Tag: John

Articles, Jeanette Porter

SWEET SLEEP

| Jeanette

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT TO OUR DAILY HEALTH.

OUR BODIES CAN GO  JUST SO MANY HOURS WITHOUT IT, THEN MAJOR PARTS OF OUR BODIES BEGIN TO BE FATIGUED  AND OR EMOTIONS BECOME ALL OUT OF SORTS; WE CAN’T THINK CLEARLY, AND OTHERS AROUND US ARE AFFECTED.

IT WAS EASIER FOR US TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST WHEN OUR EMPLOYMENT WAS FARMING AND PHYSICAL LABOR; BUT NOW, WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH MUCH MENTAL STRESS: ON THE JOB AND AT HOME. WE HAVE MACHINERY AND ALL KINDS OF APPLIANCES NOW, THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE OUR WORK EASIER BUT WE JUST SEEM TO “ADD-IT-ON” INSTEAD OF REST WHILE WE CAN.

SOME YEARS BACK, I HAD AN ILLNESS, THAT REQUIRED MUCH REST AND SLEEP.  I QUICKLY NOTICED HOW THE NAPS I WAS TAKING WERE HEALING. IWAS WEARING OUT MY BODY AND WAS ALL STRESSED-OUT.

SLEEP IS DEFINED AS A STATE OF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL UNCONSCIOUSNESS.

IN THE SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21 REFERENCES, AND MAYBE MORE, REFERRING TO SLEEP OR THE LACK OF IT.

SLEEP IS DESCRIBED AS SLUMBER IN PROVERBS 6:4,10.          PROVERBS 3:24, IT IS DESCRIBED AS SWEET – WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID: YEA, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN, AND THY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. HERE, IT SAYS…THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID…

SO WE MUST ASSUME, FEAR KEEPS SOME FROM HAVING SWEET SLEEP.

VERSE 25 – BE NOT AFFRAID OF SUDDEN FEAR , NEITHER OF THE DESOLATION OF THE WICKED, WHEN IT COMETH; AND VERSE 26 READS –  FOR THE LORD SHALL BE THY CONFIDENCE, AND SHALL KEEP THY FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.

MANY PEOPLE ARE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, AND FEAR BRINGS WITH IT TORMENT. WE ARE TOLD IN THE BIBLE, THAT FEAR IS A SPIRIT; IT IS A HARASSING DEMON THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM BEING AT PEACE SO THEY CAN’T ENJOY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

SOMETIMES GOD USES THE LACK OF SLEEP FOR HIS PURPOSE:               IN DANIEL 8:18, DANIEL WAS GIVEN A PROPHETIC VISION IN HIS SLEEP: – NOW AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH ME, I WAS IN A DEEP SLEEP ON MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND: BUT HE TOUCHED ME ND SET ME UPRIGHT  ( OR MADE ME STAND UP).

IN DANIEL 2:1, WE SEE WHERE THE INABILITY TO SLEEP IS CAUSED BY WORRY – NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED DREAMS…WHEREIN HIS SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED, AND SLEEP BROKE FROM HIM (HE COULD NOT SLEEP). WORRY CAN CAUSE ANY OF US TO HAVE INSOMNIA. IN ESTHER 6:1, THE KING COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE GOD WANTED HIM TO READ THE BOOK OF CHRONICLES.

INTERCESSORS AND MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, CAN’T SLEEP BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN MIND: MOSTLY, SO THEY CAN PRAY AND INTERCEDE ABOUT SOMETHING OR FOR SOMEONE.

PETER WAS FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON (DUNGEON). JAMES HAD ALREADY BEEN BEHEADED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL, AND PETER WAS NEXT IN LINE: ACTS 12:1-11 – NOW ABOUT THAT TIME HEROD THE KING, STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS TO  VEX CERTAIN OF THE CHURCH. AND HE KILLED JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN WITH THE SWORD. AND BECAUSE HE SAW IT PLEASED THE JEWS, HE PROCEEDED FURTHER TO TAKE PETER ALSO. (THEN WERE THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD).  AND WHEN HE HAD APPREHENDED HIM , HE PUT HIM IN PRISON, AND DELIVERED HIM TO FOUR QUATERNIONS OF SOLDIERS TO KEEP HIM; INTENDING  AFTER EASTER (PASSOVER) TO BRING HIM FORTH TO THE PEOPLE. PETER THEREFORE WAS KEPT IN PRISON; BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM. AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH, THE SAME NIGHT PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS: AND THE KEEPERS BEFORE THE DOOR KEPT THE PRISON.

     AND BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON: AND HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP, SAYING, ARISE UP QUICKLY. AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF FROM HIS HANDS. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HIM, GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDELS. AND SO HE DID. AND HE SAITH UNTO HIM, CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE, AND FOLLOW ME. AND HE WENT OUT, AND FOLLOWED HIM; AND WIST NOT THAT IT WAS TRUE WHICH WAS DONE BY THE ANGEL; BUT THOUGHT HE SAW A VISION. WHEN THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND SECOND WARD THEY CAME UNTO THE IRON GATE THAT LEADETH INTO THE CITY; WHICH OPENED TO THEM OF HIS OWN ACCORD. AND THEY WENT OUT, AND PASSED ON THROUGH THE STREET; AND FORTHWITH THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM. AND WHEN PETER WAS COME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, NOW I KNOW OF A SURETY, THAT THE LORD SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HATH DELIVERED ME OUT OF THE HAND OF HEROD, AND FROM ALL THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWS.

