were.

Yes, there are many changes that should and need to be made, but those changes must start in the hearts of men. And only God can make those changes.

Trusting the courts to make changes is like rolling dice to win a dollar. Many times you don't get the results you hoped for.

Trusting elected officials to make the necessary changes is a bit like asking the mob to stop pushing gambling. Politicians have a vested personal interest in the Government complex growing and getting bigger.

Trusting company's to do the right thing is just as much a fools errand as trusting politicians. Corporations are after one thing and one thing only, the almighty dollar. And they will do whatever they believe they need to do to people in order to secure ever larger pieces of the monetary pie. Companies are even now having farmers throw away perfectly good food products in order to keep the prices higher during this crisis.

No, you cannot force change. You cannot legislate change. The only true and lasting change must come from the heart. And the only being capable of truly changing the hearts of man is Jesus (God almighty).

So, join me in praying for our families, our communities, and our nations! In truth, Jesus is the only hope we have! And only Jesus can be trusted to make the necessary changes in the hearts of mankind that will help everyone.

Pray, people pray. If we pray, we have hope. If we do not pray, we have no hope. Pray like you've never prayed before!

Prayer and ministry go hand in hand, but prayer is the higher calling.

Jesus prayed daily- usually many times a day.

Note to the ministry: Ministry happens anytime, anyplace. It is not just a “church meeting thing.”

The man Christ Jesus understood this. He understood that the flesh can do nothing apart from God's empowerment. 

So, he prayed. Daily and, in fact, several times a day.

We are to pray, first and foremost, for a closer walk (a stronger relationship) with God. 

Ministry flows from our walk with God. Our walk with God does not flow from our ministry. As we pray and walk and talk with God, he can guide us to minister to others in unexpected ways. He can open the door for ministry in places we never dreamed of. If we stay prayed up, he will begin to lift us up (in him, I mean. I'm not advocating a prosperity doctrine.). Why? To lift his name to a lost and dying world!

How often should we pray?

Short answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

The word “ceasing” here means “without intermission, incessantly, assiduously.”

Incessantly means “without stopping.” Without intermission means “without a break.” Assiduously means “showing great care, attention, and effort.”

By this definition, if we take it literally, we would all die soon after becoming a Christian. If we could never take a break, or stop praying, then we would never be able to eat, drink, sleep, potty, study the word, work for our living, etc. So, is he truly saying we must physically pray all day, every day?

I think not.

However, I do believe he is telling us not to neglect our prayer time with God. Always have an attitude of prayer. Always make prayer a priority. Do not let it get lost in the business of life or ministry. Make it a priority. Do it with “great care, attention, and effort.” Don't let it become a ritual of words. Don't reduce it to a short phrase or two. Do it with all we have!

David says in Psalms 63:1:

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; “

So, we should start our day, even if we must get up a little earlier, with concentrated and consistent prayer. Is that all?

Isaiah 26:9 seems to hint at nighttime prayer, in addition to morning prayer:

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. “

Daniel prayed three times a day:

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”- Daniel 6:10

And this he did, despite the king’s order that no man should pray to any other god, besides the statue that he had just erected. Daniel knew he was risking his life by praying to God. But he also knew that his time with God was the most important thing in his life. He might die from his choice, but at least he'd be right with God.

As far as I know, there is no limit on how many times a day we should pray- just as there is no prescribed time period we should pray for. Follow the leading of the spirit of God. Allow him to lead you. But, do not neglect prayer. Make it your top priority every day.

Without it, we become dry and hard. With it, we are watered with his spirit and pliable in his hands. 

Without it, we become a Pharisee. With it, we have his love to reach out to others.

Some of the saddest words in scripture are these:

Ezekiel 22:29-31King James Version (KJV)

29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.

Part of our prayers are praise. Part of our prayers is for our needs. But what God really wants are intercessors. He wants people who will pray for his intervention into the lives of people (and nations) that are not right with him.

How many people have we seen and thought, "They need God!" That should be a prayer prompt. 

How many people ask for prayer? Don't just say you'll pray, pray with them right there.

How many politicians and leaders are heading in unbiblical directions and advocating ungodly policies? Pray for them.

How many are sick with cancer, diabetes, blood problems, Covid-19, etc? Pray for them. 

If we think about it, there are millions of things and people to pray about and for. 

The more we pray, the closer we will get to God's heart. The closer we get to God's heart, the more we will pray, and the more we will be moved with the same compassion that he feels for lost souls, for hurting people. 

There is no higher calling than that of being a prayer warrior. Remember, somebody, prayed for us. Can we not return the favor?  

It's not glamorous. It's not glorious. People do not lift it up. But, to God, it is the highest calling we can ever have. Plus, you will grow closer to God than you ever dreamed possible. 

The burden and the joy of teaching- Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!

