EASY? NOT IN THE REAL WORLD

How easy it is to take the little puppy that someone has tossed into the woods behind us into our home for the night. Tomorrow we will take her to the local dog shelter. We have no idea her health conditions, she has been fed and has a comfortable spot on the back porch.

This is the second contact I have had today with someone that needed someone to care about them. The other was a young girl. She is lashing out at everyone. Part of you wants to turn her over your knees, and the bigger part of you wants to hold her and make her listen to you tell her you love her.

I did get a chance to tell her today I did love her and she told me people should hate her. I shared with her that I as able to love her and will continue to love her because I look at her through the eyes of Jesus.

I would love to bring her home as I did the puppy. But then I would get in trouble, with the law, as she is underage. What causes a child to turn out this way, to feel that not only does no one love them, but sadder the fact they do not feel they should be loved?

God has been taken out of so much in our country, the bad part is God has been taken out of the children.

For God so loved the world that He came into the world, that the world through Him might be saved…

…suffer the little children to come unto Him…

We can take a puppy into our home but cannot pick up the children of the street. How sad the world is…….

Please pray for Brittany

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

I sit here aghast at each fresh approach that is encroached upon me with what is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as to how I should believe in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What is even more alarming is the fact that taking what I perceive to be untruths would in different circumstances give me rise to leave the entire business of God alone.

How thankful I am that my faith can carry me through even the darkest of hours. Realizing that in reality, it is the fact that I know that I know. That that which I do know inside is proof enough to me, but what I cannot prove to those whom are not cognizant to what I feel. How then do I explain my belief?

I look at three men in the Bible. Jesus, the Son of God. Peter one of the 12 disciples, and Saul who was converted on the road to Damascus. All three were teachers of the gospel. Peter walked with Jesus daily and was taught by Him. Jesus Himself after His death spoke to Saul. That would give you assurance that the three could be trusted to be truthful. Why then do not all their teachings line up the same? Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one Baptism....John 4:2 Tells us Jesus did not baptize anyone. Peter baptized in the Name of Jesus, Acts 2:38, but this was after Jesus death. Before the death of Jesus the disciples baptized for the repentance of sins. And along comes Saul, who is now Paul who tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:17 'For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.'

Do I write this to confuse you? Surely not, but to give you cause. If we founded a church on any of these principles, that church would be in good standing. Why then did our Lord not make it easier to understand? Certainly it is not confusion unless we make it such. Confusion comes from satan. Why Then?

Jesus told us Himself that He spoke in parables. Matthew 13:10-18...'has been given to you to know the mysteries...seeing the do not see...hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand....blessed are your eyes for they see...your ears for they hear... If you continue to read you will find that when asked to explain Matthew 13: 34-37 Jesus did in fact explain and then in verse 51 He asked 'Have you understood all these things?'

Jesus desires that all should know him. How much do we desire it? The more we walk with Him and seek Him, not becoming comfortable with a limited knowledge of Him, the more we shall grow in Him.

As Christians we cannot accept man at his word. We have to seek Jesus Himself. In such perilous times the only One we can trust is Jesus. As the men and woman of the Old and New Testament did by walking in the ways of the Lord. Before even the laws were wrote, the only way to know the Lord was to know Him.

It is a path that we can guide others toward, pointing them in the right direction. We pray for others and ask them to pray for us; walk with us, and stand with us. It is when we seek Him ourselves that we learn and grow the most. For you to know that you know it is a journey that is walked hand in hand with Jesus. He wants us to ask, He will explain.

God's blessings to each of you,
rECj

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

WHO IS IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT?

A great many saints today have pride of race, pride of, and pride of grace – they are even proud they have been saved by grace! My friend, your salvation ought not to make you proud, it is not even something to brag about. It is something about which to glorify God, and it is something that should humble you. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself that you have to be saved by grace because you are such a miserable sinner? I wish I had something to offer God for salvation, but I have nothing. Therefore, I must be saved by grace, and I cannot even boast of that.

Pride is that which is destroying the testimony of many Christians and has made them very ineffective for God. They go in for show, but the thing they are building is a big haystack. They are not building on the foundation of Christ with gold and silver and precious stones. Pride has a great many saints down for the count of tem; it has pinned the shoulders of many to the mat today.

What is pride? Pride of heart is the attitude of a life that declares its ability to live without God. We find in the Book of Obadiah that pride of heart has lifted up the nation of Edom just like Esau who had despised his birthright. Even in the home of Isaac, where there was plenty to eat, he liked that bowl of soup, and he liked it more than he liked his birthright. He didn’t care for God at all. In despising that birthright, he despised God. And now Esau had become a great nation that had declared its ability to live without God.

“Thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?” (Obadiah3). They dwelt “in the clefts of the.rock.” They were living in great buildings which were hen out of solid rock inside this great canyon, and up and down the sides of it. They were perfectly secure – at least they thought they were. The Edomites had signed a declaration of independence. They had a false sense of security and had severed all relationship with God. They had seceded from the government of God. They had revolted and rebelled against Him.

Now what is God going to do in a case like this? “Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set they nest among the stars, thence will I bring the down, saith the Lord.” (Obadiah 4). The eagle is used in Scripture as a symbol of deity. The Edomites were going to overthrow God as satan had attempted to do, and they were going to become deity. They were going to handle the business that God was supposed to handle. “And though thou set they nest among the stars” – this was the sin of satan, for he sought to exalt his throne about the stars. God says, “Thence will I bring thee down.”

How many people today are attempting to run their lives as if they were God? They feel that they don’t need God, and they live without Him. The interesting thing is that when God made us He did not put a steering wheel on any of us. Why? Because He wants to guide out lives. He wants us to come to Him for salvation first, and then He wants take charge of our lives. When you and I run our lives, we are in the place of God. We are in the driver’s seat. We are the ones ho are the captains of our on little ships or our own little planes, and we are going through the water or the air just to suit ourselves. That is pride, and anyone who reaches that position, if he continues in it is committing a sin which is fatal because it means he will go into a lost eternity.

