As we get into these Biblical truths I’d like to first have you see something that we put very little thought into that we actually see in the New Testament. I’ll use this verse of scripture to make my spiritual point.

( Mark 4:39 )

AND HE AROSE, AND REBUKED THE WIND, AND SAID UNTO THE SEA, PEACE, BE STILL. AND THE WIND CEASED, AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM.

As we look at this verse of scripture we see a ship on the see, the disciples were with Christ on that ship. The ship was in turmoil because of the unsettled sea. While Jesus was asleep and at perfect peace, his diciples were afraid and feared for their life. In the New Testament the sea is often used as a picture of the world and, it shows just how unettled the world is. If you go down to the ocean or, sea you will notice that the waters are never settled, they are always troubled. That is exactly the way we see this world spiritually and often even physically. The reason for that is that the very person that can bring peace to this world is for the most part rejected by this world.

I love speaking or touching thr hearts of individuals, just like you. No matter where you are in this world, just look around for youself at the vastness of people that you see. Personally, I love the game of football. I often watch both college and professional just for the sport of it. As I watch, I see the stadiums packed with people; which is just a small part of all the people even in that city or state. I notice that. although that staium is fillied with people only twenty two people are actually playing football. Every other person is basically just a spectator; doing no more that watching as the game moves foward.

As we consider the ship, Jesus and his disciples were on; it can be seen as ( the Church ) in a very troubled world. My desire is to get more people i ( in the game ) of heving children born ( born again ) as members of the true Church and leaving the cares and troubles of this world.

There is a massive amout of people in this world, all confused, troubled and wondering basically without the peace that can be gain by simply knowing Jesus Christ as their personal ( individual ) savoir. With that being stated, let’s now look back at Noah’s day and make some points that many might miss.

So, let’s start this with the children born to Adam and Eve. You can go and read in ( Genesis ) , the first few chapters to see what I’m saying. The first child that was born to this couple was a child named ( Cain ). The second born was ( Abel ). Cain, being the first born killed ( Abel ) the second born.

Now, we’ll stop here a minute and make another point. Both, Adam and Eve had sinned in the garden. If you remember, God had told them that it they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ( they would surely die ). The moment they ate of that fruit ( spiritually they died ). We’re actually the very same way. As we grow from birth, we also gain knowledge. At some point we gain the knowledge of right and wrong and, we often choose wrong. However, the point is that once we reach that point, we then must make a choice; just as they did.

As you read, you will see that God came down and killed an animal to make a covering for Adam and Eve. They excepted that covering as a covering for their sin but, they could no longer stay in that perfect garden. Now, they had to leave and work by the sweat of their brow. They were now ( sin Cursed ).

This is when Eve began to have children. Her first ( Cain ) her second ( Abel ). As these boys grew, they made a choice. God was pleased with Abel but not Cain. The fact the ( the first born ) killed the ( second born ) is a picture of our lives and, our flesh overtaken ( God’s will ) in our lives to live for him. In the case of what we see with Adam and Eve, the picture is that now Adam and Eve are left with only a son that is seeking to please himself. He has no desire to walk with God.

Now, let’s read another verse of scripture.

( Genesis 4:25 )

AND ADAM KNEW HIS WIFE AGAIN; AND SHE BARE A SON, AND CALLED HIS NAME SETH: FOR GOD, SHE SAID, HATH APPOINTED ME ANOTHER SEED INSTEAD OF ABEL, WHOM CAIN SLEW.

Here, we see the heart of Eve! Before we move foward from this verse of scripture; we need to consider something. If you will notice, Eve made this statement and not Adam. In every marriage, the man, the husband has his responsibilities. Because of his responsibilities he is not always around but the mother, the wife is there to instruct the children. She is there daily because that is her ,shall we say, ( sole ) ( soul ) responsibility. In the concept of God’s word, the man is the bread winner of the home. He has his part in child birth but, he works in the field, he goes out sometimes maybe for days. In this concept he shares with his wife, his desires and she carries them out within the home.

We see that picture in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had a responsiblity in every person’s salvation. He performed his duties very well, perfectly! However, where is he now? Hasn’t he ( gone to prepare a place for us )? At this time, isn’t the responsibility to teach, to raise the ( children born ) within the Church left to his wife ( the Church )? So, we see that Eve was very concerned about the spiritual aspect of her children and, the things that were being told them concerning to knowledge of sin, good and evil needed a voice, a voice like the voice of Abel that Cain had killed. She seen that voice in ( Seth ).

As soon as we leave the verse we qouted: ( Genesis 4:25 ), look at the very next verse:

( Genesis 4:26 )

AND TO SETH, TO HIM ALSO THERE WAS BORN A SON, AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ENOS: THEN BEGAN MEN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

We often look at the fact that we only see ( sons ) mentioned in the life of Adam and Eve and, we also seem to only see a short period of time such as; ten or fifteen years but; look at these verses:

( Genesis 5:4-5 )

AND THE DAYS OF ADAM AFTER HE HE HAS BEGOTTEN SETH WERE EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS: AND HE BEGAT SONS AND DAUGHTERS. ( 5 ) AND ALL THE DAYS OF THAT ADAM LIVED WERE NINE HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS: AND HE DIED.

Do you see there that Adam was ( one hundred and thirty years old when Seth was born. How many sons and daughters were born to him in that ( one hundred and thirty years )? When we consider what is being said in: ( Genesis 4:26 ) ( then began men to call upon the name of the Lord ), can’t it be assumed that nothing spiritual was being taught or sought from the descentants of Adam and Eve or any of their other Children? We also know and, can follow the spiritual trail of people from the man called ( Enos ) the first born of ( Seth ).

In comparison; looking at the phrase ( then began men to call upon the name of the Lord ), we, as people today actually don’t call on the name of the Lord until we have the ( new birth ), until we are ( born again ). You see, although Cain had heard about the grace departed from God to both Adam and Eve, he didn’t encourage any of that teaching. If I use myself as an axample, I, as a child was taught the scriptures as in my mom took me to Church. However, nothing in my life reflected Jesus Christ until I was born again in 1975.

It appears; when we see the birth of ( Seth ) that Eve was asking God for a child that would teach his Children to value of a walk with God and, refraining from sin. If you will notice in ( Genesis 4 ) we see the descendants of Cain. All through that list of names we see people that done things that were part of this world. However, it is nothing mentioned about even speaking tha Lord’s name. As we get into ( Genesis 5 ), we see the descendants of ( Seth ). We see where each of these men had sons and daughters but, their journey through time brings us to a man called ( Noah ). In ( Genesis 6:8 ) it says this:

BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.

If we go back a little and look in ( Genesis 5 ) we see something that ( I believe ) is worth mentioning.

( Genesis 5:24 )

AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: AND HE WAS NOT; FOR GOD TOOK HIM.

I’d like to build something here on this verse. As I’ve stated, we’re looking at the ( God line ) as we move through time. These people are all descendants of ( Seth ) As we consider this, I realize that as these people walked and became witnesses of ( the grace of God ) it’s very possible that some of the descendants of Cain also became believers. According to scripture we know that they mingled together, they were all family. Look at this verse:

( Genesis 6:1-2 )

AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN MEN BEGAN TO MULTIPLY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, AND DAUGHTERS WE BORN UNTO THEM, ( 2 ) THAT THE SONS OF GOD SAW THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN THAT THEY WERE FAIR; AND THEY TOOK THEM WIVES OF ALL WHICH THEY CHOSE.

To put it as simple as I know how; as time moved foward the desires of the flesh began to overwhelm the very men that were suppose to be teaching the ( grace of God ). In other words, instead of the spirit of God in man winning over the people of this world, the people of this world were winning over the people of God.

I mentioned ( Enoch ) and the fact he walked with God and, he was not because God took him. Now, let’s look at the man that is mentioned being born to ( Enoch ). His name is ( Methuselah ). This man live longer than any other man. If you will look in ( verse 27 ) it says this:

AND ALL THE DAYS OF METHUSELAH WERE NINE HUNDRED SIXTY AND NINE YEARS: AND HE DIED.

I’d like to point something out here. Let’s run the numbers! In ( Verse 26 ) AND METHUSELAH LIVED AFTER HE BEGAT LAMECH SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY AND TWO YEARS. Now, look in verse ( verse 31 ) AND ALL THE DAYS OF LAMECH WERE SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY AND SEVEN YEARS. ( 777 )!

Therefore, Methuselah lived five years after his son died. I’d like to make this point here. I like Biblical numerics. In scripture the number ( 7 ) is the number of perfection, spiritual completion. The number ( 5 ) is Grace. We see those two facts represented in these to men ( father and son ). Now, let’s build a spiritual picture here. We see that ( Lemech ) ( was not ) because ( God took Him )! As I seek to build this I pray you can see ( Jesus Christ ) in the picture.

God the Father came to this world in the fleshly body of his son, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life, was crucified, dead and buried. On the third day he arose from the dead. Jesus Christ made this statement:

( John 10:17-18 )

THEREFORE DOTH MY FATHER LOVE ME, BECAUSE I LAY DOWN MY LIFE , THAT I MIGHT TAKE IT UP AGAIN. ( 18 )NO MAN TAKETH IT FROM ME, BUT I LAY IT DOWN MYSELF. I HAVE POWER TO LAY IT DOWN, AND I HAVE POWER TO TAKE IT AGAIN. THIS COMMANDMENT HAVE I RECEIVED OFMY FATHER.

Let’s see one more verse:

( Acts 1:9 )

AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THESE THINGS, WHILE THEY BEHELD, HE WAS TAKEN UP; AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT.

I see see this same picture in the scripture concerning ( Lemech ). Also, the fact that ( Methuselah ) lived longer than any man and, longer than his son makes him a type of the ( Holt Spirit ) that Jesus Christ sent on the ( Day of Pentecost ). We can say this: when ( Methuselah ) died, the flood of Noah happened. I like to refer to ( Jesus Christ ) as the ( Ark of Salvation ). When the Church is raptured out of this world, the Holy Spirit will go with it! That happens just before the ( Tribulation ) upon this earth!

From the birth of ( Seth ) to the ( Flood of Noah ) I’ll say was somewhere around two thousand years. As those years past the Spirit of God was less and less appealing to mankind. Man became more and more interested in the things of this world and, much less interested in the things of God. That is what God’s word says! Look at these verses:

( Genesis 6:5-6 )

AND GOD SAW THAT THE WICKNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY IMAGINATION OF THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS EVIL CONTINUALLY. ( 6 ) AND IT REPENTED THE LORD THAT HE HAD MADE MAN ON THE EARTH, AND IT GRIEVED HIM IN HIS HEART. ( 7 ) AND THE LORD SAID, I WILL DESTROY MAN WHOM I HAVE CREATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH; BOTH MAN, AND BEAST, AND THE CREEPING THING, AND THE FOWLS OF THE AIR; FOR IT REPENTETH ME THAT I HAVE MADE THEM.

Now, look at the very next verse:

( Genesis 6:6 )

BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.

We can say a lot about how God instructed Noah in ( Genesis 6 ). However, the point is that even as Noan built the Ark over the next one hundred and twenty years; no one, not one other person joined him other than the members of his family. I’d like for you to consider this. For all those years, not one child was born to either of Noah’s sons and their wives. What spiritual point can me made about that very point?

Let’s see if I can make the spiritual point I’d like to make here. So of this is mere speculation but, I’m looking at it from the things I see today. Personally, ( I believe ) that In the beginning ( seth ) and his descendants truly carried the same grace to the people that Adam and Eve shared with him as a child. If you remember ( Cain ) was a vagabond, he was cast out therefore, the majority of the people as the world grew was always around ( the mindset ) of Seth. However, as time moved forward even those people began to allow other mindsets to creep in and, control their lives. Remember the phrase ( sons of God and, the daughters of men )?

So, what happens to the children of many spiritual people? Let’s consider something else here. Where all three of Noah’s sons spiritual or, where they simply following their father? Again, ( I believe ) that there were possibly many other ( religious mindsets ) in the days of Noah and, many people looked at Noah and his family as ( spiritual quacks ). The ( grace ) that Seth preached in the beginning had been so changed that the people, if they believed at all were confident in what they believed. Look at this verse:

( Matthew 24:38-39 )

FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOE ENTERED THE ARK, ( 39 ) AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE.

Deception my friends is a terrible thing! Do you realize that the same ( Serpent ) that deceived Eve was still walking the earth in these days and, is still here now? I spoke of even Noah’s sons that entered the Ark. I’d like to make a point about even them.

A true belief, a real exceptance of God’s Grace is a very transforming event in any person’s life. Let’s look at a Church today that actually stands and preaches God’s infallible word with power and conviction. Let’s also say a man and his wife truly are born again and become members of this Church. They have children and the couple raise their children in this Church. Their children, in time join this Church and, are even baptized but they never truly have the heart felt conviction of their sin, never truly understand the ( grace of God ). Although they are members of a very powerful, spiritual filled Church, don’t they still, as individuals have to die and stand before God?

Don’t we see the same thing with Noah’s sons? When the Ark settles back to earth, you notice the sons of Noah! If you will notice in ( Genesis 11 ) we begin to follow the descendants of Shem. We see in ( Genesis 12 ) one of those descendants is ( Abram ).If you will notice, the sons of Noah, right after the flood begin to do just as they chose to do. I’m not even saying Noah was perfect, he wasn’t but, he believed and followed the Grace of God. In essence, we see the very same picture with the sons of Noah as we did with the sons of Adam.

I simply point all this out to show you that in every case, as we move foward in time; the spirit of God becomes less and less important to the average man. I showed you a while back about Lamech, Methuselah and Noah, how I see them relating to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Church.

Jesus Christ had his responsibility as far as the birth and building of the Church. He carried out his responsibility to perfection. He also made a promise. Let’s read it in:

( John 14:15-21 )

IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. ( 16 ) AND I WILL PRAY THE FATHER, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOR EVER; ( 17 ) EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT SEETH HIM HIM NOT, NEITHER KNOWETH HIM: BUT YE KNOW HIM; FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU. ( 18 ) I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS: I WILL COME TO YOU. ( 19 ) YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND THE WORLD SEETH ME NO MORE; BUT YE SEE ME: BECAUSE I LIVE, YE SHALL LIVE ALSO. ( 20 ) AT THAT DAY YE SHALL KNOW THAT I AM IN MY FATHER, AND YE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. ( 21 ) HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME: AND HE THAT LOVETH ME SHALL BE LOVED OF MY FATHER, AND I WILL LOVE HIM, AND WILL MAGIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.

As we look at these verses I want you to see something else. Let’s look in:

( John 21:4 )

BUT WHEN THE MORNING WAS NOW COME, JESUS STOOD ON THE SHORE, BUT THE DISCIPLES KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS JESUS.

As you read this verse of scripture and, you can read and study more if you please; I want you to know that this same Jesus had just a short time before stood and talked to his disciples. If you remember Thomas didn’t believe but, at this time he said ( my Lord and my God )!. Now, to their credit; they are without the spirit of God at that time and, very weak in the flesh. But, my point is that any person has to have a desire to know and see Christ. That is even if you are born again.

When the Holy Spirit, the conforter that Jesus Christ had promised fell in ( Acts 2 ) those people were very eager to see and know Jesus Christ, they looked for him in everything, they listen to hear what was being said. They yearned for his return and, looked for him daily.

I’m writing a study through the ( Book of Acts ). In the last part, the last lesson I wrote; I made the point that we must be sensitive to the Spirit of God as he speaks. It’s very easy for man to build and create doctrines that are void of God’s Spirit. We see that, if we look in the very early chapters of Acts. Even in those days Satan was hard at work seeking to deceive the people.

