Making It Plain- Keeping It Real
Just another WordPress.com weblogAre You A Whore ?
(Rom 2:1)Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who judges; for in that in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, for you who judge do the same things.
(Rom 2:2)But know that the judgment of God is according to truth on those who practice such things.
One of my favorite scenes in Tyler Perry’s movie Meet The Browns is where the one brother starts to go down the line of his late Dad’s women describing them as various types of Ho’s. When ever we hear the term Whore the first thing that comes to most people’s mind is the image of a prostitute. From a biblical prospective anytime a woman had sex with anyone who was not her husband whether she was compensated or not she was considered to be whoring. In the Bible the only sex that was permissible for a woman was with her husband or if she were a man’s concubine. Many today feel that there is no such thing as a modern-day concubine but that is a topic we’ll save for another time. One fascinating thing I found the term whoring is found at least 8 times in the Bible but only two of them actually refer to sex the rest actually refer to idol worship. Here is an example (Eze 20:30) Therefore say to the house of Israel, So says the Lord Jehovah: Are you defiled in the same way as your fathers? And do you go whoring after their abominations? God was often upset with the children of Israel because he actually took care and provided for them. Yet they would often serve other Gods, Idols who were not real. They adopted the worship as well as other practices of strangers and when in captivity the ways of the country they lived in. This angered God then, and still angers him today, because many of us myself included are or have been guilty of whoring.
In the scripture above God looks at us the same way that we look at others. None of us have it all together we all have issues and we need to concentrate on ourselves and leave others alone. Many of us are guilty of whoring in one form or another whether we want to admit it or not we are whores. Some just as the children of Israel have adopted the ways of this world and created idols because everything else in life is more important than God. We are whores in many ways today and often do not realize it here are some examples.
1.We have Parental Whores parents who refuse to parent their children they are more concerned about being their children’s friend than being their parents. They shower their children with gifts and fail to gain their respect, they reward their children’s bad behaviour by giving them anything and everything that they want.
2. We have Emotional Whores these are good people who constantly deal with other people’s emotional problems and drama but never take the time to heal themselves. Everybody dumps on you but when you are going through something no one has time to listen to you and your concerns.
3. We have Work Whores it’s always about work, work, work, you work so much and so hard that you really have no life outside of work and often times what is so sad is that all of your hard work goes unappreciated.
4. We have Creative Whores these are gifted and talented people who don’t have a real life they are always at it when it comes to their passion. There is nothing wrong with putting the time in to perfect your gifts and talents but there has got to be a balance. God who gave you those gifts and talents deserves some quality time along with those who truly love and care for you.
5. We have Count On Me Whores always there when anybody and everybody needs something you give, you give, you give and get nothing in return. God wants us to help and serve each other but there are limits. You can put yourself in the hospital helping everybody else and none of them will call not alone come to the hospital to visit you. Remember Jesus did very few miracles in his home town, he also instructed his disciples to shake the dust off their feet anywhere that they went and were not received God does not want us to wear ourselves out for anybody there is a difference between HELPING and WHORING.
6. Finally we could go on and on but finally we have The Church Whore these are people who are always in church every time the church is open they are there. Which is the biggest problem they are just they’re taking up space and time. Ask them what the pastor preached about they don’t know, ask them what it really means to be a Christian they don’t know, ask them how they live out their Christianity in their daily life they have no clue. These are people who have no life outside of church they are nothing at home or on the job but they have a major title at church. These are people who are in the way and hindering the progress of their local church. These are people who can’t sing but join the choir, they can’t count but want to be treasurer, they have no people skills but want be over something. You know the type Church Whores stay away from them !!!
Looking back over my life I realize that there have been way too many times when I have been guilty of whoring. I’ve given way too much of my talent, time, and myself to the wrong people. The Bible says that a workman is worthy of decent wages I’ve been grossly under paid many times. Don’t get me wrong we should always help and do for others but there is a big difference between helping and whoring. Helping is APPRECIATEDwhoring isn’t sometimes God wants us to help and we won’t get as much as a Thank You but whoring is an unhealthy lifestyle that only drains and brings us down so ask yourself are you a HELPER or a WHORE Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
(Mat 7:6)Do not give that which is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and tear you.
