“True Humility”

We are blessed to hear these things.

I remember what God told Moses about Israel at the mount, and they were terrified at his coming down on the mountain…. that He wished they would always fear Him like they did there.

The true fear of God will bring true humility – when we are only concerned with what God thinks, above all else. What I love about that is that, is that even the most uneducated, simple minded, non-talented (as far as this world goes), newest believer can qualify to do and feel that, and to be blessed of God for it.  It’s for all who will. No experience necessary!  Just experience with God.

Gary
 

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says the Lord.“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways,and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8–9

Being humble before God includes humbling ourselves to labor because to labor was God’s original curse on humans for their sin.  What this means is, a lazy man is a rebel against God.

Being humble before God also includes humility in the face of natural disasters, disappointments, and inconveniences because they are just more of God’s ordained consequences for our sin.

Being humble also means standing up for the right, even if few others have the courage to do so.  Moses was the humblest man on earth, according to the Bible (Num. 12:3), and yet he stood fast with God and the truth through some very perilous situations, even daring to smash the people’s beloved golden calf to very tiny bits – and then making them drink it!  Jesus was even meeker than Moses, but he became furious when he saw his Father’s house being used by men to make money, and he overturned their tables and drove them out of the temple (Jn. 2:13–17).  Jesus once said, “I am meek and lowly”; at the same time, he always “called a spade a spade”, and he would boldly stand up for the helpless against the powerful who were abusing them (e.g., the hapless woman caught in adultery).

Men can appear to be humble by making a show of their humility.  But be careful.  Before judging someone to be humble, let us pause to consider what God thinks humility is.  His thoughts are not our thoughts, and He is not fooled by appearances, as we so often have been.

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Thoughts

Hey,

As you have probably heard, same sex marriage was legalized by the Supreme Court. Honestly, it made me want to throw up; I literally felt sick to my stomach. Then, I felt angry, as I usually feel towards this subject, not an anger that most people think of. It’s not an “I’m mad” kind of anger, it’s hard to describe. And, then I felt sad, and thought, “God have mercy.”  As I was going to bed, I had a bunch of thoughts on the subject, so I thought I’d share. 🙂

Everyone is putting what they believe on social media about the subject. So, I thought why not put mine? I know there’s a tract on Homosexuality and the Bible, I read it just to refresh myself about what the Bible really says.  I thought about posting it, but I didn’t want to put it out there as an argumentative piece. I didn’t want the situation to become a “yes and no”, “right and wrong”, “good and evil” situation that the world makes everything into. The court ruling that same sex marriage is legal is them, the government and others, saying “yes”.  Those who disagree, often religious organizations, are saying “no”. It’s all becoming a choice, a choice that’s causing more division. I thought about the “Neither This nor That” message. There is a third option. The “yes or no, etc.” is man’s righteousness. God is above all of it. He doesn’t have that kind of life; He doesn’t participate in man’s righteousness. God’s way is the third option. Then I thought, “OK, how do we get to a place where we pick option 3?”  Well, it brought me to the Stir Up the Gift of God tract.  We have to have our hearts stirred so that when the Spirit speaks, we move. God’s way, the third option, is whatever the Spirit is saying. It’s the answer for everything. So, when or if we are put in a situation where the subject of homosexuality is to come up, which with the recent legalization is going to be more prominent than ever, we need to answer back with neither “yes or no” but whatever God wants us to say. I often feel like I want to “fight” against homosexuality. People always “fight” for it, I feel something rise up in me to “fight” against it. But, I can’t let it be a “right and wrong” kind of fight. It has to be a “godly fight”. And, in any situation, I want that 3rd option to be the only option, where, at that moment, it is whatever God says that’s important. It may be to say that I disagree or it may be a time to be quiet. But, without being stirred up in the Spirit, we won’t be able to hear his voice to tell us what to do. If not, our answer would be out of our own righteousness, not God’s righteousness.

It has always irritated me that if you disagree with homosexuality, you are “homophobic”, afraid of homosexuals. I do not fear homosexuals; I fear God’s wrath. His way is the only way. So, we shouldn’t fear man; we should fear God. “What does it matter what man says about anything?” Does it matter that men legalized same sex marriage? In the end, God is going to have the final say and judgment. I pray that he has mercy on this country. And, I pray for all those who disagree with homosexuality, that God will give them strength to keep those right feelings in their heart and not pick the “yes or no” option, but to choose God’s way.

All in all, it shouldn’t be “this or that”. God’s people need to be in a place where we aren’t in man’s righteousness, caught up with the world’s decisions. If we stay in God, then we won’t have to quarrel and debate. His way will be the only way, and it’s the answer. I’ve really enjoyed the “Stir Up the Gift of God” message. The way the world is turning, with this situation, all of the politics, governmental control, the whole race issue, I feel like there’s a lot that is happening and it’s only going to get worse. But, having our gift stirred is the only answer to it all. It’s all that’s going to matter. It’s comforting to know that we can have the answer and not be caught up in the world’s troubles. I’m thankful to have the life I have, and I don’t ever want to take that for granted. 

