Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Angels over your City

Today our prayer group met at the Oroville Dam to pray over our city. Pastor has asked me to have a short word before we walk and pray.

I realize that people get discouraged when they do not see something happening. Pastor reminded us that there are things happening in our city that he knows about and he believes it is our prayers working. We don’t see it but Pastor does.

My thoughts for today were about spiritual weapons especially over our THOUGHTS.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

How do we use spiritual weapons to pray over our city, (Or our problems)?

1. The Word of God memorized and spoken. Another way is to select a scripture with promise and utilize it as a prayer.

2. Praying in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. If you do not have the gift of tongues - - it is appropriate to use tones to moan or laugh.

3. Resist the devil and his thoughts by replacing with positive God’s thoughts. Understand all those thoughts of not being good enough - - are NOT from God.

4. Music brings a mood of prayer if you are home, other wise – Praise and sing your prayer.

5. Seek God’s face and put your (fleshly self) all on the alter. Be sold out for Jesus.

After about an hour we meet and reveal what God has been speaking to us.

I shared; the Lord gave me the words, UNITE and IGNITE. We need the fire of the Holy Spirit over our city – and a fire starts with a small spark – then it ignites and soon bounces to a new location until there is a raging fire consuming the dry and dead wood and brush. Pastor added Unite- Ignite – and Consume.

Each person shared what God is doing in their lives, and we then dismissed in prayer.

Before we left, I shared an amazing thing that happened to me Monday night. I woke around 2:00 am to get up and go to the bathroom. I heard music and it sounded like a guitar or stringed instrument playing a fast chorus. There was singing and it sounded like a praise to God.

This shocked me and at first I thought my clock radio must be on. I bent down close and it was Not the radio. Then I thought it must be in the office where my husband’s computer is always on. No that wasn’t it either. I went into the bathroom and the music continued until I return to my bed and then it stopped. I know it was NOT my imagination – and the most logical explanation was Angels playing and singing.

All I could say was “Thank you Jesus, that was nice.”

Maria Woodwarth Etter review

Maria Woodworth Etter

Mother Etter- The Greatest Christian Life

Rick Joyner gives a short review of this amazing woman minister.

Maria Woodworth-Etter
(1844–1924)

The short list of extraordinary Christians should include Maria Woodworth-Etter. Her radical obedience to Christ challenged some of the most powerful religious prejudices and traditions of her day. She did this not by preaching against them, but by demonstrating their folly through her powerful Christian life. While leading countless multitudes to Christ, she redefined evangelism for the modern age. This positioned the advancing church for the biggest ingathering of new believers of all time.

   Born and raised in New Lisbon, Ohio to a non-Christian family, Maria was ten years old when her parents experienced a change and joined a Disciples of Christ church. It was there that Maria first learned about Christ and the Christian faith.

Tragedy struck the family three years later when her father died from severe sunstroke. Left alone with eight children, Maria’s mother worked to support the struggling family with the help of the older children. Around this time, Maria was born again at the age of thirteen.

Immediately, Maria heard God’s call to “go to the highways and hedges to call the lost sheep.” She responded by dedicating her life to serving the Lord, but the Disciples movement she had met the Lord through did not allow women in ministry. This was disconcerting and eventually caused her to consider marriage so that she and her husband could serve the Lord as missionaries. In 1863, at age nineteen, she married Philo Harris Woodworth.


Maria and Woodworth’s marriage was also tragic. They tried to farm but failed, and five of their six children died at young ages, a hard trial for any parent to endure. This left only their oldest, Elizabeth.

Then Maria was asked to speak at a Friends meeting. When she got up to speak, she had a vision of how close the people were to the edge of hell yet they did not know it. This profoundly moved her. Later as she pondered this vision, she contemplated studying to prepare for the ministry. God then gave Maria a vision in which He told her that souls were perishing and she did not have time for the preparation she wanted to pursue.

After this, Maria felt burdened for the lost day and night. She decided to hold meetings in her local area, and the Lord moved in such a great way that many repented and turned to Him. Two churches were born out of these meetings, and Maria and her husband began a traveling ministry. Her reputation spread as the Lord moved powerfully wherever she ministered.

During this time, Maria felt the Lord calling her to pray for the sick, but she was reticent because she thought it might distract from her evangelistic message. The Lord appeared to her again in a vision and assured her that when she prayed for the sick, even more would be saved. She obeyed and the results were spectacular. Soon as many as twenty-five thousand gathered for her meetings.