Ephesians 4:11-16

King James Version

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Preachers. 

Everybody loves preachers. 

Yes, the Bible does say that by "the foolishness of preaching" God will save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:21). So, everyone is all fascinated by preachers. It's not uncommon to hear folks say, "I go to brother (x)'s church. He's a great man of God!" or "I love to hear brother (y) preach!" If they don't already have one, and somebody actually wanted to start one, there could probably be a multi-million dollar magazine- similar to the magazines at the grocery store check out lines that are all about the "stars" of our country (Who's in what movie, who's sleeping with who, etc)- all about preachers. Where they are preaching, what they are preaching, who had the "biggest move of God" this week. Top 10 most popular preachers! Sounds crazy, but some folks actually argue over that kind of stuff! 

Furthermore, in many places, seems like everybody has a Title. There's Pastor Jones, Evangelists Franks, Prophet Johnson, Apostle Horne, Bishop Johnson, Elder James, Deacon Grant (all made-up names to go with the Title, used for effect only). It seems nobody can be just Brother Mike or Sister Della anymore. Nobody's happy with just being part of the family of God. Everybody's got to have a Title! Nobody's content with doing things for the Lord and for people. We gotta have a special Title to go with it so we're recognized. I thought it was all about Jesus, not us?

Some get really crazy and add Titles the Bible doesn't truly mention: Senior Pastor, Chief Apostle (Yes, there are a couple of verses in Corinthians where Paul is trying to give honor to the rest of the Apostles and saying he's less than them where he talks about them as the chiefest Apostles, but Paul wasn't giving them a Title. He was merely esteeming his brethren as better than himself), Chief Elder, Head Deacon, General Secretary, General Superintendent, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear some folks call themselves Senior most excellent Apostle of (x) someday. Everybody wants a Title and everybody wants to be a preacher. 

But, though I've heard of Sunday School Superintendent -again not a Biblical Title, but an important job- I've never heard anyone making sure they are called Sunday School Superintendent Jackson. Why? It's not as glamorous. Why? It doesn't make you look large and in charge. After all, all they do is teach sometimes and make sure the right teachers are in the right classrooms. And you never hear somebody called Teacher Hanks! There's no "glory" in that Title in most people's eyes. But, teachers are a part of the "five-fold ministry!"

Let me tell the church world something. God didn't robe himself in flesh, go through Calvary, defeat death hell and the grave, and pour his spirit out on all flesh in order to create a religious upper class that everybody is to look up to! We are all equal in his sight! It doesn't matter what he's called us to do, we are all part of the body of Christ! He condemned those types of folks in the Bible. They're called Pharisees and Sadducees! The finger of the body is just as important as the big toe, or the knee, or the lungs, or the eyes, or a hair follicle. Everybody has a part in the body. Everybody has a calling. And I can't find a single scripture where we are told to be sure that calling becomes a Title and our name is to follow right after it! 

And one more thing before I get off my soapbox:

Yes God ordained preaching. I'm not belittling that calling. But, while Preaching will save you, TEACHING WILL KEEP YOU SAVED!!! Don't believe me? Read on and you'll see what I mean. 

So, today we want to take a look at a group of people that don't get a lot of praise and adoration in most churches: Teachers. 

Everybody talks about the "fivefold ministry" in Ephesians 1:11. And yes, 4 of the 5 listed there are preachers of some sort (pastors, apostles, prophets, and evangelists). These usually get the spotlight, the pats on the back, and (if there's any given) the money. Preachers get all the Glory. Preachers get all the hype. 

I contend that this verse should actually be called, the four-fold ministry. Why? Because it says Apostles (semi-colon) Prophets (semicolon) Evangelists (semicolon) Pastors AND Teachers (no separation of any kind between the two. In fact, Paul instructed Timothy to be "Apt to teach." (2 Timothy 2:24) Even Bishops are told to be "apt to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2) So truthfully, "Pastors and Teachers", in my humble opinion is the same office! If you're a pastor, but you can only preach, you need to step down!

In fact, let's break down some new Testament facts:

Matthew through John, we see Jesus ministering and doing miracles. In most places, it doesn't say that he preached. Most of the time it said he taught!!!

Yes, we have preaching in the book of Acts. But, it also tells us that they went from house to house breaking bread (teaching? Acts 2:46), in every house they ceased NOT to teach and to preach Jesus (Acts 5:42), and Paul showed the people and taught both publically and house to house (Acts 20:20).

Then from Romans through Jude, we have letters from the Apostles to CHURCHES and CHURCH PEOPLE teaching them (and us) how to STAY SAVED.

Finally, we have Revelations. It's a book of Prophecy given to the Apostle John to TEACH THE CHURCH ABOUT THINGS TO COME.

Notice a pattern here anybody?

