How many Christian conferences have we attended where when we leave, we are the same as when we arrived. How many nice camp meetings we attend are just…nice. We go back to normal life unchanged. Well friends,  we are now in a critical time that requires more than…just the same. We need, really need,  the power and presence of the Holy Spirit of God to shake us. We need the Holy Spirit and fire to accomplish what Almighty God expects in these last days. 

When the early Christians were told by their religious leaders to cease and desist the preaching and power of and by the name of Jesus, they were faced with real life consequences if they disobeyed. They met together and this is what they prayed:

“Give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)

May we, the last Christians, go back and seek the boldness and power of the Holy Spirit that was granted the first Christians. – gene

 Who is the most friendly man to ever walk the earth? You may be surprised to learn that it was, and is, Jesus. That’s right, the Lord Jesus. When you examine His life, as described in the Bible, this is the only conclusion at which to arrive. He left Heaven to come and find us. And to make us His friends. He lived with us, he suffered, cried, and grieved with us, and then…and then…died in our place. As it says in the Bible, no better friend than one who will give his life for his friend. 

Jesus was a friend to all. He was a friend to, and enjoyed children.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

He was a friend to the common man, even sinners. The Bible says, “And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” (Mark 2:15)

Don’t be afraid to get to know this friendliest man who ever lived. He’s approachable, loving and kind. 

So many people in the world are searching, longing for peace. Nations want peace. Families want peace. Individuals want peace. Yet, it doesn’t come. And when it doesn’t come it doesn’t mean that it’s your fault. You are probably not to blame. For we look for peace in all the wrong places. Some look to jobs, careers, governments, parents, spouses, money. If only……

Peace through efforts in this world either doesn’t come or is fleeting. But real peace, lasting peace, peace that reaches the depths of your soul only comes from one place. And you don’t have to deserve it, earn it, or capture it. True peace comes as a gift from God. He not only gives you Devine peace, he gives you the peace that is from, and belongs to our Savior. The Lord Jesus. 

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ( John 14:27)

It doesn’t come from the world or the things of the world, so the world cannot take it from you. This inner spiritual peace comes from your connection to God through Christ Jesus. Take a deep breath and receive His peace. The world wants to distract us in order for us to ignore the gift. Fall upon the love and mercy of God. His peace He gives you. – gene

 Yes, save yourself! On the day of Pentecost when the Apostle Peter preached his famous sermon, at which time around 3000 people were saved, he said, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” He also said, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Once you become a Christian, beautiful things can happen. The Holy Spirit will empower you to accomplish the life that The Lord gives you. The Holy Spirit gives opportunities to share your faith and life a faith filled life of spiritual adventure. So step away from the unfulfilled carnal life this world gives, and into a glorious life of faith. A life that continues throughout eternity.

Jesus. Sometimes I just have to shake my head when I think of Lord Jesus, His life on earth, and how He does things. Awesome doesn’t touch the magnificence of Jesus. So I shake my head in wonder and praise. You know, when we worship God in church services, we engage physically, but much more is going on. Our spirits, which as Christians have been born again and alive in Christ, is also worshiping God in the best way. Really, you ask? Since God is Spirit, our spiritual connection is what pleases Him, and He looks for that! Jesus tells us the following in the Bible.

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

So therefore in our spiritual lives, are we nourishing our spirit with the Word, the love, and the will of God so that we may worship Him in spiritual strength? Or do we worship Him as malnourished babies barely able to cry Abba?

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. (John 4:34)

Ponder and think on those two scriptures. Measuring up to them will change your life. – gene

The simple question to which mankind wants an answer is “How do I attain eternal life?” This question is rooted inside of every individual because when God created mankind, He created him to live forever. But when Adam fell, and all generations within him, the calling to live forever was not removed. We can say, it’s in our DNA to live and not die. Although it broke Gods’ heart, with His great love for us, he enacted a great plan. A plan very costly for Him. The Bible tells it this way,  

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16)

“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” (John 3:36)

Know that God loves you…and made this way for you to have eternal life. – gene

There is a place in the forest where a babbling brook runs swiftly over flat rocks creating a very peaceful sound. Beside the brook is a place where sits three trees. The trees appear to be Ancient. They each have a very wide trunk and limbs coming out of the base about 6 feet off the ground. Colored leaves from the trees limbs mingle as they sit together like a trio. Separate yet close enough to form a canopy over this nice piece of land beside the brook. Leaves gently fall to the ground amid pumpkins which are situated around the tree trunks. To the left sits a small stack of firewood resting beside one tree, and a small campfire is burning in the middle of the trio. A tree stump sits to the side, upon which sets a cup of hot coffee steaming up beside a pot. Another stump across from that one has a basket of fruit sitting on top. A small dog sits facing the stream looking left to right, back and forth, searching.

As I sit and relax in this place enjoying God‘s nature, my thoughts are drawn to the trees and what they might represent. The first tree on my left I’ll call faith. The one next to it I’ll call hope. And the one sitting across from both of them forming a triangle I’ll call love. The scriptures talk about faith hope and love and and I’ve always thought of them as three separate things. Yet though the trees are three separate things coming out of the ground, as they reach skyward, their branches and leaves intermingle to form a canopy, and they become one canopy over all three trees. so they’re separate and yet they can be one the Heights. God’s nature reflects his natural world. Although the Father, the Son Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings and individuals, when they come together they rise up and become one where you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. If you look at the canopies, they are blended and intermingled into one beautiful canopy of orange, yellow, and  green. Under a slight breeze, the leaves of fall gently glide to the earth. And as you look at them on the ground, you can’t tell If a leaf fell from the tree of faith, or from the tree of hope, for the tree of love. Faith Hope and love sheds its blossoms, its covering, and becomes one blessing. Scripture tells us…

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 6:11)

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

Three trees under which to rest peacefully. Three truths under which to hold dear. – gene

In our Christian walk, sometimes we fail. It happens. Do you think Jesus doesn’t love you? He knows its going to happen. He loves us, strengthens us, and hopes for us to be strong and not sin, failing Him. But He knows. I have found that as you develop a close relationship with Jesus, you see how plain and matter of fact He can be. When you sin and then repent asking for forgiveness, He does in a matter of fact manner. He deals with us like servants, children, and yes friends. 

This is illustrated in the Bible as Jesus speaks to Simon Peter about his upcoming failure and lies he’ll tell about Jesus when questioned. 

Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31)

Jesus knew Peter would lie and deny Him, knew he would repent, and gave him instructions of what to do afterwards.

So don’t give up on yourself, Jesus hasn’t. 

 Is a white lie ok sometimes? Let’s face it, white lies and lies of omission are a detriment to the Kingdom of God and mankind. Lies of omission are diabolical in their deception. One may say, “Well I never told him that was right.” The problem is one never told the truth, that it was wrong. As Christians we have an obligation to the truth. For the truth will set you free. The lack of truth will keep one bound, and in many cases bound for hell. 

How many times did Jesus say I tell you the truth? He challenged the religious leaders to their faces to tell the truth, but they had rather kill Him than do so. Today if you are faced with a situation where it’s either the truth or lie, or white lie, or omission of the truth, don’t do it. Especially when it pertains to spiritual matters of the soul. Be honest and truthful in your witness for Christ. You may not be believed now, and you may be ridiculed, but you’ll stand before God as a good and faithful servant. You do not want Christ to look at you on judgement day, as someone is judged into hell, and say “Why weren’t you honest with them?

Think about it friends. We live in a world of a watered down gospel. Time is short and lives, eternal lives are hanging in the balance. 

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” (Proverbs 12:22)