Tag: name

Articles, Roy Porter

THE CORPSE THAT COULDN’T STAY DEAD

| Roy

 

JOHN 11:1-3,14,15,21- NOW A CERTAIN MAN, WAS SICK, NAMED LAZARUS OF BETHANY, THE TOWN OF MARY AND HER SISTER MARTHA.

IT WAS  THAT MARY WHICH ANOINTED THE LORD WITH OINTMENT, AND WIPED HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR, WHOSE BROTHER LAZARUS WAS SICK.

THEREFORE HIS SISTERS SENT UNTO HIM SAYING, LORD BEHOLD, HE WHOM THOU LOVEST IS SICK.

THEN SAID JESUS UNTO THEM PLAINLY, LAZARUS IS DEAD.

 

AND I AM GLAD FOU YOUR SAKES THAT I WAS NOT THERE, TO THE INTENT YE MAY BELIEVE: NEVERTHELESS LET US GO UNTO HIM.

THEN  SAID MARTHA UNTO JESUS, LORD, IF THOU HADST BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER HAD NOT DIED.

MARTHA’S FAITH STOPPED AT THE DEATH OF HER BROTHER. THE GRAVE WAS THE END OF HER FAITH. HER FAITH WAS LIMITED TO SEEING HER BROTHER’S BREATH.

MANY OF US CAN ONLY BELIEVE IF WE SEE, BUT THE KIND OF FAITH THE LORD WANT’S US TO WALK AND LIVE IN, IS A FAITH THAT DOESN’T HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE.

EVERY DREAM, EVERY VISION THAT SEEMS TO BE DEAD CAN BE RESURRECTED. THE LIFELESS VISION IS JUST A FAITH AWAY FROM WAKING UP AND COMING ALIVE.

THEY WERE HAVING A WAKE BEFORE JESUS ARRIVED. THEY WERE WATCHING THE BODY BEFORE BURIAL, THATS WHAT WE CALL A WAKE. PEOPLE WATCH DEAD DREAM’S , VISION’S, AND DEAD PURPOSES, AND THEY LOOK AT THEM AND SAY ISN’T THAT A PRETTY CORPSE. I THOUGHT THIS VISION WAS FROM GOD BUT IT’S DEAD, I GUESS IT WAS JUST MY THOUGHT’S, SO I WRAPPED IT UP AND BURIED IT. WE HAD A GOOD FUNERAL.

WHAT WE NEED IS NOT EVERBODY COMING TO A WAKE TO TALK ABOUT THE DEATH OF A VISION, BUT WE NEED TO CAUSE AN AWAKENING THAT CAUSES A SHAKING IN THE GRAVEYARD OF  DESERTED VISIONS.

FAITH DOESN’T STOP WHEN SOMETHING LOOKS DEAD. I HAVE ALMOST BURIED VISIONS THAT GOD GAVE ME AND THEY SEEMED TO BE DEAD. BUT OUR FAITH MUST NOT BE LIMITED TO WHAT WE SEE, OR FEEL.

FAITH MUST NOT STOP WHEN SOMETHING LOOKS DEAD. THE STONE THAT HAS BEEN ROLLED TO THE TOMB HAS TO BE MOVED. THE STONE HAS TO BE MOVED FROM THE PAGES OF THE BIBLE TO THE PAGES OF OUR HEART. THEN WE HAVE THE FAITH THAT DOESN’T STOP AT THE DEATH OF SOMETHING, BUT IS UNLIMITED FAITH.

FAITH COMETH BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. WE SPEAK TO THE VISION, VISION COME FORTH, LET MY VISION BE LOOSED IN JESUS’ NAME. I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE DEATH OF MY VISION, RESURRECTION AND LIFE  TO MY VISION IN JESUS NAME.

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Articles, Roy Porter

THE CONCERNS OF A DEAD MAN

| Roy

LUKE 16:23  – AND IN HELL HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM.

LUKE 16: 24 –  AND HE CRIED AND SAID FATHER ABRAHAM, HAVE MERCY ON ME, AND SEND LAZARUS, THAT HE MAY DIP THE  TIP OF HIS FINGER IN WATER, AND COOL MY TONGUE: FOR I AM TORMENTED IN THIS PLACE.

THE CONCERNS OF THIS MAN HAVE CHANGED.

HIS FORMER CONCERN WAS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND ENJOY LIFE AND FAMILY. HIS CONCERN WAS TO PREPARE FOR LIFE AND NOT DEATH.

WE READ IN A PREVIOUS CHAPTER ABOUT A PRODIGAL SON WHO CAME TO HIMSELF IN A FOREIGN LAND AND WENT HOME TO HIS FATHER. HE WAS DEAD AND ALIVE AGAIN, HE WAS LOST AND WAS FOUND.

THE PRODIGAL SON CAME TO HIMSELF AND WENT HOME TO BE WITH HIS FATHER BEFORE HE DIED.

THE RICH MAN CAME TO HIMSELF IN HELL.

PRAYER LIFE CHANGES IN HELL, IF A PERSON GOES TO HELL HE WILL PRAY A LOT.

THE RICH MAN’S CONCERNS CHANGED IN HELL.

HIS PRAYER WAS FOR A DROP OF WATER ON HIS TONGUE.

LUKE 16:27  – THEN HE SAID, I PRAY THEE THEREFORE, FATHER, THAT THOU WOULDEST SEND HIM TO MY FATHERS HOUSE:

LUKE16:28 – FOR I HAVE FIVE BRETHREN THAT HE MIGHT TESTIFY UNTO THEM, LEST THEY ALSO COME INTO THIS PLACE OF TORMENT. 

THIS MAN IN HELL HAD A CHANGE OF CONCERN, BUT IT WAS TO LATE.

HE PRAYED FOR A WITNESS TO BE SENT TO HIS FATHER HOUSE, TO HIS BROTHERS WHO WERE LOST. 

TESTIFY TO THEM HE PRAYED.

THIS MAN IN HELL HAD NEGLECTED THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION IN ANY ONE’S LIFE, HE REJECTED HIS CREATOR, HE HAD CHOSEN TO SEEK THE TEMPORAL INSTEAD OF THE ETERNAL.

HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WITNESS TO HIS BROTHER’S. SOMEBODY HAS TO BREAK THE MOLD IN A FAMILY OF LOST PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO PUT NO VALUE ON GOD AND THE LIFE OF GOD, USUALLY LEAD THEIR FAMILY TO HELL WITH THEM. THEY CHOOSE SPORTS OVER CHURCH,THEY CHOOSE SIN OVER RIGHTEOUSNESS. THEY NEVER READ THEIR BIBLE IF THEY OWN ONE. THEY SELDOM IF EVER GO TO CHURCH. THEY TESTIFY TO THEIR FAMILY THROUGH CONDUCT.

ITS NOT THAT THEY HAVEN’T HEARD THE MESSAGE THEY JUST REFUSE IT. THEY MIGHT NOT EXPRESS IT VERBALLY BUT WITH THEIR CONDUCT. THEY MAKE THEIR OWN RULES OF LIFE.

LAZARUS WAS A BELIEVER THAT WAS LAID AT THE GATE OF THE RICH MAN DAILY.

IF THE RICH MAN HAD STOPPED LONG ENOUGH TO TALK TO LAZARUS, HE WOULD HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE MESSIAH.

THE RICH MAN COULD HAVE WENT TO HIS BROTHER’S HOUSE’S AND TESTIFIE D ABOUT THE ONE WHO AROSE FROM THE DEAD.

THE ONLY MESSAGE THAT WOULD KEEP THIS MAN AND HIS FAMILY OUT OF HELL WAS IGNORED.

HE WAS NOT IN HELL BECAUSE HE WAS RICH, I PERSONALLY KNOW RICH PEOPLE THA LOVE JESUS AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RICH WHO LOVE JESUS, BUT I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RICH THAT COULD CARE LESS ABOUT JESUS.

BEING SAVED HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR FINANICIAL CONDITION. BEING RELIGIOUS DOESN’T MAKE YOU SAVED.

PEOPLE THAT REJECT THE MESSAGE OF JESUS ARE LOST AND ON THEIR WAY TO HELL, THEY WILL KNOW THE TRUTH IN HELL AND WILL BE TORMENTED OVER THIER FAMILY COMING THERE.

PEOPLE MAKE THIS STATEMENT, IT IS A FALSE STATEMENT, BUT THEY MAKE IT, THEY SAY THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HEAVEN. WHO GAVE THEY THE AUTHORITY TO SAY THAT? OUR CREATOR IS THE AUTHORITY, WHEN HE SAYS IT IS LAW, AND HE SAID I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.

