FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

I John 4:1-3

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Roland Ledoux

1 John 4:1-3, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

Beginning this new chapter we see the Beloved Apostle exhorting and instructing not just the Christians of his day, but through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, those True followers and disciples of Christ’s example in the days ahead, even to the end of days. John gives us ways in which to truly KNOW when another is truly inspired of the Lord and thus proceeds or comes from the leading of the Holy Spirit and those that are only doing it out of pretense. He is adamant in letting the reader(s) of this letter and Epistle the knowledge that already during his time and not JUST in future times, that the very spirit of Antichrist was already present and would remain present in the world until Christ Jesus returns to then completely vanquish the enemy and sin.

“Do NOT believe every spirit!” Again, he addresses the reader as beloved, with a parental style concern for their well-being. “Listen to this instruction closely,” it would almost seem that he is saying in the urgency of the message. He isn’t starting out with sweet platitudes, but relying upon the foundation of the previous chapter, that since you have the “spirit of Christ already abiding in you,” you should rely on that Holy Spirit to TEST the spirits, ANY spirits, to see, to discern spiritually whether they are of God or not!

One thing that when you consider the context with which he is leading up to this point, you should already understand that you have an ability that is not natural to the world of men. You have been given, not just given but actually abiding within you, the Spirit of God Himself, the Spirit of Christ Jesus, to empower you, guide and lead you in ways that are beyond the natural.

Our life, our journey and walk with Christ Jesus is not JUST some new way to live, it is a supernatural new way due to the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit! I truly believe, the sooner that a new child of God, a new Christian, a person whose life has been redeemed by a spirit reborn, the sooner they learn of the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, the sooner they will realize what true surrender to His Spirit entails AND enables us in our life’s journey.

We are given gifts that allow us to do just what the Beloved Apostle is commanding, to not just believe carte blanche that everyone who states they are of God, truly are and we have gifts to determine, to discern the truth of a person’s statements. Again, remember, the only reason to even be remotely concerned with this fact is because as John states, there were already false prophets, false teachers who were disseminating false ideas and doctrines to any who would listen, all in the name of Jesus, the Nazarene. Remember this also, those gifts are not given just to protect ourselves, but in fact are given and used to protect the Body of Christ as a whole; your fellow brothers and sisters, many who may not be aware of the falsehoods being spread.

It is sad that I can give you very evident examples just from the time we now live in ourselves. Here in the United States it is easy to discern, if you are truly walking with your spiritual “eyes” opened, yet even in other well-developed countries such as Canada, Great Britain and Australia we have to be on the lookout because our comfortable (for the most part in general) way of life tends towards dropping our guard down. We have a tendency to accept others at face value until something happens that again brings our guard up, yet, we have to realize, we may be living in this world, but we are no longer citizens of it; AND we have other brothers and sisters that we should also care about in the spiritual or eternal scheme of things to also protect!

The point I am making in laying that out is to say that we have a LOT, an awful lot, of people who CLAIM to be Christians. Yet in their lifestyles and even in their overall conversations, they are far removed from being a follower or disciple according to Christ Jesus’ examples not just in His words, but His life! They may speak of “God” and they may speak of “love,” but when you let them continue to speak, or you follow their lifestyle, you recognize the WAY they are talking of is what Jesus actually warned us from:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever–the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” – John 14:16-17.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14.

Christ Jesus IS the Messiah, He IS the Narrow Gate, by which mankind can and needs a relationship with the Heavenly Father, God Almighty! Too many who profess to be Christians do so because they believe if you LOVE others (with the ‘feelings’) than you are guaranteed entrance and “God,” (anyone’s idea of God), will allow you entrance through that narrow gate. They will tell you for the most part that Jesus is/was just ONE of the many great teachers this world has known. Jesus is not the only Messiah, but just one of many that lead to a pathway to heaven. Yet the very fundamentals, the very foundation of what is TRUE Christianity is found in the person AND divinity of Jesus Christ!

Or, they will tell you, the Bible, which we KNOW to be the Living Word of God, is a good book of morality and how to get along with your fellow man! Christ Jesus IS the Word of God Incarnate! The Holy Spirit inspired many men to write down the Character, Nature and Attributes of God Himself and the way in which we could regain a lost intimate relationship with Him is through the very person of the Living Christ Jesus. Jesus told us, point-blank, the truth that is the foundation of True Christianity when He continued on in John 14:7-11, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”

The greatest test of any spirit is, “who do you believe Jesus (Christ) to be?” Jesus, Himself gave an example of this very test: “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:13-16, (Mark 8:27-29, Luke 9:18-20).

I know that I have told you often and I have to say it again; you only have to talk (or communicate) with someone for a short period of time to see what they truly believe in, where their heart lies and the things they love at their deepest. “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Emphasis added for clarity) – Matthew 12:33-35, (Luke 6:43-45).

The spirit of Antichrist is the one that will attest that Jesus was a good man, a great prophet and teacher, and he may even admit that Jesus was “divine,” but he will not admit that Jesus is God Incarnate, come in the flesh to redeem men of sin. They may definitely acknowledge His manhood, but will by no means acknowledge His being God!

The spirit of Antichrist is also one that will twist Scriptures to meet their theology and philosophy rather than allowing the Scriptures to cause their lives to line up with truth. I love to use the example of a restaurant menu; you can open it up and pick and choose what you want depending on what YOUR desires are at the moment. The Bible, the Word of God, is not like that. Yet that same spirit of Antichrist will try and tell you that because the Bible was written by many men over many centuries, there are bound to be contradictions. To the Antichrist, the Bible is just a book that may teach morality, but most certainly does not have the Power of Life!

The Antichrist will NOT give acknowledgement due to the Holy Spirit, the power, guidance and inspiration behind the written, Living Word of God. To do so would be admitting there is more to the Bible, to the Scriptures than the spirit of Antichrist wants to admit and acknowledge. The whole point, the whole motive behind the spirit of the Antichrist is to deceive, to blind and mislead the world from the truth of the True Risen Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

In closing this section I want to quote you something from the much respected and beloved Biblical Scholar and Minister Matthew Henry (October 18, 1662 – June 22, 1714):

*”It was foreknown by God that antichrists would arise, and antichristian spirits oppose his Spirit and his truth; it was foreknown also that one eminent antichrist would arise, and make a long and fatal war against the Christ of God, and his institution, and honour, and kingdom in the world. This great antichrist would have his way prepared, and his rise facilitated, by other less antichrists, and the spirit of error working and disposing men’s minds for him: the antichristian spirit began betimes, even in the apostles’ days. Dreadful and unsearchable is the judgment of God, that persons should be given over to an antichristian spirit, and to such darkness and delusion as to set themselves against the Son of God and all the testimony that the Father hath given to the Son! But we have been forewarned that such opposition would arise; we should therefore cease to be offended, and the more we see the word of Christ fulfilled the more confirmed we should be in the truth of it.”

