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Jesus Christ Apostolic Ministries International
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Life After Azusa Street
Mood:
 happy
LIFE AFTER THE AZUSA REVIVAL 　 The dimming of the Azusa Street revival by 1908 would have ordinarily spelled trouble for a young movement, especially if it were tightly organized. But the Pentecostal movement had long since rolled past Azusa, into the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast. There were now plenty of elsewheres to go. Schools, book and pamphlet printers, traveling evangelists, musicians, camps, and an absolutely sizzling network of word-of-mouth communication, all sprung up almost overnight seemingly out of nowhere. (This was before air transport and mass electronic media; cars were few and slow, package delivery technology was crude, and some of the areas where Pentecostalism grew fastest did not yet have electric or telephone service.) Pentecostalism's lack of organization served it very well. There were also plenty of others than Seymour and Parham to lead them. Some of them were charlatans, others honestly held bizarre 'the-end-is-here' beliefs. But there were many capable leaders who were faithful and able to fill the vacuum, like Charles Mason (founder of the Church of God in Christ). Mason had been a Missionary Baptist, but left them in 1895 to co-found and lead the COGIC church (a somewhat baptistic Holiness church). He was thus the head of an established church body before going to Azusa. So, unlike Seymour, Parham and the other Pentecostal founders, Bishop Mason could ordain people so that they would be recognized immediately as legitimate ministers by civil authorities and mainstream churches, capable of doing weddings and such. For about five years, Mason was the main source of ordinations for both white and black Pentecostal churches. In that way, he left his mark on the entire Pentecostal movement. Mason brought the new Pentecostal experience back to his churches, and many of them dived in with both feet. Yet many others didn't like it at all, including co-founder C.P. Jones, and the church split into a holiness churches with a baptist twist, and Mason's Pentecostal group. Mason, as a well-established leader, had a lot to lose by taking part in this new Pentecostalism. It is a tribute to the man and a mark of his following the Spirit that he made the change and took the losses in stride. His church quickly grew into a major African-American church and the largest Black Pentecostal body in the nation. Mason continued to lead his church until his death in 1961 at age 95; he lived to see it become 380,000 strong. It has since grown to over 5 million, with no slowdown in sight. “Thank God” 　 　 　 　 　 PENTECOSTALISM SPREADS There were other existing Holiness churches which went into the early Pentecostal movement, including the Church of God (Cleveland TN). Their move came less because of a bold leader and more because of a full-scale grass-roots switch to the new movement. But the big news came as entirely new bodies were created when congregations from a wide range of revivalist churches were swept together into something new by the new movement. Holiness preacher A.B. Simpson set forth the 'four square' approach of Christ as "Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King" which was modified later by Aimee Semple MacPherson who created the Foursquare Churches. Foremost among the new churches was the Assemblies of God, the most steadily-growing church in the world. 　 　 THE "ONENESS" MOVEMENT The "oneness" movement emerged when R.E. McAlister spoke at a Los Angeles revival in 1913 about how new Christians must be baptized in Jesus' name only. Frank Ewart encouraged him to speak more in this vein, and they started baptizing people "in Jesus' name only" rather than by the Trinitarian formula found in Matthew. Ewart and Indianapolis preacher G.T. Haywood set about to popularize this approach. When Haywood tried in 1916 to get the Assemblies of God to accept a Jesus-only approach to baptism, a struggle took place. The end result was hat the Assemblies overwhelmingly chose to remain strictly Trinitarian in both theology and baptismal formula. This left Haywood and Ewart outside the church, along with several leaders of the Assemblies, including one of its co-founders, Howard Goss. They formed several separate church bodies, including the United Pentecostal Church, and drew into their camp most of the "Apostolic" church bodies that came more or less directly from the Azusa revival. 　 　 　
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 5:02 PM CST
60 Questions On The Godhead
Mood:
happy
60 Questions on the Godhead
Is the word trinity in the Bible? No. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationship to humanity. Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so-I John 5:7. It speaks of the Father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying, "These three are one." Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; I Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; I Timothy 2:5; James 2:19. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16. Has the Christian only one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for personin this verse literally means "substance." Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No. Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22. Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in heaven, for God is omnipresent. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16. When God said, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10. How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45; 14:9. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8 Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the first and last. Revelation 1:17-18 How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in heaven? One. Revelation 4:2. If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament, incarnate. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshipped? Yes. Matthew 4:10 Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes John 1:1, 14. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13. Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. I kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (I Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh. Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8. Was there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10. What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8. What is one thing that God Cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2. How many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4. How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8 Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16. Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7. Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. I John 5:20. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 3:16. When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? "I am Jesus." Acts 9:5. When Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, "Beside me there is no Savior?" Because "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." II Corinthians 5:19. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23. Did Jesus ever say, "I and my Father are one?" Yes. John 10:30. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9-11. Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13. Can Trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only one divine person was present--Jesus Christ the Lord. Then what were the other two of whom Trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16-17. What did the voice say at Jesus' baptism? "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human body. The Bible says that God is coming back with all his saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all his saints (I Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No. Only one is coming back--our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 4:57 PM CST
