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Offer God Only Your Best Sacrifice Malachi 1:6-8
6 A son honoureth his father and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
Israel offered the blind, the lame and the sick at God’s alter.
Israel profaned God’s name and polluted God’s alter.
Israel snuffed at God’s alter, they were proud, rebellious, stiffnecked, arrogant against the sacrifice to God!
Therefore God spoke to Israel.
Malachi 1:10-11
10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Therefore, I have no pleasure in you. But my name shall be great among the Gentils!
Let us the Gentile people, that have became God’s chosen, that have been born again of God’s Spirit having been baptized in Jesus name, filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit giveth the utterance;
· Give our best to Jesus everyday for we are all laborers together with God,
· Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building
1 Corinthians 3:9
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
* Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you!
Offer God Only Your Best!!!
1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 6:15
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:27
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Give God Only Your Best!!!
Romans 12:1
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Give God Your Very Best!!!
Ephesians 5:2
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Jesus Christ Gave God His Best!!
Jesus gave His very life-through the Holy Ghost!
Hebrews 13:15
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
1 Peter 2:1-5
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
God gave His best; His only begotten son- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Church, also offer your best sacrifice; Yourself-100%
To find a Church in your area, visit wec.upci.org/churches/ and be sure to visit Connecting Point Ministries online @ http://www.ensnaredindistractions.com/.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Perry Harris
Posted at 03:37 pm by CPMinistries
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How Does One Increase Their Faith? I’d Like to first start out by addressing what Faith actually is.
The Bible tells us in the book of
Hebrews 11:1-3
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
So we should have learned that not only is faith the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. We also should have learned that the elders obtained a good report by having faith. So that should tell us, that if we want to obtain a good report with God, we too need to exercise Faith. We also learned that by faith we as humans accept that God spoke the world into existence by things that do not appear.
The dictionary defines faith as:
Faith: 1. complete trust or confidence. 2. belief that is not based on proof.
Now that we know what Faith is, I’d like to share with you how important it is to have Faith.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
So then, having faith is pretty important to have isn’t it? So we want to make sure we exercise our Faith before God, that He may be pleased with us, so that we too can obtain a good report like the elders before us.
You may be wondering what the word diligently means.
Diligent: 1. careful and conscientious in a task or duty 2. constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything. 3. Marked by persevering, with painstaking effort.
So according to the verse we just read, not only is it impossible to please God without having faith, we also learned that when we come to the Lord we must believe that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
So now we have learned that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, that the elders obtained a good report by faith, through faith in God we believe he spoke the World into existence, not by things which were seen, but out of nothing, and that without Faith, it is impossible to please God, and that we also must believe that the Lord is a rewarder of those who make a conscientious effort, characterized by persevering with a constant, painstaking effort.
Now ask yourself a couple of questions. When you seek the Lord with your prayers, do you pursue Him with diligence? Do you have enough Faith to believe that He will answer your prayer?
Now that we understand what Faith is, and how important it is to have Faith; let’s take some time to explain what Faith isn’t.
Faith isn’t saying, I believe God is going to answer my prayer, or at least I hope he does.
Faith isn’t saying, I believe God answers prayer, I just don’t know if he will answer mine.
Faith isn’t saying, I believe God is going to answer my prayers, then having to go take a nerve suppressing agent.
So then, How does one increase their Faith? You may be telling yourself, that you don’t have any faith to even be increased. Let’s see what the Bible says about that belief system.
In Romans 12:3 Paul is speaking and says,
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
So we now know that every man has been given the measure of faith. Thank God for that. So since we know we have a measure of faith, the question remains, How then do we increase our Faith. Let’s start with step one.
Step 1. Hearing
Romans 10:10-17
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Are you ashamed of Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed to speak about Jesus Christ to your friends? Are you afraid to speak of Jesus Christ while you are in a public area? Because the Bible says in Mark 8:38
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Continuing at Romans 10:12
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This verse does not mean that if you call on the name of the Lord and have not followed the plan of Salvation that you will be saved. The Bible plainly lays out the plan of Salvation that must be followed. This verse is speaking to those who already have fulfilled the plan of Salvation.
Listen to what Luke 13:23-30 reads
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Now that you understand what verse thirteen meant I will reread it and listen closely to what verse 14 reads.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him (Jesus) in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
So now we see that you must have a preacher to hear the Word of God.
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Step 2. Believing
Believe: 1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so. 2. To have faith, confidence, or trust.
