My Blessings Run Over!

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Roland Ledoux


You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Psalm 23:5 (NLT)

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The Unveiling of Reprobation

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Roland Ledoux


I am stepping away from my usual teaching to touch on something controversial yet also so very important in a true disciple of Christ’s life as we journey the paths the Lord sets before us, (Psalms 37:23). Because of the political climate in the world today and the hotbed of the political furor in the United States, I was inspired to address this subject due to an article I just happened to run across. As soon as I read it, I am sorry but the following Scripture came to mind which led me to the subject for which I want to teach:

“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15.

I feel so thankful that there are true Christians out there who do as the Apostle John warns and tests the spirits (1 John 4:1), as well as observe the fruits of those who CLAIM to be Christians, as Jesus forewarned (Matthew 7:15-23).

In an interview published in the New York Times Sunday Book Review*, Clinton opened up about her favorite books and authors, name-dropping famous literary names like John Grisham, Toni Morrison and Walter Isaacson. The possible 2016 presidential candidate said the Bible has had the biggest influence on her:

If you had to name one book that made you who you are today, what would it be?

“At the risk of appearing predictable, the Bible was and remains the biggest influence on my thinking. I was raised reading it, memorizing passages from it and being guided by it. I still find it a source of wisdom, comfort and encouragement.”

06/16/2014 01:29 pm ET | Updated Jun 16, 2014
Paige Lavender,
Senior Politics Editor, The Huffington Post

*New York Times Sunday Book Review. A version of (The NY Times Sunday Book Review) this article appears in print on June 15, 2014, on page BR7 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The following Definition is from Dictionary.com:

reprobate [ rep-ruh-beyt ]

noun
a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person:
a drunken reprobate.
a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

adjective
morally depraved; unprincipled; bad.
rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

verb (used with object), rep·ro·bat·ed, rep·ro·bat·ing.
to disapprove, condemn, or censure.
(of God) to reject (a person), as for sin; exclude from the number of the elect or from salvation.

Words related to reprobate
corrupt, depraved, bad, wanton, foul, degenerate, immoral, improper, incorrigible, lewd, rude, sinful, unprincipled, vile, wicked

A reprobate mind as the Bible describes it, is a mind that is given over to sinful passions and ungodly desires. It is a word used to describe a person who outright rejects God while apparently KNOWING the truth and yet, does what is vile and self-serving rather than obey the Word or commandments of God. Because of this outright rejection of God and His Character, Nature, etc., they are judged by God and are under condemnation, therefore their conscience, their moral compass as-it-were is seared beyond redemption.

The actual term “reprobate mind” in the English language is found only once in the King James Version in Romans 1:28 but is translated differently in various other versions.

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:28, KJV).

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;” (Romans 1:28, NKJV).

“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,” (Romans 1:28, NASB).

“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28, NIV).

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28, ESV).

“And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right.” (Romans 1:28, CSB).

The Greek word for reprobate, depraved, debased literally means:

“Unapproved, unworthy, spurious, worthless, disapproved, rejected, cast away.”

The Greek word for reprobate occurs 8 times in the New Testament but is translated into the English using the various words as indicated in the examples above. There is a variety of meanings in the English for what reprobation is. But generally speaking, the word means to test and find lacking.

In Romans 1:28, the main reference we are analyzing, at the end of the passage documenting human ungodliness and depravity (verses 18–27), Paul uses a play on words to sum up his allegation. Since humanity tested and rejected the knowledge of GOD, God gave THEM over to an a way of thinking that, having been tested and found wanting, is rejected as base and worthless.

Therefore REPROBATE IS — that which is rejected on account of its own worthlessness and ungodliness. (Jeremiah 6:30, Hebrews 6:8).

Now in Christian theology, reprobation is a doctrine of the Bible found in many passages of scripture (see below) which teaches that a person can reject the gospel to a point where God in turn rejects them and causes their conscience to be seared or numb, allowing them to do unnatural and abominable things. The English word reprobate is from the Latin root probare meaning to prove, to test, and thus derived from the Latin word reprobatus, again meaning reproved and/or condemned.

When a sinner is so hardened as to feel no remorse or misgiving of conscience, it is considered a sign of reprobation. This isn’t teaching that because of their wicked actions that God will NOT save them, but rather, because of their outright rejection of that which they know to be right before God, God then, in His judgement, gives them over to a seared conscience and now they can do vile actions. The vile actions, depravity and the many corrupt things they accomplish without remorse are evidence of a reprobate mind.

