Rooted in Your Spiritual Walk

Luke 8:4 “And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable: 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears, let them hear. 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying What might this parable be? 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 8:13 They on the rock are they, which when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Holman KJV Study Bible 2012)

I have to say, I am a sinner and I fell into the group of not having roots and I fell away from Jesus. I gave into temptation. I was drinking, and while it may not be a sin to drink (a little), I wasn’t drinking a little. And I fell into other temptations as well. I wasn’t going to Church, I wasn’t reading or studying the Bible. I certainly wasn’t meditating in his word.

But now since moving back to my hometown, I am attending Church on a regular basis. I wish we could go to Church now, but we have one more week left of staying home.

It was such a blessing to move back home, my wife was invited to attend a Church and I dragged my feet at first, but I am so thankful that my wife was invited by some very nice people that attended the Church.

I fell in love with the preacher’s ability to convict my heart and then the pastor ended up leaving and now we are searching for another one, but then we fell in love with the congregation and how stead fast they are in their spiritual walk and how much they love one another.

If you ensure you have a rooted spiritual walk with Jesus, you won’t be apt to fall prey to the World’s temptations like I did. Now, I am rooted and ready to serve the Lord.

If you are not spiritually rooted, then the World’s wind may be able to blow you in any direction, but if you are spiritually rooted, reading your Bible, praying, attending Sunday school, going to Church, and in tune with the Holy Spirit, then the World’s wind won’t be able to move you to the devil’s temptation. Are you spiritually rooted?

These Four Walls

We got back from Germany March 20. We cut our visit short by five days, our flights back to Arkansas kept getting cancelled and we were lucky enough to finally make it back home. We had a productive time in Germany, shining our lights and planting seeds with some family members, now we’re praying that God convicts their hearts.

When we landed in Dallas, Texas, the CDC was there to greet and screen us, they asked if we were having any Corona virus symptoms and answered no but, were told to Social distance ourselves for 14 days. I asked so we aren’t quarantined? They answered, we don’t like using the word quarantine, so basically, we are self-quarantining or shelter in place for 14 days. However, we are all supposed to be practicing social distancing, keeping ourselves away from people, to limit the spread of the virus.

We’re on day 8/14 and it is a challenge. This time at home can be used to spend more time with our family. We can spend time playing games or building puzzles with our children. We downloaded ABC Mouse for the kids to learn. We watched movies with the kids, but it is challenging as well, being cooped up in the house with our six-year old and four-year old, sometimes they play nice and sometimes they don’t. I bet their getting tired of playing with each other, they may be getting tired of looking at each other.

We have one more week left to go before we can go out in public and interact with different people besides each other, however, we are going to be careful to distance ourselves from others. This next week maybe we can do a better job of spending more time with each other and less time on our phones. We’re doing our best to have patience with each other and love one another and I think this is what this time is all about. It’s about helping our neighbors that can’t get out and go to the grocery store to pick up supplies they need or running other errands.

A Facebook group was created in our county called positive vibes in our county and I think it is an excellent idea. It warmed my heart to see a post that said someone was feeling apprehension about going to the store with their two small kids and someone stepped up and said that they would go and do their shopping for them. This is just one example of what we should be doing in these times of uncertainty. Instead of hoarding and acting selfish, we need to look out for each other and help where we can. Remember to love like Jesus.

This time can also be used to pray, get in the Bible and meditate on God’s word. It’s also a time to ask God for forgiveness and repent because we are all sinners. We need to remember to put God first and not have “idols”. Kobe Bryant just passed away. I am sympathetic towards his family and friends, but I am not distraught about his passing. We need to be careful to not idolize people we don’t know, athletes, entertainers, musicians, etc., etc. Also, this time can be used to spend time with our families without arguing, yes it is a stressful time, but we need to make the best out of the time we have with them.

I believe this is a test from God and some of us are failing it miserably. If you don’t know Jesus, now would be a great time to accept Jesus into your life as your Savior. God Bless you all, six more days to go.

Accept Jesus as your Savior

If you don’t know Jesus Christ and haven’t accepted Jesus into your life as your personal Savior, now would be a great time to, especially with the uncertain times we live in now.

Below is a site that tells you how to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your Savior.

https://www.wikihow.com/Accept-Jesus-Into-Your-Life

How to Accept Jesus Into Your Life – Steps

Trust Jesus Christ today!
Admit that you are a sinner and that you need God’s help.
Be willing to change your mind and turn from your sin (repent).
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.
Through prayer, invite Jesus into your heart to become your personal Lord and Savior.

Here is a prayer you can say to invite Jesus into your life:

Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.

I believe that you love me. I believe in my heart who you are. You are theSon of God. I confess with my mouth that I am a sinner. I accept you Lord Jesus as my savior. Please cleanse me from my sin and create a new and clean heart in me. I do believe that you are my savior and I now want to live for you as my Lord and my God. I know that I have eternal life in you because of the work you did on Calvary’s cross for me. Thank you, God. In Jesus Name. Amen.Here are the scriptures behind this prayer:

Prayer to Accept Jesus

This is not an all inclusive list, if you want more information, contact your local Church.

