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Showing posts from October, 2020

Uninvited Visitor (A Halloween Story)

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    Uninvited Visitor The knocking at my door was more of a violent scratching, like my dog does when he wants inside.   I pulled the curtain aside and peered out to view the hooded dark figure as he continued to thump and tap loudly.   Opening the door just a crack was enough for him to push against the door and gain entrance even without a formal invitation.   I asked his name, and he mumbled something and then quietly moved to a corner to sit and hide while he continued observing me.   Finally I told him I was certain that I did not want him in my home.   He spoke in whispers and in a nagging monologue began to berate me and tell me how bad I was, and that I was no good.    His voice rose up a tone or two as he gained confidence in what he was about; “You do nothing right, and no one likes you,” was spewing from his lips.   “It was all your fault and you have no one to blame except yourself,” he continued.   “Even God will never forgive you, and you will never make heaven your home!

Jesus said He is "I AM"

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  Jesus said He is "I AM" Much of the Old Testament stories were pictures of Christ and are called types and shadows. Prior to Moses coming to deliver the Children of Israel from Egypt, he saw a bush that was burning but it did not burn up completely. As Moses drew closer a voice said, "Take off your shoes for you are standing on holy ground." Moses was intrigued, and asked, "Who are you and what do you want from me?" The voice told him he was to set the Jewish people free from their slavery and take them to the promised land. Moses asked, "Who shall I say is sending me? What is your name?" God spoke to Moses and said, "I AM THAT I AM;” And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name LORD I was not known to them. In the New Testament John's gospel, there are many times Jesus says he is "I AM." One day as He was teaching Jesus said to them, Tr

God is Always Speaking

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  God is Always Speaking Today when we think of a voice speaking to us, we usually have in mind an audible voice. So if we are to consider that God is always speaking we need to take a look at our Triune God and investigate how God is still speaking. God the Father began speaking to us about what and how He desires that we should live by giving Moses the ten commandments and also the law. The 10 commandments are the bottom line as God lets us know that he is concerned about our worship; and that it be only HIM and no other gods. God desires that we NOT make graven images of what we think God looks like or worship these man made creations. He is definite when he says His Name is Holy and not to use his name in vain.  Yes, this means cursing as well. He wants us to set aside the Sabbath day and keep it Holy. (Jews and others still honor Saturday, but after the resurrection of Jesus his followers began to set aside the first day of the week honoring the day Jesus rose from t

Cancellation of Assignments

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  Cancellation of Assignments As we begin our message today I desire to share a few scriptures that assure us that Jesus can and will set us free from those things that may have kept us in bondage - - Jesus is ready and willing to give us gifts to enable us to serve him and others - - - (If you then be free from captivity, STAND firm and do not be moved away from Christ.) Psalms 68:18, 19   Thou O Lord have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.   Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Ephesians 4:7, 8   But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he says, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  Galatians 5:1   Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with

Are You Sitting or Standing?

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Are You Sitting or Standing?   As we take time to pray daily over our city and our nation, let us not be as the proud man that Jesus spoke about in Luke's gospel chapter 18:   "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, robbers, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."   It is interesting to notice these two men were standing as they prayed. Position in prayer is not important to God, as many fell prostrate on their faces, at the feet of Jesus when they came with a request. Jesus mentioned standing to pray In Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any: that your Fat

Speak God's Word Over your Life

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  Speak God's Word Over your Life The song “Let the Weak Say, I am strong” by Reuben Morgan made popular by Hillsong; was inspired by the verse in Joel 3:10: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Notice that God was asking us to pick up the unusual things around us and use them for His glory. What is it in your hand? What is your talent? Use it for God. The song inspires us to use our faith filled words to change our situations and circumstances. Let the weak say, "I am strong" Let the poor say, "I am rich" Let the blind say, "I can see" It's what the Lord has done in me Into the river, I will wade There my sins are washed away From the heavens mercy streams Of the Savior's love for me I will rise from waters deep Into the saving arms of God I will sing salvation songs Jesus Christ has set me free Hosanna, hosanna To the Lamb that was slain Hosanna, hosanna Jesus d

Prayers of Declaration

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  Prayers of Declaration We understand there is power in the prayers of agreement with two or more believers, but as we look at Jesus, he seldom prayed as He did his miracles. All praying was done prior as He met with His Father in the Secret place of preparation. The miracles of Jesus were activated by his voice as He declared “What is it you want me to do for you?” “Go wash and be healed,” “Rise up and live,” “Be healed,” “Take up your bed and walk,” “You are forgiven.” The Bible tells us that If two or three agree as touching anything, it shall be done. You must understand that Jesus walked in agreement with his Father and the Holy Spirit and that was a group of three to light the sparks to ignite the full blown miracle. Sometimes, you will not have time to find someone to agree with you, but know that Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father are in agreement with you. I am not saying you should not agree with your brothers and sisters in prayer, but the actual fa