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Good Friday vs. Earth Day
Earth Day Going Green
Good Friday-Jesus at His best
Good Friday or Earth Day?
Have you ever had an important choice in your life you struggled with? One that woke you up at night and made you lose sleep? This should not be one of those choices.
I know I’m a day late to this party but I had to write something about yesterday. Earth Day has been around for a while, this is a man made holiday/event. I will not condemn the idea but I don’t like anyone shoving anything down my throat and this seems like one of those things.
When people (anyone really) tell me I’m suppose to do something, my human nature immediately says, “No”. That is just the way I was made. I have no problem with being a good steward of the Earth, we are commanded to do that, I also know we will answer to God for everything we have done in this life (See Judgment Seat for believers… Great White Throne Judgment for non-believers) but come on…Earth Day is treated as news and Good Friday we can’t talk about?
To be honest Earth Day usually doesn’t even hit my radar but when it came on Good Friday this year I took notice. I saw people talking about Earth day and nothing about Jesus’ Day. Good Friday was Jesus’ best day on Earth, it was the day he looked death right in the face, took Death’s best shot and eventually (See Easter) conquered death and the grave.
We can remember all Jesus did for us or…we can plant a tree, go green or something else politically correct. That was your choice this year, worship the Creator or the creation…plenty simple when you look at it like that isn’t it?
If you worshiped the creation more than the Creator this Good Friday, don’t worry, God is a forgiving God (In fact, one of the last things Jesus said on the cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34) so ask for forgiveness and move on. Easter is right around the corner.
As a side note, if you are looking for a Great Easter service online I love Gateway Church in Texas, they are great people and do a great job representing the Good News…Enjoy.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
Easter Brings Me Back
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new
I love Easter it is my favorite holiday because it is when Jesus won the complete and total victory. I don’t know what it is about me but I love to win. How many of you like to win? I would guess the number is pretty high.
Winning involves risk doesn’t it? Don’t you have to enter the contest or event to have a chance to win. On of the biggest problems in the church today (I know you are saying “Here he goes again”) is most people do not enter in. What do I mean exactly?
You must first decide you are going to join the team and enter into this game of life before you will ever have a chance to win. Jesus enter in over 2000 years ago, He poured Himself into His life and look at the result. Total victory! He conquered, sin, the grave, death, Satan, sickness, disease…you name it He defeated it.
How did He do it? Well the first step was agreeing to become involved. He had to make a decision to first come to Earth, that just got the ball rolling. Every day He had a choice to make, and every day He made the right choice. What an example He left us.
When I look at the life and death of Jesus I see a Man that was focused on a goal. He came to destroy the works of the enemy. Satan had all of mankind bound in sin. In one act, Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary He totally destroyed the grip Satan had on God’s people.
Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, He is making intersession for you and me right it this very moment. I believe He is wanting us to finish the race He has made each and every one of us to run. God made you for a purpose, find out what that purpose is and get in the race (or back in the race if you are like me)
I enjoy writing to this blog but it some times gets a little difficult to find the time and energy. Hopefully it will help to encourage you as you read this, that’s my goal. May God bless you today and every day.
As a side note- I am opening a new Christian Clothing store online, starting to stock it and get everything in order. I am selling Christian T Shirts and Christian hats, basically Christian Apparel. Those of you how know me, know God gave me a vision to take back the clothing industry for His glory. A race I have stumbled and fallen in many times, I was down not out. Go by and check it out (hopefully we will have a Grand Opening Easter…Did I mention I Love Easter?)
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
Mardi Gras and Jesus
Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. Mark 7:13
Mardi Gras Parade
What is it about a parade that draws a crowd? There are many reasons people go to a parade but a Mardi Gras parade draws people from all over the world. The glitter, costumes, music, drinking are some of the reasons people come but the main reason people young and old line the streets are the “throws”.
If you have ever gone to a Mardi Gras parade you will get a basket full of plastic cups, beads, coins, stuffed animals, all kinds of different items. All of these throws are your reward for standing on the side of the road waiting on the floats to go by.
The floats are colorful, unique, interesting and full of people throwing gifts. Many of the people riding on the floats are dressed in a costume and some are wearing masks. Their job is to have fun and throw gifts to the crowd.
Your only job is to have a good time with family and friends eating, drinking and hollering ,”Throw me something Mister”. Sounds like a great time doesn’t it?
