SATURDAY EDITORIAL

This was sent to me by my rECj who recieved it from a friend. It is so beautiful I just had to share it with ya'll. Pray that ya'll will enjoy. LJG

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Is that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

He is Coming Back!

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

CONFESSION

The first thing that usually crosses our mine when we hear that word is sin. But there is much more to the word confession when it comes to Believers or to anyone for that matter. The words we speak do come to life.

John 1:9 [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. This is wonderful and is positive. But confession of our faith is another whole step in living life to the fullest.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. This scripture means confessing Jesus. What we believe in our heart, we confess with our mouth.

Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. What we say is our confession, and that the words we speak rule us. Jesus said they did.

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Whoever shall say…Did Jesus know what He was talking about? Of course and what He said is you shall have what you say. If you really believe something in your heart and you speak it with your mouth you will really have it.

Most Believers/Christians are sincere in their belief in God and Jesus. They though have never really confessed what God’s word says about their life’s. That they are what the Bible says they are; that they are who the Bible says they are; and that they have what the Bible says they have.

All of us have at some time said “oh the troubles I am going through”. And as long as we talk like that, that is what we will have. Saying things like that is calling God a failure!

We have to learn to give testimony that expresses the faith in our life, not what we see, not what we hear. We need to give testimony and express who God says we are.
1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Romans 8:14, 16-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

We are children of God! We are heirs with God, joint-heirs with Christ. We are born of God, He is our Father. We should dare to take our place as His sons and daughters and confess whom we are.

Today confess who the Bible tells you that you are. Right now start to walk in who God’s says you are. Think about that word heir, joint heirs. That means that everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to us. Stand up and claim what rightly belongs to you.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

BE NOT IGNORANT

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Do not be ignorant of the Lord. We who live in a rushed and speedy world, trying to get enough minutes in the day to do all we desire to do are not as God. The Lord does not have a watch on His arm, or a time clock to punch. Everything past, present and future are ever before Him. “A thousand years in Thy sight are as one day.” In other words in one moment He can do all that He needs to do. He has no delays to bring anything to perfection. No impatience of trying to get it done, and done right, no desire to make haste. He is not slow as all of us have at sometime thought. Moses says in Psalm 90: 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Peter's view is in relation to the last day. That day that seems too many to be long coming. The Lord though does not operate in the long or short of anything we think. His eternity exceeds all measures of time. His power does not require delays for the purpose of his works.

Why then does He not come again? Longsuffering. We need to look at this in a different view. Is there anyone that you know that is not saved? There you have it, a reason for God to tarry. The Lord desires that everyone, yes everyone should come to know Him, repent and accept Jesus into their life’s.

Just one more day and so and so will be saved. One more hour and he or she will give their life’s over to the Lord. For just one moment, that will not always be. The Lord gives us space for repentance, without it being inconvenience to Himself. He is not willing that any soul, which He has made should perish.

The Lord is not slack: slow, tardy, late; exceeding the due time. Hebrews 10:37 (King James Version) 37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

The Lord shall fulfill His promise.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

WHERE IS THE PROMISE

2 Peter 3:4-7 (King James Version) 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Scoffers ask where is the promise? Jesus said Himself that He will return. Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:.

Scoffers do not question if the great flood took place, no they say that since the fathers have fell asleep all things continue as they have from creation. They do not question, they just do not believe. Creation came about as the Lord spoke life into the world. When man angered God, He had Noah built an ark and only his family was preserved out of the entire world. God returned the earth to the beginning. Standing out of the water and in the water, being overflowed with water.

Can one be so ignorance as to overlook that, which has been so carefully recorded by the Jewish people for all these years? Things have not always been the same. What God did do and say was promise that by water the earth would never be completely destroyed again.

Genesis 9:12-17 (King James Version) 12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

Scoffers make up beliefs and ignore facts that they do not want to accept. You cannot accept only what you want from God. He is right and if you disagree on any point, then you are wrong.

As we have wrote in the past Paul in good conscience lived the life he lived before his meeting with Christ on the road to Damascus. A scoffer though would have explained away what happened and went on about their business. Paul though received and changed his life. A scoffer is not willing to accept new knowledge or insight. There are Jewish records of the earth being destroyed, records that still exist today, preserved by the Jewish people.

How then do we know what to believe? By testing the scripture: studying, reading, praying, fasting and seeking God.

Scoffers are willingly ignorant. They refuse evidence that doesn’t serve their purpose. What they do not see themselves they do not believe, and explain away that which they do see.

Peter answers them that the course of nature was changed; that the earth was destroyed by water and he says it will be destroyed again by fire.

Where is the promise? It is right there in the Bible Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

For thought think about this, of old before the flood “standing out of the water and in the water.” Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The earth was without form, darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The earth was destroyed by water the first time. The second time will be with fire, and fire is at the core of the earth. Does that give you food for thought?

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

BELOVED

2 Peter 3:1-3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

Beloved, Peter is writing to those he loves to remind them of words spoken not only by the apostles but also by prophets of the Old Testament. Be mindful, on guard. Remember the doctrine of the ancient prophets and the commandments/instructions of the apostles are all founded on the same basis.

Jude 1:14-15-Enoch And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Psalms 1:1-David Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Daniel 12:1-3 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Libertinism the practices or habits of life; disregard of authority or convention in sexual or religious matters.
Also
(n.) Licentious conduct; debauchery; lewdness.
(n.) Licentiousness of principle or opinion.
(n.) The state of a libertine or freedman.

Is this in fact the idea of liberty? Walking after their own desires, scoffers will come first. Trusting in what can be seen, in contrast with trusting in the Word, walking after their own lusts.

The apostles being now in the church proved how clearly they were known to God and in being so showed the believers the necessity of having no connection with such as these [scoffers].

The true source of all infidelity is following after our own lusts. The Gospel of Jesus, which is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, is pure and holy and requires a holy heart and a holy life.

Scoffers labour to prove that is not true, wanting to persuade themselves and others that it is a forgery. They endeavor to turn religion into ridicule. In mockery, this is their spirit and temper; they do not desire to find out the truth. They only take up the Bible with the purpose of turning it to ridicule. This is done many times by adding to or taking away from the Word of God.

