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THE DESPERATION OF DEPRESSION!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” ~ I Kings 19:4

THE DESPERATION OF DEPRESSION! ~  Do you know anyone who’s said, “I’ve had enough!” I don’t know many who haven’t. Often, we, who love like JESUS, work feverishly. (Luke 19:10) We burn the candle at both ends. The passion for our LORD and the souls for whom HE died drives us to take evangelism (sharing the GOOD NEWS of JESUS) very seriously and fervently. We know that at any moment some will die without CHRIST. Therefore, we give all that we have to reach these precious ones who so desperately need a SAVIOR. We pray, share, teach, preach, talk, coach, nurture, and weep.

Here’s where we burn out by caring too much. Gossip begins! People talk, and we take the painful criticism of others far too personally holding on to it much too deeply. It is in this moment that “marginal Christians” tell us to slow down, relax, and quit trying so hard. Some call us sinners and try to prove their relationship with CHRIST is alright by imagining that we work so hard to overcome some hidden sin or fault in our lives. Can it be that we just love JESUS! This gossip begins among those who were supposed to be on our side. These threats come from our trusted allies. It is in these character assassinating conversations we are most deeply hurt. Like Elijah, this is the moment many of us say to the LORD, “I have had enough.”

Pray for your pastor, your worship leader, youth minister, and church staff member. Pray for your Sunday school teacher, your children’s Bible study leaders. Pray for other believers who you respect because they truly walk with GOD. Pray for each other because we are attacked daily. (James 5:16-18) Finally, pray for me, as I have far too often told GOD, “I have had enough.” That’s the honesty of ~ THE DESPERATION OF DEPRESSION!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

There is an answer for depression & anxiety: HIS Name is JESUS! 🙂

THE BATTLE FOR THE SOULS IN A NATION!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that YOU, O LORD, are GOD and that YOU have brought them back to YOURSELF.”        ~ I Kings 18:37

The Battle for the Souls in a Nation! ~ When you travel to Israel and reach the top of Mount Carmel, you’ll find a compass overlooking the surrounding areas and cities. It was atop this mountain that THE LORD GOD shocked the nation of Israel with consuming fire. Imagine waiting all day for something spectacular to happen as hundreds of people put on their very best show. For hours, the prophets of Baal were chanting, singing, and dancing. These magicians, dramatizers, and actors put on the best show they could muster for all the people of Israel. Around lunchtime, the show grew old.

At this point, The Prophet Elijah challenged these four-hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four-hundred prophets of Asherah by asking them where their god was. He asked if he was too busy to listen to them ~ not omnipotent. He asked if their god was too far away to hear them ~ not omniscient. Then, he asked if their god was asleep or merely daydreaming.  Finally, he told them that their god maybe in the bathroom on the toilet ~ not a god at all. They did not take this humiliation well. These prophets began to cut their bodies and mutilate themselves until blood coated the altar. THE WORD OF GOD says that there was “no sound, no reply, and no response.”

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.” ~ C. S. Lewis

As we celebrate our national freedom, let’s remember the cost of our spiritual freedom ~ JESUS!  Make no mistake, GOD is at work just as HE was on Mount Carmel that day. HE is proving HIMSELF to you today. Be very careful! It’s easy to be like one of the Israelites who said they believed, but there was no living-proof of that belief. Real Christianity results in life-change! Remember, JESUS is the ONE WHO gave HIS life for you. HE is the ONE WHO is actively leading ~ The Battle for the Souls in a Nation!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

The Battle for the Soul of a Nation ~ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/17/us/biden-trump-soul-nation-country.html

DIVIDED!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was THE WILL OF THE LORD, for it fulfilled THE LORD’S MESSAGE to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from SHILOH.”    I Kings 12:15

DIVIDED! ~ How did things get to be this way? There seem to always be two groups of people who cannot find a common ground. Two polarizing groups who hold only to their point of view. In my house, we endured the “peanut butter wars.” I liked Peter Pan; Cheryl trusted JIF. Guess What? For many years, we had JIF in our house. However, we had to get Peter Pan for a short season during the recent JIF recall. That makes me right after all! Right? 😊

We are a DIVIDED people! We argue about a two-party political system of government in our relationships, our posts, and on social media. We allow this to affect our conversations and attitudes. These two political terms are not found in the BIBLE. Since we have received CHRIST’S life-changing grace and HIS discipleship teachings from the WORD OF GOD, then shouldn’t we trust GOD in every season?  We must trust the ONE WHO installs kings and presidents and WHO rules over nations.  But, let’s be nice about it?

