Tag: hand

Articles, Roy Porter

KINGDOM AND HIDDEN LEAVEN

| Roy

MATTHEW 13:33 – ANOTHER PARABLE SPAKE HE UNTO THEM; THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO LEAVEN, WHICH A WOMAN TOOK, AND HID IN THREE MEASURES OF MEAL, TILL THE WHOLE WAS LEAVENED.

THE LEAVEN IS HIS, IT LOOK’S LIKE THE KINGDOM BUT IS NOT. SATAN HAS A COUNTERFIT FOR MANY THING’S.

DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD HE HAS AN UNHOLY TRINTY, THE ANTICHRIST, THE FALSE PROPHET, AND SATAN HIMSELF.

JESUS WARNED US THERE WOULD BE GREAT DECEPTION IN THE LAST DAY.

APOSTASY COMES IN TWO FORMS:

PEOPLES HEARTS GROW COLD AND THEY TURN AWAY FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD IN THEIR LIVES. THEY ARE GOVERNED BY SELF WILL. THEY ONCE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD; THEY HAD PASSION FOR GOD.

BUT NOW THEY SERVE THEIR FLESH. THEY ARE THE KING OF THEIR OWN KINGDOM; THEY NOW WRITE THEIR ON BIBLE AND MAKE THEIR ON COMMANDMENTS. THEY ARE SELF WILLED.

APOSTASY, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS TURNING FROM FAITH TO A MIXTURE OF TRUTH AND INTERFAITH DOCTRINE.

THE NUMBER THREE DENOTES DIVINE PERFECTION.

THE NUMBER THREE IS THE NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THE GOD HEAD.

GOD’S PLAIN OF REDEMPTION IS PERFECT AND WAS CARRIED OUT PERFECT, BECAUSE IT CAME BY THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST.

BREAD REPRESENTS ETERNAL LIFE FROM THE GODHEAD.

FALSE DOCTRINE HAS HID SOMETHING IN THE BREAD.

THIS WOMAN REPRESENTS FALSE RELIGION OR DOCTRINE.

REV 17:1b – COME HITHER; I WILL SHOW YOU THE JUDGEMENT OF THE GREAT WHORE THAT SITTEH UPON MANY WATERS (PEOPLE OR NATIONS).

THIS WOMAN REPRESENTS THE DECEPTION OF MANY PEOPLE IN THE LAST DAY, AND A ONE-WORLD CHURCH CONTROLLED BY THE DEVIL HIMSELF.

THIS WOMAN IS HIDING SOMETHING IN THE MEAL: IT IS LEAVEN. THIS LEAVEN WILL CHANGE THE ORGINAL FORM OF THIS MEAL.

THE GREEK WORD USED HERE FOR MEAL IN MATT 13:33, IS ALISGOMA, A NOUN, WHICH MEANS TO POLLUTE; POLLUTION BY UNCLEAN; CONTAMINATION.

THIS SPIRIT OF THE GREAT WHORE CONTAMINATED THE TRUTH. NOW IT’S GROWING AND CHANGING FORM.

LEAVEN IS A TYPE OF SIN AND WRONG DOCTRINE.

JESUS SAID BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES. HE MEANT THEIR TEACHING THEIR DOCTRINE.

JESUS IS THE UNLEAVEN BREAD, HIS TRUE KINGDOM FEEDS UNLEAVEN BREAD: GRACE AND TRUTH, WHICH GIVES LIFE.

LEAVEN IS A SILENT WORKER; IT CHANGES THE ORGINAL FORM.

THIS PICTURE OF THE LEAVEN, WOMAN AND THE THREE MEASURES OF MEAL, REPRESENT, EVIL, TILL THE WHOLE BE FILLED OR WAS LEAVENED.

LAST DAY APOSTASY IS HERE. SCRIPTURE IS CONTAMINATED BY SELF INTERPRETATION. THE TEACHING OF THE GREAT WHORE IS HERE, DECEPTION IS GROWING IN MANY CIRCLES.

THE LEAVEN HAS BEEN WORKING IN MANY CHRISTIAN SEMINARY’S FOR YEARS. MANY TEACHER’S AT THESE SCHOOL’S ARE NOT BORN OF THE SPIRIT AND ARE POISONING THE MIND’S OF STUDENT’S.

MANY OF THESE SCHOOL’S AND DENOMINATIONS ARE DENYING THE VIRGIN BIRTH AND DENYING THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

THEIR MINISTER’S ARE PERFORMING SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND ARE BLINKING AT THE SIN OF ABORTITION AND SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE.

THEY DENY JESUS AS THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER. THEY DENY THE INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD. THEY ARE NOT IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD BUT HAVE A FORM gODLINESS.

I LOVE ALL PEOPLE: LOST, SAVED, IN ERROR, OR IN ANY RELIGION. I RESPECT ANYONE AND THEIR RIGHT’S. WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO ENTER ITO THE KINGDOM OR NOT. WE ALL HAVE THE CHOICE TO BELIEVE GOD AND OBEY HIM AND HIS WAY TO ENTER AND LIVE IN HIS KINGDOM OR TO FACE JUDGEMENT WITHOU OUR ADVOCATE JESUS.

I WAS THE CHEIF OF SINNER’S AND GOD FORGAVE ME THROUGH THE CROSS. SO I LOVE EVERYBODY, BUT I MUST TELL SPEAK THE TRUTH.

I PRAY FOR THE LOST, I PRAY FOR THOSE IN ERROR, I PRAY FOR THOSE IN OTHER RELIGIONS.

I WILL PRAY A PRAYER WITH ANYONE TO ACCEPT JESUS, BUT I WILL NOT PRAY WITH AN INTERFAITH GROUP OR PERSON.

I PRAY THE KINGDOM WAY, FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

MANY EVANGELICIALS ARE COMPROMISING AND CONNECTING TO ALL FAITH GROUP’S: WORKING AND PRAYING TOGETHER.

DO YOU REALIZE THAT WHAT WE DO AS CHRISTIANS, WE ARE TO DO IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND FOR HIS GLORY.

TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD OUR FAITH MUST BE UNLEAVEN BREAD, JESUS. TO STAY A CHILD OF THE KINGDOM WE MUST KEEP OUR FAITH IN ONE SACRIFICE: THAT IS JESUS ON THE CROSS. DON’T TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

HEBREWS 10:29 – OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT SUPPOSE YE SHALL HE BE THOUGHT WORTHY, WHO HATH TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD, AND HATH COUNTED THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, AN UNHOLY THING AND HATH DONE DESPITE UNTO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE.

THIS MESSAGE IS GIVEN WITH MUCH LOVE AND WITH GREAT HUMILITY, FOR I AM NOTHING WITHOUT MY JESUS, MY GREAT KING.

 

 

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE GREAT ESCAPE

| Jeanette

 

  THE GREAT ESCAPE.  

 I know, from one of our last messages, Wilderness Experience: where Jesus revealed to us; when He went through those temptations, he did this for us.  Again, what the Father revealed to me today, is a revelation, I am likely never to forget.

When we get to the place, of complete surrender to God and His plans and purposes for our lives, we never again have to be troubled about anything.  There is great freedom that comes with this level of our walk with Him.  The Lord said to me, “I will take you to the place of escape for every temptation.  I prepared this for you, when Jesus was in the temptation wilderness with Satan.  Now, you understand how I did it.  I gave My people the way of escape.  This was My purpose for this great experience of Jesus.  Nothing can take you under. I have prepared the way of escape.”

 

I always knew after I read the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:13, that God will make a way of escape; but I didn’t completely understand how the escape would come.

1 Corinthians 10:13 —- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to men: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation wilderness,also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

Studying this verse an comparing it with Mark 1:13a let’s read it —- And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan;…

Comparing these two, together, began to bring light to me: Jesus’ temptations; and our temptations.

Finding other references, that relate or connect, is also important for the full understanding of this great truth, or any other subject in the Bible: comparing Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:10).

Hebrews 2:3a —-How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…

Escape means = to evade, or slip away from.

Temptation means = a testing designed to strengthen, or corrupt.

2 Peter 2:9a —- The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,…

Temptation is withstood, through our trust in the faithfulness of God.

God has undertaken to defend, and deliver His servants, whether it is daily temptations, or the Great Tribulation period of the last days.

 We all need to escape both.

Look at Luke 21:36 —- Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

Jesus prepared the way of escape, but we can see in this verse we also have something to do: We are told to watch and pray.

This would go for any kind of escape we might need.

When Jesus was tempted in the Judean wilderness, He warded off every thrust by the power of the Scriptures.

God encourages us to call on Him in the day of trial.

 The sentry or soldier, doesn’t advance or move forward,  to meet the approaching enemy: he falls back, and gives warning to the commander.

So, when we are tempted, we should call upon our God.

It’s the difference in being strengthened, or corrupted.

temptation When God strengthens us, we just slip away from the temptation.

 

Joseph was given strength, by God, to do this very thing.

Most all Christians know this story, but for those who are listening who don’t, and those who would love to be refreshed, turn with me to Genesis 39:6b —- And Joseph was a godly person, and well favored.

Verse 7-9 —- And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

      But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house (or trusts me with everything in his house) and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand.

      There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Look at verses 10-12 —- And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he harkened not unto her, to lie with her, or to be with her.

      And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went in to the house to do his business; and there was none of the men in the house there within.

      And she caught him by his garment, saying lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out (he got out of there).

 

We know from the next verses, he escaped this temptation, but she lied on him, and his master, Potifhar, sent him to prison; but we also know God was with him, and even used him in prison.

Verse 21 —- But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Verse 23 —- The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made to prosper.

 

As time went by, Joseph began to interpret dreams.

interpret,butler,One morning, Pharaoh awoke from a dream that troubled him, (Genesis 41:7,8) and the chief butler told Pharaoh, that Joseph could interpret it.

Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and in verse 16, we read —- And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not dream,in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

Pharaoh shared his dream of which Joseph interpreted and verse 39 reads —- And pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet (or discerning) and wise as thou art.

 

Joseph showed himself not only to be a man of integrity no matter the cost, he showed himself to be a man who sought God.

 

My friend, sometimes when we escape temptation, the result is: trouble with man; but we can depend on peace with God. Obedience, and peace with God, are worth the stand we take.  In the end, we win every time.

Verse 40 —- Thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

We see Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers, taken down to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, who was the captain of the guard, under Pharaoh;  promoted by God’s favor to the second to Pharaoh.

 

My friend, only God, can give this kind of favor, that a man could come from a servant, to the second to a king, in approximately fourteen years.

Most of Joseph’s life was filled with troubles and trials, but he remained faithful to God, and completely trusted God.

He followed God’s plan and purpose for his life.

 

If you are going through a time of testing or temptation, my advice to you is, stand strong in you conviction of what is truth, and keep your heart and mind toward God.

Now,  there are sins of disobedience that can cause us to fail to escape the judgment of God.  We will take these last few minutes, and go over some of the Scriptures that cover failure to escape:

 

HE THAT SPEAKETH LIES SHALL NOT ESCAPE:

Proverbs 19:5 —- A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Shall not escape what?

Revelation 21:8 —- But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

All liars are eternally separated from God.

 

IF WE GET INTO DARKNESS WE SHALL NOT ESCAPE:

1 Thessalonians 5:3-5 —- For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

      But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

      Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

 

IF WE NEGLECT OUR SALVATION WE SHALL NOT ESCAPE:

Hebrews 2:1-4 —- Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip.

      For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

      How shall we escape, if we neglect (or disregard)  so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him. 

IF WE JUDGE OTHERS WE SHALL NOT ESCAPE:

Romans 2:1-3 —- Therefore thou art inexcuseable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest (or criticizes anyone): for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

      But  we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

     (a question) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?

Or we could say, Do you think God will judge and condemn others for doing them and overlook you when you do them, too?

God is saying,— There is no excuse for you, whoever you are, that criticizes anyone for doing something you are doing yourself. When you are condemning them, you are condemning yourself.  And we know that God, in justice, will punish anyone who does such things as these.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

  

          

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Articles, Roy Porter

THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND

| Roy

MATTHEW 3:2  –  AND SAYING, REPENT YE: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.

JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE COUSIN OF JESUS, THE FORERUNNER OF THE KING IS SPEAKING HERE.

HIS PURPOSE WAS TO ANNOUNCE THE APPEARING OF THE MESSIAH.

HIS PURPOSE WAS TO PREACH THE PREPARATION OF THE HEART TO RECEIVE HIM.

THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND, OR IS PRESENT.

THE LORD IS ENTERING INTO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE, SETTING UP HIS GOVERNMENT IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE EARTH.

REDEMPTION WOULD BE COMPLETED AT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST THE KING.

REVELATION OF THIS REDEMPTIVE ACT OF GOD WAS BEING REVEALED TO JOHN THE BAPTIST’S FOLLOWERS.

JESUS TAUGHT AND PREACHED THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

MATTHEW 4:17 –  FROM THAT TIME JESUS BEGAN TO PREACH, AND TO SAY, REPENT: FOR THE KNIGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.

THE KINGDOM IS PRESENT: REPENT, HAVE A CHANGE OF MIND, THE MESSIAH IS HERE WITH GRACE AND TRUTH.

JESUS WAS SAYING, I HAVE COME UNTO MY OWN JEWISH PEOPLE, RECEIVE ME, I AM THE PROMISED MESSIAH: KING JESUS.

THE SAME MESSAGE IS BEING PREACHED AND TAUGHT TODAY: REPENT OF ANY HOPE OF EVER ENTERING INTO GOD’S KINGDOM WITHOUT KING JESUS.

GOD’S GOVERNMENT IS THEOCRATIC. GOD IS SOVERIGN.

GOD’S GOVERNMENT IS NOT A DEMOCRACY: A GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE.

GOD’S GOVERNMENT IS NOT A REPUBLIC: GOD DOESN’T ANSWER TO THE MAJORITY.

GOD ISN’T VOTED IN TO OFFICE; AND HE CANNOT BE VOTED OUT.

NO TELEVISION PERSONALITY CAN SOVERIGNLY TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN BE SAVED, UNLESS THEY SAY WHAT THE KING SAID.

NO COLLEGE PROFESSOR CAN TELL YOU HOW TO BE SAVED UNLESS THEY TELL YOU WHAT THE KING SAID.

NO RELIGIOUS LEADER CAN TELL YOU HOW TO BE SAVED UNLESS THEY TELL YOU THE WORDS OF THE KING.

IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.

IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED MAN IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

HE CREATED EVERYTHING WE SEE AND DON’T SEE.

GOD IS THE SOVERIGN AUTHORITY, HE WILL SET UP A LITERAL KINGDOM ON THIS EARTH SHORTLY.

TO ENTER INTO HIS KINGDOM, YOU MUST DO IT HIS WAY, NOT MAN’S WAY, NOT THE DEVIL’S MANY WAYS: WHICH IS ALL DECEPTION AND LIES THAT SEND PEOPLE TO HELL; BUT THE WORD’S OF THE KING IN HOLY SCRIPTURE.

JOHN 14:6 –  JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.

WE MUST HUMBLE OURSELVES LIKE A CHILD, AND ASK JESUS TO COME INTO OUR HEART, AND ACCEPT HIM BY FAITH AS OUR REDEEMER: AND GOD’S GOVERNMENT WILL ENTER INTO YOUR HEART.