Planting Seeds

My family and I just returned from visiting Germany, we were celebrating my wife’s 40th birthday in her homeland with her twin sister and the rest of her family, and we got a chance to spread the good news about Jesus to some family members.

My wife’s daughter downloaded the Bible app on her phone and is reading the Bible daily. I spoke to my daughter and her boyfriend was very receptive to what I had to say about Jesus and being a believer, mainly what it means to be saved by God’s grace. He even stated that he has read my blog. After visiting with us, my daughter watched “Breakthrough” and inquired how to get K-Love on her phone. I would call that a breakthrough!

My wife also had some very promising talks with her Mom that may have opened the door to her curiosity.

We spent time with two old friends that are mutual friends as well, that we shone our light on and also piqued their interests in the way we are living, no longer drinking alcohol, and one stated, “he needs more Jesus in his life”, I even played K-Love on his Google speaker.

http://www.klove.com/

This trip to Germany to celebrate the life of my wife and her twin sister, turned out to be an opportunity to shine our lights and plant seeds, all we can do now is pray and continue to shine the light and trust that God will convict their hearts.

Inside Goosebumps

I was praying the other day, and I was talking to God, telling him that I was a sinner and thanking him for sending his only Son to die on the Cross for our sins. I thanked him for being a sinner saved by his grace. I told him that I had backslid for a while, that I had gotten away from going to Church that I only prayed when I wanted something, used to drink alcohol (I’m not saying drinking is a sin. I’m saying I told God that I quit drinking and it’s best for me not to drink) and was asking for his forgiveness, but I told him I was back that I was thankful for all his blessings and how I didn’t deserve them, but he continues to bless me anyway.

And I got the most peaceful feeling I have ever had. I felt goosebumps all over my body, but these goosebumps weren’t on the outside of my body, they were on the inside of my body and they traveled from my head to me toes real slowly. I was thanking God for his presence. I was feeling the Holy Spirit. It was amazing and I didn’t want it to end. It lasted for a few minutes. I believe God was telling me it’s alright, that I’m back now, going to Church, worshiping him, reading the Bible, shining my light, spreading the good news about him to others, and that everything is going to be alright, as long as I don’t take him for granted again and continue on his path he has set out for me.

Dallas Cowboys VS Jesus Christ

I was running errands the other day around town and I was wearing a Dallas Cowboys’ hoodie. The weather has been what I call in between here in Arkansas. It’s been in between a hoodie and a short sleeve shirt, for me it hasn’t been really warm enough for a shirt without sleeves, but I could just be a wimp.

I noticed a lot of people commenting on my Dallas Cowboys shirt. I got a couple “Go Cowboys” comments. I was also wearing a cross around my neck; now to be fair some of the time I had my cross tucked into my shirt, so I got my cross out and displayed it on the outside of my Dallas Cowboys shirt to see if I can get a “oh you’re a fellow believer, or “Go Jesus.”

Like I said, I didn’t have the cross displayed the whole time, but I got four “Go Cowboys” and no Go Jesus comments. Now, I do want to walk around with a Dallas Cowboy cap, or shirt with my cross displayed more to gather more results, but it’s sad to me that it seems like we get more responses from sporting our favorite jersey than we get from supporting or Savior Jesus Christ, why is that? Let’s make Jesus famous instead of the Dallas Cowboys – Go Jesus!

The Holy Spirit

I’m taking a class with BMA Seminary; Introduction to Christian Teaching. I believe it will help me learn more about the Bible and I hope it will compliment my writing. One of the required books I need for the course is the Baptist Expositor, Leader. I was reading the first lesson of Leader/Spring 2020 book and the first lesson is on Acts 1:1-11.

I’ll summarize what’s taken place: “The apostles, were told to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit Who would empower them to witness for Jesus. Jesus told them that their witnessing would be far-reaching beginning at home and going to the uttermost part of the earth. What a gigantic task that lay before them! How can such a task be accomplished? They key to their success would be the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Baptist Expositor Leader/Spring 2020)

“Today believers do not have to wait for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He came 2,000 years ago to empower the church and has faithfully dome so ever since. We can tap into that power right now and be witnesses for Jesus. Are you utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit now to be an effective witness for Jesus? We should work hard at our witness for Jesus knowing that one day He will return to this earth just as He ascended into Heaven.” (Baptist Expositor Leader/Spring 2020)

We were just talking about this at Church, well we had Brotherhood breakfast at Church; we’re Baptists so we eat a lot, and the devotion was about asking God to use us to witness to others. If we have faith and pray to be used as a witness, the Holy Spirit will make give us the words and confidence to be an effective witness. I know it’s hard to step out and have faith to talk to others about Christ, but that’s what were supposed to do, we are supposed to build the Kingdom. I read a statistic that shocked me; only 32 percent of the World’s population believe in Jesus. This is going to sound BOLD, but I wish it was 100%! Hell wasn’t intended for us; it was intended for the Devil and his demonic angels. Matthew 25:41 says “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (King James Version of the Holy Bible Holman KJV Study Bible 2012). I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be on the left-hand side, bound for everlasting fire!