THIS WAS A TRYING TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHERE THE CHURCH WAS GOING THROUGH HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION. WE FIND PETER FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON.

BECAUSE HEROD, THE KING, SAW HOW IT PLEASED THE JEWS TO WATCH JAMES BE KILLED BY THE SWORD, THAT HE DECIDED PETER WOULD BE NEXT: AFTER THE PASSOVER.

SOMETIMES WE FIND IT HARD TO SLEEP AFTER WE HAVE PASSED THROUGH A TRIAL DURING THE DAY OR WE ATE PIZZA LATE IN THE EVENING.

THIS STORY OF PETER AMAZES ME BECAUSE PETER KNEW WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE THE NEXT MORNING, YET WE FIND HIM THE NIGHT BEFORE WHE WAS TO BE EXECUTED, AN A DEEP SLEEP, CHAINED BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, AND GUARDED WELL.

HEROD’S GREAT DESIRE TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE BY GIFTS AND SHOWS OF BLOOD TO WIN THEIR FAVER, HAD BEEN FOILED. HE WAS PLANNING TO BRING PETER UP ONTO A STAGE OR SOME HIGH GROUND WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HIM CONDEMNED WHICH WOULD BE AS GOOD THEM AS A GLADIATORIAL SLAUGHTER TO A ROMAN AUDIENCE.

THIS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS JUST THE RIGHT TIMING FOR A MIRACULOUS EVEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. WHEN THE BATTLE SEEMS THE HOTTEST, THE VICTORY IS USUALLY THE SWEETEST.

SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT SHOWN IN THE PRISON! THE ANGEL HAD TO AWAKE PETER OUT OF A VERY DEEP SLEEP AND RESCUE HIM AS THE SOLDIERS SLEPT ON DUTY. THIS, BY THE WAY, IS AN UNFORGIVABLE ACTION OF A SOLDIER. THIS WAS HIS DEATH WARRENT.

WHY DID PETER HAVE SUCH A CALM DEEP SLEEP ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS INTENDED DEATH? BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD, AND KNEW IT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BATTLE GOING ON FOR HIS LIFE. PETER LIVED WHAT HE TAUGHT THE CHURCH.

WE LEARN SWEET SLEEP AND REST FROM THESE GREAT SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS; BUT THERE IS ONE MORE WAY WE LEARN: AND THAT IS THROUGH EXPERIENCING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH OUR BEING TESTED.

LAST NIGHT I WAS STUNG IN THREE PLACES ON MY BODY BY A SCORPION IN BED DURING MY SLEEP. THE LAST TWO STINGS CAUSED ME TO JUMP OUT OF BED AND TURN ON THE LIGHT. THERE HE WAS, A BROWN SCORPION, READY TO STING AGAIN. MY HUSBAND SOON CAPTURED MY LITTLE ENEMY, AND I WENT BACK TO BED, AFTER CHECKING FOR MORE OF HIS LITTLE SCORPION FRIENDS. —-DID THIS KEEP ME AWAKE? NO! —-I WENT BACK TO SLEEP, LEAVING MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE ONE WHO IS FAITHFUL: MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. 

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Articles, Roy Porter

HOW TO BE FREE

| Roy

JOHN 8:31,32  THEN SAID JESUS UNTO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED.

AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.

TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST LOVE THE WORD OF GOD, THEY LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD.

DISCIPLES OF JESUS HAVE A RELATONSHIP WITH THEIR MASTER.

I REMEMBER HOW BOUND I WAS WHEN I FULLY GAVE MY LIFE TO JESUS.

AS THE HOLY SPIRIT LED ME INTO THE PATH OF THE WORD OF GOD, MAJOR CHANGE TOOK PLACE IN MY LIFE. THE THINGS THAT I USE TO LOVE I BEGAN TO HATE AND THE THINGS I USE TO HATE I BEGAN TO LOVE.

THE TRUTH OF THE CRUCIFIED RESURRECTED CHRIST BECAME REALITY IN MY LIFE.

I BECAME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, A DISCIPILINED FOLLOWER OF MY LORD.

DISCIPLES MAKE DISCIPLES  WHO MAKE DISCIPLES.

JESUS CALLED US TO BE DISCIPLES THAT WE MIGHT HELP OTHERS TO BECOME DISCIPLES.

IF WE DON’T ALLOW GOD’S PROCESS BY CONTINUING IN THE WORD OF GOD WE WILL NEVER BE FREE OURSELVES. IF WE DON’T CONTINUE TO LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD, WE NEVER CHANGE AND WE NEVER TOUCH OTHER PEOPLES LIVES THROUGH WHAT GOD WAS ALLOWED TO DO IN US .

IF WE BECOME FREE, WE CAN LEAD OTHERS INTO DISCIPLESHIP.

