Is it just a book of fairy tales or Truths?

 All the answers in one book . . . imagine that! In a day when so many people seek answers to so many questions, the answers lie in one book . . . the Bible! God's word is for everyone in every circumstance. It worked then and it works today. It will work tomorrow as well. 

Have you read it? Do you trust it? Is it just a book of fairy tales or Truths? Not just words, but TRUTH!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Comfortable in our CHRISTian life?

Are we comfortable in our CHRISTian life? 

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

I read an interesting article this morning when looking at God's Word for encouragement. I was researching how we can be comfortable being in Jesus in a sinful world and read some rather challenging words, ones I have been focused upon since the recent political campaigns, election and subsequent protests and riots here in the U.S. cities, in particular here in nearby Washington, DC.

"If you’re all-in with one political party and never feel any tension whatsoever with your Christian faith, it probably means your faith is too comfortable. Whether you’re a lifelong Democrat or a diehard Republican, a robust Christian faith should create dissonance with politics at various points. A faith that aligns perfectly with one political party is suspiciously convenient and lacks prophetic witness." (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/8-signs-your-christianity-is-too-comfortable/)

C. S. Lewis once said, “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”

So, what or whom are all-in with today . . . .Republican, Democrat, Socialist, Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, BLM, right-wing, left-wing, conservative, radical, fill-in-the-blank __________ organization, or Kingdom agendas?

Strangers believed . . .How did the Jews miss Him? Have we?

 

Often, we get so involved in our religious practices that we miss the One we say we are seeking . . . The Jewish leaders and most who were seeking their King and Savior missed out on Jesus. Yet those who simply saw with their own eyes and not intellect, believed! It takes a simple faith to see Jesus. Here are a few reminders . . . 

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”“Yes, Lord,” they replied.Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored.  . . . The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. ”But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”(Matthew 9:27-34)

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus

healed him, so that he could both talk and see.  All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:22-23)

 

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”(Matthew 15:22)

 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,“Hosanna to the Son of David!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”(Matthew 21:6-11)

 Strangers believed . . .How did the Jews miss Him? Have we missed Him too? 

GOD supplies every day!

 

 . . . speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Yes, we all gather around the table (or the games) and say what we are thankful for this year. Unfortunately, some do not even mention God as they thank the nurses, the doctors, the employers, the neighbors, etc. All well and good, but GOD supplies all the people and the resources every day!

So we are over Thanksgiving and now looking forward to CHRISTmas . . .yes CHRIST-mas! He still supplies all to us, according to His riches in glory!

While I pray for healing, jobs, the economy, and all to get back to some sense of normalcy, I pray the most for God to be blessed, for me to give Him what He is due, for the Church to be BOLD and be HEARD and SEEN, and for our Nation to repent and turn back toward Him as well.

Then, only then, can God Bless America! Thank You God for not giving up and still being merciful even in this time! Your grace is still sufficient!

The souls of Americans . . .

 

But you are the only true God. You are the only living God. You are the King who rules forever. When you are angry, the earth trembles with fear. The nations can’t stand up under your anger. (Jeremiah 10:10)

 Even after a full week, the U.S. is still at odds debating who won and who lost . . . . local and national elections. Well, I have good news . . .God is still in charge! He always wins because He is God!

While many throw around His name and title, few seem to embrace His position and authority. God is not out to get our votes, He wants our hearts and souls. Yes, He wants the souls of Americans, but also the Asians, the Africans, the Irish, the Jews, and everyone else. (Matthew 10:28, Matthew 22:37, Mark 8:36, Romans 12:2)

If we want to change the soul of America, it must start with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) and accepting things on His terms. We all will stand before Him one and all votes will be counted! 

What about you? Have you cast your vote?

Violence won't end violence . . .WHAT IF?

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” (Matthew 26: 50-54)

Violence will never end violence. Neither will ignoring wrongdoing. So how do we react to injustice, ignorance, and outright sin? Take a look at how Jesus reacted . . .

Doing God's will and allowing Him to have His way will always be the best solution. We have a s(k)in problem throughout the world today. not just in the U.S. Injustice, racism, inequality, call it by any name it is SIN. The root of sin is Satan. Let's deal with this issue and see the result.

What if . . . .

What if the Gospel . . . the TRUE Gospel was shared and shown throughout our churches, homes and communities? What if . . .just imagine . . . if everyone saw each other as one made in God's own image? What if . . . again just imagine . . . if we all saw each other as a sinner in need of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ and lived out our ministry of reconciliation? What if . . .again imagine this . . .What if we all were seen as brothers and sisters in Christ and blood related? What if we dealt with our s(k)in problem the way Jesus did and stop simply reacting?

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.  So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.(2 Corinthians 5:14-20) 

  

Its time to wake-up!

 Its time to wake-up! Stop ignoring the actual Word of God! Read!!!!!!!

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,  except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’-- just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:18-29)

You have seen and read the news....now make the decision to follow Truth! 

 

No winners!

 

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Paul isn't writing about our nation today, but he might as well be! We live in times of uncertainty and unrest for sure. With the coming election, there will be no winners in my opinion. Why do I  say that? Well, in my humble yet educated opinion, my belief is that neither side stands solidly upon biblical values!

A vote for one will bring a strengthening of popular and politically correct opinions and beliefs. Voting for the other will bring further racial divide and civil unrest. So what is the answer for the CHRISTian? Pray and vote the biblical worldview . . . Kingdom principles! 

While a believer cannot (and should not) endorse political parties or candidates, we can always endorse God's perspective and guidelines. Stay informed and stay active. The coming days will be a time like no other for we CHRISTians to be active, involved, engaged, vocal, and enthusiastically visible!

In control!

 

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!  Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.(Philippians 4:4-7)

Challenging times for sure . . .especially for our young people. I really hurt for them. They are watching a nation implode before their very eyes. We adults acting like children . . . ranting and raving, running in fear, trusting no one and anyone!

Yet God remains the same . . . in control! He really is folks. We have to lean upon Him and trust Him like never before. We will never totally understand God, but we can trust Him at His word! 

So young people, talk to Him about everything and rest in knowing He loves us and will care for us, despite the world around us. And we not so young, the world, especially our youth, need to see it too. We have to show our faith in Him! We have to set the example!

Rebuke...Chastening...Repent....Overcome...Are we HEARING Him?

 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."He who has an ear, let him hear what what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " (Revelation 3:19-22)

As I am teaching my 11-12th graders from Revelation, I am learning so much myself! 

Look, we live in challenging times. Noise is everywhere! Protests....Injustice....Looting....Shootings....Marches....Political bickering both in public and behind closed doors.....and within churches and families....

But are we hearing from God? He is definitely chastening us individually and as a nation. Our response collectively and individually needs to be that of confession, repentance and then a zealous and active engagement. Christ did not overcome the world and sin passively. He actively engaged a culture of societal woes and political oppression. 

Knock, knock. . . Are we hearing? Are our eyes, ears, and hearts open to what He is saying? You, I, the Church Body needs to be the active force of change....not the Republicans, the Democrats, the BLM, ACLU, Proud Boys or any other group with shrouded agendas. 

There is enough noise. We have been chastened. Now what? Can we hear...listen...obey?

be doers of the word.....stop talking, shouting....DO SOMETHING!

 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.(James 1:22-27)

Fellow CHRISTians . . . Those of us who really love the Lord and want His will here in earth as it is in heaven . . . those of us who know one day every tongue, every tribe, every nation will be one . . . .yes we the people of Christ . . .

 

It is high time we wake up and start doing the Word and living the Word as One body, agreeing with the Word and using our ministry of reconciliation to heal our land as we humble ourselves, repenting our wicked ways and actually seek others for the Kingdom, not for our causes!

 

I am tired of the social noise and the Church silence. I am not talking about the few individual pastors and churches who are actively calling us out to action. I am speaking to the Body. . . .why are we silent, still, quiet? September 26 there is a call for a prayer walk in DC, but I have had believers criticize it . . . a prayer walk! Watch this video then let me know your thoughts. Agree or disagree? It's time to act!

 

https://youtu.be/8tEdZeRRJ7A

 

 

 

False teachers or true preachers? We need TRUTH today!

 

Timothy, stay there in Ephesus. That is what I told you to do when I went into Macedonia. I want you to command certain people not to teach things that aren’t true.  And command them not to spend their time on stories that are made up. They must not waste time on family histories that never end. These things only lead to fights about ideas. They don’t help God’s work move forward. His work is done by faith.  Love is the purpose of my command. Love comes from a pure heart. It comes from a good sense of what is right and wrong. It comes from faith that is honest and true. Some have turned from these teachings. They would rather talk about things that have no meaning.  They want to be teachers of the law. And they are very sure about that law. But they don’t know what they are talking about.(1 Timothy 1:3-7)

Paul warns Timothy to not tolerate false teachings, but confront them!  I was reminded of this very thing yesterday in church. There are many popular teachers in the public eye today . . . .yes false teachers! I won't even go as far as saying preachers! I hold that title for those instructing their sheep in the ways of sound biblical teaching! 

So how do we know whom to listen to and whom to ignore? First, be sure your shepherd is sound! Test the spirits. Know the basics for yourself. While everyone has not attended bible college, seminary or even in depth bible studies, the basics are the basics! 

There is ONE God in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is God in the flesh, fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, Mary. He has always existed . . . before time! (John 1:1) Salvation comes by faith through the grace of God and Jesus' perfect and eternal blood sacrifice. Jesus was born, died on a cross for the sins of man and rose from the dead physically and was seen by over five hundred witnesses. He physically rose to heaven and will return to judge the earth all of us! We have a choice to accept Him or reject Him, but we must choose while we yet live! Hell is a real place of eternal torment for those who reject Him! We are all indeed sinners and we need a Savior to rescue us!

So you choose . . . but choose wisely! BEWARE!!! There is no room for fake truths, fictional narratives, or cute stories. We need TRUTH today!!!! 

 

Focus upon the Holy Spirit!

The power of sin should no longer control the way we live. The Holy Spirit should control the way we live. So don’t live under the control of sin. If you do, you will think about what sin wants. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the Spirit wants. The thoughts of a person ruled by sin bring death. But the mind ruled by the Spirit brings life and peace. The mind ruled by the power of sin is at war with God. It does not obey God’s law. It can’t. Those who are under the power of sin can’t please God.(Romans 8:4-8)

How is it possible to focus on the Holy Spirit with so much evil going on around us? We see  sin everywhere . . . on TV, on the internet, in our neighborhoods, in our homes, in our schools, even in our churches! Though we are ALL sinners, those of us who are in Christ have the power within us to not sin!

As impossible as that sounds, it can be done. Have I mastered it? Nope . . . not yet. However, I attempt to every day by His power, not mine. I am learning to surround my self with His Word and His people (my wife especially) to keep me focused. When I see or experience evil, I am learning to discern whether or not I should even entertain the thought to confront it. 

Sin and evil seem to seek me out if I don't search for it myself.  What about you? Have you put up barriers to keep out sin? Have you removed some people from you social circles and replaced them with some Godly influences? Do you have others to keep a watch on your internet choices? With whom do you share your music play lists? Do you even read scripture, seek biblical articles and videos, have a church home?

You see, just like we choose to sin, we choose not to sin! Instead of focusing upon our next sinful endeavor, try focusing upon the Holy Spirit inside and His choices for you! It's a process . . . .

Have fun kids!

 

Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops. 

You don't know where the wind will blow, and you don't know how a baby grows inside the mother. In the same way, you don't know what God is doing, or how he created everything.

 Plant early in the morning, and work until evening, because you don't know if this or that will succeed. They might both do well

Sunshine is sweet; it is good to see the light of day.

People ought to enjoy every day of their lives, no matter how long they live. But they should also remember this: You will be dead a long time. Everything that happens then is useless. 

Young people, enjoy yourselves while you are young; be happy while you are young. Do whatever your heart desires, whatever you want to do. for everything you do. (Ecclesiastes 11:4-9)

Our young people are under so much pressure today. I am glad I am not young! I was able to enjoy my youth. I played in the streets. I went from one neighbor's house to the next playing. We played baseball all day at the park and basketball until it got dark in our back yards. We played touch football in the street. When we got to high school we played every sport we could because it was about the name on the front.....no names on the back! More importantly, we went to church together, we ate dinner as a family and we were allowed to watched Saturday morning cartoons in our pajamas until noon! We did not plan for our careers at thirteen...we simply played for the team and day dreamed of the future! School was to learn and sports was for fun.

What a difference! Today our kids are planning a career in middle school. They have tutors, trainers, and recruiters. We simply had parents and teachers! Teachers taught us and our parents coached us. In high school our teachers taught and coached! Even college ball was fun! Our parents, however, controlled our decisions!

What does this have to do with the scriptures above? Parents, let kids enjoy their youth! Young folks, it won't be long before you are not young anymore....have some fun! Coaches . . . please think like parents and care for the kids' heart and SOUL, not so much wins, losses, scholarships, , contracts,and future coaching job offers!  God will take care of the rest!

   Have fun kids . . . .God wants us to enjoy this life while we have it to live! Because once we die....well . . . .you get it!

The bad things people have said about you......

 We who have strong faith should help the weak with their problems. We should not please only ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors. Let us do what is good for them in order to build them up. Even Christ did not please himself. It is written, “The bad things people have said about you have been aimed at me also.” (Psalm 69:9) Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope. Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May he give you the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.  Then you can give glory to God with one mind and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God.(Romans 15:1-7)

Being shut-in so much has caused me and probably you to be a bit strained at times.  Frustrated, irritable, anxious, and jittery can be just a few words to describe Corona times!

It has given me a lot projector reflect upon the past as I wonder where we are headed. I have lost count of the times I have been lied to, lied on, tricked, manipulated and deceived by folks I thought I knew, yes even Christ followers. As a result I realize I have installed a mental barrier of distrust and skepticism regarding people. Truth be told, it has deeply charred the relationships I do have!

Do you find it hard to forget even when you forgive? Do you have trouble trusting anymore? I have to force myself to be live God! Listen to what Paul writes:

The bad things people have said about you have been aimed at me also.” (Psalm 69:9) Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope. 

