01/11/25 AVOID ROADBLOCKS TO UNDERSTANDING

01/11/25 AVOID ROADBLOCKS TO UNDERSTANDING

Sometimes the problem is with what is said.
Sometimes the problem is with what is not said.
Sometimes the problem is with what is heard.
Sometimes the problem is with what is not heard
Sometimes the problem is with how something is said.

We need ears that hear and a heart that understands. 

Psalm 19:14 KJV
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Spiritual awareness, spiritual alertness and spiritual discernment (wisdom) comes from God, to those who are close to God. 

James 1:5
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

James 3:13-18 KJV
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation [conduct, behavior, manner of living] his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

01/11/25 THANKFUL FOR THE JOURNEY

01/11/25 THANKFUL FOR THE JOURNEY

I often post about my love for where I live. I admit that there are many ministry advantages and personal blessings here.

HOWEVER, I have always loved where I have lived, and I have enjoyed special situations in each location, and I have warm and exciting memories from all of them.

Most of all, I have appreciated God's presence, provision, and protection, as well as the privilege to know and pastor the incredibly wonderful people we have been able to serve. When I am enjoying various opportunities here in my home area, I often think about friends in the past and my friends who are still living, and how I miss them.

01/09/25 GOSSIP MONGERS

01/09/25 GOSSIP MONGERS

I saw the following poster on a friend's FB.
"Gossip dies when it hits a wise person's ears.
Rumors are started by haters,
Carried by fools,
Believed by idiots."

Then I thought,
Sometimes your haters are those you love the most.

Jesus said,
Matthew 10:36 KJV
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

dlg note...
The divider, the destroyer is Satan.

Even then we are to love our enemies and pray for their deliverance.

When we align with God's word,
Jesus is the Restorer, the Healer, the Reconciler.

01/08/25 THE MESSAGE DOESN'T CHANGE

01/08/25 THE MESSAGE DOESN'T CHANGE

If you want to know the truth, you must look past the messenger and the method of presenting the message.

The messenger is important. God gives qualifications required for the messenger.

The method is important. Though methods change, they should never be carnal, sinful, degrading to the message.

The MESSAGE is the most important issue. Though there is nothing inherently wrong with the following list, don't let physical appearance, stately architecture, demonstrative or heady or charismatic preaching, musical talent, large numbers, big programs, winsome personalities catch your attention. Focus on the actual message. Study the word of God. Allow God to open your eyes and transform your life.

Shallowness comes at various levels and in various forms. If what you are hearing is not saving you from sin, it is not the gospel. Sound doctrine will produce Christ-like living. Biblical truth leads to being conformed to the image of Jesus. Saving truth purifies the heart and the life. Remember, either God separates you from sin or sin separates you from God. This is the message of the Bible from beginning to end.

01/08/25 DON'T GET SIDETRACKED OR DERAILED

01/08/25 DON'T GET SIDETRACKED OR DERAILED

Biden failed America by pursuing his stated platform (doing what he said he would do). It was sort of like a planned burn. You know, like Sherman.

Trump can fail America by going against his stated platform.

These are exciting times for America. We look forward to rebounding from idiocrascy and governmental sinsanity.

But since we are still in a fallen and anti-Christ world, we know that the nations, including the U.S., will ultimately choose darkness and reject God's redemptive actions and offers.

Here is a possible problem for our future. Anyone who rides-in on a white horse and appears to be saving the day, can quickly bring in great disaster.

I hope Trump continues to under-gird American principles and values. I love my country. I love my world (not the Secularist, Humanistic, Statist, godless world system). I want it to do right and I want it to do well. Remember, God loved it enough to give His Son to save any who would turn to Christ.

But I know that Jesus is the only One we can trust with our souls and our future.

Trump (regardless of his personal life) did not choose an anti-freedom, anti-family, anti-faith agenda for America. The same was not true for other recent Administrations (Obama and Biden) or candidates Clinton and Harris).

God has sometimes used godless people to lead nations into victory. But national victory without godliness is short lived.

