I Can't Keep It To Myself!

 Mark 1:40-45  KJV

40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Can you imagine having had such a tremendous miracle happen in your body only to then be told to keep it quiet and not tell anyone?  

I'm sure all of us reading this are thinking, 'there's no way I could stay silent! I'd be shouting it from the rooftops!' 

But would we? How many times has God healed our bodies, or kept us from harm, or even more miraculous...He saved our soul! And yet, we're hesitant to share the Good News of salvation because someone might get offended or upset with us? 

I can't stay silent! I'm going to publish it much! I'm going to blaze abroad the matter just as this leprous man did! I can't keep it to myself!

Healings of the body are miraculous and we love to hear these testimonies.  But we should also be sharing and shouting it far and why how God saved our souls and how He will do it for others, too. 

The body will one day perish but eternity is forever.  Where will you spend it?

Make sure of your salvation by following Jesus' instructions in John 3 to be Born Again of water (baptism) and spirit (receiving the Holy Ghost). Jesus said he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). And there will be signs that follow every believer...they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17-18).  Peter followed Jesus' instructions when he commanded those gathered on the Day of Pentecost (in Acts 2:38) that they must repent of their sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost just as the 120 did in Acts 2:1-4. 

The great news is that it's for you, too!  Jesus is coming back soon. Time is running out. Don't delay.  Make sure of your salvation.  

A Solitary Place of Prayer

 Mark 1:32-35  KJV

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Jesus was up late, delivering those held captive by disease and devils. 

Then, we find He was up before day to find a solitary place to pray. People were already seeking for Him, desiring what He could do for them, but Jesus found a place to get alone and pray....away from everyone and anything that could distract Him from praying.  He didn't let the excuse of having been up late the night before,  being weary, or being tired keep Him from rising early to pray.

Jesus was exampling to us the need to pray. We may feel weary, worn out, and exhausted from pouring out of ourselves through ministry or all that life brings at us, but that is the exact reason we need to pray MORE, not less. 

We need to find and make that alone time with God every day.  Find a solitary place to pray away from all noise and distractions. For it is in that secret place of prayer that we will gain our strength to get through each day. 

WWB 02 - Are You the House of Prayer?

 

MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF PRAYER

And said unto them, It is written,
My house shall be called the house of prayer…
Matthew 21:13

When we hear this phrase, we often think of it as referring to a building such as the Temple in the Old Testament or the modern day Church building in which we gather to have service on certain days of the week.

 

The word “house” can be defined as “a dwelling place”. (Strong’s G3624)

God wants the place where He dwells to be a place filled with prayer.

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit if so be
that the Spirit of God DWELL in you…

The Greek word for “dwell” comes from the Greek word for ‘House’ and means “to occupy, to reside”. (Strong’s G3611)

WE are God’s House, His dwelling place where God comes to reside once we have the Holy Ghost living inside of us.

2 Corinthians 6:16

…For ye are the Temple of the Living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

WE are the Temple of the Living God.
WE are to be the House of Prayer.

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer is us talking to God – Bible reading is God communicating to us.

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing”

If a person is not praying, it won’t be long until they are straying.

“Prayer should not be merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble.  Prayer should be a life attitude when you’re a Christian”

Prayer should not be something that we do only when you come to Church.

As Christians, we should feed the spiritual man through prayer and Bible reading MORE than we feed the natural man.

Just as the natural body will grow weak and sickly if not fed very often or is fed on junk food the majority of the time….

In the same manner, the spiritual man will become weak and sickly if not fed very often or if the majority of a person’s spiritual diet consists of carnal things.

How much time is spent or not spent in prayer will affect how well you can handle a life crisis or even a simple frustration. 

We need to be FULL of the Holy Ghost, but we can’t be full of the Holy Ghost if we’re not praying.

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

Sometimes we don’t know how to pray or what to pray.  Even Jesus’ disciples felt that way at times. 

In Luke 11:1, we find where Jesus had been praying. 

