Be encouraged in the eye of the storm because it is in such times as these that we learn to depend on our Creator who supplies all of our needs; strength, endurance, patience and the ability to remain focused on what lies ahead. Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD; he made us, we didn’t make him, we are his people (Psalm 100:3 MGS); he loves us and has promised to never leave us without hope.
If you’ve never had an experience in life that changed you forever you may not comprehend the true meaning of “Be Encouraged in the Eye of the Strom.” On the other-hand if you have experienced events that changed your life as you knew it you understand the meaning of these words because you have survived, yet you know your life will never be the same.
Recent events of evil that have penetrated many lives have left some with scars and little hope. We offer words of encouragement to those who are feeling lost and confused, never lose hope, stay faithful and God will see you through, be encouraged in the eye of the storm.
Scripture reminds us of how Jesus is always in the midst of our troubles. Remember when Jesus and his disciples were in the boat and the next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm; waves crashing into the boat, tossed about and afraid while Jesus slept. When they realized Jesus was asleep they became even more frightened, that moment their faith was being tested. Immediately Jesus spoke, he told to wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down; complete Silence and the sea became as smooth as glass (Matthew 8:23-26). Be encouraged in the eye of the storm.
THE PURPLE AND WHITE IRIS OF LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)
Even through the many storms of life, God has not changed his mind, his love is everlasting, trust him with all your heart—be encouraged in the eye of the storm because this too shall pass and will someday become a distant memory. Through the experience you will gain strength to endure and move forward with purpose into your destiny. Know that you are truly blessed when tears flow freely because joy comes in the morning. Be encouraged; be encouraged in the eye of the storm that’s passing over, may your hearts find peace and happiness.
THE HEART OF THE CROSS IS KING JESUS HE DIED UPON THE CROSS THAT WE MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (Photo by Pastor Davis)
The word “eternal” means without beginning and without end, denoting a continual existence including past, present, and future. As applied to human existence, the Bible indicates that the spirit or soul is indestructible and eventually returns to God who gave it (Eccl. 12:7). This thought is expressed by Paul who attests to God’s overall plan whereby God is “all in all” (I Cor. 15:24-28). Thus, one might well say that eternal life includes the present, or “Today is the first day of the rest of your eternal life.”
Just as there are rewards for followers of Christ, there are judgments of the works of both believers and nonbelievers. Jesus said that all authority to judge the living and the dead is his (John 5:22;17:2; Acts 10:42;I Peter 4:5). In a sense, failure to receive blessings because of failure to ask, asking wrongly, or continued anxiety and fear by not heeding the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount are all indicative of a present judgment. As the proverbs say, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1) and “the way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Prov. 4:16). As we have seen, Jesus assured his listeners that a follower of his and a doer of his words is assured of having his or her needs met and eternal life, including the glories of the resurrection-life (Mk. 10:28-30).
The New Testament sets out a concept of a gradation of regard for believers based upon their Christian good works (Matt. 16:27), their works being tested as by fire (I Cor. 3:13-15). In this respect, the epistles frequently warn believers against backsliding and the loss of reward. [Note the six warnings in the book of Hebrews 3:7-13;4:1-11; 5:11-14; 6:1-9; 10:26-39; 12; also II Peter 2:20-22] A righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward (Matt. 10:41), and one who shows compassion in Jesus’name will not lose his or her reward (Matt. 10:42;Mk. 9:41). Those who reject the Father and the Son will be judged, and punishment will be meted out for the wrongs which they have committed (Col. 3:25). They are as “cast into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13;24:51; 25:30). Those who seek after the plaudits of men have their reward (Matt. 6:2). One should enter in by the “narrow gate” to life, for “broad is the way which leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13-14). Therefore, one should not lay up for himself or herself material treasures on earth, but should lay up treasures in heaven, for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).
God is merciful, and Jesus stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears his voice and opens the door, he will enter and they shall dine together. But there is a reckoning, and the son of man will separate the “sheep” from the “goats. “Those who have helped the less fortunate and have done it for Jesus shall inherit the kingdom. Those who have not helped others have failed Jesus and will receive punishment (Matt. 25:31-46). The meting out of judgment is portrayed in Revelation depicting God as sitting on a great white throne judging the dead according to their works. The books are opened including the book of life. Anyone whose name is not found in the book of life is subject to punishment. It is decreed that the enemies of God and mankind be cast into the “lake of fire.” These include Satan, the false prophet, and the beast who has opposed God, death, Hades, and “whoever was not found written in the book of life” (Rev. 20:10-15). There is also described a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem in which there reside only those who are over comers and those who are “athirst of the fountain.” These are given the water of life freely (Rev. 21:1-27). “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:12-13).
Sitting down at the dinner table with family and friends and eating a well prepared meal as you
A BETRAYER AT THE DINNER TABLE (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)
discuss the family problems and current events is suppose to be a very enjoyable moment. But what happens when one of your family members has been plotting behind your back to kill the head of your family? In the case of Jesus and His twelve disciples this is exactly what happen.
On that evening (Wednesday or Thursday), Jesus arrived in Jerusalem with the twelve disciples. The meal was not to be eaten until after sunset and was supposed to be finished by midnight.
However, as Jesus and His Disciples were eating, Jesus spoke the stunning words, that quickly got the attention of everyone sitting around the dinner table that evening. Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” The betrayer was one of his own chosen twelve disciples, a member of his own family, one with whom the meal was being shared. Jesus words caused quite a stir among the disciples. They had heard Jesus tell them three different times that he would soon die, but that one of them would actually betray Jesus saddened them greatly.
Although the other disciples were confused by Jesus words, Judas knew what he meant. Apparently, Judas was not the obvious betrayer. After all, he was the one the disciples trusted to keep the money. Therefore, the disciples asked Jesus who the betrayer was; “I’m not the one, am I?” each one asked in turn. Matthew records that even Judas asked the same question (Matthew 26:25). Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him, and he also knew that Judas would not repent.
