Father

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

1 John 2:5-6, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

I don’t sleep much anymore, sometimes two to four hours; it’s just a sign of age and such. But it does give me time to meditate and pray. A lot of times anymore, my mind is filled with thoughts of the Lord, thoughts of service, the goings on in the world today and how it relates to things the Lord has told us in advance.

Last night was a bit different though. I teach a lot about our Heavenly Father and those who follow my thoughts know I mention our “Heavenly Father” a lot. That title, Father, is very special for me. I don’t say it or mention it lightly. To me it is a term of reverence, of intimacy, of a relationship that is special.

In my own life, that title and the way I feel about it evolved as I matured and aged. I had a parent who helped “create” me and I used to call him “father” or dad. But as I grew, I realized in reality all he did do was give me life in the natural sense. I met my wife’s father when I was just about to have my seventeenth birthday, so I was just a very young man then. But as time went by and I ended up getting married to my high-school sweetheart, I noticed big differences in my dad and her father.

First, as hard as I tried and as harsh as it seems now (even writing about it) I didn’t have a relationship with my dad. Yes, he took care of my brothers, sisters and me. Yes, he disciplined us, but it was all the obligatory things you expect from a parent. There was no communion, no relationship developing. He worked, had his friends and us kids were meant to be seen but not heard as the cliché goes.

When I started visiting my “girl-friend” and her family on a regular basis, her dad took interest in me. Slowly at first, but then he would start asking me my plans for the future, my ideas about “church” things, about parenting and so forth. Once I married his daughter and I became much more an integral part of their family, we used to have long conversations in the early morning hours before he or I would go to work. We didn’t always see eye to eye on everything, but he treated me like I was my own man. I learned a lot from him and it didn’t take long for me to call him father and truly mean all it entailed. Looking back, I learned more from him in my second seventeen years than I did from my dad in the first seventeen years.

The difference? Relationship was the difference! My dad couldn’t be bothered with a relationship with his kids. Come to find out, he didn’t really have a relationship with his dad and of course because of that neither did we have a relationship with our granddad. But my wife’s dad was different. He at least opened the door for a relationship with me and I walked right through it! He truly became a father to me and looking back now, I learned a lot more of the adult things I needed to be a good husband AND father. Don’t get me wrong, some of his kids didn’t think he was the role model that I saw him as, but that didn’t and doesn’t change how I feel about him even today.

I thank the Lord for the positive impact he did have on me and yes, we had our share of major disagreements, but it was based in and on our close relationship! I truly believe that our Heavenly Father gave him to me to show me (eventually) just how important relationship is and what is missing without that relationship.

Our Heavenly Father is the same way. He is our creator, but unlike my natural circumstances our Spiritual Father WANTS to have a close, intimate relationship with us! He will do whatever it takes to be a true Father to each and every one of us for His Word tells us that He desires none of us should perish. (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9)

child-of-god Our Heavenly Father desires an intimate, personal and fatherly relationship with us; a oneness that He shares with His Son Jesus Christ! We each have that opportunity. Think of it; the creator of the universe, of all that ever was or ever will be, the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and eternal God Almighty, WANTS, desires an intimate oneness with us whom He claims as His children!! How much more awesome a thought than that could there be?!! He wants to share Himself with each and every one of us in that same oneness!!

It truly doesn’t matter what your natural or life experience concerning your father is or was for we have a God who wants to be Father to all and everyone. He will be what you may not have had growing up or He can be even more than what you experienced for He truly is the perfect Father and He desires intimacy with His children!

So, when you see an article of mine that speaks of our Heavenly Father, it is with the deepest love, humility and reverence that I can possibly have at this point in my relationship with Him. Thankfully, gratefully, each day I spend in His presence makes that relationship even stronger and one day when our Lord and Redeemer Christ Jesus, comes to take us home, we will be perfect as He our Christ is perfect, one with our TRUE Father!

My prayer, my hope, my wish for all creation is that each and every one can enjoy the relationship that our Heavenly Father wants with all! At least I will always have something to pray for!!

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 1 John, 1 Timothy, 2 Peter, Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Communion, Creator, Dad, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Father, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Word, intimacy, John, Lord, Love, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual Intimacy, Teaching, Truth | 5 Comments

How Big Is Your Box?

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

milkyway I have always loved science; all science, earth, biology, physiology, the space sciences and astronomy has probably always been my favorite. Since a young boy, I have looked up at the night sky and imagined just what was out there, just beyond sight, but never far from imagination!

Science has evolved today. There are sciences with names that I can’t hardly pronounce, but it is all due to the searching for why, how and ultimately what is TRUTH. Man has always questioned his existence and how we fit in with the rest of creation. The sciences help us to understand our place and hopefully how to interact with everything around us.

Many Christians today would point you to the Bible, the Holy Word of God and tell you that all you need to know about everything is found in God’s Word. For an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father and a harmonious relationship with one another, the Bible cannot be surpassed. It contains ALL we need to know about US God’s most loved creation. It paints an intimate portrait of our Creator and Father as it shows us His Character, His attributes, His very personality as it were. It also shows us, exactly how much like Him we truly are on a spiritual level; our ability to freely choose the path of our lives, or how to surrender to His will; also how much we are alike in spiritual character and attributes.

When our God stated that “in the beginning let us make man in Our image,” He meant just that. We have been endowed with not just a physical body, a template of what will come later, but a soul with all the character and attributes of a personality and a spark of spirit from God Himself, that spark that gives life to the other two parts that make up our humanity; the breath of God’s Spirit shared with His creation!

Have you ever wondered why you even question who you are or why you are here? Have you ever wondered why you have such a passion to look for that which you call God? Well, the answer is found in our very creation, we are more related to God as Father than most can or will ever realize. We share a commonality with His character and we share the very essence of His Spirit within each of us!

This all leads me to why we also thirst for more knowledge and ultimately the truth of the creation that we inhabit. How often do YOU actually meditate or contemplate the Character of God Almighty and how it effects the very reason why and how you live in and around the very creation you inhabit?

We yearn for more knowledge, we want to know ALL we can about the world and universe around us and when it comes to specifics, the Bible is, well, not totally clear. What the Bible does say has been construed as science and to be taken on faith and therefore sufficient for the average person who has no interest in an in-depth knowledge of science.

But this leads me to one of the Character attributes of our Heavenly Father and therefore one of the reasons we yearn for knowledge so. God Almighty IS almighty because of His character and one of those attributes is Omniscience. Notice that word carefully. Most people today can tell you that it means, all-knowing; knowledge of everything. Think about that; everything, nothing unknown! But the very word, omni-science, science being knowledge or truth in knowledge. Omni is the Latin prefix for all or everything.

hubble-ultra-deep-field

In space science, especially today with the Hubble Telescope and the newer planet hunting telescope, Kepler, our scientists are designating stars and newfound planets with primarily numbers though some have assigned names and numbers but here is what Psalms 147:4-5 states about Almighty God, “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.”

HE calls them all by name and HE KNOWS exactly how many there are!!! Can you imagine looking up at the night sky and knowing all the names of the stars you see AND the ones out of eyesight?!

This leads me to our faith, our capacity to believe and to believe in what is important whatever the world identifies as “truth!” In the Bible, we learn God created what we need to know as our universe in six days and on the seventh, He rested; in other words, He ceased creating for all His creation was good.

Remember what Peter wrote as found in 2 Peter 3:8, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

What I find so fascinating is that somewhere along the line, Christian Pastors started teaching that the Lord created the earth and all creation within six thousand years and they take Peter’s statement and apply it to Genesis chapter one as proof. It became an established doctrine and there are Christians who will defend it to the end despite scientific discoveries and truth to the contrary. You see, many believe it is the scientists and their techniques that are at fault and not God’s Word.

The problem is that the statement Peter made is taken out of context when applied to Genesis. If you truly want too, you can make the Scriptures say anything you want too, but you will be using the Word of God in a way that was never meant to be. Sadly, even today this is too true and the reason we have so many religious fads that some swear is true but do not line up with the spirit of the Word. Remember, the Word of God can only be understood with the spirit for it is the “Spirit that gives life and the letter kills,” as found in Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians 3:6.

El-Olam-The-Everlasting-God But this brings me to another Character attribute of God, our Heavenly Father and that is His Eternal Being. God always was and always will be for He has no beginning and no end. This is a concept that we take on faith, but if you try and comprehend it, it is near impossible. Our minds can hardly fathom our lives not ending but going on into eternity, forever and ever. Yet even for us, it is another character trait we inherit from the Father. We have a created beginning, but our spirit and soul will last forever.

But this Character trait doesn’t line up with what others teach in 2 Peter 3:8. For with the Father, years don’t mean anything at all for He is not governed by time, but rather is present in ALL time, before and beyond. Time is only a circumstance that mankind uses to measure our being in this natural plane of existence. When Peter made that statement, he was more or less telling the disciples that he wrote too, that time to the Lord has no meaning. When Moses wrote Genesis as inspired by the Holy Spirit, Moses was writing what mankind at that time could understand. Remember, the length of man’s lifespan on earth was considerably shortened after the flood.

But here is my point in all this and it is not to convince anyone to believe in science over the Bible. But, since time means nothing at all to God Almighty and only to man, then when He spoke the worlds into existence, is it a stretch to believe that what He spoke was the creation of matter from void (as Genesis states) and in speaking created all the laws of science, His Character, that control how the universe proceeds from that moment forward.

When I see what science believes they have come up with, I am in greater AWE at the Wisdom and Knowledge of God Almighty to keep all these things in order with just speaking them into existence and how they have continued for what scientist’s claim is billions of years. When I read in Genesis what God did and spoke into existence each day afterward, all it does for me is show that science is PROVING the Word of God. For each stage of what the Bible calls a day, science shows a sudden transition from one stage of development into another and science is yet to find the “link” that joins each of these transitions and until they can admit that God designated each area of development they will keep on searching.

My faith has actually increased as science tries to explain the development of creation around us for I am impressed not just with that but am reminded that our Lord predicted these increases in our knowledge back in the days of Daniel. When the Lord gave Daniel the vision of things to come in the last days before Christ would come back and make things right, the Angel of the Lord told Daniel this, found in Daniel 12:4, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Now we all have faith in different stages of our spiritual life and I have learned that as time and experience in the Lord increases, our faith in God’s abilities in our lives should also increase, yet I have found so many people can only believe if they can understand or comprehend something. There will always be things that none of us will ever comprehend concerning the Lord, at least while inhabiting this corruptible body, but faith, our belief in the Truth of God’s Word will always see past those things in the spiritual part of our being. How much are you willing to believe in our Heavenly Father’s ability to do anything and not just in your life but the world around you?