Peter is telling them what they have already heard, that false teachers have already disrupted other Christian groups. They have done this with anti-authority, no respect, and teaching self-gratification. They deny God and shame His church; they give false hope, and freedom from restraint.

We can easily look around us and see this happening today. There are many churches whose goal is to make one comfortable, easy and convenient.

One local church has seen a big drop in attendance. The Pastor is a wonderful teacher, who brings the Word of God to life. He was attracting many young people, the church growing daily. The Pastor did not change, he taught and still teaches the Truth. As he saw all these young unmarried couples living openly in sin, he did the right thing and told them it was wrong. He calls a sin a sin. Many did not want to hear that, they were comfortable, did not want to change, they left his church. I am sure that they will find a place that will welcome them as they are, and be happy to let them remain that way.

Proverbs 27:5 Open rebuke is better then love concealed.

Scoffers changing words to make themselves happy; telling the truth might hurt but living a lie will surely bring you death!

Is the teaching of Peter any less important today than it was then? Of course not, what was true then is very much true today, right now.

Thought to ponder—as Christians/Believers we can go to the Lord and repent. Is there something in your life that you are comfortable with that is not acceptable to the Lord? Make it a point to start cleaning yourself up to be presentable as Holy and Righteous and as Acceptable before the Lord.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

THE END IS COMING

Jesus is coming! He will be here in 10 hours 12 minutes and 24 seconds. What are you going to do? Okay, did I get your attention?

The second coming of Jesus is going to happen, and we shall not know the day or the hour. If you knew when, what would be your plans today? Is there a family member that you need to call? What of that neighbor that you have passed so many times with only a hello, maybe not even that? Any sins that you need to get rid of? Exactly what would you do, if you knew He was coming? The important thing to remember is that He is coming.

2 Peter 3: 1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Each day, each moment of our life’s should be lived as if He were coming in a moment. I know this has been said for over two thousand years. Yes and it is just as immediate today as when it was wrote about in the Bible. Over the next few days we are going to take a closer look at this book of the Bible. Join us for this journey that affects each and every one of us Believers in Christ.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

There are two religious articles printed each week in our small town newspaper. One is from a religion and the other is from a Bible Believing church. The article this week was about attending church. Pastor Reppond wrote that attending church was not just an obligation.

Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of the God, With the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

I am in the process of searching for a place to rest and be strengthen. It is not easy finding a church that lines up with the truth. I am weary of looking but do not want to settle for less, I will not compromise my beliefs.

Church is not a building; it is a meeting together of people sharing the truth of the Living God. That said and believed very strongly, I do attend church. At my work place with the many talks thought short with people who give me scriptures and bring light into my life, and then also with those that I do the same for. In the break room talking with a Pastor that I work with, he is always giving me words to grow on. My home has many times been the place of hours of talks about the truth of Jesus, the phone and yes the computer with IM’s. Anywhere there is a conversation about God there is my church, it is not confined to one building at a certain time each week. I carry my church with me at all times. Yes there is church in my life, but I want so much more.

I want a place were I can go and be taught, were I can find the guidance of one that I can trust to guide me to a stronger relationship with Christ. I do not want to attend a place with traditions that make no sense and do not line up with the Bible. I do not want to attend a place that constantly does not line up with the Word. I do not want to go to some little break off place, where someone has decided they are called, and without instruction has opened the doors to yet another building. I do not want to attend a place that does not feed me, clothe me, or support and strengthen me.

I do not just want to go to church, I want to be a part. I can be the one that cleans the bathrooms, but I want to contribute something. I want to be a part of the place I decide to rest.

Okay there are a lot of I’s, which is not supposed to be proper. But we are talking about our souls here and that is I. I am important and I want to grow and I need this.

Am I alone in my search for a place, I do not think so. I see many who settle for less, and I do not want that. Am I being too picky? No, I refuse that; I have to be careful this is my soul.

Pastor Reppond says, “The church was never created by God to be a religion but to be a place where His children would gather to worship and give thanks unto Him. The church was not created to isolate people because of the religion they belonged to but to be a place people could come and pray and encourage each other during the difficult times of life. Mankind has changed the purpose of the church with its doctrines, laws and message.”

As I talk to people I find many who have and are searching for a place; a place where they can worship God in truth. I will not stop until I find the place that is right for me.

Until then I will stay in the Word and study, I will continue to share and talk with those that I meet. Once I find a place I will continue to do those things.

Today I am visiting a different church, I pray that finally I will find a new home. You will receive a review of it this week.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

PUSH

I know that most of us pray every day. We ask and ask and ask and then sometimes we just don't seem to see the evidence of our Hope. When then why don't we ask, thank Him for answering, then CLAIM whatever it is that we are asking for.

We have to reach out and latch on to it. That is our never ending faith. We know that we are able to have the desires of our hearts but we don't do our share. Our share is in claiming the victory, the healing that has always been ours since His death on the Cross or for prosperity.

Whatever our needs, He is more than willing to give it to us if we only

P U S H

P-----pray

U----until

S----something

H----happens

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

'God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may need this day. And may their life be full of Your peace, prosperity, and power as each seeks to have a closer relationship with You. Amen

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

P S Remember this, "when you are down to nothing God is up to something."

Source: From a very dear friend and Genealogy buddy.

PRAY

I will never be twenty again, or thirty, or forty, not even fifty. Tomorrow is not promised to me, so I have to live in and for today. As the minutes tick away I have made it to tomorrow, only now it is today. I want to pray like my life depends on it.

My life does depend on it. I can do without if in a hurry and I suffer for it in more ways then I can list. You know what I mean if you have ever started a day without prayer. You catch yourself wishing and hoping you could start the day again, knowing in your heart that that is just not possible.

You might as I have on one of those days sent up a SOS-SAVE ONE SOUL- short for help this fool for starting the day without You Lord.

Let me start each day as though my life depended on it, and it does. Have you noticed that when faced with problems we pray harder, because we know that our life depends on it? We know that the only way we can get through is for God to take us through. We pray as though our life’s depended on it.

Yesterday cannot be redone; we can never be what we were yesterday again. We can only go forward as if our life depends on it.

As one friend told me we need to pray as though it were the air we need breath. Without air we cannot live, we are dead. Without prayer we are existing as though we were dead. We are dead to the world and all that is within it. We are alive in Christ and He is the air that we breathe. That air is prayer. We depend on it.

