Tag: life

Articles, Roy Porter

JESUS WILL MAKE A HOLE IN YOUR WALL

| Roy

LUKE 7:11-15   AND IT CAME TO PASS THE DAY AFTER, THAT HE WENT INTO A CITY CALLED NAIN; AND MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES WENT WITH HIM, AND MUCH PEOPLE.

NOW WHEN HE CAME NIGH TO THE GATE OF THE CITY, BEHOLD THERE WAS A DEAD MAN CARRIED OUT, THE ONLY SON OF HIS MOTHER, AND SHE WAS A WIDOW; AND MUCH PEOPLE OF THE CITY WAS WITH HER.

AND WHEN THE LORD SAW HER, HE HAD COMPASSION ON HER, AND SAID UNTO HER,WEEP NOT.

AND HE CAME AND TOUCHED THE BIER: AND THEY THAT BARE HIM STOOD STILL, AND HE SAID, YOUNG MAN I SAY UNTO THE ARISE.

AND HE THAT WAS DEAD SAT UP, AND BEGAN TO SPEAK, AND HE DELIVERED HIM TO HIS MOTHER.

NAIN MEANS BEAUTY, ALL OF THIS BEAUTY HAPPEN AT A GATE.

GATES ARE OPENING’S EITHER TO ENTER OR EXIT.

GATES ARE HOLES IN WALLS.

HAS YOUR BACK EVER BEEN AGAINEST THE WALL.

GATES ARE OPPORTUNITES TO GO THROUGH SOMETHING, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL PASSED THROUGH A GATE OR HOLE IN THE RED SEA.

JESUS IS PRESENT, HE WILL MAKE A HOLE IN YOUR WALL.

WHEN THE DISCIPLES, THE OTHER’S FOLLOWING JESUS, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS OVER FOR THIS DEAD MAN. HIS LIFE WAS HISTORY.

THIS MAN’S OWN MOTHER THOUGHT HIS LIFE WAS HISTORY, BUT JESUS HAD A PLAN AT THE GATE, JESUS MAD A HOLE IN THE WALL OF DEATH FOR THIS MAN.

PROBABLY PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS OVER FOR YOU. BUT JESUS MET YOU AT THE GATE OF DEFEAT AND DEATH TO YOUR DREAMS AND VISIONS AND MADE A HOLE IN YOUR WALL. JESUS WILL MAKE A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY, HE IS THE RESURRECTION AND WILL BRING LIFE TO THINGS THAT LOOK DEAD.

YOUR PROPHECY, YOUR DREAM OR VISION FROM GOD WILL COME TO PASS. IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER IF IT LOOKS DEAD, THOUGH IT TARRY IT WILL COME.

THE APPERANCE OF SOMETHING ENDING, CAN BE THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING GREATER.

THE DEAD MAN IS ABOUT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY. YOU ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY, JESUS IS ABOUT TO MAKE A HOLE IN THE WALL THAT YOUR BACK IS AGAINEST.

THE DEAD MAN WAS CARRIED OUT OF THE GATE, BUT WAS ABOUT TO WALK BACK INTO THE PLACE HE WAS CARRIED OUT OF.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE THOUGHTS OF THE MOTHER, THE GREIF AND THE FEAR THAT GRIPPED HER MIND AND EMOTION’S, SHE WAS A WIDOW AND THIS WAS HER ONLY SON. SATAN HAD A MIND HE COULD TORRMENT, BUT JESUS MADE A HOLE IN HER WALL, HER BACK WAS AGAINEST THE WALL, BUT JESUS MET HER AT HER NEED.

JESUS HAD COMPASSION, JESUS SAID DON’T WEEP. THERE IS A TIME TO CRY. WEEP BUT DON’T GET UP WITH UNBELIEF, JESUS IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETHIN US.

JESUS BEGAN TO WALK TOWARD THE DEAD BODY. THIS IS A MORTICIAN’S GREATEST NIGHTMARE, YOU CAN’T EVEN FINISH A FUNERAL ,IF JESUS IS AROUND.

THE FIRST ONE JESUS TOUCHED WAS THE ONE CARRYING THE DEAD THING, THE BODY.

IF WE ARE CARRYING DEAD DREAM’S, CALLING’S, PROMISES OR VISION’S, JESUS WILL FIRST TOUCH US AND THEN HE WILL SPEAK TO THE VISION IN SIDE US , HE WILL RENEW THAT DEAD THING, HE WILL RESURRECT IT WITH FRESH FIRE.

