Tag: REAL
CONTENTMENT
JAMES 1:6-8 – BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. FOR HE THAT WAVERETH IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED.
FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.
A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.
PRAYER IS NOT REAL UNLESS IT IS THE EXPRESSION OF FAITH. IT MUST ISSUE FROM A “LIVING SOURCE WITHIN THE WILL,” AND BE INSPIRED BY PERFECT CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S READINESS TO HELP.
THERE IS SO MUCH UNBELIEF IN THIS DAY AND TIME ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYER! THE SCIENTIFIC TONE-DOWN OF THIS AGE MERELY ALLOWS A MAN TO PRAY TO GOD , “IF THERE IS A GOD—–TO SAVE HIS SOUL,—– IF HE HAS A SOUL.”
AND THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF JAMES, IN THESE THREE VERSES, SUGGEST—-THAT STILL, IN THE CASE OF VERY MANY CHRISTIANS, AN IMPERFECT FAITH IN GOD’S READINESS TO RESPOND TO THEIR PRAYERS, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST DEFECTS OF THEIR SPIRITUAL LIVE.
WE OFTEN SPEAK OF EVIDENT ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AS UNUSUAL, AND —-WHEN THEY DO OCCUR—-AS REMARKABLE!!
THE GIFT OF WISDOM IS PROMISED ONLY TO HIM WHO ASKS IT WITH A STEADY FAITH, AND WHO MANIFESTS THE REALITY OF HIS FAITH BY A LIFE OF CONSISTENT PURPOSE.
GOD, OUR FATHER, DEMANDS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS CHILDREN. “NOTHING DOUBTING” SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN’S MOTTO IN PRAYER. THE PETITIONS SHOULD NOT SHIFT BACKWARDS AND FORWARD BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT, LIKE A TUMBLING BILLOW OF THE SEA. HE MUST NOT SWING LIKE A PENDULUM BETWEEN CHEERFUL CONFIDENCE AND DARK SUSPICION.
IT MUST BE FIXED PERSUASION THAT GOD IS, AND THAT HE IS A HEARER OF PRAYER. WE MUST EXPECT ANSWER TO OUR REQUEST.
IT IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WITHIN WHOM FAITH IS THE DOMINATE POWER WHO TAKE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BY FORCE. GOD IS SIMPLICITY HIMSELF, AND HE GIVES WITH SIMPLICITY: SO HE HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH AN UNSTABLE DOUBLE MINDED SOUL.
A MIND THAT IS “WISHY-WASHY” IN IT’S CHOICE, WILL BE PRONE IN THE END TO FAIL IN BOTH OF THE PURPOSES BETWEEN WHICH IT HAS HESITATED.
IT IS LIKE A “SPLIT PERSONALITY,” PART OF HIM WANTS TO BELIEVE, WHILE PART OF HIM DOES NOT. HE IS UNRELIABLE ABOUT EVERYTHING HE THINKS, FEELS, AND DECIDES (V. 8).
TEMPORARY EMOTIONS ARE NOT RELIGION OR GODLINESS.
STEADFAST FAITH, AND THAT ALONE, WILL GIVE A MAN OR WOMAN, SINGLENESS OF EYE, MAKE HIM OR HER STRONG TO KEEP HOLD OF THE COVENANT, AND DRAW DOWN UPON HIM, THE RICHEST BLESSINGS OF GOSPEL GRACE.
THERE IS A SECRET TO CONTENTMENT. IT IS A RARE AND PRECIOUS CHRISTIAN GRACE.
IT IS A QUIET RESTFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF ALL KINDS OF CHANGING EVENTS.
IT IS A GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO, AND BEHAVE ONE’S SELF IN EVERY STATE OF FULLNESS OR NEED.
CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING US TO THIS PLACE OF CONTENTMENT.
HE ENABLES US TO LIVE IN FAITH, BELIEVING, THAT EVEN NOW, ALL THINGS ARE ORDERED WISELY AND KINDLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD NOT YET SEEN.