---From Edited messages on Obadiah
By J. Vernon McGee

THE BEST SELLER OF ALL AGES

The authority of the Bible is a deep well in the desert of human existence. It is a source of inexhaustible refreshment, wisdom, knolwedge, sustenance, strength, comfort, hope, joy, courage and purpose, which is unchanging and impervious to every circumstance and obstacle.

Every person, family, church, city, nation and society that believe and live in obedience to this Holy Book will have an abundant life, despite all odds and circumstances. Every individual and every human institution that dares to dismiss it as irrelevant, implausible or outdated will fade from view. Those who live under God's protetion prosper; those who step out from under His covering wings put themselves at the mercy of a devil who knows no forgiveness.

Are you drawing from the pristine well of God's word or from the cracked, contaminated cistern of man's wisdom and shallow philosophies? Revisit the ancient well of your fathers. Redig the well of authority of Scriptures. Return to the Bible of your forefathers, and receive the eternal approval of your heavenly Father.

From the book by Rod Parsley, Ancient Wells.

RED MARBLES

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo , Mr... Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home ?' asked Mr.. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller..

'Here 'tis.. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that.. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home ?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost..'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'.. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store..'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr... Miller had died.


They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts......all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her, and moved on to the casket..

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about colour or size.....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath........

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED
from internet

CROSS

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
...and you question God -'why me?'..
always look at the bigger picture......
A day without the Lord- Is a day wasted.

from internet

TROUBLING TIMES

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7

My flesh and my heart fail: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Psalm 73:26

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out your right hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me.
Psalm 138:7

Sent to me by Bro. Floyd from Crossroads Baptist Church

REFLECTING BACK TO GOD MOMENTS

Isaiah 55:12 “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
The Holy Spirit led me to this scripture a few summers ago on vacation at Toledo Bend as I sat early one morning on the porch of our cabin beneathe tall pines and other indigenous trees to that area, glimpses of the sun shining on the lake between them. I sat with my Bible and my cup of coffee and read and prayed and meditated on His Word. I sat there looking for a way to described my morning in His presence and then this scripture was revealed to me and suddenly I was in the midst of a revival in the middle of this wooded area as I looked into the morning with a renewed perspecitive. The Trees were alive as their leaves and branches moved in the wind, I imagined they were clapping thier hands on this beautiful morning to their Creator saying "Thank You Lord for another Day in Your Creation!" The sounds of the morning there with the birds echoeing through the trees and the hills, the wind lightly breezing by, it was a symphony in itself. One just had to open thier ears to enjoy it. I had revival that morning as I revisited God's Amazing Grace and How He has worked in me and through me! I Praise Him for His Wonderful Works around me, the living artwork of His very fingertips and I was at Peace. I was filled with His joy. I felt the warmth of His Love wrap around me as I sat there in the middle of His Creation with a heart exhilarated with Joy and worship, saying "Thank You Lord for another day in Your Creation."

Angel Smith
May 2010
Reflecting back to those intimate God Moments in His Presence.

Thank You Lord that in Your Presence is Fullness of JOY!
http://heartfireforjesus.blogspot.com/2010/05/relecting-back-on-god-moments.html

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

'Family is the anchor, keeping us grounded, supporting us, and allowing us to stay focused. A healthy family sustains us while giving meaning to our endeavors.' T. D. Jakes*

HOLD ON PLEASE KEEP READING--------

Okay lets be honest he did say a healthy family. Only most of us don't know what that is. We might have been raised in one but even then it was probably not our birth parents. So what do we do, to whom do we turn to. Who do we carry on conversations with about our hopes and dreams and goals.

Yes, most assuredly God is there and He hears us and He talks to us and that is the most important thing. Whom though do we turn to, that we can trust to go to, about the important issues in our life's. This is not easy and we have to be careful, the wrong person can turn our goals into mud. We need someone that we can go to that will listen, will comfort, and encourage us in our life's plans.

This is where you have to stop, look, and listen. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your Pastor, well you are in the wrong church. Your Pastor is supposed to be someone you can talk to and ask questions of. He is supposed to be there for his congregation. Your church members are supposed to be your church family. Oh yes, you will find a Uncle Bill there who is going to talk about anything he hears, and Sally well we don't want to talk, but she has more problems than I do.

But if you take your time you will develop relationships and you will find the Granny or in my case it was an Aunt Helen who will be there for you 24/7. What we loved about Aunt Helen is you could tell her anything and she gave the best advise, you never heard her repeat anything. It was only years later we learned she had memory lost, so as soon as you walked away she forgot the conversation.

The point is if you take your time you can find that extended family that will be closer then blood relations. We are a part of God's family and just as we have many different personalities, you will find someone that you can bond with, just take it slow.

Until God blesses you with that family we are here for you, ask any question and we will answer you. And even if you have that family sometimes we have questions that we are uncomfortable telling someone we know, we are here for you. Maybe you are just lonely or dissatisfied with the answers that have been given to you. Then go ahead and write us. Now, please understand, we don't have all the answers, but we know that God's word, the BIBLE DOES. That is where we go to for our answers and relief from the stresses of life. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU, rECJ/LJG

*T. D. Jakes is preacher, author, motivator, and entrepreneur. This quote is from his book 'The Great Investment.' In it he explains how the triad of faith, family and finance is the cornerstone of a life of moral success--success based on God's plan.

Family is supposed to be what keeps us grounded, being there for us all the time through the good and the bad. Family is who upholds us while giving meaning to our efforts.

God Bless Indeed
rECj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

“For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” (Proverbs 27:24)

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked.” (Proverbs 10:2-3)

“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 11:4)

“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” (Proverbs 13:11)

Whether we receive money direct from God in the divine plan that He has set up for our lives, or we receive money direct from the world system itself by running our own show and doing our own thing, all of these Scripture verses are telling us one very vital and important thing – and that is that all of this money and wealth is very temporary in the big-picture, eternal scheme of things, and that every single ounce of it will eventually be pulled away from all of us at our deaths and departure from this world.