So not only do you have to hear the Word of God, to increase your faith. You also have to believe what you hear. However, there are many false teachers and false doctrines. So, if you truly want your faith to increase, you will have to open your Bible up and begin to Study and confirm what you are being taught. You will have to search the scriptures.
In II Timothy 2:13-21 it reads,
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Subverting: 1. To destroy completely; ruin: 2. To undermine the character, morals, or allegiance of; corrupt.
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rightly Dividing: Correctly interpreting the Word of God in analysis and presentation.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
These verses are very important to hear. This tells us that if we are in a church that doesn’t rightly divide the Bible, to get away from them, because it will increase unto more ungodliness. If you do not go home and study what the preacher has taught on and search the scriptures yourself, to see if the preacher correctly interpreted the passages he preached on, then how will you ever know that you are in a false doctrine of profane and vain babblings.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Iniquity: injustice or immoral behavior.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
So there is no reason for you to be a vessel of dishonour. This verse plainly tells you that if you will purge yourself from iniquity, then you will be a vessel of honour and sanctified.
Sanctified: 1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate. 2. to purify or free from sin.
Psalms 37:3-5
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
So we have learned up to this point that not only do you need to hear the Word of God from a preacher, you also need to study and make sure what you hear is accurate, and you need to put your Trust in the Lord, by believing that the Word of God is truth.
Psalms 40:4
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Titus 1:1
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
So now we know that God cannot lie. So there is no reason not to put your complete Trust in God.
John 6:35-37
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 1:14
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
It is important to understand that the water of life that Jesus is referring to is the Holy Ghost. Again, the plan of Salvation still needs to be followed. It is not enough to just say I believe.
John 3:3-6
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
This passage, in which Jesus spoke of a man needs to be born of the water and of the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God; this water here is referring to being baptized into Jesus’ death, and the Spirit is the receiving the Holy Ghost of which he was referring to the lady at the well that he had water that if you drink you will never thirst again.
It is very important that you follow this plan of Salvation, or you will not enter the Kingdom of God. If you are unsure as to whether or not you have followed the plan of Salvation correctly, be sure to click on the animated, opening and closing present on our website, and scroll down to the Salvation Links listed under the Salvation Track, and select the link for Salvation Package. This is three lessons to help you understand the correct plan of Salvation. These are: Repentance, Water Baptism, and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 5:6
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
So if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, knowing the God can not lie, you will be filled and that will include the correct plan of Salvation.
Step 3. Applying
Apply: 1. to put to use, especially for a particular purpose. 2. to bring into action;
James 1:22-27
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Hear how important it is to apply the Word of God. You don’t want to be one who hears the word and walks off and forgets what manner of man you are because you are not a doer of the Word, but just a Hearer of the Word.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
So if you are a doer of the Word, you shall be blessed in your actions. Also notice that Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep yourself unspotted from the world. This is True and Pure religion.
Matthew 7:24-27
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
So now we have learned that we need to be a Hearer, a Believer, and a Doer of the Word of God, or you are likened unto a foolish man that built your house upon the sand.
Two more things you can do in applying the Word of God to increase your Faith is Pray for the Gifts of the Spirit and be sure you Pray to hunger and thirst after righteousness that you may be filled. Since we know that God can not lie, we know that if you hunger and thirst after righteousness that you will be filled. This is very important to pray for.
The gifts of the Spirit are found in
I Corinthians 12:4-14
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Take notice that one of the Gifts, is the gift of Faith. If your faith is low, this is a great way to see your faith increased.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
John 5:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Rom 2:13
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
So you don’t want to find yourself only being a hearer of the Word of God, but also a doer.
John 14:15 Jesus tells us something extremely important.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:10
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
So if you do not keep the commandments that God has laid out for us in the Bible, then you do not love God. See how important it is to apply the Word of God in your life?
Matthew 22:36-40
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
This is very important to understand. Jesus just told us that if you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and love your neighbor as yourself, then you will have fulfilled the law. You may be wondering how then. The answer is if you love God, love your neighbor, you will keep his commandments, then you will gladly hear and receive the plan of Salvation that he has laid out before us, so that you too will have everlasting life.
I John 2:15-18
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Hear that. This is very clear to not love the world or anything in it, otherwise the love of God is not in you. Are you in love with your money? Your make-up? Your friends? The TV set? Your car? Yourelf??
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,
So do you think the questions I mentioned above are not the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life?
II Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
But if you do not come out from among them and be separate, then you are not the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty!!!
So we know to increase our faith, we need to Hear, believe, and apply the Word of God. This takes us to....
Step 4. Which Brings Suffering
suffer: to endure pain, to undergo or feel pain or distress, death.
II Timothy 2:10-13
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
This passage did not tell us that if we have a party or a great walk in the park, that we would reign with Christ, but it said IF WE SUFFER we will reign with Him.
James 5:7-11
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
The prophets and the brethern of the Lord left for us an example of suffering, affliction, and of patience. Why would you think that you should be any different? Don’t be deceived that the Lord wants to fill your pockets with cash. Don’t believe that this is the age of the Christian to reign supreme on Earth. This life is about suffering. If you aren’t suffering, then you must be doing something wrong. But also don’t deceive yourself into believing that suffering for unrighteousness will count for you in the day of Judgement!!
II Corinthians 1:4-7
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, (WHY) that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
These verses have explained to us very clearly that we are comforted during tribulation, that we may comfort others in there time of trouble. That suffering of Christ abound in us. It did not say that the carnival rides of joy about in Christ, but that the sufferings abound in us, whether we be afflicted we are partakers of the sufferings, so that we shall be also of the consolation, which is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:16-18
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
If we don’t suffer with Him, or if we suffer without Him, then you will be cast into the Lake of Fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, eternally, where the Worm dieth not!!
Galatians 6:7-10
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Hebrews 2:9-10
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
I Peter 4:12-13
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Hebrews 6:8-15
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Step 5. And Finally Perfection
Perfect: 1. entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings 2. accurate, exact, or correct in every detail.
James 1:2-7
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Justified: 1. To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid 2. To declare free of blame; absolve.
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
So our Tribulations and suffering, bring forth patience and experience, and finally hope of the love of God.
II Corinthians 4:13-18; 5:1-7
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
So Apostle Paul has told us that they walk by faith, and all that he has suffered is but a light affliction. Listen to what all Apostle Paul went through in his life.
II Corinthains 11:23-28
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure (beatings), in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Paul has just told us that he was beat five separate times, thirty-nine times each, suffered in labiours, and was put in prison often. He continues saying
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
So I don’t figure very many of us have every went through what Apostle Paul has considered a light affliction.
I Peter 5:10-11
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
So then, How does one increase their Faith? By Hearing the Word of God, Believing the Word of God, Applying the Word of God, Which brings forth Suffering, that finally makes us Perfect.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Ronnie Harris
Posted at 03:18 am by CPMinistries
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Are You Saved According to the Word of God, the Bible? “Are you saved”? Have you received the Holy Ghost? There is a way that seems good to a man,
Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip space, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
1. Philip preached Jesus Christ.
2. With one accord they gave heed.
3. There was great joy in that city.
4. They believed and were baptized.
5. Apostles sent Peter and John.
6. They prayed that the believers might receive the Holy Ghost.
7. Receiving the Holy Ghost is not necessarily automatically given to the believer when he accepts Christ.
8. Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.
Water Baptism is an absolute essential step in God’s plan of Salvation.
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
He that believeth and is Baptized, shall be saved. Are you saved according to the Word of God?
Acts 10:1-6 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
1. Cornelius was an Italian ( a Gentile).
2. He was a devout man-who feared God
3. He sent for Apostle Peter, because he could tell him what he must do to be saved.
Acts 10: 29-48 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
4. Tell us the things commanded of us from God.
5. While Peter spoke the Words of God, The Holy Ghost fell on all of them that heard the Word.
6. They spoke in tongues and magnified God.
7. Can any man forbid water—so these can be baptized that have received the Holy Ghost as well as we.
8. They were baptized in the name of the Lord.
Once a person repents of their sins- God can give them the gift of the Holy Ghost before water baptism-like He did Cornelius and his family, or He (GOD) can give them the gift of the Holy Ghost after water baptism like He did the Samaritans after Peter and John laid hands on them. But in both cases-Water Baptism was an Essential Step-in God’s Plan of Salvation. And in Both Cases Receiving the Holy Ghost Was A Confirmation of Salvation.
Acts 16:23-33 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
1. Paul and Silas was cast into prison.
2. The jailer asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
3. Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Paul and Silas baptized the jailer and his family—Baptism is Essential TO BE Saved!
Are You Saved According to the Word of God?
Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
1. Apostle Paul-speaks to certain disciples at Ephesus.
2. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?
3. They didn’t even know if there was a Holy Ghost.
4. When they heard Paul preach Jesus Christ-They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus-Water baptism is essentials in God’s plan of salvation.
5. Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost on them and they spake in tongues and prophesied.
Why Is Water Baptism in Jesus Name Necessary?
Romans 6:3-14 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
1. We are baptized into Jesus’ death.
2. Our old man ( the sinful man) is crucified with him.
3. The body of sin is put to death.
4. We became dead to sin in the Baptism.
5. You are under grace—
What price are you willing to pay for salvation?
“He that will save his life shall loose it”…That is those who refuse to repent and be baptized”—
“But he that will loose his life for Jesus Christ and the Gospels sake” shall save it. That is those that repent and are baptized into Jesus’ death. They become alive unto God—Saved!
To find a Church in your area, visit wec.upci.org/churches/ and be sure to visit Connecting Point Ministries online @ http://www.ensnaredindistractions.com/.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Perry Harris
Posted at 11:36 pm by CPMinistries
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Matthew 13:22
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
1. To busy with the cares and pleasures of life! (thorny ground) To busy seeking after pleasures of sin which leads to death, than to take the time to seek after Jesus to receive everlasting life.
2. To busy building bigger barns. To busy seeking money and possessions which lead to death.
Luke 12:15-21
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
3. To busy trying to live the American Dream—a high paying job, a new house, two men cars, expensive clothing, big vacations. The things we see are temporal ( they fade away), the things we can’t see are eternal.
4. To busy trying to get rich ( gain possessions) to take time to live for Christ ( the true riches). Church the world is to busy dying for gain, money possessions, to busy to live. To live is Christ, to die is gain. What profit it a man if he gain the whole world and loose his own soul.
What will you give in exchange for your soul? He that will save his life shall loose it, and he that will loose his life for Jesus and the Gospels sake shall save it! (his eternal life)
All the money in the world can’t buy your way out of hell.
Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the life, If a man believeth on me though he were dead, yet shall he live and if you are alive and believe on me you shall never die—Believeth thou this?
Church, are we to busy dying after the things of this life, to live unto Christ?
To busy to repent, to busy to be baptized in Jesus name, to busy to receive the Holy Ghost, to busy to live a holy life.
Let us as a church be to busy living to have the time to die!
Acts 2:1-18
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:22-27
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2:32-42
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
We of the United Pentecostal Church International preach and teach this Apostles Doctrine.
To find a Church in your area, visit wec.upci.org/churches/ and be sure to visit Connecting Point Ministries online @ http://www.ensnaredindistractions.com/.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Perry Harris
Posted at 02:42 pm by CPMinistries
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The Rules for being Part of a Jail Ministry Outreach Well my first night for attendance for the Jail Ministry Outreach was just a few days away. Brother Moris briefly prepared me for what I could expect. He also told me he only thought it fair to also tell me of the worst thing that he has seen happen so far.
What I could expect he told me, was people that are very hungry for the Lord. People who are down and out. People who are waking up to find themselves with the possibilities of anywhere from 10 years to life in prison in most cases. This news was tough for my heart to receive. I know we must punish criminals. However, I found my heart already going out to the people I had not even met yet. Knowing that many I may come to know, will be sent to federal prisons to serve out sentences for their crimes.
The worst event that has taken place in the three years since Brother Moris has been running this Jail Ministry Outreach, took place on a night that he had another person from the Church who was interested in joining this ministry. This was his first night. Brother Moris said, that when he arrived he could smell tear gas coming from their pod area. After the doors were opened for them to come in, he said everyone in the room was still coughing. He said their was a sheriff with a mop, mopping up a hugh puddle of blood off the floor. Apparently, several people had gotten out of line, and they had to release tear gas and a billy club to get matters back under control.
Brother Moris said that all through has Bible Study, he had trouble not coughing. Afterwards, he told me that the other christian brother that was with him, told him that he was scared the entire time and that he can’t stand the sight of blood. He told me that was his last night of coming to the Jail Ministry Outreach.
I was shocked in one respect, but not completely on the other hand. I also could understand why someone would not want to subject themselves to the possibility of being harmed and decide not to pursue this ministry.
I decided that I was going to put my trust in the Lord Jesus and if something broke out that he would either protect me, or whatever happened was the will of God. I made up my mind that I was going to treat these people as who they are. Human beings that made poor choices due to sin being in the world. I told brother Moris, I would still go and try this ministry out.