Let’s Talk !!! Part II
(Isaiah 1:18) Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:19) If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
Stress is a killer it can be linked to all types of illnesses and diseases stress often causes ill-health because we keep things within. Sometimes we just don’t talk about what really ails us we keep it in. In our scripture God let’s us know that he is waiting to talk with us about our problems. Many times we are our own worst enemy we cause ourselves more problems and difficulties through bad choices and decisions. However it makes no difference to God he does not care what the issue or problem is he wants us to come to him and talk. He’ll help us by cleaning the slate and giving us a fresh start and then he assures us that if we obey him after our confessions to him that there will be positive results.
Let’s look at the CEV translation of the same scripture (Isaiah 1:18) I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. (Isaiah 1:19) If you willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours. God wants us to talk things over with him he wants us to be honest with him. I believe sometimes people get confused they go to church and hear someone praying and figure that’s what they need to do, some sort of ceremonial prayer. When actually God literally wants us to talk to him just as we would our best friend because in actuality he is our best friend. He is not going to be judgmental or critical he will listen then through the reading of his WORD and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit he’ll point us in the right direction.
In this life we also need to find people that we can talk things over with. (James 5:16)Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. Theeffectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much. (James 5:16) If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot. (1John 1:9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us oursins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us (MKJV). (1John 1:9) But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. (1John 1:10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his message isn’t in our hearts (CEV).
You need to talk things over with God and also find someone to share your feelings with, you may aready have that person in your life but just have not made that connection yet. If you usually talk things over with someone and things don’t get better than maybe you need to confide in someone else. When you have the right person or persons agreeing with you in prayer the WORD gurantees results. God does not want any of us sick, frustrated, disgusted, busted, broke, stressed out, or confused. Remember what my Aunt who we used to affectionately call DEAR often said via her favorite verse (Proverbs10:22) The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Then in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Finally in 3John (3John 1:2) Beloved, in regard to all things I pray that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
REST IN PEACE
(Luke 16:22) And it happened that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich one also died and was buried. (Luke 16:23) And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
It saddens me each time I hear of the news of someone passing on and leaving this life. Not so much for those who have passed but for those who are left behind. Once someone has left this life there is nothing else to be said or done until the great roll is called up yonder as the saints of old would say. My Dad often said that his Dad would say “What if the Bible is right and you wait until Judgment Day to find out? “Then there would be no time left to do anything about your soul”.
How often do we hear people say may this person or that person Rest In Peace when if as my Grand Dad would infer if the Bible is right then there are many that are leaving this life daily and looking at our scripture above in hell he or she lifted up their eyes once they left this life. If there were only a .0005 percent chance that the Bible is right. It is too much of a risk to take. Hell is not a popular topic these days but that does not have any effect on the reality of its existence. Why go through Hell in this life only to spend eternity, forever in a huge, hot and burning Hell, especially when you don’t have to.
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.(John 3:17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.
Stop watching and letting those you love and care for go-to hell when they don’t have to. God sends no one to Hell they send themselves when they reject the free gift of salvation. Read Luke Chapter 16 for yourself look at verse 22 and notice as posted above what happened to the beggar Lazarus and the rich man (23). God has provided a means of escape from the troubles of this life as well as the eternal judgment and punishment to come. You have a choice of how things end for you now and eternally.
(Rev 14:13) And I heard a voice from Heaven saying to me, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they shall rest from their labors, and their works follow them. Should the time come, you really can Rest In Peace. Be Encouraged and Blessed
Minister Mike
Do You Love Me ?
(John 21:15) Then when they broke fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.
(John 21:16) He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My sheep.
(John 21:17) He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things, You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.