THE ANOINTING CAUSES US TO STOP AND STAND STILL, WE FILL THAT POWER SURGE, WE STOP OUR EFFORTS AND DISTRESS AND YIELD TO THE SHIFT OF FOCUS. THE FOCUS IS BACK ON JESUS, AS I KEEP MY EYES ON HIM I SHALL NEVER SINK, HE WILL GET ME TO THE OTHER SIDE. MY PURPOSE WILL BE FULFILLED, MY DREAM AND VISIONS FROM GOD WILL BE FULFULLED.

YOUNG MAN I  SAY UNTO YOU. JESUS SPOKE TO HIM, HE WAS DEAD, HE COULDN’T RESPOND WITH FAITH, BUT JESUS IS SPEAKING TO EVERYTHING IN YOU THAT IS DEAD, ARISE, GET UP, COME TO LIFE. THE POWER IS IN HIS SPEAKING.

THE HOLY GHOST IS SPEAKING TO YOU NOW, YOU MAY BE TO DISCOURAGED TO MANIFEST ANY FAITH, BUT THAT’S OK, JESUS IS SPEAKING TO THOSE THING’S IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU FILL WILL NEVER HAPPEN. JESUS IS SAYING ARISE, RESURRECT BY THE POWER OF GOD, NOT YOUR POWER. YOU MAY FILL LIKE ASHES, BUT JESUS IS SPEAKING TO YOUR CORPSE SND SAYING COME ALIVE.

THIS YOUNG SAT UP AND BEGAN TO SPEAK, YOUR GOD GIVEN DREAM WILL SAT UP AND TALK AGAIN.

CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE YOUNG MAN SAID, CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT YOUR GOD GIVEN DREAM  IS GOING TO SPEAK. LET IT SPEAK LIFE TO MANY, IT IS ALIVE AGAIN, PRAISE THE LORD.   

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

IF YOU SAY IT YOU MUST BELIEVE IT

| Jeanette

THE LORD SAID TO ME, “YOU KNOW HOW I MOVE ON YOU, BUT YOU ARE NOT IN A PLACE TO JUDGE ANY OF MY REASONS FOR DOING WHAT I DO. THERE IS SOMETHING I WANT TO SHOW YOU ABOUT MY WAYS THAT WILL BEGIN TO UNLEASH THOSE DESIRES FOR SERVICE IN YOU. YOU SAW WHAT I DID FOR THAT WOMAN LAST NIGHT ON TV, WHO FELL SUCH A LONG DISTANCE DOWN, AND THE MIRACLES THAT SURROUNDED HER FALL. WELL, SHE KNEW MY WORD, AND CLAIMED IT EVEN WHEN SHE WAS NOT IN TROUBLE, AS THOUGH SHE COULD BE. IT WAS A FEAR FOR HER THAT SHE COULD GET INTO TROUBLE SOMEHOW, BUT, NEVERTHELESS, SHE HAD MY WORD AND EVEN USED IT IN HER TROUBLE. SHE NOW HAS A FIRE FOR MINISTRY. SHE HAS A SUPERNATURAL TRUST IN ME THAT WAS RELEASED AS SHE SPOKE AND CLAIMED MY WORD IN HER SITUATION OF LIFE, AND DEVELOPED A SUPERNATURAL REALM OF FAITH.

WHAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU, IS THAT WHAT YOU SAY IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT. TO DEVELOPE THIS IN YOUR LIFE, I WANT YOU TO BEGIN A MESSAGE CALLED: IF YOU SAY IT YOU MUST BELIEVE IT.”

“TURN IN YOUR BIBLE AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE VERSES TO START WITH. I LOVE YOU AND I WILL DEVELOPE YOU INTO WHAT I WANT YOU TO BE. TRUST ME, I AM YOUR LORD, AND GOD. I BLESS THIS MESSAGE..”

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT COME OUT OF OUR MOUTH’S THAT WE DON’T REALLY BELIEVE WHEN WE SAY THEM, BUT WHEN WE BELIEVE WHAT WE SAY, WE HAVE THE RECIPE FOR ACTION TO TAKE PLACE. IT WILL HAPPEN!

MARK 11:22,23 – AND JESUS ANSWERING SAITH UNTO THEM, HAVE FAITH IN GOD.

          FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY UNTO THIS MOUNTAIN, BE THOU REMOVED, AND BE THOU CAST INTO THE SEA; AND SHALL NOT DOUBT IN HIS HEART, BUT SHALL BELIEVE THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH HE SAITH SHALL COME TO PASS; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH.

A MOUNTAIN, IS ANYTHING IN YOUR PATH THAT THAT BLOCKS YOU FROM REACHING THE GOALS YOU WANT OR NEED.

          …WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY UNTO THIS MOUNTAIN…I HEAR PEOPLE ALL THE TIME SAY, “YOU GET WHAT YOU SAY.” I’VE MADE THIS STATEMENT BEFORE MYSELF, BUT THANK GOD! I HAVEN’T GOTTEN EVERYTHING THAT HAS COME OUT OF MY MOUTH; AND NEITHER HAVE YOU!

THIS MIGHT SOUND LIKE A CONTRADICTION TO YOU, BUT WE ONLY GET WHAT WE SAY IF WE BELIEVE WHEN WE SAY IT, THAT IT WILL COME TO PASS.

WHEN THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT GOING ON, SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY WHAT THEY MEAN, AND THEY GET WHAT THEY SAY; AND SOMETIMES THEY SAYWHAT THEY DON’T MEAN, AND LATER, AFTER ALL IS OVER AND THE AIR SETTLES, EVEN IF THE HURT IS STILL THERE, THOSE PEOPLE DON’T GET WHAT THEY SAY.

A CHILD MIGHT SAY IN ANGER, “I WISH YOU WERE DEAD!!” OR “I HATE YOU!”  BUT MOST OF THE TIME, AFTER THEIR ANGER IS OVER, THEY ARE HUGGING AND SAYING, “I LOVE YOU.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

THEY DIDN’T LIKE WHAT WAS GOING ON, SO THEY SAID THOSE COMMON WORDS FOR A CHILD IN ANGER.

SINCE OUR UNIVERSE WAS CREATED WITH WORDS, AND ALSO, I BELIEVE THE LAST BATTLE WILL BE FOUGHT AND WON WITH WORDS COMING OUT OF THE MOUTH OF OUR KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

WORDS HAVE TO BE A POWER SOURCE OF ACTION.

WE CALL THE BOBLE THE WORD OF GOD, AND THIS IS TRUE, BECAUSE THE BIBLE MADE UP OF WORDS.

BUT  THE BIBLE DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER BOOKS, IS THAT IT IS SUPERNATURAL. IT IS INSPIRED BY GOD ALMIGHTY, AND THE WORDS WERE FORMED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON THOSE WHO PENNED THEM.

GOD BELIEVES WHAT HE SAYS, SO ALL OF IT HAS TO COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! AND IT IS CONTINUALLY COMING TO PASS.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE SECRET PLACE

| Jeanette

PSALM 91:1-4 – HE THAT DWELLETH IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.

I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS: MY GOD; IN HIM WILL I TRUST.

SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER, AND FROM THE NOISOME PESTILENCE.

HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS THOU SHALT TRUST: HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER.

BELOVED, DO YOU FEEL ALONE TODAY? LONGING FOR A TOUCH OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE? TODAY IS THAT DAY FOR YOU. GOD MADE THIS DAY, AND HE WILLS THAT YOU REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

NO. YOU CAN’T CHANGE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AROUND YOU, BUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER CAN, AND WILL. HE WILL GIVE YOU GRACE AND JOY YOU NEED FOR THE DAY.

BELOVED, BEGIN YOUR DAY IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE ALMIGHTY, AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WILL DEFINATELY ABIDE UNDER HIS SHADOW.

YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN.

YOU WILL NEVER FEEL FORSAKEN AGAIN.

TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL.

TURN YOUR DAY OVER TO HIM.

DON’T WASTE YOUR DAY WITH DOUBTS AND FEARS.

WHEN WE ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS.”

NOTHING WILL EVER COME YOUR WAY THAT GOD CAN’T TAKE CARE OF. HE NOT ONLY WANTS YOU TO GIVE YOUR TROUBLES OVER TO HIM; HE ALSO WANTS YOU TO LEAVE THEM WITH HIM, AND NOT TAKE THEM BACK AGAIN.

GOD’S PRESENCE IS THE ONLY REFUGE FROM TROUBLE.

