Splashing

It was after sundown and I wanted to go stand on the fishing dock and watch the pond as the light grew dimmer, no camera, just to experience His presence. Two strapping young men met me as I walked towards the dock. "Would you make a movie of us jumping off the dock?" Then they asked why I was out there? I came for some peace, where is the movie camera? One of the young men reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone with a large screen. "Just push the red button. I held i t and everything went away and a new screen came up...oops. "Just hold it by the sides". We went out on the fishing dock and they said this was some kind of Indian tribe requirement, (initiation?) They peeled off their shirts and went running and hopped over the four foot rail into the chilly pond water. I kept the movie going as they swam back to the dock and climbed up again;"thanks" they said. Was it an accident that a retired photographer just happened to come when they needed someone to record their diving? I thought about these two young men, muscular, tattooed, fit, the kind that would be soldiers to fight for our country. How many like these young men who are in the prime of life have given their lives for honor and country? There is little honor in our country in high places now. Little moral integrity, is it worth it to die for political corruption? No, they love family , (tribe?), and what freedom we still have. This is still our home. Do these young people know Jesus? Jesus died for us all.

Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 
Rom 5:7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 
Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Who will tell the young people that Jesus has died for them?

Eaglewings Ministries

The Spiritual Dimension

We must know that God created the heavens and the earth and all living things. We must realize that Adam and Eve sinned, cutting them off from everlasting life, and that their sin was passed down to all people.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Sin brought spiritual death, and physical death. This physical life is not all there is. There is another dimension to life, there is a spiritual world. The plan from before creation was to send the son of man who is also Jesus the Son of God, to bring spiritual life, eternal life in heaven with Christ Jesus.  

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

 Throughout history satan has tried to block the coming of this Savior. Satan is a fallen angel, a spirit. He wants to destroy mankind that was made in the image of God. He leads people through false religions and by subtle means. He lost the battle when Jesus went to the cross and was raised from death. Now  the way of salvation is through the Grace of God through faith in Jesus. However the spirit world is still active to destroy mankind.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The physical world may get more and more evil, but Jesus has overcome the world. We who believe in Jesus overcome by faith. Our spirit is with his Spirit, we are in heavenly places with our Lord.

Isa 54:14  In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Isa 54:15  Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
Isa 54:16  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Delivered from the power of darkness

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

We are delivered from the power of darkness, do you understand this? You are delivered from the power of darkness and transferred unto the kingdom of his dear son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now it is up to us to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the ugly darkness we have been removed from.

Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

The  Holy Spirit generates light within you. The Spirit of truth gives light to our understanding.  Keep your eyes and mind on Jesus the way the truth and the life.

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

He bought us from the devil and darkness through his blood shed for us. Our sins are forgiven, shouldn't we confess, repent and then forget them? By the power of the Holy Spirit we are kept free, as we choose to walk in the light of truth by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord of my life. He has overcome sin and the darkness and translated me into His Kingdom, in the light of truth.

Eaglewings Ministries

A little pruning

I wanted to prune back a big Pyracantha bush and Tuesday is yard waste pick up, so I began to prune and soon realized that there were much more pruned branches than my container could hold. I had a pick up load.  An earlier lesson was about conforming to Christ and removing things in our life that do not belong. Let's go to John 15. We may see a few twigs to prune in our spiritual life, but the Father sees a lot more that needs to be removed. We may not understand when hard things come our way, but it just may be the Father removing things in us or building something new from our roots in Christ.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

If the branch is no good, unfruitful, it is taken up, lifted up, taken away. A person who continues to walk in sin and will not repent, will be taken up; every branch in Christ that does not produce fruit, he takes away. Jesus earlier used the example of the unfruitful fig tree:

Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Paul adds to this theme, concerning an unrepentant sinner being taken by death.

1 Cor 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Note, that the destruction was the flesh, not the soul. This helps us see that it is Jesus' blood that saves; this person at one time had received the Lord, and only by God's grace in Jesus was he not totally consumed.

...and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

No one likes to have difficulties in life, but out of these we grow to rely on God and we become more like Jesus. The Father disciplines us. He purifies or prunes these branches.

He 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

We like to think that living for Christ is all about prosperity. It is true that we receive all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. However, we must submit to his will and follow him. Our sanctification, our holy life, our godliness will bring persecution, but it will be worth it all when we see Jesus face to face. Let us allow the Father to prune us and we will conform to the image of Christ so when we are put to the fire we may come forth as pure gold. His love is pure in us.