No matter how much money you make in this life, no matter how much money you end up saving, and no matter how many money-making enterprises you have built up for yourself, not one ounce of this fortune will be going with you to the other side once you die and cross over. As we have said before, no suitcases will need to be packed on your deathbed, as all of your hard earned money will now be staying right there in the financial institutions that you have put it into, with all of it then being given to whoever you had willed it out to.

So you can get the revelation that is in the above Scripture verses solidly implanted and burned into your mindset with how you should be viewing and looking at all of the money that is flowing through this world, I am going to bold and bullet point some of the above key phrases. These key phrases should be kept front and center in your mind’s eye so you do not ever let money and the love of that money come between you and God and with what God wants to do with your life.

In other words, no matter how many crowns you have gained, earned or bought in this life, and no matter how many fleshly works you have done for yourself, none of it will matter on your death bed, since none of it will be going with you to the other side when you die and cross over. The only thing that will matter to the Lord is whether or not you entered into His perfect will and divine destiny for your life, and then did a good job with whatever He had asked you to do for Him in this life.

The very last verse states that it is the love of money that is the root of many kinds of evil and that this love for money has caused many people to stray from the Lord, as their love for the money has made them greedy and lustful for it. In other words, money has now become their god and they have now placed money and the pursuit of it before God and with how He wants them to use it for their lives.

Just follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis and you will then accomplish everything that the Lord will want you to do for Him in this life. And if you do your part for God by trying to accomplish His perfect will for your life to the best of your abilities, then God will do His part. And part of that will be to make sure that He fully supports you with the specific amount of money that you will need in this life so you can fully accomplish all of His perfect will for your life.

Jesus Himself perfectly states this when He says that only those who do the “will” of God the Father will be the ones who will be entering into heaven.

http://www.bible-knowledge.com/riches/

God's Blessing to each of you,

LJG/rECj

CAN GOD LOOK AT THE SUN?

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

On the way to school my grandson asked 'Can God look at the Sun?' I said yes without thinking becasue our God can do anything. But I admit it did get me to thinking.

If we happen to look up at the sun, we are going to be blinded. God though did create the sun so it is only natural that He would be able to look at it. Moses we know from scripture looked at the back of God, and the brillance of his face was such that the people covered his face.

How far greater is the power of our God's light? It is bright enough to shine through our darkest hours. It is bright enough to never fall us, it will never go out.

We are to let our light shine for others. Oh how dim we are at our brightest moments, compared to the light of our Lord.

Let your little light shine children of God. Your light has power becaseu it is powered from the mightiest power source. There are no power failures from God. There are no rolling waves of blacklghts from to much power being used.

What a bright and shining God we serve.

Be blessed indeed.

recj/LJG

INSTRUCTION

Proverbs 13:18 Proverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.

To refuse instruction will bring shame and proverty upon any and all that refuse to learn. I watch with saddness those that have not had the advantage to get an education. Those in the school system, not being taught because of learning disabilities. Many who do in fact have a chance to learn, sit idly by and not take advantage of opportunities to learn. Why it might be asked. Hard question to answer. Do those that I watch in classes understand that even the Lord of God says that not learning brings about approve and shame.

What of learning the wrongs things in life, that to can and will being about shame and poverty, using our God given abilities to support things that are not of God. I think we all know of someone that has used a talent to pull them selves up forgetting from where that talent has come from.

It is only when we can actually sit back and realize and know for a fact that any talent or ability that we have is a blessing from the Lord, and not something that we ourselves have pulled out of thin air. There are many in this world that have used a talent and accomplished much in life. I wonder how much money and fame can buy, when there is a lack of a relationship with Christ Jesus.

We are to use the talents and abilities that are given to us to promote the Lord. Yes the Lord does want us to desire and want for nothing, but that promise is only to those that believe and stand on His Word.

We do not desire shame or poverty, we desire to live a life that is uplifting and glorifies the Lord.

God Bless Indeed

recj/LJG

BLESSINGS

It is easy to sit and think of many blessings that happen in our life's every day. We have but to look around and sometime even with problems all around we can look through the mist and be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I am so blessed in all that is around me. There is a storm brewing that would to the outsider look like hiding, my solution is to hit the knees and pray.

God has blessed us so much in the years that we have been here and we give all the credit to Him and to Him only.

As we go through this storm we can ask only that you, those who have been with us through the years continue to pray and stand with us at this time also. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

I lift my hands in praise to the Father, I shout His name to the hills and mountains that stand before us. I thank God again for those that support us, and for those that will always be lifted up in praise to His mighty Name Jesus Christ.

May the Blessing of our Savior Jesus Christ always be in front of all of us standing guard and protecting all that we love and care so deeply for.

God Bless Indeed

recj/LJG

TAKE THE TIME AND PRAISE

Recently we have went back and reviewed many things in the life of a new Christian. Many of these need to be refreshed and renewed as we grow in the Lord.

I pray that you have had a few laughs as you have looked back over the walk you have had with our Savior. Maybe as us you have also had some tears. What is most important is no matter where we are, what we have been through , we are continuing to grow each day.

That includes the days that we seem to do nothing, or nothing right. The journey we have taken in life is one that will only be complete when we are finally home with Jesus.

Take the time once in a while to look back, question, study and renew yourselves.

Get the refreshing that only can come from stopping and smelling those roses. We are blessed that we have a Savour that does not need us to make pilgrimages to mountains, nor do we have to bow at certain times of the day facing one way and one way only. We have a savour that we can call on 24 /7 and He is there, ready willing and able to hear and answer our prayers and needs.

Praise the Lord God for all He has done and for all He is doing.