What can we surmise about someone who has what the Bible calls a reprobate mind? We do know from the chapter in Romans that we used to analyze this subject that the people under discussion did not like to retain the Lord in their knowledge; they knew of Him and His Character, Nature and Attributes, but did not want to dwell on thoughts of Him or follow His precepts. As a result, He (God) gave them over to this reprobate, defiled mindset and virtually worthless state of reasoning. God didn’t cause it, He let their choices lead them to this state of mental unbalance! The people the Apostle Paul is discussing in Romans and elsewhere in his writings are godless and wicked people who suppress the truth (they lie as a way of life) by their wickedness and deceitfulness.

Let’s go to some of those Scriptures we promised we would cover concerning this state of mind:

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man–and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” – Romans 1:20-32.

Notice that the Apostle Paul is railing against some of these vile people who crept into the early church and began to teach other things, other doctrines, other gospels, and were successful at leading many astray. It was a problem right from the start, and it has continued to be a problem down to this very day! REMEMBER, Paul is addressing THE CHURCH, and those who CLAIM to know God! He’s not writing to those outside the Church who haven’t had their spiritual eyes opened as yet!

Now notice what this same Apostle writes to Timothy and to Titus:

“Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.” – 2 Timothy 3:8-9.

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” – Titus 1:15-16.

This was something that the Apostles were very well aware of in the early church; yet as time has progressed, for some reason, this has become a teaching we avoid like the plague!
The beloved Apostle John recorded this interaction with Jesus in his Gospel;

“Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.”

“But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”

“Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” – John 12:35-41.

The writer of Hebrews warned of this in his letter:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.” – Hebrews 6:4-8.

Solomon, considered the wisest man ever to have lived, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote of wisdom in relation to the reprobate, sometimes referred to as the simple-minded and foolish:

“Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.”

“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” – Proverbs 1:20-33.

Okay, after reading these Scriptures and analyzing the verses, I know many beg the question as to whether Christians can be of a reprobate mind. The simple answer is NO!

Christians are indwelt by God and abide IN God. “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” – 1 John 3:24.

Also Christians are born again and have become new creations in Christ Jesus (John 3:3-8). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17.

As a changed and new creation, the reborn spirit does not rely solely upon the corruptible conscience but rather upon the leading and convincing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, unlike the conscience cannot nor will ever be seared. His purpose and mission is to be the Spirit of Christ within you, leading, teaching, guiding, admonishing and convincing us of actually putting aside our fleshly, self-serving desires and to surrender our wills to the will of God. When we abide in the Spirit and He abides in us, we have the best assurances and guarantees there is.

We are watching the Bible and even Biblical prophecy unfold before our very eyes in the world and in the halls of our government and it is heading towards a culmination of historical events as man has not seen since his very beginning. If you truly are a disciple of Christ Jesus, following the examples He has spoken of AND demonstrated by example, this is no time to fear, but it is a time to be vigilant and fervent in prayer! Ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to see more clearly and focused with spiritual eyes and hear more precisely with spiritual ears. He WILL answer that prayer!

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I John 4:4-6

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Roland Ledoux


1 John 4:4-6, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

The Apostle is continuing on with his discourse into the spirit of antichrists that were even then prevalent in the world during his time. John starts out with one of my favorite and most comforting of declarations, “BECAUSE, He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!”

The Beloved Apostle just finished a discourse on the spirit of antichrist and the deception and false teaching that they were and would be known for in the future, but, as is his style, John reaches out to the readers in the familial style by stating adamantly, “YOU ARE OF GOD, little children!” Notice that he is NOT being belittling, but rather as he so often does, he is being endearing, letting them/us know that as family, they/we are ALL going through these times together, AS family, as children of an Almighty God. He is also reminding the child of God that they have already in times past overcome that spirit of which he is talking! So there should be assurance and comfort in that very fact that they have already fought the enemy.

John is assuring them of a spiritual principle in those few words; you are of God, you are born of God, abide in God, and thus you are anointed of God and led by God; you are God’s children, heirs to Him, created in His likeness and image, reborn spiritually to inherit the power and anointing of His spirit within you! Now think of what I just wrote; how awesome and assuring is that?! His spirit within us is no longer dead and dormant, sleeping and numb to what is around us, but in Christ, our spirit has been reborn and quickened by the same Holy Spirit that quickened Jesus Christ! It is alive and because it is “breathed of God,” it is powerful and aware of what is around us!