Eaglewings Ministries

Preaching of the Cross

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 Paul is an example of the correct way of witnessing. Not talking of water baptism but of the cross. The gospel message. Not by mans wisdom but by the word of God's truth spoken by the Spirit of God. Oh how the enemies of Christ oppose the word of God. Next they oppose and discredit the witness. Don't be fooled by satan's tactics, continue to speak God's word to those who will hear. Keep the focus on Christ crucified. (I Cor 1:23)

1 Cor 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.

The blood shed by Jesus on the cross of Calvary paid for our sins. We must believe this and receive Jesus as our Lord and savior. There is no other way that our sins can be forgiven.

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.

The worldly wise think they know more than God; by doing this they become fools because they do not fear God nor respect his commands.

Psa 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 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.

Many fools are becoming antichrists, removing crosses and Bibles from public places. They need a touch from God and grace to receive grace, their eyes opened to the truth.

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. 

We are saved by the power of God through faith in Jesus' name. We are not to trust in our works, for we can offer nothing that is not from God. He has provided our sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is my Savior and the offering for sins; My Lord redeemer, the Son of God.

Randy's new year

I was able to download the pictures I took of Randy and the park on January first, using another device. By the drooping wing, we know it is Randy the goose. Some may judge the bird as an invalid, but he has survived three years at his new home at the park with it's green grass for food and the pond for foraging. His kin fly great distances together but he is doing quite well where he is. When I first began to minister on the Internet I was able to go places that you could not fly to. Inside locked bedrooms, in homes where a woman huddled to protect her children from an abusive mate. The Internet brought me friends in Canada, India, Scotland and Great Britain. We shared testimonies of people in China and Africa. Some scoffed at the Chat rooms saying God doesn't go there. Is there anyplace that God cannot go?

 His Spirit spoke heart to heart to the lost, to the new convert or the abused person. The Holy Spirit showed us how to minister through the Internet in AOL chat rooms and instant messages.

Randy may be alone, but he is in a beautiful place. We should be thankful for our blessings, for if we are in Christ we certainly are a blessed people, both here and with him in heavenly places.

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 

Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

It is hard to stop reading when the verses are so meaningful. The important thing is that we are more precious to God than a goose or a tree or a sunset. All were made by Jesus for his good pleasure and for us to enjoy.

Walking by the cat tail rushes I get a quick look at a fawn. The camera was on manual focus, I took the picture without focusing, but the telephoto lens was the right focus to see him before he ran across my path. Some things we only get a glimpse of. Think of friends in the past who were sent to guide us on our correct path, but who have gone now. Perhaps one was an angel?

Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

Two people sharing the sunset. Sometimes we put all our attention on a person to meet our needs. We are not to forget God, who provides to us all good things, including the sunsets. Give God the glory and thank you Jesus for another beautiful day.

Pecan

Our Redwood tree blew down in 2002. Since then six new trees have taken it's place and they are over 100 feet high. Beside the Redwood is the Pecan tree. It has grown taller in competition with the Redwood. In the plant world sunlight is important. A plant or a tree may grow bigger than normal in search of the light from the sun.

We humans sometimes compete with each other. If we see something in another person we like, often we will compete to try to outshine them. Sometimes people will tear down another person, to make themselves look bigger or better. God wants us to grow in the light of His Son. We are not to tear down or compete, but each is to grow in His light to our full stature and maturity.

When the original Redwood fell the Pecan that was shorter, now looked very big by itself. A man of God is to stand tall in God's word encouraging those around them to reach their perfection.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  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: 

The Pecan tree is very tall and it is hard to see if it has any nuts on it, but when they fall from a squirrels hands or a bird's peck they come down to be collected. Is our fruit hard to see?

John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

Sometimes the pecans are few, but every one is a treasure.

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 

Our Liberty

  1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

1Pe 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

My first thought was this verse:

Mat 22:21  .... Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Christians are a peace loving people. We obey the laws if they do not conflict with God's will for us. In Christ we are free and this liberty has spilled over to the nation from the beginning. 

The first two amendments of the constitution are being threatened in our time. This is from the Bill of Rights.

Amendment I (1): Freedom of religion, speech, and the press; rights of assembly and petition
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II (2): Right to bear arms
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

It is difficult to be in agreement with a government that does not uphold it's own constitution and laws. Follow the Spirit of God in the peace of God and you will do right. A godless people will never be free, we are only free by fearing God and obeying him. In Christ we are truly free.

John 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

It's all about me?

