God's Strength Is Perfected In Our Human Weakness

2nd Corinthians 12:1-12, “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

In church today our pastor taught us from 2nd Corinthians 12:1-10. I learned some helpful truths today, as our pastor preached an expository sermon. I want to share with you some of the life-changing truths that we learned today. By the way, every believer needs to be in a local New Testament church. The local church is our family in the Lord. In Pensacola I have no family here, so the small church I am attending is my surrogate family, and I love and need them.

In verse 1 the Apostle Paul speaks of visions that he received from the Lord. Please make a note that Paul was an apostle ordained by God as such, so it was a special circumstance, a miracle wrought by God. As our pastor rightly taught us today, if you ever hear any preacher claiming that he has received a vision from God, RUN! Seriously, false prophets are the only ones who claim to see visions. For example: Miss Ellen G. White of the Seventh-Day Adventists claimed to have received over 2,100 visions from God, making herself a self-appointed end times prophet by God. We know Scripturally that she is a liar! What saith the Scripture? Hebrews 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” Whereas God dictated His Words to holy men of old, the Bible plainly teaches that in these last days God only speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) used to say that Jesus and the Bible are TWINS! I like that. We learn from John 1:1-3 and 14, and also in Revelation 19:13, that Jesus is THE WORD OF GOD. Jesus is the Living Word; the Bible is the Written Word. This is why Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” When we read, study and abide in the Holy Scriptures, we are abiding in Christ. I always tell people that I am as narrow-minded as the Bible.

I admit that I am greatly intrigued by 2nd Corinthians 12:4, “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” What did Paul see and hear? Nobody knows. Paul was miraculously caught up by the Holy Spirit into Heaven, and allowed to see and hear things which he was forbidden to tell anyone on earth. Someday we will all find out when it's our turn to enter into eternity. My friend Curtis Smale died and went to Heaven in January 2022. I was wondering yesterday what Curtis is now seeing and hearing. I wonder if he can see me. I know he prays for me. Me and Curtis were close friends because we both shared a driving passion to proclaim a FREE GRACE GOSPEL. Please take a slow look through his many blog articles. Curtis was a gifted prolific writer and I often told him so. Here are his ministry videos.

Salvation changes our heritage from a living death to a deathless life. I cease to be amazed when I think about God's wondrous free gift of eternal life. Dear saint of God, you are greatly beloved. If you will give God your weakness, God will give you His strength.

By the way, there are many types of Baptists, but being a Baptist once meant that you were a FUNDAMENTALIST! Over the years many Baptists have strayed from the FUNDAMENTALS. And thus attack those who remain true to the faith. I recently found an awesome podcast called: “THE FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST PODCAST” This Podcast will address the issues surrounding what it means to be a FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST. Whether you are a baby believer, or have been saved for 42 years (as I have), this podcast will be a blessing to you and your family.

The Apostle Paul further states in our text passage that if he wanted to brag, he sure had a reason too. Paul had been privileged to see Heaven head of time! Wow! God permitted Paul to see and hear the things of Heaven, but he was forbidden to tell anyone what he saw and heard. That is extremely interesting. But Paul said instead of boasting of such miracles that could have made him feel special, he chose rather to focus on his weaknesses, failures, infirmities and hardships, so that in his utter weakness Christ's strength could be perfected.

I love that!!! I love what Paul wrote in the Bible because it encourages me that all the pain, losses, suffering and miseries throughout my difficult life weren't in vain. God has used my suffering so that He could mightily bless my worldwide website ministry. The Bible teaches that God avoids proud people. James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” The reason why God avoids them is because THEY ARE NOT WEAK. Dear reader, as God's children we don't grow in strength, we grow in God's grace. Look at what Christ told Paul in 2nd Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” When Paul humbly pleaded with God three times to remove his thorn in the flesh, God told Paul: MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU!!!

Dear friend, God's grace is sufficient for you and me too! God never allows us to handle any burden that we are incapable of carrying in His strength. 2nd Corinthians 9b-10, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” If you could learn this truth dear friend, it would forever transform the way you look at the problems, loneliness, health woes, losses, enemies, miseries and heartaches in your life. The same blessed Savior who was able to work with power, through Paul's weaknesses and infirmities, is able today 2,000 years later to do the same in our lives!!! Therefore, we ought to REJOICE amidst our sufferings, painful memories, cries and sorrows of our hurting soul.

The Holy Spirit will never lead you contrary to the Word of God. We hear all these TV evangelists lying to the masses. I'm talking about fakes like Joyce Meyer, Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn, T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen and other infidels who prey upon the public with their demonic Health, Wealth & Prosperity false gospel. They are not preaching with the power of God's Holy Spirit; but rather, the spirit of Satan! What they are preaching is against the plain teaching of the inspired Word of God. Charismatics and Pentecostals falsely preach that Jesus was a rich man, living large and lavishly; but we read in 2nd Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” The Bible tells is that Jesus became POOR on earth, and that He lived in POVERTY. That is the true Jesus!!!

So dear reader—and you are all dear to me, which is why I write blogs and website articles day and night for my blessed God and Savior Jesus Christ—don't think like the heathen world. Christianity was began as a new birth in the Holy Bible. When it went to Greece, Christianity became a philosophy. When it went to Rome, it turned into a religion. When it spread throughout Europe, Christianity deteriorated into a mere culture. And sadly, when Christianity came to America, it became a stinking lucrative money-making BUSINESS!!!

If you are weak like me, then help someone else who is weak, and help build their work. I suffer in constant chronic neck pain. I worry sometimes that my disability will stop. But then I always catch myself and just decide to trust God, no matter what. If I lose my disability, then I will cross that bridge when it comes. I decided to get some fresh air and go for a long walk yesterday. But after walking for about 10 minutes, the intense pain from my neck radiated over my right shoulder blade, down intensely into my right arm, and sharply into my thumb.