We, who HAVE been spiritually reborn are God’s chosen, children yes, but also heirs with Christ Jesus and because we are God’s chosen, we are protected, secure from the lies and deceptions of the enemy spirits. One of Christ’s greatest promises so thoroughly upset the Jewish leaders that they wanted to stone Him, yet it is one of the most precious promises and greatest assurances we have today:

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” – John 10:28-30.

John assures us by telling us that we ARE of God; such a great and awesome thought all by itself, but then goes on to tell us that we “have already overcome them,” because, “BECAUSE, greater is He Who is in you, than he who is in the world!” The Spirit of God dwells and abides in you and you abide in God Almighty! What greater strength and security can there be?! It is one of the greatest JOYS to know that we are abiding in and under the influence and protection of the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit! When you truly come to the point in your life when you ABSOLUTELY realize that, there is a joy and peace, that the Bible states is beyond all understanding! (Philippians 4:7).

You see, the world system, those that buy into it, nurture it, are seduced by it and appear to prosper by it, think they are strong and that because of size and numbers, nothing can defeat it, but this is where the deception lies. The devil, the enemy of mankind’s soul has ALWAYS been a liar, cheat and deceiver. The Apostle Paul wrote the following confirming this very fact; “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded!” They ARE deceived and they don’t even know it. Jesus, Himself posed this question in the Gospel of Luke; “And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” – Luke 6:39. Isn’t that exactly what we see being played out in the world today? Can you imagine, to us as, you and I, true followers of Christ Jesus, just how much more obvious it is than even during John’s time?

The sad truth is though, and the Apostle spells it out; the world hears its own. Do you desire popularity, acceptance, recognition and acknowledgement? Many do and yet as I read somewhere a while back, “the approval of the world is not a testament to the truthfulness of one’s teachings!” John verifies this exact thought. Remember, John is still speaking of that spirit of antichrist that is one with the world. They are the most popular because they are saying what those in the world want to hear. Therefore, the world and those who are seduced and blinded by the world, WILL listen.

I know this is a Scripture we use often, but it is evident we ARE in the last days or later age before the return of Christ Jesus and we CAN’T ignore the prophetic, both the future revealed AND the authority of the Word, found in these verses written by the Apostle Paul; “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4. I HAVE to highlight this part: “because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth.”

“They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.”

Hey, listen, part of my ministry is to not just teach, but to encourage and edify or lift up, the Body of Christ and its members of which I believe the beloved Apostle is addressing. I love to encourage. I love to leave my brothers and sisters in Christ with a smile on their face and some extra joy in their heart. That’s the best part of this type of ministry, in all honesty! But there is an underlying reason WHY I serve in that capacity; I encourage IN THE LORD, because the fact remains none of us is perfect. We stumble and make mistakes; yes, we still sin, maybe not so much in deed, but in oftentimes in thought and we STILL need to repent of those things that are NOT pleasing to our Heavenly Father. We HAVE been reborn and we are no longer in bondage or slaves to sin, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t tell “white” lies now and then, you know, to protect other people’s feelings and such! A lie is a lie and it’s sin and sin unrepentant has consequences! What about those few office supplies you took home that no one will miss. What about that bag of potatoes the local grocer forgot to ring up, did you go back and correct it? What about the bitter thoughts concerning that co-worker that keeps hitting that one nerve constantly? Do not be deceived, sin IS sin and unrepentant sin is death. But — we DO have an Advocate with the Father, we DO have an Intercessor that stands at the right hand of the Father and reminds the Father, they are mine Father, I have redeemed them, they WILL listen to the convincing of My Spirit, My Holy Spirit dwelling within them! (Romans 8:33-34).

I told you all that for this one reason; we encourage one another, we esteem one another, we lift up one another, but we do it for the reason that we in ourselves are not perfect and in that imperfection, which HAS to be pointed out from time to time, in TRUTH and LOVE, is the reason for encouraging one another in the Lord! There is no reason to be encouraged AND at times admonished if we are already perfected!

But that is why John tells us that we have overcome. We have within us that spirit of God, His Holy Spirit who we listen too and hear. We don’t hear and listen to the world when it tells us it’s okay, it’s not like murder for instance, don’t fret it, you’re a GOOD person! Those in the world, those deceived by the spirit of this age, LOVE to hear that. They love to have their ears tickled, as it were!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17.

