In Pursuit

Tirelessly, relentlessly, daily, He pursues me-

Without ceasing, in darkness, in light, He pursues me-

Every step taken, the foot fall sounds behind me,

Every road traveled shows the signs of His persistence-

There is no escaping Him, for every place I have been or could go, He has already placed a gentle reminder of His preceding presence-

No height, no depth, no obstacle can obstruct,

There is no stopping Him, He is constantly, consistently, in pursuit-

 

"Love, Outside The Box"

The term "Think outside the box" is used to describe an idea or an action that breaks away from normalcy. Most times it is something radically different than status quo. What if we started "loving outside the box"?

What if the love for our brother, for the lost, and even for our enemies, was so noticeable that we seemed to be loving outside of what was humanly possible? 

Jesus was an excellent example of this kind of love! He did not just expect people to know that He loved them. He took the time to look them in the eye, sympathize with their hurt, look deep into their pain, and converse with them about their desires. He gathered up children who were not His own and loved them in His arms. He even forgave His enemies, and laid down His life for them. This was "loving, outside the box"! (1st Peter 2:21)

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was the direct representation of the Spirit of God. It was in a proverbial sense, God in a box. This was never His desired relationship with His creation however. So when the fullness of time was come God robed Himself in flesh and came and dwelt amongst His people! (Galatians 4:4)

Yet still, this was but a stepping stone to the ultimate goal of God! You see once Christ suffered the cross and the Spirit of God was released for all to be filled, now you and I have become the container by which the Holy Ghost dwells in! We are the box! 

So, if God went through all He did for us, to show us a love outside the box. Don't you think we to, as His ambassadors of the Gospel, ought to do the same? Next time you open up a box look carefully at it from above. The open flaps will form a cross! Truly, there is no better way to lead people to the cross than to open our hearts to them and love outside the box! 

For deeper insight read: (1st John) it's only 5 chapters long you can do it! Lol

Just a little thought I had this morning. Love you all! No, really, I love you!

The Cloistered Church

O' the power of the cloistered church! We drive our Pentecostal cars to our Pentecostal church where we enjoy Pentecostal fellowship with our already saved friends... We enjoy a perfectly Pentecostal service where we sing our Pentecostal songs and afterward hop in our vehicles to turn on our Pentecostal music, all the while talking about how great the Pentecostal preaching we heard was. Then we go to work on Monday away from our Pentecostal bubble and make fun of those who are not saved, take pictures to send to our saved friends of how unsaved they are, tell them how unsaved they are compared to us, and leave feeling quite content. Then finally we get back together with our Pentecostal friends on the weekend and instead of edifying one another we tear down those whose standards are not as high as we think they should be, talk about preachers and saints that have let down their guard, and leave feeling quite content that we are saved and they are slipping.

How do we expect to see anyone saved if our entire sphere of influence is already saved! How do we expect to see revival if we never pursue the lost nor see our own need for personal revival? This is an hour of sifting and shaking, only those who have a deep inward root system will stand in this hour. The shallow roots that spread along the surface are destined to perish along with the sinner and the ungodly. It is time to do some inventory!

So what is the power of the cloistered church? Ask them cause they know better than you or I. However, I refuse to lower my vision to the dirt, I am looking to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from The Lord! 

I am a member of a wonderful assembly who takes in the sinner and loves them like Jesus, who edifies one another, and prays for those who are slipping. We have a Pastor that does not follow a Sunday/Wednesday ritual, he allows God to move when and where The Spirit of The Lord wills it! The preaching is strong, the preaching is Pentecostal, the preaching is powerful! When the church becomes cloistered we lose those elements. 

An old country preacher once said, "You can write hen house over the door, but that don't mean there's any chickens inside." Just because a sign reads Pentecostal doesn't mean there's any fire inside!

May the God of heaven bless us with a desire to go beyond our comfort zones, to go into all the world, the highways and hedges, and compel them! But first, may revival start within us all and flow out like rivers of grace and mercy.