The creation of the Church was a new beginning. Just like the life of ( Seth ) and, the days right after the flood. As you consider or, even if you could have been living in the days of the early Church, to whom would you have followed? As each day passed do you think you could single out the voice of the Spirit of God and, at the proper time, be a follower of the very person you were instructed to by God’s Spirit? That is a completely different study. However, my point is that now, some two thousand years later, are we not faced with the very same challenges that they faced then?

Look at all the denominations we have! All the religions that speak of Jesus Christ! Even all the different versions of what men call ( the Bible ). Aren’t we faced with the very same senerio that the people that didn’t board the Ark did in that day? ( What is truth )? Can we say for a fact today that ( the truth ) was that if you didn’t get on board the Ark, you would perish? Is that not recognized truth?

( I believe ) we have a problem! So, let’s consider! Jesus Christ is the ( ARK OF SALVATION ), period! Look at this:

( John 14:5-7 )

THOMAS SAITH UNTO HIM, LORD, WE KNOW NOT WHITHER THOU GOEST; AND HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY? ( 6 ) JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM. I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER , BUT BY ME. ( 7 ) IF YE HAD KNOWN ME, YE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MY FATHER ALSO: AND FROM HENCEFORTH YE KNOW HIM, AND HAVE SEEN HIM.

I’ll begin this by saying, I say firmly on those verses, I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way that any person will ever see the Father. ( There is no other name, given under heaven whereby you must be saved.

( Acts 4:12 )

NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.

I’d say that almost any Church you walk in, any denomination and, you can ask any person in any of those places if they believe this and, they will say ( YES ). So, where is the problem? If all those people believe this, does that make them saved? In these last days, this is where ( I believe ) that Satn has driven his wedge of deception or, woven his web of deciet!

While this is a true satatement and, a statement that has to be understood, what else has to happen? Is there anything else? When does ( believing ) actually become ( believing )? I heard a story once about a hiker that had fallen off of a very steep ledge. When he fell, he caught hold of a little tree that had grown off the side of the ledge, he was holding on for dear life. If it broke or, he let go, it was certain death! He had no one to help him so, he begin to pray. All of a sudden Jesus appeared just standing in mid air. When the hiker saw him, he begged him for his help, please Jesus , help me. Jesus Said, do you really believe I can save you? he hiker cried, yes Lord! Jesus said, turn loose the little tree! However, the hiker just kept clinging to the little tree and pleading for Jesus to save him, not being obedient to our Lord.

( I believe ) the true concept of ( being born again ) is not being taught and most Church people have no idea of that very concept! If you will notice the last few words in ( Acts 4:12 ) what does it say? ( WHEREBT YE MUST BE SAVED )!

Look at one more verse:

( John 3:7 )

MARVEL NOT THAT I SAID UNTO THEE, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

In Christ; everything that is needed for your salvation is right there in his name! He is ( God in Flesh )! He became our sacrifice. There is none other but him! Jesus Christ is the very door of the ( Ark of Salvation )! In him do we have safety from the very wrath of God the Father! So, what does it take to be born again?

What did it take to be born the first time? Over the years this subject has been one that I’ve sought to explain, to give people a perspective about what salvation is. In reality,; when you were born the first time, a union was made between two individuals, male and female. When that union was made, a completely seperate individual was formed. While that individual showed characteristics of both; the male and female she or he was formed from, it was still a completely different being.

When you were born the first time, both the male and the female knew of the possibility of new life being form from their union. All these points are still very relative to the born again experience. I believe we could argue it even takes three to bring about the born again experience. Why would I say that? I realize the actually the only two that is truly needed is you, as an individual and the Holy Spirit of God. However, I’d like to show you a few verses. First:

( Acts 8:31 )

AND HE SAID, HOW CAN I, EXCEPT SOME MAN SHOULD GUIDE ME? AND HE DESIRED PHILIP THAT HE WOULD COME UP AND SIT WITH HIM.

We can say a lot about this scripture! First of all, at that time it was no New Testament. This Ethiopian man was sitting in his chariot reading ( Esaias ) the prophet. He realized that he, on his own could not understand what he was reading He looked at Philip and said basically; ( how can I understand it unless some man teach me ).

Now,, let’s look in :

( Romans 10:13-15 )

FOE WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. ( 14 ) HOW THEN SHALL THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? ( 15 ) AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? AS IT IS WRITTEN, HOW BEAUTHIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!

As we consider the first verse, we see that the ( Spirit ) led Philip to join the chariot.

( Acts 8:29 )

THEN THE SPIRIT SAID UNTO PHILIP, GO NEAR, AND JOIN THYSELF TO THIS CHARIOT.

As it relates to the ( born again experience ) it takes a person willing to hear, to receive! As we consider ( a preacher ); consider this. That person, such as Philip actually has not one thing to do with the salvation of a soul. The ( preacher ) is a man that is ( sold out ) to the very cause of Christ, nothing else. In other words, the things he says has nothing to do with his opinion, the Church he is affiliated with, his preferense of scripture, the desires of any other people. His complete will is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Therefore, we can forget about the ( third person ) can’t we? It is completely a union made between the Spirit of God and (you ) as an individual.

Now, just how far can we take this teaching of the born again experience? What if we forget about you to begin with? Why do I say that? Because as a sinner you’re dead, you are walking around ( dead ). You just simply can’t see it! You don’t even have the ability to help yourself, even if you desire to. Let me say something here that ( I believe ). It’s a terrible thing to be deceived by a husband, a wife, a friend, a Church member, a pastor and so on. But, the worst thing that can ever happen is for you to deceive your own self. For you to reach the place in your life that you cannot hear truth; no matter where it comes from is a terrible place to be!

So, we must start with finding out the responsibility of the ( Holy Spirit of God ). What is his part in your salvation, your ( born again ) experience? Let’s look at:

( John 16:7-14 )

NEVERTHELESS I TELL YOU THE TRUTH; IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU THAT I GO AWAY: FOR IF I GO NOT AWAY, THE COMFORTER WILL NOT COME UNTO YOU, BUT IF I DEPART, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU. ( 8 ) AND WHEN HE IS COME, HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN, AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND OF JUDGMENT: ( 9 ) OF SIN, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME; ( 10 ) OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, BECAUSE I GO UNTO MY FATHER, AND YE SEE ME NO MORE; ( 11 ) OF JUDGMENT, BECAUSE THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD IS JUDGED. ( 12 ) I HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY UNTO YOU, BUT YE CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW. ( 13 ) HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF; BUT WHAT SOEVER HE SHALL; THAT SHALL HE SPEAK: AND HE WILL SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME. ( 14 ) HE SHALL GLORIFY ME: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE OF MINE, AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU.

This is what Jesus Christ said about the ( comforter ) ( the Spirit ) he would send when he left. I want you to notice the words ( UNTO YOU ). That comforter, that Spirit lives within the heart of the believer, those that are born again. Although he lives within the heart of every believer, God calls some special people to do the work here on this earth. While all born again believers can be a witness of the transformation in their lives and, should be, just as we seen in ( Romans 10 ) God uses people for specific duties. Look at this this:

( Ephesians 4:11-13 )

AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; ( 12 ) FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST: ( 13 ) TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST.

As you consider the list of the different types of people that God calls for the work of the ministry, consider the tremendous responsibility that goes with each of those things. The whole article is seeking to compare the days to which we live to the days just before the rains came after Noah had finished the Ark. As I look at this list; this verse of scripture comes to mind.

( Acts 9:15 )

BUT THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, GO THY WAY: FOR HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME, TO BEAR MY NAME BEFORE THE GENTILES, AND KINGS, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ( 16 ) FOR I WILL SHEW HIM HOW GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.

The Apostle Paul was a ( chosen vessel ). Now, I want you to notice something about men that consider themselves to be ( called ) into the gospel ministry today.

( 1 Timothy 3:1 )

THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF ANY MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK.

Did you notice the word ( desire ) there? As I consider this; I often wonder why, the reason many people today get into the ministry. We see that, according to what God himself revealed to Ananias about the man that soon became ( the Apostle Paul ) that it can involve great suffering. If any man says he desires the office of a bishop, meaning to do a work for our Lord, just consider the tremendous responsibilty he has just taken on!

Just by way of a personal thought about myself, I noticed this about myself when I pastored a Church. Just like any other Church, each service would begin with singing, praying, offering and anouncements and so on. When I would take the pulpit, I’d read my scripture, then I would pray. Almost everytime right after that prayer, I noticed it would be ( a pause ) between the last word of that prayer and the word ( Amen ). By the way, someone else pointed that fact out to me one day. As I thought about it, I realized that at that moment, it had to cease to be me and I must allow my God to be the one speaking now! There is no exceptions! Either a man that says he is called by God is giong to allow God to speak through him to the best of his ability or, he is a fraud, a false teacher!

( I believe ) we have reached the time in, what we call ( the Church age ) that we’ve made the preaching of God’s word ( a science ) rather than actually allowing God to speak through the men behind the pulpit. Men now go to school to learn the ( how to’s ) of being a pastor or to preach. How to dress, how to speak. the right terms and words to use. Also, what to say and, what not to say.

I wonder if the same things were happening just before the flood? Was there a science that had been developed? Did the true ( truth ) as spoken by Noah become a laughing point in most circles, just as what is actually needed to be ( born again ) today has become? Today, if a man actually looks out at his concregation and calls them ( hell deserving sinners ) tells them that ( without the shed blood of Jesus Christ ) they have no hope, in most cases he is asked to leave!.

I need to get back to the thought about truly being born again! What happens is that when a man that is truly called by God, allowing God’s Spirit, the Spirit that lives within him to ( speak ) He is injecting the ( truth ) as reveal by the Holy Spirit of God straight into the heart of a ( hell deserving sinner ). To make a point; in the average Church service today; a person can go, hear the message the pastor preaches, get up, go home and watch television as if they haven’t even been to Church.I want you to know that when a sinner, being any person, even if they are born again hears the word of God preached with the power of the Holy Spirit present, that spirit shines light on the sin we are guilty of and, we cannot shake it! When we leave Church, that Holy Ghost conviction leaves within our hearts.

It takes scripture to prove points! Look at this:

Hebrews 6:4-6 )

FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, ( 5 ) AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, ( 6 ) IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.

Here in these verses he makes my point. There is nothing on the face of this earth that is more powerful than the Holy Spirit! When a sinner walks into a Church, that Church being ( filled with the Holy Spirit ), sees the power of God, sits in that service, hears God’s word preached with the power of the Holy Ghost, feels the convicting power of that spirit upon his or her heart then, that sinner cannot deny that it happened. He might deny it before men but, when he stands before God, God knows the truth!.

I want you to understand; I didn’t live in the days just before the flood therefore all I might say about is only supplication, I can’t prove a word of it. However, at that time; Satan was alive and well just as he is today! ( I believe ) that men had devised their own methods of reaching that place we might call security in God. That was so strong that it made Noah and his family a laughing stock to this world. To make my point, if you will read just a little while after the Ark had settled back to dry ground; there’s a man named Nimrod that has already began to seek to build a tower to heaven, by passing the way God desired for it to happen.

A continual evilness is within the heart of man! Today, just as in those days, the truth is evil spoken of. Jesus Christ is either not even recognized or, his is so diluted that the true power of the Holy Ghost and his saving grace is not even felt. If any person tries to stand and proclaim truth, he is as quick as possible, shut up and sit down.

The true Church is now the Ark of our salvation. Jesus Christ! His perfect life, his shed blood, his crucifixion and resurrection is the only door into that Ark. The world has its Church, it’s called the synagogue of Satan! He doesn’t mind that the name of Christ is used, that God is spoken of or, any part of scripture is used. That is, as long as the power of the Holy Ghost os not present. To be born again, that Spirit must be injected into the heart of a sinner to bring about new life. To be born again that Spirit has to show you that ( just as you are ) you are ( dead ) in your trespasses and sins. It must reveal to you that your very existance means nothing to God the Father without the presence of the Holy Spirit that he is now offering to you. At that point you become willing to die to yourself and, allow him to begin to rule yo your walk, your desires, completely transforming your mindset and the direstion of which you walk.

In the days of Noah, just how many people actually seen the Ark with their own eyes? At that time, how many people were pointed toward that Ark, instructing them that they must board that Ark? Fast foward todsay! How many people are actually being told the truth? How many people are being told that they are actually hell deserving sinners, completely without hope in this present world and, that without being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, there home will be in ( Hell ) for eternity? How many people are being deceived by believing that just because the say they know Jesus Christ, they’ve been baotized and joined a local Church then everything is going to be alright, no need to look toward the Ark of Christ? How many?

The phrase ( AND THEY KWEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME ). THe Bible says that after Noah and his family entered that Ark that the door of that Ark was left open for seven days. At that point ( God shut the door ). Consider this! The Bible says that after the rapture of the Church; there will be a ( seven year ) tribulation period. During that time, if a person has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, then he can still be saved but, that person will seal his faith with his own blood! That’s a lesson for another day!

Have you been truly born again, washed in the blood of Jesus Christ? Are you in the Ark of Jesus Christ, the Church! Make your calling and election sure!

( 2 Peter 1:10 )

WHEREFORE THE RATHER, BRETHREN, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE: FOR IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL:

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

GO TO NOW, YE THAT SAY, TODAY OR TOMORROW WE WILL GO INTO SUCH A CITY, AND CONTINUE THERE A YEAR. AND BUY AND SELL, AND GET GAIN: ( 14 ) WHEREAS YE KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE ON THE MORROW. FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? IT IS EVEN A VAPOUR, THAT APPEARETH FOR A LITTLE TIME, AND THEN VANISHETH AWAY.

As I ponder how to teach this thought and, often little things that might pop in my mind, sometimes it might be days before I can actually begin to allow God’s spirit to unfold the things that I truly desire to write. As I consider this, I begin with how the word ( life ) is defined, especially in this particular verse. In teaching I’ve often referenced the fact that when we are born we, on that day ( become a living soul ). The world desfines that day as having life. I actually don’t have a problem with that, realuzing that it has to be defied some way. In reality. ( Life begins with Jesus Christ ). Why? Because he is life! When we are born again is when we actually receive ( life ) and, that life is eternal. Here is one verse that teaches that:

( John 5:24 )

VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION; BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.

Jesus Christ also says this:

( John 11:25 )

JESUS SAID UNTO HER, I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE: HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE:

The verse we are looking into in ( James 4:14 ) says this: ( FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE )? If we desire to define what we have on this earth as ( life ); then James is explaining to each of us just what we actually have. One of the first things he mentions is that you can’t even say for sure you’ll be here tomorrow. Even with that uncertainty, many people cling to this life. They seek to gain more and more money or things.

As I sit here and seek to hear God’s spirit as I write, God just place a thought on my heart of a personal nature about me. I’d like to share it concerning what we might consider gain and loss in my personal walk with Christ,

Most people that we see are people that are ( of this world ). In their thought process they only see things from a physical standpoint as it might concern success or failure. Back when I was a boy, there was a man that many people actually made fun of. This man sought to preach the gospel and, he actually did for a while. However, he was a drunkard, hard drink finally got the best of him and he died because of his sinful weakness. But, what was his life? Can you see that through all his weakness he actually had a burning desire to serve Christ? It’s easy to belittle him, be critical of his failures but what have you done for Christ in your life? Have you even attempted to overcome you sinful self and attempt something for the glory of God?

