Eaglewings Ministries Testimony

I will make this a personal testimony of where God has led me in ministry. In 1977 I began a business and knew that I could not succeed without the help of God. I rededicated my life to the Lord in a Bible believing church and began to read and study the Bible. In 1978 a missionary came to our church and said that it was a shame that the churches do not reach out to the people in the rest homes. I began a weekly rest home ministry with other Christian friends and sometimes alone with trombone and the Bible. We have never stopped this ministry. A small group of dedicated people still go to two rest homes every week. 

In 1997 in prayer I received a vision to start a men's Christian group. The women were meeting weekly at McDonalds for fellowship, but I wanted more. The first meeting of this men's group was on a Saturday in the church fellowship hall. The response was less than enthusiastic. I did not continue this until one of the men said, why don't we start the group again? This time we went to a restaurant and began to meet on Thursday mornings. The group began in October of 1997 and is still continuing. I named it the MPJ fellowship, Men Praising Jesus, a name ignored, but a name from scripture verses. MPJ Bible and Prayer Fellowship

The initials MPJ stand for the three scriptures used as the guiding purpose of our Christian fellowship. Love - Unity - Fruit - These are basic to the Christian faith. Matthew 22:37-39 (Love) - Philippians 2:2-5 (Unity) - John 15:16-17 (Fruit)

Love

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Unity

Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Fruit

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

The men's group was opened up to the ladies as well.

The next year I got on the Internet through AOL. Most people were introduced to this new thing called the Internet through AOL. I began ministering in Christian Chat rooms. On December 31, 1998 we began an online Christian ministry: Eaglewings ministries. One of the founding members was Gramdotmom who is still with us. We have a weekly Friday night Bible study called Grace4U2. Tricia, Gram and Lisa have a Monday night praise Chatroom called Jesus We Come Rejoicing. The first online convert was Sarah. The LORD had his hand on Sarah and brought her from the miry clay and set her feet on the solid rock. Sarah's thoughts

Seven years ago one of the last to receive Jesus online was Susy. She has a ministry online of graphics and sharing the word, a remarkable ministry.

It is December 31, 2013 our 15 year anniversary.We have led hundreds to the Lord in this online ministry. Not many are being saved now but the ministry still seeks the lost and is a place of discipling through the word of God. In 1999 I began a Daily Bible lesson for the new converts. This is now called the Eaglewings Ministries Journal. The web site began in 2000 to save the studies through the Bible and testimonies. The place is called  Eaglewings Ministries , Eaglewings ministries invite you to study the word of God online. Many are being led to the Lord from the Internet, so this source was meant for those who wish to be discipled and grow in the word of God. I hope that you will spend some time looking at what is in this online ministry source.  Keep going and be faithful for Jesus is coming back soon. Join us in ministry. Superragman@aol.com (Gary)

Woe to the Unjust

Isa 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

Another woe of judgment of God on Israel; upon those that write wicked laws or rulings to oppress the people, or to exalt that which the Bible condemns.

Isa 10:2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

Jesus spoke of these matters when he taught.

Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Isa 10:3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

If you deal wrongly with one another, who will you turn to when the Assyrians come? Jesus spoke of how doing evil in good times, when Jesus was present, would make it almost impossible to survive in bad times.

Luke 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Our everyday walk with the LORD prepares us for surviving the bad times. If we say we are a victim, and cannot get through a small problem in good times, what will happen in evil times to our faith? Be strengthened now by trusting the Lord, reading his word with prayer and good works.


Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Seek God, not the darkness

Isa 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Being concerned about the coming invasion of Israel, why seek the occult? Why seek the darkness and the dead for the help of the living? Is not God the God of your help? Is he not the God of the living? When we fear something should we not go to LORD our help?

Mark 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

Mark 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Psa 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

You have the law and the testimony, the word of God and the stories in the Bible. If you have any truth or light in you, rely on these. Encourage yourself in the word of God, Psalms and hymns.

Isa 8:21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

They walk past the word of life, with no hunger for it. When the need comes and they cry out for help and wisdom, they worry and are upset, crying and complaining, because they did not hunger for God's truth. They curse those in authority and they blame God for their problems.

Isa 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

They see the troubles on the earth and rather than seeking God, they are driven to darkness. Dark despair, depression, false religion, and evil thoughts. Some commit suicide.

Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

We are to be with those who trust Jesus and pray to God. We are not left to our own devices, God is our help and strength. Seek comfort in the Holy Bible and God will comfort you. 

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 

Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

Mat 7:9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 

Mat 7:10  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 

Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

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One of our past Eaglewings friends wrote poetry that was put on our Testimony page. Enjoy the poetry of Anna.

Anna's Heart

Legalistic Error

From the 2001 Eaglewings Daily Bible lessons, The Book of Acts.

