The Glorious
Land
07-25-14
The Glorious Land. That is the description given Israel in the 11th Chapter
of Daniel. The man of perdition will enter that land in his thirst for
power during the Great Tribulation. I've had Israel on my heart all week. I
don't know why. I sought the Lord this week on what He would have me write on
but, all I had on my mind was that tiny, unbelievably outnumbered nation and how
they have the protection of God in the face of unbelievable odds. The path and
history of the Jewish people and more recently the state of Israel is one of the
most compelling reasons for trusting in the veracity of the Holy Bible. The
simple fact that the state of Israel even exists is in itself a miracle of
biblical proportions. With that in view, here's a brief overview of God's plan
for His people, Israel.
God made eight covenants with mankind. Five of those covenants were made with
the nation and people of Israel. One of those covenants, the Mosaic, was
temporal and conditional. The other four, Abrahamic, Land, Davidic and New were
and are unconditional and eternal. The last three are in reality outworking's of
the original covenant given to Abraham. They explain in broader detail
the promises made to Abraham.
Genesis
15:18 (NASB) 18 On that
day the LORD made a covenant with
Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land,
From the river of Egypt as far as the great river,
the river Euphrates:
This verse is one of dozens pertaining to the eternal covenant that
God made with Abraham concerning the land that would be given to him and his
descendants. You might be interested to know that the term Palestine is not of
Biblical origin. Palestine was given as the name of the land by the Roman
Emperor Hadrian. His plan was to erase Jewish remembrance and Jewish identity to
the land itself. Palestine these days has more of an Arab sense to it in
describing the land of Israel. That being what it is,the land is never
designated as Palestine in the Bible. Although in times past Israel has occupied
much of the land promised to it, it has never been in control of all the land
that God promised Abraham. There have been modern day disputes to this claim,
but none hold up to strenuous scrutiny.
The Davidic Covenant is concerned with a promise made through Abraham to
King David to have someone of David's lineage sitting upon the throne of Israel
eternally.There are two passages, one concerning Solomon, the other
concerning the Messiah, Jesus.
1
Chronicles 17:10-14 (NASB) 10
even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My
people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I
tell you that the LORD will build
a house for you.
11 "When your days are fulfilled that you must go to
be with your fathers, that I will set up one of your descendants
after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12 "He
shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.
13 "I
will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My lovingkindness
away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.
14 "But I will settle
him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established
forever."'"
The Lord Jesus, a descendant of David and Abraham in the flesh, will set up a
literal, eternal throne when He returns and sets up His kingdom on this earth.
There are literally whole chapters dealing with just where this throne will
physically be set up. It will find it's resting place in the millenial
Jerusalem.
The last and most relevant for us as Christians and the church as a whole is
the New Covenant. This covenant has as it's foundation Jeremiah 31.
Jeremiah
31:31-33 (NASB) 31
"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
32 not like the covenant which I made with their
fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of
Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares
the LORD.
33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with
the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and
on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people.
Jeremiah 31:34
(NASB) 34 "They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and
each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from
the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their
iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
Because of the Blood of the Lord Jesus, the church is a partaker of this
covenant. We have not reoplaced Israel, but we share this aspect with Israel.
However, this covenant is going to be literally fulfilled for Israel in the
kingdom. All Jews living here on earth at Jesus' return will enter His kingdom
and all Jews living and born during that kingdom reign will be saved. This is
what Paul is speaking to in Romans 11.
Romans 11:26-27
(NASB) 26 and so all Israel
will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."
27 "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."
No one need faith anymore to believe God and God's Word. One merely needs to
track the history of the Jewish people and stack it up against what the Bible
says and one will be hard pressed to find fault with God's Word. We as a nation
should be very, very careful and not attempt to thwart God's plan by turning our
back on the Jewish state. Many have tried and ALL have failed.
Jeremiah
31:35-36 (NASB) 35 Thus
says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And
the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is
His name:
36
"If this fixed order departs From before Me,"
declares the LORD, "Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever."
God Bless
Friday, July 25, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
Who's Fiddling
Now?