I need the Spirit to help me to fully trust again. How 'bout you?

 

Demand freedom and justice for all

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? The LORD’s voice cries to the city— Wisdom shall see Your name: “Hear the rod! Who has appointed it?(Micah 6:8-9)

While many of us know these words from verse eight and like to quote them, we don't always hear the words from verse nine. As we are preparing to celebrate another birthday for our Nation, we are reminded these days that we really are not celebrating freedom and justice for all, but still for the privileged few!

I am calling out all who claim to know Jesus as Lord and Savior: not just on July 4th, but from here in out let's live out these words in our own lives but also demand them of our communities! Let's commit to point out injustice. Let's vote out those who tolerate and promote division.

Let's stop pretending to be a Christ follower and really be one, from the inside out!

Happy Juneteenth 2020!

Celebrate Juneteenth!

Inner thoughts . . . . .

No, I am not black or brown, but my wife, kids, and grandkids are every shade thereof. I do not have a clue what is is like to be in darker skin. I am white and was raised in a discriminatory culture to say the least. I have a white experience, yes white privilege! I did not ask for it. It just happened. As I matured in high school and was able to be the " minority" on numbers of sports teams, I began to question what I was exposed to....lies, misconceptions, evils of society. Living side by side with my brothers of color and varying other cultures, my eyes and my heart were opened to truth. I hurt for my friends.

As I  began to coach and invited kids of every culture to play on my teams, I had to defend my kids from racial taunts, embarrassing words written on church busses, and physical confrontations. I was not welcomed anymore! Even the church was guilty! (Some things never change!)

I matured. When dating, color did not matter to me, but it did to my "friends"! I received all kinds of reactions from honest questions (What is it like to kiss a black girl?), dirty looks, to having our mailbox blown up with M-80's! Once I married a black woman, even my family asked "Why?" In fact, few came to my wedding and many began to totally ignore me. My own flesh and blood! Wow, were my eyes finally wide open!

Once my daughter began school, she was once asked, "What color are you"? She was called names. I simply told her to only answer to "Nichole". Then, after a sudden divorce, I became alone, not trusting anyone really. But one day a minister shared with me Romans 10:9-10 and the Light went off! I accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and The Truth became alive within me!

So here I am, after twenty-three years in my second marriage to a beautiful God-fearing and honoring woman of color with now four black/brown children and six beautiful and handsome grandchildren of differing hues. We've had dozens of children over our 23 years of teen ministry, many now adults,  whom we consider our own....white, black, tan, and in between. I have degrees from three CHRISTian institutions. I teach the Word to high school kids of color and love them all dearly. I belong to a ninety-nine percent black church and it is my home.

Yet I still feel somewhat alone! I still mistrust. I still have doubts. I ask myself if I even have a voice. Is anyone listening? In a world of so much evil, should I even speak? Would it do any good? Maybe just being there helps.

God knows. He cares. He sees. To God . . . to me. . . . BLACK LIVES MATTER!

What will we be known as?

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.  When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.  And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.(Acts 11:19-26)

Those who had been scattered still continued to share the Good News. They shared with Jews, Greeks and anyone who would listen. Banabas would partner with Saul and go to Antioch. There, in Antioch, believers were won gold and obvious, that they were known by a special name....CHRISTians!

What will we be known as? When we have been allowed to come out, will we come out boldly or blend right back in to society? Everyone else has come out, why not us believers? It is time to be known!

Alive and in Control!

 Jesus rose from the dead some 2000 years ago. There is evidence! He gave the blind sight. He allowed the deaf to hear. He caused crippled folks to walk. He brought the dead back to life. And after the authorities of the Church and Rome crucified and buried Him...He overcame death! All for you and me! Nothing is greater...no illness, no disaster, no relationship, no COVID -19! For we who believe, Jesus has made us overcomers!!! 

Jesus is alive and in control!

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far

above all principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.(Ephesians 1: 13-21)

Holy Week or Horror Week?

Holy Week or Horror Week Part I.....it's a matter of choice!

Jesus has entered Jerusalem as mighty King, "Hosanna!" Lord save us! We know the rest of the week was filled with false accusations and eventually crucifixion. My pastor  reminded me this morning not to be "knocked of my donkey"! In ministry, we will face accusers. Even as everyday believers today, we will face ridicule and some will even face discrimination, prejudice and persecution . . .even death!

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:‘ The stone which the builders rejectedeeeHas become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?  “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.  And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”(Matthew 21:42-44)

Don't be fooled by the false and surface words spoken concerning God today. Everyone wants prayer now! Everyone wants to be a friend of God, as when Jesus rode in with what they thought was a cure for the Roman political "plague". The tide will soon turn and true believers, you and me, will be left at the cross alone!