³ And hereby we do know that we know Him, 

IF we keep [fulfill] His commandments.

⁴ He that saith, I know Him, 

and keepeth not [doesn't fulfill] His commandments, 

is a liar, 🤥 

and the truth is not in him.

⁵ But whoso keepeth His word, [to fulfill a command]

in him verily is the love of God perfected: 

hereby know we that we are in Him.

⁶ He that saith he abideth in Him 

ought himself also so to walk, 

even as He walked.

1 John 2 (KJV)

We need to take time to do a heart check and internal inspection....

❓️ Am I keeping [fulfilling] God's commands?

(This includes every instruction to do -or- abstain from doing whatever God's Word says do or don't do. )

❓️ Am I walking/living as Jesus walked/lived?

Are My Words Placing Me In Danger of Hell Fire?

I've heard it said.

You've heard it said. 

Maybe it's been said about you. 💔😔

I hope you have never said it about or to anyone: 😔

"They're WORTHLESS!"

"You're STUPID!"

"You're a FOOL!"

And what about,  "You're a BLOCKHEAD!"

A phrase made popular by the cartoon character,  Lucy, in Peanuts.

I just read comments under a post the other day that shocked me. These were adults who were calling someone names, throwing insults because they didn't agree with what he posted. I didn't either, but I'm not going to call names or throw insults. 

But more than my opinion or feelings, 

JESUS WARNED AGAINST using those terms.....

“But I say unto you, 

That whosoever is ANGRY with his brother 

WITHOUT A CAUSE

shall be IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT: 

and whosoever shall say to his brother, 

RACA, (meaning: worthless)

shall be IN DANGER OF THE COUNCIL: 

but whosoever shall say, 

THOU FOOL, (meaning: stupid, shut-up, blockhead)

shall be IN DANGER OF HELL FIRE.”

  — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)

Name calling can place us on dangerous ground before the Lord and even cost a person their soul. 

Name calling reveals something is not right in the heart. 

Name calling reveals there's anger and hate lurking under the surface,  hidden in the heart, but given the right situation it explodes and spews it's venom. 

WORDS HURT!

WORDS MATTER!

WORDS CUT AND LEAVE SCARS AND 

DEEP WOUNDS THAT MAY NEVER HEAL!

But more than that, it puts us on dangerous ground before God and in danger of hell fire. 

Jesus warns and teaches us to watch our words...

“But I say unto you, 

That whosoever is ANGRY with his brother 

WITHOUT A CAUSE

shall be IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT: 

and whosoever shall say to his brother, 

RACA, (meaning: worthless)

shall be IN DANGER OF THE COUNCIL: 

but whosoever shall say, 

THOU FOOL, (meaning: stupid, shut-up, blockhead)

shall be IN DANGER OF HELL FIRE.”

  — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)

How Do We Show Jesus We Love Him? ❤️

Love ❤️

It's the season and time of year when many are focused on showing another how much they love them. Setting aside hearts and flowers and chocolate,  what does the Bible say about love?  

Jesus was asked what the greatest command in the law was. His response in Matthew 22:37-40 reveals what God considers the greatest commandments above all....

Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

This is the first and great commandment. 

The second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 

On these 2 commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

LOVE GOD - LOVE OTHERS

Why? Because when we truly learn to love God, we will love others.  And when we truly learn to love others, then it will take care of a lot of other sin problems.

The FIRST and GREAT COMMAND is to LOVE GOD with every part of our being. 1 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV) says, “But if any man love God, the same is known of Him.”

SO, HOW DO WE SHOW GOD WE LOVE HIM?

Our mind automatically thinks: prayer, Bible reading,  faithfully attending Church. And yes, those do show Jesus we love Him by spending time with Him. But, Jesus plainly told us in His Word how we show Him that we love Him.... 

John 14:15 - If ye love Me, KEEP my commandments.

KEEP means: to observe; fulfill a command 

Jesus said again in John 14:21 - He that hath My commandments, and KEEPETH them, he it is that loveth Me...

²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will KEEP my words...

If we love Jesus,  we will observe, obey and fulfill the commands in His Word. 

He warned in verse 24 - He that loveth Me not KEEPETH NOT My sayings...

Our obedience to His commands SHOWS Jesus that we truly LOVE Him. 

Willfully ignoring or not doing what His Word commands shows Him that person does not love Him. 

Actions speak louder than words. 

If we love Jesus,  we will observe, obey and fulfill the commands in His Word. 

Do you love Jesus? ❤️

Are your actions showing Him you truly love Him? ❤️

The Parent and the Pastor

 The Parent and The Pastor 

As A Parent....

You want good for your children. 

You want them to be healthy

And to excel and do well in life

Yet, there are times....

when you have to have a talk with them.

They're getting into things they shouldn't.

At times, they are putting theirself in danger.

May even be putting their sibling in harms way as well. 

You, as the parent,  see how what they're doing will harm them.

Sometimes,  no matter how much you admonish or try to reason with them, they continue to do it anyway,  pushing boundaries.

The last resort is issuing correction or instituting a punishment.

Your child whom you love...

Cries

Gets angry with you

Accuses you of hating them

You hear them falsely accuse, "you don't love me!"

Or even,  "Abuse!"

And yet that is the furthest from the truth.

It is BECAUSE you love them

It is BECAUSE you care 

that you had to correct or punish them. 

You understand that even though they may not at the moment. 

Your Pastor...

Wants good for those God has placed in his care.

He want you to be healthy spiritually 

And to excel and do well in the Kingdom of God.

Yet, there are times....

when your Pastor may have to talk with you.

He sees you're getting into things you shouldn't.

God shows him you are putting yourself in danger.

Your actions may even be influencing someone else and putting them in harms way (spiritually) as well. 

As the Pastor, he sees the danger lying ahead.

Sometimes,  no matter how much he admonishes or tries to reason with them, they continue to do it anyway,  pushing boundaries.

The last resort is to issue a biblical correction.

This person whom the Pastor loves and cares for...

Cries

Gets angry with him

Accuses him of hating them

He hears them falsely accuse, "you don't love me!"

Or even,  "Church hurt!"

And yet that is the furthest from the truth.

It is BECAUSE he loves them

It is BECAUSE he cares 

that he had to admonish them.

He understands this even though that person may not at the moment. 

And, It is his duty - Biblically. 

The Pastor is mandated by God to teach us the difference between what is right and what is wrong,  between what is holy and what is profane. (Ezek 44:23)

If the Pastor does not sound the alarm warning of danger, then God said our blood will be on his hands.  (Ezek 3:17-21 + 18:24-32 + 33:1-9)

That is a heavy responsibility.  

It is BECAUSE God loves us. (Heb 12:6)

It is BECAUSE the Pastor loves us.

If he didn't love you,  he wouldn't warn.

The Holy Ghost laid this heavily on my mind Monday morning (2-5-24) before I was even fully awake. 

God is trying to admonish someone. 

Will you hear and heed His voice. 

Don't harden your heart. 

God is reaching - BECAUSE He loves you.

Just Call Me "Mara" (Bitter)

 Just call me "Mara" (bitter)

Life can deal some bitter blows.

Blows that can cause you to battle bitterness. 

You try not to give in, but the struggle is real. 

The struggle is hard. 

I've said and taught for many years:

We have two choices....

Either to become bitter 

Or to become better. 

Bitterness is a poison.

The main person it infects is the one allowing it to harbor and fester in their heart.

There are many examples in the Bible of those who were dealt bitter blows by Life or by the actions of others. Two particular ones come to mind....

Joseph refused to become bitter and was eventually exalted to the palace. 

Naomi battled bitterness from the loss of her husband and two sons.  

She re-named herself Mara (bitter) - Ruth 1:20

But she had a daughter in law who tried to help her get through the bitter days. 

God saw her hurting, grieving heart. He didn't hold it against her. He walked with her through the trial and eventually her heart was able to find joy again.  

This thought has come to me off and on the past couple days and again today.  It won't leave me so I'm posting to encourage someone....

If you are battling bitterness,  God wants to heal your hurting heart and bind up your wounds.

While it is a choice whether to succumb to bitterness or to allow yourself to heal and become better through it, the struggle is real.  The struggle is hard.

But we have a God who will never leave nor forsake you.

He will walk with you every step of the way.

He'll never leave nor forsake you.

In time, He will make the bitter waters sweet again just as He did for Joseph and Naomi.  

Naomi was no longer called Mara but instead became known as Blessed. 

You will be, as well. 

Just don't allow the bitterness to take root and grow.

The Incense of Prayer

 The Incense of Prayer

Exodus 30

⁷ And Aaron shall 

BURN THEREON SWEET INCENSE

EVERY MORNING.....

⁸ And when Aaron lighteth the lamps AT EVEN, 

he shall burn incense upon it,

A PERPETUAL INCENSE before the LORD.....

REV 5:8

...having every one of them harps, 

and GOLDEN VIALS FULL OF ODOURS, 

which are THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.

Revelation 8

³ And another angel came 

and stood at the altar, 

having a golden censer; 

and there was given unto him MUCH INCENSE, 

that he should offer it 

WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.....

⁴ And the smoke of the incense, 

which came with the prayers of the saints, 

ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

*Our prayers are like sweet incense before God.

*They are to be a perpetual incense = (meaning)

Pray without ceasing. — 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)

Have you offered up an incense of prayer before God this morning? And this evening? And every day? Perpetually?

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

 ONE THING IS NEEDFUL 

Luke 10 (KJV)

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, 

Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious)

and troubled (disturbed) about many things:

⁴² But....: 

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

and Mary HATH CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART, 

which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary had chosen to spend time listening and learning at the feet of Jesus.

There were many things at that moment to distract her.  

Things that needed to get done.

They had guests to feed and care for.

Martha was anxiously scurrying around to make sure the needs of others were met. 

Seems to be very important and very needful.

YET ONE THING IS MORE NEEDFUL....

Time spent with Jesus. 

Mary realized she couldn't help feed others 

UNTIL she had spent time being fed Spiritual food by the Master.

She CHOSE the GOOD PART (time in His Presence).

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL,

more than any other responsibility we may have.

Every time we pray and read our Bible, 

Every time we attend Church or Bible study and hear the Word preached, taught, and expounded,

We are CHOOSING THAT GOOD PART.

Jesus said it shall not be taken away from us.

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

Are you choosing that Good Part?

Teach Your Children

 Teach your children to worship. 

Teach your children to pray.

Example it to them.

The devil is pulling hard for your children through what they read and watch in movies and on social media apps, especially Tiktok. 

Don't let him win!

Get those children to Church every time you can.

Jesus said to suffer (send, allow) the children to come to Him and forbid them not (don't stop or hinder them). Mt 19:14

Read the Bible to them and pray with them every day. 

Teach your children how to love, live for, and serve Jesus. 

In the end, that's what will truly matter. 

The Church can only do so much. 

Teach your children. 

(Not sure what church this picture is from but this is precious ❤️)

 

Worth Reposting again from 1-22-23

The Old Time Prayer Rooms

How many miss the old time prayer rooms and altars where you could hear the travail and cries unto God clear out in the parking lot and sometimes down the street?

Many miss it but how many that say they miss it are early to pre-service prayer and shaking the rafters with those fervent prayers? And having daily prayer meetings in their home that touches Heaven's Throne and shakes the gates of hell?

It can start with just one but it takes everyone uniting in fervent prayer to see the bands of wickedness loosed and chains fall off.  Will you be that one?

How many miss the prophets of old that would read your mail?  They are not the same as the ones who tickle your ear while telling your fortune and promising prosperity. A true prophet will not tell you what you want to hear; they will tell you what God wants you to hear whether it be a compliment or a rebuke. 

Of those that miss the old time prophets,  how many are trying to hear God's voice not just through daily prayer and Bible reading but are also sacrificing and denying the flesh often through fasting?

We reminisce about the old time miracles of healing.  I have experienced them myself and reminisce as well.  But why are we not seeing all this like we used to? Could it be that we're expecting someone else to rise up and be the one instead of looking in the mirror and thinking perhaps I am the one that God wants to use and is waiting on?

I'm talking to myself, too. God wants to use everyone who has His Spirit (the Holy Ghost) but it takes sacrifice and consecration.  

Will you be the one who allows God to use you? 

Are you willing to pay the price to become the man or woman of God that He can work through and use?

God is looking for willing vessels.  Will you be the one?

(Re-post from 1-18-22 + 1-18-24)

I finally came across Scripture that explains why we gain weight as we get older. The struggle is real but even the Bible says...

Psalms 92 (KJV)

¹³ Those that be planted 

in the house of the LORD 

shall flourish in the courts of our God.

¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit 

IN OLD AGE; 

THEY SHALL BE FAT AND FLOURISHING;

Can Faith Alone Save Us?

James 2 (KJV)

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, 

though a man say he hath faith, 

and HAVE NOT WORKS? 

CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?