In our studies we find that Luke wrote this about Satan, he said Satan entered into Judas Iscariot before he went to the religious leaders. However, Satan’s part in the betrayal of Jesus does not remove any of the responsibility from Judas. In God’s sovereign will and according to his timetable, he uses sinful men. But that doesn’t excuse their sin. All people will be held accountable for their choices and actions. Whatever Judas thought, Satan assumed that Jesus death would end Jesus mission and thwart God’s plan. Like Judas, Satan did not know that Jesus death and resurrection were the most important parts of God’s plan all along.
All I can say in conclusion, is that this had to be one hellish feeling in the gut of each family member sitting around the dinner table that night knowing that one of them would betray the head of their family in such an evil way.
The photos and video of this week’s photo challenge of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ were all taken by me in two different locations. This first photo was taken near Roanoke, Va. The next two were taken near Amarillo, Texas. In the video, all the photos were either taken near Roanoke, Va. are Amarillo, Texas. I hope that you enjoy them and please visit my youtube channel and watch all my videos. Just click on this link and it will take you directly there: http://www.youtube.com/user/davistheteacher?feature=mhee
THE PLACE OF A SKULL (GOLGOTHA) (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)
In Mark 15:22 it says, and they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Some scholars say Golgotha (translated Skull Hill) derived its name from its appearance, a hill with a stony top that might have been shaped like a skull. Golgotha is the Hebrew word for “skull.” The familiar name “Calvary” is derived from the Latin calvaria (also meaning “skull”) Golgotha may have been a regular place of execution in a prominent public place outside the city along a main road. Executions held there served as examples to the people and as a deterrent to criminals.
This hand washing was performed as a gesture of innocence to show that one had nothing to do with a murder, it was a Jewish custom, not a Roman one (Deuteronomy 21:6-9). In trying to excuse himself and place the responsibility for an innocent man’s death on them, he followed the path already taken by the religious leaders as they dealt with Judas in 27:4, saying, “The responsibility is yours!” In making no decision, Pilate made the decision to let the crowds crucify Jesus. Although he washed his hands, the guilt remained. How do you feel after you physically wash your hands, of a situation that you have been heavily involved in that you know was wrong?
THE JUDGEMENT SEAT CENTER OF PILATE’S POWER
THE JUDGEMENT SEAT CENTER OF PILATE’S POWER (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)
Jesus had been brought before Pilate to face false accusations charges against him. Pilate was governor in a region called Judea, it was a dusty outpost of the Roman Empire. Pilate main duty was to maintain the peace, and now he was faced with the possibility of a riot on his hand because the people were demanding the head of Jesus. Although Pilate saw no guilt in him, the people were threatening to report him to Caesar. Pilate knew that such a report accompanied by a riot, could cost him his position and hopes for advancement. This meant that Pilate had to answer what could be the most important question of his life. The question was this, “would he set free this innocent man at the risk of a major uproar in his region, or would he give in to their demands and condemn a man who, he was quite sure was innocent?
Click on the Video below to view all the photos of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for reading and studying with us. Please visit our youtube channel for all our videos and many interesting videos on other subject matters that will help you grow in God’s grace. We love you and appreciate you for all that each one of you are doing to help build and grow God’s Kingdom throughout the World. May you find peace love and joy in all you do to Celebrate this Holy Week. Click on the link below for our youtube channel.
TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING PALM SUNDAY AS ONE PEOPLE HONORING OUR LORD AND SAVIOR
We encourage you to begin the worship service this morning by clicking on each video as it delivers a special message for the order of the service for your enjoyment. Please enter into our virtual church, take a seat and enjoy the service…
It is now prayer time, click on this next video as Pastor Davis lifts us up with his prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Our next video clip is an introduction clip for the written message that follows. Just click it to begin.
JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM RIDING UPON A DONKEY
Jesus Riding on a Donkey into Jerusalem (photo by photobucket.com)
As you begin to study this lesson and the many lessons you will study on this subject, be assured that all four gospels were in agreement on this great celebration and spoke clearly about the event. Here are the chapters and verses you can find what each had to say: (Matthew 21:1-11,Mark 11:1-11,Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19).
Now let us understand that Believers as well as non believers from around the world will begin this Sunday Morning CELEBRATING PALM SUNDAY, and we encourage you, where ever you may be to join us here as well as your local church community and together we will lift up the one who said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” It is a day of remembrance of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus as he sit upon a DONKEY. This was the first day of the week that Jesus would be crucified, and the great Passover festival was about to begin. Jews would come to Jerusalem from all over the Roman world during this week-long celebration to remember the great Exodus from Egypt.
The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war. Therefore, a king came riding upon a horse when he was bent on war and rode upon a donkey when he wanted to point out he was coming in peace. Therefore, Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt, he affirmed his messianic royalty, as well as his humility. The people recognized that he was fulfilling prophecy. The colt, never having been ridden, did not have a saddle, so the disciples threw their garments over the colt so that Jesus could sit on it. The action of placing the cloaks on the donkey and Jesus riding it connotes majesty. Crowds of people had already gathered on this stretch of road a mile outside of Jerusalem, going to the city for the festival. “The crowd’s spontaneous celebration honored Jesus as they spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus and cut
PALM BRANCHES
branches from the trees. Some were spread along Jesus path; others were probably waved in the air. The branches were from palm, olive and fig trees, and they were used to welcome a national liberator and symbolized victory.
Palm branches are a token of rest and peace after sorrow (Revelation 7:9). The word “Hosanna” means “Save now, we pray you.” Putting these thoughts together, it would seem as if the people were acknowledging Jesus to be the One sent from God to save them from Romancruelty and to give them rest and peace after the sorrow of their long years of Gentileoppression.
