My Observations

My Thoughts Of Revival

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As I was doing my regular Scripture reading this morning questions about revival came to my mind. Some of them, and my observations are below.

As I was reading my daily reading I had the thoughts of revival come to mind. The word “Revival” is not used much, if any, in all the Bible. A question came to mind of, “What is revival?” This question came to mind as the Asbury University in the State of Kentucky is reported to be experiencing revival. I will not question whether it is of God; I believe it is. But, does revival always have to be a big thing of groups of many people moved by God; or can it also be a relatively quiet event with only a few knowing about it, yet affecting change in the world? Do those who are faithful to God need to see or experience revival?

As I have contemplated on this my thoughts went back to the birth of a little baby boy, born in a manger, in Bethlehem. I would say that for the most part few knew about or were told of it at that time. Yet, God had showed up. How many people experienced that “Revival?” Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, Simon, and Anna. You might include Zachariah and Elisabeth, and later John the Baptist their son. Probably less than twenty people, experienced that great event revival. That great revival changed the world forever. GOD is not silent. He is still speaking through His word through His faithful people.

I also believe that the prophet Elijah experienced revival; not on Mount Carmel, but after he had ran from Jezebel, and was hiding in a cave, and GOD spoke to him, not in fire, wind, or earthquake; but in a small, still voice. My belief is that those who are His can and do experience revival every time they read the word of God, hear it and do God’s will.

There is a grave need for repentance in the House of God (those who are born again, but have drifted away, are backsliden, and out of the will of God). Judgment must begin at the house of God.

Now, the only way to true revival is to  come to GOD His way, and that is through the finished work of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, on the cross. Through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Division

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“Therefore said some of the Pharisees, ‘This Man is not of God, because He keepeth not the sabbath day.’ Others said, ‘How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?’ And there was a division among them.”  John 9:16  (KJB)

This division started over Jesus giving sight to a blind man on the sabbath day.  Once again the Pharisees accuse Jesus of breaking the sabbath law.  Jesus has addressed this foolish accusation several times before, but these accusers refuse to listen.

When we do not hear what our Lord says, and choose to believe wrongly there will continue to be division and discord.  This is so in groups, churches, and the individual’s own personal life.

The answer to that?  Hear what Jesus says, believe Him and do it.

I Do Not Like the New Testament Either…

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I Do Not Like the New Testament Either…

 

Just as with the Old Testament I do not like; there are elements of the New Testament I do not like as well. It tells us of the Sacrifice we needed to have. The very fact of Jesus dying for me repulses the humanity in me. It offends the flesh, the human pride, the helplessness of man for his salvation.

Yes, there are things about the Old and New Testaments that I do not like. However, just because I do not like them does not negate the evidence and fact of their being truth without any error, perfect, infallible, and inerrant. It does not take away from the basis of the word of God being “given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.”

I read the Scriptures, not because I like it, but because I need it.

This too is from 2013 while studying the New Testament; Loving the Scriptures is a grace God has given to me.

I Do Not Like the Old Testament…

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I Do Not Like the Old Testament, Especially Leviticus

(Reading Exodus 38 – Leviticus 18) Exodus 39:30-32; 40:34-38; Leviticus 13:1-3

I just recently realized that I do not like Leviticus. It is painful to read. It is hard to understand. It is judgmental about human life and living. It condemns me.

Even if I do not like Leviticus there are some things I can learn from it. Then I need to apply that to my life.

1. We are continually reminded that God is Holy, and that He is the LORD.
2. We are reminded again and again that we are unholy and unclean.
3. We are reminded again and again that there must be a sacrifice, or there is no approaching God.
4. We are reminded that that the most basic sacrifice is the blood of a Lamb.

I wrote this in 2013 while I was studying Leviticus.

So that you may know; I do love the whole of the word of God from Genesis – Revelation, and that has been given me as God’s gift of grace.

Day Two Hundred Eighty and Three

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What do I want for Christmas?

Many of you who read this blog knows that I drive a School Bus as well as being a pastor of a Country Church.  I have a pet peeve that really bothers me while I am driving the bus, and our own vehicles so my “want” for today is because of that “Pet peeve”.

I want people who are out driving in the early morning, just before sunrise, to drive with your headlights on.  Do you realize that you are not visible at times, and a good driver makes herself/himself as visible as possible. I want  you to be visible, be seen, in order that you and others might make it to work, and then home again in one piece.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Even Jesus said “Let your light so shine”.

Day Three Hundred and Three

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the poor, the orphan, the elderly, the sick, and all people to be treated justly, and fairly by all who name the name of Christ and by all who are in positions of authority in government.

