Fear tactics

I have always been intrigued with the mafia, I don’t know why but I have. From books to documentaries and movies, I have studied their ways and tactics.

The mafia for the longest time here in America was denied that it even existed by those in power that it but it did and still does, they ruled through fear, intimidation and corrupted men and women in high places with power and money.

The mafia’s power started to decline after our government passed the RICO act and started enforcing the law, people started fearing the government and what they could more than the mafia, it is reported that over 10,000 members of the mafia turned on their bosses and took advantage of the witness protection program to help bring down the mafia.

The devil operates under the same principles of fear and intimidation, he lies too us and plays on our fears, he corrupts our hearts with power and money, he is a liar he has always been and always will be.

He tells us God is not real, or if we believe in God that He wants nothing too do with us, he tells us when we’re sick ,not feeling good or get a bad report from the doctor that we are going to die, that if God loved you this wouldn’t happen.

The fear he causes in marriages with doubts and thoughts of cheating spouses, or over parenting with fear for our children.

The fear in society of hatred, violence, sickness, poverty, other people because they are different than us in thought, in beliefs or color, these are lies from the enemy of mankind that have been told for so long that we believe them, and guess what he brought all these things into this world to rule and control mankind and to keep us from God and His truths.

The enemy intimidates us not too speak of Christ because we will look foolish, or people won’t like us or think we are odd, he deceives us into believing we are the only ones who want to know Jesus, his tactics have never changed nor will they for they have worked since the garden of Eden.

I tell you though we do not need too fear the enemy for his power is limited, when we come to understand the sovereignty of God, we know that our lives are in His hands then we are free to live as God has called us, we have entered into His witness protection program and it is for eternity.

God’s word says the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord, this fear is twofold, first we should fear Him for He is God and He is holy and righteous and at anytime He has the power and authority to take out everyone and everything, we should also be in awe of His awesome power and glory and the things He does for us only because He loves us and wants a relationship with each of us individually. 

Whatever the enemy is whispering or yelling in your ears, stop listening too Him and hear the voice of God, it is time you and I are free from the false bondage we have become entangled in, and we start living as God has intended.

God’s word says this;

“Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28 CSB

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 CSB

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

2 Timothy 1:7-9 CSB

“Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 CSB

“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.”

1 John 4:18 CSB

“What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:31-39 CSB

“Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.”

Hebrews 13:5 CSB

Walk into the light, no run into the light!

Have you ever watched a sunrise over the horizon?  Did you notice how the darkness of night retreats when the light appears? 

It's magical, breathtaking and is a reminder that darkness has no place in our lives, We may be overcome for a moment by the darkness , but it must flee in the presence of the Lord. 

The Lord reigns over all the earth, everything is subject to His will and way, darkness only exist because of the absence of His light, this absence is because of our sin, or our choices, the light is always there it is us that like the rotation of the earth that has moved, we can choose to walk in darkness or we can choose to walk in the light.

I have come out of the darkness and by God's grace will never return. 

How about you are your days dark? Are they filled with emptiness, fear, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, anger, bitterness, depression or addictions, come out of the darkness into the presence of my Lord, Jesus Christ and see what happens when He reigns.

“The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him and burns up His foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord — at the presence of the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory. All who serve carved images, those who boast in idols, will be put to shame. All the gods must worship Him. Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, Lord. For You, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted above all the gods. You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of His godly ones; He rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭97:1-12‬ ‭HCSB‬

“I will exalt You, Lord, because You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. Lord, You brought me up from Sheol; You spared me from among those going down to the Pit. Sing to Yahweh, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning. When I was secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when You showed Your favor, You made me stand like a strong mountain; when You hid Your face, I was terrified. Lord, I called to You; I sought favor from my Lord: “What gain is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your truth? Lord, listen and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper.” You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭30:1-12‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.

The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.

But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:1-5, 9-10, 12-13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Will you let Him in?

We are living in a world that rejects Jesus Christ, we are seeing the result of this in our community's. We have gender confusion, good is now evil, truth is hate speech, and the government fears the influence of Christ in our culture.

While this can be upsetting God's word says that it must happen, and it is.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 HCSB 1 About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, "Peace and security," then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6 So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. 

2 Thessalonians  2:1-4 HCSB 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him: We ask you, brothers, 2 not to be easily upset in mind or troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter as if from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God's sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God. 

Even in the Church they reject the one they say they love, Jesus Christ.