I’ve always found this passage of scripture to be very interesting and it was not until recent studies that it began to make sense. First of all we need to understand that there are numerous uses and meanings for the word love. In the Hebrew there are three types of love raya (brotherly love), ahava (the choice to make a commitment) and dod (erotic love). So as we look at this scripture in context Jesus could be asking Peter are you really my brother. He could also be asking him are you really committed to me at the same time he could be asking both. The most important thing to draw from this interaction is the response Jesus makes after each response of Peter Feed My sheep. Jesus wants Peter to tell the story of his life, burial, and resurrection. Peter has no clue or idea what is about to happen but Jesus does and he uses this occasion to make an impression on Peter to give him something to remember once his mission is completed and Peter is left to carry on.
So how do we apply this story in our personal lives the answer is quite simple. (James 4:13) Come now, those saying, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city and spend a year there, and we will trade and will make a profit,(James 4:14) who do not know of the morrow. For what is your life? For it is a vapor, which appears for a little time, and then disappears. None of us knows how much time we have on this earth nor how much time our friends and loved ones have. What we do know is that at some point our lives as well as theirs will come to an end. Everyday we tell people in our lives how much we love them yet if they were to die today in Hell they would lift up their eyes.
Everyone reading this post deep down in their heart knows that Hell is real because there have been times in your life you have dealt with stuff that came straight out of Hell. There has to be a place reserved for evil, people such as Adolf Hitler they have to be somewhere paying for the evil they did while on this earth. Hell is real and I for one don’t even want my enemies to go there. I don’t mind them catching Hell while they are here but I don’t want to see anyone except the purely evil go to Hell. If you truly love someone why would you allow them to live and go to Hell. (John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.(John 3:17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.(John 3:18) He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. This is the food that Jesus was referring to when he instructed Peter to feed his sheep and he wants us to do the same.
God does not want anyone to go to Hell (2Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (MKJV).(2Peter 3:9) The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost(CEV). You have friends, relatives, co-workers, and in some cases spouses that if they died today would go to Hell because they have not accepted God’s Gift of Salvation. If you truly love and care for someone then tell them about Jesus. Salvation comes by us accepting Jesus Christ as our personal saviour not through our church attendance and definitely not through the lives that we live because on our best days we don’t come close to God’s expectations for us. I Thank God everyday for Jesus because I am definitely a work in progress but if I left this life today I know where I’m going. I love each and every one of you and want you to spend eternity in a place that God has prepared for you a place called Heaven TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL he does not need you to keep him company accept God’s free Gift TODAY !!! Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike
Why Some Aren’t Healed Part 1
(3 John 1:2) Beloved, in regard to all things I pray that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
Personally I’ve been battling Fibromyalgia for almost 16 years now and while it is nowhere near as bad as it used to be I’m still not healed of it completely. So I’ve wondered why I’m not healed as I thought on my own personal situation I started to look at the broader picture as to why some aren’t healed period. Some say that when a person that knows the Lord is sick and they pass then they receive their healing via the gift of eternal life. To me this is a cope out this following scripture is often quoted (Jer 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. So in other words according to those who look at death as a form of healing then God’s pleasant thoughts towards some are that they will get sick and die I DON’T THINK SO !!! If we would look at our base scripture we see where God wants us to be in good health. So what is the problem? J Todd Hostetler wrote a book entitled SPIRITUAL FIRST AID KIT it has been a help as well as inspiration to me. If you’d like a copy for yourself contact him at Shofar Ministries P.O. Box 701 Grand Rapids, OH 43522
As we approach the problem of not being healed the first thing we should look at is why there is sickness in the first place. The reason there is sickness is simple we have sickness because we live in a world of sin. When Adam sinned that allowed sickness to enter the world allowing our bodies to break down and eventually we die. The first reference of sickness I could find in the Bible was in the book of Genesis and it co-insides with what I just said (Gen 48:1) And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (Gen 49:33) And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
The Death of Jacob gives us a perfect example of how a child of God dies or translates from this life to Life Eternal. Yes Jacob was sick but it was not his sickness that killed the scripture tells us that he yielded up the ghost. Jesus on the cross said (Luke 23:46) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. My dad always said that a true child of God cannot leave this earth until they give up the ghost that means that there is an agreement between you and God that you’re ready to leave. Now of course people die suddenly due to stroke or heart attacks but often times these are preventable deaths. Our diets are awful and we don’t properly exercise. My Dad went from life to life eternal in a manner similar to Jacob he quoted John 17 which starts like this (John 17:1) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: Man what a way to go he was almost 94 years old. I truly believe that there are a lot of people leaving this earth daily who are not ready to go they just lack the knowledge of what they need to do in other to stay until they are actually ready to go.