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.” Proverbs 14:31 (NKJV)

“The rich and the poor have this in common, the LORD is the maker of them all.” Proverbs 22:2

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Luke 4:18-19

Day Three Hundred and Eight

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to have the boldness of Peter and John as they entered the Temple in Acts 3; and for my life to be lived that others will notice that I have been with Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Nine

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this LORD’S Day I want the presence of the Lord Jesus to be evident in our Church at Shiloah Baptist Church of Jenkins, Missouri; and for the Holy Spirit to move in conviction where it is needed, comfort in the hearts which need comfort, encouragement, and give all boldness and courage to be the witnesses for Him that we ought to be.

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Twelve

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to better understand Freedom; especially the liberty Christians have in Jesus Christ; and I want all to understand that Freedom/Liberty is not free from responsibility.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galations 5:1

Day Three Hundred and Thirteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the LORD Almighty; and I want that for all who follow Jesus; and if you do not, that you will.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26

Day Three Hundred and Fourteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to better understand the prophetic Word of God, God’s judgments, and His way in the earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts, sicknesses in world; His grace and love; especially in the U. S. of A.  for all those who name the name of Christ to have that understanding.

Therefore I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the Lord, the judgment of their God. I will go to the great men and speak to them, for they have known the way of the Lord, the judgment of their God.” Jeremiah 5:4-5 (NKJV)
“Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6
“When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Matthew 16:2-4

Day Three Hundred and Fifteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to love my neighbor as I love myself.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”” Exodus 20:12-17 (NKJV)

“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Also see Day 317

Day Three Hundred and Sixteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this, another LORD’S Day, I want the “Meeting House” where I worship and the Church gathers called Shiloah Baptist Church; and all Christ centered, Bible believing, Churches to love the Lord Jesus with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and with all our strength; to hear the word of God, to pray diligently, and believe without wavering that the answers for the world’s problems is found solely through the cross of Jesus Christ.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Seventeen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to love God with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and with all my strength; and want that for you too.

See Exodus 20:1-11

The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:29-30 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Eighteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to have the greater Treasure of my heart be the Treasure of your heart, that we all might speak good things from the treasure of our hearts.

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” Matthew 12:34b-35 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Twenty

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want people of Jenkins, Missouri; the State of Missouri; the United States of America; the North and South American continents; and the world to know that they are sinners, apart from God, lost, condemned and dying; and that Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son died on the cross, was buried, and bodily arose again for you (for us all) that we might be redeemed to God, and have the peace of God which passes all understanding.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

“And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”” Luke 19:9-10

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Two

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to see God work in a powerful, glorious way that all the world will have no excuse to refuse Him, or deny that He is.

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”” John 6:28-29 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Three

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What do I want for Christmas?

This being the Lord’s Day February seventh, two thousand sixteen I want for Christians in Jenkins, Missouri; the State of Missouri; the entire U. S. of A. and the world to realize the importance of attending your local Church; and begin today to attend, and share your presence with your brothers and  sisters in Christ.

When Jesus spoke to the Churches, it was to seven local congregations…

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write…
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write…
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write…
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'” Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14-22 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Four

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want my wife, children, grandchildren, and my other family members to be saved, secured, and protected daily by the mighty hands of God, and His Son Jesus Christ; and that we all might know Him intimately.

For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NKJV)

“But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Six

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What do I want for Christmas?

Today, and every day I want to thank the LORD the Creator of heaven and earth for His bountiful goodness, love, mercy, grace, for the cross of Jesus Christ; and for holding all things together; in my life and in the world.  Will you join me in being thankful to Him today.  Believe, trust the Lord Jesus Christ, and it will begin.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever…” Psalm 136:1-3

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Seven

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want a leader who will walk in righteousness; who will be impartial to all; who will visit the orphan, aid the widows, and give strength to the weak and the helpless; who will make all people equal in his purview of power.

Even so come Lord Jesus.  Because He is the only One who can fulfill this desire.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Eight

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want it to be known and understood, that the purpose of this blog is not to call attention to myself, my abilities, or inabilities, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, etc., but to call all who come here to the Christ who bled and died on the cross, was buried and bodily arose from the grave for all who will call on His name.  I want you to know…

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Thirty

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What Do I Want For Christmas?

On this Lord’s Day of January 31, 2016 I want to join my brothers and sisters in Christ at my local Church to worship, praise, magnify, and remember our Lord’s death until He comes again.  Will you join me; at least by being in your local Church to worship and glorify our God and Savior Jesus Christ – the Son of God and God the Son.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25 (NKJV)