Just as we do not think about the air that we breath unless it becomes filled with smoke, or perfumes, or fumes in the air. We should pray as though without it we cannot breath. Our life’s depend on it.

Have you ever had someone walk by you with perfume so strong that it made you sick? Have you ever had the smoke from a fire blow in your face? Have you ever been behind a car with gas fumes so bad, you slowed down until they were out of the way? Prayer is the mask that I wear, that protects me from the fumes of the world. Without it I am in trouble; with it I walk, not in myself, I walk in Christ. My life depends on it.

When we made the decision to give our life’s to the Lord, we gave Him the authority in our life’s. He in turn gave us promises. For Him to operate in His authority, we have to pray, our life’s depend on it. Our prayers are our permission to God to have the authority in our life’s.

I don’t know about you but I want to start each day praying as thought my life depends on it. What about you?

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

END TO AN ERA

WORD OF WISDOM

HOPE ~ Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in his second coming that the hope of glory will be fulfilled (1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Titus 2:13).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

I am in the fifth grade and we are having bomb drills. We are also being taught how to get to the railroad tracks and waiting boxcars that are lined up and prepared to hold the entire school. We are instructed that with the sound of the alarm we will march in orderly fashion to the tracks, get into the cars and be taken away from our homes. The reason so we will not be killed. On the whole most of us children had talked and planned on running, running as fast as we could to our homes. We figured there was no way the teachers could hold us if we all starting running away. We did not want to die, but given a chance we wanted to be with our families, we just wanted to go home. The year is 1962 and it is the Cuban missile crisis.

Today forty-six years later the man who was responsible for those memories has stepped down from power. Fidel Castro has resigned. "My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath, it would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer."

God is always on time, God does answer prayers. Still the thought that stays with me the strongest is that no matter what was thought would happen, as children we wanted to go home. Home and my home was a place were God was first. I can only begin to understand or imagine the prayers that were lifted up at that time. Prayers for a country, a state for our homes and families. The bombs did not go off. Prayers were answered. An era has ended.

Another Era is going to end and that is the era the world is in today. The Lord is going to come again and those of us that have accepted Him as our Saviour will remain. Prayers that have been prayed for thousands of years will finally see the answer. Our Lord will appear in the sky and the earth will be as He intended it to be. Oh what a joyous day that shall be. We will finally be home, our real home, 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. not the temportary place that we have resided in all these years. The era that we are living in right now is ever changing, more violent and tragic events are happening everyday around us. The scare of 1962 is far behind, but we look to that which we have not seen, but know will take place. The coming of the LORD in all His glory, Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. Home, that is what it boils down to, going home. As children of the living God we want to be home with our Father, no more tears, pain, or death, Rev 21:4 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. We want to see the end of this era and be home.

THE END OF THIS ERA IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR BELEIVERS IN THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

EVILDOERS NOT

As you think, so you are. That might seem a little hard to believe. Look at yourself honestly, and then answer that question. Sometimes our good intentions end up supporting the bad that we would never knowingly support. If we are as we think, then we are what we do.

1 Peter 4:15 (King James Version) 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

As we think so we are. Let us not think against those that we know and even those we do not know evil in our hearts. Each one of us has to answer for our selves to the Lord. We cannot answer for another. Why should we suffer for things that we do not need to suffer? Set yourselves free; watch the words that come from your mouth, and the thoughts that you think. In all things let yourselves line up with the Word Of God.

As you think in your heart, so you are. Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

If we can commit adultery by lusting in our hearts, so we also commit other sins if we dwell on them. Being a busybody, means putting your two cents where it has no business being. Don’t make what is not your business, your business. Don’t get involved in things that do not concern you.

Certainly I am not speaking here of getting involved in a cause that touches your heart, but even in those things we need to ask God if it is okay to a part of it.

We need to be careful of those causes that we do support. We do not want what we think is good to be used for evil, and unfortunately that is the case with some of the organizations that are out there.

There is one that says “…I will try to serve God*…” and then * is explained as God can be interpreted in a number of ways…and it is okay to replace God with any word that dictates a person’s religious beliefs.

The group does not intrude into personal matters. There is no membership policies on sexual preferences, the policy is “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

President Orullion of this organization says, “ a very strong statement…that continue to be cutting edge…we have strength in diversity…are an inclusive organization.

Pro-life groups have found that 20% of the councils investigated have some connection with the Association of Planned Parenthood.

I do not know about you but I do not want to support someone that says it is okay to worship other then God; does not care about someone’s sexual preference and puts those same leaders over young impressionable girls; and has any connection at all with Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood works to ensure that sexuality is understood as an essential, lifelong aspect of being human and that it is celebrated with respect, openness, and mutuality. We are committed to each individual's right to sexual self-determination, free from coercion and exploitation, and to our recognition of the joy and fulfillment that the healthy expression of sexuality can bring to the human experience.” Not to mention abortion and the morning after pill.

Is this somewhere that you want to sow your money? If you feel the same way, think about that the next time you start to buy Girl Scout cookies.

This is of course only one, and there are many more out there that we unknowingly support. Do we wish to be evildoers? By taking part or supporting them we are agreeing with what they teach.

If we will allow ourselves to be made aware of the actions of those that we support, I think we might change the things we support. I do not want to knowingly be an evildoer.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

ACCEPTED

WORD OF WISDOM

ADVOCATE ~ Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him. It is a name given by Christ three times to the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7, where the Greek word is rendered "Comforter, " q.v.). It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered "Advocate," the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. Tertullus "the orator" (Acts 24:1) was a Roman advocate whom the Jews employed to accuse Paul before Felix.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Holiness is our conduct. Righteousness is our right standing with God. Holiness is the way we act. Righteousness is the gift that was freely given to us by God when we asked His Son Jesus into our life’s. When God accepted Jesus work on the cross, He accepted all those who call on Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour. It is not something you can earn, it belongs to you, and at the cost Jesus paid.

