God Is Faithful!

As a new convert to Acts 2:38 salvation at the age of 16, I remember hearing various saints in the church testify about how they had been living for God for 20, 30 or even 40 years. This was amazing to me, because I really felt so weak and pitiful in my fledgling walk with God. “What a pillar of strength they are!” I thought to myself. In my heart, I hoped that one day I would be able to have a testimony like theirs.

On June 16, 2019,  I was blessed to be able to celebrate my 40 year anniversary of being baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. My perspective has certainly changed from the one I had as a teenager. I realize now that none of the people I heard testify about living for God many years were pillars of strength. God is the pillar of strength, and without His faithfulness and steadfastness, we would not be able to live for Him.

As I reflected on my relationship with God, I could see that there were many times when

my attitude was wrong

my thinking was messed up

I wasn’t focusing on the right things

I was half-hearted in serving God.

But God was faithful to

put preachers in my life to tell me what I needed to hear

let me hear preaching or teaching from the Word of God, so I could see myself

convict me when I was wrong

forgive me when I came to Him in true repentance.

As I thought about my 40 year journey with the Lord, the words of a chorus came to my mind.

He’s been faithful, faithful to me.

Looking back, His love and mercy I see.

Though at times I have questioned,

even failed to believe,

yet He’s been faithful, faithful to me! 

I am so thankful today for God’s great faithfulness, and I’m trusting that  His faithfulness coupled with my obedience to His Word will carry me to the day when I shall behold Him face to face.

Lamentations 3:22,23  “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Psalm 17:15  “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness”.

 

Hidden Message Of Spring

Dulcet melody of robin singing
now indicating spring is in the air
blooms in resurrection now are bringing
in gardens many, colorful fanfare.

New buds on trees, uniting form chiffon
Covering over winter’s cold bareness
weave regal raiment, fair to look upon
flowing gently, moved by wind’s soft caress.

Renewed fresh life, it’s wonder does now lace
the earth with youthful, strong vitality
God’s faithfulness does put it all in place
blessing to be enjoyed by you and me.

Perhaps in spring, there lies for men a clue
They too, through God can have a birth brand new.
2/25/19

Joh 3:5  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

 

Give Us The Facts From The Book Of Acts

Just imagine you could bring a Bible character back to this earth for a season. Who do you think you would choose? I chose Peter, and here is why.

 

Peter, it’s such a blessing to have you back on earth
because our world is confused when it comes to the second birth.
Jesus gave you the keys. You’re the man who has the facts.
Please dispel all fake gospel news by taking us back to the book of Acts.
Show us that you never said to accept the Lord as our Savior.
You never preached or taught that that is how we find God’s favor.
You taught that Jesus died, the cross was His death sentence,
and we to sin, must also die, through the way of repentance.
After His awful death to a borrowed grave He was carried.
We identify with this, when in Jesus’ name baptism we’re buried.
Three days later Jesus resurrected after He had been killed.
We rise up to walk in the newness of life, when with His Spirit we’re filled.
The evidence of this infilling in God’s Word is clearly shown.
When His Spirit takes up residence, we’ll speak in a tongue unknown.
Yes, take us back in time, please, Peter, to the day of Pentecost,
when you preached that inaugural message to a multitude so lost.
So many believe in doctrines today that have totally been perverted.*
Let us read and heed God’s original plan, that we might be converted.

10/9/18

*perverted=changed

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-19

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.” Acts 2:36-39

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-8

Parable Of The Talents

Five talents Phil was a very gifted man.

Compelling truth in his oratory was heard.

There was no doubt in any that he was

proficient and anointed in teaching God’s Word.

 

To many, he showed the way of salvation

just as Peter preached in Acts 2 and 38

and though multitudes rejected the message of truth

there were some redeemed from a damnable fate.

 

Two talents Tessie was an average young lady

although not brainy, she had a great heart.

She searched out ways to help the needy

and in doing thus, God’s love did impart.

 

Her selfless acts of kindness and care

aided those helped to open their spirit

that otherwise would be closed to God’s plan

now their ears were susceptible, so they could hear it.

 

One talent Winston was a fainthearted fellow

although he had obeyed the plan of salvation.

He was content to keep his mouth shut

and not offer to any escape from damnation. 

 

He thought, “I could never win a soul to truth.”

Love for God was trumped by fear of rejection

so he never reached out to neighbors or friends,

thinking it would be his protection.

 

And so the time of reckoning came

for these three who had passed away

each in turn had to stand before God

to give account on the judgment day.

 

Five talents Phil came and  stood before God

and for him, there was nothing but praise

for the work he had done, the souls he had won

during his earthly days.

 

Two talents Tessie was next to approach.

God’s response to her made her glad.

Although not the brightest of the bunch

she did her best with the talents she had.

 

As one talent Winston drew near to the Lord

His head was hung down in shame.

For somehow he knew instinctively

his reward would not be the same.

 

Slowly he began to offer excuse

of why doing God’s work was denied,

how he thought that none would believe him

why his light he chose to hide.

 

God said, “When I filled you with my Holy Spirit,

I gave you just what you would need

to impact your world with the gospel

yet My words, you chose not to heed.