WE WERE BORN TO IMPACT THIS WORLD WITH THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

WE WERE ALL BORN TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD THROUGH PRECEPT AND CONDUCT. 

 

 

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE MEANEST AND THE BADEST

| Jeanette

THE SCRIPTURES RECORD MANY WHO WERE DEMON POSSESSED AND HAD ALL KINDS OF DISEASES THAT ARE INCURABLE, BUT ALL OF THESE ARE NO MATCH FOR JESUS. HE SOUGHT AFTER THEIR SOULS.

MANY CHRISTIANS ARE BOUND-UP WITH THINGS THAT KEEP THEM FROM GOD’S BEST FOR THEM. 

JOHN 4:9-14 – THUS SAITH THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA UNTO HIM, HOW IS IT THAT THOU BEING A JEW, ASKETH DRINK OF ME, WHICH AM A WOMAN  OF SAMARIA? FOR THE JEWS HAVE NO DEALINGS WITH THE SAMARITANS.

THIS WOMAN KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JESUS, SHE JUST KNEW HE WAS A MAN, ALTHOUGH SHE DID BELIEVE THE MESSIAH WAS TO COME. BEING A SAMARITAN, SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY A JEW  WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER, MUCH LESS TALK TO HER.

JESUS HAD A PLAN IN MIND. HE DELIBERATELY WENT THROUGH SAMARIA FOR THIS REASON; TO TALK TO HER. HE WAS ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, EVEN IN HIS DEATH.

HE COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER ROUTE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR HIM, BUT HE HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT UP THE ROAD.

THERE WAS A GREAT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE SAMARITANS CONCERNING WHERE THEY SHOULD WORSHIP.

BUT JESUS HAD A GREATER MISSION THERE THAN JUST ONE WOMAN. HE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING REVIVAL TO THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA.

HE WAS ABOVE ALL PREJUDICE.

HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN WHERE TO WORSHIP, AS WHERE THE JEWS AND SAMARITANS, BECAUSE THE WORSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE. IT WOULD BE IN THE HEARTS OF THE BELIEVERS: THE JEW FIRST, AND THEN THE GENTILES.

MANY TIMES WE DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE CROSSING OVER HE PREJUDICE BARRIERS TO WITNESS JESUS TO THOSE WE CONSIDER OUR ENEMY, OR DIFFERENT FROM US. THEIR CUSTOMS SOMETIMES TURN US OFF, AND WE ARE SOMETIMES INDIFFERENT TOWARDS THEM, MAYBE EVEN AFRAID OF THEM.

JESUS BEGAN TO TELL THE WOMAN ABOUT HER LIFE THROUGH THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE. SHE HAD A BAD REPUTATION, AND ONLY THE MEN WOULD TALK TO HER.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT? SHE CAME TO THE WELL ALONE, NOT LIKE THE CUSTOMARY TIME OF THE DAY WHEN THE WOMEN GATHERED TO DRAW WATER.

JESUS GAVE HER THAT LIVING WATER THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE WELL, IT WAS EVERLASTING LIFE!! SHE WENT AWAY WITHOUT HER WATERPOT, AND BROUGHT OTHERS TO THAT WATER THAT WAS NOT FROM THE WELL, AND THEY CAME TO JESUS AND RECEIVED SALVATION.

WE AS BELIEVERS ARE TOLD IN MATTHEW 28:19, TO …GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS… BUT SOMETIMES WE SHUN THOSE OF WHICH GOD REALLY WANTS US TO WITNESS.

THE MOST UNLIKELY ONE’S ARE THOSE WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CATCH IN GOD’S KINGDOM.

HERE, I AM REMINDED OF A MISSIONARY TRIP, WHEN BEFORE GOING, I PRAYED, “GOD, GIVE US THE SOULS OF THE ‘MEANEST AND BADEST’ (WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD ENGLISH, BY THE WAY), BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT’S THE WAY I PRAYED. 

WE WERE HAVING A TENT REVIVAL IN SOTO, A VILLAGE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

THE SERVICES WERE GOING WONDERFUL. GOD WAS MOVING.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN!!  – THERE WAS A LOUD COMMOTION. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I WAS ERNESTLY PRAYING FOR A LADY WHO WANTED TO GET SAVED  AND WANTED PRAYER FOR HER HURT LEG.

I WAS STILL PRAYING FOR HER LEG WHEN MY HUSBAND AND BILL POSEY YELLED TO US TO GET OUT OF THE TENT AND RUN INTO THE FIELD  BEHIND THE TENT.

ROCKS WERE SAILING INTO THE TENT WITH MIGHTY FORCE!!

SOME OF OUR FRIENDS HAD COME TO THE REVIVAL WITH THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS. THEIR WINDSHIELDS GOT IN THE LINE OF FIRE, AND WERE CRASHED AND SHATTERED.

SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN FIGHTING, WERE INTOXICATED.

WE FOUND OUT LATER FROM MISSIONARY MITCH MARTINEZ, THEY WERE TWO FACTIONS ROCK BATTLEING, AND WE JUST SEEMED TO BE IN THEIR CROSSFIRE.

THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE RUSHED INTO VEHICLES AND SPED OFF, AWAY FROM DANGER.