God is obligated to accept us when we accept Jesus. Our conduct has nothing to do with it. 2 Corinthians 5:19 (King James Version) 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

God does not hold our trespasses against us. God has provided forgiveness to us by His Son. This letter was written to Christians to teach them how to maintain their fellowship with God. 1 John 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: John was referring to the sins of the Christian. He was instructing them in how to partake of Jesus advocate ministry. God is not holding our trespasses against us; He is calling us to make Jesus our Lord. He has accepted us on the basis of Jesus right-standing with Him.

Most of us reading this are citizens of the United States, and because of that we have certain rights that belong to us. As long as we obey the laws of the land, we are in right standing.

The same is true with God. As believers we are citizens of the kingdom of God, and we have a right to everything that is in the kingdom. EVERYTHING! There is a covenant between Jesus and God signed in the blood of the Lamb, which is Jesus. If Jesus is your Lord you are in right standing with God, whether you partake of it or not.

Luke 12: (King James Version) 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

It brings God pleasure for you to have the kingdom of God. He desires to give it to you. And He will, if you but ask.

Tell your mountains to move. Don’t wait for God to move them; He has given you the rights to move them, yourself.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

GREAT GRACE

Pastor Spurgeon concludes with there is a great grace.

Persons who are born again really do overcome the world. How is this brought about? The text says, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Christians do not triumph over the world by reason. Not at all. Reason is a very good thing, and nobody should find fault with it. Reason is a candle: but faith is a sun. Well, I prefer the sun, though I do not put out the candle. I use my reason as a Christian man; I exercise it constantly: but when I come to real warfare, reason is a wooden sword; it breaks, it snaps; while faith, that sword of true Jerusalem metal, cuts to the dividing of soul and body. My text says, “This is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith.” Who are the men that do anything in the world? Are they not always men of faith? Take it even as natural faith. Who wins the battle? Why, the man who knows he will win it, and vows that he will be victor. Who never gets on in the world? The man who is always afraid to do a thing, for fear he cannot accomplish it. Who climbs the top of the Alps? The man who says, “I will do it, or I will die.” Let such a man make up his mind that he can do a thing. and he will do it, if it is within the range of possibility. Who have been the men who have lifted the standard, and grasping it with firm hand, have upheld it in the midst of stormy strife and battle? Why, men of faith. Who have done great things? Not men of fear and trembling, men who are afraid; but men of faith, who had bold fronts, and foreheads made of brass-men who never shook, and never trembled, but believing in God, lifted their eyes to the hills, whence cometh their strength.

What a testimony that is. It is not hard to stand, but it can be easy to fall. We have to keep our mind, our soul, and our heart on Jesus. We have to have the weapons of warfare that God has given to us, and yes we do have to use them. The devil comes but to steal, kill, and destroy whatever is left over.

“Never was a marvel done upon the earth, but it had sprung of faith; nothing noble, generous, or great, but faith was the root of the achievement; nothing comely, nothing famous, but its praise is faith. Leonidas fought in human faith as Joshua in divine. Xenophon trusted to his skill, and the sons of Matthias to their cause.” Faith is mightiest of the mighty. It is the monarch of the realms of the mind; there is no being superior to its strength, no creature which will not bow to its divine prowess. The want of faith makes a man despicable, it shrivels him up so small that he might live in a nutshell. Give him faith, and he is a leviathan that can dive into the depths of the sea; he is a war horse, that cries, aha! aha! in the battle; he is a giant who takes nations and crumbles them in his hand, who encounters hosts, and at a sword they vanish; he binds up sheaves of sceptres, and gathers up all the crowns at his own. There is nothing like faith, sirs. Faith makes you almost as omnipotent as God, by the borrowed might of its divinity. Give us faith and we can do all things.

I have said this before and will say it again as it bears repeating. It is better to never have known God, then to have known Him and turned from Him. That is exactly what we do when we do not stand in faith. We are saying Lord I don’t believe You can do this. I have found in life we can believe easier for the next person then for ourselves. But that is false. To believe God can do for others, we first have to believe He can and will do for us.

I want to tell you how it is that faith helps Christians to overcome the world. It always does it homoeopathically. You say, “That is a singular idea.” So it may be. The principle is that, “like cures like.” So does faith overcome the world by curing like with like. How does faith trample upon the fear of the world? By the fear of God. “Now,” says the world, “if you do not do this I will take away your life. If you do not bow down before my false god, you shall be put in yon burning fiery furnace.” “But,” says the man of faith, “I fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. True, I may dread you, but I have a greater fear than that, I fear lest I should displease God; I tremble lest I should offend my Sovereign.” So the one fear counterbalances the other. How does faith overthrow the world’s hopes? “There,” says the world, “I will give thee this, I will give thee that, if thou wilt be my disciple. There is a hope for you; you shall be rich, you shall be great.” But, faith says, “I have a hope laid up in heaven; a hope which fadeth not away, eternal, incorrupt, amaranthine hope, a golden hope, a crown of life;” and the hope of glory overcomes all the hopes of the world, “Ah!” says the world, “Why not follow the example of your fellows ?” “Because,” says faith, “I will follow the example of Christ.” If the world puts one example before us, faith puts another. “Oh, follow the example of such an one; he is wise, and great, and good,” says the world. Says faith, “I will follow Christ; he is the wisest, the greatest, and the best.” It overcomes example by example, “Well,” says the world, “since thou wilt not be conquered by all this, come, I will love thee; thou shalt be my friend.” Faith says, “He that is the friend of this world, cannot be the friend of God. God loves me.” So he puts love against love; fear against fear; hope against hope; dread against dread; and so faith overcomes the world by like curing like.

When we stand with God we are standing against all that this world has to offer. On the other hand if we stand with the world, we can lose all He has to give us. The world and its temporary pleasures or the Lord and eternal joy.

In closing my discourse, men and brethren, I am but a child; I have spoken to you as I could this morning. Another time, perhaps I might be able to launch more thunders, and to proclaim better the word of God; but this I am sure of—I tell you all I know, and speak right on. I am no orator; but just tell you what springs up from my heart. But before I have done, O that I may have a word with your souls. How many are there here who are born again? Some turn a deaf ear, and say, “It is all nonsense; we go to our place of worship regularly; put our hymn books and Bibles under our arm! and we are very religious sort of people.” Ah, soul! if I meet you at the bar of judgment, recollect I said—and said God’s word—“ Except ye be born again ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Others of you say, “We cannot believe that being born again is such a change as you speak of, I am a great deal better than I used to be; I do not swear now, and I am very much reformed.” Sirs, I tell you it is no little change. It is not mending the pitcher, but it is breaking it up and having a new one; it is not patching the heart, it is having a new heart and a right spirit. There is nothing but death unto sin, and life unto righteousness, that will save your souls.

