Gene Markland

The Apostle John saw heaven while praying in the Spirit. In the throne room, in heaven, there were those who gather around the throne while continuously offering praise to God. He saw and heard this…

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Revelation 4:8,11)

Pure worship to the pure and Holy God. When offering praise and worship to God in our earthly services, we add to, and join, those in heaven offering their praise to God. How wonderful to be part of such a grand gesture. 

Freddie was an orphan who was shuttled from one foster home to another his whole life. Every time he had to leave he asked himself, “Why won’t anyone keep me?”

When he became an adult and married, he and his wife searched foster homes and orphanages to find a boy like himself. A boy who had been shuttled around and was all alone. They found little Freddie, seven years old, and knew immediately that he was to be their son. After lots of paperwork it became true. Little Freddie was kept by his new dad big Freddie. And so it was, both Freddie’s kept one another for the rest of their lives. 

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.“ (Jude 25-25)

Don’t Go

From the time I was a young boy I attended church with my family. I still remember the Sunday school classes, the vacation Bible schools, the music and singing, and the many admonitions from the pulpit. 

I remember the Wednesday night services before Thanksgiving. Often we, as a church, celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday with a play, (Once I was a Pilgrim), and a time of giving thanks to God for the many gifts and blessings He had given us. 

Sitting in that same church many decades later, I look around and the memories flood my mind. I especially remember the people who were there but now are gone. So many family and friends have passed and gone on to be with the Lord, whom we worshipped together, and I know they are happy now in heavenly bliss. But I ask myself the question, where are the others.

Where are all the kids and teens who I grew up with. Some have moved away and live their lives elsewhere, but many have simply fallen away. The cares of this life, and family situations have taken them from us. Some would still claim a strong belief and love of the Lord, but yet they leave and don’t come back. 

I believe it’s heartbreaking to the Lord to have so many of His children living lives of solitude away from their Christian family. I know a man who is a very devout Christian, but has one excuse after another to not attend church, and if you knew him you’d be shocked. 

Many who leave do not make a firm decision to not come back, they just drift away. We live in such a fast paced and busy world that we just don’t take the time. The Bible warns us in Hebrews chapter two not to drift away.

It reads in verse 1, “We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”  

Verse 3-4 reads, “What makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.”

The same Lord who welcomes us into heaven welcomes us into His Church. There is so much growth that takes place in Church. There’s blessing and rejuvenation that takes place in church. And there’s family. A church family.

I have a friend who had severe chest pains and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance on a Sunday. Immediately as one person learned of the situation, Social media posts went out for prayer in a spontaneous prayer chain. Later, several members of the church left the Sunday night service and rushed to the emergency room for support and prayer. 

After test results showed that he was fine, the Doctor discharged him into the care of his church family. They returned with him to the church service and the congregation erupted into applause and praise to God for a miracle in their presence. Afterward the Pastor had him pray for others which he did one by one for nearly an hour! God brought him from the ER to the altar!

Please don’t  miss out on your blessings. If you have been disappointed or hurt by something or someone at a church in the past, try and put it behind you. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 2:18 spoke of Jesus this way, “since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

He will help you and he does want you. The Bible says, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17)

The enemy of your soul, the devil, says “DON’T GO…to Church.

The lover of your soul, Lord Jesus, says “DON’T GO…away from Church.

Which voice will you listen to?

Two teenage boys were sitting outside on the church steps looking at the moon and the stars when one said to the other, “You think he’s coming tonight?” “Who?” Asked his friend. “ Why, Jesus,” he replied. The preacher in there said He could come any minute and that we he’d better get ready. How do I get ready?”

His friend asked him, “ Do you know Jesus?”

“Not really.” He answered. “So what do I do?”

His friend turned, looked him dead in the eyes and said, “Get Jesus!”

“How do I get Jesus?”

His friend said, “Pray this prayer with me.”

And so his friend led him in the sinners prayer and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Today there are many false teachings about how to get to heaven. The most egregious is the belief that there are many gods and many ways to heaven. Wrong. There’s only one way to heaven and Father God…GET JESUS!

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (I John 5:11-12)

Here’s a tricky one from the Bible…“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (I John 5:21)

Now on the surface that statement seems simple and straightforward. But if we sincerely check our hearts, and our life actions, do we really keep away? I’ll confess that there have been times in my own life where the competition for my heart from the world has snuck up on me. Beware because it can be gradual and seemingly innocent. Then suddenly it’s got you. 

Keep short accounts with God. Don’t let sin and the love of this world sneak in. As it has been said, we are in this world but as born again believers we are not of this world. Not any longer. Heaven is our home, God is our Father, and the Lord Jesus is our Savior and friend. And yes, the precious Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide. We are over-comers, so keep away. He’s coming soon.