We are most likely in that culminating time in history where all the lesser antichrists have done and continue to spread their misleading and deceptive doctrines and yet, the discerning TRUE disciple and follower of Christ Jesus has been forewarned and forearmed with the necessary tools and gifts of the Holy Spirit to see through the spiritual lies that the world is blind too! Our Heavenly Father has not left His children defenseless, but rather strengthened for the sake of the Body of Christ as a whole and for the preparation of the Bride of Christ! All I can say is Glory to God in the Highest!!

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 4 verse 4.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*Excerpt taken from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706-1721). Introduction to 1 John Chapter 4. Public Domain Text. No Rights Reserved. Permission for all.

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Worthy Is The Lamb!

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Roland Ledoux

“But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

~ Revelation 5:5-10 ~

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The Sheep and Their Shepherd V – Charles Spurgeon

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Roland Ledoux

*Pastor’s Note: I want to depart a bit from my normal practice of posting short sermons by these great men of God for one that is rather long. Because of the fact that it IS long, I am going to break it up into parts. I truly hope you can enjoy AND be inspired by the preaching/teaching of some of these great men as much as I do. God Bless for your patience. – Pastor Roland

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the “Prince of Preachers.” He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day.

Part Five:

The Sheep and Their Shepherd

Delivered At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27

Every saint here, mixed up as he may be at times with parties and professors of all sorts, knows Christ, and Christ knows him, and he is therefore bound to his owner. That is the mark on the ear. You have seen sometimes in the country two flocks together on the road, and you say: “I wonder how the shepherds will manage to keep them distinct? They will get mixed up.” They do not; they go this way and that way; and after a little commingling they separate, for they know their master’s voice; “and a stranger will they not follow.” You will go to-morrow, many of you, out into the world, some to the Exchange, others to the market, and others again into the factory: you are all mixed. Yes; but the seeming confusion of your company is temporary, not real and permanent. You will come right again, and you will go to your own home and your own fellowship. And at the last, when we shall have ended our pilgrimage, the one shall wend his way to the glory land, and the other to the abyss of woe. There will be no mistake. You will hear the Master’s call, and obey. There is a mark on the ear which identifies every saint.

Christ’s sheep hear his voice obediently. This is an important proof of discipleship. Indeed, it may serve as a reproof to many. Oh, I would that you were more careful about this! “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them,” said Jesus, “he it is that loveth me.” “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings.” How comes it to pass, then, that there are certain commands of Christ which some Christians will suffer to lie in abeyance? They will say, “The Lord commands this, but it is not essential.” Oh, unloving spirit, that can think anything unessential that thy Bridegroom bids thee do! They that love, think little things of great moment, especially when they are looked upon as tokens of the strength or the tenderness of one’s regard. It may not be essential, in order to prove the relation in which a wife stands to her husband, that she should study his tastes, consult his wishes, or attend to his comfort. But will she the less strive to please, because love, not fear, constrains her? I know not. And can it be that any of you, my brethren, would harbour such a thought as your negligence implies? Do you really suppose that after the choice of Christ has been fixed on you, and the love of Christ has been plighted to you, you may now be as remiss or careless as you like? Nay, rather, might we not expect that a sacred passion, an ardent zeal, a touch of inspiration would stir you up, put you on the alert, make you wake at the faintest sound of his voice, or keep you listening to do his will? Be it ours, then, to act out with fidelity that verse we have often sung with enthusiasm:–

“In all my Lord’s appointed ways

My journey I’ll pursue.”

However little the precept may appear in the eyes of others; however insignificant as compared with our salvation, yet–doth the Lord command it?–then his sheep hear his voice, and they follow him.

Christ has marked his sheep on their feet as well as their ears. They follow him: they are gently led, not harshly driven. They follow him as the Captain of their salvation; they trust in the power of his arm to clear the way for them. All their trust on him is stayed; all their hope on him they lean. They follow him as their teacher; they call no man “Rabbi” under heaven, but Christ alone. He is the infallible source of their creeds; neither will they allow their minds to be ruled by conclaves, councils, nor decrees. Hath a Christ said it? It is enough. If not, it is no more for me than the whistling of the wind. They follow a Christ as their teacher.

And the sheep of Christ follow him as their example; they desire to be in this world as he was. It is one of their marks, that to a greater or less degree they have a Christ-like spirit; and if they could they would be altogether like their Lord.

They follow him, too, as their Commander, and Lawgiver, and Prince. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it,” was his mother’s wise speech; and it is the children’s wise rule: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” Oh, blessed shall they be above many of whom it shall be said, “These are they that have not defiled their garments.” “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Some of his followers are not very scrupulous. They love him. It is not for us to judge them. Rather we place ourselves among them and share in the censure. But happiest of all the happy are they who see the footprint–the print of that foot that once was pierced with the nail–and put their foot down where he placed it, and then again, in the selfsame mark, follow where he trod, till they climb at last to the throne. Keep close to Christ; take care of his little precepts unto the end. Remember, “Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Do not peril being least in the heavenly kingdom though it is better to be that than to be greatest in the kingdom of darkness. O seek to be very near him, to be a choice sheep in his chosen flock, and to have the mark distinctly upon your foot!

I will not stay to apply these truths but leave each one of you to make such self-searching enquiries as the text suggests. Have I the ear mark? Have I the foot mark? “My sheep hear my voice,” “and they follow me.” I hope that I am among the number.

Next time we will conclude with Part Six of Spurgeon’s Sermon

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Charles Spurgeon Website: https://www.princeofpreachers.org/
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Forgiveness Is Not Optional

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Roland Ledoux

Acts 13:38-41, “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: “Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.'”

1 John 2:12, “I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”

Luke 17:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

My wife and I sat there in stunned disbelief! We glanced at each other and just shook our heads in sorrow. This would eventually prove to be the last straw so-to-speak, and a confirmation and release from the Holy Spirit that it was time to move on.

Let me go back for some of you that may not have read some of the things I had asked and even promised to the Lord in my past. One main thing that I asked/vowed to the Lord, with a hundred percent support of my young wife, was that no matter where the Lord wanted to take me, no matter what or even how He wanted to teach me, I would be a willing vessel, if He would just use us as He sees fit.

You don’t make a statement like that to the Lord lightly! You may think you are being spiritual and noble, but the Holy Spirit WILL take you at your word. So those of you who are young in the Lord, be aware; this was one area of a Christian’s walk that I had not been taught on. But, in my defense (and that of my wife), we sincerely meant it.

With that in mind, the Holy Spirit DID lead us to a small congregation in Arizona where we were living at the time. Soon, my wife was teaching kid’s Sunday School and I was teaching and preaching at nights on Sunday and Wednesday quite regularly.

For some background to set the scene, let me say that I eventually found out the “Pastor” and his wife were former Sunday School teachers from a neighboring Assembly of God Church where evidently they had some disagreements with the Pastor and staff there. Over a period of time, they accrued a small following, broke off from that denomination church and started there own independent “Charismatic” church. Did I mention we told the Lord we would go wherever He wanted us to go?

At first the church was small and quaint, very family oriented and friendly. The “Pastor” was easy going and laid back and he had not just his wife, but one of his younger sons, helping him as much as he could. The services seemed to be very inviting and at first to my wife and I very Scripturally based. When you’re new to a congregation, let alone a new place to minister (serve) it seems like a honeymoon at first. Then you start to get close to not just the people, but to the way things are done and some things are handled. Over all, we had been there for three plus years and had eventually seen a lot of things go on that made us scratch our heads, as-it-were.