Stirred to Muse

I hear what once was a whisper, resounding in the souls of men all about me. The reverberation that has caught like a fire that burns within, shall no more be a whisper as heretofore. This cry will burst forth soon enough and with all the candor of a people that have thoroughly purged themselves of all unrighteousness!

That call is more heard now as that day approaches! Hungry hearts are proclaiming REVIVAL! North, south, east, and west thou canst withhold no longer! For our hour hath come, yea is here even now. Behold, we kneel upon the threshing floors of prayer, our plowshares in hand. Our eyes filled with the ire of righteous indignation for the sins of our people. No longer will we slink away into the shadows of safety, nor will we be sore pressed into the corners of calamity. Nay, for today, and everyday hence forth we shall fight! Whether it be upon the field of heart, mind, and spirit, or that of the cursed earth that we inhabit. Ours is not a cause that goes unseen, nor unheard, but our very presence shall be felt.  

The task before us is not easy, but the God behind us is Almighty, the God beside us is all powerful, the God that prepares the way before us has never lost a battle, and that same God lives inside of us making us unstoppable! 

The Song Of The Lamb

In the silence, in the solitude, there is but a faint reminder of what was before there was time. He alone was before all things, and by Him all things consist. Oh what lonely state the void must have been, and what joy must have been when the creative acts of God were thrust into motion. Now the bleak was clothed in beauty and the depths were carved. The sun, the moon, and all the heavenly hosts, singing in unison the song of the Lamb!

Yes, it was here in the midst of the creation week that the Lamb was first made known, though He was already slain long before the foundation of the world. The grass, the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, all sang the song of the Lamb! Yet, all these could not provide the true worship God sought after, worship from hearts desirous of fellowship, willingly adoring His Majesty. 

Sin, O' the sting of sin, a poison to steal the tongue of praise! A severance, a heart breaking, a will turned ill, an admonition unheeded. Now, for the first time, ALL of creation would sing the song of the Lamb, a song of redemption.

Thou hast been redeemed child! Praise Him! Sing the song of the Lamb! A song of mercy, a song of peace, a song that would bring us back to the place we need to be. Let loose the cords that bind your praise, open your mouth and with hands raised, vocalize your sincere desire, and allow the Lamb within be set afire! 

Stoke the smoldering embers of your soul, like bellows from withn let the wind of Pentecost begin to blow,  and growing cozy to the heated hearth, share the warmth ere departing. 

But a span, a breath, a vapor, are we all, and soon enough our God shall call. Then standing there before His throne, when all His Saints have been called home, an account must be given of every man, and we will then have wished that we all had sung the song of the Lamb!

Bands of Love

Now is the time for the church to band together like never before! The world is fed up with those who uphold standards of righteousness. There really is no one left to trust but your Brothers and Sisters in Christ. 

Keenly implanted "friends" on the job who act as spies for those who would seek to destroy, double minded sharp tongued colleagues that seek their own and not another's, secret societies that elevate brethren above skill or honesty. The world is upside down. 

May we now more so than ever band together. Pray for one another, love one another, feel the hurts and disappointments of one another, bearing each upon the shoulders. Truly, none of us can make it without each other, so let us be diligent in our love one toward another and reach forth toward the lost together.

The Teacher

Experience has been a strict teacher, in whom there are no retake tests. Often we find ourselves making the statement, "if I could only do it over again" and "if I knew then what I know now". The harsh reality is just that, reality. There is nothing we can do to change the past but we can direct our future based off the lessons learned from that past. 

Therefore, we are given a unique opportunity in that we have this present time to alter the outcome of our lives. Honestly, I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. More than I could number or even retain the knowledge of, however, I have also tried my best to learn from those mistakes in order to avert any future disasters. 

One of the smartest things I ever did, and a choice that would positively affect my life forever, was that morning I came to an old fashioned Apostolic altar! All at once every single mistake was erased! I was given a clean slate in life. That single decision would change my life forever. In fact I often tell myself and others that my life never truly began until I started living for God!

