I will be preaching October 6, at 11 am, at the Morehead City First Christian Church, across from Rabbit Hill Plaza on Bridges Street in Morehead City.

Please attend, if at all possible. If unable, (for whatever reason), please pray that I would be sensitive to the working and words of the Holy Spirit, and that those in this Fellowship, would be blessed.

This is a one-time substitution as Pastor David Cox needs to be elsewhere. I thank him and his flock for the opportunity to fill in for him.

Scripture to be announced.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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To be the Chosen of God. To receive the promises of God, the privileges of a Son and heir of God.

The Peace that passes understanding, the Joy unspeakable and full of Glory, My God can supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

It sounds wonderful. It is our promise, it is Who We Are.

1 Peter 2:9

‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:’

Who are We?

We are a Chosen Generation:

Like (the 12 tribes), the Hebrews of Moses time, we who love and accept Christ as Lord and Savior, are brought out of the slavery, (of sin and death), into the promised land, a land of milk and honey. A place where the Lord is our Shepard, and we shall not want.

We are a Royal Priesthood:

As Christians, we are of the tribe of Levi. The people charged with knowing and protecting the Word of God, and the sharing of the Love, Mercy, and Grace of the Lord.

Leading in Praise and Worship, in the building of His Church, His Body.

We are a Holy People:

The Lord wants us to be Sanctified, set apart, have a renewed mind, to know His good, acceptable and perfect will. (Romans 12)

To become a Holy Nation, Justified, blameless in the beloved.

We are a Peculiar People:

The Lord uses the Weak to confound the Mighty, the Foolish to confound the Wise.

Titus 2:12-14

‘Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.’

A Peculiar People, Zealous of Good Works, to do the Work Of God.

What are we called to?

We are called to Praise God:

For bringing us out of slavery, into the salvation of the Lord, to be a light to those who live in darkness. To comfort the brokenhearted, to heal the sick, to proclaim the year of the Lord.

Today is the day of Salvation if you will hear His voice, act on it Today. Walk-in His Light and Grace. Live a life that people desire to be like and follow you.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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I don’t blame the hammer when I miss the nail and hit my thumb. I don’t blame the Lord when my prayers are not answered the way I planned.

In my teens, I was a drunken, stoned, anti-social, anti-American, unlovable clown. It shames me that I do not remember much of this period of my life. (Blackouts)

Am I like Easu, and cry out, ‘is there any blessing for me?’ I believe I have found in the Word, why I am still alive.

In Exodus 8, we find the plague of the frogs, Pharaoh pleads with Moses to take them away. (I found the key to my wrong turns).

Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted the frogs to leave? The answer was tomorrow. He suffered another day of frog infestations because he didn’t say NOW.

He brought it on himself. How often when we pray, we do we not specify our desire for immediate relief?

When I was 16, the Jesus people appeared. I was befriended and led to ask Jesus to be my Savior; In my ignorance, I thought I was agreeing to live without personal pleasure, so I promised, to serve him after I first had ten years of fun.

The next ten years serving the god of this world was the worst time of my life.

That was my tomorrow. I gave myself to the devil for 10 years. The year’s that I might have used for good; Instead, they were years of pain and shame.

I pray I never again say tomorrow or later when I should say on your six God. Use me, teach me, mold and make me an instrument of Your Love and Grace.

May people see You in my eyes, hear You in my Words, recognize Your Love in my life.

Friends, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.’

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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I must confess, there was nothing in this life that I gave my heart, soul, mind, and strength to, either in school or work. I only did what I needed, to get by.

I don’t know if others lived much the same way?

Whether it was music, math, work or play, I would learn the basics, become mildly proficient, and run with that.

Until I fell in love with the Lord.

Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength, were suddenly seeking Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit. I had found the reason I existed. To Know and Love the Lord.

I study the Word and Seek His face, allow the Holy Spirit to lead me to all Truth. I make sure the Truth has two or three witnesses. (Verses in the Word), to prove its truth.

Then I hunger for a platform to share. So far it has been this blog and teaching a Bible Study. This does bring a measure of satisfaction.

Yet the desire to speak the Word, with Signs, Wonders, and Miracles following remains. The current Pastor of the Church I play piano for, will not let me preach because I was licensed and ordained by a different body.

I will not become a Methodist, for very many reasons, but that is where the Lord has placed me at this time. I am doing my best to learn and submit, from these wonderful folks, but am frustrated that they reject the written Word for their dead Church Doctrine.