Updated: Wednesday, 11 November 2009 6:31 PM CST
Saturday, 4 October 2008
The Little Member
Mood:
 sad
Topic: Little Member
“The Little Member” By: Bishop., Michael Neal.,D.D. Jesus Christ Apostolic Ministries International From Text: (James 3:5) Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {Dictionary Meaning: way of speaking: somebody's manner of speaking} Intro As a child we often heard of words like “Tattle tell” & “Big Mouth” or maybe “Sticks & Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” but as we all know that “Words” will and can hurt and even “Kill” we will get to the “Kill” part a little later. The little member is, if you have not guessed by now, is the “Tongue” other wise know as “The little Red member behind the white pearly gates”. Something that is so little but can cause such great harm, (James 3:6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Have you ever noted that as we speak our whole body will follow with the “Tone” of our speech whether it be in anger or in an act of Love! It can control how our body behaves in all manner of speaking. It can spew out “Hate” or “Love” “Evils” or “Good” if hate or evil it will cause the whole body to become defiled, and set a blaze of fire within us that can NOT! Be tamed or put out. Let’s start with some of the “Evils” (Romans 3:13) Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; we must note here that the word “Sepulcher” means (Burial Place for the Dead) so the throat which the tongues resides is become a container of things that are dead and have no life and the tongue a means of deceit and the lips them self’s has the poison of asps (A asp is a very deadly Snake). Now we have all heard how our wife’s and women love to “Gossip” but men too love to do the same just in a little different way. As we begin to talk about someone (Not present), things can start to get out of hand, you know what I am talking about, standing out side of Church on Sunday morning just before service or after service, talking about “Sister Jane” or “Brother John” and before you know it that poor brother or sister has gotten so deeply buried that it is going to take a lot to dig them out. We all know what they called “Back Biting” or “Back Stabbing” now we are getting into the “Killing” of the Brother or Sister see; (Proverbs 16:27), we have talked about them so much that we have “Killed” them (No not in the Physical” but in the “Spiritual”), see; (Proverbs 18:21). We have put them down so much with our Lips and tongue that they become dead to the people around him / her and they do not even know what has happened. (James 1:26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. If we say we are a “Christian” (Or Christ Like) but backbite, back-stab, and kill our brothers’ and sisters’, we know this must NOT! Be so. If we let these things become a part of us then our “Religion” or our Christ Like ways are Void. (James 3:10) Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (James 3:11) Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? (James 3:12) Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh? We can not be a Christian and talk about our brother or sister to the point we have killed them in the site of the saints of God, see; ( Proverbs 26:20-21). It is impossible to be both “Good” & “Evil” we can not go to an “Apple” tree to pick “Oranges” we can not be both a “Christian” and “Sinner” at the same time, (Matthew 7:16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. We must have the same “Spiritual Fruit”, other wise that will lead to the killing. The tongue can spit out many lies on each other that lead up to the Murder of the brother or sister. One of the first things we need to do as becoming Christians is to follow what Jesus lived (1 Peter 2:22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:{ “Guile” (deceitfulness)}, Jesus when he spoke had full control of his tongue, he spoke the “Truth” he spoke no “Lies” nor did he try to “Deceive”. Lying does two things; 1) It is Sin, 2) It Kills the person the Lie is told on. The other thing that “Little Member” does is “Boast” we have all listened to people talk about themselves much higher than they should, putting themselves up on a pedestal, trying to impress others that they are someone other than what they really are, see; (Jude 1:16) & (2 Peter 2:18). Then there is the other kind of “Killer” of words that the “Little Member” does and this one really is a Big one, the “False Preachers & Teachers” that are more “Public Speakers” than “God Called” Preachers. We see so many on TV, and in our churches that just speak from the word of God but do NOT! Preach or Teach THE! Word of God. These people are “Killing” the People and leading them down a long and dangerous path. Some have great words and speak well and they have people following them for the words that there Tongue are speaking are “Luring” and “Seducing”. The Apostle Paul stated in (1 Corinthians 12:29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? It seems these days that everyone is a Preacher &/or a Teacher. Paul also stated in (2 Timothy 4:3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; so this “Poison” from that “Little Member” is very Deadly, for it not just Kill’s one or two, it “Kills” Many. The people believe the words that they are hearing are “True” and that they will be lead to the “Kingdom of God” and NOTHING! Could be further from the “Truth”! So we see some of the great damage that this one “Little Member” can and does Cause! But we have a means of escape from that “Little Evil Member” we read that this member “NO MAN CAN TAME” and no man can, But the Lord and savior Jesus Christ can! (James 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. As we see what James is saying that we can not control or be the Masters over our self’s or our members, and he goes on to tell us the only way that we can get the “Victory” over this “Member”(James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. You will see that James said the first thing we need to do is “Submit” to God we can NOT! Resist first or we will find our self’s in the “Condemnation” that he was speaking of in (V.3:1). We must submit to God and then and Only then we will be able to “Resist” the Devil and put that “Little Member” under Control, and know that the words “Coming out of our Mouths” are of God and