faithful

CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

child-like faith!

THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

2 JESUS called a little child to HIM and put the child among them. 3 Then HE said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on MY behalf is welcoming ME.”

Matthew 18:1-5 NLT

THOUCHED BY JESUS

13 One day some parents brought their children to JESUS so HE could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering HIM.

14 When JESUS saw what was happening, HE was angry with HIS disciples. HE said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then HE took the children in HIS ARMS and placed HIS HANDS on their heads and blessed them. ~ Mark 10:13-15 NLT

THOSE WHO ARE LIKE CHILDREN

15 One day some parents brought their little children to JESUS so HE could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering HIM.

16 Then JESUS called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to ME. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive THE KINGDOM OF GOD like a child will never enter it.” ~ Luke 18:15-17 NLT

Cheryl’s Momma, Julia Adell Crabb went home on Saturday, November 12th. No more pain! No more fear. She is walking, running, and singing! Her faith is like that of a child. Was she perfect? No. Is she amazing? Yes! She loved her children, grandchildren, and her friends. But, that’s not child-like faith. She loved JESUS simply and innocently. No hard questions… just a deep life-long faith! “JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.”

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

MATERIALISTIC MINITRIES!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, THE MAN OF GOD, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as THE LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”

II Kings 5:20 NLT

MATERIALISTIC MINISTRIES ~ As we conclude “Pastor Appreciation Month,” I hope we realize that THE BIBLE teaches us to appreciate those who minister to us. Thank you for thanking your ministers this month! Clearly, we ought to encourage our ministers and follow the SCRIPTURE:

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding. ~ Jeremiah 3:15

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to GOD. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. ~ Hebrews 13:17

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. ~ I Timothy 5:17

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in THE LORD’S work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. ~ I Thessalonians 5:12-13

At the same time, I wonder “How much is too much?” Can we go too far in showing how much we care for our leaders? And, can our leaders ask too much for their service? In the opening passage above, Gehazi, the servant of the MAN of GOD, feels slighted and boldly states that he should be richly rewarded for his service. In his blinded stupor, he makes a vow to the LORD to get more! Then, he hides it and lies!

Are you ready for a tough word from the SCRIPTURE? Can this happen today? There are far too many cases of ministers who feel slighted suing churches and church members to avenge their perceived slights. Here is what the BIBLE says about that:

1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! … 7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? ~ I Cor 6:1 & 7

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS~ Did you hear GOD’S Mic drop? 😊

How much should we do to honor our ministers? And, can we do too much? 🙂

PASTOR APPRECIATION!

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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 Widow!} ~ OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH! First, let me say that I have never promoted this before! Second, I am at a very small church where people shower me and my family with appreciation and grace twelve months of the year! In fact, the very computer I am using to write this article was a gift from a member of our church! 🙂 Third, I am sorry that I have not spoken out previously! Why? I am not out to glorify nor gain brownie points for being a pastor. I simply feel I have a voice which reaches out to people who attend other churches. This means that there are those who may not know what a wonderful opportunity awaits to encourage your ministers & their families. Here’s a link to an article a young woman writes to help you bless your ministers. Here it is: https://reconnectwithcarmen.com/october-pastor-appreciation-month-10-ideas-to-make-it-a-month-to-remember/

I read in another article, that many ministers struggle to make ends meet, save for retirement, provide for college for their children, ever go on vacation, and most certainly have no savings whatsoever. (https://billhigh.com/culture/poor-pastors-literally/) This is the case for those who have answered GOD’S call far too often. You can help! If you attend another church, please do something wonderful for your pastor and staff this month! They will appreciate it, and you will be glad you did! 😊

I can hear someone saying, “this is so strange for you to pick a topic and not discuss the value and purpose of the Scripture above.”  I am so glad you asked. Notice that the widow was a wife of one of the prophets who served Elisha. Basically, he was on staff at “The church where Elisha speaks for GOD and does cool, amazing stuff!” Well, maybe not the exact name. 😊 Nevertheless, notice that this widow has no retirement plan, no savings, and no way to keep her children safe. I just think it’s time for me to remind you that your pastors, ministers, and staff should never find themselves in this position.  Of course, GOD will take care of them… with your help!

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” (Deuteronomy 25:4) And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” (Deuteronomy 24:15) [and]

19 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.                                                                            ~ I Timothy 5:17-19 NLT

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

Please encourage your your pastor, ministers, and staff as the LORD leads this month! 🙂

My Way or YOUR WAY? {Forgetting GOD}

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

11 But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of THE LORD with us? If there is, we can ask THE LORD what to do through him.” ~ II Kings 3:11

MY Way or YOUR WAY? {Forgetting GOD} ~ How can I go days without praying? Honestly, I don’t understand how I can become so self-absorbed, focused on my perceived highly important tasks, oblivious to what’s most important. I find myself saying these words while I am alone with GOD after finally realizing that it has been days since I truly sought HIS presence. Do you remember when you first realized that you were lost without GOD? There was a time when I thought I was in good standing with GOD because I was a good person. Then, I found out I needed to be saved, redeemed, and born again. JESUS came into my life and changed everything. HE saved my soul and cleaned up my life. And now, there are times when I just leave HIM out of my daily life because I forget to seek HIS presence. WOW! ☹ ~ Heaven forbid!

In the verse above, King Joram, Ahab’s other son, has been disrespected by another king. So, he calls his friends, other kings, to ask them to help him go to war. He says to them, “THE LORD has brought the three of us here.” However, there is no time when he actually talks to GOD. King Joram has not prayed seeking GOD’S wisdom or counsel. Whose fault is this I wonder? We could blame his mother and father since they both “did evil in the sight of the LORD.” After all, they did not teach him the deep truths of GOD. They did not take him to church or Bible Study when he was young. They never showed him the right thing to do! Sounds familiar, right? Too many of us stopped gathering for GOD when COVID started and haven’t been back. Our children are growing up in an UNGODLY culture! They need to learn GOD’S WAY!

This illustrates the problem with modern American Christianity! Many of us are so busy telling everyone that GOD is on our side, while we neglect to actually seek HIS presence. We have decided that we can legislate morality based upon what we think instead of what the BIBLE says. Steve Irwin often said it all too well… “Danger… Danger… Danger!” Let’s gather & grow again!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

Have we forgotten GOD?
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of HIS return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

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! 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

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

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