Psalm 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

God Bless Indeed,
rECj/LJG

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH

Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We do have eternal life through Jesus Christ. We being so are blessed. Remembering that in the world we do reap what we sow.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

It is hard to open the paper and read in the obituaries the name of one you know. It is harder still when it is the young. One of my daughter's childhood friends has died, she was 26. She leaves behind her parents, and two little boys. Also left behind is the man that gave her AID's. She is the second woman in our town to die from this gift he passed on to both of them. A gift of death.

I cannot help but wonder was it worth the price she paid to have a relationship outside marriage. No of course it wasn't. God knew what He was doing when He put one man and one woman together. The Bible gives us laws to follow concerning marriage for a reason.

Recently my grandson got to met Mr. H. A well known man in our community. With innocent that only a child can have, he asked "What is wrong with your eyes?" One of the things I love so much about Mr. H is he answers according to a child's age and maturity. My grandson being only 7, Mr. H told him simply I am blind. To those older he will tell his story. Mr. H is a product of first cousins that married. His grandparents were also first cousins. As a result of this he is blind. He will tell children that to marry one has to wait on the Lord. Mr. H has never had children as he did not want to pass the gene he carries for blindness on to any children. Late in life God has blessed him with a beautiful helpmate.

We have all heard the expression God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. God's creation of people goes much deeper than that. God did not create man to be alone. A woman completes the picture. A woman is to please her husband and a husband in turn is to please his wife. Just as we were created for God, a husband and wife were created for each other. There is that one person out there some where for each. Unless that is, we are content to be without a helpmate.

Some of us know what happens when we pick our mate and do not wait on the Lord. Have you ever tried to change someone? As I heard one Pastor tell a group, 'you want me to marry you and we both know he/she isn't saved, 2 months from now you will be in my office crying, I don't know what's wrong?' If God doesn't pick them, you don't need them.

A relationship is something that takes time. God is not in the business of making messes. I firmly believe that if God puts you together that you will be compatible in all ways. Yes even sexual. So it is not I want to know what I am getting.

The easiest way to stop STD's [sexually transmitted diseases] is to stop having sex with different people. Wait for marriage, and I mean a God selected marriage. Save yourself and you will not be playing with death.

Death in two ways dead to the Lord and dead period. I have yet to see a man so good looking that I would be willing to take a change of dying just to be with him.

Being unsaved and opening the door for many sexual partners is leaving the door open for both deaths.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

I do on occasion use my Sunday Editorial as a sounding board, and today is one of those days. So this is my personal feelings.

I will from time to time get an e-mail that touches my heart. I past them alone to family and friends and hope that it touches them as it did me. Not all of them are spiritual, some are about our Military people; some are about getting older, or remembering the past. There was one I received about a dad pushing his son in different races. That to me displayed real love.

My problem is this, if you know me, you know I am a Believer. I believe in Jesus as the only way. Why would someone send me a prayer to St. Anybody? Then ask me to pass it on and if I don't curses will fall on me and my household. To begin with if it has a curse attached what are you doing passing it to anyone? And you call yourself a friend. Friends like you I do not need.

I have deleted another one just now. Say this pray to St. Somebody and pass it to so many people and if I do, something good will happen and if not, harm will come my way.

To be honest I was having a great day. My morning started off seeing an ex-boyfriend that I took one look at and said Thank You Jesus he was never more. I wrote that to make you laugh. It is true. Honestly have you ever seen someone years later that you thought was so special and seeing them again well you catch the idea. Made me feel good. I wish him all the best, am just so thankful it is not me.

Then I come home to someone who calls themselves a friend sending me curses. Look I honestly only have your e-mail cause it was attached to someone else, who sent both of us something. Yes I am guilty I have sent someone something in a group e-mailing by mistake. But I don't really know some of you, could you remove me from your list. If you are a friend then please do not send me something that will offend me.

Please stop and think before you forward/send any e-mail. There are some that are just for the ladies. Some such as Mother's day is coming up that you do not want to send to the friend that cannot have children. And the same applies to the men. People be careful of the feelings of others.

Oh and when I deleted that e-mail I rebuked the curses you sent with it.

Now as always Be Blessed Indeed.

recj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Jesus said "Good Morning!"
He did! He really did! Matthew 28.9 "Just then Jesus met them and said, "Good Morning." okay, you probably thinking "So, He said Good Morning!" Look at this again, think about it, we are talking about JESUS CHRIST, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Who is Worthy of All praise. When we read about a king, an earthly king, when they are approached by common people, they stay silent and wait upon them to shower them with praise or some type of worship. They Stand and Wait to be praise.. not Our King, This scripture proves to me, He is approachable, He spoke to the Women softly compassionately and kindly a sweet "Good Morning." I imagine Him with a smile, a soft tone, just "Good Morning." And indeed it was, I mean, our Savior was Raised from the Dead! There was reason to celebrate, it was A GOOD MORNING IN DEED! And Here Christ presenting to these women and to us, We can approach Him with a mixed up Heart, mixed with Joy and Despair and Confusion, and HE has Hope for us and our Hearts. Jesus Christ our King, Our Lord, Approachable! The Curtain was torn, what are you waiting for? Approach the Throne of Grace, with Holy Boldness and assurance that Our Jesus is waiting with a sweet tone, "Good Morning."

From our Sister Angel's site.

READING/STUDYING THE BIBLE

Well this is simple enough isn't it. You open the Bible and you read. If all you want to do is read, then yes this is enough. If you want an understanding then no it is not.

When I was in college I got in a habit of reading what I prefer to call junk news. It was not anything I needed to remember or write a paper on. I would not be tested on it, it was nothing important. It was for me simply a break from studying.

The Bible is not for such reading. Everything in this Book is and can be used in your life's walk with Christ. Yes even those long listings of so and so begat so and so.

I thank God for the men and women that have studied the Bible and left their notes for us to read and study. We are blessed to live in a country were we have the internet and research material at our hands.

First in studying the Bible we need to pray and ask the Lord to open our eyes to a true understanding to what we are reading. As new believer I have a few suggestions. The first four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These four books written by different people are the telling of Jesus birth and life. Read them all together, and read them four times. Even without aids you will be surprised at what stands out to you as you reread them each time.