Controversy tends to follow such remarkable success either because of religious jealousy or “old wineskins” that are incapable of accepting something new or different. In Maria’s case, it was not just the religious community that attacked her, but the secular community as well. In Massachusetts, Maria was arrested for claiming to heal people, but so many witnesses came forward that they had to release her. Then local psychiatrists filed charges that she was delusional because she claimed to see visions. Just as Jesus Himself was continually challenged, criticized, and attacked by adversaries, those who follow Him endure the same. With Maria these attacks were especially vicious, but she persevered relentlessly.

In 1890, a man prophesied the coming of an earthquake and tidal wave to San Francisco in April. As is typical with prophecy, those who heard assumed it referred to April of that year, but the month passed without an earthquake. The man was arrested, which further maligned Maria’s ministry. Sixteen years later the earthquake came in April 1906, and many felt the vision was vindicated. Even so, it was obviously mishandled, and Maria’s critics used it against her.

The pressure of the ministry also hurt Maria’s marriage. In 1891, she and Woodworth divorced due to his infidelity. Woodworth threatened to write a book critical of her ministry if Maria did not pay him alimony, but he died within the year. In 1902, Maria met and married Samuel Etter.

Maria’s denomination struggled with what happened in her meetings, especially the way some “swooned” during them. This was later called “being slain in the Spirit.” This phenomenon happened in revivals and awakenings for centuries, but no one adequately understood it at that time. However, those who experienced it claimed to have had remarkable experiences with the Lord and were profoundly changed.

   Even so, the denominational authorities pressured Maria to stop the people from swooning in her meetings. She did not start or even necessarily want them in her meetings, but neither did she know how to stop them.

   Then denominational authorities demanded that she discontinue the gatherings. She refused and lost her credentials.

This proved fortuitous, as a new movement had begun at a former stable on Azusa Street in Los Angeles. This was the perfect spiritual home for Maria. In 1912, F.F. Bosworth hosted her for a five month long meeting in Dallas, Texas. Word of the extraordinary works of God in those meetings spread abroad. This touched and inspired some future great evangelists in the Pentecostal movement, such as Aimee Semple McPherson and John G. Lake, who called her “Mother Etter.”

In August of 1914, Samuel Etter passed away after a long illness just as World War I began. The strain on Maria from not seeing her husband healed and taking care of him while keeping a ministry schedule that had her speaking three times a day wore her down. She became sick herself. At sixty-seven she was ready to go home to her Lord. Then she had another vision in which the Lord showed Himself as the conqueror of sickness and death, and that her time was not up. Soon she was well and back on the road, preaching the gospel and healing the sick with renewed vision. In 1918, she started a church in Indianapolis that she used as a conference center and a base from which to travel.

In 1924, Maria Woodworth-Etter ended her course. She has been rightly honored not only as a great woman evangelist, but one of the greatest evangelists of all time.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Keep Focused on Jesus

While Pastor Allan was ministering I took notes and present a digested sermon.

Pastor reminisced that when we are children, we say, "When I get bigger I want to be a - - Doctor, teacher, maybe President. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Timothy was preparing the church to mature and grow up, so that the mantel of ministry could be passed on to others.

Be focused like a soldier and keep your eyes on Jesus. We all have problems, but God will get you through as you focus on Him.

Peter walked on the water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, but he lost his focus when the waves became too high.

When I was a child I did childish things, but it is time to grow up and stand up straight. It is time to put aside those habits and things that hold you down.

A soldier must be willing to give up his life for others. Jesus was willing to give His life for you.

Stop for a moment and focus because you represent something greater. Not Open Door Church, but you represent the Body of Christ. Our goal is to see souls saved and delivered from bondage. Don’t change your focus.

Soccer games for five year olds are still in the learning process. Some of these kids have never seen a Soccer ball before. They must learn the rules and begin to practice in order to gain skills. They must listen to the coach as he calls the shots. They must know the game and the goal. If they stop when they should go, there will be a penalty.

We can apply that to our lives and to Coach Jesus, as we embrace the rules.

Learn to play by the rules and be willing to change if you are following the system of the world. If you love Jesus, then keep His commandments, and don’t be afraid of hard work.