The disciples did not realize that what was happening was in exact fulfillment of Zechariah’sprophecy, that Jesus was actually entering Jerusalem as the rightful King of Israel. But after the Lord had gone back to heaven to be glorified at the right hand of the Father, it dawned on the disciples that these events were in fulfillment of the Scriptures.
Now I encourage you to stay with us for awhile longer and enjoy our praise dancers. Click on the video clips below and be moved to pick up your cross and allow Jesus to help you understand your purpose on this earth as you begin to march towards your destination.
We are the stewards of what God placed in our hands. He gave us his only begotten son as a symbol of love, peace and justice. In CELEBRATING this PALM SUNDAY, let us remember that we all are our brothers’ keeper, therefore, when we look upon the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, he showed us in so many wonderful ways how we too should live out our lives filled with love, peace and justice and never allow our FAITH to ever wavier on the fact “we are our brothers’ keeper.” I remain your brother in JESUS CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!
Good Morning to all our friends, we thank God for each of you taking the time to join us here each Sunday morning for our Prayer, Praise and Worship Service. Today, our services will be ministered by two awesome women of the Gospel. Dr. Naomi Dorsey, first lady of my home church in Mt. Airy, Ga. The Ebenezer Baptist Church will lead our prayer service, and our very own Shirley Rhodes will present the written word. Our praise video is truly an awesome one which was given to me by one of our readers, Sister Francine Gassette. The title of this praise video is: Solid Rock, by Brother Ron Kenoly.
So enjoy the Service this morning and let us know what you think. To God be the Glory!
GOD BUILT HIS KINGDOM ON A SOLID AND TRUE FOUNDATION
WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES
SHIRLEY RHODES
Today we begin our lesson with some of Life’s questions/curiosity. Where did we come from?Where are we going?What about what we think and what we do?How do we strive to get alone with one another?How do we adjust to the troubles we sometimes find ourselves in? Yet blessings keep arriving upon our door steps day after day!
GOD built His Kingdom on a solid and true foundation, and He spoke these words of truth, he said, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!” (Matthew 16:18ESV)
Now let us understand this, we are our thoughts, and they make a clear and convincing statement about our character, how we feel, our way of speaking, actions and the choices we make, and how we center our prayer life. Since the foundation is already given and firmly established, how we add to the process is a matter of choice that we all will make.
Consider the words of Jesus in this matter in Matthew 7:24-27 {Luke 6:47-49} {Acts 14:22} God’s firm foundation is as firm as ever, these sentences engraved on the stones: GOD KNOWS WHO BELONGS TO HIM. SPURNEVIL, ALL YOU WHO NAME GOD AS GOD. {2 Timothy 2:19}
The bible is about truth, teaching us how to have a right relationship with God. To do so, the bible says this, “know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE.” (John 8:32). Then the bible takes us one step further and commands us to do this, “it says, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy: 2:15)
What we must realize is that God works with us where we are and just as he finds us, whether good or bad. No matter how desperately we may (at times) desire to fade into non-existence we can’t stop (give up) so what we must do is make the decision to take our place in this journey and run the race set before us, always with clear thinking and focus on the prize.
Part 2:
Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against nitpicking, which chips away at the faith, it just wears every-one out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk, talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul.
Run away from infantile indulgence; run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—join those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in insane discussions; they always end up in fights, God’s servants must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. 2 Timothy 2:14-18, 22-26
Now we encourage you to stand your ground and speak truth to power, as the bible teaches us, when it says these final words of this lesson today. It says, “Therefore take up the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV) Know without a doubt that, “GOD BUILT HIS KINGDOM ON A SOLID AND TRUE FOUNDATION!”
We encourage you to always stand on the word of God. Let it grow inside of you, as it molds and shapes you, preparing you to do the work of God daily. Click on the next video for some awesome praise.
KNOWING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE REDEEMER AND PREDATOR
WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES
SHIRLEY RHODES
Knowing the distinction is how we develop into strong believers of faith in Jesus Christ and his teachings. The predator seeks out his target, devise a plan and then set about to conquer and devour. The Redeemer plucks you from the unsettled state and offers life filled with grace, mercy, joy and hope, and provides all that’s necessary through the Holy Spirit that keeps you safe and grounded. The Predator seeks to kill steal and destroy your hope, to derail you from the purpose God created you with and or for.
It is not a desire to break from the teachings, it’s being able to recognize when we find ourselves in a place that robs us of our hopes and dreams that we seek forgiveness through the Redeemer.
Perfection is a goal we all would like to reach, but as long as these bodies of clay exist we will find ourselves in the presence of the predator. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us we know that it is through Christ that redemptive power lives and gives us hope.
God is a living Spirit (a living personal presence) which gives us freedom from those things that holds us in bondage. The scripture reminds us, “let nothing separate us from God’s Love,” when we enter his presence it is to be done so in holy reverence, he beckons us to come. Those who do not understand the true meaning of God are those looking or going the wrong way while refusing to give thought to what God and his message is all about. It seems that all they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness (the Predator); thinking he can give them what they want, so they rather not bother believing a truth they cannot see.
Jesus has given us the brightness of his message: if we follow the pattern we know it is determined that we must guard our hearts because the Predator never sleeps. Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4, NIV), he went on to say, the one who stands firm to the end will be saved (13).”
Knowing the distinction between Predator and Redeemer sets God’s chosen apart, for they are chosen by God for the high calling of priestly work, to be a holy people. These are God’s chosen instruments to do his work, to get the message out to others; he takes nothing and makes something, he takes the rejected and makes them accepted (1Peter 2:8-10, MSG).
Let us not think for one moment that we are not within eye-sight of the Predator; after all, he’s been around since creation and to this day as in the days of Job. As scripture revels, One day when the angels came to report to God,Satan, the Designated Accuser, came along with them, God singled out Satan and said,” What have you been up to?” Satan answered God, “Going here and there, checking things out on earth.”(Job 1:6-7, MGS) This very moment in time he is still “checking things out on earth” the predator.
