Scofflaws
06-28-14
Proverbs
14:34 (NASB) 34
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a
disgrace to any people.
I thought this week that I would read the news a little more closely than my
normal headline scan. Normally I will read just the headline and the
accompanying trailer, usually a few introductory sentences, then skip to the
next headline. But, this week I decided to "click" to the whole article and get
the inside skinny. Well, as you have probably already anticipated, that was a
big mistake. It took about ten minutes and I was shaking my head in outright
rage. (smile) It is apparent that we have become a nation of scofflaws. A people
that mock, deride, and for the most part ignore the tried and tested laws
of this nation. But, this week some took it a step further. It seems that a
significant portion of the mainline church has decided to take a stand against
God and His Holy Word. I won't go into details. You can search it out for
yourself if you are even interested. As I sat there shaking my head in
disbelief, I felt my spirit welling up inside of me. You know don't you? You
hear an impassioned speech or a powerful, anointed sermon and you get fired up.
You are ready to go DO SOMETHING! You are going to CHANGE SOME THINGS AROUND
HERE! How dare they even consider doing such a dastardly deed. Well,... over my
cold, dead body. You know how that goes don't you? That's kinda how I felt this
week after reading "the whole article."(smile again) Then reality set in." Well
Ronnie, just what is it that you are planning to do?" said the voice of reason
and rationality. Sometimes that voice is your friend, sometimes it is not, but
that is another story. At any rate, I plopped back down in the chair, realizing
my revolution was over before it ever got started. I sat there for a few moments
and clicked on to the sports section( the only section that I read thoroughly on
a consistent basis). Then, a couple of verses crossed my mind as I read about
the Red Sox.
1
Thessalonians 5:17 (NASB) 17
pray without ceasing;
Ephesians
6:12 (NASB) 12 For our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Folks many battles are fought in the courtrooms, schools, and streets across
this land, but, none are ever WON there! No, no. The battles are won in prayer
closets. Yes, I believe God has called people to wage battles in public arenas.
But, do you realize that prayer is the only remedy that we as Christians have
been empowered with to wage those spiritual wars? Folks, if we believe that
spiritual wickedness is fearful of a protest sign in the street, we are
mistaken. If, for one minute, we believe these principalities will stop
the tempting of our children with drugs, alcohol, etc. because of a "just say
no" slogan, or a "this is your brain on drugs" ad, then.... we are deceived. So
while I conjure up visions of grandeur in my mind of leading a great charge
against the forces of evil, God reminds me that the REAL BATTLE is unseen.
Brothers and sisters sometimes our future as a people and a nation
appears bleak. We wag our fingers at the God of all the universe, thinking we
are immune from His correction because of a sense of entitlement that we believe
we deserve from Him. I pray that He stays His hand of wrath against this
country. The flip side for us as Christians however is the fact that no matter
what.. He's got our back. He is sovereign. His plan is moving surely toward His
desired outcome. I just pray that our nation can stay under His hand of mercy.
Psalm
91:1-2 (NASB) 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the
LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
God Bless
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
The Church Triumphant 06-20-14
We read a lot these days in Christian circles and elsewhere about the demise or some would say the apostasy of the American church. It appears that the church today has been fed and for the most part relished a message of materialism and quality of life; a message that is largely irrelevant in most other parts of today's world and increasingly so in our own country. Seed faith,instant healing, and the 100 fold return just doesn't preach in Pakistan,South Sudan, or China where Christians are routinely slaughtered for a simple profession of faith.
15 He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Matt 16:15-18 (NASB)
Peter's famous confession. What we have to understand here is that no man revealed or taught this to Peter. It was supernaturally revealed and Peter supernaturally caught it. More importantly however is Jesus' response. He would build His church on Peter's realization of WHO Jesus was, the Messiah, The Son of The Living God; not on WHAT the Son of God could do to enhance his(Peter's) quality of life. But, for the purposes of this message, it is the next statement that I want to talk about.
and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Matt 16:18 (NASB)
I thought about those words today as I sat to write this blog. Despite the apparent failure of the church and it's search for relevance, Jesus' words tell us of a church that is rock solid and victorious against the
onslaughts of hell. Add to this the fact that in spite of all that is supposedly wrong, the Bible still commands us to assemble together. To come together to worship.
