Category: Get Together Writings

GET TOGETHER – Stay On The Journey

Ge 29:1 ¶ So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East. (NKJV

The Journey

Ge 29:1 ¶ So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East. (NKJV)

This past Thursday evening J.J. and I left Hamilton headed to Charleston South Carolina. Our son Jake coaches basketball at Missouri State University. They were playing in a tournament there. So, our journey had a destination and a purpose for us going there.

As we were driving, I thought about how much that our journey with the Lord Jesus Christ has similarities to our journeys that we take either when we are driving, flying, walking, or any other way that we might be on a journey.

There can be unexpected blessings on our journey. We stopped to eat at the Green Top Café in Jasper. I saw one of my former customers that I had not seen in years. That was a real blessing for me. I also saw an old friend that I had known since my teen age years and that was a blessing.

When we got into Birmingham the traffic slowed down a good bit. Sometimes in our journey with the Lord there are times that we have to be patient and stand on His word as the Psalmist says in Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (NKJV)

The Lord blessed us with going through Atlanta without any real problems, or slowdowns. That reminded me of God’s promise in Isa 45:2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.”

There were too many for me to list them all here, but here is one that when it happened it was when the Lord spoke to me about this. J.J. was getting sleepy. We had planned to spend the night on the other side of Atlanta. Well when I saw the sign for the Hampton Inn, I read the sign wrong and missed the exit. Thankfully there was another Hampton in Thomson Georgia about fifty miles further on down the road. Boy was that an answered prayer! It actually turned out to be better for us. We got to sleep a little bit later the next morning. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ro 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)

I thought about Jacob’s journey. He certainly had some blessings and some challenges. He had a powerful encounter with God at Bethel. He would find the woman that he loved named Rachel. He would experience deception and disappointment as his Father-Law Laban trick him into marrying Leah. He would have to work for Laban for seven more years in order to marry Rachel the woman that he loved. He got a new name at Peniel where he wrestled with God. There were many other challenges and blessings in Jacob’s life. Many of the challenges were due to him having wrong motives at times. Some were as a result of the sins of others. But as we read the Scriptures as challenging as life was for him he would finish his journey. When God revealed Himself to Moses He revealed Himself in this way: Ex 3:6 “Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.”

Today on your journey you may have made some wrong turns. Jesus Christ desires to help you to get back on the right road on your journey. You may be a little tired from your journey. Jesus made a promise for those who are tired from life’s journey Mt 11:28 -30″Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”(NKJV) When you journey with Him you will always end up at the right destination and fulfill the purpose that He has for your life.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus what a blessing it is to travel with you. Today please meet all that read this and help us all to arrive at our eternal destination and fulfill the purpose for which You created us.

In Jesus Name

Amen

On behalf of J.J. and all of our family: Happy Thanksgiving! We love you all!

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston

(This week I am a little pressed on time. I felt like I was to share this one with you from a few years ago. I believe that it is as true today as it was then.)

Get Together# 175

Joh 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (NKJV)

Two weeks ago the girl who I would guess is in her early twenties shared with me at the Bible Study that I was leading at a ministry for women that she was having withdrawals from heroin. She could hardly hold her head up and it was her first week at the Christ centered residential ministry for women who are trying to be set free of addictions and other destructive behaviors. She was from up north and I am sure that she was also struggling with making the psychological adjustment to listening to a group of southerners talk as her body was experiencing the torture of these horrific pains that these withdrawals bring.

We prayed for her that day. And I am sure that the congregation that supports the ministry that she is currently receiving ministry at prayed as well. Last week when I went back this young lady who the week before had not been able to hold her head up gave a praise report that God had delivered her from the desire to do heroin and that He had also taken away the withdrawal symptoms.

The natural world will tell us that we have to be addicts. The natural world will tell us that there are certain sickness and disease that there are no cures for. But praise God we serve a God who works in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus does not tremble at the name of Heroin. Heroin trembles at the name of Jesus. JESUS does not tremble at the Name of Cancer or Hepatitis C or Hepatitis B. They tremble at the Name of JESUS. Last week a young man from another Christ centered ministry testified at our congregation of being healed from Hepatitis B by the Lord JESUS Christ.

