Matthew 7:20 "Therefore, by their fruits, you will know them."
Wednesday, the 5th of February, marked a sad day for our nation. One witnessed what will now become our history for generations as the far-left Democratic system relentlessly tried to impeach a sitting President over a nothing burger. I, along with millions, have not seen such constant and destructive assaults against one human being in decades. I will not sit idly by saying nothing continuing to allow this nation to be torn to pieces by voices who are not coming from a rational standpoint. Our democracy is in jeopardy, and the very threads of our country are unraveling.
I have given myself a long moment to reflect on what has taken place in Congress over the last several months arriving at several conclusions. In this day and age of civilization, men and women in Congress are behaving like wild beasts. The backbiting, finger-pointing, lies, and vitriolic behavior seen across the globe are an embarrassment. We must be likened from afar to wild animals in a zoo. The sickness of the lack of comradery has grown like cancer in our society and must be cut out. Warriors, whose hearts were pricked by the Holy Spirit, rose to this specific onslaught with fasting and consecrated prayer.
I applaud President Trump, Melania, and the members of his family. For the past three years, one has witnessed attacks against a man who is trying to help turn this nation back to God down to the very last unborn child. I do not know of many men or families who could have withstood the continued harassment. After the impeachment vote was in and President Trump was acquitted in Congress (forever), it was not a full twenty-four hours before the enemy at the gate was pointing fingers again, crying with a loud voice, "He is impeached forever!"
Kudos to the mighty men and women who stood against what is popular in order to stand up for justice. Several visible (to me) on Fox News were Devin Nunes, Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, John Ratcliff, Doug Collins, Kevin McCarthy, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz. They were relentless in standing up buffeting the arrows of the enemy day in and day out. And the team of lawyers (men and women) sovereignly placed together recounting endless credible facts and figures with step by step building blocks of how this heinous crime of injustice occurred are to be commended.
Everyday' ole deplorables just like me are watching, and we don't espouse to the Democratic impeach, impeach position. We are tired of seeing time busters and wasted money in Congress when millions suffer and cry out for help on the streets of America. Do your job.
"We, the People" have had enough.
"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
In the polarized nation where one finds himself, it is hard to focus on life's true meaning. With the hustle and bustle of Christmas and all that goes with it, such as wrapping presents, baking all kinds of yummy treats, visiting friends (old and new), etc., it becomes harder to take in a deep breath and relax. Generally, the day after Christmas, I am exhausted. The constant I have, which has gotten me through many years, has been prayer. I don't get caught up in things that I have no business getting tangled in, such as spending too much money, eating out instead of eating at home or charging things I cannot afford.
Years ago, I attended a local Baptist service on Christmas Eve. I hadn't been (genuinely) saved for long but felt compelled to go. I was a stranger to this body of believers, and due to this, it enabled me to drawback and witness for myself how a local body of believers worshipped. As I left their service that evening, the poem below began to flow out of my heart. One never knows what one act of obedience will bring.
One can find life depressing, turbulent, lonely, joyful, and can teeter-totter back and forth from one end to the other. But due to the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ, one has the opportunity to change.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
The Christ
We gathered one night in the church to praise His name.
The child who was born of a Virgin, Mary was His mother's name.
Songs were sung to glorify the Father for sending His only Son, who was born many years before.
The story was told of the child in a manger, of a star that led three wise men who had come to bear gifts to honor the baby who was born of a Virgin Mary.
The rafters shook as the voices rang with joy that night, rejoicing in the birth of the little boy.
Oh, how all of heaven rejoiced!
Mary would raise Him as her son and call Him Jesus, the name that God had chosen.
But she knew inside she was looking upon the Christ who was sent to save the world from all its sin. She wondered how. What would become of Him?
The singing stopped, and we bowed our heads to thank God above for sending His one and only Son.
My heart welled up with sadness because I knew that Jesus had been born to die for all of us.
Tears rolled down my face as I walked away from the church that night because I finally knew that from now on, I would never forget what Christmas was all about. Christmas wasn't about the gifts, the food, and the decorations.
There wasn't a baby in a manger to adore once a year at Christmas, but God had been born through a virgin to die for each one of us. It was about the Christ who came one night, lowly in a manager who was crucified on a cross at Calvary so that I could be free.
Posted by: Molly Painter AT 09:10 am
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With the movie Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood in theaters, it is fitting to applaud a man who mirrored unconditional love. Fred Rogers knew exposure to life with its broad spectrum of emotions and the vast knowledge available through arts and commerce was an essential element in the maturing and equipping of children.
Over the summer months, I had the privilege of babysitting my grandson, who, by the way, will be ten this Veteran's Day. One morning, as I was folding clothes while the neighborhood children were playing on the sunporch, I turned on the television to see Tom Hanks sitting in a red sweater with grey hair. I knew who he was supposed to be. I thought to myself, Tom Hanks? Mr. Rogers had seemed kind of goofy to me as a young adult in what I like to call my PJ days (Pre-Jesus). He would step onto the set of Neighborhood while singing a little ditty, walk over to his coat closet while removing his jacket only to replace it with a zip-up sweater (which I later discovered were all made by his mother). He would then go sit on a bench and remove his loafers one at a time while tossing each in the air as he changed into his "tennis" shoes. Real-life stories have always been a passion of mine, so it was a natural step to search for a documentary on the life of Fred Rogers. I found Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood: It's You I Like. I wanted to know the who, what and why of the man Tom Hanks was going to embody.
I soon discovered that Fred knew what it felt like to be teased by children who called him "fatty." He began to play the piano at a young age. He overcame severe shyness and loneliness through what I believe to be a divine encounter in High School (must watch the doc!). He graduated magna cum laude from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, with a degree in music composition. He received a divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary(he was ordained a Presbyterian minister) and attended the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Child Development. Who knew?
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood exposed children to classical music through Yo, Yo Ma (world-class cellist), and Itzhak Perlman (Israeli-American violinist/conductor/teacher). He discussed the subject matter of death, divorce, and fear, which was not the norm in children's programming. Fred exposed human emotions we all possess by telling the world "mistakes are part of learning and sometimes are hard to learn." Through the pretend television "Picture picture," he broadened horizons of children by teaching them how to eat out at a restaurant, showing how companies made erasers, crayons, harmonicas, and musical instruments. On and on, the exposure went. As Mr. Rogers said, "There is so much in this world we learn no matter how old or how young we are."
Exposure is essential for knowledge. Fred Rogers and his story is a remarkable story of love without limits. Discover what I did this past summer. I can almost hear Tony Bennett as he serenades Lady Elaine Fairchild (puppet) on station MGR TV: It's You I Like! Thank you, Fred Rogers, for who you were. You are helping me become a better me.
Matt. 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged."
I cannot count how many times have I read the above scripture. I knew that the bible taught not to judge anyone, but did that include when I looked at someone who wore clothes not up to my standard? Or how about when someone cussed (as if I didn’t cuss)? I had to practice learning not to judge anyone through the power of the Holy Spirit after fully turning my heart to the Lord. Curbing my tongue has been a task in and of itself! Where is the masking tape?
The year was 2001, and a friend of mine handed me a monthly newsletter by David Wilkerson, author, Cross and the Switchblade/ Church planter of New York Times Square Church. In it, he recounted a story that I continue to recall when the temptation to judge tries to overtake me.
He recounts his story of being on the mission field and, while heading to his destination, found himself sitting in the back of a taxi with two other individuals. The taxi driver (if memory serves me well) said something untoward, which caused him to roll his eyes in disgust. Almost immediately, the Holy Spirit conveyed to him that he had just unknowingly judged the man and that he was never to do that again. My first thought was what a humble man he must be to receive such a stern rebuke and follow the instructions. The Spirit of the Lord has used his story every time I heard someone say something odd, off-color, or off-putting. I would catch myself recalling the rolling eyeballs. It has always been a come to Jesus at the cross meeting!
Fast forward to this past summer, (knowing I had the eyeball thing under control) I happened (?) to see a commercial advertising Tom Hanks in the role of Fred Rogers. I thought to myself, Tom Hanks portraying Mr. Rogers (Come on! Was this an eyeball judgment moment?). I almost immediately located a documentary about Fred Rogers. What caught me off guard, first, was that Michael Keaton appeared and began to narrate (Who knew he worked for Mr. Rogers for the first few years of his career?). The story of his life was spell-bounding. It wasn't too long after I finished processing the documentary, maybe several hours, that I went to the Lord, knelt and repented (means I am going to turn and go in another direction!) for making fun of Fred Rogers most of my adulthood. Was I judging again, Molly? Eyeballs!
Take a listen, will you, to the Mr. Rogers podcast at Jesuswithoutthejunk.com or go to Podbean.com (type in Jesus Without The Junk) and download the app to your phone. It is easy listening! I think you will enjoy the message and if nothing else, you will enjoy Mandy's singing.
God bless you and remember the rolling eyeballs! Also, it is never too late in life to learn.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will be holding a crusade in Wilmington, NC on October 5, 2019, @ 4 pm at Legion Stadium. State coordinators have been around the area on and off for months in preparation. I attended a training / equipping conference this past Monday evening and was pleasantly surprised at the content and careful attention given to those who will be counselors at the main event. Applications for participation had to be filled-out, noting salvation accountability with a brief history in Christ, and permission given for background checks. Kudos to the BGEA for continuing to carry the torch of exemplary character! There was one main goal: be prepared to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a simple and clear way.
Years ago, the Holy Spirit placed me in a position where I had to remain in bed for days (flu). I had time to read Billy Graham’s autobiography Just As I Am. After pondering its content, I concluded several things. First, instead of Mr. Graham flaunting his movie-star looks or academic accomplishments, he remained faithful to the Gospel message in a "simple and clear" way. Secondly, that God is purposeful in ordering a man’s steps (Male/ Female). Theologically speaking, Mr. Graham's teachings were sound. True to his character, which would shine forth years later, when he felt he had misjudged a situation, there was always a forthcoming apology. It seems today that Christ-followers need to have a little more mercy on brothers and sisters.
Those volunteering for this event are not participating in debating theology or doctrines. Prayerfully, there will be souls who hear the Gospel message, some for the first time and give their hearts to the Lord. What an opportunity for one-on-one counseling.
On a closing note, I will be preaching/teaching on Sunday, September 22 at First Baptist Church of Carolina Beach at 10 am regarding Intercessory prayer with the war in the heavenlies. Won’t you join me?
Love,
Molly
Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
(A facsimile of this article appeared in the Island Gazette, June 2011.)
Picture in your mind's eye, Jesus standing on a hillside preparing to preach/teach the Beatitudes (Matt. 5: 3-11). Finally, you surmise, there is someone who has come to help you. You sit there waiting with bated breath, barely able to contain yourself. Expectation fills the air as you gaze upon this man. He stands up in front of everyone and states, "If you give me $1,000.00, I will give you a miracle so you can enter into the "Blessing" of the Lord, and I will bless you with a hundred-fold return if you sow a miracle seed! After all, God, my Father, as He lays His hands-on His chest, wants all of you to have a new home, a new car, plenty of money, and possibly a fifty million dollar jet, if you are called to preach the gospel."
"My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9, KJV). I had worked around banking and investments all my life but knew nothing of God and His thoughts about money. Nor did I understand what He requires from us, His children.
My first recollection of money, after entirely giving my heart to Christ was, How do you give money to God? How am I going to get it to Him? By pneumatic tube? Does He honestly need my money? Where exactly does He live? I wanted answers to my questions, so I began to ask Him based on the scripture found in Matt. 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
I am appalled at so-called shepherds, pastors, and church leaders that allow the prosperity gospel and its rhetoric to fall from church pulpits all over America and, now, beyond. I am sickened when I watch "feel good" evangelistic voices who have great big grins slapped on their faces who try to coerce those who are genuinely seeking answers for their lives ( I speak from experience).
The Holy Spirit revealed to me, at the beginning of my cross-walk, how to give unto God. I didn't attend a church at the time, so I gave my tithes (10%- Malachi 3: 8-12) where I was learning about God, and He honored my very ignorant effort. I was astonished at what began to occur as I stepped out in faith to give to God with my money. One must, however, be wise.
It is time for reformation in the Body of Christ so one can mature into the things of God, and in turn, bring hope and help to a sick and dying nation. If Jesus is the Christ, we have no excuse, once enlightened, to follow His teachings and God's ways. Tithing is one of those that one enters by faith; however, it is not a prosperity gospel. God have mercy on us for trying to "sell" a miracle for a divine provision that only God Himself doles out.
"So, when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."
Shepherds, the Word of the Lord: Feed My Sheep.
When you eat something decadent (say a hot fudge sundae with nuts!) you savor every bite, licking the bowl (you really shouldn't) to enjoy the very last drop. Yummy. Your appetite is momentarily satisfied. But as sure as the sun rises in the east, some craving will return. I stand as a testimony of that, especially when I am fasting for the Lord. Get behind me, Satan!
Sheep need food, especially when most of the time (not all mind you) many do not enter a church sanctuary but once a week. The precious time they are in your care could very well be the moment the Holy Spirit uses to draw them to the Father. It is a huge responsibility. Sheep must leave the presence of God's house (their pasture) knowing they are fed, which, in turn, very well might keep them for several days' worth of working/walking through life. Without this food, they will go astray. Sheep traditionally (and I use that term lightly) will remain where their stomachs (spirits) are satisfied.
Consider Martin Luther, John Calvin or Jonathan Edwards (if you have not heard of these men it is worth your time and a Google), who preached and taught the undiluted Word of God allowing the Holy Spirit to perform his duties of pricking hearts for the Kingdom. It is only the Word of God that has the power to change the way a human soul thinks, feels, or behaves. How can the sheep hear unless the Word comes forth? Where else will they be fed if not for the Shepherd's that stand flat-footed in pulpits of America (mostly on Sunday mornings) and preach the whole counsel of God? Many in the Body are frustrated in the Kingdom when all Jesus asks is to feed His sheep. One needs no devices, light shows, gimmicks, or human reasoning to bring forth God's will.
Christ's Passion gives one the ability to have life everlasting, and it is only through His blood where atonement occurs. One must stop to consider how horrific His sacrifice was when He (willingly I might interject) laid His life down for His sheep. No man can reason the ways of the Lord in its totality, but we must follow what He tells us in His written Word. Feed His sheep.
The Shepherd's role is to care for, feed, and tend his flock so they can mature into individuals with nothing missing and nothing broken. Preach the Lord Jesus Christ Almighty. Preach the Gospel accounts in full measure. Teach about the nature of God that is evident in the first five books of the Bible (The Torah). Teach about the icons in the faith that believed God Almighty. Teach about the people who turned to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit without trying to invent another church function to swell numbers. And finally, while doing this, DO the works of the Savior: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give money to those who are struggling (Isaiah 58:7-14). In other words, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 7:12).
As for you sheep, Kingdom truths are complete and well able to set the captive free completely. I know. Pray and ask God where your pasture is, for YOUR life is at stake. I am a sheep, and I need to have food/Word.
"That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." The Bride of Christ is the Church Universal.
Without spot or wrinkle, "Humm." One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to prepare the Church Universal, without spot or wrinkle, for Christ. His role is the sanctification of a believer. (I think that He has had his hands full with me!) I cannot imagine based on what I have read and have come to interpret as God's Word that God is going to accept behavior that is not befitting His Bridegroom.
Stop to consider the lengths a bride goes to preparing for her wedding day, presenting herself to her Bridegroom. First, there is the acceptance of the proposal, and in most cases, an engagement ring is given sealing the commitment. Then, great length goes into each detail, even down to the choice of greenery, which is added to adorn the bride's bouquet. Each step is calculated and then executed with precision for a stunning outcome.
Laying my phone down the other day after catching up on the weekly news bites, I repeated out loud, "It is so sad," as I shook my head. I was not speaking of the news nationally or globally, but I was targeting the name-calling, lies, and deception, which the Holy Spirit testifies to believers' hearts are not from the Bride of Christ.
It should be an honor to be an elected official in Congress having a voice in the marketplace at this time of our nation's history, but I cannot imagine spewing offensive rhetoric as many do. Views should be for the greater good, not marginalized. Yes, we must call evil what it is, but when imaginations of hearts are the norm of news cycles, we have lost our way.
So, what does the Bride of Christ have to do with the latter? I am glad you are wondering. I have explained the work of the preparation of the Bride of Christ as, "If Christ were sitting beside you, would you be saying what you are saying or watching what you are watching? Furthermore, would you be doing what you are doing?" If you pause (just for a moment) to reflect on your choices, and wobble back and forth on its appropriateness, then do not move forward. The Holy Spirit is trying to prepare you as a bride without spot or wrinkle and purge you of inappropriate behavior or actions or rhetoric.
How do officials get elected touting change when it is only by a consensus (I might add) that laws are written and established on our books of government? It seems to me that many do not understand this simple principle. I applaud the seasoned voices of reason that remain steadfast in that our Constitution continues to hold its weight and value, but the rhetoric which continues to flow from congresspersons (old/young) is disheartening to the American public. Those who continue to walk down this path are going to feel the brunt of their askew opinions come election day. They do not speak for America, which is the land of the free and home of the brave. It is my America, but this offensive language is killing America that the majority love.
Allow the Holy Spirit to prepare you for Christ as much as you would give your attention to your wedding. Be determinedly dogged (and detailed) purposefully in your walk with the Lord. Salvation and regeneration, through the work of the Holy Spirit, should be taken with the utmost care as well. I have bitten more apples than I dare to think about, and surprisingly enough, I am shocked I haven't gotten choked! Words should be without spot or wrinkle. God is not going to accept a Bridezilla.
James 3:5-6
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
As I have been listening to worldly chatter recently, it occurred to me that most have no real sense of self-identity and could use a personality that is grounded in truth. For years, I struggled with my identity, not a gender one but a “who am I in this earth and why am I here?” one. Foundationally, I was only equipped with the tools I had received while growing up. Little did I know that there was so much more waiting to be revealed.
In Junior High school, I considered the life of Florence Nightingale. What a noble calling she had. I could picture myself helping others. In High school, I longed to go half-way around the world and join the newly formed Peace Corps, but those dreams were quickly snuffed out with the statement “Molly, if you can help those around you in this life then you will have done something.” I attended a community college for a (whole 1/2) semester before I quit. I had no passion, conviction, or staying power. After many personal failures, marriage became my final goal. Now, do not get me wrong, I am not against marriage. On the contrary, I believe it is one of God’s most significant institutions if both man and wife go into it through prayer and confirmation of God’s intent, but each one must set their sights on giving 100%.
Not until I turned my heart fully to the Lord, though, at thirty-nine, was there a true conversion of thinking in my heart and mind of “who” I was and what I was created for. The outcome has been nothing short of stunning, but when the blinders are covering one’s eyes, without a clear vision, much time can be wasted. God tells us that He has us carved on the palm of His hand (Is. 49:16) and that He will guide us with His eye and teach us in the way we should go (Ps. 32: 8-10). Wow! No one ever told me that, and furthermore, I always was too lazy to get into God’s Word to find out who He was and what He wanted for me. Bad choice! I discovered that God longs to have a personal relationship with His creation. I am His creation. And I found out that God never lies, so we can always trust Him at His word. He does not quit or change His mind either and is a staunch supporter of what we do in this earth if it is in His design for us individually or corporately. I wish I had turned to Him a lot sooner.
Satan, however, sits and waits patiently to act upon each soul, waiting for an entrance into one’s personality. The delusions and thoughts, which run contrary to the nature of God can seemingly be “the right course,” but unless you have been given a choice how can you know that you are making the correct decision about anything? He is the enemy of our soul and can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corn. 11:14) packaging anything to appear like it is the way and coating it in sugar to make us think that this must be God’s choice for my life when all along one can be living a lie.
True identities are discovered in Christ alone. When you become lost, hurt, confused, or battered know that God has your identity picture and your unique description carved on the palm of His hand. He is ready to make known your true self, but you must turn to Him. He will, in turn, pull you out of your dark place and come to rescue you.
Many have been under the wiles of Satan so long with delusions of mistaken sex identity, defeat or with opportunities missed or forgotten having the mindset of “it’s too late.” God is calling you back to Him for the truth of who you are and why you are here. He is your Sav-your (save your life, home, finances, goals, gender identification, guilt, or shame). I should know because He rescued me.
When I was young, two fads that come to mind were Ouija boards and Magic Eightballs. They were the end, all for all of life's answers. The big summertime one was gathering all the neighborhood kids together after dark (because it was scarier!) to conduct séances. 'Yes, let's all talk to the dead.' 'I want to find out where Amelia Earhart is!'
When I found myself, as a grown adult, with my life "in the toilet," I called a psychic network for guidance. Even though I had grown up in church, I had not been praying or attending for years, and no one had told me that God would have the answers I would ever need. After questioning the phone counselor, trying to get her to commit to guaranteed results if I paid her the required $75.00, I ended up counseling her! Sucker.
Taking everyone else's word for what is going on in your life or this nation has become the status quo. Why would one trust one's life or have their thinking swayed by a stranger? One winces as one listens to the news about another kidnapping, another killing spree (many young children), endless arguing about fetuses and abortions. People from all walks of life are rising in the public arena, saying pretty much anything they believe they can get by with to give one a sense of false hope. The only protection one has in the days ahead are to KNOW, not think, what God says. His truth is conveyed clearly in his Word. It is the truth for all time (because I have walked through and proved it) and is not veiled in some scheme of feel good, get wealthy or entitlement system. Those come from Satan.
Ultimately, each human being is responsible for his/her life. However, each one can assess the truth answers. Isaiah 8:19-20 And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
I came to a place where my only choice left was God. I endeavored to seek him with everything in me to discover if he was real. Society is used to talking about fortune tellers, mediums, and psychics. They are held in high regard and are paid tons of money for answers that have no lasting results. God's word is exceedingly clear over and again, people who practice these arts are from the devil and should not be consulted. A medium, psychic, or fortune teller is not from God, and one is not to delve into their rituals whatsoever.
When you stop to consider the issue, many people don't believe in the afterlife, yet they consult people who talk to the dead who are in the afterlife. Does anyone but me find that a little odd? Be wise how you listen and see life answers because overcoming truth will never be the voice of a fortune teller, psychic, or medium. Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the life that you will ever need. He is all rolled into one. You won't have to seek any further, but it will be up to you to take the first step towards overcoming victory.