Now let’s walk into a church, what do you see? Probably a bunch of “clean cut”, well dressed people. Physical masks are really not allowed here but masks are being worn. People put on their best “happy faces”, they are told to be nice or good and most believers do their best to accomplish that command. So as I look at the parade and the church I see at least one thing they have in common, “the mask”.
Jesus taught about this in Mark 7, (summary of His teaching) the traditions and doctrines of men have made the word of God of no effect. Over and over I see Jesus combating this spirit of “religion”. The spirit of, “This is how we have always done it.”
Jesus did it totally different than the Pharisees and Sadducees, He made them so uncomfortable they killed Him and thought they were doing the will of God. Ironically, they were doing the will of God but with the religious leaders it was a heart issue. They worshiped God with words but their heart was far from God.
God longs to give good gifts to His children, and I believe the world is waiting for the body of Christ to start “throwing” the gifts of God. ”What gifts from God are you talking about?”, you may ask.
How about the fruit of the Spirit? How does love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control sound?. As a side note, Against such there is no law. Fruit has to be grown before it can be harvested.
Jesus was full of the Spirit and was full of the fruit of the Spirit. Funny thing about the fruit of the Spirit, it is grown for others. The fruit growing through you, is not for you, it is for the people around you. If the body of Christ would start throwing the fruit of the Spirit to a lost and dying world, Satan’s hold on people would be destroyed.
This is my opinion, if Jesus was given the choice of going to church or a Mardi Gras parade and could pick only one, He would go to the parade every time. Why, because He came to seek and save that which is lost.
Jesus was accused many times of “partying” with the sinners. The religious leaders in Jesus’ day did not get it, and I am afraid many today don’t get it. I want to encourage you, go love on people, let them partake of your fruit. It may be the only spiritual meal they have ever eaten.
This is going long and I need to hit send, look for part 2.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
Global warming “Hits” Louisiana
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Snowman in Shreveport
Ok, I know I am not suppose to talk about religion or politics…I can’t help it. Satan is such a lying pig, I can not help but expose his work everywhere I see it. Notice the above verse does not say the mighty power of the devil.
Global Warming…I mean Climate Change is a lie straight out of the pit of Hell. The arrogance of man to think we can change the weather if we do what “they” say. You know I would respect the theory more if there was not a “tax”, read Carbon Credits, associated with it.
So here we are, look at the absurdity of what is going on, record cold temperatures and snow fall in many areas of the world, still the planet is heating up? This reminds me of another lie Satan used on me, it was called “Happy Hour”, this is where you go and dump depressants down your thoat for a reduced price…crazy.
Satan’s only power over us is the power we give him if you buy into the lie, he’s got you. Look at the hysteria behind Global Warming, reminds me of religion; religion says, forget what the Bible says, this is what God meant to say.
Satan got Eve with it, “You will not suely die.” (Genesis 3:4) He takes God’s words and twists them. Conservation or taking care of the Earth is not wrong.
I am not a “conservationist”, meaning the media would not interview me as an expert. However, I do believe we are called to be good stewards of all God has given us. We will give an account of everything God has given us, this includes the Earth and everything in it. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Global warming, climate change, world peace it’s all a bunch of nonsense. You can control you, that includes; what you see, where you look, what you eat, what you touch, and what you smell. In other words, you control your five senses.
It is amazing what people will believe. Jesus had it right when He called us sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) Sheep will follow someones voice, we need to make sure it is the voice of God.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
Mardi Gras and Jesus (Part 2)
Crowd of people
Have you ever wondered why Jesus was surrounded by a crowd of people? It is Fat Tuesday here in Louisiana and I thought I would talk about the crowd.
Jesus gave the crowd great gifts. Teaching, preaching and healing was Jesus’ ministry. He taught in their synagogues, He preached the gospel and He healed all manner of sickness and disease. (Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew 9:35)
I understand He came to die so that we might all live…I get that, but that is an accomplished work, we can receive all He did at the Cross by faith. Our clothing company is all about salvation. This post is about how we can draw the crowd.
If the church would imitate Christ, it is my opinion, people would be breaking down the doors to get what we have. Jesus gave Himself away to the crowd. He taught them, loved them and healed them.