Today we are in a society that is in a natural mess. Men and women are attempting to fix a lot of problems that only God can fix. Men and women would love to fix the problems without involving God. I have good news for you. God wants to be involved. God wants to heal our nation. God wants to free us from sickness. God wants to free us from a drug scourged society. You may be tired of hearing this passage, but here it goes again “2Ch 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

The same God that delivered this young girl from her heroin addiction is ready to deliver America from her sin addiction. The same God that healed that young man of his sickness is ready to heal America. Armies can’t heal America, politicians can’t heal America, Slot Machines can’t heal America, but the Lord Jesus Christ can. How do I know? Well He has healed me. He has delivered me. I am also seeing Him at work everyday in impossible situations. I saw Him make a way for family that comes to our Recovery Ministry to have a place to live. I saw Him move upon a thirteen-year-old girl after the service this week and save her soul from hell. Here these words from Jesus in Mr 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Yesterday I went to visit a new born baby. He looked so good and his parents and both sets of proud grandparents who love the Lord are all overflowing in thankfulness for him.

As I prayed for this new born child only hours out of his Mothers womb where God had been fashioning him for nine months Ps 139:13 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”(NKJV) I felt the Holy Spirit really impress upon me to pray for the culture that this child will grow up in should the Lord not return first. Today I challenge you begin to pray for our country. Pray that the Holy Spirit of God would bring revival to our nation. Pray that once again America would have a Holy fear of God. When we do we can rejoice that God will protect us “Pr 16:7 ¶ When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Also today believe for God to do the miraculous in all of those things that seem to trouble you. Remember that He is a Healer and a Deliverer. Nothing is to hard for Him. Remember the words that He spoke to the prophet Jeremiah “Jer 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

LET US PRAY

Lord Jesus we need you in so many ways. Lord today we pray that You will turn this nation to you. Deliver us from our addiction to sin. Deliver us from the withdrawals that come from leaving those lifestyles. Give us the grace to walk in Your power. We thank You that You are the Healer, the Deliverer, and the Restorer that we as individuals and this nation need.

IN JESUS NAME

Amen

Thanks for letting me share these words with you all today. Be encouraged and walk by faith believing that God is going to bring revival to this nation.

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston

GET TOGETHER- HE LOVES US ENOUGH TO CHANGE US

Ro 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

A few years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke these words to my heart. Yes, as we have heard God does love us unconditionally. He also loves us too much to leave us in our sinful condition. He does not love me anymore now than when He did when I was living in rebellion against Him. I will not go into what all was involved when I was living in rebellion here. I will just say that it was gross sin. I praise God that although He loved me then as much as He does now that He loved me too much to leave me in the sinful lifestyle that I was living.

We were all born with a sinful nature due to the sin of our first parents Adam and Eve. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (NKJV) That sinful nature may manifest in us in similar ways and in different ways. Some of us have may have had a bent towards certain sins that others may not have had and vice versa. There is good news for all of us. No matter what sinful lifestyles that we may have been living in there is a Deliverer. His Name is Jesus.

There is more good news! When we repent of our sins and come to salvation by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit indwells us 1Co 3:16 ¶ “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” Now He is ready to go to work rooting those old sinful desires out of us. He is ready to go to work bringing transformation in our lives.

Before we came to Christ, we were subject to the world system that is opposed to the Gospel fashioning our lives. The world will tell us that things that are contrary to a Biblical lifestyle are ok. The values of the world are subjective and they are always changing. The values that God has for us are objective and God desires to change us. The Greek term for transformed is metamorphoo, It means to change into another form.

Today in our culture people are being convinced that some of the ways that their sinful nature manifest is something to be celebrated. When really there is something greater to be celebrated. It is that through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit we can be transformed from our old sinful behaviors and lifestyles and be remade in the Image of God.

My prayer for all of us that is that we will allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives from the day that we accept Christ until the day that we go home to be with Christ. That He will work in such a way that He will take us from glory to glory. The Apostle Paul said it like this in 2Co 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”(NKJV) Don’t miss God’s best for you by accepting what the world says is to be celebrated in contrast to something that God desires to remove from our lives. He desires to give us something much much better. Remember He loves us unconditionally. But He also loves us to much to leave us in a sinful condition.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus we thank You for saving our souls. We thank You for the Blessed Holy Spirit. Thank You that Your blood has positioned us to be your children. We thank You that now the Holy Spirit is conditioning us in a wonderful way and that as we are being transformed more into Your image every day.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Love you all!

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston

GET TOGETHER-    Come As a Little Child

Mr 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

This past Sunday morning as I was preaching at  a congregation in our local community something in my opinion very special took place.  I was preaching from 2 Cor 1:20  “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”  And from Ps 103:1 -5<<A Psalm of David.>> Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

The title of the message was Positioned For The Promises. In the message I stressed how those promises were secured for us as New Covenant believers, and followers of Jesus Christ. He paid for them with His precious Holy Blood!  The forgiveness of our sins, our past sinful lives being forgiven and redeemed. And that  how that God renews our youth.  That Jesus Christ the Incarnate  God in His  atoning death  has provided healing for our bodies, mind, and spirit.  

At the end of the message as the church was singing an invitation hymn someone came running to the Altar with a gigantic look of expectancy on her face. It was our four-year-old granddaughter Eden. She asked for prayer for someone. At first, I could not hear her so I prayed for her.  After the music finished, she came back again and told me what she wanted prayer for. It was for healing for someone. 

To me this was an example of the type of faith that Jesus is talking about when He is talking about coming as a little child. Eden hasn’t read any books that say that Jesus doesn’t heal anymore, or that attempt to explain away the miraculous. She believes that Jesus is still in the healing and prayer answering business.

My prayer for myself and all of us is that no matter what may have happened in our journey to dampen, or dim that childlike faith in us.  Is that through the word of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit that we once again will pray expectantly.   That we once again will pray and believe as a little child.  And that once again as Eden came running expectantly to that altar that we will run expectantly to God with childlike faith.

 

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus renew in us that child like faith that expects the miraculous. Renew in us that child like faith that helps us to walk in victory and not in defeat. Help us get in Your word. Help us to believe in Your Word.   We trust that through the power of the Holy Spirit that You will do it!

In Jesus Name

Amen

 

Let God arise and His enemies be scattered !

 

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston 

 

 

           

GET TOGETHER- THAT MEANS ALWAYS!

Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (NKJV)

Have you ever flunked a test and had to take the make up exam? Now I am sure that for many of you that you may have never had to do that in school. But how about in your journey with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

I flunked one last week. A service provider that I won’t name charged J.J. and I for a service that we had not ordered. I am not here to bash the company, or for this to be a place to air out complaints against others, or their business practices. The purpose of this devotional is to help us to respond in a way that glorifies Jesus Christ in situations where we do need to confront, but as to do it in a way that brings glory to His Name. By the way one of my weaknesses is that I hate confrontation.

When I called the company to explain the situation I spoke to the person on the other end of the phone in a way that did not glorify the Lord. I could make a lot of excuses. I could say that because I was put on hold for such a long time as an excuse. And I won’t go into all of the other excuses that I could have made if I was not a Christian.

After the Holy Spirit dealt with me about the tone in my voice in my conversation with the employee I repented. I asked the Lord to forgive me. I also prayed that if a similar situation came up that I would address the issue in a manner that was worthy of being a born-again blood bought follower of Jesus Christ.

Well would you guess what happened a few days later? The same company had done something just a little bit worse. I prayed and I called the company. It was a different employee this time. I did tell them about the problem. I did have to be firm about something. And to be honest although they resolved the situation, we did still come away with a smaller charge for something that we did not order, or have not used. I wasn’t super happy about that, but I am forgiving them as I type this. Thank You Holy Spirit for bringing that to my attention.

I don’t want to have to take this test a third time. I also realize that when a situation comes up like it did that it is an opportunity to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Our opening verse said for us to let our conversation be seasoned with salt. Jesus calls us to be salt and light to a world that needs Him so bad. He had this to say this when He was preached The Sermon on The Mount: Mt 5:13 -15 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Those two employees could have been fellow Christians. Or, they could have been someone that needed to see how a Christian respond in a situation where they may have been wronged. Jesus Christ has given us the example that we are to follow. We are told that in 1Pe 2:21-23 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” My prayer for all of us is that no matter what the situation may be that we encounter is that we will bring glory to the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Certainly, if we are over charged for something in order to be good stewards, we are to attempt to see that matter corrected. On the other hand, we are to do it in a way that brings glory to His Name

Let Us Pray

Lord today we realize that we are living in a busy, hostile, and sometimes unfair world. When we face situations and circumstances that may require us to confront we ask You to help us to do it in a way that will bring honor and glory to Your Name. Help us to do it in a way that we might win the lost to You. And help us to do it in a way that our words would never hurt ,or injure anyone.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Thank the Lord that when He deals with us that He is always wanting to give us something better in return. Love you all!

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston

GET TOGETHER- PASSION

Mt 6:19 -21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This one today is one that I am really trying to dodge from writing. First of all, I don’t want to come across as hypocritical, or fault finding. On the other hand, I know that the Lord is giving me this message and when we ask Him to give us one it is our responsibility to deliver the message.

Over the year in my life I have either played some type of sports, coached, or have been a fan. I watch college football on television, our son is a college basketball coach, and our grandchildren participate in youth sports. I must admit that at one time in my life some of these things were idols. Meaning that I had a greater passion and desire for them than I did for God. One definition of passion is a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.

I am thankful for the many athletes and coaches that take public stands for Jesus Christ. I know that can be a very unpopular stand on many college campuses, certain cities where there are professional teams, and even for high school players and coaches in certain parts of the country. I know that these players and coaches put in a lot of time and effort to excel in their various athletic endeavors. I also know that we can learn things through healthy athletic competition that can help us as Christians in advancing the Kingdom of God here on the earth.

So, with that said here are some things that the Lord has dealt with my heart about. Is my passion greater for Jesus Christ and serving Him than for not only just another sports team, or school, but greater for Him than for anything else? Am I known more for what team, or school that I pull for than for who is my Lord and Savior? Do I share the good news with Jesus Christ with others more than I share how my favorite team is doing? Can my behavior when I pull for my team bring glory to Jesus Christ? Can the Lord use my enjoyment for sports to build Kingdom relationships? That means relationships with people who have a different favorite team than I do.

With that said I have fallen short in those several times since I have been a Christian. Sometimes in the church we just write some of those things off and say well I am not perfect. And we are not. But on the other hand, God wants us to go from glory to glory and when the Holy Spirit deals with us on some things He is wanting to help us to go from glory to glory. He is wanting to help us to store up treasure in Heaven that will last forever and ever.

One day all of the trophies will be turned to rust. One day all of the banners will be destroyed by the moths. The last few years when I pray for the teams that I pull for and for those that play against them I pray that the Lord will teach the players eternal things through their experiences on the fields and on the court. Again, I haven’t arrived yet. But the Apostle Paul who sometimes used terms from the sporting events from his day to teach a spiritual principle said it this way : Php 3:12-14 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” It is my prayer that God will use this devotional in some way that all who read it will one day receive that prize that never ever will be destroyed by moths nor rust. And that in whatever we do that we will bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let Us Pray

Lord we thank You for the gift of healthy athletic competition. We pray for all who participate that are Christians that you will help them to bring glory to Your name. We pray that these will learn Kingdom principles and practice Kingdom principles in their athletic endeavors. For those that are not Christians we pray that in some way that You would reveal yourself to them. May they see the difference in their team mates and opponents that follow and serve You. For all of us that enjoy athletic competition help us to learn to enjoy it in a way that brings glory to Your Name. Please begin with me. Help us all to press on and be moving toward the upward call of God in Christ. We thank You for the eternal rewards that You have paid the price for and have laid up for us in Heaven.

In Jesus Name

Amen

This message stepped on my toes some. When the Holy Spirit steps on our toes it is to help us walk in a better way that brings glory to His Name. Love you all!

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston

GET TOGETHER- LEAVE YOUR REGRETS AT THE CROSS

1Pe 1:18,19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

There was a Christian song out a few years ago that had a very powerful message to it. And it seemed like  when there were times when I really needed to hear that song that it would come on the radio.  The name of the song is Hello My Name Is. The name of the artist is Matthew West.  He sings about how regret and other things that the enemy tries to use to rob us of experiencing the peace that we receive by the forgiveness that comes through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Here are the lines that mention regret: 

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
Won’t let you forget.

            For most of us I am sure that there are some things that we have regretted that we have either done, or not done.  I have often thought about how I would have loved to have been a Christian in High School. I played High school football. I would have loved to have been one of those players that lead prayers in the dressing room and used that opportunity to witness for Jesus Christ. 

            This past Saturday as we were closing out the Upward Sports Ministry here in Hamilton the Holy Spirit spoke to me about how He has redeemed that time.  That we were raising up and training youth that will one day do that.   I love this verse about how God redeems the time. It is in Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wow! God can even redeem missed blocks and missed tackles.  Also, I have thought about how that God has now given me brothers and sisters that were former high school classmates.  As well as  others that I played ball against. I like to say what we mess up God can dress up. Another verse that reminds me of this is in Eph 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”  The Mighty Hand of God can reach back into our sinful pasts that He has forgiven usfrom and work it to the counsel of His will. Paul writes in Ro 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Not that God wanted us to commit the sinful acts that we committed, but through the Blood of Jesus He can redeem every part of our lives.  

            When He does that, we don’t have to live any longer in bondage to that spirit of regret. We can rejoice that through the precious Blood of Jesus Christ that we have been redeemed from the shame and regret of our sinful pasts. We can rejoice that we are free from that voice of defeat, condemnation, and bondage. 

            Today is that voice of regret whispering in your ear about something from your past?  If it is there is a stronger voice and a more beautiful voice that is ready to whisper better things to you. That voice is the voice of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will replace the words of the accuser with the words and comfort of Jesus Christ our Redeemer: Joh 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. His voice says that we are forgiven! His voice says that He is making all things new. Then we can sing these words from the song My name Is :

Hello, my name is child of the one true king
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
Amazing grace is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true king

So today there is a place that you can leave all of your regrets. It is at the cross of Jesus Christ. Leave them there and then experience the peace that Jesus has promised to those who love and follow Him Joh 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  Tell regret bye-bye and walk in His peace!

            Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus we praise You that You are our Redeemer! We thank You for paying the price so that we could place our regrets at the foot of the cross. Today for all that read this I pray that any that need to place their regrets there that they will be free from that accusing, condemning, discouraging voice of regret that the enemy sends in our direction. We thank You that when we repented of our sins that repentance lead to regret being defeated in our lives. Today may all that read this experience freedom from that voice and experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

In Jesus Name

Amen

 

The fact that God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ is a true testimony to the redeeming love that Jesus Christ bestows on those who repent of their sin and put their faith in His precious Blood to save us.

 

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston 

 

 

 

GET TOGETHER-    FREE FROM CONDEMNATION 

Ro 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

            If there is one thing that I have learned from over twenty-three years as a Pastor/Evangelist and for twenty-nine years as a Christian it is that Satan hates for Christians to know that we have been forgiven of our sinful pasts. Praise God for the many passages that are in the Book of Romans that remind us that God has forgiven the repentant sinner by faith in the Blood of Jesus and therefore we are free from condemnation. Ro 3:24-26 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,  whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Paul goes on to say this in Ro 5:1 ¶ “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And in Ro 5:9,10 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

            Now I believe that there are a few reasons that the enemy wants to send that spirit condemnation toward God’s people.  First of all, there is no forgiveness for his sin and he wants to convince us that there is none for ours. Also, he is miserable and desires to make God’s people miserable. Condemnation can make you feel miserable. Another thing is that if he can convince us that we are not forgiven he knows that we cannot share the good news of being free from condemnation with a world that is lost and is under condemnation.  Jesus said it like this: Joh 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

            I have found that a lot of times when the enemy brings up my sinful past that it comes before God is getting ready to do something very special. As I said earlier if the enemy can make us think that there is no forgiveness for the sins of our past then he can paralyze us from sharing this good news with others. And all of us are called to share the Gospel with others. 

            A few nights ago, the enemy really tried to attack my mind about sins from my past. The Holy Spirit is always so good. I attended a service Sunday morning  and a couple sung very anointed and very passionately one of my favorite’s about the price that Jesus paid for us to be forgiven and to be free from condemnation.  The song was Jesus Paid It All. I am sure that most of you have heard the song.  But at the end of this message I will post a link that you can hear the song and listen to it. Maybe you have heard the song many, many times. Don’t ever take lightly the high price that was paid so that you and I can be forgiven from condemnation both eternally and here on this earth. 

            As I was thinking about the passion that this song was sung with yesterday morning I thought about this passage. 1Co 14:26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

The song that was sung not only blessed the Lord, but it edified the believer. And as one of those that the enemy will often try to bring that spirit of condemnation toward tears flowed from my eyes! It is great to be free from condemnation. Again, in Romans the Apostle Paul gives us these words to help us to walk free of the condemnation and shame that Jesus paid the price for us to be free from!

Ro 8:31 –39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be  against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. “Yet 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 principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(NKJV)

Let Us Pray

We thank You Jesus for the precious blood that You shed at Calvary that frees us from condemnation and shame. We thank You that You have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Help us through the Holy Spirit to walk in that freedom in a way that brings glory to Your Holy Name!

In Jesus Name

Amen!

 

Here is the link. Sing it and celebrate your freedom from condemnation forever and ever!     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FHwdx5BIvc

 

 

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston 

 

 

GET TOGETHER- THIS JOURNEY HAS THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION

Ps 84:5-7 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

This past Monday J.J. and I returned from a visit to Springfield Missouri to visit our son Jake, his wife Tommye and our grandchildren Eli, and Hannah. I felt like the Holy Spirit was wanting to show me on the way home how that trip could be in some ways like our journey with Christ. That part of Missouri is so beautiful. There are beautiful pastures and lots of farmland. Walking with Jesus Christ opens our eyes to things and people that are truly beautiful.

We then went through the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas and we saw so many beautiful views from up there that it made us even more thankful that we know the one that created them personally. We are His born-again children and have been adopted into His family. The Apostle Paul said it this way in Ro 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

We then drove through miles and miles of farm land in Arkansas. We saw cotton ready to be harvested. It made us think about when Jesus said in Mt 9:37,38 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

On the other hand, there were some challenges on our journey home this past Monday. There were some big-time curves going up and down those mountains. I really had to stay focused as we were going around on those curves and up and down those mountains. Life can also have some unexpected curves at times. Things happen that we aren’t expecting. Sometimes things don’t turn out just like we thought that they would. The journey up the mountain can be very disheartening at times. But when this comes, we need to know that we have a promise from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He made these promises to us Joh 14:16,17 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(NKJV) He is always with His children. That means forever and ever!

I won’t share everything about our trip home. But there is one incident that I will share with you. When we were approaching Tupelo, Mississippi, I recognized a car in the lane beside us. It was one of my best friends. I sat down on the horn to wave at him. I have tried to explain to J.J. that as a boy growing up in a mining camp in Walker County that it was always a thrill when someone from Sumiton, or Dora would blow their horn at us when they passed by our house. It made me feel important.

Well when I blew the horn at my friend a truck in front of us thought that I was blowing for him to move over. J.J. reminded me that is how road rage gets started sometimes. The Lord often uses J.J. to get my focus back on the road, both in a spiritual way and in practical ways such as driving.

With that said there may be sometimes in our journey that we may get distracted even by something that is a “good thing”. It could be an over affection for a sports team. It can be spending too much time on social media. It could be a lot of things. And these things could possible cause a wreck, or something else. So, we need to always keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember Peter and yes, I do know that at least Peter got out of the boat. But that is a message for another day. When he took his eyes off the Lord he began to sink. Mt 14:29, 30 “So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

No matter where you are today don’t forget that there is only One that can get us to our Heavenly home and to successfully complete this journey. His Name is Jesus Christ. He wants us to enjoy the journey. He will be with us when we go through life’s valley’s and He will be with us as we go up and down the mountains. There used to be an old American express commercial that said “don’t leave home without it.” Let me say this and this isn’t a commercial, but a great truth we can’t get home without Him. Joh 11:25,26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus we thank You that You have invited us to be on this journey with You. May all that read this word that have put their trust in You enjoy the journey even when it is difficult. Lord for any that read this and are on a journey without You please use this to bring them to faith in You and to get on the right path that leads to eternal life.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Thank the Lord that He uses people on our journey as He did J.J. to help me get my focus back on driving this past Monday! God bless you all! We love you all!

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston

GET TOGETHER- Unity An Important Key To Seeing The Holy Spirit Move.

Ps 133:1 -3 <<A Song of Ascents. Of David.>> Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-Life forevermore. (NKJV)

Have you ever been involved in something whether it was at work, play, or even in the church where there was constant bickering? It truly creates an environment that hinders the purpose and intentions of the group. I can remember coaching Slo – Pitch softball teams. Sometimes we would go places and play and some of our opponents may have had more talent, but sometimes they would argue and bicker among themselves and we could beat them just because we were in one accord and they weren’t.

How much more do we need unity in the Blood bought Church of Jesus Christ? Jesus knew how important that unity was. He prayed that we would all be one. Joh 17:20 ,21″I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me

The Apostle Paul wrote about how as the Body of Christ that we all need one another:

1Co 12:12 -18 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit For in fact the body is not one member but many .If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

J.J. and I are so thankful for the many brothers and sisters in Christ that God has allowed us to know and serve with across the Body of Christ. There are certainly some that may have certain distinctives in the part of the Body of Christ that they serve in that may differ from the distinctives that we serve in. However, we praise God that we can agree on the essentials and serve, visit with and love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

I just finished working a Christian retreat where the team was made up of believers from different parts of the Body of Christ. It is amazing what God accomplished in the lives of the people that we were ministering to and in our own lives as we focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and trusted in the Holy Spirit to work in a mighty way. Where there is unity the anointing of the Holy Spirit will be there in a very special way.

Over the past few months I have been in several different services across denominational lines. What a blessing it is to see people worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth with different styles of worship.

I have been to prayer meetings and in prayer rooms with different members of the Body of Christ recently. Sometimes those prayer meetings were loud. Sometimes those prayer meetings were a little bit quieter in some ways, but none the less the Spirit of the Lord was at work in all of them in a special way.

One thing that I am trying to say here is that we don’t have to abandon whatever distinctives that we may have, but I do think that it is time for us not to shoot at each other, but to use that energy in prayer. I think also that when we seek to honor Jesus Christ that we will get the blessing of seeing how God works through some of our other brothers and sisters in Christ. One of my dear friends and brothers in the Lord who serves in a different part of the Body of Christ than I do pointed me to this passage several years ago. It has been very instrumental and prophetic in my life as a Christian. 1Co 9:20-22 “and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

I pray that God will use all of us working together to see souls come into the Kingdom. God bless you all. Know that God has a place for you in the Body of Christ. Remember what Jesus told the disciples in Mr 9:38-40 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. “For he who is not against us is on our side.”

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus we thank you for the beauty of the Body of Christ. Lord help us to love one another, honor one another and pray for one another. And may we not be a Body that is its own worst enemy, but a Body that labors in prayer, love, and unity so that the real enemy Satan and his demonic forces will tremble as we love, pray, honor, and serve together.

In Jesus Name

Amen

I have had a blessed and busy last couple of weeks. J.J. says that I am the worst retired person that she has ever seen lol! We know that as Kingdom people that we never retire from serving the Lord. God bless you all. We love you! Thanks for how that you encourage us in the Lord!

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston