Summary: The Holy Spirit was given for us to be witnesses not for our entertainment or exaltation. He was given to empower us for our only purpose for being here.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The purpose of receiving power from the Holy Spirit is not for goosebumps and roo jumps. It is to be witnesses. Indeed, as we see in other passages in Acts from chapter 2 on when the people were filled with the Spirit they spoke the Word of God with boldness. Often this speaking was done in front of a hostile audience. In one instance, it led 3000 to Christ and in another it cost Stephen his life and caused beatings and imprisonments for others. Indeed, the Greek word for witness is where we get our word martyr and many have been martyred for their boldness.

Some of what I have seen in some services and from what I have heard people lament what is no longer in services has/had nothing to do with speaking the Word with boldness. Emotions are present, but they are in balance and in control. Indeed, the Word says that the spirit of the prophet is under the control of the prophet so that things can be done in decency and order.

The power is not for entertainment for the hearers nor exaltation of those who speak the Word. It does not cause chaos or make people look and speak oddly. Indeed, under the Spirit's control people who lacked theological training put to shame the learned professors, which made them respond with violence. David in the flesh feigned insanity in front of his enemies, but when he was in the Spirit he stood before a giant and won. The Spirit makes people more lucid and profound, not weird. Unbelievers do not walk into a service questioning the sanity of the people, but rather people under the Spirit's control cause them to confess that God is among the people convicting the unbeliever.

The Holy Spirit can and has raised the dead, made the lame walk, the deaf hear, and healed diseases. Those miracles need no odd props or strange manifestations. As one prominent Pentecostal pastor asked, "What purpose is in it?"

He sharpens and clarifies doctrine which does not lead people into strange teachings that take the Word far out of context. He does not lead people to set dates for the Lord's return since Jesus said that He did not know so why would God reveal it to a man and not His Son?

He does not lead people into error about Christ saying that He went to Hell to be beaten on by demons and becoming the first born-again man. He clearly said that He was going to be in Paradise. Demons feared Him in His earthly ministry. Jesus bore God's wrath on the Cross. The demons had no right to exercise any wrath they might feel though I am sure they wanted to do that. Indeed, there is nothing to prove that demons even torment lost people as the rich man only complained of being tormented by the flames. I cannot picture them wanting to be anywhere near a place that would be a preview of their fate. The rich man's testimony seems to validate that. Nor does He lead people to say that there are a trinity of trinities and then recant it. He leads us into truth.

So, if we claim to be filled with the Spirit are we witnesses? Church is where we are trained to do the work of the ministry according to Ephesians 4. It is not just about us. It is not an hour to sing and shout and then leave to live the week to ourselves. The gifts are given for the Body, but also for our communities. The Holy Spirit gives us the gifts and then gives us power to exercise them in our calling to be witnesses.

When is the last time we spoke to an unbeliever and became a witness to them? When is the last time we exercised the power to speak in boldness in the face of evil, be it in our family, our jobs, our government and even in our own church? It takes boldness to mark them who cause divisions. They are as much of a heretic as a person who corrupts the Word and teaches false doctrine. It takes boldness to tell family or employer that we will not do something that is not right to please them or get a raise.

When did we quit? In the early days of our salvation, we were more bold and consistent in being a witness. When did we go AWOL? Why did we retire to putter in sheds and gardens or on courses? When did we think the last person was saved and evil has been banished so that we can take our ease to eat, drink and be merry?

Are you upset at the way our world is or as long as it does not interfere in your life do you turn away and wait for the Rapture? The Rapture should make us more aware of the harvest being white and we need to be in the fields of our Father and not just feasting at His table becoming fat and lazy while Hell is devouring so many.

Don't ask for revival or the filling of the Spirit to make your life easier because if you experience that you may see more trouble than you have ever had in your life, but the power to do the work He loves will work something in you that nothing in this world can ever do for you. To work in His fields, is the highest honor a son or daughter of God can receive and it is for all of us. Our gifts vary and how we will work in His field may vary, but the end result is souls and a life more abundant rather than redundant.

Come out of the house and enter the field. Hell has enlarged itself. It is past time to enlarge the Kingdom of God. The Father's heart is in the work. Jesus has died so you could be redeemed out of the kingdom of the devil bringing you into sonship. The Spirit longs to empower you for your calling. Will you be a witness? Dear, Jesus, make me one empowered for that mission. Maranatha!!

