Say Yes To The Dress – No To Stains
14 Jul

Say Yes To The Dress – No To Stains

A Christian’s hope is that day, the day dressed in white, FOREVER NOW as wonderfully portrayed in the ‘theme song’ for “Say Yes To The Dress”.

“Today’s the day you’ve been waiting for, like a dream turn the key, feel the lock, open open the door.” FOREVER NOW, wow what an invitation but as Jesus explained in his parable of the wedding feast, Matthew 22: 14, you don’t want to be caught dead without your wedding clothes, “many are called but few are chosen”. What Bride would ever show up without her dress?

So how do we say yes to the dress? The Bible has some amazing stuff here….

Jeremiah 2:32 Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.\

Revelation 3:4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

Revelation 19:7-8 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

I get so much hope from that Isaiah 61:10 part that says “he has clothed me with the garments of salvation“, the Hebrew for Salvation is Yeshua (Jesus), so I like to insert Jesus there -The garments of Jesus. Cling onto Jesus hold him tight like the Shulamite in Song of Songs 3:4 when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me. Read two verses down and Solomon is coming in his coach to marry her.

Like last weeks story of the boy who clung to the post of the dock waiting on his father to save him, grab hold of Jesus and He will cloth you. Your faith will produce works of righteousness, as people are brought into your life, ask Jesus what you can do to love them well. Hang on and on and start FOREVER NOW.

There is still the challenge of Revelation 3:4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments. Stains, we don’t want to stain our dress for sure. As I look closely at Job’s counsel, Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. That justice he is clothed with in Hebrew speaks of judging or judgement. Everyday we see injustice, I believe when we put on Jesus, He helps us see it. In my case I see the Easy Finance Car folks that swindle with usury, or the False Labor car repair facilities that take advantage of peoples ignorance. Those stand out easily for me and I want to fight for justice. Closer to home my children disrespect their mother or a dear friend belittles his daughter. The enemy comes to steal kill and destroy and God made us warriors to fight for truth, and justice kinda like Superman. As we grab hold of Jesus with all we have we really are Supermen or Superwomen, nothing can separate you.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

TWR’s Silk Road Transmitter Project
02 Jul

TWR’s Silk Road Transmitter Project

 

 

 

 

Leading people from doubt to decision to discipleship

Speaking fluently in more than 230 languages and dialects, TWR exists to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Our global media outreach engages millions in 190 countries with biblical truth. Since 1952, God has enabled TWR to help lead people from doubt to decision to discipleship.

Together with international partners, local churches and other ministries, TWR provides relevant programming, discipleship resources and dedicated workers to spread hope to individuals and communities around the globe. Whether using high-powered radio to reach people in the Middle East and Latin America, streaming content to Internet users in Asia and Europe or visiting face-to-face with listeners in Africa, TWR leaves a lasting spiritual footprint.

 

Our Calling

To reach the world for Christ by mass media so that lasting fruit is produced

 

Mission Statement

To assist the church to fulfill the command of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all peoples by using and making available mass media to:

  1. Proclaim the Gospel of salvation to as many people as possible,
  2. Instruct believers in biblical doctrine and daily Christ-like living,
  3. Model our message through our corporate and cooperative relationships.

 

Fast facts about TWR

  • Founded by Dr. Paul E. Freed, TWR began broadcasting in 1954
  • Major transmitting locations include Bonaire, West Africa, Central Asia (3 locations), Moldova, Guam, the Middle East, Monte Carlo, Sri Lanka, Estonia, Swaziland, and Uruguay.
  • TWR programs are aired on 2,000 media platforms including, AM, FM, shortwave, satellite, and our digital app called TWR360.
  • TWR is heard in 230 languages. Potentially over 4 billion people can turn on their radios and hear TWR in a language they can understand.
  • With offices, partners or studios in over 80 countries, TWR logged more than 18 million interactions with audience members last year.
  • TWR is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, a southwest suburb of Raleigh, the state capital.
  • As a 501(c)(3), gifts are tax-deductible and TWR is a member of ECFA and NRB.

A 200,000 watt transmitter in the middle of Asia!  Are you crazy?

We did a short interview with our TWR team working on this incredible project.  Due to the sensitivity and security concerns, the interview has been sanitized to protect you from saying something on air we all might later regret.  In the TWR world of acronyms, PANI stands for Pakistan, Afghanistan and North India, a 500,000 watt AM transmitter.  And the acronym CAMENA stands for Central Asia, Middle East, and North Africa.

