Mailbag

Send us comments on Twitter!
Watch What We Do!

Search

Looking for something specific? Try a search below!

  • Song – Last Night’s Reading

    Pastor John,

    Ok. I found the part in Chapter 6, Section Three that I really liked. For me, it set the stage for reading about the Son’s ministry. It’s the five statements Jesus made.

      • No one could come to the Father but by him (Jn. 14:6).
      • All power in heaven and earth was given to him (Mt. 28:18. Note: Jesus did not claim power over the earth only, which Satan had offered him, but power in heaven also, which Satan wanted for himself.)
      • He had the authority to forgive sins (Mk. 2:5-7. Note: This claim was rejected by religious leaders whom Jesus called Satan’s sons, and being Satan’s sons, they would have been reflecting Satan’s attitude.)
      • He and God were in perfect accord (Jn. 10:30; 17:22).
      • He was greater than both the temple (Mt. 12:6) and the Sabbath (Lk. 6:5).”

    Thinking about only Jesus can do these things gives me a settled heart and encourages His spirit in me. The Section Three is wonderful. Thank you! I almost feel like I’m learning a new Jesus and a new Satan.

    Song

  • is this in there?

    RE: Wednesday night’s reading about the Temptation.

    Hey!

    Okay, people’s image of Satan is usually with a pitchfork and tail but really that’s not how it is. Bekah asked if Satan wants the catholic or pentecostal; is it pentecostal since it is more like what he was used to? (or something along those lines)
    This is what I gathered from what everyone was saying:
    –> God- holy ghost, real, life, good, alive
    –> Satan- holy ghost {dormant}, ceremonies (water baptism, communion, feet washing), like home to him but [in such things] he has control
    –> Man- self willed, crazy, uncontrolled
    ==========

    Yes, that is right, except that Satan has never had the holy ghost. The holy ghost is God’s life, and only the Son had that. What he was good at is maintaining perfectly proper form.
    ==========

    Is this in the book somewhere?
    ==========

    Is what in the book? The issue of proper form instead of real life? Yes, there is a whole chapter coming up about that, chapter nine.
    ==========

    I feel like it would help people understand who Satan really is, and his point of view of things. If they get that image out of their head it would help move forward; it could make it easier to understand. They need to keep the holy ghost alive! If not, by going to the church, that is where Satan gets his foot in and the “dormancy” begins. I remember it being said about the image people have of Satan, but in tonight’s reading, I feel like it was very simple, black and white, of how it really is. That may already be in the book, but again, tonight it was just really clear. Maybe it’s just me understanding it better. But, the way it was said tonight made more sense!

    Thanks,
    Danielle
    ==========

    Thank you for the questions, Danielle. It makes me glad to hear when something is easy to understand. The truth is always like that. Please pray that I can get the truth out there, as simple and good as it always is!

    Pastor John

  • Ecclesiastes

    Hi Pastor John,

    I am thankful Jesus let me love what you were saying Saturday night to us as a body, and “The Temptation” was beyond wonderful.  Since our translation session on Friday, after doing the verse in Ecclesiastes 12:13for the Father and Son book, I have been feasting on whole book of Ecclesiastes.  It goes hand in hand with what you were telling usSaturday night.  I love God’s wisdom.  I feel so blessed to be allowed to hear with my heart.  Thank you for watching over us. 

    Bess

  • Boy Scouts ruined (from Brad)

    Hi Pastor John,

    I had just written a letter to the local BSA branch executive, 2 weeks ago, and he replied the day after the decision, claiming victory.  I had written to the wrong man.  You see, he was a hypocrite.  The organization was killed from within, by liberal men who condoned the lies from the homosexual pressure groups.

    If you can stomach this article, it’s very good.  And read some of the comments afterwards.

     http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2013/05/r-i-p-boy-scouts-of-america/

    Brad
    ==============
     
    Hi Brad.
     
    This is what i posted at the site you sent me:
     
    After carefully studying the issue from a purely scriptural standpoint, I can see no possibility of homosexuality being anything but an abomination to the one who created us. The Bible never varies from that clear position. What is surprising, though, is how Paul describes it in his letter to the Roman believers. He describes homosexuality as more than sin; he describes it as a curse that comes on unthankful people who have turned away from the truth. Read this level-headed article for the details on what the Bible says about Homosexuality.
    jdc

  • Leah’s Chapter 6 questions and comments

    Hey Pastor John,

    I’ve finished reading through the rest of the chapter and I really love it! Reading through the second section, it’s interesting to think of Jesus and Satan both being “servants of God”! Both were doing God’s will and it was perfect! Reading that, and then section 4 last Sunday with Aaron and Abby after breakfast brought some good feelings and conversation about how good it is to know that God really is the one in charge of everything, good and bad. Reading that saves you from fearing what Satan might do and makes you fear God and what he can do. That is the kind of fear I want, the kind that gets you somewhere and doesn’t hold you back.