His disciples knew the importance and necessity of prayer, but after listening to Jesus pray, one of His disciples may have felt his prayers were falling short or were inadequate as he said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray….”

They knew John the Baptist had taught his disciples how to pray, and Jesus had instructed them not to pray using vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7 ) meaning, not to repeat the same things over and over, and use idle words such as repeating “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah” etc over and over again. 

That is drawing near to God with our mouth and with our words, but if a person’s heart is not in it, they are just using vain repetitions. (Isaiah 29:13)

Jesus wants the words we speak to be sincere and from our heart.  He wants true, heartfelt worship and adoration.

He wants us to have a meaningful conversation with Him just as we would have with a close friend or family member. 

If you don’t know how to pray or what to pray, ask Him.

 

PRAYER DRAWS US CLOSER TO GOD

James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…..

The more time we spend in prayer, the closer we’ll become to Jesus. 

Coming to Church, hearing the preached Word, and reading the Bible are how we learn about God. But it is not the same nor does it take the place of praying.

Praying is building relationship with our Creator and Savior.

When we became interested in the person who is now our spouse, we didn’t build a relationship by just being in the same room.  No, we had many conversations. 

At first, it was awkward as we asked surface questions and told each other our likes and dislikes or shared our day.  Then little by little, those conversations became more meaningful and deeper until the relationship developed from just ‘like’ to ‘love’. 

It’s the same way in our walk with God. 

When you first begin to pray, it may seem awkward and you may not know exactly what to pray so the conversation is short. 

But the more you pray, the more you’ll learn to pray. 
The more you learn to pray, the more you’ll desire to pray. 
Until you long for those special times spent in God’s Presence, feeling His comforting touch as we feel His loving arms wrap around our shoulders.

Prayer draws us closer to Jesus!

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

Hezekiah, King of Judah, was born to a mother and father who did wickedly in the sight of Almighty God.  But despite his ungodly heritage, King Hezekiah made the decision to serve and pray to the One True Living God.

He tore down all the idols and places of pagan worship and tried to turn the hearts of the people back to serving the True God.

The Bible says he CLAVE (held tightly) to the Lord, kept His commandments, and didn’t depart/stray away from following Him.  Because of it, the Lord was with him. (2 Kings 18-20)

Years passed during Hezekiah’s reign and he continued to do right in God’s eyes, but eventually he became sick and grew worse each day. 

God sent the Prophet Isaiah to tell him to get his house in order because he was going to die.

Instead of accepting that word concerning his demise, he turned his face to the wall and began to pray.  He reminded God of his faithfulness and devotion to God.  Because he prayed, God extended Hezekiah’s life 15 more years. 

Because Prayer changes things!

The 3 Hebrew boys would not have been able to stand strong and would not have been delivered from the fiery furnace if they didn’t have a consistent dedicated prayer life.

Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den BECAUSE he prayed….but he was also kept safe and delivered out of it BECAUSE he had a consistent dedicated prayer life.

Noah saved himself and his immediate family BECAUSE he prayed.  Because he prayed, he was able to hear God’s voice warning there was a flood coming.  Because he prayed, he was able to hear God’s instructions on how to build the Ark and what to do to save his family and the animals.

It was because Paul and Silas chose to pray and worship God despite being beaten and bruised that the prison doors were opened and the chains fell off not just for them but for ALL who were bound in the prison with them.  And because they prayed instead of moaning, the jailer and his family were baptized that night.

Their stories would have all turned out differently if they hadn’t prayed.  

THERE’S POWER IN PRAYER

Corrie Ten Boom once wisely said….

The wonderful thing about praying
is that you leave a world of not being able to do something,
and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. 
He specializes in the impossible. 
Nothing is too great for His Almighty power. 
Nothing is too small for His love.

There are some who claim to be Christian yet don’t believe you have to pray very often, saying, “God knows my heart.” That is a doctrine of devils sent to deceive!  Yes, God knows their heart better than they do.  Their heart is carnal and loves the things of this present world more than the things of God.