Last night I was at a rehearsal of the college symphonic band. The conductor is a high spirited man who has led the band with enthusiasm for over thirty years. In recent years he married a younger woman from England who was a music major at the college. She is gifted to play several instruments and sits next to me in the trombone section. She stood up, leaving her horn on the chair and walked over to the conductor's podium and with baton in hand she directed the band with precision as the conductor was out in the theater seating area. She conducted two of our selections for next week's concert and then returned to her seat. I am not sure if this was planned, but when he returned he commented on how wonderful the band sounded and how blessed he was to have such a talented wife. Now, he could have been jealous when the band clapped enthusiastically, but he was gracious and humble. Truth is, he has never been angry or judgmental in all the years I have known him. The point is that we each are gifted in some way. Some have been at it longer than others, built up a ministry, kept the faith. Yet, others may step in to move things along and each brings something different to the fullness of the body of Christ. We are not to be jealous , envious, competitive or spiteful, for the ministry is the Lord's and he moves through his yielded vessels as he wills. Rather than complain about a lack of a gift in a person, perhaps you are meant to fill the missing gift? One person may be gifted in one area, but others are stronger in other areas of need in the body of Christ. We come together in unity and love in one spirit, we are one in Christ.

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

above

I was driving to the college for orchestra rehearsal. I had the radio on listening to a news commentary, it was true what he was saying about the peril our nation is in. I saw the sun going down, so I pulled over to take a picture. I drove a little further and stopped again to take pictures of the LORD's beautiful sunset. We must look at what is good around us to offset the bad news.

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  

We are dead with Christ, our flesh man identifies with his crucifixion, but our spiritual self is alive with Christ. Whether alive or dead in  this body, we are in Christ and when he shall appear, we shall appear with him. There is much evil in our nation and we are to restrain the evil because of the Holy Spirit within us. We do not join with the darkness, but we are to be as the appearance of Christ to this world. We are to shine forth his message of love and hope. Are we seeking the higher calling of God?

Country road

This landowner has the right idea. 

We should all put up scriptures on our private property.

Deu 6:9  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deu 6:9  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 

.We stopped to place flowers on my folks grave. They have been gone twenty years. The message speaks of their 65 plus years together.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

We saw hundreds of cows in the open range. They

were a little curious about my intentions.

Psa 50:10  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 

Psa 50:11  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

In the hills are miles and miles of rock walls built by Chinese settlers from 1860-1890. This is in Tehama county California.

Psa 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 

Psa 122:7  Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

There was virtually no traffic on this country road. 

Jesus has come, but he is coming back again. Make room for him in your heart.

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

Doctrine of Christ

Too many pastors have come out of liberal schools of theology that are taught by unbelieving professors. Man's thoughts replace the true word of God. The liberal seminary has become a cemetery; dead, cold, lacking the Spirit of God. A youthful pastor fresh from seminary came to the church I was baptized in, back in 1959. He became my friend, but he did not believe in the virgin birth, he was taught that Joseph was the biological father of Jesus. A nice man the pastor was, but what he taught was not truth. A friendly church without the doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit, is no more than a social club. It is not enough to trust in titles such as, doctor of divinity or reverend pastor, make sure that they are teaching the true doctrines of Jesus Christ.

 

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

 

The doctrine of Christ simplified is "Jesus is Lord". The Jehovah's Witnesses that come to my door do not agree with that statement. Doctrine means the teachings, the teachings of Christ.

Jesus, The Living Word of God, came as a man, born of a virgin. He taught that we must be born again of God.

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus paid the price for our sin and redeemed us by his blood and death on the cross. He is raised from the dead , appeared before men and returned to heaven. He is coming again and left with us His presence, the Comforter that is the Holy Spirit. He taught that God is known as God the Father, Jesus, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus said; "before Abraham, I Am". He was with God the Father and the Holy Spirit at the creation of the world. He is coming back as king to establish his kingdom. Blessed are those who are in the first resurrection for they will not receive the wrath of God. 

Jesus is the only way to God the Father.

 

John 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.
John 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

John 5:21  For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 

John 5:22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 

John 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 

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. 

John 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 

There is so much more. Read and study the Bible for yourself and know that by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is eternal life.

1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

Seek Things Above

One definition of sin is to live apart from God and doing our own thing.

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

What things are above? God's will, His word, worship and praise, spiritual fruit...love.  What do you see as seeking those things which are above?

Titus 2:7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

God is Holy, so we are to be holy and without blame.

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

We are to be a people who fear God and seek his will. God hates lying and sin. It is to him an abomination.