Category Archives: Church

The Thirsty For Life

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 DSC00018{Webster’s  defines Thirsty as:  The desire, uneasiness, or suffering occasioned by want of drink; a want and egger desire for drink; vehemment desire for drink; a want and eager desire after anything. {Thirsty}{Feeling a painful sensation for want of drink vehemment][lit… to be carried out of one’s mind Very eager or urgent acting with great force.

 DSC00034  trashEarlier I spoke of a new day, putting out the garbage of yesterday. Starting a new day, a new year, a new life. To begin that new day there must be a thirst for something new to place the old behind and stepping forth to a new life.

Psa 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 

 David writes “my soul thirsteth for thee” oh God. Why can’t we thirst for something more? Just a few years ago I had to start over, and then almost two years start over again now I have to start again. Not by choice: but because the place where I work has an all new management staff. I have two years in the building tomorrow starts a new job. When you’re at your lowest there is nowhere to go but up. It seems like when you’re at that low place that there is no way out, you can’t get any help, begging don’t get you anything but trouble. So take a step, thirst for a new start. Put the past behind, divorce, unemployment, anything that pulls you down and just say “Hey world I am starting over all past debts are gone, all my mistakes are behind me, world here I come.”

Looking For A City

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LOOKING FOR A CITY

 Faith defined by Merriam Webster is

1a: allegiance to duty or a person: loyalty

 B{1}fidelity to one’s promises {2} sincerity of intentions

2a: belief and trust in and loyalty to God

 B: firm belief in something for which there is no proof.

3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction.

 As a student of science and engineering Christianity is as definition 2b says “belief in something you have no proof”.

Let us read of One Man’s faith.

 Heb 11:8   By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

:9   By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 

:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

 Heb 11:13   These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

:14   For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 

:15   And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 

:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

 The Faith of Abraham is a Symbol for the church today.  He went out not knowing where he was to go. He always lived traveling, always looking; looking for a city…

–>> He lived in Frail Shifting tents, never staying to long always moving.

–>>HE WAS LOOKING FOR A CITY WHOM THE DESIGHNER AND BUILDER WAS GOD.

–>>ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB   DIED LOOKING BUT NEVER FINDING THEY DIED CONFESSING THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THIS EARTH.

->WE NEED TO DO SOME CONFESSING THAT WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD….This world is not our home were just passing thru.

->WHEN WE CONFESS THIS. IT IS PLAIN TO ALL WHAT IS ON OUR MINDS, WHAT WE SEEK.

YOUR DESIRE SHOULD BE OF HEAVEN. ANYTHING ELSE SHOULD BE CUT OUT. Those that desire that city God will not forsake…

 

Stephen’s look at heaven.

Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

IF you are full of God you will have the look of God. Why don’t we wake up and see that most church going people do not have the face of Christ. They have the look of this world.

Acts  7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into Heaven, and saw the  Glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of GOD,

: 56 And said Behold, I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God

Be filled with the Holy Ghost; Get your eyes on God. When you do that you will see his glory. He saw Christ standing. What a mind blowing thought. Christ carried enough to stand up in the face of what Stephen was going thru. As Stephen was being stoned to death in verse 60 Stephen says “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” A forgiving heart to the last second of life.

 

PAUL TELLS OF HIS VISION OF HEAVEN

2 Cor 12:2   I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth 😉 such an one caught up to the third heaven.

Paul Is Speaking of Himself I believe that based on Stephens vision, this was when Paul was also stoned and left for dead.

: 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth 😉 

: 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Not Possible is a better translation than lawful. The meaning being there is no human language adequate to describe the glories of heaven and if I could describe it you would not understand.

: 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 

:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.  

:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

->The Glories so mighty and wonderful that Satan was allowed to afflict and buffet him daily to humble him concerning the sight. Where are the men like Paul today when we need them?

  THE HEAVEN OF THIS MOMENT

 

Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

JOHN WROTE I WAS IN THE SPIRIT. To get to that place he was. We must shed this earth and its trappings. Shedding flesh and becoming Spirit.  

Psa 11:4   The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: he saw our Lord on his Throne. What a site that must have been.

: 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 

->THE RAINBOW A SYMBOL OF GODS PROMISE TO NOAH AND HIS DIVINE MERCY THIS IS A COMPLETE RAINBOW AS YOU WOULD SEE FROM AN AIRPLANE, A COMPLETE CIRCLE SHOWING GODS TOTALITY AND POWER AND GLORY.

