The Shepherd and A Lost Sheep...

What a glorious day in the presence of the Lord, and wonderful fellowship with the people of God! I stand in awe of the power of God’s Word, the gift of the Holy Spirit to penetrate His truth through the strong holds of the enemies lies. After having dinner with friends Tom and I pull up on the bike and this man, to whom we have known for several years approaches us and ask for prayer. It is evident in this man’s demeanor he is a victim of child abuse, and tormented within his mind. He begins to share his story with us, to which I am not going into detail, but to say that it was very violent. But I must share this with you, this man has come in and out of the Jesus House for years. He is not homeless, he lives within our neighborhood. Over the last 5 weeks, I have seen the Holy Spirit drawing him into the Jesus House. He would walk by and just stare at the building, then he would come in, but not stay long. And today, he came to our worship service. The message was a teaching of the 23rd Psalm. Keep this in mind as I tell the rest of this story. I am off the bike, Tom is still on the bike, and our friend is standing between us. We hold hands and begin to pray for him. After prayer he beings to confess to us the dark places of his soul and went into detail of his abuse. He tells us that all he wants is peace, because his mind is filled with voices from within and without, tormenting him to the place where he said he was sitting at home, ready to end his life. He remember the message from the service; the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want and something came over him and he left his house to go for a walk, and just at the right time, God’s time, Tom and I pull up on the bike…he knew when he saw us he had to talk with us, he desperately need us to pray for him. I shared with him that Jesus is near the broken hearted to heal them, and He desires for him to receive His peace and to know the peace of God that passes all our understanding. The peace that only Jesus can breathe upon us, and I asked him, “do you believe this, and do you believe Jesus will do this for you?” He says, “No, I don’t believe.” He continues to talk about his abuse. As I listen my heart is moved with compassion and the Spirit of the Lord rises up in me and I ask him if I could pray for him again, this time to lay my hands upon him…I felt compelled to lay my hands upon his ears. I begin to pray over his mind. The power of the Lord’s presence came upon him and he beings to weep…after praying with him, he says, “do you know what happened to me when I was eight years old,/ He repeats, “Do you know what happened to me when I was eight years old? I was singing a song, and my mother told me I had blasphemy the Holy Spirit and I was eternally dammed to hell.” He bent over holding his stomach, his soul filled with anguish and his voice cracked with so much pain. Can you imagine carrying this lie in your soul for so many hears? Can you imagine the torment from the enemy within your mind? This man has lived his life thinking he was eternally dammed and there was nothing he could do to change it… Tom and I walked him through the truth of God’s Word, and he received the understanding that he had not done what his mother had put upon him for so many years…He has carried the guilt and fear of this since he was eight years old. Now in his mid to late forty’s and for the first time he confessed it before God, and he confessed it to us and His ears heard, his eyes could see, and his heart began to understand that he could let this guilt and shame go. If you bring the lies, the fears, and the inner torment out into the light, the devil cannot play with you in dark…Glory! The 23rd Psalm message that I shared today, this man spoke it to me in the parking lot behind the Jesus House. He said, I am that lost sheep carrying the weight of wool that has not been sheered. I am the “cast sheep” I am the torment sheep banging my head trying to stop the pain. He tells us, “My counselors have stamped me as Crazy…but I heard your message, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He RESTORES my soul!!!” I told him that Jesus did not stamp him crazy, that Jesus has covered him with his own blood. He is made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus is the only one who can lift the burden off of us. My friend, says...ok. I am going to go for a walk and think about this, and talk with Jesus! Please join me in prayer tonight for my friend…the Lord knows His name. Today message, Psalm 23 verse’s 1 through 3. I can’t wait for next week’s message as the Holy Spirit reveals verse’s 4, 5, and 6...GLORY!!!

R.I.P.

The Word of the Lord said, "forget the things that are behind you", I said, "Yes Lord, I will!” (Philippians 4:13) The Word of the Lord said, "In Christ I am a new creature; old things have passed away, all things have become new", I said, "Yes Lord, I am!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) I turned the page of my sinful life closing the chapter ~ Never to dwell in it again, only to lay aside every weight and sin, as I look unto Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of my faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2) I don't believe one should make peace with their past, for it would be like making a peace-treaty with the enemy. The only peace that needs to be made is the peace between us and our Creator. To which God has done through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ…Colossians 1:20-21 “And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be thing in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet NOW hath He reconciled.” Therefore, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) The Lord desires for us to Hear His Word and to Hearken to His voice, He shall be our God and we shall be His people. He instructs us to NOT walk in the counsels and in the imagination of our own evil heart, for if we do, we will fall backwards, and not move forward…(Jeremiah 7:23-24) God tells Moses to say to His people as they are facing the Red Sea, “Fear Not, Stand Still, and See the Salvation of the Lord, which He will show you this day; for the Egyptians, ‘your past’…you shall see them NO MORE, forever!” Therefore, Speak to my people and tell them to “MOVE FORWARD!” (Exodus 14:13-15) If we are mindful of what we come out of “our past” then we will have an opportunity to return, but NOW, we should desire a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared for us a city!!! (Hebrews 11:15-16) Now the Just shall LIVE by FAITH; but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we ARE NOT of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:38-39) May the same Spirit that moved open the face of the water, and God said let there be, and there was, and it was GOOD, move within you by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit; which He shed on us ABUNDANTLY through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 3:5-6) May the same Spirit that raised Christ from the depths of hell, raise you up leaving your past to "R.I.P." “For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” Therefore, “the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you.” (Colossians 3:3, Romans 8:11) Turn the Page of your past and SEE, that your story is written within the pages of His story…”for whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the VICTORY that overcomes the world, even our FAITH. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God!” (1 John5:4-5) If you believe Jesus is the Son of God let your past, R.I.P…GLORY

Jesus Heals the Broken Hearted...

I use to think I was all alone in this big confusing world I did not understand. My life filled with dark secrets, living lies under the control of sin. I was born with a broken heart. I thought I was the only one who felt like a misfit, some kind of outcast, a social freak, for the world around me seem to have it all together, after all I was born into poverty, at the age of 5 sexually molested by a female cousin, as a teenager addiction was my only friend, searching for a substance I could not find, demons haunting my darkened mind...Then I came to know Christ Jesus and His Spirit of truth entered me, I was born again. The revelation of this truth set me free. I was not alone, I was not the only one who felt the way I did, I saw that everyone in the world was just like me, lost in sin, our minds blinded by the devil through unbelief as we all sit in darkness and the shadow of death. When I understood the revelation of this truth; I could forgive all the wrong that was done to me, seek forgiveness of all the wrong I did to others, and forget the things that were behind me. I could lift up my eyes to Jesus. He and He only is the Author and Finisher of my faith. Not this world, not my parents, nor poverty, additction, or others around me. Jesus revealed Himself to me, and I found my story written within the pages of His story, and when I believed on Him, suddenly everything made sense. I found answers to the question that linger deep in the depths of my soul. Questions about life, suffering and death. I understood that I was created by Him, and for Him, and for His pleasure. His Spirit empowered my life, His Word transformed my thinking, and the meaning of life became more than just me existing, The meaning of life was and is about me being ALIVE! In this life many will live then die, and never be alive! Jesus said, “you must be Born Again” - We must awake and Christ will give us light! 1 Corinthians 15:22 ...For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. John 1:12-13...But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Truth: You and I are born of blood, born of the flesh, and born of the will of man, (Born of the natural). Question: Are you born of the will of God? (Born of the Spirit) 1 Timothy 2:4…Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. God’s will is for you and I to be Saved (Born Again) and come to the knowledge of His truth…You and I are created by Him, and for Him, and for His pleasure…There is a mystery hidden from the beginning of the world, this mystery of God and mankind. A mystery that is now revealed, “Christ in us the Hope of Glory” Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. “If you stop looking with your eyes, you will feel Him in your heart” - Julie Miller Close your eyes, open your heart and see the One who Sees you. Let Jesus come and give life to you, let Him empower you with His eternal Spirit, and fill your life with His truth that will set you FREE!!! Everyone of us are born with a broken heart...and if Jesus is near those of a broken heart, and He came to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free, that is you and I my friend. Jesus is near us and we are not alone! Jesus stands at your door knocking it's time to let Him in and let Him heal your broken heart... Jesus came to seek and save the lost, that's you and I. Jesus came to heal the broken hearted, that's you and I. Jesus came to set the captives free, that's you and I. Jesus came to give life, for you and I. Hear the good news of the gospel today. Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.. Little ones to Him belong they are weak but He is strong... Yes, Jesus Loves me! Yes, Jesus Loves me! Yes, Jesus Loves me! The Bible tells me so!!!

The God Who Sees Me....

Question: To whom then will YOU liken God or what likeness will YOU compare to Him? To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal? Says the Holy One. Lift up YOUR eyes on high, [ lift up our eyes up over the hills, over this world, over our troubles, our sorrows, our addictions, our sickness, our whatever‘s] and SEE who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them ALL by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; NOT ONE IS MISSING…. You might feel like you are missing from the ways of the world, like everyone else seems to have it together and you feel like an outcast…you may feel like your family or friends, and those around you have forgotten you, but you are NEVER missing from the eyes of the LORD… Psalm 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry Psalm 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his goings Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good Psalm 139:12 Yea, the darkness hides not from thee; but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. Psalm 121:4 Behold, He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleeps. The Everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth, He never faints nor is weary. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength…King Jesus who sits above the circle of the earth never sleeps nor slumbers, and He sees you right where you are, and He loves you more than you could ever understand. Trust in Him, wait upon Him and He will renew your strength and you will run and not be weary, you will walk and not faint, For He is El Roi, The God who sees us, and He is Immanuel God with us!!! In the Words of Hagar the Egyptian slave, “I Have Now Seen The One Who Sees Me.” Psalm 33:13-15, 18-19 NRSV The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all humankind. From where He sits enthroned He watches all the inhabitants of the earth...He who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds...Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Thank you Lord Jesus, for You hear me, You see me, and You deliver me, GLORY!!!

God Loves You

When I was a sinner I did not need anyone to tell me I was sinning...everything within me screamed I was living wrong. What I desperately needed and did not know is that God loved me. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for the ungodly, He died for me. If there was such a thing as "Sinner of the Month Award" I would of had my picture and name on a plaque...lol The summer of 1986 I was 21 years old working at “Mister Donuts” on East Empire. I worked third shift and for most of the night I worked alone, so I would light a candle in the back room, sit at a table with a little new testament Bible reading the book of Revelation, while smoking a joint. Looking for answers to all the questions that lingered within my mind. Early one morning just at the break of dawn a women comes in the shop and orders a chocolate donut and a coffee to go. As I rang in her order and handed her the change, she looked deep within my eyes and said, “God Loves You”…those three words would haunt me for the next few months as I continued to seek for truth. I knew the evil that was present within me, I knew what I was capable of doing and what I had already done. Yet, there was a God who loved me? I did not understand the word “Love” Could it be the way this woman said those words or the way I heard it? Either way, these three words; God. Loves. You; Pierced my heart and stirred my soul. I began to search with all my heart this unknown God who loved me. And When I searched for Him, He sought me and He found me. Why I sat in darkness, and the fear of death gripped my soul, Jesus gave light to me. Can three simple words "God Loves You” change the course of ones life? Absolutely! Live to be a witness of Christ through the power of His love that is poured into our hearts by His Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:5)…If you have never heard, or have not yet believed, I tell you the truth; God Loves You!!!

God is Light and in Him There is no Darkness at All...

I have seen this post on facebook by many people, and although it sounds spiritual, and appeals to our emotions, it is not biblical truth. The phrase, ""I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light."...If you feel like you are walking in darkness, I pray you will be encouraged by these scriptures written within the pages of God's Word. Always remember Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you, He is with you unto the ends of the earth, and not only is He with you, He is for you! Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. Luke 1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine our of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; John 12:35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Ephesians 5: 8-14 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. The Resurrection of Christ calls you and I out of darkness...may the light of the Lord Jesus Christ shine in your hearts, they you may know that He walks with you in the light. For God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all...Let your light shine!!! When we walk in the light as He is in the Light we have fellowship with one another and we are never alone...

Isaiah 34:16 Seek Out The Book of Lord and Read!

Over the course of years a few people with good intentions have given me books to read concerning poverty. How to help those stricken in poverty. What works, what doesn't work etc….and as I sit at my desk today, thinking about these books that I have yet to read, The thought came to me….wait, I am poverty. I was born into poverty, I was raised in poverty, and it was only through the Word of God have I overcome poverty. You see, it’s not poverty of economic status or material possession, but poverty of one’s soul. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God who created us looks at our heart (Jeremiah 17:9 the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked) ....Jesus tells us in Matthew 26:11, the poor you have with you always. No matter what agencies or programs we have in place, we will always have the poor among us, and we are commanded by the Word of God to take care of them; Jesus said, I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty, you gave me a drink, naked, you clothed me, sick, you came to me, in prison and you visited me.....but the poverty of ones soul must be "Born Again", and then one will be transformed from darkness to light, from the power of satan unto God. We as Christians consume ourselves with trying to clean up the outside of the cup, and yet inwardly, lies the poverty of our souls, (original sin) rooted in extortion, self indulgence, greed, wickedness, and lust. We must preach the everlasting Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the Wisdom of God, and the Power of God. From Genesis to Revelation, it's the Word of God that is able to make one wise unto salvation, His Word changes the poverty of ones soul, and the evidence is seen through a life of obedience that is transformed by the renewing of ones mind through the knowledge of God‘s WRITTEN Word…and that my friends, is found written within the pages of 66 books, called “The Bible” If only we would seek God through His Word. Know Him through His Word, Trust in His Word, and obey His Word, open our mouths that He will fill us with His Words, that our speech and preaching are not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power…1 Corinthians 2:4 Forever O Lord Thy Word is Settled in Heaven. Thy Word is absolute Authority, and Thy Word is Absolute Truth, May Your Word be hidden in our hearts, that we Your people created in Your image, created for Your glory, might not sin against You.