I NOTICED MY HUSBAND, ROY PORTER, BILL , JERKED OUT TWO TENT POSTS, AND WERE READY FOR CONFRONTATION IF NEEDED BE.

THE NEXT NIGHT, ONE OF OUR FRIENDS, MIRIAM SANCHEZ, WENT TO THE POLICE AND ARRIVED WITH THREE POLICEMEN. ONE OF THEM WAS VERY BIG AND HAD KILLED SOME PEOPLE, SO HIS REPUTATION WAS WELL KNOWN AMONG THE PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING WENT WELL THAT NIGHT, AND THE POLICEMEN GOT SAVED.

THE THIRD NIGHT, WE HAD NO POLICEMEN. I GUESS THE POLICE THOUGHT WE DIDN’T NEED ANY BECAUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS QUIET.

MY HUSBAND SPOTTED SOME OF THE ROCK THROWERS GATHER AROUND IN VARIOUS PLACES, SPREADING-OUT,  HE HAD NO GUN, SO HE ASKED THE MISSIONARY FOR THIS WOODEN BRUSH. HE WRAPPED A HANKIE AROUND IT, AND STUFFED IT INTO HIS POCKET. IT REALLY DID LOOK LIKE A GUN.

THE WORD GOT AROUND, “THE PASTOR HAS A GUN.”

SOME SAID, “THE PASTOR????

HE ASKED SANDRA SLIGH TO PREACH FOR HIM, SO HE COULD KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS AND I WAS TO GIVE THE ALTER CALL IN WHICH ONE OF THE FACTION WHICH WAS INTOXICATED, GAVE HIS HEART TO CHRIST.

SOON AFTER, I SAW MY HUSBAND WITH TWO MORE. HE SAT THEM DOWN IN CHAIRS AND BEGAN TO TALK TO THEM, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DEALING WITH THEIR HEARTS.

BOTH YOUNG MEN GAVE THEIR HEARTS TO JESUS, AND SHORTLY AFTER, ONE OF THEM PULLED OUT A BUTCHER KNIFE AND HANDED IT TO ROY.

HE STILL TODAY HAS THAT BRUSH AND KNIFE IN HIS STUDY.

SEVERAL OF THE ROCK THROWERS GOT SAVED, AND STARTED A BASEBALL TEAM. I’M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT FABULOUS BASEBALL PLAYERS THE DOMINICANS ARE!

THE NEXT YEAR WENT THERE, AND PRESENTED THOSE GUYS A BOX OF BASEBALLS, AND THEY, IN TURN, PRESENTED ROY WITH A BASEBALL OF ALL THEIR SIGNATURES, WHICH STILL IS A PRIZED POSESSION OF HIS.   NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!! 

 

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Articles, Roy Porter

THE SLEEPING PRIEST

| Roy

1 SAMUEL  3:1-14   AND THE CHILD SAMUEL MINISTERED UNTO  THE LORD BEFORE ELI. AND THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS PRECIOUS IN THOSE DAYS: THERE WAS NO OPEN VISION.

AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, WHEN ELI WAS LAID DOWN IN HIS PLACE, AND HIS EYES BEGAN TO WAX DIM, THAT HE COULD NOT SEE.

AND ERE THE LAMP OF GOD WENT OUT IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, WHERE THE ARK OF GOD WAS, AND SAMUEL WAS LAID DOWN TO SLEEP.

AND THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL: AND HE ANSWERED, HERE I AM.

AND HE RAN UNTO ELI, AND SAID, HERE AM I; FOR THOU CALLEST ME, AND HE SAID, I CALLED NOT: LIE DOWN AGAIN, AND HE WENT AND LAY DOWN.

AND THE LORD CALLED YET AGAIN, SAMUEL AND SAMUEL AROSE  AND WENT TO ELI, AND SAID, HERE AM I; FOR THOU DIDST CALL ME. AND HE ANSWERED, I CALLED NOT, MY SON; LIE DOWN AGAIN.

NOW SAMUEL DID NOT YET KNOW THE LORD, NEITHER WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD YET REVEALED UNTO HIM.

AND THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL  AGAIN THE THIRD TIME, AND HE AROSE AND WENT TO ELI, AND SAID HERE AM I, FOR THOU DIDST CALL ME, AND ELI PERCEIVED THAT THE LORD HAD CALLED THE CHILD.

THEREFORE ELI SAID UNTO SAMUEL, GO, LIE DOWN: AND IT SHALL BE, IF HE CALL THEE, THAT THOU SHALT SAY, SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH, SO SAMUEL WENT AND LAY DOWN IN HIS PLACE.

AND THE LORD CAME, AND STOOD, AND CALLED AS AT OTHER TIMES, SAMUEL, SAMUEL, THEN SAMUEL ANSWERED, SPEAK; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH.

AND THE LORD SAID TO SAMUEL, BEHOLD, I WILL DO A THING IN ISRAEL, AT WHICH BOTH THE EARS OF EVERY ONE THAT HEARETH IT SHALL TINGLE.

IN THAT DAY I WILL PERFORM AGAINEST ELI ALL THINGS WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN CONCERNING HIS HOUSE: WHEN I BEGIN, I WILL ALSO, MAKE AND END.

