FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

Alternatives – None Good

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
Numbers 23:6-10, “So he returned to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, he and all the leaders of Moab. He took up his discourse and said, “From Aram Balak has brought me, Moab’s king from the mountains of the East, ‘Come curse Jacob for me, And come, denounce Israel!’ “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? As I see him from the top of the rocks, And I look at him from the hills; Behold, a people who dwells apart, And will not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!”

2 Corinthians 7:5, “For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.”

No Good Choice

General George Washington’s army was likely to be destroyed if it attempted to attack the British late that December, 1776. Yet the men would certainly desert if it cowered in encampments west of the Delaware River. In an anguish of indecision the general wrote his brother Augustine “of the perplexity of my situation. No man . . . ever had a greater choice of difficulties, and less means to extricate himself from them.”

Tom Dooley told of an old Vietnamese man climbing aboard the USS Montague from a transporter. He climbed up the steps to the ship and stopped. Looking terrified at the spectacle of boarding an American vessel, he then looked below at the swells – and froze in terror of the sea. There was nothing behind for him and only terror before.

Russians, too, had little choice in the opening months of the German offensive in 1941. If they stayed to defend their homes, Stalin’s minions accused them of having German loyalties. If they fled the Wermacht, Stalin’s minions considered them cowards and ordered them shot or exiled.

Sometimes we see distress one way, gloom another, and darkness all around. Questions multiply and answers vanish. When that happens, faith in God provides moral courage that is strong as steel cable, spiritual intuition that is sensitive as a taut violin string, and spiritual perception that is penetrating as a laser beam. Little by little, possibilities emerge – out of the gloom, glory; out of the misery, the miraculous. We outlive uncertainty, which cannot last, by trusting God’s grace, which cannot end.

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

Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning. — John Henry Neuman

If I had three hundred men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, I would set the world on fire. — John Wesley

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. — Plato

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt. — Shakespeare

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians, Alternatives - None Good, Army, Bible Teaching, Choices, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, George Washington, German Offensive WWII - 1941, God's Grace, God's Love, Hope, Inspiration, John Henry Neuman, John Wesley, Numbers, Plato, Revolutionary War, Russians, Shakespeare, Strength, Teaching, Tom Dooley, Trust, Trusting, Truth, USS Montague, Vietnamese, Word of God | Leave a comment

Love and Fear – Alexander MacLaren

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Alexander MacLaren (February 11, 1826 – May 5, 1910) was an English non-conformist minister of Scottish origin. This Scottish preacher was known as the ‘Prince of Expositors’ and “the supreme example of the Protestant expository preacher.” He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of a merchant and lay preacher. The family moved to Edinburgh, where as a 12 year old, MacLaren accepted Christ and was publicly baptized. He was educated at Glasgow University and Stepney College, a Baptist college in London. He became thoroughly grounded in Greek and Hebrew and learned to study the Bible in the original languages. This laid the foundation for his distinctive work as an expositor and for the biblical content of his preaching. He became a much sought after preacher and accepted the pastorate at Union Chapel in Manchester in 1858. He was the pastor there for 45 years until 1903. After this he continued to preach and study the Word endeavoring to never veer from the path of historic truths.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: became fear hath torment. life that feareth is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

JOHN has been speaking of boldness, and that naturally suggests its opposite — fear. He has been saying that perfect love produces courage in the day of judgment, because it produces likeness to Christ, who is the Judge. In my text he explains and enlarges that statement. For there is another way in which love produces boldness, and that is by its casting out fear. These two are mutually exclusive. The entrance of the one is for the other a notice to quit. We cannot both love and fear the same person or thing, and where love comes in, the darker form slips out at the door; and where Love comes in, it brings hand in hand with itself Courage with her radiant face. But boldness is the companion of love, only when love is perfect. For, inconsistent as the two emotions are, love, in its earlier stages and lower degrees, is often perturbed and dashed by apprehension and dread.

Now John is speaking about the two emotions in themselves, irrespective, so far as his language goes, of the objects to which they are directed. What he is saying is true about love and fear, whatever or whosoever may be loved or dreaded. But the context suggests the application in his mind, for it is ‘boldness before him’ about which he has been speaking; and so it is love and fear directed towards God which are meant in my text. The experience of hosts of professing Christians is only too forcible a comment upon the possibility of a partial Love lodging in the heart side by side with a fellow-lodger, Fear, whom it ought to have expelled. So there are three things here that I wish to notice — the empire of fear, the mission of fear, and the expulsion of fear.

I. The empire of fear.

Fear is a shrinking apprehension of evil as befalling us, from the person or thing which we dread. My text brings us face to face with that solemn thought that there are conditions of human nature, in which the God who ought to be our dearest joy and most ardent desire becomes our ghastliest dread. The root of such an unnatural perversion of all that a creature ought to feel towards its loving Creator lies in the simple consciousness of discordance between God and man, which is the shadow cast over the heart by the fact of sin. God is righteous; God righteously administers His universe. God enters into relations of approval or disapproval with His responsible creature. Therefore there lies, dormant for the most part, but present in every heart, and active in the measure in which that heart is informed as to itself, the slumbering, cold dread that between it and God things are not as they ought to be.

I believe, for my part, that such a dumb, dim consciousness of discord attaches to all men, though it is often smothered, often ignored, and often denied. But there it is; the snake hibernates, but it is coiled in the heart all the same; and warmth will awake it. Then it lifts its crested head, and shoots out its forked tongue, and venom passes into the veins. A dread of God is the ghastliest thing in the world, the most unnatural, but universal, unless expelled by perfect love.

Arising from that discomforting consciousness of discord there come, likewise, other forms and objects of dread. For if I am out of harmony with Him, what will be my fate in the midst of a universe administered by Him, and in which all are His servants? Oh! I sometimes wonder how it is that godless men front the facts of human life and do not go mad. For here are we, naked, feeble, alone, plunged into a whirlpool, from the awful vortices of which we cannot extricate ourselves. There foam and swirl all manner of evils, some of them certain, some of them probable, any of them possible, since we are at discord with Him who wields all the forces of the universe and wields them all with a righteous hand. ‘The stars in their courses fight against’ the man that does not fight for God. Whilst all things serve the soul that serve Him, all are embattled against the man that is against, or not for, God and His will.

Then there arises up another object of dread, which, in like manner, derives all its power to terrify and to hurt from the fact of our discordance with God; and that is ‘the shadow feared of man,’ that stands shrouded by the path, and waits for each of us.

God; God’s universe; God’s messenger, Death — these are facts with which we stand in relation, and if our relations with Him are out of gear, then He and all of these are legitimate objects of dread to us.

But now there is something else that casts out fear than perfect love, and that is — perfect levity. For it is the explanation of the fact that so many of us know nothing of this fear of which I speak, and fancy that I am exaggerating, or putting forward false views. There is a type of man, and I have no doubt there are some of its representatives among my hearers, who are below both fear and love as directed towards God; for they never think about Him, or trouble their heads concerning either Him or their relations to Him or anything that flows therefrom. It is a strange faculty that we all have, of forgetting unwelcome thoughts and shutting our eyes to the things that we do not want to see, like Nelson when he puts the telescope to his blind eye at Copenhagen, because he would not obey the signal of recall. But surely it is an ignoble thing that men should ignore or shuffle out of sight with inconsiderateness the real facts of their condition, like boys whistling in a churchyard to keep their spirits up, and saying, ‘Who’s afraid?’ just because they are so very much afraid. Ah, dear friends, do not rest until you face the facts, and having faced them, have found the way to reverse them! Surely, surely it is not worthy of men to turn away from anything so certain as that between a sin-loving man and God there must exist such a relation as will bring evil and sorrow to that man, as surely as God is and he is. I beseech you, take to heart these things, and do not turn away from them with a shake of your shoulders, and say, ‘He is preaching the narrow, old-fashioned doctrine of a religion of fear.’ No! I am not. But I am preaching this plain fact, that a man who is in discord with God has reason to be afraid, and I come to you with the old exhortation of the prophet, ‘Be troubled, ye careless ones.’ For there is nothing more ignoble or irrational than security which is only made possible by covering over unwelcome facts. ‘Be troubled’; and let the trouble lead you to the Refuge.