07-18-14
"Nero fiddled while Rome burned" That expression seems to me an apt description of the state of our nation and indeed the entire world in these perilous times. God's Word speaks to a time when Russia will launch a military campaign that will find it's end in the land of Israel. It also speaks to the reaction of other nations as being one of protest but with no substantive reaction. I doubt that is what is taking place now, but is this a runup or a conditioning of the world to accept such atrocity when the real enchilada unfolds?
At any rate...
Matthew 24:35 (NASB) 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Let me make something crystal clear. The Cross is open to all. No one is shunned from Jesus' saving blood. Republican, Democrat, black, white and everything in between. Jew and Gentile, Israeli and Palestinian, you and me. Anyone can kneel at the foot of Calvary and receive forgiveness and eternal life. That being said allow me to ascend to my soapbox this week and give my take on some recent headlines. I viewed a recent interview that a well known CNN correspondent had with a member of the Israeli Security Cabinet. While the correspondent stood behind a veneer of objectivity, it was patently clear that he was trying to cast Israel in a bad light. It irritated me as I watched his attempts to bait the cabinet member into saying something that could be used against him. With that background, God's Word, I believe speaks to the Jewish state of Israel. If we take a literal view of Old Testament prophecies then we are compelled to acknowledge that Israel is God's idea. From Genesis to Malachi, God provides for, rebukes, corrects, fights for, and promises a future restoration for the nation of Israel.
Genesis 13:14-15 (NASB) 14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;
15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.
Genesis 15:18 (NASB) 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:
God also has some rather blunt words for the nations of the world as to how they should treat this nation Israel.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB) 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
There is even a New Testament reference to this treatment of the Jews. Jesus the Lord had this to say about a judgment that He will carry out when He returns.
Matthew 25:31-40 (NASB) 31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.
32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;
33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
As this nation and the world in general turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to the atrocities that are committed against that tiny nation, God's Word all the more, assures us that they have His attention: not only do they have His ear, they have His promise of a future restoration where all His covenant promises will be fulfilled.
Amos 9:11-15 (NASB) 11 "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name," Declares the LORD who does this.
13 "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "When the plowman will overtake the reaper And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; When the mountains will drip sweet wine And all the hills will be dissolved.
14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God.
It would seem that while this prophecy awaits complete fulfillment, Israel today is enjoying some of this scripture's benefit. It would, in my opinion, behoove us all to focus on the last part of the above Scripture.
Amos 9:14-15 (NASB) 14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God.
The Apostle Paul thought Israel so significant that right in the middle of his great theological discourse known as the Book of Romans, he turned on a dime and devoted three chapters(9-11) to explaining about their future salvation. I won't belabor it here, go, read it, and make up your own mind. My point is manifest isn't it? If we as a people, if we as a nation go the way of the world and turn our backs on the nation of Israel...we do it at our own peril. We need to seriously consider what God has to say about His people.
Psalm 126:1-2 (NASB) 1
When the LORD brought back the captive ones of
Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
God Bless
"Nero fiddled while Rome burned" That expression seems to me an apt description of the state of our nation and indeed the entire world in these perilous times. God's Word speaks to a time when Russia will launch a military campaign that will find it's end in the land of Israel. It also speaks to the reaction of other nations as being one of protest but with no substantive reaction. I doubt that is what is taking place now, but is this a runup or a conditioning of the world to accept such atrocity when the real enchilada unfolds?
At any rate...
Matthew 24:35 (NASB) 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Let me make something crystal clear. The Cross is open to all. No one is shunned from Jesus' saving blood. Republican, Democrat, black, white and everything in between. Jew and Gentile, Israeli and Palestinian, you and me. Anyone can kneel at the foot of Calvary and receive forgiveness and eternal life. That being said allow me to ascend to my soapbox this week and give my take on some recent headlines. I viewed a recent interview that a well known CNN correspondent had with a member of the Israeli Security Cabinet. While the correspondent stood behind a veneer of objectivity, it was patently clear that he was trying to cast Israel in a bad light. It irritated me as I watched his attempts to bait the cabinet member into saying something that could be used against him. With that background, God's Word, I believe speaks to the Jewish state of Israel. If we take a literal view of Old Testament prophecies then we are compelled to acknowledge that Israel is God's idea. From Genesis to Malachi, God provides for, rebukes, corrects, fights for, and promises a future restoration for the nation of Israel.