See how Jesus wants you to be. Follow Him and His word like an athlete.

Some one has said the best leaders are followers.

In the past some rather famous preachers lost there way and were caught up in greed and lust as they fell. Even though they were restored, their ministry was never the same and their light went dim. Keep your light burning bright.

My Grandfather had a large garden and grew everything we needed. Much was canned for the winter months when the garden did not grow. The soil had to be tilled and compost added before the seeds could be planted. It was necessary to pull weeds and get them out by their roots, so that weeds did not overrun the garden. We were self sustained as we fed ourselves from the garden.

You wonder why your faith is weak and at time you are not making it. Are you only eating on Sunday? I don’t live with you, so I can’t follow you around and ask if you have read your Bible and prayed today.

This may take you out of your comfort zone as you learn to be sustainable and feed yourself during the week. You say you don’t have time to read the Bible and pray, yet you stay up all night watching the Television.

Stay focused on the things of God and do not allow bitterness or offence to come your way. Go ahead and laugh and have good clean fun, just avoid that which smacks of evil.

Begin this week to spend at least twenty minutes in His Word and prayer as you learn to discipline yourself and focus on Jesus.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Women’s Conference - Second Evening with Helen Trowbridge.

Come Unto Me

The King is looking for a Bride (second evening) - -

I took notes and present a digest message.

Revelation 19:7-8 (NKJV) Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Two shall become One: - - United with Christ !

The King is looking for a body in which He can dwell and they In Him.

1 John 4:15-17 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Jesus was ministering in a crowded room, the windows were filled with on lookers, and four men tried to get in with their palsied friend, but there was no room to squeeze in.

They carried their friend to the roof and removed enough tiles to lower their friend at Jesus feet. Jesus was astonished at their faith, but his words surprised everyone. “Your sins are forgiven.” As you might suppose there was a big stir among the religious leaders that had come to criticize.

They reasoned, “Who can forgive sins but only God.” Jesus knew their thoughts and refused to be limited as he spoke healing words to the crippled man.

God is not indisposed, He is powerful. We are limited by time and space, but not God. He is faithful according to the power that works in you. Stir up the power that you don’t even know you have. All kind of supernatural power is available from God.

In the physical way there is power in sports, games, activities.

In the soulical way, there is power to perform for actors, actresses and the arts.

In the intelligence way there are inventors, leaders and solvers of complex problems.

In the spiritual Realm there is power to believe – for nothing shall be impossible for you.

Begin to break down fences, walls and even “flat lines.”

The speaker told about a woman who bore twins, one born dead. She asked for them to bring the other baby to her. The nurse, said, we can’t do that because that baby is dead. The mother insisted until they brought the lifeless babe to her. She began to pray as she massaged the little body. Her hand slid softly from head to toe as she spoke “Life” to her child. Within a few minutes the life returned into the babe and he was made whole.

God gives us power to raise the dead, because Jesus is working through us and there are recorded incidents in the Bible where Jesus did so.

The friends made a hole in the roof to let the palsied man down to Jesus. We need to make a hole in the heavenlies, and allow Jesus to come down and work through us.
The people in the room were stuck in the Religious mode, and Jesus dealt with them.

When you make a purchase from TJ Max there is a tag glued on the item. It is hard to peel off and when you do there is still glue on the item. It takes some glubbily glob to remove it.
J
esus Blood will remove every stain in our lives.

Miracles, signs and wonders are not working full time. Jesus is looking for a body, willing to obey and speak when told. A person willing to let Jesus fill their body with His Spirit.

What lies from the enemy have you believed that caused you to not be alive and walk in Divine LIFE. – Body, Sour and Spirit?

The enemy tries to control our thinking, telling us we are not stable, there was something we did in the past that makes us unworthy and we can’t be used by God.

There have been some people who have tried to prevent you from walking with God as He intends.

You may still be in church and don’t fully understand the power available through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Sinners are tossed and don’t know which way is up, as they are longing for a kind word and some hope from your testimony. People need encouragement.

There may be backslidden wounded and dying people waiting for you to open the roof.

We all have made mistakes and we don’t do those things any more, so heed the Word of the Lord, “Open your mouth and I will fill it...”

Have you seen yourself as God wants you to be? You have been called into the Kingdom for such a time as this. Walk in your purpose and in your destiny. People are waiting on you.