Please think of me in your prayer time. That God would allow me to recognize the desires He has put in my heart.

Thanks.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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There is not just one key to the kingdom, but many keys that unlock the numerous mysteries of our Faith.

The first was the key to enter the Kingdom. The belief and confession that Jesus is Lord. ‘Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.’

This Key gave us permission and standing, before a Holy God. To enter into His presence to find Mercy and Grace in our times of need.

This seems to be the extent of our desires. It is enough, I have my passport to heaven. We do not seem receptive to the other promises of God.

If we could ‘only believe,’ the Lord would be leading an army, performing His will in this world today.

John 14:12-14

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

The promise is dismissed, ignored, rejected by us today. Why?

It costs too much to walk in it. We are not willing to pay the price of admission.

Jesus sent them out 2 by 2. Matthew 10: 1.

‘And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.’

They found they could cast out unclean spirits, and heal all manner of sicknesses, as they were walking in His will.

Then they came to a spirit that would not obey.

The Disciples asked why could we not cast out this Spirit? (Mark 9: 29) “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

The power to bind and release promised in Matthew 16, one of the keys He gave us, costs us to learn its use.

We must know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and be made into His likeness, (Philippians 3:10) if we desire to walk in His Power and Will.

He cast out the Legion, healed all the sick he encountered. He gave us the power to do the same. But the Church is lame.

We fail to give up self and seek His will. We have failed, when He commanded us to wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4-5)

If we were obedient, we would be walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us His Spirit, to build His Assembly, His Church, His Body.

These are Keys to the Kingdom of God. He would have us build His Kingdom, using His Keys.

Our problem is we use Man’s plan, instead of God’s. We tend to want results, in our time, under our control.

Then we can claim victory. God wants us to trust Him, give Him the Glory, relying on His Wisdom and Grace.

Will we?

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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Who do you say I Am? (Asked Jesus) Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said: ‘on this rock I will build my assembly.’

On this Rock, the belief and confession that Jesus is Lord. On this will He build His Church. This avails us the Key to entering Heaven. This is what saves us from eternal damnation.

It is interesting to me to notice only Matthew uses the term, the Kingdom of Heaven, the other Gospels all use the Kingdom of God.

At first, I considered that there may be a difference, but Matthew 19:23-24, he uses both terms.

The difference I do see is Matthew tells who will enter the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10,19,20). The poor in Spirit, the Righteous, those who are like little children.

In the other Gospels, there is another perspective.

Jesus speaking to a scribe, who knew to love God and your neighbor were the 1st and 2nd Commandments. Jesus said: “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34)

In Luke, He spoke of the poor and that the KOG, has and must suffer violence. (Lke 6:20; 7:28)

As we read through Luke, we find the preaching and showing of the KOG. By healing and casting out devils.

In Luke 17:20-21 We find out the Kingdom of God is within us. In John 3, we must be Born Again to enter.

Romans 14: 17 tells us:

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 4: 20.

‘For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.’

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

‘Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.’

We must be Righteous, believe like a child, we should see the Power of God in our ministries.

I believe the binding and releasing are the results of healing or casting out devils, no more complex than that.

What do you think?

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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It The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: Were given to Peter, (and to us), not because Peter was a Rock. (Matthew 16:16-19)

The Rock or Foundation of our Faith lies in Peters proclamation of who Jesus is. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

I have heard many teachings on these scriptures, and most of them have left me confused. I would like to share my opinion, I am not a scholar or an apologist, just a guy who reads the Word, and follows the Holy Spirits leading.

The Scriptures in question only appear in the book of Matthew the 16th chapter.

Jesus asks, ‘Peter who do you say I am?’ Verses 16-20

“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.“

Binding and releasing, building His assembly, ( His church),
and the gates of hell will not destroy it. How’s that working for us? Most Churches are about 60 to 100 people a Sunday, and the people are Sunday morning Go to Meeting folks.

They love and profess the Lord, but do not give Him much more than an hour a week. Oh, some read devotionals and pray a bit, but most do not care to be more.

Like the Hebrews, let the Pastor talk to God, and he can tell us what to do. Sad.

The Lord wants to Fellowship in the garden or your upper room in the cool of the day. He desires a one on one relationship, we can be as close to God, as we allow God into our lives.

He healed all that were afflicted, taught and fed 5,000, had 12 close to Him, 3 even closer, but only one had his head on His breast.

That one was at the cross. Where were the rest? You know only one died a natural death.

We have the relationship we choose.