We will always have to walk in faith in some areas of our lives, but faith, believing can transcend to KNOWING the longer you walk with the Lord and submit to His Will. There are areas of life where I no longer walk in faith, for I have walked them enough with the Lord being in control that now I know what He can and will do. When we are young in the Lord, spiritually speaking, we walk as children, eager to believe everything told us, but as the everyday routines take hold, the world has a way of clouding that innocence and belief. It is only as we totally surrender to what our Lord tells us and asks us to do that we start to gain the confidence and trust that what He says He will do, it will be accomplished and the natural progression of spiritual maturity is to evolve from just believing to knowing!

GodOutOfTheBox Many of us actually put our Heavenly Father into a box, a box that fits comfortably within our views of how God works in our lives. Some boxes are bigger than others, but they are still boxes. We can’t see our God Almighty outside the confines of those six walls, sides, top and bottom. In our minds, He doesn’t exist outside those walls and so we can go about life secure and comfortable in our own beliefs.

Sadly, this is one of the problems of the modern church today. We all live and worship inside a six-walled box. Anything outside that box, just doesn’t exist. But there’s a problem with living like that; the air and life itself becomes stagnant always enclosed and our faith, our spiritual knowledge doesn’t grow and so we don’t grow spiritually.

It is only when we are able to break down the walls that surround us, to take in the fresh air of the Spirit and to focus our gaze beyond our comfort zone that we can truly see, not just how God Almighty moves around us, but how He WANTS to move around and among those that need a fresh perspective of Him.

You know when you think about it, when you meditate on not just His Word but on Him, His Character, attributes and Who HE really is your understanding and relationship with Him evolves and changes just as the universe He spoke into existence is ever evolving and growing.

God’s creations were spoken into existence with all the laws that govern those creations to move and grow and so it is with His Created likeness. We must grow and move forward toward our Heavenly Father in a relationship that matures and grows from just believing to knowing the Person that we call Father. This was His desire in His creating us in the first place, a creation that would love Him back unconditionally, intimately for His Character and for Who He is; and that is why He created us so closely like Himself. We will always yearn to learn more to know more, but we will never be satisfied in any knowledge outside of Him. We first have to break down the walls, the barriers that are causing us to not see Him as we should.

Spiritually speaking, we have to develop our “spiritual telescopes” for only then will we start (I said start) to see Him as He wants us to see Him, not just as Almighty God, Creator of all things, but truly, sincerely AND intimately, as Heavenly Father.

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 2 Corinthians, 2 Peter, Bible, Bible Teaching, Body of Christ, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Creation, Eternal, Eternal Being, Faith, Faithfulness, Genesis, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Ministry, Omniscience, Psalms, Religion, Science, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth | 9 Comments

Back Home

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

poeticpraisehdr

If I had the power to turn back the clock,
Go back to that house at the end of the block-
The house that was HOME when I was a kid,
I know that I’d love it more now than I did.

backwards_clock

If I could be back there at my mother’s knee,
And hear once again all the things she told me,
I’d listen as I never listened before,
For she knew so well just what life had in store.

backwards_clock

And all the advice my dad used to give,
His voice I’ll remember as long as I live;
But it didn’t seem really important then;
What I’d give just to live it all over again.

backwards_clock

And what I’d give for the chance I once had,
To do so much more for my mother and dad;
To give them more joy and a little less pain;
A little more sunshine—a little less rain.

backwards_clock

But the years roll on and we cannot go back,
Whether we were born in a mansion or in a shack;
But we can start right now—in the hour that’s here,
To do something more for the ones we hold dear.

backwards_clock

And since time in its flight is traveling so fast;
Let’s not spend it regretting that which is past;
But let’s make tomorrow a happier day
By doing our “good to others”—

today

(*Author Unknown)

*If anyone knows the author or if a copyright is due,
Please email us so we may give credit where credit is due.

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Children, Choices, Comfort, Communication, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Grace, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Parents, Poetic Praise, Poetry, Spiritual Intimacy, Strength, Truth | 1 Comment

We Always Have Time For Pleasure

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
Energy Enough For That

Deuteronomy 10:16; Colossians 3:5-10

General James Gavi wrote that the Army Air Force made paratrooper training as difficult and exhausting as possible. Nevertheless, the troopers always had enough energy to get into fights in surrounding towns. Even after punishing a group by marching them out all night and back the next day, many of those punished were back in town brawling on Sunday night.

This predisposition to pleasure – especially carnal pleasure – grows in us like barnacles on a ship. We have a legendary capacity to play and party. Duty we fulfill; pleasure we relish. We reluctantly yield to obedience but abandon ourselves to amusement. If Adam and Eve broke the one command God gave them, why would it surprise us that we break the ten God gave to Moses? Jesus intentionally made self-denial the heart of His teaching. He who gave His life to secure salvation offers discipleship only to those who surrender theirs to His direction.

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone!
But By EVERY Word That Comes From God Above!

Deuteronomy 10:16, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”

Colossians 3:5-10, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,….”

FAVORITE QUOTES

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. – Epictetus

Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more. -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. -Albert Schweitzer

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Colossians, Deuteronomy, Faithfulness, Food For Thought, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Word, Scripture, Scriptures, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

“Just Do It. . . .”

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

I have such a longstanding love hate relationship with the news and with television in general. I will tell you straight up that I am getting tired of turning on the television and seeing another news report about a celebrity or sports figure who is running from the law or in trouble with his marriage because of infidelity and in the next breath we hear of the pay they are getting to just play games, act as spokespersons for some product, or star in movies for people’s entertainment.

I used to live in Arizona and one thing that has so infuriated me is the owners of these sports franchises who can twist and manipulate the truth and end up getting taxpayers to fund the construction of sports arenas with the enticement that it will draw tourism and such. All the while, we have to hear about another “supposed” role model getting in serious trouble with the law and in most cases, just getting their hands slapped.

This attitude permeates our society and everything in it. The headline of a recent ad for athletic shoes proudly proclaims, “Just do it!” When they came out with this, in the trade magazines they explained the principle behind it. “We are ¹hedonists and we want what feels good.” The copy continues, ” It doesn’t matter who scores. It doesn’t matter who falls. What matters is the oath they take: to stick together through thick and thin no matter who gets the ball. They know this is a marriage. They do not believe in divorce.”

This ad represents the worst and the best of modern culture. Now before you allow yourself to be shocked by this statement, let me explain what I mean. The headline perpetuates the destructive, self-centered, I-only-care-about-what-feels-good-for-me attitude of the “me” generation that has sent our culture into its current tailspin.

The loyalty reflected in the copy is a commendable commodity these days, if quite rare AND if applied to a lifestyle of harmony with others. The trouble is, these same ¹hedonists are highly unlikely to take this same loyalty into a real marriage relationship. In fact, we see this very lack of loyalty and commitment plastered across the headlines on an ever continuing basis. Ironically, teammates still retain a loyalty even though in real life loyalty is just an abstract thought when it concerns the important things in life. Loyalty to an oath and sticking together through thick and thin no matter what, is fine in sports. Sadly, in real life, too many of us want only what feels good right now, we want immediate and unequivocal pleasure in the moment. As the tagline in the same ad says, “If it feels good then, just do it.”

Just a few years ago now while we still lived in Arizona, a high profile celebrity couple announced the decision to divorce. One spouse went into the relationship believing that it was “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part, etc.,” and the other spouse went into the marriage with the idea that as long as it feels good, and as long as I’m happy, it will last. This former spouse is already off on another “conquest” and still making headlines. Yet the public is “forgiving,” according to one sports/news commentator. Even the sports public is involved in the immediate pleasure ideology as long as the sports they love continues!

This is what has been perpetrated on the world by those that others continue to claim are our role-models! This is what the various medias tell us is the proof of success. Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes 1:9-11, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.”

For those unsure of what ¹hedonism is or means, see the explanation I provided below:
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¹Hedonism (Greek hēdonē, “pleasure”), in philosophy, the doctrine that pleasure is the sole or chief good in life and that the pursuit of it is the ideal aim of conduct. Two important hedonistic theories were expounded in ancient Greece. The Cyrenaics, or egoistic hedonists, espoused a doctrine in which gratification of one’s immediate personal desires, without regard for other persons, is considered the supreme end of existence. Knowledge, according to the Cyrenaics, is rooted in the fleeting sensations of the moment, and it is therefore futile to attempt the formulation of a system of moral values in which the desirability of present pleasures is weighed against the pain they may cause in the future. Unlike the egoistic hedonists, the Epicureans, or rational hedonists, contended that the true pleasure is attainable only by reason. They stressed the virtues of self-control and prudence. Both doctrines survived practically without change until modern times. In the 18th and 19th centuries such British philosophers as Jeremy Bentham, James Mill, and John Stuart Mill propounded the doctrine of universalistic hedonism, better known as utilitarianism. According to this theory, the ultimate criterion of human behavior is the good of society, and the guiding principle of individual moral conduct is allegiance to that which procures and promotes the welfare of the greatest number of people.
________________________________________

How to cite this article: “Hedonism,” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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It doesn’t take a long article to express what ¹hedonism is. The part I want you to meditate on is the second paragraph that starts out by saying that the doctrines have survived into our century without barely any changes! All you have to do is turn on the television or radio news, open a newspaper or magazine or browse the internet!

The difference now of course is the media that is just about instantaneous and at the same time, everywhere at once. We are bombarded with these doctrines and ideology every day in everything we see and in most cases even in the activities we indulge in. Even our governments have political parties that espouse this lifestyle openly and actively at every stage of politics. It is like the scales of morality are tipping more towards the instant gratification and “give me more” now, than the conservative ideals espoused by the doctrines and writings of the Bible.

I know I quote this Scripture a lot, but it shows the dichotomy of what the world espouses as the highest achievements and what Christ Jesus tells us is the ultimate achievement. Jesus had just confounded some of the Scribes and several Pharisees, religious lawyers, tried to test Him and this is the result as stated in Matthew 22:35-40, “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (NKJV)

It has been said so many times that history has a way of repeating itself and sadly, this seems to be the case even in our modern civilization. The early Roman Empire was one of the greatest nations in the world and many other nations tried to be just like them. But, in their greatness they started to realize that with all their great accomplishments, they were still looking for something. They chose entertainment much like our modern society today. The coliseums, large and small were places of gathering for plays and staged re-enactments of past battles and adventures. When that wasn’t enough, they indulged in the gladiatorial sports and when that didn’t satisfy their lust for pleasure, they upped the stakes by sports-like, life and death gladiatorial events that drew people from far and wide. Doesn’t the evolution of Rome, with its governing bodies and its compassion for violent sports AND entertainment, tell us something about ourselves today? We all know what these circumstances, and the desire for extreme pleasure led too eventually with the Roman Empire!

This leaves me wanting to ask this question, “Is this the better world that the revolts and rebellions of the sixties and seventies promised? Are games and celebrity, and the desire to be satiated with immediate pleasure, truly more important than life itself? How much more like the Roman Empire must we become before ever learning from their history? Is this REALLY what we all want?”

If you don’t believe we are following down the same path, just look at our governing bodies. They no longer look at themselves as SERVANTS of the people, but in fact have evolved more like masters of our lives in almost every avenue of life. Including what we should eat and how we should talk! Is this REALLY what we all want?

In closing, I want to remind you that the only real role-model we have is Jesus Christ, Himself. Second to that is what the Apostle Paul told Timothy and others in his writings, to remember his (Paul’s) example as he walks in Christ. We can follow others only as they follow the lifestyle of Jesus Christ. Ultimately it is Jesus Christ who will always be the only true role-model. As stated in the scriptures in Matthew, we aren’t to look for our immediate gratification or pleasure, but first look to God, our Almighty Father for direction, (then follow that direction as an act of love), and second, to look to the NEEDS of our brothers and sisters (our neighbors all around us) and act upon those needs!

I am not saying we can’t enjoy life or find pleasure in the things we do, but rather than rely on others to provide our pleasure, why not give of ourselves so that others can also experience joy in their lives! As Christ Jesus stated, “the poor shall always be among us.” There is always SOMETHING each of us can do and it doesn’t have to be large and extravagant! Sometimes, a simple smile towards someone who is burdened can make major difference in someone’s life!

One final thought to all of you who are awaiting the Lord’s eminent return; I know this is just another example of how the world must turn for the Lord to return. It is easy to say that it will get worse intellectually, it is totally another thing to actually live with those changes day in and day out and try to keep our spiritual joy! It is all the more reason we need intimacy with the Lord, our spirit to His, and why we need the fellowship of one another as we each attempt to follow after Christ Jesus.

Remember Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians, using the example of their much-loved sports, 1Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 1 Corinthians, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Ecclesiastes, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hedonism, Holy Bible, Holy Word, Jesus, Lord, Matthew, Religion, Role Models, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Solomon, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

Solid as a Rock!

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
Alexander Hamilton — First Us Secretary Of The Treasury

Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

The quote attributed to Alexander Hamilton, the United States very first Secretary of the Treasury has been re-quoted by many, many leaders and teachers throughout the last century and a half since it was first spoken. Just like so many other leaders who helped in the founding and establishment of our young nation, the Bible’s values and writings was the standard on which so many based their beliefs. Even the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights can trace its precepts back to the Bible.

In the political climate we face today, not just in the U.S. but also in many countries that are allied with us, we see the same degree of moral decay, economic uncertainty and threat from extreme elements wanting the demise of those with Christian-style values. Even those who don’t acknowledge discipleship to Christ’s teachings, yet have a strict moral code, fall into the target of those who wish to cast all logic and order aside for their own perverse motives.

It is so obvious that since the very beginning of the creation of mankind, that human nature has not changed even a little bit. That is the very reason that Jesus came from the Father to earth, not that man’s nature will change, but that our spirit will have communion with the Father intimately again, as a matter of choice. We can’t escape our human, carnal, nature, but we CAN surrender our spiritual nature to the Redeeming character paid for by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Through the counsel and power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome the tug and temptations that the carnal flesh often tries to ensnare us with. But—we have to have something with which to anchor our commitment to the Lord.

Since the beginning of mankind’s time on this world created for us, man in general has rebelled at the idea that someone other than himself would control his life and destiny. Even through his many missteps and lack of foresight, man continues to want to do things his own way, regardless of the consequences and when a proven plan presents itself, his very nature refuses to adopt that WAY of life.

Today is no different and in fact, we have an even greater advantage than mankind of old, for we have PROOF that God’s plan indeed works due to many who have gone on before and in faith trusted the plan of God and lived their lives accordingly. In face of the fact that human nature itself never changes, we have a written Word that also never changes, so it is always fresh and contemporary for any age of man.

Today, we see mankind grasping for any new concept that seems right in his own mind to justify his way of living and in light of these “new” concepts, he is willing to discard the true and proven values that have gotten mankind out of so many pitfalls and obstacles that life lays in his path.

With these shifting mores and ideals man has nothing to anchor his lifestyle too when the storms of life come his way. Yet Jesus, Himself said that if we follow His teachings and DO them, we become like wise men who build a home on a rock solid foundation. His teachings and the process of living them are able to withstand the tempests that life throws at us. And yet ultimately, mankind as a whole chooses the shifting sand, the fads that come and go, whether religious or secular and when the storms and rains hit, he wonders why he is always fated to fail AND fall! Yet as a whole, mankind never seems to learn, even when the truth is right in front of him.

Paul said it best this way in, Romans 1:16-25, “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. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man–and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

For since the creation of the world, the attributes, the character, or personality of God has been shown in the very things God has created!! Paul goes on to say that EVEN His eternal power and Godhead are evident and so man is without excuse!! Even before Christ Jesus, the Word of God embodied, came to this earth to straighten out man’s ideas and interpretation of the written Word of God, and to provide payment for man’s sinful nature, God’s power, authority and personality was evident in the LIVING world He created for all of mankind!!

There is nowhere on this earth that man is not able to see the power and essence of God for it is evident in everything not only surrounding him, but also in the very life of mankind as a living embodiment of God Himself!

Because man chooses what he thinks is right in his own eyes, Paul stated that man “became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,…” We see this in action in the world we live today! Unrest, discord and discontentment have become epidemic and what was once thought unimaginable has started to become an everyday event. We see, unfolding before our eyes on a daily basis, the unraveling of civilization and the rise of pure evil!

You might think that I am being over-dramatic, but all you have to do is to watch the global news feeds and you cannot deny that what I am telling you is true! Many people think that what is happening in the world is just temporary due to poor leadership and especially in the democratic nations of the world. The truth is, that as these nations turn more and more from the foundations that either established them or made them great in the first place, the further they slide back into chaos and anarchy begins to prevail!

The New Living Translation states this in Proverbs 29:18, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.” The King James Version tells us this familiar variation, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

In closing, I want to give you a parting word directly from the Word of God. Let IT speak to your spirit. Please forgive the length but bear with this for it is many verses, but this WILL show us that times do NOT change and neither does GOD! We as nations who PROCLAIM God as our own need to take heed!!

Deuteronomy 32:1-6, “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. They have corrupted themselves; They are not His children, Because of their blemish: A perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus deal with the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?”

Deuteronomy 32:7-14, “Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you: When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, When He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel. For the LORD’S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, So the LORD alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him. He made him ride in the heights of the earth, That he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock; Curds from the cattle, and milk of the flock, With fat of lambs; And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, With the choicest wheat; And you drank wine, the blood of the grapes.”

Deuteronomy 32:15-18, “But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; With abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, To gods they did not know, To new gods, new arrivals That your fathers did not fear. Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, And have forgotten the God who fathered you.”

Deuteronomy 32:19-25, “And when the LORD saw it, He spurned them, Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faith. They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled by my anger, And shall burn to the lowest hell; It shall consume the earth with her increase, And set on fire the foundations of the mountains. ‘I will heap disasters on them; I will spend My arrows on them. They shall be wasted with hunger, Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, With the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within For the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs.'”

Deuteronomy 32:26-38, “I would have said, ‘I will dash them in pieces, I will make the memory of them to cease from among men,’ Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy, Lest their adversaries should misunderstand, Lest they should say, “Our hand is high; And it is not the LORD who has done all this.’ For they are a nation void of counsel, Nor is there any understanding in them. Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end! How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had surrendered them? For their rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom And of the fields of Gomorrah; Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. Their wine is the poison of serpents, And the cruel venom of cobras. ‘Is this not laid up in store with Me, Sealed up among My treasures? Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’ For the LORD will judge His people And have compassion on His servants, When He sees that their power is gone, And there is no one remaining, bond or free. He will say: ‘Where are their gods, The rock in which they sought refuge? Who ate the fat of their sacrifices, And drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise and help you, And be your refuge.”

Deuteronomy 32:39-43, “‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. For I raise My hand to heaven, And say, “As I live forever, If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword shall devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the heads of the leaders of the enemy.’ Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”

God’s Word, proven, living and true is the ONE and only ROCK that we need, and if we are looking anywhere else for this world to improve, we are building our life on shifting and moving, unstable sand.

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Communication, Communion, Deuteronomy 32, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Human Nature, Jesus, Lord, Matthew 7, Nation, Nations, Proverbs 29, Religion, Rock, Romans 1, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, The Rock, Today, Truth | Leave a comment

Bible – Spiritual Engineer

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
Back to God’s Word

Jeremiah 6:16; Acts 5:42

In the early American West, mountain men trapped beaver to near extinction. Strip mining, mineral exploration, and overgrazing multiplied the ecosystem’s disaster. In Southwestern Wyoming, nearly all of the once-thriving trout streams dried up from mismanagement by well-intentioned people. A solution was to put beavers to work along meager waterways. Invariably, meadows began to grow for hundreds of feet along streams surrounding beaver dams, preventing erosion and slowing spring runoff. It was an ingeniously simple idea: Put the original earth engineers to work. Give them the tools—in this case, trees—and let the beavers follow their instincts to build dams.

The same is true spiritually. Humanity casts aside scriptural values to establish their own: living together replaces marriage, military force preempts ethics, and sexual freedom displaces monogamous relationships. All of which leads into a confusing moral wilderness, begetting an eroded self-esteem, a deteriorating public spirit, and a fearful expectation of future calamity. In response, God’s people call for a return to His ancient Word. Those who hear and heed God’s Word find that amazing things happen. Even in the arid desert of life they find oases. Where useless concepts produced barren results, they find fruitful purpose. In an eroding intellectual ferment they find productive, verdant thought.

God had an outstanding idea when He put the beaver to work conserving the soils of earth—he had a brilliant idea when He gave the Bible as the guide, standard, and touchstone of all morality and behavior.

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone!
But By EVERY Word That Comes From God Above!

Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.'”