Unless you are born again, the choice is yours. Your religion will not do it for you. Your Pastor cannot do it for you. Your Momma’s church cannot do it for you. One man told me I promised my Dad I would never leave this church. Until you have a one on one talk with the Lord and ask Him into your life, it does not matter one bit how good you are. It doesn’t matter how much you have changed, what you have stopped doing. There is only one way and that is being born again.

I am preaching no new doctrine. Turn to the articles of the Church of England, and read it there. Church people come to me sometimes to unite with our church; I show them our doctrines in their prayer book, and they have said they never knew they were there.

My dear hearers, why cannot you read your own articles of faith? Why, positively, you do not know what is in your own prayer book, Men, now-a-days, do not read their Bibles, and they have for the most part no religion. They have a religion, which is all outside show, but they do not think of searching to see what its meaning really is. Sirs, it is not the cloak of religion that will do for you; it is a vital godliness you need; it is not a religious Sunday, it is a religious Monday; it is not a pious church, it is a pious closet; it is not a sacred place to kneel in, it is a holy place to stand in all day long. There must be a change of heart, real, radical, vital, entire.

And now, what say you? Has your faith overcome the world? Can you live above it? or do you love the world and the things thereof? If so, sirs, ye must go on your way and perish, each one of you, unless ye turn from that, and give your hearts to Christ. Oh! what say you, is Jesus worthy of your love? Are the things of eternity and heaven worth the things of time? Is it so sweet to be a worldling, that for that you can lie down in torment? Is it so good to be a sinner, that for this you can risk your soul’s eternal welfare? O, my friends, is it worth your while to run the risk of an eternity of woe for a hour of pleasure? Is a dance worth dancing in hell with howling fiends for ever? Is one dream, with a horrid waking, worth enjoying, when there are the glories of heaven for those who follow God? Oh! if my lips would let me speak to you, my heart would run over at my eyes, and I would weep myself away, until ye had pity on your own poor souls.

I know I am, in a measure, accountable for your souls, If the watchmen warn them not, they shall perish, but their blood shall be required at the watchman’s hands, “Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die, O house of Israel?” thus saith the Lord. Besotted, filled with your evil wills, inclined to evil; still the Holy Ghost speaks by me this morning, “If ye turn unto the Lord, with full purpose of heart, he will have mercy upon you, and to our God, he will abundantly pardon.” I cannot bring you; I cannot fetch you. My words are powerless, my thoughts are weak! Old Adam is too strong for this young child to draw or drag; but God speak to you, dear hearts; God send the truth home, and then we shall rejoice together, both he that soweth and he that reapeth, because God has given us the increase. God bless you! may you all be born again, and have that faith that overcometh the world!

“Have I that faith which looks to Christ,
O’ercomes the world and sin—
Receives him Prophet, Priest, and King,
And makes the conscience clean?
“If I this precious grace possess,
All praise is due to thee;
If not, I seek it from thy hands;
Now grant it, Lord, to me.”

What Pastor Spurgeon preached about one hundred and fifty two years ago is just as vital today as it was then. There was and is only one-way to get to heaven. It doesn’t matter how many years pass since Jesus walked this earth. His death opened the door for us; no one else ever has or ever will. There is one door and this is it. Take the option and open the door to Christ.

I must also add here that we a few months back wrote about the traditions and beliefs of many churches. We used one of those groups own Bible’s to show them to be full of lies. This is also there, but that church does not teach it. I see many people leaving this religion because something is missing. I have been told they are not being taught. It hurts my heart to see them while searching for the truth to hold onto the very teachings that they have been taught. I do not understand this, are you so afraid to let go of ones that have lied to you, while searching for the truth. No, I tell you, let go of all they taught you. Do not hold onto any of the teaching that they have given you. Let go completely and then you will find what you are searching for. Then you can be born again.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Isaiah 55:1

That is a promise, come if you are thirsty, come, don’t worry about money just come and eat. The Lord is not concerned with where we have been, or what we have done. Come! He is gracious to meet us where we are. He desires that we know Him, and His entire splendor.

I had a wonderful conversation today with a good friend. She has been burnt by churches. As we talked she said she did not want to be called a Christian because of the lies that she has been told. I told her I prefer to be called a Believer and she said she likes the sound of that, because she does believe. She is just sick of so-called churches.

I think that there are a lot that have been hurt and told lies and are thirsty. I will never let man stop me from seeking the Lord. I enjoy talking with others about my Father. He is first and foremost in my life, even with the faults that I have, and habits that need to be let go of. I am not going to wait until I am perfect, I never will be. I have come a long way from the person that I once was, and I continue to grow and change, and that will never stop.

I was thirsty and still am. God loved me then and He loves me now. He wants me to grow and change, to come to a closer relationship with Him. He does not excuse the behaviors that are wrong in my life, He brings them to my attention and lets me know change this, or stop that.

Many people think that they need to get right before they can call on God. Some have habits that they know do not line up with the Word of God, so they stand back, instead of running to.

Come those that are thirsty. No money, come. Just as you are come. Whether you are not saved, newly saved or old saved, come to the altar. The Lord is there, He is waiting. Come!

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

THE GOSPELS

Mathew, Mark, Luke and John are the first four books of the New Testament. Years ago I heard a Pastor recommend that everyone should read these four books from beginning to end three times in a row. The premise being that the first time you just read it, the second time you pick up on what you missed and the third time you should have a good understanding of the books.

I did read them that way and came away very enlightened. It was amazing the things that caught my eye with the second reading that I had missed the first time. The third time I was looking for that which I might have missed in the first two readings. I was not disappointed as I discovered even more.

All of these books are covering the life of Jesus. People always tell stories from their own view point and that is what these 4 men do. We learn not only about the ministry of John the Baptist but of his miraculous birth. Luke 1 The birth of Jesus is told, though nothing is mentioned of His childhood, except the one incident in the temple. Luke 2:46 (King James Version) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

We learn of His ministry, how he called his disciples, and many miracles. We also read of His trial, death, burial, and resurrection.