Q: Why is replacing this transmitter so imperative?

“In January 2017, our regional ministry was forced to reduce many of our programs being broadcast into Central Asia due to a 150,000 watt AM transmitter being taken out of service.  As a result we placed many of the programs onto the PANI transmitter, but at later listening times, and we went from broadcasting 3 hours per day down to 2 hours of programs per day into Central Asia.  This change meant that if people wanted to hear the programs they would need to stay up late into the night, and many of the programs they were dependent upon were no longer accessible.  Now, God is leading our ministry to install a powerful 200,000 watt AM transmitter that we are calling the “Silk Road Transmitter”, which will increase our coverage area to Central Asia during prime time and provide increased capacity for more programs that listeners want to hear.” – Nathan Anderson, International Director – TWR CAMENA

 

Q: What is the spiritual condition of this region and how critical is it for TWR to be the voice of Jesus to this part of the world?   

“Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the countries that gained their independence in Central Asia, there have been many opened doors for ministries to work in some of the Central Asian countries.  In recent years however, there has been a tightening of regulations and new restrictions placed on churches and their activities.  Islam is the predominant religion people adhere to in these countries and with this comes increased oppression from the community and even from within families.  For many believers, especially in rural areas, one of the only ways for them to receive biblical teaching and spiritual direction for their lives is through listening to radio programs.  The programs that are planned for broadcast from the Silk Road Transmitter will bring messages of hope and life-saving truth from the Word of God – truth that transforms and strengthens those who hear Him.” – Nathan Anderson, International Director – TWR CAMENA

Q:  What spiritual markers has the Lord revealed?

March 30, 2003, TWR started broadcasting on a 150,000 watt AM transmitter into Central Asia.   At the time, when TWR purchased in Germany the transmitter for the PANI project, several used 100,000 watt AM transmitters were offered for sale by German state-owned broadcast companies.  TWR purchased 3 of them at a very good price. One of those transmitters was installed at our transmitting site in Swaziland, Africa about 2 years ago.

 

At the end of 2016, the 150,000 watt transmitter in Central Asian was taken out of operation.

 

From TWR’s ministry point of view, we need a 200,000 watt transmitter.  That would cover the most populated areas in Central Asia with a strong signal.  This would only be possible by combining the two 100,000 watt transmitters (with a combiner) into one 200,000 watt transmitter.

 

We praise the Lord that the owner of the transmitting site accepted the concept we suggested for the replacement of the old transmitter.  We see this as nothing less than a miracle from our Lord and a major breakthrough after years of negotiations to renew the Silk Road Transmitter.

 

Another spiritual marker is the additional demand for airtime on the PANI transmitter for Afghanistan.  In recent months other ministries approached us requesting airtime.  After completing the Silk Road Transmitter project it will be possible to transfer Central Asian programs from PANI to the Silk Road Transmitter freeing airtime on PANI to be used for Afghanistan.  An additional advantage is that the Central Asian programs will then be aired at prime time in the Central Asia countries resulting in greater spiritual impact.

 

 

Q:  AM radio gets bad press in the US.  Is AM a good investment? 

It’s the best investment.  Radio Free Europe broadcasts currently on AM into the Eastern part of Central Asia.  This confirms the medium continues to be viable to reach intended target audiences in that part of the world.  In addition, AM radio has the ability to travel vast distances on the nighttime sky wave making it much more conducive to use than FM, especially with the rugged terrain.

 

 

 Q:  Can you tell us a little about the ministry target? 

The 200,000 watt AM transmitter covers the major parts of Central Asia including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, large parts of Uzbekistan, large parts of Kazakhstan, and northwestern China.  We plan to put programs in the following languages on the Silk Road Transmitter:

 

  • Kazakh
  • Uzbek
  • Kyrgyz
  • Uyghur
  • Tajik
  • Central Asia Russian

 

 

 

Q:  What has been some of the strategical thinking moving forward? 

Reaching Central Asia with the Gospel is very difficult.  The people are scattered in the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as well as in the valleys of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as in Northwest China.  In all, about 60 million people are living in the coverage area of the Silk Road transmitter.