The pain became so unbearable that I couldn't walk anymore. I had to stop for the day. God only knows what I suffer through on a daily basis. I was hit by a church bus in 1992. And then in 2004 fell down a mailslide at work, which worsened my neck injury. I underwent two major neck surgeries in 2009 and 2010, neither of which removed my affliction. Sadly, the second surgery made me 100% worse. Both of my arms since that surgery feel like they are inflated with air. The entire right side of my body feels half asleep all the time. I limp when I walk because of this. I also have constant tension in my neck, which is caused by a compressed spinal cord according to a neurologist I saw on Guam. In short, physically I am a mess.

I beat Paul in the number of times I have prayed for God to remove my thorn. Paul prayed three times for God to take away his thorn in the flesh. But I have prayed hundreds of times, literally, refusing to take no for an answer, and hoping for God's mercy. But I am still messed up, suffering from stenosis and radiculitis in my neck. It is my burden that I alone must bear. No one knows your pain! I also feel spasms of burning throughout my entire nervous system, which comes and goes from day to day, which I cannot even explain in words how much it adversely affects me.

My wife divorced me in 2006, sixteen long years ago. I lost my pain home because of the divorces and have been renting apartments ever since, not sure if I'll ever be able to afford to buy a home again without going into 30 years of debt. I lost my retirement savings. Divorce is a transfer of wealth from your bank account into your lawyer's bank account. Lawyers are legalized thieves!!! Judges are overpaid thieves!!! They all work together for JUST-US, not justice!!! I hate attorneys too! Here in Pensacola, Florida (where I moved in July of 2021), we see lawyers billboards everywhere along the roadways, which is disgusting and contemptible like cockroaches just waiting for the darkness to lurk!!!

Anyway, the silver lining in my horrors, losses and inexplicable pain, is that God continues to use this redeemed sinner to make a difference for the Lord Jesus Christ. I am just a humble sinner saved by God's grace!!! I have been wounded, banned, kicked out of churches, ostracized, slandered, mocked and despised by PASTORS. Go figure! Why? It is simply because I TOLD THE TRUTH.

We are sadly surrounded in American society today by churches that are fun centers, glorified country clubs, musical venues, party concerts, and dead ritualistic spiritual morgues. I wrote a needful article back in 2016 titled: 'The Autopsy Of A Dead Church!' I don't know about you dear reader, but with the truths I have presented to you in this blog from the inspired King James Bible, I am not going to complain and moan to God about them. Instead, I am going to look for ways to serve God more effectively each day, to MAKE AN IMPACT for God while I still can.

Even Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of working while He still could, because His time on earth was LIMITED. Read what Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” I believe that Christ is teaching here, that our time on earth as individuals is LIMITED. Psalms 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” I believe this is what the Lord meant. The wise Christian invests for eternity. Colossians 4:5, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

If you are doing absolutely nothing to invest in the eternal harvest for souls, then why not? I mean, everybody can do something for the cause of Jesus and the Gospel. Most people do not know how to do God's work. They are not sure. But the wise person will follow a man of God who does get the job done for Christ, and they will invest in that man's ministry work. I don't accept money from people, never have, and never will. But I sure can use your help with my ministry.

If you help me friend, since I am serving Christ, then you will be rewarded for helping me. What saith the Scripture? Mark 9:41, “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” I love that Bible verse and principle. Anybody can serve God by serving a man of God. By helping free grace Gospel preachers, I am laying up treasures in Heaven!!!

I am not as eloquent in my preaching as Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). I am not the charming personality of Brother Hyles. I've never been good with people. I get nervous around people. That is why I have an internet ministry instead of pastoring a church. I marvel when I consider his incredible 55 years of ministry. But I am not Dr. Hyles. I am just a dog in comparison, and he is a lion of the faith. But the Bible teaches that a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4, “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” Brother Hyles has already graduated from life and is gone onto Heaven to be with Jesus. That Bible verse always encourages me, because as a dog I can still promote Pastor Hyles' sermons, books and the godly principles he taught.

I challenge you dear friend to start looking at your STUMBLING STONES in your life as blessings, as STEPPING STONES. Amen. I heard a beautiful sermon the other day by Pastor Jack Hyles titled: 'The Blessings Of Sin.' God can take everything and anything in your life, the LEMONS, and turn them into LEMONADE. It is a matter of faith, trusting God that He has the power and the desire to make ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD in every believer's life, so as to conform us into Christ's perfect image (Romans 8:28-29). God bless you and thank you for reading my heartfelt words. Jesus is precious!!!

Don't Be Evil With Your Words

Matthew 12:36, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” 2nd Peter 2:18, “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” Proverbs 30:6, “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Jeremiah 23:36, “And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Ephesians 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Colossians 2:4, “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” Jeremiah 29:23, “Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.”

The Bible has MUCH to say about words. I have selected a few passages, but there are several hundred more which I could have used. There are God's Words (as we see mentioned in Proverbs 30:6). And then there are men's words (as mentioned in Jeremiah 23:36). Words that are God's we call divinely “inspired.” Words that men speak are not inspired by God. They are inspired by men! In the Scripture passages I selected we read about:

• every idle word
• great swelling words of vanity
• His words
• man's words
• vain words
• enticing words
• lying words in my name

That last phrase is monumental dear friend! Who would dare to speak lying words in God's name? Good night in the morning! Jeremiah 7:9-10, “Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” Wow! They were stealing, murdering, making false accusations, committing adultery and worshipping Satanic idols, yet they claimed to be doing God's will. Can you imagine such evil?

Well, we see this same type of evil today in many churches. The demonic Lordship Salvation crowd preaches that faith is not enough to get to Heaven. In addition, they claim that you must turn away from a lifestyle of sin. They claim that you must surrender ALL to Christ as absolutely "Lord" in order to be saved. In so doing, proponents of Lordship Salvation are putting people under the law, requiring them to keep God's Ten Commandments to get to Heaven. The Bible plainly tells us that this is false teaching:

Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Dear friend, WORDS ARE SO VERY IMPORTANT!!! When I really think about it, my entire website ministry is all about WORDS!!! I have written and published thousands of articles either teaching true WORDS, or refuting false WORDS, to help others for Christ my Lord and Savior. Preachers today who teach Lordship Salvation are speaking LYING WORDS in God's name!!! I read recently that the average church pastor's annual salary is $80,000. Can you imagine a preacher getting paid that kind of money, which is $30,000 above what the average American citizen earns in a year, to preach ANOTHER GOSPEL?

The Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation is comprised of EVIL WORDS!!! What exactly is “Lordship Salvation” anyway? Lordship Salvation is the false doctrine that faith is insufficient to get into Heaven. In addition, proponents of Lordship Salvation teach that you must “surrender all to Christ as the Lord and the Master of your life.” They say you must “repent and turn away from your sinful ways” to be saved. What they mean is that you cannot have the attitude that you intend to continue living a sinful lifestyle.  refuse to forsake your sinful bad habits to be saved.

The average person speaks on average about 30,000 words per day. That's enough words to fill a medium-sized library in a lifetime! Wow! Yet, how careless are so many preachers today with their words? They sanction the Devil's Bibles. They sanction and help preach the Devil's "turn from your sin" garbage to get to Heaven. Those wicked pastors and preachers will someday have to answer to God for THEIR LYING WORDS!!!

And how many people are so cruel with their words. I remember a painful incident years ago. I had purchased a used S-10 Sho-Bud pedal steel guitar for $1,500 through the Steel Guitar Forum. But it was old and I wanted to have it retrofitted with new parts, so it would be able to do more mechanically (more chords). I searched the internet and found a man named John Coop Sr. in Indiana who rebuilt Sho-Bud guitars. I called John and spoke with him. He insisted that I send him #1,300 upfront to rebuild the guitar for me. So we agreed. I used my PayPal to send him the money. 

To my horror, I read afterwards in the Steel Guitar Forum (SGF) that John Coop Sr. had cheated over a dozen other SGF members, keeping their money and never returning their guitar. Long story short, Mr. Coop stole $2,800 from me! John changed his phone number. I was able to obtain his number from another SGF member. When I called John he was surprised to hear from me, that I had got his number. He boldly lied to me, promising my guitar in 2 weeks. He had told we 2 weeks months earlier. Sure enough, John was lying again, as usual, and I never got my guitar or money back. That wicked man just kept it all. God will punish him in eternity for cheating, hurting, lying and defrauding others, especially Christian like me. Jesus warned in Matthew 25:40 that if you hurt someone who is a child of God, it is the same as if you did it unto Jesus Christ. John stole $2,800 from Jesus!!!

But to make matters worse, and the reason why I even mentioned this painful memory, is because of the cruel words that followed. I went onto the Steel Guitar Forum to warn other members about John Coop Sr., letting everybody know that he stole my $2,800 and if a known thief. Over 95% of the people in the SGF are great folks, but some are as rotten as they come! One SGF member actually posted photos of his Sho-Bud guitar that John has rebuilt for him years earlier (when he was still honest). That horrible wicked SGF member mocked me, rubbing it in that I had just been cheated out of $2,800. He wrote: "Look what a nice job John Coop Sr. did on my guitar. Look how great all those new parts look!" I couldn't believe that one of my fellow steel guitar players was so low, inhumane, selfish and rotten, as to make me feel worse that I had just been defrauded of $2,800.

Could you possibly imagine if your child got hit and killed by a speeding car. And someone next to you said out loud, as they hugged their child: "Hey, look at my healthy child who is alive and well. Look at how blessed my family is!" Meanwhile your child is dead in a pool of blood in the street. That is how rotten some people are with their wicked heart and words. I still feel sick, not only that John ripped me off for $2,800. But also that an ungodly SGF member rubbed it in, just to hurt me further. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that rotten person is divorced. If not, I feel sorry for his wife, being married to a scum, vindictive and hateful human existence like that! It is wickedness!!!

Yes, people can be cruel with their words. Please don't be like that! Our words are very important to God. Matthew 12:36, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” In a million years, I never would have done what that wicked man did to me, rubbing it in that I had just been cheated out of $2,800. Only a Godless reprobate deliberately hurts other people like that!

I like David in the Old Testament, he loved God's Word, as I do. Psalms 119:72, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” David's love for the Holy Bible didn't compare to anything else! Money meant nothing to David when compared to God's inspired Words. People WILL hurt us sometimes with their words. The best thing to do is just give those hurt feelings to the Lord and let Him deal with the offender. I have bene deeply hurt by several pastors over the past several years. God will chastise them for their sinful words. And sadly, some of them, like Pastor Marty Herron, are going to the Lake of Fire. Herron preaches a false gospel of Lordship Salvation, demanding that people “turn away from a lifestyle of sinful living to be saved,” which is not the Gospel of free grace.

Ye Have Purified Your Souls In Obeying THE TRUTH

1st Peter 1:18-23, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

I pondered this amazing passage of Scripture today. I admit that I am a sensitive person. That is why I love music do much, and especially musical instruments! My life's passion, next to my website ministry, is playing the pedal steel guitar. It is my happy thought! Here is a song I recorded steel guitar on called: "Near To The Heart Of God." I learned to do that P-Tah effect with the finger picks by one of my favorite Hawaiian steel guitar artists, Bud Tutmarc. I sat by my front door when I lived on Guam by the airport, and in 2017 I made this fun recording to share with others. I used my S-6 short-scale Jerry Byrd Frypan steel guitar. It's made of aluminum, a similar remake of the original 1922 Rickenbacher Frypan, but with some modifications designed by Jerry Byrd. I thank God for it and love that cool guitar! Here are many of my other steel recordings for you to hear and share if you'd like.

Lord willing, it is my heart's desire this year to start recording more steel guitar songs. I have many ideas. I'm also wanting to get into my banjo playing as soon as I get settled, Lord willing. One day at a time. All my stuff is still in storage facility, since I moved from Guam to Pensacola in July of 2021. It has been a rough time for me emotionally, and finding permanent housing. I finally found a good place to stay, and a small church to call home. The Lord is helping my to slowly adjust and transition. I had lived on the island of Guam for 17 years, so now I feel like a fish out of water here in Florida. I can't wait to get back into my pedal steel guitar music. My very favorite pedal steel guitar artist is Lloyd Green (born 1937). Here is a beautiful song that Lloyd recorded in the 1970's which he composed called: "Summer Clouds." I love Lloyd's intelligent performances, which grip my soul. Having said that, I am still considering moving further up north. I'm doing much research. I like Tennessee and Kentucky. 

Anyway, back down to planet earth...lol. What does the Bible mean by "Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying THE TRUTH"?: These related Bible passages come to mind:

John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

Psalms 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Psalms 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Do you see the unmistakable relationship between heeding the Word of God and being pure in our souls, cleansed and living right for God? To hear the Word of God is not enough, we must OBEY it also. What saith the Scripture? ...

James 1:22-25, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

The blessing is not to the man who HEARS God's inspired Word, but to him or her that DOES the Word! 1st John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” You see, again, it is not merely enough to hear about someone's needs, we must do what we can by God's grace to fulfill those needs. Sadly, most believers today are SITTING ON THE PREMISES rather than STANDING ON THE PROMISES!

1st Peter 22-25, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

What beautiful and powerful Words!!! 

1st Peter 1:14-17, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:"

As believers, we are sanctified by the Word of God...

John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

Psalms 119:9-11, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

Psalms 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

What beautiful Scriptures!!!

James 1:5-8, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

God promises to give wisdom to whosoever asks Him for it. Certainly, we cannot expect God to give us wisdom if we are not reading His inspired Word to guide us. Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Amen and amen! We acknowledge God by obeying His written Word in the King James Bible. Only then, I think, can we justly ask and truly expect for God to grant us wisdom. Sadly, we live in a nation of Bible ignoramuses today in America, and that tragically includes today's average theologically incompetent church leader.

Today's churches are pathetic. I haven't been able to find even one great church here in Pensacola. I was looking for another church to attend today. I found the Calvary Way Full Gospel Church about 7 miles from me, but the church is all about making music, but there's no soulwinning!!! That is not the purpose of the church, to party hardy and play your favorite musical instrument. God has entrusted the local church to obey The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It seems that the last thing churches care about these days is preaching the Gospel. Instead, today's pathetic churches have become entertainment fun centers!!!

God knows that I am not perfect, but I am growing in God's grace every year. I just turned 55 years old on March 5th, 2022 and I've never desired to serve God more than I do today. I often wish and pray that God would show and give me more ideas, strength and opportunities to serve Him better. Google has censored 90% of my web traffic since 2015, sadly. I used to get over 12,000,000 web visitors per years. Now I am blessed if I get 1,200,000 per year. That is the Devil. But thankfully, our great God is greater than the Devil (1st John 4:4). If God wills for THE TRUTH to be preached, then He will open the door for people to find it. I am humbly doing the best I know how with what God has entrusted to me. Jesus is precious!!!

The Precious Blood Of The Lamb Of God

John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Hebrews 9:1-12 “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

I think the key Bible verse in order to understand the Old Testament is Hebrews 10:1, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” The Old Testament ritualistic system of the law, tabernacle, holy of holies, priests, Sabbath Days and sacrificial offerings; they were all A SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME. That is, they were the earthly prototypes of the real one's up in Heaven.

You see, there is a Tabernacle up in Heaven. Inside there is a Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant is located. Above the ark are two cherubim looking toward the center where the presence of God dwells. Inside the ark is the inspired Word of God, the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlesticks. We read in Hebrews 9:12, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Christ Himself, after He raised up from the dead and ascended into Heaven, entered once into the Holy Place with His blood. Jesus sprinkled His blood upon the Mercy Seat (Hebrews 9:22-24; 12:24).

The price for the sins of all mankind was not paid in full by the precious blood of Jesus Just as the Old Testament high priest entered into the holy place with a lamb's blood, so also did Jesus do the same in Heaven. But there was one BIG difference—Jesus didn't apply the blood of bulls or goats to the heavenly Mercy Seat; but rather, His own perfect blood, which ONCE AND FOR ALL made the payment for man's sins.

The Old Testament sacrifices were only temporary, which in theology is called “atonement” (meaning, “to cover”). The same Hebrew word for “atonement” is used for the word “pitch” that Noah used ”to cover” the ark. But Jesus' didn't atone for our sins, He forever took them all away, to those who BELIEVE on Christ. You see, Jesus has already paid for EVERYONE'S sins, but you personally must appropriate that gift. That is, you must receive it by faith! I can prove it with the Scripture. 2nd Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Please notice the words: “the Lord that bought them.” Jesus purchased these false prophets, dying on the cross for them too, even though they still denied Him. Wow! That a great Savior!