King Hezekiah for one had a solution when given a Death Notice here’s what he said (Isa 38:16) O Jehovah, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit; so You will recover me, and make me to live. (Isa 38:17) Behold, I had great bitterness for peace; but You loved my soul from the pit of destruction. You have cast all my sins behind Your back. (Isa 38:18) For the grave cannot praise You, death can not rejoice in You; they who go down into the pit cannot hope for Your truth. (Isa 38:19)The living, the living, he shall praise You, as I do this day; the father shall make Your truth known to the sons. (Isa 38:20) For Jehovah is for my salvation; and we will sing my songs on the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of Jehovah.
King Hezekiah was given 15 additional years of life after praying the prayer found in Isaiah 38 portions of which you’ve just read above. So from reading the story of King Hezekiah one might come to the conclusion that if praise is lacking in our lives then our healing may possibly be put on hold. One thing praise is, is just simple recognition that God is who he is, scripture tells us that (Act 17:28) For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also certain of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. We exist because of God and he deserves every bit of praise that we can offer him. It is my goal to do a whole series on why some aren’t healed who actually desire healing. Breaking it down we realize that sin is why there is sickness, illness, and disease. I believe that some aren’t healed because of sinful lifestyle, lack of Faith, Environment, and as stated already a lack of praise or recognition that God is who he is and is the only one who can heal us.
I quote this scripture often (2Ch 16:12) And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet, until his disease was very grievous. Yet in his disease he did not seek to Jehovah, but to the physicians. (2Ch 16:13) And Asa slept with his fathers and died in the forty-first year of his reign. (2Ch 16:12) In the thirty-ninth year of his rule, he got a very bad foot disease, but he relied on doctors and refused to ask the LORD for help. (2Ch 16:13) He died two years later. So we see here that when we get sick we need to ask God for help once again we need to recognize that he is who he is and that he can and will help us if we but ask. (James 5:14) Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:15) And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him. (James 5:16) Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much. We are going to stop here for now, I encourage you to pull out your Bible and read for yourself the complete chapters for the scripture references that we’ve used. The Lord willing we’ll pick right up where we left off here in James Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
STOP IT !!!
(Rom 3:23) for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
There is a popular segment on ESPN’s Count Down Show where Coach Mike Ditka humorously weighs in on various topics. After each topic Coach Ditka simply says “Stop It” As I look at Herman Cain’s recent problems of sexual harassment allegations along with the accusations of a 13 year affair. Couple that with Eddie Long’s wife filing for divorce than changing her mind than deciding once again to continue her divorce petition. The same phrase comes to mind “STOP IT” it is time for people especially those who consider themselves to be Christians to simply “STOP IT” People’s short comings or accusations of short comings should not be news nor should we be talking about them. Personally I’m repenting of sharing and spreading such news and reports myself. The word of God tells us (Mat 18:15) If one of my followers sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you. If that person listens, you have won back a follower. (Mat 18:16) But if that one refuses to listen, take along one or two others. The Scriptures teach that every complaint must be proven true by two or more witnesses. (Mat 18:17) If the follower refuses to listen to them, report the matter to the church. Anyone who refuses to listen to the church must be treated like an unbeliever or a tax collector (CEV).