What a God we serve! Our Redeemer lives, Christ suffered because of other’s sins, Righteous for unrighteous; he went through death–then was made alive–to bring us to God. Through his sacrifice we are given a chance to choose and make decisions in order to become a part of who he really is, the choice is ours.
A FAMILY DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS DESTINED TO FAILURE
THE BYARS FAMILY CREATED BY GOD (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)
We have entered a brand new year, the old, we have left behind. All things new lie ahead, and therefore present us with our greatest challenges of all time. The question then becomes, “how do we solve our family problems in this new year that divided our family in the old year?” This is a very important question that must be placed at the head of our list of problems to be resolved in 2013, but resolve them we must, because, “A FAMILY DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS DESTINED TO FAILURE!”
Satan is our greatest enemy, and he is continuing his work of divide and conquers. He knows that families, a church are a business that is divided against its self eventually destroys itself from within. Therefore, every opportunity he gets, he pushes our hot buttons to make us war against each other.
The time has come for us to learn to lean and depend on the one who has already defeated Satan, to show
LADY WISDOM TRUTH-BE ENCOURAGED (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)
us the way of bringing cohesiveness into our families that will triumph over the evilspirits that have divided us in the past. We are victories, because God has given us the victory to lead our families to victory in 2013. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. That means no matter what Satan attempts to do with his limited powers by pitting one member of the family against another member, if we are leaning, depending and trusting in God, Satan is doomed and we can return our families to greatness by knowing the truth. The bible teaches us in John 8:32 this simple message, “Know the truth and the truth will set you FREE.”
Leaders within the families must stand strong, processing a strong moral character and not comprise their moral integrity for the evil that Satan will present to them. The Pharisees were a perfect example of presenting division within the family, and Jesus was the perfect example of a leader who presented a strong moral character and showed us the standards by which we must stand on to be a great leader for our families. Jesus said to them, “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples. (Habakkuk 2:4-5 NLT)
BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED LEADERS IN THE FAMILY
As a leader in our families, our job is to be a servant leader. Follow the example of Jesus and become a humble servant and serve all humanity. Family members will present you with some of the greatest challenges you will ever encounter. But you must know how to overcome the feuding by following the example of Jesus. Jesus knew Satan’sstrategies and just how he would apply them to bring about division within the family. Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. (Matthew 12:25-26 NLT)
Your strong moral character must be the example in which the family in 2013 will rally around and find their moral compass to move towards the purpose and destination that God has already laid out for them. Remember, just as a good tree bears good fruit and a diseased tree bears inedible fruit, so the fruits of a person’s life will show the quality of his or her character. Fruit is a comprehensive word, referring to teaching, character, and action. Our character is revealed by our conduct.
We have ministered this word to you today from a position of PEACE, PURPOSE, POWER and PROSPERITY. We encourage you to think globally as you work locally to bring about a change within the family in 2013. Making it stronger, more cohesive and less divisively. Empowering it with love, growing it with a purpose, as God blesses you, moles you and shapes you into a powerful, yet humble servant that is capable of moving the family into the realm of possibilities and bringing about the prosperity that is desired for the family in 2013. I remain your brother in CHRIST JESUS, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!
Remember, “A FAMILY DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS DESTINED TO FAILURE” Therefore, the time to bring about a change in family unity is now.
Pastor Davis reflects on the awesome powers of God using a tiny seed to move a mountain of dirt to grow tall and beautiful trees
TURNING AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION INTO THE POSSIBLE
In our lesson today Jesus wants us to know that there is nothing impossible to us if we can only believe that with our faith in God we can do all things. He demonstrated this to his disciples when they were faced with trying to heal the son of a man who had brought his son to the disciples because the boy was a lunatic and sore vexed. The disciples did their very best but their best was not good enough. So they asked Jesus why good they not heal the boy and Jesus replied to them and said, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faithas small as a mustard seed,you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.Nothing will be impossible for you.”Matthew 17:20NIV
Now click on the video clip below and be encouraged with the power of God’s word to help you in moving the mountains in your life.
Now let me encouraged you to click on this next video clip and be entertained by The Ebenezer Baptist Church Senior Choir.
The song that you have just listen to, describes these next two pictures perfectly.
The Beauty of God’s Mountains and Trees (Photo by Pastor Davis)
We pray that you have received a blessing from the teaching of God’s Holy Word here today. We encourage you to bless others by sharing this message in your social networking by clicking on one of the links before. Thank you for visiting, reading and studying with us.
GOD BUILT HIS KINGDOM ON A SOLID AND TRUE FOUNDATION
Solid Foundation (Photo by Pastor Davis)
by Shirley Rhodes
Today we begin our lesson with some of Life’s questions/curiosity
Where did we come from? Where are we going?
What about what we think and what we do?
How do we strive to get alone with one another?
How do we adjust to the troubles we sometimes find ourselves in?
Yet blessings keep arriving upon our door steps day after day!
God built His Kingdom on a solid and true foundation, and He spoke these words of truth, he said, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!” (Matthew 16:18ESV)
Now let us understand this, we are our thoughts, and they make a clear and convincing statement about our character, how we feel, our way of speaking, actions and the choices we make, and how we center our prayer life. Since the foundation is already given and firmly established, how we add to the process is a matter of choice that we all will make.