 

Kazakhstan has the highest percentage of urban people, 56.5%.  The Lord is giving us a strategic opportunity where 10 of the 12 largest cities of Central Asia are located in the coverage area of this transmitter.  Tajikistan has the lowest percentage of urban people with 25.9%.  Interestingly, most of the population of Central Asia lives in rural areas.  Through the radio we are able to bring the Good News of Jesus, even to the remotest farms and villages.

 

The Muslim countries of Central Asia could not be reached with the Gospel for centuries. The Bible has been translated into those languages only in the last 20 years. The Kazakhs received their Bible in 2010.  The Uzbek Bible was completed in 2017 but it is not possible to legally bring the Uzbek Bible into the country.  Radio makes the perfect tool.  Radio is able to proclaim the truth about God and the salvation through Jesus to the people of Central Asia.

 

The Church is quite young.  In 1990, there were only about 100 known followers of Jesus throughout Central Asia.  Then God gave a revival resulting in churches being established in all countries of Central Asia.  Often they are small house churches.  Today, it is estimated that there are about 20,000 to 30,000 believers.  This first generation of Christians experience rejection and persecution.  According to the world persecution index from Open Doors, the countries of Central Asia are ranked as follows:

 

Uzbekistan – 16

Kazakhstan – 28

Tajikistan – 22

Turkmenistan – 19

 

In addition to those extremely difficult to reach countries, the Silk Road Transmitter gives us the possibility of ministering to the Uyghurs, the Kazakhs and the Kyrgyz living in Northwest China.

 

 

Q:  What 10 countries will the 200,000 watt signal cross into? 

Afghanistan

China

India

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Pakistan

Russia

Tajikistan

Uzbekistan

Mongolia

Grace to the Habitual Sinner A Biblical Precedent
29 Jun

Grace to the Habitual Sinner A Biblical Precedent

The bondage of habitual sin is more than brutal and sadly we often lose hope for ourselves or loved ones, even question salvation. Darrin Koone, a dear friend put this together for us; the 51st Psalm, David’s Lament after Nathan the prophet confronted him on his sin with Bathsheba.

Here is a great question to ponder before you read this: if YOU had known King David back in the day, and  knew what he had done with Bathsheba and Uriah and saw how long it went on; would you have questioned David’s salvation?

Our prayer as we study this together is that we would all see the grace God gave David in this and we would adopt that Biblical precedent in our own treatment of ourselves, our families and our church.

Psalm 51 commentary by Darrin Koone

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Have mercy on me, O God (‘elohiym), 

This is the exact same word used aver 50 times in the first 4 chapters of Genesis so David is definitely calling upon the God who creates things out of nothing which is extremely important.  David believes God will have to use his mercy to create again in his own life because he believes there is nothing there worthy of being transformed.

according to your unfailing love;

David is describing a love that is Merciful and Wholly Adequate for whatever the need is here. Merciful love is different from love because someone has done something for you or behaved in such a way as to draw you to them.

according to your great compassion

David is describing an abundant, overflowing gut wrenching feeling God has toward a sinner who is wanting to be free from their sin.  It is often spoken of as a truly physical feeling in a person’s gut that moves them to do something about a situation. Same idea as Mark 1:41 Jesus being moved with Compassion to heal a leper.    

blot out my transgressions.

“Blot” = literally a picture of God rubbing, scrubbing, wiping away our sin.  Transgression is representative of a boundary we have crossed, gone beyond, but it carries a stronger connotation than just stepping over a line.   It is a revolt against whatever boundaries God has given us.  An expansion of our ground much like invading another country because we are not satisfied with what we have been given.

2 

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

David is using a term here that envisions a lot of work of someone’s part. He is speaking of being trampled underfoot in water to wash clothing against the rocks to get the dirt out.  He also uses a word here to signify that this will need to be done over and over again.

David is speaking of being as pure as can possibly be.  Ceremonially, physically, and spiritually as pure as God himself, spotless and without blemish, innocent and without guilt.  “Morally uncontaminated.”  That’s a tall order but one he knows is possible.

3 

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

David is saying he is completely and totally aware of his sin.  This word is even used to “know one carnally / intimately”, inside and out you might say.   He knows exactly how well he has obliterated the boundaries set for him.

The word David uses here for SIN often carries with it the idea of habitual sin.  We often are willing to forgive “a sin”.  But in practice we often do not forgive the SINNER or one who is habitual in their sin.    David is saying that his sin is of a nature that it is there all the time.  He is constantly aware because it is constantly a struggle for him whether this is just because of the consequences or in practice.   He wants to fix that but it is still an issue for him.

The word he uses for always is an all-encompassing type of feeling.  He is saying that he cannot escape it.  Meaning everywhere I turn I am reminded of my sin.  I cannot escape it unless someone outside of it comes in to help me.

We can see here that we do not need to remind the habitual sinner of their sin anymore.  They are consumed by it and tortured by it.  We may need to help guide them to the one who help but the last thing they need is to be reminded of their sin.

It is no wonder most addicts are wishing and hoping for someone to come along and fix there problem.   They feel helpless to do it….   But that hunger is really a vacuum that only God can take care of.   I think David is feeling very much the same here.

4

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

This is not the best translation of this thought in my opinion. I kind of understand why it was translated this way but the Hebrew gives the idea that “besides anyone else, I have definitely sinned against you and you for sure” David is not saying he did not sin against anyone else.   This is in fact a sin against thousands of people.  A whole nation and people group since he as the government leader as well as one of the spiritual leaders and as such would have way more accountability to God and in God’s economy of things.  I think that is the idea he is covering here.

Ultimately this is David’s confession.   This is where he is saying,  I agree with you God that I have sinned and blown it and whatever you decide about me and my sin from this point is just and right.  Even though I sinned against many people you are my only true judge.  

10 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

This is where the grace meets the sin.  David is saying God will have to use the same power he used to create the heavens and earth or literally David in his mother’s womb to create a pure heart in him.   Not to fix the heart he has but literally to create something NEW.     He is saying there is nothing for God to work with therefore God will have to create something.

The word he uses for renew is different.  It means to repair and make like new again.   But this is different word than create.   David is saying a new heart will need to be created and then his spirit can be repaired. 

11 

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

The phrases David uses here are very significant.

  1. Do not cast me away from your presence or face.  Meaning that God has not yet done this.
  2. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Again meaning he has not yet done this.

David was obviously living his life as if God had turned away from him and taken His Spirit from him according to Psalms 32 and 2 Samuel 12. However, God had not yet abandoned David to his sin and depravity.

I honestly believe this is precisely why David felt physically, mentally and spiritually depressed as he talks about in Psalm 32.   God’s spirit was with him and God’s face was still looking upon him and shame of living in God’s presence while still trying to hide one’s sin is unbearable.

12 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Restoring the Joy of one’s salvation and restoring your salvation are two different acts. Both are often needed but in this case David is only saying that even though you have not abandoned me I feel as if you have or at least as if I have abandoned you and therefore I cannot receive the JOY and be sustained by the JOY of being saved.

13 

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

After you have restored the joy of my salvation I will teach other folks who also have trouble with boundaries about your good and safe ones.  I will help them understand those boundaries are a blessing and actually let me run free in your love and safety without fear or regret.

The purpose of my teaching is redemptive.  As opposed to condemnation.   David is talking about the worse type of sinners here but it is critical to understand he is not saying anything in condemnation.  His only intent here is redemption and restoring of relationship between parties who have been separated.   The next verse pretty much confirms David’s mindset.

14 

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

David is saying I need you to snatch me out of this place where I find myself guilty of slaughter.  He is using a phrase here that is reassuring to him.  God (‘elohiym) who creates and saves. In other words if you can create me you can save me.

Sing is not quite strong enough for what David is saying here.   He is saying my mouth will not be able to stay shut on this matter.   It will be like a creaking board that has to squeak when it is stepped on.   My tongue will be like that of a little girl screaming out with glee. Specifically about how right you are.

15 

Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.

David is envisioning a strong God who is in total control here releasing his mouth after it has been bound up by his own sin.  The term open here signifies especially after one has been silent by force.  David is saying my lips have been in bondage to my sin and shame but you are powerful enough to release them for this task.

Declaring praise here is a very purposeful and specific endeavor.  He is saying I will with purposefully create songs of your greatness.

16 

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

David is saying God is not moved by or satisfied with sacrifices. But David is considering what would be pleasing to God.   Do I do something to please Him or do I be something to please Him? 

17 

My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

David is using the word “shabar” which is the same word Isaiah used when he discusses the mission of the Christ. SHABAR MEANS

  1. break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench

The word for contrite is a bit stronger.   This is a crushed or collapsed heart.   Meaning there is no more arrogance of heart here.  This heart is flat and without outside help will not be doing much.

Will not despise is referring to the fact that God does despise a puffed up heart, arrogance, and sin that results from these attitudes.   And that sacrifice does nothing to take care of these problems….  Only a changed heart does.

18 

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Caught In Adultery
09 Jun

Caught In Adultery


Jesus came to “bind up the brokenhearted“, Isaiah 61:1, and it seems Jesus keeps showing me more and more places that need binding. Thursday, I was enjoying my commute and memories were flooding in with every sign and tree I noticed. Suddenly I saw and Old Mobil Gas Sign, (the one with the Red Flying horse) and the memory of the night my first wife broke my heart coming home from an adulterous affair and telling me what had happened, flooded my mind, my heart was shattered. Clearly Jesus was telling me there is a shard you left behind years ago, actually it was 1977, 41 years ago. Looking deeply into Isaiah 61:1 the word translated brokenhearted is the Hebrew word “shabar” defined broken into pieces, shards like glass, doesn’t your heart feel that way at times, part of you has been broken off and is still back in 1977.

Jesus had already prepped me in my prayer time with my word for the day being, “healing”. I was on my way to my men’s group, yesterday so I told the Holy Spirit we would take this up in the morning.

The next morning during my daily prayer when I asked for my word of the day, I expected something to do with the work I was going to begin with Jesus on healing my heart from that incident in 1977. I always close my eyes when I ask for my word from Jesus and when I closed them I got a a stunning vision of a black book, I knew it to mean the Bible. John Eldredge in a Ransom Heart podcast once noted that when you hear from the Lord be sure and ask the second or third question, don’t be shy, ask. So trying to understand why or where in the Bible he wanted me to head, clearly the spirit was leading me to the story in John 8 of the woman caught in adultery. So instead of just heading into a session with Jesus going over the incident. I first bathed my mind in that story.

Years ago I heard Max Lucado speak on “The God Who Stoops” an amazing look at Jesus posture throughout that incident, that gripped me as Jesus was at the Temple, they brought this lady to church, what humiliation. When the men brought her in, Jesus stoops, he didn’t stand to confront the women only later when he confronted the accusers did he stand. One thing I took particular note was the Greek Word katēgoros: defined “an accuser a name given to the devil by the rabbis.” I pondered,”where are those devils accusing you?” but I had no idea all that God had for me that morning.

So after I filled my mind with the story I went to Ransom Heart’s web site where you can get a sort of self help session with Jesus. It’s found in the Restoration of The Heart Series Video #7. I would recommend everyone watch the entire series and yes you’ll have to join, but they have a free membership for thirty day and a long term membership is worth it in my view. The Restoration of The Heart Series Video #7 is the one I have used many times, closed my eyes and let John Eldridge guide me through the traumatic shard breaking places in my life. Jesus has showed up every time I brought these stories of broken shards over the last couple years in huge ways for me.

So off I went back to that night in 1977 and it took me no time to see what Jesus was after, I had made an agreement that it was my fault, the betrayal was my fault? Yes, I had left my first wife at a party we were both at because it was too wild for me and I had begged her to come home and she said you go ahead I’ll be home in a little bit, angry I took the bait. There was the primary agreement that needed breaking, so I did that. “Lord I break the agreement with the lie that this was all my fault.” Naturally there were also a whole lot of forgiveness issues as well, Brenda (my 1st wife), the guy she slept with and me, (remember I blamed myself). I can’t begin to share the freedom these kind of experiences bring, but this was a small part of what Jesus had for me that morning.

Remember the vision of the Bible I had seen in my prayer, well during my normal routine in the last 30 minutes of my quiet time is to work on the commentary I have been writing for years on Jeremiah. I do a verse a day on the days I work on it or at least two or three a week, (these are written in the YouVersion Bible App and if you friend me you can read them if you are interested). So today I was on Jeremiah 46:19

Jeremiah 46:19 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

19 O daughter dwelling in Egypt,
get your bags ready for exile!
For Noph will become a ruin
laid waste, uninhabited.

“Pack your bags!” This scripture was originally written for the disobedient Israelites who had carried Jeremiah himself to Egypt. Idolaters, folks who had forsaken their real lover and His command to stay in the promise land and were now fixing to take the walk of shame to Babylon, if they lived to try.

As I began to write the Holy Spirit took over, really, I shocked myself as I understood what I had written, here is what I wrote…

“Pack your bags…as I study the Hebrew that is what it says… Hilarious in one sense, God’s clear instructions easily understood…. Tragic on all sorts of levels, the consequences, the lost opportunity of intimacy and love and shalom….

The trauma of moving when all has been lost…any like me who have been evicted, overwhelmed with loss, packing up driven by time working beyond exhaustion…

Caught in adultery paraded in front of the Pharisees naked to be condemned… Jesus is there, He stands up and says, “where are your accusers, has no one condemned you?” I say, “no one Lord.” Jesus says, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Yes I have been there but so was Jesus and he was in Memphis / Noph..that day too… My guess is that some saw Him and we’re also saved and understood… “There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.”

Now look up at the picture above, see the moving van and the Dealership, Westside Chrysler Dodge Jeep… Here too I had been betrayed by people I loved and here too I had made the agreement it was all my fault. This one I could see clearly my idolatry which is also adultery, a house and a business I had poured my life into expecting to get life back. God’s mercy sometimes looks a lot like exile. Yes there was the drive of shame when I lost the dealership, as I left it behind with many, many seeing my nakedness, and the day we loaded everything we had in a U-haul as the neighbors in “Clemmons West” looked, on pretty shameful.

A little over 10 years later, I would not trade the life in God I have had since for 20 dealerships and 50 houses. So I’m guessing the Jews that saw Jesus in the exile, and the lady brought to church in adultery having experienced grace from the Master, understood deeply, John 8:10 “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” and Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Single Mom’s Who Need Our Prayers This Mother’s Day
12 May

Single Mom’s Who Need Our Prayers This Mother’s Day

Please Pray for These Mom’s Struggling Financially this Mother’s Day

Single Mom in North Carolina:

I think I may need brakes/rotors and oil change. I have to take my son to and from school each day. He attends a Charter School. He and became displaced about 2 years ago in Ga. My husband (his father) abandoned us. We lost our home, car, furniture, everything. Even had to give away our dog. I lost my job and we had to move here in Greensboro with a friend. Initially and for a few months after arriving, things as alway were fine. I eventually found a job and had to work late evenings. My little boy has made the honor roll in Ga. and here and just recently received the “Whole Brain Award “ at school while trying to adjust to our new life. He is an amazing kid. I just need my car fixed please if u can help. Thank u and God Bless.?

Single Mom In Texas: I

got a ’99 Nissan Maxima from a family friend. I got the tune up and the oil change and got that taken care of. But I think the alternator is messed up. The battery keeps dying and it kind of stalls when turning.
A little back history on me is I am 22 with 2 little boys. Ages 2 years and 5 months. I stopped working due to how tough the pregnancy was and I always in and out of the hospital. My first child’s dad has completely avoided helping me, dodging child support. The father of my second procrastinates on finding a job so I am taking care of the other by myself as well. I will get a job and it’ll last about a week due to transportation. I’m getting evicted, basically waiting until the last day I’m able to be there before I move. Just trying to work and get as much money saved up. I just started working for about a week now and my mom’s work schedule has changed so she will not be able to take me to work anymore. So if I could please get help on this car so I don’t be completely doing bad I would really appreciate it. I think it’s the alternator but I’m really not sure . But I really need this car to be able to continue to work. I was supposed to get a car with my taxes but my taxes never came. Stayed on review for as long as it has and they tell me nothing is wrong so I don’t get why they are holding my taxes

Single Mom in New York:

Hello. Due to illness, I had to take early retirement, and was consequently denied a full pension by my employer. I am not getting by, and its pretty much hand to mouth, with pills I need to stay alive, and doctor’s visits when I contract something I can’t defeat alone like pneumonia, or when I had cataract surgery. My car is overdue for an inspection and I believe it needs a couple of tires, possibly more, in order to pass inspection, and I can’t afford tires. Can you please help? I’m so afraid of getting pulled over and ticketed and I can’t afford that either.