The first time simply read through all 4 books. The second time write down questions that come to mind, or scriptures that stand out to you. You will be surprised at the third reading what you did not pick up the first two times, continue to make notes and write down questions. The last time through most of your questions will have been answered, either by an enlightening of your spirit, or by research into the cross-reference scriptures that you have also studied.

As you grow in the Lord you will learn to use the reference scriptures to show a deeper study. Those scriptures will show you were it is listed in the Old Testament, were other scriptures are that support what this scripture says. You will learn to use the Hebrew and Greek dictionary to find were words came from and the true meaning of some words.

You will be amazed as LJG and I were and still are to find that 'it is not in there' when we went to look up a long quoted scripture. You will find the more you study the more you want to know. You will then have a little understanding of why I go to write on one thing and end up somewhere else completely. You can be looking for scriptures on sacrifice and find yourself in a study of places where those sacrifices took place. The wonderful thing is it is all important.

Think of it as a big thousand piece puzzle, when you start putting it together [if you do as most] you first put together the edges. Then you pick out the biggest area of one color and as you start to piece it together you find there are more shades of that color then you imagined. You continue to put the puzzle together and in the end you come up with a beautiful complete picture. It took time but it was worth it.

The Bible is such a puzzle, as you interconnect the pieces and see how it all connects to another part, you realize the Power and Might of God that planned it all before any of it was ever spoken.

God Bless You Indeed

recj/LJG

LAYING ON OF HANDS

From speaking in tongues to laying on of hands. Our first scripture shall include both. Acts 19:4-6 Paul said, ‘John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."

Jesus healed by laying His hands on some and some He did not. If we go back to the Old Testament we can read where the prophet of God laid down on the young boy to bring him back from death. 2 Kings 4:34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

Laying on of hands has been around for a long time. Some have tried to buy the gift such as Simon; Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.

Laying on of hands is not just for healing. It is seen as a Covenant Rite showing a divine blessing or special form of recognition, to confirm a birthright and protection, and a transfer of authority.

Acts 10: 44-46 "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God?"

Now to the good part. Whom should lay hands on whom? Just as with anything else we should be careful who lays hands on us. Just as all that preach are not called by God not all are to lay hands on others.

There is a Spirit that we call the Spirit of Discernment. It lets you know right from wrong, good from bad. The dictionary says it is the act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. We need to pray and ask God for this spirit to be strong in our life.

1 Timothy 5:22 "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure"

Laying on of hands has no power in itself. Laying on of hands is only used by God when it is done in agreement with God's Word.

Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them..."

Briefly here I want to mention something. If you ever find yourself in a position were someone is about to lay hands on you and it doesn't feel right, please remove yourself. Yes I have walked out of a prayer line. Do not jump to get in a prayer line, be led by the Lord if this is where you need to go for prayer.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

"... charge you before God
and the Lord Jesus Christ
and the elect angels,
that you observe these things without prejudice,
doing nothing with partiality.
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily,
nor share in other people's sins;
keep yourself pure.

- 1 Timothy 5:21-22

Learn how to 'invoke' the Spiritual Power-Tools.

First be cleansed.
Enter the pool below,
while there find the link,
and click to the hidden manna.

I found a wonderful saying today while researching.
"God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called."

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

There will be disagreement on this subject until the Lord comes again. It cannot be disputed that tongues was spoken of in the Bible. The big question is was it for then and not now?

There is only one mention of tongues spoken of by Jesus in the four Gospels: Mark 16:17 'And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my Name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues'. This can easily be explained in that Jesus meant they would learn new languages. I do not believe that is what He meant, He said they shall speak in new tongues.

Another example is Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And verse 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I will include my testimony here. LJG and I were both raised in the same church that did not believe in speaking in tongues. They also baptized in the Names of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Upon my baptism I felt wonderful, light as a feather, I was nine years old. Years later at the age of 30 I attended a church and was completely overcome by the Spirit of God, I could not even speak. I did not know about speaking in tongues. I was led by the Lord to be baptized, came out of the water speaking in an unknown tongue and have been ever since. What was the difference? The only thing that was different is this time I was baptized in the Name of Jesus. I did not know the Bible said this was a promise to me.

I was saved in the 7th grade and like my precious rECj I had a feeling I had never had before. I too was light as a feather. The sermon that day was “behold I stand at the door and knock.” I knew at that moment I had opened the door and Jesus was abiding there with me. Then I started going to a Pentecostal Church, was slain in the spirit, came up speaking in tongues and have been doing so ever since.

This is what happened to us. I have a dear uncle who has never spoken in tongues, not because the gift is not there but every time the Spirit of God comes on him, he is slain in the Spirit. My beautiful youngest daughter who has never been baptized speaks in tongues. I know a pastor who said he got on his knees and prayed for God to give him this gift, after five minutes he got up and said if it was from God he would have gotten it, he didn't so he determined it is not from God. I think maybe he should have waited on the Lord longer.

It is hard to convince someone of something that they have not experienced themselves. Years ago I lived in a small town and many of us have saw objects flying through the sky that did not look any thing like airplanes. Now if I say UFO I am going to get a 'oh my gosh' from many people. But to those of us that saw them including the Chief of Police we know we saw something.

We have experienced speaking in tongues. It is as natural to us as breathing. Is it for all? That is a question I can not answer. I do know that there are many gifts of the spirit and not all have all gifts. What I do know is that if a gift is needed and no one is around with that special gift the person available will have the use of that gift for that time.

The other thing I know is this, I want all the Lord has for me. I explain it to others in this manner. If I invite you to my house to eat you will not come in and fill up on tea. You will not just get ham, no you will take some of everything to taste it all. I am that way with the Lord I want some of everything He has on the banquet table.

