Hey there my fellow spiritual, "special forces." I am so glad that you have come again, so together, we may see what the Spirit is saying to us. This message is more of a pet peeve of mine. But, the Holy Spirit has given me enough of the Word to make it worth a notice. We will have a little fun expanding our minds, then we will allow the Spirit to encourage and love on us. I could use a lot of that, especially in the difficult times in which we live, couldn't you? Let us pray:
Thank You Father for loving us. Please help us to receive Your most awesome love and give it back to You in return. Jesus, our hero and champion, we adore You. Holy Spirit, we need You. Please teach us the Word, and show us the Father and the Son. Lord God Almighty; Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Creator of all things; soon coming King; merciful; mighty; holy; beautiful; righteous; forgiving and kind...we lift our hands and praise Your holy Name. Give us courage and great faith. Help us to be bold and effective witnesses to those You put in our path. May we have joy and expectancy of Your Coming. In Jesus name...AMEN.
Have you ever heard of "jailhouse religion?" Have you ever heard a preacher preach a "fire and brimstone" message? We are going to talk a little about these things, and hopefully I don't offend anyone in the process. We are going to brainstorm a little about this pet peeve of mine, then we will let the Word tell us a higher way. A way which keeps. Fear might draw you to God, but love will keep you. Whoops, almost gave away the ending. This message might not give you goose bumps or bring tears to your eyes, but then again, we never know which way the wind of the Holy Spirit will blow. Ready? Let's go.
I know of many, many persons who have found themselves behind the jailhouse bars. Do you? From observation, it seems as if a very high percentage of them, turn to the Lord Jesus during their incarceration. This is a good thing and understandable. When you find yourself without freedom and without your family, you turn to the One who can ease the pain. The One you used to have a relationship with. They turn back to the love they have neglected for so long. Sometimes it is for comfort and protection, but often they turn to that Light within for hope of being released. Sure, it usually begins like any other love affair gone sour. There is sobbing, repentance, forgiveness and acceptance. Oh! Hallelujah for such times of refreshing and reconciliation.
But, I ask you, are there fruits of repentance? Are they producing fruits of righteousness? Is their talk just that?....talk. When they melt back into the real world, do their hearts still blaze with great love and zeal for their Jesus. Or do you see them going from crisis to crisis,from reconciliation to God to reconciliation to God? Some say, "well, Mr. Kenny G., isn't that better than nothing?" To them I say: "sure, but the Holy Spirit has a higher way." A way that will keep that love affair alive and burning. And from it will drip droplets of peace and assurance of eternal life.
Hey, are you familiar with anyone who was born again while in prison? Once again, let us ponder their motivation to seek after such a thing. Or better yet, let us ponder why they said, "yes," when God called them to the cross. By the way, the cross is a clue to the keeping power and the higher way. You will understand more fully in just a few, stay patient my beloved. Was the prisoners motivation to kneel at the cross the same as the person described in the previous paragraph? Was it fear? Only God knows and that is the way I like it. Takes a lot of pressure off of me. But let's investigate and ponder a little further so the revelation, of the higher way, will make more sense. Oh praise God! Praise God, for the many ministers who (some put their own life at risk) go into the prisons to bring the Good News to the incarcerated. And, "Thank you Jesus," for the thousands upon thousands who said, "yes," to His calling. But, how many went back to their old lifestyles upon release? Why did they not stay the course? The higher way would have kept them producing fruits of repentance. In fact, this higher way will keep all of us. It surely will !
As a kid, I can remember my cousins and I going to church with our granddaddy. It was a Christian denomination, but one which put more emphasis on the outward holiness of man versus the inner sanctification of the Holy Spirit. I remember that the women couldn't wear pants or cut their hair. If memory serves me correctly, they couldn't wear make up either. There were a lot of what a person couldn't do instead of what they could do in Christ Jesus.