We have 27 books in the New Testament. And nearly ALL of them are almost totally focused on TEACHING!! Preaching is awesome! I love to hear good preaching. I do preach myself sometimes. Preaching has an awesome place in the economy of God. But, my point is that TEACHING IS EVERY BIT AS NECESSARY AS PREACHING!! If you're called to teach the word of God, don't hang your head and act as if you're a secondary citizen in the kingdom of God. Be honored that God has called you into an awesome and necessary ministry!

There is a famine of the word of God in the land- worldwide. And it's not because of preaching. It's a lack of teaching!!

There are different ways to teach.

Some are called to go from house to house and teach Bible studies. There is such a need to do this! Many people won't go to the house of God, but they will accept a Bible study in their own home. Do it with wisdom. The enemy has many traps out there. But, there are ways to do it and do it well. Indeed, those safe ways need to be taught!

Some can lead small group studies in their own home. What do you think the Apostles were doing when they went from house to house teaching? And there are many good ways to do that! 

In the church building, there are different ways as well. 

Sunday Schools are very important, but most don't do it right, I believe. 

It used to be that Churches took teaching seriously. Teachers didn't use the Sunday School curriculum. Rather, they had their Bibles out. They studied and prayed until the Lord gave them a lesson for their class. Then, when they got the message, they prayed for ways to teach those lessons to their students that would reach into the student's hearts and impact their lives!  

There are people in our churches that have expertise in areas that are needful: 

Titus 2 tells us that Godly older women are to teach younger women about marriage and family and living for God. It also says Godly older men are to teach the younger men about marriage and family and living for God.  And it doesn't have to be the same older saints teaching them. It can be rotated around. After all, different older people have gone through different experiences and have valuable Biblical insight into these topics they can pass on. 

While we do not all agree on every topic, there are folks that know scriptures well. They can teach others what they've learned through prayer, study, and experience how to teach folks about Salvation, the Godhead, Holiness, etc. 

If you have musicians and singers that know how to teach music to younger folks, and you have the facilities to do it, what's wrong with teaching them at church? It can be done during Sunday School, or at some other time. But, it needs to be taught. 

Some folks could teach end-time theology. Yes, there are differing views on the subject, but what's wrong with teaching each of these views and letting the saints pray and see how God leads?

Some could even teach how to study scripture itself! Different teachers could rotate through, explaining what works for them. After all, people learn differently. Eventually, somebody's way of studying is bound to click with them.

There are many, many subjects, specialty classes, etc that can be taught that could help the church family to progress in their homes and in the family of God. God's house has many rooms. If people aren't taught about all this stuff (the gifts of the spirit and their Biblical explanations and use, the fruits of the spirit and how we learn to bear fruit, new converts classes to explain the basic doctrines of Christianity, the different callings and giftings that scripture teaches so that folks maybe can see the direction God is leading them, and on and on!

How many churches are doing these kinds of things? I understand that some do not have the facilities or the people to do all of this. But, pray about it! Some of these things can be done! And more can be added as the Lord allows in the future.

And while I'm on the subject, just because you're a pastor or prophet or Apostle, or evangelist doesn't mean a) you can't teach some of this stuff and b) you don't need to be taught some of this stuff yourself!

While there is great preaching in the land, there is also bad preaching in the land. Teaching, along with prayer and personal study, will allow us to recognize bad preaching and bad teaching when we hear it. That way, we can consciously reject the bad and keep the good.

Pastor Jeff Arnold tells his testimony of how he was trying to find God years ago. He and his wife were in a denominal church. But, because his wife had grown up in a godly Apostolic Aunts home, she was able to warn Brother Jeff off of bad doctrine and point him to true doctrine.

Because a SUNDAY SCHOOL teacher had a burden and taught sister Arnold truth, Brother Arnold would later be born again and their ministry would impact millions of lives!

Teaching is too important to leave to chance. Teaching is too important to leave to organizational Sunday School books. It must be done in prayer, sometimes fasting, and personal Bible study so that the TEACHER can get a lesson and anointing from God! Only then will it be Biblical teaching. And only then will it have an impact on the students that they teach.

Why do people think it's okay to be gay? The world teaches them it is- and the church doesn't teach that it's evil! Some do, but many don't.

Why do people think it's okay to watch whatever they want, read whatever they want, listen to whatever they want, wear whatever they want, sleep with whomever they want, etc? The world teaches them it's okay- but many churches don't teach them it's not!

To change and paraphrase what I heard Pastor Wayne Huntley say in a sermon called, "Preach them out of hell:" TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACHER!!! " We need to teach them so that they will stay out of hell!

So please, church, please! PLEASE return back to actually praying, studying, and teaching the word of God! Please do not take your calling as a teacher lightly. It means the difference between heaven and hell for some of your students.

Remember, Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!!!