not “Us”! (Romans 6:13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. So we see now some of the things that this little “Member” can and does do, Lying, Boasting, Backbiting, not mentioned are Profanity, Jesting and Joking the Bible says which are “Not” convenient, see; (Ephesians 5:4) & (Proverbs 15:2), Vain talking, blasphemy, and the Greatest “Killing” . from the time God made Man & Woman he gave us this “Little Member” to use for “Communicating” with one another, it can and should be used to praise our Lord & God, to express Love to one another, to Preach & Teach the “True” word of God, and not used as a “Weapon” or “Debasement” and “Tearing” down of one another. These are some of the ways the “Little Member” should be used to speak in Truth, Praise, Uplifting of the Saints, speaking in humility, Love,Speaking the word of God as “He” says and not “Us”, keeping the words that we speak, see; (Numbers 30:2). We see that we as mere Men & Women can not “Tame” or “Control” this Little Member, only when we “Submit” to God then and only then, by God’s Power we can bring this Member under control and have the “Little Member” Tamed! And put out the Fire it has kindled! “If you have a ear to hear, let you hear” ======================================= Note: All Scripture is from the King JamesVersion
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 1:19 AM CDT
Updated: Saturday, 4 October 2008 3:49 PM CDT
Monday, 15 September 2008
Famine In The Land
Mood:
sad
Topic: Famine
"Famine In The Land" By: Michael Neal., D.D. When we talk of Famine we think of a great shortage of food, we read in the word of God about great Famine in the land (Luke 4:25) But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. Even in today’s times we hear of Famine in the countries around the world, and even in the USA we have shortages of food. Famine is a great problem, for with out food we will perish from hunger. But it is not this kind of Famine or hunger I am speaking of, I am referring to a great hunger and famine for the word of God! (Amos 8:11) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: (Amos 8:12) And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. There are many speaking OF the word of God but ask your self’s’ what are they really saying? The True word of God the word spoken with Power and with the spirit (The Holy Ghost) is going to be very, very rare! Jesus him self said in (Luke 4:4) And Jesus answered him, saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. If the words that are spoken do not have Power and the spirit then they can not and will not be filling for the soul of Man kind. With out the True word of god the Inter-Man (The Spirit) will get weak and Die, not having the food it needs to survive. For anyone who has fasted (Gone without food & Water for the word of God) knows how week the body can get when it goes without food and water for a time. The Inter-Man can not be seen or touched but it is very real, it can not endure without the Spiritual food that God gives unto his chosen ones (Children). The world is at a state today that the word of God has spoken of, that Right will become wrong, & wrong will become Right, The true word of God is so hard to find being taught & Preached. Preachers have become just “Public Speakers” and not the Lights and Sheppard’s of the Flock of God. Letting Fornication, Lying, Homosexuality, freely go on in their Churches’ (The Buildings). These souls need to be told that what they are doing is Totally against the word of God and not just padded on the back and told “What every you feel like doing do it” God will understand. I am here to tell you “It is NOT! All right with God!” (2 Timothy 4:3)For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; Not Enduring Sound Doctrine is a Great Famine! There are People that will go from church to church trying to find a Teacher & Preacher that will tell them that what they are doing is Ok, they do not realize that they are pushing the “Full Plate of Food” From God away for an “Empty Plate”. The Famine is all around us; we see and hear it daily some will go all day and not even think of God, not until something happens in their life’s then they will say “Help me God” the Lord has to be on our mind “All time” not just part time, or as needed!. (2 John 1:9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:(2 John 1:11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
We can not continue in this Famine, pushing the Doctrine of Christ the word of God away. The Apostle Paul said it best in (Galatians 1:8) 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 1:9) As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
If you will notice that Paul felt it so Impotent that he even repeated him self, even in those early days of the Church, and went on to say “If I Yet Pleased Men, I (We) Should NOT! Be the Servant of Christ”! We can not Please God when we Push him away, and say things like, God understands, or that does not apply for today’s world. God and his word have not and will not change. (Malachi 3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not; when God put on this body of Flesh he “Nailed” all the excuses to the cross. But as bad as the world has become the word of God tells us that it will get worse, and the Famine even greater, (2 Timothy 3:1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. This world has even changed the meaning of some of the words we used to use into something to fit today’s world. And yes even changing the very word of God so it does not talk so much in a “Male” Gender. If we speak against “Gays” (The Homosexual meaning of the word) we are, or will be accused of a “Hate” crime, even though the word of God speaks against it in many ways. We see the Famine coming closer and closer every day, ask your self if the Bibles were to be taken away, or get to the point where they do not even have the wording that we still know today, do you have enough of the word of God in you to keep the “Plate Full” to feed the Inward man? Jesus told us that he is the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) and Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Would it be nice to have enough food in our houses to never have to go to the store again? and to eat what we wanted when we wanted it? If you Find the word of God and Keep the word of God in you then you will have all the “Spiritual Food” you will need to feed the Inward Man in the Days of the Famine. If we have the “True” word of God in us when the evil days come we will not be fooled! (Mark 13:22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Do Not! Be with out the “Bread of Life” and be sure to find and get the Right food, eating spoiled food does not taste good; neither does the wrong teaching and preaching of the word of God. Only when we “Seek” & “Find” the Lord Jesus will we have the Proper Food (Jeremiah 29:13) and ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. The Cry is going out “There is a Famine” coming, Please do not be caught with out your “Plate Full” and be in “Hunger”!
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 8:50 PM CDT
Updated: Monday, 15 September 2008 8:56 PM CDT
What Do You Mean?..Born Again?
Mood:
 not sure
WHAT DO YOU MEAN......BORN AGAIN?? Pastor: John B. Neal Bishop: Michael Neals' Father Of The Shining Light Apostolic Church
Did you know that a man named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, asked Jesus that very same question? He came to Jesus by night with these same thoughts in mind, because he didn’t want the people to know that an important person like himself was asking questions about this Christian way. “What do you mean, born again?” he asked Jesus secretly “How can this be when I am old? Can I enter a second time into my mother’s womb and be born?” But Jesus was not speaking of a natural birth, but a spiritual birth, which people don’t seem to understand. Some people have strange ideas about being born again. I once heard of a strip-tease dancer, who claimed she had been born again, I don’t know what she based it on, but a reporter asked her what changes, if any, this would make in her life. If she was going to give up her dancing. She replied, “Oh no, I’m not giving up dancing, this will only make me better.” I don’t know what kind of rebirth she had, but it wasn’t any thing that I know of. The phase, “Born again” is banded around too freely today. When I heard this, I couldn’t help but ask myself the question that came to my mind, “What do you mean....born again?” There are so many thoughts on the subject, and each one seems to have a different idea. It’s no wonder that people are so confused today. If a person believes in the Bible, then I believe that the best place to search for answers is the divine word of God. Moses wasn’t born again. Isaiah wasn’t born again; they lived under the law, during the Old Testament times. We, today, of the New Testament times are living under Grace. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” He didn’t say you “Should be”, nor it would be best if you were. No, he said, you must. It was not a statement, but a command. Why do you think Jesus would make a statement like that? We can find the answer in St. John 3: 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh;” (this is speaking of our natural birth) But the scripture goes on to say, “And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” What could Jesus mean, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” We realize that being born of the flesh is speaking of our natural birth, and in our natural state we are born in sin, (Psalms 51: 5) for all are born of the lust of the flesh. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 7:18, “In me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” We all know to do good, but our fleshly nature won’t let us do what we know is right. It is the nature of man to do what he or she wants to do. But it’s not the right thing nor the spiritual thing, (Gal. 5:17). The Apostle Paul goes to say, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). So what is one to do? And the turmoil goes on within the heart and soul of man. This is why Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.” How? You ask, as Nicodemus did. Do you know the story of Abraham and Sarah, how she was unable to bear a child, so she encouraged Abraham her husband to sleep with Hagar, her handmaid, that she might have children through her. This practice was accepted at that time. Now the Old Testament is a type an shadow of the New Testament and we find in Gal. 4: 23 that, “He who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh.” But Isaac, the child of Abraham and Sarah his wife, who represents the freewoman, was the child of promise, the spiritual seed. Now you may be wondering, what has that got to do with anything? Plenty. For Paul tells us that, “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Romans 9:7-8). Who are the children of the promise? And what is the promise anyway? I will let the divine word of God answer these questions for you. Galatians 3:29 says, “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Notice the scripture said, “If you be Christ’s,” Then and only then can you be heirs according to the promise. St. John 1:12 tells us that, “As many as received him, (that is Jesus Christ) to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Take a close look at this scripture, you will see that not everyone will receive Jesus Christ into their lives, they will not have that born again experience. But the scripture said, “As many as receive Him.” Jesus gives us all a choice. We can reject Him, and continuing walking after the flesh or we can be like Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Those who receive Him, they are the children of the promise. How can we know what the promise is, you may ask? Well, let us see if we can find the answer. Jesus being assembled together with his disciples, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but “wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1: 4-5). Some people feel that the words, “Holy Ghost” is a misprint, but the dictionary says that ghost is the “appearing of a person who has died, unto the living.” Jesus died on the cross of Calvary and was placed in the tomb and a seal placed upon the closing of the tomb. But on the third day he arose and was first seen of Mary Magdalene and later he was seen of all his disciples. The Holy Ghost is no misprint. St. John 14: 26 says, “..The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,.....” Notice, the scripture said, “The Comforter, is the Holy Ghost.” And the Comforter was sent to us in the name of Jesus. For we find that Jesus was talking to his disciples when he said, “The Father will send the Comforter in my name.” When Jesus said in Acts 1: 4-5, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost,” He was speaking of His spirit. On the day of Pentecost this promise was fulfilled, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they; (referring to the 120 in the upper room, Acts 1: 15) were all with one accord in one place.” And Acts 2:4 goes on to say, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” They did not go to school to learn how to speak in other tongues, but as the spirit gave them utterance. No man taught them how to speak in other tongues. The Holy Ghost is the Comforter that Jesus promised to all who receive Him, with the evidences that the Comforter is there by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (St. John 14:28). To receive this wonderful experience one must come through the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ, through the baptism in the name of Jesus. There is no other way. There is a song that comes to my mind at this time, “God leads His dear children along, some through the water, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood.” We can’t get to the Father except through the blood of Jesus Christ. Being baptized of the Spirit is the highest experience anyone could receive in this life. There is no record where the disciples received a spiritual experience before the day of Pentecost. In fact it would be scripturally impossible for them to get a New Testament experience until Jesus as our High Priest had ascended into heaven. Why? Jesus told His disciples, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you” (St. John 16:7). Jesus had to ascend into heaven before the Comforter could be sent back to earth. Notice Acts 2:4 tells us that, “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost” that means that if they were filled, the very Spirit of God dwelled on the inside of them. Thank about it. This was what Jesus was speaking about when he told His disciples, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth... for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you” (St. John14:16-17). Jesus said that he would be in them as the Comforter, which the Father would send. The Spirit could not be given until Jesus went away or until he had ascended back up into heaven. Then, and not until then, could they receive the Spirit of the Comforter. When Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus he said, “......, except (meaning unless) a man be born of water (which is the baptism in Jesus’ name Acts 2:38) and of the Spirit, (which is the Holy Ghost or Comforter given on the day of Pentecost) he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (St. John 3: 5). Nicodemus wanted to know; how can these things be? He was ignorant of the spiritual meaning, like so many are today. Eph. 4:18 Paul says, “Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” This is a spiritual blindness. Preacher are teaching that it don’t happen like that anymore, that it was only for the disciples, and that after the disciples died no body else need or does receive the Holy Ghost anymore. But they are telling you a pack of lies. We need the Holy Ghost today just as the disciples. Jesus said, “I change not.” He is not here today and gone tomorrow, and beside that, how can anyone be born again without the Spirit of God abiding within them. If one has received Him and the Holy Ghost abides within them, then there is a change made in one’s life. A person cannot do the works of the flesh and the works of God, for you cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6: 24). If you have a friend or a family member who you would like prayer for or that you would like to see saved, please send us your prayer list with the name, that we may hold them up before God in prayer, and entreat God on their behalf. May God bless.