There are also things we do not find. There is no record of a church being formed, just of followers. There is also no mention of people speaking in tongues, but we do have scriptures that confirm being filled with the Holy Ghost. Luke 1: 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.

The scriptures showed us that men could repent and have their sins forgiven them. Luke 23: 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Mark 2: 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

As I was looking up these scriptures it jumped off the page at me again how Zacharias questioned the angel of the Lord, and Elisabeth while hiding herself accepted that she was to give birth. The little things that say so little and show so much. Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Many questions can come up in reading the books this way and I encourage you to do so. In fact it is a good thing to do with any book of the Bible. Set aside time to read. The first time without pen or paper just read. The second time with pen, paper and high lighter. The third time look for the deeper meaning. Ask the questions of who is speaking to whom? What is the reaction of the people speaking and being spoke to? Is this about healing, belief, growth, it is prophecy being fulfilled?

You will be amazed at the information that will stand out to you that you might have missed before.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

LOVE everywhere you look you find symbols of love. Today is the day that we are to show our love, to whom may we ask? And what does this overused word really mean?

WE love the meal, the new car or house. We love to love. Love is one of the most common themes in art and music. Expressing from the tender and beautiful to the gross and vulgar [to the eye of the beholder]. Depending on your cultural background, finding a universal definition is difficult to establish. There is love of body, nature, food, money, learning, power, fame, etc. Different people describe love differently. Love is easier to experience then to explain. Then there are those forms of what to one is love to another is nothing.

LOVE is not mentioned in the Old Testament. Love is listed 703 times in the New Testament. Did we wake you up with that remark? But alas the word is not mentioned, forms of it are mentioned a total of 1551 times in both the Old and New combined, but the word love is only listed in the New.

AS Believers in Christ, we have or should have a deeper meaning of the word love. How can we explain in words that which God has given us? His love surpasses anything that has ever been seen or felt on this earth. It is through His eyes that we can love even that which is unlovable.

THE thought that comes to mind, I watched last night on TBN. Paul Crouch was giving a scripture and staring talking about the Love that God gave when He Himself was in the garden praying that last time. Drops of sweat like blood dripped from the Lord, as he asked: Matthew 26:39 (King James Version) 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. I watched the love and emotion on Paul Crouch’s face as he talked about the Lord that stretched out His hands and died for each one of us. No I cannot find words to express what love means to me. Because this gift that was so graciously given to each one of us, I have the knowledge that love belongs to me. I felt the present of God surround me with a presence that was above the cares of anything on this earth outside of God.

LOVE is much and then so much more. Love is the arms that not only reached out and died for us. Love is the arms that hold us, give us strength, and take us through all the comes against us. Love real love is Jesus Christ.

TODAY we pray you love, real love of Christ to surround you in each step you take.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

JUDGEMENT

Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

We are not to judge others, we are to judge ourselves. We are not suppose to think the worst of others. We are to reform ourselves. There are people we will run into that will not want to receive the truth about the Word of God, while forcing their beliefs on us.

Some people do not understand ‘No. I am not interested” nor do they understand “I believe such and such” they are blind. We have all had someone come to the door, and we dread answering their knock. When we try to tell them what we believe, we are cut short.

I will not try to push my belief on anyone. If a person wants to talk I will. I have also had many interesting conversations with people, asking about their beliefs. Many times I find that my interest is not understood, because I do not want to argue that they are wrong, while letting them know that I stand firm in my belief.

My personal feeling is that if I can understand why you believe what you believe, it gives me a better understanding of why you hold on to that which you believe. It goes back to one of my favorite sayings,” you do not take something of value away from a man, without giving him something of value to replace it.”

The values that we have installed in ourselves are important to us. Some of our values have been with us since child hood. Habits have built up over time; they are not broken without reason, desire and change. Some of our values have become habits, not all of which are good.

When I got in the wrong church, until I started asking questions, I felt wonderful. I am sure you remember the feelings you had the day you gave your life to the Lord; it was awesome, nothing could touch you, you were an innocent child. Unfortunately some of us were being lead to the slaughter. We did not know because of the joy that we felt at that time. Those that stay in churches like that and try to recruit others into it, is because of the joy that they do want to share with others.

People do what they do in good conscience, when it comes to trying to get you to hear about their beliefs, especially about God.

So the next time someone knocks on that door, don’t judge them, open the door and tell them who you are. It doesn’t matter what they think of you, confess your Salvation before them. If they want to listen to you wonderful, and if not then tell them thank you and goodbye.

The following quote says it much better then me so I will close with it “The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their talk of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves; their own lusts gain a complete victory over them, and they are actually in bondage. When men are entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them. A state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance. To bring an evil report upon the good way of God, and a false charge against the way of truth, must expose to the heaviest condemnation. How dreadful is the state here described! "

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

AND THE REST OF THE STORY

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).

The laws as they were called never did apply to just the Jews. God is the ruler of the universe; He is the final authority on moral conduct. All of humanity is subject to Him and His standards, whether they believe in Him or not. All will bow at the knee to the Lord one day.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Jesus was referring to the law when He said that hatred was equal to murder, and lust to adultery. We have all had thoughts such as these. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards.

For the Israelites breaking the law was a serious offense. To deviate in any way from the commandments was to sin and fall short of God’s standard of holiness. Knowing that it was impossible for any human to perfectly follow the law, a sacrificial system was established. With this system the Israelites where able to make reparations for the sins they had committed. The sacrifices continued endlessly as did the sins. Blood sacrifice was not to be thought of as barbaric but symbolic of the gravity of sin.

We are to do the best we can to live up to the standards that have been set up before us. Because of the grace that we have received by being saved and giving our life’s to Christ we do not belong to ourselves anymore. We have Jesus to thank for giving His life for us. We might sin and fall short but we have forgiveness through the Son. We do not have to sacrifice the lamb or dove, Jesus paid the price in full.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

STANDARDS TO LIVE BY

What standards are we to live by in this fast paced hectic world? With so much going on where can we begin to look for guidelines to survive? As always the answer is in the Bible.

Exodus 20 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
This is the simplified list that most of us know.