Brother Moris also gave me the rundown of the rules that we must follow in this ministry. He told me that we are not permitted to carry in any type of pointed instrument, such as car keys. Also no cell phones are allowed. We must always check in what we are bringing into the Jail pod with us. Such as the Bible, charts, Bible tracts, and such. Also if we wish to give them any type of Bible Tracts it has to be of a certain ink type, or they may try to smoke the ink off the page for a high. Otherwise, we are not allowed to give those who are in the Jail anything, and they are not allowed to give us anything. If they ask, we are to tell them that we are not permitted to take anything or any messages for them to others. And last but not least, if the sheriff on duty desires, we can be searched. So far brother Moris told me that this has never happened.
This brings us to my first night of the Jail Ministry Outreach. Brother Moris has chosen to go on Thursdays at 9:00 PM. Unexpectedly not only did brother Moris and brother Gass show up, another brother from the church also decided to make this his first night to try out the Jail Ministry Outreach. So we had a group of four of us ready to go and minister to those in need.
The name of the jail we visit is the Davidson County Jail. This building has the court house and the jail located within it. I found out that this jail holds the people that are awaiting court dates. These court dates can be anywhere from 30 days to years away.
The good news about this is that the people are less likely to be violent here, because it will either eliminate their chances for looking for the courts sympathy, or will add on many more years to their already possible long stay in the federal prison.
The first thing that takes place upon arrival to the Davidson County Jail is that Brother Moris has to buzz a buzzer and announce to the sheriffs inside who we are. He announces to them it’s the Jail Ministry. They then electronically open the door for us. This only lets us into a small area, until they are ready to allow us further passage. We are separated from them by a complete black fence. When they are ready, they electronically open this door for us and we enter in.
At this time, we exchange some kind words and show them what we are taking inside with us. They gather anything we can not take in. We then sign in with our name, who we are associated with, in our case Landmark UPC Church, and the time we went in and we verbally tell them where we would like to go. We go to the "M" pod.
This area also has two holding cells for those who were just brought in, until they find room to place them inside. It also has a chair for those who are rowdy or uncontrollable. This chair has 4 separate straps to strap you in, including one for your mouth if necessary.
The "M" pod is the designated area for sexual offenders, but due to overcrowding many times there are people who have committed other crimes mixed in there as well.
After a very short walk out the back door we enter a side door that they buzz us in, and we enter a hallway on our way to "M" pod. We go to the end of this hall and they buzz us into another hall. At the end of this hall is the "M" pod. There is a door that they buzz to let you into a small space until the door shuts behind you, and they then buzz the other door open to let you come into the area designated for those in Jail in the "M" pod.
Brother Moris led the way, and upon entering gave a shout of hello and began waving to all of the people that was there. I followed in with the others, and followed his lead. I smiled and started waving to everyone. I watched to see what brother Gass would do since he had been a part of this ministry for a long time. He made his way to a brown bench that was attached to the shower area and sat down. Me and the other new brother went to the bench and sat down as well.
Brother Moris continued the greetings and waited for the one TV that is about a 15" screen that is mounted on the wall to be turned off. He got his bible chart out and sat it down and told them we would be continuing on tonight and speaking about Abraham and the promise that God made to him. He always opens up with prayer.
Brother Moris is teaching out of the Bible Study, "Search for Truth". He told me later that this is about the third time through on teaching from this Bible Study. Since there is a turn over of people and since those who have been there over a year, could use learning over this material again, he has taught it several times. This Bible Study covers from Genesis to Revelation, so it is a very complete and thorough Bible Study.
As Brother Moris began teaching this lesson, I was taking notice of my surroundings as well as listening to his message. One of the first things that caught my attention was that the entire room was painted pink. Obvious to me it was done to demoralize. And if anyone is uncertain to as if I am right or not, the next thing I noticed was blue teddy bears crying tears and buckets full of tears.
In the middle of the room was metal tables and chairs bolted to the floor. There are approximately 8 of these tables. There is an upstairs and a downstairs for the jail cells. There are 40 jail cells in the "M" pod area. Due to overcrowding, many times there are 50 or so people in the cells.
Each cell has a bunk bed, a metal toilet/sink, and a small writing desk with one chair. When there is overcrowding, they place the third inmate on the floor with a mattress.