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 7:53 PM CDT
Updated: Monday, 15 September 2008 7:58 PM CDT
Two Different Worlds
Mood:
happy
WE LIVE IN TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS By: Pastor. John B. Neal I John 4:5-6 “They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” Also I John 5:19 “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” These two different worlds are as different as Light is from the Darkness or as Day is from the Night. One is like the opposite side of a coin, the Natural world and the Spiritual world. We are like Abraham, this world is not my home, I’m just passing through, while I’m looking for that city not made by hands. I wonder sometimes when talking to people, if we are speaking in a foreign language. Then I remember how God dealt with me, when he saved my soul. Then I remember they are of the world, therefore, speak they of the world. The things that they know, the things that they are used to, the things of the world. John went on to say, and the world heareth them, why, because they are speaking the same language, they understand each other, they cannot understand the things that are of God. John goes on to say, “We are of God.” Don’t that knowledge and understanding put joy down in your soul? We speak of a spiritual world, a glorious kingdom, or we should be; of the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Our mind should be on heaven, we should always keep a vision of heaven before our eyes. He that knoweth God, heareth us,” why, because we speak the same language. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Cor. 2:14. The word “Discern” means: To perceive, Detect, and observe. John said, “By this, know we the spirit of truth and of error.” The Apostle Paul tells us also of Perilous times, dangerous times, that we are living in today. When you try to warn the people, why can’t they hear us? Because they are of the world, they cannot hear the words of God. “He that is of God, heareth God’s words, ye, therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” St. John 8:47. Jesus himself said, “For this people heart is become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should hear them.” St. Matthew 13:15. Gross means: Disgusting, obscene, offensive, shameful. Two different worlds, the natural, and the Spiritual. Our first birth made us a natural man or woman. Our second birth made us into a spiritual man. We as a spiritual man should be able to tell the difference between the two, if we can’t, then something is wrong. Do we walk in the natural, or the spiritual? Or do we walk Spiritual, in the Natural world? Do we walk as carnal minded in the world? Do we walk in the flesh or in the Spirit? There are two people, in the same body, the question is, which one are we following? One has to have dominion over the other. Is the Carnal mind leading us or are we letting the Spiritual mind of Christ lead us? Paul divided men into three classes, The Natural man, The Spiritual man, and the Carnal man. I Cor 2:14. 1).....The Natural man- The Adamic man, unrenewed through the new birth. St. John 3. 2).....The Spiritual man- The renewed man, a spirit filled man walking in the spirit in full communion with God. 3)..... The Carnal man- Fleshly, walking after the flesh, Lustful, sensual, worldly, opposed to the spiritual, (I Cor. 3: 1-4) The Natural man, may be learned, gentle, eloquent, fascinating, but the Spiritual content of scripture is absolutely hidden from him. The Carnal man or fleshly, is able to comprehend only its simplest truths. The preachers are feeding you with the milk of the word and not the meat. Paul is talking to the church, not to the world, telling them to come “out of your Carnal state.” “Are ye not Carnal” and walk as men of the world? (Natural, Adamic man) Envying, strife, divisions. “This I say then, walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5: 16 Natural, is the apostle’s word for, the unrenewed man. Spiritual, the renewed man who lives in the Spirit walks in the Spirit. We are living physically in a world of sin, for the world lies in sin. If we lie with it, we shall also die with it. But we are told to come out of her my people, touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you. Two different worlds, which one does your heart belong to? Is it time to make a change? The song says, “Don’t let it be said too late.” Do you want to continue living in houses, where thieves break in and steal, or in a mansion, where the streets are paved with gold? God gave us that choose. Just as the cloud guided the children of Israel through the wilderness, so will he guide us through this world of sin.
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 7:51 PM CDT
Monday, 8 September 2008
Bottom Line!!
Mood:
 blue
Topic: Bottom Line
THE BOTTOM LINE: Pastor. John B. Neal Why do we walk the tight rope between heaven and hell? Is it the adrenalin? The closer we walk to the edge of the Abyss, the more daring it makes us. In other words, why do we try to see how much we can get by with, and not get caught by the Lord? Or how little we can get by with, and still be in favor with the Lord? It’s like people are playing a game of Russian roulette, with their spiritual life, and one of these days, when they least expect it, the gun will go off. The bottom line, is what would you do, if Jesus came today? He is coming, make no mistake. It may not be today or tomorrow, but he is coming, and there will be many playing Hide and Seek, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But don’t fool yourself, God’s eyes are ever where, beholding both the good and the bad. We all have a tendency to want God to see our good points, but when we do something wrong, we try to hide it from him, but that don’t work. Just like Adam, he tried to hide from God, but God knew just where he was and what he had done, and neither can anyone hide. Do you ever ask yourself, “Why do we go to church? Why do we pray? Or read the Bible? Why do we half-step in our walk with the Lord? We need to be honest with ourselves. Is it just to meet old friends at church, or to catch up on the latest gossip, or maybe to see what your neighbor is wearing. Are we committed to Jesus? He that suffered and died on the cross of Calvary, that we may have life. Do you really love him? If you brought Jesus to church with you, then you know that he is there, and you don’t have to worry about the hypocrite sitting next to you. Every body seems to think that getting drunk, or shacking up, is okay. Everybody is doing it these days. But I want to tell you, it is sinful. Adultery, fornication, molesting little children, disobedient to parents, without natural affection. People seem to love the things of this world more than they love God, they seem to have a form of godliness, but they are denying the power there of, the power that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ, and having Him in your life. The word of God tells us, from such as these turn away. Don’t have anything to do with them. We are living in a time that is as wicked and evil as Sodom and Gomorrah, and God destroyed those cities. The world has invaded our churches, and set up shop in them, for Lesbians and Homosexuals are now preaching in our churches. May God help us, and these United States of America? They can’t be preaching the word of God, for God’s word tells us that it is a sin. They seem to be flouting their sin right under the nose of God. There is a place for them in the church, but it is not behind the pulpit, handling the Holy Word of God with unholy hands. It is an abomination to God. That means it makes Him sick. The place for them is kneeling before the altar of God, and asking God for forgiveness of their sin. I can’t put anyone in heaven or hell. Every one does their own thing, they do what they want to do, be what they want to be, go where they want to go, in other words, do your thing. But just remember, the Bottom Line, when you close your eyes in that eternal sleep, and the next thing you know you wake up in hell, it will be too late. No one, but I mean no one, will get by mocking God. God will not be mocked. Pay-day is coming for all of us. Religion is not something you just think, you have to live it. Most people live their lives as though neither heaven nor hell existed. What do you believe in? That our good times, our parties and fun will go on forever. Pay-day is coming, and it’s not as far away as one may think. No, religion is something you have to live every day. It is time to become serious about our soul; we do have one you know. Everyone has two choices; either they spend eternity in heaven or hell. Both places are very real. But God has given us those choices. Are we ready to face God on his throne? Will you stand up in God’s face and try to lie your way out of the things you have done here in this world? The Bottom line, God has a record book, and everything we have every done is recorded in that book. And a liar he will not even allow to stand before him. Sin, of any kind will not enter back into heaven. Religion seems to be just a game to many; they live their life any way they want to. They go to church on Sunday Morning, and say I’m a Christian. They give one day to God and the other six days for themselves. I don’t have time to pray, to thank God for my family or for waking us up this morning, nor for my health, nor for my food. I can’t take the time to read my Bible, to see what thus saith the Lord. I have to take my children to football practice, or basketball practice, etc. Just going to church on Sunday morning seems to be enough. People don’t seem to realize that God wakes us every morning, and watches over us during the night while we sleep. How many takes the time to say “Thank you Jesus, for being able to get out of bed this morning.” Do you? Don’t people realize that Jesus holds life in one hand, and death in the other. Our breath, our life, comes from Him. The Bottom Line, Jesus is coming back for his church. The one true church. Jesus don’t care for the title over the door, He’s not going to say I think I’ll pick the Baptist or Catholic, Holy Trinity, or Bethel house of God, etc. He’s not coming back for a building, but a people that have made themselves ready to go back with him. Jesus picks the church, we don’t. His church that he died for is one church. The church that he purchased with his blood, bearing his Spirit. A people bearing his name. It is time we stopped putting our head in the sand like an Ostrich, and start facing reality. God has got a love, and he shines his love upon us each and every day, but God has also got a wrath which the world is soon to behold. Read the Old Testament if you want an example of God wrath. Read what he did to his own people the Jews, because they chose to worship other gods. Don’t fool yourselves. The only safety we have is in Jesus Christ. Psalm 4: 8 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Jesus is coming at the appointed time for his church, and nothing is going to stop it. People can get out here with their machine guns, cannons, bombs, germ war, missiles, what ever they want, but they are not going to stop Jesus from coming back for his church. Are you ready? The Bottom Line, Get right with God, or get left behind, and go through the seven years of tribulation like this world has never known.
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 5:31 PM CDT
Friday, 15 August 2008
Cries From The Cross
Mood:
sad
Topic: The Cross
CRIES FROM THE CROSS: Pastor. John Neal What led up to there ever having to be, cries from the cross? Jesus wasn’t crying from the pain and agonies, He wasn’t crying for his own self. The first cry uttered from the cross was, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (St. Luke 23:34). There were two legal system, which proved to be illegal, that condemned Jesus. The Jews, his own people, and the Romans. The very two system on which our own legal system is based upon. The arrest and proceeding’s under Anna Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, were under Jewish law. Those under Pilate and Herod were under Roman law. The Jewish trial was illegal in several ways: 1)- The judge was not impartial, and did not protect the accused. There is no evidence that the quorum of twenty-three judges were present. The judges took part in the arrest, and they were hostile (St. Matt. 26: 62-63). 2)- The arrest was unlawful because it was carried out under no formal accusation. 3)- In Criminal trails, all sessions had to be started and carried out only during the day. The verdict was not to be handed down until the next day. All night session were illegal. 4)- A verdict of guilty could not be rendered on the same day, as the conclusion of the trial. It had to be given the next day. 5)- The search for hostile testimony was illegal (St. Matt. 26: 59, Mark 14: 56; John 11:53). 6)- No accused could be convicted on his own evidence, yet, they sought replies and admissions from Jesus to condemn him (St. Matt. 26: 63-66; John 18:9). 7)- No valid legal evidence was presented against him. After Pilate declared Jesus Innocent (St. Matt. 27: 24), ever thing that was done after that was contrary to the letter and spirit of Roman law. A murdered man does not have a choice, but Jesus had a choice. He laid down his life willingly. No man took his life from him. Like a sheep led to the slaughter, Jesus let himself be led to Calvary. To give his blood and die for the sins of this uncaring world, but he opened not his mouth, but suffered for us, a death too horrible to even try to understand. Psa. 22: 14-18, David gives us a picture of the Crucifixion. The bones of the hands, arms, shoulders, and pelvis pulled out of joint (v 14), the profuse perspiration caused by intense suffering (v 14), the action of the heart affected (v14). Strength exhausted, and extreme thirst (v15). The hands and feet pierced (v 16). All are associated with this form of death. The second cry from the cross was when Jesus spoke to the thief. “Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise” (St. Luke 23:43). The third cry from the cross was when Jesus looked down and saw his mother, he said to her, “Woman, behold thy son,” this he spoke of John the beloved disciple, and to John he said, “Behold thy mother” (St. John 19:26-27). The forth cry from the cross, and the most saddest anyone could hear was, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (St. Matt. 27: 46; St. Mark 15:34-36). The fifth cry from the cross, Jesus simply said, “I thirst” (St. John 19: 28). The Sixth cry from the cross, “It is finished” ( St. John 19: 30). The Seventh, and last cry from the cross, “Father, into thy hands, I commend my Spirit” (St. Luke 23: 16). Put yourself in Jesus’ place, see what was happening at the foot of the cross. While Jesus hung there on the cross suffering and dying there in pain and agony, the soldiers sat at the foot of the cross and played their games, and parted his garments, casting lots, gambling on his garment to see which one was going to get them. The people stood beholding, in indifference, like it was a circus going on. (St. Matt. 27: 35- 42). It was show time at the cross that day. The rulers, mocked him. They wanted religion, but, without a divine Christ crucified for their sins. (St. Matt 27:41). They railed at him (St. Matt. 27: 39). Reviled him. Def: Railed, means , criticize, denounce, condemn. They were there from near and far for the feast of the Passover, and they came to behold this public execution. He claimed to be the Son of God, would he come down from the cross. All eyes were upon him, waiting to see what he would do. The Cross is for the judgment of the world. We have to go back to the cross, even though Jesus is not there anymore. That is where he was Crucified. That is where he died. That is where he shed his blood, so that we, who partake of it in Baptism, may be washed clean of our sins. Jesus told John the Baptist, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (St. Matthew 3: 15).