I guess the most vivid memory was one of us kids sitting on the front row during revivals, which seemed to occur every couple of weeks. The preacher would be pacing back and forth across the stage in a rage. His face was red, hair was matted and his suit was wrinkled and stained with sweat. We were on the edge of our seats, as spit rained down on us. I didn't know it then, but something else rained down on us that day...condemnation. All we heard in our little ears was this: God was mad at us; we were sinners and unless we came to the altar we were going to burn in hell forever. We went and knelt. Sometimes we cried, sometimes we just stayed still as the men of God came and tried to shake some kind of demon out of us. Sad to admit, but during revivals, I think we were at the altar every night. I didn't know about God's higher way of keeping me on the path of His love back then. But, God had mercy on me and over the years He taught me what I am about to share with you.
911. That very number speaks volumes. Most people of the world have an understanding of that infamous day. Let me quickly recap for those who do not know of this day. It was a day like most others, people here in the United States of America going about their daily routines. All seemed well on this fateful day. The hint of autumn was in the air as we lived our lives on that September 11th day. Most people will always remember where they were that morning, just like the day when JFK was assassinated. I was getting a haircut, when all of a sudden, the pictures being broadcast from the TV sent shock waves through my entire being.
911. Pictures of a jumbo jet, a passenger plane, plowing into one of the twin towers in New York. We all watched in horror..not understanding, not believing, not breathing. Soon thereafter, another passenger plane flew full speed into the second tower. Smoke, flames, persons jumping out windows from high up as the jet fuel created a hell on earth. Reporters were talking frantically trying to get all the info, some crying. Along with many who watched. As in a science fiction movie, we watched the towers fall in seemingly slow motion, down, down, down to the city below. The smoke from the fires, and now from the manmade towers disintegrating as they made their final resting place on the earth below, set a volcanic like scene. Fires, alarms, smoke rising to the heavens, the sun blackened, people screaming and crying. These are the lasting images we who witnessed this calamity remember on 911...the day the world stood still. The day we understood that we have a real enemy and that enemy is fueled by satan himself.
The churches were full the next day (probably that day also). Months diminished and so did the church attendance. Some will say that, "hey, Mr. Kenny G., at least they went to church, and maybe something good wore off on them." To that I say, cool, whatever. But please let me tell you about a much higher way. The way which Father God hopes all of us will take to Him through His Son, Jesus. If we take His way, then the Holy Spirit will keep us. We will have peace, hope, joy, abundance of life, sanctification, and all things God has for His people. And it won't take a crisis to bring it about. This way, if taken, will bring about much power and Light for all the world to see.
Before we dive into the ultimate road to His Highest, let me address a few groups of people who may be reading this. I would be in error if I didn't mention the group who are still seeking the right road to their after life. Let me introduce you to someone really cool. His name is God. Yes, the same God who created all things, including you. He is love and everything which comes from Him is good with a capital G. He created satan also. The devil is a fallen angel who was cast out when he tried to make himself like God. Through him, sin was brought into the world through the bowing down of Adam and Eve. Sin separates a person from God. Before sin, Adam and Eve communed with God face to face. Cool with a capital C. After sin entered the human race, man had no hope of assurance of salvation, fellowship with God or of their destination. God said that without the shedding of blood, there is no atonement for sin. He had a plan to win back the hearts of His children.
Let's talk more about the One True God. He is a God who is more than willing to hold you in His arms. In those arms, as you lean close to His breast, you will find the peace you are searching for. It is not the peace the world has to offer. It is an everlasting peace. Peace between you and the Almighty God who created all things. It is a peace which can only come through believing and accepting His gift of Love.
That gift (which comes with no strings attached and is something you cannot purchase or work to achieve) was the One who outstretched His arms and was crucified in your place. The rugged cross, the shedding of sinless blood and the agony of suffering the Father's wrath on unrighteousness. These are the things that the King of Glory suffered in your place and mine. Who is this King of Glory? Who is this Love, who willingly took your place and mine on that tree of death? He is the same One who keeps the stars in place by the power of His Word, and He calls them by name. He is the One who got off His lofty throne to humble Himself as He walked among us.
Who is this King of Glory? He was the One whom the Father loves with an eternal love, but He is also the One whom the Father used to purchase you and I. Think about it for a moment. Father God looked through the ages of eternal time and chose each and every person (whom He calls by name) to be esteemed worthy of being purchased. And what a price He paid for us. The price was none other than the death and resurrection of the very King of Kings Himself.
God made a way for all people's of the earth, who are created in His image and likeness, to be forgiven; to be purchased; to be redeemed; to be loved; to be chosen and to walk in His glory and power. WOW !! Chosen to be His children. Chosen to be His beloved. Chosen to be His own very special treasure. But we must all go through the Door. There is only one Door which all men must pass through to achieve this heavenly bliss which I am describing. Who is this King of Glory? Who is this Door? He is none other than Love...the One with the nail pierced hands and feet. His name is JESUS.
Pause and see that Love who loves you so! Think of the humility, shame and agony He went through to make you His very own. Would you make Him your own? Today? Now? Thank the Father for His love poured out for you on Calvary's hill. Thank King Jesus for His blood which will cleanse you of all sin. ALL SIN. Ask for forgiveness and mercy NOW. Believe it. Receive it.
Bow now before your new King. Embrace your new love. He has been brought near to you now. As near as your very own heart. Rejoice my beloved. You have been been forgiven. You have been born from above. Your name is now written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Eternal bliss awaits you. I am singing, dancing and worshipping God right along side of you. And we are not alone. All of heavens Host rejoice with us. Rejoice...again I say Rejoice. Keep feeding on Jesus, who is the Word. The Word will give you daily abundance of Life. The Word gives you faith. What the Word says...God WILL do. Share that life (Jesus), who now dwells within you, with someone else. Associate yourself with like-minded believers. Grow. Love. Hope. Worship. The One living within you will keep you. It is God's highest way...this love affair.
Are you in the category of persons who came to the Lord Jesus in a time of fear or crisis? Well, God bless you. Welcome to the family and praise You Jesus. My question is this: "has it been a stable relationship?" Did you find yourself, after your conversion, continuing in your old lifestyle or coming back to the table to dine after the next new crisis? I am in no way being demeaning. But, in love, I offer to you the more excellent way. Drum roll please. And here it is ladies and gentlemen......the higher way. The way which will keep you.
L O V E
Hear me out please. God never intended to get man's attention by using scare tactics or fear, because He knew that wouldn't keep us beholding His lovely Face. The following verse is about wore out, but let's look at it from a different perspective. "For God, so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believeth in Him, would not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16. Let us go now to a few scriptures in the book of Acts. These are important because the church was birthed on the Day of Pentecost. What message did Peter preach to have God add three thousand souls that day to His roster of children? And by the way, every message proclaimed to people in the Bible, about being born from above, was out of love...not fear.
22-28"Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all:
I saw God before me for all time.
Nothing can shake me; he's right by my side.
I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic;
I've pitched my tent in the land of hope.
I know you'll never dump me in Hades;
I'll never even smell the stench of death.
You've got my feet on the life-path,
with your face shining sun-joy all around.
29-36"Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—'no trip to Hades, no stench of death.' This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say,
God said to my Master, "Sit at my right hand
Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet."
"All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross."
37Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?" (Their hearts were convicted of sin and at the same time they saw God's Love poured out on Calvary's tree.)
38-39Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."