Are you ready for signs and wonders? Stir up your gift because God is going to use you.

Are you willing to say, “God what do you want me to do now?”

Friday, November 13, 2015

The King is looking for a Bride

Our church ladies were invited to join with another church that was sponsoring a Woman’s Conference, the theme: The King is looking for a Bride.

Special Guest Speaker was Helen Stubblefield Trowbridge. I took notes and present a digested message of the first session.

Ephesians 5:25-27 - - Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The speaker began by reminding us that we live in a busy world and at times we might forget about the King who is looking for a Bride. We need to be that bride in waiting.

She reminded us of Esther and the Party the King Ahasuerus was sponsoring for his important guests. The party was to last 180 days and the special utensils and goblets were brought out to use. The King wanted to show off his precious possessions including his beautiful wife Vashti the queen.

We as Christians enjoy 24 hour TV and we eat and eat and eat but nothing is changing us. The earth is winding down calling for the time of its deliverance. All that happens in your life is to get your attention to focus on Jesus. Things happen and we think it is the devil, but some circumstances are allowed to cause us to trust and to develop our faith.

Other times blessings will come to test our humility - - And there is too much sugar.

In the natural sugar diabetes will cause hands not to reach and feet to crawl instead of walking, eyes not to see our wretched body and our financially starved soul. We are pressed DOWN, but we need to press INTO Him.

The King was merry and he was filled with the wine of satisfaction and happy times, but then came a situation. He sent seven men to retrieve the queen, but she refused to come. The advisers told the King, this is an insult and she must be replaced because she did not respond to your call.

The King wants the Bride to respond to Him. Search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me.

We may not be bound by alcohol, or drugs, but our mouth is full of doubt, fear and murmurings. Will we respond? Will we be His Bride? How much does it take to get us to respond?

The King was calling and looking forward to fulfill his purpose.

God is not interested in Self Purpose.

Those who decide to have an affair, bathe, get dressed up so pretty, no bad breath and are on their best behavior. Many today are shacking up with God but He wants a relationship that will arrive at a marriage. The King is looking for a Bride.

The name Esther means, “I will be His.”

God is not looking for someone perfect, and He puts us through a beautification process.

The king called for all the beautiful women to be presented and Esther shows up as an innocent girl. To the perfume oil - precious herbs were added and all the good stuff was at the bottom. It needs to be shaken up before it can be poured out.

Esther had favor every where she went. Divine Favor is available for us.

Esther was anointed with sweet ointments and she was the red hot date.

She was sweet, not uptight, and full of the joy of the Lord. Esther was not concerned about the other women, and she was not stuffy or picky.

When everything is good, we can be so nice. We must keep the temperature always the same. Be ready to smile and to serve willingly.

Holiness is about character, not about what you wear or own. Not whether you use make up or wear earrings.

We watch TV shows where people are fornicating, drinking and doping, and we don’t blink. We are so far away from holiness. Jesus would not watch those shows.

The King is coming to choose His bride. He is calling for a Holy Bride; one who is blind to her surroundings, the color and station of people, with a God heart that hurts for the lost.

God is positioning His bride with an anointing so heavy that the devils arrows will slide right off. Stress, disappointment, depression, discouragement will not keep its hold.

Many are sick physically because of unforgiveness. It is not hurting the other person, but it is hurting you. Let it go. If you don’t forgive, it will prevent you from having contentment and joy.

Get yourself ready. Not the outward appearance, but the inward beauty. Esther was faithful and obedient and she became the Bride.

Be ready for the King is coming for His Bride. Are you ready?

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Let God Fight Your Battle HIS WAY

The past months, I have attended a weekly Wednesday morning prayer group as we pray over our city. Prior to attending the second meeting, I e-mailed the Pastor and asked him if he had a Focus for the next meeting. I told him I had a thought. He said, “Go for it.” Then he turned the Focus portion over to me and each week I print out a short take home paper, or suggested prayers I have gleaned from great sources.

Our group is small in numbers, but that does not matter because one shall chase 1000 and two shall chase 10,000/

As I prepared for today, I was reminded of Gideon who was afraid to do something he had never done before. He decided to let God be God - His way.

The Children of Israel knew God was real, but they relaxed into the culture of the day and began to worship other gods. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he though the angel was a prophet because the angel looked like a man. He was told to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Midianites, but Gideon was afraid and said, "I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

God often takes us out of our comfort zone and asks us to do something that perhaps we do NOT want to do, but He says, I will be with you.

