Bible

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!

When Evil Triumphs!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

15 When Jezebel heard the news, she said to Ahab, “You know the vineyard Naboth wouldn’t sell you? Well, you can have it now! He’s dead!” 16 So Ahab immediately went down to the vineyard of Naboth to claim it. ~ I Kings 19:15-16

When Evil Triumphs! Imagine living through the nineteen-twenties when a young man named Adolph Hitler rose to power from absolute obscurity. What it must have been like to be a follower of JESUS as the world moved closer to the second World War. Many believers must have prayed daily for GOD to intervene. How many Jews cried out to GOD in disbelief of what was happening to GOD’S chosen nation? Where was the providential hand of intervention? What was the HOLY SPIRIT doing in the midst of this genocide? We ask, “How could a loving GOD let these things happen?”

In the passage above, we see the same thing happening during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. The difference is that they were the leaders of the nation of Israel ~ GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE! Everyone who knew Naboth must have been asking the same questions. Naboth was respected by everyone, but that did not matter to Jezebel.  How could GOD let Jezebel commit such an atrocity? Killing Naboth just so she could give his vineyard to Ahab. King Ahab had everything he could possibly want; yet, he wanted the one thing he couldn’t get. WOW! We cry foul and unfair! Right?

How many of us are asking GOD that same question? Why GOD? Why am I going through this right now? Tell me why this is happening to my loved ones. What about our country? Here’s GOD’s answer to Job’s question!

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell me, if you know so much. 5 WHO determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and WHO laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?   ~ JOB 38:4-6

What do we do when Evil Triumphs! We Trust in the LORD Our GOD!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

When Evil (appears as though it) Triumphs! 🙂

TRUST! No Going Back!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. ~ I Kings 19:21

Trust: No Going Back! Today, we begin to look at the end of The Prophet Elijah’s work, and the beginning of The Prophet Elisha’s work. This changing of the guard should encourage and motivate us to renew our commitments to our own call. Do you remember when you first heard the life-changing truth of the GOSPEL? It was the moment when you realized you were bankrupt and had nothing good to offer GOD. It is in that moment when we receive the free gift of salvation through the marvelous work of JESUS on the cross. We come as beggars with nothing to give, and then we leave as children of the KING! We are filled with the SPIRIT to help us walk worthily in this new life. JESUS called this moment being Born-Again. (John 3:3)

As we consider The Prophet Elisha’s actions that day, I am reminded of Cortez choosing to burn the ships in which he and his soldiers had travelled. Cortez burned and sank these ships to inspire the soldiers to be fully committed to the mission ahead. Cortez and his army arrived with one purpose: Conquer the Aztec People. Burning and sinking the ships allowed no going back, no retreat, and no surrender. That is the very definition of commitment!

We are more than conquerors! Here’s what JESUS tells HIS followers!

23 Then HE said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be MY follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow ME. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for MY sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?                                                                  Luke 9:23-25

Let’s recommit to that original promise we made: NO GOING BACK!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS ~ Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOVrOuKVBuY & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlNngcDNFS0

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!