Today, you have a choice, you can choose the path that has led you thus far, a path of uncertainty and pain, or you can choose life and that more abundantly. If you are already living for God you can still benefit from this mindset because we are all tabernacled in flesh. Ergo, we are prone to making bad mistakes. Thanks be unto God we have a blood that never fades or fails, yet ever flows and still prevails! That experience I recieved on that morning was one that I can learn from daily because He will lead and guide me into all truth. The truth truly will make you free!

Stories That Stir

I am convinced after talking with a senior saint that there really is no excuse for quitting God! Story after story rolled from her lips, and the pain of each situation could be seen in her eyes. Yet, at the end of every one of her stories, there was a  praise offered to God for seeing her through the trial. After only a short while I could really put my problems into perspective and realized that what I was so distraught about  in my own life was pale in comparison to what this woman of God had endured. 

Of all places this conversation should take place was in the hospital! The same place where most of  my dilemma was stemmed from! Oh how small I felt after conversing with her! Even at that very moment she was with a family member who was being seen for a condition far worse than that of my wife. Her company came out of the office with a smile and simply said, "God is good!" 

There is a reason why when these women pray you feel something, their dedication to God at all times has earned them a power in prayer that shallow Christianity will only dream about!

Creation Demands Change

Okay, so here is the conundrum. We have one group of people who are "far more intelligent" than another group of people arguing on how the world was made. This group of high IQ wizards are telling us that millions of years ago (when there were no eyes to see anything) that nothing blew up and out of the chaos came ornate order. This mess then got its stuff together and slowly formed all we see.
​
Now the other group of unlearned fishermen, have an oral account of the Creation of the world directly from the mind of the Creator Himself. An account that proves itself in all areas of science to be true. Theses "ignorant" individuals come to crazy conclusions, like the age of the Earth being less than 10,000 years old and that there is a Designer behind this great design.
​
Clearly we know both parties are entitled to their opinions, yet only one has more than speculators "evidence". Ahhh... But that evidence held by those poor unlearned souls is based upon faith.
​
However, does it not take more faith to believe in nothing blowing up in a destructive mess and making intricate designs? The choice is ultimately ones own to believe whatever that person should choose. My choice has been and always will be the same. If there is a design there is a Designer , if there is a Designer then there is a God, if there is a God then we are all held accountable unto Him, and if we are all held accountable unto Him then we need to change the way we live, see, and think.

Eat From Your Own Table

The Bible speaks about anointing quite a bit. In the Old Testament it was the determining factor of ones Kingship over Israel. It was usually done in the sight of all the people so as to make sure of the recognition of ones anointing. The oil that was used was sacred and was poured (always) from the crown of the head and allowed to drip to the vesture.

Though there are many obvious types found in the administering of the oil, the point I would like to bring to mind today is this...

The individual who received the anointing almost always had a specific plan or purpose that came with that anointing. Normally it was even location specific. (i.e. King over Israel, to be a prophet to a people/city)

Your Pastor has been sent to where he has for a purpose! His anointing is location specific! Therefore, if you have been planted within his sphere of God given influence seek not another. No matter how anointed another man of God (other than your Pastor) may be, and no matter how much you admire his spirit or ability to preach the word, his anointing was not chosen for your specific locale. If there is counsel to be sought, seek that of the shepherd in whom lies the authority over his herd. His anointing was specifically given to meet your needs and God knew what He was doing when He placed him over you.

Thanks for reading! God bless!

He HATH Heard

Daniel 10:12-14 - Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thyr God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come...

I have been away from my writings for quite some time. We have been battling some things here in our family. Doctors visits, ER trips, misdiagnosis, extreme sickness, all factors that have acted as a force that has withstood against us. Today I share with you for a brief moment a scripture setting that has really spoke to our family as of late.

This setting shows us an answer to a question that looms in the back of our minds, though often not talked about, a question of "Are my prayers being heard?"