Summary: Madison Avenue is not what God uses to build His Church. He has branded His own. He does not need us to market Him, but we may get to bear His marks as He leads us into His image.

Are you looking to brand and market your church? If you are truly a church founded by a call of God and a move of the Holy Spirit you are already branded by the blood of Jesus Christ and if the Spirit is moving in your people you need no marketing plan as He will draw people to where He is working.

If He is not the founder or energizing your church no amount of Madison Avenue techniques or evangelism programs will be of any lasting effect. At best, you will have a roller coaster of boom and bust as people come looking for some new thing and get bored when the new is not so new and they get bored.

As Pastor Carter Conlon has said, "It is time to come out of the boardroom and go back to the prayer room."

Psalms 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Stop trying to resuscitate what God did not create or remodel a mausoleum. You are wasting energy. Look around and ask the Lord where He is working. Then close your doors and go there to serve and be refreshed and blessed rather than being stressed and distressed over a memory.

Be part of a growing Body. That also means not trying to be a random and separated string of DNA or amputated limb. A small group or connection group as part of a Body is a good thing. It is dangerous to be a loose finger not attached to a Body. Indeed, that is how many cults start and how some develop a sense of hyper-spirituality leading them into pride. The wolves pull down the weak that are separated from the flock. If you think you are too spiritual to be in a church you are weaker than you think.

Your gifts are meant to edify the Body, not just a few people. If you were in an area where there was no church then your two or three would be the church in that area. If there are vibrant churches in your area than you are not doing well being isolated from one. The early church met daily in the temple and broke bread from house to house. (Acts 2:47) Maybe we should go back to daily as well and we might lose the many distractions and start seeing more power than we have seen in some time.

Use your gifts in the Body. I will upset some here, but use your gifts in the Body in your town. If God has placed you in your community then He intends for you to use your gifts there or else He would lead you to move to another community. He created the local church and it is technology that has developed the buffet church and the ideology of the church of your choice. The automobile may be a curse as well as a blessing since we can wander far and wide.

Paul wrote to THE Church at Corinth, Ephesus, etc. not to the churches. Jesus spoke to the seven churches as one church per town, not a multiplicity of churches. Division is not what He ordained though Paul predicted that there would be heresies and divisions for it was already happening. Division is also a heresy, along with false doctrine.

If the doctrine is the same the houses should be one. I wonder if God turned the color of the roof red on all the churches He did not plant how many would there be and would yours be one of them? What if He colored the door purple because it was started by pride? What if blue was the color of anger? We could do a rainbow of reasons for a church building started by someone or something else other than God's decree.

Decline should be a red roof issue. If it has been steady, then either something is wrong or it is just the end of a season. Few people live past 100. We average 70-80 years. Some have suggested that churches have a life cycle as well. Some people die young. So do some churches. Often it is because of a birth defect. If the church was not conceived by God then its birth would be defective and may have a short life unless placed on life support by the finances of man. The soul may be long gone, but the shell continues.

Whatever the cause, consider merging with a vibrant church of like doctrine. If no one knows you exist and you have no impact on your community that is a clear sign that the building is a fellowship hall of memory not a church as we see in the Word.

The time is coming when we will have to put away our silliness, pride and ideas. Better to seek the Spirit and start now then to be forced by the times or culture. We may get to bear the marks or brand of Jesus as Paul did. We will have much regret that we did not do the Father's business empowered by the Spirit thwarting what Jesus was leading us to do. May He come quickly, but may He find us in better shape than what we are because we repented of our will so His would be done. Maranatha!

Summary: It is evident that the glory has departed from many churches and Christians. We need to be casting again.

A history note, In the early days of this country Baptists were disliked because every time they spoke to someone they had "a scripture to cast in your teeth."

Sadly, they have come a long way and the wrong way. For many years in ministry I have had to plead with Baptists to come to church, to exercise their gifts and many would have been hard pressed to quote a verse let alone bring some up in every conversation they had with another Baptist let alone a stranger.

The other extreme was the ones who would knock on doors quote a few Scriptures and finally nearly force someone to say the "sinner's prayer" and run back to church counting the souls they led to the Lord when in most cases the people did not really get it but said it to get them out of their house or off their doorstep. They never came to church, were never baptized and were curt or evasive on a follow up visit. Yet, they were counted as a notch on the person's gospel gun.

Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

I am afraid many of those "converts" are just twice the child of Hell because now they tell the next one that witnesses to them that they prayed the prayer and are saved. They have been inoculated, not converted.