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

These were the Judaizers, insisting that new converts first keep the Jewish old testament covenant, including circumcision. Paul addresses this in the Epistle to the Galatians. We are not to be put back under the law.

Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Paul probably more then anyone new the law and grace. He knew that the law was not to be imposed on the new believers, but that by grace ye are saved.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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This morning thinking about legalism I see some churches that claim to be more spiritual as being full of legalistic teachings. The denominations are divided because of differences. All true Christian churches say that Jesus Christ is Lord. Salvation is through his finished work on the cross; grace received by faith in Jesus. We can get along so long as Jesus is the way of salvation. To add any other requirement is legalism. Churches differ, the Pastors have different visions and purposes. Find a church and grow in the word of God. Jesus is Lord, let people have liberty to grow in him and give room for minor differences. 

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 
Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 
Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 
Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 
Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 
Rom 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 
Rom 14:7  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 
Rom 14:8  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 
Rom 14:9  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 
Rom 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 
Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 
Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 
Rom 14:13  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 
Rom 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 
Rom 14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 
Rom 14:16  Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 
Rom 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
Rom 14:18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 
Rom 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 

Red and white

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 1:19  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20  But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Sit down and listen, stop running around and take heed to God's word. If you repent and believe in His promises, (Receive Jesus as savior); though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. This is a beautiful promise of what Jesus has done for us. But if we refuse God in our lives and rebel against him he will back off when we are in need. Let us be determined to stay close to God for we must have His presence. In His presence there is peace.

? In His Presence - YouTube

stripped bare

Last night's picture of an oak, stripped bare, but alive.

Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Where there is life, there is hope.

2Co 6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2Co 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Now is the day of salvation, the forgiveness of sins by the grace of God through faith in his son, Jesus Christ.

None of us can save ourselves and no one can brag on their own good merits. It is by faith only that we are given grace to be the children of God. Like the oak tree in winter, we shed the leaves of our  pride and are stripped bare by the eyes of God. A time of seeking God and making plans to fulfill his purpose for the new year. He has plans for us of green leaves, seeds and the fruit of the spirit, Let him work in you to do his good purpose.

Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 
Gen 3:9  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 
Gen 3:10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 
Gen 3:11  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 
Gen 3:12  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 

Gen 3:13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 

Whatever excuse we may have, and whoever we blame, it is sin in us that needs to be forgiven and cleansed.

Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

This lesson is for me first. If you read this far, you are not alone, we all need Jesus.

Merry Christmas

Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Luk 1:26  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 

Luk 1:27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 

Luk 1:28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 

Luk 1:29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 

Luk 1:30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 

Luk 1:31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 

Luk 1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 

Luk 1:33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 

Luk 1:34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 

Luk 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 

Luk 1:68  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 
Luk 1:69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 

Luk 1:74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 

Luk 1:75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 

Merry Christmas God's forever family.

Gary and Faye 

Broken Pipes

I found an outdoor faucet at the home that has been spraying water from a broken pipe. In the winter we try to wrap the pipes, but this one is old. The plumber is coming tomorrow. 

I received a water bill from the closed business that is four times normal, it could be another broken pipe, but not seen. It is harder to find a broken pipe in the ground or under concrete. Now what is God saying in this?

Jer 2:11  Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. 
Jer 2:12  Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. 
Jer 2:13  For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. 

Are we leaking water from our own cistern of old unfresh water or does living water flow from us? Are we seeking the things of God or are we worried about the world's problems?

Let's turn to Jesus this Christmas with thanksgiving. Lord you are not in the way of Christmas, you are the reason for Christmas. For many of the world, Jesus is a stumbling block or a bump in the road, for those after their own lusts. Let Jesus be who he is, our Lord and master, our salvation, our redeemer and God Almighty come in a man. If he isn't these to you, stop what you are doing and turn to him in prayer.

Shasta Brass at the mall Sunday

I was able to play Christmas music Sunday with the Shasta Brass at the mall. I put mp4 movies of it on youtube. Hope they bring some joy to your Christmas..I am the Santa trombone player...Gary

? Shasta Brass Christmas 2013 Pt 1 - YouTube

? Shasta Brass Christmas 2013 Pt 2 - YouTube

Music in the way of the word

I have been placing the Bible with commentary on the Internet in a web site called  eaglewingsministries.com . The Bible studies were from sharing the Bible each day to disciple new believers. The oldest entries were in 2001. Having gone through all of the New Testament and several books in the Old Testament, I find there is a problem when trying to access a page, often it freezes up. I figured out that the problem was I had embedded midi music files in the lessons, it may be that new antivirus safety practices block the music. I am now removing all the music that I put in the chapters of the Bible. Almost every chapter had music to stir the soul, now I have the task of removing it. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament, Isaiah, has 66, etc. A lot of chapters to open and to delete the music. After all, the word of God is more important than the music.