 

And so the plight of one talent Winston

who made excuse and believed not

cast into a place of great torment

that eternally does burn hot.

 

A lesson we learn from this parable

if we’re so inclined to hear

let the wise in heart apply it

with a godly and reverent fear.

 

9/20/18

Ruin To Rapt

 

Ruin – it best described my life’s condition
before I did know the touch of His sweet hand.
Bound in sorry state of my soul’s perdition
but the shackles fell when He gave the command.

Rapt was I, engulfed in His presence divine
and since that moment my life is not the same.
Oh to think that I am His, and He is mine.
With joyful heart I gladly bear His name!

6/27/17

 

 

 

The Remedy

Sin

enslaves

grips the soul

like heavy chains

but Jesus can loose the binding shackles

if we will choose to obey the gospel

God’s Holy Word

when applied

makes us

free!

 

This type of poem is called a Double Tetractys. To see how to write one click the link.

http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/tetractys.html

4/12/17

Acts 2:37,38  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Romans 6:17,18  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

 

Hebrews 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

O Such A Prize

O Such A Prize I Want To Win

 

O such a prize of value great

One that is saved from darkest fate

Rescued from a desolate place

And made a trophy of His grace

To help a wayward come to God, you must be wise

A soul redeemed for eternity, O such a prize!

 

I want to win for God, a soul

That He will cleanse, fill and make whole

Whose life the Lord will rearrange

For all to see, a striking change

A new creature, truly transformed without, within

This is my goal. A soul for God, I want to win.

 

3/1/17

This type of poem is called a wrapped refrain. Click the link to see how to write one. http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/wrappedrefrain.html

 

 

The Man, The Survey,The Study

Last week, our church was blessed to host an Evangelism and Home Bible Study Seminar conducted by Brother Shawn Dunahoe. One of the first things this man of God said that immediately arrested my attention was that he was an extreme introvert when he first came to God. However through prayer and gaining more knowledge of the Word of God, the Lord has helped him to improve in his ability to communicate with people. Being an introvert myself who still struggles from time to time, I am always encouraged when I hear of those who have made strides in overcoming this inhibition.

 

Brother Dunahoe shared with us the number one reason why we don’t get more Bible studies with people.

Do you want to know what it is? I’m going to tell you whether you want to know or not. 🙂

 

 

WE DON’T ASK!

 

This public opinion survey is one of the tools that Rev. Dunahoe has used effectively to secure more Bible studies. Of course not everyone you survey is going to say yes to a Bible study, but the more surveys you do, the greater your chances of getting a Bible study.

In thinking about this later, I wrote a poem.

 

So

opened

he his mouth,

and words came out:

an invitation

for a Bible study

that he was willing to teach.

And wonder of wonders to him,

the man that was asked gladly said yes.

Thus began the gospel sharing journey.

 

2/10/17

 

A group of us met together on Saturday morning. We prayed, paired up into teams, got some survey cards and went to a neighborhood close by our church. To make a long story short, we came back after about an hour and 15 minutes with six yeses to home Bible studies! A few more yeses were acquired later that day from individuals that did some asking on their own.

 

Here is the Bible study. It is usually taught in 2 lessons and really does a great job explaining what the first church taught(the original one immediately founded after the resurrection or Jesus Christ). I am looking forward to teaching my first one soon and to seeing what God is going to do through these Bible studies. Already we are seeing doors of opportunity to the Hispanic community opening, and I am believing God is going to do great things.

Stay tuned for more!

 

 

 

Luisa’s Baptism

1. Yesterday was a happy day for Luisa and our church as we witnessed her being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of her sins. For me, it never gets old to see someone getting baptized or receiving the Holy Ghost. There is nothing like this precious Acts 2:38 new birth experience! I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do in Luisa’s life as she continues to grow in Him!!

Precious?

To some it’s totally foreign

Or maybe a little bit odd

That the death of one of his saints

Is precious to our God.

 

In the death of an unrighteousness man

God does not find joy or delight

But the passing of one of His children

Is so precious in His sight.

 

How could something sorrowful

That causes our heart to pain

In the eyes of our heavenly Father

Be a blessing, a thing of great gain?

 

Perhaps because His ways are higher

And His thoughts are not our own

He sees the bigger picture

Which to us, oftentimes, is unknown.

 

This cursed earth was not meant to be

Our final resting place

We must depart from here

To see Him face to face.

 

For the child of God, death’s a doorway

To leave this old, sinful world

Trials and tests will be over

satan’s darts at us, no longer hurled.

 

And we cannot choose the time

Or the manner in which we will go

To that place where there’s no more pain

And the clear, crystal river does flow.

 

To be absent in the body

Is to be present with the Lord

In that place where sin never enters

And forever, He will be adored.

 

And though we do miss our loved ones

And experience grief and tears

We also know, they’re in the presence

Of the God who really cares.

 

Rejoicing on streets paved with gold

As before God, they shout, dance and sing

In His eyes, the grave is no victor

And death is not a sting!

 

12-7-16

 

Psalm 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

 

Ezekiel 33:11  Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

 

Isaiah 55:8,9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

Ecclesiastes 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

 

Rev 21:1-4  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

2Corinthians 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

 

1Corinthians 15:54,55  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?