Why is it that people’s short comings and mistakes are aired on local, regional, and national news? People’s private affairs should remain private. God is not pleased with what he sees as our base scripture says (Rom 3:23) for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, it also says (James 2:10) If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all.
So why is it that as long as it’s not our sin or issue we are so ready to put others down to talk about how awful they are? Yet God is not pleased with us because of our own personal short comings. Some of us may have filthy minds or secret sins yet because we have not been found out we always talk about other people’s short comings and issues. Here is how the Word instructs us to deal with those in authority when they have short comings. (1Ti 5:19) Don’t listen to any charge against a church leader, unless at least two or three people bring the same charges. (1Ti 5:20) But if any of the leaders should keep on sinning, they must be corrected in front of the whole group, as a warning to everyone else. (1Ti 5:21) In the presence of God and Christ Jesus and their chosen angels, I order you to follow my instructions! Be fair with everyone, and don’t have any favorites (CEV). Now the problem here is that in some churches these days there is nothing in place to hold those in authority accountable.
King David is often referred to as a man after God’s own Heart yet he had Uriah killed after committing adultery with his wife and impregnating her. Out of all the popular Preachers alive today I don’t believe that none of them come close to having the heart of David who after all of his short comings God still referred to him as his servant years after his death. Jerusalem is still known as the City of David. So why do we expect perfection out of imperfect people? We all have our issues and short comings the Word says (Mat 7:3) You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. (Mat 7:4) How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye? (Mat 7:5) You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye(CEV). It also tells us (Gal 6:1) Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you the spiritual ones restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. (Gal 6:2)Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the Law of Christ. (Gal 6:3) For if anyone thinks himself to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself.
People are people and folks are folks it is high time that we stop paying attention to the latest scandal and gossip when someone comes up short morally. Instead of talking pray for them that God will deliver them from whatever short comings and issues they are dealing with. At the same time Praise God that your faults and short comings are not on the nightly news or being viewed all over the Internet. The funny thing about it is that while we talk about others who are down. When they turn to God he is ready to forgive and forget. We are the one still dealing with our hidden sins and issues those people whose life has been put on blast can now experience true deliverance and healing. So instead of sharing and spreading the news of someone’s short comings and failure JUST STOP IT !!! Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
Have You Planned Ahead For Your Future !!!
(Pro 13:22) A good man leaves an inheritance to his sons’ sons, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
(Lev 11:9)These you shall eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them you shall eat.
(Mat 6:19) Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. (Mat 6:20) But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Mat 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Sometimes we get so engulfed in the routine of day to day life that we never take the time to properly prepare for our future. I believe that there are three areas that we need to make sure that we take time to invest time in. Number one our health Pastor Rance Allen shared with me something that his doctor shared with him. His doctor told him that up to age 40 our body takes care of us after age 40 it is up to us to take care of our bodies. Nowadays we find that even amongst teens there is an obesity problem here in the USA due to poor diet and lack of exercise. Personally for 8 years I travelled this country and did not properly take care of myself having a very poor diet and not exercising. While I’ve never smoked, drank, or used drugs poor diet and lack of exercise finally did me in. It has been 15 years since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and I’m still not physically right. However there has been a vast improvement in my illness due to Prayer, Diet Change, and Exercise. I can only imagine what my life would be like had I not made the needed changes to my lifestyle and it is an on going process.
Believe it or not the Bible is an excellent resource to help us when it comes to a proper diet. The Levitical Diet as found in the book of Leviticus has proved to be both beneficial and life saving as chronicled in the book The Makers Diet by Jordan Rubin http://makers-diet.net/ here is another link about the Levitical Diet http://www.livestrong.com/article/227385-levitical-diet-food-list/. God promises us with life and often we shorten our on life via the choices that we make one such choice is the lack of investment in proper diet and exercise. Dr. Ramona Bethany is spear heading a major emphasis on health for the year 2012 with the support and blessings of Pastor Robert Culp she along with the entire church family of First Church of God will be addressing this very important area in 2012.
One thing that often causes health problems is stress, stress and financial problems often go hand in hand. As noted in our scripture text above the book of Proverbs tells us that a good man leaves an inheritance to his sons, sons. That’s pretty hard to do when we are living from pay check to pay check which is usually a result of poor or no financial planning. I’m guilty here also personally there was a time in my life where during a three year period I spent $22,000.00 on vehicle leases. For some leasing is fine for me it was not, it was a poor decision. During those years I could have purchased two excellent used cars for around $5000.00 each and could have saved at least $10,000.00 of that $22,000.00. I walk a lot these days and have not had a car payment or lease payment in 15 years the car I have now was mine when I drove it off the lot paid in full. Whenever I walk to my office I pass a buy here pay here car lot these dealerships are really bad news. I have noticed some cars that have been sold three or four times the same vehicle. Before you fall victim to these types of dealerships seek some advice and help. I recommend talking to people such as Derick Gant of Comexx Consulting http://comexx.net/ Derick will help you to get your financial house in order so that hopefully one day you will be able to leave an inheritance for your sons, sons as our scripture says.
Finally the scripture tells us (James 4:14) What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears (CEV). No matter how long you live it is only a fraction if that much when compared to eternity. So what type of plans are you making for the real future? Our text above encourages us to lay up treasures in heaven. My dad told me that his Dad often said “what if the Bible is right and you wait until Judgment Day to find out? It would be too late for you to do anything about your soul”. The biggest investment you can make is that of Eternal Security, these days people are so inelligent they rule out the existence of God. However if their life depended on whether he does or does not exist (which it does) there is no one anywhere that can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does not exist. Nature itself begs to differ the yearly changing of the seasons shows us that there is a master designer of this earth and life.
Today you can invest in your eternal future by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal saviour. (Joh 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (Joh 3:17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. Once you’ve made that eternal investment then encourage others to do the same. Treat people as you want to be treated, Love those who are unlovable, care for others, help others, and do as much good as humanly possible and by doing so you will be investing in an awesome everlasting future. Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
Is It Me or Is It You? (The Jonah Syndrome)
Suggested
Reading the entire story of Jonah found in the Book of Jonah in the Old
Testament
In the story of Jonah we see where God instructs his prophet Jonah to go to the
great city of Nineveh and to preach against the evil that was going on in the
city. Well Jonah has other ideas and decides to run away from God by
going to Tarshish. As a result of his disobedience those around him are
trust into a very dangerous and terrible storm. As we continue on in the
story Jonah is cast off the ship in the midst of the storm and suddenly the sea
becomes calm.
Well the obvious moral to this story is to follow the commands of God or else
we may wind up just as Jonah did in the midst of a terrible storm or face the
storms of life as a result of our disobedience. However another point for
us to notice is the affects of our disobedience on others. We find those
traveling with Jonah are put in harms way because of Jonah’s
disobedience. One might ask why would God allow such a thing to happen to
innocent people.
First of all when we neglect to do what God tells us to that act in itself
causes problems because we are not reaching those that need our help that’s why
God is sending us in the first place. Secondly we should always be aware
of who we associate with because disobedience just like sin spreads. Just
as Adams original sin literally put creation into chaos. Jonah’s
disobedience caused a similar chain reaction to those around him. People
suffer because of our sin as well as our disobedience because just like a virus
we spread our sin and disobedience to others.
It is so important that we stay in touch with God through prayer and reading
his Holy word our Manual for this life. We are a hindrance and a serious
liability to ourselves as well as those around us when we refuse to follow
God’s purpose and plan for our lives. Be encouraged and Obedient Minister Mike.
It’s Not That We’ve Been So Good !!!!!