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].                    Colossians 4:6 AMPC

I believe we can disagree while still being “winsome” followers of CHRIST. Nevertheless, many in the body of CHRIST seem to have joined the “Karen’s” in our world who are quick to spew anger and hatred any time they feel put out. Billy Graham prayed with politicians from both parties pointing each leader to JESUS. So, let’s follow the BIBLE and be “Winsome!” Oh yeah! For my friends who don’t do “church,” I think of the lyrics from the Beatle’s song, as though JESUS is speaking. “Come Together, right now, over ME!” Let’s avoid being so DIVIDED and try this… ~ Hate the Devil ~ Love people! ~ 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

We can argue about almost anything! 🙂

REAL WISDOM!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“11 So GOD replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing MY people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow ME and obey MY DECREES and MY COMMANDS as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”                I Kings 3:11-14

REAL WISDOM! ~ “WISDOM” is used over 250 times in the BIBLE. What is REAL WISDOM? Why is it so important? How do we get it? If we do get it, then what do we do with it? (Not everyone gets it) Look at these definitions:

“The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.” (Google)

“The ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments:” (Cambridge Dictionary)

Webster’s Dictionary from 1828 says that WISDOM is: “The right use or exercise of knowledge.” It follows this statement with multiple BIBLE verses to illustrate the great connection to WISDOM and the BIBLE! 😊 So, “To be wise you must first have reverence for THE LORD.” (Proverbs 9:10a GNT)

Most of THE PROVERBS were written by Solomon; however,
he did not finish well. He made poor choices toward the end of his life. Imagine life as the wisest man who ever lived, and then abandoning your life-long plan near the finish line.  His last days resulted in ruin for his children.

How faithful have you been? Have you let your relationship with CHRIST and HIS church become a part-time virtual relationship? Have your children drifted away with you? It’s not too late, Beloved. Return to the LORD! COME BACK! Lead your family to the LORD ~ That’s how you live out REAL WISDOM!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

THE COST OF WORSHIP!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“I will not offer to THE LORD my GOD sacrifices that have cost me nothing.”

II Samuel 24:24b

THE COST OF WORSHIP! ~ If I got a dollar every time people promised to give the church lots of money when they win the lottery, we’d exceed the budget. This makes me laugh. 😊 Think about it for a moment. If giving your time, your talent, and your tithe to GOD is not important before you “win the lottery,” then how is getting a whole lot of money by way of gambling with the money you should have given to GOD in the first place suddenly going to make you a person who gives to GOD after you get those huge piles of money? (ROTFL ~ Rolling On The Floor Laughing). That’s funny ~ Unless, of course, you’re that person who is offended because you are not a good steward of the things GOD has already given you. (That’s conviction!)

Imagine for a moment that you had a relative whom you’ve never actually met. Momma told you about him, and grandma talked about him, too. You have been told you’re related, and you tell everyone that this person is a very close relative. Your “relative” is very popular and well-liked. Every time you mention this relative to other people, they all agree that everything they know about him is positive. In fact, everyone you talk to knows this relative. Does that make you close to this unknown individual? NO!

Here is THE COST OF WORSHIP! That unknown relative is JESUS CHRIST. HE is not SOMEONE you can meet and then simply forget! The experience of meeting HIM face to face is life-changing. When you truly touch THE ALPHA & OMEGA (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; and 22:13), THE KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS (I Timothy 1:6; Revelation 19:16), THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS (Genesis 1:26), THE ONE WHO HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER (Colossians 1:17), you won’t be the same. After all, JESUS SACRIFICED HIS own LIFE so you  & I could approach THE PRESENCE of THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD (Jeremiah 10:10, I Thessalonians 1:9) ~ YOU & I ~ mere sinners, nothing good to bring, allowed to enter THE PRESENCE OF GOD! THAT is THE COST OF WORSHIP!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

THE COST OF WORSHIP!

CHOICES! ~ THE BOOK OF I SAMUEL

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to THE LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to HIS voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.                                                                             ~ I Samuel 15:22-33

CHOICES! We make decisions everyday because we have so many CHOICES. Think about your daily routines for a moment. Do you shower in the morning before you leave your home, or do you shower the night before to save time in the morning? Next, do you eat cereal at home, or do you drive through somewhere for coffee and your morning feast? Which route do you take: the fastest or the most scenic route? By the way, how did you decide what to wear today? What kind of mattress did you sleep on? Did you wear your favorite PJ’s or just the usual? Which side of the bed did you sleep on? Why?

Clearly, we make so many CHOICES without even considering why we chose what we did not to mention the potential benefits or repercussions of the choices we make. For example, how do you choose to enjoy entertainment? Do you go to a movie? If so, how do you choose which movie? Do you trust Rotten Tomatoes and their scoring system, or do you trust fan favorites?

Admittedly, I make far too many of my decisions by the wonderful process called “winging it.” You might think that pastors spend hours praying about what kind of toothpaste to buy or where we ought to get our fried chicken. However, most of us do not. Truthfully, many of the decisions/CHOICES we make do not appear to have eternal consequences.  However, we will meet two men who make their decisions in entirely opposed ways in the book of I SAMUEL. During the next two weeks we will observe two men who were anointed to become kings of ISRAEL. It reminds me of the old Goofus and Gallant characters in the HIGHLIGHT’S children’s magazines. One chooses to do the right thing all the time and one does not. It won’t take much for us to see a very clear application for each of our lives. Enjoy the journey. 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

CHOICES! I SAMUEL

True North!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

~ Judges 21:25

THE BOOK OF JUDGES! ~ FAILURE! Have you ever used a COMPASS CORRECTLY? In the northern hemisphere the needle of a working compass will always point north. If you are lost or confused on your journey, then a COMPASS will lead you in the right direction to get you where you need to go. You simply need to know where you are and where you need to go.

It may seem too easy. Of course, it should be. Before the nation of Israel had a king, GOD sent JUDGES or DELIVERERS to Israel to RESCUE the nation from the oppression and suffering they continually found themselves in because they failed to listen to GOD. It was a vicious cycle of disobedience, bondage, misery, liberation, and compromises. It is painful to watch as we read about them.

Do you remember, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson? Each of these BIBLE characters were renown throughout our Sunday school classes in years past. Each tale is filled with GOD’S rescue plan for the nation during the JUDGE’S reign. However, each shows a horrible weakness in the lives of those GOD called to be JUDGE. Barak’s failure leads to Deborah’s Song.  Gideon’s Fear leads to GOD’S great victory. Samson’s pride leads to Israel’s fall. ☹

Despair naturally follows disobedience. It’s so much easier to follow the LORD. It makes us think, “Why didn’t they just do better?” “Why didn’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” Every day, I find myself asking as I watch people struggling to hold it together and look up: “Why don’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “What’s wrong with them?”

Then, in my quiet time with GOD after days of busyness it hits me: “Why don’t I just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “Why don’t I meet with GOD more often and pray and read HIS WORD?” Henry Blackaby tells us that when GOD speaks to us, HE is inviting us to join HIM. Then, we must adjust our lives to follow HIS PLAN. Remember, your BIBLE is your COMPASS! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

A journey of EXPERIENCING GOD by Henry Blackaby & Claude King

Memorials

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

8 Study this BOOK OF INSTRUCTION continually. MEDITATE on IT day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in IT. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is MY COMMAND—BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For THE LORD YOUR GOD is with you wherever you go.”                                             Joshua 1:8-9

THE BOOK OF JOSHUA! ~ OBEDIENT FAITH!  On February 20, 1988, Cheryl and I began this journey of FAITH together in marriage! It all began on a Saturday in 1984, when Cheryl agreed to having our first date. I could explain that it took three tries to just get her to talk to me much less go on a date, but there isn’t time right now. 😉 Gentlemen, I knew I had a keeper the day she agreed to paint a dog house with me for our very first date. 😊

Since that day, we’ve seen very good days and very bad days. The truth in the passage above has carried us through all of those times. I assure you having a faithful companion in all those times is worth more than diamonds & gold!

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

11 Her husband can trust her,

and she will greatly enrich his life.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

31 Reward her for all she has done.

Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31:10-12; 30-31

On our anniversary, we encourage you to walk the walk of faithfulness which can only be proven along the time worn channels of life! Happy painting! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

4 “Listen, O Israel! THE LORD is our GOD, THE LORD alone. 5 And you must love THE LORD your GOD with all your HEART, all your SOUL, and all your STRENGTH. 6 And you must commit yourselves WHOLEHEARTEDLY to these COMMANDS that I am giving you today.

7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.                                                 Deuteronomy 6:4-7

THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY! ~ LOVE & OBEDIENCE!  I remember a time when people would start a job early in life, and they remained with the company for a lifetime. Our dear friend Caroline greeted people at Red Lobster for over 40 years. WOW! She was enduringly faithful!

It’s easy to be faithful when you remember your LOVE and your passion for someone or something. That’s why the BIBLE repeats the statement to LOVE the LORD your GOD with all your HEART.  When we have your HEART; we have the very best of you! Right?  Broken hearts are often marks of lost LOVE!

Our minds play tricks on us all the time. We wonder if someone is really a friend, or if they are really who they say they are. Your MIND is the battleground of future decisions. What you think is true determines many of your actions and choices. This is why the BIBLE tells us to LOVE THE LORD GOD with all your MIND! GOD knows our enemy is trying to deceive you!

We often lose perspective when we focus only on ourselves today. There is an eternity awaiting each of us. The decisions we make affect that eternity. That’s why GOD wants us to love HIM with all of our SOUL for alleternity.

Finally, we should love with all that we have. We LOVE with our health, our finances, and our possessions every day. GOD wants each of us to love HIM with all of our STRENGTH. No holding back or holding out! EVERYTHING! {Including our computers, cell phones, tablets, and Social Media posts! 🙂 }

GOD gives each of us the perfect prescription to help us in all of these arenas: REPEAT! When we keep practicing the same thing perfectly, we get better with practice! Let’s practice LOVING GOD and LOVING others! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

OUR PASSOVER!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I AM THE LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I WILL FREE you from being slaves to them, and I WILL REDEEM you with an OUTSTRETCHED ARM and with MIGHTY ACTS of JUDGMENT.’”                                                                   Exodus 6:6

THE BOOK OF EXODUS ~ What comes to mind first? What about Charlton Heston in the role of MOSES in the movie, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Could it be Israel in bondage to the Egyptians for over 400 years? Maybe, it’s MOSES chosen by GOD to be the DELIVER. What about the animated movie, PRINCE OF EGYPT? You might think of the parting of the RED SEA, the PILLAR of FIRE by night and the CLOUD by day. How about MANNA and QUAIL? What about the encounters MOSES has with GOD at the BURNING BUSH or atop MOUNT SINAI?  GOD writing THE TEN COMMANDMENTS as MOSES watches, and then MOSES destroying them. Let’s not forget how often ISRAEL COMPLAINS and the GOLDEN CALF. GOD walks by and covers MOSES’ face with HIS HAND leaving MOSES with such SHEKINAH GLORY that the people cannot even look at MOSES. Then, there are these moments, MOSES in a basket in the NILE RIVER, THE TEN PLAGUES, AARON’S ROD, THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, THE TABERNACLE, THE LAW, and so much more.

Which is your favorite? Considering all these mighty acts of GOD it is hard to choose just one. Nevertheless, none of these is the most amazing part of EXODUS to me. In EXODUS, we discover GOD’s PLAN for a PASSOVER LAMB. The entire BOOK of EXODUS points to GOD as DELIVERER of HIS people for all time! As the death angel was to PASSOVER the homes with BLOOD on the doorposts, GOD will withhold HIS judgment on those who have been to the CROSS and received the BLOOD of the LAMB as payment for their sins. My friend, THE BIBLE is not sixty-six separate books, nor is it two editions or volumes. THE BIBLE tells the story of JESUS as our ONLY way to heaven from beginning to end! Where does JESUS fit into your story? 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes~ I Peter 3:15