HIS CONSTITUTION IS THE BIBLE; THE WORDS OF THIS BOOK WILL COME OFF THE PAGES INTO YOUR HEART.

PRAY, AND ASK GOD TO FILL YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

HOW THE DEVIL CAN WORK FOR YOU -PART II

| Jeanette

JOD 12:6 – THE TABERNACLES (OR TENTS) OF ROBBERS PROSPER, AND THEY THAT PROVOKE GOD ARE SECURE; INTO WHOSE HAND GOD BRINGETH ABUNDANTLY. 

HERE, JOB GOES BACK TO HIS MAIN ARGUMENT, AND MAINTAINS THAT, THE WHOLE COURSE OF EARTHLY EVENTS BEING UNDER GOD’S DIRECTIONS, ALL THE RESULTS ARE TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO HIM, AND AMONG THEM BOTH THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED, AND, BY PART OF REASONING, THE SUFFERINGS OF HE RIGHTOEOUS.

THIS IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT GOD IS UNFAIR, IT MEANS THAT GOD IS LONGSURRERING  AND USES THE WICKED TO BRING FORTH THE MEANS, OF THE END OF HIS PURPOSE.

THE WICKED WILL ALWAYS BE PUNISHED, AND THE RIGHTEOUS WILL ALWAYS VICTORIOUS IN THE END; EITHER HERE OR IN THE WORLD TO COME.

GOD IS GOOD, THEREFORE HIS PLANS SRE GOOD. HIS PLAN CANNOT BE DEFEATED.

IN THE END, JOB WAS PRIVILEGED TO REALIZE THAT GOD HAD A WONDERFUL PLAN THAT HE COULDN’T SEE. HE CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT HIS SUFFERING HAPPENED FOR A LARGER PURPOSE —-EVEN IF HE COULDN’T PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND THAT PURPOSE. HIS EYES BECAME OPEN TO THE FACT GOD IS GOOD, HE CARES ABOUT HIS PEOPLE, AND HIS PLAN CAN’T BE DEFEATED, NO MATTER WHO IS USED TO BRING IT TO PASS.

    ISAIAH 19:14 – THE LORD HATH MINGLED A PERVERSE SPIRIT IN THE MIDST THEREOF, AS THE DRUNKEN MAN STAGGERETH IN HIS VOMIT.

AMOS 3:6 –  SHALL THERE NOT BE EVIL IN THE CITY, AND THE LORD HATH NOT DONE IT?  

TO BRING EGYPT INTO SO DISTRACTED A STATE, THE HAND OF GOD HAD BEEN NESCESSARY. HE HAD INTRODUCED INTO THE NATION A SPIRIT OF PERVERSENESS. THOSE IN WHOM THE SPIRIT WAS HAD, THEN LED EGYPT ASTRAY IN ALL HER DOINGS. THEY  HAD MADE HER LIKE A DRUNKEN MAN, WHO STAGGERS ALONG HIS PATH, AND SLIPS IN HIS OWN VOMIT. 

LONG -CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY PRODUCES OFTEN A SORT OF INTOXICATION IN A NATION.

WE SEE HERE THAT GOD HAS CONTROL OVER MAN’S CIRCUMSTANCES. EVEN IN OUR REBELLION, GOD CAN WORK HIS PURPOSES THROUGH THEM ALL.

I WAS STRUGGLING ABOUT HOW TO END THIS MESSAGE AND REALLY WANTED GOD’S MIND.

DURING MY TIME WITH THE LORD THIS MORNING, HE SPOKE THIS TO ME:

     “NOW TRUST ME TO GIVE YOU THE ENDING OF THIS MESSAGE. THE REASON YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH IT, IS BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT THE EXPOSING OF THE ENEMY’S PLANS. IT EXPOSES THE FACT, THAT ALTHOUGH HE GOES AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF MY OWN CREATION, I STILL TAKE HIS REIGNS AND HE CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS  ALWAYS THAT I AM IN CONTROL OF MY CHILDREN’S DESTINY EVEN THOUGH THEY RUSH AHEAD AND BRING DELAY TO THEIR OWN HURT. I WILL ALWAYS SUCCEED IN MY WAY OF DOING THINGS. I KNOW THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS SEE THAT I AM IN CHARGE, BUT I EVEN USE HIS PLANS TO FULFILL MY PURPOSE. HE THINKS HE IS A MATCH FOR ME, BUT HE HAS NEVER BEEN A MATCH FOR THE ONE WHO CREATED HIM. HE IS YOUR ENEMY, BUT I USE HIM AS A PUPPET IN MY PLANS. HE THINKS HE CONTROLS THE LIFE OF A SINNER, BUT HE ONLY FOOLS HIMSELF INTO THINKING IT. I AM ALWAYS COAXING AND TURNING THE SINNER HERE AND THERE  TO SEE THE TRUTH AND COME TO MY PLAN OF SALVATION AND FREEDOM FROM THE BONDAGE SATAN HAS THEM TRAPPED IN. YOU SEE IT ALL THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES.  AS YOU SEE IT, I AM ACTUALLY REVEALING IT TO YOU. THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER OVER ME AND MY PLANS. I JUST USE HIM. THE SINNER HAS A WILL TO CHOOSE, BUT I ALLOW HIM TO BE MOVED HERE AND THERE; BUT THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IS UP TO HIM TO CHOOSE ME AND MY LIFE FOR HIM,—OR SATAN’S. I MAKE SURE THOUGH, THAT, THAT SINNERHAS EVERY CHANCE TO SEEK THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I MOVE HIM HERE AND THERE, AND WATCH OVER HIM LIKE A SHEPHERD HIS SHEEP, BUT WITH THE GREATEST LOVE AND CARE THAT NO ONE CAN MATCH.  YES, THE DEVIL THINKS HE IS IN CHARGE HERE, BUT I NEVER GAVE HIM FULL POWER. HE IS …THE PRINCE AND POWER OF THE AIR…, BUT HE WILL NEVER BE KING. I HAVE THE PLAN FOR HIS DESTRUCTION ALWAYS IN MIND. HE KNOWS MY PLAN BUT THINKS HE HAS THE POWER TO BEAT IT. HE IS NEVER IN CHARGE OF MY CREATION, NEVER!”

     “IT IS IMPORTANT THAT MY CHILDREN KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THIS. THIS IS NOT A NEW REVELATION, BUT A REVELATION LONG FORGOTTEN BY MAN. I AM READY FOR THIS TO BE REVEALED TO MY CHURCH.”

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WE SEE WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

| Jeanette

MANY TIMES WE HAVE A MIND-SET ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE WHEN WE LOOK. IF WE ARE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO SEES EVIL IN EVERYTHING, WE WILL FIND IT; ON THE OTHER HAND, IF WE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD, WE WILL FIND IT. OUR GAS TANK CAN BE HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY.

IF WE FEEL INSECURE AROUND PEOPLE, WHEN WE ARE WITH MORE THAN ONE, WE FEEL INTIMIDATED, THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAINST US EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT. WE CAN SAY TO OURSELVES, “THEY ARE FRIENDS, BUT THEY DON’T LIKE ME,” OR WE COULD TELL OURSELVES, “I DON’T LIKE THEM, THEY ARE ALWAYS TOGETHER.

THESE FEELINGS USUSALLY COME FROM A BAD PAST EXPERIENCE, OR THEY COME FROM A COMPETITIVE NATURE YOU HAVE DEVELOPED BY WANTING TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.

THIS TYPE OF PERSON IS MISERABLE AND DOESN’T EVEN LIKE BEING AROUND THEMSELVES. THIS KIND OF THINKING USUALLY COMES FROM CHILDHOOD, WHERE WE WERE AT ONE POINT, THE CENTER OF ATTENTION; AND WHEN SOMEONE ELSE STEPPED INTO THE SPOTLIGHT, WE FELT LEFT OUT. I CALL THESE PEOPLE “CENTER-STAGE” PEOPLE. THEY ARE MISERABLE WITHIN AND WE DON’T LIKE BEING IN THEIR COMPANY, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO “POUT”; OR IF THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO TARE DOWN THAT PERSON THEY FEEL COMPETITIVE WITH. OR MAYBE THEY WILL EVEN CAUSE A SCENE JUST TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.

SOMETIMES THAY WILL JUST AVOID YOU SO YOU WILL SEEK THEM OUT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S WRONG. THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU OR THEM.

I HEARD A PASTOR SAY ON TV TODAY, THAT AFTER HE WAS BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE LOST THAT FEELING OF HAVING TO BE RECOGNIZED.

WHEN THIS TYPE OF ATTITUDE IS DEVELOPED IN US, IT IS HARD TO BREAK. MOST OF THE TIME, THE WAY YOU SEE IT, IS THE PROBLEM. THIS MUST HAVE BEEN OF CONCERN ALSO IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES.

PHILIPPIANS 2:4 – LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS, BUT EVERY MAN ALSO ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS. THE WAY THE WORLD IS——“PUSH YOURSELF FORWARD. BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.” BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT JESUS TAUGHT, NOR LIVED. VERSES 5-8 – LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS: WHO BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD, THOUGHT IT NOT ROBBERY TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD: BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF…

PAUL POINTS OUT HERE THE CAUSES OF DIVISIONS WHICH EXISTS AMONG CHRISTIANS, ONE OF WHICH IS VAIN GLORY: PERSONAL VANITY; THE DESIRE TO BE NOTICED, AND THE HATRED OF OWNING-UP TO BEING WRONG. WE CALL THIS SELFISHNESS OR SELF-CENTEREDNESS. A SELF-CENTERED PERSON IS THE WORSE OF THE TWO. A SELFISH PERSON IS ONE WHO WANT EVERYTHING FOR HIMSELF: BUT A SELF-CENTERED PERSON THINKS OF NO ONE BUT HIMSELF; AND THINKS THE WORLD SHOULD REVOLVE AROUND HIM. 

SELF-CENTEREDNESS MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THOUGHT, FEELINGS, AND ACTIONS.

ALL OF US ARE A LITTLE SELFISH BY NATURE. WE ARE THE ONE THAT LIVES IN OUR BODY. IT’S INTERESTING TO ME, THOUGH, THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES IN, HE BEGINS TO REVEAL TO US ALL TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES AND OUR MOTIVES: IN ALL WE SAY AND DO.