After the Bible Study we finish in prayer. At this time, we all begin going from cell to cell to ask anyone if they need prayer, or if they enjoyed the bible study, or if they had any bible questions that they wanted to talk about. This is the moment we all are able to participate and reach out to those in need.
I was nervous about what to say, but found that the people are friendly and if they have something to say, they will. So I began encouraging them to make sure they are ready for the coming of the Lord. I spent my time telling them to begin reading through Luke and then into Acts. Explaining that in John we are told we must be born again of water and of the Spirit. And to do this, we must do what the Apostle Peter told us in Acts 2:38-39, which says, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call".
I explained to them how that Matthew 28:19 was fulfilled in Acts 2:38 by showing them the connection that is found in the end of the 24th chapter of Luke. Followed by reading to them 2 Timothy 3:16. For those unfamiliar with these scriptures, I will post them.
Matthew 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Fulfilled in Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Explained by Jesus in Luke 24:45-49
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Reinforced by 2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
This will open the door for you to explain the oneness of God. That the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is Jesus. Of which the Apostles understood, and fulfilled in telling everyone the name of which to be baptized in. The name of Jesus Christ.
And before you know it, the sheriff tells us over the intercom, that it is time for us to leave for the evening, and we make our journey out. Once back to the main sheriff area, we sign out and claim any possessions that we had to leave behind before coming in.
I can tell you, that it was like walking in the heavens after witnessing to this hungry of a crowd. There were so many people who really was interested in listening and getting there questions answered. There were also many who were not as interested, and even some who did not really have an interest at all, and those who tell you they already are saved.
I also found out that several of the people in this holdi ng area, were once members of our Church. I also found out that one of the inmates is a member of another UPC church in our area of Highpoint, NC.
So it really brought my memory back to the scripture:
Matthew 25:36
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
To find a Church in your area, visit wec.upci.org/churches/ and be sure to visit Connecting Point Ministries online @ http://www.ensnaredindistractions.com/.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Ronnie Harris
Posted at 12:07 am by CPMinistries
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We Have something Greater Psalms 27:4 King David spoke:
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
Though King David was king of all Israel-though he could have any earthly desire yet he proclaimed; One thing have I desired (the scripture tells us King David was a man after God’s own heart. But we have something greater than King David had!
1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The Holy Ghost, the Comforter dwells in us. Praise God; we are the temple of God. Christ dwells in us. We have this wonderful gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost of God living in us. We have something greater, God is not a God far off to us, but a God that is nigh (near) unto us even inside of us.
Jesus said: My Father and I will come to you, we will “sup” with you (that is we will eat with you). We will live in you—we will make our “abode in you. “ We have something greater than King David but; this glory is of God; and not of ourselves-for God chose to put this “gift” in earthen vessels, mortal bodies, corruptible bodies; that He might receive all the praise and all the glory, that the glory might be of God and not of man.
The prophets of old desired this gift of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. But the spirit of God only at times, come upon them, but never indwelled in them. We have something greater, but take warning!
1 Corinthians 3:17
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
We are a purchased possession.
We have been bought with a price.
We are not our own.
We have been purchased by the Holy blood of Jesus Christ.
Therefore worship God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
We have something greater!
Ephesians 5:30
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
1 Peter 2:5
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Jesus said of those born of woman, ( speaking of the natural birth of a person unto this world) there is none greater than John the Baptist; the voice of one crying in the wilderness, but he that is least in the Kingdom of God, “We that have received the Holy Ghost is greater than he “John the Baptist”. We that have been born of the water and the Spirit are greater than John the Baptist, greater than King David.
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 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.
We have something greater!
2 Corinthians 6:16
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
King David desired to dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of his life; But we are the House! King David desired to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple. But we are the temple! We do offer up spiritual sacrifices unto God. We have something greater!
We are the Church, the Body of Christ, the Sons and Daughters of God; We are the Bride of Christ, We have something greater!
We have the greatest gift of all, Christ in us, the Hope of Glory!
The Hope of Salvation
The Hope of Heaven
The Hope of Eternal Life
The Hope of a Glorified Body, like unto the Lord’s Body
The Hope of Everlasting Life.
Oh Lord, I want to share this gift, I want to share your love for the church-with others. Those who have not been born again- those who have not received your Holy Spirit, speaking with other tongues as the spirit giveth utterance.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Perry Harris
Posted at 04:03 pm by CPMinistries
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An Introduction to A Jail Ministry Outreach Over the last several days, I have been thinking about including in my blogs a Jail Ministry Outreach that I am a part of. The reason for this, is to encourage others to also take part in whatever ministries that they are able to participate in. Including jail ministries.