II. That brings me to the second point — viz., the mission of fear.

John uses a rare word in my text when he says ‘fear hath torment.’ ‘Torment’ does not convey the whole idea of the word. It means suffering, but suffering for a purpose; suffering which is correction; suffering which is disciplinary; suffering which is intended to lead to something beyond itself. Fear, the apprehension of personal evil, has the same function in the moral world as pain has in the physical. It is a symptom of disease and is intended to bid us look for the remedy and the Physician. What is an alarm bell for but to rouse the sleepers, and to hurry them to the refuge? And so this wholesome, manly dread of the certain issue of discord with God is meant to do for us what the angels did for Lot — to lay a mercifully violent hand on the shoulder of the sleeper, and shake him into aroused wakefulness, and hasten him out of Sodom, before the fire bursts through the ground, and is met by the fire from above. The intention of fear is to lead to that which shall annihilate it by taking away its cause.

There is nothing more ridiculous, nothing more likely to destroy a man, than the indulgence in an idle fear which does nothing to prevent its own fulfilment. Horses in a burning stable are so paralyzed by dread that they cannot stir and get burnt to death. And for a man to be afraid — as everyone ought to be who is conscious of unforgiven sin — for a man to be afraid and there an end, is absolute insanity. I fear; then what do I do? Nothing. That is true about hosts of us.

What ought I to do? Let the dread direct me to its source, my own sinfulness. Let the discovery of my own sinfulness direct me to its remedy, the righteousness and the Cross of Jesus Christ. He, and He alone, can deal with the disturbing element in my relation to God. He can ‘deliver me from my enemies, for they are too strong for me.’ It is Christ and His work, Christ and His sacrifice, Christ and His indwelling Spirit that will grapple with and overcome sin and all its consequences, in any man and in every man; taking away its penalty, lightening the heart of the burden of its guilt, delivering from its love and dominion — all three of which things are the barbs of the arrows with which fear riddles heart and conscience. So my fear should proclaim to me the merciful ‘Name that is above every name,’ and drive me as well as draw me to Christ, the Conqueror of sin, and the Antagonist of all dread.

Brethren, I said I was not preaching the religion of Fear. But I think we shall scarcely understand the religion of Love unless we recognize that dread is a legitimate part of an unforgiven man’s attitude towards God. My fear should be to me like the misshapen guide that may lead me to the fortress where I shall be safe. Oh, do not tamper with the wholesome sense of dread! Do not let it lie, generally sleeping, and now and then waking in your hearts, and bringing about nothing. Sailors that crash on with all sails set — stunsails and all — whilst the barometer is rapidly falling, and boding clouds are on the horizon, and the line of the approaching gale is ruffling the sea yonder, have themselves to blame if they founder. Look to the falling barometer, and make ready for the coming storm, and remember that the mission of fear is to lead you to the Christ who will take it away.

III. Lastly, the expulsion of fear.

My text points out the natural antagonism, and mutual exclusiveness, of these two emotions. If I go to Jesus Christ as a sinful man, and get His love bestowed upon me, then, as the next verse to my text says, my love springs in response to His to me, and in the measure in which that love rises in my heart will it frustrate its antagonistic dread.

As I said, you cannot love and fear the same person, unless the love is of a very rudimentary and imperfect character. But just as when you pour pure water into a bladder, the poisonous gases that it may have contained will be driven out before it, so when love comes in, dread goes out. The river, turned into the foul Augean stables of the heart, will sweep out all the filth and leave everything clean. The black, greasy smoke-wreath, touched by the fire of Christ’s love, will flash out into ruddy flames, like that which has kindled them; and Christ’s love will kindle in your hearts, if you accept it and apprehend it aright, a love which shall burn up and turn into fuel for itself the now useless dread.

But, brethren, remember that it is ‘perfect love’ which ‘casts out fear.’

Inconsistent as the two emotions are in themselves, in practice, they may be united, by reason of the imperfection of the nobler. And in the Christian life they are united with terrible frequency. There are many professing Christian people who live all their days with a burden of shivering dread upon their shoulders, and an icy cold fear in their hearts, just because they have not got close enough to Jesus Christ, nor kept their hearts with sufficient steadfastness under the quickening influences of His love, to have shaken off their dread as a sick man’s distempered fancies. A little love has not mass enough in it to drive out thick, clustering fears. There are hundreds of professing Christians who know very little indeed of that joyous love of God which swallows up and makes impossible all dread, who, because they have not a loving present consciousness of a loving Father’s loving will, tremble when they front in imagination, and still more when they meet in reality, the evils that must come, and who cannot face the thought of death with anything but shrinking apprehension. There is far too much of the old leaven of selfish dread left in the experiences of many Christians. ‘I feared thee, because thou wert an austere man, and so, because I was afraid, I went and hid my talent, and did nothing for thee’ is a transcript of the experience of far too many of us. The one way to get deliverance is to go to Jesus Christ and keep close by Him.

And my last word to you is, see that you resort only to the sane, sound way of getting rid of the wholesome, rational dread of which I have been speaking. You can ignore it; and buy immunity at the price of leaving in full operation the causes of your dread — and that is stupid. There is only one wise thing to do, and that is, to make sure work of getting rid of the occasion of dread, which is the fact of sin. Take all your sin to Jesus Christ; He will — and He only can — deal with it. He will lay His hand on you, as He did of old, with the characteristic word that was so often upon His lips, and which He alone is competent to speak in its deepest meaning; ‘Fear not, it is I,’ and He will give you the courage that He commands.

‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ ‘For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father,’ and cling to Him, as a child who knows his father’s heart too well to be afraid of anything in his father, or of anything that his father’s hand can send.

Alexander MacLaren Website: https://web.archive.org/web/20130414122520/http://www.apibs.info/alexander-maclaren-sermons-01.htm
Alexander MacLaren Website: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/2330
Alexander MacLaren Website: http://www.newsforchristians.com/classics.html
Alexander MacLaren Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alexander-MacLaren-Daily-297170660629744/

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See Him In The Storm

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

See Him In The Storm

When you’re on the sea of life,
Waves are raging all around.
You know without a miracle,
Your ship is going down.

Your eyes are on your problems,
You’re drifting out to sea.
Get your eyes on Jesus,
He’s where you need Him to be.

He’ll come walking on the water,
On your very darkest day,
Be of good cheer, I’m here,
You don’t have to be afraid.

Keep your eyes upon Him,
Invite Him to come aboard.
He’ll take you to a place,
Where only He is Lord.

Inspired by a sermon from my Pastor, Mark Simmons – Carrie.

© 2003 Carrie Kinyon – Carrie’s Poetry Page – Used with permission.

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged A Place in the Lord, Afraid - Fear, Carrie Kinyon, Darkest Days, Drifting, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Good Cheer, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, Inspirational Poems, Inviting the Lord, Lord, Love, Miracles, No Fear, Poetry, Prose, Relationship, Sinking Ship, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Storms, Storms in Life, Strength, Swelling Seas, Truth, Waves, Worries | 1 Comment

I John 3:17-19

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

1 John 3:17-19, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”

Now remember, verse 17 is in direct relation to the previous verses, so if you need to read the previous verses or go back to the previous lesson, do so to appropriately continue with the context of what the Beloved Apostle is teaching. This statement is a continuation of the thought that John expounds on concerning laying our lives down for others.

If you remember what we discussed in the last lesson, it wasn’t JUST in the sense of dying physically for others, but more in the vein of “dying to self” for others and putting them first if the need arises. Here John is continuing with that original thought from verse 16 and NOT starting a new, independent thought.

The Greek word used at the beginning of the sentence is de, which literally means: “but, moreover, and.” It is called a continuative primary particle and means just what it implies, a continuing of a previous thought or idea. You see, as I stated, this is all part of laying one’s life (or self) down for another.