40He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
41-42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43-45Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46-47They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
To myself, and to all believers, I say: "Have you been cut to the heart?" To me, being cut to the heart is a twofold process and is a work done only by the Holy Spirit. First we see we are sinners and are convicted of our sins as we stand before a Holy God. This is called repentance. Second, and this is my favorite, our heart is arrested by the love of God for us as seen in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. We are taken captive. Gazing upon the cross we see the Father's love. We see our hero; our champion and our redeemer totally surrendered to the Father's will on our behalf. Oh what love. If we allow the Holy Spirit to finish His work in us at this moment, the moment in time when all heaven is silent...waiting for our response, we too will say in our heart: "Yes Lord, I will surrender my life to You. I have seen a pearl worth a great price and I will give my all to make it my own. Lord Jesus, I am Yours and You are mine."
Dearly beloved, God has always intended for us to see His love and mercy for us as seen in the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. If we respond to a salvation message, let it be out of love instead of fear. This is His highest way and that love affair will keep you. It surely will. Check out the following verse and you will see the Word speaking about this highest way.And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me." He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.(John 12:32)
Do you see it? God wants to draw us to Himself when we see His love (Jesus) lifted up upon that rugged cross. Amen and hallelujah!
I know that we believers are all at different levels in our walk with the Lord. Some have come to that wonderful place of rest. A place where, not only is the heart surrendered, but it is walked out in every day life. The evidence is total obedience and a life which is completely finished with the flesh and it's demands. That person is one with God. They are His friend. There is power, love and great joy. But let me tell you a little secret. That person is still tried and tested, and they will be until Jesus comes back for His Bride. We all see ourselves as that holy man or woman of God but we may not have arrived yet because of various reasons.
Some of those reasons, if we are not very careful, will lead us away from our goal and heart's desire of being one with God. Why? Because satan is on a rampage. I have never seen such a ferocious and demonic attack on the minds of believers as I am seeing now. If you fall, get back up. Cast down the thoughts which you know are not from God. Keep praying, keep worshipping and by all means...stay connected to other believers. We need each other. Sure, sometimes we feel guilty if we are lazy; if we let the cares of the world keep us from our special time with the Lord and if we get down on ourselves because we don't believe we are being transformed fast enough. Hold on to Jesus. Hold on to Jesus. Hold on!
When I feel as if I have missed the mark and get downcast within, I like to consider King David and Moses. Both of these men committed murder and did other things which hurt the Lord. Yet, God used them mightily and even called David: "A man after my Own heart." So in closing, let's look at the way King David saw the Lord Almighty. We find this love song in Psalms 103.
Psalm 103 Of David. 1Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— 18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 19The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul. King David surely chose the HIGHEST WAY....how about you?
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In closing, I would like to make a comment real quick about the "Restoring Honor Rally" held this past weekend by Glenn Beck. If you are from America, you know who I am talking about. If not, then look him up on the web if you can. What I am about to say is NOT my opinion, but the Truth as revealed by the Holy Spirit. What happened this weekend, 8/28/2010, is a miracle to say the least. I,my wife, and millions of others around the world cried and cried as we witnessed what we knew was the hand of God and the Truth of God. Glenn is a radio and TV host (Fox News) here in NYC. If you want to know what is really happening in the world, watch Fox. OK, enough of the plugs. Glenn told his listening audience, about a year ago, that he was going to have an event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.,on 8/28/2010. At the time it seemed as if it was going to be political in nature, but God changed all of that. Glenn started talking more and more about God and Jesus as time wore on, so those who attended knew it was going to be a gathering of kindred spirits. Spirits who loved God and America.
People from all over America came. Some reports say that almost a million people attended. Just think, who do you know that can draw such a crowd. I don't think any other crowd comes close except for that of Martin Luther King Jr. He and Glenn both, brought the same message....get back to God and the founders intent for this nation. Glenn has the spirit of Elijah upon him. He is like John the Baptist crying, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand." Dearly beloved, God is dividing the dark from the light and He is doing it all over the world. Rejoice for your redemption draws near! With much love and prayer....I bid you good night.
BOY, THE HOLY SPIRIT REALLY WANTS TO SPOIL YOU ON THIS MESSAGE. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW BY CASTING CROWNS.ENJOY...I LOVE YOU.....KennyG
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