Two weeks before, I had been preaching on a Sunday night and believe it or not (which I didn’t know the full story at the time), a couple of women came in soon after service started and their actions were strange to say the least. In the middle of my preaching they started waving their hands my way and chanting, yes, chanting in an almost whispering way, but still loud enough to hear. I paused and looked to the “Pastor” who just seemed to ignore it.

I couldn’t. People sitting near them were fidgeting uncomfortably and I could see the disruption. My heart was pounding, yet, I put my Bible down on the Pulpit and asked the congregation to bow their heads and pray. I had never done anything like this before. But as soon as the majority of the congregation had bowed their heads, I looked directly at the two ladies and said, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, I rebuke you and your evil curses upon this congregation.” I know my face was beet-red for I could feel the blood rushing. They both looked startled and I then told them, “if you persist in this behavior we will be glad to pray for you if you are interested in repentance, but if you are not, you are free to leave at once. The choice is totally yours.” They bolted out of there like there was no tomorrow. As soon as I gained my composure, I finished the message, which by the way WAS on forgiveness, and then as a congregation we spent some time in prayer before adjourning.

The “Pastor” nor his wife said anything during or after the service and since I was NOT an assistant or associate in title, I just let it go for the evening. My wife and I talked about it quite a bit that evening. As was my usual custom, the next morning before going to my secular job, I stopped at the church to join the “Pastor” in prayer for just about an hour. During an interval I asked him about the two ladies and he just casually stated, “Yeah, they’re a couple of the local witches that visit from time to time, they’re harmless.” Harmless, I thought. I had to press it and I asked him about it. He told me they don’t hurt anyone and if they hear the Word of God, then so be it. No harm, no foul. Yet, I distinctly had seen some of the congregation visibly disturbed. This had been just one more thing that to me didn’t add up and didn’t make sense. There had been much more things I had experienced there and seen in the way they do things and the way they “served” the community in which they were a part that caused me to understand why people would come and go, and the congregation seemed to be at a stagnant impasse. There was no vigor, no excitement, no passion within those four walls. It was as if, it was a make-believe church or just a show and it truly reminded me of the Scripture that the Apostle Paul wrote Timothy; “. . . having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:5-7.

We were already to the point where we just KNEW something had to change, but we just didn’t want to be out of the Lord’s will as we hadn’t felt a release from the Holy Spirit yet. Then that Sunday night two weeks later. Two weeks AFTER I had preached a message on the importance of forgiveness when two witches came in to try and disrupt the service we heard a message that sealed it for us.

“If a person does not repent, nor ask forgiveness from you, you are not responsible for offering them forgiveness! Again, you DO NOT have to give or offer forgiveness!” I wasn’t sure if I had even heard that right. I looked at my wife stunned and she just looked at me and shook her head. I had heard some things from this pulpit that I had just taken as a difference of opinion on certain Scriptures, nothing that seemed foundationally significant concerning our relationship with God or with one another, but this was right to the foundational heart of our redemption in Christ Jesus!

This “Pastor” also used the Scripture that Jesus told Peter (Matthew 18:21-22), concerning the number of times to forgive to justify the statement that “even God has a limit to how much He will forgive!” No Scripture references, a few life examples from his experiences, but no Biblical background to lend authority to the statements. To me, it was like the things I had come to suspect and even wonder about, now had come to a head and it was like a searchlight, or a beacon had been aimed at the heart of this congregation. Now mind you, I am giving you only a summary and cursory example to bring you to a point I am going to make.

Forgiveness, pardon, redemption are ALL at the very heart of Christ Jesus’ mission of coming to earth as a man, to pay the ultimate Blood sacrifice necessary to satisfy the Father’s justice for mankind’s sin. It is based on His willingness to forgive however many times, in whatever situation to those who voluntarily CHOOSE to accept the gift of His sacrifice for that penalty that HAD to be paid!! This in part is where so many fall short, for though they are wiling to accept it for themselves, they act as if their part is over and done with, not realizing that the gift given is just the beginning. We can’t earn that gift nor even repay that gift, but that gift if in all actuality is realized, allows us a spiritual renewal that causes us to realize the gift that we received must in turn be passed forward to others as well.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” – Colossians 3:12-14.

The way the Apostle wrote this verse conveys it as a command; “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” It is something as a follower of Christ Jesus we MUST do. There is no option clause in ANY verse dealing with forgiveness!

Even Jesus Himself stated very emphatically about the NEED to forgive! We love to quote what has come to be known as The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), when in actuality it is an EXAMPLE of how to pray, but we always seem to leave it at the Amen part at the end of verse 13! Yet Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer went on to say, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15.

And I have to say, here is where a problem with a lot of those who claim to be Christians comes forth; to some, forgiveness is just saying I forgive, yet treating the one forgiven as if they were NEVER forgiven. Forgiveness, like ALL Christian and Spiritual Attributes is not just a noun, a “something” but rather to be an example OF Christ, forgiveness and other Spiritual Attributes are VERBS! They are ACTIONS, something we must DO!

You might be asking why I am going on and on about this and so adamant about it. Well, first as I stated, forgiveness is a foundational base of what it is to be a TRUE Christian. Today we live in an age where a lot of people are Christian in title because they believe in “something” spiritual, it doesn’t necessarily have to be Jesus Christ! Sad, but true!

Second, if you have been raised in a Christian home, taught even the basics from the Bible, the principle of forgiveness is one of the main premises for which you have been taught. I have a relative who at least by their actions seems to have forgotten the foundations of forgiveness and since they are family we have spent much time in prayer and yes, even time in instruction AND admonition trying to show them the loving, unconditional way in which they should be treating their Christian relation. But, sadly they post on social media sites things that are totally contrary to Biblical and Scriptural principles and yet, they say they have forgiven.

One post from this relative stated, “We’re not accepting verbal apologies this year, only changed behaviors.” These posts are aimed at their relation they “think” has mistreated them somehow. That sounds at the surface the sane thing to do, and that is where it is misleading. This very type attitude is from the world and the enemy, the devil. It stems from the theory that you only have to forgive so often and then you can put conditions on your forgiveness! You can dictate what constitutes an acceptable reason to forgive. But I have already given you just a FEW of the many Scriptures that command unlimited and unconditional forgiveness!

What kind of spiritual state would we be in if our Heavenly Father told each of us, “change your behavior first and then, maybe, I will give you the gift of my Son’s sacrifice?” That is like using the analogy, that “you must take a shower first to get clean so that you can take a bath!” If our Heavenly Father desires you to change (and yes He does want us all to be more like Him) He will do it in a way that is best for you and in most cases, you won’t realize it until you HAVE changed. But did you see the keyword I used? HE will do it! He doesn’t ask you to do it first and then when you are holy are righteous without spot and wrinkle, He will save you! You come to Him the way you are, dirt, warts and all! Let HIM worry about all that; what He wants is to cleanse your heart and spirit first and then let Him worry about the rest. Your heart and spirit is cleansed through unconditional forgiveness in the Blood of His Son, Christ Jesus!