When Jesus spoke to John in revelation 3, He was not standing outside the capital building knocking to allow Him in, He was standing outside the Church to let Him in because they practiced Christless Christianity.

Rev 3:14-22 HCSB 14 "Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.  22 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." 

But what is truly fearful is this, that one day soon God will pour out His wrath on those who reject Him, and when that day comes there will be no turning back for in that moment when God says enough, the end has come and there will be no more hope.

Romans 2:4-9 HCSB 4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed. 6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; 9 affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;

When we read God's word, let us take serious the end times, let us remember that Christ died for all, that Christ love is given to all, and let us share the hope we have in Christ that those around us may not perish.

Romans 12:9-18 HCSB 9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Time is short the days are growing shorter, if you do not know what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, He is knocking at the door now wanting to start the relationship with Him. 

Will you let Him in?

The culture, the ark and the Bible

God’s grace is great and extended to mankind, this is true but His grace is not extended forever . God has had enough and His wrath is being poured out righteously with His  judgment too those who have rejected Him. Our call as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father is to share with mankind His love, His truths, His coming again. The job of mankind is either except Him or reject Him, but either way their choice is made and God is sovereign over them.

Rom 1:18-32 -18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

You see the key words starting out here are "The Wrath of God is revealed"

We can see around us what God's wrath is, the depravity of mankind. Man is turned over to his own wicked desires evil has become good and good evil. When you read through these verses you see the wrath of God and the consequences of man's rebellion. 

We can look back at the account of Noah as see how God works. While reading the account of Noah: God has brought some details to mind that are easily overlooked, because we are not reading about them they are lost in the flood if you will.

Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. ... 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. ... 17 "And behold, I Myself am bringing flood waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark--you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. ... 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

Genesis 7:1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. ... 4 "For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made." 5 And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. ... 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth.

Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

You've probably read the story of Noah over and over but when you put it with the words of Jesus in Matthew , there is a new light shining on them. You see Noah lived in wicked times, so wicked that God was not happy with mankind and destroyed them except for Noah and his family, but what you don’t see is Noah engaging the culture, he didn't get sucked into the name calling, the backbiting, the games the world plays, he just did what God told him to do, as a matter of fact the Bible says twice that “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. “

Are we to do the same? Yes!

Noah figured out that what God said was going to happen, and even though he had never seen rain or knew what it was he built the ark according to the directions God gave him. It took him over 100 years to build the ark day and night he was faithful God. We know he was ridiculed and laughed at for his obedience but the Bible says “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. “

Don’t stop reading yet and think I have thrown in the towel on standing up for what is right, I haven’t God has just said to me to approach things His way and not mine, and it is not easy to do in this culture when you see death coming to those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

God’s way is above our ways and Noah knew this, he preached while they built the ark to all who would listen, the Bible said he found grace with God and was considered righteous in the eyes of God, and he was a preacher. Jesus said the culture was one of drunkenness and foolishness and people only cared for themselves they lived life as they wanted without God.

And we see that today in our society more and more, the irony is this:  man is foolish and rebels against God always has and will because we are slaves to sin, before Christ calls us and sets us free. We have no free will until Christ gives it too us. Without Christ we are held in bondage and have no way of escape, after Christ is in us we do have the choice to not sin.

But when man sins it is because of our nature, but when we try to override the laws of God, the law of morality we are saying that we are above God, that our ways are greater and we have crossed a line that God will not tolerate.

When politicians live in immorality today and promote a culture of greed through laziness telling the masses we will provide for you, when politicians say it is okay to murder children and destroy the lives of women by the millions through abortion and they try to legislate marriage as an open act to whomever we please, man with man woman with woman we have trampled on the words of God and have set ourselves to be god and God says He is a jealousy God and will not tolerate idolatry.

When the serpent came too Eve in the garden remember what he said

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

See verse 5 for God knows you will be like Him, and from that first bite of deception mankind has wanted to be god,  the devil has deceived us into his own lie where he says he will raise his throne above God’s and be seated, and mankind has been drawn in.

We need to be as Noah, and don’t fight the world,  that is what they want to show everyone that we are hateful bigots serving a bigot for a God, even though that is not truth they use all the can to deceive one another into believing their own lies.

There are churches out there that have embraced the world’s philosophy, and excepts whatever comes their way as truth, some do it for money, some do it for numbers, but all do it for their father the devil who is the father of lies.