    I also liked the part in section 2 that talked about Satan’s “big chance”. I’ve never thought about it like that, that Satan would have looked forward to offering his position because he thought that meant a promotion for him! It is scary to think of how blind God can make you toward things if you are filled with pride and only want what is best for yourself and can’t see His plan! It’s a bad feeling to even get close to that.

    I also thought it was sweet when talking about the story of Peter denying Jesus, and how Jesus asked him 3 times if he loved him. It seemed like Peter was given another chance to say 3 times that he does know Jesus and he does love him, even though his self-confidence was shot after denying him 3 times.

    I LOVE the “Treason, Treason!” section 🙂

    I have had a few questions along the way…
    1. I think you said it before, but what exactly is the meaning of a “son of God” before the Spirit came?

    ==============

    Not to be flippant or anything, but the meaning was just “a son of God”, and apparently, it could apply to any rational created being.

    2. What exactly did Satan know about “the Messiah” and wouldn’t he have asked God if he was someone special to Him like Jesus kept saying? I would think that Satan would have asked something.

    ===============

    All of heaven knew that Jesus was the Messiah, beginning before he was born. That is why there was such celebration in heaven as the shepherds saw outside of Bethlehem. Nobody in heaven knew what the Messiah would eventually do, other than rule the nations.

    3. In section 5, you wrote that we now have to deal with the same spirits that those in heaven had to deal with…but what do you think that was? Did other angels or heavenly beings get tempted by Satan or were they influenced, what does that mean? That is interesting to think about.

    ===============

    Influence. Feelings. Wondering. That kind of stuff. No wisdom or knowledge of God, concerning good and evil. All of that was still hidden in the Son.

    4. Don’t you think that maybe the Son did know about Satan being evil since the Son had the same spirit as God and they talked all the time, and he would have felt something from his Father?

    ===============

    You have the same spirit as God, and talk to Him all the time, and feel things from the Father. Do you know everything the Father knows?

    Thank you again for sending this out for us to read, I have really enjoyed it! 🙂
    I have attached a copy of the errors I found and some of them have a comment attached if it was unclear.
    —
    Leah
    ================

    Thank you, Leah for the help!

    You mentioned Section Two of Chapter 6. I have completely rearranged the first half of that section it and re-written parts. You can read it in the PDF document (chapters 1-6) attached.

    You will notice some random notes along the way. Ignore them. I am not completely finished yet. But close, thank to you all!

    Pastor John

  • your response

    Pastor John,

    I read your response to the young man who wanted to know where he could find a place to worship like we have. Wonderful response.

    Tonight, Song and I sat down together and read more of Chapter 6 of your Father and Son book, mostly the part on Satan and his likeness to Haman, etc. We wanted to get still and be fed, it’s been hectic here. So it was good to sit down and read together for a while.

    John, it is such good food we have, just so good. The feelings it left us with were so edifying. I thought of your reply to the young man. It would do him more good to sit down with his family and eat unadulterated spiritual food like we did this evening, than it would for him to go to 1000 services at 1000 “whore-houses” in Christianity, looking for something to touch his heart. God’s people need to know that. If they would just get still, and eat that which God has supplied (the truth that He has given you for us), it would do more good than they could ever imagine.

    I am so thankful for my family in Jesus, John. I would not want to sit down all the time and read with just Song and I when we have so many people nearby (that’s another miracle!)…. but I did learn that it does one good to do so, and that young man would be encouraged if he would trust God to know that two or three with truth, is enough and far better than the multitudes with empty promises.

    Gary

  • Where is the right church?

    Dear Gary,

    Thank you for your email and the mp3, and the lyrics. I’m sorry that I took so long to reply.

    Would you please ask pastor John if he could recommend a church in Salem and/or Portland (Oregon) areas that is Spirit-filled, speaks in tongues, is on fire, and has SUCH a Sunday school for kids, too? I have went to 16 churches to my disappointment….

    Thank you so much and God bless you and Pastor John

    Regards,
    Ling
    ===============

    Hi Ling.

    Thank you for writing.

    I understand your disappointment. What you and many other dear children of God are looking for cannot be found in any church. You will frustrate yourself more and more if you keep looking for it there. Please do not follow the pattern of most who start out sincerely looking for the truth. After failing to find what their hearts are yearning for in a number of churches, they just settle for the “best” one they can find. God does NOT want you to settle for anything less than the way of the Spirit that His Son died for us to have!

    You, and all of God’s people, would do well to have nothing to do with church religion, and gather instead in homes where the anointing of God is in charge. Trust God! Meetings do not have to be big to be holy and good. A few humble souls gathered together in Jesus’ name is absolutely sufficient for all your spiritual needs, as long as you and the others are free to be led by the Spirit.

    Seek God, my friend Ling, not “the right church”. I despise church religion because I have learned that God and His Son despise it. Jesus died for us to have God’s kind of life; church religion was conceived by Satan and instituted by wicked men in order to to stifle it. Stay out of church, and stay pure and free.

    God bless you as you learn to do things God’s way, and please let me know of any other questions you may have.

    Pastor John

  • God had to?

    Hey Pastor John,

    I was re-reading the chpt. 6. In the section on ‘No One Knew There Was a Temptation’.

    As I read, a thought popped into my mind.
    Halfway down the second paragraph, you have written, “God could have chosen any of His heavenly servants to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, of course, but as always, He chose the one with the qualifications….etc.

    The thought I had was: He couldn’t have chosen “…any of His heavenly servants…” because Satan was the only one that was qualified to offer Jesus the kingdoms of this world. He was the only one ruling it at that time.

    Would this be a correct thought?

    Kay
    ===============

    Hi Kay.

    Thanks for writing.
    I would rather say that God could have done anything, whatever He wanted to do, rather than say He was forced to do something a certain way. I understand your logic. I cannot see anything wrong with it, but God is as far beyond our logic as He is beyond our kind of righteousness, and knowing that, I have a hard time using the phrase “God had to do”.

    Pastor John

    ===============

    John,

    I have been reading over the new ch 6 and just got through p 15. I had to stop and just try to take in just how impossible it was for anyone at that time to take in anything God was doing, even His own people!

    He was putting his own son to death, going so far beyond the law, and what anyone could think. It was altogether impossible for them, because God had strictly forbidden his people from such thing in the law. What a good kind of feeling, hope, faith it makes me feel inside about the love of God for his Son and us. It feels good!

    And as for ch. 5 I have been chewing on it like a cow chewing it’s cud. I read a page, chew the cud, read another page, chew the cud some more. I love it.

    Thank you John for being there for Jesus to talk to.

    Jimmy

  • Chapter 6 – Section II (Father & Son book)

    Hi Pastor John,

    We got together this morning with Damien and Kay. We read Section Two of Chapter 6. It was really good. I know we have been reading these chapters for a while now, but Jacob started asking questions about baby Jesus and him (the baby) being the son of God. I think it was the first time he was really getting what we have been saying. It was something to watch him trying to take it in! I was watching him and thinking, “He has never been anywhere but here.” He has never even been to a church, but to see him struggle with wrong ideas already in there was something. It was very sweet watching him learn this. I had this thought: “Just because our children are sitting in a chair in these meetings does not mean they understand what they are a part of. After everyone was gone, I was doing dishes and just thanking Jesus to be able to help him understand. The spirit spoke back saying, “It’s because you were doing your part!” Our part is taking the time to sit down and read with them and include them. It was very sweet!!

    Jammie

  • nobody had it right…bu​t God

    Bro. John:

    I have nothing to add to what you have written here, but I just wanted to share with you some feelings while I was reading this section.

    When I got to the ending, “Those like Satan, who hated Jesus but wanted him to be king, and those like Peter, who loved Jesus and wanted him to be king, would have done as much damage as the priests and elders would have done if they had been able to kill Jesus and keep him dead.”, I just had to sit there and let that one thought roll over and over in my heart. It struck me as terrifying that one may think they are doing right when it can be as wrong as can be without the Spirit of God leading. As you said here, Satan and Peter, one motivated by hate, the other by love, but both of their desires not according to the will of God. This thought made me realize how much we poor humans need the holy Ghost. How very valuable is the Spirit of God guiding us everyday in our lives so that we please Him who made us!

    I remember you telling us in a message a while back that if there was anyone doing the will of God on the day Jesus died, it was the ones who crucified him. That was a new thought to me, a forward thought from God. Who was doing the will of God on that day? The ones who appeared to be doing what was right or the ones doing the will of God, who appeared to be doing wrong?

    I am just overwhelmed with what we are receiving from God. I know it is not just for us. The Lord reminded me of the verse in Romans 11:1-5

    “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
    God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
    Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
    But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
    Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

    For these hearts, God is still seeking. There is still so much hope and love in Jesus. This kind of love just makes the heart weep and at the same time overflow with joy . . . . and want to kiss the Son. 🙂

    Praying God will open up the storehouse for you (and us), John, to get this to His people.

    Sandy 🙂
    ===================

    That was a remarkable thought about Satan and Peter, Sandy, but it was not quite perfect. I had to re-write it as follows:

    “If they had had their way, Satan and Peter, who wanted Jesus to be king of the world, would have done as much damage to the work of God as Satan and Israel’s elders would have done if they had been able to kill Jesus and keep him dead.”

    At different times, Satan was on both sides of that issue. And either way he had it, if he had accomplished what he wanted, it would have been bad.

    jdc

Recent Posts