I was born again in 1975. The Church I got saved in had a pastor that was sold out for Jesus Christ. He never just stood up and preached a message. His whole mindset was one of truly seeking God’s face on what to preach. As I got to know him, learn about him, I heard him say once that before he surrendered to preach he would walk the railroad tracks close to his house seeking an answer from God about what to do. Looking back now I can see why he was so hard pressed to know for sure what he was doing, and I haven’t even gotten to me yet!

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what your sinful weakness might be or, even if it’s not a weakness you have but, a weakness of someone else that destroys the true will of God for a life, isn’t it still destroyed as far as this world is concerned? What if a man has this kind of passion to walk in God’s will, to preach the gospel but, his very wife is not supportive of what and who he is? Isn’t the same destructive power still there? It doesn’t have to be his wife. It can be a simple group of people within a Church to are not willing to submit to God’s will but are far more willing to seek their own direction.

In 1980 this pastor resigned his Church. As far as I know he never pastored another one, never started another. However, ( WHAT WAS HIS LIFE )? Can you see that what was truly within this man he was never allowed to completely live out? In 1990 my family and I, also a few other families were actually voted out of this Church. I won’t go into why but, does it make us wrong because we were voted out?

The few families that were voted out were looking to me for direction. If I visited a Church, everyone of those families followed me to that Church. We visited a few but, I was truly struggling about what to do. God had called me to preach a few years before this and I was praying about starting a Church. That’s exactly what we did! Just like my former pastor I had a tremendous passion to allow God to speak through me and, not to simply allow myself to speak or say things from the pulpit.

I pastored that Church for ten years. Within those ten years we built a building and the Church grew. With all that being said, I made many mistakes. As a matter of fact; I walked somewhat the same path as my former pastor. Was it my weakness that caused me to resign? Actually, it doesn’t matter does it? However, I will say this, often a man’s life is not defined by his weakness but rather, his will. This is something we all can count on. If you are going to sell yourself out to do God’s will, to allow ( YOUR LIFE ) to be his and not your own; then Satan is going to attect you, no matter who you are! I will add that he knows your weakness, no matter what it might be.

You might ask., should men that have the ability to see their weakness even consider doing a work for Christ? To that question I would ask you ( WHAT IS YOUR LIFE )? The average person that will say they are born again are sitting on a Church pew on Sunday morning. They go to Sunday School, they tithe and they go home. It’s almost like a football game; the stands are full of people but there are only 22 people playing football.

Investing in the work of the Lord is never a failure. The world will look at what you’ve done and judge whether they think you were victorious or a failure. They’ll sit and talk about you behind your back, making judgmental statements. However, all the truly matters is how God the Father sees your life. Did you simply invest in you or, did you seek to place yourself in the battle for the Lord? I only point these things out because we often look at people, pastors, Sunday School teachers and we, judge them as being ( used of God ) when, in reality their whole lives has nothing to do with ( the will ) to please our Lord. This is the very point that Jesus Christ is making in this verse:

( Mark 7:6 )

HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM. WELL HATH ESAIAS PROPHESIED OF YOU HYPOCRITES, AS IT IS WRITTEN, THIS PEOPLE HONOURETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEARTS IS FAR FROM ME.

This is the whole concept that James is speaking of. Like I said; you can define ( life ) as what you have if you please however, what we have, what we call ( life ) is soon going to end. This is a tremendous burden on my heart when I see what is being taught in Church and by most pastors today. Our Churches appear to be filled with people that ( honor God ) with their lips but ( their hearts ) ( their lives ) the way they actually live is miles from where God would have them be. Now, you might call that being judgmental and, I suppose it could be after I have gone to the trouble to show how often we see people not for what they really are. However, It’s truly not meant to be judgmental but with great concern.

You see, there’s some other verses we must consider. Look at this one:

( 2 Corinthians 5:17 )

THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.

Look at this one:

( Colossians 3:9-10 )

lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; ( 10 ) and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Let’s even consider this verse:

( Luke 18:21-22 )

AND HE SAID,ALL THESE HAVE I KEPT FROM MY YOUTH UP. ( 22 ) NOW WHEN JESUS HEARD THESE THINGS, HE SAID UNTO HIM, YET LACKEST THOU ONE THING: SELL ALL THAT THOU HAST, AND DISTRIBUTE UNTO THE POOR, AND THOU SHALL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN, AND COME, FOLLOW ME.

Often when I read verses that are saying what these verses are saying, I consider myself, even other people that I know come into my mind. ( WHAT IS MY LIFE )? Just how willing am I to give up all I have, give to the poor and, completely follow Jesus Christ?

I’d like to share an event that happened between my wife and I a while back. My wife is from Ohio, I’m from North Carolina. We Live in North Carolina; in the very house, on the very farm I grew up on. My wife was interested in selling out and moving back to Ohio to be a help to her family that in some cases needed us to help. What we have in North Carolina is ours with no debt. Therefore, I was apposed to selling and possibly going into debt to move to somewhere else. I actually didn’t mind moving so much but it became tense between us. I couldn’t sleep that night because it was on my mind.

The next day, around lunch I went to her and said this: Honey, if you desire to sell out and move, I’m on your team! If we are needed in Ohio then I don’t want ( things ) at any place to stop me from walking where God desire for me to walk. There are people in Ohio that need to be witnessed to just like it is in North Carolina. Therefore, when you decide to go, I’m going with you.

That’s been about two years ago, we still live in North Carolina. God’s Spirit taught me something about me during that time. I’t’s easy to say you are where God desires for you to be but, can you prove that fact? Whether it be me or, the rich young ruler, it’s not so much selling all that you have but, your willingness to do so.

I heard a pastor tell a true story once about a man, a member of his Church that owned three cotton mills in different cities. The pastor shared that this man went to each of theses cotton mills every week to check on them. These cotton mills were his life. As this man aged; one day he started to feel bad and he went to his family doctor. After examining him, his doctor told him he had cancer. The best he could offer him was about six more months.

When the man left to doctor’s office, he went straight to his pastor. This is what he said. Pastor, I have cancer, the doctor tells me I have about six months to live. You know, all my life I’ve loved my cotton mills, went to each of them each week. However, now they mean absolutely nothing to me!

In essence, we often go to Church, give what we consider to be fair in our offering. We consider ourselves to be good Christians. However, do we ever truly die to ourselves? When we read these verses, being born again is all about a transition, a transformation. It’s the act of giving up our lives and, allowing God’s Spirit to take control of what we do and who we are.

Far too often we are taught, by our Church to allow ( that Church ) to become our life. Often we have multi-million dollar Church buildings but, the members are starving to death spiritually. We have given our lives to that building! To its leadership, its pastor, its priorties! While we speak of Jesus Christ in a generic sense, his will is far from our hearts, we don’t ask him what he thinks or hear him if he speaks!

( OUR LIVES ) even the things we tie ourselves to will soon end. Let’s give a spiritual metaphor for this thought. In:

( Luke 16:23 )

AND IN HELL HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, AND SEEING ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM.

I’ll just give this verse to make my point but, you can read the whole account. As you read this you will see that this man was well off, he had very little time for Lazarus but basically looked after himself ( HIS WHOLE LIFE ). He also had five brothers. We see that, when he died, he went to hell. Do you suppose he had a beautiful funeral, maybe the preacher talked about how good he was, seeking to comfort his family, his brothers? Actually, all that doesn’t matter now does it, he in hell for eternity!

Now, you consider the last funeral you went to. Can you tell me for sure where the person that died ended up? We often hear about how good he was, how faithful he was to Church, his family, how good of a friend he was. That was his or her ( physical life ) but, what about their ( spiritual lives )?

The Bible says this:

( Matthew 7:13-14 )

ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT: ( 14 ) BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.

We read those verses but, almost every person that dies today, according to our pastors have found that strait gate! ( WHAT IS YOUR LIFE )? Have you found that strait gate? The gate that leads to life? I often say ( I’m not a judge ) but, ( that doesn’t mean I’m not concerned ) about what I see with my eyes. This is what I see. I see people falling in love with Church buildings, pastors, Sunday School teachers and, their quarterlys. I see people falling in love with different versions of God’s word but, the same people are never truly concerned about ( the truth ) in the Word Of God! I find that almost every member of our Churches today will tell you they have been saved. However, the vast majority of them only have a ( hope so ) slavation. Does that mean that they don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ , one that gives them the assurance of salvation?

I see, while many pastors might say they believe in eternal security. very few of them teach that very concept; leaving their people in ignorance of the truth. The very phrase ( WHAT IS YOUR LIFE ) cries out for an individual seeking of that truth, a personal walk with Jesus Christ.

( I BELIEVE ) and this is ( MY OPINION ). That means that you can leave what you think about what I’m about to say up to what God’s Spirit leads you to think about it. Most of our Churches today has made salvation a corperate entity meaning that salvation is more about the Church corperately and less about ( an individual walk ) with Christ. ( I believe ) we are living in the last days as it relates to scripture. Within that time frame, in scripture we see that we are headed for three main ( ones ). ( ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT ) ( ONE WORLD MONEY SYSTEM ) and ( ONE WORLD CHURCH ).

Each of those entities are being set up as we speak. My concern is ( the Church ). If you will just look back a few years there was a vast difference in our local denomination. It was very noticeable. Today, it’s not much. This was brought about because of the ( singleness ) of teaching. The average Church today requires that their pastor have at least an associate degree before they will be even considered as their pastor. I can go on about my opinion but, that’s not what I’m seeking to show you!

My desire is to get you to look at ( your life ) your ( walk with Christ ). There’s a saying that states this: ( THIS LIFE FOR YOU WILL SOON BE PASSED! ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST )! This is my whole point! When we come to the resolve that ( our lives ) that we live here is nothing and, we become willing to turn ( our lives ) over to the ( Holy Spirit of God ) and, begin to build our ( eternal lives ) is the focus of what I’m saying.

My pastor can stand, speaking at a funeral and say all kinds of good things about a person that has just passed away. All those words don’t mean a thing! He might truly make a family feel good about the love one they just lost. However, the true judgement comes only from God the Father or, I guess we should say, His Son Jesus Christ. Now is the time for you to look at ( your life ). Now’s the time for you to prepare ( your life ) to stand, not before a Church and your pastor but, before a Holy and Righteous God. I want you to look at ( your life ) and decide are you living that life for you, for your Church or pastor, for money, for fame or, for what? If you can’t say that you are living ( your life ) sold out to the best of your ability to Jesus Christ and his will then, please change your course!

I still contend that ( your life ) is never your own! The reason I say that is because it doesn’t matter what you might think, as you live ( your life ) you are either pleasing God,, by his Holy Spirit or, ( your life ) is pleasing to Satan! There is no middle ground for you to play in!

In closing; I’ll even say this. It doesn’t matter whether you agree with me or not. It all boils down to how Jesus Christ sees ( your life ) as it unfolds. Judgement is in his hands, not mine and, not your Churches or your pastors.

( WHAT IS YOUR LIFE )? Only you can decide the answer to that spiritual question!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

twitter.com/authormclayton/status/1437756041173905414

Over the years as a born again believer I’ve come to realize something; especially about myself and prayer. There is a vast difference in what I prayer out loud that people might hear and, what I might be saying to my Lord from the depths of my heart. Does anyone else feel this same way?

I heard a true story from a pastor once that had taken a stand from his pulpit. One family in his Church disagreed with his stand and stopped attending Church. The pastor went to each household seeking to get them to reconsider their position. This to no avail. As time moved foward the ( head of the family ) which was the father of the grown children got very sick. He was in the hospital and, they didn’t know whether he would live or not.

The family called this same pastor; desiring that he come and pray for their father. When the pastor got to the hospital room, the whole family was there; very concerned about their father. The man was deathly sick. His family shared with the pastor all they new to say about his sickness, The pastor listened as they spoke to him. When they had finished, the pastor asked the old man if he wanted him to pray for him? The man replied; yes.

AS the pastor began to pray thanking God for the family, he began to bring in their spiritual condition and saying, Lord, My desire is to see this family in perfect fellowship with you. Their father is sick and possibly next to death. Lord, I pray whatsoever it takes, if you have to take this man; at that; the old man stopped him from praying. He said, pastor, I don’t want you to pray that prayer. The pastor replied; sir, it doesn’t matter whether you stop me from praying out loud or not, my prayer has already been ( whatsoever it takes ) to bring your family back into fellowship with the Lord. At that, the pastor got up to leave and, reminded them all that he would continue to pray as he had.

I’d like to point out one other thing here; who was this family actually following? Even if the pastor was completely wrong; you mean to tell me that every member of that family felt exactly the same? This is something that happens often in Churches. Without realizing it, we follow people, even pastors and never even consider what God the Spirit is trying to say to us.

The elderly man got well and, they all came back to Church. The point is that this pastor didn’t just pray words to make those people feel good. The Bible tells us that ( the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much )!

( James 5:16 )

CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER, AND PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER, THAT YE MAY BE HEALED. THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH.

I often wonder if we, as Church members have made our Churches and our prayer lives into an extention of the hospital’s emergency rooms. In the true story I just shared with you, let’s consider! In every sense of the word; this pastor was concerned about the ( spiritual wellbeing ) of this family, not the physical. We could make the argument that the pastor was wrong about the stand he took. Also, that the family didn’t need to go to his Church or, any Church. However, true prayer is always going to be a communication between a person and God the Father. With that in mind, the spiritual aspect will always be first and formost.

Man can always be seen as wrong. Man is and, always will be imperfect. However, if you meet a person that is truly concerned about your spiritual wellbeing over any physical problem you might have then that can be seen as a true spiritual communication line between that person and God the Father.

( In my opinion ) most of the prayers we hear, God the Father pays little attention to. Why would I say that? Because, in reality; we are not speaking in terms that even gets God attention! Let me use an example of what I’m saying. In ( Acts 1 ); look at this prayer:

( Acts 1:24 )

AND THEY PRAYED, AND SAID, THOU, LORD,WHICH KNOWEST THE HEARTS OF ALL MEN, SHEW WHETHER OF THESE TWO THOU HAST CHOSEN, ( 25 ) THAT HE MAY TAKE PART OF THIS MINISTERY AND APOSTLESHIP, FROM WHICH JUDAS BY TRANSGRESSION FELL THAT HE MIGHT GO TO HIS OWN PLACE,

Here, we’re focusing on the the phrase ( they prayed ). Would you mind explaining to me why God would hear and answer this prayer? Hadn’t God, in the body of the risen Jesus Christ already given them instruction to ( go to Jerusalem and wait )?

( ( Luke 24:49 )

AND, BEHOLD, I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.

Far too often we act and get ahead of God and the leadership of his Spirit. Just as these Apostles did. The reason is that we desire physical control of spiritual matters and, that cannot be! Also, far too often we are not willing to pay the spiritual price it takes to bring about true spiritual change.

Pether was exactly right when he made the statements that led up to them picking an Apostle in ( Acts 1 ) There truly needed to be twelve of them, Jesus had told them that in ( Matthew 19:28 ); but Jesus himself does the chosing of whom those men will be. Now, who was the man Jesus Christ chose to be that Apostle? We leearn that in ( Acts 9 ). However there was a tremendous price paid by a man to bring that about.

That brings us to another prayer! As far as I can see; this is the second prayer recorded in the ( Book of Acts ). In :

( Acts 7 ) where Stephen had just preached a very powerful message to people that didn’t have a desire to hear truth. Because he preached this message; he was stoned to death. Just before he died, look at the prayer he prayed:

( Acts 7:60 )

AND HE KNEELED DOWN, AND CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, LORD, LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE. AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE FELL ASLEEP.