HE ALONE HAS YOUR ANSWER.

…IN HIM WILL I TRUST OR CONFIDE… TELL HIM YOUR SITUATION. IT’S GOOD AT TIMES TO CONFIDE IN PEOPLE; BUT SOMETIMES THEY WILL BETRAY YOUR CONFIDENCE, BUT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL NEVER BETRAY YOU.

YOU CAN TRUST HIM TO SILENTLY BEGIN TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLRMS, AND GIVE YOU JOY ALL ALONG THE WAY THROUGH THEM: THE JOY IN KNOWING HE HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL.

…SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER… DO YOU KNOW THAT THE ENMY OF OUR SOUL, SATAN, HAS A SNARE OR TRAP FOR ALL OF US?

AS WE ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, HE WILL MAKE US AWARE OF (REVEAL TO US) THE TRAPS AND SNARES SATAN HAS PLANNED FOR US, PERSONALLY, SO WE CAN AVOID THEM.

SOME OF MY AUDIENCE ,POSSIBLY, IS INCARCERATED. YOUR BODY MAY BE LOCKED-UP, BUT YOUR SPIRIT CAN BE FREE, AND STAY FREE!

…HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE NOISOME PESTILANCE(RAGING EPIDEMIC)…

SARS IS THE MOST FEARED EPIDEMIC IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY, AND WE KNOW TERRORISM IS A GREAT POSSIBILITY.

WE NEED NOT FEAR. WE NEED ONLY TO ASK GOD FOR PROTECTION.

THE PROPHETS FORTOLD THE EPIDEMICS WOULD COME, AND WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS ARE ALL INEVITABLE.

I FEEL JESUS’ COMING IS SO SOON WE CAN ALMOST FEEL HIS BREATH SURROUND US.

…HE SHALL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS…

HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED A MOTHER HEN COVER HER CHICKS WITH HER FEATHERS?  IT IS A PRECIOUS SIGHT TO BEHOLD TO SEE HER LITTLE ONE’S RUN FAST TO GET UNDERNEATH HER FEATHERS. SHE DOES THIS WHEN DANGER IS NEAR.

WHEN YOU SEE TROUBLE COMING, DON’T RUN FROM GOD, BUT RUN TO GOD. GET SNUGGLED-IN UNDER HIS FEATHERS.

…AND UNDER HIS WINGS THOU SHALT TRUST…THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN A PROTECTING, SAVING LOVE.

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAT THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS (JOHN 15:13).

WE NOT ONLY HAVE PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES, BUT SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

PICTURE TO YOURSELF WHATWHAT THE SHELTER OF THE WING OF THE MOTHER HEN IS TO HER YOUNG, AND IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE PRECIOUS PROMISE OF OUR TEXT MEANS TO THE BELIEVER.

IT MEANS HAPPINESS, CONTENTMENT, AND COMFORT.

THEE SOUL IS HAPPY IN GOD.

OUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH GOD.

SEE HOW THE YOUNG BROOD ARE ARE HIDDEN UNDER THEIR MOTHER’S WINGS?  THE YOUNG BIRDS CAN FEEL THE BEAT OF THEIR MOTHER’S HEART.

THERE IS A NEARNESS TO THE HEART OF GOD.

SO THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE SHELTERED ONE, BEHOLDS AND FEELS THE HEART AND LOVE OF GOD.

THIS IS NOT PROMISED TO EVERYONE, BUT ONLY BELIEVERS WHO DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH.

YOU WHO ARE NOT A BELIEVER, AND YOU DESPERATELY WANT TO KNOW THIS KIND OF LOVE AND PROTECTION, PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME:   “JESUS, COME INTO MY HEART, AND SAVE MY SOUL. FORGIVE ME OF ALL MY SINS. I DESIRE TO SERVE YOU. I TURN MY LIFE OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME, AND I ASK YOU TO DELIVER ME FROM ALL UNFORGIVENESS OF OTHERS, AND FROM EVERY STRONGHOLD IN MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR SAVING AND DELIVERING ME. I AM SAVED!!! IN JESUS’ NAME.”

IF YOU PRAYED THIS PRAYER WITH ME, I NOW ASK YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP, AND MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS WEBSITE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD. YOU TOO ARE NOW GOD’S OWN. GOD BLESS YOU.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE TRIED

| Jeanette

BEING TRIED IS NOT THE EASIEST PART OF BEING A CHILD OF GOD.