Consider the words of Jesus in this matter in Matthew 7:24-27 {Luke 6:47-49} {Acts 14:22} God’s firm foundation is as firm as ever, these sentences engraved on the stones: GOD KNOWS WHO BELONGS TO HIM. SPURN EVIL, ALL YOU WHO NAME GOD AS GOD. {2 Timothy 2:19}
The bible is about truth, teaching us how to have a right relationship with God. To do so, the bible says this, “know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE.” (John 8:32). Then the bible takes us one step further and commands us to do this, “it says, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy: 2:15)
What we must realize is that God works with us where we are and just as he finds us, whether good or bad. No matter how desperately we may (at times) desire to fade into non-existence we can’t stop (give up) so what we must do is make the decision to take our place in this journey and run the race set before us, always with clear thinking and focus on the prize.
Part 2:
Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against nitpicking, which chips away at the faith, it just wears every-one out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk, talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul.
Run away from infantile indulgence; run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—join those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in insane discussions; they always end up in fights, God’s servants must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. 2 Timothy 2:14-18, 22-26
Now we encourage you to stand your ground and speak truth to power, as the bible teaches us, when it says these final words of this lesson today. It says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV) Know without a doubt that, “GOD BUILT HIS KINGDOM ON A SOLID AND TRUE FOUNDATION!”
This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest his come. (Mark 4:26-29)
The Heavens in our Minds
The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. (Matthew 13:31-32)
Ask: (inquire): John 15:7/14:13/16:23-24:1John 2:12-17(Mgs)
Seek: (search for) Matthew 11:28, 6:33, 7:7, and Col. 3:1, John 7:37-38
Knock: (strike for admittance) Matthew 7:7, Rev. 3:20
Find: (discover) Proverb 8:32-36(Mgs) Matthew 7:7-8/Luke11:9,10/John 14:13/ Prov. 8:17 Matthew 10:39/John 12:25
All and all, we need to keep our eyes on the Lord, staying focus on the prize, simply because He is the One who sees all things, knows all things and is all things. He is God and God all by Himself. His love for all of his children is unconditional, and his desire for us is to live out a righteous life, without fear, lack or limitations. But a life filled with, love, joy, peace, purpose and power. Now learn to trust in God and see, “WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR EYES ARE OPENED!”
CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF AS SPECIAL—CHOSEN—VALUED AND PART OF THE WHOLE?
BY MINISTER SHIRLEY RHODES
Each individual has VALUE and GOD BLESSES you, showers HIS FAVORS upon you, and VALUE is added to your life according to HIS grace. The key is learning to recognize ones’ source, by diligently seeking to bring about a change in one’ life; No one else can live or walk one’s journey the choices and chances are given to all; the desire to discover ones’ true meaning in life begins with surrender and opening ones’ self to the welcoming presence of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Jesus lets’ us know he is always available if we seek him in obedience, putting him first in our lives.
Jesus says, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are burdened down, I will give you rest. Walk with me and work with me –watch how I do it. I’m meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
To grow and strengthen one’ self, you must learn to nourish with kindness, knowledge, patience and love. These are your building blocks.
Our lives must unfold into the knowledge and understand that we are all a part of the universal puzzle and therefore cannot grow separated from the whole, think of being a part of something larger than you are, there’s even greater, expansive room for growth, we must be willing to allow our thoughts to focus. If you are struggling with issues, think of your struggle as a “tug of war” the stronger team wins, remember life can also be like that sometimes.
Many of the problems in our neighborhoods, our country and the world can be conquered when we each decide to do our part, first we must see the magnitude and recognize cause and effect in people’s lives.
God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of his Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating. (Colossians 1: 13-14-Mgs)
The mystery in a nutshell is this: CHRIST is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing God’s glory; it’s that simple. He will BLESS your life, shower his FAVOR upon you, and the added VALUE will be yours to enjoy.
Life is about CHOICE, remembering to take responsibility for our ACTIONS, starts one on the road toward healing/recovery. When you are able to FREE YOUR MIND, then you will know without a doubt, and you will begin to SEE YOURSELF AS SPECIAL—CHOSEN—VALUED AND PART OF THE WHOLE! Your entire world will become filled with God’s BLESSINGS and FAVOR.
A page from an 11th century Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21), with Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:21 providing the origin of the name Jesus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
HOW THE HANDS OF A CARPENTER USED THE POWER OF FAITH AND TOUCH TO PERFORM MIRACLES
HE CARRIED OUR DISEASES
Jesus came down the mountain with the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, “Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.”
Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, “Don’t talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.” (Matthew 8:1-4 MSG)
By this time they were in front of Peter‘s house. On entering, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever. He touched her hand and the fever was gone. No sooner was she up on her feet than she was fixing dinner for him.
That evening a lot of demon-afflicted people were brought to him. He relieved the inwardly tormented. He cured the bodily ill. He fulfilled Isaiah‘s well-known sermon: He took our illnesses, He carried our diseases. (Matthew 8:14-17 MSG)
JUST A TOUCH
As he finished saying this, a local official appeared, bowed politely, and said, “My daughter has just now died. If you come and touch her, she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, his disciples following along.
Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well.” Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: “Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you’re well.” The woman was well from then on. (Matthew 9:18-22 MSG)
By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: “Clear out! This girl isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.” They told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl’s hand, and pulled her to her feet—alive. The news was soon out, and traveled throughout the region. (Matthew 9:23-26 MSG)
He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It happened. They saw. Then Jesus became very stern. “Don’t let a soul know how this happened.” But they were hardly out the door before they started blabbing it to everyone they met. (Matthew 9:29-31 MSG)
Thank you Father for Blessing Me (Photo by Pastor Davis)
Father’s Love Letter
My Child
You may not know me, but I know everything about you Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you Luke 15:11-32
Jesus Riding on a Donkey into Jerusalem (photo by photobucket.com)
As you begin to study this lesson and the many lessons you will study on this subject, be assured that all four gospels were in agreement on this great celebration and spoke clearly about the event. Here are the chapters and verses you can find what each had to say: (Matthew 21:1-11,Mark 11:1-11,Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19).