The devil loves prayerlessness!  Or very little of it, just enough to appease the conscious.  Because he knows there’s power in prayer…

It is through prayer that mountains move.

It is through prayer that situations change.

It is through prayer that WE change and get in alignment with God’s Will.

It was during a prayer meeting that the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Day of Pentecost.

It was during a prayer meeting that the Holy Ghost was first poured out in Topeka, Kansas and then spread to California and was poured out at the Azusa Street Revival.

It began in September in the year 1900, when a man named Charles F. Parham required his students to carefully study the subject of the Holy Ghost.

On New Year’s eve, around 80 people gathered for watchnight service.  The people began to pray.

On January 1^st, 1901, a missionary lady named Agnes Ozman was the first to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  She spoke in tongues for 3 days.

On January 3^rd, twelve students (including Charles Parham) received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues.

From there, the revival fires spread to Kansas City, Missouri. As they continued to pray and study God’s Word, God directed Bro Parham to Acts 2:38 and opened his understanding of the need of water Baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name.

The revival fires continued to spread and made its way south to Texas and then eventually to Azusa Street in Los Angeles, CA where in April of 1906, the Holy Ghost was again poured out in a mighty way.

Prior to those studies and prayer meetings, it was rare and looked down upon to speak in tongues.  The spread of this new outpouring of God’s Spirit was fought but you can’t fight against God.

The Holy Ghost was once again burning and spreading like a wild fire….all because people prayed!

 

IF WE COULD FULLY GRASP THE POWER THROUGH PRAYER

Prayer opens the door to the supernatural and to see the Gifts of the Spirit in operation.

Through prayer AND Fasting, we see strongholds broken and chains fall off of those who are bound.

Through prayer, we see the impossible become miracles!

The reason the modern day Apostolic Church is not seeing the same results the Apostles saw, is because the modern day Apostolic Church is not doing the same things the Apostles did. 

The modern Church is craving and seeking after too much entertainment.  

The early Church learned the importance of prayer!  They knew how to pray!   

And it was not just a casual prayer – they knew how to pray a fervent, Holy Ghost, heartfelt, and anointed prayer!

 

It is the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much! (James 5:16)

 

If you want to see a breakthrough in your life or situation,
prayer AND fasting are the key!

The modern day saints are addicted to good music and want to hear ‘good’ preaching that sounds more like a motivational speech than a sermon trying to direct them and get them ready for heaven. 

We need the preaching and teaching and worship (that’s Biblical), but we need along with all that to learn how to really pray.

The 5 foolish virgins oil was growing low because prayer was not a priority.

Lack of prayer of just occasional prayer here and there will cause a person to become lukewarm and then cold in their spirit. God said He will spue lukewarm Christians out of His mouth. (Rev 3:16)

You know why He hates it so much?  Because a lukewarm person thinks they’re ok spiritually when they’re on dangerous ground.  Revive the fires of prayer!

Surround yourself with people that will get you to pray more, worship more and love God more!

We need to LONG after God!

We need to HUNGER and THIRST after God!

Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be FILLED. (Mt 5:6)

If you don’t know how to pray, ask the Lord to teach you HOW to pray.

Let us not just appear to be a house of prayer but to actually BE a house of prayer.

The House of God is supposed to be a Holy Place…
            a place of worship…
            a place to talk to the One who created all things….
            a place to come and get into God’s Presence without all the                   
                  distractions and without all the hustle & bustle of everyday life with
                  its cares…..
            a place where our focus can be completely on HIM.

Bro Godair shared this….

Before Church, you talk to God.
During Church, let God talk to you.
After Church, talk to each other.

Pre-service prayer is just as important as the rest of the service – it is the time when you get your spirit in tune with God, clear the clutter from your mind, and usher in God’s presence into the service. 

So we can be ready to give God our undivided attention as we offer up worship, praise, and adoration to the One who is worthy.  Jesus deserves so much more than what we offer Him.

The preaching is where God can speak to us, direct us, lead, teach, or correct us through the preached Word. 