Thinking on this as applied to the church, the word is still more important, and music should glorify the LORD. Most of the old hymns had great music and great words from the Bible. Maybe we should go through our music selections and remove the music that does not exalt the LORD or give a truthful message from the Bible?  May we glorify the LORD and speak his truth to a world in need.

In a private Bible study it was mentioned that when the ark of the covenant was taken captive, that it was returned on a new cart because the world's people did not know the proper handling of the ark. When Israel received the ark, they should have used the poles to transport the ark, instead they moved it the world's way and when Uzzah put his hand out to steady the ark he was killed.

1Ch 13:9  And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 
1Ch 13:10  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. 

1Ch 13:11  And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. 

Apparently God was displeased in the careless handling of his holiness. When the world's way in music gets into the church, is God honored, or upset? We should remove anything that does not honor the LORD, including examining ourselves, for we are the temples of the Holy Spirit.


Psa 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 

Instruments of praise

Psa 150:3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 

A local group of brass players are getting together again to play Christmas music at the Mall this Sunday. Our first of two rehearsals was Friday. We had to tune our instruments and it made a big difference in the sound. Notes on various instruments in melody and harmony is quite a good sound. If the music gets in our emotions then it is projected to others emotions. Dull, uninspired notes do not make music. Much the same as in preaching, dull uninspired words are usually from the speakers own mind. The word of God is inspired in itself and when delivered with enthusiasm, God breathed, it is special. Lord help me to play with your breath, to praise you.


Lev 25:9  Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 


2Ch 5:13  It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; 

Psa 98:6  With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.


Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

Feed Me

European Starling - Whatbird.com

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 
Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

 In a harvested field of grain, the Canadian geese land to glean the seeds left on the ground. Other geese graze in the grass of a nearby park. The Robins have their fill of Persimmons until the Starlings arrive. Then they strip the fruit from the tree. There squeak toy sound alerts the flock to join in the feast.  They are provided for, certainly we shall be provided for. Here in America there is abundance, no one should go without. Those with the heart of Jesus should reach out in someway meeting the needs of others. 

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Feeding the needy is as feeding Jesus and blessing him. There are missions, and churches giving aid to the needy. Sorry to say that many people are provided for, but throw their money into satan's collection plate. Many are addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, and other sins. These steal away God's provisions given to them. Don't be stressed out with concern, take your needs to God in prayer, trust him and he will bless you. Remember the ability to work is also his provision for you.

Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

If you are unable to work, take your needs to the LORD.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

We become slaves to who we depend upon. We are to be bond slaves of Christ, free people choosing to serve him. The starling feasted on what was left of the persimmons, but I had first pick to share the abundance. We should be diligent to use the provision given to us, without waste so that we lack no good thing. I suppose in our nation there are too many starlings and not enough fruit pickers? I see this both in the natural and in the spiritual. Ultimately all good things come from our heavenly father, we give Him all honor, glory and praise, with thanksgiving.

Sin unto death

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

What is the sin unto death? Is it not rejecting Jesus as Lord and going out into the world? Where is the proof? I think you will know through the Spirit's witness if someone is not of God. Note, that John is speaking of a brother, a professing believer. A professing believer may not be truly committed to Christ.

I have seen people who left being a Christian who were enemies of the cross. They became antichrist like. Wolves doing all they could to destroy the faith of other people. We see them in the world going to court to stop the display of the ten commandments or placing anti God billboards in public places.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Heb 6:4 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,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 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.

I was one who for a time fell away, don't be too swift to abandon someone who has fallen away. It may be that a great trial or sorrow has come upon the person. If this is the case we should go to them seeking their restoration.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Some are to be sought after and some are to be avoided.

Prayers answered

It has been a week since we prayed for the oppressed lady in the resthome who screamed day and night. Today after our praise service I asked one of the ladies if it was now quiet?  Has the lady found peace? "She is over there in the wheel chair, " she answered. I went to the lady who was wearing a surgical mask and greeted her. She replied with a gentle hello. I said may God bless you and she said thank you. Wow, I was happy to see her released from that demon. She seemed to be in her right mind, praise God for answered prayer! I sensed that some of the women in the home were still a bit slow to see this change. It is hard at times to put away the memory of unpleasant people. When we pray and God answers by giving mercy, are we unwilling to give mercy? Is there some nuisance person that we cannot forgive that God has touched, that we still cannot open up to and be kind? Jesus came to save souls and this should be our purpose as well. Let Jesus be the judge and we his servants.

1Tim 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 

Plumbline

Amo 7:7  Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. 