Acts 5:42, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

FAVORITE QUOTES

Strong beliefs win strong men, and then make them stronger. -Bagehot

One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests. -Mill

We are the personification of the things we really believe in. -Megiddo Message

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Acts 5, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Communication, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Ministry, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

Are You Living a Life —– style? Part Two

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Part Two

Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?”

Deuteronomy 30:6, “And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”

As we started to get touch on in Part One, we saw the keyword in the Scripture verses that were spoken of by Jesus, as being the word and concept of ALL! As you look at the two verses that I have supplied today you can again see that one of the main keywords is again, ALL! And look at how the writer finished both sentences; “For your good,” and “that you may live.”

Now, as speaking to Christians today, echoing the words of Jesus and as to the Hebrews of today, echoing the words of Moses, we know that the word ALL means the same thing in both references. In fact, when you consider that we as Christians have been “grafted” into the lineage of Abraham as God’s promise to Abraham’s faith, the Deuteronomy verses apply to all of us, Christians AND Jews, as well. We need to remember that with the Hebrew children of today, the Jews, we are brothers and sisters in faith and we should be very much more aware of it today in the light of all going on in the world!

These aren’t just frivolous concepts, on the contrary they are given that the person who abides and LIVES by them might have an abundant life and also a life based in eternity! To just follow a part of these commands or commandments is exactly the same concept as what a lot of people live by today. People feel that if they can at least give a partial to the TRUTH, or live a part of that TRUTH, that they are okay. HOW NOBLE!!!

Yet this is where the subtlety and deception comes in; and coming from the “father of all lies,” it stands to reason, but remember, Jesus called him a murderer and liar from the beginning! Why? Because even a little or partial truth is not the WHOLE truth so it IS a WHOLE LIE!! There is no such a thing as a partial truth! As a TRUE, spirit-renewed disciple of Christ, you should know that a partial truth is still a whole lie! There is no such thing as a truth by omission! Yet in the climate of the day and age we live in today, it is common practice to omit the negative and just embellish the little “nugget” of truth. If you want proof, then just re-read about Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness. The devil knows how to quote the Bible, the very Word of God, but like so many today, he only quotes the parts that makes his point, out of context, and withholding the WHOLE Spirit of the Word!!!

Walking in PART, or “attempting” to walk in part, in the Spirit of God, is still NOT giving God, our Father and Creator your ALL, and the only one you are kidding is yourself if you believe you can do it. You can’t divide your life up into parts, even giving God what you consider the biggest part is still a fraction. What does it mean and what difference does it make as long as we are giving God something of ourselves? The difference is disobedience! When the commandment is to give all, a part is a whole lot of sin! And sin separates man from God Totally, not partially! If Jesus would have only given a PART of His sacrifice to redeem the sinfulness of man, how could His blood then cover ALL our sin?

The world and those in it and those that you consider your brothers and sisters can see right through it, for it isn’t real, it isn’t genuine, it becomes a juggling act with your time and life! But the question still begs itself, how to accomplish all that is on your plate in this day and age we live in when everything and everyone is demanding a piece of us. The answer is lifestyle. It is the difference between dividing your life into “organized” pieces and living your life totally surrendered to the will of God.

Now I’m going to give you an example that probably everyone can relate too and show you the difference between what the enemy and the world says is okay, giving God the “bigger or better part” of your life and giving Him your ALL!

The realm of dieting (yes dieting as relating to how we eat!) is probably known to all and with all sorts of new fads and diets coming out all the time, there is probably no one who hasn’t tried or been affected by some form of dieting or another.

The scientific truth though is still being shouted out to all those who frequent going on diets, and it’s that diets don’t work for the long term. Diets are great for short term goals but for losing and maintaining a person’s weight takes more than dieting and actually requires a lifestyle change in eating habits. Did you see how I placed that word “lifestyle” in there?

As I stated, diets are great for short term. If you have a little you need to lose for this occasion or that, a certain kind of diet might be in order. But, if you have ridden that roller-coaster ride of being on-again, off-again on diets to try and maintain a healthy weight you know that dieting is just that, a roller-coaster ride! And it has been put forth that this very kind of eating, necessary to be on a diet over and over again, is not physically healthy in the long run but neither is it mentally or emotionally healthy either. So, what is?

The answer to that question has been proven time and time again by those that have accomplished what it was they wanted in their lives, it’s been a lifestyle change, a major overhaul in the way they think about eating and the reasons why they eat like they have. The difference I am speaking about, is recognizing the hurtful way in which a person is initially eating, and then recognizing the need to completely change their eating habits to those that are conducive to good physical, mental AND emotional health. In other words changing their lifestyle, the way they live, as it is concerned with their eating habits. It is recognizing the hurt on the one hand and the wisdom of good habits or good lifetime practices on the other hand. Did you catch that? The wisdom of good lifetime practices and not just the act of eating itself. When you change your whole lifestyle, everything else falls into line.

Do you see the difference now? One is quick, easy, get it done and over with so I can go back to living the way I want and the other is time-tested, life-changing and based on what is good for the person’s long-term well-being. One demands giving up their will once in a while but being able to go back to what a person wants to do and the other is surrendering their will to what has been recognized as wisdom for the long run and determining that a person’s “selfish” or self-will isn’t sufficient.

Okay, enough with the dieting comparison. The same principle holds true in your religious/spiritual life; and the difference is just as great. I have a saying that is posted above my computer work-desk to remind me of that difference in my life on a daily basis. Why? Because it is too easy, it’s the easy way, to revert to the one over the other. The saying is thus:

Religion says: “I do the work, God accepts it and I get the credit.”

Christianity says: “God does the work, I accept it and God gets the credit!”

You can replace the term, Christianity with the term Spirituality and it means the same, but the difference between the two is so obviously clear. The sad truth is that today, we have many churches and religious organizations promoting Religion and NOT Spirituality. The difference between the two is like the difference between dieting and a lifestyle change in eating habits. The one is easy and generally very short-term and only demands I relinquish my will for a bit, the other is more demanding in the sense that I relinquish my will eternally, but ultimately for my own good as the writer of Deuteronomy states in the verses I gave at the beginning!

A lifestyle change means that I MUST change the way my life has been lived within my own “wisdom” and reason, which hasn’t been working for my good in the long-run. I MUST surrender my reasoning, my “WILL” to that which is better for me and in the case of the spiritual change, I must surrender to the Lord’s will, totally, completely and WHOLLY! I must give my ALL!

When we can successfully surrender our all into the “hands” of a Living, Loving, Compassionate and Merciful Creator, it is no longer ME that others see, for the me is buried deep, deep inside and for all intents and purposes is and has actually been put to death so that the me CAN’T be seen. This sometimes takes a daily action of “nailing” the me to the Cross that Christ initially died on when He walked this earth. I might have to actively place my will there every day, for the human will is a mighty powerful thing, in fact it has to be if the action of doing the daily surrendering has any value to it at all.

But it is truly in this instance when that old saying that, “practice makes perfect” comes into play, for the more that we DO practice, dying daily to our will, the easier it actually becomes to kill it off in surrender to Christ’s all-perfect will!

And that brings up one other point; why God doesn’t just CAUSE our wills to be subdued and place His over ours. It wouldn’t be surrender if our Heavenly Father forced His on us and it wouldn’t be a demonstration of our love towards Him if we couldn’t do it ourselves. Because it is such a hard thing to do, especially at the very first, it is a real act of loving our Father that we are able to subdue our wills and allow His will to reign over us! It is that kind of LOVE that the Father is searching for; a love that is freely given, just as He gave His freely by sacrificing His Son on the Calvary Cross! That is why we have to sacrifice our will on the daily cross. It is a token of the same love, freely given, not easily, but willfully on our parts! That is the lifestyle change. That is the way that will ensure the long-term goal of changing our spiritual habits from those of our religious habits that were “self-centered” and only catered to what we could get out of it. The lifestyle change is based on what God, our Heavenly Father, our Best Friend can get out of our changed lives and ultimately it is for our own good and better life.

This brings us right back to what Pastor Audrey started teaching us about concerning those watching us. Do they see the quick easy change that only reverts back to the same old way we have always lived, a life no different than those around us? Do others still see ME as I really am without my “religious” disguise on?

Or—-

Do they see Christ when they look my way? If not at first, at least do they see the change taking place as time goes on? When they look for the person who I used to be, do they instead have to file a “missing person’s report” because the person I used to be is nowhere to be seen? When you “practice” changing your life—-and the style you once lived, are you even going to be recognized or are you going to be someone that others want to emulate, to copy?

This type of life takes time, it takes the commitment that requires totality on our part or in other words, our ALL! This takes following and obeying the command to give our ALL! It may seem that I have spent so much time and effort in getting the point across for the concept of “ALL,” yet it is that very concept that is the basis for the spiritual, lifestyle change that we need to make.

Okay, what then about all the other things that are begging for our attention? With the “Wisdom of the Ages” in control, don’t you think that the most wise outcome will be accomplished; in our marriages, in our work, in our ministries and even in our friendships? If we surrender our wills voluntarily to the daily Cross of Christ and we allow the Spirit of the Father to reign over our lives, don’t you think that the Creator of the Universe in all HIS vast wisdom, won’t make it a life so abundantly full as to be totally unrecognizable from what it might have been? Think about it, WHO would YOU rather have in control of your life? The Creator of ALL things, or the person that has problems balancing your checkbook?

Now THAT is an easy answer!!!

So, my Brothers and Sisters, don’t fall for the “half-truth” that the enemy has foisted on the unsuspecting religious in our community; recognize that for what it is and determine in your lives that you aren’t going to give our Loving Father a part of our lives no matter how large or noble it may seem, but rather determine in your heart AND your spirit, to surrender ALL to Him. Make the lifestyle choice to change. Determine now in your heart and spirit that a “religious diet” isn’t the answer for you, but the long-term “spiritual lifestyle” of being nourished daily on the Word of God, communing with the Word Himself and allowing Him to change you from glory to glory as He sees fit!

2 Corinthians 3:17-18, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

This is Just the Beginning!

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 2 Corinthians, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Communion, Creator, Deuteronomy, Faith, Faithfulness, Giving All, God, God's Love, Half-Truths, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Jesus, Lifestyle, Lord, Love, Ministry, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

Are You Living a Life —– style? Part One

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Part One

Sometime ago a good friend, Pastor Audrey, challenged our group at that time, with the truth that we ARE being watched by others! Then later she again challenged us with another truth that we ARE servants, bond-slaves to our Lord, but not in the sense that the world looks at slavery; both awesome messages and right to the heart.

In the last couple weeks or so the thought has struck me again about how can we as “modern-day” Christians regain and emulate what the early church was known by; that is, they were known by their love for one another?

Back then Pastor Audrey eloquently poised the question as to whether we as individuals were aware of being watched by those around us, as I have been thinking about it with all going on in the world and especially in our country, I knew what the Holy Spirit has been speaking to my heart and the idea to share started burning within my spirit.

Now don’t think I’m being over-melodramatic for in truth I am not being that way, it is just that when I start to believe that the Lord has given me something to share, it truly becomes like a fire inside, something that just HAS to be fulfilled for my spiritual relief.

As I started to ponder and meditate on the questions that are still relevant today, I already knew where the Holy Spirit wanted to go for He has been dealing with me FIRST for some time, as is usually the case when the Lord gives a teacher or preacher something to share with others. The sign of a true shepherd is one that is led to the “pasture” first by the “Great Shepherd” long before His (the Lord’s) under-shepherds, His “servants, bond-slaves, etc.” can teach others what He desires to get across to His other followers and disciples!

How do we answer the question, in a realistic “real world” way, when we finally realize AND know that we ARE being watched by others? The question that should concern us is what is it that those who are watching, really see in us! For instance, do they see us as bond-servants; voluntary slaves doing the will of the One we call Lord or slaves acting as if we are obligated and not necessarily willing to serve? This is a question that we as individuals can only answer ourselves and since the Lord already knows our heart attitude, the only logical and rational thing to do is be honest within ourselves, and if we have to look deep to see the truth in that answer than we at least have the Holy Spirit to act as our Convincer of the Truth!

But it still begs the answer as to HOW do we regain that which was seemingly lost so very long ago? How are those who are watching us today going to see the REAL love that can only come from an honest effort of truly walking in a Christ-like way?

I may be “preaching to the choir” here, as the cliché goes, and many of you may have the answer before I can even pose it, but it bears repeating again and again until it becomes so much a part of us that we don’t have to think about it to accomplish it. I’m talking about truly walking or in actuality, LIVING in Christ; ABIDING in Him and thus in the Father Who IS and Whose Character is LOVE, as the Epistle of 1 John continues to tells us again and again.

Why is what I am telling you now, so different from what the world usually sees or claims to see?

The truth is this, and it’s going to hurt a bit; what the world sees most of the time is an act, a temporary demonstration meant to appease our human spirit within! You might be scratching your head right now, Brother Roland what did you just say??!!

Look at it this way, to most people when they see the “religious,” the “church-goers” and the “do-gooders,” they see them as they are on Sundays and maybe on the mid-week services, and of course during any times when there are also “Special Service Nights” in which they attend the church of their choice.

Of course when they see these same people back at work the next day, they see people just as they themselves are for the most part. They see everyday people who are opinionated, enjoy a bit of frivolous gossip, maybe just a little bad-mouthing of others they are acquainted with, and of course they may see a friend who is willing to share in a little risqué joking on the side, maybe someone who is not overly concerned about the quality of their work as long as the paychecks keep coming, etc., etc., and you get the picture.

You see, this stems from a fallacy that has been taught for way too many years. It’s the myth that in a person’s life, God should be first, then family, then either your job or church depending on the priorities in your life at that time and so on and so forth. For example if you were to look at a pie-chart divided into sections, you would see the greater part of the pie devoted to God. Second, you would of course see your family taking up the next to greater part and ever smaller divisions would indicate work or job and maybe church and then entertainment or education etc., as I said, all depending upon the priorities at that time in your life. But sadly, that thinking is one of the enemies greatest mind tricks, and it’s a total deception and lie!

When you attempt to portion your life like that, several things take place. First you realize that TIME is not on your side. There are only so many hours in a day, a week, a month and so on. Second, you can never ever satisfy to your spirit’s contentment any PART of your life devoted to the Lord, no matter how much or how noble you think it is. Third, you can never escape the fact that your life always seems to be one hurdle after another, and to make it all the more depressing, you learn that others ARE watching you and they’re watching you stumble all around when in truth you know that things should be different!

The fact remains is that you can NEVER EVER give God ONLY a part and ever be truly His. He MIGHT be your Savior and Redeemer, but He is certainly NOT Lord with only a PART given to Him!

Many of you know that one of my favorite verses of Scripture is found in Matthew 22, verses 37-38:

Jesus said to him, “’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”

That is certainly NOT just a part Jesus is stating, greater part or not. It is ALL, you must give Him your ALL! But you may still be asking, “how can someone, how can WE give Him our ALL when there is not enough to go around? And what about family and all those other priorities in our lives that demand so much attention?”

When God our Father, IS the WHOLE “pie chart,” so to speak, everything else will then be IN Him! Your life will then be ABIDING in Him. All your other priorities will be cared for as you abide IN Him and then He becomes responsible for your life! You MUST love and give Him your ALL! A part, no matter how great will never be enough to give you the spiritual contentment that your heart and being demands!

The modern world we live in today demands so much more of us, time-wise than when Jesus walked this earth during His earthly ministry. We all remember that the Bible states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” in Hebrews 13:8. We know this is what the Bible tells us, yet the TIMES have changed, they are not the same as yesterday and we are sure they won’t be in the future as today is, right? Yet we aren’t dealing with a “time” issue, but a human nature issue, AND human nature has certainly not changed in all this time!

Again, with all that is going on in the world and country today, we need to think and meditate about our place in Lord in our individual lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to honestly reveal to you, just where you ABIDE in Him. The Holy Spirit will always be honest and true in showing us where we are and where we belong!

End of Part One

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged 1 John, Answers, Being Watched, Bible, Bible Teaching, Body of Christ, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Church, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Gospel of Matthew, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hebrews, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Hope, Jesus, Lord, Love, Ministry, Questions, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

Marriage – Partners Reflecting

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
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Ezekiel 16:6-8; 2 Corinthians 11:2

Long-married couples often seem to develop into mirror images, having similar movements, habits, and thoughts. This is not an illusion, an ongoing study at the University of Washington reports. The longer people stay together, the more likely they are to reflect each other. They eventually share thoughts, perceptions, and even mathematical skills. However, and perhaps not surprisingly, wives usually do the changing. Women gain mentally if they marry intelligent men; they lose an edge if they marry below their own intelligence quotient.

The study is based on tests given every seven years to 175 couples over the past thirty years. Twenty-two couples have been tested regularly. The tests cover a wide range of measurable skills in addition to personality traits and reasoning ability. Through the years the couples have become one in many unexpected ways.

This is not surprising. Those who live together invariably reflect each other, with the stronger personality generally impacting the weaker. Christians experience this in their marriage to the Lord Jesus. The Master’s powerful presence impacts His servants, who find themselves progressively losing their own traits and acquiring His. God’s children try to express in their own lives the perfect beauty of Christ’s

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone!
But By EVERY Word That Comes From God Above!

Ezekiel 16:6-8, “And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare. When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD.”

2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

FAVORITE QUOTES

Marriages are made in heaven and consummated on Earth. -John Lyly

Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century. -Mark Twain

Marriage is LOVE personified. -Unknown

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians, Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Encouragement, Ezekiel, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Word, Hope, Jesus, Love for Spouse, Marriage, Quotes, Reflecting, Reflection, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

The Trouble with Marriage

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

You know what the problem with marriage is?? Got your attention, huh??!! It’s that man has forgotten that marriage is a spiritual covenant with GOD, our Creator and Heavenly Father. To put it into ‘religious’ terms, it is a sacrament, a sacred act, not just between a man and a woman, but between a man and a woman AND GOD!!

The Bible tells us in Matthew that the liberal religious leaders of their day, the Pharisees came to “test” Jesus and His answer to them came directly from Genesis 2:23-24, “And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Jesus statement found in Matthew 19:4-6, “And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Do you see His summary of marriage? “What GOD has joined together, let not man separate.”
And why is it so important, besides the fact that God has made them one, that man should NOT separate the union?

This is the reason for marriage from the beginning. Malachi 2:13-15, “And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.”

“Did He NOT make them ONE, having a remnant of His Spirit?” How can man NOT see the sacred covenant, NOT contract, civil or otherwise, but a sacred vow before God. That is what marriage is.

But, marriage is even more than that!!! How can it be more than a covenant with God you ask?

You need to understand why God created man. You see, the angels were created for specific tasks, such as messengers, servants, warriors, all in the spiritual realm. The one thing they cannot be or do, despite all their God-given wisdom and abilities, is to be ONE with God.

Marriage, the spiritual covenant and sacrament, is what many full-gospel churches like to term, types and shadows. It’s an analogy, but much more, it is a sacred union meant to show mankind that just as man and woman become one, not just in the flesh, but in the mind and spirit, we can attain the same thing with our Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus. Christ, the Anointed One, is the man that Adam was made to be. But God in His great wisdom and knowledge knew that man would fall.

You see, without man having fallen, Jesus would not have been necessary, and mankind would not be able to love the Lord, unselfishly, like the Father wants to be loved. Just like in the natural, which is temporary, so it is in the spiritual concerning man’s nature and his ability to appreciate what he has lost. The difference between the natural and spiritual though is that we have, as Malachi wrote, “a remnant of God’s spirit.” God BREATHED the spirit into us and that is what gave the clay that we were, real life, eternal life.

Having fallen, God gave us signposts all along our journey showing us His plan and presence and when the timing was right, He sent us the way needed to be able to have what was eternally intended, Oneness with God in spirit, knowledge and unbridled, unselfish, LOVE. Jesus as the Christ was that Way! Through the redemptive covering of His blood over those who accept freely the sacrifice of grace and mercy, the sins of our forefathers and the sins of our carnal nature, due to the flesh, is covered before the presence of the Father. This is why the Bible tells us that we can “come boldly before the throne of God.”

Hebrews 4:12-16, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Because our Creator, our Heavenly Father, sees to the very intent of our hearts and thoughts, we NEED the High Priest, Who is Christ Jesus, standing at the right hand of the Father!! His blood covers us, it doesn’t excuse us, but it JUSTIFIES us in the sight of the Father.

We become, the very thing our Heavenly Father created between Himself and Adam and Eve, a Bride through marriage to the Bridegroom, Jesus!! Through Jesus we become One with God just as Jesus is One with the Father, as we are One with Christ, we become One together, Father God, the Bride, also referred to as the Church AND Christ Jesus, One for eternity and then joint heirs to the Kingdom of God!!!!

What GOD, the FATHER of Heaven and Creation joins together, do NOT let man’s nature or his sinfulness separate from what is intended to be. Our union with Christ in eternity is no accident, for it is shown in so many instances in the written Word of God and REMEMBER, Jesus is the Living embodiment of that written WORD!! God the Father speaks and Christ Jesus is the result!

Now I started out this exhortation with the title, “The Trouble with Marriage;” in truth, it WAS meant to grab your attention, but I hope you see what I was getting too. When the world states that marriage is only a civil ceremony, and in essence not even necessary, the next logical step is for the world to say, marriage can be between any two (or more?) who love each other no matter the gender. We already have a divorce rate of over 52% in the United States alone and the number of men and women just living together has grown astronomically!

Is there any reason why our country has not already been destroyed naturally? Well, yes, like Abraham interceding for Lot and his family, there are those who keep the covenant alive, who pray for the state of this nation, who ask for repentance on behalf of this nation, and who have NOT lost faith, which is the one thing pleasing to the Father, (see Hebrews 11:6) and who are not afraid to speak out in admonishment and truth for what is righteous and Godly, despite the reactions from those in the world!!

But remember this also, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed even though Lot and his family (less his wife) were spared, but still trouble followed them.

We as a people of God, the Church Triumphant, the Bride of Christ, MUST get back to the precepts and the intent or spirit of the LIVING WORD and recognize that God the Father is seeking a people who while love Him and become One with Him intimately in the spirit. Those who surrender their wills to the Father, through Christ Jesus and in the Power of the Holy Spirit, just as husband and wife surrender their wills (or should) to the benefit of the other, will become One with our Lord eternally!!!

We are all different, our gifts, our abilities are diverse. This diversity is what makes the Bride of Christ COMPLETE. Wholeness, is like an unbroken vessel; you can fill it up and it is useful. That is what the Bridegroom is coming for!

One last question; is you lamp full of oil? Is your light, lit? Only you can say, but the source and power is found in yielding to the Holy Spirit and keeping an eye on the inevitable prize of seeing the Bridegroom as He approaches to gather up His Bride!!!

God bless you all who take this to heart and spirit; bless you richly, continually AND abundantly in the Name above every Name, Jesus, the Christ, our Anointed One!!!

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Adam and Eve, Bible, Bible Teaching, Body of Christ, Bride of Christ, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Communion, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Genesis, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Hebrews, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Inspiration, Jesus, Lord, Love, Malachi, Marriage, Matthew, Ministry, Prayer, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth, Type and Shadow | 2 Comments

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 4

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Part 4

If this part could be called by any other name, it would probably be something on the order of, “Recharging Your Light Source.” By reading the previous 3 parts, you may assume that I am anti-church when in fact I am not, not even a little. But —- what I am against is the ingrown atmosphere that has arisen from the church and the sense that the church organization has become very, very selfish. If you have learned anything from my teachings, I sure hope that you realize that my spiritual perception of love is the opposite of selfishness.

What then does this say to the majority of religious organizations that are operating today?

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come.”

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie–indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ –and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations– ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ –as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” —- Excerpts from Revelations 2:1 – 3:22.

Now when reading these Scriptures, keep in mind that a church organization, whether at a denominational level or a local level is a mirror of the personalities and attributes of its leadership; as well, to a lesser degree, of its congregants.

I have been involved in ministry for forty plus years and one gift the Lord has blessed me with, is the ability to see things as a whole. I can see things from its individual components to the organization as a whole. I have been blessed with the ability to see the “bigger picture” of human nature. And, I’m not the only one as I have discussed with some of my peers.

Church organizations are just like business in the world of men. The leadership always dictates the “personality” of that organization. But, church organizations are also and extension of its people. Most people gravitate to others that have similar likes and beliefs. That is why there are so many denominations and independent organizations all over the world. In essence, this is what and who the Lord is commanding the angel of these different churches to speak too. But, keep in mind, in the spiritual realm, the Lord is also speaking to the individual who also fits into one of these categories. ALL who claim to be Christian, a disciple of Christ Jesus, will fall into one of these categories, but you can see some of these aspects in some of the denominations prominent today!

I am NOT here to point a finger at denominations or even independent churches in particular, what I am trying to point out is that we all belong to one of these categories for the Lord, through His Holy Spirit is speaking to OUR hearts and spirits!

Now, with this as a foundation, what is the reason that the church or assembly was established? What is the reason we come together in the first place or better yet, what SHOULD be the reason we come together?

Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

We come together to bring the presence of the Lord into our midst. He is always present with us individually as we develop our intimate relationship with Him, but when we invite Him into our presence with as little as two or three people, we are then corporately in HIS presence as well!

Matthew 21:13, “And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,…'”

“For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” — Isaiah 56:7

Matthew 21:14, “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.”

Jesus, Himself spent time in the synagogues teaching, but also asking questions meant to stimulate seeking the truth in Scriptures. He made it a habit and when He wasn’t in a synagogue or temple, He was out in the land skirting the cities talking to those who hungered for truth and meaning. Jesus, taught that the temple and the meeting places where meant for prayer but also for good works towards those hurting and hungry! Can you tell me how many churches you know today that are practicing these very same things? I ask this only to cause one to consider why it is we go to a weekly assembly.

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Now I love this scripture as so many others do, but I love it for a reason that might just be a bit different than most. This is the scripture, these two verses, that are used to “persuade” people that assembling together at a minimum of at least once a week is so important. But this also leads to one of my pet peeves.

We need to meet together to pray for one another, to bring in the presence of the Lord corporately but also to teach, to ask questions and as Hebrews states to “stir one another to love and good works and to exhort, meaning to teach and encourage one another.” But as happens with too many Scriptures, a few verses here and there are used to put forth an ideology, or theology, as the case may be to further one’s beliefs. Many times they are taken out of context and yes, I understand it is easy to do, but we need to remember that the Word of God was given in its entirety for our knowledge and growth into the spiritual person that the Lord wants us to become.

You HAVE to go back to the beginning of those Scriptures where the paragraph starts in verse 19. The writer of Hebrews is letting us know that we can have BOLDNESS to enter into the very presence of the Father because of the Son, Christ Jesus. He referenced this in Hebrews 4:16 and reiterates it here. Christ, the Anointed One is the High Priest who allows us to enter into the Holy of Holies, the Presence of God, our Father! With this in mind, we can come together, at a minimum of two or three and stir one another to good works and love, etc. When you come before the Throne of God boldly, we come in humility and worship. When our High Priest, Christ Jesus is in our midst, that is when our prayers are heard and our supplications are taken to our Father’s Heart through the Redeemer!

There is no where in the Bible where it speaks about coming together for programs or special events as a means to garner the Father’s favor or that is what’s necessary to worship Him. This doesn’t mean that programs and events aren’t a means to evangelism or teaching, but they have become the norm instead of the exception. Worship, true worship without time constraints takes a back seat to the ticking clock on the back wall. Everything is scheduled so that services can get over so that everyone is able to make it to the nearest restaurant before the crowd hits.

When I was Worship leader at Desert Chapel in Tucson, Arizona back in the early ’80s, our Pastor listened to the Holy Spirit and wanted worship, true worship to take precedent only second to the teaching. We learned to let the Holy Spirit lead us and direct our “programs and times” and we were rewarded continually with not only Spirit-inspired and infused teaching, but true healings, physically, emotionally and financially and it wasn’t always because somebody stood over another in prayer. When we emptied our minds and allowed the presence of the Lord to have the time, He touched hearts, minds and spirits like no amount of programs could. From that, we had evangelism in our part of the city that was unprecedented and our numbers increased not because we had a great “program” but because people truly wanted to feel the presence of the Lord in the midst of the congregation! Word had caught on that God’s presence was being felt and seen in a simple church in the middle of Tucson.

That is was ignited the power to let out light shine elsewhere and in our everyday lives! We didn’t come together because we were so wore down from the trials of life that we needed to rekindle the spark just to get us through to the mid-week service and then from there to the Sunday service, no, we couldn’t wait to come together to see what the Lord had in store for us so that we could share it with others in the community! It energized us in our daily devotions and prayer time and meditation time. We were learning so much from the Word of God, it was like the Holy Spirit had transformed us into spiritual sponges!

We made sure that those in the area who couldn’t make it to church, was able to have some fellowship and encouragement; remember, the two or three together? We had precious times in the homes of those disabled or those for what ever reason, unable to keep to our scheduled times of service! You don’t see that much now if ever and I am sad to admit that.

So, what is your reason for going to your church? Is it because you think that is what the obligation of the Christian is? Or is it because your church has the best song-service with its three or four songs, maybe a couple of worship choruses added in then a 30-45 minute teaching to help us get through the work week or maybe to “stir us up” to take part in some social program?

The only way that our light will shine the way that the Lord meant it to be is to get back to the basics. We need to recognize we have a High Priest in Christ Jesus that allows us to come before the Father’s Throne in boldness; a Father who WANTS to hear our supplications and prayers, who wants to be worshipped in awe and wonder. Our light can ONLY be recharged if we are intimately plugged in to the Holy Spirit our source of power in Christ Jesus! We come together with as few as two and as many who are like-minded in the Lord to stir up one another in LOVE (action) which leads to good works. Works that are acts of service for others unselfishly. The thing that made the early “Church” stand out so much were it’s acts of love for others! Not for themselves and any selfish gains, but unselfishly that others may gain. That is when the light is shining and the world can’t help but take notice.

We don’t have a lot of time, if the events that are happening all around us are any indication that prophecy of old is unfolding. The one thing a loving people would want is the same thing the Word says about Christ Jesus, that no one should perish, because He loved each of us enough to die for each of us! (John 3:14-17)

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Church, Communion, Encouragement, God, God's Love, God's Presence, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Jesus, Light, Lord, Love, Ministry, Prayer, Religion, Revelation, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | 8 Comments

I Wish For You. . .

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,

Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,

Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life.

I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way….

His love is always with you
His promises are true,
You know He will see us through.

So, if the road you’re traveling on
Seems difficult at best,
Know in your heart of hearts,
God will do the rest.

Author Unknown.

Thanks to T. J. Tanner (Mercer).

Posted in Poetic Praise | Tagged Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christian Poems, Christian Poetry, Christianity, Comfort, Communion, Confidence, Encouragement, God, God's Promises, Guidance, Heavenly Father, Patience, Poetic Praise, Poetry, Praise, Spiritual, Spirituality, Strength, Truth | 3 Comments

Evangelism – Incumbent on Christians

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
While They Cry for Help

Esther 8:17; Luke 19:3-4

On September 24, 1983, three sports fishermen motored to an island off the west coast of Florida. Sudden squalls whipped five-foot waves into their boat, drowning the engine. Helpless before the tide, they drifted into the Gulf of Mexico. There was no need to worry, they thought. The sea lanes hummed with activity, and early rescue seemed likely. When finally, on the third day a Coast Guard jet flew overhead, they felt they had been seen and celebrated by eating nearly all the food left aboard.

No deliverance came. In desperation, they watched thirty ships pass close by and move on, despite their frantic gestures for help. They ate fish to survive and drank water by the sip morning and night to prevent dehydration. Finally, on their tenth day adrift, a freighter spotted and rescued them. Later the men asked angrily how they could be so close to so many potential rescuers, yet never be seen.

People show their desperation for God in strange ways. Sometimes they argue against Him, wanting someone to prove them wrong; or they express doubts about Him, hoping someone will take time to talk with them, to care. Their need of God can come as a whimper or a shout, a curse or a prayer. As Christians, we must stop and attempt a rescue under any situation. The sinner will have to reach for the life preserver-but we must throw it.

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone!
But By EVERY Word That Comes From God Above!

Esther 8:17, “And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.”

Luke 19:3-4, “And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.”

FAVORITE QUOTES

A candle is a small thing. But one candle can light another. And as it gives its flames to the other, see how its own light increases! Light is the power to dispel darkness. You have this power to move back the darkness in yourself and in others with the birth of light created when one mind illuminates another, when one heart kindles another, when one man strengthens another. And its flame also enlarges within you as you pass it on. -The Eternal Light

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. -Wharton

There is not darkness enough in all the world to put out the light of one little candle. -Epitaph

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Darkness, Encouragement, Esther, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Word, Hope, Intervention, Jesus, Quotes, Rescue, Salvation, Saving, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | 4 Comments

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 3

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Part 3

1John 1:5-7, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

I was born and raised in Yakima, Washington and lived there until about 1984. One of the favorite spots my wife and I loved to visit was a recreation site on Chinook Pass called Boulder Cave which was about 50 miles from Yakima past the small town of Naches (nah-cheese). We would love to walk through the cave, and though the cave itself is only about two to three hundred feet long, (more of a tunnel than a cave) it would literally get pitch black inside because of the way it curved and the way the stream cut through it. When in the middle of it, you couldn’t even see your hand in front of you; but as soon as you turned the flashlight or lamp on, a wide swath of darkness faded away to show the detail inside the cave. Since my wife and I were so young, it was always a great walking trail; we always had a great time.

There’s a peculiar thing about visiting a cave such as that one, not everyone came prepared with a flashlight or lantern because they would hear how small it was, thinking they could easily walk from one end to the other. What a surprise when they realized that just a little way into it, a light WAS necessary.

In situations such as described, which didn’t happen very often, an individual, family, or a few people would follow someone who had a lantern or flashlight. The trouble with that, is that they were bound to the people with the light to lead them out, no matter how long the person with the light wanted to take and sight-see. Did you catch that? They were BOUND to the person with the light to lead them out!

Jesus stated this principle spiritually in John 12:35, “Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.” No truer statement has ever been said!

So it is with the light that resides in each of us. When we are young in the Lord, that light may not be so bright. Now it’s not because the Lord doesn’t reside within us, but rather, like an onion, there are many layers of which the Lord needs to work with that have a tendency of blurring the light within; notice I said blurring, not totally obscuring because like an onion, those layers that make us who we are at the time the Spirit awakens us are transparent.

As we continue to fellowship with other believers, as we search and study the Scriptures and as we “practice” following the leading of the Holy Spirit in the service of others, those extra layers that have been blurred or blocked allow that inner spiritual light, to become more and more transparent. This is a process that the Lord uses to mature and strengthen every person who determines to have an intimate relationship with Him. The greater and more intimate a relationship we develop, the brighter the “light of the Spirit” becomes in us; and as the Scriptures teach in Matthew 5:16, this light Glorifies our Heavenly Father and makes it especially joyful to those who see it shining.

This is the same principle that the first disciples followed while in the presence of the “Light of the world.” When we are young spiritually, we tend to follow those that demonstrate the same light that the early disciples did. Those who are more spiritually mature have “practiced” walking in the Spirit’s light to the point where it becomes a lifestyle, a way of living without giving it a lot of thought. Think of the cliché that “practice makes perfect!” If we have been following the example of Christ Jesus, then when He does return, as the Apostle Paul states, “……we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” — Ephesians 4:13.

This is how Christianity, TRUE discipleship of Christ Jesus should be. Do you know what the term given to Jesus means when we call Him Christ? I wonder how many who claim to be “Christians” really do. The term Christ means The Anointed One. This is why in my writing and in my teaching you see and hear “Christ Jesus” more so than “Jesus Christ.” You may think it doesn’t matter, but in the world of spiritual ignorance, the latter term is used like a name, very much like, I am Roland Ledoux; if on the other hand we were to state, “Jesus, THE Christ,” it would raise eyebrows for sure, but it would be more accurate, in stating not just the “Name above every Name,” but also His position of spiritual Anointing and Authority. “Christ Jesus” on the other hand, is stating right from the beginning that He IS the “Authority and Anointed One, Jesus, the Name above every Name!”

What does this have to do with the “light within??” Easy, we receive that “light” by following the LIGHT, the Anointed One. The term “Christian” literally means, followers of “The Anointed One!” The Anointed One is Who gives us Light as we follow Him. As He is our example, or should be, we in turn should REFLECT the same anointing! It is the anointing that is the source of that light! AND, it is THAT light will lead others out of and through the darkness.

The world is our “Boulder Cave” and it doesn’t take long being in the world to experience that utter darkness that makes it our enemy in the spirit. Is our light shining in this world, or is it boxed in, within four walls and a roof? Can you imagine just how helpful a light in a box or a bag would be to not only others following us, but to ourselves as well? Maybe you can understand what I mean now; our light shining only in the “box” that we designate for the place where we choose to “worship” is keeping that light from those who truly need it, out there in the darkness; the ones who have entered the “Boulder Cave” called life.

If what I have stated is the truth, then you may be asking yourself, or me; what then is the reason for even attending church?

That, my brothers and sisters, is coming next!

End of Part 3

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Anointed One, Bible, Bible Teaching, Boulder Cave, Cave, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Darkness, Ephesians, Faithfulness, Glorify, God, Gospels, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Jesus, John, Light, Light Shine, Lighthouse, Lord, Love, Matthew, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Shine, Shining Light, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, The Lighthouse, Truth | Leave a comment

Easter

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Tomorrow, April 5, 2015 is the day we celebrate and commemorate Easter, the day that Christians around the world recognize as the day Christ Jesus was crucified. Many everywhere participate in religious rituals meant to symbolize retracing the steps of Jesus. For many it has a strong spiritual impact and for still others, it is the obligatory ritual necessary to prove their faith in Jesus.

Many other Christians though recognize Easter not just for the pain Jesus endured on the Cross and the trials preceding the way to the Cross, but for the payment ultimately due for mankind’s inherent sinfulness brought about by Adam and Eve’s disobedience to our Heavenly Father.

Paul stated this in 1Corinthians 15 verse 22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” Then continuing in verse 45-47, “And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.”

I ask all my brothers and sisters in the Lord, no matter your denomination or “title” that when you remember the Crucifixion tomorrow, whether at a sunrise service or during your Church’s service or for those at home celebrating with prayer and meditation that you don’t just dwell on the Crucifixion but also that this symbolizes Christ’s promise to rise, to redeem, and to return to ALL His children!!! What a glorious day of celebration to know that the debt we could never repay is and was paid for us, free of charge, with Love Unconditional for each and everyone who is willing to just reach out their hearts and spirits to accept the free gift!!!

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

Believe and thereby PLEASE God, our Heavenly Father!!! God bless ALL my family and friends, brothers and sisters this great Easter weekend!

Posted in Food For Thought | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Body of Christ, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Easter, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, I Corinthians, Jesus, Lord, Love, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth, Unconditional Love | 3 Comments

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 2

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Part 2

Back in the early 70’s the Gospel family group known as the Goodmans sang a Ronnie Hinson song called, “The Lighthouse.” It was one of the first songs I ever sang solo in church and it was the opening for me to become a Praise and Worship leader throughout the 80’s.

*There’s a Lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s sea.
When I’m tossed it sends out a light that I might see.
And the light that shines in the darkness, now will safely lead us o’er.
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse that ship would be no more.

Everybody that lives around me says, tear that lighthouse down,
The big ships don’t sail this way anymore, there’s no use of it standing ’round.
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light,
Yes, the light from that old lighthouse, that stands up there on the hill.

And I thank God for the Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him,
For Jesus is the Lighthouse, and from the rocks of sin
He has shone a light around me that I can clearly see,
If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse where would this ship be?

A lighthouse is a very important tool for any maritime ship. It acts like a beacon that not only guides, but warns of destructive rocks and shoals that can break a ship completely apart and it is especially important in protecting ships during ocean storms which occur quite often.

Of course, it’s a pretty good analogy of the Salvation and Protection that trusting in Christ Jesus affords, but like so many analogies, it can and does go so much deeper. There isn’t just one lighthouse; yet at some time in history past there was a great one and then other countries could see the benefit and they built their own at strategic points on their shorelines. But, there had to be one as the example, first.

So it is, AND should be, with Jesus as our example of light. We should be individual lighthouses strategically placed by the Holy Spirit upon the storm-tossed seas of life that surround each of us. Our beacon of light should shine out among those that are searching for protection against the rocks and obstacles that lie darkly hidden in life.

But think of this; what good is a lighthouse, if instead of clean, clear glass, it had bricks or block mortared into place to protect that precious light? Who would benefit then from that light? I would suppose that the lighthouse keeper, the servant who kept the light shining, who kept the lighthouse functioning and any who he might have help do the maintenance. But what about those that truly need the benefit of the light? The maritime Captains and their crews would be in desperate need for some sort of marker or beacon to protect them from the destructive forces that constantly present themselves closer to home.

Now, it’s true that sometimes ships still crash upon the rocks close to shore, but in most cases it is due to ignoring or not recognizing the light for the safety and protection it is meant to provide. But now think of the scenario stated above; a lighthouse closed off to the surrounding area. Sadly, we see this today in many places that were either MEANT TO BE lighthouses, or WERE at some time in the past. Their glass windows were and are covered to protect those inside, thus allowing NO light to flow out, their open doors were or are shut against the storms of the outside so that those inside don’t feel the fury of the winds or the pelting of the rain. These former “lighthouses” are insulated against the very storms of life to which they were called to be a beacon for those looking for some sort of safe harbor in which to drop anchor.

Think about this; if you are shining your light and the only others who are witness to this light are others shining their light, who benefits? What purpose and to whom does that light serve?

In this age of electricity and batteries, that light could shine for an undeniably long time. What though, if the “Master Electrician” deems that the light isn’t serving its intended purpose and cuts off the “power” that keeps the light shining? Without the clear and transparent windows installed, those that once shone light would only be sitting in a darkness they themselves created due to their selfish desire to be insulated from the storms surrounding them.

Think of this in the terms of Jesus’ day; the light that was used to illuminate the darkness was either candles or oil lamps. Oil runs out, and candles either run out or need oxygen to keep burning. What happens when you light a couple hundred lamps in a room or several hundred candles and seal that light in? The light dies out from lack of oxygen, from lack of a part of its fuel source. It has to have oxygen constantly being replenished for it to continue to burn.

So it is with the “light of the Lord” that was and is meant to shine from us to a broken and storm-tossed world. I know that we all know these scriptures but they deserve an in-depth look. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:14-16

Now sadly many have camped on verse 15 and let their light shine on a lampstand within their “house.” For a while, it is the most well-lit house around, but—Jesus didn’t stop there or start there. If you are on a hill (think lighthouse) and are open like a city, your light cannot be hidden AND so the example isn’t to put it on a light stand for just the house, because you would never hide it (under a basket) but rather use that example to let it shine upon ALL men so they ALL can see the light and the reason that the light was meant to shine out; to glorify our Heavenly Father and help mankind see HIM for Who He is!

To give an example of what I mean; my wife and I have lived in this small Colorado community for going on three years now. I am not tied to any particular denomination although I try to preach and teach the WHOLE Bible, so for clarification call myself a full-gospel fundamental preacher or teacher. So many people want others to be labeled, I don’t look at that as I am persuaded that neither does our Heavenly Father.

In the almost three years (come this July) we have as yet to have one person come to our home and welcome us to the community, from the mainstream churches, that is. We have been visited by some of the young Mormon missionaries checking to see if we had any needs they could help with. We had some good conversations about the Lord and the heart of men, but sadly, they were the only ones to welcome us here.

Where is the LIGHT that shines within the hearts of God’s children? Where is it shining in just this small community? I do know where I can go to find it, but what of those that can’t, those that are homebound or those searching for answers and don’t know where to look?

Sadly, the light that was meant to be seen from atop a hill, was relegated to a box, a big box for sure, but a closed box, nonetheless! Is your light being hidden??

End of Part 2

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Darkness, Ephesians, Faithfulness, God, Gospels, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Jesus, Light, Light Shine, Lighthouse, Lord, Love, Matthew, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Shine, Shining Light, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, The Lighthouse, Truth | 2 Comments

With Faith It Is Possible To Please God!

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Reading today in my daily devotions, I came across this passage of Scripture:
Because of miracles Jesus performed, “Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.

And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” – Luke 7:16-23.

Jesus went on to teach the crowd there how important John the Baptist was in the Kingdom of God, and in the light of history, there is no doubt that he truly was a great prophet AND a great man of God. Yet, there is another lesson to be learned here for all of us; Jesus didn’t come right out and tell the disciples of John, “Yes, I AM the Messiah of which prophecy spoke of.”

Have you ever thought of that, in that context? Think about it in light of the WHOLE Word of God. God’s Word does not change for certain people and apply only to others. God’s Word is TRUTH for ALL mankind, every one of us, no matter our place or station in life.

Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

I have stated this on taught on this extensively over the years, but here is an example that even one of the greatest men of God was being told to “have faith in God!” How? By the very sake of what was being witnessed by others and performed in the name of the Heavenly Father through Jesus. Even John had to have faith to please the Father. You don’t exercise the use of faith if ALL the answers are continually given to you with undeniable proof. That IS the essence of faith, to believe what is NOT evident yet KNOW beyond certainty of its TRUTH! THAT is what it takes to please our Heavenly Father! If you truly want proof, it is written all around us in creation. It is only a matter of looking beyond what we see in the natural and glimpsing what IS in the spiritual!

You might be asking, “Pastor, how in the world do you accomplish that?” Simply put, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1Corinthians 2:14.

I would imagine, that as John sat in his cell and his disciples gave him the Messiah’s answer, that he sat back with contentment and started praising God for HIS glorious gift!! That would’ve been a great demonstration of faith in action!

What answer to YOU need to experience that kind of faith in YOUR life?

God bless all who take this to heart and give glory and praise to our Father above in Christ Jesus’ name!!

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Hope, Jesus, Lord, Love, Ministry, Pleasing God, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | 1 Comment

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 1

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

Part 1

Christmas is past for this year, but like so many others, I LOVE the Christmas Season! I love the spirit of giving, the spirit of sharing and what seems to be a truce from the feelings of frustration, bitterness and anger. As a majority, people seem to be more open to greetings and handshakes, whereas aside from this season, people are more recalcitrant and withdrawn.

Now I know that during the holiday seasons, depression is usually on the rise, suicides increase and some just can’t seem to shake off the loneliness. To top that off, the commercialism that permeates this time of year can be so mind-numbing; but that attitude of buy, buy, buy is the world’s view of the Christmas Season.

I and my wife have been married for forty-two plus years and we are both hopeless romantics and we love the Christmas movies that begin on the Hallmark channels around the beginning of November. Now, I’m not trying to sell you on a specific television channel or any particular genre of movies etc., but what I am trying to tell you is that there is a positive and beautiful message that pervades these shows and it gets me so in the mood for the season. My adult kids think their mom and I are hopeless!

But Christmas time DOES inspire me. Unlike so many that just can’t wait until it is over so they can get back to their routines, the Spirit of Christmas frees my mind and inspires me in the things of the Lord. But what does Christmas have to do with where a person’s spiritual light shines, you might be asking?

Well, let me lay a foundation of thought based on how different people choose to show their thoughts on this holiday season. There are those who love the Christmas tree and are proud to display it in their homes full of decorations and lights. If they have a mantle, and even if they don’t, they put their stockings up with pomp and circumstance. But they decorate the inside and may choose not to display anything on the outside, choosing to keep the spirit of the Season on a strictly personal level.

Then of course you have those that go all out to not only decorate the inside of their homes, but with lights and trimming on the outside, allowing all who pass by to share in the celebration spirit that they have for the holidays in a very public way.

Now you might think this is the very commercialism that I say I don’t care for, but the truth of the matter, this is NOT what I mean about commercialism. See, those that have a desire to share with their community their love for the season by this type of display, bring happiness and joy to those that also love the season and for those that are burdened with doubts, fear and uncertainty, these types of display have a special way of “brightening” their days. It’s easy to get into the “spirit” with that kind of beauty displayed for all to see. Haven’t you ever loaded the kids into the car and made the tour of the neighborhood lights, all for the sake of the beauty and wonder of it all?

So, what’s the connection? What am I trying to say with these examples? Well, believe it or not, this is not an expose on Christmas, but as always, the Holy Spirit knows what inspiration is necessary to illuminate a message.

So here is what the Word of God gives us as a foundation; Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Also read, Luke 8:16, Luke 11:33, John 5:35, John 8:12, John 9:5 and John 12:46.

In 2Corinthians 4:6, Paul confirms, “For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” And he goes on to state in several verses of Ephesians 5, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,” verse 8, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them,” verse 11, and finally, “But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light,” verse 13.

Have you ever noticed how just a little light in a very dark place illuminates a big spot in relation to the dark? For instance, go into a darkened room with no windows or other source allowing light to flow in or escape out. Strike a match and see how far that little flickering flame can go. If you really stop and think about this and not just take it for granted, you will realize just how important even the smallest flame of light can be and how much illumination it provides.

End of Part 1

Posted in Pastor's Desk | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Church, Darkness, Ephesians, Faithfulness, God, Gospels, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Jesus, Light, Light Shine, Lord, Love, Matthew, Religion, Scripture, Scriptures, Shine, Shining Light, Spiritual, Spirituality, Teaching, Truth | Leave a comment

Body – It Is Limited

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Roland Ledoux

anecdotal stories
Positive Potential In Christ

Psalm 40:6-8; Romans 12:1

Merriwether Lewis, celebrating his thirty-first birthday, confided in his diary a disappointment in not using his life to a greater advantage. He had spent too many hours indolently wasting time he should have profitably spent on worthwhile projects. On July 11, 1812, John Quincy Adams also confided in his diary a dissatisfaction with his personal life. He was then forty-five years old and moaned that indolence and infirmity had caused him to misuse and abuse his time. Interestingly, both men were even then engaged in significant careers: Lewis was undertaking his epochal journey to open up the American West; and Adams was serving as American Minister to Russia.

We understand their woes. We, too, order our body, only to have it insolently refuse our summons. We command it to feats of duty, righteousness, and virtue, only to see it buckle to grief, weariness, and temptation. Paul described his life in similar terms (Romans 7:14-24); still, he marveled that God’s creative genius, which fashioned a perfect body from the dust as a fit vessel for his image, could, in a saving grace equal to his genius, refashion and indwell that fallen body through conversion (2 Corinthians 4:6-7). Christ’s birth as God in the flesh forecast the positive potential for our bodies in Him.

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone!
But By EVERY Word That Comes From God Above!

Psalm 40:6-8, Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

FAVORITE QUOTES

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done. -Longfellow

A buried talent is never a buried treasure. Talents become treasures only through use. -Rupert

They are able because they think they are able. -Vergil

Posted in Anecdotal Stories | Tagged Bible, Bible Teaching, Choices, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Church, Communication, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God, God's Love, Grace, Heavenly Father, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Holy Word, Hope, Jesus, Lord, Ministry, Religion, Savior, Scripture, Scriptures, Service, Spiritual, Spiritual Intimacy, Spirituality, Strength, Teaching, Truth | 2 Comments

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

Father

How Big Is Your Box?

Back Home

We Always Have Time For Pleasure

“Just Do It. . . .”

Solid as a Rock!

Bible – Spiritual Engineer

Are You Living a Life —– style? Part Two

Part Two

This is Just the Beginning!

Are You Living a Life —– style? Part One

Part One

End of Part One

Marriage – Partners Reflecting

The Trouble with Marriage

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 4

Part 4

I Wish For You. . .

Evangelism – Incumbent on Christians

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 3

Part 3

End of Part 3

Easter

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 2

Part 2

End of Part 2

With Faith It Is Possible To Please God!

Where Does Your Light Shine? Part 1

Part 1

End of Part 1

Body – It Is Limited

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