THE FARMER'S ATTITUDE

The above picture is of my beloved Granddaddy Reid. He had his home going a little over a year ago. He is ever on my mind and this message will be a tribute to him. His life is a testimony of what Jesus can do for a person. In the 1950's, Grandaddy Reid gave his life to the Lord. There was an instant transformation, something most of us do not experience. For the most, our transformation is an ever increasing event, but that is OK because God did say we will be changed from glory to glory. A little bit by little bit. I guess the most amazing quality about my Granddaddy Reid was that once he put his hands to the plow, he never looked back. Once he decided to follow Jesus, his dedication never wavered. Never ! And you want to know something else? He had the farmer's attitude. That is what I want to share with you today. Do you have a minute? Thanks, and I am so joyful that I have yet another opportunity to share more thoughts from the throne with my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord. And if you haven't decided to follow Jesus yet and inherit eternal life, well then maybe this is your hour...you are only a prayer away.

Let's begin as we always do. May we gather together on our knees as we approach Almighty God with our hearts, hoping to touch His as He surely has ours. Glorious Father God, we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand. Thank You for Jesus, Your Word and Holy Spirit. Place within us a great thirst for You and righteousness. Transform us into the image of Your dear Son. Reduce us to love. Create within us a great joyful expectation of Your Coming. Use us as Your light in this dark world we pray. We receive Your love....please receive ours too. AMEN. Well, let's throw out a bomb shell right off. Turn, if you will, to Hebrews 6:12. It reads, "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and PATIENCE inherit what has been promised. Did I lose any of you? Most don't want to talk about the patience thing...but we must.

Many people shy away from praying for patience because of their misconception of the following verse. In Romans 5:3 we read: "But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patience. Have you ever heard someone say,"Oh, don't pray for patience because it means we will have to go through some kind of suffering?" But let's continue in Romans to get the bigger picture. Verses 4-5 says, "Patience produces character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts(which means we can trust Him) by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Don't we want to display the character of Jesus? It takes time. That is probably the one area I am having trouble with as far as being patient is concerned. Waiting on righteous fruit to be formed in me. I want to be like Jesus...NOW. God says that it will come. And it will !! Why does Father God talk so much about suffering, tribulation and the like? How does going through the fire of life cause us to grow up in Christ Jesus? Well, that question will be answered more fully in a future study. For now, let's just ponder a simplified version. When you go through a test or trial, does it cause your flesh to act in an unChrist-like way? God knows how to draw out what only He knows is in our hearts. The things that must be crucified. We see an ugliness come out during our crisis then we look at it; we ask forgiveness (if it caused us to sin); then we ask for the Holy Spirit to help us come up higher in that area. DON'T STOP PRAYING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES !!

Are you praying and praying for that loved one, friend or co-worker to be brought into fellowship with the Lord Jesus to seemingly no avail? You may even see them getting worse. But good news ! Go to I Corinthians 3:6,7. Let's read, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." Here we see that Paul was sowing the seed of the gospel. Another came along and watered it (preached it some more). But God is the One who brings the soul harvest. He also brings the prayer harvest. Try not to agonize over that unanswered prayer concerning your loved one because God does and will answer prayer. He will bring a harvest when it is time. That reminds me of a verse in John 11:39,40. This was the story where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. But Martha (the sister of Lazarus) had some doubts about the power Jesus had at His disposal. She (and many more too, I would imagine) just couldn't get herself ready to receive a miracle. Her believing was stuck on the circumstances surrounding the event and not on God's Word. That's what happens when we take our faith eyes off the promises of God and His faithfulness. Our problem becomes bigger then God. OK, back to John, and we read: "Take away the stone," He said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." (Martha was also upset that Jesus didn't get there sooner...hey Martha, didn't you get the memo? The promises come by faith and patience!) Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" DON'T STOP PRAYING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES !!