It is during these times that we begin to play the role of Job's "friends" to ourselves. We question our walk with God, we accuse ourselves of wrong doing, we reel back through time and try to pin point that moment in time that we angered our Father. (This is insight as to where I have been) For over a month now my wife has been plagued with sickness and pain, prayers have been made, fasting has occurred on more than one occasion, and yet... Nothing!

I have seen God answer prayer instantaneously. I have seen healings take place right before my eyes. I have seen people that didn't even love God or want anything to do with the church, and yet they walked away from a service or a prayer meeting with complete healing. Why not us? Why not now?

These are ordinary questions and they are just a part of our humanity. We all at times have them. However, we do not dwell upon them. Job asked God over 30 questions while going through his trial! This man of integrity, a man that God placed enough confidence in to submit him, yea even hand pick him, to prove to the devil that his (that is satans) power is limited. Can we question God and still be saved? Absolutely. We can shout, scream, cry out in frustration, but when the answer is clear... We must obey. At times we will question His methods but the only thing that turns our questioning into sin is when we question His motives. Regardless of the methods, His motives are always pure, and always with our best interests in mind.

This scripture in Daniel tells me, that although we may not receive an answer to our prayer immediately, He hears it the very second we utter it and the answer is on it's way! It was shortly after being directed to this scripture and having rehearsed by those within my sphere of influence that things have began to turn around for our family. Take courage Christian soldier, He HATH heard and WILL answer in due season you shall reap if you faint not.

God bless!

Are We Apostolic?

When the day is done and all the lights go out. When the mask of performance is removed. When in the silent solitude of thought...
Are we still Apostolic?

When we are on the job, where no Brother or Sister have a watchful eye.
When we are faced with decisions that could cause others to question our integrity.
When surrounded by your co-workers who have the newest lewd joke and perverse mouths that won't stop.
Are we still Apostolic?

When family comes down and they are pressuring you for "old times sake".
When the meal serves up your Pastor's "head on a plate".
When the traditions of the family mean everything to some.
Are we still Apostolic?

When that old friend is in town and just wants to stop by.
When that High School Sweetheart bumps into you at the Super Market.
When that boss has a twinkle in their eye and big plans for your future.
Are we still Apostolic?

The fact is professing to be something and actually being that thing is totally different. This world is full of people professing Christianity, but are they actually being "Christ like"? We fool no one but ourselves when we profess to be one thing and possess the attributes of something less. The Lord knoweth them that are His... and let everyone that calleth on the name of Lord depart from iniquity, for eyes of the Lord are upon His people and He judgeth justly.

Bittersweet Days

Bittersweet is the day that we live. There are the signs all around us of impending doom, darkness is more prevalent than ever. Yet, there is a ripple of thought that offsets the cultural disaster surrounding us all. It is put into motion from the very darkness it combats!

It is that longing within the heart of every child of God for the miraculous, the supernatural, and the endtime revival we all have been awaiting patiently. Like mothers and fathers, standing, waiting at the doors of the house of God for those wayward children to return home. The expectancy, the anticipation, the excitement that is afforded, by the hope that someday soon we will see them on the horizon, coming by the droves back to the open arms of the Bride is enough (or should be) to pray like never before!

We have been seeing the trickle of what is to come already. Yet, even now, I believe that God is very much busy in preparing His people for that which is to come. As He is purging, as He is pruning, as He is scraping away the dross, may our commitments be deeper, our hands raised higher, our love reach farther!

We sung a song the other night at church that encapsulates the prayer of my heart. It simply says...

"Oh Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true,
And with thanksgiving, I'll be a living,
Sanctuary for You"

Keep Your "Knows" Clean

We have all heard the idiom "keep your nose clean", it denotes staying out of trouble or keeping oneself from anything that would shed doubt upon ones character. Most of the time it is used in books by detectives or police officers toward a suspect.

Today, I seek to do a play on words with this idiom. I ask that you, the reader, and I myself "keep our knows clean"!

We all "know"something about somebody that if it were known to others could cause harm. The fact is that we know nothing. We see things through carnal eyes with clouded vision, our wisdom, our knowledge, it is vastly small compared to the wisdom of God. He alone can look beyond the outward to pierce deep into the heart and soul of n individual.