Now let us understand that Believers as well as non believers from around the world will begin this Sunday Morning CELEBRATING PALM SUNDAY, and we encourage you, where ever you may be to join us here as well as your local church community and together we will lift up the one who said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” It is a day of remembrance of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus as he sit upon a DONKEY. This was the first day of the week that Jesus would be crucified, and the great Passover festival was about to begin. Jews would come to Jerusalem from all over the Roman world during this week-long celebration to remember the great Exodus from Egypt.
The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war. Therefore, a king came riding upon a horse when he was bent on war and rode upon a donkey when he wanted to point out he was coming in peace. Therefore, Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt, he affirmed his messianic royalty, as well as his humility. The people recognized that he was fulfilling prophecy. The colt, never having been ridden, did not have a saddle, so the disciples threw their garments over the colt so that Jesus could sit on it. The action of placing the cloaks on the donkey and Jesus riding it connotes majesty. Crowds of people had already gathered on this stretch of road a mile outside of Jerusalem, going to the city for the festival. “The crowd’s spontaneous celebration honored Jesus as they spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus and cut branches from the trees. Some were spread along Jesus path; others were probably waved in the air. The branches were from palm, olive and fig trees, and they were used to welcome a national liberator and symbolized victory.
Palm branches are a token of rest and peace after sorrow (Revelation 7:9). The word “Hosanna” means “Save now, we pray you.” Putting these thoughts together, it would seem as if the people were acknowledging Jesus to be the One sent from God to save them from Romancruelty and to give them rest and peace after the sorrow of their long years of Gentileoppression.
The disciples did not realize that what was happening was in exact fulfillment of Zechariah’sprophecy, that Jesus was actually entering Jerusalem as the rightful King of Israel. But after the Lord had gone back to heaven to be glorified at the right hand of the Father, it dawned on the disciples that these events were in fulfillment of the Scriptures.
Now I encourage you to stay with us for awhile longer, click on the video clips below and be moved to pick up your cross and allow Jesus to help you understand your purpose on this earth as you begin to march towards your destination. We are the stewards of what God placed in our hands. He gave us his only begotten son as a symbol of love, peace and justice. In CELEBRATING this PALM SUNDAY, let us remember that we all are our brothers’ keeper, therefore, when we look upon the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, he showed us in so many wonderful ways how we too should live out our lives filled with love, peace and justice and never allow our FAITH to ever wavier on the fact “we are our brothers’ keeper.” I remain your brother in JESUS CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!
This lesson is one that speaks for itself, because there is nothing I can add to it that is not already spoken in plain language. However, please allow me the opportunity to bring you into the setting as Jesus presented this very important lesson to his disciples.
Jesus often presented his teaching up on a mountainside. His disciples came to him, and he sat down to teach them. Large crowds would gather and be seated on the slopes below him. Much of what Jesus said referred to the ideas that had been promoted by the religious leaders of the day. The disciples, the closest associates of Jesus, might easily have been tempted to feel important, proud, and possessive. However, Jesus told them that instead of fame and fortune, they could expect morning hunger, and persecution. Jesus also assured his disciples that they would receive rewards, but perhaps not in this life.
The Beatitudes describe how Christ’s followers should live. Each beatitude tells how to be blessed. To be blessed means more than happiness. It means to be favored and approved by God. According to worldly standards, the types of people whom Jesus described do not seem to be particularly blessed by God. Nevertheless, God’s way of living usually contradicts the worlds. Jesus explained, “Godblesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heavenis given to them.” Only those who humbly depend on God are admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven. The final consumination of all these rewards, and of the kingdom itself, lies in the future. However, believers can already share in the Kingdom (as far as it has been revealed) by living out Jesus words.
Now here is the message that Jesus gave, which we call the “SERMON ON THE MOUNT”
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Matthew 5:1-12 MSG)
Be Blessed, my brothers and sisters, for your purpose in this life is to serve and bless your fellowman. We minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity. I remain your brother in CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!
The art of forgiveness begins when you forgive someone. It is the miracle that works the art of change. When you forgive you change others and you changeyourself. You changediscord to harmony. You should first forgive yourself for all the wrongs you have done to yourself, for the mistakes you have made. Then you should forgive and bless all those who have wronged you during your lifetime. By doing this you release others and you release yourself. You break the chains of regret and remorse that keeps you locked in a prison that always seems impossible to escape. Forgiveness frees your mind from the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the future. Now watch this short video and we will continue this discussion on the other side.
As you watched this videoclip you saw where it said, “Forgiveness is an adventure, it is making peace with the past, it also means to give up and let go.” I say to you, forgiveness works two ways. You must forgive to be forgiven. “He who cannot forgive others,” wrote Edward Herbert, “breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass; for every person has the need to be forgiven.”
Forgiveness should become a habit. When Peter asked Jesus, how often should we forgive others, he answered; “Until seventy times seven.” He who forgives to infinity will never hate.
Forgiveness should start now. Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound. Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness. Life is short, time is fleeting. Today is the day to forgive. Take this moment and search your heart for the list of those persons who you know you should be forgiven and take the first step and make it happen. This next clip is from an interview that Tyler Perry did with Dr. Phil. Take a moment listen to it and then meditate upon all that has been discussed in this lesson, then make your comments known to the world by simply telling us how you feel about forgiving and been forgiven.
We have shared with you a deep and clear path for you to follow if you are truly committed to being that one disciple who will pick up his cross and follow the path that Jesus has laid out for those who truly do love him. I encourage each of you to go back and study each one of these lessons in its entirety, watch the videos and allow your mind to be taken on a journey as they prepare you to go into the vineyard and retrieve the harvest that has become ripen and ready for you to bring into God’s market place.
Now understand clearly what Jesus is saying to you when he says these words, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you ‘rejoined with me and I with you, the relationship is intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separate, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.” Through the study of this lesson, I am certain that each one of you has matured as one of Jesus Disciples and you are now ready to be obedient to his word because your state of mind is now one of maturity.