So, if He has given us ‘The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven’?

What are they, and where have they gone, it seems to me, we lost them? I believe we can find and use them mightily
once again for our God.

I will continue my study.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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https://wp.me/p4RZJT-b9a

A great post, a blog to follow.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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I try to read at least one of the Psalms or Proverbs a day, as my devotional. Today It happened to be Psalm 12. Not much has changed since the time of David.

Psalm 12:1-8

“Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?” “Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.” The words of Yahweh are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.” For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

‘Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.’

It is as hard today, as it has always been, to be Holy, Sanctified, Faithfull and True. We have the same distractions and temptations, as everyman has. it has just made it into our private homes by way of the Internet and TV.

There are sin and evil in all but the best Christian content, and there isn’t enough Good Christian content to keep us entertained in our free time.

I know many have sworn off the TV and the Internet, but do most of us? I watch the original NCIS and Blue Bloods as my only appointment TV, and Netflix otherwise. There is still too much sin condoned and promoted to keep my mind renewed and faith increased.

It is easy to say, ‘It’s legal, so it must be ok to be full of what used to be, (and still is), SIN.

IT ISN’T!

We are called to be Holy, set apart, witnesses of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Love. We fail to read and meditate on the Word daily, to be diligent in the pursuit of Godliness, to pray and expect the Lord to act.

“The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.”

We must walk apart.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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It tickles me, when I hear people complain about the successful ministries, while attending little churches, (all of, once a week).

They Truly believe they are Holy, Sanctified, Right with God, and those other Churches aren’t.

I have to ask, what does it take to be saved? Must we be the poor, the few, the beat down?

Is it possible to be rich and still love and serve the Lord? What makes us Saved?

To believe and confess, Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. You do not agree with the message of these ministries.

Do they not proclaim Jesus as Lord? We don’t think they are humble enough to be saved. They have too much.

Please, Job, and Abram were both very rich. One was just and perfect, the other was the Father of a Nation and a Friend of God.

The Disciples, were small business men or tax collector’s, neither of them was poor.

Do not despise the wealth and success of the man of God. The Lord would have us to prosper and be in good health as our soul prospers.

You do not need to be poor, (money-wise), but poor in Spirit. (Not believing that we are Holier or better than others).

Just my thoughts.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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The walls of Jerusalem were finally rebuilt. Nehemiah set these men in charge.

Nehemiah 7: 1-3

“Now it happened, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, that I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”

Hananiah was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

Could this be said about me? I only wish. I am not faithful in prayer, or devotion, in giving, loving, mercy or grace. Do I fear God? Am I in awe?

Unfortunately, I tend to expect God to listen to me; (like He needs my advice or direction). Instead of faithfully listening to and obeying Him.

I like to think I am not alone, (in thinking if God would just do things my way), the work would be done.

I know this is ridiculous, if God listened to me, the world would be in an even bigger mess than it Is. BUT, the truth IS, if I was faithful in prayer and in seeking Him, I would be praying, instead of complaining, allowing the Lord to act by praying His will be done. (Not mine).

If we were truly Full of Faith and Faithful to His calling, if we were truly in Awe of a Righteous God, we would be living a life He could use to bless others.

We need to forget about ourselves, our desires, plans, hopes and dreams and focus on the Eternal. Who cares what color the rug is, or if we Baptise by sprinkle, pour or immerse.

The Christian Baptism is not about Repentance, we have done that, we are saved, it is about obedience to God and receiving the Holy Spirit.

They were commanded to wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, those who had been Baptised in John’s Baptism, we’re Baptised in obedience and received the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Gifts of the Spirit are the building materials He gave us, to build His Church.

I’ve not written anything for quite a while. I’ve not been very open to the Lord’s voice. His Word has been closed to my understanding,

I have been lazy, I wasn’t like Jacob, (Genesis 32:24,) I gave up the fight. I feel like Esau, wondering, ‘Is there no blessing for me?’ (Genisis 37:34)

I know better, I am just discouraged. I look behind me and see no one following. No signs, wonders or miracles. No voice saying walk this way. (Isaiah 30:21)

My hopes, dreams, and plans, are farther away than ever. I stay here because I haven’t been directed or released to go elsewhere.

Our Pastor reminds me that John Wesley wasn’t allowed to preach in the Church he was a member of good standing in.

I think to myself how much bigger than Anglican Church would be if they had embraced John’s followers, instead of driving them away.

That’s all for today. I will try to get back in the saddle, the Lord has a lot He wants us to understand.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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