Genesis 13:14-15 (NASB) 14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;
15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.
Genesis 15:18 (NASB) 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:
God also has some rather blunt words for the nations of the world as to how they should treat this nation Israel.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB) 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
There is even a New Testament reference to this treatment of the Jews. Jesus the Lord had this to say about a judgment that He will carry out when He returns.
Matthew 25:31-40 (NASB) 31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.
32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;
33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
As this nation and the world in general turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to the atrocities that are committed against that tiny nation, God's Word all the more, assures us that they have His attention: not only do they have His ear, they have His promise of a future restoration where all His covenant promises will be fulfilled.
Amos 9:11-15 (NASB) 11 "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name," Declares the LORD who does this.
13 "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "When the plowman will overtake the reaper And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; When the mountains will drip sweet wine And all the hills will be dissolved.
14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God.
It would seem that while this prophecy awaits complete fulfillment, Israel today is enjoying some of this scripture's benefit. It would, in my opinion, behoove us all to focus on the last part of the above Scripture.
Amos 9:14-15 (NASB) 14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God.
The Apostle Paul thought Israel so significant that right in the middle of his great theological discourse known as the Book of Romans, he turned on a dime and devoted three chapters(9-11) to explaining about their future salvation. I won't belabor it here, go, read it, and make up your own mind. My point is manifest isn't it? If we as a people, if we as a nation go the way of the world and turn our backs on the nation of Israel...we do it at our own peril. We need to seriously consider what God has to say about His people.
Psalm 126:1-2 (NASB) 1
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
God Bless
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Jesus
Saves
07-12-14
Romans 8:38-39 (NASB) 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The old Pogo quote is relevant here today. You remember Pogo don't you? The Okefeenoke Swamp sage is credited with the following saying,"We have met the enemy and he is us." That quote came to mind recently while I was speaking with a friend.They told me of a mutual acquaintance that had decided to give up on God. This person had been beaten down by folks for a long time. He related how he had been criticized over and over for his behavior and some of the choices that he had made. He had endured it for so long that he had started believing it himself. To hear him say it, people never noticed the positive aspects of his life, instead they droned on about his "sins." He became so discouraged that he finally resigned himself to the fact that he didn't measure up and never would. He determined that he was done with church, God and all the rest of it. This laid on my heart for a while and I thought that today would be a good day to give my take on the subject.
We humans and I include myself in that number(smile) are skillful at pointing out others shortcomings. We are expert fault finders. We set up arbitrary and SUBJECTIVE standards of behavior that we expect everyone EXCEPT OURSELVES to adhere to. When it comes to holding ourselves accountable we always can find a good reason for doing what we did. We had a good excuse. We justify our behavior to ourselves. Keep that word justify close. According to the above verses, nothing separates us from God's love. This is spoken in a context of salvation and the new birth. No created thing (we humans are included in that lot) can separate us from God's love. Now, look at this.
Romans 8:29-30 (NASB) 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Look at the word foreknew. It means "to determine ahead of time to enter into a loving relationship with someone." Predestined means "to decide upon beforehand." He determined ahead of time to embrace you and I SPECIFICALLY! We were chosen in eternity past. Not only that, we were destined to become conformed to Jesus' image. In down home language this is what God is saying here," Look, I decided long ago to pick you up when you fell off the turnip truck and long, long ago I decided that I would save you and clean you up through my Son's blood. Why? BECAUSE I AM SOVEREIGN, I AM GOD ALMIGHTY, AND I WANTED TO, THAT'S WHY!!Didn't have anything to do with you or anybody else." Let that sink in. Let's move on. "..those whom He predestined,He also called." Listen, we didn't do anything when we got saved. God chose and called us. That's why Jesus said that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us. Look that verse up. Now, this is where it really takes off.