Peter knew he had something special when he told a lame man at the gate Beautiful, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)
Jesus said the world would know us because of the love we give one to another. Notice there is a delivery system, one to another. (John 13:34,35) Peter gave what he had, in the name of Jesus.
Jesus did not tell His disciples in Matthew 10 to pray for the sick. He told them to heal the sick…Big difference. Peter didn’t pray a prayer when the lame man was healed at the gate Beautiful.
Which is easier? Telling some lost soul you will pray for him or telling him Jesus loved him enough to heal him and by the way, Jesus is busy at the right hand of the Father so…He sent me. The church, for the most part, is telling this sick and dying world we are praying for you. If you are a disciple of Jesus, He has commanded you to heal them. (If the word of God is to be believed)
Different than what most of you have heard, I know, it hit me the same way, but it is in the Bible. Jesus gave another example in the synagogue when He said to the paralyzed man, your sins are forgiven. (Matthew 9:2)
I find it ironic, many say this every service in church, your sins are forgiven. But read the whole story, Jesus read their hearts and said, which is easier to say your sins are forgiven or rise up and walk? (That is a fair question, read Jesus’ answer.) But so that you know the Son of Man has the power on Earth to forgive sins, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. (Matthew 9:1-8)
I love that about Jesus, He cuts right to the chase. Faced the problem head on, but here is the best part, He healed him and forgave the man’s sins…win, win.
Look at the Mardi Gras crowd again , which float has the most followers and enthusiasm? It is the float with the best gifts. Jesus gave us the power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers and raise the dead. Those kind of gifts will draw a huge crowd and by the way…their sins have already been forgiven. (1 John 2:2)
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
Power in the Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Have you ever wondered why Jesus calls Himself the alphabet? Not how I would describe myself if I were God. Jesus is the Word, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
Words are made up of letters, so it makes sense that if Jesus is the Word, He would also be the alphabet. Here is something about the alphabet you may have never thought about, you can use letters all you want, in as many words as you like and the letters never lose any of their “power”
Have you ever limited your prayers because you thought it would be a drain on God. I thought when I was first saved, there was a limit on prayers God would answer before I would run out. I think my reasoning was God was like my cereal when I was younger, Alphabets, I think they called it. It was made up of sugary letters that you could play with, then eat.
There is a limitless supply of letters for any words you want to create. (Unlike my Alphabets cereal) Same goes for God, the lights in Heaven do not dim when cancer is healed in Jesus name. In fact, it is my belief, God is waiting for someone to start using His name in faith, more, not less. A miracle for God is no harder than you using a “t” in ”the”.
Professional writers are bound by rules, the better the writer the more they use the rules for greater communication. (I am no professional so I am sure you have noticed I constantly break them.) God is also bound by His word, the more we learn His word, the more power we will have here on Earth.
Jesus worked perfectly in the word, mainly because He was the Word, (Kind of hurts my head when I start thinking about this) and He was God. He gave us a promise in (John 14:12) if we believe in Jesus, the works He did we will do also.
That is a powerful promise, believe the word and see great works happen in your life. Forget about the second part of His promise “greater works” for now, wouldn’t it be cool if you did the works Jesus did while He was here on Earth? If I am reading this right, you can, but only if you believe. It all goes back to faith in God’s word, aka Jesus, or the Alpha and Omega.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
How to discern the “Spirit of Religion”
making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13
Spirit of Religion
Have you ever seen an evil spirit? I can honestly say I have not seen anything with my natural eyes, but I believe the spirit of religion raised its ugly head around me twice last week.
You probably have never thought about what a spirit looks like, again I am not going around looking for angels or demons but in a two conversations this spirit came out of nowhere. Here is how you can know it is not from God, this spirit gets offended when you step out in faith and start believing the word of God.
Paul’s words are so much better than anything I could write on dealing with this spirit, so here is what he is saying to you, as you begin to walk in the power of God’s word.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:12-16
There is a freedom in forgetting those things which are behind; failures, disappointments, loss, pain, suffering etc. While you forget the bad, you will gain a peace that surpasses all understanding…You simply move on with what God has for you today.
Start each day in the word of God, finish each day in the word and the spirit of religion will not stick to you. How can you know when you are dealing with the spirit of religion? This spirit (as is true with most evil spirits) always brings up the past. “You standing on that promise brother?” “Well, sister so and so died from that, are you saying you are better than her?”
