Uncategorized
Job 6:1-30 ~ My Defense ~ CHUMPS
Job 4 & 5 ~ A True Friend’s Response?
Job 3:1-26 ~ JOB Reacts to Suffering
Job 1 ~ Passing the Test ~ Blessed Be the Name of the LORD!
JOB 2 ~ Tested Again
THANKSGIVING!
Frankly Speaking,
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.” ~ Psalm 100:4 NLT
THANKSGIVING! What does THANKSGIVING mean to you and your family? Is it all about THE BIG MEAL with friends and family, and then the leftovers? Is it THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE televised in New York? Could it be THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW after the parade? What about THE FOOTBALL GAMES with all the hoopla? Is it that NATURE WALK later in the day? Maybe, that’s just us. 😊
This is how THE DAY started one-hundred-sixty years ago…
Proclamation 118 ~ THANKSGIVING DAY, 1864
“Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may then be, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the Great Disposer of Events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.”
Let us not forget THE ONE to WHOM THANKSGIVING is due. Give thanks with a grateful heart for the things He has done for you. Not thankful? You read this, right? Thank Him for sight, breath, etc.😊
LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.
Blessings in CHRIST,
Pastor Wes
I PETER 3:15
IT’S TIME TO REBUILD/RENEW/REDEDICATE ~ DISCIPLESHIP 101!
Frankly Speaking,
I replied, “THE GOD OF HEAVEN will help us succeed.
We, His servants, will start rebuilding this wall.” ~ Nehemiah 2:20a NLT
REBUILD! ~ Did you read the verse above? “THE GOD OF HEAVEN will help us succeed.” It’s a bold statement! I’ve heard many people make similar statements over the years. However, what we need in order to boldly proclaim something like this is… “nearness to GOD.” Far too often, these statements are made without consulting or talking to GOD, much less communing with the very ONE WHOM we are claiming will do it.
Bold statements without the time-worn channels of intimate communication with GOD have become all too familiar as we watch spiritual leaders fall into temptation and secrets which have now become public knowledge. How much time have you spent alone with GOD lately? We need to meet with JESUS daily reading HIS WORD, praying boldly and biblically, and quietly listen to the HOLY SPIRIT. However, I see too many “Christians” hearing a sermon or seeing a post/meme without even attending church, and then basically yelling about their opinions. They come across as, “THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE, AND YOU SHOULD TOO!”
My friends, this brand of “Christianity” will not win souls. It is shallow and dangerous. An intimate quiet time with GOD every day will help you walk with GOD, break your heart for lost and lonely people, and help you think more like JESUS as you spend time with HIM in HIS WORD. Remember John the Baptist’s words: “I must decrease, and HE must increase.” Shh… Listen! 😊
LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.
Blessings in CHRIST,
Pastor Wes
I PETER 3:15
THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY!
Frankly Speaking,
“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.” ~ I Corinthians 15:43
THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY! ~ The Year was 1978! I remember going to the Royal Palm Theater to watch a film that was narrated by Orson Welles. At the time it was riveting. As I look back, the movie was probably not well produced nor award winning. In fact, this show only received 3.7 stars out of 10 stars on IDMB. NO, it was not War of the Worlds. Bonus for trying. 😊 The flick was called The Late Great Planet Earth. It was based upon Hal Lindsey’s prophetic book proclaiming the return of Christ was to happen very soon.
Prior to this, in 1972, there was a series of movies beginning with A Thief in the Night, followed by A Distant Thunder, Image of the Beast, and The Prodigal Planet. Most of you may have to take my word about these films trying to warn people about the return of Christ and the tribulation. A much more modern series of films started in 2,000, starring Kirk Cameron. This series was called Left Behind. A few years later in 2014, this series was rebooted with Nicolas Cage as the main character. It appears that many people want to know more about Christ’s return.
The strangest part is that we have neglected to turn to the source of these blockbuster films. I am not talking about the screenplay nor the book the authors wrote. We can find everything we’re looking for in the BIBLE. GOD’S plan is found in the book of the Revelation of JEUS CHRIST. Some Bibles label this book the Apocalypse; however, that is an incorrect description. You see, the whole BIBLE is ALL about JESUS. Yes, it’s ALL about HIM!
The verse at the heading of this post states that although we “are buried in weakness,” those who follow JESUS will be “will be raised in strength.” Whether living or long dead, there is a hope in the return of JESUS for those who trust Him. That’s why the Bible says, “we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” (I Thessalonians 5:13) There is always HOPE in JESUS CHRIST! 😊
LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.
Blessings in CHRIST,
Pastor Wes
I PETER 3:15
SPECIAL ABILITIES!
Frankly Speaking,
SPECIAL ABILITIES… ~ Do you know Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Benjamin Grimm, and Johnny Storm? They are familiar to so many of us who were children with great imagination. They are the original members of the Marvel Comics team: THE FANTASTIC FOUR. This team often finds themselves in a situation that seems hopeless; yet, when they work together using each of the Special Abilities, they can overcome any obstacle or foe.
I can hear some groan when I use fictional comic characters to illustrate spiritual truths. However, did you know that the mythological character Hercules looks a lot like Samson of the BIBLE? We often use things we have learned to help us understand deep doctrinal truths. In fact, when we question Noah and the flood, Israel crossing the Red Sea on dry ground, or Jonah in the belly of a whale for three days, we are questioning JESUS. He used each of these in His ministry to explain deeper truths of GOD.
The BIBLE is very clear in this letter to the Corinthians that GOD through HIS SPIRIT gives us amazing gifts to do HIS work while we are here. Imagine having the ability to speak the deepest truths of GOD knowing they will come to pass, or being able to heal someone’s illness through the POWER of GOD. I suspect many are skeptical due to all the charlatans who have tried to trick us so many times. However, GOD is not mocked. HE still gives each us supernatural gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues of other Languages, Interpretation, and so many more. However, there is one key factor to consider. Are you ready?
HE decides which gifts we get. For many, like this early church, we want to choose which gifts we are given. GOD has a much larger plan. So, HE chooses the gifts he knows we will need for HIS work. As we proceed, we’ll talk about why most seem to want the showy gifts. But which one is greatest? 😉
LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.
Blessings in CHRIST,
Pastor Wes
I PETER 3:15
readyforafreshstart 