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'

SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

The standards that God wanted us to live by were given to Moses directly by God at Mount Sinai.

In the New testament Jesus confirmed this when confronted by the religious leaders.- Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Confirming the words of the Old Testament...Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.)

There it is simple and short the standards we are to live by. And for the rest of the story….[tomorrow]

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

I looked last night for a lost document, and never found it. I called and it will be replaced in a few days. That document had been held on to for 4 years and was never needed, and then when it is finally needed it could not be found. I actually thought I would never need it.

How many things do we have in our life that seem so important that if lost would be irreplaceable? And what of the things we think we will never need?

I heard a man say one time that he left his church because he could not remember one sermon the Pastor had preached. I honestly at this moment cannot think of the last sermon I heard preached. Oh I can look up the notes that I wrote at the time. There is much that I have learnt and do not recall, that is until I need it. A conversation can come up and right there stored away is the very thing that lines up with the Bible that I need to say. Who was it that said it? Where did I learn it?

I am sure that man had learnt a lot more then he thought, and so have you and I. Some things in life cannot be replaced. Some things we study we think we might never need; then the time will come and there it is.

What I have stored up on earth will not stay with me forever. It can be lost or destroyed. That which is stored up in my heart is there for always.

Just a few short months ago my wonderful uncle went home to be with the Lord. Everyone knew him as a Godly man. He touched the life’s of more than we can begin to know. The last months of his life were not easy, but at the last from his heart came praise for His Lord.

What you store up in your heart is what stays with you; is ready when you need it, and will never be lost.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Today I am going to tell you a story. Paul was on his way to Rome, by boat, and got caught up in a storm. They were ship wrecked, but managed to make it to the island of Melita. There the barbarous people showed them so much kindness.

It was raining and it was cold, so that is why Paul was gathering fire wood (sticks) to put on the fire. Now understand that he had carried the sticks but when he put the sticks on the fire there came a viper out and attached itself to his hand. Of course, right then these barbarous people thought he was a murderer and he had not escaped punishment even tho he had escaped the sea.

Act 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Paul stood his ground, shook the viper back into the heat. Then of all these people saw that nothing bad was happening to Paul and that he was alright. He should have started swelling or even dropped dead. But when none of these things happened to him they decided he was a god.

The experts say snakes don't mess with people unless people surprise them or invade their space. Yeah right, like we just plain intentionally go out of our way to get in their face!

But now lets look at a couple of things about Paul and his viper. It didn't bother Paul until it was thrown in the heat. Why wait? Well, the heat of course. And as an example to us. None of us like to be thrown in the heat now do we? Notice Paul stood his ground. He didn't start running away, which is the worse thing you can do if snake bite. He stood his ground. The snake died not him.

People are a lot like snakes. They strike when they feel threatened. When they strike out at us we don't always stand our ground as Paul did. We start running around acting crazy. Which is not the right thing to do. Stand still, face the fact that you are a real threat to them so they are going to do everything in their power to kill you one way or another. They feel the heat coming from you and that they can't take.

Where does your heat come from? Well from God of course. Then why don't we stand our ground with God's word? Why do we start acting like we are crazy with their venom flowing thru our bodies? That is exactly what they want us to do. Can they really hurt us? Can they kill us? Who is the loser? Do they really matter? Yes they do. They are really desiring to see how we are going to react. Why can't we just stand on God's word, being the believers we claim to be? By doing so we can and will shake off their venom and they will be amazed. Did Paul jump in the fire with the snake? No he didn't but we do by giving in and running around. Let it go. Go on about your business as usual.

One last thing There are also the chewing kind of snakes. They don't strike and withdraw. They latch on and chew and chew and chew. Then we could die. But if and when we learn the ways of God in dealing with the strikers and chewers in our life we will be so much better off. Instead letting it chew at us give it to God, let Him deal with it. Isn't that what Paul did?

Paul didn't get down on the same level with that horrible thing. He stood above it. Then went about the business of keeping the fire going. God has given us the knowledge of Him and His way of handling all of life's issues, so just do it His way.

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

RUN AND NOT BE WEARY

Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version) 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We shall wait upon the Lord our strength shall be renewed, like an eagle we shall fly above all the cares and worries of the world. We shall run and not get weary, walk and not faint.

I think we have all faced times in our life’s when we just wanted to sit this one out. This to shall pass, but without me taking part. Does what I have to say matter, will there be one who will hear my answer to why not and understand. All around me I see so much that does not line up with God’s Word. People accepting that which is not, as thought it were.

Does anybody hear us; do we in fact reach anyone with this stand that we take? Can I just sit this one out; it does appear no one is listening to us.

Wait, is there something in that look, a glimmer of hope that we have raised a question in the mind of someone. Renew me Lord, if only one shall hear and turn to the truth. All around me I see confusion and belief in lies that are drowning the very ones that believe as they do. But, there is that glimmer, that look of a question, has a door been opened. If only in themselves they are asking questions of why, then maybe just maybe I have seen a door open; a door that hopefully will not be closed.

We shall wait upon the Lord our strength shall be renewed, like an eagle we shall fly above all the cares and worries of the world. We shall run and not get weary, walk and not faint.

Oh Lord let us reach someone who does not know the truth about you today. Lord open their eyes to the way that You would have them be in You. I shall not get weary, as long as there is a chance that someone will hear and listen and turn to You. Give me strength in all that is around me that is not of You. I believe in You and I believe that I can fly like an eagle.

Lord let me walk the walk and talk the talk until the day that You shall return and the truth be known. I will not sit this one out; I will stand and be of good cheer. I shall not faint in telling others about You and Your love.

We shall wait upon the Lord our strength shall be renewed, like an eagle we shall fly above all the cares and worries of the world. We shall run and not get weary, walk and not faint.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

GOD IS OUR LIGHT

Exodus 10:23 (King James Version) 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

When the darkness covered the nation of Egypt it was so dark that the Egyptians could not see each other or move for three days. All the children of God had light in their dwelling. [Hopefully sparking your interest look at Revelation 16:10 (King James Version) 10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,…The darkness will happen again]

That same promise is to us, we can have light, protection in the middle of the most dangerous things happening in the world. Is it handed to you on a silver platter? No, we have to ask for it. The spirit of faith believes. That is the catch. We have to believe, no matter what. Faith is what connects us to the blessings of God. Faith is what reaches past what we can think, or see. Faith will grasp the promises of God and brings those things that are not to be. What do we do to develop our faith? Romans 10: 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 5:2 (King James Version) 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

To receive the grace of God we have to do it by faith.