I would submit that instead of professing to know anything detrimental to the character of another that we replace what we know with something "clean".

Instead of being negative and critical of someone who may have a problem with lying or over reacting, replace that which you know with something else you know but may overlook due to your criticism.

Trade out, "I know they lie alot", with "they are very faithful to church."
"They always make fun of others"... with "They are friendly"
"They don't even know the minor doctrines of the Bible"... with "Boy they sure do worship with all their hearts"

The more we change the way we view people the easier it will be to love like Christ loved. We need not overlook sin, but we are not called to be the judge of every man, we are called to lead others to Him!

1st Corinthians 10:12-Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Friends and FRIENDS

The value of true friendship is lasting. A brother or a sister in the temporal sense is irreplaceable. Yet, to have a friend in the Church, the body of Christ, is of much greater value than that found in the world! These precious Brothers and Sisters of the spiritual man are worth 10,000 of those found outside the ark. True, there are many who claim our hearts outside the realm of the Body, and I myself have some dear friends who are not living for God. However, when I am in need of prayer, encouragement, spiritual uplifting, someone to push the plate back through a season of hardship, I call on the redeemed!

Today, take some time to call, text, email, etc. one of your friends in the Lord and let them know how much you appreciate them. To those who for some reason or another have yet to make a friend in the church, pursue it. When a man walks alone he walks in peril. Though he should fall an inch from God's grace he has not one to tell him, there is no accountability to anyone other than himself. This is a grave error considering the state of man, who for the love of self is quick to overlook flaws and faults found within.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Search out spiritual friends, those who will be honest with you concerning your state of being. Be accountable to God, your Pastor, and those Jonathan's you find in life. I promise you will live happier and dwell deeper in Christ.

SurFace Book

Oh, what dangers lie upon the surface! The white smile, the twinkling eye, the seemingly innocent "selfies". Humanity does belie herself. The old saying, "you cannot judge a book by its cover" speaks volumes here. People whose cover pages are filled with trendy Christian quotes, pictures of a smiling happy couple/family, the compassionate and loving plastic people wrapped in the cellophane of the internet with an eye pleasing appeal... all is well... on the surface.

However at the end of the day, are we living up to the quotes we post? Or are we simply posting these things to save face? What are we when the glow of the wireless device fades? Are we still able to look in the mirror at the end of the day, the "selfie" of reality, and say to ourselves "I know who you are"? Have we fallen prey to the allure of becoming something else other than who we are simply because we can. Are we reflecting the truth of ourselves to others or are we more contented to lie to ourselves and everyone else to appear more intriguing and exciting?

There is a book however that looks below the surface, one that searches the depths of the human soul. This book tears away the falsity, looks beyond the mask to see the true face of the person. The Bible is easy to quote, but to live by it is another thing altogether. So many know only ink and page and have only scratched the surface of this blessed book. The reason most don't go beyond the cover is because the deeper we dig into that endless wealth of knowledge, the more we begin to see ourselves as we truly are.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

When we open His book, He opens ours, and anytime His book is opened we are left outspoken. This passage tells us that even those things we do with false pretence, those comments we make to further our agendas, even the intent that we have to view someones profile, are known to God!

I encourage you to think before you post, refrain from posting if it compromises you, don't show yourself in a false light, and live what you convey you are to others. There are good uses for FaceBook, but if you are on FaceBook more than your face is in His book take inventory. Don't be afraid to block someone or unfriend them if all they ever post are things that leave you feeling dirty. What if at that split second when you were stumbling upon that nasty post, someone who has been observing your walk with God happened to see it as well? Of even more concern is the spot in your mind that thing inhabits for a time, a place reserved for Jesus! Truth is... FaceBook friends, if truly friends at all, will not try to degrade or place you in a position to sin.

Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 KJV -17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. -18- And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; -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.