After the angel asked Gideon to slay a bullock and put it on a rock the angel touched it with his staff and fire burnt up the offering. Now though Gideon trembled, he agreed he would call the people together to fight.

32,000 soldiers seemed like a good army to go against the Midianites, but God said NO they are too many. Send all who are afraid - - home. With the 10,000 left Gideon was puzzled, but God said they are still too many so here is a test. Now there were only 300 men left. A small group - -

Whoa God are you sure this is right?

The amazing thing is the 300 soldiers may not have had a sword, for in one hand was a torch and in the other a trumpet. The Midianites ended up killing each other and running.

God does NOT always ask you to do the simple thing, but God will go with YOU as He went with Gideon.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

WISE VS STUPID

Wise or Foolish

Pastor Allan was speaking as I took notes and present a digested sermon - -

He was commenting on the Book of Proverbs having 31 chapters, and if you read one each day, you would complete the book in a month. Proverbs is about wisdom and building character.

In today’s world, there are a lot of smart people, and think about it, there are also a lot of stupid people out there.

If you listen long enough to the foolish propaganda of today Christians are becoming a laughing stock.

It is our responsibility to be alert of where it is starting, and that is in our public schools from Kindergarten to our Universities.

The lies are being broadcast that there is no Right or Wrong. All this is inconsistent with God’s Word where we are told to use wisdom and the good sense God has given us.

The disciples of Jesus were mortal men with short comings, but they followed Jesus and learned from Him. They became wise because of who they served.

Christians of that day became the entertainment as they were brought into coliseums to be killed in sport.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The sad fact is people who love God, are not reading God’s Word.

Ephesians 5:16 See that you walk correctly and not as fools but as wise.

The days we live in are evil and at times we compromise. We need more than ever to be filled with the Holy Spirit speaking and singing the Psalms.

How do you spend your time? Much time is spent in sleeping, eating, work, driving, reading, Television, and the Inter-Net. Although we must use our time wisely, we often waste time in foolish pursuits. Pastor says he is also speaking to himself.

What do you do when you can’t sleep and you are awake in the wee hours of the night? You have a choice; Turn on the tube, surf the internet, Read the Bible, Pray and seek God.

Our society is not wise now. Take Face Book for example it is a good place to post family pictures but often it is full of silly nonsense or worse.

World War II faced some hard decisions. It had to be the right time and the people had to be ready for it. Patriotism was high and in God did we trust.

Today, Christians are considered hateful, and businesses are afraid to acknowledge God, and they cower down to the village idiots.

Our society is slipping into ease as we allow the removal of the 10 commandments, and removal of Christ from Christmas.

We are Royalty with Royal Blood, and are not the court Jester.

We must teach our kids to be wise and what to avoid. We can teach them to change a tire, to cook a meal from scratch, and to read and study God’s Word daily.

Our city is so close to revival, but it will not happen unless we are wise. Keep your self in check and do not accept a watered down Gospel.

The world should not affect you, and we should be affecting the world.

Do things the smart way; God will show you how as he corrects, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and then act.

Just because we know, it does not mean we are wise. May God stir us up and challenge us to apply the Word and to live it.

All this begins with a personal relationship with Jesus, not a surface one but one that goes deep and becomes as fine gold.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Finding Salvation by Searching God’s Word

Searching for Salvation

Our Bible Study at Open Door church began with a reading from I Peter chapter one.

I took notes as our teacher brought the message and present here a digested lesson.

1 Peter 1:10-12 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

¹²To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Angels are curious and desire to know and understand about Salvation, but they will never experience redemption, for they were created in a Holy existence like onto the garden of Eden. They worship Jesus continually and work in tandem with the Holy Spirit to protect, and often provide for believers in unseen ways.

^{1 Peter 1: 13}Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ¹⁵but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct- -

The Shepherd boy David was an example. He couldn’t see God, but he trusted in Him. Through God’s power he killed the giant and King Saul became jealous. Jealousy is a sin.

Have you ever lost your keys? You diligently searched your purse, your desk, and your pockets until you found them.

The Old Testament Prophets inquired and searched for Salvation. They knew the Messiah was promised.