We are NOT to withhold the goods or valuables of this world if we see or know of a brother or sister in need. To do so is selfishness, which I have always taught is true hate, and is not loving as Christ loved us! This is a sure sign of true Christianity as compared to false, and John is making the inference here that a person who DOES withhold from a brother or sister in need, when they HAVE the ability to help, is NOT in truth a Christian, a follower of Christ’s example.

Another point I want to make clear concerns the circumstance of indiscriminate giving. As Christians, those who are led by the Holy Spirit and have been given the spirit of discernment, that gift that allows us to follow the Holy Spirit’s “still small voice,” we must be discerning and aware of our giving and not just the motive, but will our giving truly benefit another. Sometimes giving indiscriminately can be as hazardous to the person WANTING a “gift” as if they didn’t receive it. We certainly don’t want to enable another’s harmful habits or circumstances that could make their plight in life even worse. An example would be giving money, or finances directly to someone who has a drinking problem, rather than the giver going the extra step to buy some groceries, for example, so that they might have some healthy meals. This is just an example, as the gift could be gasoline for their automobile to help them to work, or clothes to help them, etc. We truly do need to give some thought, but also understand that when and whatever we give is truly “as unto the Lord,” and we should expect nothing in return! Remember, the Lord Himself doesn’t give us everything we ask for, but is always faithful to meet our NEEDS. Sometimes we may not understand in the moment, but later we usually realize the wisdom in it. True love isn’t ALWAYS getting what we want, and so it is with giving to others; we have to be wise in demonstrating true agape love.

We are to ACT in love and truth. We are to DO, when the need arises, and we have the ability to do for others! This is love in action! This is the demonstration, the manifestation, the proof that true love exists! It has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with how I feel about a situation or a person. For that matter, the person in need could be someone who has demonstrated disdain for me as a person, BUT, if they have the need and I can supply that need, as a Christian, in TRUTH, true Agape demands I demonstrate that love in actions. I know I have stated this in more than one lesson, but it bears repeating here, that old saying, “actions speak louder than words,” is oh so true and never more exemplified then in the lives of loving Christians toward others, whether Christian or not.

John tells us, and actually he infers a warning to us, he encourages and admonishes us, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

This is a confirmation to the Apostle James famous treatise on our actions necessary to demonstrate true faith:

James 2:14-16, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

Have you ever wondered at the fact that ALL of the great spiritual Character traits of being a Christian, a follower of the examples of Christ, are in and of themselves, actions? There is too many confirmations within ALL of the inspired writings to not see that fact!

You can go around telling everyone that you love them, but it has no value unless you are able in some way to put actions behind those words to prove the validity of them!! I know this seems hard and harsh and probably more so to those of you who are reading this on the internet, for we as Christians find it easy to tell those we don’t know within this medium that “we love you.” But—true love demands action. It isn’t love without the act behind it. So, concerning the internet “ministries,” the works, the service that we as Pastors, Teachers and Preachers practice here; how can we demonstrate love in that, especially when it comes to the needs of others and brothers and sisters?

I have taught this ever since I began so many years ago in this medium when some of my peers told me this was just a “hobby” ministry and not real ministry at all. Despite the fact it was the Holy Spirit that opened up and led me to this medium! We can pray AND fervently intercede for one another! I mean really acknowledge to the Father the needs that are requested in our ministries. We can exhort one another with encouragement. We can remember to esteem one another above ourselves. We can remember those that are young in the Lord and remember to provide them with the milk of the Word and not just let them be swept away with our intellectual theology!! To do or even think less of this area of service is putting our Sovereign Lord into a box of our own making and not giving Him the acknowledgement due Him in the area of affecting people’s lives through prayer and teaching! I for one will not do that, but rather, look for ways to GLORIFY God Almighty in the ways He reaches people.

If we remember, first in our hearts that we are here to SERVE, in whatever capacity the Lord has gifted us with and we do that service with unselfishness in our hearts, we are giving of ourselves, we are putting our lives aside for the benefits of others. This medium is a double-edged sword for a couple of reasons when serving others. First, we can give of ourselves without expecting anything in return, trusting that if we are obedient to the Lord, the Holy Spirit, Himself will accomplish the work in those that He has chosen to cross our paths. That makes it easy to love unselfishly, not expecting anything.

But then the other side is that if you are the type that thrives on praise and compliments and you do all to garner people’s affections, you might be approaching this serving from a selfish and stinted motive. Your works might be based more on the ability to receive compliments than of meeting real needs. Real service, is putting aside what you might get from it. Real service is being obedient to your Master, who is hopefully the Lord. Real service is caring more for the eternal welfare of those you serve than their feelings for you. Real service is being willing to wait until you hear from Him those words, “Well done though good and faithful servant.”

There is one final point I would like to make concerning assurance. Notice that whenever John gives instruction, he also gives us the way to be able to gauge our motives and our heart against what he is admonishing us to do. He continues the whole principle, the whole thought of doing rather in deed and truth than in just words, by telling us that when we do in deed, we then know that we are operating in truth and we then have the assurance in our hearts before the Lord. When we practice, as we showed in the previous lesson, when we actually practice doing, then we know, not just believe, but know that we are operating in truth. But the benefit doesn’t stop there by any means! The Lord, in His infinite Grace and Mercy to us, assures us in our hearts of that very truth! The act comes first, the assurance then follows.

Look back on the last time that you did something for another. It doesn’t matter if it was praying, encouraging or even helping to meet a natural need. Do you remember the “feeling” that followed? More than a “feeling” do you remember the sense of satisfaction, the inner joy that actually welled up within you? That is the fruit blossoming forth from the seeds that you planted! That is the Holy Spirit, putting that stamp of assurance upon your heart. You didn’t need any thanks or recognition or compliments. From deep within you, that sense of loving, of really doing for another just grew that much stronger in you!

It all started with, “we should love one another!” Those of you who know me on a more personal level know that I am constantly talking, teaching, exhorting etc., about the need to love one another. This didn’t happen in my life because one day I decided, “Hey, John’s a cool Apostle, I want to be like him!” This took place over many years as the Lord taught me and showed me the power of that very thing, Agape Love. I have seen it break down walls that have been built up over years. I have seen it transform the hardest hearts into hearts that melt at the needs of others! I have seen it strengthen those that were weak and weaken those that thought they were mighty in their own might!

Love is the greatest power in the Universe. It was love that created it, and created you and I to be able to enjoy our place in it. We will get more into the concept that God is love in upcoming lessons, but I want you to be able to meditate on it for what it really is. Sadly, and I am sincere in stating this, there are a lot of preachers and teachers who believe that the teaching of love is over rated, and it is too overdone. I have to disagree (and have actively disagreed) whole-heartedly with that thinking, because everything that is, the Law and the Prophets, from the Creation to the Crowning Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Throne for all eternity is based on that very principle. If God is love, (and I am NOT doubting that He IS) how can anyone say we talk about it too much? That concept is so totally foreign to my thinking and the way the Lord through His Holy Spirit has led me through the years!

My sincere prayer for all is that you develop and have that assurance within your heart and spirit; that you are able to walk and move in that truth and in that light! Don’t forget, it doesn’t happen all overnight, it is the difference between practicing love or practicing selfishness! I encourage you, to practice, practice, practice and then keep on practicing until our Lord and Redeemer returns. Like the Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Know this my brothers and sisters, I am right alongside each of you practicing and running as well! I am blessed and blessed to KNOW that we are truly in this race together!

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 3 verse 20.

*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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An Obituary

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

After a very long life and rewarding career, we are saddened to inform you that C.S. has passed away from complications. He had been fighting, health-wise for some time. Just when it would seem that there was no hope, he always seemed to make a quick come-back, but his care recently has been marked by severe neglect and apathy. He seemed okay with several emergency “transplants,” but it seems too late, he succumbed to the rampant rejection.

For a very long time and especially in his early years, he was very well loved by many and his popularity was evident all around to just about everyone (there were always the exceptions), but it seems as time went on, his popularity waned to the point where he became somewhat of a hermit, until at last, he passed away in near obscurity.

He was an only child, yet even though his most famous mother, doted on him, it was never to excess or in an entitled way. He was always taught and seemed very successful in service to others. He IS survived by his famous and prestigious mother, who retains the priceless family fortune and treasures inherent to their family legacy.

Those of us who were and are most knowledgeable of him and his service know that the world will NEVER be the same, for the loss of his presence, despite the recent abject denial of his importance, will be sadly felt all around us.

In a tribute to his mother who is still with us and carrying on his work, his wishes for the epitaph on his headstone reads as follows:

Proverbs 4:5-7, “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

His mother in a statement reminiscent of her sons epitaph reminded us of the importance of keeping that which is most precious:

“. . . attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:2-3.

And she finished with this apparent plea:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5.

“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.” – James 3:17.

His mother told us there will be no funeral, but in memoriam, try and remember the statements she made and do not dismiss them as readily as her son, Common Sense was, but rather try and take them to heart in an proactive way.

Posted in Food For Thought | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Colossians, Common Sense, Death of Common Sense, Encouragement, Epitaph, Faithfulness, Fortune, Freely Given, God, Good Fruits, Grace, Headstone, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, James, Knowledge, Lord, Love, Mercy, Peace, Priceless, Proverbs, Purity, R.I.P., Scripture, Scriptures, Selflessness, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Treasures, Truth, Understanding, Wisdom, Word of God | Leave a comment

Clear Waters

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Clear Waters

The waters clear as I stand by the river
I see the reflection of someone long ago
As the storms come in I know I can’t let you go.

Rain pours at times in this life you’ve given
But the shadows fade when my prayers have risen
Your love for me I’ve never known until now
When I see the waters clear, my reflection seems so near.

As time goes on I know you are near
Just seeing the way you help me stand
Just seeing the way you remove the fear
It helps my weakness seem so clear
That without you I am small
But as I take your hand, the walls get knocked down
The waters clear, the reflection I see now,
is you in me, this my Lord helps to make me free.

©Betty Bolden, Copyright 7-28-07. Used with permission.
Jesus My Joy Ministries, Clear Waters
Betty Bolden – Facebook Page

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Choices, Christ's Love, Christian Poetry, Clarity, Comfort, Communion, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Free, Freedom, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hope, I Am Small, Inspiration, Inspirational Poetry, Knowing Love, Liberty, Lord's Love, No Doubt, Peace, Poetic Praise, Poetry, Reflection, Removing Fear, Seeing, Seeing You in Me, Shadows Fade, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Time Goes By, Truth, Vision, Walls Knocked Down, Weakness, Who Am I, You Are Near | Leave a comment

Are you Praying Right?

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

I reblogged Brother Dave’s post on prayer, Sleight of Hand (see it here) and as I was reading realized this one was actually his FIRST post on a series on Prayer. It is well thought out and well taught and is an important reminder to all of us no matter how “Mature” we might think we are in the Lord. Communion AND Communication with our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most important activities we can devote ourselves too as spiritually-reborn children!

live4him.ca

If you made it past the title you are either looking for a solution to unanswered prayer or looking for a fight because the title suggests there is a way to make God answer your prayer. To make you read further I’m not going to address either of these assumptions other than to say God answers prayer, all prayer.

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Posted in Prayer and Praise | Tagged Be Anxious For Nothing, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Communication, Communion, Does God Hear, Does God Listen, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, Is There a Formula, Jesus, Lord, Love, No, No Doubt, Patience, Philippians, Prayer Formula, Size of Expectations, Size of Faith, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Waiting, Waiting on the Lord, Word of God, Yes | Leave a comment

Keep Me In a Spirit of Prayer

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

“Father God, I ask that You will send Your forces out to drive back the enemies of Christ that are working in this situation. Your Word says that the adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; from heaven He will thunder against them. Lord, I pray that you would break your enemies in pieces in Your perfect timing, and bring salvation, restoration and healing to all people who are involved.”
(Based on 1 Samuel 2:10)

“Father I Come To You For Those That Need A Touch In Their Body Today! Lord I Thank You For Your Healing Power. The Word Says By Your Stripes We Are Healed! I Pray For All The Prayer Request I Have Here In Front Of Me; And I Ask You To Remember Them And Incline Your Ear To This Place And Hear Me This Day! Reach Your Mighty Hand Down Upon Them And Heal Them In The Jesus Name; I Pray! Amen. Thank You Jesus!”

Shared by my Sister in Christ, Arlene Ames O’Leary – Facebook Page
Authored by her friend, Steven Ray Ferguson – Facebook Page

To God Be The Glory! Amen!

Posted in Prayer and Praise | Tagged 1 Samuel, Bible, Comfort, Communication, Communion, Drive Back Enemies, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Love, Grace, Healing, Heaven, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Peace, Pray Without Ceasing, Prayer, Restoration, Salvation, Spirit of Prayer, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Strength, Truth | Leave a comment

Forgiveness In Return

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

FORGIVENESS IN RETURN

To return good for evil, it is divine
It costs you nothing and it takes no time.

Forgive one another, just as Jesus forgave you
Follow His example in everything you do.

To forgive those who hurt us so badly seems odd
But they owe us little compared to what we once owed God.

Seventy times seven doesn’t seem to make sense
But we must extend forgiveness beyond the 490th offense.

“Father forgive them for they know not what they do”
Jesus prayed for His enemies, so we must too.

He cried out for others in His greatest moment of despair
He hung there and prayed for the ones who put Him there.

It was the ultimate example of what it means to forgive
We must do like Jesus, love and always forgive.

Forgive your enemies, forget, and on the pain do not dwell
For Jesus commands forgive them and love them as well.

“They don’t know what they are doing” was Jesus prayer
As they mocked the one who they had put there.

He had done nothing, no wrong had occurred
The only fact was, they were offended by His words.

When you are treated evil for proclaiming God’s Word
Remember they’re not angry at you, but at what they just heard.

Return good for evil, forgive, love them as well
On the pain and the hurt, please do not dwell.

Follow His example in everything you do
And people will see God’s love shining through you.

So return good for evil, it is divine
For, forgiveness will win their hearts over in time.

©2005 Elizabeth Stewart – Used with permission.

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian Poetry, Christianity, Elizabeth Steward, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Forgive Enemies, Forgive One Another, Forgiveness, Forgiveness In Return, God, God's Love, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Inspirational Poetry, Jesus, Lord, Love, Poetic Praise, Poetry, Relationship, Teaching, Truth, Word of God | Leave a comment

Living In Victory

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

1 Timothy 4:14-15, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.” Unused potential is one of the saddest attributes of all.

The Germans had two powerful weapons in World War II that never repaid their investment. The Tirpitz, one of the most powerful battleships of her time, fired her eight fifteen-inch guns only to reduce shore batteries at Spitsbergen, Norway. Gustav, the largest gun ever manufactured, had to be shipped in sections on railroad cars. When assembled, it’s mounting straddled two sets of standard gauge tracks, with eighty wheels supporting it. Though it could propel a seven-ton shell twenty-three miles, the Germans only used it in the siege of Sevastopol, Russia.

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave gifts to His children. To some more, to others less, but to each, He gave something. He gave them for a single purpose; to be used. He loaded His people with all the armor, weaponry, and ammunition needed to live victoriously. Having done so, He now expects us to live in victory. Any refusal mocks Him and His purpose. We don’t always realize it right away when we march up to that altar to surrender to the Lord and become spiritually renewed, but when we do, we have voluntarily enlisted in the Lord’s Army. This isn’t always preached in Salvation messages and maybe it should be more often, but we enlist and are given ALL the necessary equipment to go through the battles victorious! Paul went on to say in verse 16 of I Timothy 4, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” Good words to live by.
God Bless you all richly!

Posted in Food For Thought | Tagged 1 Timothy, Armor, Army of the Lord, Battleship, Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Encouragement, Enlistment, Faithfulness, Giant Gun, Gifts, God, Hardships, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Inspiration, Jesus, Living in Victory, Living Victoriously, Lord, Ministry, Salvation, Soldiers, Soldiers for God, Spiritual Gifts God Gave Gifts, Spirituality, Spiritually Reborn, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Victory, Weapons, Word of God, World War II | 3 Comments

Concentrating On Things That Really Matter – A.W. Tozer

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 – May 12, 1963) was an American Christian pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. Self-taught theologian. Fearless preacher. Gifted writer. Man of the inner life. A.W. Tozer, called by many a “modern-day prophet.”

Luke 10:40-42, But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Philippians 3:13-14, Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In the Christian life also we find this pattern repeated: a few important things and a world of burdensome but unimportant ones. The Spirit-taught Christian must look past the multiplicity of incidental things and find the few that really matter. And let it be repeated for our encouragement, they are few in number and surprisingly easy to identify. The Scriptures make perfectly clear what they are: the fact of God, the Person and work of Christ, faith and obedience, hope and love. These along with a few more constitute the essence of the truth which we must know and love. Christ summed up the moral law as love to God and man. Salvation He made to rest upon faith in God and in the One whom He had sent. Paul simplified the wonders of the spiritual life in the words, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The temptation to forget the few spiritual essentials and to go wandering off after unimportant things is very strong, especially to Christians of a certain curious type of mind.

Such persons find the great majors of the faith of our fathers altogether too tame for them. Their souls loathe that light bread; their appetites crave the gamy tang of fresh-killed meat. They take great pride in their reputation as being mighty hunters before the Lord, and any time we look out we may see them returning from the chase with some new mystery hanging limply over their shoulder. Usually the game they bring down is something on which there is a biblical closed season. Some vague hint in the Scriptures, some obscure verse about which the translators disagree, some marginal note for which there is not much scholarly authority: these are their favorite meat. They are especially skillful at propounding notions which have never been a part of the Christian heritage of truth. Their enthusiasm mounts with the uncertainty of their position, and their dogmatism grows firmer in proportion to the mystery which surrounds their subject.

A.W. Tozer Website: http://awtozer.org/home/
A.W. Tozer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWTozeramanofGod/

Posted in Great Sermons From The Past | Tagged A.W. Tozer, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Church, Encouragement, Faith of Our Fathers, Faithfulness, False Doctrines, God, Grace, Heavenly Father, Heritage of Truth, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Important Things, Incidental Things, Inconsequential Things, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Luke, Ministry, Needful Things, Needs, Philippians, Religious Fads, Scriptures, Spirit-Filled Life, Spirit-Taught, Teaching, Truth, What is Important?, Word of God | 1 Comment

Victor or Victim?

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

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

Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

1 Peter 5:10, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

You turn on the radio in your car on the way to work; you’re bombarded with all the craziness going on in the nation and the world around you. You gather around the water-cooler at work, or the picnic bench on your break and you swap stories of all the craziness going on in the nation and the world around you. You finish your work day and go home to relax after a hard day, and you turn on the television; now you’re bombarded with pictures AND stories with all the craziness going on in the nation and the world around you.

It is a constant bombardment of what appears after a while to be nothing but NOISE attacking your senses from all sides! There was a term that was coined just before the Iraq War of 2003 describing what our country wanted to do in that conflict; it was termed “shock and awe!” It was meant to be an onslaught of attacks aimed at disabling and petrifying the assumed enemy.

Shock and Awe! What a term. It could probably be described as what most people feel today in the beginning of fall, 2019 with all the negative onslaught of news, stupidity and insanity attacking and enveloping us and especially aimed at Christians from almost every avenue!

Followers of Christ are not immune to trials, persecutions and tribulations and if you as an individual have been trying to follow after the footsteps of the Lord Jesus for some time, you are very much aware that this is pretty much expected. The difference it seems today is, the attacks, what I like to call the bombardments, seem to be coming at a continual rate and even if it doesn’t seem to touch you specifically or individually, as a part of the Body of Christ, you feel or sense the attacks. It isn’t make-believe or fantasy either, what you sense as a born-again Christian is real, they are spiritual attacks brought on by forces that want to destroy or at the very least wound a child of God into paralysis or the inability to stand and fight or at the very least to withstand the enemy.

We ALL, as disciples, following in the footsteps of Christ know that the battle is not carnal, it is not being fought in the flesh, though it may appear to be. The Apostle Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit forewarned not just those following after Christ in his time, but also in the times to come.

2 Corinthians 10:
3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

7, “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s.”

And again to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote this well-known line:

Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

So being forewarned and being armed with this knowledge, what as Christians are we to do? When I ask this question, I’m asking in a practical way; not in some hypothetical way; how do we cope, how do we assimilate as it were, the information AND the events that come at us on an everyday basis? Well, I HAVE some answers and though they may not be new ones, they are answers that we NEED to be reminded of and in truth, need to constantly remind ourselves of!

First, we have been forewarned and ARMED with this knowledge of what is going on around us, from the Word of God, the Bible. It is a LIVING Word and that is not some cliché that I spout now and again. It is as living as Christ Jesus breathing life and spirit into each of us! If you believe the warnings and the knowledge, then you HAVE to believe in the truth of the LIVING Word!

If you believe in the truth of the warnings and the knowledge given of the times we are living in, then you MUST believe and trust in the solutions of how to deal with events we are talking about. You cannot have one without the other; you cannot believe in the information and yet doubt the solutions to the problems we face!

So, you MUST immerse yourself into the Word of God. I have heard too many people state they just can’t get into reading the Bible, let alone trying to study it. Yet today, there are so many ways to get the Word of God. We have so many translations that make the reading easy and understandable and they still point us to a relationship with God Almighty, as our Heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit! Despite many of the differences and controversies surrounding the most popular translations, they ALL show us, what the main reason for the Bible being written is, to come to a KNOWLEDGE of God as our Father through Jesus Christ!

There are audio versions available where the Word is being spoken word for word, verse by verse so that a person can HEAR the Word of God come alive without having to read it themselves. This is what the Apostle Paul wrote in relation to HEARING the Word of God:

Romans 10:14-18, How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 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!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

There is a lot of teaching and preaching online today that can be accessed from trusted sources. The only thing I say to that is that individually we are all responsible for what we ACCEPT as the truth in the Word of God and if you do NOT have a grounding in the Word of God, how will you know if you are being misled? We will not stand before the Lord on Judgement Day and give the excuse that Pastor/Preacher so and so, said this and I believed him! Our Lord and Redeemer wants a PERSONAL, an intimate relationship with each of us individually and if you do not know what He has inspired the Holy Spirit to put down through the pens of various men, then how can you know what words are of His or a “false teacher?”

Remember this warning that Jesus gave, found in Matthew 7, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” – Matthew 7:21-23. The key in this Scripture is found in verse 23, “I never knew you!” These people did all these things USING His name, but evidently they were either not listening to Him for direction, or as the disciples did a couple of times themselves, they tried to do things without the spiritual authority of being TOLD to do them, which would have come to them through prayer and fasting! (Matthew 17:19-21).

The key is an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus, not just KNOWING about Him. I have used this analogy a number of times before; I may know of a very prominent attorney at law, but just because I know OF him, doesn’t give me the authority to march into court before a judge, use the attorney’s name and try and practice law! That authority has to be given individually and intimately. So it is with a relationship with Christ Jesus. Remember this; our authority comes from God the Father THROUGH Christ Jesus. When we KNOW Christ, we KNOW and HEAR the Father!

So, we must know the Word of God. Second, as stated above we MUST know from Whom we get the authority to battle the enemy. Remember, when it comes to spiritual warfare, the war itself is a foregone conclusion. Yes we may have battles and skirmishes but, the enemy, the devil WILL be thrown into the Lake of Fire at the end. God has told us this will be so and believing this and truly KNOWING it, gives us immense power over him. That old saying, “knowledge is power” is so very true and especially in the realm of the spiritual. So our authority to do battle is in the hands of our Heavenly Father and we get that “go ahead” to do battle from Him through Christ Jesus.

The Father sent the Son to earth that mankind might have the opportunity to be Redeemed. To be Saved. But what is it about Salvation that is in actuality, saving? God created mankind because of His, God’s capacity to love and be loved. He wanted a creation that COULD choose to love Him, unconditionally without having to be forced or in essence created to only do what he is created to do. God Almighty created man sinless in the beginning, with the ability to choose, and God KNEW in His Omniscience (All-Knowledge) that man WOULD sin, and yet, in God’s infinite Love, He also had a plan that would allow mankind to come back to Him, without spot or wrinkle, as a matter of his own choosing.

Sin caused mankind to move away from the intimacy with God that they had in the Garden of Eden. God’s whole purpose was to allow mankind the ability to choose on his own whether to again be intimate with God as Heavenly Father or reject His Sovereignty. God made man to have a choice. When you think about it, when you truly meditate on it, then it is the perfect plan, because how much greater is unconditional love when it is offered just for the sake of Whom the recipient is and not for what a person can get for loving? Man can give his love willingly to the Lord without condition, or he can go about his short, temporary life, getting what he wants out of it with no consideration for others. It is totally his choice.

The problem with the payment for mankind’s sinfulness was taken care of by God Himself by willingly coming down to earth as a sinless man, the same flesh and blood as you and I, and remaining sinless and paying the ultimate price, His Blood, for a covering, a payment in whole for man’s sinfulness. This way, if man chooses to accept this payment, this gift free of charge, he then has a way, through the Redeemer to once again, establish the intimate relationship with the Father that was lost through the initial sin. Through the Blood of Christ, through Christ Himself, now, we can KNOW the Father as it was meant to be all along and only those willing to want that intimacy will have it. Those who choose NOT to have that intimacy will not be forced to accept it. God then intimately KNOWS who love Him and those who choose NOT to love Him!

You might be asking what this has to do with being either a victor or a victim? After all, isn’t that what the lesson is ultimately about? Think about that and think about the Scriptures I gave in the beginning. Life is full of tribulations and trials. There is NO escaping that fact, as Jesus pointed out in Matthew 5:45b, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

EVERYONE has tribulations and trials in life. That is what life is about. The beauty of it is that as a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, thus a child of God Almighty as our Father, we have certain advantages. Just like the majority of earthy fathers would do anything within their power to help their children grow and overcome painful circumstances, so our Heavenly Father does with us. BUT, no earthly father is able to compare to our Heavenly Father in His Love AND His ability to help us to learn and grow the way He truly desires for us!

Though we aren’t immune to trials and tribulations, to heart-breaking circumstances, His Love NEVER leaves us or abandons us. In fact, He is able too, in His wisdom, His Omnipotence (All-Power) and His Omniscience (All-Knowledge) to help us to learn from those situations so that we become stronger, wiser, more loving to others and more and more like His Son Christ Jesus Himself. The world can’t become more and more like Christ Jesus because they don’t know the Father through Him. Because we DO, thus, the Father can use situations to mold and shape us into the image and likeness He desired for us from the very beginning! (Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Ephesians 1:4).

I know the following is a Scripture I use often and yet, it is so full of TRUTH and so full of LIFE that in this lesson I cannot ignore it:

Romans 8:28-31, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

You want or NEED a definition of what a victor is? Paul summed it up in this statement, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” What more could I or anyone else add? The God of Creation, who desires to be our Heavenly Father WANTS to be FOR us! With that in mind, who or even what, could ever be against us.

You want or need a description then of what a victim is? Especially in the light of the bombardment of spiritual forces surrounding us every day AND getting worse by the day, I might add; it is everything BUT what I described a victor to be above! Plain and simple. If you are NOT a victor, you are and can only be a victim!

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 1 Peter, 2 Corinthians, According to the Flesh, Battles, Bible, Bible Teaching, Body of Christ, Born Again, Carnal, Child of God, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Circumstances, Devil, Disciple of Christ, Empowered by the Spirit, Encouragement, Ephesians, Events, Faith, Faithfulness, Follower of Christ, Footsteps of Christ, God, God's Love, Heart-Breaking Circumstances, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Hope, Individuality, Inspiration, Iraq, Iraq War, Jesus, Lake of Fire, Lord, Love, Matthew, Persecutions, Philippians, Powers, Principalities, Redemption, Relationship, Romans, Salvation, Saved, Scripture, Scriptures, Shock and Awe, Skirmishes, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spiritual Wickedness, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Trials, Tribulations, Truth, Victim, Victor, Victory, Walk in the Flesh, Walk in the Spirit, War, Word of God | Leave a comment

I John 3:14-16

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

1 John 3:14-16, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

John goes on to tell us that because of the fact that we love the brethren, our brothers and sisters, we have passed from that spiritual death and darkness into life. This “manifestation” is an essence, a characteristic of Christianity. Love is the catalyst of life as selfishness and self-centeredness is the catalyst of death. This is a spiritual condition. Selfishness, self-centeredness is spiritual death, but also a spiritual condition. It is a darkness of the deepest parts of a person’s spirit and heart. It is the realm of the god of this world, the devil and he basks in the dark abyss of that spiritual death!

A person who does not love others, abides in death. They were dead without a rebirth of the spirit and if they continue to NOT love, they remain in death. If they remain in that state, they are most obviously NOT Christ-like! It is because of this state or status that it is becoming increasingly harder to use the term Christian in today’s world. It is not due to the fact that we as brothers and sisters do not know the true meaning of what it is to be Christian, but the world, as it has done with the term love and so many other Christ-like attributes has twisted and warped the very meaning and thus the term “Christianity” has lost much of it’s true meaning to the world around us.

Selfishness and self-centeredness is rampant in the world and it is “disguised” to those blind to the truth by the FEELINGS that those in the world try to use to describe it. True, Godly, Christ-like love has absolutely nothing to do with feelings and everything to do with actions and how we treat others, even, and I might add, especially those, who may not be on the friendliest of terms with us!

It is so easy to profess something in this day and age. “I love you, I am a Christian, I believe in ‘God,'” etc., etc., but the truth is that it is not the action of our lips necessarily, but the actions TOWARDS others that determine the truth of anything we profess! I am often found using the Scripture found in Luke 6:45c, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Yet the truth of the matter is, it is not JUST what comes out of his mouth, but the ACTIONS of his heart as well that lend testimony to the truth of any profession. A person in truth WILL talk about the things he loves most, but that love will be manifested in actions as well.

This is why John tells us as believers that if we hate our brothers and sisters, we are murderers, whether we have taken another life or not, the seed, the root of that murder is just shallowly buried beneath the surface. Again, and I know I sound like some broken record, but hate in truth is actually self-centeredness and selfishness. It is being concerned with number one, yourself, rather than others in the light of troubles, afflictions or distress, etc. That selfishness within us can lead to murder by omission or neglect, because selfishness or the lack of love, can bring about the death of another for lack of meeting a need or standing in the gap for another. That murder can be assumed to be not just to mean in the natural flesh, but in the character or well-being of another. You know the Beloved Apostle is trying to show us the wickedness of hate within itself, but murder, whether in body OR in character, emotion or well-being of another is just evil! Remember, though ALL or ANY sin is enough to bring about spiritual death, murder has always been considered, at least in the natural, to be the most grievous. I am not saying it is worse than some other sin, but in the NATURAL eyes and mind of men it is, and the Apostle is using that distinction to portray the gravity of the lack of love within a person.

When your life, or your things become so much more precious than another life, you are walking in the footsteps of Cain, whether you are consciously aware of it or not! This spirit, this seed will not inherit eternal life for that seed of selfishness is darkness, an abomination to the Father. He cannot abide in it and the person walking in it cannot abide in the Father either. Remember, “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”—1 John 4:16b.

Do you see then in these scriptures why hate is not the feeling, but the actions or lack of actions? John tells us that the person who doesn’t love abides in death. This is the action of omission. You see, not acting upon something that we know we should is not passive, it is still active for it takes the conscious effort to stand still in the face of necessary action. Those that do not love or act in a loving manner are abiding in death, thus there is no (spiritual) life in them. By the same token, whoever actively hates or is actively ACTING selfish or self-centered concerning his brother is also a murderer and thereby abiding in death. Therefore, you can be selfish by not acting when necessary or acting in a selfish way toward another, they both abide in death, they both constitute the wicked seed of murder!

Remember this also, the teaching of Jesus in Matthew chapter 7, a person is known by their fruit or lack thereof! God alone reads the heart of man, but man CAN read a person by his actions, by his fruit. That discernment was given to provide protection to the WHOLE Body of Christ and not just to the individual. Those that are false that we join too or with, are like a cancer in an otherwise unblemished body; and Christ is coming back for a Body that is spotless and unblemished. This is one of the reasons the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:33, Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Now in sharp contrast to death and murder, The Apostle John states this, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.” I love this part of the scripture. Many, many years ago the Lord was so gracious to reveal a truth to me in this scripture and it really changed my life and the way I perceive loving others. You see, we always hear the heroic tales of those, who in time of war or crisis, took the death or damage meant for another upon themselves, thus saving the intended victim. This is truly the supreme example and it truly is the example that Jesus gave us on the Cross of Calvary. But there is SO much more——-!!! You see, Jesus didn’t stay dead! He arose again to live for each of us that He died initially on the Cross for!

It is true that not everyone will go through their lives with an opportunity like that confronting them. Not everyone will have to literally lay their natural lives on the line for another. It is however true, as children of the Lord, that we should be prepared to do it, if asked too, but it just doesn’t always happen. But there is another way of laying down your life for another, and I want you to give this some real thought and consideration when we are talking about the actions of loving others.

Jesus Christ laid down His life on the Cross yes, but He also laid down His life in another way and is in essence still doing it. He left the glories and majesty of Heaven to come to earth to live an example to us and to spend time teaching and training us. He gave up a role of Kingly authority to take upon Himself the role of servant that we might learn the true value of love and leadership! Yes, He died, but as I stated above, He didn’t stay dead. He arose and eventually ascended back into Heaven. Even after His resurrection and ascension, He is still at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us! Now think about it. He is ALIVE and at the Father’s right hand, INTERCEEDING, actively being an ADVOCATE for each of us that He calls His own! He is alive, and He is living in part by being our Advocate and Intercessor! Let that thought sink in!!

Follow this line of reasoning; He died for us. He arose for us. He advocates and intercedes for us. He is our EXAMPLE and we are to strive for Christ-likeness! See where I’m going? If the servant is not greater than the Master, and the student is not greater than the Teacher, but the best we can hope to do is to follow that example, than we shouldn’t be thinking in terms of JUST following Christ’s example while He walked this earth, but rather we should give serious contemplation to following His ever-present LIVING example, even now!!

We CAN and MUST follow that same example. We can take our dreams, goals and hopes and lay them at the feet of Jesus Christ and make Him true Lord or Master of our lives; placing our wills aside that HIS will might be accomplished through us. We can choose to relinquish authority over our lives and surrender them to His will for the benefit of others.

Now let me remind you of something; we are talking about a lifestyle of surrender for the good and welfare of others. Can you see the laying your life down for others in this?? This is the unselfishness that agape love embraces. This is the love that allows us to abide in God, our Father and thus He abides in us! We surrender or lay down our lives so that others might be blessed and cared for by the Lord through us!!! This is something that every child of God can do and do in the natural! We aren’t all destined to take a bullet or a knife for another, but we are all capable of laying down our lives that others may come to the knowledge of the Glory of the Father!

Every time we actively give of ourselves, our material possessions, if able, our time in prayer (intercession) for others, we are giving up a part of our lives that we can never get back. We are laying down THAT particular time in our lives for others. Are you a giver? The things you give, whether money or materials, demand your time spent in the work of another to get what you need to be able to have the money or materials. You don’t gain that time back. Are you an intercessor? The time you spend on your knees or in your “prayer closet” is time you give up so that you can intervene and intercede, “be an advocate,” for another without ever getting that time back. You see, eternity is timeless. When we cross that threshold from the natural world into the spiritual eternity, time as we know it will have no meaning at all. But, while still on this side of that barrier, it has been rightly stated that, “time is precious.” It is a priceless commodity, once spent, never regained; at least in this natural life! That is why when you unselfishly give it, however you are able to do it, it is the spiritual action of unconditional, agape, Godly love. It is the most notable manifestation and demonstration of what Christ Jesus Himself displayed to us while walking this earth AND living in the Glory of Glories!

In closing, here’s an important question; are we Cain-like, or are we Christ-like? Have we truly “laid” down our lives for others or are we still living only for ourselves? This is and always has been an individual and personal question and only important between us and our Creator. Just remember, however you answer it, this is the REAL difference between true love and selfishness or self-centeredness (hate)!

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 3 verse 17.

Posted in Expository Teaching | Tagged 1 Corinthians, 1 John, Abide, Abide in the Father, Abiding, Actions, Ascension, Bad Company, Bible, Bible Teaching, Blemished, Body of Christ, Bride, Bridegroom, Burial, Cancer, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Communion, Cross of Calvary, Death, Dying for Another, Encouragement, Evil, Faith, Faithfulness, Feelings, Fruit, God, God's Love, Good Habits, Grace, Hate, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Living for Others, Lord, Love, Luke, Matthew, Murder, Natural, Relationship, Resurrection, Scripture, Scriptures, Self-Centeredness, Selfishness, Sin, Spiritual, Spiritual Death, Spiritual Life, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Wickedness, Without Spot or Wrinkle, Word of God | 3 Comments

Sleight of Hand – While you Were Looking Somewhere Else

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Great article on prayer from Brother Dave Peever. Visit his site for more GREAT stuff and be blessed with this, it is right on the mark!! God bless you all!!

live4him.ca

It is the basis of all great close up magic; the magician gets you focused on what doesn’t matter so you miss what is really going on. Whether you fall for this ploy (almost everyone does) or you are able to remain focussed on what is really happening (very few can) the result is still the same, the trick ends with the desired outcome of the illusionist. Barring some catastrophic failure, what was intended to happen from the moment the trick was conceived will play out in front of your eyes.

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Posted in Prayer and Praise | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christianity, Communication, Communion, Dave Peever, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Prayer, Prayer and Praise, Relationship, Sleight of Hand, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth, Word of God | 1 Comment

We Need Men!

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Romans 1:16-21, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 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.”

Posted in 'Nuff Said! | Tagged 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, Back to Basics, Bible, Bible Teaching, Body of Christ, Celebrity Pastors, Choices, Church Socials, Colossians, Communication, Dedicated Men, Encouragement, Entertainment, Ephesians, Faithfulness, Feel Good Now Sermons, God, God's Love, Godly Men, Good News, Gospel, Grace, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Itching Ears, Jesus, John, Laser Lights, Lord, Love, Ministry, Preaching, Repentance, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Scriptures, Sin, Spiritual Intimacy, Spiritual Men, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, We Need Men, Word of God | 1 Comment

The Truth Can Set You Free

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
The Atheist was fond of comparing Christianity with Mythology. He fancied that, one day, historians would look upon this “mythology” in much the same way today’s historians now view ancient Greek and Roman myths. Never mind that the Judeo-Christian truths as stated in the Bible have already survived much longer than the Greek and Roman civilizations combined. He didn’t care that, even at the height of these civilizations, few actually believed in those stories as factual accounts. Nor did Greeks or Romans look to myths as insights into who we are, how we got here, Who God is or what He’s like, as Christians have always done with the Bible. It was usually viewed as either a source of entertainment or, in the case of the Romans, nationalistic pride. In fact, that was one reason for the persecution of Christians by some Roman emperors in the first three centuries. It was not because they felt their religion threatened, but because they felt that Christians’ non-acceptance of Roman myths made them unpatriotic and anti-Roman. The Christians had simply come to believe in the resurrection of Christ as an immovable truth.

But none of this seemed to matter to the Atheist.

No, the Atheist insisted on lumping all religious people together as dreamers who made up their own conception of God. Pity he never noticed that, every so often, he would meet people whose conception of God defined them.

If the Atheist had been willing to look, he would have seen an entire counterculture of such individuals. These were people whose conception of God defined them instead of those who conformed a God to what they already believed, thus making themselves God. The atheist, though, looked at those who attended church, considered this the definition of a Christian, and concluded that there was no other difference. In this he was sadly correct more often than not. So hardened had he become that, even when he did meet full-time believers, he wouldn’t recognize them. So, because he failed to see God in people, he concluded there was no God at all. It never occurred to him that he may have been looking in the wrong place.

Until one day, the Atheist looked up. He knew no human had made the stars. He knew there was no Zeus there. And somehow, the Big Bang Theory seemed wholly inadequate. For one thing, no matter how far back in time he looked, he still had to explain what was there first. What (who?) was there before anything was there?

This, he knew, was the definition of God. He Who was there before anything was there.
So the Atheist, looking into the sky, unable to explain what –Who– was there before anything was there, and knowing there’s no better definition of God in any dictionary, realized he was no longer an atheist.

So the non-atheist looked into the Book of Creation to find out Who God is. He discovered that all Christians are heirs to God’s legacy through the ages. Going back through the Jewish prophecies of a promised Messiah and beginning with the design and creation of the universe, the non-atheist found a single thread woven through the Book of Creation. He saw the same rebellion in his own heart that had caused Adam to turn against God. He saw that this had blinded him to the existence of He Who was there before anything was there.

Most of all, he saw God’s plan for recapturing the hearts of all the Adams throughout history. He saw prophesies written that foretold of the coming Messiah. And he saw in one Jesus of Nazareth, the fulfillment of these prophesies. The non-atheist realized that he owed his life to He Who was there before anything was there. This was a debt he could not pay. So he rejoiced when his eyes fell upon the words: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31). And he fell on his face in awe when he read the words: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.

Author Unknown. From an email circulation years ago.

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Acts, Atheism, Atheist, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Creation, Creator, Encouragement, Ephesians, Food For Thought, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Jesus, Lord, Questions, Redeemed, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Set Free, Teaching, Truth, Wonder, Word of God | 1 Comment

More Ravenhill Quotes – Leonard Ravenhill

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Leonard Ravenhill (June 18, 1907 – November 27, 1994) was an English Christian evangelist and author who focused on the subjects of prayer and revival. He is best known for challenging western evangelicalism (through his books and sermons) to compare itself to the early Christian Church as chronicled in the Book of Acts. He was a proponent of the moral government or Governmental theory of atonement.

One of Leonard’s gifts was his ability to spontaneously create insightful spiritual maxims as he spoke. These were short, memorable observations about God, the church, and the world. David Bercot always took a notebook with him to these meetings to write down some of Leonard Ravenhill’s observations and maxims. Here are some MORE of Leonard’s spiritual insights from those meetings:

[Concerning the darkness that has enveloped most of Christendom:] “When you’re sitting in a dark room, you can either sit and curse the darkness—or you can light a candle.”

“Children can tell you what Channel 7 says, but not what Matthew 7 says.”

“Some women will spend thirty minutes to an hour preparing for church externally (putting on special clothes and makeup, etc.). What would happen if we all spent the same amount of time preparing internally for church—with prayer and meditation?”

“Maturity comes from obedience, not necessarily from age.”

“What good does it do to speak in tongues on Sunday if you have been using your tongue during the week to curse and gossip?”

“Would we send our daughters off to have sex if it would benefit our country? Yet, we send our sons off to kill when we think it would benefit our country!”

“The only time you can really say that ‘Christ is all I need,’ is when Christ is all you have.”

“The Bible is either absolute, or it’s obsolete.”

“Why do we expect to be better treated in this world than Jesus was?”

“Today’s church wants to be raptured from responsibility.”

Leonard Ravenhill Quotes: https://www.azquotes.com/author/38314-Leonard_Ravenhill
Leonard Ravenhill Sermons: https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/leonard-ravenhill/read/articles/
Leonard Ravenhill Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeonardRavenhill

Posted in Great Sermons From The Past | Tagged Absolute vs Obsolete, Author, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christian, Christianity, Church, Communication, Encouragement, Evangelist, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Gossip, Gossiping, Grace, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Leonard Ravenhill, Life Story, Lord, Love, Maturity, Ministry, Obedience, Prayer Warrior, Quotes, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth, Word of God | 2 Comments

Rainbow Promise

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

Genesis 9:
12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. 16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” 17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

*Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Posted in 'Nuff Said! | Tagged As in the Days of Noah, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Communication, Communion, Covenant, Destruction, Earth, Encouragement, Evil, Evil Generation, Faith, Faithfulness, Flood, Genesis, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Hope, Impurity, Last Days, Lord, Love, Mankind, Promise, Rainbow, Rejecting God's Word, Rejecting the Bible, Sexual Sins, Sin, Spirituality, Strength, Symbol, Symbolism, Teaching, Truth, Word of God | Leave a comment

You Are Mine . . .

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

I have Redeemed you from sin and shame the day you repented,
when you called out my NAME.

When your eyes were opened; when you came to life,
you believed I’ve proclaimed that your mine.

My SON died for you, HIS blood was shed,
because you believed you are no longer dead.

You said, “Save me JESUS”, and like that; it was done,
by my grace through your faith in my SON.

This journey you take as you walk toward the LIGHT,
I will be with you child, it will be alright.

I started something that I will complete,
do not forget you are always with me.

I have Redeemed you I have given you worth,
value for me, as you walk the earth.

The good news is waiting for others to know,
Heaven is real and I won’t let you go.

Children of light who walk in my will;
redeemed by my blood, I AM here with you still.

I AM your AUTHOR and finisher, the TRUTH and the WAY;
you are mine, I AM LOVE, and will not go away.

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Author and Finisher, Bible Teaching, Blood, Children of Light, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God is Love, God's Love, Good News, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Mercy, Mike Armijo, Redeemed, Redeemed by Blood, Repentance, Shame, Sin, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth, Truth and the Way, Word of God, You Are Mine | 1 Comment

The Rapture

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Roland Ledoux

~ The Rapture . . .

If Jesus came back tomorrow to take us from this Earth;
Would I stand before Him, wondering where my friends are from work.

And where’s that guy I spoke to every morning at the store
Surely he should be here; he always greeted me at the door.

Where is my child’s teacher; she was so great with all the kids
Oh; how she would just love to see a place such as this.

As I stand with Him; in Heaven up above
I ask God; where are so many, that I knew and that I loved?

What Lord? You placed me in their lives to tell them about You
Please let me go back and tell them now; I just assumed that they knew!

Poem by, Ron L Willis

*All rights, including copyrights belong to the author.

“To God be the Glory & keep Sharing the Good News!” ~ C4C ~
Cowboys-4-Christ – Facebook Page

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Cowboys-4-Christ, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Friends, God, God's Love, Grace, Heaven, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Mission, Poetic Praise, Ron L Willis, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Teaching, The Rapture, Truth | 2 Comments

No Good Choice

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

See Him In The Storm

© 2003 Carrie Kinyon – Carrie’s Poetry Page – Used with permission.

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 3 verse 20.

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

Clear Waters

©Betty Bolden, Copyright 7-28-07. Used with permission. Jesus My Joy Ministries, Clear Waters Betty Bolden – Facebook Page

To God Be The Glory! Amen!

FORGIVENESS IN RETURN

©2005 Elizabeth Stewart – Used with permission.

Next post we will begin with 1 John chapter 3 verse 17.

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

*Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

© Mike Nano Armijo, September 2oth, 2019. Used with permission. Mike Armijo Facebook Page

*All rights, including copyrights belong to the author.

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©Betty Bolden, Copyright 7-28-07. Used with permission.
Jesus My Joy Ministries, Clear Waters
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