If Christ shows us the Character, Nature and Attributes of our Heavenly Father, and we are to be examples of Christ and He is OUR example, then doesn’t it stand to reason that we also are to forgive unconditionally and let God deal with changing the forgiven person?

We ARE forgiven first unconditionally, but once forgiven, we MUST forgive others to continue in our forgiveness. A life of forgiveness demonstrates forgiveness within our own lives, and forgiveness of others demonstrates in reality a life of unconditional, Agape Love.

You know, you CAN fool others by saying the right thing and by stating you have forgiven others, but if forgiveness IS in your heart, it WILL demonstrate in the way you treat others. The fact remains, if you continue to hold unforgiveness and bitterness in your heart, you CANNOT nor ever will fool our Heavenly Father!

The circumstances that took place in that Arizona church did lead to the Holy Spirit releasing us from that ministry. It was one of those places that the Lord took us at our word, not just in going there, but as most people learn how to do things through proper instruction, sometimes the Holy Spirit teaches us by watching and observing how NOT to do something. It was a major learning experience in our lives, but it also cemented our relationship on the Holy Spirit’s guidance AND to always seek God’s PERFECT will in our lives!

This experience actually inspired me to write in my book, “Walking With Christ” the chapter entitled “Walking in Forgiveness.” Forgiveness has been a very real revelation in my life for I have been forgiven completely when others doubted God’s willingness to forgive. Because of that, forgiveness is a lifestyle of living a life of unconditional love and it could be for anyone through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Gift of Christ Jesus!

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 1 John, 2 Timothy, Acts, Admonishment, Agape, Agape Love, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Colossians, Correction, Discipline, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, God's Attributes, God's Character, God's Love, God's Nature, God's Perfect Will, Grace, Guidance, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Instruction, Instruction in Righteousness, Jesus, Lord, Love, Luke, Matthew, Scriptures, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Unconditional Love, Unforgiveness, Walking In Forgiveness, Walking With Christ, Word of God | 6 Comments

A New Year’s Prayer

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Posted in Prayer and Praise | Tagged Blessings, Choices, Encouragement, Faith, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Joy, Lord, Love, New Day, New Year's, Peace, Prayer, Prayer and Praise, Prosperity, Spirituality, Strength | 5 Comments

New Year Prayer

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Peace – A Christmas Gift

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

The Gift:

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7.

“To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:77-79.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:14.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” – 1 Corinthians 14:33.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” – James 3:17-18.

The Living Word:

“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you.” – Job 22:21.

“You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:7-8.

“The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11

“But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

“Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace.” – Psalm 37:11, 37.

“I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.” – Psalm 85:8-10.

“Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” – Psalm 119:165.

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.” – Proverbs 3:13-18.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”

“LORD, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us.” – Isaiah 26:3-4, 12.

“The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, . . .” Isaiah 32:17-18.

“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5.

“For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.”

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.” – Isaiah 54:10, 13.

“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12.

“I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the LORD, “And I will heal him.” – Isaiah 57:19.

“Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.” – Jeremiah 33:6.

“‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” – Haggai 2:9.

“My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me And was reverent before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” – Malachi 2:5-7.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33.

“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all — . . .” – Acts 10:36.

” . . . but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” – Romans 2:10-11.

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6.

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” – Romans 10:15.

” . . . for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” – Romans 15:13, 33.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23.

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” – Ephesians 2:14-17.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7.

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” – Colossians 1:19-20.

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” – Colossians 3:14-15.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: . . .” – Hebrews 12:14.

“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – Revelation 1:4-6.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27.

Applicable Quotes:

If you carefully fulfill the various duties of life, from a principle of obedience to your heavenly Father, you shall enjoy that peace which the world cannot give nor take away. – Samuel Adams

Peace is the evening star of the soul, as virtue is its sun; and the two are never far apart. – Colton

In His will is our peace. – Dante

I could not live in peace if I put the shadow of a willful sin between myself and God. – Eliot

Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give up anything for it but truth. – Henry

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. – Kempis

If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources. – La Rochefoucauld

A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do-is to enter into it. – D.L. Moody

An effective organization for world peace will be established not through political diplomats around a peace table, but through Christian teachers in all lands, teaching citizens in Sunday School and public school the sacredness of human life. – Price

If you see a man unterrified in the midst of dangers, untouched by desires, happy in adversity, peaceful amid the storm, will you not say: a divine power has descended upon that man? – Seneca

Peace is always beautiful. – Whitman

Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged 1 Corinthians, 2 Thessalonians, Acts, Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christian Quotes, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Season, Colossians, Colton, D.L. Moody, Dante, Eliot, Encouragement, Ephesians, Faithfulness, Galatians, God, God's Love, Haggai, Heavenly Father, Hebrews, Henry, Holiday Inspiration, Holy Bible, Hope, Inspiration, Isaiah, James, Jeremiah, Jesus, Job, John, Kempis, La Rochefoucauld, Lord, Love, Luke, Malachi, Philippians, Price, Proverbs, Psalms, Quotes, Revelation, Romans, Samuel Adams, Scriptures, Seneca, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth, Whitman, Word of God | 1 Comment

Born To Die

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Joyous and Blessed Christmas to all my loved ones both near and far! My dearest Brother-IN-Christ, Dave has the right idea! I too have been involved in ministries that want to dwell on the pagan aspects of this day set aside as a Holyday rather than the wonder and amazement of the actual awesome event of the Messiah’s birth. I CHOOSE, as so many other Brothers and Sisters in Christ to celebrate this day to commemorate Christ Jesus’ Birth and every other day to commemorate His LIFE and my life IN Him! God bless you all richly and abundantly!

live4him.ca

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for…

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Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged Celebrate His Birth, Celebrate His Life, Celebration, Choices, Christmas, Christmas Season, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, God With Us, God's Love, Holiday Inspiration, Hope, Immanuel, Inspiration, Jesus' Birth, Love, Messiah's Birth, Redemption, Relationship, Teaching, Truth | 1 Comment

The Light Shines in the Darkness

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
— John 1:5-13 —

Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Gift The World Rejects Him, Christmas Season, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Love, Gospel of John, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, John, Light of the Season, Light of the World, Lord, Love, Relationship, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Word of God | Leave a comment

A Christmas Prayer

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Oh Holy and Heavenly Father, we come to you in the precious name of the Gift you sent us, Jesus Christ;

During this season Lord, with so much going on in the world and our nation, we ask that you remind us, even if time and time again, that You ARE sovereign, that You ARE still in control no matter what circumstances seem to appear. You ARE still sitting on Your throne, majestic and exalted and we continue to glorify You because You ARE You!

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that You sent Your Son that we might renew that intimate relationship with You that was once lost to rebellion and disobedience. Help us to remember that the closer we draw to Your Son, Christ Jesus, the closer we draw to You and the better we get to know You in the ways that You want to be known.