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Heb 10:24-25 (NASB)
And herein starteth the message. As you probably know I have a couple of little girls that are very close to my heart. Chloe and Maddie Grace are like my own kids. I am still waiting for the day that I wake up and find out that Chloe has finally turned into an obnoxious teen. But, until that time whenever she leaves and goes back to Georgia my heart aches for a while and I miss her. At any rate last weekend Chloe and Maddie came over to Memaw's to water her plants for her and to see if the tomato plants had any ripe tomatoes that they could pick. During the visit Chloe walked into Memaw's bedroom to say hello and Memaw was tired and probably didn't look too good to a six year old. Chloe visited for a brief time and then left. That was that.
The following day was Father's day and I was tied up with Memaw. My children called me and that made my day and as it got to be around 9 P.M. I thought all the Father's day festivities had passed. But, I received a phone call from Shelley and she told me that Chloe and Maddie wanted to give me something. As it turned out they had made me a homemade Father's Day card. You know, the kind that take their place of honor on the frig. Well, as we were out in the parking lot Shelley told me that Chloe had asked her Sunday School class that day to pray for Memaw. "She didn't know what was wrong, but God did," was the way that she had put it to her class. So, she led her class in prayer for my 94 year old invalid mother and here is my point. Had there not been a church with open doors to go to that day Chloe would've been at home. Had there not been a man or woman sacrificing their time to teach young children about Jesus and praying and whatnot, that corporate prayer of six year olds would have never gotten off the ground. Had they not taken the time to "assemble together" it would have been just another day in the life.
With this simple illustration God showed me that indeed the church is not totally compromised and there are still good, Bible believing churches out there. If you have found a good one, then it is in your best interests to support it any which way you can. If for no other reason than to make it possible for the little children, the next generation to have a place to go to learn about the Lord Jesus. Our generation did it for us. Don't we owe our children the same?
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
Psalms 78:2-4 (NASB)
God Bless
We read a lot these days in Christian circles and elsewhere about the demise or some would say the apostasy of the American church. It appears that the church today has been fed and for the most part relished a message of materialism and quality of life; a message that is largely irrelevant in most other parts of today's world and increasingly so in our own country. Seed faith,instant healing, and the 100 fold return just doesn't preach in Pakistan,South Sudan, or China where Christians are routinely slaughtered for a simple profession of faith.
15 He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Matt 16:15-18 (NASB)
Peter's famous confession. What we have to understand here is that no man revealed or taught this to Peter. It was supernaturally revealed and Peter supernaturally caught it. More importantly however is Jesus' response. He would build His church on Peter's realization of WHO Jesus was, the Messiah, The Son of The Living God; not on WHAT the Son of God could do to enhance his(Peter's) quality of life. But, for the purposes of this message, it is the next statement that I want to talk about.
and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Matt 16:18 (NASB)
I thought about those words today as I sat to write this blog. Despite the apparent failure of the church and it's search for relevance, Jesus' words tell us of a church that is rock solid and victorious against the
onslaughts of hell. Add to this the fact that in spite of all that is supposedly wrong, the Bible still commands us to assemble together. To come together to worship.
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Heb 10:24-25 (NASB)
And herein starteth the message. As you probably know I have a couple of little girls that are very close to my heart. Chloe and Maddie Grace are like my own kids. I am still waiting for the day that I wake up and find out that Chloe has finally turned into an obnoxious teen. But, until that time whenever she leaves and goes back to Georgia my heart aches for a while and I miss her. At any rate last weekend Chloe and Maddie came over to Memaw's to water her plants for her and to see if the tomato plants had any ripe tomatoes that they could pick. During the visit Chloe walked into Memaw's bedroom to say hello and Memaw was tired and probably didn't look too good to a six year old. Chloe visited for a brief time and then left. That was that.
The following day was Father's day and I was tied up with Memaw. My children called me and that made my day and as it got to be around 9 P.M. I thought all the Father's day festivities had passed. But, I received a phone call from Shelley and she told me that Chloe and Maddie wanted to give me something. As it turned out they had made me a homemade Father's Day card. You know, the kind that take their place of honor on the frig. Well, as we were out in the parking lot Shelley told me that Chloe had asked her Sunday School class that day to pray for Memaw. "She didn't know what was wrong, but God did," was the way that she had put it to her class. So, she led her class in prayer for my 94 year old invalid mother and here is my point. Had there not been a church with open doors to go to that day Chloe would've been at home. Had there not been a man or woman sacrificing their time to teach young children about Jesus and praying and whatnot, that corporate prayer of six year olds would have never gotten off the ground. Had they not taken the time to "assemble together" it would have been just another day in the life.
With this simple illustration God showed me that indeed the church is not totally compromised and there are still good, Bible believing churches out there. If you have found a good one, then it is in your best interests to support it any which way you can. If for no other reason than to make it possible for the little children, the next generation to have a place to go to learn about the Lord Jesus. Our generation did it for us. Don't we owe our children the same?
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
Psalms 78:2-4 (NASB)
God Bless
Friday, June 13, 2014
Jesus Is The One
I read this message from Joshua Drucker yesterday and wanted to share it today. It's a powerful word and I believe that we can all glean some truth from it. God Bless.
Psalm 68:11 (KJV) 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
I just got off the phone with a family member that was very upset by my sermon "The Danger Of Looking Back." I have received multiple negative comments about that sermon. Even my dad said "son,you put out too much information and used too many names." The main point that the family member was trying to make was that I didn't use "facts."This person told me that my brother DID NOT lose all of his "earthly possessions," then told me a list of his things: Two fishing poles, a stove, washer and dryer, dishes, computer, etc,. etc,. I must admit that I got frustrated in the conversation because she and other people missed my point. That point being my brother "looked back" and now he is facing 5,10,15, 30 years in prison. So, yes in the next 30-60 days he will have lost ALL of his earthly possessions and his freedom because he "looked back." As soon as his wife wanted to leave him, he should have said "O.K." and left the house...PERIOD.
People that know me personally, know that I don't point the finger and blame people for "my" stupid choices. It was Bubba's choice that caused this, just like it was my choice to make that stupid call from the prison phone. For whatever reason, God has chosen me to share my life through this platform. I was completely happy in August 2007 as I lived in the honor dorm of Cobb County Jail. Just as Abraham unexpectedly heard from God to leave his family and travel to the Promised Land; I also heard from God to "step out" and write.
Do you mind if I am completely honest with you today? Do you think I like to write all of the sermons that I write? Do you think that I like to write about my failures and also open up my personal life? Joyce Meyers was told by God to tell other women that she was" raped" ( yes she used the word raped instead of "molested" by her father because God told her that is what it is). Joyce Meyers told people all over the world that her dad had raped her over 2000 times. And if I am not mistaken, she preached her testimony while he was still alive and living at her home because God had told her to forgive him and take care of him until he died.
A few weeks earlier the Holy Spirit told me to write the sermon" No Wavering." In it I wrote how Jesus, the Apostles, and Smith Wigglesworth performed miracle after miracle. My entire body cringed as I penned those words because this writer has been through living HELL the past 12 months. Here I was writing about a victorious Gospel while living a defeated life. Please...let me finish my point before you delete this message.There are weeks when the Holy Spirit will inspire me to write about prosperity and healing; other weeks He will instruct me to "open up" myself and expose my wounds. Some weeks I love my writings and other weeks I despise them. But, regardless if I want to write a sermon or not, God has called me to write.
Psalm 68:11 (KJV) 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
On January 7th, 2014 my nephew died on my parents living room floor. Thirty days earlier my older sister had died. I had been transported back to Cobb County for a court hearing when I found out the news about Devin. I was so discouraged that I called a very spiritual woman friend named Linda.I said to her "I'm on death row, two nephews have died prematurely, my older sister just died, my younger sister can't walk or feed herself, and my brother is going through a horrible divorce.......WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO PREACH?" This woman very calmly said, "The truth Joshua. You are to preach the truth." THE TRUTH! That is what I have been trying to preach since August 2007. I was so frustrated on the phone with my family member that I began to raise my voice and defend my writing. I was so loud that a woman walking by my family member could hear my voice and made(what she thought) a funny comment. She said" My God, it isn't that bad unless he had killed someone." My family member looked at her and said," he did, he killed two people." The stranger said,"oh my God," and gave my family member a hug and prayed with her. I get so ANGRY sometimes when I defend this ministry because I am passionate. I didn't choose this but, since I "have it" I am going to fight for it and defend it like I would my own daughter.What many people don't know is a lot of my readers have been through hell and back and they depend on these words. I have readers who are serving a life sentence in prison and never getting out. Readers that were raped 15 years ago and still can't live a normal life today because of it.
A woman wrote me about a month ago that ran across our website and contacted me. She raised her son by herself for 18 years. Sixteen months ago her son said to her " I hope you die" and he then left the state and hasn't come back. Since then she has tried to commit suicide twice. A few weeks ago another woman from Oakland,California was Googling the name Apostle Paul and one of our sermons came up and it spoke directly to her. She wrote me and told me that she lives in extreme poverty and the only way she is able to read my sermons is by a government issued phone. As far as I know I don't have any multi-millionaire readers. I don't have any congressmen or affluent names in the community reading these sermons. People read my sermons because they have had their butt kicked by life, the devil, and yes..their own stupid choices. They are looking for a "word" that will get them through the day. There is nothing wrong with Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, or Rod Parsley. However, the people that reach out to me can't relate to them. And those ministers SURELY can't relate to my readers.
1 Samuel 22:1-2 (KJV) 1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
I have heard from people ALL OVER the world. Guess what they ALL have in common? PAIN, TROUBLE, HEARTBREAK! Good people that love other people and love Jesus.But, for whatever reason they are hurting and dying inside. And they write me because they think,"hey, I can be honest with this guy. This guy has messed his entire life up and he still has hope; and, he's still trying to serve the Lord."I have uncovered every nasty sin and stupid decision that I have EVER COMMITTED. Once again, I don't know why I am led to write some of the sermons that I write. Especially when God wants me to write about VICTORY. But guess what? Just because Amanda isn't healed or Devin died in his sickness doesn't mean that our God isn't a healer. Just because I'm on death row doesn't mean that our God isn't a deliverer.
John the Baptist was sitting on death row and he questioned Jesus' deity. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the ONE or should we look for another. Jesus sent word back to John and said,"Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up , the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one not OFFENDED by me." What Jesus was trying to tell John was this,"just because mighty things aren't happening in your life doesn't change the fact that I am the ONE."
Hebrews 11:35-37 (KJV) 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
If there were ever a few verses that I disliked in the Bible, it would have to be the above verses. This may be the first time that I have ever preached on these verses. These "people" that were stoned, sawn in two, suffered mockings, etc,. were men and women of faith that served God and LOST.At least in this life THEY LOST. I am sorry. But, I can't explain why your baby died. I don't know why your mate left you. I don't know why your son is strung out on drugs, even though you raised him right and gave him a perfect home. I don't know why you are still sick or in chronic pain. I don't have an answer for you.
But, I do know that "your life," whatever it may be, does not change the fact that Jesus is still the ONE and you don't need to look for another. Even now, as I pen these words, a vicious lie from the pits of hell has been spread about me here on death row. A lie that has put my life in danger. For the past two weeks, night after night I have sat in my cell in fear, wondering if I am going to get stabbed with a knife, my throat cut, or jumped on. Something I knew nothing about, nor do I know the people involved. But, someone lied and slandered my name and now my life is in danger. But, guess what? Jesus is still the ONE. Even though I am scared, even though my family is suffering, even though my relationships are severed, even though I am on death row, and even though some people may not agree with my writing...JESUS IS THE ONE.
I don't know if this should be a sermon or a journal. I should just call this a rant. I apologize for not writing a professional three point sermon. I apologize for being "all over the place." I'm in a dark place in my life right now and it takes every bit of strength and energy to get through each day. But guess what? Jesus is the ONE. I told my family member on the phone that I would write these sermons as long as I had someone to type them and publish them. If I no longer have people or the funds to continue, then I will stop. This life is hard my friend.... real hard. And the only way we are going to survive is abiding in Christ. I write these sermons only because God told me to. And I write them as I feel led. I may not have all the answers, but, I do have obedience. When I "hear"..I "write."" It takes faith and courage to lay yourself on the cross and expose your wounds. However, I gladly do it just in case I can touch "one"person, or help "one" person get through their day without quitting, walking out on their family, leaving their position at work or in church, or maybe even keep someone from committing suicide.
This is my post which has no one to hold it but me. If I abandon it, I discover that it is something inside myself that I abandon. This is MY POST.And I sill stand here until God moves me.
God Bless,
Joshua Drucker
I read this message from Joshua Drucker yesterday and wanted to share it today. It's a powerful word and I believe that we can all glean some truth from it. God Bless.
Psalm 68:11 (KJV) 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
I just got off the phone with a family member that was very upset by my sermon "The Danger Of Looking Back." I have received multiple negative comments about that sermon. Even my dad said "son,you put out too much information and used too many names." The main point that the family member was trying to make was that I didn't use "facts."This person told me that my brother DID NOT lose all of his "earthly possessions," then told me a list of his things: Two fishing poles, a stove, washer and dryer, dishes, computer, etc,. etc,. I must admit that I got frustrated in the conversation because she and other people missed my point. That point being my brother "looked back" and now he is facing 5,10,15, 30 years in prison. So, yes in the next 30-60 days he will have lost ALL of his earthly possessions and his freedom because he "looked back." As soon as his wife wanted to leave him, he should have said "O.K." and left the house...PERIOD.
People that know me personally, know that I don't point the finger and blame people for "my" stupid choices. It was Bubba's choice that caused this, just like it was my choice to make that stupid call from the prison phone. For whatever reason, God has chosen me to share my life through this platform. I was completely happy in August 2007 as I lived in the honor dorm of Cobb County Jail. Just as Abraham unexpectedly heard from God to leave his family and travel to the Promised Land; I also heard from God to "step out" and write.
Do you mind if I am completely honest with you today? Do you think I like to write all of the sermons that I write? Do you think that I like to write about my failures and also open up my personal life? Joyce Meyers was told by God to tell other women that she was" raped" ( yes she used the word raped instead of "molested" by her father because God told her that is what it is). Joyce Meyers told people all over the world that her dad had raped her over 2000 times. And if I am not mistaken, she preached her testimony while he was still alive and living at her home because God had told her to forgive him and take care of him until he died.
A few weeks earlier the Holy Spirit told me to write the sermon" No Wavering." In it I wrote how Jesus, the Apostles, and Smith Wigglesworth performed miracle after miracle. My entire body cringed as I penned those words because this writer has been through living HELL the past 12 months. Here I was writing about a victorious Gospel while living a defeated life. Please...let me finish my point before you delete this message.There are weeks when the Holy Spirit will inspire me to write about prosperity and healing; other weeks He will instruct me to "open up" myself and expose my wounds. Some weeks I love my writings and other weeks I despise them. But, regardless if I want to write a sermon or not, God has called me to write.
Psalm 68:11 (KJV) 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
On January 7th, 2014 my nephew died on my parents living room floor. Thirty days earlier my older sister had died. I had been transported back to Cobb County for a court hearing when I found out the news about Devin. I was so discouraged that I called a very spiritual woman friend named Linda.I said to her "I'm on death row, two nephews have died prematurely, my older sister just died, my younger sister can't walk or feed herself, and my brother is going through a horrible divorce.......WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO PREACH?" This woman very calmly said, "The truth Joshua. You are to preach the truth." THE TRUTH! That is what I have been trying to preach since August 2007. I was so frustrated on the phone with my family member that I began to raise my voice and defend my writing. I was so loud that a woman walking by my family member could hear my voice and made(what she thought) a funny comment. She said" My God, it isn't that bad unless he had killed someone." My family member looked at her and said," he did, he killed two people." The stranger said,"oh my God," and gave my family member a hug and prayed with her. I get so ANGRY sometimes when I defend this ministry because I am passionate. I didn't choose this but, since I "have it" I am going to fight for it and defend it like I would my own daughter.What many people don't know is a lot of my readers have been through hell and back and they depend on these words. I have readers who are serving a life sentence in prison and never getting out. Readers that were raped 15 years ago and still can't live a normal life today because of it.
A woman wrote me about a month ago that ran across our website and contacted me. She raised her son by herself for 18 years. Sixteen months ago her son said to her " I hope you die" and he then left the state and hasn't come back. Since then she has tried to commit suicide twice. A few weeks ago another woman from Oakland,California was Googling the name Apostle Paul and one of our sermons came up and it spoke directly to her. She wrote me and told me that she lives in extreme poverty and the only way she is able to read my sermons is by a government issued phone. As far as I know I don't have any multi-millionaire readers. I don't have any congressmen or affluent names in the community reading these sermons. People read my sermons because they have had their butt kicked by life, the devil, and yes..their own stupid choices. They are looking for a "word" that will get them through the day. There is nothing wrong with Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, or Rod Parsley. However, the people that reach out to me can't relate to them. And those ministers SURELY can't relate to my readers.
1 Samuel 22:1-2 (KJV) 1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
I have heard from people ALL OVER the world. Guess what they ALL have in common? PAIN, TROUBLE, HEARTBREAK! Good people that love other people and love Jesus.But, for whatever reason they are hurting and dying inside. And they write me because they think,"hey, I can be honest with this guy. This guy has messed his entire life up and he still has hope; and, he's still trying to serve the Lord."I have uncovered every nasty sin and stupid decision that I have EVER COMMITTED. Once again, I don't know why I am led to write some of the sermons that I write. Especially when God wants me to write about VICTORY. But guess what? Just because Amanda isn't healed or Devin died in his sickness doesn't mean that our God isn't a healer. Just because I'm on death row doesn't mean that our God isn't a deliverer.
John the Baptist was sitting on death row and he questioned Jesus' deity. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the ONE or should we look for another. Jesus sent word back to John and said,"Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up , the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one not OFFENDED by me." What Jesus was trying to tell John was this,"just because mighty things aren't happening in your life doesn't change the fact that I am the ONE."
Hebrews 11:35-37 (KJV) 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
If there were ever a few verses that I disliked in the Bible, it would have to be the above verses. This may be the first time that I have ever preached on these verses. These "people" that were stoned, sawn in two, suffered mockings, etc,. were men and women of faith that served God and LOST.At least in this life THEY LOST. I am sorry. But, I can't explain why your baby died. I don't know why your mate left you. I don't know why your son is strung out on drugs, even though you raised him right and gave him a perfect home. I don't know why you are still sick or in chronic pain. I don't have an answer for you.
But, I do know that "your life," whatever it may be, does not change the fact that Jesus is still the ONE and you don't need to look for another. Even now, as I pen these words, a vicious lie from the pits of hell has been spread about me here on death row. A lie that has put my life in danger. For the past two weeks, night after night I have sat in my cell in fear, wondering if I am going to get stabbed with a knife, my throat cut, or jumped on. Something I knew nothing about, nor do I know the people involved. But, someone lied and slandered my name and now my life is in danger. But, guess what? Jesus is still the ONE. Even though I am scared, even though my family is suffering, even though my relationships are severed, even though I am on death row, and even though some people may not agree with my writing...JESUS IS THE ONE.
I don't know if this should be a sermon or a journal. I should just call this a rant. I apologize for not writing a professional three point sermon. I apologize for being "all over the place." I'm in a dark place in my life right now and it takes every bit of strength and energy to get through each day. But guess what? Jesus is the ONE. I told my family member on the phone that I would write these sermons as long as I had someone to type them and publish them. If I no longer have people or the funds to continue, then I will stop. This life is hard my friend.... real hard. And the only way we are going to survive is abiding in Christ. I write these sermons only because God told me to. And I write them as I feel led. I may not have all the answers, but, I do have obedience. When I "hear"..I "write."" It takes faith and courage to lay yourself on the cross and expose your wounds. However, I gladly do it just in case I can touch "one"person, or help "one" person get through their day without quitting, walking out on their family, leaving their position at work or in church, or maybe even keep someone from committing suicide.
This is my post which has no one to hold it but me. If I abandon it, I discover that it is something inside myself that I abandon. This is MY POST.And I sill stand here until God moves me.
God Bless,
Joshua Drucker
Friday, June 6, 2014
Are You
Serious?
06-06-14
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NASB) 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Let me share with you today. I'll try and not get too personal or be too transparent today, but if I do please forgive me. I try and send these blogs out around 4-6 P.M. on Friday and up until a couple weeks had been pretty successful. I came in this morning from work about 4:30 and
laid around a bit until I heard Memaw(my mother) calling me from her bedroom. When I got to her she was in a very uncomfortable state. Without going into detail , we spent the next couple of hours trying to get her squared away. When we got her calmed down and comfortable, I went back to go to bed and could not fall asleep. I laid there tossing and turning and it was well past sunup when I finally dozed off; only to be awoken some time later by people out front. So, I laid vainly trying to fall back asleep. I finally gave up and got up, a little tired and a lot grumpy. After my morning(afternoon) ration of coffee, I realized that I would not be able to meet my self imposed deadline for this message. It was at this point that in my spirit I got my backside on my shoulders to put it delicately. I started grumbling under my breath about never being able to sleep, about having to deal with Memaw, especially on a Friday, and on and on. I ended my rant with something like I'll never get my message out. Then I started about the importance of meeting the deadline and whatnot. Just about the time that I spit the word importance out of my piehole, I was checked in my spirit. Immediately I was reminded of a church marquee that I see every night on the way out to my route. On that marquee they have a statement that reads something like this.
.
"We take Jesus seriously, we just don't take ourselves too seriously."
The Lord then took me aside and spoke to my heart the above scripture. Then He very gently chided me about what it meant to be a "real" Christian. (smile) He spoke to my heart very gently and said "Ronnie, I have uncounted numbers of gifted people that worship and praise me; myriads of preachers, teachers, and blog writers more eloquent and well versed than you to proclaim My Word; thousands upon thousands with much deeper financial pockets who are willing to give if I ask them... and then it dropped. But, you(and my sister Betty) are all I have to help your mother get out of bed when she needs to go to the bathroom. Your the only ones I have to watch her as she tries to walk to the dinner table or to give her a hug or a good night kiss; to tell her that you love her. You are the ones that I have chosen to show her my love."
As I thought about all my supposed "good works" and what I was "doing for the Lord," my attention was drawn to those words in those verses. "But do not have love." It's easy to get puffed up isn't it? To take ourselves and our lives a little too seriously. We become legends in our own minds. You feelin' me? The Apostle Paul said it this way.
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB) 1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
Knowledge makes arrogant. The KJV says it "puffeth up." I'll finish with a last thought. My blog can wait another day. If the truth were known it can wait throughout all eternity. Those works and blogs are still filthy rags aren't they? But, the opportunity to minister to my mom or anyone for that matter; to display the love of Christ to another human being is really where it's at isn't it? Isn't that what being a "real" Christian is all about?
I can set the world on fire. I can turn it upside down. I can even die for it. But, if I don't have love one for the other......it is worthless, vain and futile.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB) 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB) 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
God Bless
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NASB) 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Let me share with you today. I'll try and not get too personal or be too transparent today, but if I do please forgive me. I try and send these blogs out around 4-6 P.M. on Friday and up until a couple weeks had been pretty successful. I came in this morning from work about 4:30 and
laid around a bit until I heard Memaw(my mother) calling me from her bedroom. When I got to her she was in a very uncomfortable state. Without going into detail , we spent the next couple of hours trying to get her squared away. When we got her calmed down and comfortable, I went back to go to bed and could not fall asleep. I laid there tossing and turning and it was well past sunup when I finally dozed off; only to be awoken some time later by people out front. So, I laid vainly trying to fall back asleep. I finally gave up and got up, a little tired and a lot grumpy. After my morning(afternoon) ration of coffee, I realized that I would not be able to meet my self imposed deadline for this message. It was at this point that in my spirit I got my backside on my shoulders to put it delicately. I started grumbling under my breath about never being able to sleep, about having to deal with Memaw, especially on a Friday, and on and on. I ended my rant with something like I'll never get my message out. Then I started about the importance of meeting the deadline and whatnot. Just about the time that I spit the word importance out of my piehole, I was checked in my spirit. Immediately I was reminded of a church marquee that I see every night on the way out to my route. On that marquee they have a statement that reads something like this.
.
"We take Jesus seriously, we just don't take ourselves too seriously."
The Lord then took me aside and spoke to my heart the above scripture. Then He very gently chided me about what it meant to be a "real" Christian. (smile) He spoke to my heart very gently and said "Ronnie, I have uncounted numbers of gifted people that worship and praise me; myriads of preachers, teachers, and blog writers more eloquent and well versed than you to proclaim My Word; thousands upon thousands with much deeper financial pockets who are willing to give if I ask them... and then it dropped. But, you(and my sister Betty) are all I have to help your mother get out of bed when she needs to go to the bathroom. Your the only ones I have to watch her as she tries to walk to the dinner table or to give her a hug or a good night kiss; to tell her that you love her. You are the ones that I have chosen to show her my love."
As I thought about all my supposed "good works" and what I was "doing for the Lord," my attention was drawn to those words in those verses. "But do not have love." It's easy to get puffed up isn't it? To take ourselves and our lives a little too seriously. We become legends in our own minds. You feelin' me? The Apostle Paul said it this way.
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB) 1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
Knowledge makes arrogant. The KJV says it "puffeth up." I'll finish with a last thought. My blog can wait another day. If the truth were known it can wait throughout all eternity. Those works and blogs are still filthy rags aren't they? But, the opportunity to minister to my mom or anyone for that matter; to display the love of Christ to another human being is really where it's at isn't it? Isn't that what being a "real" Christian is all about?
I can set the world on fire. I can turn it upside down. I can even die for it. But, if I don't have love one for the other......it is worthless, vain and futile.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB) 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB) 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
God Bless
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