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 5:26 PM CDT
Updated: Friday, 15 August 2008 5:27 PM CDT
Monday, 4 August 2008
The Mirror
Mood:
 surprised
Topic: Mirror
The Mirror By Bishop. Michael Neal., D.D.
The Mirror is something that we all use, we have them in our bathrooms, bedrooms, some have many but we all have at least one. We use these mirrors to look at our self’s to shave, comb our hair, or just to see our sweet smiling face. We need this mirror to see our natural man, that physical part of our self’s so we may know how we look to the world and others. If we see a Pimple on our face we would want to cover it up, so others would not see it and point at us and it. But what about the inward man, that spiritual part of us that is harder sometimes to see by us and others. How many times have we sat in church and heard the word of God and thought to ourselves that the Preacher was talking to the Brother or Sister setting beside us or in front of us, or at the most someone else maybe not even in the church?. Even the Preacher when they preach thinking to themselves this Message is meant for someone in the Church. The word of God says in (2 Timothy 2:6) the husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. So how do we all see that inward man, we have heard that old adage of “When you point one finger at someone, that there are two fingers pointing back at you” We Must! First apply the word of God (In all its forms) first to ourselves, and God has given us a Spiritual Mirror to do this with, it is the very word of God its’ self (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. Gods’ word can and will show us how we look not only to ourselves but to others around us, it will show us every little spot and blemish, some things we may not want to see, but need to see. Each and every one of us has this mirror, unlike a mirror in our home we need just one, but like a mirror in our home when we look into it and see something that is out of place or that needs tending to, when we see it we must! Take care of it when we see it and not wait till later. When we do not take care of something we see in ourselves as we look into the mirror when we move away from it, we will forget what we have seen. The one thing we can count on is if we do not take care of it, others will see it! If it is of the Natural Man or the Spiritual. It is so easy to point out and see the sins and faults of others, but we must! Look into the word of God and see our own sins and fault, when we hear or Read the word of God it must first be applied to us! (me) first and if it does not apply to us after we Look into the mirror then we have truly examined ourselves and we can walk away from the mirror feeling good. Bt if the word does hit us and we see ourselves in the word, we must fix it then and not wait till we walk away from the mirror or will forget what it is that needs to be fixed. If we were not in the valley when the floods came then we would not have gotten wet! We must use the word of God to move from the valley to the mountain top then when the word of God comes then it will not hit us. Then we will look better to God and to others, the word of God is a very bright Light that shines so bright that it will show us everything we need to see ourselves, nothing will be covered up, every little fault to the big sin. But we must use it in order to get the full use of it, just like that old mirror in the bathroom at our homes; if we do not use it then we will start to look very bad to the people around us. We all need to stop the pointing the finger at and looking at others when the word of God comes, and say to our self’s “Is it me my Lord, is it me?” I know sometimes when we look in a mirror we do not like what is looking back at us, but we still have to look in order to see it and to be able to fix it, for if we do not know if something is wrong and out of place how can we fix it?. We have saints of God that have been with the lord in church for years and years, have been baptized in the name of Jesus and have the Holy Ghost for many years. They sit in church all those years day after day and night after night hearing the word of God, but have long ago stopped! Using that mirror to see what they look like or what they have become. The church has become just a place too go and a thing to do every Sunday Moring and night; they have become ugly in the spiritual Mirror. They do more pointing and judging than looking and examine themselves in their mirror. The word of God is something we must use each and every day that we take a breath on this world, it must become so much apart of us that when we look into that mirror that we no longer see that “Old” self, but a brand “New” self. It must become something we do every day and not just once a week or once a month or year, this mirror the word of God must be looked into and there by seeing our self’s each and every day of our life’s. So the next time you read or hear the word of God, before you start to point your finger around the church or think to yourself that it is talking about someone other than you! Take a long look into that big shining mirror and remember what it is you see!