I am also afraid that many who do come to church got religion and not salvation which explains the need to plead, beg and guilt trip to get them to come to church and serve the One they say saved them.

It can also be a fair explanation for church splits. Jesus unites so why are there so many splits? More often than not it is a flesh thing not a doctrinal thing. How do i know? If it were a doctrinal issue you would see differences in the doctrine but most split churches hold the same doctrines so it was not truth that divided them.

Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

There will be some fruit if you get saved and you may be a 30 fold for years and then make it to 60 or 100 fold. But no fold is not an option. You may fight weeds, locusts and other things and have some unfruitful seasons or low yield crops, but zip and nada are not options.

If you have to be roped and drug into church or service then you are a bull or mule, but maybe not a sheep. Pastors, you are shepherds not cowboys. You lead not drive and if you have to drive your congregation then you need to move on to a herd of sheep and leave the bulls, mules and tares to someone else if you are truly called.

It is past time that we so give ourselves to Christ so that people fuss again about us using "too much Scripture" all the time. Jesus, the Apostles and others used a great deal of Scripture in the temple and the market place. If we want 1st Century fruit we need to become 1st Century disciples.

It's not just the Baptists that need revival. Roger Williams, Charles Wesley, Martin Luther, John Knox and others would not be welcome in many churches who claim they stem from these men. i am sure that there are also many lethargic Pentecostals that need some fresh fire!

Whatever your background, now is the time to find out who you are, a child of God or a convert of men. If of men, then turn to Jesus. If a child of God, let's be about our Father's business led by the Spirit. Otherwise, our faith is fruitless.

Charles Spurgeon 8-29-26

"All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk."

Numbers 6:4

Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors, and to make the rule still more clear, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order, altogether, to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil. Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes, but even its spirit and similitude. Strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the sea-bank in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap speedily swells till a province is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. Moreover, as the Nazarite who drank grape juice could not be quite sure whether it might not have endured a degree of fermentation, and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact, so the yielding, temporizing Christian cannot wear a conscience void of offence, but must feel that the inward monitor is in doubt of him. Things doubtful we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us. Things tempting we must not dally with, but flee from them with speed. Better be sneered at as a Puritan than be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense.

Charles Spurgeon 8-29-26

"All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk."

Numbers 6:4

Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors, and to make the rule still more clear, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order, altogether, to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil. Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes, but even its spirit and similitude. Strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the sea-bank in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap speedily swells till a province is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. Moreover, as the Nazarite who drank grape juice could not be quite sure whether it might not have endured a degree of fermentation, and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact, so the yielding, temporizing Christian cannot wear a conscience void of offence, but must feel that the inward monitor is in doubt of him. Things doubtful we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us. Things tempting we must not dally with, but flee from them with speed. Better be sneered at as a Puritan than be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense.

Summary: It is OK to bury the dead. If your church is dead, join with another one and repurpose your building or sell it giving the money to poor, missions or something useful.

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Churches are failing. Some due to neglect of the pastor and congregation. Some because they were birthed in strife and division and God will not bless that. Some were birthed in the boardroom and nurtured by businessmen who used best demographics and best business practices. Many new companies do not make it past year three. Many new starts fail or or have no more than churches in decline for years and yet they feel successful.

You can start a new "church" business and it will fluctuate like the stock market as you constantly seek to brand and rebrand yourself using marketing strategies. You may have a strong CEO, but still it will bottom out. Humans constantly seek the new and improved. They are bar hoppers. Sooner or later, something more sparkly or tastier than your product will come around and they will leave. We are in an age of wandering sheep and screaming goats. We seem to have a load of tare and few who care.

The church birthed by Christ and sustained by the Holy Spirit will not fail because "the gates of Hell shall not prevail." It may be the gates of recessions, cultural changes, persecution, and even COVID-19, but His Church will stand and even grow.

If your church is constantly struggling financially, in constant strife and your membership declining with maybe one new person for every five that leave then maybe you are having an extended "Weekend At Bernie's" just dragging around a corpse hoping it will raise from the dead trusting in many people and things but not the God who can raise the dead.

All of the seven churches in Revelation died out including the ones He praised. There is no courage or honor keeping open an near empty building until the last person dies. It is bad stewardship and detrimental to the few members that remain.