I did not know about tongues but I enjoy the knowledge and use of having this gift. To me it is the way my Spirit prays, not what I think is needed but what my Spirit knows needs to be prayed. As I heard my daughter quote me the other day you might be praying for the lady who limps to get new shoes, the Spirit knows she needs her corns healed.

As with all things seek the Lord on this. Oh and when the Lord comes I will understand Him and speak to Him in His tongue.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

FINDING THE PERFECT CHURCH

Pray and pray some more. Pastors just like all men/woman are human and imperfect. We do though need to be in fellowship with like believers. It is in a good church that we are taught and can find mentors that will help us with our walk.

What do you want to look for in a church? As a new believer we want to seek out a church that actually has classes for new believers. This is not always possible in small towns, a good church though will take the time to show you the way to walk for the Lord. It has to be a true Bible church. We do not want traditions. We are babies and need good milk that can be digested until we are ready for solid meat. We need a place were we can be guided to grow and walk with the Lord.

Can you picture starting school in the 9th grade. You would walk into class and be lost. Not all believers grow at the same level. Everyone is not called to be the same. The church that is right for your neighbor might not be right for you. You do though need to fellowship with others. We can pray alone, read the Bible alone, but we cannot fellowship alone. Once we are born again we become a part of God's family. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We are a part of the body of Christ, not a whole alone. We are brothers and sisters with all our family. There are over 1500 different kinds of churches. We realize it is not an easy task to choose the one that is right for you. This is why you must pray and seek the Lord. You might attend a church and walk away with the feeling it is not right for you, and most likely it is not. Do not give up, keep seeking.
Whatever church you do decide to attend remember you cannot join a church by signing a document, sitting for an examination, writing your resolution, or making up your mind. If you are born of God, you are already in.

We recommend that when you do search for a church that you take notes and study what you are taught. Ask Questions, do not accept what you are told, test the Spirit. God has given us His Word and we can read and find out what God has to say. If the teaching does not line up, then it would be best for you to try another church.

For us older Christians there might come a time when we have outgrown the church we are in. There is a time and season for all things. If your season has ended in one church you should move on to continue to grow in the Lord. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

I know a couple that the Lord lead to join a church that did not believe in speaking in tongues. They stepped out in faith and did as the Lord directed. They became good friends with the Pastor and he is now speaking in tongues, most of the church is following in line.

There is a place for you and the Lord will lead you to it. Do not expect to find perfect people. What you will find is a place where you are lead by the Lord to grow in Him.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD

Once saved it is very easy to see some friends or habits that we need to leave behind. It is not easy to continue to go to work and hear the same old nasty jokes being told around the water cooler. Driving down the road and the car with loud vulgar music rocking your world as well as your car pulls up beside you. Yes it is not easy to live in this world, but we are to live in it. We are not to be a part of it.

When I first got saved I felt uncomfortable when I went to get dressed, I had worldly clothes that revealed too much. I changed the way I dressed. Through the years I have had many changes in my life. Romans 12:2 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.

Just as we have to clean up our homes, there are things in the world we have to let go of. People, places and things. We can no longer be around them, we should be uncomfortable around many things. 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

A problem many new believers have is not letting go because we are comfortable around things. Just as those worldly clothes still fit me, does not mean I should wear them.

We need to search ourselves to see if there is anything that has come into our life that we are comfortable with, that should not be there. If you need to pray and ask God for deliverance. John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Back to the world we live in. We cannot change the world, we can only change ourselves. That means walking away when the off colored jokes are being told. If you are asked why, then explain. It means stop going places that will put you in a position were things will offend you. 1 John 5:4&5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Now adays there are Bikers for Christ; Christian single groups, for just an example. If there is something you were interested in in the world, look around you and you will probably find a Christian group doing it. If not start one.

There is nothing wrong with having fun. The difference is celebrating Christ in what you do.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Just a fast glance through the book of Matthew tells us that Jesus preached and taught many places. He spoke in boats, valleys, sides of mountains, He even healed beside tombs.

Matthew 4
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

Wherever He was church was going on. He did speak in the temples, but Jesus did not have everyone meet Him at The First Church of This Is The Only Right Place. No His church was where He was.

Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 show us what He taught the disciples.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 13 gives us an example of what He taught the people who followed after Him.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And yes He could get, well the Bible uses the word upbraid. I had to look up the meaning of that word. It means to find fault with or reproach severely; censure.

Matthew 11
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Matthew 12
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Yes, He was the Son, and He taught His disciples and they in turn taught their followers, and His way of teaching has been passed down and today we can go to any church and be taught as He taught, uplifted, upbraided when needed, and oh yes healed.

Just trying to get you to think outside the box and back on the teachings of Jesus.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

THE SNEEZE

I think this is awesome!!!

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing
into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns
flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they
felt.

Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed
away tears.

This class would NOT pray during the commencements, not by
choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within
the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and
challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one
asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine until the final
speech received a standing ovation.

A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood
still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened.

All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED !!!!

The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said,

'GOD BLESS YOU'

And he walked off the stage...

The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had
found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or
without the court's approval.

Isn't this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your
friends.........and

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland

Oh, how I wish THIS one would take off and FILL the whole
Country!!

True or false. I don't know but the thought is wonderful.

THE CHRISTIAN MOUTH

As we continue our refreshing, we look now at our mouths. Once we are saved our mouth, the way we talk, should change. The easiest way to do this is to keep the Words of the Lord in our mouth.

Romans10: 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

These scriptures are speaking of confessing Jesus as our Savior. What a wonderful place to start. We are not to be ashamed, we are to boldly tell of our salvation. We are not saying to stand on a street corner and shout it out to the world. When those around you notice or ask what has changed about you, confess, speak to them of what has happened in your life. It will let them know that the old you has changed, that the things of the past no longer interest you.

Is the respect of others worth your being quiet? We understand that some people will change toward you. As a true believer it is important that you take this stand. The more you do it, the easier it will become. Your conscience will have peace when you confess the Lord.

So you have confessed to being a Christian and you get caught up in the moment and do or say something, and the first thing you hear is 'I thought you were' no body said this was going to be easy. Say you are 'sorry' and the old stand by 'God is not finished with me yet'. Seriously though it can be used as an opening to speak of the Lord.

We fall down we get up. It is a beautiful song, but true of all Christians, yes all Christians fall down. The thing is to pull our selves back up, ask forgiveness and keep on going forward. We have found that as Christians we usually have a warning sign that we are slipping. With me personally it is a cuss word. When I slip and say a cuss word I know that I know I need to stop. It happens to everyone that is why we have to watch the words that come out of our mouth.

I have a dear friend that when you first meet him will make you crazy. You can ask him the simplest question, and before he answers you can see him stand there and replay the question you asked and his answer before he opens his mouth. He thinks before he speaks. Oh that we all could have that gift. Let me say he is a very smart man, not simple in any way.
Confess the Lord with your mouth.

LJG and I have found that there are many scriptures that are misquoted and we have one for you. 'The words you speak come to life.' It is not in the Bible, not in the KJV.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
We do know though that there is power in speaking words. All we have to do it look at Genesis Chapter 1. In the 31 verses in Chapter 1 we have 'God said' nine times. God spoke and it was. Jesus spoke and it was.

John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
If we being created in His image speak then our words too have life in them. We have to be careful of the words we speak.

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

During this refreshing take the time to stop and look at the words you speak. The words you speak say who you are. Do you talk as a believer or as one in the world?

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

LETTING GO OF THE PAST

One important thing that new Christians are not taught how to do is let go of the past. There are many things that are all around us that unless told we might consider harmless.

The Lord does not remember what we did in the past once we are saved. He is concerned with what we do now that we know Him. It is hard though to find lessons in the Bible that teach us how to let go of things from the past. The Bible has many lessons on what to do now.

Let us look at Ephesians 2: 1-5

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

What though of the things we do not know are wrong? How many of us after being saved continued to read our daily horoscope in the paper? That is only one, the list can be very long. Our favorite movie may no longer be acceptable in the eyes of Jesus. What books do we have that are not correct as a Christian, music, art?
Once a person is saved they need to clean out their homes. Getting rid of that which does not line up with the Christian walk. And this does not mean give it to your cousin that loves that music. Older Christians need to check and make sure that something worldly has not come into their homes.

My oldest daughter had brought unknowing to me a box of items of witch craft into my home. There was a spirit of evil I could feel in my home. It was after careful search that the Lord led me to a box she had packed up.

As new believer how do we know what needs to go. Earnestly seek the Lord. We need to talk to God about every area of our lives. God will reveal to you what needs to go. Walk through your home and say Lord is this okay, what about this. Lord is there anything here that does not line up with You.

What about those we have offended in the past. For an example you owe money to someone and have never paid it back. Go to them and apologize and make it right or tell them you will make it right, and then do it. It will be hard for someone to believe you are a new creature in Christ if you are still acting the same way.

There are some matters that are best left alone. If it would only cause more harm to tell someone then it might be best left unspoken. There are some areas that you might need to speak with an elder or mentor about to decide what is the best action on your part.

One of the problems that I personally had was thoughts of past actions that kept replaying in my mind. I knew God had forgiven me, but I had not forgiven myself. Always remember to forgive yourself. One you have asked the Lord's forgiveness it is over, finished. God says He forgives and then He forgets it. You are no longer spiritual accountable for that action. That is not to say if you rob a bank that you do not have to answer to the authorities, the Lord will forgive you. Morally and lawfully you will be held accountable.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

BAPTISM CONTINUED

John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Why then, if Jesus is God and I AM is the Names used by both, are we not baptized in I AM? Okay did you think about that one? When God walked on this earth and talked with man, did He ask them to get baptized? Did He ask them to do anything? We can read in Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. When the priest went to the temple not once did God ask them to be baptized, in all the preparations they had to do before entering into the Holy of Holies.

Let us look closer at the Names that are used. Mary was told she would have a son and to call His Name Immanuel which means God with Us. Why are we not baptized in that name?

There are many explanations to explain the origin of the name Jesus, not many to explain the name Immanuel. Immanuel consists of two Hebrew words meaning God with us. It appears three times in the Bible, with only two referring to the Christ Child. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel; and Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The Name Jesus has many explanations. It is related to the Hebrew name Joshua. It is broken down into two parts the first part being the personal name of God YHWH which is Yeho, and second part is related to shua. Shua has many translations: saves; salvation; a saving cry; a cry for help; and my help. Through the years with different translations from Greek into Latin Yehoshua became Iesous, IESVS, and finally Jesus.

This is one of the reasons we love to study, many interesting things come out of it His name is Jesus and further scripture tells us that it is the only name we may be saved by. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: "no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Son came to earth born of a virgin. As a firstborn He was taken to the temple. Luke 2: 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

No where does it tell us that a child is to be baptized. Nor does it tell us He was sprinkled with water. We have to admit that if the Bible told us that when the child was taken to the temple that blood from the offering was put on His right big thumb, His right ear, and His right big toe, since He was a priest that actually might make sense. But none of that is done.

People we need to wake up and look at all the traditions that we carry from one generation to another, that are not in the Bible at all. We have no problem with a public acknowledgement of a vow to raise a child in the ways of the Lord. What we have a problem with is saying you are baptizing a child that is not of an age to make a decision to give themselves to the Lord.

Back to Jesus, He Himself was baptized by John. Mattthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [Baptize means to immerse.]
Why are we saying all this? Ignorance of the law does not make you innocent. Months ago I received a traffic ticket in the mail. My car was filmed by a camera. In fact my car was the slowest one in the group of cars on the film, with all the other cars passing it. It did not matter that I could prove I was at work, it did not matter my son-in-law was driving, my car had a ticket and it had my name on it. I had to pay, which my son-in-law gave me the money for.