¹⁷ Even so FAITH,

IF IT HATH NOT WORKS,

IS DEAD, BEING ALONE. 

¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, 

Thou hast faith, and I have works: 

shew me thy faith without thy works, 

and I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS.

²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, 

that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?

²¹ Was not Abraham our father 

justified by works....?

²² Seest thou how faith wrought WITH his works, 

and BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT?

²⁴ Ye see then how that 

BY WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, 

and NOT BY FAITH ONLY.

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, 

SO FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.

Did you notice James stated THREE TIMES in just these few Scriptures that: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (Vs 17, 20, 26)? 

He likened it to the body without the spirit is dead.  

It takes BOTH...Faith AND works.

Some teach or believe you don't need to be baptized or receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.  They state, "we're saved by grace" ((Eph 2:5,8).  We are but those Scriptures we're written addressing THE CHURCH, those who had already been baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost.  

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16... he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved. 

Jesus continued in verse 17... and THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW them that believe...they shall speak with new tongues. 

Have you been baptized since you believed?

Have you spoke with new tongues since you believed?

Have you followed Christ's teachings to be Born Again?

Acts 2 (KJV)

³⁸ Then Peter (who was taught by Jesus) 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.

Get back to where the Fire is (the Church)

Two embers had fallen out of the fireplace a few days back.  They sat on the bricks until they grew cold.  As I stoked the coals in our fireplace, I noticed those 2 embers once again.  There was no fire, no glow, not even a spark left in them.  They were so cold that I could pick them up with my hands and not get burnt. 

I threw them back amongst the glowing coals in the fireplace and watched.  Slowly,  I could see one begin to revive.  A little glow began to slowly return.  Then, I noticed the other began to exhibit the same. Each began grow a little more red, a little more glow coming from them until finally they sparked and a fire began to burn in them once again.  

These cold embers and blazing coals example to us how much we need each other and need the Church.  

Ecclesiastes 4 

⁹ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Maybe you are like those embers?  Maybe you have grown cold in your walk with God?  Maybe you feel the fire of the Holy Ghost isn't blazing as brightly as it once did in your heart?  Perhaps you no longer attend Church or never have? 

Get back to where the Fire is (the Church).  The more you are at Church worshipping together with fellow Believers, the more you'll begin to feel the warmth of the Holy Ghost begin to spark once again in your heart.  The more you are around those burning brightly with the Holy Ghost,  the more you'll begin to feel that old fire begin to rekindle within your heart as well.   

Pick up the Bible and begin to read it. Every day. Even if it's only a few verses, it's a start back on the right track.  Take a few minutes to talk to Jesus each day.  The more time you spend with Him, the more you'll grow in love with Him. Find a prayer partner. Attend Bible studies.  Be faithful to Church every time there are services.  Participate in the singing and worship. If you are one who is on Fire, reach out to someone who seems to be struggling or grown cold in their walk with God.

I need you.

You need me.

We do need each other.

We do need the Church.

Are You HEARING and DOING?

 Sharing some very good points I heard....

Several people were interviewed that were affected by the Los Angeles fires. 

They were asked if they thought they were going to heaven or hell?  Every single person said they HOPE they're going to heaven because they feel they're a good person.

Each person was asked:

***have you ever stolen anything? 

***have you ever lied?

***have you ever committed fornication? Or adultery? Or lusted after someone in your heart?

They answered yes. To all.  

Then they were asked:

***Have you ever used the Lord's name in vain? As a curse word?

Answer was 'yes'

Next question:

***do you love your mom (or dad or child or spouse)?

Yes? 

Have you ever used their name as a curse word?

No? Why not?  

Because you respect them? 

And love them? 

Yet you have not shown that same respect and love to the One who shed His blood on Calvary to purchase our Redemption? (End of quote)

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,  only those who DO the will of the Father. 

Jesus continued teaching in verses 24-27 in the Parable of the wise versus foolish builder that the wise will not only HEAR but also DO what Jesus says.  

He likened everyone to the foolish man who will HEAR yet will NOT DO what Jesus says. 

Not because He's being mean. Or name calling. But because He's warning that not everyone who calls Him 'Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, only those who HEAR and DO (obey) what He says. 

Jesus taught Nicodemus and all the Disciples who were with Him that night in John 3:

Vs 3 - EXCEPT (unless) a man be BORN AGAIN, he CANNOT SEE the Kingdom of God. 