The Bible says this

2 Corinthians 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!

And run we should, we should stay busy like Noah doing what God tells us, and when history is written may it be said of us  “Thus we did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. “

One day soon Jesus is coming back, those who are His disciples will leave with Him and never face the judgment of God, and those who have rejected and mocked God will face the fury of a righteous God whose anger will burn against them forevermore for they have condemned themselves already.

Just for a quick side note here also, you see in chapter 7 of Genesis the Bible says twice that God left the door of the ark open 7 days before He shut it waiting for anyone else to join Noah and his family, no one came and the population of the earth was wiped away except Noah and his family.

When Jesus breaks the sky and calls us home there will be 7 years of tribulation God will receive unto Himself all those who persevere through this time of judgment and receive Him into their lives.

If you don’t know who Jesus is, or if you’re not sure what it means to be forgiven and set apart and receive Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior you can, it will not be an easy road many claim to be followers of Christ but few are.

But know this we are all sinners and fallen short of the glory of God, but yet while we are sinners Christ died for us, and in His death and resurrection He gives us life, abundantly and eternally for all those that call upon His name, and confess Him as Lord and Savior. Christ alone is our way to God the Father. Once we are in Him, and He in us, we are forever His, nothing can separate us one day He will return and call us home, what a day that will be. Ask Jesus to change you confess to Him you have sinned we all have,  believe in your heart and mind and confess Him before your family friends and wherever you go and you shall be saved.

That's my King

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews.
He's the King of Israel.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of Kings,
and He's the Lord of lords.

My King is a sovereign King.
No means of measure can define his limitless love.
He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful.

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the peak of civilization.
He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior.

He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meager.

He's the key to knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.

Well, His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous,
and His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you.
Yes, He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible.
He's invincible. He's irresistible.
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your head.
You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.

Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him,
but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him,
and the grave couldn't hold Him. I wonder if you know Him?
If you don't His name is Jesus!

I Corinthians 15:1-8, 20-22

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

That's My King. From Dr, Lockridge,

7 Things a Good Dad Says

Christian Living

March 31, 2014

I think I may be leaving one phase of fatherhood behind even while I enter into another. My youngest child is just about to turn eight, which means that we are not only past the baby and toddler stages, but even nearing the end of the little kid phase. Meanwhile my oldest child has turned fourteen and is just months away from high school. All this change has caused me to think about fatherhood and the new challenges coming my way. I have found myself thinking back to the many models of fatherhood I have seen and admired through the years. What made these fathers admirable? What set them apart? What was it that they said to their children? From these models I have drawn seven things a good father says.


I love you. Few things are more important to a child than knowing where he stands with his parents. As I think back to my childhood, I remember several friends who lived with uncertainty in their relationship with their parents, and their fathers especially. They longed to hear words of love and approval. But I saw other kids who had total confidence in that love and approval. Often the difference was little more than three simple words repeated regularly: “I love you.” Men can be so petty, so prideful, and hold back those words. Yet there is no good reason for it. The more awkward it feels, the more urgent it is. From the dads I admire I’ve learn that a father needs to say, “I love you,” and he needs to say it often.


Let me kiss it better. Even as a young child I remember observing two different kinds of fathers in my church. When children fell and scraped their knees, there were two ways I saw dads react. Some fathers would pick up their children, set them back on their feet, and tell them to get over it. “You’re fine. Walk it off!” They wanted their soft children to toughen up. There were other fathers who would pick up their children, hold them in their arms, make a show of extending comfort, and say, “Let me kiss it better.” These were fathers who wanted their hard children to soften up. Sure, there are times to tell your child to walk it off, but there are far more times to extend love and concern through those childhood bumps and bruises and through the bigger sins and mistakes that come with age. From the dads I admire I’ve learned the value of saying, “Let me kiss it better” (though, obviously, as the children get older the wording changes!).


Come with me. There is so much in life that can be better caught than taught. Often the best way to train up a child is to let that child into your life. One father I admire taught me the distinction between being face-to-face with my children and being shoulder-to-shoulder. I saw this shoulder-to-shoulder parenting in my own father who often brought me with him on his errands or, even better, to his work. This allowed me to see the value of putting in a hard day’s work, and the value of building relationships with clients, suppliers, and so many others. It allowed me to see that work was an extension of the rest of life, and not a part of life that exists all on its own. The fathers I have admired are the fathers who say to their children, “Come with me,” and who welcome them into their day-to-day lives.