If you’ll go back a little and read you will see where Stephen actually seen the glory of God and Jesus standing at his right side. ( Acts7:55 ). What’s the difference in the two prayers? Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost. Now, I’m sure he, like the rest of us had a desire to live but, he willingly preached what God laid on his heart, gave himself to God’s glory. The man that would become ( the twelieth Apostle ) was there and, the men that stoned Stephen laid their coats at his feet.

His name at the time was ( Saul ). He became the ( Apostle Paul ). We also see in scripture that he had a hard time getting the rest of the Apostles to believe he was truly an Apostle.

I only make this point to show a difference in two seperate prayers and true results from the prayers we pray. So, let’s make some points here. Why did the eleven Apostles have to cast lots to decide who they thought the Apostlse should be? Why wasn’t it as simple as God the Father communicating with the men he had chosen? Isn’t true prayer as simple as ( a believer ) talking to his savior? I use these two examples of prayer to show the difference in any person praying as inspired by God’s Holy Spirit and, when the Spirit of God is not present.

While I know that God”s Spirit can be heard in a prayer when it’s prayed out loud, I also know that we often are just going through a motion when we are ask to pray out loud for different things such at meal time. It can also be the same way when we pray simply speaking to God from our hearts; that is, if we are not truly seeking God’s will when we pray.

Personally, I believe we can pray in ignorance as a child might not knowing or understanding what they are asking for. ( I believe ) the eleven Apostles did this. They were seeking or, desiring for Jesus to soon return and establish his kingdom on this earth at that time. They were seeking to have things prepared in their mind for that to happen. They didn’t understand at that time that God, by his Spirit, the Spirit he had promised was to usher in the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

Aren’t we often guilty of the very same ignorance, just seeking our own will when it concerns cetain people or desires? As I look at these two aspects of prayer; I think of parents and their own personal dessire for their children to be saved, born again. When you consider the two prayers we see here; are you willing to pay whatsoever price it takes to see the salvation of others, not just your children or, do you simply desire things like you want them to be?

We pray for our own children to be saved, we do the obvious, we take them to Church, enrole them in Sunday School, youth groups and so on. However, we never go about to witness to a lost and dying world; proving that we are more concerned about our own desires more than the true will of God. We can see within our own selves the difference in the prayers of the eleven Apostles and the prayer of Stephen.

Without being able to prove what I’m saying, ( I believe ) that the choice that the Apostles made in the very beginning and, the inability of some of them to see their wrong brought about some false teaching in the early Church that still stands today. Even if every one of the Apostles at some point seen the error and sought to correct it, the damage in some cases had been done in the minds of some people.

True prayer will always be as inspired by the Spirit of God and, truly seeking God’s will no matter what we have to face in our lives. Isaiah, talking to the Lord when the Lord asked a question, replied this ( Then said I, here am I, send me! ) The voice of the Lord had asked ( Whom shall I send )? ( Isaiah 6:8 )

If you will read the next few verses, you will see that what Isaiah had just said he would go do would not be a pleasant task! We sit in out perspective Churches Sunday after Sunday. We hear a sermon, even prayer that Basically God the Father has nothing to do with. Why? Because God’s Spirit is not a part of what is being preached or prayed!

The prophets that were speaking to Israel were making their ears tingle. They said basically what made the people feel good. ( I believe ) that far too often, even in our Churches we pray to the ( god of this world ) and we don’t even realize it. Often what we consider ( true prayer ) is a prayer that is offered for our own personal gain and has nothing to do with God the Father or, his will. We even rejoice when the ( god of this world ) answers our prayer not even realizing the contempt we just brought to God the Father.

While seeking to define ( true prayer ) I’d like to teach my understanding of:

( James 5:16 )

CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER, AND PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER, THAT YE MAY BE HEALED. THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH.

In these verses we often use what it’s saying as a verse for the healing of the flesh. We like to say that ( the effectual fervent prayer availeth much ). However, if we read this chapter it has nothing to do with the sickness of the flesh. It’s all about spiritual affliction and sickness. The healing has to do with the healing of the soul from sin. ( The effectual fervant prayer ) is designed to bring the sinful condition of a man’s heart to the forefront of his thinking and a desire for that man to be spiritually healed from who and what he is.

As a matter of fact, ( effectual prayer ) might be the reason for sickness in the flesh. While a righteous man is praying for ( whatever it takes ) to bring about ( spiritual healing ), those that might be praying to the ( god of this world ) is praying for ( physical healing ). And, it’s very possible that ( the things of this world ) doctors, medicines and so on might heal the body of that person but, don’t they still have to die at some point?

We very often confuse those two aspects of our lives; ( spiritual and physical ). Do we realize that a man that doesn’t even consider what God’s will is can be helped by the doctors and medicines of this world? That’s not to say that Godly people are not blessed by the same things but, we must see people for what they are and, pray for their spiritual condition first and foremost as ( fervent prayer warriors ). If not, we are not being spiritual at all.

Now, I want you to look at something with me. Let’s read:

( verse 7 )

BE PATIENT THEREFORE, BRETHREN, UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD.

What is he saying here? This coming has to do with the Spirit of God moving upon the heart of a man or person. If you will notice the verses before this one you will see he is describing people of this world and what they believe to be their riches. However, they are not riches at all! He even says that what you have will be a witness against you. It will eat your flesh as it were fire. Notice this verse:

( Verse 5 )

YOU HAVE LIVED IN PLEASURE ON THE EARTH, AND BEEN WANTON, YOU HAVE NOURISHED YOUR HEARTS, AS IN THE DAY OF SLAUGHTER.

He saying that these people have basically had things like they desired; not considering the end product. However, he makes the point that ( the husbandman ) waits for the precious fruit of the earth and, has long patience for it, waiting for the early and latter rain.

This is a metaphor of what a ( prayer warrior ) must be willing to do. When a farmer plants seeds in the ground he must wait and allow things to progress that he might reap the fruit thereof. In the real world, there’s nothing else he can do. That is; unless he chooses to just place artificial fruit on the table to look upon.

In the process of reaping true fruit; it takes work, patience and simply waiting to see the things as they grow. In our spiritual lives we often try to say our prayers are answered when we atrificially create ( Godly circumstanses ). Let’s say we pray for a sick person, that person’s situation gets better but, that person spiritually remains the same. Can you see how their physical condition being ( made better ) ( by our prayer ) could be seen as a hinderance to their actual ( spiritual condition )? Even praying selfishly for the salvation of our friends and children can be seen the same way.

I desire to see my children join Church, get baptized. I ask our Church to pray about that. We also created ( worldly things ) other than the simple preaching under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to enhance this effort. My children desire to be a part so, they say they believe in Jesus Christ, get baptized and join Church. We are excited about that. However, were they truly born again? or, did they just get caught up in a ( worldly situation ) that was actually not a part of the ( effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man )?

Can you see how that allowing spiritual things to unfold in an ungodly world might be more beneficial to those we love rather than being impatient and just creating what appears to be salvation? I use children because I can see how we like for our children to make us look good. We like to have people around us, especially if we are Church members; to see only good things out of our homes. We like to be seen as perfect. We raise our children in Church, we; like every other parent say we pray for our children’s salvation.

One day when they go down to the alter, they profess faith and so on, then, as far as everyone sees, they live just like we live. Therefore ( God answered our prayers ). When; in reality was it the ( god of this world ) that answered our prayer?

Now, let’s use some scripture to prove my point.

( Luke 15: 11-12 )

AND HE SAID, A CERTAIN MAN HAD TWO SONS: ( 12 ) AND THE YOUNGER OF THEM SAID TO HIS FATHER, FATHER, GIVE ME THE PORTION OF GOODS THAT FALLETH TO ME. AND HE DIVIDED UNTO THEM HIS LIVING.

I’d like to take this passage, not just these two verses but, the whole accout of what we see concerning what we call the prodigal son and make the point about ( true prayer ) if I can. One of the first things to notice is that there are ( two sons ) the older and the younger. In a spiritual sense; that can be seen as a picture of every person that is ever born. That is; if we are born again. The elder is a type of our fleshly bodies. The younger is our spiritual being; being born at a later time.

However, we see in scripture that the father gave ( them ) all his living. I take that to mean that he gave both his sons all he had. Both sons made a choice of which they would do with what he had given them. In the sense of being two people; we all have a ( God consciousness ) that is, even if we don’t recognize him as our savior. Our inner man desires to help each of us in our flesh to ( come to ourselves ) yielding our bodies to the will of God.

That is the picture we see in these two sons. I realize that we don’t see where this father ever prayed for his sons, however; we do know that he was with the elder son each day, he seen him prosper in all thay had as time went by. He didn’t even know where the younger son was.

We have the priviledge of seeing our children the very same way. We can watch their lives and see all the good things they do and the bad mistakes they make but, we can’t see the true spiritual part of their lives until they are willing to reveal them to us. ( True prayer ) is the power to pray for that change in people and, to be willing to wait on God as he brings about that change. The change that cause each of us to surrender our flesh to the will of the ( Father ).

If you will notice, there was no change in the elder son at all. That is, until the father begin to bless the younger son. At that point we can see the true heart of the elder son and, the great difference in the mindset of the two sons as time went foward.

I show this to try and point out the heart of the father and, how it might relate to true prayer. The father could have assumed that the eldest son was right with God in his heart. He could have thought that the youngest son needed to make some spiritual changes in his life. The truth is and, we see it as it unfolds; they both had spiritual problems.

Another point is ( the price that has to be paid ). The father gave ( all his living ) for his two sons. Didn’t Stephen give ( all his living ) for Saul to be saved? Can you see how that Stephen could have looked at Saul and thought; this is a righteous man, very religious. Since that was the case; Stephen could have chosen to just simply not say a word. However, was it not God’s Spirit that was speaking far above the flesh of Stephen?

Far too often we look at the flesh, the actions of people around us and assume they are where God desires for them to be. We even pray prayers to relate to what we might think instead of even considering the Spirit of God.

So, with this being said and, seeking to understand what ( true prayer ) is, let’s see if we can find the very divine nature of God the Father. True prayer is seeking that divine nature and, allowing it to act out in our lives. We looked at ( James 5:16 ). We made the point that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man might just be the reason a person is sick. Let’s take it a step farther.

( 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 )

FOR HE THAT EATETH AND DRINKETH UNWORTHILY, EATETH AND DRINKETH DAMNATION TO HIMSELF, NOT DISCERNING THE LORD’S BODY. ( 30 ) FOR THIS CAUSE MANY ARE WEAK AND SICKLY AMONG YOU, AND MANY SLEEP.

As we read these verses; including ( James 5:16 ), prayer is designed between any person and God the Father to bring about spiritual change in the hearts of people. There’s no such thing as any person being perfectly free from sin. However, any person can obtain the very divine nature of God with their heart with a true desire to see people ( lost and saved ) to reach that same divine nature.

I often make this statement: If I look at you and Judge you to be born again; am I not judging you just like I’d be if I judged you yo be lost? Any spiritual person understands that we can’t know what’s in a person heart. ( I believe ) that every message any pastor preaches should be viewed as to every person in his Church as possibly being lost. Common sense will tell us that every person can grow spiritually as long as they live. Therefore, every message should run the spectrum from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to seeking to feed the most spiritual in the Church.

The spiritual communication between any spiritual person and God the Father will never be simply about the healing of the flesh. It will always be about the spiritual relationship between a person and God the Father. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t pray for the healing of the flesh but, to always have a desire to see a spiritual difference in the lives of people moving foward.

When you consider yourself as a born again believer; just how real do you believe God is? Just what do you think he’s capable of? How willing are you to allow him to decide the fate, the life span of every person on this earth;even yours?

As a born again believer, prayer is all about life, period. That life being eternal. Eternal life must have a beginning. It begins with being born again. It’s not only about life but, life more abundantly. Another statement I make a lot is this. Just because God will save you ( just as you are ) does not mean he will allow you to say ( just as you are ).

The fervent prayer of a righteous person will always be about you leaving where you are in a spiritual sense and seeking the divine nature of God the Father. My flesh, our flesh is of this world. God the Father is seeking to allow his Spirit to control everything our flesh does. If we go back and consider the flesh of Stephen. In the mind of God; he used the destruction of the flesh of Stephen for the spiritual transformation of a man named Saul. Although Stephen might have died at a relative young age, his death can be credited with every person that has ever been saved through the ministry and writings of The Apostle Paul. So, the question would be as far as your flesh is concerned; what do you want the most? What do you pray for? Would you rather die at a young age with the blessings of God on your life or, live a long life; never pleasing God the Father?

Do we even consider God’s will in any situation when we offer up a prayer to heaven? There’s a vast difference in what we see with our eyes, our emotional connection to our prayer life and what God the Father actually sees in every situation. What we fail to understand is this fact:

( 2 Peter 3:9 )

THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME MEN COUNT SLACKNESS; BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TO US-WARD, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.

God sent his Holy Spirit into this world. His desire is for every person to hear that spirit and, yield to that Spirit. I could argue that the very life span of every person is directly related to God’s desire to bring people to him. We could also say that when men reject the call of God’s spirit it places him on very dangerous ground as far as where he will spend eternity:

( 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.

So, when we consider the ( fervent prayer of a righteous man ) what all can that man see? First of all; no person can see the heart of any other person. We are limited in our understanding of every other person’s heart. Men that are fervent in their prayer have the same heartfelt desire to see salvation to every person just as God does. Those people that fervently pray also understand that God’s Spirit will not force himself on any person. But, if a person has rejected God’s call then. they themselves place themselves in the situation that they are in.

Now, besides this there are at least two other groups of people. There are those that truly seek to walk where God asked them to and, those that are ( born again ) but choose to live carnal lives. Look at these verses:

( Hebrews 12:6-8 )

FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH, AND SCOURGETH EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVETH. ( 7 ) IF YE ENDURE CHASTENING, GOD DEALETH WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS HE WHOM THE FATHER CHASTENETH NOT? ( 8 ) BUT IF YE BE WITHOUT CHASTISEMENT, WHEREOF ALL ARE PARTAKERS, THEN YE ARE BASTARDS, AND NOT SONS.

Can you see the two groups of people within these verses? If carnal people choose to live as they please then, God the Father is going to ( chasten them ). If they can live as they please without that chastening then he’s saying they are ( bastards ). God is not their father.

A true prayer warrior understands that we cannot see the true heart of any person therefore, we trust God’s dicisions in how their lives unfold. Every verse we have read points to how God the Father sees people and their relationship with him. Things we cannot see. His will is for all of us to stand before prepared to do so. That is; in salvation and our spiritual maturity as well.

We like to look at people and decide in our own minds whether that are where God desires for them to be or not. We like to say people are saved or, people are lost depending on what we see. We often; because of this, ask God for things that cannot or, should not be.

Actually, ( James 4 ) addresses this. The chapter just before we read about the ( prayer of a righteous man ). Personally, ( I believe ) our Church leadership and pastors do their congregations a great disservice by not revealing these facts to their congregations and, leaving them in complete ( true prayer ) ignorance. Look at what he is saying in:

( James 4:4 )

YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD?

I’d like to use this one verse and, possibly build around what he is saying here. In the mind of most of the people that might read this verse they automatically assume that he is speaking to people; mem and women that commit adultery. However, that is not the case. He is speaking of ( Spiritually adultery ) and that by those that say they are married to him by salvation but, are still in love with the things of this world. As I say that; he is also specifically speaking of the things in our prayer life, the things we ask for.

I know that what I’m about to say can be seen as very deep spiritual thinking. However, I believe it is very important to see these things as we seek to learn about ( true prayer ). Prayer that reaches the heart of God and, changes the spiritual aspects of the people we are praying for. To whom is James speaking as he writes this complete letter? It’s two things we see as we ponder that question. First, he speaking to the ( twelve tribes ) that are scattered abroad. That’s his people in the nation of Israel. Secondly, the mentions ( brethren ). We see these two groups of people in ( James 1:1-2 ).

As I looked at this I realized that; as I speak to every person that reads this, I can be seen in the very same ( spiritual light). James was a born again believer, he was also an Israelite. I, am a born again believer. I’m speaking to the Church. In both cases only the Holy Spirit can know for sure who ( the brethren ) are; the people that are truly born again. However, the message goes to all those that will listen. ( You have not because you ask not ),( when you do ask; you ask amiss ). ( You ask that ye may consume it upon your lust ).

He says or, calls them ( adulterers and adulteresses ) meaning that they are truly born again but, living and praying of this world. I say this. In the average local Church, there are a lot of people lost, never been truly born again. There are some that are members that are saved, born again but, in love with the things of this world. Add, there are a very few that are actually sold out to the true will og God. That is the same picture James seen as he looked at the Nation of Israel.

Notice one other point he makes in ( James 4 ). ( From whence come wars and fightings among you )? ( Come they not hence, even of your own lusts that war in your members )? ( A Church ) is a body. It’s no difference than you own personal body. We have to truly seek to ( die to our flesh ) in order to seek to pray true prayers that reach the heart of God the Father.

Just as a side note: If a man refuses to be the head of his house, surrendering himself to the will of God, Can he be seen as committing ( spiritual adultery )? If a wife refuses to submit to her husband, a man seeking to follow the leadership of God, can she be seen as committing ( spiritual adultery )?

A Church can be just like any one individual. That Church or individual can become ( their own worst enemy ). We do that by yielding to the desires of our flesh and, when this happens, true prayer is hard to come by. With that being said; if we’re not careful we’ll become content ( just as we are ) and start believing we are blessed by God when he actually has nothing to do with what we are calling blessings from him.

As we look at all these scriptures, ( 1 Corinthians 11 ) there are many weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ( Hebrews 12 ) If ye are without chastising the ye are bastards and not sons. ( James 4-5 ) the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much ), can you see that God isn’t playing when it comes to our relationship with him or our prayer life?

One more verse and I’ll close:

( 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 )

KNOW YE NOT THATTHEY WHICH RUN IN A RACE RUN ALL, BUT ONE RECEIVETH THE PRIZE? SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. ( 25 ) AND EVERY MAN THAT STRIVETH FOR THE MASTERY IS TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS. NOW THEY DO IT TO OBTAIN A CORRUPTIBLE CROWN; BUT WE AN INCORRUPTIBLE. ( 26 ) I THEREFORE SO RUN, NOT AS UNCERTAINTY; SO FIGHT I, NOT AS ONE THAT BEATETH THE AIR: ( 27 ) BUT I KEEP UNDER MY BODY, AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION: LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BECOME A CASTAWAY.

The ability to pray ( true prayer ) has to be taught and understood. God’s desire is to truly bless every person upon the face of this earth but, he is a jealous God and very demanding of his children in a spiritual sense. The Apostle Paul here is saying that ( he ) is responsible for his own spiritual life. ( He ) and he alone knows where he is walking in a spiritual light with God the Father. It becomes the responsibility of each born again believer to ( bring themselves ) under the sujection of the Holy Spirit of God that we might be able to pray and understand the true will of God.

In our Church, just as in the Nation of Israel; every person can think you are a gift from God and, every member of your Church can highly esteen one another but, if God is not pleased with you then all your words become ( a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol in his presence!

In closing. a true prayer warrior’s prayers that he or she prays in private when no one hears but God is probably the most powerful of his prayers. For instance; As I now pray for each person that might read this, I pray that in every situation ( whatsoever ) it might take to bring you, as a believer to the center of God’s will, that including every member of your family; I ask God the do that at his will that we all might stand before God prepared to do so. I also ask you to pray the very same prayer for me and my family. All in the Name Above all Names Jesus Christ!

This is a question that Jesus Christ asked his disciples once as they sit and he had just told them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Saducees. The disciples took the word ( leaven ) and assumed he was talking about something as simple as the bread they might eat because they had not eaten yet. You can read this account in ( Matthew 16 ).

I’d like to take this same account and build something that burns in my my heart and draws me to my knees. In doing this; let’s go all the way back to the tower of Babel. In a spiritual sense; it’s important that we understand something. The tower of Babel was an event that took place after the flood of Noah. We know that the Ark had only eight people on it. These eight people ( by faith ) entered that Ark and were saved from the destruction that was to come.

For the sake of argument, let’s say that all three sons of Noah were sold out to the will of God and, they taught their children these precepts as they began to replenish this earth with people. With that being said, we also know that out of the lineage of Shem came Abraham which was the father of the nation of Israel.

The tower of Babel was seeking to be built by the descendants of Ham. Nimrod was the son of Cush, he was to build the tower. You can study this out in ( Genesis 10-11 ).

My point in seeking to teach this is a spiritual one. Of the three sons of Noah, each having the very same opportunity upon this earth to seek and do God’s will; just how devoted were they to the will of God? What did they teach their children? Just how sincere were they about truly seeking God’s will for their lives and, the lives of their children?

We can even say that, although each of Noah’s sons were sinners and, even if they truly sought to teach their children in the ways of God, the possibility of the mindsets of people change as one generation gives way to another.

All through scripture we see this same picture as life unfolds. In the context of the verses we are looking at in ( Matthew 16 ); consider something. As Jesus sit and talked to his disciples, we see two other sets of people memtioned: ( Pharisees and Saducees ). Where do we see those people as it relates to any aspect of spiritual living before the birth of Jesus Christ? What do either of these two sects have to do with anything?

In ( Matthew 16 ) Jesus asked his disciples: who do men say that I am? His disciples began to tell him who men said he was. John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias or one of the other prophets. In all of this and, we will look deeper into it, what is it that truly matters? The only thing; as far as one individual is concerned, that truly matters is ( what is your individual relationship with Jesus Christ?

Back in the generation of Noah, what do we see? We see men named Nimrod seeking to build ( a way ) to get to heaven apart from the truth of God the Father. Later on in the very Nation that God called out for his own, don’t we see the very same thing with the Pharisees and Sadducees? Aren’t they seeking to build a way to God rather than simply seeking truth. As a matter of fact, they denied Jesus Christ!

Even if we go back to the time before the flood, look at what we see:

( Genesis 6:5 )

AND GOD SAW THAT THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY IMAGINATION OF THE THOUGHT OF HIS HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY.

Looking back one more step and, seeking to make the point that I’m trying to make; didn’t even Cain offer a sacrifice? The Bible says in:

( Genesis 4:3 )

AND IN THE PROCESS OF TIME IT CAME TO PASS, THAT CAIN BROUGHT OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD.

Couldn’t we say that ( as time processed ) that in the days just before the flood that men had also devised their own way of being religious? These people looked at Noah and his family as a deranged family; seeking rather to stick with their own man made way of worship. So, can we ask the question maybe from an aspect of Noah speaking? Who did men say that Noah was? ( Who do you say Noah was )? I say that Noah was a man that taught the very same type of grace that was seen in the blood sacrifice God offered for the sins of Adam and Eve!

That is the grace that Adam taught his children and they taught their children. However, as the years passed; many, basically all devised their own way of seeking to please God just as Cain did. As we look at the people all the way from Adam to Noah, even from Noah to Abraham and, from Abraham to Moses; it’s always the same. Every person that believed by faith, seen by faith the blood sacrifice that God himself did in the Garden of Eden. That truth was relayed by every generation.

Long before ( the law ) ever came into being. the questions were being asked, ( who do men say that I am ) ? And, ( who do you say that I am )? The gospel ( the good news ) that God offered his grace through shed blood was the messeage that was preached. That, not in a building by a particular man or person but, rather by those few people that actually believed that single thing by faith. Can you see how it was the responsibility of the head of each family to share that truth with his family? Can you see how it was still up to every individual to see that truth and build their lives around that truth?

The Bible actually make it this simple:

( John 1:17 )

FOR THE LAW WAS GIVEN BY MOSES, BUT GRACE AND TRUTH CAME BY JESUS CHRIST.

Since ( I believe ) that ( God was in Christ ) wasn’t it the same Christ that killed the animals, shed blood to make coats for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? ( Genesis 3:21 ) Wasn’t that the same Christ that met Abram in the body of Melchisedek? ( Genesis 14:17-24 ) If you remember; when Moses turned to see the burning bush and, God spoke to him. what did God say?

( Exodus 3:14 )

AND GOD SAID TO MOSES, I AM THAT I AM: AND HE SAID, THUS SHALT THOU SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, I AM HATH SENT ME UNTO YOU.

Didn’t Jesus Christ use the same term here in this verse? Who do men say that ( I AM )? We often, even in our Churches seek to seperate Jesus Christ from God the Father indirectly. As a matter of fact; any time we seek to tie ( the law ) to salvation we seperate the two. It’s not that the law is not important because it’s very important. It shows us the we are sinners and, that we need Jesus Christ as our redeemer.

When the Apostle Peter answered Jesus and said this ( THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD )! He was acknowledging that Jesus was the same person that killed the animals in the Garden of Eden. He was the same person that met Abram in the body of Melchisedek. He was the same person that spoke to Moses at the burning bush.

As a matter of fact, he is the same person that spoke to Noah,; telling him to prepare an Ark, When all was finished with the Ark, he was the person that closed the door to the Ark. He was the person that spoke to Noah and gave instruction when the Ark had settled back to earth.

( Genesis 9:1-17 )

Instead of writing this whole segment; I’ll offer this one verse and, we’ll go back to a verse in ( Genesis 8 ).

( Verse 6 )

WHOSO SHEDDETH MAN’S BLOOD, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED: FOR IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE MAN.

Now, let’s look back at:

( Genesis 8:20-21 )

AND NOAH BUILDED AN ALTER UNTO THE LORD; AND TOOK OF EVERY CLEAN BEAST, AND EVERY CLEAN FOWL, AND OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS ON THE ALTER. ( 21 ) AND THE LORD SMELLED A SWEET SAVOUR; AND THE LORD SAID IN HIS HEART, I WILL NOT AGAIN CURSE THE GROUND ANY MORE FOR MAN’S SAKE; FOR THE IMAGINATION OF MAN’S HEART IS EVIL FROM HIS YOUTH; NEITHER WILL I AGAIN SMITE ANY MORE EVERY THING LIVING AS I HAVE DONE.

There’s a lot to be seen here! However, I’d like to make one point and we’ll move on.

( Genesis 7:2 )

OF EVERY CLEAN BEAST THAU SHALT TAKE TO THEE BY SEVENS, THE MALE AND HIS FEMALE: AND OF BEASTS THAT ARE NOT CLEAN BY TWO, THE MALE AND HIS FEMALE.

We see that God had already, himself prepared for the ( burnt offering ) that Noah was to make. Noah, being a man of faith, built an alter to God, not because God commanded him to but, rather because it was his choice to do so. We see that ( the Lord smelled a sweet savour ) and ( said in his heart ). The actions of Noah moved God! I often make the point that God saved a part of everything living on the Ark. That included sin. We see that as we continue to read. Therefore, I wasn’t the absence of sin that was pleasing to God but, a willingness to acknowledge him by faith.

It’s not that God doesn’t desire us to live a life pleasing to him but, that we recognize our sinful conditions and, walk with him by faith. As we move foward from here we see the progressive sinfulness of man right in the family of Noah. The willingness to walk with God by faith is an individual choice. This choice is one that very few people ever come to realize.

In every family, before and after the flood we see the very same thing. Most of the people chose to follow the lust of the flesh, living to please their ownselves rather than seeking to walk with God the Father.

The Bible proves out that Jesus Christ, all the way back to Adam and Eve has always been in the mind and heart of God the Father. Look at this verse:

( Revelation 13:8 )

AND ALL THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP HIM, WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE OF THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.

In the mind and heart of God there has always been a place called Calvary that he, in the body of Jesus Christ would offer himself as the eternal sacrifice for the sins of this world. The blood he shed would cover the sins of all men all the way back to the sin of Adam and Eve. And, also to the very last man or woman that will ever be born.

What we often fail to realize is that the only difference is that the people in the Old Testamant looked foward to the Cross and the people in the New Testament look back to that same Cross, The Cross where Jesus Christ, God in a bady of flesh became the sin sacrifice for this world. Actually, we can see this in scripture. For instance: when the Old Testament saints died,; where did they go?

As we study through ( Hebrews ) we’ll get to this. However, the Bible says in:

( Hebrews 9:8 )

THE HOLY GHOST THIS SIGNIFYING, THAT THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST OF ALL WAS NOT MADE MANIFEST, WHILE AS THE FIRST TABERNACLE WAS YET STANDING:

We’ll get to that later but, we see in this verse that what they were doing was not perfect but, jusy a picture of what was to come. So, what happened the very second that Jesus Christ gave up the ghost on his Cross?

( Matthew 27:51 )

AND, BEHOLD, THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT IN TWAIN FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM; AND THE EARTH DID QUAKE, AND THE ROCKS RENT; ( 52 ) AND THE GRAVES WERE OPENED, AND MANY BODIES OF THE SAINTS THAT SLEPT AROSE, ( 53 ) AND CAME OUT OF THE GRAVES AFTER THE RESURRECTION, AND WENT INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND APPEARED UNTO MANY.

Now, let’s take this another step:

( Ephesians 4:8-10 )

WHEREFORE HE SAITH, WHEN HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN. ( 9 ) ( NOW THAT HE ASCENDED, WHAT IS IT BUT THAT HE ALSO DESCENDED FIRST INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH? ( 10 ) HE THAT DESCENDED IS THE SAME ALSO THAT ASCENDED UP FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS, THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS. )

Again, there’s a lot to teach here however, God the Father has been building his kingdom for the body of Jesus Christ from the beginning of thr world. ( The problem ) only a few people see that by faith. As you go back through the OldTestament, we see many people but, few that actually walk with God by faith.

Now, God the Father didn’t have to allow these people to be seen did he? He did that for the benefit of those that were in doubt! Also, to inspire those that believed. I’m simply making the point that those Old Testament saints we not able to go in the presence of God the Father until the perfect sacrifice was made and that, in the body of Jesus Christ. Those Oldtestament saints were waiting for that time.

To bring the title back into focus: ( WHO DO MEN SAY THAT I, THE SON OF MAN AM? ) AND, ( ( WHO DO YOU SAY, I THE SON OF MAN AM? ) Just as those Old Testament saints were waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, so are we today! We have Churches that are filled with people but, how many truly know him for who he Is?

So, what has happened over the years? It’s exactly like it was before the flood and, between that Ark returning to earth after the flood , even after the law. Men wandered away from the true and living God, they devised a way that they could worship. They made ( the creature more important than the creator ) ( Romans 1:25 ).

Its been this way from the beginning and, nothing has changed. We like to say we go to Church to worship but, who are we worshipping? When Adam and Eve sinned and God shed blood for their covering, those two people truly knew what had been done for them. They knew the sacrifice, the grace of God. Eve longed for a son that would continue to teach that same power!

Although we go through a motion, even naming the name of Jesus Christ; most people, members of Churches have little to no true passion for the ( grace of God ). That fact shows through the lives they live every day. Most Church members are tightly woven into the fabric of the things of this world.

Remember the tower of Babel? Nimrod, seeking to build a way to heaven? Now, we can say that those people had a mindset for God; why? Because they were seeking heaven! However, do you think they were sharing what had transpired in the Garden of Eden between God the Father, Adam and Eve? No, it had nothing to do with grace!

Now, let’s put this in an average Church setting. What is the Church building? Consider the members. Do they invite you to come to their Church, to join their Church or, do they sit down with you and, share Jesus Christ and his saving grace?

Adam and Eve were facing death; what does that mean? They had broken God’s law and were facing an eternity in hell which is ( death defined ). When is the last time a Church member came to your house or, met you on the street, maybe in a cafe, looked in your eyes and said this; friend, just like you are ( hell will be your home ) you are a hell deserving sinner! You must be born again! When is the last time you heard your pastor even say this?

We build up our Churches, the places we love; we even do it in the name of Jesus Christ but, we deny the power thereof! Have you ever considered why? The reason is that most members are just like the people building the ( Tower of Babel ). They know something needs to be done but, refuse to change anything about themselves to bring those changes to pass.

In reality, it goes back to the simple statement Jesus Christ asked his disciples. ( who do men say that I am )? ( Who do you say that I am )? When we get away from the roles we play in Church, forget what our Church might ask us to do and; look at ourselves, answering that question with our own hearts; who is Jesus Christ to you? Forgetting the message you pastor preaches, the fact you were baptized, the fact you joined Church, does Jesus Christ truly live within your heart?

These questions are paramount to your own personal salvation and, your relationship, not with a Church but, with Jesus Christ himself! From the time of Adam and Eve to the first destruction of this earth; only eight people ( believed ). From the giving of the law to Moses to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Pharisees and Saducees ( built ) different religions in the name of God the Father.

On the day of Pentecost; 120 believers were filled with the spirit and that number grew; fighting the religions of that time tooth and nail. Now, some two thousand years later, how many people are truly born again, washed in the blood of jesus Christ?

Can you see the same picture happening time and time again? Are you caught up in that evil deceit? Who do you say ( the Son of Man ) is? Are you truly born again or are you just a member of a local Church?

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

When did I become a fool?

These questions are questions that truly needs clarity! If I told you that ( I was born a fool ). Is that a fact that can be proven? If I told you, I will die a fool, can that be proven as well? What if we say; every person is a fool, can we prove that statement? To look into these things, we must first understand who is speaking and why. For instance: I worked with a young man once that was working with us on work release from prison. He had raped a woman at knife point. At that time I was a born again believer and, I witnessed to him. One day as we worked; he called me a pervert. I asked him, what is a pervert? He replied, ( a person that deviates from the norm ). I said to that, no! If that’s how it’s defined, you might consider yourself to be normal! A pervert is someone that deviates from what right.

When I gave that definition, that is ( my definition ). We can find the word ( pervert ) used often in scripture and, I believe that the way I defined it is close to the way it’s used in scripture. However, we can see that words can be ( as defined by any person ). The young man I spoke of had a way he defined ( pervert ) , so did I.

I can see how; every person becomes a fool and every person can be seen as wise if we allow any single individual to define the word just as they choose to. What wisdom will always do is to allow every word to be defined by God the Father and, understand the actual text that word is being used in.

Look at these two verses:

( 1 Corinthians 1:18 )

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

( 1 Corinthians 1:21 )

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Now, let’s see what it says between those two verses:

( 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 )

( 19 ) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. ( 20 ) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

As we look at these verses we see that wisdom and foolishness is ( as defined by whom ). The world has one way to define these words but God has another. I, myself have always been a fool! When I was like the people in ( verse 18 ) ( perishing, on my way to hell ) the preaching of God’s word was foolish to me. I thought those that done so ( were foolish ) They, on the other hand seen me as the fool. Now, I’m a preacher of the gospel ( the foolishness of preaching ) I just happened to be on the other side of the fence!

I often tell people this; every person is a fool for something! As for me, since I’m going to be a fool; I’m going to be one for Jesus Christ! ( I believe ) that a man that calls himself ( a preacher ) is a fool if he’s not willing to be seen as a fool for Christ.

Why did scripture say ( the foolishness of preaching )? The Bible says; ( we are fools for Christ’s sake )

( 1 Corinthians 4:10 )

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but we are strong, ye are honourable, but ye are despised.

The Apostle Paul is making my case here. The whole concept of being foolish has to do with where you consider your home. If you consider yourself to be ( of this world ) then everything that is done spirituall becomes foolishness to you. If, on the other hand you are born again and, you see heaven as your home, being not a part of this world then, the things we see as believers ( in this world ) become foolishness to us.

I said that ( I believe ) that a man that calls himself ( a preacher ) but, is not willing to become a fool, for Christ is foolish. What can I possibly mean by that? Many pastors and preachers seek to align themselves as close as possible with what ( the world ) expects them to be as a pastor or preacher. They are taught in a ( worldly school ) how to speak, how to dress, how far to wander from the pulpit. All the do’s and do not’s as a man of God. They are taught what to say and, how to say it. Their messages has to meet a certian criteria each week. They take speech lessons, learn how to read. By reading, I mean, which words to emphasize, how to make a sentence come to life and things such as that. I call this foolishness, that is; as how it relates to God’s Holy Spirit!

How would we define ( the foolishness of preaching )? In other words, what is God expecting? How does he desire for preachers to present themselves?

I believe that in the average local Church we use every means available to draw people to a building, the singing, what we call worship, children’s Church, different kinds of activities. The reason, the preaching is so ( hum drum ) that it will never cause people to come! It’s like watching the same rerun show over and over again!

( THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING ) There’s a book I read once called ( The story of John Jasper ). It’s the story of a slave that God called to preach. He preached 25 years a slave and 25 years a free man. This man was completely uneducated, that is, as far as we look at education. The very book about him is written in ( Negro Dialect ). It is one of the most powerful books that I ever read! In the book, it says this: If you desired to hear John Jasper preach, whether you were black or white, you would have to be a his Church around 6:00 am on Sunday. On the average Sunday Morning, it would be standing room only inside the building, people standing right outside the windows and, all out in the Church yard, black and white!

What was it that drew these people to this man. Was he dressed right? Did he speak perfect english? Did the people come for the food? Did they present the parents with Children’s Church and a youth pastor? What kind of activities did they have?

I don’t remember this or, can’t even say that it was mentioned but, I’d be willing to bet that he could not be paid for his service when he was a slave. I do remember that ( while he was a slave ) it had to be a white man standing on the platform with him or, he could not preach. Can you see what this one man went through just to be able to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. ( HE ) My friends ,( was a fool, for Christ ) He makes me feel foolish ( as in unworthy ) even to say that I’m a preacher of the gospel!

The people were drawn to this man, this Church because of the very power of God in his life! The convicting power of the Holy Spirit that is expelled from a man that is filled with God’s Spirit is the only real ( transforming power ) for a man’s soul! If it’s anything else that draws you to any Church; it’s more than likely ( the foolishness of this world ). Do you see that it was nothing fancy about ( this man’s ) Church? No air conditioning, no padded pews, no carpet, no special events. His preaching was the only ( special event ). Also, nothing special about him, he didn’t speak good english. had no paper accolades from colleges, probably had very few clothes to wear. But, it was one thing for sure ( He was a fool ) and that for Jesus Christ!

I was doing electrical work in a Uptown Church once. I, and the care taker was the only ones there. We struck up a conversation about Being born again and even attending Church. He said this to me. He said often I’m here on Sunday mornings, I stand right here at this door and listen to the pastor as he speaks. The door he mentioned was the door that went from the sanctuary back into the educational wing of the Church. He said, you know this pastor, when he preaches uses words that I have no idea what they mean, I don’t understand what he is talking about.

I told him. well I pastor a little Church. I’m not educated but, if I tell you ( I ain’t got no money ) that’s not good english but, do you understand what I’m talking about? He laughed and said ( I sho do )!

Now, here ,just as a start, the word of God has proved that we all are fools, it just depends on what you are foolish about! Do you realize that ( at our best ) we can be seen as foolish in the eyes of God the Father

Look at this: ( 1 Corinthians 1:20 )

Where is the wise?where is the scribe? where is the disputer of the world? Hath not God made foolish is wisdom of this world?

I know that what is being said in this verse can be simply speaking of the people of this world that are apart from God but, in reality, left to ourselves we can still make worldly choices. Therefore, even as born again believers we can be seen as ( foolish ) in God’s eyes.

What if we just take the book of Proverbs and consider what God’s word says about fools.

( Proverbs 1:7 )

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

According to this verse; if you do not fear the Lord, the knowledge you think you have is worthless. The only way you can gain worthwhile knowledge is to ( fear the Lord ). The point being, if you don’t fear him then your whole life is based on nothing and, will end in destruction. If I look at you and say: the way you are headed will not take you to a good place that you desire to call home. However, you despise and reject my words, is that not foolish? Now, I’m speaking as a person that is giving Godly instructions. It says there that ( you despise wisdom and instruction.

I want you to consider something here. Let’s look at the Church you attend as a ( train headed to destruction ). You love your Church, your pastor and the people you have around you. You continue to get on and off that train each week as it moves through time. Never one time do you stop and consider, where are we all headed? My love for my Church, my pastor and the people around me, is it wise just to believe we are going in the right spiritual direction without me, at least praying and seeking God’s voice in the matter of my direction? It is wise to just assume my pastor and the people that say they love me are ( fearing the Lord )? Is the knowledge they give me coming from God’s wisdom ?

What is the ( fear of the Lord )? I’m going to show you some verses here and, offer a personal experience to make my point,

( Hebrews 12:7-9 )

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ( 8 ) But if ye are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not son. ( 9 ) Futhermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live.

We notice here that scripture is showing us that God the Father deals with us just like our earthly father does when he loves us.

When I was a boy, I had three sisters. My parents worked away from home and, when we would get home from school my dad would have a note written laying on the counter to tell me what I was suppose to do when I got home. Often my sistes would want me to play ball with them or, they would have something else in mind to do other than what my dad desired for me to do.

The problem was ( I feared my dad )! I knew the circumstances that would unfold if I didn’t at least attempt to do what he had written on that piece of paper. That note was ( scripture ) to me! What if one of my sisters hid that note? What if they attempted to change what was on that note? First of all, I knew dad’s hand writing.

Jesus says this: ( John 10:27 )

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

When I would read that note, it was like I could hear my dad speaking to me. Would you agree that it’s the very same in scripture? If something is not right; ( his sheep know it ). It doesn’t matter whether it’s a message from a pulpit or in print.

I’ll use this also as a example of understanding what ( the fear of the Lord is ). Basically speaking, the ( King James Bible became the standard Bible for english speaking people for about three centuries. Some where around the turn of the twentieth century we began challenging that version with a new version. Now, we have multiple choices to pick from.

Many pastors today won’t even attempt to direct their people to at least one version. They simple leave that argument alone. However, In ( my humble opinion ), the new versions are going exactly the wrong direction! If I, as one of God’s children am going to do anything as far as questioning what is said in his wrd, I’m gong to go the other way. I’m going back to the original text and, seek God’s face on which is correct.

If my sisters tried to forge my dad’s handwriting then, I’d, even with that; think! Now is this something my day would say? I’d be a fool not to consider that! We often sit in our perspective Churches, listen to our perspective pastors, get up and go home. Even if we don’t agree with something he says, we don’t seek God’s face for true answers. In the real world; there is not one person that knows all the answers. The possibility of a pastor being incorrect is real! If he is a wise man , he will admit that to you and, tell you to study behind him.

A spiritually wise person, one that understands God’s Spirit and knows how to hear that Spirit will never simply take any man at his word. Every message, every word he says will be questioned, that without a doubt. One reason I can make that statement is because a wise person understands the price for being wrong. They know that it matters how we stand brfore God the Father. Just as I realizing the consequences of not obeying my earthly father if I was misled by my sisters, a spiritual person will be the same way because of their understanding.

Look at this verse: ( Proverbs 1:22 )

hOW LONG, YE SIMPLE ONES, WILL YE LOVE SIMPLICITY? AND THE SCORNERS DELIGHT IN THEIR SCORNING, AND FOOLS HATE KNOWLEDGE?

A fool loves the simplicity of a Church building. They can simply fo to that building, say and do the things that please the people therein, pay their money, join that building, listen to the man or woman that speaks, get up and go home. The very fact that a fool might have to study for himself, pay any price with his or her time and effort is ( simply ) asking far too much.

Concerning this; I’d like to show you tow verses that ( I believe ) actually shoows a picture of our ( foolish Churches today.

( Colossians 1:18 )

And he is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; in that in all things he might have the preeminence.

In that verse, the word ( preeminence ) means: the fact of surpassing all others: superiority.

If you read the verses before this one you will see that he is speaking of God the Father and, his son Jesus Christ. Now, look at:

( verses 9-10 )

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual undestanding; ( 10 ) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

This is the very definition of a local Church. The very first thing is to make sure that ( Jesus Christ ) is the one that is being the most recognize. That, not just in name but in understanding by his word just who he is. One step beyond that is that each member might die to themselves and allow him to be seen within them above all. His preeminence is seen in the Church and lived in the lives of all that belong to that Church.

Now, look at this verse:

( 3 John 1:9 )

I wrote unto the Church: but Diotephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

When we allow this to happen in any person, Church or situation we become worldly fools. I once made this statement: the word of God is just words if the Spirit of God is not being utilized within it. A man or woman is worthless unless God’s Spirit is within them and being utilized. A pastor is just a spokesman if God’s Spirit is not speaking through him, it’s the same with any teacher.

As you read that verse in ( 3 John 1:9 ) do you think that the name of Jesus Christ was not mentioned? Sure it was talked about, the Devil seen to that however, the focus of the whole body was not on ( knowing him ) or ( allowing him to be preeminant ). People, pastors, teachers and Churches use the word of God but Jesus Christ is not the priority in in part of their lives. Within this ( they are foolish ) but they are not ( fools for the right person ).

( Proverbs 1:22 ) uses the word ( simplicity ). THe simple fact is that there is no pain in a woman talking about having a child is it? There is no pain when you watch someone else work such as digging with a shovel is it?

Look at this verse: ( Galatians 4:19 )

My little children, of whom I travail in birth until Christ be formed in you.

There is nothing simple about preaching or teaching with the power of God flowing from you. There is nothing simple about witnessing to a person about their very soul. If we do it as inspired by the Holy Spirit; pain will always be present. Why would you say that God hates fornication, adultery, homosexuality? One of the greatest reasons is because there is no passion for having birth there is it? Do you realize that God, in his word , uses words such as ( whore ) ( adulterous ) when naming his people? Why would he do such as that? It was because they were going through the motion of an act but, had no true passion for creating new life! When I use the term ( His people ) I’m referring to the ( Church ) or the ( nation of Israel ).

The Apostles Paul made this statement:

( Romans 9:6 )

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect: For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.

This one thing can help us understand our foolishness within our Churches. Just as the Apostle Paul is pointing that evevery person that is in Israel is not of Israel; the ame picture should be recognized in a Church. Not every person that are members of Churches are born again. God’s whole intent, even from the beginning was all about the spiritual aspects of every life. The Nation of Israel was to be the feet, hands and body of God Almighty here on this earth; ( they were foolish not to be ). Now, the Church is to be the ( mouth, feet, hands and body ) of God Almighty on this earth. ( the Church is foolish not to be ). Born again believers make up the ( Church ) the ( body of Jesus Christ ). We as born again believers are ( foolish ) when we are not used of him.

When we seek to build a Church with many people but, completely viod of the power of God them we are fools! The verse we are considering in ( Proverbs ) also says this ( the scorners delight in their scorning ). What does that mean? It also says ( they hate knowledge ). What happens is that when any person begins to cause a Godly transforming by the word of God; that’s knowledge. We call it truth and it sheds light on who and what we truly are. Do you remember the birth pains? When truth is received, it’s always going to drive out the ungodliness in our beings. That is, unless we are not willing to change. If we are not willing to change then we begin to scorn the truth teller, the very voice of God. We delight when that voice is scorned and silienced.

I’ll say this and we’ll move on to another verse. Any man, even I can be considered ( a fool ) if he doesn’t seek to speak or become the very voice of God when he stands behind a pulpit. I never desire to be loved by the people I pastor unless that are craving to ( Know God ) and are truly desiring for ( new birth to be formed in them ). In other words, the harder I preach truth, the more truth they desire.

I desire my heart to be so keen to the will of God that every person I preach to has to go through me to get to ( HELL ). God placed me behind a pulpit to be that man that would stand in the gap between heaven and hell for every person I have the priviledge to preach to. I don’t want to let, either God or those people down. One day when this life is over, I don’t want one person to be able to look at me and say ( you could have told me truth but you didn’t )!

For any born again believer, especially a man called to preach to any less concerned about the souls of people makes them very foolish in the eyes of God. As I look out over a congergation, I see every person there as lost without God and, in need of spiritual growth. To think that any person has reach a spiritual top of their lives is foolish thought. This puts great pressure on any man that preaches. To help the lost see their need for salvation and also to feed every person their spiritually. Normally, I won’t happen in every message but, the spiritual of God will help each person as the weeks go by..

( PROVERBS 1:32 )

FOR THE TURNING AWAY OF THE SIMPLE SHALL SLAY THEM, AND THE PROSPERITY OF FOOLS SHALL DESTROY THEM.

This verse is actually a continuation of what we seen in ( verse 22 ). Therefore, let’s look at what he is saying all the way through here. If you will notice he is using the word ( them ) as in more than one. Whether we like to admit this or not; most people are followers and not leaders. It was that way in Israel and, it’s the same way in Churches. If you are a true spiritual leader you will lead people to righteousness and Godly living. So, what if we consider the ( simple as being those that are followers. THen , how can we define the term ( prosperity of fools )?

Look at these verses and we’ll get back to this:

TURN YOU AT MY REPROOF: BEHOLD, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UNTO YOU, I WILL MAKE KNOWN MY WORDS UNTO YOU. ( 24 ) BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED, AND YOU REFUSED; I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HAND, AND NO MAN REGARED; ( 25 ) BUT YE HAVE SET AT NOUGHT ALL MY COUNSEL, AND WOULD NONE OF MY REPROOF: ( 26 ) I ALSO WILL LAUGH AT YOUR CALAMITY; I WILL MOCK WHEN YOUR FEAR COMETH; ( 27 ) WHEN YOUR FEAR COMES AS DESOLATION, AND YOUR DESTRUCTION COMETH AS A WHIRLWIND; WHEN DISTRESS AND ANGUISH COMETH UPON YOU. ( 28 ) THEN SHALL THEY CALL UPON ME, BUT I WILL NOT ANSWER; THEY SHALL SEEK ME EARLY, BUT SHALL NOT FIND ME: ( 29 )FOR THAT THEY HATED KNOWLEDGE, AND DID NOT CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD: ( 30 ) THEY WOULD NONE OF MY COUNSEL, THEY DESPISED ALL MY REPROOF. ( 31 ) THEREFORE SHALL THEY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THEIR OWN WAY, AND BE FILLED WITH THEIR OWN DEVICES.

As we consider ( fools ); I can see how these verses could be speaking to those that lead, not necessarily to the simple. However, who is it that is so simple minded that they can’t see a spiritual need? Even the one that can be considered the simpliest can open his eyes. For instance; if you’re old enough to realize that day by day you are inching closer and closer to death however, your ( so called ) spiritual leaders are my doing anything to enhance your spiritual life; can’t you see a need to change your spiritual leaders? Look at yourself, what’s the spiritual difference in you now than a year ago? If you, being simple minded seen a new born babe, watched it for a whole year but seen no growth; could you assume something was wrong?

There is nothing wrong wit being simple minded or being a follower rather than a leader. However, even a follower becomes a better follower by watching his leader. Often followers become leaders. It has to be, it not; the whole world would collapes in time.

God is speaking here of spiritual growth or, the lack thereof. There is another verse we can consider here.

( Matthew 15:14 )

LET THEM ALONE: THEY BE BLIND LEADERS OF THE BLIND. AND IF THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND, BOTH SHALL FALL INTO THE DITCH.

If we compare what is said in ( Matthew ) to what we see in ( Proverbs ) it need to be an unnderstanding, using wisdom to whom you follow. The first part of the verses says to the ( simple ) ( Turn ye at my reproof, behold, I will I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you ).

A fool puts his trust in a blind man to lead him. The fool is blind as well. Helen Keller, a lady that was both deaf and blind once answered a question that was asked of her like this. THe question was ( what could be worst than being totally blind )? Helen Keller replied: ( having 20/20 vision and not being able to see )! Our religious world and most of our Churches are filled with people that meet this disscription. Physically, they have 20/20 vision but spiritually they are blindes by their own what they have developed as ( their own way ). Many people fall in love with pastors and Churches, even the word of God but, what good is it if you use it foolishly?

I oftern said that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a man, woman, Church or scripture, without the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, it’s just and empty vesslel or just Words. You can take a dictionary with every know word in your language in it, read every word in it but not understand the meaning of one word when you’re done. Basically speaking, this is what happens in any religion. The blind leaders desire to keep the people that follow them as blind as possible so they will keep following them.

Now, we’re to look at another verse of scripture:

( Matthew 7:21-23 )

Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven, ( 22 ) Many will say unto me that day, Lord, Lord. have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name doe many wonderful works? ( 23 ) And I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Let me ask you, don’t you think that these people have very good intentions? These people meant well, done many good things but, they were fools because they never made sure in their hearts about anything concerning Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They ( simply ) follow man.

I’d like to share part of my testimony concerning this topic. I was raised in a Methodist Church. I was baptized ( sprinkled ) at the age of twelve and, became a member of that Church. As time moved foward and after a sinful life, feeling guilty of how I disgraced my family; I went to a revival in an Indepentant Baptist Church, during invitation, I went to the alter. A preacher came to me, asked if ai were saved? I replied, No. Would you like to be? Yes, I replied. Head showed me some scripture, He and I prayed the ( sinner’s prayer ) and we got up, he anounced to the Church I was saved.

I left that Church and, not one thing changed in my life, not one but, if you asked me if I were saved? I’d always reply yes, why? Because I had been through a motion of salvation. As time moved foward, I married, had two daughters and we began to attend the same Methodist Church I grew up in. A few years went by, I was asked to visit another Independant Baptist Church. At this Church, on a Sunday morning, under great conviction, I went to the alter. Not one person came to my side, I guess they thought I was saved. However, that morning Jesus Christ met me at that alter, when we, he and I communed, I got up from that alter, a born again believer.

I, and my family started to attent that Church. In just a few weeks as the preacher preached he began to speak about ( eternal security ). I had never heard that! Sitting on that pew, I thought, who is this man? He is just a man like any other, why should I believe anything he says. We left Church and I couldn’t get that off my mind.

My dad was taught that ( what would be, would be ) you didn’t have a choice. He attended a Primitive Baptist Church ) growing up. The ( Methodist ) taught you could fall from grace. Therefore, who is right? As I pondered with, fought with these things, I concluded, no man had that answer! I made up my mind that, it must be in the word of God and, I was bound to find the answer for myself and, that apart from any man.

At that time ( I became ) ( a Fool For Christ ). Although I’ve been taught by many men and women, I’ve learned to only depend on God’s Spirit to show me truth. I once told a pastor, at that time, my pastor; you can do anything you like, right or wrong. What you do, the choices you make, how you direct this Church will not change me at all. ( In my spiritual knowledge ) he was going to make a great mistake. However, I don’t have to answer for his mistakes, just mine!

( I believe ) that there are many Church members that have never truly experienced the new birth. They are just as I was for many years ( just a Church member ). That was the problem with the ( Nation Of Israel ) in the Old Testament. They were never able to grasp the concept that God desired to speak to them as individuals, lead them as individuals. Our Churches have that problem as well.

The whole concept that we are seeing on ( Proverbs ) is about people being foolish in being subjected to the leadership of fools. We see and used the word ( scorn ). There are many Churches where a man filled with God’s Spirit can stand up and speak absolute truth. However, If the pastor or leaders of that Church disagree with what is said the congregation will ( scorn ) the very person that told them truth. This is the very definition of a fool! Blind leading the blind!

I’d like to use a spiritual metaphor here:

( John 21:3 )

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They said unto him,We also go with thess, They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

Most of the people in this verse were disciples of Christ. He had been crucified and risen. He had even presented himself to the Disciples being joined together. Thomas wasn’t there at that time. Now, notice this. in ( John 20:22 ) it says that Jesus breathe on them and said ( Receive ye the Holy Ghost ). Thomas not being part of that group. However, can we safely assume that Peter was there and the disciples that were with him that went fishing?

My point is that Jesus Christ just preached a message that was filled with the Holy Ghost. Peter is a supposingly; ( spiritual leader. But, what was he teaching and, look who followed him. I’ll also add this. is it possible that when the disciples shared what had happened to Thomas, they were not very convincing, they didn’t use the ( Holy Ghost ) that Jesus had breathed on them?

Here, I’ll also make another point. As you read the gospels you will notice that there are three basic apostles that Jesus Christ is often around; ( Peter, James and John ). In just my personal observation, I’d say that these three men were the most determined to stay as close to Jesus as possible. When men and women that are ( supposingly ) close to Jesus Christ but refuse to listen the the Holy Spirit within them, just look how many people are following them.

Peter, at the point that he said: ( I’m going fishing ) was being very foolish in his judgement. We can say that all that followed him were foolish as well but, can you see ( leaders and followers here )? Again! look at the picture. In reality, God the Father has always been the leader but, who follows? If we relate this to the Old Testament we can see that prophet that truly listened to God’s voice but, was rejected by the people. We can see this often but, I’ll show you this one verse:

( Matthew 23:31 )

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

So, if we look at this as the way that the average people move, what do we see? We know by scripture that Jesus Christ had breathed on these people the Holy Spirit. We also know that each of them is still living in their flesh. If you remember back when Israel had just crossed the Rea Sea on dry land and God was leading them. they continued to say basically ( we want to go back to Egypt ) we’re starving. Wew see that came picture here! Peter is going back to what he use to do, and many are following him.

In ( John 21 ) Jesus Christ is seeking by example to get his leader, the man he is depending on not to act as a fool. to stand up and lead those that are following him. In ( John 20 ) the previous chapter, I just noticed something that we need to see. Look at these verses:

( John 20:22-23 )

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and saith unto them. Receive ye the Holy Ghost: ( 23 ) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sin ye retain, they are retained.

There’s a couple of questions we need to answer here, First, wasn’t this the same Jesus that was standing by the seashore? Why didn’t they recognize him? Second, did they receive the Holy Ghost he breathed on them?

As we consider these two questions, are they not presented to leaders and followers as well? If we are not careful within our ownselves, we get so far from Jesus Christ we don’t even recognize him when he presents himself and, we become fools! We act as fools! We will also begin to ( scorn ) the very truth we say we desire!

When Peter and the gang had fished all night, they caught nothing. ( there nets were filled with nothing ). If the Holy Ghost is not present in our Churches then ( our Churches are filled with nothing ). We are a fool if we think anything else!

In all that I say, I seek to speak to individuals. Whether they be leaders or followers seeking to become leaders. Look at the last verse in:

( Proverbs 1 ) ( verse 33 )

But whosoever harkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

In ( John 21 ) all those that follow Peter to go fishing, not one of them recognized Jesus Christ; the one that had just a short while back spoken to them. Why? Because their minds and hearts were not ( stayed ) on Jesus Christ. As an individual, what or who are you following? Have you become so ingrained in your Church, your activities, your pastor that; that;s all you see? I’ll close this segment witha story we see in scripture.

( Matthew 2:12 )

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Herod was king, he met with his wise men sending them to find Jesus. However, when they seen Jesus, being warned of God in a dream: ( they left another way )! Can you see to whom ( wise men ) are obedient? What would have happened if they had listened to the one that sent them ( their leader )? Jesus Christ would have been killed! Do you see the spiritual picture here? As individuals we simply need to make sure we hear the right voice and, follow that voice. Fools listen to the wrong voice and, ( they never leave another way ) A walk with Christ will always cause you to ( walk another way )!

( Psalm 14:1 ) ( Psalm53:1 )

These two verses veritually say the same thing.

The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.

The fool hath sid in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable inquity: there is none that doeth good.

As we look at these two verses; let’s consider something. Do you remember back in Proverbs we seen a verse that said ( God will laugh at your calamity )? Now, consider this verse:

( Matthew 12 : 34 )

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

We are speaking of fools! You say you believe in God with your mouth but, what is the basic thing that comes out of that same mouth? What is in your heart? God says he will laugh at your calamity when your trouble come! So, let’s say; all of of a sudden, you get deathly sick. You’re going to the doctor and they are doing all they can to help you, you ask people to pray for your. WEll, pray to whom? Look at yourself, do you want God to heal you so you can continue in this life ( Just AS You Are )? Would you mind explaining to me why he should do that?

( A wise man ) one that is living his life every day seeking to do God’s will understands that even he is not worthy of anything from God. If a wise man gets sick, all he will ask for is for God’s will to be done. A fool lives his life, no matter what he says, his life says there is no God. If your life doesn’t reflect Jesus Christ and, now you’re trying to get people to pray for you, what do you think God is saying to you? Do you think God might be laughing at your calamity, your time of trouble?

What often happens is that the foolishness of men seeks to bring God down to their level. We can read about that concept in:

( Romans 1: 21-25 )

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither they thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ( 22 ) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ( 23 ) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. ( 24 ) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ( 25 ) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

When we read this verse many people desire to take it to the most corrupt type of sin. It’s often hard for us to see our own foolishness. However, just how hard is it to ( to change the truth of God into a lie )? With this thought, let’s move to another chapter.

CHAPTER TWO

HOW DO WE CHANGE THE TRUTH OF GOD TO A LIE?

Many people will look at this verses: ( Romans 121-25 ) and allow their minds to go straight to the homosexual aspect of what he is saying here. I agree; what we read has a lot to do with that lifestyle but, that’s not all he’s saying. Have you ever considered the term ( homosexual Church ) or, can we coin that phrase? As a mature adult that’s been around for now seventy years; I’ve noticed something that I don’t think that many have related the two things together. That is how strongly the ( coming out of the closet ) of homosexuals relates to the weakening of the Spirit of God in our Churches.

And, not only that! almost every sexual sin that is known to man is more rampant as the Church grows weaker in the moving of God’s Spirit in our Churches. Have you noticed how young people now live together out of wedlock, seemingly thinking very little of it. Not only that, there are many people that actually have children and never even consider marriage. Can you see how people become ( vain in their imaginations )? People become very foolish when they never even consider how God sees their actions and, that’s what he is saying.

If a couple goes to a pastor of some Churches; seeking someone to marry them, that pastor desires to counsel them before hand. If they are living together, he tells them they must stop for a certain length of time before he will do the ceremony. There are even Churches today that will marry homosexual couples, never considering how God sees their actions.

What I desire for you to see is the foolishness of the actions apart from the very Spirit of God. They have began to worship the ( creature more that the creator ). I realize that all the things I mentioned and, we could mention more but, what is the greatest sin that we never consider? When we look at the ( sexual sins ) such a homosexual lifestyle, fornication, adultery and even sexual sins beyond our imagination; the problem is that they have no real desire for ( the fruit ) it was designed to bring about.

The term ( homosexual Church ) actually has that same mindset even if it’s not readily recognized. Just like the physically sins we commit in our flesh is foolishness to God the Father, seeking to have Church without the presence of the Holy Spirit is also one of the most foolish things that could ever happen in the mind of God. Most people that are grown know exactly what it takes to bring about children in this world. The homosexual is the fartherest lifestyle from that possibility. The other sexual sins do things necessary for preventing child birth from happening.

In the ( homosexual Church ) the same thing happens. Personally ( I believe ) that the average member doesn’t even realize actually whay it takes to bring about ( God given ) new spiritual birth. In a lot of cases; even the pastor has no idea what is missing, if the Holy Spirit is missing. However, you can count on this, Satan knows it and, those that are working on his behalf; they know exactly what they are doing!

My wife and I read this chapter in Judges last night. My wife questioned my about what it all meant, She was somewhat upset with all the killing, even in the fact that God allowed some of his own people, many of them to die fighting against the enemy of the Nation of Israel.

As we went to bed, I considered what had happened in that chapter. I believe that what we see in that one chapter in Judges can be even seen in our mindsets ( as believers ) in our country today!

Let’s begin by looking at Moses. We can see a lot here but, look at what it says in:

( Hebrews 11:24-25 )

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; ( 25 ) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. ( 26 ) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

The word ( recompense ) means this: ( compensation or reward given for loss or harm suffered or effort made ).

Moses ( esteemed ) the reproach he faced for Christ ( greater riches ) than all that was in Egypt. This was a fact that Istael was never able to understand! God the Father gave and gave, in most cases with nothing in return! At any time Israel faced a bad situation, they always became willing to return to Egypt. Well, weren’t they having to work for little reward in Egypt? Why not simply change who you are working for and, get greater reward?

As time moves foward, God the Father is trying to teach Israel that there’s a price to be paid for victory. As the riegns changed from Moses to Joshua, we see that. However, although Joshua understood that tremendous fact, Israel was still simply following ( a man ) It was moses now it’s Joshua. They simply did not understand that God desired for the ( chain of command ) to be in place and, that within that concept, his voice would be the voice that they followed.

Can you understand that ( to God the Father ) although Moses and Joshua has an important position, it was not those men that God desire for each other man to follow? Although Israel had a leader; each head of each house or family, being the ( the man, husband, father ) was to ( trust God ) not Moses or any leader. That man’s wife was to ( trust her husband ) ( the children ) ( trusted their mother ) all this; by being obedient to the ( Chain of Command ) which always went back to God the father. Joshua made this point in one verse of scripture!

( Joshua 24:15 )

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ( AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD ).

Did you notice that in tha phrase it says ( and my house )? What do you take that to mean? Let’s explain! Not only did Joshua seek to be obedient to the Lord but it went all the way to his youngest child! They understood the ( CHAIN OF COMMAND )!

As I go about witinessing, sharing the gospel, even working, I see this posted in many homes. The problem is that it’s ( just words ) until it’s seen and carried out from top to bottom. In most case, neither pastors, husbands, wives or children do not even consider the concept of a ( chain of command ).

As we consider this and go back to ( Judges 20 ); let’s try and draw a spiritual picture here. If you will read ( Judges 20 ) you will notice that Israel went to God three times, each time God told them he would deliver their enemy into their hand, Twice, the enemy won.

Now, let’s put this in the context of a family. Let’s say the first time only the husband trusted God, they lost. However, this got the wife’s attention and caused her to yield as well. The second time they went up, they lost. However, this time it got the attenton of the children as well. Therefore, they all yielded as well. The third time Israel prevailed.

This is just one possibility of spiritual things that can be gleaned from this one chapter. When we think we can simply hang a sign in our homes, go to Church, pay the pastor and win spiritual battles; we are very deceived! God is teaching Israel that there is a ( PRICE TO BE PAID ) to win victories in your families, villages and Nation!

We live in a nation where there is a Church on every corner, a Bible in every home. Joshua’s saying is sold in all kinds of forms across this nation! We see it in stores, in yards, in homes, in offices and even in Churches, The problem is that ( THE CHILDREN ) lead ( THE MOM ) the ( WIFE ) leads the ( HUSBAND ) the Church leads the ( PASTOR ). Jesus Christ is standing outside our homes and Churches begging to be heard and, all we have is a sign that make us feel and look good!

If you will read what is being taught in ( Judges 19-20 ) the actual event that took plase that got Israel stirred up, even against it’s own people, you might be, like my wife and I. I will probably make you sick to the stomach!

We live in a country where there is murder in the streets and, that of children, child molestation, children being raped, women being raped, often by the very politicians to lead us. There is trafficing of teenage boys and girls, even younger for profit, drugs created and sold to bring these things to pass.

Seemingly, our Churches have hung a sign in their Churches about this but, who really cares about it? Look at this:

( Jeremiah 18:15-17 )

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense in vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; ( 16 ) To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag their head, ( 17 ) I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day oftheir calamity.

In closing, like it or not, just like Israel, if we desire to have God win our victories, there’s a price to be paid! Men, husbands cannot stay as they are! Wives, mothers, cannot stay as they are! Children, cannot stay as they are! ( YOU AND I CANNNOT STAY AS WE ARE )!

As a statement that ( MARSHALL CLAYTON ) makes ( as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord ). must become far more than a sign we hang on a wall! ( I believe ) it must began at the House of the Lord, from the pews, beginning with the men standing for righteousness all the way to the pastor, demanding that Godly stands be taught and made!

Standing on that Church pew, it must go both ways! That man, husband, father must stand against his rebelious wife and children and, he must stand against a corrupt spiritual establishment and, be willing to pay the price thereof! That is exactly what Joshua and Jeremiah had to do and, they paid a price!

( LOOK AT US )! We are like Israel, we’d rather go back to Egypt than to pay any price that God desires us to pay. IT A PRICE EITHER WAY! Daniel said ( I will not eat the King’s meat or, drink his wine )? He prospered! Are we more wlling to sell out to the world or, stand for Jesus Christ?

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

There’s a verse of scripture that came to mind when I first began to consider writing this.

( Mark 8:36 )

For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

If you remember it was Herod that orderd all the children killed under the age of two. ( Matthew 2:16 ). He also had John the Baptist killed by beheading him. ( Matthew 14:6-12 ).

I point these things out to paint a much bigger picture. Think about this! Do you think the Herod or any man has the ability to take life? He, ( even as a king ) was greatly deceived! Where do you think all those children and, John the Baptist are today?

He, like any other person can only do what God allows him to do. That includes you and I. I want to show you something about Herod and Jesus Christ. First, of all; do you think any man can take the life of Jesus Christ? Herod thought he could. Look at this:

( Luke 13:31-32 )

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. ( 32 ) And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day shall I be perfected.

Why would you think that ( the Pharisees ) would desire to warn Jesus Christ about the possiblity of Herod killing him? Actually, they didn’t care if he killed him, their desire was to frighten him into leaving or, simply to stop all he was saying.

This is a spiritual point that many can’t see but, how do you threaten a man that is already dead, with death? I see this as something that we can tie to ( Mark 8:36 ). Many people that call themselves ( Christians ) cling to the life they have here; that, to the point that they will not witness to others. But, what shall it profit? If we are still alive concerning the things of this world, we are not dead in Christ! We are afraid to stand up for Christ because we are afraid of what we will lose here!

Do you realize here, that Jesus Christ called this man ( a fox )? As far as I know, Herod is the only man that Jesus every referred to as an animal. that is, as an individual. He did call a group of people ( vipers ). He said: ( O generation of vipers ) ( Matthew 3:7 ) among other places.

Jesus Christ let these Pharisees and, Herod know in no uncertian terms; you cannot touch me until ( I say ) you can.

Herod, as a king placed himself in a position that no person should ever desire to be! We take the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and, God the Father very lightly. I want you to know something, without Jesus Christ and, his willingness to die on his cross ( you ) can, at this moment in time call ( hell ) your home. Right this minute, if you can feel the convicting power of the Holy Ghost of God on your heart then, you, my friend are a very blessed person!

That very point means that God the Father is still speaking to you, what a blessing! What happens when the day comes, while you are still living in this world and, you cannot feel that conviction on your heart? That means friend, that you are ( hell bound ) because God is not speaking to you anymore!

Look at this: ( Luke 23:8-9 )

And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad: for he was desirious to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. ( 9 ) Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

Can you imagine that? What happens to a man when God will not speak to him anymore? Guess what? ( YOU HAVE YOUR REWARD )! I’m not a betting man but, I’ll bet you that if you could talk to Herod today, he would tell you that if he could go back to the day that Herodias told him she want the head of John the Baptist on a platter, this is what he would say: I’d been better of the kill her and to began my journrey that day with Jesus Christ.

Now, Herod has been in hell for two thousand years or there about and, that completely without hope of ever seeing any change. Many people make fun of people that attempt to cause the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts, they belittle the very thought of salvation or seeking to walk with Jesus Christ. Be careful, that Spirit you feel moving in your heart, you had better thank God he still speaks to you!

One more verse and I’ll close:

( 2 Corinthians 6:2 )

( For he saith, I have heard thee in a time eccepted, and in the day of salvation have I soccoured thee: behold, now is the eccepted time; behold; noe is the day of salvation. )

Many people assume that they can come to Christ whenever they choose to. However, it takes to convicting power of God on your heart to cause you to even desire salvation. If he is dealing with your heart, don’t put salvation off! He doesn’t promise you that you will ever feel that again! Now! Right now !

Salvation can be yours!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

Have you ever considered the innocence of death? Or, the struggle to die? I believe that both of of these terms are related to very person I am and, it encircles my whole mindset as an author, if you consider me to be one.

What can be said about the ( innocence of death )? When I consider that term; my mind goes back to my childhood and, attending the funerals of two of my sisters. They died about two years apart and both were about eight weeks old. When the second one died, I was about seven years old and, of course I had a little more knowledge of what had happened than I did the first one.

Can you see just how innocent their death was or, is? They had absolutely nothing to do with all that occurred! Over the years of my life, I’ve been to their grave side at least two times for this single purpose. Lord, why did they die and, why am I still hear? As I say that, it’s one thing that is completely clear to me. Each night that I lay my head on my pillow, even as I go through each day of my life, I am completely at the mercy of our Lord as far as death is concerned. The fact that I have lived for now seventy years is nothing in the sight of God. When I close my eyes in sleep, I have absolutely nothing to do with whether I wake up the next morning. For all general purposes, if I live through the day, I have nothing to do with that fact. That why I consider ( the innocence of death ).

With that being said, what can I do? As I read through the word of God, seeing each person that penned down the books we have the priviledge to read, did they consider themselves to be authors? Did they go to school and learn proper way to write each sentence and, make perfect paragraphs with every comma, question mark and period in just the right place? How many years were they educated?

The only person that I can say was educated in scripture would be the Apostle Paul. He, being educated said this about that fact. I consider it as dung.

( Philippians 3:7-8 )

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. ( 8 ) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I might win Christ, ( 9 ) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

I’m sure that there were other people that were educated such as doctor Luke and so on but, the one thing that stands out in my heart is the fact that none of us in a general sense has any control about the length of our lives. That fact was just as true from the very beginning as it is now. That’s why I look at it as the ( innocence of death ). Each person that ever done anything for our Lord made a choice to do so, understanding that their whole being was in the hands of a righteous God.

I’d like for each of us to consider something. It’s a ( what if ). We go about as beings seeking to build great things or, become great people in every field possible. Look across this landscape and see what man has done. Even now, at this moment in time, we are considering putting a man on Mars. We set out to cure every sickness, every dicease and to prolong our version of life as long as possible. We have universities, colleges, schools that can train us to do anything we desire to be.

What if; all of a sudden we as people decided to simply stop, drop to our knees and seek God’s guidance in all things pertaining to our lives? What if we, prayed and simply told the Lord this. I realize I have to work to live, you told me that. However, Lord, my life, my direction is yours. What I do for a living is not important. What I accomplish in this life means nothing but, My desire is to you and you alone!

Whatever happens around me, means nothing. I want my total focus to be on your will for me. My desire is for you to teach me, train me in all things spiritual. Is it possible that God would take care of everything we face and struggle to do in our lives?

What if, we all said; Lord if I’m blind, make me content, if I have cancer, let the rest of my life be to your glory! If I live one day or a hundred years, help it be all for you! What if?

Seemingly, we do all we can, even as born again believers to make this world our home, to have things, even the length of our lives like we would have it be. Did we, somewhere along the line lose the concept of dying to ourselves and being all we could be for Christ? Do we dread dying in any form? Have we become so adapted to a home that is not ours that we seek to build good things here for a long time?

( I AM ) The author of my own life! That is, in the sense of my willingness to die to my own will and, allow him to speak through me. If we are not careful; we allow this world to be the author of every aspect of our lives and, even the very way we will stand before God one day.

Death is completely innocent, just like a child! It can’t force itself upon you nor can it dictate what you do in your everyday life. With that being said, it is coming at some point and basically, every person that will read this knows it well.

If I am an author, It involves my complete desire to die to myself and, become all he desires for me to be. ( my struggle to die )! Since God the Father allows me to have life then, that in itself becomes a struggle to ( forget who I am ) and become all he desires for me to be.

Often, the average person is struggling so hard to live, possess, earn, stay well and satify self that we forget the real reason we are here anyway. Our very existance is to bring glory to the God that created us. Every person is an author. We are writing an epistle of our own self each day God allows us to live in this world. As we read scripture, we have a chance to read some of those epistles of the very people that brought the word of God to our generation. We also can see the epistles that are being written right before our very eyes and they can also see the things that we write each day.

No matter how little time we live or, how much time we have; we each are authors and, within our own lives there is a story being told. What is your story about? How, and when will it end?

The Lord just laid upon my heart a story I need to share. There’s a little country store about two miles from my house. I’ve traded there for most of my life. Many years ago I went to that store. A man and his wife were sitting at the gas pumps and, the man had gone in to pay for his gas. His wife was a very troubled person. When she seen me, this is what she said: ( Uncle Roane ) she said, I know I need to get right with God. My middle name is Roane and, actually, I’m not here unncle but, she always called me that. I replied to her: ( well, there’s nothing more I need to say is it )? You already know!

Over the years, I’ve seen this woman go down to the alter multiple times, in different Churches. The last time that I know of was about five years ago. However, there is not one thing in her life that has ever changed. With that being said; she is writing the epistle of her life everyday God let’s her live. This woman had one other sister and, two brothers. She is the only one left.

I simply tell that story to say that ( the innocence of death ) is slowly snicking up on her. The fact the she has sought to cling to who she is rather than to struggle in her life to be what God would have her to be will be shared from the housetops one day!

The innocence of death is snicking up on each of us. I have chosen to struggle within myself to die each day for his glory. As you look at yourself, what are you struggling with? How does your life, the life God gave you measure up to all he desires for you to be?

What will your epistle say?

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7