Heavenly and Holy Father, remind us that Your Holy Spirit who dwells within each of us who has accepted Your most precious Gift is the power to embrace You boldly before Your throne as Your Living Word promises that we MAY approach You there. Help us to keep our spiritual ears open so that we may continue to hear that “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit through the surrounding noise the world loves during this season. Help us to keep our spiritual eyes open so that despite all the bling and superficiality that floods our senses we can still see the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit and that any opportunity that presents itself in which we can use the gifts that You have bestowed to us will not be missed due to lack of focus on You!

Dearest and most precious Lord, more than anything, help us, each one of us individually to be the reflection of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that grew up from that precious little Babe once delivered as a Gift to the world in that long ago manger. Allow others to see You in us and not the “diamonds in the ruff” that we still are during the process of Your molding and sculpting us into the likeness of Your Son. Let us, we sincerely and humbly pray demonstrate Your unconditional love to each and every person that we come into contact with.

Dearest Father in Heaven, help us to reflect the TRUE meaning of this wonderful Season to all our loved ones, near and afar and to our neighbor, whomever they may be. We ask these things sincerely in the Name of Your Gift to us, Your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen and AMEN!

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” – Matthew 7:11.

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” – John 14:13-14.

Posted in Prayer and Praise | Tagged Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Prayer, Christmas Season, Exalted, Faith, Gift, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus Christ, John, Lord, Love, Majestic, Matthew, Prayer and Praise, Reflection, Rejoicing, Relationship, Son of God, Sovereign, Sovereignty, Throne of God | 6 Comments

Christ – Came, Knowing His Fate

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
Leviticus 5:18, “He is then to bring to the priest a ram without defect from the flock, according to your valuation, for a guilt offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his error in which he sinned unintentionally and did not know it, and it will be forgiven him.”

Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

He Knew When He Came

Three boys were wading illegally in a deserted pond in Monroe, Louisiana. Joe Delaney, all-pro halfback of the Kansas City Chiefs, sat nearby and warned them to stay close to the shore. Ignoring his words, they waded out and, moments later, screamed as they plunged from sight.

Instantly on his feet, Delaney rushed to the pond and dove in. His attempts to rescue the boys, however, were futile. One boy drowned, another was rescued in critical condition, and a third made his way back to shore. Joe Delaney died in the rescue effort; his body was the last to be recovered. He had given his life to help others, without success. Seeing the boys in danger, he placed his own life in jeopardy to help them. But I wonder: If Joe had known he would leave his wife a widow and three small daughters fatherless, would he have jumped into that pond? Would we? Or would we say, “There’s no need for more to die?”

Jesus came to the world precisely to die. He would not hang on the cross for a few seconds and then get off, safely. It would not be a matter of a brief agony and intense bravery followed by a cloudburst of adulation. He would be taken off the cross a corpse! He knew all that – and yet he came.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley copyright © 1995 by Word, Incorporated. Used by permission.

*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Applicable Quotations

That which we should value in ourselves and in one another is the dignity of God’s image and the great price at which we were bought. – Anonymous

The price of a bridge is often measured in the lives of its builders. For he who would build a bridge must be ready to pay for it with his life. – Pen Lyle Pittard

Sincerity is the salt of the sacrifice. Without it the offering can never be acceptable to God. – Charles Spurgeon

The sacrifice of Jesus is the true reason of our salvation. – Charles Spurgeon

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Charles Spurgeon, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Season, Destiny, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Food For Thought, Foreknowledge, God's Love, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Jesus, Leviticus, Lord, Love, Luke, Mission, Pen Lyle Pittard, Scriptures, Speaker's Sourcebook of New Illustrations, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Virgil Hurley, Word of God | Leave a comment

Joy – A Christmas Gift

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

The Gift:

“And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” – Luke 1:41-47.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:8-14.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” – Matthew 2:1-2, 10.

The Living Word:

“And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:1-2.

“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place.” – 1 Chronicles 16:25-27.

“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” – Ezra 6:22.

“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10.

“Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.” – Nehemiah 12:43.

“Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing.” – Job 8:20-21.

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.” – Psalm 5:11.

“I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” – Psalm 9:2.

“But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” – Psalm 13:5-6.

“I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.”

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:8-9, 11.

“We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! . . .” – Psalm 20:5.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.” – Psalm 28:7.

“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” – Psalm 32:11.

“Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.” – Psalm 33:20-21.

“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.” – Psalm 35:9.

“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” – Psalm 40:16.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” – Psalm 51:10-12.

“Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.” – Psalm 63:7.

“But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.” – Psalm 68:3-4.

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted.” – Psalm 89:15-16.

“Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” – Psalm 97:12.

“Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!”

“He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness.” – Psalm 105:3, 43.

“I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.” – Psalm 119:162.

“The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.”

“Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.” – Psalm 126:3, 5-6.

“For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.” – Psalm 149:4-5.

“For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. . .” – Ecclesiastes 2:26.

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2-3.

“And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” – Isaiah 25:9.

“The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 29:19.

“Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.” – Isaiah 49:13.

“As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, And your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the LORD shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies.” – Isaiah 66:13-14.

“Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.” – Jeremiah 15:16.

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:18.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, . . .” – Luke 6:23.

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” – Luke 10:20-21.

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10.

“Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”

“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:22, 24.

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 13:52.

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23.

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. . .” – Philippians 3:1.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:6-9.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13.

“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” – 1 John 1:4.

Applicable Quotes:

For what are the servants of the Lord but His minstrels who should raise the hearts of men and move them to spiritual joy. – Francis of Assisi

You will give us joy and gladness if you obey what we have written through the Holy Spirit. – Clement of Rome

Those that make God their Joy may rejoice in hope for he is faithful that has promised. – Henry

It is a comely fashion to be glad; joy is the grace we say to God. – Ingelow

Joy is the echo of God’s life within us. – Marmion

The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies, and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks. – Henry

Any man can again have the joy of his first meeting with God if he will go back over the same road. – Smith

The greatest joy of a Christian is to give joy to Christ. – Spurgeon

Where God gives the oil of joy, he gives the garment of praise. – Henry

If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere. – Sunday

All the world’s joy comes from the grave of our risen Lord. – Unknown

Joy in God is never out of season. – Henry

A child of God should be a visible beatitude for joy and happiness, and a living doxology for gratitude and adoration. – Spurgeon

We live for others in the inevitable conditions of our being. To accept the situation gladly is to find it crowned with its own joy. – Unknown

Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged 1 Chronicles, 1 John, 1 Peter, 1 Samuel, Acts, Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christian Quotes, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Season, Clement of Rome, Ecclesiastes, Encouragement, Ezra, Faith, Faithfulness, Francis of Assissi, Galatians, God, God's Love, Habakkuk, Heavenly Father, Henry, Holiday Inspiration, Holy Bible, Hope, Ingelow, Inspiration, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jesus, Job, John, Lord, Love, Luke, Marmion, Matthew, Nehemiah, Philippians, Psalms, Quotes, Romans, Scriptures, Smith, Spirituality, Spurgeon, Sunday, Teaching, Truth, Word of God | Leave a comment

The Greatest Gift

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

This was another Christmas article I wrote for the Globe, Arizona newspaper, the “Silver Belt” in the late 1990’s for their Church Directory. As with the previous one, I submit it here as it was written then with just a few grammatical changes. Be Blessed abundantly this Holyday Season! – Pastor Roland.

Christmas is the time when Christian and non-Christian alike celebrate by giving to one another. Christians recognize this season as a time to celebrate God’s greatest Gift to mankind; His Son, Jesus Christ.

If you’re a Christian preparing for this holiday time, I’d like you to consider another aspect of what the angel said to the shepherds in the Gospel of Luke, 8:10. He said, “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people.” Of course we concentrate on the good news, as we rightly should, of Jesus’ birth. The promised Messiah has come; but sometimes we overlook the fact that His coming was to provide great joy for everyone!

Now as the saying goes, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” He is also the reason for a Christian’s joy, so I’d like to explain further about the word and the concept known as joy. Notice that the angel of the Lord didn’t say, “good news of great happiness.” Have you ever wondered why? It’s because joy is greater than happiness and is actually a God given gift. The Greek word translated joy means: to be full of cheer, great gladness and calm delight. It is the same word used in Galatians 5:22 to describe the fruit of the Spirit of God, and is second only to (agape) love. In other words, we don’t produce joy, the Holy Spirit does; it is something produced by God in us. We bear the fruit, the Spirit produces it. Remember what Jesus told His disciples? “We are the branches and He is the vine.” Branches don’t produce the fruit, they only bear the fruit produced.

Now let’s compare joy with happiness. The world’s concept is: if you’re happy, then you are full of joy. If you are unhappy, then you have no joy. But what exactly determines happiness? Happiness is entirely dependent upon the circumstances that come a person’s way. Good circumstances produce happiness, bad circumstances create unhappiness. What did the Bible say in Galatians though? Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is not dependent upon circumstances, but upon the place the Spirit of God holds in a person’s life. What all this means is that when a person is walking and abiding in Christ, the Holy Spirit will manifest joy in his deepest being; no matter what the circumstances are surrounding his life. The person striving to walk in his own strength, the flesh, will be swayed by the circumstances coming their way. I would much rather have God’s best, His Spirit produced joy, over man’s less than best; just being happy when circumstances allow.

One more great blessing associated with God’s joy can be found in Nehemiah 8:10. Nehemiah responding to his grieving people said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” What a great statement! Notice that he didn’t say your joy or your happiness. It’s God’s joy, His delight that strengthens us. Are you walking this season in His joy, His strength? This season, when the commercialism and the hustle and bustle starts to wear you down, remember that we have “good news of God’s joy” to strengthen us; and it’s for everyone who will abide in Him. Everyone!

Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged Angel's Proclamation, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christmas, Christmas Season, Circumstances, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians, God's Delight, God's Joy, God's Love, Greatest Gift, Happiness, Heavenly Father, Holiday Inspiration, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Jesus, Joy, Lord, Love, Luke, Nehemiah, Scriptures, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Unhappiness, Word of God | Leave a comment

Hope – A Christmas Gift

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

The Gift:

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:20-23.

The Living Word:

“I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.” – Psalm 16:8-9.

“Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.” – Psalm 31:23-24.

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, . . .”

“For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.” – Psalm 33:18, 21-22.

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.” – Psalm 39:7.

“LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.” – Psalm 119:166.

“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, . . .” – Psalm 146:5-6.

“For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; . . .” – John 3:16-18.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:1-5.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:4, 13.

“Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech– . . .” – 2 Corinthians 3:12.

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” – Galatians 4:4-7.

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” – Galatians 5:5.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” – Ephesians 4:4-6.

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; . . .” – Colossians 1:3-6.

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – 1 Peter 1:3-5.

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” – 1 Peter 1:17-21.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” – 1 John 3:2-3.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” – Revelation 22:12-14.

Applicable Quotes:

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. – Allen

May hope ever be a bright part of your life’s equipment. – Crowell

My only hope for the world is in bringing the human mind into contact with divine revelation. – Gladstone

Hope, like a gleaming taper’s light, adorns and cheers our way; and still, as darker grows the night, emits a brighter ray. – Goldsmith

The joy and peace of believers arise chiefly from their hopes. What is laid out upon them is but little, compared with what is laid up for them; therefore the more hope they have the more joy and peace they have. – Henry

What is hope? Hope is wishing for a thing to come true; faith is believing that it will come true. Hope is wanting something so eagerly that-in spite of all the evidence that you’re not going to get it-you go right on wanting it. And the remarkable thing about it is that this very act of hoping produces a kind of strength of its own. – Peale

No affliction or temptation, no guilt or power of sin, no wounded spirit nor terrified conscience, should induce us to despair of help and comfort from God. – Scott

A man ought to hope within the bounds of reason and the promises of the good old Book. Hope leans on an anchor, but an anchor must have something to hold by and to hold to. – Spurgeon

Satan would tempt us to despair; but good hope keeps us trusting in God and rejoicing in him. – Henry

Hope ever urges on, and tells us tomorrow will be better. – Tibullus

Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged 1 John, 1 Peter, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians, 2 Thessalonians, Allen, Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christian Quotes, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Season, Colossians, Crowell, Encouragement, Ephesians, Faith, Faithfulness, Galatians, Gladstone, God, God's Love, Goldsmith, Heavenly Father, Henry, Holiday Inspiration, Holy Bible, Hope, Inspiration, Jeremiah, Jesus, John, Lord, Love, Luke, Matthew, Peale, Proverbs, Psalms, Quotations, Revelation, Romans, Scott, Scriptures, Spirituality, Spurgeon, Teaching, Tibullus, Truth, Word of God | Leave a comment

The Season For Receiving

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

This was a Christmas article I wrote for the Globe, Arizona newspaper, the “Silver Belt” in the late 1990’s for their Church Directory. I submit it here as it was written then with just a few grammatical changes (and some added pictures). If we needed this message back then, it is very apparent and obvious, we certainly need it today! – Pastor Roland.

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14.

You can’t out give God! I’ll repeat that: YOU CAN’T OUTGIVE GOD! We’ve all heard that stated before, but how many really believe it?

We are at a time of year when most people are thinking about what they will be giving, and yes, what they might be receiving in return. I know all the clichés and sayings that go with this time of year. Believe me, all you have to do is turn on the television and watch a few commercials to see what is being propagated to the masses. One commercial for a major department store goes so far as to say that it is not just the giving, but getting less than you expected in return, so be sure to shop them so that nobody is unsatisfied with what they get! At least that is the inference that is implied in their commercial. Pretty bold if you ask me.

Yet this is the type of attitude that our children and everyone else is being indoctrinated in. Oh yes, it’s important to give, but—-there’s nothing wrong with hoping for the very best gifts in return. I learned that lesson at a very young age myself. It’s natural for the Smith’s to out-do the Jones’ in that area. My father taught that to me. Of course, he is not a Christian.

As I have aged and hopefully, matured in the Lord, I have come to see that same attitude displayed in almost everyone. Notice that I said almost. There are still those that recognize and realize that Christmas is a season to reflect on the Ultimate Gift! Jesus Christ didn’t just come to earth, He was given! Given as an unselfish act of love on the part of our Heavenly Father. God, our Father, knew that we needed something that would re-establish our relationship with Him, not just for 70 or 80 years on earth, but for everlasting to everlasting, that is, eternity.

Without that free Gift, we would have no hope of an intimate relationship with the Father. We were destined to spend an eternity in total darkness, devoid of the unlimited love that the Father has for each and every one of us individually.

We as people have a tendency to categorize and put our beliefs and ideals in little boxes. At Christmas we think of Jesus, the baby. At Easter, we think of Jesus, the crucified. Have you ever stopped to think about the absolute sovereignty of God? If He had wanted Jesus to come to earth as an adult in a fiery chariot, just as Elijah left, don’t you think He could have? He could have sent Jesus to us in any number of ways as a sign to His people and still accomplish the same thing. But in His vast wisdom, He chose to send Him in a way that everyone on earth can relate too. He sent Him as a gift to humanity wrapped in humility.

The Father said, “Here is a gift, it is free to you, all you have to do, is accept it for what it is.” How many people have stopped to think about salvation and what it is; I mean really thought about it in depth? Do you think salvation or “being saved” is just to keep you from hell? Do you realize that “hell” was never meant for us? Do you realize that there is so much more involved in our salvation. What do you think we are being saved from?

First you need to understand what it is that we lost. When we were created, we were created in the image and likeness of God Himself. We had His attributes, His characteristics, His nature. We had the ability to commune, to really relate to Him as our Father. Adam WALKED with God! Think about that. That was why we were created the way we were. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” according to John 4:24. What that means is that to acknowledge His worthiness, we must do so in spirit in contrast to materialistic ways and in truth in contrast to those ways which prove false.

When Adam disobeyed God the Father, he relinquished his and our right to approach our Father in spirit and truth. Man became everything that was identified with Lucifer and nothing that was identified with the Father. Man became carnal, or fleshly, instead of spiritually motivated. We lost our relationship with our Creator. We lost everything! We became everything that God created us NOT to be!

It was only through the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ, that we would even have any hope of re-establishing to our lives our God-created purpose. The gift that we received from the Father was not just Jesus, the little baby, but rather Jesus, the whole and complete Son of God. It is when we recognize and realize the fullness that resides in Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed One, that we are able to fully walk in the gift that was given. It is through Him, that our relationship with the Father is re-established and we are saved from our carnal nature. In essence we are “saved” from ourselves. Saved to become fully all that the Father has ordained for each and every one of us. Saved from the darkness and void of not being able to sense or know, in any way, the love that He so graciously gives to all of His creation.

During this Christmas season, it is my hope and prayer that we can fully accept and realize the gift that we have already received. With this gift comes so much more than what we can even imagine. Just think, where else can you purchase love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? These are the fruit that grow out of the gift that our Father has so graciously given to us, and they‘re free!. From these, seeds can be planted in every life we come in contact with. What greater gift can you give than love, peace or any of these listed? What greater way to demonstrate by our actions the worthiness of God in spirit and truth than giving the gift that goes with the recipient for eternity?

The best way that we can overcome the shallowness of what the Christmas season has become, is to demonstrate every day, throughout the year, the giving demonstrated by our Heavenly Father. He gave us the greatest gift ever: Himself. What better example for us than to do the same.

My prayer for all my brothers and sisters this year is that you will recognize the bounty of love, joy, peace, etc., that comes your way and that your giving will be more in spirit and truth as the days go by. Give everyone you meet this year a Spiritual fruit basket!

Posted in Holiday Inspiration | Tagged Anointed One, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Season, Commercialism, Darkness, Encouragement, Eternity, Faithfulness, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving, God's Love, Gospel of John, Greed, Heavenly Father, Hell, Hope, Inspiration, Intimate Relationship, Isaiah, Jesus Saves, John, Joy, Life, Lord, Love, Peace, Receiving, Redemption, Relationship, Salvation, Scriptures, Sin, Spiritual Intimacy, Teaching, Truth, Ultimate Gift, Word of God | Leave a comment

Reason For The Season

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Posted in 'Nuff Said! | Tagged 1 John, Bible, Birth of Savior, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Season, Crown of Thorns, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Redemption, Salvation, Scriptures, Spiritual, Teaching, Truth, Word of God, Wreath | Leave a comment

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
According to the legend of the candy cane, this candy was first created back in the 18th century. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, there was said to be a ban on public displays of Christianity. Christians were oppressed and no Bibles or crosses could be owned at the time. One man found this oppression distressing and wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. When Christmas came around, children didn’t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real message of Christmas.

His prayer led to an idea — The Candy Cane.
• The Shepherd’s Staff: He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to his followers and the Bible notes that the “sheep” would hear His voice and follow him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11).
• The Letter J for Jesus: Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21).
• He is A Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong (Psalm 31:3).
• By His Stripes: Wide red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the crucifixion and the blood Jesus shed for our sins.
• Red – His Shed Blood: Through his blood, we are given salvation and life (Revelation 1:5, John 3:16, Luke 22:20).
• White – Purification from Sin: There are also white stripes on the candy cane, which represents the holiness, and purity of Jesus, who was sinless (I John 1:7).
• Sweet Fragrance of Christ: Peppermint was the flavor that the candy maker chose for the candy cane. Peppermint was very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It also reminds us of the spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthew 2:11).
• Broken For Us: Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (I Cor. 11:24).
• Love of Christ: The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation.

Although no one is quite sure if the legend of the candy cane is really true, the beauty of the legend is such a reminder of God’s love for us around Christmas. In this legend, it was a way that the candy maker could tell the children the story of Christmas and still today, we have candy canes as a reminder of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Another Take On The Legend
It is widely believed that the candy, which earlier was straight as a stick, was given its distinctive J-shape by a German choirmaster. It is said that during service one evening, the children were being very loud and noisy, creating quite a ruckus and not paying any attention to the choirmaster. To keep them quiet and still for the nativity ceremony, he gave them a long, white, sugar candy stick. Since giving chocolates and candies at church was considered sacrilegious, he bent these sticks at one end to make them look like a shepherd’s cane and thus, attached a religious significance to them. In Christianity, Jesus is regarded as the Good Shepherd and so, the staff is considered to be a sacred symbol. The Staff also represents the shepherds who came to visit the infant Jesus.

The candy cane became popular when, in 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio, who liked candy canes a lot, decided to string them on his Christmas tree as decorations. The idea soon caught up became quite a fashion in no time. By 1900, candy canes, which were earlier only white, came in red stripes, and with peppermint and cinnamon flavoring. Of course, now it’s a popular tradition everywhere.

The candy canes became a much sought-after Christmas-decoration item as the ‘hook’ in the candy made it easier to hang them on the Yule trees, and the unique shape made it an eye-catching attraction.

Symbolism
Traditionally, the only symbolism that was associated with the candy was that of the shepherd’s staff. But now, there is a modern allegorical interpretation of the candy cane. It is said that since the candy cane, when inverted, becomes J-shaped, it is a direct representation of Jesus Christ. The white color of the candy denotes the purity of Christ while the stripes represent His sacrifice and the whipping he received at the hands of the Romans, the color red symbolizing his blood. It is believed that even the peppermint flavor of the candy is so because it is similar to hyssop which, according to the Old Testament, symbolizes purification and sacrifice.

Another Telling
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy: white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the Church and firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who like all sheep have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes for the blood shed by Christ on the cross. So that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Over time the humble candy became known as the Candy Cane. It became more noticeable as a decoration to hang on the tree seen at Christmas time. But the TRUE meaning is still there for all those who “Have eyes to see and ears to hear.” We pray that this symbol will again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and His great love that came down at Christmas.

Whatever the truth may be, the fact remains is that the simple, modern-day Candy Cane is and can continue to be a reminder of the real reason we celebrate this time of year!

*My longtime friend and Brother-in-Christ, Russ Hall, reminded me of this,
so I searched my computer for the stories I had saved!
Russ Hall’s Facebook Page
Russ Hall’s Russ’s Space WordPress Blog

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Bible Teaching, Broken for Us, Candy Cane, Candy Maker, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Christmas, Encouragement, Eyes to See and Ears to Hear, Faithfulness, Fragrance, God's Love, Inspiration, Legend, Love, Love of Christ, Meaning of Christmas, Merry Christmas, Peppermint, Pure and Holy, Reason For The Season, Shed Blood, Shepherd's Staff, Spiritual Symbolism, Spirituality, Stripes, Symbolism, Teaching, Testimony, Truth, Witness, Word of God | 1 Comment

Pray When It’s Hard To Pray

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Encircle my mind. I have so many worries, doubts, fears and regrets to sift through. Please bring stillness and calm, remind me that you hold all these things for me and took them to the cross so that I might have peace. Encircle my heart, for I am wounded, broken-hearted and empty. Please bring a new fullness, pour in your unconditional and extravagant love so that I might know new restoration and healing.

Encircle my soul, surround the heaviness of doubt, the weight of the burdens I carry and the ties that bind. With your presence, fill my soul with heavens light, with eternal promises and new faith. Encircle my body, for I am tired, worn down with ailments and in need of deep restoration. Come with power, that I might emerge refreshed and ready to walk again.

In Jesus’ precious Name, we pray!

By Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson, December, 2019. Used by permission.
Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson’s Facebook Page

Posted in Prayer and Praise | Tagged Broken Hearted, Burdened, Burdens, Calm, Doubts, Encircle My Heart, Encircle My Mind, Encouragement, Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson, Faith, Faithfulness, Fears, God's Love, Grace, Healing, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, Might, Peace, Power, Pray, Pray When It's Hard, Prayer, Prayer and Praise, Promises, Relationship, Remind Me, Restoration, Spirituality, Stillness, Strength, Unconditional Love, Worries, Wounded | 3 Comments

They Follow Me . . .

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

They Follow Me . . .

I called them and they heard my voice; my children follow me;
they call in prayer and I hear, the deepness in their plea.

Born anew from nothing more than love I have bestowed;
their hearts where worn and rusted; but I turned them into gold.

I call, my children follow me, by faith believe upon their knees;
and so I hold them in the storm, they learn to walk with me.

No one can pluck them from my hand, I command their destiny,
they looked upon my cross of love, forever they will be with me.

The cross I bore was not in vain, was carried just for you;
my love for you endured the pain, I did what you could not do.

I took your sins upon myself, yes you I have redeemed,
I know you, so I called your name; and so you follow me.

The steps you take, the plans you make; I lead you in the WAY;
on this journey which you take; as you live and walk by day.

You follow as you bare your cross, and do as. I would say,
love is all I ask of you; just listen and obey.

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Bible, Born Anew, Call in Prayer, Call You by Name, Children Follow, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Cross of Christ, Encouragement, Faith Believing, Faithfulness, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Inspiration, Jesus Took Our Sins, Listen and Obey, Lord, Love, Love I Ask, Mike Armijo, My Sheep Know Me, Nestled in Storm, Poetic Praise, Redeemed, Redemption, Relationship, Salvation, Strength, Teaching, They Follow Me . . ., Truth, Walk with Christ | Leave a comment

How Big Is God?

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

A boy asked his Father one day, “Dad, what is the size of God, how big is He?”

The Father looked up and around the sky and spotted a plane flying way overhead. He asked his son, “What is the size of that plane you see? How big is it?”

The boy replied, “It’s very small, I can hardly see it. If it wasn’t for the trail it leaves behind I might not see it at all.”

Then the Father took his son to the nearby airport and as they approached from a safe advantage point, a passenger jet was just about to land. The Father looked at his son and asked him again, “Now what is the size of that plane you see? How big is it?”

The boy replied excitedly, “It’s huge dad, it’s so big!!”

Then the Father put his arm around his son and told him, “It’s the same with God. God’s size depends on how close or how far away from Him you are. The closer you are to Him, the Greater and Bigger He will be in your life.”

Just a little something to think about! How big is God to YOU?!

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” – Psalm 33:6-9.

“He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” – Psalm 147:4-5.

“He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. When He utters His voice, There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: “And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries.” – Jeremiah 10:12-13.

“To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?” – Isaiah 40:18.

Posted in Food For Thought | Tagged Bible, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Food For Thought, God's Love, Great is Our Lord, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, How Big is God, Inspiration, intimacy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lord, Mighty in Power is God, Perspective, Psalms, Relationship, Scriptures, Spiritual Intimacy, Teaching, Truth, Who Compares to God, Word of God | 1 Comment

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 4 verse 4.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*Excerpt taken from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706-1721). Introduction to 1 John Chapter 4. Public Domain Text. No Rights Reserved. Permission for all.

Public Domain, used by permission. Source: 700 Sermons by Spurgeon, Power BibleCD 5.9 – Power BibleCD, Copyright ©2010 Online Publishing, Inc. 128 E Chicago St, PO Box 21, Bronson, MI 49028

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

He Knew When He Came

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley copyright © 1995 by Word, Incorporated. Used by permission.

*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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The Gift:

The Living Word:

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*My longtime friend and Brother-in-Christ, Russ Hall, reminded me of this, so I searched my computer for the stories I had saved! Russ Hall’s Facebook Page Russ Hall’s Russ’s Space WordPress Blog

By Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson, December, 2019. Used by permission. Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson’s Facebook Page

They Follow Me . . .

© Mike Nano Armijo, December 15th, 2019. Used with permission. Mike Armijo Facebook Page

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Public Domain, used by permission. Source: 700 Sermons by Spurgeon, Power BibleCD 5.9 –
Power BibleCD, Copyright ©2010 Online Publishing, Inc.
128 E Chicago St, PO Box 21, Bronson, MI 49028

Charles Spurgeon Website: https://www.princeofpreachers.org/
Charles Spurgeon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.princeofpreachers.org/
Charles Spurgeon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrinceofPreachers/

*My longtime friend and Brother-in-Christ, Russ Hall, reminded me of this,
so I searched my computer for the stories I had saved!
Russ Hall’s Facebook Page
Russ Hall’s Russ’s Space WordPress Blog

By Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson, December, 2019. Used by permission.
Evangelist Steven Ray Ferguson’s Facebook Page

© Mike Nano Armijo, December 15th, 2019. Used with permission.
Mike Armijo Facebook Page