"...those whom He called, He also justified..." In a nutshell we not only were acquitted of guilt but we are seen as never having missed the mark. Through Jesus blood we are seen as having kept the standard that Jesus kept. At the cross we are put right with God. Sin is done away with not covered. Through the cross we have kept God's righteous standard. If you and I have been justified then we have also been glorified. Now, I don't understand the structure and grammar of the Greek but this verse is in what is called an "aorist comprehensive." Now, they tell me that means a full complete action. There is no discrimination between the four verbs. They are a whole unit. All are complete. If you have been called,then you have been glorified. There is no stopping in between the actions. Now here is my point for saying all of the above. Listen to this and think about it this week if you are struggling with doubt, and/or self or otherwise imposed condemnation.
Here is the God of all the universe telling us that nothing can separate us from His love. Here He is telling us that in eternity past He planned and made secure our destiny not because of any BEHAVIOR OR EFFORTon our part. No,no it was because it pleased Him to do it. It was His choice,not ours. Don't ask me why, I do not know. Only when He brings me into His Glory will I ever know. All I can do is accept it and say thank you. Now, if that is the reality of my relationship with God then should I allow anything or anybody to say otherwise? Of course we all do from time to time. Feelings are fickle but they are also powerful. If you are struggling today with your own frailty or if someone else has told you how sorry you are,.. don't fret. God chose you to be His a long, long time ago. No one, not even you can snatch you out of His Hand.
Psalm 27:1 (NASB) 1
The LORD
is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
God Bless
Romans 8:38-39 (NASB) 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The old Pogo quote is relevant here today. You remember Pogo don't you? The Okefeenoke Swamp sage is credited with the following saying,"We have met the enemy and he is us." That quote came to mind recently while I was speaking with a friend.They told me of a mutual acquaintance that had decided to give up on God. This person had been beaten down by folks for a long time. He related how he had been criticized over and over for his behavior and some of the choices that he had made. He had endured it for so long that he had started believing it himself. To hear him say it, people never noticed the positive aspects of his life, instead they droned on about his "sins." He became so discouraged that he finally resigned himself to the fact that he didn't measure up and never would. He determined that he was done with church, God and all the rest of it. This laid on my heart for a while and I thought that today would be a good day to give my take on the subject.
We humans and I include myself in that number(smile) are skillful at pointing out others shortcomings. We are expert fault finders. We set up arbitrary and SUBJECTIVE standards of behavior that we expect everyone EXCEPT OURSELVES to adhere to. When it comes to holding ourselves accountable we always can find a good reason for doing what we did. We had a good excuse. We justify our behavior to ourselves. Keep that word justify close. According to the above verses, nothing separates us from God's love. This is spoken in a context of salvation and the new birth. No created thing (we humans are included in that lot) can separate us from God's love. Now, look at this.
Romans 8:29-30 (NASB) 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Look at the word foreknew. It means "to determine ahead of time to enter into a loving relationship with someone." Predestined means "to decide upon beforehand." He determined ahead of time to embrace you and I SPECIFICALLY! We were chosen in eternity past. Not only that, we were destined to become conformed to Jesus' image. In down home language this is what God is saying here," Look, I decided long ago to pick you up when you fell off the turnip truck and long, long ago I decided that I would save you and clean you up through my Son's blood. Why? BECAUSE I AM SOVEREIGN, I AM GOD ALMIGHTY, AND I WANTED TO, THAT'S WHY!!Didn't have anything to do with you or anybody else." Let that sink in. Let's move on. "..those whom He predestined,He also called." Listen, we didn't do anything when we got saved. God chose and called us. That's why Jesus said that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us. Look that verse up. Now, this is where it really takes off.
"...those whom He called, He also justified..." In a nutshell we not only were acquitted of guilt but we are seen as never having missed the mark. Through Jesus blood we are seen as having kept the standard that Jesus kept. At the cross we are put right with God. Sin is done away with not covered. Through the cross we have kept God's righteous standard. If you and I have been justified then we have also been glorified. Now, I don't understand the structure and grammar of the Greek but this verse is in what is called an "aorist comprehensive." Now, they tell me that means a full complete action. There is no discrimination between the four verbs. They are a whole unit. All are complete. If you have been called,then you have been glorified. There is no stopping in between the actions. Now here is my point for saying all of the above. Listen to this and think about it this week if you are struggling with doubt, and/or self or otherwise imposed condemnation.
