Mercy

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

APOSTASY!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on THE NAME OF THE LORD HIS GOD and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.                        II Kings 5:11-12 NLT

APOSTASY ~ I love the story of Naaman’s healing. That’s what it’s labeled in most BIBLES with a subtopic above the passage. However, I think it should be called the healing Naaman almost missed because of his pride and Unrealistic Expectations. Do you see it? Naaman says, “I expected him to…” He absolutely had his own version of what his healing would look like, and when he did not get things his way… he left mad. He was ready to walk away from GOD because GOD did not do things the way he expected THE LORD and CREATOR of the UNIVERSE to do it his way!

Have your Unrealistic Expectations made you mad enough to quit your FAITH? All too often, we get offended by someone and quit. GOD has not failed us! JESUS CHRIST’S Blood still washes away all of our sin. His mercies are new every morning.

28 Then JESUS said, “Come to ME, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take MY yoke upon you. Let ME teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For MY yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

How often have we said or thought, “I Expected GOD to do something different!” I have spoken to so many people who have shared their “the church failed me” story. Others, tell me how one or a few people did something to hurt them, so they left the faith. Have you ever been there, or are you there right now?

Brother and Sisters, THIS IS ME! We left home to “serve THE LORD!” I expected to see GOD do great things everywhere we went.  However, along the way some people got mad at me and told me to leave their church because they didn’t like my hair, my personality, my jokes, or my illustrations. What happened? I got mad at GOD because they didn’t like me. What have I missed because I let my Unrealistic Expectations get in the way? How many have we failed by not surrendering to GOD? LORD JESUS, please forgive us for our pride and arrogance. Thank you for YOUR grace and mercy through the pain, hurt, and self-pity. I love THEE, LORD JESUS! 😊 PLEASE ~ COME HOME!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

Keith Green sang it so well… “I don’t want to fall away from YOU!”

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. 🙂

GOOD or BAD?

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

And he said, “This is what THE LORD says: I have purified this water. It will no longer cause death or infertility.”                                          II Kings 2:21a NLT

GOOD or BAD? There is a question for which most people have a very strong opinion. “Are we, as people, basically GOOD or BAD?” The answer someone gives reveals a great deal about their outlook, philosophy, and theology of anthropology as a whole. Too deep, too soon? Well, hang in there. 😊

First, I have been privileged to meet and know people whom I felt were genuinely good folk. They would truly give you the shirt off their back, as the saying goes. They give to charities, volunteer to help those who are less fortunate, and try to make the world better as we know it. Most of us would say that these are the kind of people whom we want to be like.

Second, I have also met people who rub me the wrong way. For some, I am the one who does the rubbing. 😊  These folks just don’t seem to care what anyone thinks about them. I think one of their favorite songs must be, “I Did It My Way,” by Frank Sinatra. We all think of people who are hard to be around. Some of us have family members who we are willing to see at family reunions, but we wouldn’t want to go on vacation with them. 😊

Third, what does the BIBLE say about all of this? GOD’S WORD is not silent on this issue. It says, “There is none righteous, NOT EVEN ONE.” (Romans 3:10) If this isn’t enough, it continues by saying, “No one seeks GOD.”  In verse 23, GOD says, “All have sinned and fall short of the GLORY OF GOD.”  Some genuinely struggle to believe that no one is worthy, right?

This is why we have the BIBLE! This is why JESUS came 2022 years ago! You see, if any one of us could be good enough without JESUS, then why did HE come from heaven to die on a cross for you and me? The truth is that no matter how GOOD you are, you still need JESUS! And, no matter how BAD you are HE can still make you GOOD! It’s called GRACE ~ God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. GOOD or BAD ~ You can be made perfect today! 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

BAD can be made GOOD, and GOOD can become BAD! Be Wise ~ Follow JESUS!

HOW MANY TIMES?

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

13 Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, “O MAN OF GOD, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants.” ~ I Kings 1:13 NLT

HOW MANY TIMES? In the verse above, King Ahaziah had sent two groups to kill the Prophet Elijah. However, both groups were met with a force much greater that they expected, and each group of fifty men were killed instantly when GOD spoke through Elijah. Finally, the third group was dispatched, but this time the captain was wise enough to see the had of GOD at work. His decision spared the lives of fifty men. After this, Elijah went to King Ahaziah and declared his death sentence. Ahaziah, like his daddy Ahab, had fought against GOD his entire life.  He died painfully rejecting GOD’S plan.

There is so much we can learn from this short passage in the beginning of II KINGS. 😊 First, GOD speaks to us throughout our lives inviting us to follow HIM and HIS plan. The BIBLE says that GOD is seeking people just like you every day, all the time. (John 4:24) We must listen and respond to that call from GOD. JESUS died on a dirty wooden cross for your sin, all of it! HE loves you right where you are today. That is HIS message of GRACE and MERCY.

Second, our decisions affect those around us. Two men made decisions that each caused others to lose their lives. Decisions matter! Your decision to ignore or hate GOD touches and changes the lives of everyone around you. If you are a parent, then your choice to discount or snub GOD is most certainly affecting your children. After all, Ahaziah behaved exactly like his daddy.

Third, you have to decide WHO you are going to trust. Will you choose people whose lives and behavior you wouldn’t want your children choosing as role models, or will you trust the ONE who has stood the test of time because HE is the only true, wise, and eternal GOD? HE is calling ~ HOW MANY TIMES?

1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from THE LORD, WHO made heaven and earth! ~ (PSALM 121:1-2)

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from THE LORD, WHO made heaven and earth!
~ PSALM 121:1-2

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

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!