You see, Jesus is the Savior of all men, even of those who deny them. Let me prove it again with the Scripture. 1st Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” I love that! Jesus is THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, especially of those who BELIEVE. So whether you believe or not, He is still the Savior. In order for Him to become YOUR Savior, you need to personally accept Him as such. John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

By the way, someone years ago criticized my ministry's use of the modern spelling of “Savior.” So, I did a Bible study on this. Pastor Al Lacy in his excellent sermon called: “The NIV Bible And The New Age,” had said that there is only one “Saviour,” but many “saviors.” So this led to some confusion over my website's name: (Jesus-is-Savior.com). Although Dr. Lacy is theologically correct, Grammarly he is incorrect! The truth is that the Hebrew and Greek words used for “Saviour” throughout the Holy Bible, are the same exact words used in the Bible when referring to men in general who saved people. So the argument is mute. I understand that it is every preacher's nature to seek to find all ammunition possible when trying to prove their position, so I don't fault Dr. Al Lacy one bit. I don't agree with him, but I understand why he said what he did, trying to defend the King James Bible. I love the guy with all my heart!!! 

Here is a wonderful excerpt from Michael P. Bowen's helpful book titled: “I NEVER KNEW YOU: The Horror Of The Great White Throne Judgement And How You Can Avoid It”:

Here is the gospel: God says that we are sinners and that no amount of good works or behavioral changes on our part could ever make us holy enough to enter heaven. God sent His Son to pay for all of our sins. Jesus paid for our crimes by dying on the cross for us all. His dead body was buried in a grave. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead. The instant you believe this, He knows it and He saves you. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life”(John 6:47). The free gift is based solely upon your trust in what Jesus did for you and has nothing at all to do with what you do for Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). ~ Michael P. Bowen, “I Never Knew You,” p. xii

There you have it friend, how to know that you're going to Heaven in just 30 seconds!

I wanted to write this blog to teach you about the blood of Jesus Christ. And what a beautiful thing it is, by which we have even been redeemed!!! 1st Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” This is why when observing The Lord's Supper (i.e., Communion) at church, we must never use fermented wine or leavened bread, because these foods require bacteria and the decaying process of yeast and so forth. There is no corruption in Christ's body or blood. It would be better not to have Communion at all, than to portray the sinless Savior's precious body and blood with mold and bacteria. The juice need to be unfermented, and the bread needs to be unleavened.

Beware Of The Devil's Bibles!

Tragically, all of the modern Bible revisions remove THE BLOOD OF JESUS from numerous passages! For example: Let's compare Colossians 1:

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) - Colossians 1:13-16, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV) - Colossians 1:13-16, “in whom we have redemption [THROUGH HIS BLOOD IS GONE!!!], the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” 

CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE (CSB) - Colossians 1:13-16, “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption [THROUGH HIS BLOOD IS GONE!!!], the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.” 

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) - Colossians 1:13-16, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption [THROUGH HIS BLOOD IS GONE!!!], the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”  

Sadly, HUNDREDS of the Devil's modern English Bible perversions completely REMOVE the important words: “THROUGH HIS BLOOD.” Why would anyone remove those critically important words? If you check and compare other New Testament passages which mention “the blood,” you'll also discover that the modern Westcott and Hort based Bible versions butcher these passages. Critics who defend the modern versions, will tell you that there's only less than a 3% difference between the major and minor ancient texts.

But what they won't tell you is that those small changes, omissions and additions all brutally attack the deity of Jesus, obliterate the Godhead, diminish Jesus' preeminence and secularize the Bible! It couldn't be more obvious to anyone who truly loves the Lord Jesus Christ, that Brooke Westcott (1825-1901) and Fenton Hort (1828-1892) didn't love Him!!! Critics will claim that the modern Bibles aren't really based upon the 1881 work of Westcott and Hort, but that's is a lie of the Devil. All this garbage, messing with the Holy Bible, started with Westcott and Hort. If you doubt what I say, go look inside the front cover of the Jehovah's Witness New Testament, and you'll see that they credit Westcott and Hort's work as the basis of it. (By the way, beware of the popular website: GotQuestions.org, because they preach hardcore Lordship Salvation, requiring that people turn away from your sin to get to Heaven, which is an accursed false gospel according to Galatians 1:6-9 and Galatians 3:1-3.)

There Is No Salvation Unless The Lamb's Blood is Applied

In the Old Testament, I'm sure that you're familiar with the story of Moses and the Hebrews in Egypt. For 430 years the Hebrews dwelt in Egypt, beginning with Joseph's family, who had moved from Canaan to Egypt during a horrific 7-year famine. There is an alleged discrepancy here in the Bible. The Bible tells us:

Exodus 12:40, “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.”

Acts 7:6, “And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.”

Whoa! So was it 400 or 430 years that the Hebrews dwelt in Egypt? Well, both. They spent 430 years total living in Egypt, but for 400 of those years they were enslaved to Pharaoh. The Egyptians did entreat them EVIL for 400 years! That is such a sad commentary on both the Jews and Egypt. God had brought goodness to Egypt through Joseph and his family. Things went well for 30 years. But when Joseph died and the next generation (of both Jews and Egyptians) came alone, they went back to their old carnal ways.

Now, what I am about to say is only speculation. That is, Stewology (my last name is Stewart). This is merely my opinion, and I cannot prove it with the Bible. But I think we need to consider the level of spirituality of the Jews. When God had delivered them our of slavery, the Jews didn't appreciate it. They complained and moaned continually in the Wilderness, which angered the Lord. Ten times they griped to Moses, until God finally decided that they wouldn't enter into The Promised Land. Only those age 19 and under were able to later go into The Promised Land. Anyone age 20 or older couldn't go!

My speculation is this—seeing that the Jews had such bad attitudes in the Wilderness, I cannot help but conclude that they had the same poor attitudes in Egypt. I'll bet they complained and moaned about everything in Egypt too! Could it be that the Egyptians got tired of the ungrateful spirit among the Jews? I mean, if God Himself lost patience with these stubborn, spoiled and stiffnecked people, it makes sense that the Egyptians did too! But where the Bible is silent I choose to remain silent. I simply do not know!

Ah, but what I DO know is that the blood saves! Amen. When God sent Aaron and Moses to deliver the Hebrews from bondage, God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he refused. Now, that is very interesting. First, please understand that God did not predestinate Pharaoh to Hell. No way! God NEVER chooses who will or won't be saved. Calvinism (all five tenets) are a lie of the Devil. Calvinism refers to the core life's teachings of a man named John Calvin (1509-1564). Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) does a great job refuting Calvinism.

What God DID do is harden Pharaoh's heart concerning releasing the Hebrews. God already knew that Pharaoh wasn't going to get saved. This is not predestination. It just means that God is omniscient and He knows the future. So God decided to use Pharaoh for His purpose and plan. The Bible says that God deliberately hardened Pharaoh's heart, to refuse to release the Hebrews, so that God could work His mighty miracles and be glorified. Who are we to question our great, faithful and good God?

The last of the Ten Plagues became know as the Passover. This name is befitting of the event that happened. The Lord through His servant's Moses and Aaron warned everyone in Egypt (both Jew and Egyptian alike) of the coming last plague. The firstborn of all families, even of the family's livestock, would die when the Lord PASSED OVER!!! Thus, the holiday of the “Passover.” God PASSED OVER any family that obeyed the Lord, by applying THE BLOOD of a slain lamb to the lintel (the plate above the door that kept bricks from falling on your head), and door posts of the home. Exodus 12:23, “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.” Do you see those two beautiful words: “PASS OVER”???

The killing of the lamb wasn't enough! Please don't miss that, because this is where I am going with this blog. THE BLOOD HAD TO BE APPLIED!!! It is not enough that Christ died on the cross for our sins, the blood of Christ needed to be applied to the Mercy Seat in Heaven. We don't hear enough about this truth nowadays from America's church pulpits. What saith the Scripture? ...

Exodus 12:13, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”

Dear friend, this same truth applies today. God is still looking for the BLOOD!!! The blood needed to be applied. Thankfully, approximately 2,000 years ago Jesus ascended up into Heaven after He raised up from the dead, and he entered into the Holy Place into the presence of God the Father, and sprinkled His blood upon the heavenly Mercy Seat for our sins. Hallelujah!!! It is only because of Christ's blood on the Mercy Seat that any human being can come to Christ and be saved by faith alone. The price for our sins has already been paid! The price was Jesus' BLOOD. The place is the heavenly MERCY SEAT. The Lamb's blood has successfully been applied!!!

Dear reader, that is why you and I can freely receive God's gift of forgiveness of sins by simply taking it. That is why we don't even need to “ask” Christ to save us. God is already freely offering His gift of eternal life to us. Just take it friend, if you haven't already, and it is yours forever! Eternal life is a FREE GIFT (Romans 5:15-18, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). You don't have to start doing anything to be saved. You don't have to stop doing anything to be saved. You simply need to BELIEVE that Jesus did it for you! Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

The Bible Commands Us To Fear God, Not Satan

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

I have met numerous Christians in my lifetime who were afraid of the Devil. This is especially true in superstitious cultures like Central America and South America, and in the islands (U.S. Territories like Puerto Rico, Guam and The Virgin Islands). Roman Catholics are infamously superstitious, in Hispanic cultures mostly. The Christian believer should only FEAR GOD!

I had a pastor many years ago, who taught us in church not to speak outloud what our plans were for the future, because Satan might hear us. He said that a demon might overhear our words and go back to tell the Devil. And then the Devil and his fallen angels might throw a monkey-wrench into our big plans, whatever they were.

Our church operated a Bus Ministry. Amen! I absolutely LOVE the Bus Ministry!!! Every Bible-believing church should have a Bus Ministry, providing free transportation for individuals and families alike, so they can come to church to hear the Word of God preached. Millions of people will testify that they were saved, and their life transformed through the Bus Ministry. Is it costly? Yes. Is it a bunch of headaches? You better believe it! But is it worth it? Ten thousand times... YES, YES, YES!!!

As I grew older and learned the Word of God for myself, I humbly realized that my sincere pastor had misinterpreted the Word of God. In fact, not one verse in the inspired King James Bible teaches us to fear the Devil. NOT ONE!!! But we read in literally hundreds of Scripture passages that we should FEAR GOD. Proverbs 3:7, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Job 1:9, “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?” Satan accused Job of only fearing God because things were going well in his life. So God made a gentleman's wager with old smut face, to test Job. And as we see, Job passed the test. If Job hadn't, I doubt if the Bible would have mentioned him at all. We must all FEAR GOD:

Psalms 66:16, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”

Ecclesiastes 8:12, “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:”

Although God definitely desires for us to love Him, the Bible doesn't command us to love God. You cannot command someone to love anybody. Love is a choice. I cannot make you love me! But I can be nice to you, try to win over your heart, and hope that someday you will love me back. But God can and does command us to FEAR HIM! You don't have to love the police, but you still must obey the law!

Do you fear God? I do. Those who fear God obey Him, knowing that we must one day stand before God and give account for our deeds done in the flesh, whether they be good or bad (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11). I speak to believers, the redeemed, God's children. For the unsaved, they will also be judged according to their works, but as criminals instead of God's children (Revelation 20:11-15).

I do not fear Satan, not one bit. That is simply because God is greater in power and wisdom than the Devil. 1st John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Every child of God has the blessed Holy Spirit of God indwelling us. Literally, God the Father and God the Son, chose to live inside our body, soul and spirit in the form of God the Holy Spirit. There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who exists in three distinct persons. Amen!

So when you pray, don't worry about the Devil, because God is greater in every way. Luke 4:6, “And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” The Devil has LIMITED power, which has been given to Him by God!

We see this also in the life of Job, which I showed you earlier. The Devil was completely powerless to touch Job, or anything that Job owned, without God's express permission. This is true of every born-again believer. Ephesians 1:13-15 teaches that God seals us at the time of salvation, giving us the Holy Spirit as proof of His promise to redeem our body, soul and spirit.

Hollywood sensationalizes demons, Hell, the Devil, seances, ghosts, et cetera. The truth is that Hollywood script writers haven't a clue of what they're doing! The Devil and demons are NOT in Hell, nor will they ever be. Not in Hades (Greek for Hell) at least. God has prepared a special Hell just for the fallen angels, called in the Greek: Tartarus. If you are interested in the subject, Pastor Max D. Younce has authored a helpful and intriguing book called: “A BIBLICAL EXAMINATION OF HELL” (free to download in .pdf format). No Christian should ever fear demons or the Devil. Psalms 34:7, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

When You Feel Like Everything In Your Life Is Wrong

Job 1:12-22, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.  So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:  And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

I want you to notice the oft repeated phrase, “While he was yet speaking, there came also another.” While one of Job's servants was telling him the BAD NEWS, while they were yet speaking another servant came with more BAD NEWS! And then as unbelievable as it may seem, even another servant came to Job bearing VERY BAD NEWS! The last servant told Job the horrifying BAD NEWS that his 10 children were all dead, killed by a sudden tornado which made the house fall upon them! Poor Job! Can you imagine? I think not. Unless we've been in someone's shoes, we truly CANNOT fully understand what they are suffering through.

Many years ago, while I was still married, I remember talking with a divorced man from Minnesota on the phone. He told me that he was divorced. His wife left him and filed for divorce. It was a done deal, sadly. I was in my 20's then, and thought I understood what he was going through. But it wasn't until 2006 when my own beloved wife divorced me against my will, that I truly understood the absolute inexplicable feeling of betrayal, and the staggering financial loss, and how close I came to taking my own life in despair and loneliness. My legal bills skyrocketed to $64,000, money gone forever. We lost our home. I lost most of my personal possessions. I was surviving out of a suitcase in a cheap hotel, turning food on the stove in my frying pan with needle-nosed pliers. I lost my pets, everything. I was absolutely devastated. Friend, the difference between knowing someone close to you who is going through a divorce, and going through a divorce YOURSELF; it is the same difference as having a close friend get hit by a truck, versus YOURSELF getting hit by a speeding Mack truck!!!

But there are times now, 16 years later, when I still feel like everything is wrong, but I can't think of anything that is so wrong that I should feel that way. I mean, good night, my name is written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). I am a redeemed child of the King! I have been set on high as God's child with princes and kings (Revelation 5:10). Why should I feel down and discouraged and defeated? Yet, I often feel so weak, so vulnerable and so helpless to do anything. I am just a voice! Yet, God can use my voice to help others. And when I say “a voice,” I also include my fingers and keyboard by which I have been diligently typing day and night for the past 20 years, so that God can use my voice online to preach the Gospel truth to the lost.

I once read something that Pastor Charles Spurgeon said that made an impression on me. Spurgeon said that he too at times felt nervous, unable to account for any reason why. But then he remembered a passage of the Bible from Hebrews 12:28-29, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” Spurgeon read that sentence: “Our God is a consuming fire,” and then realized that he had been praying and draw close to God. James 4:8 promises that if we draw near unto God, He WILL also draw near (nigh) unto us. Could it be the very consuming fire of God's presence that makes us nervous as believers when we draw near unto Him? Yes, I do believe so, with all my heart.

Dear reader, when you feel like everything is wrong in life, humble yourself before your Creator. Seek His face! Wise men still seek Him!!! 2nd Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Seeking God's face in the Old Testament simply meant seeking God's approval. When a parent was proud of their child, they turned their face toward the child, to show that they are proud of them! But when their was shame, a parent looked away. Likewise, God turns His face away from the wicked, and rebellious children. If you want God's face toward you dear friend, then you need to obey Him. I am not speaking about salvation here, I am speaking to believers about obeying your heavenly Father.

God doesn't expect you to be perfect, He just wants you to GROW! That is all God expects. Are you growing in grace dear friend? As Christians we don't grow in strength, we grow in God's grace. Christ is our strength! Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” When you feel weak, just rest in your blessed Savior. Rest in the written promises of God in the Scriptures. Remember, Jesus and the Bible are twins! Jesus is the Living Word (John 1:1-3, 14; Revelation 19:13); but the Bible is the Written Word (Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 4:12). This is why Jesus could say in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” The Word existed before the world was created, and is God, and became incarnate (in the flesh) as a man, the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3, 14).

When you feel like all hope is gone, and the walls are closing in around you, at first JUST EXIST. Don't do anything. Don't make any decisions. Go watch a movie and chill. Don't make any decisions when you're decision-maker is broken! Seek the Lord in all your ways. Simply humble yourself at Jesus' feet and seek His guidance, comfort and love. Hang in there! I have been at the bottom of life more times than I can remember!!! There were times when I had no strength at all emotionally. I didn't want to be around people. I needed to be alone.

Since 2004 I have suffered from horrible chronic neck pain. I have burning throughout my entire nervous system. The whole right side of my body feels half asleep ALL the time! It feels like dead weight after sitting for a few moments, and then I get up. Both of my arms feel inflated with air. This is a result of my second neck surgery in 2010, which made me 100% worse! That surgeon never should have cut into me, but in hindsight, he just wanted the money. I have been victimized by people in the medical industry umpteen times. I have met some monsters in the medical profession, who had zero love or compassion. In 2010, I wanted to jump out a window and die! Nobody cares. Nobody took my suffering seriously. They were selfish and just wanted their paychecks! But God was always with me, every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5). Oh, how I cried a river of tears!

When you feel like everything in your life is wrong, first realize that it is just that... FEELINGS. More times than not, my feelings deceive me! Usually the next day, I'll realize that the horrible emotions that I felt the preceding day were just that... EMOTIONS. There was never anything to fret or worry about, but I let life get me down anyway, and it felt so real at the moment. Our human feelings can really take us on a rollercoaster ride!!! Kindly, you know what I say is very true. And if you take prescription medications like I do, they also affect your emotions. My pain medications tend to make me feel like crying. Drugs can have a major effect on your body.

I've been doing a test recently on my body by eating different foods, to see how I feel. I have proven to myself that when I eat beans, oatmeal, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, vegetables and other healthy foods, I feel better overall. Certain foods have anti-inflammatory healing properties. Onions, olive oil, nuts, cherries, fish (omega 3 fatty acids), fruits and certain other foods, help reduce inflammation that causes arthritis pain. My neck pain is always there, but it seems that when I eat healthy the bad isn't as bad. Then again, on some days nothing helps, and the pain is intolerable. It doesn't help that my doctor in Florida refuses to prescribe the 80 mg a day that I need of Oxycontin. She has me on 40 mg. per day, citing clinic policy as the reason why she cannot go higher. The United States is not so great for pain sufferers!

Dear reader, I just wanted to share how I deal with grief. Like most people, I tend to engage in comfort eating, and I gain weight. Yes, I struggle with that too! What really helps me to relax when I'm feeling down is to write. I love to type blog and website articles. That is because I am intrigued with the thought that God is using me as a redeemed sinner to help other people. That is why I went to Hyles-Anderson College for 8 years (1985-1993), because I wanted to spend my life living to help others for Christ. ...

Lord, let me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray,

My prayer shall be for others.

Others, Lord, yes, others;

Let this my motto be.

Help me to live for others

That I may live like Thee.

I am so glad that God is still using me. I am very thankful to God for giving me this website ministry. God put the idea and the desire into my heart, in 2002, to start this website ministry. Although Google has taken away 90% of my web traffic by censoring my ministry, God is still blessing my work. I have been attacked by many enemies over the years, men lacking faith and others who had a perverse faith in a skewed gospel.

Job is our example to follow, which is why God shared Job's life with us in His inspired Word. After losing everything (his wealth, his health, his children, and his wife's encouragement), Job refused to curse God. Perhaps you have cursed God at the darkest times of your life. Don't forget the story Jesus told about the two sons. Their father had sent both sons to go work in his field. The one son was angry and refused to go. The other son said he would gladly go. But the first son who was angry and bitter repented (changed his mind), and he went to work in his father's field. But the other son who said he would gladly go, also repented (changed his mind) and decided not to go work in his father's field after all. Jesus asked His disciples which son pleased the father? The correct answer is the son with the bad attitude, who got angry, but then afterward repented and went to go work in the field.

In other words, God is ultimately please with His children who obey Him. Okay, so you blew it and cursed God when things were bad. Okay, so you cursed God and quit church for several years, for whatever reason. But now you can repent (change your mind) and get back to serving God, and your heavenly Father will be well pleased with you. It is never too late to serve God, just so long as you are still alive here on earth. I am serving God right now by typing these blog articles, laying up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).

When Isaac in the book of Genesis felt the hairy arm of Esau, he was deceived. Had he gone by the voice of Jacob that he heard, he wouldn't have been deceived. I learned that truth from Dr. John R. Rice. You remember the story, don't you? Isaac was Abraham's son promised from the Lord. Isaac and Rebecca were married. They had two sons: Esau and Jacob. Esau was a hunter, a hairy man. Jacob was a mama's boy, who hung out in the kitchen. 

God had said at their time of birth that the elder would serve the younger. Esau was born first, among twins. Isaac was stubborn and wanted to give the birthright to Esau, his favorite son. But Rebekah favored Jacob, and knew of God's promise that the elder would serve the younger. So she sinfully took matters into her own hands. Dear friend, anytime that we take matters into our own hands, instead of trusting and waiting upon the Lord, we will make a mess of things.

That is what is sinfully going on in The Middle East today. God has promised to restore true Israel, but only when Jesus Christ returns (Hosea 3:4-5). But wicked people have taken matters into their own hands, as did Rebekah and Jacob, reforming the secular state of Israel in May of 1948. Almost immediately, there were demands for the Christian world to honor and financially support the restoration of Jews to their Homeland. This is called Zionism. But friend, impatient men are doing this, not God! Present-day Israel is NOT the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, it is a counterfeit. Satan is an imitator, a counterfeiter. Satan will imitate 3 things:

1. Israel - Satan's counterfeit is the present-day rebirth of Israel since 1948
2. Messiah - Satan's counterfeit will be the coming Antichrist, the False Messiah
3. Kingdom of God - Satan's counterfeit will be the New World Order

Please don't be deceived.

I have learned the hard way in life not to go by how I feel, or what seems to be the case; but rather, go by the VOICE of the inspired Word of God. Go by THE FACTS. Everybody has a right to their own OPINION, but no one has a right to their own FACTS!

I love the Old testament book of Esther. “God” is not mentioned even once in all 10 chapters. Yet, throughout the entire true story we see the hand of God at work. The truth to be learned is this: WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE THE HAND OF GOD, TRUST THE GREAT HEART OF GOD. Sometimes you and I are just going to have to TRUST God to make the sun shine again in our lives. The best thing we can do when we're down, confused and depressed is to STAY BUSY serving God. Don't ask, just do! Find some work to do for the Lord and then DO IT!

Enjoy Your Troubles While You Can (Pastor Jack Hyles)

There will be times in life, when you simply cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel ahead. I have been there! There will be times when you FEEL like nothing will ever return to normal in your life, and it may not. But if you have Jesus by your side, you will make it! John 17:12, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Jesus never loses even one lamb!!! I am already on the winning side. I am going to Heaven. I don't have to fret or worry or wonder where I will spend eternity. God promises “TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE” (1st Corinthians 1:21b).

Some Day The Sun Will Shine Again

(Mrs. Beverly Hyles sings)