We firmly believe that if you call on the Name of Jesus you are saved. We do not believe that if you ask the Lord into your life and you die you are lost. God is a good God. He knows that there are many people behind pulpits not telling the truth. That is why again and again we say read and study for yourself. God is not like the law of the land, you are responsible for what you know. His word says that all shall hear the truth and also that the truth shall set you free. John 8:32. You also need to be baptized in the Name of Jesus.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

BAPTISM

We have looked at consecration which is the giving of ourselves to the Lord for His will not ours. Now being led by the Spirit we want to take a step back and look at exactly how we become saved.

Luke 23
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 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.

The man did not ask to be saved. He asked Jesus to remember him when He comest into thy kingdom. This does not mean that if you are good you go to heaven. The man had a repentive spirit, and he asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus is the one that told him he would be with him in heaven that day.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Call on the Name of the Lord and thou shall be saved. And the Name of the Lord is Jesus. Oh, wait a minute there is more. Let’s read the rest of the story.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children

And another scripture.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

So scripture does tell us that we can call on the Name of the Lord Jesus and be saved, then be baptized. What it really says is repent, be baptized and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Remember this is after Jesus has been crucified.

Shall we go deeper? John baptized for repentance. The disciples baptized for repentance.

John 4: 1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Romans 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Baptized unto His death. We go under the water which represents His death, we come up out of the water, which represents Him rising from the dead. The water washes away the sins and we are recreated a new creature in Christ Jesus. Let us go even deeper.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In the Old Testament we are told God's Name is I AM. Jesus tells us that before Abraham was I AM.
John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Why then, if Jesus is God and I AM is the Names used by both, are we not baptized in I AM? I want you to take some time here and really think about this.

Continued

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

I DID YOUR WAY

Acts 15: 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Barnabas left Paul, because Paul did not want to take Mark with them. Mark had left Barnabas and Paul in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to do God's work. Now Barnabas is insisting that Mark travel with them. It seems perfectly harmless, what is wrong with having someone travel with them. After all WWJD?

But let's look at the words that describe Barnabas' actions. He determined to take Mark with them. Paul thought it not good, and Barnabas leaves with Mark going to Cyrus. It sounds like Barnabas said it will be my way or no way.

What we see at work here is not God influence but personal feelings influence. I want you to notice that Barnabas is never mentioned in the Bible again. Now it does not say that Barnabas was never used by God again, nor does it say his name was removed from the Book of Life. He is simply gone.

The bigger story here is God's plan, His government and God does not allow anyone to take his own way. We can not void God's system of government just because we are under His grace.

It is grace that makes us yield ourselves to God. Grace does not make us vigilantes that we can just go forth and do what we want any way we want. Grace will make us behave as a proper servant, it will increase our desire to be in subjection to authority, not try to run the show. The more grace we have the more we desire to fall in line with the Lord's Word and not do anything that will destroy, or blemish it in any way.

Now look again at the song 'I Did It My Way' and be honest do you see yourself in any way?

We are not consecrated to Christ to go out and do it our own way, we are making a decision to do it Christ's way. We do not want to stand before the Lord and say yes Lord You called me, I went out and did what I thought You wanted me to do. We want to stand before the Lord and say "I did it Your way!"


God Bless Indeed

recj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When people start talking ugly around me I like to remind them that God made nothing ugly, and He made cockroaches.

Man now has taken many things and made them ugly, ugly to the point that it should be washed away with a strong wind and rain.

I ask when is the last time you stopped to smell the refreshed air after a good strong rain. The wind so strong it can lift a building, leaves behind the newness of the earth.

I love driving out in the country were the pollutions of the cities and towns have not taken over. Walking by flowers, able to smell the flavor of the buds and blooms.

I ponder on the thought that maybe God at times stops and says I can not smell My roses, I can not smell the ocean, the freshness of the leaves on the trees. My earth stinks of the smell of smoke, imagines and waste.

Does He stop and look at all He created and want to vomit it all out of His mouth, as in the beginning He spoke all the goodness, beauty and glory into this world.

I ponder on the thought of how though He knows in the end it will be returned to the glory He intented. Now much more damage can we do before He decides enough?

I ponder on how we who are saved, think of the future with Him, but how often do we stop to think of earth returned also to its former beauty?

Oh what a glorious God we serve. Something beautiful is all around us today right now if we look. How much more beautiful it will be then.

Today as I sit here in Louisiana the Gulf is washing oil ashore doing even more damage to the coastlands. All around the world it is one tusmani after another, earth quakes falling as dominios across the earth.

I ponder, we reap what we sow. We have treated this earth with disrespect, just as we have treated our very souls.

Matthew 24:7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Matthew 24:6-8 (in Context) Matthew 24 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 13:8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Mark 13:7-9 (in Context) Mark 13 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 21:11
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:10-12 (in Context) Luke 21 (Whole Chapter)

I ponder on the thougth that earthquakes are not listed one time in the old Testament. The Old Testament does mention the earth opening up but does not use the word earthquake.

Genesis 4:11
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Genesis 41:55-57 (in Context) Genesis 41 (Whole Chapter) Numbers 16:32
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
Numbers 16:31-33 (in Context) Numbers 16 (Whole Chapter) Numbers 26:10
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.

Numbers 26:9-11 (in Context) Numbers 26 (Whole Chapter) Deuteronomy 11:6
And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel:

Something is beautiful, if we look we shall see it all around us. Just some thoughts to ponder on.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

A heart of Gratitude Produces a Christ like Attitude



This picture was sent to me by email this morning by a friend and KAJN listener who sends me pictures every morning! This is Such a God thing! If we focus on CHRIST, not on the things of the world, the stresses of life, and purpose our hearts to be more grateful for what we do have, then a heart of Gratitude will produce a more Christlike Attitude! God is so Good.. Let us Praise Him! Today's scripture on Biblegateway: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”- Philippians 2:5-8 More confirmation!

Our Sister Angel site http://heartfireforjesus.blogspot.com/2010/04/heart-of-gratitude-produces-christ-like.html