(Deu 9:1)Hear, O, Israel! You areto pass over Jordan today, to go in to expel nations greater and mightier than you, cities great and fenced up to heaven, (Deu 9:2)a people great and tall, the sons of the giants, whom you know and have heard it said, Who can stand before the sons of Anak! (Deu 9:3) Therefore, understand today that Jehovah your God is He who goes over before you. Likea consuming fire, He shall destroy them, and He shall bring them down before your face. So you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as Jehovah has said to you. (Deu 9:4) Do not speak in your heart, after Jehovah your God has cast them out from before you, saying: For my righteousness, Jehovah has brought me in to possess this land. But for the wickedness of these nations, Jehovah your God drives them out from before you. (Deu 9:5)Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go to possess their land. But for the wickedness of these nations Jehovah your God drives them out from before you, so that He may perform the Word which Jehovah swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Deu 9:6) Therefore, understand that Jehovah your God does not give you this good land, to possess it, for your righteousness. For you are a stiff-necked people.
One of the biggest misrepresentations as well as misconceptions when it comes to Christians is that they are perfect. Nothing can be further from the truth as a matter of fact scripture says(Rom 3:10) as it is written: “There is none righteous, no not one; it also says (Rom 3:23) for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Since all of us have sinned than why do we allow those who do not know the Lord to think and feel as if they are too dirty or they have no chance of becoming one of God’s children. I believe one answer is that some christians do not show any signs of true humility. They are pious, arrogant, and look down on others. None of us are all that, none of us have arrived, and all of us still deal daily with our own pet sin or sins.
Personally I know that I’ve let God down many times in my life I am nowhere near perfect. I need God’s grace and mercy everyday. The Apostle Paul says it best (Rom 7:18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find. (Rom 7:19) For I do not do the good that I desire; but the evil which I do not will, that I do.
(1Ti 1:15)Faithful is the Word and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
(1Ti 1:16)But for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, as a pattern to those being about to believe on Him to life everlasting.
So here we have Paul who is credited with writing two-thirds of the New Testament informing us that there is no good thing in his flesh, when he desires to do good he does evil instead, and that Jesus died to save sinners and that he was the chief of sinners. It amazes me of how we as christians myself included are shocked and awed when a major evangelist is found to have fallen into sin or are getting a divorce because of infidelity. If Paul says that he was the chief of sinners then why are we surprised. It is not about the worker it’s about the power of The Word and The Work(spreading the Gospel of Christ) Note Paul did not say that he had been the chief of sinners he said Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (present tense). So where do we get off being so arrogant, looking down on others, looking at someone else’s short comings as being worst than yours. (Jas 2:9) But if you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures teach that you have sinned. (Jas 2:10)If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. This is what many so-called christians forget we are to treat everyone the same because none of us are all that we all have sinned and will continue to do so until we leave this earth.
As we read our text above we see where Moses is informing the children of Israel that they are about to possess the promised land and it is not because they were so good or so righteous. He even lets them know that they sinned in the wilderness and were a stiff-necked people. So they just as we are today we aren’t so much. As with the children of Israel centuries ago we have what we have and achieve what we achieve because of the promises of God. It is by his Grace and his Mercy that we are able to achieve not because we are all that, not because we are so righteous ( I know I’m not) not because we have been so good. We are children of The Promise and we should never get so high or sink so low that we forget that. Let us Pray Father in heaven forgive us for being so forgetful in not remembering or realizing that it is because of your Grace and Mercy that we are alive and things are as well as they are. Help us to remember that we are in no position to look down on others to be arrogant, help us to remember to treat everyone the same from the greatest to the least in Jesus name we pray Amen. Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
God Has A Better Plan
(Jer 29:11)For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end(KJV). (Jer 29:11)For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.(MKJV). (Jer 29:11) I will bless you with a future filled with hope–a future of success, not of suffering (CEV).