Praises for the Mom’s Your Donations helped lately

Rear Brakes for a mom in Raleigh $139.33 some help by Harris Automotive

CV Joint for a mom in Durham $250.00 some help by Meineke

Towing for a mom in Raleigh $75

Brakes for a mom in Utah $250 some help by Burt Brother’s Tire

Jesus Labor Of Love

Safe and Secure
04 May

Safe and Secure

A Practical Workshop on Church Security

 When: Friday, June 8 – 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Where: First Church of the Open Bible

2200 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310

Tickets are FREE but registration is required

Our Keynote Speaker

John McLaughlin

former KCCI Meteorologist

 

 

 

Breakout Sessions

  • First Steps for Your Church
  • Active Shooter Training
  • Insurance – Risks & Issues
  • Emergency Medical Response Training
  • Counting the Cost of Church Security

Register for tickets at HERE

Jesus -There’s Something About That Name
30 Apr

Jesus -There’s Something About That Name

 

Names like, Corvette, Mustang, GTO, Camaro what does that stir in your soul.. Which car names lights up your mind when you hear it…

“Jaguar XKE” or “Porsche 917”

 

SO this week as I was getting ready for my show at Sweetwater Baptist Church’s Car Show, knowing that I would get a chance to share the Gospel with the crowd at the trophy ceremony..

Thursday morning In prayer I was asking God for direction going through my daily prayer I got to the point where I ask for my word for the day…. God told me “Salvation”

A little let down, I really wasn’t expecting to find much but I went to Blue Letter Bible to search for the first use of the word Salvation in the Bible. I can only wish now that Jesus would had a smart phone to take a snapshot of the look on my face when I saw Hebrew for the word “salvation”. The look on my face I’m sure brought the house down among the great cloud of witnesses… Something I knew, but I didn’t know if you know what I mean.

Here is the first place you find it when Jacob/Israel was blessing Dan in Genesis.

 

Genisis 49:18 “ I have waited for your salvation, Oh Lord”

The Herbrew word for salvation you have probably seen before. “yĕshuw`ah”

Yes, The Yeshua or Joshua or in the Greek, JESUS

So everywhere you see salvation in the Bible, God is kinda saying, “Jesus” or Yeshua. So below are some scriptures that blow my mind when I read them inserting, “YESHUA”. I hope you will expand this to your own search it’s AMAZING..AMAZING what God has done in His Word, with The WORD!!

Genisis 49:18 ” I have waited for your salvation/YESHUA, Oh Lord”

Exodus 14:13

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation (YESHUA) of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

Exodus 15:2

2 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation; YESHUA
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

2 Samuel 22:51

51 “He is the tower of salvation/Yeshua to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.”

1 Chronicles 16:23

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation/Yeshua from day to day

2 Chronicles 20:17

17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation/Yeshua of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

Job 13:15-18

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
16 He also shall be my salvation/Yeshua,
For a hypocrite could not come before Him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech,
And to my declaration with your ears.
18 See now, I have prepared my case,
I know that I shall be vindicated.

Psalm 3:2

2 Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help/Yeshua for him in God.”

  • Salvation/ Yeshua belongs to the Lord.
    Your blessing is upon Your people

 

Psalm 14:7

7 Oh, that the salvation/ Yeshua of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 42:11

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help/Yeshua of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 62:2

2 He only is my rock and my salvation;/Yeshua
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.

Psalm 89:26

26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’/Yeshua

Isaiah 12:3

3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation./Yeshua

Isaiah 49:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation/Yeshua to the ends of the earth.’”

Isaiah 51:6

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But My salvation/ Yeshua will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished.

Isaiah 52:7

7 How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,/Yeshua
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation, Yeshua
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey

Luke 2:25-30

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation/ Yeshua

Can you imagine Mary and Joseph Bring Jesus to the Temple and Simeon and Anna Ask, what’s his name… “Yeshua says Joseph and Simeon says “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your Yeshua

The Original designer’s Name has a huge significance don’t you think…

The Heinous Sin of Pride – an Antidote
25 Apr

The Heinous Sin of Pride – an Antidote


Time after time when I look into why I struggle with relationship after relationship, often at the heart of it is my pride, such a heinous sin. I feel as I pray, God is saying to me, “back again, Robby”.

Pride leads to road rage, struggles in the service drive, struggles with car salesman, struggles almost anywhere you look. So a solution to pride would be huge, wouldn’t it?

What a challenge I find in Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done out of strife or vain glory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.”

For me that is really tough to do, really tough to do I say again. So I decided to look into my struggle with the religious spirit. The Yeast of The Pharisees: The Religious Spirit Luke 18:11 “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.“”

This all took me to Mark 8:14 “The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

So I thought let me study real yeast. A study of yeast reveals some awesome stuff, as I read much on that this week here is the “readers digest version”. Yeast is a fungi that eats sugar and emits ethanol/alcohol. Those tiny bubbles of alcohol make wine and beer, also bread rises as a result of those tiny bubbles. The Jews have long taught that yeast puffs up as pride and so every year at passover they spend a week getting rid of all the “hametz”, leven or yeast from their houses, the original “Spring Cleaning”. Looking at the Pharisee above you see he is puffed up, but, as I studied the effects of alcohol I believe there is more to it, as there is so much about fermentation, (caused by yeast) in the Bible as well..

Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood stream through our intestines it then has a free pass to the brain through the blood brain barrier, it releases dopamine in our brains very quickly. Listen to what Psychology Today has to say about dopamine: “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. Dopamine also helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and it enables us not only to see rewards, but to take action to move toward them.”

Eye on the prize, “dopamine”, think about a drunk, flirting with all the women, thinking he can fight everyone in the bar. The yeast of the Pharisee has to do with the prize the Pharisee his eye on. The prize in the case of the Pharisees is their own Religious Kingdom, not God’s. They like the drunk have their eye on the wrong prize with a puffed up view of their own ability, drunk with power.

Now the yeast of Herod. He too, has his eye on a prize, drunk with civil power and puffed up with his eye on his own Kingdom not God’s.

Man oh man I see this puffed up concerned with my own Kingdom side of myself and need to pray like the Publican, Lord have mercy on me a sinner.

Still thirsting for answers to my pride sin, I proceeded with the story and found some huge misunderstanding I had..

MARK 8:16 “They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”

21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Clearly as I read that “no, I don’t understand why 5 thousand or 12 baskets left over or 4 thousand and 7 baskets left over, I never considered the significance of all that.”

So if you will allow me I will share the study that followed, once I agreed I didn’t really understand. I now believe if we go back to the scriptures we can unlock this mystery to some extent. The Torah/Old Testament started with 5 books and it fed 12 tribes. Jesus first fed the five thousand and between that and feeding the 4 thousand a few days later we have the story of the Canaanite women in Matthew 15:26 “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Right after that in Matthew 15:29, I mean right after that Jesus fed the 4 thousand. How many gospels are there, 4 just like the beginning of the old testament has 5 books the beginning of the New Testament has 4. Seven is the number of completion, the last of the seven words from the cross, “It is finished”

“What does that have to do with battling pride”, I kept asking?

Have you ever considered that when Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer that when we ask for our daily bread we are asking for Jesus?

Consider that with me: is Jesus the bread of life?

Was Jesus born in Bethlehem/ Hebrew for (Beth = House of) and (Lehem = Bread).

Follow along in John 6:32 “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.“

No go back to the beginning of the Lords prayer since we have a little understanding of yeast and dopamine. Eye on the prize, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they name, THY KINGDOM COME.” As we pray that if we really have faith and believe what we are praying we get the authentic dopamine buzz right… Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,”

Consider that the feast of Pentecost they wave ‘leavened” bread in other words Leviticus 23:16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. 17 From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.

New Leaven, the Holy Spirit take a look at Matthew 13:33 “ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they name, THY KINGDOM COME. thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Give us this day our DAILY BREAD“… New Yeast.

The Kingdom is God’s Kingdom where each individual reflects a unique aspect of God’s Glory, if I can see that, they have huge value to the Kingdom, If I can get my prize right and get my dopamine working on that reward there is no pride to concern myself with. That guy that just cut me off, or the lady with Time Warner Cable who just took an hour of my time and won’t help me still reflects God and if I can help call that out in her, the Kingdom is coming. I can only do that with my Daily Bread it’s the only chance I have to overcome pride….

Jesus the bread of life is the way to the Father who on Pentecost sent the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit I can see the scriptures, see Jesus sacrifice for me that blood cleanses me from all unrighteousness, yes even pride and allows me to have God as my Father the Kingdom coming as a son who sees other son’s as princes and kings. Lord help get this from my head to my heart.