THEREFORE – because of, you being a new creation in Christ, your ability to hear the world’s lies has become dull, but now, you hear the things of the Spirit within you! What a marvelous transformation and promise! We are now of God and His Spirit and those who truly KNOW God, now hear us. They who know the purity and holiness of God, the love and grace of God, the truth and faithfulness of God, the authoritative word and prophecies of God, must know that we abide in Him and He abides in us; and thus, he who knows this will hear and listen to us, and abide with us.

But again, remember, those who are NOT of God will NOT hear or listen to us. Yet John reminds us one more time of this for a very important reason. You know in the past I have taught about the spiritual gift of discernment, being able to differentiate the truth from a falsehood and especially when appearances can be so deceiving; well the Apostle is touching on an aspect of this without actually coming out and saying this is what it is. Discernment comes because of the Holy Spirit within that we have been talking about when we speak of overcoming due to WHO is within us. What John is now saying is that when those who know God hear us, listen and abide with us compared to those who DON’T know God, who don’t hear us, listen and abide with us but rather listen to the world and the things of the world, then you are able to differentiate between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Remember, at the beginning of this Chapter we read what John wrote, “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.” – 1 John 4:1.

He IS reiterating that very thing here again. You WILL know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood or error. “I, John, am giving you a clue: the people of the world who don’t know God, will not hear you. The people who know God, WILL hear you.”

I guess the thing that I most appreciate about John and his writing is that he makes a point and adds to that point and then when you least expect it, he goes back and more-or-less cements that first point. So in fact, you are always moving ahead several steps, but he’ll take a step or two back just to lay that foundation solidly before continuing on. I have actually heard and read some teachers who do not like that approach and yet for myself, I learn so solidly from that technique.

When you look at what is happening before our very eyes right now, in the world around us and not just in the United States where I live, but in the world, you can clearly see what the Apostle John is trying to encourage us in and prepare us for. There is nothing to fear, if you are a child of God’s, nothing at all and in fact, we should take great comfort in the fact that we have been forewarned. As that old Latin proverb goes, “forewarned is forearmed!” Knowledge truly is power. God’s children are never left unawares of His long-reaching plans and goals and especially when it affects His Kingdom and His heirs.

The world and the spirit of antichrist believes that it can leave God’s people, His children defenseless against their lies and deceit; and yet, we serve an Omnipotent and Omniscient Almighty Father who will NEVER leave us vulnerable!

Do NOT fear what you see around you, pray, indeed pray fervently and with resolve and do NOT forget to remember what Jesus Himself told us, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Luke 21:28.

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 4 verse 7.

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

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Roland Ledoux

The Unchanging WORD . . .

We praise YOUR holy name oh GOD our tears have led to YOU;
You are the beginning and the end so faithful and so true.

No matter where we were back then as we look back in time,
YOU saved us from an awful fate and opened up our eyes.

We are secure in who YOU are YOU are worthy of our praise;
YOU have counted us as YOURS oh LORD as YOU know each star by name.

Our focus now should be on YOU without YOU we can’t be;
now it’s upon YOUR faithfulness in humbleness we cleave.

YOU sent your SON who shed HIS blood who paid a debt HE did not owe;
it was our sin that nailed HIM there and this the world should know.

YOU did it all for us because YOU loved us that YOU gave,
that precious blood to cover us our GOD it’s YOU who saves.

There is nothing we could ever do to deserve this love YOU give;
YOUR cross is our reminder that it’s by YOUR death we live.

EMMANUEL our GOD with us who came to live inside,
heart’s that once were made of stone and filled with foolish pride.

Hearts that YOU have turned to flesh who worship at YOUR throne,
because of YOU we are saved by grace and will never be alone.

YOU made us right before YOUR eye’s so joyfully we praise,
we worship YOU the TRUTH the LIFE the ONE who is the WAY.

We gladly bear our cross and follow YOU let YOUR will be our WAY;
no longer children of the night but children of the day.

The joy YOU give has been our strength YOU’VE let YOUR voice be heard;
let YOUR be LOVE our destiny changing lives through YOUR unchanging WORD.

© Mike Nano Armijo, March 7th, 2019. Used with permission.
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A Prayer of Gratitude

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Roland Ledoux


Dearest Heavenly Father,

Teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life. I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily and to break the power of the enemy in my life through my sacrifice of praise to You. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances.

Jesus, I want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict/convince me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I long to bring Joy to YOUR heart. Teach me the power of a thankful heart. I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart.

Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are Able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.

Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy!

In Jesus’ Precious and Exalted Name we pray, Amen and AMEN!

“I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” – Psalm 7:17.