THEY ARE WORKING FOR US A MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY, SO WE LEARN TO BEAR THE PRESENT MYSTERY OF TRIAL, IN HOPE OF THE FUTURE REVELATION OF BLESSEDNESS.
CHRIST LEADS US TO LIVE IN THE SPIRITUAL.
THIS IS THE REAL SECRET.
EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.
AT THEIR BEST, THEY WILL NOT SATISFY THE SOUL’S DEEP HUNGER.
WHILE WE LIVE IN THOSE CHANGES , WE ARE OFTEN DISAPPOINTED AND DISCONTENTED.
BUT BY RESTING IN GOD, WE WILL BE CONTENT IN EVERY VARIETY OF EARTHLY AFFAIRS.
PHILIPPIANS 4:19, 23 – BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
HOW CAN WE WALK IN CHRIST’S ANOINTING?
TO WALK IN CHRIST’S ANOINTING:
WE SHOULD HAVE NO UNCONFESSED SIN.
WE SHOULD SPEND TIME IN HIS PRESENCE, SEEKING GOD (PSALM 63).
WE HAVE TO CRUCIFY SELF.
WE HAVE TO BELIEVE HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS.
WE HAVE TO COMMUNE (TO COMMUNICATE, FELLOWSHIP) WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (II CORINTHIANS 13:14).
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A REAL PERSON, THE THIRD PERSON OF THE GOD-HEAD.
HE IS OUR GUIDE, COMFORTER, AND TEACHER. HE ANOINTS, SPEAKS, RENEWS, REGENERATES (BEING BORN AGAIN), INDWELLS, EMPOWERS, SANCTIFIES (SETS US APART), GIVES JOY, GIVES DISCERNMENT (I CORINTHIANS 10-16), BARES FRUIT THROUGH US, GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS, AND REVEALS THINGS OF GOD.
TO COMMUNE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT: WE MUST RECOGNIZE HIM AS A REAL PERSON: THAT HE IS PRESENT; WE MUST INVITE HIM INTO OUR DAY.
WE CAN SAY, “COME HOLY SPIRIT.”
“HOLY SPIRIT, COME AND TAKE FREE REIGN IN MY LIFE AND MINISTRY TODAY.”
“COME AND WALK WITH ME.”
“HELP ME RECEIVE WHAT THE FATHER HAS FOR ME.”
“HELP ME HEAR WHAT THE FATHER IS SAYING.”
YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE VOICE OF GOD IS ABSENT WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SURROUNDING YOU.
HE COMES AND HELPS YOU RECEIVE THROUGH JESUS WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED OF THE FATHER.
HE DESIRES FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU.
HE IS SEEKING A MOMENT BY MOMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH US.
WE CAN’T FORGET HE IS HERE WITH US, IN US.
AS YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT’S PRESENCE, ISAIAH 10:27, READS THIS WAY …AND THE YOKE SHALL BE DESTROYED BECAUSE OF THE ANOINTING.
AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL COME UPON THEE, AND THOU SHALT PROPHESY WITH THEM, AND SHALT BE TURNED INTO ANOTHER MAN (I SAMUEL 10:6).
WHEN THE ANOINTING COMES UPON US WE ALSO WILL BE CHANGED.
HE CHANGES OUR CHARACTER AND MENTALITY.
WE WILL: HAVE BOLDNESS, WALK IN LOVE, RECEIVE DELIVERANCES, HAVE PEACE,FLOW IN THE SPIRIT, HAVE FREEDOM TO PRAISE GOD, RECEIVE HEALING, RECEIVE JOY, AND OPERATE IN SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL ENTER OUR LIFE NATURALLY; INTIMACY WITH THE FATHER WILL COME, AND MUCH, MUCH, MORE.
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A REALITY IN YOUR LIFE, HE PROVIDES AN AVENUE THROUGH WHICH THE ANOINTING, THE POWER, CAN FLOW.
FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART II
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.