I look at patience like this: I see a promise in God's Word (and often even things I hear the Holy Spirit saying to my spirit); I believe it and then I wait for God to fulfill His part which is to perform what He promised to do. I must admit that God, most of the time, causes me to wait on almost everything. With that said, how about some more scripture on this most important subject? Here goes....fasten your seat belt ladies and gentlemen, we are coming in for a landing. "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the Word, retain it, and by patience produce a crop." (Luke 8:15) This was Jesus explaining the Word being sowed in our hearts. This one in particular described the heart which was good ground. In Romans 8:24,25 we see that hope (or fulfilled promise) is the end item of our faith. It says: "But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." OK, one more for good measure shall we? "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Patience must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. OUCH, HALLELUJAH !!

"But Brother Kenny G., what does all this have to do with the farmer?" Glad you asked. Have you ever noticed that much of the examples and analogies in Scripture have to do with agriculture? The people's of the day usually understood such things because many of them were farmers. So, what exactly is the farmer's attitude? Let the Holy Word speak to us again. "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." The farmer is patient as he waits for the plants to be fed and come to maturity. I believe that God is telling us to wait, and be patient, for all things which come from Him. That includes His promises and our prayers. My dear brothers and sisters, do you have the FARMERS ATTITUDE?

SNAKE BITE

Did you know that I have been bitten by a snake about a thousand times or more? And guess what? You have too. Bear with me and we will get to the bottom of this bold statement in just a minute. While preparing for this discourse I was amazed at all the scriptures which pertain to snakes, serpents or vipers. Let's now go to the One who gives us power over snakes and all other enemies we face. Almighty God, thank You for not only saving us, forgiving us and dwelling in us, but also for Your divine protection. We give You all the glory and honor for everything. We are nothing, can do nothing and have nothing apart from You. Oh Your love for us is amazing. Help us to love You too. Teach us now sweet Holy Spirit the ways of our Lord. In Jesus name...AMEN.

Of course we all know about how satan entered the serpent in the Garden to trick and tempt Adam and Eve. I guess at that point the snake walked around on legs of some sort before he was cursed. Remember? While God was pronouncing sentence on Adam and Eve, He also said that part of the snake's curse was now to glide on his belly for the rest of time. Just something to think about. The main part here is to start off realizing that most of scripture refers to satan as a snake, serpent or dragon after the Garden episode. But before we go forward from the Garden, let's look at one most important and hopeful detail. Let's read GENESIS 3: 14-15. So the Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Right from the get go, God told us and the serpent (satan) what would happen to him. God always tells us the end at the beginning. So, part of the devil's demise will happen at Calvary. The devil will bruise Jesus but King Jesus will turn around and crush him. In fact the Word tells us that while Jesus was buried in the earth for three days He went to hell and stripped satan of his power over us who believe. Keeping with the culture of the day, I think it went something like this: King Jesus put a chain around satan's neck and dragged him around making a public show of him in front of his colleagues. To make a long story short, satan's final end will be after Jesus's millennial reign, but he sure got a good butt whipping at Calvary.

Can I share a little more about how much bigger God is then the devil? In Luke 10:17-20 we read: The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven. (goodbye dinosaurs) I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Good news for us. Good news indeed. God is in control and so much bigger then satan and everything else for that matter. And isn't it quite cool that he has no power over us. Can you dance a little jig for that piece of news?

OK, back to the Garden for a few more minutes. In II Corinthians 11:2-4 we read, "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning,( SNAKE BITE !) your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough." Boy, isn't that exactly where we find ourselves today? We have so too many gospels. Please be careful my fellow brethren, of the enormous amount of 'feel-good' messages which have plagued our society. Where is the gospel which leads us to godly sorrow and repentance? Too often it has been replaced with a message which doesn't want to step on any ones toes for fear of losing membership. SNAKE BITE !

Fast forward from the Garden to the Israelite's wilderness journey. In I Corinthians 10:9-12 we read, "We should not test the Lord, as some of them did-and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did-and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" SNAKE BITE ! I have had very brief periods (like a minute or so) where I have found myself thinking, "Boy, I have arrived." But fortunately for me I have many fleshly thorns to deal with so I don't have those thoughts very often. But many do. That ole wily snake (the devil), does continue to tempt us with a relentless assault, especially in the days in which we live. The Word (our sword) has an antidote for all of his crafty ways. We read about one of them in verses 13 of the same chapter. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will NOT let you tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Just like Jesus, we are to speak to that father of lies. And the Word says "..........

Can we talk a little more about the serpents in the wilderness? I find it fascinating for some reason. Here we find the Israelites grumbling and murmuring again about their conditions. SNAKE BITE ! Numbers 21:4-9 says: "They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!' Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.' So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived."

But even this solution didn't last long. Let's look at II Kings 18:3-4. He (Hezekiah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Astherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. SNAKE BITE ! Can you believe it? But here is the part which puzzles me. In John 3:14 we see that the serpent on a pole represented Jesus lifted up on the cross at Calvary. I get how looking toward Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, brings us salvation. Just kind of strange why a snake image was put on a pole instead of a cross or something. "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." GOOD NEWS INDEED !

God has given us many ways to defend ourselves against all enemies who come against us. We already read how we can always pray for a way out when we are tempted and the Holy Spirit will show us a way out. We can also do what Jesus did and speak the Word to the devil when his lies and temptations come our way. Or we can do what Paul did when he actually was bitten by a viper. We read about that in Acts 28:3-6. "Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, 'This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.' But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god." So, the next time we are tempted, or actually fall into temptation, we can do like Paul. He was looking to the author and finisher of his faith...Christ Jesus. He knew, that he knew, God was on his side so who (or what) could be against him. He SHOOK IT OFF and didn't even pay attention to it.

Let's finish this long discourse (sorry about that) with some real good news. The final demise of satan, the snake of old. Revelation 20:10 says: "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." So, my beloved brothers and sisters, when we feel the urge to grumble. When we are tempted to murmur about the conditions God has put us in. When we are tempted in any way to sin against Almighty God, let's do what Paul did. In his heart was the image of Jesus continually high and lifted up. Not only on the cross but now on the right hand of the Father, far above all powers and principalities. Paul knew that Jesus loved him with an undying love. He knew that greater was He who lived in him then he who was in the world. You know what he did? He SHOOK IT OFF ! Amen.

IS GOD YOUR FRIEND ?

Hi there my fellow brothers and sisters. Let's start off by a few words for the times in which we live. Please pray for the nation of Israel. Her peace and safety. Soon, most of the Middle East will be coming against her. Pray for her enemies also. Keep your eyes on Russia, China and Iran. These are key players in what is about to happen. The leaders of these countries are not trustworthy. For that matter, neither is the leader of the U.S.A. But please continue to pray for whatever leader God has put over you. The stage is more set than ever before to bring about the prophecies God has already spoken. Things will get very chaotic...real quick. God is in control. Continue to have faith, love and pray often. God's children will come out of all of this without even the smell of smoke. And then on to our eternal home. Praise You King Jesus.

Let's begin in prayer per our custom. Well, not custom but desire. Gracious Father, please have mercy on our souls. Wash us with the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Make us whole and complete. Make our hearts perfect towards You. Teach us Your ways for they are perfect. Give us hope and joy in this perverse generation. Help us to spend time getting to know You because You are worthy and glorious. You are beautiful and just. You are kind and merciful. You are wise and strong. We praise You !! In Jesus name....AMEN.

There are surely many out there who, like me, find themselves friendless and all alone. Sure my most precious wife sent from God has become a friend to me in the most pure sense of the word. Of course my parents would give their own life for me. Yes, I guess even my ole hound dog considers herself my friend. As I struggle to become what God intends for me to become...I have to ponder such things. Why? Because I truly believe God wants us to have friends of our own gender. Like the disciples who went out two by two, we also need that special mentor, guide and encourager. Yet, I sit all alone. My heart yearning, bleeding and crying out for that special friend to help me along my journey. Sure, God made me His friend when His life was laid down for me at Calvary. But in this world of humanoids it's hard to have complete fulfillment with the invisible only. For me anyway. Just trying to be honest here folks. After 50 plus years of waiting I conclude this is a God thing.

Why would God deprive me of the man-friend I have longed for? His wisdom and mercy surely surpasses mine, but the Holy Spirit has revealed a portion of the answer. Like Paul, God has locked me away...hidden me...imprisoned me for seasons during my life thus far. I guess the longest was for 15 years. We all encounter that seclusion at times. During those times, after we embrace the prison, our souls grow and grow under this jealous God with whom we have to deal with. Much is learned. Much fruit abound. Shackles are removed. A butterfly emerges. A new creation becomes more visible. If we let patience have her perfect work. Consider Joseph. During his imprisonment much of God's glory was produced.

Locked away again pondering the incompleteness I feel. This time my impatience has almost gotten the best of me. But God is very patient and kind. Thank You Jesus. This time seems a bit harder. Disabilities and pain rack my body. Sleepless nights create tension that are mountains in themselves....especially to others. Being understood by others is hidden within a fog bank only to disappear completely at times. On top of this valley experience I have also piled the deep desire to be that holy man of God. That one who hears the Father call and my response is quick and obedient. A thing we all desire. But oh man-friend, encourager and mentor where are you? Who will deliver me from this torment? But God will. And He is.

Isn't it cool how the Father carefully watches over and orchestrates our life so we can come to that place of oneness with Him? How great is His love and adoration for us. His divine friendship spelled out in the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus. Didn't He say that a true friend is one who lays down his life for his brother? To me that means dying to ones self. For God and man. So, I am God's friend. But, how does that help me in walking this life out now...before I hear the trumpet sound? We are all unique and our struggles seem isolated within ourselves...but we learn from one another. That is why I write and herald such things. That's who I am.

GOD SPOKE. Isn't it cool that we can hear Him? In this part of my life journey He has finally called out through the fog. Like the first ray of sun shining through the forest canopy as a new day emerges, He has shone hope in my heart. He always does. Sometimes quickly, sometimes as slow as pulling your boot out of a pit of miry red clay. He said, "Kenneth, I want to be your friend. Let's start there first." Then He showed me Abraham. The Bible teaches us that Abraham was called God's friend. It was a two way street. God can declare Abraham His friend. But how did Abraham reciprocate friendship with the invisible God who created all things...seen and unseen?

Let's go back to God's command for Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son, Issac. Abraham actually considered such a thing. Can you imagine that? I would need a couple hundred angel visitations before even giving it thought. And as the knife was in mid air prepared to plummet the heart of Issac a unique thing occurred. We all know the story of how the angel spoke and the knife was stayed. But how often do we ponder God's words at that point? Genesis 22:12 says "now I know you fear Me." It seems as if friendship with God, walking in the Fear of the Lord and being totally surrendered to the Lord are all tied to obedience. Jesus said in John 15:14 that , "you are my friends if you do what I command." We all know such things by now and our flesh continues to war but we must become serious and focused on this most amazing truth as the Day Star is being formed in our hearts.

We MUST....our very salvation seems to hinge on our covenant decision to give up and become one with God. To make Him our friend. Why do we have such a hard time with such a COMMAND? Laziness. The cares of the world. Unbelief to name a few. We are all struggling to enter the Rest of God. We all want to hear, " well done thy good and faithful servant." And I join you in this great prize we all wish to obtain. So, don't give up. Keep pressing. God is faithful. He surely is.

As far as the male-friend I thirst for. I guess for now I wait. But as I do, I will continue my journey on bended knees and outstretched hands. Ever repenting. Ever humble. Ever hopeful. Hoping that as I continue to spend time getting to know my God and Daddy...I will make Him my friend. As I continue to lay my life down for Him and others.

P.S. As I gazed skyward this evening at the millions of stars, recognizing the sheer magnitude of them as suns giving life to countless other solar systems and galaxies. As I stood in awe of this most beautiful adornment I questioned God. "Why oh why are you so interested in me a mere speck in the vast scheme of all things wonderful?" He answered me and it was overwhelming. He said, " I decorated this canopy of blackness for your enjoyment because I love you. " "But why?" I screamed. The answer came back in a most surprising, most beautiful, quiet voice...."I want to be loved too."

Holding back tears I almost got it for a moment. To love is to die to self. To die is to live. For Him and others. I guess Jesus was right all along. To lose my life is gain. (salvation) In another place He said that if we love God we will be obedient. So, true Agape (the God kind of love) is getting my mind off of me and putting it on God (my new friend) and others. I guess it's not about me after all.

In closing please ponder Matthew 22: 37-40. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

WHEN DESPERATIONS COLLIDE

So nice of you to join me again as we continue to worship the Lord God Almighty through His living Word. Hope all is going well with you. Our God is a strong tower and faithful to fulfill His Word. All of His promises are yes and amen for you my dearly beloved. No weapon formed against you shall prosper and you are more than a conqueror through Him...Christ our Lord. The work He began in you He will finish. If God died for you when you were still in sin and strangers to the covenants of promise, how much more will He now deliver you from all the chaos which is soon to encompass the whole earth. These are just a few of the countless promises we find in God's Holy Word. Let's make a pact shall we? Let's, (together) hold on to Jesus; His faithful promises and each other in these last days. We are going to make it !!

God has given me many new and fresh messages over the past few months. They are still alive and will be presented when He sees fit. For now the Holy Spirit has led me to type yet another message from times past. This one (again) is a Christmas message from last year. Let us pray: Holy Father, we come to You again to share Love. Help us to receive Your love. Help us to love You and each other. Help us to trust You, obey You and to have joyful expectation of Your Coming. We love You and want You. Give us ears to hear what You are saying to us. In Jesus name we pray...AMEN.

Followers of Jesus have a hard time separating Christmas and Easter. Why? Because in our hearts, on this day, hope was born. A hope clothed in humility...the God of all gods lying in a dirty stable for me. FOR YOU !! But on this day Love was also birthed into our atmosphere. Because on this day we also discovered that God Jesus would die on the cross and go to hell to pay our sin debt. Did not the angels declare, "peace on earth, good will toward man?" Since Father God calls the end from the beginning then they were prophetically crying out, "Hey, on that Calvary tree, soon enough, the sin debt will be paid...peace between God and man. Then you can approach this awesome Love without fear....you will be forgiven. If you go through the only Door...the One lying between the donkey and the lamb."

But like Paul said, let us go on to more mature thinking and doing. By now we all get the Jesus scene...WHAT WE NEED NOW IS TO GET JESUS !! Deep is calling unto deep. We are living in an age where God is demanding more from His ambassadors then ever before. Well, let's just say that we are becoming more aware (by the Holy Spirit) that there is so much more than "just believe." The devils believe and tremble. There is much more than religious duties and hardships of ministry. Now Elijah cries out again, "Repent and prepare the way....for the Kingdom (power) of God has arrived !!"

An interesting word "prepare." A word we must lay hold of because without walking in the invisible preparation demanded of our heart NOW, we will be like the foolish virgins and be left behind when the King's trumpet sounds.

Didn't Jesus say, "consider the cost" if you want to follow Him? It cost Him everything and He demands the same from us. If we are not willing to die to our selfish will now...how will we kill our physical body through being beheaded during the tribulation? It's not as easy as you may think. So, let's be on the first boat load out. Not pressing so we can have eternal life, but DESPERATELY pressing to know Him who knows us...A love affair NOW !!

I know all too well how it feels when the Holy Spirit wells up on the inside. Before my new birth He tugged. I resisted. He is still tugging. I am still resisting at times. It's like something is about to explode on the inside...it's like if I could just exhale then I would be free to dance in the aroma of Jesus. My spirit is strong and willing, but my fearful flesh is weak. What would happen if when the next time I sense this deep calling to deep, I choose to do something different? To just cry out to God in that moment, "Oh God, I am yours...I give up...I am yours !" I am confident that when that desperation meets His desperation (displayed on Calvary to save me) then a most unique thing would occur. I would finally have my hearts desire. To love my Jesus without any reservation. To finally receive all that He has died for to give me...His Love. His mercy. His forgiveness. His Glory flowing outward from us who believe...towards the world of darkness and unbelief. True ambassadors after all...true representatives of the Father...displays of His Love in Jesus. Displayed for all to see.

Could it be? Yes, it is demanded. Have mercy on us all oh Glorious God. Soon enough men's hearts will begin to fail because of fear. The Jesus in us will be there for them. As for us...we will be safe and secure from all alarms. Why?

Because when desperation's collide...(our desperation to have Him who is desperate to have us) then Jesus (hope) is born again. Love and mercy (His death and resurrection) is born again. God's Glory will fill the earth. Let's prepare. Let's be expectant. Let's fall in love with Jesus all over again. He couldn't live without us. Do we have the same heart? Is that our cry this Christmas morning? IS THAT OUR CRY?

SURRENDER The Fruit of Believing

Howdy everybody. Thanks so much for sitting down with me again as we explore the richness of God's Word together. This is a message God gave me for Christmas in 2004. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do !! We usually start off with prayer but this message contains a prayer towards the end.

Just as we believe that God the Son was born in the earth. Just as we believe that God humbled Himself to become a man...to rescue us from our eternal hopelessness. We also must believe that we shall be born of the Spirit if we only ask. With God, believing is more than a mental thought. His idea of believing is for us to see His humility in birth. To see His love and servanthood as a man. And to see with our spiritual eyes His great mercy on the cross and our hope in the resurrection. And with seeing such Glory and love we would fall in love with Him. That we would repent...surrender to Him fully and walk as He walked by the power of the Holy Spirit. After all, does He not say in His Word, "Be holy for He is holy and without which no one will see the Lord?" Does He not say, "If we are not led by the Spirit then we are none of His?" The Word also proclaims that, "If we do not lose ourselves and follow Him then we are not fit for the Kingdom." How about this one, "If we love Him we will be obedient !"
 
 So with God, we see His great love and we believe. We see His undying mercy and we believe. We see that He is trustworthy. And since we know that, then when He says that we will be born of His Spirit if we repent and accept Him as our God....we believe and it is so. But true believing will be seen in our everyday fruit. Our steady pace of spending time with Him, in prayer and in His Word. The fruit of someone born from above will be seen in their separation from the love of worldly things. The fruit of a true beliver will be manifest in their surrendered hearts to the things from above. And from that vessel we shall see God's love and fruits of righteousness pouring out for the whole world to see.

Oh God have mercy on me for Your Coming is at hand! Help me to work out my salvation with fear and trembling according to Your Word. Convict me of my sins and forgive me merciful God. Help me to receive Your great love and fall in love with You in broken surrender and obedience. Help me to be a person that says, "surely You are my God and King." Help me to lay my life down for you. I know Your gift of salvation is free. I just need assurance within myself that I am sold out to You Glorious God. Help me Holy Spirit to make God.....God. In Jesus Name..AMEN.

 On this Day (remember this was a past Christmas message) Your love for me was born in the earth. Help me to see it, receive it and really..really fall in love with you in return. I need You !! I need the fruit of true believing in my life. The fruit of a surrendered, obedient lifestyle. Oh precious God, give me fruit. Give us all this most wonderful fruit. With that fruit we will surely shine in this world of darkness. Your Kingdom come (in us) as it is in heaven. OH GLORIOUS DAY..OH HALLELUJAH !!