Then we conclude with altar service.  I’ve heard said and agree that we must always leave the Church by way of the altar whether we feel the message was for us or not.   It gives more time for God to work and let the Message sink in.

Prayer should be the foundation in every Born Again Believer’s life.

Prayer keeps our hearts tender and pliable before God.

“Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue.”

Prayer should not be something we turn to only when we want or need something.  Prayer should not be something we only use in times of emergency.

Colossians 4:2 – CONTINUE in prayer, and WATCH in the same with thanksgiving.

This means = Persevere and be diligent in praying, and KEEP AWAKE in the same.

We are in the end time hours.  The devil is seeking whom he may devour.

We need to pray – more than ever before – we need to be diligent and persevere in prayer!  We need to stay awake and aware spiritually! 

We need to pray!  We need to become the house of prayer!

WWB 01 - Why We Believe What We Believe

 

WHY we believe WHAT we believe

 

Knowing why and what we believe is important. 

If we do not have that basic understanding, we can be swayed into false doctrine by contentions that may arise or by various winds of doctrine (teaching) that may blow.

Ephesians 4:14 – 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.

There are so-called “Christians” who are lying in wait in order to deceive and draw unsuspecting souls astray into error and false doctrines that are more appealing and pleasing to the flesh.

We do not want to fall prey and be deceived.  This is why we need to know WHAT we believe and WHY we believe it. 

One key way to keep us from going astray is to be prayed up, full of the Holy Ghost.   The Holy Ghost will lead and guide us into all truth.  (John 16:13)

People who are not diligently and faithfully praying
are more apt to be straying and easily swayed by every wind of doctrine.

I’ve seen too many fall away into false doctrines who once used to seem so firm and grounded.  Why? Because….

1.      First off their prayer life was not as on fire and fervent as it  
once was.  Their prayer life was lacking.

2.     And because they were not rooted and grounded in the Faith.  They did not have a Biblical understanding of what God’s Word truly teaches on a subject.

I grew up being TOLD that we don’t believe in doing this or that

I grew up being TOLD that we DO this or that

I grew up being told the REASON is because ‘it’s against our religion’ or ‘our church doesn’t/does believe in it’ or ‘it’s because we’re Pentecostal.’ 

That’s not enough to keep a person from straying when someone questions their faith.

I had friends growing up who would say, “WHY can’t you….?”  Or “WHY do you….?”  “I’m a Christian and I don’t (or do)……”

These questions and a Church split when I was a teenager brought me to a crossroads.

I had 2 choices before me….

1.      Hit my knees in prayer and begin to seek God’s face concerning what is or isn’t in His Word.

2.     OR let the turmoil, unanswered questions, and winds of doctrine cause me to stray away from all I’d been told and believed growing up.

Too many choose path #2 but thankfully, I chose path #1….which should always be our first choice and answer when questions arise.

I sincerely began to seek God’s face, asking Him to reveal HIS Truths to me. 

I was honest before God and let Him know that I was confused and didn’t understand which way or what denomination was right. But I did it with brokenness and openness - I asked God to show me HIS Truth.

It didn’t come right away.  It was here a little, there a little. 

Just as a baby’s learning is a process, so it is in our walk with God.  As God sees that we are maturing and growing and grasping what He’s already taught us, then He’ll begin to show us a little more, then a little more. 

Key is to stay pliable and teachable in His hands. 

Hosea 4:6 – My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee…

God is warning that His people are being destroyed because they lack understanding of what His Word truly says….what it teaches TO DO, and what it teaches to NOT DO.

Rejected means “to spurn: abhor, despise, disdain, treat it as loathsome, refuse” (H3988)

There is a strong warning against rejecting, despising, or abhoring the teachings in God’s Word. 

If God said it, there’s a reason.  And we do well to listen and obey.

Ignoring it or refusing to listen because it’s not something we want to hear, don’t like to hear, and is contrary to what this flesh wants and desires will not be adequate as an excuse when we stand before God.