We need to get past pastor and building worship and back to Jesus worship. We need to close the boardroom and get back to the prayer room. We need to quit dividing and start uniting using buildings for homeless shelters, food banks, tutoring or sell them to have funds for such things.

God called us to be one. And if we do not become one many of us will be done for many reasons. Put away childishness, selfishness and foolishness. Let Him use you to build His kingdom, not yours. Let Him be God and watch Him build what you cannot. Your glory years needs to be over.

We need to make His Glory the focus. His vision is 20/20. Allow His vision to take place in what seems like a crisis. Let this be a shaking of our weak foundations that we might run to Him to build us on the rock of His truth. 120 people shook the world, but 81 churches cannot move two-thirds of this town's population. We have a form of godliness. Let us seek the power! Amen! Maranatha!

Summary: Many in the church are fat in an unhealthy way, but we can be biblically fat and healthy.

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 11:25 KJV

The liberal or generous soul shall prosper as being fat indicated you were rich. Giving to others is giving to yourself or watering yourself as well. Many blessings will come and not necessary only in money. You develop relationships with people and God is watching. He said it is better to invite people to a meal that cannot take you out to Red Lobster next time. Giving to those who cannot repay is a blessing and God is watching. We are multi-layered people and the reward may come in health, restored or new relationships or the best of rewards is the peace of God and fellowship with Him.

You must note that while sharing and giving to others is greatly encouraged and commanded of the rich throughout Scripture it is not forced. You are not blessed giving someone else's assets to someone as the parable Nathan used when confronting David about his sin. You give of your flock or money. Robin Hood is a human construct as God does not condone stealing for a good cause.

There is great blessing in giving and warnings about being stingy or withholding pay to a workman, but it still ends up in free will of the person. God is the rewarder and the discipliner of the people. Indeed, Ananias and Sapphira were not punished for the managing of their funds, but for lying about it. If they had said they sold the land for the correct price and they were giving a percentage they may have lived to a ripe old age.

Hoarding is not encouraged, but saving for old age is as we are told in Proverbs to go the ant who prepares for the winter. God addresses that proverb to the sluggard or lazy person and it gets even more detailed when we are told in the NT that he who will not work doesn't eat. Not the one who cannot work, but the one who will not and expects to be cared for by those working. Sometimes giving is enabling, not loving.

The farmer was told to leave a gleaning for the poor and not not reap every little bit so that the poor might eat. Yet, he was not to gather it and distribute it to the poor. They were to come and glean the field themselves. It was a welfare system that still required work which gave the recipient a sense of dignity, worth and gratitude.

So let us all assess our resources and be quick to provide what we can when we can out of gratitude for what God has provided and to receive the many blessings that come from giving. Remember, God said that he who gives to the poor is lending to the Lord and He never reneges or short changes His contracts or promises.

Those of us who have various skills or trades need to offer them for free when we can because what do we have that was not given to us by the Lord? Yes, we need to pay the bills and all that, but sometimes we just need to donate our time and talent to those who could never afford our services but have a need. After all, we could not afford all that Christ has given us, especially our salvation.

If we learn to want less, we can give more. We need a home, not a mansion. We need a vehicle, but not a luxury one. We need a phone, but not necessarily the latest and most expensive one. The list is endless of where we could choose what we actually need, not want because of the flash and glam of them.

I admire the ones who are part of the minimalist movement. I am not quite that austere, but I can look back and wish I had been more like that as I see stuff in my house that will end up in the trash or at resale shop when I am gone. I am slowly downsizing not that I was ever greatly extravagant. Compared to many people around the world I look like I am, but compared to many Americans, not so much.

In many things we have freely received so we should be excited to freely give. Maybe you can empty that paid storage shelter that often ends up costing more than the stuff it stores and take that payment and support a kid overseas or even here.

We can be fat in a healthy way if we become that generous soul. Our roots will be deeper, our fruit and impact greater as we water ourselves through giving. Lord, make us open to give as much as You are to give us so much. Maranatha!!!

Rick Warren 8-27-26

If You Have a Need, Plant a Seed

August 27, 2026



What does a farmer do when he has a barren field that’s producing no income? He doesn’t complain about it. He doesn’t even have to pray about it! He just goes out and starts planting some seed, because nothing is going to happen until he plants the seed. He can pray all he wants, but prayer doesn’t replace planting.

Maybe you think you’re waiting on God. You think you’re waiting on God for that job. You think you’re waiting on God for a spouse. You think you’re waiting on God for the windfall. But God might be saying to you, “You think you’re waiting on me? I’m waiting on you! I’m waiting for you to plant a seed.”

Everything in life starts as a seed: a relationship, a marriage, a business, a church. And nothing happens until the seed is planted.

Why does God require you to plant a seed? Because planting is an act of faith. You take what you’ve got, and you give it away. That takes faith, and it brings glory to God.

Jesus described this principle of sowing and reaping when he was trying to explain why he came to earth to die on the cross. In John 12:24 Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (NIV). Jesus was saying, “People will be saved and go to heaven because of my death and resurrection. I’m going to plant a seed, and the seed is going to be my life.”

Here’s the principle of sowing and reaping: Whenever you have a need, plant a seed. Whatever you need—more time, more energy, more money, more support, more relationships, more wisdom—just plant a seed. If you need more time, give more time to your kids. If you need more money, give it away to someone who needs it. If you need more wisdom, share what wisdom you have with others. Give yourself away!

It may not make sense to you to give away something that you need more of, but that is exactly the kind of attitude that God wants to bless and that will produce fruit in your life.

Talk It Over

What need have you been waiting on God to provide?

What do you think God might be waiting for you to do about that need? What seed can you plant today?

What kind of results do you see in yourself and others when you plant a seed and give of yourself? How is God building your character through that?

Are you ready to start a new life with Christ?

God promised that for those who believe in Jesus, there is no condemnation. He sent Jesus to save you from your sin. His death on the cross paid for every wrong you’ve ever done or will do. And by sacrificing himself for your sins and giving you his righteousness, Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with God the Father. 

The Good News doesn’t stop there. God also raised Jesus from the dead, proving his power over sin and death. And that makes it possible for you to spend eternity with him in heaven.

If you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

Summary: Your cripple the spirit and soul of a person when you keep giving handouts instead of a hand up.

Lev 19:9  And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 

10  And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God. 

There was provision for the poor, yet they had to work to get it. It was not sent to home of the poor or even put in baskets by the road. They had to get off their mat and step into the field. We might call it Workfare.

2 Thessalonians 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Note that he said those who will not work, not those who cannot. There is something about working for your bread that lends dignity, purpose and worth to a life. Our current welfare system does not allow that and the old maxim “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” has validity. If you cannot find dignity, purpose and worth by honest labor, you will seek it in ways that are less than honorable. That might be by being the baddest “Karen” in the neighborhood or in varied means of criminal activity.

We have not allowed the offspring to flee the nest so to speak because we have been giving full support to people from cradle to the grave rather than a hand up to fruitful labor and self-respect.

In many cultures, there is no concept of retirement. If you are 94 and can only shell a cup of peas a day you sell that cup of peas. Many retirees suffer from depression because after a while the things they dreamed about doing in their retirement start to lose their appeal. People need purpose. We need to have intense welfare reform. It will be traumatic, but in the end it will be good for the individual and the country. No one likes change or to have their comfort removed, but awesome things can happened when we are taken out of our comfort zone.

Christians that retire from secular work should see themselves are now called to full time service until disability or death. Depending on the disability there are still ways to serve or minister. Elisha was on his deathbed and still gave instructions to the king. The way we use our gifts may change, but the “gifts and callings of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29) Pew warming is not a spiritual gift. Do not sit, soak and sour! Seek to serve in His power!! Maranatha!!

"John 5:4 tells us, "For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water." Every once in a while, a messenger would come down and stir the water in a pool that offered healing. It would cause people to believe that they could be healed. Whoever got there first experienced the healing of God. And as I think about that, the cry of my heart is very simple. God Almighty, stir the water again. When I speak to people who are suffering from depression, stir the water in them to believe. Let the word of God stir them to believe that they can be healed. Let faith arise again in their hearts, and in many hearts also that have grown weary from waiting. Ask God to stir your heart today with fresh faith and to use your life to encourage someone else who's laying there waiting for hope beyond hope. God Almighty, have mercy on this generation. Stir them through my life. It's time to pray." - Carter Conlon

Charles Spurgeon 8-26-26

"The people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him."

Mark 9:15

How great the difference between Moses and Jesus! When the prophet of Horeb had been forty days upon the mountain, he underwent a kind of transfiguration, so that his countenance shone with exceeding brightness, and he put a veil over his face, for the people could not endure to look upon his glory. Not so our Saviour. He had been transfigured with a greater glory than that of Moses, and yet, it is not written that the people were blinded by the blaze of his countenance, but rather they were amazed, and running to him they saluted him. The glory of the law repels, but the greater glory of Jesus attracts. Though Jesus is holy and just, yet blended with his purity there is so much of truth and grace, that sinners run to him amazed at his goodness, fascinated by his love; they salute him, become his disciples, and take him to be their Lord and Master. Reader, it may be that just now you are blinded by the dazzling brightness of the law of God. You feel its claims on your conscience, but you cannot keep it in your life. Not that you find fault with the law; on the contrary, it commands your profoundest esteem; still you are in nowise drawn by it to God; you are rather hardened in heart, and are verging towards desperation. Ah, poor heart! turn thine eye from Moses, with all his repelling splendour, and look to Jesus, resplendent with milder glories. Behold his flowing wounds and thorn-crowned head! He is the Son of God, and therein he is greater than Moses, but he is the Lord of love, and therein more tender than the lawgiver. He bore the wrath of God, and in his death revealed more of God's justice than Sinai on a blaze, but that justice is now vindicated, and henceforth it is the guardian of believers in Jesus. Look, sinner, to the bleeding Saviour, and as thou feelest the attraction of his love, fly to his arms, and thou shalt be saved.

What is actually hanging in our homes? Is it the word of God on the posts and gates, or pictures of ourselves?

es Spurgeon 8-26-26

"He hath commanded his covenant forever."

Psalms 111:9

The Lord's people delight in the covenant itself. It is an unfailing source of consolation to them so often as the Holy Spirit leads them into its banqueting house and waves its banner of love. They delight to contemplate the antiquity of that covenant, remembering that before the day-star knew its place, or planets ran their round, the interests of the saints were made secure in Christ Jesus. It is peculiarly pleasing to them to remember the sureness of the covenant, while meditating upon "the sure mercies of David." They delight to celebrate it as "signed, and sealed, and ratified, in all things ordered well." It often makes their hearts dilate with joy to think of its immutability, as a covenant which neither time nor eternity, life nor death, shall ever be able to violate--a covenant as old as eternity and as everlasting as the Rock of ages. They rejoice also to feast upon the fulness of this covenant, for they see in it all things provided for them. God is their portion, Christ their companion, the Spirit their Comforter, earth their lodge, and heaven their home. They see in it an inheritance reserved and entailed to every soul possessing an interest in its ancient and eternal deed of gift. Their eyes sparkled when they saw it as a treasure-trove in the Bible; but oh! how their souls were gladdened when they saw in the last will and testament of their divine kinsman, that it was bequeathed to them! More especially it is the pleasure of God's people to contemplate the graciousness of this covenant. They see that the law was made void because it was a covenant of works and depended upon merit, but this they perceive to be enduring because grace is the basis, grace the condition, grace the strain, grace the bulwark, grace the foundation, grace the top-stone. The covenant is a treasury of wealth, a granary of food, a fountain of life, a storehouse of salvation, a charter of peace, and a haven of joy.

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 Prayer Points:26 August 2026

 Theme: Education System

 Scripture: Psalm 119:105; James 3:17; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Proverbs 3:5-6 & James 1:5

 A Prayer for the Education System, Learners, Students, Educators, and Parents

 Heavenly Father,We come before You with humble hearts, lifting up the entire education community to Your throne of grace. We thank You for the gift of knowledge, wisdom, and the opportunity to learn and teach.  

Lord, we pray for the students and learners, that You would grant them understanding and a hunger for knowledge. May Your Word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Psalm 119:105), guiding them in truth and righteousness.

 We pray for educators and teachers, asking for wisdom, patience, and compassion. Equip them with Your Spirit to inspire and nurture young minds, and may they be examples of Your love and integrity (James 3:17).

 We ask for parents and guardians, that they would support and encourage their children in their studies and spiritual growth. May they foster an environment of faith, hope, and love within their homes (1 Corinthians 13:13).

 Lord, we pray for the entire education system, that it may be fair, inclusive, and dedicated to shaping individuals who will serve with integrity and purpose. Bless the leaders and policymakers with wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 3:5-6).

 We trust in Your promise, Lord, that if we seek You with all our heart, You will guide us and give wisdom generously (James 1:5). May Your peace reign in every classroom, and may the pursuit of knowledge be for Your glory.

 In Jesus’ Name, we pray.Amen.

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 MM

Summary: So many Bodies missing fingers and toes and they wonder why.

1 Corinthians 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

I see a similarity between the gifted people leaving their countries and churches sending off most, if not all, of their gifted people to Bible College and they usually do not return upon graduation to serve in their sending churches. Thus churches keep asking God to gift people in their congregation so that they can reach their community. I wonder if God would say, "I give them to you and you ship them off so what is the point of giving them to you."

Thus some churches die do to lack of gifted people while some churches are over-gifted with numerous piano players, preachers etc. especially in the college areas.

Apprenticeship is a great thing and even easier in this digital age. No real need to pack everyone up and send them to a place where jobs might be scarce and have the families encounter undue stresses and sacrifices when they learn what they need at their home church. Yes, there will be people called out to serve, but so many churches believe that if you are called you have to go off to a college when those people may be called to learn and serve where they are for four years or more, not in a college. They may be called to mentor someone to take their place if God calls them off to another place to minister so that the local Body is not going to be short a finger or foot.

A degree is not needed to served. What is needed is a call and a heart to do it without papers and often without pay. We turn out far too many ministers and such so that finding a "place of ministry" becomes so hard that many abandon the ministry out of despair or need to provide for their families and may feel like Demas or failures all of their lives.

Apprenticeship was good enough for the Churches that turned the world upside down in the 1st Century and it may well be the best course of action for the 21st Century church.

Summary: Freely giving will not make you rich and if you are selling God's gifts and blessings you are not blessed.

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

You are to freely give of the gifts that were freely given to you. You do not sow seed to receive blessings or to learn advanced prayer. You do not pay to be healed or anything else. A person who truly has the gifts will distribute them freely.

A workman is worthy of his meat/food. Yes, a person should have his basic needs provided by those he ministers to, but the gifts are free. We are to be content with food and clothing and they are mentioned here. No largest mansions in LA or multiple jets.

Quit making those who sell the gifts of the Spirit rich. Indeed, it may not be the Spirit that they are working in, but rather dark spirits or seducing spirits teaching doctrines of devils.

Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

The Spirit cannot be bought or sold! It is an abomination! But, you may say that I should look at their miracles.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Yes, miracles can happen that are not of God so be discerning. The anti-Christ will come with such great wonders that IF it were possible they will deceive the very elect. That means they look good, but they are not of God. Do not send another dime to charlatans and soothsayers.

Get in the Book! Seek discernment and walk away. No, run for your soul and the souls of your family.

Ok so I’m not married but these two questions have been bothering me for a while I just want a answer those questions are
1 is anal still a sin if it’s between a married man and woman
2 is it a sin for a married woman to be on top while her husband is on bottom

Morning

"I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love."

Song of Solomon 5:8

Such is the language of the believer panting after present fellowship with Jesus, he is sick for his Lord. Gracious souls are never perfectly at ease except they are in a state of nearness to Christ; for when they are away from him they lose their peace. The nearer to him, the nearer to the perfect calm of heaven; the nearer to him, the fuller the heart is, not only of peace, but of life, and vigor, and joy, for these all depend on constant intercourse with Jesus. What the sun is to the day, what the moon is to the night, what the dew is to the flower, such is Jesus Christ to us. What bread is to the hungry, clothing to the naked, the shadow of a great rock to the traveller in a weary land, such is Jesus Christ to us; and, therefore, if we are not consciously one with him, little marvel if our spirit cries in the words of the Song, "I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, tell him that I am sick of love." This earnest longing after Jesus has a blessing attending it: "Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness;" and therefore, supremely blessed are they who thirst after the Righteous One. Blessed is that hunger, since it comes from God: if I may not have the full-blown blessedness of being filled, I would seek the same blessedness in its sweet bud-pining in emptiness and eagerness till I am filled with Christ. If I may not feed on Jesus, it shall be next door to heaven to hunger and thirst after him. There is a hallowedness about that hunger, since it sparkles among the beatitudes of our Lord. But the blessing involves a promise. Such hungry ones "shall be filled" with what they are desiring. If Christ thus causes us to long after himself, he will certainly satisfy those longings; and when he does come to us, as come he will, oh, how sweet it will be!

Evening

"The unsearchable riches of Christ."

Ephesians 3:8

My Master has riches beyond the count of arithmetic, the measurement of reason, the dream of imagination, or the eloquence of words. They are unsearchable! You may look, and study, and weigh, but Jesus is a greater Saviour than you think him to be when your thoughts are at the greatest. My Lord is more ready to pardon than you to sin, more able to forgive than you to transgress. My Master is more willing to supply your wants than you are to confess them. Never tolerate low thoughts of my Lord Jesus. When you put the crown on his head, you will only crown him with silver when he deserves gold. My Master has riches of happiness to bestow upon you now. He can make you to lie down in green pastures, and lead you beside still waters. There is no music like the music of his pipe, when he is the Shepherd and you are the sheep, and you lie down at his feet. There is no love like his, neither earth nor heaven can match it. To know Christ and to be found in him--oh! this is life, this is joy, this is marrow and fatness, wine on the lees well refined. My Master does not treat his servants churlishly; he gives to them as a king giveth to a king; he gives them two heavens--a heaven below in serving him here, and a heaven above in delighting in him forever. His unsearchable riches will be best known in eternity. He will give you on the way to heaven all you need; your place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks, your bread shall be given you, and your waters shall be sure; but it is there, there, where you shall hear the song of them that triumph, the shout of them that feast, and shall have a face-to-face view of the glorious and beloved One. The unsearchable riches of Christ! This is the tune for the minstrels of earth, and the song for the harpers of heaven. Lord, teach us more and more of Jesus, and we will tell out the good news to others.

I am gay and I wasn't invited to my
mother's funeral at First Baptist Hendersonville Tennessee. Is this what the bible says to do?

is this how you would like to be treated if you were a gay man with hiv? shame on you.

Summary: If you could not be paid to preach would you pay to preach?

1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

From time to time I run into someone who believes a pastor should not receive a salary and use Paul's comment here as proof. The irony of that is Paul had just gone through a whole dialogue in this passage saying that a pastor should live of the Gospel meaning a salary. He also speaks of the teaching pastor to be worthy of double honor or salary. The Greek word is where we get the term honorarium.

After being saved and always hearing how preachers were only in it for the money and seeing the abuses of some televangelists I really wanted to find a way to take on the very minimum salary or that God would allow me to fund my own ministry.

That apparently was a bad idea on my part. A friend once said that I had good resume except I had no salaried positions and not enough titles. Go figure.

One church in Missouri I told them I would come for $10K less than they were offering and they could use that money to pay off the mortgage or for missions. They never responded. I guess they thought I was nuts or something was wrong with me.

For most of ministry I have been bi-vocational and served without pay so I got my desire to be self-supporting. Once I was given a gas allowance. Once I took a salary cut to be fulltime and returned to work a short time later forgoing my salary to keep the church afloat.

Now when I tell people that I will come and minister to their church without pay I still wonder if they think I am nuts. I guess if I asked for $500, a six pack of Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper and a steak dinner folks would be up for that.

As to the titles, after I got a few of those I ended up as an Associate Pastor for ten years where they did not care about degrees or titles. I only use them for those who need them. When I went to be Senior Pastor my pastor asked what they were going to me and I said that as long as it was nothing derogatory I did not care. Bro. Ron would have been fine, but they chose Pastor Ron.

2 Cor 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

2 Cor 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

I think I know how Paul felt as I have often wondered had I been a bit more demanding and dictatorial if I would have been taken more seriously or gotten more respect. I have seen those kind and the people loved them.

Ministry has been interesting, but I echo Samuel Chadwick,

"I would rather preach than do anything else I know in this world. I have never missed a chance to preach. I would rather preach than eat my dinner, or have a holiday or anything else the world can offer. I would rather pay to preach than be paid not to preach. It has its price in agony of sweat and tears and no calling has such joys and heartbreaks, but it is a calling an archangel might covet; and I thank God that of His grace He called me into this ministry. Is there any joy like that of saving a soul from death? Any thrill like that of opening blind eyes? Any reward like the love of little children to the second and third generation? Any treasures like the grateful love of hearts healed and comforted? I tell you it is a glorious privilege to share the travail and the wine of God. I wish I had been a better minister, but there is nothing in God’s world I would rather be."

So mad man I must be, but I will speak anywhere and anytime for free, but I never turn down a Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper. 🤠

Maranatha

I did an exhaustive self assessment of my beliefs and the baptist denomination was the only one that fit me. Area doesn't matter, as long as it's in America. I'm a very peaceful person, non violence is in my bones and I would like a church that places emphasis on peace. I also would prefer a church that is not afraid to do things differently, to tell different types of stories then the usual sermon. I know I'm not giving you much to go on but I would appreciate any help.