WE ARE TRIED MANY TIMES BY THE USE OF FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, CHURCH MEMBERS, AND ENEMIES OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

WE ARE TRIED BY OUR OWN IMAGINATIONS GOING WILD.

WE ARE TRIED BY BY OUR REACTIONS TO CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE BATTLEFIELD AS WE SERVE THE LORD. BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS, I SAMUEL 17:47b – THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S.

WE DON’T HAVE TO FIGHT OUR BATTLES.

TRIALS COME, MY FRIEND, THEY COME.

BUT WE SHOULD REMEMBER: TRIALS ARE LIKE A TUNNEL. THEY HAVE A BEGINNING AND AN END. WE CAN SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF A TUNNEL. BUT WHILE GOING THROUGH A TUNNEL, THERE IS DARKNESS BEFORE THE LIGHT.

BUT AS CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE THE SENSE THAT WE ARE STILL MOVENG FORWARD, NO MATTER HOW DARK IT MAY SEEM.

THIS IS LIKE THE TIMES WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF BEING TRIED. WE REALIZE HOW POWERFUL THE GRACE OF GOD REALLY IS: HOW HE IS IN CHARGE, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO STRENGTH OF OUR OWN.

OUR TRUST CANNOT BE THE FLESH; FLESH WON’T HELP: IT HAS TO BE GOD WHO IS CARRYING US THROUGH.

PSALM 66:8-12 –  O BLESS OUR GOD, YE HIS PEOPLE, AND MAKE THE VOICE OF HIS PRAISE BE HEARD:

WHICH HOLDETH OUR SOUL IN LIFE, AND SUFFERETH NOT OUR FEET TO BE MOVED.

FOR THOU O GOD, HAST PROVED US; HAS TRIED US AS SILVER IS TRIED. 

SILVER, ACCORDING TO ANCIENT METHODS, REQUIRED A PROLONGED PROCESS OF REFINING BEFORE IT COULD BE PRONOUNCED PURE.

SO YOU COULD SAY IT THIS WAY, “YOU, THROUGH A LONG PROCESS, HAVE PURIFIED US WITH FIRE.”

VERSES 11,12 – THOU BROUGHTEST US INTO THE NET; THOU LAIDEST AFFLICTION UPON OUR LOINS. THOU HAST CAUSED MEN TO RIDE OVER OUR HEADS; WE WENT THROUGH THE FIRE AND THROUGH  WATER: BUT THOU BROUGHTEST US OUT INTO A WEALTHY PLACE. 

THE MEANING IS, YOU CRUSHED US DOWN UNDER A HEAVY WEIGHT, OR LAID GREAT BURDENS ON OUR BACKS. MEN CAME AGAINST US TO HARM US, BUT IN THE END, YOU BROUGHT US OUT INTO WEALTH AND GREAT ABUNDANCE, A PLACE OF REFRESHMENT, A PLACE OF LIBERTY.

VERSES 16-20 – COME AND HEAR, ALL YE THAT FEAR GOD, AND I WILL DECLARE WHAT HE HATH DONE FOR MY SOUL. I CRIED UNTO HIM WITH MY MOUTH, AND HE WAS EXTOLLED (OR CELEBRATED) WITH MY TONGUE.  

IN ALL THESE VERSES, IT SEEMS THE PSALMIST HAS BEEN THROUGH A TERRIBLE TRIAL. HE BEGAN TO PRAISE GO WITH HIS MOUTH AND TELL OTHERS HOW GOD BROUGHT HIM OUT.

BUT GOD DID MORE THAN JUST BRING HIM OUT OF HIS TRIAL, HE MOVED HIM INTO A PLACE OF REFRESHMENT, A PLACE OF LIBERTY, A PLACE OF BLESSING.

HE WAS ELEVATED INTO ANOTHER LEVEL WITH GOD BY THE PASSING OF THIS GREAT TRIAL.

I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENS TO US AFTER WE HAVE BEEN TRIED.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

LISTEN

| Jeanette

MANY OF US HAVE MUCH TO SAY; SOME MORE THAN OTHERS.

WE WANT TO BE HEARD.

LORD, HELP US TO LISTEN; HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING TO US, AND REALLY HEAR WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY.

WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SHARE THEIR HEART WITH US, WE SOMETIMES RATTLE-ON, GIVING ADVICE, WHEN WE ARE NOT REALLY HEARING WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

GUILTY? WELL, SO AM I.

WE WANT TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS FOR THEM.

IN COUNSELING, WE ARE TOLD NOT TO MAKE A QUICK JUDGMENT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE DISCUSSES THEIR PROBLEMS WITH US. LET THEM HAVE TIME TO HEAR THEMSELVES SPEAK IT OUT.

SOMETIMES, WHAT THEY HEAR FROM THEIR OWN MOUTH SOUNDS SILLY TO THEM AFTER THEY PUT IT IN WORDS. OCCASIONALLY, THEY SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEM BY WHAT THEY HEAR.

WE ARE TO LISTEN, SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR HEART IN WHAT THEY ARE  REALLY WANTING TO SAY WITHOUT STATING IT.

SOMETIMES, IT IS SO HARD TO SPEAK IT OUT.

A LISTENING EAR IS OF GREATER IMPORTANCE THAN A THOUSAND WORDS UTTERED TO THE PERSON DESIRING COUNSELING.

IF WE LISTEN, WE WILL HEAR.

EVERONE NEEDS A LISTENING EAR AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE.

I BELIEVE IF PARENTS WOULD LISTEN INSTEAD OF LECTURING THEIR TEEN, THEY WOULD LEARN A GREAT DEAL FROM WHAT THEY ARE NOT SAYING. THEY WILL BEGIN TO OPEN-UP AND SHARE THEIR HEART, AND FEARS WITH YOU.

DON’T GET SO BUSY THAT YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM. IF THEY OPEN-UP TO YOU, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO GUIDE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TEENS REALLY DO WANT THEIR PARENT’S APPROVAL; AND EVEN IF THEY SAY THEY DON’T WANT ATTENTION, THEY ARE ACTUALLY SAYING TO YOU, “I WONT ASK FOR IT, BUT I WILL DO ANYTHING I HAVE TO DO TO GET IT!”

MOST PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A MATTER; THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN.

AT TIMES, THEY HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP PREVIOUSLY, ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE THEY GET THERE, THEY JUST WANT TO SHARE IT WITH SOMEONE.

WHAT THEY ARE WANTING TO SAY, COMES OUT AFTER A WHILE, OR AFTER A FEW TIMES OF TALKING ABOUT IT. THEY START TO FEEL AT EASE WITH YOU AND SHARE WHAT IS ON THEIR HEART.

HAVING SOMEONE TO LISTEN IS OF GREAT VALUE TO A TROUBLED SOUL. IT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE COMMITTING SUICIDE, AND NOT COMMITTING SUICIDE

WE JUST DON’T KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO LISTEN.

TRY THIS EXPERIMENT: WHILE CARRYING ON A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE; STOP TALKING, AND LISTEN.

THE WORD LISTEN IS USED ONLY ONCE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, IN ISAIAH 49:1. IT IS A HEBREW WORD: SHAMA (SHAW-MAH’), WHICH MEANS TO HEAR INTELLIGENTLY, CAREFULLY, ATTENTIVELY. IT ALSO IMPLIES OBEDIENCE.

IN FIRST KINGS 8:30 – SOLOMON ASKED GOD, …AND HARKEN THOU TO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT, AND THY PEOPLE, ISRAEL, WHEN THEY SHALL PRAY TOWARD THIS PLACE: AND HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING PLACE: AND WHEN THOU HEAREST, FORGIVE. SOLOMON USED: HEARKEN, HEAR,HEAREST.

ALL THREE WORDS ARE DEFINED THE SAME AS THE WORD, LISTEN: TO HEAR CAREFULLY, INTELLIGENTLY, AND ATTENTIVELY. SO, LISTEN AND HEAR MEAN THE SAME IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS OUR MODERN LANGUAGE.

SO STOP TALKING, AND LISTEN, AND YOU WILL SEE GREAT RESULTS.

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Articles, Roy Porter

DON’T BE CONTENT WITH LESS

| Roy

Luke 11:13 – If ye then, being evil, know  how to give good gifts unto your children; How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask?

We are Gods children  if we have accepted Jesus as our saviour. We are told we can ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit. More of the Holy Spirit in our lives, means His power and influence is greater in measure inside  us.

His desires begin to consume our thoughts and wishes.

The glory of His presence is changing us and filling us with a hunger for His Word and even a greater thirst for His Spirit.

As the Holy Spirit directs me to his Word, I begin to understand the Lord’s purpose for my life.

Great faith and peace overcome my thoughts.

The Love of God overwhelms me. 

It now becomes easy to love those with whom I have a problem loveing.

His presence fills me with love.

The Holy Spirit will give us revelation of all things paid for by Jesus Christ, and belongs to us.

The Holy Spirit will not only reveal those things to us; but will show us how to believe and receive. 

I Corinthians 2:9-10 – But as it is written, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM. But God hath revealed them by His Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

The Holy Spirit will reveal to us the power, authority, and blessing we have in our spiritual birthright in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit can do so much and longs to do it for us.

I Corinthians 3:21b – For all things are yours.

Ephesians 3:20 – Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

That power is the Holy Spirit.

We must be full of Him for Him to work in us.

When we are full of the Holy Spirit, the power is flowing, our thinking is great, and our asking is greater.

God is bigger, our faith is bigger, our receiving is bigger.Our fruit grows big.

Be filled with the Spirit –

Ask – Seek – Knock 

 

 

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

FROM GOD TODAY

| Jeanette

Come close to Me today and know I am here. Here to comfort and cause you to see Me as the Lord of your life and the world to come. You see Me in a large way, but much more is to be learned by My own. Today I will show you a place of peace like you have never experienced before.There is a rest that only My own can know. Just watch Me as you are revealed a peace that no one can deny is Me and My peace. Come bathe yourself in My presence and keep your thoughts pure. It is up to Me,  not you, to flow like a river of life along with Me and My heart of love. The river is flowing and lives are being changed. How you know you are there, is that your mind and spirit feel it. Way in front of you I am able to make the storms calm and those who trouble you change into those who see Me as I am. Tell the world the answer is not in what you do, but what I do. Come, allow Me to part the waters and give you a stream that leads to My glory. Come, draw yourself close to Me and sing the songs of worship.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WAIT

| Jeanette

THERE IS MUCH ABOUT “WAITING” IN THE SCRIPTURES.—-MOSTLY ABOUT WAITING ON GOD. OUR MANNER OR METHOD OF WAITING IS AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AS THE BLESSINGS ATTACHED. TOGETHER WE WILL STUDY SOME OF THESE. THE TITLE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE IS “WAIT”.

OUR SCRIPTURE READING IS FOUND IN ISAIAH 40:29-31, AND VARIOUS VERSES OF THE PSALMS.

WHEN WE THINK OF WAITING, IN THE NATURAL, IT “GOES-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN”. NONE OF US LIKE THAT WORD. WE ARE SO USED TO FAST FOODS AND QUICK SERVICES. —-WE MOVE QUICKER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! SO, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT IS IT?

IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS? OR IS IT OUR FAULT?

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME (AND I ASSUME MOST ARE), IF YOU HAVE ANY  EXTRA TIME AT ALL, YOU FEEL GUILTY NOT TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, SO YOU FIND SOMETHING TO DO. BUT  IT’S NOT JUST THE NATURAL MAN THAT SUFFERS IN THIS BUSY LIFE. IT’S OUR RELATIONSHIPS: WITH GOD; WITH FAMILY; AND WITH FRIENDS.

WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND WEAR-OUT OUR BODIES IN THIS FAST “GET-IT-DONE” SOCIETY, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT A LOT, AND DO SOMETHING WITH OUR HANDS: BECAUSE WE HAVE ABUSED OUR BODIES WITH “GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE NOW! ALL OF IT!”

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW SOME ARE SLOTHFUL AND NEVER GET ANYTHING FINISHED. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. BUT MY MESSAGE TODAY IN NOT JUST CONCERNING TAKING SOME TIME TO REST OUR BODIES AND MINDS, BUT WAITING ON GOD: RESTING IN HIM.

ISAIAH 40:31 – THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.

IF THERE’S A WAY TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. WELL LOOK AT THE PRECEEDING VERSES (29,30) – HE (GOD) GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT; AND THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.

SO IT IS, THAT GOD IS WHERE WE GET OUR STRENGTH.

LIFTING WEIGHTS AND EXERCISING IS GOOD TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUSCLES, BOT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, AND PEACE OF MIND, AT THE SAME TIME. THE LACK OF PEACE AND HOPE, CAN MAKE THE STRONGEST WEARY.

MANY HAVE GREAT PLANS, IMPORTANT PLANS, BUT IF THEY DON’T WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, THAY JUST RUN IN CIRCLES AND NEVER GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.

ISAIAH 40:31 (AMPLIFIED) –  BUT THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD (WHO EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE IN HIM)  SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER; THEY SHALL LIFT THEIR WINGS AND MOUNT UP (CLOSE TO GOD)  AS EAGLES  (MOUNT UP TO THE SUN); WALK AND NOT FAINT OR BECOME TIRED.

THIS IS A VERY FAMILIAR VERSE WITH MOST PEOPLE, BUT DO WE REALLY COMPREHEND IT’S CONTENT, –IT’S MEANING?

THE LORD’S STRENGTH IS A STRENGTH UNFAILING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT—-HE INCREASES STRENGTH.  HE WHO IS NEVER WEARY STRENGTHENS THOSE WHO ARE TIRED, AND UPON HIM, THAT IS OF NO MIGHT, HE LAVISHES POWER.

THOUGH AGE AND VIGOR BE AT THEIR PRIME, EVEN YOUTHS AND YOUNG MEN FALL (V.30). NATURAL STRENGTH AT IT’S BEST CAN BE EXAUSTED, BUT NOT THE SUPERNATURAL. THEREFORE, THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD IN THE EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE; THE EARTHLY; AND FIND GRACE FOR DOGGED PERSISTENCE.

“FOR THE FAITHFUL, THERE IS NO FAILURE; AND FAITH KNOWS NO WEARINESS.”

IN VERSES 28-29, WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF “STRENGTH FOR HOLY LIVING”. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH; STRENGTH IS RENEWED BY WAITING ON THE LORD; AND GOD ADJUSTS THE SUPPLY OF STRENGTH TO THE PRESENT NEED.

ISAIAH 64:4 –  FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.

 HE HAS TO BE WAITED FOR. IT IS QUITE TRUE OF HIM THAT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING FOR US; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT HE IS OFTEN A LONG TIME IN THE WORKING OUT OF HIS PURPOSES.—-BUT HARDLY NEVER HAPPENS OVER-NIGHT.

THEN, BECAUSE MAN CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT DONE QUICKLY, THEY FOOLISHLY BEGIN TO THINK GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO IT FOR THEM, THEY FAIL TO SEE GOD’S GOODNESS. SO THE POINT OF IMPRESSION MAY BE: THAT IN ALL THE REVIEWS WE CAN TAKE OF THE PAST: —-GOD HAS SURELY BROUGHT TO PASS GOOD THINGS; EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE WORKING, IT IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING HIM,  TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

THAT IS HARD FOR US TO COMPREHEND, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND US, HAVE PROMISED US THINGS THAT NEVER COME TO PASS, EVEN THOUGH WE WAITED AND WAITED FOR THEM.

ONE SAD EXAMPLE IS, AND ORPHAN WHOSE PARENTS PROMISED TO COME SEE THEM AND TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE DAY. – I KNOW A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAT ALL DAY ON THE ORPHANAGE STEPS, WITH HER LITTLE PURSE, WAITING FOR THAT PARENT WHO NEVER CAME.

IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO THINK ON A REALM LIKE THIS, THAT WAS A NEGATIVE REALITY—-BUT WE HAVE PROMISES FROM OUR GOD THAT HAVE ALREADY COME TO PASS FOR US; BU WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MANIFESTATION.

WHAT A LONG TIME OF WAITING AND PREPARATION BEFORE GOD MANIFESTED HIS SON; BUT …IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME…JESUS CAME, TO SAVE THE WORLD.

WE ARE NOW, WAITNG FOR HIS RETURN. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET US ALL REMEMBER, THAT WHEN WE SEE JESUS EARTH’S TRIALS WILL SEEM SO SMALL. ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS DEAR FACE, ALL GLORY WILL ERASE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL, WHEN WE SEE CHRIST.  

LUKE 12:36,37 – AND YE YOURSELVES LIKE UNTO MEN THAT WAIT FOR THEIR LORD, WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; THAT WHEN HE COMETH AND KNOCKETH, THEY MAY OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY.

      BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL GIRD HIMSELF, AND MAKE THEM TO SIT DOWN TO MEAT, AND WILL COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM.

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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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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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