JESUS PROVED HIS AUTHORITY WHEN HE AROSE FROM THE GRAVE. JESUS IS THE ONLY LAMB OF GOD WHO DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.

ALL RELIGIONS CAN NOT PROMISE FORGIVENESS FOR SIN. IF YOU HAVE NOT ACCEPTED JESUS BY FAITH AND LIVE IN THAT FAITH, YOU WILL BE PRAYING IN HELL CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.

DON’T LET DECEPTION SEND YOU TO HELL, DON’T LET REBELLION AND PRIDE SEND YOU TO HELL. HUMBLE YOURSELF AND CALL UPON JESUS TO SAVE YOU.

PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU DIFFERENT THAN GOD’S HOLY WORD, DON’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR HIM. 

I TELL YOU AGAIN BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD, THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED, BUT BY THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAY NOW AND ASK HIM INTO YOUR HEART AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, TESTIFY TO YOUR FAMILY AND IF YOU LIVE IN A NATION THAT ALLOWS CHURCH ASSEMBLIES START ATTENDING CHURCH. IF BIBLES ARE AVAILABLE BUY A BIBLE IF YOU CAN. IF CHURCHES ARE NOT POSSIBLE SERVE JESUS WITH YOU WHOLE HEART.

I WRITE THIS MESSAGE WITH GREAT LOVE AND HUMILITY, FOR IF WASN’T FOR JESUS REVEALING HIMSELF TO ME, I WOULD STILL BE LOST AND GOING TO HELL. BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF JESUS I HAVE A GREAT CONCERN FOR THE LOST.   

 

   

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

TRUST

| Jeanette

THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.

TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.

IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).

THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS. 

WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?

BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.

THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.

     FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.

     LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.

     SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.

WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.

MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,

     BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:

     I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.

     HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

     A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.

     AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.

THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM  5;11 –    BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.

IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?

I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.

FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.

I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.

I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.

I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.

I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44.  ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.

I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.

THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.

AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.

WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.

          * PART 2 COMING UP.

 

   

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Articles, Roy Porter

OPEN HEAVEN

| Roy

MATT. 7:7 – ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU, SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU.

THE DOOR TO THIS GREAT PROMISE IS JESUS. ASKING MUST BE DONE, BECAUSE WE HEARD SOMETHING OR READ SOMETHING, STATING,THAT WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS THE WILL OF GOD.

THE BIBLE SAYS  THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL ASK, OR CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. IF WE BELIEVE THIS, WE CONFESS JESUS AS OUR SAVIOUR, AND ASK HIM TO COME INTO OUR HEART.

NOW THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF ASKING, WHEN JESUS COMES INTO OUR HEART, WE BECOME COVENANT CHILDREN, THIS IS THE DOOR WE OPEN BY FAITH TO LEGALLY ASK.

THE NEXT STEP IS SEEKING THE PERSON OF  GOD HIMSELF. SEEKING THE FATHER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INSIDE OF NOW, DIRECTING OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY. THIS IS THE GREATEST, MOST REWARDING JOURNEY OF YOUR LIFE. SEEKING THE PERSON OF CHRIST. MANY PEOPLE HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, BUT DON’T KNOW HIM. THEY KNOW ABOUT HIM, THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, BUT DON’T REALLY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. YOU CAN ONLY GET TO KNOW PEOPLE, THROUGH SEEKING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

SEEKING THE LORD WILL BECOME YOUR PASSION. I DON’T WANT TO JUST READ A BOOK AND KNOW ALL ABOUT HIM, I DESIRE TO KNOW THE PERSON, NOT JUST THE HISTORY OF THAT PERSON.

THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT WE CAN SEEK THE FATHER THROUGH JESUS OUR LORD, WE CAN SEEK JESUS, WE CAN SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT.

MY PRAYER IS  SO OFTEN LIKE THIS: HOLY SPIRIT TEACH ME HOW TO HELP PEOPLE, DID JESUS SAY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER. HOLY SPIRIT SHOW ME WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THIS WORSHIP SERVICE, SO I CAN FLOW WITH YOU. I SEEK YOU LORD, SHOW ME WHAT YOUR WILL IS TODAY FOR MY LIFE, CONNECT ME WITH THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS THAT ARE PURPOSED BY YOU THIS DAY.

WHAT A TRIP, WHAT A JOURNEY, WE HAVE IN LIFE SEEKING OUT THE LORD OF PURPOSE, THE ONLY WAY WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE HIM IN ALL OUR WAYS, IS TO MAKE HIM THE LORD OF OUR WAYS. ONLY THROUGH SEEKING HIM CAN HE DIRECT OUR PATHS.

I LOVE THE LORD SO MUCH, THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS PUT A PASSION IN ME TO SEEK THE PERSON OF GOD, MY LORD, MY SAVIOUR,MY KING. 

I DON’T SEEK HIM TO KNOW ABOUT HIM, THATS RELIGION, I SEEK HIM TO KNOW HIM, TO BE INTIMATE WITH HIM.

THIS IS THE JOY OF MY SALVATION, ASKING, SEEKING AND KNOCKING. WHAT A PROMISE, WHAT A SAVIOUR.

KNOCKING IS THE LEGAL PART OF ASKING, SEEKING. THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT ASKING, SEEKING AND KNOCKING IS THAT TO DO ANY OF THE THREE STEPS, WE MUST MAKE CONTACT WITH GOD. THE WHOLE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE POINTS US TO OUR CREATOR.

AGAIN, KNOCKING IS THE LEGAL PART OF ASKING, SEEKING AND KNOCKING. 

IN PRAYER, IT IS LIKE GOING BEFORE THE GREAT JUDGE OF THE UNIVERSE, HAVING LEGAL PROFF OF PETITION. BRING SCRIPTURE TO HIS REMBERANCE, QUOTING HIS WORD BEFORE HIM, THE PROMISES OF GOD, THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM. SAYING LORD THIS IS THE GROUNDS FOR MY RIGHT TO REQUEST THIS TO BE DONE FOR ME. YOU PROMISED THIS .

HE BOUND HIMSELF BY HIS WORD. WE HONOR HIM WHEN WE HONOR HIS WORD. HIS WORD IS TRUTH, THE MOMENT HE SPEAKS IT, IT BECOMES TRUTH. IT BECOMES LEGAL, IT IS LAW.

KNOCKING IS REMINDING HIM OF HIS PROMISE. SOMETIMES WE ARE IN TROUBLE AND NEED HIS HELP AND WE QUOTE HIM HIS WORD AND THE JUDGE SAYS, I SAID THIS BUT THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THIS, MY PART AND YOUR PART, I SAID I WOULD DO THIS, BUT YOU MUST DO THIS. YOU HAVEN’T DONE YOUR PART, YOU DID THE OPPOSITE. THEN WE MUST ASK FOR THE MERCY OF THE COURT AND CORRECT OR REPENT OF OUR DISOBEDIENCE. THANK THE JUDGE FOR MERCY AND TRUTH. IF THERE WAS NO MERCY AND ONLY TRUTH WE ARE IN TROUBLE. 

ALL THREE ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK HAS A PURPOSE, EVERYTHING GOD DOES, HE DOES IT FOR MAN, TO BRING MAN TO HIM AND TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH MANKIND, HIS CREATION. HE LOVES US, DON’T REJECT HIM OR IGNORE HIM. ASK SEEK AND KNOCK YOU WILL LOVE THE JOURNEY.                  

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Articles, Roy Porter

RECEIVE HEALING IN JESUS’ NAME

| Roy

ISAIAH 53:4,5

SURLEY HE HATH BORNE OUR SICKNESSES AND CARRIED OUR PAINS; YET WE DID RECKON HIM STRICKEN, SMITTEN OF GOD AND AFFLICTED.

BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANGRESSION, HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

HEALING OF OUR BODY IS THE WILL OF GOD, IT PART OF THE ATONEMENT. SICKNESS IS OPPRESION FROM THE DEVIL.

ACTS 10:38

HOW GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER; WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, AND HEALING ALL THAT WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM. 

JESUS HEALED THE SICK AND CAST OUT DEVILS. THE WORD OF GOD SAYS HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER.

IT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR HIS CHILDREN TO BE HEALED AND EVEN TO WALK IN HEALTH. CLAIM YOUR HEALING IN JESUS NAME. I SPEAK HEALING TO YOUR BODY IN JESUS NAME, BE HEALED, AND BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME.    

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Articles, Roy Porter

GOD’S MIGHTY STRENGTH

| Roy

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 – I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.

PAUL WAS SAYING I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH EVERYTHING CONTENT. SATISFIED WITH MY PRESENT CONDITION, BECAUSE OF MY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. HE CAN CARRY ME THROUGH ANY HARD PLACE AND ALSO HE CAN CAUSE ME TO ENJOY  ABUNDANCE, OR TO BE IN NEED.

PAUL WAS CONTENT IN CHRIST REGARDLESS OF HIS CONDITION. PAUL KNEW HE HAD THE ABILITY AND THE STRENGTH TO FACE ANYTHING AND DO ANYTHING THROUGH CHRIST.

THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES GIVES US STRENGTH AND ABILITY FOR EVERY SITUTATION OF LIFE. THAT STRENGTH  AND ABILITY COMES FROM THE ANOINTING THAT ABIDES IN US THROUGH JESUS. WE CAN BE STRONG IN FAITH THAT COMES BY HIM.

THE GREEK WORD FOR STRENGHTENED IS USED IN OTHER SCRIPTURE. HE WORD STRONG; ALSO ENABLED, IS USED TO EXPLAIN THE WORKING OF GOD IN OUR LIFE.

THIS GREEK WORD FOR STRENGTH IS FOUND ONLY IN BIBLICIAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL GREEK, MEANING TO MAKE STRONG; VIGORUS; TO STRENGTHEN.

GOD IS EQUIPPING US WITH THE POWER NECESSARY FOR THE TASK SET BEFORE US.

WHATEVER THE PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WHATEVER ABILITY WE NEED IN EVERYDAY LIVE, IN CHRIST, WE ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIS POWER AND STRENGTH.

AS A CHRISTIAN, STRENGTH LIVES IN US, BUT OUR STRENGTH COMES FROM ABIDING IN HIM. RELATIONSHIP, FRESH EVERDAY, DEVELOPES PASSION FOR GOD. WE BECOME STRONG IN FAITH AND POWER.

THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIANS WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY WEAK. CHRIST ABIDES IN THEM, BUT THEY DON’T ABIDE IN HIM. THEY QUOTE THE SCRIPTURE BUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD IS NOT A PRIORITY WITH THEM.

TO ABIDE IN CHRIST IS TO LIVE IN AWARENESS OF HIS EVER ABIDING PRESENCE.

YOU MAY OR MAY NOT FEEL IT, BUT YOU WALK BY FAITH, PRAYING IN FAITH, STUDYING HIS WORD IN FAITH, WORSHIPPING IN FAITH.

IF YOU ARE FAILING IN THIS AREA, REPENT AND ASK THE LORD TO REFILL YOU WITH HIS SPIRIT AND DRAW YOU TO HIM. ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESS AND ASK HIM TO TOUCH YOUR WEAKNESS WITH HIS STRENGTH.

EPHESIANS 6:10 – FINALLY  MY BRETHREN BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.

HERE IS A COMMAND.  THE VERSES THAT FOLLOW ARE RECIPES FOR STRENGTH: PUT ON THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER AND THE FAITH OF GOD WILL CARRY YOU TO PURPOSE AND STOP THE ENEMY.

ABILITIES WILL COME AND DEVELOPE IN YOUR LIFE, GIFTS WILL SHOW UP THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU HAD.

OUT OF WEAKNESS YOU WILL BE MADE STRONG.

HEBREWS 11:34 SAYS OUT OF WEAKNESS WAS MADE STRONG. 

OF COURSE THIS IS JUST PART OF THIS SCRIPTURE. GOD TOUCHES OUR WEAKNESS WITH HIS STRENGTH AND ENABLES US TO DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM, HE IS OUR STRENGTH, HE IS OUR ABILITIES, OUR FAITH COMES FROM HIM, HE GAVE US ALL A MEASURE OF FAITH. THAT FAITH CAN STAY SLEEPING INSIDE OF US ARE WE CAN STIRR IT UP AND IT WILL GROW. I CHOOSE TO USE MINE.

EVERYTHING GOD HAS PUT IN OUR HEART CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, THROUGH GOD’S MIGHTY POWER IF WE WILL OBEY HIM AND BELIEVE HIM. AMEN,  IN JESUS’ NAME.   

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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 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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