Who here among us is without sin? Who here among us is without guilt or shame? Let him cast the first stone! Do you hear it? Do you hear the sweet sound of reconciliation? It may sound like stones hitting the ground, but to me it sounds like so much more. It sound like the footsteps of Jesus running toward me to shield me, yea even take the stones for me if He must, to save me from the onslaught! It sounds like the hooves of horses in God's army, rising up to aid me in battle, that soul cavalry playing the trumpets of victory. It sounds like the falling of fetters from the hands and feet that once were bound! Yes, the thud sounds like my Goliath hitting the ground for the last time! O' what beauty is found in the ministry of reconciliation! What unmerited grace, what inexhaustible mercy, what unfathomable love! Now beloved, WE have the word of reconciliation. We have the power to restore! God is love, and that Love, if it dwells in us will reach with fervor for the fallen.

Galatians 6:1-2 KJV Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. -2- Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The fruit test is herein found. Will you let one whither off the vine because of jealousy? Will you allow a portion of your family to perish because of self righteousness? Will you mock and jeer only to find yourself in a worse spiritual state than that one you choose to abase? God forbid! But as the slightest pain can be felt throughout the entirety of the body, cannot you feel that pain? If not, are you really in the body? Search thyself first “O' sleeper” for they that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercies, and if you were found in wanting would not you be praying for the word of reconciliation? Oh, but the power of the blood, that crimson flow that fell from Calvary's tree, where would any of us be without it? If it were not for God's reconciliation of us all would not we be left with stones sunk deep in our skulls rather than the sand? Right here, right now, I am reconciling you who would not me or any other reconcile. Even as the words flow to paper, I claim deliverance for you from that critical spirit, be ye reconciled!

2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

This ministry is not for some, it is for all!

There Is A God

The stars in the heavens could not be any more lucid in their proclamation, "there is a God".
The inexhaustible variety of animals with all their intricacies, exclaim "there is a God".
The lush vegetation and its countless medicinal remedies, vibrant colors, and minute details, cry out "there is a God".
The location of this small planet and the privileges it has inherited from that location,though subtle, are whispering "there is a God".
The beauty of newborn life and the frailty of their little bodies, growing with the capacity to think logically, articulate language, and become creative by nature, all attributes given by a Creator God. It all points to the clarion call resounding, "there is a God".

Oh, but to know Him! I speak the sentiments of the Apostle Paul who would've seemed to know Him quite well and yet said the same.

(Phillipians 3:10) "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death..."

You see, though all of creation knows Him, He gave man the privilege of being able to fellowship with Him. Creation shares a relationship with Him as the pen does to the paper, but mankind alone was given a soul, and that soul longs to be reunited with its Maker. Our relationship is that of clay to potter, it is intimate, He has his hands on us, molding us, shaping us. Because of this relationship with all things, the entire earth travails awaiting His return, yet none will be affected more than mankind, either with joy or shame we all shall behold Him one day with the knowledge that He alone is God.

Yes, there is a God! I join my voice with the myriad of infallible proofs in telling you this. But, may I take it a step further? The world, for the most part, is not up at arms about the statement "there is a God". No, it's a broad statement, with little or no waves made to rock any boats. Oh, but what do we do with this Jesus?

Yes, I went there. Why? Because He gave us the ability to communicate this for this very reason! Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus is God! There, I said it, now come the mockers and the persecution. Why? Because, people have no need to fight against the broad, thinly spread, blanket religion of the world that simply claims that somewhere out there a God is watching over us. This leaves a lot of grey areas with little or no commitment required, where mankind is unsure of who they are accountable to. That is safety for the carnal mind. But, when we know who He is, then we know who we are held accountable to, and for what reasons. Suddenly, these things called "sin" have more bearing on the conscious and the spiritual mind. This should be safety for the spiritual mind, if it is not found in wanting that is.
Today, use your God given capacities to get to know Him (Jesus) better. I promise it will make a huge difference knowing who you are praying to. Fellowship with Jesus awhile and see if it doesn't do you some good! You don't serve a God, you serve the one and only God, and Jesus is his name!

Spiritual Equilibrium

Consistency in commitment, persistence in prayer, and diligence in devotion. These are all avenues that lead to that longed for "road of blessing". All of these deal with the shaping of the heart and conforming of the will. They help lead us from flesh and carnality to that of the spiritual man. This is needful to stay in a proper state of mind and to maintain that precious "earnest of our inheritance".

Oh, but what of the storm? You have One to calm it. What of the anxiety? You have One to cure it. What of the laziness, procrastination, and lukewarm state of being? That, my friend, must be conquered of our own desire to see change, with His help. However, we can surround ourselves in so much work, secular or otherwise, that we can have an adverse effect to living as well.

Now, it must needs be foretold that the God we serve will never put more on us than we can bear. So then, when we have reached that state of living, do we quote this scripture to ourselves and remain miserable? Well, it depends on the given situation. He is not a slave driver asking anyone to so over extend themselves that man's first duties as priest of the home are ignored, that would transgress His word. Nor does He ask that we give so much our efforts to unconcerned or apathetic individuals for the sake of helping them achieve their goals with little or no effort. Yet, we cannot simply fold our hands and expect to achieve anything in life as well. This is where the afore mentioned disciplines come of great use.

I had to make a very hard decision once regarding this area. I was so overextended that my family had fallen into a dangerous spiritual descent, one that I could not see for the business I was involved in. What I seen as a hindrance to my Christian work was actually a cry for help from my wife. But I "fought" on, thinking that she would eventually see the beauty in the toil and quit being a "hindrance". When in retrospect, now I see that I was actually playing that role myself toward her. In my joy to help out with young people I had left a trail of sorrow at home, all because I was just to busy trying to juggle secular and ministerial work.

*[[Pro 11:1]] KJV* A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Despite the fact that I had to lose some face and swallow pride, not to mention the silent (and sometimes not so silent) opposition I have had to endure, in the larger scope of things it was needful. It was not as simple as having "to much on my plate". My wife (unbeknownst to me) was battling a deep rooted depression, coupled with post pardom, and the financial weight of having to live paycheck to paycheck. Add that to mothering a young child while battling at the same time the instability of her husband starting a new job on 2nd shift (leaving her alone alot) and you have a recipe for destruction. No one asked to help, or offered some coaching, regardless of the fact that the problem was evident, so I did what I knew best.

I am well aware of the need to have priorities in place, and God has remained at the top of my list, yet if we are not showing a healthy love to our wives we are not showing that same love to Christ. Lesson learned, balance all things in the scales of common sense and the light of His word. Today I can say that after some much needed mending and some quality time together, my wife has become one of the greatest helps in our respective ministry (stressing "our"). Today I ask that you look at your life and weigh those things in the balance that might be throwing your spiritual equilibrium off. God bless!

Truth Is...

Truth is... This is a game found on FaceBook, wherein an individual will post "truth is..." and send it to another person who will in turn write something true about that person from their perspective. This is my perspective on truth today.

Truth is...

Truth will prevail. It waits not for slighted opinions, nor bulks at popular demand. Truth is not tangible but creates tangible results. Truth shatters, it tears down, it builds up, and sustains. Yes, in the end, truth will always prevail.

Because it is unwavering in its existence it is seen as less than desirable in a world that is ever changing. Most bulk at it, some fight against it, and others try to imitate it without having to live by it. There has been a popular trend to blur the lines of truth, thereby suppressing it, in hopes of destroying it. They blur the lines by offering substandard truth disguised as the real thing, and suppress it by using terms like "politically correct" to intimidate those who speak it. The truth is, however, you cannot destroy it! No matter how elaborate the lie or web of deceit, truth will eventually prevail. No matter how deep it is buried in the conscience of a person, it will find its way to the surface. None can escape it, none can defeat it, none are higher than it!

One day, in the course of history, truth was personified! The intangible became flesh and blood! Jesus became truth in bodily form, truth in word and deed! They tried to blur the lines, but He would not allow it. They said He was just the carpenters son, a glutton, and a wine bibber. They lied on Him and said he was operating under the power of the devil to cast out devils. But He spoke in truth and said "You are of your father the devil". Though it was not politically correct, truth was spoken without fear or favor. Much like today, what was their response?

They brought false witnesses against truth, perpetrated a web of deceit to sentence it to death, and openly mocked it. It would appear those that hated the truth had won when Truth was buried in a tomb. But Truth will always prevail!

In three days the accusers celebrations were put to a halt as reports began to trickle in from several sources that Truth had rose from the dead! Yes, Truth certainly did prevail! Over death, hell, and the grave! Fret not fellow Christian when lies surround you like a thousand piercing swords. Fret not when you are rejected and put to shame for truth's sake. Hold fast to truth and you will find that it WILL PREVAIL!


is not tangible but creates tangible results. Truth shatters, it tears down, it builds up, and sustains. Yes, in the end, truth will always prevail.

Because it is unwavering in its existence it is seen as less than desirable in a world that is ever changing. Most bulk at it, some fight against it, and others try to imitate it without having to live by it. There has been a popular trend to blur the lines of truth, thereby suppressing it, in hopes of destroying it. They blur the lines by offering substandard truth disguised as the real thing, and suppress it by using terms like "politically correct" to intimidate those who speak it. The truth is, however, you cannot destroy it! No matter how elaborate the lie or web of deceit, truth will eventually prevail. No matter how deep it is buried in the conscience of a person, it will find its way to the surface. None can escape it, none can defeat it, none are higher than it!

One day, in the course of history, truth was personified! The intangible became flesh and blood! Jesus became truth in bodily form, truth in word and deed! They tried to blur the lines, but He would not allow it. They said He was just the carpenters son, a glutton, and a wine bibber. They lied on Him and said he was operating under the power of the devil to cast out devils. But He spoke in truth and said "You are of your father the devil". Though it was not politically correct, truth was spoken without fear or favor. Much like today, what was their response?

They brought false witnesses against truth, perpetrated a web of deceit to sentence it to death, and openly mocked it. It would appear those that hated the truth had won when Truth was buried in a tomb. But Truth will always prevail!

In three days the accusers celebrations were put to a halt as reports began to trickle in from several sources that Truth had rose from the dead! Yes, Truth certainly did prevail! Over death, hell, and the grave! Fret not fellow Christian when lies surround you like a thousand piercing swords. Fret not when you are rejected and put to shame for truth's sake. Hold fast to truth and you will find that it WILL PREVAIL!

What A Beautiful Day

O' what a blessed people we are to have opened our eyes this morning!
To behold His goodness upon humanity, to walk in His grace another day. The sun is shining for you, the gentle bustle of the wind that caries the song of the Cardinal, and even the laborious task to carry the sound of the song that is sung, is for you.

Breath deeply the mercy of God who hath allowed thee to breath at all. Walk in the day you have been given, with confidence and humility. Never so small and insignificant a creature hath been treated so well as we. Why? Because of His great love!

Knowing this, that all of the kindreds from every nation are under such care, the care of One who loveth all, should bring us into a feeling of worth and a sense of belonging to our extended families. This should be the single cause to fulfill the golden rule, knowing that everyone is in the care of He who cares for us, and who would want to upset His Father by mistreating his brother?

Humble Christian of noble calling, may you shine like the sun that for mercies sake woke you this morning. May you radiate Gods goodness in His vineyard today. There are so many who count on your smile, still yet more count on your prayers. Love with open and unguarded hearts, embrace with pious minds, and love unconditionally, for Christ's sake. It may be that by your affections the prodigals will come home with eyes wide open to a brand new day, a day in which God's light, the ray of hope He shone through you, pierced the darkness of their midnight.

What a beautiful day it would be, if our spiritual eyes would only see,
The gift of life and love unfeigned, the cause of Christ in everything,
If as we walk down here below, we plant the seeds and help them grow,
A garden grand would soon be seen, whose fruit would cause the earth to sing.
R.A.McClellan