God said He will reject us if we reject His knowledge.

When we stand before God and He says either “Enter in” or “Depart from Me, workers of iniquity” (Lk 13:27), saying “I didn’t know” or “I didn’t believe it” will not be adequate excuse to get us a pass into Heaven.

We have God’s Word and we are not only to READ it but we are also to STUDY it so we KNOW what God’s Word teaches.

 

2 Tim 2:15 – STUDY to show thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

 

Workman = a toiler, a laborer, a teacher (G2040)

In other words, we need to dig in and really search and study God’s Word so that when the devil whispers in your ear or sends someone to question our faith (and he will), we have the answers and are able to respond unashamed. 

We need to know how to rightly divide and correctly expound the Word of Truth.

We need to know WHY we believe WHAT we believe for our own benefit so that we can stand firm like a house that is built on a rock.

When a person is not reading or studying God’s Word every day, they are like a house built on sand.  They do not have a firm foundation, and the slightest wind of false doctrine could send them crashing down.  

Remember the homes that fell off the edge of the cliff in Savannah last year?

If their foundations had been secured into rock, those homes would still be standing. But their foundation was only in the dirt on the side of a cliff.  When the rains came and loosened the ground, their foundation was only as firm as the ground it was in.  So when the land began to give and fall away into the water, the homes fell with it. 

 You have to make sure your foundation is SURE (solid and stable)!

Once you have your foundation SURE (solid and stable), then you can teach others.

If you’ve ever been on a plane and they’re explaining safety procedures, the one thing they stress is that in the event of an emergency and those oxygen masks drop, put your oxygen mask on FIRST so that you can be able to then help others.

KNOW what you believe (what the Bible teaches) FIRST so that you will not be a novice who is easily swayed or left confused when questions are posed by others.

Some people are sincere and just don’t get it.  While other people just want to be contentious and try to trip you up.  It doesn’t matter if you can show Scripture to back it up, they just want to argue and will not listen.

Pray for God to help you discern the difference.

Jesus instructed His disciples to GO and TEACH. (Mt 28:19-20)

He told them to teach others to observe ALL things, whatever He has commanded.

His disciples were not a novice concerning the Word of God. 

Jesus spent 3 ½ years pouring into them night and day at times, teaching them to observe (to follow) the things He commanded them and concerning the Kingdom of God. 

Peter instructed, “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Pet 3:15)

We are in the Last Days.  We need to be reaching for the lost and to be able to give Biblical answers to their questions.

You will be able to do this by not just reading but really digging into the Word of God.

Sometimes you will not understand what you’re reading. 

That’s why God gave us pastors and teachers.  As Bro Gregory read last night – we need a teaching priest to explain the Word of God to us.  (2 Chron 15:2)

Romans 10:14
How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Jeremiah 3:15
And I will give you PASTORS according to Mine heart,
which shall FEED YOU with knowledge and understanding.

God has given us pastors to feed us (spiritually) with knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. 

But we need to have a teachable spirit so we can ingest the proper spiritual nutrients that we need to help us grow to be a mature Christian in Christ.

Be a disciple. 

Being a disciple means to be a follower/a student of a teacher.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Follow the pastor’s leading and teachings as he follows Christ.

The goal of these Bible studies is to help us to be Disciples who then grow into mature Christians that can then GO and TEACH as well. 

Luke 10:2
Therefore said He unto them,
The harvest truly is great,
but the labourers are few:
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he would send forth labourers into His harvest.

There are souls that only you can reach – pray that God will teach you how to be a laborer that will reap the harvest to bring into His storehouse.

Pray that God will MAKE you to become a fisher of men (Mark 1:17)

Someone’s eternity is depending on you.

Another man's foundation

1 Corinthians 10:12-16

12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

When the already saved change from one church to another and attendance numbers increase, that is not "church growth" nor is it "Revival ". 

We are to be reaching and teaching the lost and making converts out of them.  That is the Great Commission.  