Many people are probably under the same impression that I was under concerning having a Jail Ministry Outreach. You are going to be in an environment where no one wants you there, and everyone is hard core so that they can survive why they are there. I was nervous about the idea of becoming part of this ministry. Let me take some time to explain how it came to pass that I joined the Jail Ministry Outreach our Church offers.
About two years ago now, my family and I joined a Church in Lexington NC, called Landmark UPC. From the very moment that we arrived, I knew that this Church was a Church that I would want to be a part of. Not because of activities, but because God was there.
I had previously lived in WV and was in the midst of recovering from being in a back slidden condition that had lasted for about eight years without going to Church at all. After returning to a Church that God had led me to in WV, I continued to struggle with all of the things that I had picked up in the world. This battle of being in the Church and falling out went on for another five years, before my family and I moved to NC.
At that time we joined a Church nearby. This also was an Apostolic UPC Church. However, we noticed that it was very much different than the other UPC Churches we had visited in the past. In short, they seemed to be leaning very close to being Charismatic. I again quit attending Church. My parents continued on.
In the meantime, we visited another UPC Church about thirty minutes away in Lexington, NC. If you are uncertain what UPC means, it stands for United Pentecostal Church International. It may appear as UPC or UPCI depending. Anyway, this Pastor never knew us at all. We had called and asked him where his Church was located and made our way there. We were about ten minutes late due to a wrong turn.
When we came in, we saw a Church we were already familiar with. One with the Power of God and exuberance. Many people were leaping and shouting for joy, while the Choir sang. I was very excited to see this Church.
After the preaching, the Pastor asked everyone to come to the front for altar call and prayer. Immediately I left my aisle and went to pray. I placed my hands in the air, and in my heart, I cried out to the Lord. I began to weep. And then, the Pastor placed his hand upon me. I knew it was the pastor because I recognized his voice. With my eyes still shut, he spoke to me and said, "Your Walk was Meant to be. You have not lost one crumb from your loaf of bread. Now Speak!" I cried out loud in tongues because I knew my time had come. I also new that the only way that I could not have lost one crumb from my loaf of bread, was because of sincere, constant, daily prayer for forgiveness for my sins and for anything that I had done wrong. I was a repenting machine. Always asking the Lord for help.
Again, this Pastor had never seen us before, nor had any idea of my past; I grew up in the Church. I had received the Holy Ghost when I was seven years old. I walked closely with the Lord as a child. It was if I had always known Him. I was naive to sin. It was not until I had reached fourteen that my family and I back slid. Now the time had come when a man that knew nothing of me or my family was telling me that my walk was meant to be. This was something I had been waiting on my whole life.
So after praying about what we should do, my family and I decided this was the Church for us. So, my parents discussed this with their previous pastor, and left on good terms. We attended Landmark for several months, and then one day, my parents ran into their previous Pastor. Who offered to help my dad to start a daughter work. Which is starting another Church where the mother Church helps you to get started.
After much prayer, we decided to start this work for the Lord. This lasted for about a year in a Day Care Center that the mother Church ran. It was a wonderful time, and experience. However, the mother Church continued to do things that we did not agree with. So we decided it was best to let this Church go, since we had not yet picked up any full time members. Those we had accumulated were those who came to visit us and help support us in hopes that we may become established and they would join us, because they were attending Churches that were further away.
So we went back to Landmark UPC and met with the Pastor to discuss what had transpired since we had last been in attendance. He told us to pray about it, and that Landmark was always open to us for a place to land while we searched out direction from the Lord.
After praying, we decided that Landmark UPC would become our place of worship. We joined ourselves to Landmark. That was approximately two years ago. The Church extended their love and fellowship to us.
I decided that from this point forward in my life, that I was going to serve God and do all that I could do for Him. Prior to our return to Landmark, the Lord placed several callings in my life and I want to do all that I can do, to make sure that they are fulfilled, and that I don't lose out on anything the Lord has in store for me.
Over time, I started going to the Saturday Outreach Program. This is where we the Church gather and pass out fliers and try our best to witness to people about the Lord and invite them to join us at Landmark. This Church is very organized and everything is planned out well each week. The outreach department has grown to 40+ people each week reaching out to the community and surrounding area.
I had a hard time doing outreach. I was always very backward. But I am determined to overcome this. So after much praying, I decided that I might do better at this time of my life, helping out in the Retirement Center Ministry. This I found out, is also once each week. I thought this would help me with interacting more with people, helping me to become more comfortable in witnessing.
The Retirement Center Ministry, is a Church service I found out. Which was wonderful! Each week many people from our Church goes to the Retirement Center and we go from room to room asking if anyone wants to attend Church Service. There is a rotation of the ministry each week that speaks. This ministry is doing great! There is usually fifteen to twenty regular people from the Retirement Center that comes. And we also have anywhere from ten to twenty members from our Church come.
Over the last couple of months, two people from the Retirement Center ministry have received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in another tongue. Also another individual has come forth and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. I very much enjoyed this ministry. Yet somewhere deep in my heart, I kept thinking about the Jail Ministry Outreach that I heard was also an available ministry.
I was nervous about this ministry. And as I have previously mentioned I am very backward. But this scripture passage kept coming into my mind.
Matthew 25:31-46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
I realized from this passage of scriptures, that I have an opportunity to visit those in prison. I knew that this may be the only time that these people here the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt compelled to give this ministry a chance.
During the month of January this year, our organization wanted all the Churches to participate in a weekly 24 hour prayer service as well as fasting. Our Church participated. We took names of volunteers that would pray each hour for our continual 24 hour period. I signed up for early morning hours for three of the four weeks. Our focus was to pray for revival, our nation, and our world, that God would help us to make a global impact over the next decade.
On the last night of our 24 hour prayer service, my time for prayer had ended and the next shift was coming in. Brother Moris was one of the people that was praying in the time slot that I was in. He also is the person that is over the Jail Ministry Outreach. As I was getting ready to leave, he came over to me and another person that was wit h me at the time, and asked us how we were doing and how things were going.
As we began to talk, I told him that I was interested in coming with him sometime to his Jail Ministry Outreach, but when I worked up the nerve to come. It was like he never heard the last part of my sentence. He said, why don't you come with me this week. I paused for a moment, and said, ok.
He explained to me that he went on Thursdays and would meet with me in the Church parking lot as he also does with the other guy that goes with him. That way, we can all go together. So I found out, that only two people take part in this Jail Ministry Outreach, I would make three. And that is how I became part of the Jail Ministry Outreach Program.
Your Brother in the Lord,
Ronnie Harris
Posted at 05:36 pm by CPMinistries
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The Cup of Death For the Cup of Life pt. 1 Let’s begin with the prophesied birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
We will continue our reading with the prophecy of the "Cup of Death" that Jesus must partake of so that we may partake of the "Cup of Life".
Isaiah 53:1-12
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he {Jesus} shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
We were bought, bought with a price! The price?, was the "Cup of Death"! Bought with the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 22:14-20
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
O the Precious "Cup of Death!" The Cup of the New Testament Paid in Full by the Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Worthy Lamb of God.
Hear the Price!! Hear the Price!!, of the Cup of Death.
Matthew 26:38-44
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
We learn in ......
Luke 22:43-45
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
Hear the Price?? Hear the Price??, of the Cup of Death!! The Cup of Death for the Cup of Life!! Everlasting Life!! If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Let’s continue and read about "The Collection of the Payment."
Matthew 26:63-68
63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
This was only the beginning of the Suffering that Christ would come to know, so that you and I could partake of the "Cup of Life." And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Due to Jewish Law, Caiaphas the high priest did not have the authority to sentence Jesus Christ to death. So they delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea, in hopes that Pilate would crucify Him for claiming to be a King, when there was only one King of Rome, that being Caesar.
Matthew 27:22-31
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Listen to the Prophet Isaiah as he speaks of Jesus......
Isaiah 50:6
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Hear the Price!! Hear the Price!!, of the "Cup of Death for the Cup of Life"??
The Time has come!! The Hour is at Hand!! The Lord Jesus Christ was nailed to a Tree! Their to Drink the Cup of Sin!! Why, Why, you may ask, would He die on a Tree for Me?? Why, Why, would my savior die on that Cross for me?? He Drank the Cup of Death, the Cup of Death He Drank it for me, for in the Cup of Death, the curse of the Law we were redeemed.
Psalms 109:25
25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
Deliver Me my Darling!!
Psalms 22:1-31
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me |