“O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” – Psalm 8:9.

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The Sheep and Their Shepherd VI – Charles Spurgeon

Posted on January 18, 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 Six:

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

III. The last point, with which we now proceed to close, is–THE PRIVILEGE OF CHRIST’S SHEEP. It does not look very large, but if we open it, we shall see an amazing degree of blessedness in it. “I know them,” “I know them.” What does it mean?

I have not time now to tell you all it means. “I know them.” What is the reverse of this but one of the most dreadful things that is reserved for the day of judgment? There will be some who will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils?” And he shall say, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I never knew you; depart from me, ye cursed.” Now measure the height of that privilege by the depth of this misery. “I never knew you.” What a volume of scorn it implies! What a stigma of infamy it conveys! Change the picture. The Redeemer says, “I know them,” “I know them.” How his eyes flash with kindness; how their cheeks burn with gratitude, as he says, “I know them “! Why, if a man had a friend and acquaintance that he used to know, and some years after he found him a disreputable, abandoned, wicked, guilty criminal, I feel pretty sure he would not say much about having known such a fellow, though he might be driven to confess that he had some years ago a passing acquaintance with him. But our Lord Jesus Christ, though he knows what poor, unworthy ones we are, yet when we shall be brought up before the Lord, before the great white throne, he will confess he knew us. He does know us, we are old acquaintances of his, and he has known us from before the foundation of the world, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called.” There are riches of grace in this; but we will consider it in another way. Our Savior knows us, our Shepherd knows us. Beloved, he knows your person and all about you. You, with that sick body, that aching head, he knows you and he knows your son with all its sensitiveness; that timidity, that anxiety, that constitutional depression–he knows it all. A physician may come to see you and be unable to detect what the disease is that pains or prostrates you, but Christ knows you through and through; all the parts of your nature he understands. “I know them,” saith he; he can therefore prescribe for you. He knows your sins. Do not let that dismay you, because he has blotted them all out; and he only knows them to forgive them, to cover them with his righteousness. He knows your corruptions; he will help you to overcome them; he will deal with you in providence and in grace, so that they shall be rooted up. He knows your temptations. Perhaps you are living away from your parents and Christian friends, and you have had an extraordinary temptation, and you wish you could go home and tell your mother. Oh, he knows it, he knows it; he can help you better than your mother can. You say: “I wish the minister knew the temptation I have passed through.” Do not tell it; God knows it. As Daniel did not want Nebuchadnezzar to tell him the nature of his dream but gave him the dream and the interpretation at the same time, so God can send you comfort. There will be a word as plainly suited to your case as though it were all printed, and the preacher had known it all. It must be so. Depend upon it, the Lord knows your temptation, and watches your trial; or be it a sick child, or be it a bad matter of business that has lately occurred; or be it a slander that has wounded your heart, there is not a pang you feel but God as surely sees it as the weaver sees the shuttle which he throws with his own hand. He knows your trial, and he knows the meaning of your groans: he can read the secret desire of your heart, you need not write it nor speak it: he has understood it all. You were saying: “O that my child were converted! O that I grew in grace!” He knows it: he knows it every whit. There is not a word on your tongue, nor a wish in your heart, but he knoweth it altogether. O dear heart, he knows your sincerity! Perhaps you want to join the church, and your proposal has been declined, because you could not give satisfactory testimony. If you are sincere, he knows it; he knows, moreover, what your anxiety is. You cannot tell another what it is that is bitter to you–the heart knoweth its own bitterness–he knows it. As his secret is with you, so your secret is with him. He knows you: he knows what you have been trying to do. That secret gift–that offering dropped so quietly where none could see it–he knows it. And he knows that you love him. “Yes,” you are saying in your soul, “if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.” No, you cannot tell him, nor tell others; but he knows it all.

So, now, in closing, let us say that in the text there is mutual knowledge. “I know them, but they also know me, because they hear my voice, and recognize it.” Here is mutual confession. Christ speaks, else there would be no voice: they hear, else were the voice not useful. “I know them;” that is his thoughts go towards them. “They follow me;” that is, their thoughts go towards him. He leads the way, else they could not follow. They follow, however, whom he leads the way. Being the counterpart of each other, what the one does the other returns through grace; and what grace puts into the sheep the shepherd recognizes and makes a return to them. Christ and his church become an echo of each other: his the voice, theirs is but a faint echo of it; still it is a true echo, and you shall know who are Christ’s by this. Do they echo what Christ saith? Oh, how I wish we were all sheep! How my soul longs that we may many of us who are not of his fold be brought in. The Lord bring you in, my dear hearers. The Lord give you his grace, and make you his own, comfort you, and make you to follow him. And if you are his, show it. These, dear brethren and sisters, here at this time, desire to confess Christ in your presence. If they are doing right, and you are not doing as they do, then you are doing wrong. If it is the duty of one, it is the duty of all; and if one Christian may neglect making a profession, all may do so, and then there will be no visible church whatever, and the visible ordinances must die out. If you know him, own him, for he hath said: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” God bless you, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

This concludes the six-part series of Spurgeon’s Sermon

Public Domain, used by permission. Source: 700 Sermons by Spurgeon, Power BibleCD 5.9 –
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The Truth Is The Truth

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Roland Ledoux



“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:31-32.

Some people do NOT want to hear the truth and remain in bondage because the god of THIS world has blinded them. They SAY they want the truth, but they do NOT desire the TRUTH Himself!

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

BELIEVE AND BE FREE!

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A Study In Context

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Roland Ledoux


1 Peter 5:8, “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Luke 12:19, “‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘

Luke 10:37, Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 4:6-7, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

Matthew 21:22, “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Mark 11:24).

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

Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 20:4, “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.”

*”According to the March 2007 edition of Time, the Bible “has done more to shape literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever written. Its influence on world history is unparalleled, and shows no signs of abating.” With estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies, it is widely considered to be the most influential and “best-selling book of all time.” As of the 2000s, it sells approximately 100 million copies annually.”

To a devoted follower and disciple of Christ Jesus, the Bible is the foundation, the very road map of his/her Spiritual journey or lifestyle. As a true disciple grows and matures in the Word that has been printed within its pages, that person experiences not just a change in their own life, but a depth and perspective of that very Word that is constantly changing to meet wherever they are and at whatever stage they are in their Christian development! Anyone who has experienced the Bible over a period of time, has been witness to the fact that you can read a certain passage and as time goes by and you apply the Word in its various precepts to a particular area of your life, you can go back to that same initial passage and see something that is even deeper and possibly even more specific to your situation than you were able to see in the very first reading.

It has been said and it is true, backed up by the Scriptures themselves that the Bible is a Living Word. Yes, it is and has been written by various men with various personalities and styles, and yet, the Authorship of the Holy Spirit behind those pens is evident when you look at the Whole of what has become known as the “approved canon” of the Bible.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” – John 1:1-5.

The Bible is the written incarnation of the Character, Nature and Attributes of God and His Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is the incarnate (uncorrupted flesh) image of the Character, Nature and Attributes of God, the Father. God, the Father has inspired the following through the Holy Spirit and spoken by Jesus Himself:

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:23-24.

But Jesus went further on to also state when speaking to His disciple Philip:

“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.” – John 14:9-11.

So many followers believe that the Bible was written so that mankind can see the need and avenue of Salvation through the voluntary Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the Name of His Father. Like so many do or even assume, this is only a PART of God’s plan or mission for the written Living Word. The same thing is true for the Word made Flesh, Christ Jesus! Salvation and Redemption are just a PART of His mission, a necessary part for sure, but still JUST a part. In actuality a MEANS to an END!

Now please, bear with me, be patient and hear me out. I am not espousing some new doctrine or a new theology, but only one that many times is overlooked within the WHOLE counsel of the Bible!

First, let’s talk about one (just one or else we will never finish) aspect of the Character, Nature and Attributes of God. We can all agree right from the start that “God IS Love!” 1 John 4:7-8, 16, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

You can find countless Scriptures that define God’s Character as love, loving kindness, mercy, compassion depending on the version of the Bible you use. They ALL use the same language in the original to describe God Almighty as a Loving God in Character and Nature!

Now, back to the beginning with the understanding of a God Who IS Love. Before the creation of mankind as the Bible relates to us, what was there? There was a God of Love and the Heavenly Hosts of Angels. Those beings He created with a specific purpose and plan. But where could a loving God, with unlimited and abounding love direct that Love?

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27.

God created mankind and gave him dominion, or authority over the earth and its creatures and creation. Man’s food was NOT that which he had dominion over, but the fruit of the earth. Man was created in the image or likeness of God. It wasn’t a matter of LOOKING like God, but being formed with the same Character, Nature and Attributes of God. Man was given the ability to love, to create, to use authority for the good of the rest of creation. He was given from that point on the eternalness that was associated with God. Though God has no beginning, He also has no end and God passed that attribute on to His creation, mankind. Mankind was given the ability to learn and acquire knowledge as evidenced in God giving the command to name the animals, etc. Though God’s Character, Nature and Attributes are ALL encompassing as characterized by His Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Eternalness and Immutability (unchanging Character).