This past Sunday I was watching the Potter’s House Live Stream of their Sunday Worship service, it was so timely and interesting as it touched on several things that I have been reflecting and meditating on for the last few weeks. Before he raised the offering Bishop T.D. Jakes spoke about the importance of our thoughts and used our base scripture text in his talk. It is amazing how we can let negative thoughts and ideas take root so much so that it stifles our everyday life. I love the King James Version of our text because it says that God has thoughts about us and I think that we often forget this fact Jeremiah 1:5 tells us Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (KJV). God knew each and every one of us before we ever came into existence and he had a divine plan for each of us. However he gave us the freedom to choose whether or not we’d seek out his plan and purpose for our lives or go our own way. We should always remember that often what we think is good or best for us may in fact be the opposite. The friends we choose, the spouse we choose, even sometimes the job we choose may not be in our best interest. Yet God has great plans for us but it is up to us to seek his direction.
When we get sick or in trouble, when we’re broke, busted, and disgusted I really don’t belive that any of these are part of Gods plan just look at the text if says he has thoughts of peace, and not of evil towards us so when we experience the negatives in life we should not attribute that to God’s will as so many do. The troubles and problems of life are first of all a result of the fact that we live in an ever increasingly sinful world and often times our problems and situations are a result of our own bad decisions and choices.
(Deu 28:1)And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (Deu 28:2) And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. If we simply obey God we are assured of being blessed, often when things and situations are not right we go ahead anyway. We know that something ain’t just right about an individual but we get involved anyway.
(Luke 18:28)And Peter said, Lo, we have left all and have followed You.(Luke 18:29) And He said to them, Truly I say to you, There is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, (Luke 18:30) who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and, in the world to come everlasting life (MKJV). Here is the answer to many of our problems we have not left all to follow Christ. Even in the midst of economic uncertainty, in a time when many are losing their jobs and way of life. God’s word holds true today just as it did over 2000 years ago. God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us he does not want us sick, he does not want us suffering, he does not want us broke. Jesus himself promises us with more than we currently have he promised them then and he promises us now that we’ll receive many times more. He also said (Matthew 11:30) For My yoke iseasy, and My burden is light. Church Folks need to stop saying that tough times, sickness, heartbreak,heartache, and life’s problems are from God because they aren’t.
Let’s take a quick look at Job. (Job 1:20) And Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshiped. (Job 1:21)And he said, I came naked out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Jehovah gave, and Jehovah has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah. (Job 1:22) In all this Job did not sin, nor charge God foolishly(MKJV). (Job 1:22) In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong(CEV). If you know the story of Job (if you don’t you should read it) you know that in the very first chapter in a very short period of time Job loses almost everything that he has including all of his children yet in verse 22 we see that he does not blame God nor does he say that God caused all of these events to happen to him. The CEV in my opinion points it out best it says (Job 1:22) In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong. Things go wrong in life and we want to get mad or blame God when he’s not to blame. As I stated earlier a lot of stuff happens because we live in an ever increasingly sinful world and a lot of pain really is self-inflicted.
I know that I can and probably many of you can do better we all are currently alive but are we living? Some of you have heard it said many times Jesus said (John 10:10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly(MKJV). A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest (CEV). Once again I like something found in the CEV translation I like where it says that Jesus came so that we might have life in its fullest. I don’t know about you but that sounds good to me, however for many of us the problem is our associations that we have.
Some of you don’t realize that you associate daily with thieves people who don’t literally steal from you even though some might. You are dealing with and in some cases living with people who are stealing and destroying the very life that God has given you and if you keep dealing, living, or associating with them they will destroy you because that’s who they are destroyers. As I close examine yourself make sure that you are following God that he is first that you are in a position to receive the fullness of life that he has for you make sure that you are not one of the destroyers yourself that you are a life-giver not taker.
Let us Prayer Father in heaven we Thank You and Praise You for the life you have given us, for the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and for Life eternal. Lord we humbly seek your grace and mercy because we all have sinned, we’ve done wrong and we ask your forgiveness. Lord we come to you in behalf of those who are not living life to the fullest, they are not living they are merely existing. Lord help us all to just follow your word daily to give up the false pleasures of this world and totally commit our lives to you because you created us and your plans were for peace and not evil. Help us to change and leave the past in the past, from this moment forward we follow you in Jesus name we pray Amen. Be Encouraged and Blessed Minister Mike.