Therefore, allow me to conclude this lesson with the following remarks:
1. This state of mind that we have been discussing is as obligatory upon sinners as upon saints. All men ought to feel this compassion for souls. Why not? Can any reason be named why a sinner should not feel as much compassion for souls as a Christian? Or why he ought not to loveGod and man as ardently?
2. Professors of religion who do not obey the true spirit of these precepts are hypocrites, without one exception. They profess to be truly religious, but are they? Certainly not, unless they are on the altar, devoted to God‘s work and in heart sincerely sympathizing in it. Without this, every one of them is a hypocrite. You profess to have the spirit of Christ; but when you see the multitudes as He saw them, perishing for lack of Gospellight, do you cry out in mighty prayer with compassion for their souls? If you have not this spirit, write yourself down a hypocrite.
3. Many do not pray that God would send forth laborers because they are afraid He will send them. I can recollect when religion was repulsive to me because I feared that if I should be converted, God would send me to preach the Gospel. But I thought further on this subject. God, said I, have a right to dispose of me as He pleases, and I have no right to resist. If I do resist, He will put me in hell. If God wants me to be a minister of His Gospel and I resist and rebel, He surely ought to put me in hell, and doubtless He will.
But there are many young men in religious colleges today who never give themselves to prayer for the conversion of the world, lest God should send them into this work. You would blush to pray, “Lord, send forth laborers, but don’t send me.” If the reason you don’t want to go is that you have no heart for it, you may write yourself down a hypocrite, and that is no mistake.
If you say, “I have a heart for the work, but I am not qualified to go,” then you may consider that God will not call you unless you are, or can be qualified. He does not want unfit men in the service.
4. The ministry for the last quarter of a century has fallen into disgrace for this reason; many young men have entered it that never should have entered. Their hearts are not fixed, and they shrink from making sacrifices for Christ and His cause. Hence, they do not go straight forward, true to the right, firm for the oppressed, and strong for every good word and work. By whole platoons, they back out from the position which they have sworn to maintain. The hearts of multitudes of lay brethren and sisters are in great distress, crying out over this fearful defection. To a minister who was complaining of the publicreproach cast on his order, a layman of Boston replied,
“I am sorry there is so many occasions for it; God means to rebuke the ministry, and He ought to rebuke them since they so richly deserve it.” Do not understand me to say that this vacillation of the ministry is universal; no, indeed; I am glad to know there are exceptions; but still the painful fact is that many have relapsed, and, consequently, as a class, they have lost character, and this has discouraged many young men from entering the ministry.
Let this be so no longer. Let the young men now preparing for the ministry come up to the spirit of their Master and rush to the front line of the battle. Let them toil for the good of souls, and love this toil as their great Lord has done before them. Thus by their fidelity let them redeem the character of this class of men from the reproach under which it now lies. Let them rally in their strength and lay themselves with one heart on the altar of God. So doing, not one generation should pass away ere it will be said — Mark the faithful men; note the men whose heart is in and on their work; the ministry is redeemed!
5. With sorrow I am compelled to say — Many don’t care whether the work is done or not. They are all swallowed up with ambitious a springs. Who does not know that they do not sympathize with JesusChrist?
Beloved, let me ask you if you are honestly conscious of sympathizing with your great Leader? I never can read the passage before us without being affected by the manifestation it makes of Christ‘s tenderness and love. There were the thronging multitudes before Him. To the merely external eye, all might have been fair; but to one who thought of their spiritualstate, there was enough to move the deepfountains of compassion. Christ saw them scattered abroad as sheep that have no shepherd. They had no teachers or guides in whom they could repose confidence. They were in darkness and moraldeath. Christ wept over them, and called on His disciples to sympathize in their case, and unite with Him in mighty prayer to the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth laborers. Such was His spirit. And now, dear young men, do you care whether or not this work is done?
6. Many seem determined to shirk this labor and leave it all for others to do. Indeed, they will hardly entertain the question what part God wants them to take and perform.
Now let me ask you – Will such as they be welcomed and applauded at last by the herald of judgment destiny, crying. Out, “Well done, good and faithfulservants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord?” Never; no never!
7. Many say — I am not called, but really they are not devoted to this work so as to whether they are called or not. They do not want to be called — not they!
Now the very fact that you have the requisite qualifications, means, and facilities for preparation, indicates God‘s call. These constitute the voice of His providence, saying, Go forth, and prepare for labor in my vineyard! There is your scholarship; use it: there the classes for you to enter; go in and occupy till you are ready to enter the great white fields of the Savior‘s harvest. If providential indications favor, you must strive to keep up with their summons; pray for the baptisms of the Holy Ghost; seek the divineanointing, and give yourself no rest till you are in all things furnished for the workGod assigns you.
It is painful to see that many are committing themselves in some way or other against the work. They are putting themselves in a position which of itself forbids their engaging in it. But do let me ask you, young men, can you expect ever to be saved if, when you have the power and the means to engage in this work, you have no heart for it? No, indeed! You knock in vain at the gate of the blessed! You may go there and knock, but what will be the answer? Are ye my faithfulservants? Were ye among the few, faithful among the faithless – quick and ready at your Master’s call? O no, no; you studied how you could shun the labor and shirk the self-denial! I know you not! Your portion lies without the city walls!
Let no one excuse himself, as not called, for God calls all too some sort of labor in the great harvestfield. You never need, therefore, to excuse yourself as one not called to some service for your Lord and Master. And let no one excuse himself from the ministry unless his heart is on the altar and he himself praying and longing to go, and only held back by an obvious call of God, through His providence, to some other part of the great labor.