FOR I HAVE TOLD HIM THAT I WILL JUDGE HIS HOUSE FOR EVER FOR THE INQUITY WHICH HE KNOWETH; BECAUSE HIS SONS MADE THEMSELVES VILE, AND HE RESTRAINED THEM NOT.

AND THEREFORE I HAVE SWORN UNTO THE HOUSE OF ELI, THAT THE INQUITY OF ELI’S HOUSE SHALL NOT BE PURGED WITH SACRIFICE NOR OFFERING FOR EVER.

THIS LOOK’S LIKE THE CHURCH IN AMERICA, THERE IS ANOTHER GOSPEL BEING PREACHED IN AMERICA. IT IS A SOFT GOSPEL OF NO REPENTANCE.

JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHED REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.

JESUS PREACHED REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PRESENT.

JESUS PREACHED TO MOST OF THE CHURCHS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION REPENT.

JESUS SAID HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHS.

TODAY MANY LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE FLESH, AND THE FALSE PROPHETS SAY OF THE CHURCH TODAY, I AM RICH AND INCREASED WHIT GOODS AND ARE IN NEED OF NOTHING.

AMERICA NEEDS A REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE, WE LOOK FOR PREACHERS WITHOUT THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO KNOWS HOW TO PLAY GOLF AND TALK SPORTS.

THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD ANOINTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RARE TODAY EVEN ON TELEVISION.

WE ENJOY MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS TO STIRR OUR FLESH.

IN ELI’S DAY THE WORD OF GOD WAS RARE, VISIONS WERE INFREQUENT.

ELI WAS IN HIS PLACE, BUT HE WAS LYING DOWN.

HIS SPIRITUAL EYES HAD GROWN DIM.

ELI HAD LAID DOWN THE WORD, HIS EYES WERE DIM, WHEN GOD TRIED TO SPEAK, HE SPOKE TO SAMUEL NOT ELI.

ELI HAD TRAINED SAMUEL RELIGIOUS CERMONY BUT NOT HOW TO HEAR GOD.

THATS WHAT PREACHERS WHO COME OUT OF UNIVERSITYS, AND DONT KNOW HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD, THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO TRAIN OTHERS HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD.

WHEN YOU LAY DOWN THAT WHICH IS PRECIOUS, YOUR SPIRITUAL SIGHT GROWS DIM. YOUR VISION IS BLURRED, THEY BECOME FLESH PEOPLE WITH RELIGIOUS MIND SET.

THE LAMP GOES OUT, THERE IS NO ANOINTING, JESUS REDEEMS US, WITH THIS COMES RESPONABILITY TO KEEP THE LAMP BURNING. THE LAMP IS NOT SUPPOSE TO GO OUT. WE ARE TO KEEP OIL IN OUR LAMP.

ELI WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE VISION AND REVELATION, BUT HE WAS DISOBEDIENT, AND SPIRITUALLY LAZY. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY NOT RELATIONSHIP OR OBEDIENCE.

THINGS OF GOD HAD BECOME COMMON TO ELI.

DAVID ALSO GOT TO THIS PLACE. HE TRIED TO MOVE THE ARK WITH A PRAISE AND WORSHIP TEAM, MUSIC AND SHOUTING. DAVID DIDNT SEEK GOD’S WAY BUT MOVED THE ARK ON A NEW CART. DEATH CAME TO HIS EFFORT, CONFUSION AND FEAR, STOPPED DAVID.

THEN DAVID SOUGHT THE LORD, DAVID HAD TO GO TO THE WORD TO GET IT RIGHT.

NUMBERS AND NOISE DOESNT MEAN GOD APPROVES OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING.

I LIKE NUMBERS AND I LIKE NOISE, BUT I WANT A PASSION FOR THE ONE I AM PRAISING, I MUST LEARN HIS WAYS , DEVELOPE HIS NATURE AND CHARACTER IN ME, FIND HIS PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE AND OBEY HIM IN HOLY LIVING.

ELI’S FIRE HAD GONE OUT, NO ATTENTION TO THE NEED OF OIL.

NO MORE SPEAKING FOR GOD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SPEAKING TO GOD.

ELI DIDNT EVEN UNDERSTAND THE ANOINTING ON HANNAH, HE THOUGHT SHE WAS DRUNK.

SAMUEL DON’T KNOW GOD, AND GOD TRIES TO SPEAK TO HIM, ITS LIKE THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.

YOU CAN’T GIVE TO OTHERS WHAT YOU DON’T POSSESS. GOD SPOKE TO SAMUEL THREE TIMES.

FINALLY ELI REALIZED IT WAS GOD SPEAKING TO SAMUEL.

GOD TOLD SAMUEL I’M GOING TO DO A NEW THING IN ISRAEL.

WHEN GOD DOES A NEW THING HE JUDGES THE OLD.

GOD JUDGED EGYPT BEFORE HE MOVED ISRAEL TOWARD THE PROMISED LAND.

GOD JUDGED SAUL WHEN HE RAISED UP DAVID.

GOD JUDGED THE PHARISEES WHEN HE RAISED UP JESUS.