Please forgive me. Every father sins against every one of his children. He probably does it every day. Sadly, sin is every bit as inevitable as death and taxes. Fathers need to be in the habit of identifying their sin to their children and asking forgiveness. But as I think back, I saw this and heard of this in so few fathers. There are only a few I knew to consistently identify their sin and seek forgiveness for it. As I consider my fourteen years of parenting, I see far too little of it as well. The practice seems so much more difficult than the theory. The good dad is the one who humbly, carefully says to his children, “Please forgive me.”

You’re forgiven. Just as every father sins against every one of his children, every child sins against his father. The father who asks forgiveness also needs to be willing to extend forgiveness. Every father punishes his child at times, but too many fathers punish in the worst way—by holding a grudge or by letting the child suffer as dad withholds forgiveness and reconciliation. Our children need to be forgiven and they need to experience the joy of reconciliation. Here I think of a father I know—a father I admire—who taught me that a good dad doesn’t just say, “It’s okay,” but always goes further to say, “You’re forgiven.

Let’s pray. There is one father I admire whom I have only met in the pages of books he has written. Of all he has written, what has gripped me most is the ways in which he prays with his children. He reserves special time each week for each child and in that time he inquires about their souls and prays with them. That sounds like a wonderful practice. And in the rhythm of daily life with all its ups and downs he is also quick to lead them in seeking God’s strength, God’s help, God’s wisdom. Here he teaches them the best and deepest kind of dependency on the best and greatest Help in the world. I have learned from him that the good dad is quick to say, “Let’s pray.”

You can’t do it. We live at a time when parents are known for being extravagant in their praise for their children and assuring them, “You can do anything.” But the good dad assures his children that in the most important area, they can’t do it. They simply can’t. One of the great challenges every Christian father faces is in showing his child that behavior is a reflection of the heart and that the child cannot simply will himself into heart change. And this is where the gospel becomes so precious, because it begins with that inability, leads straight to the blood and righteousness of Christ, and then to the enabling of the Holy Spirit. The dads I love and admire are the dads who assure their children, “You can’t do it,” and who quickly lead them to the gospel and to the Savior who can.

I am eager to hear what you have learned from good fathers. So, following roughly the same format, tell me what you’ve heard a good father say…


http://www.challies.com/christian-living/7-things-a-good-dad-says

God is here, will you join Him?

On april 4th and 5th we will be celebrating the call to Manhood by God our Father, you are personally invited on behalf of Dr. Jerry Neal FBC Grove City and Pastor Steve Combs Leave a Mark Church. 

We want you to join us and bring other men with you come and fellowship, this is not about First Baptist Church of Grove City, this is about God's Kingdom we want to bless, and encourage you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Over the years thousands of lives have been changed by these events, men getting real with God, learning to lead their homes, their workplaces and communities as Godly men.

Romans 14:6-9 says  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

This is what God wants, we should want our lives to matter for the Kingdom of God.

Jesus split time when He came , lived died, and rose again. He made an impact on eternity. 

Jesus took 12 men and turned the world upside down, their influence is still seen today, they learned to live as unto the Lord, and die as unto the Lord, they made an impact.

This Summit is about what Jesus taught His followers, you will know what they knew and the question will be what impact will you make on those around you? 

Matt Stickel returned from a recent mission trip and said the missionary there asked them how do you know you have the gospel in you?

The answer is : you can't keep it in you , you have to tell everyone about the gospel. 

Let's come together, grow together and share the gospel together with a world that needs hope. We need to truly connect as a Band of Brothers,engaging a culture who has everything backwards and is headed to hell, will you join us this coming weekend the 4th of April come at 5pm for dinner,and fellowship, 7:pm worship starts, and we will go as long as the Holy Spirit is moving, then come back Saturday morning and join us at 7:30 am for breakfast and fellowship and 9:00 am worship starts.

Bring your Bibles, your questions come hungry be prepared to be changed! Come prepared to be challenged!

God will be here will you?

FBC Grove City 3301 Orders Road Grove City Ohio 43123 

We have an app for that : have you downloaded it yet?

here is the app link http://appstore.monk.ee/details.php?appid=100860937

Summit link http://www.firstgc.org/fbc/mens-summit-2014/

Engage the Culture

We live in a culture that is reluctant to get involved. We leave well enough alone. We steer clear of messy, complicated interaction with others. We mind our own business, and keep to ourselves--even those of us who go by the name of Christian. We're like the fellow on the bus who refused to tell another passenger what time it was. After being asked several times, he turned his back, and the young man went on and asked someone else. At the next stop, someone who had seen the exchange scolded the man, and this was his rationale: "If I had told that young man what time it was, we would have struck up a conversation, and I probably would have liked him.


 Before long, he would have gotten himself invited to supper, and my beautiful daughter would have met him. The two of them would probably fall in love, and want to get married - but I don't want my daughter marrying a man who can't afford a watch!" We intuitively know that involvement could prove expensive - so we shut ourselves off in the name of caution.


 The only problem is, we are commanded to love the brethren. In fact, the mark of a Christian is the love we have for one another. It is almost impossible for someone who has experienced the love and grace of God to live in isolation - but some of us do a pretty good job. Instead of hiding, get out of your comfort zone and reach out to those in your circle of influence with the love of Christ. It is dangerous, yes. But the only place outside of heaven where we can be safe from all the dangers of love is hell.




Hebrews 13:

1Let brotherly love continue. 2Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. 3Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. 4Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.  5Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.  6Therefore, we may boldly say:

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

Only By The Grace of God

A lot of us are struggling with legalism in our lives and the lives of those around us, even though we know that it is the grace of God that saves us. We try hard to live by the rules, and we assume God will love us more, reward us more and overlook our mistakes. We make hundreds of rules up to live by, in reality Jesus said, Matthew 22:37  "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

We make it so hard on ourselves and those around us, no wonder people are turned off by us, I've been a dedicated rule-keeper and I struggle with this, knowing God will never love me anymore than He does right now or when He sent Jesus to the cross for me. My parents taught me some basic rules, and most of them were excellent, but they're not really biblical, and have nothing to do with me standing before God.

Rules like we all need a solid eight hours of sleep each night (I have broken this rule every day of my life.) You brush your teeth in the morning, and before going to bed, wash your hands before every meal. Period. Close your eyes when you pray, I peeked during prayer time as a kid many times, and the Pastors and older people in the congregation didn’t always close their eyes, so I decided that either he was a phony, or that this  "eyes-closed" rule might not be iron-clad.

 We define Christianity by a list of arbitrary rules, therefore reducing our relationship with God through Jesus Christ to an exercise of futility of rules. God cannot and will not be put into a box. He's so much bigger than that. And His grace is greater than anything our finite minds can muster up .

Make no mistake. We will stand right before God, not on the basis of our ability to keep an exhaustive list of rules, the Pharisees and Sadducees did this but only the by the  shed blood of Jesus Christ. In Christ alone we are found Justified, and Righteous.

 When our faith is in Him, His grace "covers" us.

Romans 5: 1Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 2We have also obtained access through Him

by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that but we also rejoice in our afflictions,  because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

JOY

A wise old man once saw a lovely and happy young wife and said, "I would love to meet your husband. He must be very special because I can see it on your face." The Bible explains: A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (Proverbs 15:13). We should remember the Bible says the fruit of the Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). Happy homes are healthy homes.

Much can be said about a happy home. God's Word says laughter is medicine: A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones (Proverbs 17:22). The mandate from Scripture puts the responsibility for joyful family life on both the husband and wife. Our homes are to be refuges of happiness, not battlegrounds of sorrow.

God's Word insists that husbands live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun (Ecclesiastes 9:9). It is important we not just endure our husband-wife relationship but that we bring joy to it. This is urgent, because the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

We would like to thank Bible Discovery TV for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.biblediscoverytv.com

Psalms 119 : 1How happy are those whose way is blameless,

who live according to the Lord’s instruction!

2Happy are those who keep His decrees

and seek Him with all their heart.

3They do nothing wrong;

they follow His ways.

4You have commanded that Your precepts

be diligently kept.

5If only my ways were committed

to keeping Your statutes!

6Then I would not be ashamed

when I think about all Your commands.

7I will praise You with a sincere heart

when I learn Your righteous judgments.

8I will keep Your statutes;

never abandon me.

בBet

9How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping Your word.

10I have sought You with all my heart;

don’t let me wander from Your commands.

11I have treasured Your word in my heart

so that I may not sin against You.

12Lord, may You be praised;

teach me Your statutes.

13With my lips I proclaim

all the judgments from Your mouth.

14I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees

as much as in all riches.

15I will meditate on Your precepts

and think about Your ways.

16I will delight in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

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