Many will be sent to hell at last for treating this subject as they have, with so much selfishness at heart! I know the young man who for a long time struggled between a strongconviction that God called him to the ministry and a great repellency against
engaging in this work. I know what this feeling is, for I felt it a long time myself. A
long time I had a secretconviction that I should be a minister, though my heart repelled it. In fact, my conversion turned very much upon my giving up this contest with God, and subduing this repellency of feeling against God‘s call.
8. You can see what it is to be a Christian, and what God demands of men at conversion. The turning point is — Will you really and honestly serve God? With students especially the question is wont to be — Will you abandon all your ambitious schemes and devote yourself to the humble, un-ambitious toil of preachingChrist‘s Gospel to the poor? Most of this class are ambitious and aspiring; they have schemes of self-elevation, which it were a trial to renounce altogether. Hence with you, your being a Christian and being saved at last will turn much, perhaps altogether, on your giving yourself up to this work in the true self- denial of the Gospel spirit.
9. Many have been called to this work, which afterwards backslide and abandon it. They begin well, but backslide; get into a state of great perplexity about their duty; perhaps, like Balaam, they are so unwilling to see their duty and so anxious to evade it, that God will not struggle with them any longer, but gives them up to their covetousness, or their ambition.
Young man, are you earnestly crying out, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?” Be assured, God wants you in His field somewhere; He has not abandoned His harvest to perish; He wants you in it, but He wants you first to repent and prepare your heart for the Gospel ministry. You need not enter it till you have done this.
Many are waiting for a miraculous call. This is a great mistake. God does not call men in any miraculous way. The finger of His providence points out the path, and the fitness He gives you indicates the work for you to do. You need not fear that God will call you wrong. He will point out the work He would have you do. Therefore, ask Him to guide you to the right spot in the great field. He will surely do it.
Young men, will you deal kindly and truly with my Master in this matter? Do you say, “O my God, I am on hand, ready for any part of the work Thou hast for me to do?’
What say you? Are you prepared to take this ground? Will you consecrate your education to this work? Are you ready and panting to consecrate your all to the work of your Lord? Do you say, “Yes, God shall have all my powers, entirely and forever?”I do beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” The altar of God is before you. A whole sacrifice is the thing required. Are you ready to fore go all your selfish schemes? Ye who have talents fitting you for the ministry, will you devote them with all your soul to this work? Say, will you deal honestly and truly with my Master? Say, do you love His cause, and count it your highest glory to be a laborer together with God, in gathering in the nations of lost men to the fold of your Redeemer?
Now, I ask you to please take note of Jesus final words to you, he says, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.
“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
“But remember the root command: Love one another.
Our hope is that you have received this message in the Spirit that it was meant to be given, and now you are in a unique position to accept the challenges that are provided to you in this very special lesson and grow with us as we will with you and together we can bring about a much needed change in lives of the people of this world. Working to lift them up out of poverty, to the possibilities of all things that are new in Jesus Christ, because we all are our brother’ keeper.
The VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES is taking the GOSPEL to the world and taking the WORLD one soul at a time. Pause for a moment, and say, “BLESSED.” Because, you are truly BLESSED, and we minister to you from a position of PEACE, POWER, PURPOSE AND PROSPERITY!!! Jesus is the true Vine and we are His branches and together we become, “THE VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES.”
OUR MISSION is to reach the world through the Word of God, with truth and power. Allow the branches of this ministry tree to grow and spread to every corner of the world, and sow a seed of salvation in one soul at a time, in doing so; we will transform the world and the lives of each person into a brand new flower in Jesus Christ and one of us will bear much fruit as Jesus has commanded us to do. Our purpose in this world is to live fruitful lives and to become fruit-bears.
OUR VISION: is for every person to encounter the supernatural life changing power of Jesus Christ. This is the gospel I share with you that you may accept it, grab hold of it and take it into the world and share it with others. I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.
THE HARVEST IS RIPE BUT THE LABORS ARE FEW (MATTHEW 9:36-38)
Today’s lesson will conclude with the fourth and final precept as we deal with the state of mind in salvation. We encourage you to return to the three previous lessons for an in-depth study of this subject matter and remember to make it a complete part of your state of mind.
IV. Let us remember that this state of mind is an indispensable condition of salvation.
The Church, are many of them are dreadfully in the dark about the conditions of salvation. I was once preaching on this subject, and urging that holiness is one condition of salvation, “without which no man can see the Lord,” when I was confronted and strenuously opposed by a Doctor of Divinity. He said, The Bible makes faith the sole and only condition of salvation. Paul, said he, preached that faith is the condition, and plainly meant to exclude every other condition.
But I answered, why did Paul press so earnestly and hold up so prominently the doctrine of salvation by faith? Because he had to oppose the great Jewish error of salvation by works.
Such preaching was greatly and specially needed then, and Paul pressed into the field to meet the emergency. But when Antinomianism developed itself, Tames was called out to uphold with equal decision the doctrine that faith without works is dead, and that good works are the legitimate fruit of living faith, and are essential to evince its life and genuineness. This at once raised a new question about the nature of Gospelfaith. James held that all true Gospelfaith must work by love. It must be an affectionate filial confidence, such as draws the soul into sympathy with Christ, and leads it forward powerfully to do all His will.
Many professed Christians hold that nothing is needful but simply faith and repentance, and that faith may exist without real benevolence, and consequently without good works. No mistake can be greater than this. The grand requisition which God makes upon man is that he becomes truly benevolent. This is the essence of all true religion, a state of mind that has compassion like God‘s compassion for human souls; that cries out in earnest prayer for their salvation, and that shrinks from no labor to effect this object. If, therefore, true religion be a condition of salvation, then is the state of mind developed in our text also a condition.
This concludes my argument on the four precepts of the Harvest Field. In the final lesson, I will present you with my final remarks on this subject matter. May God bless you and keep you close in His present. I encourage you to think globally and work locally. I minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity. I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.
04/22/2013
PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER
