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. 

The Role of the Teacher

I am reading Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987) for my BMA Seminary class, Introduction to Christian Teaching and it is amazing.  I’m learning so much. 

I always thought to teach is to go over the answers.  I filled in for the Sunday school teacher one day and went over the answers and I realize now that I did a terrible job.

“The true function of the teacher is to create the most favorable conditions for self-learning…True teaching is not that which gives knowledge, but that which stimulates pupils to gain it.  One might say that he teaches best who teaches least.” (John Milton Gregory)

Dr. Hendricks states “The way people learn determines how you teach.” Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987).  It’s true we all learn differently.  Me I’m slow.  It takes me a while to get something.  I joke that my favorite lolly pop flavor is Windex (window licker).

In the book, he also says “the concept behind John Milton Gregory’s laws (The Seven Laws of Teaching) calls the law of the Teaching Process, it involves stimulating and directing the learner’s self-activities – that’s the key expression.” Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987)

He elaborates and states “the teacher must excite and direct the learner’s self-activities, tell the learner nothing – and do nothing for him – that he can learn or do for himself.  Therefore, what’s important is not what you do as a teacher, but what the learners do as a result of what you do.”  Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987)

“The teacher is primarily a stimulator and motivator, not the player, but the coach who excites and direct the players.  The learner is primarily an investigator, a discoverer and a doer.  So again, the ultimate test of teaching is not what you do or how well you do it, but what and how the learner does.  Good teachers can’t be focused on what they do, but on what their students are doing.”  Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987)

Dr. Hendricks goes on to say “do you settle for the fact that they can give you all the right answers and mouth all the Christian truths?  Does that satisfy you?  I’m never impressed with how much they know.  They’re always throwing in Greek and Hebrew here and there to impress me, and I say Big Deal.  How does it work in your life?” Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987)

That’s true if we can relate to what the Sunday school instructor is saying, we can gain a lot more out of it.

Finally, Dr. Hendricks says “teachers are interested in how much a student can cram into his head and then regurgitate onto a piece of paper.  In a hallway at the seminary I once met a student on his way to an exam.  He seemed to be in a trance, and I started to put my arm around him and talk to him.  Prof, he joked, don’t touch me!  I’ll leak everything I know.  That’s not education.”  Teaching to Change Lives (Dr. Howard Hendricks 1987)

A few weeks ago, our Sunday school class went over The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25 – 37 and we learned that the road between Jerusalem and Jericho is about 18 miles long and it’s a treacherous place, oftentimes people get robbed and beat up on that road and in this particular instance someone in fact did get robbed and beat up by bandits.  He was stripped of his raiment or clothes and wounded or beaten and left there. 

In those times there were three levels of Jewish hierarchy: the high priest, priests, and Levites.  And in New Testament times the priests were the ones who made sacrifices in the Temples.  A Priest passed by, but he made sure to pass by on the other side of the road and did nothing.  A Levite also saw the beaten man and also passed on the opposite side of the road and did nothing to help the man. 

However, a Samaritan, a stranger, saw the beaten man and choose to stop and help.  He poured in olive oil and wine on the wounds, bandaged his wounds.  He put the man on his own beast (animal), He brought him to an Inn, in doing so, provided a place for him to recover, and he paid for more care to be given, and promised to pay for the remainder of the bill, if needed, when he returned. 

In our Sunday school lesson we were engaged and thought about what we would do, or what would Jesus do if her were in that situation.  There is no doubt that Jesus would help the beaten man left on the side of the road.

We even talked about homeless people, or people we see on the side of the road and why we don’t just get out and ask if we can pray with them, even if you don’t have money to give them, what if we just prayed with them and for them.

We got more out of that discussion and interaction that just going over the material and being given the answers.  The goal should be to inspire change in one’s life, not to just go over the answers.