Here is the God of all the universe telling us that nothing can separate us from His love. Here He is telling us that in eternity past He planned and made secure our destiny not because of any BEHAVIOR OR EFFORTon our part. No,no it was because it pleased Him to do it. It was His choice,not ours. Don't ask me why, I do not know. Only when He brings me into His Glory will I ever know. All I can do is accept it and say thank you. Now, if that is the reality of my relationship with God then should I allow anything or anybody to say otherwise? Of course we all do from time to time. Feelings are fickle but they are also powerful. If you are struggling today with your own frailty or if someone else has told you how sorry you are,.. don't fret. God chose you to be His a long, long time ago. No one, not even you can snatch you out of His Hand.
Psalm 27:1 (NASB) 1
God Bless
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Thirsty
07-05-14
Psalm 63:1 (NASB) 1
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no
water.
This week for some odd reason I was reminded of sitting in the parking lot of a music store in Marietta, Ga. many years ago. As the picture rolled across my mind, I could see my dear friend Pastor Doug in the passenger seat as we waited for Adrian and Bubba, our kids, to finish their trumpet lessons. They took lessons back to back so we spent a couple of hours once a week, every week, in that parking lot talking about all sorts of stuff. The conversation would invariably center around God, church, the kids, what did the Bible have to say about it and whatnot. Over the years we have spent countless hours in cars, over the phone, etc., talking about those subjects. Well anyway this week as I had that picture in my mind a phrase came across my mind. It was something that Doug and I spoke about over and over. We would and have prayed countless times over our children and loved ones that one phrase. We would proclaim and pray that our kids would find God for themselves. We would remind those kids (and God sometimes, smile) that they could not rely on their parents' God or their friends' God. That just because their lives were surrounded by parents, friends, church people who had found God, that would not work for them. They had to find God for themselves. Mama and Daddy or the preacher would not be around forever to help them in time of need. Then, they would have to know God for themselves. Pastor Doug's God won't be around to help me. See that's what the Psalmist David is saying in those verses.
"O God, You are my God;....." David wrote this when he was in the wilderness, possibly, when fleeing from Saul. You see Jesse, David's father wasn't with him in this trying time. Jonathan, his best friend, was of no comfort to him. He was alone and he was in the wilderness. Have you ever been there? He HAD to find God for himself. His father's or his friend's God had to become HIS GOD, for there was no one else to help him. And what do the scriptures say about David and what he did? Look at the above verse. "...I shall seekYou earnestly.." Look a little further down.
Psalm 63:6 (NASB) 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,
"..I meditate on You in the night watches,..." That word meditate means to ponder, to groan, to muse about or to speak about. Look at another Psalm.
Psalm 42:1-2 (NASB) 1
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?
Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty? I can remember only one time in my entire life being really thirsty. It was when I was 12 years old and our Little League team had been playing a couple of practice games. It was in the middle of summer and we had been at it all day. We didn't know or care about hydration in those days, we just wanted to play ball until we dropped. I remember riding back from that game that day and man I was toasted. I mean my throat felt like I had poured a glass of sawdust down it. For some reason, unknown to me and my teammates, the coaches would not stop at a gas station (no convenience stores in those days lol) to get a Coke. I mean me and my buddies were howling from the back of the station wagon to stop, please we are dying back here!But alas on this sweltering day, to no avail. I was in panic mode. All I could think about was a glass of water to wet and cool my dry throat. NOTHING ELSE MATTERED. When I finally got home, I RAN to the kitchen sink and without stopping to get a glass, I turned the faucet on full blast and drank until I was swishing on the inside. You know what I'm talking about don't you? Swishing? All the while listening to mother scold me for putting my mouth on the faucet, risking the deadly germs to be found there. But, at that point in time I didn't care. I WAS THIRSTY!! You feelin' me here? That's what David is talking about here.