He went on to explain in verse 5 - EXCEPT (unless) a man be born of water (Baptism) and of the Spirit (infilling of the Holy Ghost), he CANNOT ENTER into the Kingdom of God. 

Vs 7 - Marvel not (don't be in wonder or amazement) that I said unto thee, you MUST BE BORN AGAIN. 

You MUST be BORN AGAIN of water (Baptism) AND of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) or you cannot see nor enter into the Kingdom of God.

Those words are just as important as John 3:16. 

John 3:16 is a summary of all that Jesus said in the verses prior - not to nullify them or for them to be ignored.

Whosoever believes in Jesus should not perish - because if you believe in Jesus you will read His Words, you will hear His Words, you will obey His Words. 

Jesus also said in John 7:38-39....

He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water. But this spake He of the spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16...

He that believeth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved; 

He continued in verse 17....

And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW them that believe.... they SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES;

Have you been baptized since you believed? 

Have you spoke with new tongues since you believed?

That Promise is for you and your children and as many as the Lord our God shall call.  (Acts 2:38-39)

Jesus asked, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46 

Are you HEARING what Jesus is saying?

Are you DOING the things which Jesus said?

Marvel not that Jesus said you MUST be BORN AGAIN as He instructed in John 3:1-7.

A New Year & Resolutions

 A New Year & Resolutions

As the New Year approached, many pondered as to what their New Year Resolution(s) will be:

- diet

- pay off a debt

- travel to (destination)

and the list goes on.

The definition of Resolution means:

* A firm decision to do or not do something 

* The quality of being determined 

While resolutions can be good, very rarely does anyone  make a Resolution to....

* draw closer to God

* Read their Bible not only daily but even more

* Pray more each and every day

* Fast more

* Go to Church more

* Invite more people to Church 

* Tell more people about Jesus 

* Win a soul to Jesus 

☝️ THESE should be our top resolutions above all others.

Jesus is coming soon.  

We want to be ready for His coming, but we have to do our part to draw closer to Him.

If our mind and our time are filled with everything else with little or no time spent in God's Word and His Presence, we won't be ready when He returns. 

We want others to be ready for His coming,  but we have to do our part to reach out and sow seeds of the Gospel.  

There is a law of harvest.  If I do not sow seeds into the ground, I will not reap the fruit from it in due season. If you don't sow seeds concerning the Word of God into hearts and minds,  you will not see the fruit of harvest. 

Jesus gave the Great Commission: GO and TEACH.

Action is required on our part. 

In order to teach effectively what the Word of God instructs you must study and learn what the Bible teaches. 

Make the resolution (the quality of being determined) in this New Year to: 

* draw closer to God

* Read your Bible not only daily but even more

* Pray more each and every day

* Fast more

* Go to Church more

* Invite more people to Church 

* Tell more people about Jesus (sowing seed)

* Win a soul to Jesus (the harvest)

There Will Be No 'Participation Ribbons' Handed Out In Heaven

There Will Be No 'Participation Ribbons' Handed Out In Heaven

The trend for many years now has been to hand out 'Participation Ribbons' to everyone...
whether they won or not
whether they showed up or not
whether they participated and did their part or not
So that...
noone feels excluded
noone feels left out
and to boost self-esteem
and sense of accomplishment
even if they didn't win or do much
or anything to obtain the goal.

But there will be no 'participation ribbons' handed out in heaven.

✔️We must each do our part to strive and enter in.
✔️We must be faithful to daily pray.
✔️We must be faithful to daily Bible reading.
✔️We must be obedient to God's commands and instructions  (which are found within the pages of the Bible.  EVERYTHING that is written in those pages are for us to learn from. Romans 15:4)

✔️We must be faithful in ALL things for it is only those who are faithful that will hear "well done thou good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of the Lord." Matthew 25:21

A servant does not just "show up".
A servant does not get by with just doing the minimum while everyone else does the work.
A servant must serve and do the will of the authority over them.
It is only the servant who has been faithful and been obedient to God's Word no matter what He says do or not do that will hear, "well done, enter in!"

Jesus warned, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
  — Matthew 7:21 (KJV)

There Will Be No 'Participation Ribbons' Handed Out In Heaven

If we want to make it to heaven, we must be faithful in all matters and do, not our will, but the will of the Father, whatever He requires of us.

For it is only those who are faithful that will hear, "well done thou good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of the Lord."

There Will Be No 'Participation Ribbons' Handed Out In Heaven.