Looking forward to seeing you soon. 🙂

Love,

Danielle

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Thank you, Danielle, for this. You are a wise young lady, and the wisdom of God that you have embraced will keep your soul from much confusion – though what trials it will lead you into is yet to be seen.  No matter what trials that confessing the truth will lead to, however, they will not be worthy of comparison with the eternal reward God will give you in the end.

Stay the course.  Stay humble.  Keep the gift of God stirred in your soul.  And when this short, trouble-filled life is over, you will have an eternity of uninterrupted joy and peace.

I hope to see you and yours soon, too!

God bless,

Pastor John

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Good morning pastor John,

When I got home last night and looked at fb I saw all the rainbow posts supporting homosexuality. I even  saw a photo of rainbow colored lights shining on the Whitehouse. I too had posted a rainbow photo.  I immediately felt like I should not have posted my rainbow because it may be confused for a show of support for  homosexuality. When I see a rainbow I have such a pure joy. I always have the same feeling. It makes me feel like Jesus is saying ” Hi there. I am still here my daughter”. I always feel like it is a special gift just for me. I was talking to Jesus about His rainbow being used for such an abomination and had the sweetest feeling from Jesus. My rainbow is pure. My life in the spirit is pure. My rainbow is a gift from my Jesus. After feeling this I couldn’t feel any of that anger or disgust. I felt like Jesus let me know just to keep my heart with Him. Let my rainbow be His rainbow. Oh pastor John I am so thankful for the truth. I am thankful for our gifts from Jesus. I am thankful for His rainbow.

I loved Danielle’s email. I love that our young people are strong in Jesus. This world is such an awful place to live in without Him.

Beth 

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Tom and Anna’s Song

Hi Pastor John,

On Wednesday night in the meeting I was so touched when Tom and Anna sang, “Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God” – that was just absolutely so beautiful to me. It touched my heart so deeply and it was just as though Jesus was singing it to me; it really felt that way, and I’m sure others were touched too. The feelings of it were so soft, tender, gentle and encouraging. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that sweetness like that before. I wanted them to keep on singing it over and over. It just brought tears to my eyes and I spent the rest of the meeting feeling it over and over and teary the rest of the time.

On the way home I spent the whole time thanking Jesus for that; with all my heart. And yesterday throughout the day I was thanking Jesus for it, and asking him to help me to seek first His kingdom.

I felt very, very thankful and I long for the next time. That meant so much to me.

I hope your day is good.

Jenny

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King Achish and David

Hi John,

I hope this note finds you well.

I have a question about David living with the Philistines.  Why would King Achish allow him safe harbor, so to speak. We’re they not enemies?

Thanks,

Patty

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Hi Patty.

Thanks for the question.  It is a good one.

King Achish gave David safe haven because he knew that David was considered an outlaw in Israel, as were those hundreds of desperate men who had joined David in fleering from the authorities (1Sam. 22:2).  David and his men could not go back into the territory of Israel where King Saul could get them, so Achish felt confident that they would permanently be a non-Israelites.  Besides this, David acted wisely while in Philistia and won King Achish’s trust (1Sam. 29:9).

Hope that helps.  May God bless you until we meet again, which I hope won’t be long!

Pastor John

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Thought for the Morning, “The Way”

Hi Pastor John,

I really enjoyed reading this TFM (below).  It reminded me of the dream that I had when I was asked in the dream, “Do you know what being established means”?  I started to shake my head yes, but I replied like a little school boy, “No, not really”.  Then the lady in my dream said, “Well, let me tell you.  Jesus, is the only one who kows the way, and to be established means that noone will be able to remove you from off this path”.

http://goingtojesus.com/site/php/thoughts.php?tname=tfm06-23

Billy M

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Loving the Thoughts

I love these thoughts from the latest Blog, John… they come from that “other” world.  Where it’s not “yes” or “no”, but it’s Jesus! 

With the mind of God, Herod could have been just like Solomon, when he was ready to divide that baby, and had an answer that men would have marveled at.  Had he answered with your wise answer, and said that John the Baptist’s head was worth more than 1/2 his kingdom, he would have gone down in history as a wise and righteous ruler.  Instead, he went down in history as a despot, and a fool.  It’s all a matter of the heart.

Oh, I love these thoughts, yes I do!

Gary

 

WORTH MORE THAN HALF THE KINGDOM

Herod, on his birthday, made a feast for his chief officials, the captains of a thousand, and the leading men of Galilee, and the daughter of [Herod’s wife] Herodias came in and danced, and she pleased Herod and those banqueting with him.  And the king said to the girl, ‘Ask of me whatever you desire, and I will grant it to you.’  And he made an oath to her: ‘Whatever you ask of me, I will grant you, up to half of my kingdom!’  So when she went out, she said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for myself?’  And she said, ‘The head of John the Baptizer.’  And immediately, she hurried in to the king and made her request, saying, ‘I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.’  And the king was deeply grieved, but because of the oaths and those feasting with him, he would not refuse her.  And so, the king sent an executioner and commanded that his head be brought in at once.  And he went out and beheaded him in the prison, and carried his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.”

Mark 6:21–28

If Herod wanted to give this dancing girl anything up to half of his kingdom, it was no one’s business but his.  It was perfectly lawful and permissible for him to do that, even if it was foolish for him to make such an offer because he enjoyed someone’s dancing.  Herod was probably drunk, having been at his birthday bash for a while before the girl danced; but again, the King was well within his rights as king to make that offer.  Even one of Jesus’ parables upheld the legality of a man doing whatever he wanted to do with what is his (Mt. 20:15).

But it was when the young girl, after being advised by her wicked mother, asked for the head of John the Baptist that Herod showed what a great fool he really was.  A sane response to the girl’s insane request would have been that John the Baptist was worth more than half his kingdom, more even than all of it.  God certainly thought so.  That is why He warned His people, “Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm!” (1Chron. 16:22; Ps. 105:15).

But Herod was a fool.  He did not value John as he should have, and so, he foolishly fell into his wife’s trap and assented to the ungodly request.

The apostles warned us that there are people around us like Herod’s wicked wife who will also lay traps for our souls.  They hate the truth as she did, and those who speak it, and if we get drunk on the things of this world, they will take advantage of our weakness and get us to agree with something that we should not agree to.  Our safety is in esteeming the things of God above everything in this life, all we have and even all that we are.  When the love of God fills our hearts as it did the prophets, Jesus, Paul, and others, nothing can move us to say or do anything which does not please God.  We will please God in everything, and keep our victory over sin.

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Last Night (June 20, 2015)

Pastor John,

Last night was so sweet to me.  Soooo encouraging!!!!!  I could not sit in my seat any longer.  The Lord was wanting me to move.  When I saw Jim and we were in the middle praising God, it did something down deep.  My love for my husband bubbled to the top.  I knew He would take us both through any difficult times ahead.  And I praise and thank Him.

Keep the holy Ghost continually stirred up in us.

Love you, Pastor John.

Diane

 

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Trust and Wait

Hi John,

I read the first 5 chapters of Daniel this morning when I got up.  I loved the faith and the trust in God from Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and even the faith and trust in God that Nebuchadnezzar had after he was turned to a wild animal and restored again.  Even the ones not of God at that time knew there was a God over them and wanted His favor.  The anointing of God makes all the difference in everything.  What does it matter what men say?  Our Lord is in control.  All we have to do is please him. 

What wonderful feelings tonight!  I loved all the songs and testimonies from everyone.  What faith, to “trust and wait” on him.  Wow, what a song from God to Darren!!  What an encouraging Savior we have in Jesus.  So good hearing you singing tonight, John!!   Oh, how sweet is his favor!!  Thank you, John!

Stuart

 

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Malachi 1:10

Pastor John,

Your note on Malachi 1:10 is very good!  God is the one who led us to you.  How wonderful!  Shouldn’t that note be a tract?

Julie P

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Thanks, Julie.

I re-read that portion of my book on Malachi, and I think it may be too long for a tract, but it could certainly be a Blog.  And the truth about hiring and firing ministers certainly needs to be told!

Pastor John

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Thankful

Hi Pastor John,

I was working in the mountains yesterday.  After I finished the job, the homeowner asked me to look at another window in her kitchen. Looking out the window, it has a wonderful view of pasture land which lead to the south-east side of Pilot Mountain. Beautiful! 

The homeowner had her printed testimony on the kitchen table. She is a cancer survivor, like me.  We shared one another’s cancer testimonies; I loved her humility. You can tell she puts everything she does into what knowledge she has about Jesus, but what is heart-braking is that she didn’t know anything about the Spirit, only what she had read or taught by her Pastor; she doesn’t have the experience of receiving the “Blessing”.  I could hardly contain my tears for her.

Right before I arrived at her house, I stopped in a parking lot (because I was early) and read again the tract, Stir Up the Gift of God, and came to the part, “Prayer is the paddle we use to “stir up” God’s unspeakable gift”.  It’ only the holy Ghost or God’s “Blessing” inside of us that can pray to God what we really need in our souls. Though prayer is the paddle, I had the thought that it is our experiences or testimonies with and of God that are the hands that hold the paddle.

As I was giving my testimony about my ex-cancer to her, I felt that paddle stirring in my heart and became so thankful for the holy Ghost and what Jesus has done for me. It is no small thing to receive the Truth and then have an anointed man of God to teach us and understand the truth.

She did have a hand written scripture on the kitchen table from, Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.

I gave her a copy of my book, In God’s Shadow and I hope she reads it. It felt very good talking with her.  The book is a testimony that leads to the links of us on the web.  I know if she would only look up the links to our web pages, it would answer a lot of her questions about Jesus.

On my way home, I started just praising God in my truck and feeling the power of God in my body.  I started thanking God for the many experiences that he has given to me and the help that He has put around us, while so many precious souls do not have it.  I was praying, “Jesus, if I am to make it in the end, I will need to have more experiences with you.”  Past experiences are so wonderful to reflect on, and they help your faith, but it’s the new experiences that keep the paddle moving.

Thank you, Pastor John, for being used by Jesus to rescue me (us).  And, thank you to Barbara for making it possible for Judy and me to be there in August 2001.

God is good,

Billy  

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