You see in that verse above David is asking God when he can get alone with Him. He's thirsty. He can't wait any longer. "When shall I come and appear before God?" And that is the secret. Until I decide to appear before God. Until I make room for Him in my life. Until I begin to earnestly seek for Him and enquire of Him, He will continue to be someone else's rock, but not MY rock. He will continue to be another's strong tower, not MY strong tower. I have to find Him for myself. Pastor Doug's God just won't do. He must become MY God.
Psalm 1:1-2 (NASB) 1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
God Bless
Psalm 63:1 (NASB) 1
This week for some odd reason I was reminded of sitting in the parking lot of a music store in Marietta, Ga. many years ago. As the picture rolled across my mind, I could see my dear friend Pastor Doug in the passenger seat as we waited for Adrian and Bubba, our kids, to finish their trumpet lessons. They took lessons back to back so we spent a couple of hours once a week, every week, in that parking lot talking about all sorts of stuff. The conversation would invariably center around God, church, the kids, what did the Bible have to say about it and whatnot. Over the years we have spent countless hours in cars, over the phone, etc., talking about those subjects. Well anyway this week as I had that picture in my mind a phrase came across my mind. It was something that Doug and I spoke about over and over. We would and have prayed countless times over our children and loved ones that one phrase. We would proclaim and pray that our kids would find God for themselves. We would remind those kids (and God sometimes, smile) that they could not rely on their parents' God or their friends' God. That just because their lives were surrounded by parents, friends, church people who had found God, that would not work for them. They had to find God for themselves. Mama and Daddy or the preacher would not be around forever to help them in time of need. Then, they would have to know God for themselves. Pastor Doug's God won't be around to help me. See that's what the Psalmist David is saying in those verses.
"O God, You are my God;....." David wrote this when he was in the wilderness, possibly, when fleeing from Saul. You see Jesse, David's father wasn't with him in this trying time. Jonathan, his best friend, was of no comfort to him. He was alone and he was in the wilderness. Have you ever been there? He HAD to find God for himself. His father's or his friend's God had to become HIS GOD, for there was no one else to help him. And what do the scriptures say about David and what he did? Look at the above verse. "...I shall seekYou earnestly.." Look a little further down.
Psalm 63:6 (NASB) 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,
"..I meditate on You in the night watches,..." That word meditate means to ponder, to groan, to muse about or to speak about. Look at another Psalm.
Psalm 42:1-2 (NASB) 1
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?
Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty? I can remember only one time in my entire life being really thirsty. It was when I was 12 years old and our Little League team had been playing a couple of practice games. It was in the middle of summer and we had been at it all day. We didn't know or care about hydration in those days, we just wanted to play ball until we dropped. I remember riding back from that game that day and man I was toasted. I mean my throat felt like I had poured a glass of sawdust down it. For some reason, unknown to me and my teammates, the coaches would not stop at a gas station (no convenience stores in those days lol) to get a Coke. I mean me and my buddies were howling from the back of the station wagon to stop, please we are dying back here!But alas on this sweltering day, to no avail. I was in panic mode. All I could think about was a glass of water to wet and cool my dry throat. NOTHING ELSE MATTERED. When I finally got home, I RAN to the kitchen sink and without stopping to get a glass, I turned the faucet on full blast and drank until I was swishing on the inside. You know what I'm talking about don't you? Swishing? All the while listening to mother scold me for putting my mouth on the faucet, risking the deadly germs to be found there. But, at that point in time I didn't care. I WAS THIRSTY!! You feelin' me here? That's what David is talking about here.
You see in that verse above David is asking God when he can get alone with Him. He's thirsty. He can't wait any longer. "When shall I come and appear before God?" And that is the secret. Until I decide to appear before God. Until I make room for Him in my life. Until I begin to earnestly seek for Him and enquire of Him, He will continue to be someone else's rock, but not MY rock. He will continue to be another's strong tower, not MY strong tower. I have to find Him for myself. Pastor Doug's God just won't do. He must become MY God.
Psalm 1:1-2 (NASB) 1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
God Bless
Saturday, June 28, 2014
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
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
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
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