We can not boast about the seeds another man has sown as if they are our own. Someone else sowed those seeds.  Someone else tended that garden.  Someone else labored in tears and prayers and in teaching,  preaching,  and Bible studies trying to help them grow into mature Christians in Christ. 

For whatever reason (let's hope and pray it was with a right heart and for a good reason) they chose to change churches.  

Paul again wrote in Romans 15:20....

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

I've seen saints and Ministry alike encouraging members from other churches to change to theirs because they are wanting to see an increase of attendance at their Church.  That is not building God's Kingdom.   That is building their own so they may boast.  It is saint stealing if members or ministry of another church encourage someone to switch from the Truth teaching church they're currently attending to attend another.  

God hears our words, sees our actions, our motives, and we must all give account. We must walk circumspectfully and fearfully before God.

Are we building upon another man's foundation? Or upon Christ's?

Let Us Cleanse Ourselves

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17  KJV

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

2 Corinthians 7:1  KJV

1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

Work Out Your Salvation With Fear and Trembling

 ...work out your own salvation with FEAR and TREMBLING.

Philippians 2:12

Why does the Bible instruct to work out your salvation with fear and trembling?  

There is more than just believing on Jesus and then continuing on living any old way.  Pray, read, study, seek, fast for God to show you HIS ways.

The Consequences of Prayerlessness

LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS 

In Rev 2, the Lord told John to write a letter to the Church in Ephesus. He commended them for many things....

*He saw their works and labors
*He saw their patience
*He saw that they couldn't bear those that were evil (they removed them out of their midst)

*They operated in the gift of discerning of spirits and could tell a false apostle from a real one. They found them to be liars and didn't receive them.

*they've labored patiently and endured many things for Christ's name and hadn't grown weary nor fainted.

*they even hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans...those who tried to serve God while also trying to blend in with the world. They were trying to blend with Roman culture and encouraging other Christians to do the same during a time of dire persecution so they wouldn't be singled out. ("Just blend in" "do what everyone else is doing" "there's nothing wrong with it" "God understands and won't condemn us for it" <-- sound familiar? )

But the Ephesians knew not to be conformed to the world or it's ways. They knew you cannot serve 2 masters...a person IS going to love one more than the other until worldliness and compromise overtake a person. They were willing to stand out and suffer for the name of Jesus. And despised the ways of conformity, recognizing the devil's tactics to woo and draw hearts away from Christ with a little compromise here and a little there.

--> YET, the Lord had one thing against them....they'd left their first love!
They had become so busy working for Jesus, so busy standing against sinfulness, that they weren't spending as much time in prayer as they once did.

We can get everything else right. But if we lose that prayer time spent with our First Love, we could lose out eternally. Get back to the early altars. Stay God focused. And don't forget to spend quality time in prayer. 

------------------

A look into the root cause of David's downward spiral into the depravity of sin....

His first sin was not being in battle with his men.

If he had been where he was supposed to be, he would not have been where he was not supposed to be....on the roof overlooking the city which placed him where he could see anyone bathing on their roof.

He may have seen other women bathing but his eyes focused on Bathsheba. His sin here was that he continued to look until lust was conceived in his heart. He continued to feed those lustful thoughts until he couldn't stand it any longer and sent for Bathsheba to be brought to him.

Then after he committed the adulterous act with her, he thought no one would know.....until he received word back (which would have been several weeks later) that she was pregnant.

So to further cover up his sin, he called her husband home. When Uriah did what was honorable and would not go home to his wife while his friends were fighting for their lives, David then digressed more into the depravity of sin by having him killed.

He now was guilty of adultery AND murder.

He married Bathsheba and thought his sins were still hidden. But God knew and sent the Prophet to call him to repentance.

David was once tender before the Lord as a youth and spent much of his time in prayer. But somewhere along the lines as he grew older and perhaps because of his position and duties as king, he was not as close to the Lord as he once was. He was not as tender before the Lord as he once was or he would have felt that hot conviction convincing him not to do those wicked deeds. His prayer life was not as fervent or as frequent as it once had been. He had drifted away from the Lord without realizing how far. His conscious was seared.