: 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 

:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightning’s and thundering’s and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. : 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

THE CRYSTAL SEA STOOD. WHERE THE LAVER STOOD IN THE TEMPLE. IT WAS A PLACE OF CLEANSING; BUT HERE ITS PURITY SHOWS THAT NOTHING UNCLEAN HAS EVER BEEN HERE.

:7   And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 

:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

: 9   And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 

This is a place of worship, where God’s glory is so strong you can only bow to that glory.

A place of never ending Praise.

 

Jesus said “I go to prepare you a place”

 

THE HEAVEN THAT AWAITS US THAT IS YET TO BE

 

Rev 21:1   And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 

: 2   And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Jerusalem a Semitic word meaning-city of peace- While The earthy city of Jerusalem has sin and endless wars this city will have no sin and see no war.

 

:3   And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God

THE HOME OF GOD IS WITH MENwe will dwell with him forever.

 

: 4   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

: 5   And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 

God shall wipe away all out tears, we shall no longer suffer pain or death. Are you looking for that city?

 

Isa 11:6   The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Universal peace oh what a place that will be.

 

Rev 21:10   And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 

I have seen most of the great cities of this United States in my travels. I have walked the 3000 year old streets of the Mayan city of Tikal; but noting will compare to this city.

 

:11   Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 

 

: 12   And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 

 

: 13   On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.  

 

: 14   And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 

: 15   And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 

 

: 16   And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 

 

1500 miles on each side** one bible scholar has stated that by his calculations if each story is 10 feet high and that every man and woman that has ever lived went to heaven and zero to hell that each person would have a house 10 stories high and 10 miles squire**

 

This city if it sat on the united states would reach from Boston, Mass to Miami, FL and from New York City to Denver, Colorado.

 

IN rev 21:23 tells us “the city had no need of the sun, nether the moon, to shine in it for the Glory of God did light it.”  Jesus shall be our light.

 

All are welcome; but no sin shall enter. There is a sharp contrast between Eden and this city. Eden had one exit Guarded by a Flaming Sword. Here are 12 gates always open. Eden had evil deception and expulsion. Here a welcome rest for a weary traveler.

Are you ready for that rest? Is your name written in the lamb’s book of life?

Are you ready to say to Jesus I know I am a sinner? Are you ready to give your life to him?

John 3:16 says “whosoever that believes on him shall be saved”

 

THe pleasures of earth or the joy of Salvation.

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The pleasures of earth and the joy of salvation.

The following verses are taken from the   http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org

Lets us read.

Psalms 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

The devil , Satan , Lucifer has fooled a great many people over the years and has got them to believe that if that serve THE LORD GOD that their joy and happeniness will be gone. That you as a Christian will not have any fun or joy. THE bible is clear that this is not the case; it is the wicked that shall have no peace.

Let us take a look.  The term “pleasure of earth” is very self explanatory. The statement itself is clear that they come exclusively from the earth or this world.

Take for example the “misers” there are a great many of them. He is one who has set his heart on wealth and fame, he has one thought and that is to get more wealth. That is the bent of his soul, to enlarge his bank account his joy depends upon his wealth and his pleasure come from having it.

Look next at the “worldling” this person is dependent wholly upon the transient things of this earth for his joy, if everything moves smoothly, he is joyous. His joy is in the material things of this earth.

The Psalmist said “behold the upright for the end of that man is peace”.

What a powerful Statement.

In Psalm 87:7 part of it reads “all my springs are in thee”. God designs to bring us to a place to where joy and peace flows over us. Worldly springs dry up. The have there good times then there source fails then there joy is gone.

Psalm 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Fullness of joy and pleasure for evermore what a promise.

I heard of a little boy, who had to go down to the bottom of a hill to get water from a spring. One day the boy came running in to his mom and said “Mama there is no need to go down to the bottom of the hill there is a spring bubbling up in out yard now. It looks like an everlasting spring. “She said “son that is a wet weather spring it will soon dry up” So whenever she wanted water he went to the new spring to get it was so easy. One day he went out it was gone dry up. He became angry he was used to the easy path now he had to work again to get the water.

Thank God it is not like that with a true child of Christ. His springs are from the artisan well of God that bubbles up and flows forever cool fresh water. WE have to ground ourselves in God let him flow there us Our church may dry up and our friends Gone; but my joy and peace flow from God. .