Willie liked to walk the mile to his barber shop every Saturday for his haircut. Sometimes he took his grandson with him. On these walks he would tell stories and impart truths from the Bible to Billy. One Saturday, after a rain, they came across a mud puddle. As they walked around it Willie asked Billy, “Son, would you drink that water? “No Grandaddy! came a quick reply.” That’s gross! Willie laughed and went on. But son, what if we used it to wash my car.” Billy thought a second and told him, “I guess it would be alright. But it wouldn’t be as clean as if we used clean water.” Willie said, So if we could strain and purify the water so it wasn’t muddy, but clean, then we could use it for everything, right. “Yes,” Billy responded. 

“You know son, sin is like that mud puddle.” “What?” Billy replied. “Yes. When we commit sins, even though we try to live right, the sin pollutes who we are. Yes, we function, but not as well because we are polluted. But when we have Jesus in our heart and we’re forgiven of our sins, we are better because we’re clean. We feel better. We’re more useful to God and everyone else.” “Wow!” Said Billy. “ I’d rather be pure water than a mud puddle.” “That’s right son. Keep yourself pure and clean before the Lord. Live a good holy life and you’ll be happy.”

The Bible teaches us, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” (I John 3:2-3)

 Jesus warned us that in the last days false teachers, and false Christs, would rise and lead many astray. It’s happening all around us and all around the world, even as you read this. Even pastors can be subject to worldly distractions which bring on compromise. Pastors, don’t believe it. Lord Jesus Christ established His church with this simple fact. He died for us, suffered in Hell for us, then rose to life for us. 

When we accept what He did on the cross, repent of our sins, then we have new life in Him. Period. False teachers want to add on this and that, but His salvation is the only thing that matters. We can’t earn it, make it happen or really explain the mystery of it. Don’t believe all the add on’s that the satan inspired detractors throw at you. Like the Apostle Paul wrote about what this world has to offer. Count it as dung.

Jesus is coming so soon. We’ll meet Him in the air, and forever we’ll be with our Lord. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide living within every believer. Draw on Him to confirm your belief. He doesn’t mind if we challenge Him. He always comes back with the truth. With Him you’ll have peace in your heart. Other than Him don’t believe it. 

The Apostle John spoke about this in the Bible, “I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” ( I John 2:26-27)

 Russell was a good man. At least that was what everyone at his church believed. But Russell had a secret. A secret sin. Lust beset his soul. As hard as he tried, he struggled with lust of the flesh. A proud man, he would barely admit his problems to himself, much less try counseling. Then one Sunday morning his pastor preached a sermon based on 1 John. He explained how we all sin, but God has made it possible for forgiveness and help in our struggles. Russell changed his life that day when he bent his knee and confessed his sins to God in prayer. A weight was lifted off his shoulders as he found forgiveness and grace to overcome his failures. 

The Bible teaches us, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.“ (I John 1:8-10)

Yes, God is faithful. Always.

 “It’s happening! Just like Jesus said in Matthew 24. Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes in different places. We had one in Virginia this week. People calling good bad and bad good and so forth.” Said George to his wife. “Don’t you think it’s the end times like the Bible says? Everybody is saying so.”

Erma replied, “Well George, all that is true, those signs are coming together all at the same time, but listen. Jesus also said in Matthew 24, “But the end is not yet.” These signs are showing us that we are in the season of His return so we are to be patient, live our lives, watch and wait. We should examine ourselves, and live holy blameless lives. Be ready, but also try to help as many as we can to be ready.

The Bible tells us, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (II Peter 3:8-9)

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” (II Peter 3:14-15)

Phillip owned a small hardware store in a small midwestern town. His Father had started it more than 30 years before. He was a faithful church member and a financial supporter of the church and foreign missions. Then it happened. A deluge of rain came and brought floods with it. His store was flooded and lost. He had some insurance but not enough to cover a total loss. Fortunately his home and family was fine. Later, as the flood waters receded, Phillip stood looking at his store in unbelief. 

“What do I do now?” He asked himself. Inside, as he trudged through the muck and mud looking for anything, he prayed, “God, show me what to do. I don’t know what to do.” He looked down and saw a hammer coated in mud. He picked it up, wiped it off, and thought, “This is still a new hammer in great shape. This was a sign from God…rebuild. He dug out every salvageable tool, took them outside to the tailgate of his truck. People began to come to buy tools and he had them. If the people didn’t have the money they needed Phillip loaned them the tools they needed. 

Not only did Phillip recover and rebuild, he added a tool rental business to his hardware store. The townspeople remembered his generosity and his business grew better than before, while other businesses languished and died. 

The Bible teaches us, “So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” (II Peter 2:9)