WHAT? Where did that come from? I said, “I am going to believe God for healing”. I am meditating on God’s word, reading when and how Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease. I also believe the promise of John 14:12 , I can do everything Jesus did. Which by the way is, heal all manner of sickness and disease. (One of many promises)
The spirit of religion does not want anyone to actually meditate on the word of God, this spirit wants us to stay busy arguing, defending our position, holding on to “How we always have done it”. The traditions and doctrines of men, is in a word…Religion. As I study Jesus’ words in Mark 7 this is exactly what He was dealing with too.
I am choosing the word of God over the words of others, I am not called to argue or defend my position, Jesus has called me and you to heal. God wants a complete healing, both physical and spiritual healing.
Salvation brings a spiritual healing that was accomplished at the Cross.
Before Jesus died, He took a beating, so when you look to those stripes in faith, physical bodies are healed. I don’t have it all figured out, but using the name of Jesus, I have seen people healed. Try it, if you are a disciple of Christ, you have been given the power to heal. Trust me, it is in the Bible, all you have to do is believe.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
God, teach me to number my days
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Hour Glass
Have you ever had so much to do you wind up doing nothing? That describes where I have been the last week with my posts here.
There have been so many different things I wanted to write about and I ended up writing nothing. FYI, we have some exciting announcements coming in the next few weeks concerning One Drop of Blood. (See how thoughts just bounce around in your head)
Time is the one thing each one of us has the exact same amount of each day. Another gift we all have in common is God’s grace and while we are at it, we all have been given THE measure of faith. (Romans 12:13) As I look at time, God’s grace, and the measure of faith the thing that separates people in this world is how we appropriate these three elements into our lives.
What would make you value these “gifts” each day? I once thought while meditating on God’s word. God teach me to number my days, and almost immediately I got the thought, “If you had been given 6 months to live you would learn to number your days” . (The number would be 180)
WOW, where did that thought come from? This is an observation- Older people seem to be in less of a hurry. The very people with the least amount of time left on Earth are the very people I do not want to get behind while driving.
Why do most older people seem to be more relaxed about “wasting” time? How can they just sit there on a park bench and watch the birds? I may not have it all figured out but some of my best days are when I relax into the day, instead of trying to conqueror the day.
Part of the reason is God made us human beings, not human doings. Try today to enjoy just being here on Earth. Look at what God created and let the wonder of it all take your breath away. That is a little more touchy, feely than I like but I feel like it needs to be said. (Still don’t think I can sit on a bench and watch birds.)
Going to Florida next week, so I am going to try and post some things from my phone. (That will be a huge deal for me, I tend to be technologically challenged)
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11
Global warming “Hits” Louisiana
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Snowman in Shreveport
Ok, I know I am not suppose to talk about religion or politics…I can’t help it. Satan is such a lying pig, I can not help but expose his work everywhere I see it. Notice the above verse does not say the mighty power of the devil.
Global Warming…I mean Climate Change is a lie straight out of the pit of Hell. The arrogance of man to think we can change the weather if we do what “they” say. You know I would respect the theory more if there was not a “tax”, read Carbon Credits, associated with it.
So here we are, look at the absurdity of what is going on, record cold temperatures and snow fall in many areas of the world, still the planet is heating up? This reminds me of another lie Satan used on me, it was called “Happy Hour”, this is where you go and dump depressants down your thoat for a reduced price…crazy.
Satan’s only power over us is the power we give him if you buy into the lie, he’s got you. Look at the hysteria behind Global Warming, reminds me of religion; religion says, forget what the Bible says, this is what God meant to say.
Satan got Eve with it, “You will not suely die.” (Genesis 3:4) He takes God’s words and twists them. Conservation or taking care of the Earth is not wrong.
I am not a “conservationist”, meaning the media would not interview me as an expert. However, I do believe we are called to be good stewards of all God has given us. We will give an account of everything God has given us, this includes the Earth and everything in it. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Global warming, climate change, world peace it’s all a bunch of nonsense. You can control you, that includes; what you see, where you look, what you eat, what you touch, and what you smell. In other words, you control your five senses.
It is amazing what people will believe. Jesus had it right when He called us sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) Sheep will follow someones voice, we need to make sure it is the voice of God.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11