Man was gifted with a portion of each of these characteristics. God the Father is a Spirit. God breathed His spirit into mankind to make him a living being. The Word was with God in the beginning as we stated already. The plan for mankind was already known to the Mind of God, the Word would become flesh, incarnate. God had given mankind the ability to choose. Why you might ask? Simply put, love without the ability to choose is not Love, not Godly love anyway! The Angels were created with purpose. They had assignments and abilities to accomplish God’s will all over the spiritual and supernatural; and that was before mankind as we know it was created. God wanted a people with the ability to choose in which He could love, but also who had the ability to return that love to his Creator. Mankind, created in the image and likeness of God the Father had that ability with those characteristics, nature and attributes that the Father had bestowed on them.

God Almighty, as Creator and Heavenly Father, desired a RELATIONSHIP with a creation that could return His unconditional love back to Himself. God created us, for relationship. Adam and Eve were the first He created so that He COULD walk with them and commune on an intimate basis with. But again, God in His wisdom, KNEW that true, unconditional love had to be able to choose between loving God or loving themselves more. God knew what mankind would choose in the very beginning. It was no surprise to Him and that is why The Living Word was ready to fulfill the need that was demanded for man to be able to be redeemed.

This leads to the rhetorical question; why would mankind HAVE to be redeemed? To bring back to fruition the Plan of God. Man has a choice, AND now, thanks to the willing Sacrifice of Jesus who made the PAYMENT for mankind’s sin, man has the ability to choose; walk in the way he wants too, with his own plans and schemes or accept the Savior’s Gift and allow Him to show us the true Character, Nature and Attributes of the Father through an intimate relationship with Him powered by the Holy Spirit Who was promised to dwell within each of us if we accept the Gift of a renewed spiritual awareness!! The choice is and always has been man’s!

Now, I hope you can see that what I have been leading up too is the mission statement as it were of the Bible, the Living Word of God. To show us, God the Father, THROUGH Christ Jesus, the Son and EMPOWERED through the Holy Spirit to have an intimate relationship with our Creator, God Almighty, our Heavenly Father! Salvation and Redemption is just the path to that end; it is as it were the beginning of that path, not the destination, but rather the way to that destination.

Okay, I’ve come this far and now you may be asking, what in the world does this all have to do with the context of the Bible??

It truly matters that you understand why our Heavenly Father gave us His written Word. It is how we can get to know HIM intimately and personally, along with prayer, communion and meditation AND listening for Him to speak to us, our hearts and mind. When you delve into that Living Word, when you get to know, even minutely WHO your Heavenly Father is, WHO Christ Jesus is and what role the Holy Spirit plays, when you DO commune with the Father, when you DO listen for His “still small voice,” you will not be mislead by the roar of the world, the lies of the enemy of your soul or the hub-bub of life around you.

The sad truth of the matter is just what the Beloved Apostle John warns us of in his Epistle; “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.” – 1 John 4:1-3.

I just finished an Expository Teaching on these Scriptures so I won’t go into further detail and you can find that here if you haven’t read it yet: 1 John 4:1-3.

One of the easiest ways in which to mislead and deceive the Body of Christ and its members is by twisting the Scriptures to make it say what you want it to say and sadly, we see this in the organized church even today AND many ARE being deceived.

The Word of God can be twisted to say whatever a person with ill motives wish it to say, IF it is taken out of context, which is so easy to do. A person who teaches the Word of God has a very heavy responsibility to make sure that when they use a verse of Scripture to confirm another, that it is within the context of what the Scriptures as a whole are saying. Many say the Scriptures contradict one another from one place to another, but my command to them is instead of lining Scripture up to match your theories, search your heart and make sure you are lining yourself up to the Scriptures. A person who truly studies with an open heart before the Holy Spirit will NOT find contradictions in the Scriptures but in actuality will find truth and enlightenment and illumination!

You will find many teachers who choose to teach in an expository manner; meaning they will take a section of Scripture and “expose” or comment on it verse by verse and line upon line. Thus, it is much easier to teach within the context of the paragraph or even chapter within which it was written. This is also a very important way to study the scriptures. However, there are books such as Ecclesiastes, Psalms and especially Proverbs that have verses of Scripture that stand alone. BUT – and here is the important thing, their meaning will NEVER contradict Scripture elsewhere in the Bible. If it appears that it does, it is your interpretation or translation of the verse that is wrong! This is why the Apostle Paul was so adamant to his disciple, Timothy when he wrote:

“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:14-15.

And:

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

This is why when preachers and teachers teach thematically, they have to have a good grasp of what I like to describe as the WHOLE counsel of God! They have to be familiar with all the Bible and not just the parts they like the most. It is a heavy and grave responsibility for the Bible itself says that we are given a greater judgement for what we teach, especially if it is misleading to believers! James 3:1, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” If you have been “called” into this ministry, than just remember, your reliance upon prayer and the Holy Spirit is vitally essential for you cannot take a calling like this lightly. If you are called, the Holy Spirit WILL equip you but in my many years I have learned, He ALSO imparts to your heart and spirit a motive for wanting to teach. Mine is to encourage and lift up others, to inspire them to find their own gifts from the Holy Spirit and to use those gifts to build up the Body of Christ. There are other responsibilities that go along that aren’t nearly as pleasant, but when your heart motive is out of love for your brothers and sisters, it’s easier to deal with those aspects of teaching that aren’t always as pleasant; again from the Apostle Paul to Timothy refer to the verses above, especially, “All Scripture . . . is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete . . .”

And also, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

Now, I hope you can see the importance of not just reading the Word of God, but also of studying it. Search if need be, teachers you CAN trust who have a proven track-record of teaching the truth, but I would also admonish you to pray about what you read, listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings within your own heart. Remember this; if the Holy Spirit can speak to me, in my heart and spirit, then He can certainly speak to you as well!

Whenever speaking of the Word of God and anything that involves study I always like to point this Scripture out as a confirmation of our need to be on guard within ourselves:

“Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” – Acts 17:10-11.

The key here is found in verse 11. “They searched the Scriptures daily to make sure for themselves that what Paul and Silas preached was true!” They didn’t go about it with the motive of trying to FIND fault, but rather that they would not be misled. They truly took to heart what Paul later wrote in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

May we also take to heart what the Apostle Paul wrote to those Philippians and be ever more like the Bereans, taking seriously what we read and what we accept when we hear things. With that in mind, I hope that those of you who read the Scriptures at the very beginning of this article might be scratching your heads right now! I DID indeed pull a fast one by giving you three scenarios that could have been easily misconstrued as something legitimate by putting seemingly innocent Scriptures together to form a thought. These examples show the importance of knowing the context of each and not just piecing together to make something we WANT it to say. Sadly, this as stated earlier, is happening in many churches today and it IS up to us, to be diligent AND responsible for what we accept as truth!

Sorry for the deception, but I hope you see my point! God bless you ALL so abundantly and richly as you take this to heart!

*From Wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible, Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Used by permission.
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God – Love, Enjoy

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
Genesis 3:22, Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” —

Acts 17:29-31, “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

Not To Be Confused

Sisquoc pecked his long beak from the shell to become the first condor ever born in captivity. In two hours he ate a meal of water and minced meat. The keeper used a mother condor puppet when feeding the chick to keep it from confusing human keepers with its own species. That would never do, of course. A vulture might weigh in as an eight ounce cutie and grow into a sixteen to twenty-two pound monstrosity with a wing span of nine feet, but its identity with its own kind must be preserved. For his own sake, Sisquoc ate from a human hand disguised as a mama vulture.

The keepers wanted to prevent an identity crisis for Sisquoc, and God seeks to prevent an identity crisis with us. He wants us to love only Him, even as we enjoy His gifts. He wants us to delight in Him as the God of peace, not just in the peace He gives. To possess him as the “God of consolation,” as Madame Guyon wrote, not just the consolation he provides; to delight in Him as the God of creation, not just in the creation He made.

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

May we not worry but believe in Thee, our Great Parent. – Bunjiro

When God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart not the head. – Anonymous

God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having- life with Himself. – Oswald Chambers

God is not a cosmic bell-boy for whom we can press a button to get things done. – Harry Emerson Fosdick

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Faith Makes The Impossible, Possible

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Roland Ledoux



“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:1-6.

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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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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!

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A New Year’s Prayer

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Roland Ledoux


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New Year Prayer

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Roland Ledoux


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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.

“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.” – Romans 5:1-2.

“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.

“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.

“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

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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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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 —

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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.

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