SOMETIMES WE WANT SOMETHING NEW FROM THE LORD, BUT WE HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL IN OUR PRESENT ASSIGNMENT.

THE CHURCH WANTS A NEW MOVE OF GOD, BUT THEY HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL IN THEIR PRESENT ASSIGNMENT. WE ARE SUPPOSE TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, BUT WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF OUR SUPER STAR PREACHERS. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE THE CHARACTER OF THEIR PREACHERS, INSTEAD OF THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST OUR KING.

I AM NOT A PROPHET, BUT WHEN GOD BEGANS TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT OUR SINS LIKE HE DID ELI, JUDGEMENT IS ABOUT TO COME.

IT GOT TO THE PLACE WITH ELI HE WAS NOT LISTENING, GOD RAISED UP A SAMUEL. GOD TOLD SAMUEL WHAT HE HAD SPOKEN TO ELI ABOUT AND HOW HE WAS GOING TO JUDGE HIM AND HIS HOUSE.

HE TOLD SAMUEL ABOUT ELI’S SINS, HIS REBELLION AND THE JUDGEMENT COMING.

THE AXE IS ABOUT TO FALL ON AMERICA, AND IT IS BECAUSE WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE GONE TO SLEEP CONCERNING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

ITS NOT THE JUDGES FAULT NOR THE POLITICIAN, ALLTHOUGH  GOD WILL JUDGE THEM FOR THEIR DECISIONS, ITS OUR FAULT FOR LACK OF PRAYER AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO STOP SATAN.

REVIVAL IS AMERICA’S ONLY HOPE.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY HAS TAKE OVER MAINLINE  DENOMINATIONS. SIN RULES IN THEIR LEADERSHIP.  LEADERS WHO DONT’ KNOW CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR. THEY RULE THROUGH SATANIC AUTHORITY AND DENY THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD.

THEY CALL GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD, THEY DO SOCIAL WORK BUT NO WORK OF THE CROSS.

I THANK THE LORD FOR THE REVIVAL GOING ON IN MOBILE ,ALABAMA. I HOPE THIS REVIVAL SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD.

2CHRONICLES 7:14 IF MY PEOPLE WHICH IS CALLED BY MY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.

HOW AMERICA NEEDS A HEALING IN OUR LAND. AFTER 9-11 OUR LEADERS PRAYED ON THE CAPITOL STEPS AND YET WE CAN’T PRAY IN OUR SCHOOLS IN JESUS NAME. THEY SANG GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD HAS ALREADY BLESSED AMERICA, AMERICA NEEDS TO BLESS GOD WHIT REPENTANCE.

I THOUGHT AFTER 9-11 WE WOULD HAVE REVIVAL, BUT THE CHURCHS FILLED UP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS AND THEN IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I THOUGHT IF THERE IS A RECESSION, PEOPLE WILL COME BACK TO GOD. BUT THAT DIDN’T WORK EITHER.

AMERICA WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

 

   

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WHAT IS THE ANOINTING?

| Jeanette

CHRIST MEANS “THE ANOINTED ONE.”

TO UNDERSTAND THE ANOINTING, WE MUST INVESTIGATE THE “ANOINTED ONE” – JESUS CHRIST.

LETS LOOK AT JOHN 1:32-34. WHEN “JOHN THE BAPTIST” BAPTIZED JESUS IN THE RIVER JORDAN  …THE SPIRIT DESCENDED AND REMAINED ON HIM…(I JOHN 1:33).

JOHN 3:34 DECLARES THAT JESUS HAD THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE. (WE DO NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE.)

LUKE 4:1,2 – SAYS …AND JESUS BEING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST RETURNED FROM JORDAN, AND WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS, BEING FORTY DAYS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL…

          JESUS WAS TEMPTED HERE WITH: THE LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYE, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, THE SAME WAY THE FIRST ADAM WAS, AND FAILED.

JESUS BEING THE SECOND ADAM DID NOT FAIL.

WE SEE HERE, AS SOON AS JESUS WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT HE FACED THE DEVIL HEAD-ON.

WE CALL THIS THE “TEMPTATION OF JESUS.”

THIS WAS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS MINISTRY TO BEGIN.

JESUS WAS ALWAYS SUBMITTED TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER.

AFTER DEFEATING THE DEVIL ON HIS OWN GROUND, VERSE 13-21 READS – AND WHEN THE DEVIL HAD ENDED ALL THE TEMPTATION, HE DEPARTED FROM HIM FOR A SEASON.

          AND JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT INTO GALILEE: AND THERE WENT OUT A FAME OF HIM THROUGH ALL THE REGION ROUND ABOUT. AND HE TAUGHT IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES …

HE NOW GOES BACK TO NAZARETH WHERE HE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP, …AND AS IT WAS HIS CUSTOM, HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND STOOD UP TO READ.

(WE SEE HERE HE WENT TO CHURCH WHERE HE TOOK AN ACTIVE PART.)

SOMEONE HANDED HIM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH.

HE OPENED THE BOOK AND FOUND THE PLACE WERE IT WAS WRITTEN IN ISAIAH 61:1,2:

          “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME” BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREAH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR: HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKEN-HEARTED, TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THEM THAT ARE BRUISED, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD (LUKE 4:18-19).

VERSE 21,32 – AND HE BEGAN TO SAY UNTO THEM, THIS DAY IS THIS SCRIPTURE FULFILLED IN YOUR EARS.

          AND THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE; FOR HIS WORD WAS WITH POWER.

IMMEDIATELY, THROUGH THE ANOINTING, HE CAST OUT AN UNCLEAN DEVIL, AND HIS MINISTRY “TOOK-OFF.”

NOW, WHAT ABOUT US, AS SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVERS?

          WHEN JESUS ASCENDED BACK INTO HEAVEN, HE SENT US THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO ARRIVED HERE TO ABIDE WITH US FOREVER, AND GIVES US POWER (JOHN 14:16; ACTS 1:8).

JOHN 14:12 – VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME, THE WORKS (GREEK, ERGON – TOIL {AS AN EFFORT OR OCCUPATION}; IMPLIES AN ACT, DOING, LABOUR OR WORK.)  THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO: AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO; BECAUSE I GO UNTO MY FATHER.

JESUS SENT US THE HOLY SPIRIT ANOINTING: TO CHANGE US INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST, WHO IS OUR PATTERN, AND THAT WE MIGHT DO THE WORKS OF CHRIST. 

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Articles, Roy Porter

WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN

| Roy

JOHN 3:36 – HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE: AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE: BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM.

1. WE CANNOT BE SAVED WITHOUT FAITH IN JESUS.

2. WE ARE MADE RIGHTEOUSS BY FAITH.

3. WE CANNOT PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH.

4. WE CANNOT OVERCOME THE WORLD WITHOUT FAITH.

5 WE CANNOT BE LIKE JESUS WITHOUT FAITH.

6. WE CANNOT BE VICTORIOUS IN WARFARE WITHOUT FAITH.

7. WE CANNOT PRAY WITH RESULTS WITHOUT FAITH.

8. WE CANNOT RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SRIRIT WITHOUT FAITH.

9. WE RECEIVE HEALING BY FAITH.

10. WE WORSHIP IN THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH.

11. WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN.

XTRACTSLOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. JESUS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH. HE IS THE FOUNDER OF OUR FAITH. FAITH IS HIDDEN IN THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE. TO THOSE WHO HAVE JESUS IN THEIR HEART, THE HOLY SPIRIT  EXTRACTS THAT FAITH FROM THE BIBLE AND PLACES IT IN OUR HEART. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A  PERSON TO  PRAY TO THE FATHER IN JESUS NAME AND READ THE BIBLE AND NOT BE FULL OF FAITH AND POWER. NATURAL FOOD PRODUCES  NATURAL STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO THE BODY. SPIRITUAL FOOD PRODUCES SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO STHE SPIRITUAL MAN. FAITH AND POWER COMES FROM EATING AT GOD’S TABLE OF PRAYER AND WORD.

JESUS IS THE ORINGINATOR OF FAITH. HE INITIATES FAITH IN THE HEART’S OF MAN. JESUS PERFECTS OUR FAITH, THE END RESULTS IS HIS CHARACTER, HIS INTEGRITY, HIS OBEDIENCE.

TRUE FAITH IS NOT A REBEL, BUT COMPLETE SURRENDER TO HEAVENS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES. THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

WE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, WE HAVE A JOB TO DO IT’S CALLED END TIME HARVEST.

WE BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS, WE HAVE A PURPOSE. THE  LEVEL OF WARFARE THAT IS TAKING PLACE AGAINEST CHRISTIANS IS PROOF JESUS IS COMING SOON. ARE WE TO HIDE IN A CAVE OR TAKE THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD. THE REASON THE FATHER SENT HIS SON IS BECAUSE HE LOVE’S EVERY SINNER. BUT THEY MUST HEAR THE GOSPEL AND EITHER ACCEPT IT OR REJECT IT. WE ARE THE END TIME  MESSENGERS.  WE ARE THE JUST THAT LIVE BY FAITH.WHAT A BLESSING TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST AND HIS LOVE. WHAT A BLESSING TO SEE THE RESULTS OF FAITH, I HAVE SEEN HIS POWER IN OPERATION, BUT I HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET.    

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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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FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART II

| Roy

IN CONTINUING, “FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART I”, I FIND MYSELF STILL IN A PRISON, BUT THIS IS A STATE INSTITUTION CALLED PERRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, INSTEAD OF FEDERAL.

A GOOD FRIEND, WHO WAS ONCE AN “ACQUAINTANCE IN CRIME”, ZEB OSBORNE, WAS ON THE YARD AS A PRISON MINISTER, AND WE STARTED TALKING OLD TIMES AND OUR PAST.

I NOTICED SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT HIM. HE NEVER MENTIONED HE HAD GOTTEN SAVED, OR THAT I WAS ON MY WAY TO HELL. 

I THOUGHT HE HAD A POSITION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, SO I ASKED HIM TO HELP ME GET TRANSFERRD TO A BETTER INSTITUTION. HE DID, AND I WAS TRANSFERRED TO DUTCHMAN, AND THEN TO GOODMAN WHICH WAS AND IS A MEDIUM SECURITY INSTITUTION.

I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DRAWING ME INTO THE CHURCH SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS. ON MARCH THE 12TH, 1986, LIBERTY MINISTRIES CAME TO STEVENSON INSTITUTION FOR A CHURCH SERVICE THAT NIGHT.

I RODE IN THE PRISON TO STEVENSON CHURCH SERVICE MANY TIMES. WHEN THE ALTER CALL WAS MADE, I WOULD WANT TO GO DOWN TO THE ALTER, BUT MY HANDS WOULDN’T LET ME TURN LOOSE OF THE PEW IN FRONT OF ME. BUT THIS NIGHT, I LET GO, AND GAVE MY HEART TO JESUS.

WHEN I DID, THERE WAS DEFFINATELY A CHANGE IN MY LIFE. THE LORD PUT A HUNGER FOR HIS WORD IN MY HEART. WHEN I RETURNED BACK TO GOODMAN, AFTER THE SERVICE, I TOOK A PAPERBACK BOOK AND STUCK IT IN THE BLINDS TO CAUSE AN OPENING IN THE WINDOW FOR THE STREET LIGHT TO SHINE THROUGH. THIS WAS SO I COULD READ MY BIBLE. I READ MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE,  JOHN AND A PORTION OF ACTS.

SOMEHOW, I KNEW GOD HAD MORE FOR ME.

WHEN I WENT BACK TO CHURCH, MARCH THE 21ST, LIBERTY MINISTRIES WAS THERE AGAIN. PASTOR ROY PORTER JUST HAPPENED TO BE PREACHING ON THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST, AND I RECEIVED THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST THAT NIGHT. AND I TELL YOU, LIFE DON’T GET ANY BETTER THAN BEING SAVED AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY GJOST.

THINGS REALLY STARTED CHANGING IN MY LIFE. I WAS GOING UP FOR PAROLE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO I PRAYED ABOUT IT. MY FRIEND ZEB OSBORNE, SPOKE ON MY BEHALF AT THE PAROLE HEARING. THEY TOLD HIM HE WOULD NOT BE MAKING PAROLE. SO HE CAME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT NEWS, AND I TOLD HIM, “I DON’T ACCEPT THAT.” THEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GOD BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD. I ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY GAVE ME MY PAROLE!!!

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS WAS NOT MY FIRST TIME TO ASK THE LORD IN MY HEART: I WAS WAITING A NEW TRIAL FOR BANK ROBBERY, WHILE I WAS IN JAIL. I WAS READING THE BIBLE, OCCASIONALLY. THERE WERE NO PREACHERS COMING IN, SO I MOSTLY JUST READ. I THOUGHT I HAD GIVEN MY LIFE TO THE LORD, BUT IT WAS LIKE ALL THE TIMES I ASKED THE LORD TO HELP ME, AND I’D NEVER DO IT AGAIN, BUT I DID DO IT AGAIN.

I WAS JUST WANTING HIM TO HELP ME OUT OF A SITUATION.

IT’S WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT A LOT, “JAILHOUSE SALVATION.” IT DOESN’T STICK. YOU ARE STILL ON YOUR WAY TO HELL, I’M SORRY TO SAY.

BUT IT HAS TO BE THE REAL DEAL.

WHEN I GOT OUT OF PRISON, GOD REALLY STARTED MOVING I MY LIFE. SOMEONE WAS PAYING FOR MY COLLEGE TUITION AT ERSKINE THEOLOGICAL SIMINARY. I WENT ONE SEMESTER AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD EXPELLED ANOTHER STUDENT WHO WAS WORKING ON HIS MINISTRY LISCENSE FOR PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST, AND I KNEW IT WASN’T THE PLACE FOR ME TO BE, SO I LEFT.

I WAS AT HOME ON MY KNEES PRAYING AND WORSHIPPING AND ASKING GOD TO SEND A COMPANION IN MY LIFE. I HAD NOR MORE THAT GOT THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH, THAN I HEARD A KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR. IT WAS MY EXWIFE. WE HAD BEEN DIVORCED 14 YEARS. SHE WAS SAVED, AND LIVING FOR THE LORD. WE SHORTLY REMARRIED. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS PRAYING AND ASKED THE LORD FOR A SON: THREE WEEKS LATER I FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT. IN ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS, I FOUND OUT IT WAS A BOY. GOD IS GOOD.

GOD PLACED ME IN A MINISTRY OF GOING BACK INTO THE PRISONS TO MINISTER TO THE INMATES OF ALL AGES.

GOD HAS TAKEN ME TO PLACES I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD GO. I HAVE MINISTED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. WHAT A JOY IT HAS BEEN TO SEE PEOPLE GET SAVED AND HEALED.

I HAVE A TRIP COMING UP JANUARY 2011 TO GO BACK TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I NEED YOUR PRAYERS. 

I AM OPEN TO GO INTO PRISONS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS THE LORD LEADS AND PROVIDES.

O HOW WONDERFUL IT IS FOR YOU IF JESUS IS IN YOUR HEART!! AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW JESUS, YOU CAN ASK HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE. REALLY MEAN IT AND HE WILL COME IN. IT WOULD BE THE GREATEST THING YOU COULD EVER DO.

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