Truth is Timeless

Truth is timeless…

“This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent-Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 HCSB

In the world in which we live, many people are searching for truth! Absolute truth is something that appears fleeting and hard to grasp. Can I tell you today, that real truth is timeless? John writes, “This is eternal life”! Knowing the true God and knowing His one and only son Jesus is truth. It is an absolute truth! You may say prove it, I can prove it, with my own life. No one can take my experience with the God of the Universe from me! I know what He did and is doing in my life, and there is no power or person that can convince me otherwise! Truth is timeless and we live by faith in the one true and living God who is still able to change lives, who is still able to restore families, who is still able to heal the hurting and comfort the comfortless. Wrap your arms around the truth of a Living God and enjoy eternity…I love you all

Modern day Pharisee

You have met them, you know who they are...they are in every walk of life, they are members of Churches, they are involved in sports leagues, they work with you, live next to you and are always telling you that you should live your life like they live. The problem with modern day Pharisee’s is that their walk never really aligns itself with their talk! I love the Church, because it truly is the bride of Christ! But the 21st century North American Church has been overwhelmed with modern day Pharisee’s . People who claim a relationship with Christ but show no evidence of a life change! People who for what ever reason want to enforce and impose rules in the name of “proper doctrine” that have no relevance in a relationship with Jesus! Don’t get me wrong here, I believe in the essential doctrines of faith from scripture but I also hold to the great commission and the great commandments! Modern Day Pharisee’s want to talk about how righteous they are, but wont take time to cross the street to share Christ with a lost neighbor. Modern day Pharisee’s are willing to confront the big sin in body (Church), but are unwilling to be convicted about the little sin in their own lives! They are the first to find fault in others but bow up when someone points out wrong in their lives! Jesus spoke of these people when He quoted the Prophet Isaiah in Matthew 15:8 “These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of me.” The Modern day Pharisee is spewing a gospel that is not the same as our Lords! When Jesus looked at the masses, He was moved with compassion. We need to be moved with compassion and help people to understand systematic theology will not save you apart from a relationship with Christ! The Church needs to be hyper Evangelistic! God uses those who make them selves available! Think about what He accomplished with His first disciples. William Cary said “Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God!” What are you willing to do for Jesus? This is the question that I have for you today! Following Christ cost you everything! But it is worth it! Live for Him today!

Worship

I will give You all my worship! I will give You all my praise…

I love this song! I often think about the words and think about how to often we fail to think of God when we enter into a time of worship! Notice, that I put the “You” in the line of the song in capital letters. I did this for a reason! He (God) should be the focus of our worship! He (God) should be the focus of our praise! Soon,many of us will gather for a praise and worship service. I want to encourage you to really prepare for worship! Go expecting God to do something truly amazing! It is ok for us to want to worship Him! It is ok for us to expect something good from a time worshiping God. The Psalmist tells us to “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). The worship of God is something that a true born again believer should enjoy! We need to enjoy our relationship with God! We should run to Him ready to worship! I hope that some of you are reading this prior to going to church tonight! Take time right now and tell God how much you love Him. Tell Him that you find pleasure in being in His presence! Tell Him that you expect great and wonderful things to happen in cooperate worship tonight! I love you all!

Bro. J <><

Wisdom and Understanding

Want to be wise...
“Wisdom is supreme-so get wisdom. And what ever else you get, get understanding” Proverbs 4:7

Scripture teaches us, to revere God is the beginning of wisdom. But I know of many smart people who do not have the peace that goes along with a real relationship with Jesus. So many people allow pride and their own personal agenda to block a true relationship with the creator of the universe. Wisdom alone has no benefit! Wisdom must be accompanied by understanding. Many people have wisdom without understanding. Anyone can read the Bible and formulate an opinion of what it is saying. Understanding comes when the Holy Spirit has free reign in our lives and helps us to apply the wisdom. Make sure you have understanding! Apply what you understand of God to your life and stand by for the journey you are going to begin! I love you all!

Want to be wise...

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!” (Proverbs 1:7) The Bible teaches this we say that we understand this, but so many times in the modern church we don’t exercise fear when we are dealing with our Lord or wisdom! First, we must understand the word “fear” being used in this text means respect, revered or reverence. This is not the fear as we often equate with our 21st century thought process. We are to revere our Lord! We are to hold Him in high regard and esteem. Somehow the North American Church has been able to compartmentalize God so that He fits nicely in our little lives or so we think. God can not be compartmentalized. He is God! And truly revering Him for who He is...is the beginning of wisdom! He is to be the object of all of our affection! He deserves all of our worship! Draw close to Him today! Let God have total control of your life! Make Him your First Priority, and you will be on your way to true wisdom! I love you all!

a patriates rant

Sometimes I find my self in a situation where I am not very comfortable with all that is going on around me! This past week has been one of those weeks! I am wondering, what has happened to our country? Have we thrown in the towel! Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the Sovereignty of God and I know He is totally in control. But as a veteran and a patriate I cannot help but be a little melancholy as I see what is quickly becoming of a country that I have defended, loved and supported. Our Government has its hand in everything. What totally blows me away is no one is challenging the fed! The media has been serenaded by the presidents cronies and he is getting the free pass on everything. Lavish date nights at taxpayers expense with thousands of Americans out of work and wondering how they are going to make ends meet! Photo opportunities for Air Force One and the public afraid because of the memory of 9/11 and still this darling of the media is not brought to task! The King of America does as he pleases and if anyone questions his motives are dismissed as a right wing radical. What happened to the balance of power that our country was founded on. Are we afraid to stand up and let our voices be heard? I realize that I am not going to like everything that our government does. But lately, I cannot find anything about our government that I do like! Where is the standard? If I as an average american acted like the government, spending out of control, changing laws to serve my purposes I would be arrested!, If I made a statement like the King’s choice for Supreme Court Justice, I would be labeled a racist. Her statement in my opinion set the civil rights movement back 60 years. What has happened to American pride and ingenuity? The Heartbeat of America is more than bankrupt, it is controlled by an organization that was not designed to run a automobile manufacturer. I cannot believe that the company that built the best cars on the planet is owned by a government that does not know how to do anything but tax and spend. I honestly believe we are seeing the beginning of the end of General Motors. As inept as our leaders are it is a matter of time before we see all of our cars being built somewhere else. We are living in a world where the best and brightest fail to understand the price that was paid for our liberty and freedom. This past week, I attended a Graduation and as the Pledge to our Flag and our National Anthem was being played people continued to carry on conversations and move around. What has happened to our sense of patriotism. Our National pride is at an all time low! So many Americans have a entitlement mindset, they believe the Government will take care of their problems! We need to be part of the solution, not the problem! I am all about less Government! I believe drastic measures need to be taken! As Americans, lets call our government to task! Let us act like the super power that we are. Let us remember that we are a nation governed by the people...for the people! The King needs to realize that he is an elected person and that 2012 is coming. He also needs to understand that never before in the history of our country have we been more polarized, He has been elected to represent all Americans, Why is it, that I don’t feel like he cares about how I feel? I think of the African Americans in my town. He does not understand what they need, and they are so far removed from him...I have much more in common with those Americans then he ever will! I am praying tonight! I am praying that God does not remove His hand from this once great nation! I am praying for our so called leaders...I am calling on them to lead! Unite our country! May God truly bless you all!