UNTIL, God in His mercy sent a Man of God to preach that convicting message that pierced his hardened heart and brought a heartfelt prayer of repentance.

It is a message to us all. We all could be tempted and drawn away of our own lust and enticed (James 1:14) But it begins when the prayer closet is not frequented as often as it used to. Then it's a slow fade from there. Stay in the prayer closet. Keep the fires of prayer stoked and burning brightly.

Modesty

So many today only want to hear about the love of God and become contentious when you mention anything about holiness and modesty.  However....

ALL Scripture is important and profitable from Genesis to Revelation. The inside must be clean first and foremost, but if God cares about the outside, then we must as well. If it didn't matter, then God would have let Adam and Eve continue to wear their skimpy fig leafs (similar to today's swimwear). Instead, He sewed them coats to cover them in modesty.

John the beloved disciple had stripped down to an undercoat while working on the fishing boat after Jesus had been crucified. When he realized Jesus was on the shore, he threw his outer coat back on because he was considered naked in just his undercoat (yet many to day would think he was clothed ). We can't gauge modesty by man's standard. John realized that and threw his outer coat back on. Then -------> get this -----> he jumped in the water FULLY CLOTHED and swam to Jesus. Because John realized and knew that modesty is important and necessary in the life of a child of God.

God's people have always been distinct and set apart. God has never wanted them to look like the rest of the world. There was distinction and separation between Jews and the rest of the world. That's why it was easy to identify and target Jews in hitlers day.

I could give many more examples. Not trying to argue but explaining why the Church believes and teaches as we do.

Holiness is important! Without it, no one shall see the Lord. It's Bible.

Loving God and loving people INCLUDES warning against sinful ways and habits that grieve the heart of God. The greatest love we can show is trying to warn person from going down the wrong path. Pastors are the watchmen on the wall warning against sin. If they don't, that person's blood will be required at their hands when they stand before God in the end.

Ephesians 5:3-8

Let it not be once named among you as becometh saints....

Fornication = harlotry (includes adultery and incest)
All uncleanness = impurity, physically or morally
Covetousness = Greediness, fraud, desiring what someone else has
Filthiness = obscenity
Foolish talking = words that ridiculous but amusing (sexual innuendos for a laugh)
Jesting = (sexual) jokes said or done for a laugh
Whoremonger = Male prostitute
Unclean person = lewd, demonic
Covetous man = eager for gain
Idolaters = worships something other than Jesus.

These things are not convenient (proper) for anyone who claims to be saint.
For we know that none of these shall have any inheritancein the Kingdom of Christ.
Let no man deceive you with vain words (don't make excuses for this type behavior!) For BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

If you claim to be a Christian, you can NOT continue to do these things and be saved. They are the works of darkness and are contrary to the ways of God. Sin cannot enter into heaven. They are the unfruitful works of darkness. You were once in darkness but once you become a Christian, we are to walk as children of Light. 

Ephesians 5:3-8

To the Married

Someone (Pentecostal) posted saying staying in a marriage because you love them is not worth it if you're unhappy.

My reponse......

That's the world's philosophy but anti Biblical. Bro Terry Shock (well known in Pentecost) once said some very wise words... "it's not about being happy. It's about being holy!"

Marriage is not as they portray in love novels and romance movies. Marriage is work. A person can't bail out just because they're not happy or don't feel their spouse is their best friend. There's only one Biblical cause for leaving a spouse....marital unfaithfulness. We need to stick with and teach what the Word says.

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I try to admonish ladies to stop reading love novels and watching romance movies. They usually lead to unrealistic expectations and even disgruntledness in marriage because their husband is not living up to the suave debonair charmer they see portrayed in these. Life is real and marriage will be work.

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"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."
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3-16-21

Platform and Leadership positions

When someone is placed in a leadership role even if singing or playing an instrument on the platform or teaching classes, they are placed in a position for others to follow their lead and example.

I heard a minister say "what you allow on your platform is what will be in the pew.

Those on the pew know the life that person is or is not living. I watched a lady become so confused seeing people in leadership positions who were not dressing or living right. She kept asking WHY they were placed in those positions although we teach to live opposite of the way they were living. It kept getting brushed off. She finally gave up dressing Holy and now dresses immodest and with so much makeup it looks awful. My heartbreaks seeing the regression.

Those who ministered in the Temple had certain guidelines and rules they had to follow or they were removed. They had to purify their self inward and outward removing all sin from their life.

God is a holy God. We are to be holy as well. Paul said follow me as I follow Christ.

Response to a question on March 12, 2021

The LAST Trump

1 Corinthians 15:51-52   KJV

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at THE LAST TRUMP: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18    KJV

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

** It is at the LAST TRUMP sounding that the dead shall be raised back to life and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

The Last Trump is the Last Trump.  Last means final.   There are no more after it.  It is the Last.

That is the time when Jesus will reign supreme over all the earth, the dead shall be judged, and the righteous shall be rewarded, and the wicked punished. 

Revelation 11:15-18   KJV

15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

 Regardless of conspiracy rumors floating around concerning both governments in this war in Ukraine (let God sort that out),  Please do not forget there are innocent people, churches, missionaries,  pastors, and saints that need our prayers.   And especially the Ministry teams that are trying to get supplies to them. 

* Mainly pray for the Gospel to be spread.  God is opening doors.

* Pray for hearts to be receptive and open to hear and receive the Gospel 

* Pray for protection 

* Pray for strength spiritually and physically (esp those working night and day to help refugees and those in hiding)

* Pray for open doors and safe passage where needed

* Pray for provision for all needs and give where you can considering how you would feel if places were reversed

* Pray, Church, pray! It is more than physical war, it is spiritual. They feel the evil around and need our prayer covering.

Should We Wait Until They Ask?

The recurring common reason and excuse I'm hearing for not teaching holiness and separation from the world is to "wait until they ask". 

Do you wait until a baby or child asks before you instruct them not to bite, or hit, or steal, or pull hair, etc?

No, you work to teach and correct a bad behavior they're exhibiting.  

Do you wait until a baby asks before you teach it how to say words, how to walk, or what 'No!' means?

Do you wait before a child asks before you begin teaching it the ABCs, how to put letters together to make words, and how to write? 

Do you wait until a child asks before beginning to teach him or her reading,  writing,  arithmetic, history, geography, art, music, etc?

No,you begin trying to teach and instruct things you know they need to learn, increasing the knowledge and lessons needed as they grow and grasp what they've previously been taught. 

Did God wait for His people to ask before He gave them the 10 Commandments and extensive instructions in the Law concerning the governing and ordinances of right and wrong?

No, He gave them rules to follow, instructing and correcting bad behavior and the sin nature that are contrary to God's ways. 

God gave them instructions on how to dress, how to live, what was ok or not ok to eat, things that were an abomination to Him, what was right and what was wrong. 

Did Paul wait for the saints in the Churches to ask questions before sending letters of instruction on how to live as a Christian and the sins they needed to shun and avoid?

In a few instances yes, but for the most part, No.  Paul sent them letters instructing them how to live Godly in this present world. 

His letters included instructions for all...men and women....concerning clothing,  hair, alcohol,  submission,  things that will send a person to hell, and the need for the Fruit of the Spirit besides just the Gifts of the Spirit. 

Paul in his letter to Timothy instructed him to.....

2 Timothy 4:2 - 

• Preach the word; 
• be instant in season, out of season; 
• reprove, ( means reprimand, tell a fault, admonish)
• rebuke, (means express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.)
• exhort  (means to try to encourage or strongly urge someone to do something)
• with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (Use patience and the Word of God)

No, I will not wait until someone asks before teaching Biblical Truths that are contained within the Bible.  Because....

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable 

• for doctrine, 
• for reproof, 
• for correction, 
• for instruction in righteousness: 

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.