Amo 7:8  And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: 

A plumb line is a straight and true line by suspending a pointed weight on a string.  The plumb line is a straight line and by it a wall is made straight or is seen as not truly being straight. The law of gravity keeps it perfectly straight. God would judge Israel with a perfect law, no longer would he pass by and ignore their sins. Judgement time had come.

Paul spoke of rightly dividing the word of God. I see this as a plumb line in the spiritual. We can discern the truth by correctly interpreting scriptures. The scriptures interpret scriptures. Read them, know them and then you will see truth from error.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

The truth of God is backed up by the authority and power of God as creator and judge. He will punish the transgressor and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ he gives grace. When a politician makes a line, then it means that anyone stepping over it would be subject to the power that he has behind him. The big difference is that God is not a liar, he means what he says and he keeps his word. When all is said and done, God's word remains true, the plumb line of his truth and will.

Well fed

Between lunch and our 2:30 rest home ministry, I stopped by a local park. The camera was in the car so surely there should be something interesting to see. I saw this big fluffy homeless cat that looked well fed. He was well fed, for someone had a large supply of cat food and watering bowls out in the brush. There was even something similar to a dog house. I cannot call it a cat house, but it was a shelter. The stray cats were not alone scavenging in the park for there were many homeless, street people there as well. No food was poured out on the ground, in fact there is an ordinance preventing the feeding of stray humans. The local Rescue Mission has meals for the homeless. A new policy at the mission has made it so that they do not have to sit for a gospel message in order to receive free food. Always in the past the people were fed the word of God before feeding them. I suppose this is progressive? Perhaps some of the support comes from non Christian sources? Once outsiders start paying the bills, then they start telling you what to do. They say there is separation of church and state. In truth it is the state separating people from the Christian religion.

Our foundation

The foundation of our nation was based on the Bible and the laws of God. These are being removed. What was unheard of Fifty years ago has come about because of the lack of understanding and the indifference of the people. With the ignoring of the constitution and the moral laws there is a crumbling of the nation because the foundations are being destroyed. We Christians have a high calling.

World War 2 poster

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

The foundations of our faith were built on Jesus Christ and the founding apostles. There are no new entries to the Bible, it is complete as written. All that is said and done must  be aligned with the word of God. When a nation or church alters the foundations in the name of progress, we have the so called enlightenment of nazi Germany or communist Russia. Both of these systems failed because they oppressed God's truth and destroyed individual freedom.

Our leaders swore to keep and honor the constitution of the United States. We the people are to be careful who we elect to office. The church too must pray for the leaders and uphold the word of God or the foundations will crumble. Jesus is returning soon and he will destroy the ungodly foundations and bring righteousness. He will make everything over to his proper building"code,"  the way that God has foretold and established that it shall be. We are to be made into his image in truth and righteousness.


Psa 96:11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 
Psa 96:12  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 

Psa 96:13  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. 

Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 
Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 
Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (hymn)

Bringing gifts

A Christmas lawn light display honors the birth of Jesus. Included in the manger scene are the wise men who brought gifts. In the Bible it says that they came to the house, so they came later to see Jesus. We often hear of things in the Bible with traditions instead of truth. The important thing here is that Jesus came as a babe and he was honored by the wise men bringing him gifts. This is the season for gift giving. I am amazed by some who give so generously, I suppose it is a gift, to be able to give. 

Last night our church blessed us with a wonderful dinner. After the dinner we were given gifts, I did nothing to deserve being gifted by the pastor or by a friend, but I suppose that is what giving is about. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. We were unworthy but he gave himself to us to pay the price for our freedom. He made us to be children of God so that we may continue to live forever with him. How could we refuse such a gift? The greatest evil is to refuse this free gift and to forbid others from hearing the gospel so that they too may receive the gift.

We may think we have little to give, but we can share the greatest gift to others, the good news that Jesus has come and that through him our sins are forgiven. Go tell others of this wonderful gift, it is the greatest gift that anyone can receive; salvation by grace,through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Look up

The park is only a mile from our home, so when the last light of the day comes and I need refreshing I find solitude there. I see the LORD's creation as the sun dies in the west. How beautiful are the western skies through the majestic oaks from the pond boat dock.

The air is crisp and the beauty of God's creation takes my breath away. If it is so beautiful here, how much more beautiful will be our heavenly home?

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

The silent ripples in the pool mirror the beauty of the sunset. We too are to mirror the beautiful light that is Jesus.

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

John 14:5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

Mark 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

Mark 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

Looking towards the eastern sky through the oak, the  clouds are a cooler pink and blue.

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Streaks of pink clouds show the urgency of moving before the last light goes out.

Mat 16:1  The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 

Mat 16:2  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 

Mat 16:3  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 

My heart knows that the world of man's doing is a mess, having removed the foundations of truth, the word of God. The creation shouts that the Lord lives!

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 

Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 

Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 

Luke 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.