We have to open the door for God to be able to bless us. He wants to respond to our faith. He doesn’t force himself on us, He waits for us to give Him an opening by believing in His word. 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

2 Corinthians 4:1 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. If you want things to change you must have faith in two places your heart and your mouth. We have to go back to the beginning ands look at the way God did things He spoke things into being.

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
We have to start speaking things as though they are. We are not in darkness, we are in the light. Let the light guide you to be all you can be in Christ.

If you don’t like the mess you are in, then stop looking at it. I know that is hard, if you are doing it in the natural with your own eyes. But you have been bought and paid for and are now in the light. This is not to say ignore the bills or close your eyes to those problems, but they are temporary and if you get in the light, which is the Word, and stay there you will see changes. Only believe.

Romans 4:18-21 (King James Version)18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Abraham did not look at his old wrinkled body, God told him that He would be the father of many nations and Abraham believed. Not only did Sarah have that baby, Abraham had 6 more children by another wife after Sarah died. That is what you call victory that is what you call walking in the light.

Think about that, walk into the light, walk in the light, and stay in the light.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

ASH WEDNESDAY

The first day of Lent is called Ash Wednesday, occurring 40 days before Easter, it falls on a different date each year. Sundays are always excluded. At services ashes are put on the forehead of the faithful, not to be washed off until after sundown. One of the following scriptures is usually spoken when applying the ashes to the forehead.

Genesis 3:19 (King James Version) 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Mark 1:15 (King James Version) 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The ashes are sacramental, not a sacrament. Usually made from burnt palm leaves from last yeas Palm Sunday service they are sometime mixed with “holy” oil or water, which serves as a fixative.

In some churches other practices are added or substituted; example a small piece of paper might be given to the person on which they can write a sin they want to confess. These are taken to the altar where they are burned.

The day is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat and repentance. The first day of Lent comes the day after Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, the last day of carnival season. Carnival comes from Latin meaning farewell to meat, or Italian to remove meat. Meat is prohibited during Lent.

Ash Wednesday does not commemorate any event. Ash Wednesday like Lent is not consistent with scripture. In fact Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16-18 (King James Version) 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

The following scriptures show some examples of people putting dust on their heads, or as with Tamar she put ashes. In the Old Testament ashes or dust was a sign of mourning. "That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head." (1 Samuel 4:12) "On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor." (2 Samuel 1:20 "Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went." (2 Samuel 13:19) "When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head." (2 Samuel 15:32)

Conclusion: it is not in the Bible, it is not from God. Other thoughts: meat is not allowed but it is okay to eat seafood. In all my searches I have never found seafood listed as a vegetable, mineral, or anything other then meat.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

TEACH US YOUR WAYS

Psalm 119:33-34 (King James Version) 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

The more you study the more you know. I woke up with my day planned, and as of yet I have not touched anything on that list. I am alive, I am excited, and I am learning. Sounds like today is a me day?

It started with a comment on the site. What is funny is I had put something else on the end of the article and then changed it. It never ceases to amaze me the ways things work.

How many of us start out our day planning to do this or that and something comes up that changes all our plans? How many times do we get stopped on the path we are on, thinking this is tragic and the end result is better then where we were headed.

What is so good about that comment is the questions it raised with LJG and myself. How do others think and feel about this? Do others understand what this is and how it is in the Bible? So of course knowing what we do know and wanting to be able to prove what we believe to be the truth we had to do research.

What a blessing in the Lord this morning was. As always in research you come across things that lead you down paths that you weren’t aware of. You come across two sides of the coin with two different opinions, and of course the ones that say this is not so because there is no God.

Teach us the way of Your statues our Lord. Give us understanding. We desire to know and be able to explain why we believe as we do, because it is in Your Word; not of our own thoughts. Open up our eyes not only to You and Your Word, but give us the understanding to be able to present it to others so that they can see the truth.

Our day might not be going as we planned it, but Lord as long as it is going Your way, then all is well. It is not a me day, it is a God day.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

TWO CONVERSATIONS/TWO OUTCOMES

Genesis 3 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Matthew 4:1-11 (King James Version) 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Two cases of the devil talking to people and two different conclusions. When the devil approached Eve, He asked her a question, and Eve answered the question. She got into a conversation with the devil.

Jesus was asked twice “If you are," but there is a difference between Jesus and Eve. Jesus did not get into a conversation with the devil, He did not even answer directly the question asked. He spoke scripture to the devil. Finally the devil tells Jesus “all these things I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” This time Jesus speaks to the devil saying to him, “Away with you, Satan!” and again scripture. Jesus did not get into a conversation with him at any time.
Job 1:6-12 (King James Version) 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

We see from scriptures that the devil had to ask to touch Job. Would he not then have to ask to approach Jesus? We see that we are to tell the devil what scripture says, not what we think. We are to tell him “Away with you” we are not to get in a conversation with him.

The mistake Eve made was in talking with the devil. Jesus did not.

As I was reading this a few things caught my attention. Adam and Eve walked and talked with God on a daily basis. He told them what He expected of them, and the one thing they were not to do. They did not pray and fast as we would think of today. The devil knew who they were.

Now let’s look at Jesus. First we are told that Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted. He fasted 40 days and nights and then the tempter came to Him. Jesus did the right thing, He fasted and prayed to get closer to God, He was prepared for whatever came against Him. He also did not talk with the devil, He spoke scriptures to Him.

True Adam and Eve did not have scripture, but they did have the Word of God. They had a day-to-day conversation with the Lord. In the end it will be that way again. Until that day happens we need to do as Jesus did and pray and fast.

Two conversations and two different outcomes. If Eve had told the devil “God said” the out come would have been different. God said He would not put more on us then we can bare, 1 Cr 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

What do we do when we hear that voice that does not line up with the Word of God? Do we question him, do we talk to him, or do we do as we should and tell him what God said?

There is also a difference between the devil speaking to us and being demon possessed. We can only we possessed if we allow the devil to come in and make himself at home. That is another story.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG