Testimony of Love and Forgiveness, my own.

Ever wondered 'how did I get in this mess?", or maybe " why me?"?

   I know those sayings all too well. There was a point in my life where I felt it did not matter what I did, I was going to make someone mad. There were times in my life where I decided I was going to live for me and take care of number one. Times where I considered "morals" as just guidelines, good ideas. They could be stretched, re-arranged to fit what ever I wanted them to look like.

 I was living the life!!........but joy,happiness in this setting was for a moment only and fleeting.

  I came to know my Lord at a young age. I truly believe I understood what that meant at the time. I went to church every Sunday, memorized the scriptures and even taught a senior adult Bible class one Sunday when I was 16. I was on the right path, on fire for Jesus. Witnessing to fellow students.
  Then something happen. Sundays were hard to get up and get ready for, the message that was being taught became boring. Pretty soon I was that guy on the back row paying more attention to my girlfriend and ignoring the Word. Church became a place to meet girls and socialize. I really believed that I liked it better this way.
   The following years since then has seen me go through two divorces, drinking, and living life to the max for me. I thought that the more money I could bring into my account would make me happier. The more things I owned would surely make me more joyful. Wasn't working to well for me. Well maybe if I had the right car, the expensive watch and the big brick house I would be happy. I mean wouldn't anybody be happy with all of that??? The job, the car, the house and the prestige that comes with it all. I thought so.......then it all changed in the blink of an eye.

  In the blink of an eye we were both out of work. I was trying to work with her dad in his business. Her dad and I are very much alike..so we did not see things eye to eye on a few things......well most things. Ok almost all things we disagreed. We were struggling to make ends meet, our dogs (all three) had the mange. My wife and I fought constantly. I can still remember all the yelling. This went on for a year or better, we had only been married for 8 months when camelot came crashing down and the hurricanes and fires hit our marriage. This wasn't what I wanted. Third is suppose to be the charm...right?

A break in the storm.......

   My mother invited my wife to a "Beth Moore" concert/bible study a coupe hours away. My wife jumped at the chance to get away. While my wife was away that long weekend I had a chance to really reflect on what was important in my life and what I needed to change. When my loving wife returned from being gone for a few days, the first words were not "I love you" or "I miss you" that I was hoping to hear but instead........

 " I rededicated and gave my heart and my life to Jesus! Are you coming with me? "

  I didn't see that coming. I don't do well with threats or ultimatums and will usually get very defensive and aggressive when that happens. So many things went thru my mind.."what did my mom do to her?", "it's a trick women's question, be careful what you say". I open my mouth and said.......

....yes.

  It wasn't til a few years later that I learned from my lovely wife that she had intended to leave me that weekend, she was done with me, tired of all the problems, tired of the fights and tired of being broke. My moms invitation was just the break she needed before she made her break. On her way home from the Beth Moore study that weekend she had decided that only "one" answer would be acceptable when she asked "Are you coming with me?", a no, or well maybe, lets talk about it; would not have worked. She was prepared to leave me that very second if I had not open my mouth and let Jesus said "yes!" It wasn't me but it was Jesus coming to my rescue after so many years of denying him and ignoring him, he was there in my true hour of need!
  We were both on our knees praying and re-dedicating our lives to Christ.

  ......and they lived happily ever after. The End

 Well not quite. we have still had our moments of discussions and disagreements. She has forgiven me more times then she should have had to but we have both kept our eyes on Jesus. I can honestly say without a doubt that I am happier now then I ever have been. I am more in love with my wife today then ever before. Forgiven

  Maybe another time I will go into deeper details about my sordid past. What I really want you to see is.. it does not matter to Jesus what your past is, it doesn't matter what you have done. He loves you! You are forgiven! Brake the chains that are binding you. You are worthy! You are one of His!
 Too many times Christians fall short and feel that they blew it and there is no more redemption...WRONG! Step out of the dark, leave the chains that have kept you bound. Your sins are no different then mine or anyone else. Do you think Christ died on the cross for only a few sins?? or maybe He died for only a select few? NO. His blood covers all! Turn your eyes back to Him.

Drawn to Him

Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD appeared to us in the past saying ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving-kindness’”

 I had read that scripture many times, but in January 2010 the Holy Spirit brought it back to me and opened it up in a new way that gave me hope in a very difficult time in my life.  He opened up the word "draw" for me, unveiling it like a beautiful treasure that He framed in the context of His everlasting love and His loving-kindness.  The actual word in Hebrew is "masak", and in its general definition, it means to drag or extend, but He wanted me to go deeper and what I discovered changed me, delighted me as He showed me yet another dimension of His love. 

Draw; to gather up with gentleness and tenderness and hold close, like a small child scared in the dark, a loving parent will gather her up, tenderly hold her close and speak soothing words to calm and comfort.  Can you picture Papa God doing that with you? That’s what He said, just there in Jeremiah 31:3. 

But, it gets better, draw can also mean to pull along, to cause to move forward by a force applied in advance of the thing.  As only God can do in His everlasting love, as He knows our end from our beginning, He will apply the force in advance to move us forward.  He does not make it up as He goes along, He does not push, He in His love knows you so intimately, that He does in advance just exactly what you need to move forward, more and more into His love.

When we get in too deep and the waters and the enemy threatens to overtake our whole life, He will draw us out of the deep waters, He will pull us up, up above our circumstance, onto the solid Rock, the     Foundation we have in Christ Jesus.

This is a good one, to draw can mean to bring by compulsion.  Ever feel Him draw you to Him even though you were kicking and screaming?  Even if it was away from the edge of the cliff or from the trap of the enemy?  I’ve watched Him to that.  I’ve watched Him patiently and firmly pull one of His children, kicking and screaming from the jaws of the enemy who was just about to devour and destroy one of His precious children. 

And in contrast, I’ve seen the LORD move slowly, extend gradually, draw one of His own with consummate love and tenderness back into His will, His path.  There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.   He will go to great length to draw us back to Him, to win us, to attract us, to invite us to come near. 

Then just as the sail of a sail boat will draw the Wind…… To be filled with the Wind so it can advance on, He will fill us with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to move forward. Does He not tell us He will  take us from glory to glory?

In the depth of this simple word, I found no trace of a God Who tolerates me, puts up with me, or looks at me as an obligation, I see an amazing love that spans time, past, future and current.  I see a Papa God who is always for me, Who will never let go and is not far away. 

I challenge you to take a step back and ask Him, how has He drawn you?  Then let Him show you how He draws His precious child who He loves with an everlasting love.

Unconditional Forgiveness For All

   Simon Peter denied Christ three times.

Mark 14:66-72


 ⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
   “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
 ⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
 ⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.
   After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
 ⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
 ⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

  John 18:15-18

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, ¹⁶ but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
   He replied, “I am not.”
 ¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
 John 18:25-27

²⁵ Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

   He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
 ²⁶ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.


Matthew 26:69-75


 ⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
 ⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
 ⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
 ⁷² He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
 ⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
 ⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
   Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

  Peter denies Jesus three times. First to a servant girl, next to another servant girl (with witnesses) and the third time it was a servant from the high priest. This time Peter felt trapped and cursed that he did not know Him.

  Betrayal from a disciple that told Jesus just hours before that he would follow him to prison and even to death.

Luke 22:33

   ³³ But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

 

  Jesus tells Peter that when he has turn back to Him and his brothers to strengthen them in faith. Jesus forgave him even before he had sinned against Him.

  Let me say that again, let it sink in, soak in it. "Jesus forgave him before he had sinned against Him"

  We serve an awesome God that offers forgiveness before we even know we needed it.

John 21:15-19

  ¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

   “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
 ¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
 ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”


   Jesus forgave Peter completely, it was forgotten! He went on to send Peter out to spread the Gospel. Peter was the rock that His church would be built on. Amazing the man who denied Him in His hour of need, He had unconditional love and forgiveness.


   Have you ever felt that you have sinned beyond redemption? The blood that Jesus shed only covered some sins and not all? Who told you that????


  Jesus was crucified for all of our sins. True forgiveness.


  The next time you transgress, stumble or fall, ask for forgiveness and put it in your past. Christ has already forgotten all about it.


  My brothers and sisters I love you. I want you to know the freedom and grace He has given me. The amazing forgiveness and unconditional love that He has in abundance for all who ask and follow Him.

New Breed Believers taking cues from the First Believers

We preach:
Atonement, not attainment
Relationship, not religion
The Christ, not the church

We practice:
In matters of morality, purity.
In matters of faith, unity.
In matters of opinion, liberty.

In all things, LOVE.

We are Radical Believers.

The Church today needs:
RENEWAL
REFORMATION
RESTORATION
RECONCILIATION
REUNIFICATION
REVIVAL

Roger Born wrote these declarations in 1996. The Christian Church is still in need today.

   The church that Jesus built is not a religion.
All religions are man-made. Exception is the religion given to the Jews by God.
Jesus ushered in a new covenant, He came to set us free from religion and the
man-made laws.

    Jesus is the head of His church
Jesus placed few commands on his children. Love one another as He first loved us.
Go spread the the good news of Jesus and salvation.
Believers are free to worship Jesus and to serve Him as they feel led by Him.
All other laws and traditions are just that..man-made.
We keep focused on Jesus and the moral questions are easily answered.

   The Secret
If you are more concerned about serving others, rather than yourself, you will be very careful for their feelings, their conscience, and their souls. This is"Hesed". What is "hesed"? This is a Hebrew word that has no Greek equivalent.  It has many meanings. It means...service, servitude, loving-kindness or gratitude. The angels visiting Abraham were shown Hesed. The angels showed Hesed to Lot in taking him to safety. Boaz showed it to Ruth; Rahab to the spies and God to the Jews in dealing with them as a nation or a person. These were all Old Testament examples. What about in the New Testament? The word Hesed is never used. As stated before there isn't a word that is equivalent in the Greek language. Strange how such a powerful word could not be translated, but there is a solution.....Jesus is Hesed but first Jesus is LOVE.

  We do need unity in the church, but we need this unity to come about without compromising what Jesus taught. We need more radical believers to step up and be counted, take a stand for what you know is right.

Time To Get Real

"Scratching people where they itch and addressing their "felt needs" is a stratagem of the poor steward of the oracles of God. This was the recipe for success for the false prophets of the Old Testament"

                             R.C. Sproul

Two men are seated in a plane. A stewardess gives the first man a parachute and instructs him to put it on as it will "improve his flight."

Not understanding how a parachute could possibly improve his flight, the first passenger is a little skeptical. Finally he decides to see if the claim is true. After strapping on the parachute, he notices its burdensome weight, and he has difficulty sitting upright. Consoling himself with the promise of a better flight, our first passenger decides to give it a little time.

Because he's the only one wearing a parachute, some of the other passengers begin smirking at him, which only adds to his humiliation. Unable to stand it any longer, our friend slumps in his seat, unstraps the parachute, and throws it to the floor. Disillusionment and bitterness fill his heart because, as far as he is concerned, he was told a lie.

Another stewardess gives the second man a parachute, but listen to her instructions. She tells him to put it on because at any moment all the passengers will be making an emergency exit out of the plane at 25,000 feet.

Our second passenger gratefully straps the parachute on. He doesn't notice its weight upon his shoulders or that he can't sit upright. His mind is consumed with the thought of what would happen to him if he jumped without it. When other passengers laugh at him, he thinks, "You won't be laughing when you're falling to the ground!"

          Ray Comfort

The first passenger is a lost soul coming to Jesus for salvation (parachute) to make his flight (life) easier. When trouble comes, a bumpy flight  and the straps weighs him down (ridiculed and laughed at), he pulls the chute off. He calls it a lie, it didn't do what they told me it would do. His heart becomes a little hardened to Jesus.

The second passenger puts on the parachute (salvation) and is told it is for an impending jump (death in life). Therefore to save him from dying (going to hell) he straps the parachute on (comes to Jesus his savior). He has the same turbulent flight (ridiculed and laughed at) as the first passenger but instead he ignores the bumps (nay sayers) and holds on tightly to his parachute (Jesus).

Which passenger stayed the course, stayed on the path and finished the race successfully? Obvious huh?

How do you want to present the gospel? We all should want to witness to others so they too will continue to witness to others. The bottom line... it all about a relationship with Jesus. My Jesus.

Going Deeper (Part 3) Sharing Jesus

Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)

 ^16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
 ^18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

  Well that is the great commission that Jesus gave his disciples. So get to it!!!!

  If it were only that easy.........it is really.

  What if I am rejected?? Ok, who are they rejecting? You or Jesus?

     It is not "all about me".

     When you share your faith you are successful 100% of the time. Don't think so?? Think about this. When you plant a seed to grow it needs several things to help it grow to maturity. Water, fertilizer, sunlight. Sometimes we are the ones planting the seeds of salvation and sometimes we are watering a seed left by someone before us. Does it matter which one is our job as long as we do our job?

  I don't know what to say. 


   It is not "all about me"

    Jesus will speak thru you, you just have to trust Him. Start simple. Share your testimony of how you came to Jesus. I have found this to be very effective in getting me to relax and open up to who I am speaking with at the time. Questions begin to flow in the conversation. Surprise you are sharing your faith my friend.

  Who do I talk to? so many out there.


Acts 8 26-40


   This is the story of the Ethiopian and Philip. The Lord told Philip to go and meet him around noon, south of Jerusalem. Sometimes you just know it is right time with the right person. The Holy Spirit works in awesome ways to lead us and help us.
   Maybe it is the person next to you in line, maybe sitting next to you on a plane. It could even be your neighbor you helping with a project. If you are open to sharing your faith, you will have no problems finding opportunities.

  Ok, now what?

  Pray with the person to accept Jesus into their heart. That means they will trust Him. It means they understand that even as a sinner He loved us. Died for our sins, (took our punishment) and was resurrected three days later. They need to understand that this is only the first step. The relationship building with Jesus starts now. 

   Building my relationship with Jesus has been amazing. I have always heard other people say they felt this or saw that. I couldn't understand why I didn't feel the same way. They seem to have a joy and a love that seemed to be manufactured right before they walked into the church. My friend..it is real!! I find that each day I grow closer to Jesus and learn more about Him that I am smiling more and feeling the joy that everyone was talking about.

Please if you have any questions or comments send them our way.

iamforgiven-ministries.com has a page on salvation and answers some of the questions. It is a new website that is under construction. The salvation page on the site is complete. 

  

   

Going Deeper (Part 2) stronger relationship with Jesus

  How do we develop a stronger relationship with Jesus. 

Pray

Get in the Word! (The Bible)

What you put in is what you put out.

Did I mention....Pray.

Pray:

We cometh before thee so we shall'eth be'th sanctified in your most glorious presence'th.

....and bless my dog, my cat and my fish Fred...oh and the ants in the front yard...

Oh Lord I need a million dollars....Amen   ...  tax free??

Sound familiar? Maybe it is you. maybe you have heard prayers similar to these. What is prayer really??

   Prayer in its most simple form is a conversation between you and God. Spoken as you would to a friend sitting next to you on a bench. It's honest and from the heart.

   I have always had a hard time praying out loud. I have found that I am not alone in this phobia either. We need to remember that we are praying to God and not to impress those around us. 

   Start small and go from there......

  I want to go deeper. Amen

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The Bible, the Word! Get in it!! :

  Choices, choices and more choices..... Which translation? Do I need a Life Application Bible or a parallel Bible? 

  Here are just a few choices and their strengths.

The Message - Easy to read in todays language. Reads like a book from a library would.

King James Bible - Tradition literal text. 

New International Version (NIV) Like the King James Bible but in todays language.

Parallel Bible - 2 or more translations on the same page for comparison.

Life Application Study Bible - variety of translations. Study notes emphasize how to live out the principles of scripture instead of the more traditional historical details of that period.

  Which ever you choose, start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) at the beginning of the New Testament. Then build from there.

   Read Proverbs in the Old Testament.  Read a proverb a day for 30 days.

   Find a good Bible study.

  Personally I like The Message. It flows like a good story. I have also downloaded different books of the Bible in different translations. I can listen to a book while waiting in line or when out riding. DVD's about the Bible are good also for those of us who need the visual as well as audio.

  Be sure to pray before starting your Bible reading. Ask for understanding.

_______________________________________________________________

  "Garbage in, garbage out" Most of us have heard this expression. It is amazing how true this is in todays life. The movies we watch, the music we listen to and the people we associate with all influence our thinking and our decisions.

 It Is Time For A Change!!

  Have you ever found yourself in a group of people at work or even at church and the conversation starts becoming uncomfortable? Maybe it was gossip about someone, or maybe just every word was dripping with negativity. We are uncomfortable for a reason, something is not right. "If you lie down with dogs you will get up with fleas"

  How do you feel when you watch a good movie. A good moral story about life, a feel good movie. You feel good right? not negative and depressed. Think it is an accident???

  What about the music you listen to or our children? Just take a look at the Billboards top 5 songs for the week of 2/5/2011. 

  Music can set our moods and how we feel about ourselves. The theme to the original Rocky. Listen to it while working out or working on a project and you feel like you could tackle Mount Everest.

  This was not as hard as I thought. It started small and grew from there. People I associate with on a regular basis are a strong Christian influence. What I watch on TV or when we go see a movie, I think about what I want out of this entertainment then ask for guidance and make the right decision. I love music, all types. There are so many different Christian groups that whatever your favorite genre is, it is out there!  By the way, Petra is one of my favorites.

_______________________________________________________________

Did I mention prayer?  Pray!

 The power of prayer can not be measured. Doctors are amazed by it, scientist can not explain it. The power is REAL!

  Here is a challenge. Do the following for 30 days.

1. Read a proverb from the Book of Proverbs each day.

2. Each day pray before you read your Bible, ask for understanding.

3. Before making even the smallest decision ask God for his guidance.

4. Thank God for a glorious day before you go to bed.

5. When you wake up, tell God good morning and ask for his guidance.

Doing the four steps above and the challenge will get you well on your way to developing a stronger relationship with Jesus. I know it works because it is the same steps that I took and I still work on. It is not perfection but progress. If you slip or stumble...don't worry Jesus has you in His arms and will help you on your journey. I'm still traveling on my path and I can say it keeps getting better and better.

Going Deeper (part 1)

  What prevents you from going deeper in Christ?
  What is stopping you from developing a stronger relationship with Jesus?
  What is holding you back from sharing what Jesus has done for you?

  Maybe the questions should read.....

  How do I go deeper in Christ?
  How do I get a stronger relationship with Jesus?
  How do I share Jesus and what He has done for me?

  The best way to answer these questions is taking them on one at a time. Starting with "going deeper in Christ"

  The reasons for not going deeper are almost as many as there are people in the world. "Life is just so busy right now"," I will start when my life slows down","Just too much stress, I don't want more"," I'm as deep as the next person"," I would have to stop doing some of the things I'm doing now". The list continues on and on.
  What we tend to not understand is that going deeper in Jesus, solves many of these problems. I can honestly say this because I am a living testimony of what He has done for me in the last year alone. A life that was spinning out of control, stress coming from every direction and me not wanting to give up some of the things that I knew were wrong. All it took was a little bit of commitment from me and support from my wife. I had to let Him inside my heart before the outside would change.

  How did I start on the path to going deeper? It started with one simple request lifted up in prayer......Jesus I want to go deeper, show me what I need to do..amen
  Sounds almost laughable, so simple and so short. The difference was I wanted it. My prayer was sincere and honest, I did want it. I wanted my life to change and I wanted to live for Him.

  Next I made a few other life changes. I found a person I could trust to hold me accountable. Someone I could talk honestly to about what I was going thru. I even changed the music I was listening to. I had to forgive myself to experience God's love.

  Those were the easy steps, the next one was a little tougher. I committed time. Time to be in church, time to be in a Bible study and time for ministry. In the past, time was a commodity that was in short supply in my life. Work, hobbies and time to rest. Add in the everyday things like upkeep on the house and vehicles, there wasn't anything left. The secret to getting the time I needed to keep to my commitment was........prioritizing. I put God first. I started spending more time with other believers in church and out. I committed to spend time in our ministry. Surprisingly there was enough time for all the changes.

 The past year has been an amazing ride and I thank Jesus for everything, most importantly for not giving up on me.

  Today I have the time. Today all the stresses that I had before are still there but I'm not worried about them now, Jesus has them covered.

  Have i gone deeper...well let's just say I'm not in the wading pool anymore and I headed to deep waters and loving it all the way.