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 9:42 PM CDT
Updated: Monday, 4 August 2008 9:43 PM CDT
If We Miss Heaven., We Miss It All
Mood:
not sure
Topic: Heaven
IF WE MISS HEAVEN, WE MISS IT ALL. By: Pastor. John B. Neal “...........whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows----such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man---whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows----how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (II Corinthians 12: 1-4). Paul here is talking about the abode of God, where God dwells, where his throne is, where the angels are. The streets of pure gold, the walls made of Jasper, the gates are all of pearls. What a beautiful picture Paul and John paint for us, what joy there will be when we make it to this paradise Paul spoke of. We read of these things, but is our mind really on these things, or are they on the pleasures of this earth? Have we ever asked ourselves, how hard are we trying to make it up there? The preachers keep telling us; Jesus paid it all for us. He paid our debt of sin, so we won’t have to. That is true. But do you think that Jesus went through all that pain and suffering, humiliation, of being mocked, and ridiculed, so that we could just sit back and enjoy the pleasures of this world, and do nothing. No, my friend, there is more to it than that. If that is what you think then you have blinders on. If you do not come to Jesus, and take on his name through the water baptism, and covered by his blood that he shed for you, and follows his law and his word, then you are bastards and none of his. I didn’t say that, that is in the word of God. How hard are we trying or are we trying at all? If we miss Heaven, we’ve missed it all. Don’t be like an Ostrich, with your head buried in the sand, and pretend you don’t understand what I’m talking about. We have one shot at this, and we’re not going to get another. There are many places I would love to have visited, like Jerusalem, to walk on those dust streets that Jesus trod. To walk with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, where John, Andrew, James, and Peter were fishing, to view the place where Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world. To visit the tomb where Jesus was laid, to see the stone rolled away from the door. Where the angel told Mary Magdalene, “He is not here, he is risen.” She was asked, “Why seek ye the living, among the dead?” I don’t think I will ever get to any of these places, although my desire is that I shall be able to walk the streets of the New Jerusalem, which comes down from God.” I can walk with Jesus on those streets of gold, and talk with the Old Testament prophets, and the Apostles, but if we don’t keep our mind on Heaven, and we let the cares and pleasures of this world dominate our lives, if we miss heaven, we will miss it all. Heaven is something that we can all be a part of. Heaven is within the grasp of us all. But we have to reach out, and take hold of it. We have to take hold on Salvation, and that only comes through Jesus Christ, for it is He, one and only one, the Savior of the world. Acts 4: 12 “Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Col. 3: 17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God, and the Father by Him.” Col. 2: 9-10 “For in Him (that is Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the God Head bodily. And ye are complete in Him who is the head of all principalities and power.” If we miss out on knowing Jesus, we have missed our chance of enter into heaven. For Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, (St. John 11: 25). Jesus told Martha, “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die, believeth thou this.” If we do not believe, or fail to believe, we have no eternal life abiding in us, and instead of Heaven, it will be Hell. Those that believe in Jesus, and keep his laws, will not die the second death. (Spiritual death.) We need to ask ourselves, just how important to us are the pleasures of this world? They are only good for a very short time, compared to all eternity spent in hell. The rich man enjoyed the good things, the pleasures of this world, but when he died he lifted up his eyes in hell, and begged Abraham just to let Lazarus dip his finger in some water, and put just a drop on his hot, parched tongue. But there is a gulf that separates, heaven from hell, and there is no crossing over. We all have our chance, while here on this earth, to make our decision of where we want to spend eternity. Once our eyes are closed in that eternal sleep, it’s too late to said, “Oh, I wish I had put my trust in Jesus.” The pleasures of this life are but for a fleeting moment, compared with eternity. Where will we spend eternity, there are only two choices, in heaven with Jesus, or in hell with the fallen angels. In heaven, we will never want to leave, but in hell, we will never be allowed to leave, but be in torment for all eternity. It is not a very pretty picture, but neither is it supposed to be. Jesus would we all be saved, but all will not be saved, for the prince of this world has most people blinded. Satan has most of people right where he wants them; he holds them in the palm of his hand. They are like a puppet on a string, Satan pulls the string and they jump to his command, and either they can’t see it, or know it, or even care about it, as long as they have a good time, I mean to partake of the sin of this world. People today call right wrong and wrong right. They are getting to the point where they don’t see it as sin. They have been blinded by the dazzle and sparkle of this world. What are people searching for, what are they seeking? If they have found what their flesh craves, why are they still out all night seeking for it? Don’t they know there is joy in the Lord? There is comfort in the Lord. Jesus can and does put a song in your heart. He makes you feel safe and secure. You can never find that in a bottle of booze, nor drugs, heroin, nor cocaine, sex or money, their soul is never satisfied. It seems that the world is playing follow the leader, and Satan is their leader. He leads us into trouble, but once we are in, he never bothers to help us out. Missing out on heaven for the things this world has to offer is not a very wise choice for any of us. It is time we put away childish things and stop being a pleasure seeker, and become a Jesus seeker. There is life in Jesus, but sin brings forth death, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6: 23). “Good understanding giveth favor but the ways of transgressors is hard” (Prov. 13: 15). Think about it, if we miss out on heaven, we have missed it all, for who wants to spend their days through all eternity in torment? I can’t answer for you, but I know I don’t. A true Christian should never become complacent. Def: means satisfied, self-satisfied, smug; content, or at ease. Pleased with ones self. Have you ever seen a person who calls themselves a Christians, that seems to be smug, and very well pleased with themselves? I am sure you have. They seems to be too saved to talk to an ordinary human being. If we become too complacent we may meet that same person coming up as we are going down. Remember the two men that were crucified with Jesus on that fateful day. Jesus told one of them, “Today thou shall be with me in paradise” (St. Luke 23: 43). No one need despair, but remember, only one, so that none may presume, or take for granted. I have heard people say that, if Jesus were to come right now, “I would be ready to go with him. “ Well, I don’t know, and it not for me to say, if they are or if they are not, but what I am saying, be absolutely sure, before that Red Devil behind those white pearly gates speaks out of order. A person shouldn’t become too cocky, become saved, for God knows those that are his. The apostle Paul said, we haven’t obtained yet. Don’t miss heaven, my friend. If you do, you have missed it all, and where you spend eternity, is up to you. The choice is yours. For your sake, make the right choice. Jesus is waiting.
Posted by J.C.A.M.I. Staff
at 9:12 PM CDT
Updated: Saturday, 9 August 2008 3:07 PM CDT
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