The sad thing is that you just have to BELIEVE in Jesus, that he died on the cross for your sins and accept him into your heart, and your life and repent from your sins. We’re all sinners, but believers are saved by God’s grace because we are sinners, we’re not perfect.

So, ask to be used by God to witness to others and let the Holy Spirit work in you.

Make Jesus Famous

How can we make Jesus Famous? You say isn’t Jesus already famous? According to Learn Religions 32% of the World’s population are Christians. That’s less than a third of the World that are going to Heaven. I believe in Heaven and Hell and right now, there will be more people in Hell than Heaven and that is SAD! https://www.learnreligions.com/christianity-statistics-700533

I wrote an article not too long ago where I talked about handing out donuts, and if you think about it, it’s the same concept. To hand out donuts or knock on people’s doors, whatever it takes to make Jesus famous and build God’s Kingdom. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?

We’re all sinners, but I’m a hypocrite. I recently bought this cool necklace with a cross made from small nails on it. I’m a hypocrite because I keep the cross inside my shirt. I shouldn’t hide my necklace. I shouldn’t hide my faith. I should shout it out from the rooftops. Why do we hide our faith?

We should want to make Jesus famous, or more famous, according to that statistic, only 32% of the World population is going to heaven. We should want every single person to believe in Jesus and we should be out there spreading the good news.

Are you sitting on your hands or are you trying to make Jesus famous? What are you doing to make Jesus famous? Let’s Make Jesus Famous!

Dying

I know it’s a controversial topic, but we’re all going to die. Ecclesiastes 7:1 says “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. 2. Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies – so the living should take this to heart. 3. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. 4. A wise person thinks only about having a good time”, (Holy Bible Gift & Award Edition New Living Translation Second Edition 2007) Death is certainly nothing that we can avoid.

Before I just use those scriptures because it fits into my writing, I wanted to share with you more about the content of the verses and the author below:

“In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon uses a series of examples – wealth, wisdom, popularity, pleasure – and shows how each of them ultimately ends in disappointment if it becomes the sole reason for one’s existence. After pondering this dilemma for several chapters, the author finally comes to this conclusion. Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. It appears the Teacher abandoned any hope in worldly pursuits and decided to glorify God provides the only lasting meaning of life”, (Holy Bible Gift & Award Edition New Living Translation Second Edition 2007).

I was at a funeral the other day and it gave me time to reflect. We don’t know how many days we have on this Earth, but God certainly knows how many days we will live. It’s sad when people die, we’re humans, and we have feelings. We’re supposed to love one another. And while I am sympathetic towards actors, actresses and other famous people’s families, or anyone after they lose someone. If I don’t know them personally, I try to not get to distraught over their deaths. We’re all going to die. It was their time to die. If they’re a believer then they went to heaven and that is the ultimate goal. They’re in a better place than we are.

The Bible says sometimes people die early or too soon because they can’t handle the World. Isaiah 57:1 says “good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil way to come. 2. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die”, (Holy Bible Gift & Award Edition New Living Translation Second Edition 2007) I know it’s hard for us feeble humans to understand but God knows what he is doing.

Furthermore, I believe no matter what our circumstances there’s always a chance to witness to other people. Again the ultimate goal is to lead lost people to Jesus Christ, even if we are in the hospital ourselves. Maybe God put you there for that specific purpose. We all have a purpose in life. What is your purpose in life?

Saturday Night Live

Back in the day I used to watch Saturday Night Live, back in the day I used to get in a lot of trouble on a Saturday night too, especially in a small town with not much to do. But last Saturday night we had a wholesome fun night. We had what our church calls a 4:19, Matthew 4;19 says “And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples – letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

It was a fun night full of fellowship. We had a fish fry and desert auction to raise money for our Youth Group to go to Mexico and build a Church for less fortunate people that don’t have a place to worship God at.

Not only did we get to eat fried catfish, hushpuppies, and fried pickles, we also got to bid on desert and that stole the show. I played the role of bidder, jacking up the prices. I made sure I had the funds available to cover in case I won the bid, but there were a few times I backed out of 100 dollar banana pudding. The banana pudding is really good and it was for a good cause. It was a success and we had a good time, as opposed to running the streets in a small town with one movie theater, and not too much else to do.

Not only did we have an awesome Saturday night, Sunday morning turned out pretty good too. Sunday morning the Holy Spirit was stirring in Church in full force. Three young men were baptized and saved and another joined the Church, God has BIG things planned for our Church and I am glad I am a part of it. Stay tuned for more fund raisers and to find out how the Youth Group Church building goes and if we can manage to top this last weekend.