• Our story jumps to the book of John chapter 5, the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda.  Jesus, has traveled back to Jerusalem .

The angels would stir or trouble the water at the pool of Bethesda.  There were multitudes of sick, blind and lame, waiting for this stirring .

The first one into the pool was healed.   What kind of joke was this?

The lame or blind needed help to see or maneuver to the waters, it doesn’t seem fair.

It might not have been, but it was how it was.

Jesus, who could have healed them all, choose one man.  (Note, Jesus knew he had been afflicted   a long time. (A word of knowledge)).

A lame man, and asked what he wanted?

“To be healed, but someone always beats me to the water.”

Jesus: “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”

Things of note:

~  No mention of faith.  Many times he told folks their faith made them whole.  Not this time.

~  He was healed immediately.  The Lord doesn’t save, heal or comfort over time…  

When the Lord touches you, or better yet, you learn to touch Him, Salvation, Healing, Comfort, Direction come upon us immediately .   

The Lord answers the prayers of those who Seek and Obey His will.

~  The lame man, walked away carrying his bed, and this on the Sabbath.   The religious didn’t like it when a rule is broken.

~  He was confronted by the Jews… “What are you doing?  You are breaking the law.”

~  “The man who healed me, told me to… I don’t know who He was.”

~  “for Jesus had conveyed himself away, “

~  The healed man was found by Jesus, in the Temple.  

How appropriate, to go to the house of God, in thanksgiving.

He was told:  “Go and sin no more.”

Is sin the cause of sickness?   What does the Word tell us?

Psalm: 107:17-18

“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.   Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.”

Mark 2:5

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the paralytic, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.“

John 9:3
“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

We often have no clue of Gods ways, we do have His assurance that His purpose is good.  (Romans 8:28, if we :26).

Psalms 115:3

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. ”

We must understand, the Lord did not always heal those He came across, and those He did, not always the same way.

This is because we would make that repeated way a religion, a ritual.

One thing was consistent:

“All who TOUCHED HIM WERE MADE WHOLE.”

Are you in need of Salvation, Healing, Direction, or Correction?

LEARN TO DROP DOWN IN WORSHIP.  Touch the Hem of His Garment.   Receive the Blessings of God.

John 5:1-9
“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.   When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.  And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

Not knowing, the power of God: theunfetteredpreacher – http://wp.me/p4qqra-26d

Another reblog,  Still the cry of my heart…  Seek His Face…

O ye simple, understand wisdom:  theunfetteredpreacher – http://wp.me/p4qqra-22w

A reblog….  The cry of my heart….  we must Seek His Face

He “saw their faith”,  would He see our faith?

He was teaching in a private home.  (Mark 2:2-12, Matthew 9:1-8, and Luke 5:17-26)

The story of the man let down through the roof to be healed.  Good read.

First point, He did not need to be in a special place of Worship, He taught and healed on the street, in homes, on boats….  we should be ready and able to do so, also.

When a crowd gathered.

Second point, they gathered to hear the Word of God.  To experience the Power of that Word.

We think it’s our programs, children’s church, divorce counseling, feeding, clothing  the poor, our wonderful sermons.  That these things will increase our numbers.

Sorry folks, if you want Church Growth, Seek His face, Seek His Power.

Luke 4:32
“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

1 Corinthians 2:4
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”

If we are preaching the Word of God, there should be Power, exhibited.   It is not always the Power to heal, some have the Power to cause repentance .

Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Power, the very thing most of our Churches lack.   We blame it on God,  “He doesn’t do that anymore . ”  Baloney.  “JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW.”

The problem we have is;  He doesn’t see our faith.   Why?

Because, we have fallen away, we have accepted Christ as Savior, and then, we rest, in that promise.

Third point,  He saw their faith, because, they made a way to reach Him, when there was no way.

We come to Church, maybe even a Bible Study, we accept being fed, with no desire to learn to feed ourselves.

We never learn to chew our food, we don’t have the meat of the Word in our Spiritual diet.

We do not, study to shew ourselves approved unto God, workmen, rightly dividing the word of Truth.

It really isn’t hard to get close to God, to study His Word, to enter into the Holy of Holies.

A simple first step:

Read the Proverbs as a devotional,  1-31, as a verse comes alive, and they will, if you have an open heart.

Search (a good concordance or search engine is needed),  to find other verses that may expand upon and explain this verse.

Before you know it, The Word of God, comes alive, you experience it’s Power.  Now, you can share with others, in that Power.  The Word is alive.

Your faith is visible for all to see.

Forth point,  He healed the sick, told him to get up and walk.  This angered the religious.

The same happens today, with the unbelieving believers.  (Those who think the time of miracles is past).

“We pray and no one is healed, therefore God doesn’t heal today.”  Baloney . …  see above.

God has not changed, His Character, His Mind,  His Will, His Word.

John 14:12

“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.“

His answer to the religious.

“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”

He shows us, by healing, that He has the Power to forgive as well as heal.  He sent us to continue His Work.

Do you really think, He sees our faith?

Mark 2:2-12King James Version (KJV)

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Matthew 9:1-8King James Version (KJV)

9 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Luke 5:17-26King James Version (KJV)

17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Merry Christmas from Bette and

Bill theunfetteredpreacher Cote

A short Faith building post.  Jesus, The Ministry Years 2.

Jesus, just finishing the Sermon on the Mount,  encounters a Leper.  

In the Old Testament, and Jesus’s time, Lepers were at the  bottom of the social scale.

It was worse than today’s “Hansen’s Disease.” There was no cure, except a miracle.  (Naaman, 2 Kings 5)

Naaman was told, by a Hebrew servant girl, of a man of God in Samaria, (Elisha ), who by the Power of God could heal him.   (Great read).

 If healed, you had to be looked at by a priest.  The different color of skin or hair, even different colors of mold on walls of your home were symptoms.  (Leviticus 13-14)

I understand,  it can leave you with no pain receptors and people would have toes and fingers eaten by rats, while they slept.

Knowing nothing till waking .

All Lepers, lived separately  from the healthy, had to rent their clothes, cover their mouths and cry out UNCLEAN, as they walked towards the healthy.

All to ensure people were not touched by them.  (It spread by skin to skin contact).  A horrible life sentence, for the afflicted.

Luke tells us, this Leper, was full of Leprosy and as he approached Jesus, he fell down and worshipped as he cried out.

“Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

Matthew, Mark and Luke all have this man, asking Jesus this same question.  “If You will, You can make me clean.”

If Thou will? If he stopped there it would be a question. He didn’t and it becomes a statement of faith.
I think it’s a wonderful statement of faith, “I know You can,” while surely,  a sad commentary of his knowledge of the Lords will.

He knew who and what he was asking.

I bring my car to the garage to get it fixed, not to the florist.  I know that Gary or McCabe’s or Timmy’s  will get my old heap back up and running.

The guy selling flowers, not the right man for the job.  He was asking the right guy.

So, his question was; Will You?  Not can You?

He had, a measure of Faith,  a realization of who he was petitioning,   and a lack of knowledge of the desire of same.

Jesus, having compassion touched him and immediately he was healed.

Unlike Naaman who had to go wash 7 times, when Jesus heals, saves it happens immediately.

In the time of miracles, the sick was healed, the dead raised and they served the Lord, immediately.  None of this nonsense of the Church being a hospital.

Jesus, was a Fix-it Shop-Filling Station guy.  He healed you filled you with His Spirit and sent you on your way.

This is what we need to see today.

Jesus told him, tell no one, go to the Priest, have him declare you are clean.   He didn’t, probably couldn’t.  He went on his way rejoicing .

Good for him, bad for Jesus.  No longer could he minister in peace, multitudes sought Him, for healing.

Something we need to get down into our Spirit, Something we need to know, without exception.

“great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.”  Luke 5:15

“as many as touched him were made whole.”

“If Thou will?”  Should not be a question for us, The will of God is “That all would come to a knowledge of salvation and all who touch Him will be made whole.“

Gods will is not a mystery to those who know Him.  We know the Author by knowing His Word.

Luke: 5. 17. 

“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”

Is the power of the Lord present to heal us today?   

It is…  but we can’t seem to find it.

Why?  

To find the power of the Lord, one must know the Lord.   Many of us have been introduced, but never spent the time to know Him intimately.

Most Denominational folks are low information Christians.  We only know what we hear from the pulpit, and we never really check to see that it’s true.

Our Pastors and teachers are charged with teaching us the truth of the Word.  Are they?

How would we know?  We don’t study to show ourselves approved, so we can not be sure, that we are hearing the truth and nothing but the truth.

The teachings and sermons we hear should be causing us to wonder, marvel and rejoice in the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.

We should be looking for personal revelation from the Word.  Not a personal Interpretation, but an understanding, a realization, of its truth, that nothing can kill, steal or destroy.

We don’t receive that hearing another mans revelation, only by finding, and knowing it ourselves.

Jesus is a personal God, friend, and brother…. we need to spend time with Him, in reading the and praying the Word.

When we press in and touch the hem of His garment, we will find His power is present to heal.

Lord, help us to seek and find Your face, to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness.  To know You, love You, walk with and obey You.

Amen

Since our Pastor left, I have had a heavy heart.  My personal Bible study has been sporadic, unproductive, lifeless.   Why?

I believe with all that is within me, that the Lord sent me to Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church, for two reasons.

The first, to see if I would be obedient, to stay in a dead church, to try and bring life.   The people love the Lord, but …

I thought bringing and teaching them Scripture Songs, would help them to enjoy learning scriptures and bring life to their music.

They only want to sing the same 20 specials and hymns, over and over.  …. failure.

Then I started an Old Testament Bible study.

Reading the Word, verse by verse and connecting Old, New, Hebrews and Christians, ect, ect…  some success.

The Second Reason:  To introduce the Pastor to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  He is a man that Loves God, has a good knowledge of the parts of the Bible he knows.

He believes in the Holy Spirit, but doesn’t believe the Gifts are for today.  He refuses to study and recognize the difference between Tongues and Interpretation, and our Prayer Language . 

He is a good Preacher, (no Billy Graham), and speaks a good message, but it lacks power and authority.  

So he teaches what he knows well, but without power, there is not much growth.

In this I failed and that is why I have a heavy heart.   

A new man is at the church now, another Godly man who Preaches a good word, but we have the same problem.

So my question today is, what now Lord?  

Am I free to leave, will I ever find a door of utterance open, a pulpit to proclaim your love?

Will I see souls saved?  The sick healed, delivered, set free?

Lord, help…. Amen 

Let no man deceive you – http://wp.me/P4qqra-om

A reblog, on my heart.   A precursor to the word working within . 

Please feel free to speak your minds.   I do.

Why, How and When do we think evil?    What does it mean,… To think evil?

Matthew 9:4

“And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?“

Jesus had just told a man, he was healed, the religious were scandalized.  Who is this man?

“Is it easier to say, thy sins are forgiven,  or Arise, take up your bed and walk?”

Jesus, buy this, and other Miracles was declaring His, oneness, with the Father.  

That He IS GOD, IN THE FLESH.

He had and used His authority, it is this that caused amazement.  Stirred up strife and troubles . 

He wouldn’t go along to get along.   We see the same problem today.   Someone who knows what they know and is bold in proclaiming and working that knowledge.

Is disliked and despised, by those  in charge,  and they attempt to destroy him.

“But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

So Saints, when a Christian comes to you, believing the Word, how do you react?

Is your heart an evil heart of unbelief ?   Or do you know how to pray the effectual fervent prayer that avails much?

Most of us want to believe….  Most of us don’t.

Like the children of Isreal . ..  The Lord said:  “Enter into the promise, I have given it to you.“

They refused, spent 40 years wondering, until the generation, that had the evil heart of unbelief died off.  

I, for one, am sick of this desert of provision, (the Lord, still, loved, fed, clothed, caused the shoes on their feet to not wear out).

This is the desert we are in today.   The Lord still loves us, but I am sure shakes His head at our refusal to allow Him free reign in our hearts, minds, souls and Churches . 

We need to plead for Him to give us all Spiritual blessings, and understanding, on earth, as it is in heaven.

“He is Faithful, to give us good and precious gifts.”

He promised this to us.   Don’t allow the evil heart of unbelief, to rule in His place.   Amen

The Railroad runs in the middle of the street in Morehead City, NC.  On my way east one morning I saw these machines.  They reminded me of tools from the 50’s.

Big, impressive, hard working, just like the men that run them.  Unfortunately, I was running late, so decided to take pictures on my way back.

Big mistake, sun in my face, guys done for the day… job done… some of these vehicles were moving right along as I tried to get pictures . 

So, I apologize, that I did not catch the majesty of man’s creation.   We need to open our eyes and recognize Gods Creation.   Much, more impressive . 

Wisdom from Will Rogers: Also sent to me from my brother-in-law

Wednesday, November 16, 2016  

Will Rogers was not a liberal PC person, but his common sense continues to be humorous, unlike PC Liberals.

“Never Squat With Your Spurs On!”  – Will Rogers

(Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash in Alaska with bush pilot, Wiley Post, was one of the greatest political country/cowboy sages this country has ever known.)

Some of his sayings:

1.  Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.

2.  Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

3.  There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.

4.  Never miss a good chance to shut up.

5.  Always drink upstream from the herd. 

6.  If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

7.  The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.

8.  There are three kinds of men:  

          The ones that learn by reading.

          The few who learn by observation.

          The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

9.  Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

10.  If you’re riding’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.

11.  Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n than puttin’ it back in.

12.  After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring.  He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.

The moral:  When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

ABOUT GROWING OLDER …;

First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.  

Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers.  Not me.  I want people to know ‘why’ I look this way.  I’ve traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren’t paved.

Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of algebra; 

Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

Sixth ~ I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.  

Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about ageing is that its such a nice change from being young.

Eight ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Ninth ~  Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable and relaxed.

Tenth ~ Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft.  Today it’s called golf.

And, finally ~ If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you’re old.

My brother-in-law sent this to me. Don’t know if true, but a touching story.

Subject: Military Song-Taps

 Near the bottom, as you scroll down, are the words. The first stanza frequently comes to mind at sundown…

I never knew … DID YOU? 

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn’t know, but I checked it out and it’s true:

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, ‘Taps…’ It’s the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. 

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. l

During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment..

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. 

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as ‘Taps’ used at military funerals was born.

The words are: 

Day is done. 
Gone the sun. 
From the lakes 
From the hills. 
From the sky. 
All is well. 
Safely rest. 
God is nigh. 

Fading light. 
Dims the sight. 
And a star. 
Gems the sky. 
Gleaming bright. 
From afar. 
Drawing nigh. 
Falls the night. 

Thanks and praise. 
For our days. 
Neath the sun 
Neath the stars. 
Neath the sky 
As we go. 
This we know. 
God is nigh 

I too have felt the chills while listening to ‘Taps’ but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn’t even know there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn’t know if you had either so I thought I’d pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country. 

Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces. 

Please send this on for our soldiers … please don’t break it.

I didn’t!

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28)

A lot of us were almost persuaded by the news, that Hillary couldn’t lose, she would become President.

We are constantly under the influence of media, pictures, sound, TV, radio, opinions of pastors, friends, families, commercials, where to eat, what to buy, what to drive, think, believe.

So many trying to persuade us to their way of thinking. (Matthew 27:20 Barnabas)

First instance of persuasion. (1 Kings 22)

“Who will persuade Ahab?”  (A lying spirit)

There are several truths, personal truths of which, you cannot persuade me to leave.

Yamaha makes the toughest piano, it keeps a tune even with temperature changes and different hands playing.

Toyota is the toughest and longest running car I have ever owned. This Honda may come in second.

I am saved, safe and secure in the love, and covered by the blood of the Lamb.

These things I know. Can I persuade others to know and believe also?

We have a job. Our calling, our election, is to persuade people of the truth, the love of the Gospel.

God is not far away, impossible to know, to commune with, He is not just a wrathful, vengeful, unforgiving… scary God

Does that mean God is Love, that we can do as we please and He will accept us?

NO, NO, a thousand times NO. His love, forgiveness, mercy is true and available to whosoever will walk with Him.

This is the only requirement, a change of heart, direction, and intentions.

The trick is to realize, people already know the truth, they have the need, the longing for a Savior. (Acts 26:26)

We have all received a measure of Faith, the Faith to believe. Will we activate it? Allow it to blossom and grow?

The second trick is to understand what we are fully persuaded of?

Salvation, absolutely… we are persuaded.
Healing, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
Raising the dead, that’s a mile too far.

The Lord used to do these things, when the Apostles were alive, when those who knew and were touched personally by Jesus, walked the land.

How do you explain Paul? One born out of time. (1 Corinthians 15:9)

He met and walks with Jesus, as we do. John 14’s promises are ours, we must, reach out, open and believe.

To persuade we must be persuaded.

Romans 8:37-39
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We need to be honest, don’t be afraid to not know why or how GOD heals, saves, comforts and loves.

Our Job is to share, pray, teach, to use our powers of persuasion. It is the Holy Spirits job to reel them in.

We need to be willing to plant, water and harvest.

We need to know what we know… Woman at well, the Legion, didn’t know anything, but what had happened to them.

Be ready and willing to shake the dust off your feet.

I leave you with scripture, it speaks louder and clearer than I.

Luke 16:31
“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Acts 21:14
“And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”

Hebrews 6:9
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”

Galatians 1:10
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

I long to be the Servant of Christ. Amen

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: “A well regulated Piano, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and play music, shall not be infringed.”

Thank God, music and pianos are now safe from Hip Hop and Rapp… 

With a real man in the Oval Office, we may once again hear Jazz, Classical and Classic Rock once again.

The Ship of State is now on a true coarse.

Thank You, Jesus!!!

Another great word from Bill Hitchcock  and Refining Truth.

Www.refiningtruth.com 

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Fear and timidity. We all have experienced it. Some live in a constant state of it. Realize that this condition is not of God. But before we move forward with expanding and expounding upon the verse, let’s first break it down into its barebones components.

“Spirit”. Spirit from the Greek word, “pneuma”. Strong’s Lexicon defines pneuma as, the “vital principal by which the body is animated”. The “simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter”. The “disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul”

“Fear”. Fear, from the Greek word “deilia” meaning timid, fearful.

“But of power”. Power, from the word the Greek word, “dynamis” meaning moral power, strength and excellence of soul.

“And of love”. Love, from the Greek word, “agape”. This is love rooted in God and made manifest towards our fellow man.

“Of a sound mind”. A phrase derived from the Greek word, “sophronismos” meaning self-control, composure, sobriety.

So let’s look at 2 Timothy 1:7 again now that we know what the words used in the King James Version really mean.

God has not endowed or furnished us with the governing essence of fear and timidity. God gave us moral strength and character. He also gave us the greatest power and ability of all, love. We have the capacity to love God with all of our heart, mind, body and soul and to love our fellow man as our self. God also gave us the ability of composure. The ability to self-govern and self-regulate. We can control ourselves so as to maintain our spirit of power, rectitude and love.

So how do we become timid, fearful, lose control over our self and our situation. How do we become stressed out and feel like the world is spinning out of control? How do we lose our love for God and our neighbor?

It is important to keep in mind that we are talking about the spirit. Notice in Paul’s letter to Timothy that he says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear”. We are Holy Ghost (Spirit) filled! The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23) not fear and timidity!

But if we do not walk in the Spirit then we will fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16). The flesh is the residence, the power, control and influence of the most vile of spirits, the devil.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).

If you find yourself fearful, timid with the feeling of being powerless then you might want to check what spirit you are filled with. The devil is a liar and father of all lies. He will fool you into believing the worst.

In Genesis chapter 3 verse 1 we learn that the devil is “more subtil (shrewd, crafty, sly) than any beast of the field”. In John 10:10 we learn that the devil’s job is to, “steal and to kill and to destroy”

But always remember the following two things.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15)

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Realize that we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Open your eyes to God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

It really is a simple matter of realization. Don’t panic and get caught up in the moment. That’s what the devil wants you to do. That’s short term thinking. And remember, when it comes to you, the devil is doing everything in his power to make your existence miserable and short term

Think like God thinks, from everlasting to everlasting. Look through the problem of the day unto the love, comfort and joy of perpetuity. Set that course and sail through the storm, don’t do as the devil wishes and anchor up in it.