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REDEEMED: Your Story Isn’t Over Yet!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her.”                 II Kings 8:6b NLT

RESTORED: My Story Isn’t Over Yet! ~ As we prepare to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, I believe we need to remember why, in 1983, President Ronald Reagan chose to set a day of celebration to honor the memory of the positive things Dr. King accomplished. He stood face to face with many who judged people merely by the color of their skin. This Baptist minister led peaceful rallies to raise awareness and make changes to a horrifying condition in our homes and churches. Many, in the name of religion, chose to cling to hate and violence in the name of their church and religious beliefs. This has always been an unbiblical, demonic activity. Martin Luther King’s life was taken, in 1968, by hateful people for his dream of love. 

In our walk through THE WORD today, we revisit the woman from Shunem whose son was resurrected by GOD through Elisha the prophet. (II Kings 4:8-37) Having helped Elisha, her circumstances change as a famine hits the land. She and her family are forced to leave everything behind for which they had worked so hard. She must move to a foreign land for seven long, lean, depressing years. This happens through no fault of her own. She is a victim of these circumstances. It’s unfair! Why didn’t she quit?

Far too many of our friends, our children, and our grandchildren are overwhelmed by circumstances. Listen to this, “over one billion people struggle with mental illness.” Moreover, “there is a 56% rise in teen suicide.” Furthermore, “1.1 million people die by suicide each year.” https://projectsemicolon.com/about-project-semicolon-organization/

Each of us is created by GOD, in HIS image, for HIS purpose. As I read THE BIBLE, I see life stories filled with pain, anxiety, and despair. Yet, I find GOD’S redemption in JESUS weaved throughout each of them. HIS hope is real, & HIS help is on the way. ~ RESTORED: Your Story Isn’t Over Yet! 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

Click below to see the message:

https://www.facebook.com/Wes.Frank.777/videos/845708959875465?idorvanity=53262942766802

HELPING HURRICANE IAN VICTIMS

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared THE LORD. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”                                                                                                          II Kings 4:1

You Matter to GOD! {A Poor Woman!} ~ This week, we watched with heavy hearts as our friends endured loss and pain during Hurricane Ian. The aftermath has proven to be devastating. God reminds us to help those in need both purposefully and as an ongoing part of our lives.

12 Then HE turned to HIS host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” HE said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, GOD will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” ~ Luke 14:12-14 NLT

However, we live in a time of untrustworthiness and potential charlatans seeking to take money without providing any help to those who are hurting. So, what can we do? Of course, a great need is prayer ~ always! However, Samaritan’s Purse provides an honest and dependable way to help:

HELP VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IAN ~ https://samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/hurricane-ian/?utm_source=Ggl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YGHI-B22V&utm_content=USDR&gclid=CjwKCAjw7eSZBhB8EiwA60kCW5ZHQN0p3-0oEEG-XefM1jACQXR2p24BsFnfFT6n5KhBxuf9NSNbgRoCV10QAvD_BwE

1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, GOD-FEARING man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to GOD.                                        ~ Acts 10:1-2

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

Please go to http://www.samaritan’spurse.org to give and help victims of Hurricane IAN. 🙂

PASS THE BATON!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for THE LORD has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as THE LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together.  II Kings 2:6 NLT

PASSING THE BATON… Funerals are both challenging and rewarding parts of a pastor’s ministry. When a dear friend departs and leaves us behind, it’s hard for all of us. However, sharing all the wonderful ways that friend helped us become the man or woman of GOD we are today is a great joy!  Far too often, we’ve had the sheer delight and the heart-breaking pain of both of these experiences. Michael W. Smith sings those lyrics so well…

And friends are friends forever, If the Lord’s the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never, ‘Cause the welcome will not end

Though it’s hard to let you go, In the Father’s hands we know

That a lifetime’s not too long, To live as friends

By now, you’re thinking of someone. That person or those people who invested in you long before you ever knew how important that investment was.  Elisha would soon be leading without the voice of Elijah to guide him and assure him that GOD was clearly speaking. Isn’t it comforting to have someone in our lives whom we can trust will always point to JESUS? Invest all the time you can with this trusted friend. We all wish we had more time!

Let’s rethink this for just a moment. How many people do you think would picture you when they are asked these questions? Are you intentionally leading others to draw closer to CHRIST? You may be thinking, “but I’m not a pastor or priest.” Well, my friend, one of the godliest men I know was never called to ministry, nor did he go to Bible College or Seminary. Nevertheless, all of the memories I have of this man are of his consistent love for JESUS and his incredible words of biblical wisdom. I learned more from him than many of the preachers we all know. Bottom line! You have to be running the race to PASS THE BATON. So, why not get off the bench and run? 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

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!

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

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

GENENSIS ~ BEGINNINGS

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“In the beginning GOD…” ~ GENESIS 1:1a

The story of beginnings! Life is full of beginnings. All of us start out as newborns, and everything is new. As babies become toddlers, they begin to walk and go new places much to a parent’s pride, joy, and fear of them getting hurt. As they grow, they realize the world is so much bigger than they believed. As childhood ends adulthood begins. In Milton Bradley’s GAME OF LIFE, this is the point where the player chooses college or career. Next, most of us search for a spouse and begin life anew in marriage. Soon, we become parents and realize that our children create a whole new group of beginnings for each of us. Finally, a few get to really live and begin as grandparents. 😊

There’s no way to cover all the new beginnings we encounter in life: jobs, friendships, disappointments leading to open doors, loss, pain, and so much more!  There is one more new beginning we ought to consider. We will all begin a new story when we shed this mortal flesh and step into eternity. For many, that is the greatest unknown new beginning. Throughout life, we often ask, ponder, meditate, and sometimes argue about the concept of eternity.

Remember all those beginnings which led to the next place? Well, they include GOD’S place in each of our stories. Like that GAME OF LIFE, GOD has a celestial plan which began long before we knew it. HIS plan was written out to help us to realize that everything we experience in life has a purpose! HIS perfect eternal plan is much more complex than any of us can fully understand. Nevertheless, HIS plan is written out so simply that we can clearly follow HIS purpose for our lives by living out the words in the BIBLE.

We begin in GENESIS. During our journey through the books of the BIBLE, we’ll examine GOD’S overall arching plan of redeeming HIS fallen creation. Join us, as we see GOD’S eternal purpose in all sixty-six books of the BIBLE. Have you’ve ever thought, “I can’t understand the BIBLE?” This is a chance for you to see the BIBLE as a whole and develop a deeper understanding! 😊  

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST ~ Pastor Wes~ I Peter 3:15

Life is full of New Beginnings!