First off the pleasures of this world don not satisfy they only give a kind of gratification. They give a pleasure; but don’t satisfy.

Do you ever remember having a satisfied life outside of God?

Do You Have A Satisfied soul now?

Let me ask you TRY Jesus and see if he is Good for your Soul.

The man who has money wants more. The millionaire wants to be a billionaire. Riches don’t satisfy

Most of the lottery winners blow it all and end up back where they started. pleasure for a time..

A young  lady one time told me “ I go bar hopping and drinking ;but the next day I am still miserable.”

God Completely satisfies. Can you remember when you wondered trying to find something to satisfy you but you couldn’t find it.  Jesus made us a promise .

John 14:27  Says “Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth.” Then he says “ Let not your Heart be troubled”

I want to appeal to you That you give Jesus a try. If you want true Peace Just Ask Christ . You don’t have to call a preacher or a friend just ask Christ now and see if he answers.

God Has A Plan

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God has a plan for each and every one of his children, HE sent his only Son, Jesus the Christ to be our example. Please read out the following verses.

 

Rom 12:1   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

:2   And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

The Apostle Paul begs us that we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Your life as a Christian must began with consecration to GOD. It must begin in your heart and soul and work its way thru your life to be visible to all. It cannot just be a going to church and paying tithes and so called living right, these things are all good; but only when you totally submit to the will of God, then and only then will you see Glory.   Sacrifice in the biblical since is an offering made to a god, most times  thru the act of killing then burning.

 

In Exo 38:1-7 you will read that the alter was a certain size about 7.5 ft by 7.5 ft by 4.5 ft high made of wood covered by brass. In the book of Lev 1:3 the offering or sacrifice was to be “a male without blemish” we can only be without blemish, by the blood of Jesus, when we are cleansed by his forgiveness.


1 John 1:7   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Also in lev 1:3 the word tells us that this sacrifice was to be offered “of his own voluntary will” this must be a free will offering. A Free will offering .

Every time that a person has forced themselves to do for God when they didn’t want to that act was useless. God’s whole point of his act of offering his son willfully and Christ his SON willfully dying for us shows that the very least we can do is willfully working for him, willfully loving him.. For years it has been a constant battle to get people to do anything for God.

 Dr. Viktor Frankl, author of the book Man’s Search For Meaning, was imprisoned by the Nazis in the Second World War because he was a Jew.  His wife, his children, and his parents were all killed in the holocaust.  The Gestapo made him strip.  He stood there totally naked.  As they cut away his wedding band, Viktor said to himself.  “You can take away my wife, you can take away my children, you can strip me of my clothes and my freedom, but there is one thing no person can EVER take away from me ‑‑ and that is my freedom to choose how I will react to what happens to me!”  Even under the most difficult of circumstances, happiness is a choice which transforms our tragedies into triumph.


We must make a choice to serve god Willfully . At a church I pastored I asked for people to come the next Saturday to do some work and outlined what we were going to do. Upon arriving that Saturday I found the work almost done. On their on they had come out Early and started to work. I was so surprised and happy,  for years every church I Had ever been at there was just a few doing the work and the rest not even showing up ; but on this day the whole church turned out to do something.

There must be a want to in the church today, a willingness to do for God expecting nothing in return but his love. As we become that sacrifice look again to Leviticus 1 and verse 4 and 5 “he shall lay his hand on the head –and he shall kill the bullock before the LORD” in 2 Timothy 2:11 its says “for if we be dead with Him we shall also live with Him. In Leviticus 1:6 says it shall be flayed and cut and laid in order on the alter and burned.

We must offer ourselves up to Christ,

#1 – by the dying out of self will,

#2 – by digging deep in to our innermost being and getting rid of all that is not Christ like ,

#3- by fitting the pattern, we must fit the pattern sat by Christ. Not your pastor ,not your parents by of Christ..

 

God demands that we be broken and submitted to him..

Psa 51:17   The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Think about it, in Genesis 22 as Abraham puts his son Isaac on that alter as God told him to do and struck down and only by the hand of God stopping him was Isaac not killed.

Isaac was on an alter  of stone but Abraham was on a spiritual alter and God had to know if he fit the plan and only after he had struck down did he know that Abraham had given all to him..

Everything in your life must fall face down to the presence of God.

Luke 14:26   If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

If we will take time to be the person God wants us to be, we will be that person.