Love not the world (the godless world system), or the things in the world (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life).
1 John 2:15-18 KJV
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

The only lasting alliance, the only true alliance for a Christian is one where Jesus is Lord.

Political, national, institutional, religious groups, and even familial relationships are subordinate to our commitment to Christ.

We are disappointed when a person fails us or betrays us, but it is always a possibility. Jesus never fails. We may trust and commit ourselves to principles, movements, culture, and people, but we should only trust and commit ourselves fully to Christ.

This is why full trust, surrender obedience to Christ is so important in these days and in our own country (the USA). It is easy to become a follower of a hero leader or powerful benefactor or evil tyrant.

God Himself must be our only King, Lawmaker, Judge, and Savior. If your leadership does not submit to God's rule, God's word, then you must beware the direction the leadership is going.

This has always been true, and brazenly true in some places, but America has been spared from most of it. However, our society has been abandoning Biblical awareness and Christian faith, turning the young people into active enemies of the cross.

America is under siege and the only real deliverance (from moral collapse, political sinsanity, cultural corruption, social disorder, family failure, and spiritual destruction is salvation from sin through Jesus Christ.

God designed us to be free moral agents, with the authority to choose or refuse to trust and obey Him. With our choice comes God's promised consequences.
John 5:24-30 KJV
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 

God does not want any to perish and He takes steps to reach whosoever will believe on Him. He knows when the last convert will believe, and delays His wrath because of His mercy.
2 Peter 3:8-18 KJV
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Call on Him while He is calling you.
Seek the Lord, while He may be found.

01/07/25 QUICK REMINDER

01/07/25 QUICK REMINDER

I know, this is super simple, but it is a quick way to introduce the importance of Jesus to a person with these basic beliefs.

If...
A person believes there is a God,
and that person believes that he/she has sinned (violated Divine law),
and that person believes that God will hold them responsible, accountable for those sins,
Then that person should be looking for a way to be reconciled to God.
Wow, you will have exactly what they need, and the fact is, you may be the only person who actually offers them salvation.

These are not hard questions to ask someone.
You are not intending to get into a deep theological discussion.
You are not trying to start an argument.
You are simply asking about something they need to consider, and something they might actually be thinking about.
You are looking for someone who realizes he/she needs a way to be in a right relationship with God.
That is not a bad thing, that is a good thing to do.

If the person does not believe, either in God, or the fact that they have sinned or the fact that they need reconciliation, then you have a place to continue the conversation, if they are interested, or it is a good place to start a new conversation at a later date.

If the conversation is over, at least you have sown some seed and maybe you will have an opportunity to follow up at a later time. Or, maybe God will send another believer into the person's life.

We need to go, prepared to witness and sow seed.
We need to be ready to go deeper in our witness, as the Lord opens the door.

To keep the message of salvation from the needy is a sin. In this case, you will suffer because of your sin and the people you choose not to share the gospel with, will also suffer. 

1 Corinthians 15:34
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

01/07/25 TOOLS AND TREASURES

01/07/25 TOOLS AND TREASURES

I thought some folks might appreciate this partial view of the literary building blocks (Scripture) and tools (study helps) of my ministry...
I have Bibles and word studies, as well as commentaries, historical and geographical studies, Bible book studies, Bible subject studies, Biblical authority, doctrinal studies, biographical and autobiographical books, cult studies, occult studies, books on missiology and eschatology and ecclesiology and Theology, counseling, evangelism, pastoral life and ministry, youth work and family living, prayer, small group ministry, church growth, church finances, hymnology, the deeper life, holiness doctrine and practice, angels and demons, Christian camping ministry, Statism and Secularism and Humanism and Humanistic education and State attack on family and faith and freedom, and other important subjects...
I also use many Biblical and Christian resources, along with general information on the internet.

I am just a down to earth guy, doing the best I can to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, in a way, and in terms, that even children can understand.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 KJV
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Colossians 1:25-29 KJV
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

01/05/25 STEPS TO SUCCESS

01/05/25 STEPS TO SUCCESS

Sometimes the debris, the clutter, the leav'ns, the rubble, the remains remain, after a transformation, a restoration, a renovation, a reclamation or even after a reconciliation. This is true in the natural realm and the spiritual realm.

Don't be overwhelmed by the change, by the supposed "losses," by the challenge, by the new responsibilities.

Sometimes the changeover takes place at such a late stage that it looks like a new beginning is hopeless, or too demanding.

But God deals with life from an eternal point of view, and so too, should we.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The forgiveness and regeneration and cleansing and empowering and leading is the beginning of God's work in those who trust in, call on, and turn to God through faith in Christ. God's salvation begins in those who believe, and continue through submission, faith, love, and obedience.

God's plan is to conform us to the image of His Son. This requires a new life, a changed life, a faithful and surrendered life, a Spirit filled life, a continually changing life.

When God removes the corrupt and the useless things of our lives, we sometimes need time to clear out the issues or influences left behind. There are works of God which are instantaneous, but some areas need to be developed and reshaped over a period of time, such as habits, world views, culture, understanding and relationships. Some issues take longer to get properly aligned and most of it takes effort and planning.

Some of the things that remain can be organized and prioritized, some things need to be removed completely. This is where mentoring and counseling are extremely helpful. 

Sin needs to be removed. Brokenness needs to be mended, priorities need to be evaluated and growth needs to take place. Don't hold on to the useless and debilitating things. Rid yourself of anything that will wreck your life and limit your value.

The more messed up a life is, the more changes will be needed and the more time it will take to correct.

But whatever you do, don't settle for only the cleansing, the removal of the negative. Be sure to replace the negative with that which is spiritually positive. The Christian life is dynamic, not stagnant, and it is a life lived in agreement with God.

01/04/25 GO YE (yes, you)

01/04/25 GO YE (yes, you)

HOW CAN THEY BELIEVE IF THEY DO NOT HEAR, AND HOW WILL THEY HEAR IF WE ARE NOT SENT.

At the beginning of the week I heard someone at my front door. When I opened the door, the visitor looked like he could have been an LDS door knocker, but he was by himself.

Actually he was selling internet connections to a new service in our areas. Since I let Martha take care of our monthly obligations, I was not going to make a decision without her input. But I also knew that we probably could not afford to make a change in services anyway. If he had been selling trips around the world for $25, I could not have afforded to get out of town.

When he was about to leave I told him one more thing.

I pointed out that I had no reason to doubt the value of his product or doubt his sincerity. Then I told him that what he had to offer sounded lie an opportunity, but I also had something that I offer people, and what I offer people is essential.

He asked what it was.

I told him that I offer a right relationship with God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. I told him that believing in Christ is essential because Jesus said that He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, and no man comes to the Father, but by Himself (Jesus),

He had a stunned look on his face, so I asked him if he believed he has ever sinned.

He said, "yes."

I asked him if he believed in God.

He said, "yes."

He still had a distant, but polite look on his face. I pointed out that there is only one Savior and we need to give our lives to Jesus.

Eventually he told me that he knew what I was talking about because he did two years of missionary work.

Aha... I was right. He was a Mormon.

I asked him if he was a Mormon and he said, "yes."

I then asked him if he believes there is only one God. I did not ask him if he believes in one God. There is a great difference in these two questions.

He said that he believes there is only one God.

I knew that was not the right answer, so I gave him another chance to answer correctly.

Again, he said, "yes."

I pointed out that I know what he really believes, therefor take time and answer carefully, with the right answer.

He said he believes there is only one God.

I said, "No, you believe in many gods." Then I said, you believe that God the Father was once a man, as we are men, and you believe that God became a god.

I went on to say, "you also believe that men today, if they believe and follow the faith of LDS, then those men will become gods, just as God the Father became a God.

I asked him if that was what he actually believes.

He said, "yes." He went on to say that he was saying he only believed in one God.

I pointed out that I asked specifically if he believes there IS ONLY ON GOD, to which he constantly said, "yes."

We talked a little longer and he said he needed to get back to making house calls, but he said he enjoyed our talk, and would like to continue it later (he actually said, "Sunday."

I told him I had enjoyed talking with him also, and I would love for him to come back to talk, but he needed to contact me ahead of time, to make sure I would be available. I gave him my phone number. But I also told him I doubted that he would come back to talk. I told him that Mormons have told me before that they would come back, but they never did. I also told him that I have talked to Mormons years ago, and when they realized who I was, they told me that they had been told by their leadership not to talk with me or visit people from my congregation.

I pointed out that since belief in the Jesus of the Bible is essential to eternal life, then it is essential for them to find out about the Jesus of the Bible.

He was a nice young man. Pray for him. Also pray for other Christians he will meet. Pray that they will tell him the good news, when they meet him.

By the way, when he left my house, he went next door to brother Wades house, and brother Wade also witnessed to him.

On another occasion he also visited sister Robins house and they got into the same conversation. Here is sister Robins own account.
"I met this young man yesterday afternoon as he was in my neighborhood selling his internet service. When we got to the place where he asked my email address, I told him what it was and he said, "What does that mean?" So I told him that it meant that I belonged to Jesus. He asked me what church I go to, so I told him. His eyes lit up and he told me that He had met you and Brother Wade. We talked about that for a bit, how long I had known you and that God led us to this area. He said that we were the only Christians that had shared our faith with him. He was quite moved. I did not know that he was a Mormon, until you shared this post. I know that our lives have made an impression on him. I hope he comes back to talk with you more!" 

Romans 10:14-15
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

01/03/25 NOT SELF SERVING

01/03/25 NOT SELF SERVING

Through the years I have wanted to see my congregations grow in numbers, as well as in spirit, godliness, knowledge, grace, love, faith, vision, ministries. But my desire was not for my own advantage, or even the numerical or monetary well being of my congregation

I want people to come to my ministry because I want them to have at least what I have found and experience what I have. I want people to become all that God wants them to become. I want them to be immersed in the power, purity and purpose of God, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

I preach holiness of heart and life.
I preach victory over sin and temptation.
I preach that agape love is the fulfilling of the law.
I preach that God makes it possible for believers to experience perfect love.
I preach that it is possible to have the mind of Christ and to walk in Christ's footsteps.
I preach that we can be pure in heart.
I preach that God calls and equips His children to do that which is pleasing in His sight.
I preach that we can be conformed to the image of Jesus.
I preach that God gives us everything we need for life and godliness.
I preach that "greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world."
I preach that Christ saves believers "to the uttermost."
I preach that we are personally responsible to God for our actions, but God has provided forgiveness, newness of life, cleansing, spiritual knowledge, power, reconciliation, guidance to whosoever will trust and follow Him.
I preach that there is Divine intervention, transformation, deliverance, in this present life and in the world to come.
I preach that God heals broken lives, relationships and hearts.
I preach that God's calling comes with God's enabling.
I preach that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.

And this is just the surface of the great truths found in the salvation that God makes available.

You can find these great truths in God's word.
Find them, hide them in you heart, live them out in your daily life.

I realize these may seem like commonplace concepts. However, there are very few people who live according to these principles and the number of preachers who proclaim these truths are very small.

Acts 20:28-32
28 'Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the assembly of God that He acquired through His own blood,
29 for I have known this, that there shall enter in, after my departing, grievous wolves unto you, not sparing the flock,
30 and of your own selves there shall arise men, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 'Therefore, watch, remembering that three years, night and day, I did not cease with tears warning each one;
32 and now, I commend you, brethren, to God, and to the word of His grace, that is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those sanctified.

Hearing, believing and following these Biblical truths will change individuals, families, churches, communities, societies, nations. But very few hear, therefore very few will give their utmost for His highest and therefore very few will live life on the highest plane, few.

Make this the year that you walk in His light, His love, His life, His truth, His way, His power, His Spirit every day.

01/03/25 CHURCHES SHOULD NOT FALL VICTIM

01/03/25 CHURCHES SHOULD NOT FALL VICTIM 

If you buy into the destructive gossip of a disgruntled person who is badmouthing another person (which may actually be a very kind and deeply committed Christian), then don't be shocked when that disgruntled person turns their guns on you, your family and your church.

The Bible tells us not to put our approval on other people too quickly. When you align with malcontents you are encouraging their meanness, promoting their divisiveness, attacking the innocent, following darkness, subjecting your loved ones to blasphemous attacks, jeopardizing family unity.

This kind of wisdom and discernment is expected to be found in mature Christians and especially in pastors. It is the obligation of adults, parents, mature believers and pastors to protect the young and the immature believer from divisive, destructive people and influences. Whole families and churches are being destroyed by wolves in sheep's clothing.

The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, told the elders of the Ephesian Church (and told believers in future generations...
Acts 20:28-32
28 'Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the assembly of God that He acquired through His own blood,
29 for I have known this, that there shall enter in, after my departing, grievous wolves unto you, not sparing the flock,
30 and of your own selves there shall arise men, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 'Therefore, watch, remembering that three years, night and day, I did not cease with tears warning each one;
32 and now, I commend you, brethren, to God, and to the word of His grace, that is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those sanctified.

We cannot stop individuals from falling prey to demonic attacks, but we can guard the flock.

01/03/25 A WALK AND TALK

01/03/25 A WALK AND TALK

The Negative and Positive Side of Getting Rid of the Deadwood.
The spiritual application is in the last half of the video.

Salvation is a positive thing, but there is a negative and a positive side to salvation. NEGATIVE, in this case, does not mean a bad thing. The negative and positive should be seen as "take away" and "add to."

I had dead and dying trees in my yard, so I wanted to get rid of them. I helped brother Wade cut down five trees, separated logs, branches and limbs, the piled them. We just planned to use the logs and burn the debris in campfires.

It was important to get rid of them because they were dead, cluttering the yard, unsightly, dangerous, and useless. After we dropped the first five trees a couple of local guys stopped by and were interested in our trees for firewood in the wood burner for their workshop. I told them they could have them if they would also move the leftover limbs and debris. They agreed.

When they came back on Thursday I helped them load most of the wood onto their trailer. Wow, was that a lot of wood. Then they dropped the other three trees (three clusters of trees). They will come back to cut them into firewood also.

I miss my trees out front, but they needed to be removed. Already I felt better. The danger they presented in high winds always concerned me. So, the negative part is past. The dead trees are gone.

Now I look forward to the positive part, which could include other trees planted out front, or a Gazebo for sitting, or places for flowers or swings, or fountains or seasonal decorations, such as Christmas. I could even have fruit trees.
Our lives also need to have a removal "dead trees" (dead wood). In salvation we have the dead wood of sin removed through regeneration. After our conversion we still need God to remove the Carnal Mind, aka Double Mind, Old Man, Evil Heart of Unbelief, The Flesh, The Root of Bitterness and The Law of Sin and Death (the Sinful Nature). Throughout our Christian experience God will be removing other forms of dead wood from our lives, such as habits, attitudes, relationships, goals.
But the Christian life is not just about removing the dead wood, it is about adding the blessings of God to our lives.

The positive side begins with newness of life in Christ Jesus, including forgiveness, purposefulness, deliverance from old ways, Old Man, growth in grace and knowledge, going from faith to faith, from light to light, from grace to grace.

Sadly, many who actually experience the saving grace of God do not move on in faith. They don't understand the continuous cleansing and development that is part of salvation.

01/02/25 DON'T LET IT BE YOU

01/02/25 DON'T LET IT BE YOU 

Early in my pastoral ministry I came to understand that there will always be some folks in the church who choose to live on the edge of victory, or just outside of victory, or at a comfortable distance from victory. Often this eventuates in a complete disconnect from any spiritual life and becomes a cultural religion rather than a redemptive relationship. There will be people who hear the message of complete deliverance from all sin, but they will continue to be more interested in the temporal rather than the eternal.

There are some people who will persist in having a form of godliness, but they will live outside of the beauty of holiness and spiritual exceptionalism available though faith in Jesus Christ. They will always be more focused on the worldly than the godly.

Don't allow the darkness to blind you to the brightness of Jesus. Don't put off the need to surrender every area of your life to Christ.

01/02/25 GETTING RID OF THE DEAD WOOD

01/02/25 GETTING RID OF THE DEAD WOOD

We had eight trees in our our front yard that have been dead or dying for a few years. I was always concerned about branches or trees falling on our vehicles during times of high wind.

Yesterday I helped brother Wade drop five trees and then sort the limbs, branches and logs for someone who was going to clear my yard.

Today I helped the men load the logs and larger branches (which was cut into firewood) and watched as they dropped the three remaining trees, which they will cut up into fire wood and haul away tomorrow.

The trees no longer provided shade. They became unsightly, looking like the front yard to 1313 Mockingbird Lane. They presented a real danger. Removal was the solution to the problem.

We need to examine our lives to see what needs to be cut off and removed and carried away. This is true for sin, but also for other baggage (spiritual, physical, relational, cultural, political, desires, habits, amusements, fears, attachments, commitments, hopes).

We come to Jesus with a great deal of excesses, which He can, and from which He will deliver us. But as time goes by, God shows us other things that are unnecessary weights which hinder our spiritual life and our service to God. Sometimes it is removal of things that interfere with our walk with God, and sometimes it is healing from attitudes, which are robbing us of spiritual victory.

Don't cling to the dead, the corrupt, the burdensome, the dark, the obstacles, which will ruin your life. God provides salvation through faith to deliver you and make you more than a conqueror. God will cut it down, pull it out, wash it away, burn it and purify you heart and life. The longer it remains in your life, the more it will suck out of your life.

01/02/25 NO MORE TIME TO WASTE

01/02/25 NO MORE TIME TO WASTE

We are only 2 days into 2025 and millions of people have already broken their New Year's Resolutions. Oh well, there is always NEXT YEAR. But that is not true. There may not be a next year, and for those who will see another year, there are things that will be lost this year which will never be recovered or restored. There are opportunities that will be missed forever.

However, there are commitments and changes that must be made in order to be the Christians we need to be. Our life and well-being depends on the steps we take.

God's plans are so much greater for us than we know, but the more we know about His will, the more clearly we will see what He has for us. There are things God wants us to do and to have, and there are things that God wants us to give up and to quit doing. But we won't get the new light He has for us if we don't live in (walk it) the light that He has already given us.

Sometimes the unregenerate individual has greater expectations and objectives in pursuit of their worldly (or demonically) oriented mind than Christians have for their walk with and service to God.

Some believers need to make some major changes in their physical condition. Even if you are almost totally incapacitated, if you are able to do any movements, then you need to DO IT NOW. No one is interested in excuses. Your health, your future, your family, your service to God is dependent on your physical condition.

It is not always our fault that we have some physical problems, and God does not hold us accountable for the things in life, which we did not cause. But let's face it, most folks are capable of more than they are doing in life.

We need to yield every area of our life to the leading, purifying, filling and service of God. This includes our health, our time, our money, our pleasures and desires, our fears. EVERY AREA belongs to God

OK, it is almost January 3. Take time to meet with God this week. Open yourself to His will and transforming power and presence. Enter into 2025 with the intention of living fully for Christ. Make no excuses.

01/01/25 PASTOR DAVID'S BLOG

01/01/25 PASTOR DAVID'S BLOG

Have a happy and holy New Year.
I have ministry articles on my blogs from 2009 through 2024.
I finished out my 2024 blog with 450 ministry posts.
I now start my 2025 blog.

This includes articles, studies, quick quips. The advantage to my blog is that I only post my ministry articles. The blog has a search tool, which makes it convenient to find specific words, studies, doctrines. It is also available for folks who do not use Facebook.

I hope to post meaningful articles in a clear and coherent fashion, addressing important Christian issues.

01/01/25 THE GREATEST REALITY IS JESUS

01/01/25 THE GREATEST REALITY IS JESUS

The greatest thing in all my life is...
knowing You,
loving You,
serving You.

I want to know You more,
I want to love You more,
I want to serve You more.

Happy New Year.