The Home Coming

A Message To My Christian Friends: A short time ago I the occasion to go to the grave side service for one of my best friend's mother. The Lord blessed her with a long life. She was a born again Christian. She was all set, prepared and ready to meet the Lord. As I arrived at the graveside the service was already in progress. After the service each person articulated their condolences and sympathy to the family and then everyone just stood around and talked, like as with most funerals. There were people at the grave site that I had not seen in twenty years and we were all so delighted to see each other. We hugged each other and kissed each other on the neck. It was a grand reunion. Instead of feeling sad and depressed I was uplifted. I thought to myself is it right to be this way at a funeral. I started to be upset with myself for feeling this way.
Then as I was walking through the cemetery to my pick-up truck, I thought that what happen was so out of the ordinary, but then the Lord spoke to me, as I felt His over whelming presence, {It is so good to feel His presence} and He reminded me of that grand home coming day when we shall all meet our loves ones in heaven. That will be no sad day either. I quivered all over about the beautiful thought that I was thinking and even now as I write this article I feel The Lord's hand in it. That great grand reunion day. Oh what a day that will be! Just as my friend's mother has met all her love ones at her home coming in Heaven so shall we also meet all our love ones at our homecoming, since we shall be known as we are known. Some glad morning at my homecoming I too will see my dear mother, grandmothers, uncles, cousins, my brothers and sisters in the Lord who have gone on before me, But the most important thing for me is this, "I will sit at the Master's feet and will be in His presence for ever more." Now that will be a meeting I do declare! You and I, my friend, may go by the way of the grave, as my friend's mother did and my loved ones did, or we shall be caught up in the air and raptured when the Lord comes for His own and we shall be forever more in the presence of the Lord and with our loved ones. As I left and road down the highway I took the time to thank the Lord for putting me in remembrance of that Blessed day when we will all not only see our loved ones, but we will see Jesus and be with Him and our loved ones throughout all eternity.
 

My Christmas Thought

CHRISTMAS NEEDS THE CHRIST CHILD: Dear friends and fellow Americans as Christmas draws close, again this year, we can see the beautiful Christmas decorations, the lights, the Christmas Trees, Santa Clause with his reindeer, and hear the Christmas Songs, and much more, but my friend I have a question to ask. "WHERE IS THE CHRIST CHILD IN ALL OF THIS?" The true meaning of Christmas is nowhere to be found. Christ is what this day is all about! Most people celebrate everything but the real reason for the season. Worldly and liberal activists have seen to that, with the help and involvement of the cowardly courts where the terminology of the Constitution have been twisted and re worded for their cause and purpose. That cause is, if you have not already figured it out, "A world without Jesus Christ." People can display a menorah, but not a manger scene. They can display anything in this world but nothing to do with the Baby Jesus. It is not the Constitution that was created by our founding fathers that is at fault, but judges, who have been so intimidated by the worldly and liberal crowd that it has become acceptable for a near about anything to be part of a street display at Christmas time, but not a manger scene or anything related to the birth of our Savior. Not only is that a twisted and gross misinterpretation of the Constitution, but of our nation's history. This nation was founded on Christianity.

We need to come back to the fact, God has given us His only Son as a gift to take our sins away. Now that is a fact! Oh, what a blessed gift! A person could not ask for a better gift than that! The ideas which make up our civilization are based on Christianity. Some of those ideas have taken on a life of their own, forgetting about Jesus, and giving worldly people the false impression that we can throw out Christianity while keeping hold of the ideals needed for our freedom. That is just not right and it will not work. Throwing the Lord out the door. Just look at the countries in the Bible who tried to leave The Lord out. Just look around you, my friend, for the evidence, in the demands for the drastic changing of our family values, the changing of Christmas from the birth of Jesus into a shopping spree in which the word Christ Child is never heard. It is happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas. If we cherish what is so distinctive, so special, and so good about country and our form of civilization and freedom, we must respect, preserve, and defend the Christian roots from which our way of life, our principles, what we stand for, and what is left of our public decency have come from. We need to come back to the fact, God has given us His only Son as a gift to take our sins away. Now that is a fact! Oh, what a blessed gift! The ideas which make up our civilization are based on Christianity. Some of those ideas have taken on a life of their own, giving worldly people the false impression that we can throw out Christianity while keeping hold of the ideals needed for our freedom. That is just not right and it will not work. Just look around you, my friend, for the evidence, in the demands for the drastic changing of our family values, the changing of Christmas from the birth of Jesus into a shopping spree in which the word Christ Child is never heard. It is happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas. If we cherish what is so distinctive, so special, and so good about country and our form of civilization and freedom, we must respect, preserve, and defend the Christian roots from which our way of life, our principles, what we stand for, and what is left of our public decency have come from.

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas and rejoice over the birth of Jesus, we as Americans should give serious thought to The Lord's influence on the great American freedoms, among us, that we so cherish so much, and which did make this country so great. Out of respect and reverence for Christian roots, if for no other reason or purpose, As Christians and American's we should have, as our main goal and concern to put Christ back into Christmas and not only that but to make Him apart of our daily lives. God bless each and every one of you, and have a Merry Christmas.

Re-Establishing The Message Of Pentecost

Will the real Holy Ghost please stand up! All through the history of the Bible and from cover to cover we see very plainly without no mistakes that our God always used a willing vessel that He could pour Himself into. That is a fact. When we or the church are in a place that we can be used of the Lord, He will always supply the river of blessings which God promises. The Christian needs not only to talk the talk, but he needs to walk the walk and have close fellowship with the Lord. A Christian needs to be full of the power and the presence of the Almighty God. When The Holy Ghost was poured out on the Day of Pentecost it was not poured out on everybody. It was, in fact, only poured out on 120 people and The Holy Ghost went from a small flow or stream ( The 120 people ) to a great river ( thousands and thousands upon thousands of people being saved and filled with the Holy Ghost), and The Word spread like a fire. There is a river my friends and that river shall never run dry! We as Christians must regain and take back what the canker worm has taken away. You can only use what anointing that you have and right now with most Christians, in most churches there is very little anointing or power. They can no longer say, " Silver and gold have I done, but such as I have I give unto thee. In the name of Jesus rise up and walk. There is no Holy Ghost power in most churches and all kinds of false doctrines, money yes, Holy Ghost Power no.

I'm going to now make a statement that I know that some of you will not agree with, but my friend it is the truth. The Devil can teach the Bible and as a angel of light he can twist the scriptures around to his benefit. This is the reason for all the false doctrines in the church. That is the reason why we must read our Bible daily and get into a good Bible believing church that teaches the true and correct Word of God. We need to return to the foundation and the corner stone of the Pentecostal movement and that is "JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED". It is that precious blood of Jesus which we need that He shed on Calvary's Cross for you and me. How precious is that flow that makes me white as snow. That is what the saints where about on the day of Pentecost. The 120 people, that day, were praising God and giving Him the Glory for the cross, which was for their salvation and their sanctification. They were not praising God for any other reason. They were all in unity. We cannot get three or four Christians in unity anymore , let alone the whole church. If we want to fight Satan and all his evil there must be a coming together in unity.

Those early Christians were not praying for a program where they could climb steps to reach a goal or for Him to help them get rich, because none of that will work. Our salvation and sanctification was paid at the cross and what a shame it is for preachers today to preach some other way. They are in fact are preaching another gospel and another Jesus. As long as this happens the Holy Ghost cannot work or flow like a river. As long as the carnal mind is at work in the church its members are powerless to detect, false teaching, the devil or his demons. The plain and simple fact my friend is that the church is by passing the cross and this is causing problems such as false teachers, false doctrine, and no anointing, and no power. So all we have is a weak church that the evil one, Satan, looks at and says, " Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you?" We need to wake up and go back to that cross and get a blood bath in that precious blood of Jesus. We need to cry out, " OH LORD SEND THE POWER DOWN! It is the Holy Ghost power that makes us over comers.

How many, that are reading this article, can remember the old time Camp Meetings and the Brush Arbors? It was at those meetings that many of us seen and can testify of how the power of the Holy Ghost came down to save, set free, heal, and baptize people. The power came down! The Lord visited His people. The biggest part of the churches, today, do not want this anymore. The Holy Ghost never stays where He is not wanted and let me say this, "The church today is grieving the Holy Ghost. It is time for the real church to stand up and pray for the Lord to send the power down now.

Gay Marriage

I happen to be reading parts of Newsweek Magazine, yesterday, and after reading Lisa Miller's article on Mutual Joy, { I have posted the web site below } I was shocked at her for writing such a article and even more shocked that the Newsweek would allow it to be published. I have only one question to ask, "What turnip truck did she fall off of?" She is using parts Of the Bible to make a case for Homosexuals and to try to prove her point which is, "same sex marriages are okay." Ms Miller used Scriptures out of the Bible to try to prove her point. The scriptures that she uses do not even deal with the issue that she is talking about and trying to justify. The Bible in the Old Testament, in several places, clearly says that Homosexuality and Lesbianism is sin. She must have not read the Story of Sodom. Why did God destroy this city? It was the end result of Sodom's reprobate minds. This is how bad that God hates the sins of Homosexuals and Lesbians. Notice that I said He hates the sin, not the person! Read what the Book Of Romans Chapter one has to say about this topic. My thoughts are this, " Any nation, including the United States, that justifies homosexuality and Lesbianism, as a excepted life style, is a country in its final stages of moral corruption." I'm sorry Ms Miller, but you are trying to justify this sin and at the same time trying to discredit The Bible and Christians who live by, believe in, and honor God's Word. Remember this, any true Christian does not hate the homosexual or lesbian, it is that terrible sin that the Christian hates. The Christian does not have a agenda as Ms Miller is trying to stress in her article, but only God's Holy word in their hearts that homosexuality is a sin and is wrong. I do not want to discredit Ms Miller's professional talent, but when she is writing an article in a area such as this she needs to do some major research or get into a good Bible believing Church, because she is just not getting it or else she just wants to make some liberal brownie points. Ms Miller, God made the world for Adam and Eve to reproduce after their own kind, for that is what He commanded in His word, not for the sin, wickedness, and pleasure of Adam and Steve. With all due respect, with all your education you cannot see this?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653

The Divorced Christian

OH WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE! Friends I want to discuss a hard subject today. It is divorce. Some of you are going to agree with me and then there are those of you who will not, but this has been on my mind and heart for some time and so I will endeavor to bring forth to you what I believe with all by heart to be right concerning this subject of divorce. Some people might say that I should not be the one to be speaking or writing about divorce and remarriage, because I have been divorced, but because I have felt the pain and hurt of divorce I think that I can give a lot of insight to this over whelming problem in our country today. In this article I will throw no stones because I live in a glass house. I know how horror able divorce is, the scars that it leaves upon a person's heart, and how it is something that God hates. I have been there. I have hurt, ached , and cried out to Jesus for help. I have found out that most marriages end up in divorce when they begin wrong. A lot of men and women meet on dance floors, or bar rooms, or some other sinful place, or they just do not seek God first. Their marriage is born of lust not love and when the lust wear off there is nothing left. No love, no feelings, no nothing. This is not always the case all of the time, but the biggest part of the time it is. Sometimes money, material things, or a lying deceiving mate, may play a big part. If God is not part of the relationship and I'm speaking of all the courting before marriage, He seldom is part of your married life after you are married. What starts wrong will mostly end wrong unless Christ becomes the Master of Your life. If your marriage is like a stormy sea except Jesus today, because He is the Master of the sea and you will sail the stormy seas no more. He will calm that storm in your marriage.

I believe that divorce is one of the things that is bring our nation to its knees. I believe with all my heart that 75 percent of all divorces in the United States are not scriptural and they are wrong. Just because a court says that it is right does not make it right in God's eyes. The family unit is all but gone. Marriage as a institution is about gone. Over half or two thirds of all marriages, in this country, end in divorce. So what happens if you are a Christian and you are divorced? To put it in terms that you can understand, you cannot unscramble eggs. The first thing that we want to remember is that the only sin which God will not forgive is the blasphemy of The Holy Ghost. Yes God hates divorce, but He also hates murder, adultery, stealing, serving other gods, and using His name in vain. I'm not saying all sin is the same, but what I am saying is this: "All is sin and all can be covered by the Blood if you ask forgiveness. The second thing that we want to remember is that if you have been born again by the precious blood of Jesus do not listen to what people are saying about you, just remember this, if you have asked forgiveness, the scar of divorce that troubles you and hurts you is under the blood of Jesus, to be remembered no more. Jesus will heal that scar. He did it for me and He will do it for you. What counts is what you do after you have repented and asked God's forgiveness. By that I mean ask forgiveness, live for Jesus and serve Him with all your heart. Use your talents, whatever they may be for Him. So if you were divorced and then repented, yes I said repented because divorce is sin, you are saved by the precious blood of Christ, your sin is remembered no more. How great is our God.

I do not care how many times you have been divorced. Jesus forgave the women at the well. She had been married five times. He told her to go and sin no more. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will forgive you too. He will give you that living water also! That is how loving our Lord is! This does not give you a license to divorce and remarry whenever you want! By no means am I saying that divorce is okay. It is not, but what I am saying is that God will forgive you. Jesus went to the cross for all sin. God hates Divorce and from the beginning of time it was not good for a man to divorce his wife. I believe that there are only two grounds that a Christian person can justify a divorce and still be right with God. They are if their partner commits adultery or if a married partner who is unsaved leaves the partner who is saved because they are a Christian and wants nothing to do with them because of their faith in Christ. In that case God will not hold you in bondage.

Listen friend, thru many dangers (and I mean dangers), toils, and snare I have already come. I have been set free from the bondage and sin of divorce. That yoke is no longer around my neck. I sail the stormy seas no more. On that solid Rock (Christ Jesus) I firmly stand. Anything else would have been sinking sand. If My Jesus did it for me He will do it again for you, because he is no respecter of persons.

The finial thought that I want to pass on is this: "If your marriage is in trouble, then you and your mate SEEK GOD. Do not try to seek help from family, friends, or a psychiatrist. Most of the time they will tell you wrong. Work together with your mate to preserve that oneness that you have when you are married and the love you once had. God will save your marriage if you will only call on Him.

From The Pastor's Study

What Christmas Means To Me

I am reminded I was lost, separated from God, on a road to hell. But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who so ever believes on Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, But the world through Him might be saved.

This Christmas Season I think of the Good News, in the time of so much bad news, Jesus Saves. Jesus has prepared a place for us, That were He is we might be also. One day soon He is coming for us, we are no longer separated from God, but rather reconciled to Him. Article by, Rev. William Patchett Sr. Pastor Brookview Evangelical Bible Church

There is A Reason For The Season

This time of the year is for but one thing and that is to acknowledge the birth of our Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ on that Silent Night, that Holy Night a little over 2000 years ago. How do we as Christians acknowledge the Lord’s birthday? What is our reason for the season? It is to celebrate the gift of our Heavenly Father of His only begotten Son. Sure it is a holiday, it is a celebration. We celebrate this time of the year that our sins have been forgiven, that by His strips we were healed, that He supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory. This means no matter how bad the economy is or the job market, if you are a child of His. He cares for you. He will make a way when there is no way. All of this is possible because of Calvary and what took place there over 2000 years ago. What a gift. So what is this holiday? It is Christmas and always will be Christmas. So why should we not be merry and happy. We should shout to the world MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN! Merry Christmas to all

A Positive NoteThis Christmas

What a wonderful thought I have been thinking! It was at the Cross where I first saw the light and the burdens of my heart rolled away. I've have learned since then that no matter what happens in our life, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and we must put our trust in Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith because with Him it will be better tomorrow for I know that He holds tomorrow and the day after that for all eternity. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three small things: For example, a rainy day. Do you complain about the rain or look for the rainbow? We could cry and complain about the rain or else we could think of the latter rain. Oh Lord send down that latter rain. We need that latter rain Lord! More than anything else this country and the world needs the latter rain. So when it rains I hope it pours all over this land! Let’s have a revival! Another example is lost luggage, do you worry more about lost luggage than a sinners lost soul. We must never forget our soul is more important than luggage. It was bought with a price that we can never repay! Our soul and our sanctification both have been bought by the shed blood of our Lord. He paid the price. The last example is tangled Christmas tree lights. Oh what a tangled web we weave. Remember as you straighten the Christmas Tree lights out that Jesus is the light of the world and he will straighten your tangled life out if you will only call on Him. He will mold you and make you if you will only let Him. He is the potter and we are the clay. My eyes are on Jesus for He is the light of the world! I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. So the best thing to do is honor them while they are here. I will never be so thankful that I had a Godly mother and father who walked in the way and showed me the way. My father’s preaching {and he is still preaching at 82 years of age} and my mother’s singing of those old gospel songs will never leave me until I met her again, “ABOVE THE BRIGHT BLUE” I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."I've learned that life gives you a second chance if you call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. In other words do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, without Christ, happiness will elude you. But if you focus your life on Jesus, on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. Oh to be happy in Jesus! When I think of the goodness of Jesus my soul cries out, “HALLELUAH” I've learned that whenever I seek Jesus with an open heart, I always make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone and let them see Christ in your life. People love that human touch, holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. How much greater is it when Jesus touches your life? I've found out that I still have a lot to learn. People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel...... And I will never forget how the Lord made me feel when he stretched out his nail scared hands and said, “Come unto me” Touching Jesus is all that matters. Oh let me touch Him so that others may know and be Blessed!