WHY NOT ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO BE RIGHT FOR A CHANGE?

WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING?

IT’S BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE COUNTED WRONG. THERE IS A SAYING THAT BARES REPEATING: “I COULD BE WRONG, BUT I THINK I’M RIGHT.”

THIS WOULD STOP A LOT OF BICKERING BACK AND FORTH IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. WHO KNOWS? IN SOME THINGS THEY COULD BE RIGHT!

THE REASON WE HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM OF LOOKING ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS MORE THAN OUR OWN, IS BECAUSE WE WERE BORN WITH A SIN-NATURE. WE HAVE TO ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE US. WE NEED THE MIND OF CHRIST TO PUT-ON TRUE CHRISTIANITY. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT’S EASY FOR US AS MORE MATURE CHRISTIANS TO DEVELOPE A DISLIKE AND DISTRUST FOR A CERTAIN PERSON; AND WHEN THEY COME INTO THE ROOM WHERE WE ARE, WE FREEZE-UP ON THEM, SOMETIMES WE JUST MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA BECAUSE WE JUST CAN’T STAND BEING AROUND THEM. 

I FIND THIS MORE IN SPIRITUALLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE, WHO DISCERN DEMONIC OPERATION IN THAT PERSON.

THEY JUDGE THE PERSON, AND NEVER PRAY FOR THEM OR TRY TO FIND SOME GOOD IN THEM.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO ASK GOD FOR WHAT IS IN OPERATION THERE AND GO OUR KNEES IN PRAYER AND BIND UP THAT SPIRIT INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO WILL LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE FOUND OUT, —– OR THINK WE SUSPICIOUSLY KNOW ABOUT THEM.

WE SHOULD GO TO OUR KNEES AND BIND UP THAT SPIRIT SO THAT PERSON CAN BE FREE.

THEN, WE NEED TO CHECK OURSELVES WITH THE BOOK OF JAMES TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN US WE NEED TO BE FREED FROM.

PAUL GAVE GREST ADVICE IN PHILLIPPIANS 2:2, WHERE HE SAYS, —-THEN MAKE ME TRUELY HAPPY BY LOVING EACH OTHER, WORKING TOGETHER, WITH ONE HEART, ONE MIND, ONE PURPOSE.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

MOVER AND SHAKERS

| Jeanette

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

My husband has a name for those who get things done. He calls them “Movers and Shakers.” These are people who know what they have to do, and do it. Many are still waiting for lightening to strike, to get them going. I see those who wait for somebody to tell them what to do.
On the other hand, there are those who are always busy. These are the one’s you know you can depend on when the going gets rough.
These are the one’s, that can do just a little bit more when asked.
If you want somebody to do something, ask someone who is already doing something

Keep in mind, I am not criticizing those who move slow; it happens to be my nature too. A slow mover can move slow, but not be slow to move. This kind of mover can still be going at the end of the day, when the fast mover has run out of steam. We all know, though, some are just lazy. These are the one’s, who watch while someone else is doing it.

I never liked watching, I always wanted to get my hands into it.
Are you like that? Sometimes, people see this as taking over, but at least were doing something. The other evening, I was listening to a train horn blow near my home, I said to the Lord, “That train sounds so lonely.” The Lord answered me this way, “Well, it’s going somewhere, and it’s doing something”.

Turn with me to Mark 1starting with verse 16:
Today, we are going to be studying about some movers and shakers in the New Testament.
Now as He (meaning Jesus) walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway, they forsook their nets, and followed Him.

And straightway they forsook their nets…. Straightway is defined as immediately.
I can almost see them now, Simon and Andrew, busy, casting their nets into the sea for a catch. —- Jesus, who had just come out of His forty days of fasting and being tempted of the devil, in the wilderness, was on a mission, to collect some of the most rugged men, to follow Him, to be His companions for three years.

I don’t recall Jesus calling any who were not already doing something.
You might ask, “When is God going to call me, or give me something to do?”
My answer is, when you bloom where you are planted!
There is much to do in the kingdom of God. Get busy, take the initiative, find something to do. Ask.

Simon and Andrew were quick to respond. They left what they were doing, and followed Jesus, but not until they received the call, did they leave their business behind. Jesus had a plan for their lives and when the call came, they went, but they still had to be taught how to minister.

God has a plan for your life, but you need to stay busy, and seek Him daily, to find your intended place of service, your destiny.

In verse 17, Jesus said, … Come ye after Me….
Don’t take off and try to do it yourself; but …follow Me…and I will make you to become fishers of men. (I will shape you into, I will do construction on you, until you are fishers of men.)
I will teach you, and train you, I will spend time with you, and give you an opportunity to watch how I do it, and I will allow you “On-Hands experience”.

What would it be like if they decided to “go it on their own without the proper training? I can see them now—- Trying to do it by themselves: running here and there, exhausted, without much success.

Verse 19 —- And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were on the ship mending their nets.
James and John, had already pulled in their catch for the day, and were mending them, when Jesus arrived.
Verse 20 —- And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with hired servants, and went after Him.
There’s that straightway word again, which means immediately.
And immediately He called them.
Jesus knew, through fasting, and spending time with the Father, what His Father had instructed Him to do, and He wasted no time.
Jesus called His disciples immediately, and they responded immediately.

They must have said, “Dad, we’re out of this kind of fishing business; here are some men to help you. We know what our purpose is. We must follow Jesus.”

Now look at verse 21 —- And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Jesus had a ministry of His own, but He went to Church, He and His four disciples or learners went with Him.

Verse 22 —- And they were astonished at His doctrine (or teachings): for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
They were amazed at the knowledge of Jesus and His authority, and we know the anointing makes the difference, but what was
Mark talking about when he
wrote…not as the scribes…? There were several things that caused His teaching to differ from that of the scribes. There was no lack of self-assertion or self-assurance in their teaching; but their words did not carry weight. Their teaching was based chiefly on tradition; but neglected judgment and mercy and faith. Christ’s teaching, on the contrary, was eminently or completely spiritual. Also, He practiced what He taught, unlike the scribes. They had religion, Jesus Had relationship with the Father.

Verse 23 —- And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Now, this was big-time. I can see these four new disciples, standing their amazed when this unclean spirit, who was the “strongman”, began to scream out.
Verse 24 —- Saying,… (now the demons are talking)…Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God.
The strong-man, this unclean spirit, is the leader of the demons in this man. In verse 23 we read …an unclean spirit…singular; and then we read in verse 24, …Let us alone…plural, This proves

It shows the immediate effect of our Lord’s preaching. This man was possessed by these demons, and the anointing of our Lord caused the demons to manifest in His presence.
In real truth, the preaching of Jesus has already thrown the whole world of evil spirits into a state of excitement and alarm.
The powers of darkness are beginning to tremble. They feel that One greater than Satan has appeared, and they ask, …What have we to do with Thee?…Why are You trying to drive us out of our possession? We have a right to take possession of sinners.

Verse 25 —- And Jesus rebuked Him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Jesus didn’t toy with these demons like so many think they should now, He just told it to shut-up and get out of there.
This demon was fearful, but defiant.
Look at the next verse, verse 26 —- And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
He didn’t want to come out, but he had no choice, he had met a power stronger than his; much stronger;, no comparison; he had to come out, and he came out screaming. It no longer had control of this mans vocal cords; no longer could the demon talk.

Verse 27 —- And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.
They were actually saying, What is this new revelation?”
This gave more indication, or a sign, that this must be the promised Messiah, the true God; for He alone by His power could rule the evil spirits.
I believe, this is what they were discussing among themselves.
Verse 28 —- And immediately His fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
We could go on in this Chapter, in verse 31, where Jesus took Simon’s mother-in-law by the hand, lifts her up, and immediately the fever left her.
What follows is, healings and deliverance’s, every where He appears.

I read in a commentary, there are approximately 10 times where straightway or immediately is found in this first Chapter of Mark, but the most important event or outcome, is that we get a new revelation of what Jesus was like. There is no way we can know it all, but we can learn as we study and follow our Savior.

Until next week.

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Articles, Other Writers

FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART I

| Roy

THIS IS AN UNUSUAL TITLE FOR A TESTIMONY, BUT I’VE LIVED AN UNUSUAL LIFE.

MY NAME IS CHARLES SELLERS, FORMALLY KNOWN AS C.A. SELLERS.

BEING A SHARECROPPER’S SON, AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT A SHARECROPER IS, IT IS TAKING CARE OF ANOTHER PERSON’S LAND. YOU CAN LIVE THERE AND PLANT FOOD ON THAT PROPERTY.

IN OTHER WORDS, MY FAMILY WAS POVERTY STRICKEN.

MY DAD LEFT MY MOM WITH 6 CHILDREN, WHEN I WAS 4 YEARS OLD. SO ME AND MY SIBLINGS HAD NOTHING. WE HAD NO CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, NO BIRTHDAY PARTIES; NOTHING NORMAL CHILDREN ENJOYED. EVEN OUR CLOTHES WERE HAND-ME-DOWNS.

IT WASN’T MY MOM’S FAULT, IT WASN’T MY FAULT; IT’S JUST THE WAY IT WAS.

PROBABLY, IF THERE WAS ANYONE TO BLAME, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY DAD.

BUT THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY WITHIN ITSELF.

MY DAD DIED WHEN I WAS 9 YEARS OLD. MY MOM HAD HIS BODY BROUGHT HOME. WHILE HE LAID IN HIS COFFIN IN OUR LIVING ROOM, I WAS AT MY FRIEND’S HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, AND STOLE SOME MONEY THAT WAS LAYING ON HIS AUNT’S DRESSER.

AT THAT MOMENT, I STARTED A LIFE OF STEALING.

OVER THE YEARS, I’VE STOLEN EVERYTHING FROM BICYCLES TO ROBBING BANKS. I SPENT MOST OF MY LIFE LOCKED UP.

I’VE DONE TIME IN 8 FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS. SOME, LIKE TERR HUNTA, ATLANTA FEDERAL PENN., LEWISBURG FEDERAL PENN., ASHLAND KENTUCKY CORRECTIONAL INST., PETERSBURG VIRGINIA FEDERAL FORMITORY, TALAHASSIE (FLORIDA) CORRECTIONAL INST., LOUIVILLE KENTUCKY CORRECTIONAL INST.

ALSO, I’VE DONE TIME IN 7 STATE INSTITUTIONS, STARTING AT HOMESVIEW TO PERRY CORRECTIONAL INST., AND SEVERAL MORE.

I REMEMBER AND INCIDENT WHEN I BROKE IN A SCHOOL AND THE POLICE SHOWED UP. I CLIMBED OUT A WINDOW, AND WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE ROOF. THE ROOF RAN OUT AND I DROPPED DOWN 2 STORIES TO THE GROUND, ROLLED, AND KEPT ON RUNNING. FOR THIS ONE, I NEVER GOT CAUGHT.

BY LOOKING OVER THIS EVENT AND MANY MORE IN MY LIFE, I NOW REALIZE, GOD HAD HIS HAND ON ME.

I’VE BEEN SHOT; I WOKE-UP OUT OF A THREE DAY COMA BY FOOD POISONING, AND FOUND MY LIVE-IN GIRL FRIEND WAS DEAD. THE DOCTORS SAID IT WAS NATURAL CAUSES, BUT I BELIEVE SHE ALSO HAD FOOD POISONING.

AS MY LIFE PROGRESSED, I FOUND MYSELF DOING THINGS I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER DO: LIKE SHOOTING DRUGS IN MY VEINS, UNTIL I DESTROYED EVERY VISIBLE VEIN IN MY BODY; AND TAKING UP A GUN AND ROBBING BANKS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. THIS WAS A LONG WAY FROM STEALING BICYCLES AS A CHILD.

I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I WAS NOW IN THE BIG TIME: SELLING DRUGS, ROBBING BANKS, BUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LIFE STYLE TOOK ME FURTHER THAN I WANTED OR PLANNED TO GO, AND COST ME MORE THAT I WANTED TO PAY. YOU SEE, THE COST WAS MY FREEDOM, THE SUFFERING OF MY FAMILY, AND ALWAYS LOOSING EVERYTHING AGAIN AND AGAIN, AS I WOULD REPEATEDLY GET ARRESTED AND CONVICTED, AND SENT BACK TO PRISON.

A LIFE IN PRISON WASN’T EASY. WHEN I STARTED OUT IN REFORM SCHOOL, I HAD TO DIG 10 FOOT DITCHES, 18 INCHES WIDE, WITH A 10 FOOT SHOVEL. I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVE NEVER SEEN A 10 FOOT SHOVEL, BUT BELIEVE ME THEY HAD THEM.

I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AT THIS TIME.

WHEN I TURNED 15, I WAS SENT TO THE NATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON DC. BELIEVE ME, THIS PLACE WAS “HELL”. I WAS IN A FIGHT ALMOST EVERY DAY. WHEN THEY WOULD PUT ME IN LOCK-UP, THEY WOULD STRIP ME OF ALL MY CLOTHES, AND PUT ME IN  A SMALL TILED ROOM. THE TEMPERATURE IN THE ROOM WAS THE SAME AS IT WAS OUTSIDE. SO CAN YOU IMAGINE DECEMBER AND JANUARY? HOW COLD IT GETS IN DC? 

I COULDN’T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS PLACE, SO I PLANNED MY ESCAPE AND CARRIED THROUGH WITH IT. AS I CLIMBED THE FENCE SURROUNDING THE INSTITUTION, THEN BARBED WIRE BROKE AT THE TOP OF THE FENCE, AND I FEEL 10 FEET, AND JUST KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET CAUGHT, BUT NO ONE SAW ME BREAK OUT OF LINE GOING BACK TO THE DORM FROM THE GYM.

WE WERE SURROUNDED BY GUARDS. IT WAS AT NIGHT, BUT NOBODY SAW ME.

I MADE MY WAY TO A RAILROAD TRACK, AND THERE WAS A SLOW MOVING TRAIN. I JUST KNEW IT WOULD TAKE ME A LONG WAY FROM WHERE I WAS AT. I DIDN’T CARE WHERE IT WAS GOING AS LONG AS IT WOULD TAKE ME AWAY FROM THERE. WELL I JUMPED IN THE OPEN DOOR OF THE BOXCAR, AND THE TRAIN KEPT ROLLING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES; IT STOPPED, AND HERE CAME A TOW MOTOR IN THE BOXCAR I WAS IN, TAKING OUT PALLETS OF FREIGHT. I GOT OUT OF YTHE BOXCAR AND FOUND MYSELF IN DOWN TOWN DC.

TO SHORTEN THIS, I MADE IT BACK TO SOUTH CAROLINA, WENT TO CALIFORNIA, CAME BACK TO SC AND GOT CAUGHT. I WAS OUT FOR 2 MONTHS, AND THEY PUT ME BACK IN THE STRIPP-CELL AGAIN, NAKED. THEY THEN TRANSFERRED ME TO ASHLAND KENTUCKY.

THIS IS NOT THE END OF MY STORY: BUT HOW I CAME TO THE LORD, AND WHERE I AM NOW WILL BE IN “FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART II”, COMING UP NEXT.

    

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