Isaiah chapter 53 prophesies of Christ’s suffering and the glory to follow. Isaiah did not know about crucifixion, and wondered about a Virgin birth, a STAR over Bethlehem and Angels singing.

Wise Men searched and followed the Star until they found the child who was to bring our Salvation.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Can we be Holy? Peter tells us to gird up the loins of our MIND and to be SOBER. It is important to keep our mind focused on what is pure, good and ‘lovely’ and push away all negative thinking.

Determine soberly to receive Jesus and His Salvation as He is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit and by God’s Word.

Understand this is a Personal Relationship with Jesus and is not to be taken lightly with a silly attitude.

To our mind first comes temptation – so be watchful and prepared as you begin to recognize the Liar.

The mind becomes dull when it is intoxicated, so it is best to heed the scripture to Keep Sober and be of a sound mind.

Can we be HOLY? Yes, by keeping covered by the Blood of Jesus. The Holy spirit will bring perfect peace to those whose mind is stayed on God.

Shun Former Lusts and be Holy as He is Holy. You are precious in His sight, and you don’t have to stay that OLD person any more. You are different and no longer the same.

You are forgiven, so now walk in that forgiveness and walk in His ways.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Called To BE a Servant?

Called To BE a Servant

As Pastor Allan brought the morning message I took notes and present a digested sermon.

Pastor was speaking about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. They were almost humiliated and Peter refused at first until Jesus requested him to submit. (or else)

The washing of feet was an illustration of how Jesus prepared his disciples to go all the way with Him and to humble themselves.

Matthew 20:28 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

How can we wash one another’s feet? Be open to listen to the junk of the week and hurts of the past from a friend. Often by just listening and only saying a few words - - OR no words. Have an open ear and let them cry on your shoulder.

Jesus said when you visit the prisoners, visit the sick, care for the widows and the poor, it is the same as showing kindness to Jesus himself.

Build relationships in the church by getting to know someone. Be prepared to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and build relationships with those you want to be like.

Become like Jesus. If your calling is to be an Apostle, Prophet, teacher, helper, then you need to be around those kind of people. If that is not possible, then read books about ministers filled with Supernatural power from God. Let some of that rub off on you.

Discussions in the Bible Study Class is a good way to get acquainted. Our primary goal is to ground the students in the word.

Build relationships with your neighbors. Smile and greet them when you pass by.

Be prepared to wash their feet (not literally – but in service to Jesus)

Be prepared to get dirty at times. (Service Work is often hard.)

Encourage and build up others for a good word is like sweet honey.

Build relationships with your city, the hospital, the shut ins, the care homes.

Build relationships with your local rescue mission or Hope Center.

Many seekers are precious jewels that just need shining up.

Be faithful to your church with your presence and finances.

Love God with all your heart and love others the same way.

Don’t sell your birthright short - - Yes we are coming to church to feel good, but it is important to walk right during the week.

In the dark hours of crisis, let God hold you in His arms, and then you may need to hold someone else.

Activate in your lives what we are learning in our studies. We must experience reality of Salvation, Healing and Deliverance.

When Stephen was being killed by the religions leaders of his day, he died preaching.

Persecution and Christians being killed is no longer in other lands, but it is happening here in our United States.

Lord grant us boldness to speak your word, as we serve you and serve others.

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 knock.

Opening the door just a crack was enough for him to push against the door and gain entrance even without a formal invitation.

When I asked his name, he only mumbled something and then quietly moved to a corner to sit and hide while he continued to observing me.

Finally I told him I was not certain that I wanted him in my home.

He spoke in whispers and in a nagging dialogue began to berate me and tell me how I was NO GOOD.

His voice came 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!”

How could I shut up this disgusting creature, and how could I entreat him to leave?

All that he alleged was both true and at the same time false, but now I was hurting in the pit of my stomach as he continued to criticize and rebuke my being.

Crying out to God for help seemed not to reach heaven. I had asked forgiveness, long ago, and had become a “good Christian,” so why was he doing this to me?

My thoughts turned to recent readings in my Bible, and I remembered a verse in Romans that I quoted often. I began to speak it out loud to this strange uninvited visitor.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Finally with a bold voice, I spoke to my visitor, and told him that he must leave NOW and not return.

With a crooked smile, he raised himself, and slowly slinked toward the open door and left.

But as he trudged down the path, he turned and called to me – – – “I’ll be back!!"