Month: August 2022

HOW MANY TIMES?

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

13 Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, “O MAN OF GOD, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants.” ~ I Kings 1:13 NLT

HOW MANY TIMES? In the verse above, King Ahaziah had sent two groups to kill the Prophet Elijah. However, both groups were met with a force much greater that they expected, and each group of fifty men were killed instantly when GOD spoke through Elijah. Finally, the third group was dispatched, but this time the captain was wise enough to see the had of GOD at work. His decision spared the lives of fifty men. After this, Elijah went to King Ahaziah and declared his death sentence. Ahaziah, like his daddy Ahab, had fought against GOD his entire life.  He died painfully rejecting GOD’S plan.

There is so much we can learn from this short passage in the beginning of II KINGS. 😊 First, GOD speaks to us throughout our lives inviting us to follow HIM and HIS plan. The BIBLE says that GOD is seeking people just like you every day, all the time. (John 4:24) We must listen and respond to that call from GOD. JESUS died on a dirty wooden cross for your sin, all of it! HE loves you right where you are today. That is HIS message of GRACE and MERCY.

Second, our decisions affect those around us. Two men made decisions that each caused others to lose their lives. Decisions matter! Your decision to ignore or hate GOD touches and changes the lives of everyone around you. If you are a parent, then your choice to discount or snub GOD is most certainly affecting your children. After all, Ahaziah behaved exactly like his daddy.

Third, you have to decide WHO you are going to trust. Will you choose people whose lives and behavior you wouldn’t want your children choosing as role models, or will you trust the ONE who has stood the test of time because HE is the only true, wise, and eternal GOD? HE is calling ~ HOW MANY TIMES?

1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from THE LORD, WHO made heaven and earth! ~ (PSALM 121:1-2)

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from THE LORD, WHO made heaven and earth!
~ PSALM 121:1-2

Break Every Chain!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

43 In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in THE EYES OF THE LORD. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. ~ I Kings 22:43 NLT

Break Every Chain! I have been working with some of the most inspiring people over the last twelve years who are called “teachers.”  These gifted individuals realize that the greatest opportunity before them is to shape the moral character of children who have been chosen to enter their classrooms. I am thrilled to have the privilege to invest is so many lives.  We, teachers, are in the unique place of molding and guiding others toward lives of hope, joy, and fulfillment. Last year, I saw one of my previous fourth graders at Publix. He greeted me with his very deep voice by saying, “Do you remember me?” It took a moment, and I told him that it was difficult because he did not have a beard in my class. 😊 He and His family love JESUS! He is definitely one of those success stories! PTL!

Sadly, I have a few other stories which are not going as well. We are also parents who have the much greater responsibility to “train up a child in the way he or she should go…” The promise that follows says, “And, when he or she is old he or she will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) If you take a moment to read the verse at the heading of this post, you will see that “he followed the ways of his father.”  Parenting is the greatest responsibility we have. As a teacher, I stand in the gap and point true north to JESUS unashamedly!  I wish there were no regrets in my parenting past! I am plagued by my failures and frustrated moments of whining and complaining (especially as a pastor)! You may be experiencing the same feelings…

So, what about the past?  We can’t change it. However, we can change the present to mold the future! I am moved by the film, “I Can Only Imagine.”  Dennis Quaid portrays Bart’s father as a wretched man. Nevertheless, the change in his life is something only JESUS could have done. Let’s rededicate ourselves and our children’s lives to JESUS! PRAY to Break Every Chain!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

Generational sin gets passed on… Let’s Break the Chain!

PROOF!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

37 So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. 38 Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as THE LORD had promised. ~ I Kings 22:37-38 NLT

PROOF! In the OLD TESTAMENT, there was a plan of those who “said” they spoke on behalf of GOD, but in truth they were liars. The BIBLE gives us a prescription which GOD had given for dealing with these folks.

20 “’But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in MY NAME or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’” 21 “’But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from THE LORD?’ 22 If the prophet speaks in THE LORD’S NAME but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that THE LORD did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without MY AUTHORITY and need not be feared.”                    Deuteronomy 18: 21-22

The BIBLE also says that these “false-prophets” were to be killed. This may seem harsh; however, misrepresenting THE LORD OF ALL CREATION is no small thing! It yields a reverent fear. How many “prophets” might die today?

Nevertheless, times change. I often wonder how many of those standing to deliver THE MOMENT OF TRUTH understand the significance and gravity of that opportunity to speak for the LORD. Remember, when choosing a spiritual leader in your life, look at what the BIBLE says about leaders. 😊

7 Above all things, show yourself an example of good works, with uncorrupt doctrine, with gravity, 8 and with the wholesome word that cannot be rebuked, so that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having nothing in you that he may fault.                                               Titus 2:7-8 ~ NWB

Anyone claiming to speak for GOD should always be using biblical PROOF!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

TRUST!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

25 And Micaiah replied, “You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!” ~ I Kings 22:25 NLT

TRUST! Have you ever thought about how many people have proven themselves to be untrustworthy? Right now, I am praying for men in whom I believed, admired, and trusted. However, each of these men for whom I am praying have a fatal flaw. They harbored secrets which ultimately overshadowed and discredited all the good they did in their lives. Like many of you, I find that as I have grown older, my willingness to trust in others must be earned. I used to be poly-anna and naïve. Now, there must be a long-standing record of trustworthiness which includes a faithful walk with JESUS and a great deal of evidence of a deeper relationship with HIM.

Don’t misunderstand, we ought to love and care regardless of a person’s choices and history. Yet, if any of us are going to allow someone to be a spiritual leader in our lives, then that leader has to walk close to JESUS every day. We are surrounded by spiritual leaders who have telecasts, podcasts, web-shows, blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, Instagram messages, and so much more. If they do not walk step for step according to Scripture, WATCH OUT!!! The BIBLE was not written to make us feel better about ourselves.

16 All Scripture is inspired by GOD and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

II Timothy 3:16 NLT

When listening or reading something your spiritual mentor has shared, be sure that it resonates with THE WORD OF GOD. There can never be a statement which says, “I know what the BIBLE says, BUT…” Someone once said, “Keep your but out of the BIBLE.” 😊 I like this one, “GOD said it, and that settles it!” ~ “It’s true whether you believe it or not!” ~ Intense? ~ yes! Great Christian leaders point to JESUS and no one else! This is the only way to ensure that the one who is leading is worthy of our TRUST!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS…

If what you believe does not agree with the BIBLE,

then you need to change what you believe!

I do not change the BIBLE to agree with what I believe!

I change what I believe to agree with the BIBLE!

The great question to ask of our spiritual leaders is simply, “Can I Really Trust You?” Actions Matter!