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  • Lifestyle

     

    John

    I stopped for dinner near Charlotte and the table nearby had an older couple and 2 younger women. The 2 women had tattoos all over their arms, hands, necks and legs with several facial piercings. It was very apparent they were a lesbian couple. And they had a newborn baby that had to be just a few weeks old. The older couple was one of the women’s parents. I felt so sorry for that young infant for the lifestyle it would be raised under. I prayed Lord let it have some sense of normal and overcome its upbringing. There is a whole generation that will be raised under the homosexual lifestyle and consider it as normal as breathing. Lord help us all.

    Richard
    ===========

    Thanks, Richard.

    The goal of many in our time is to form a godless society, and thereby to bring into this world a utopia of peace, love, and brotherhood, with no moral judgments ever made by anybody about anybody. Such is the fool’s gold of this generation. It is impossible to have a society of love without God because God is love. And as for peace, Isaiah said, “There is no peace to the wicked, saith my God.” Still, many of God’s own people have been so influenced by the present godless nonsense that they no longer speak out against it.

    Like it or not, there is a large segment of this generation of God’s own people that IS being by this godless way of life. Without God in their thoughts, they will have no conscience, and with no conscience, they will have no fear of facing eternal judgment. It is a frightening prospect. But our strong hope is that God loves this generation enough to raise up, from among their children, young men and women who will not lie, either to themselves or to others, and who will devote themselves to knowing the truth of the gospel of Jesus and will commit themselves to doing the will of God from the heart. God has brought this about in the past. The child Samuel was raised up to save his generation; David was raised up to save his; the boy king, Josiah, and the boy prophet, Jeremiah, were the light for theirs; and Daniel and his three friends, along with young Ezekiel, were the light for theirs. When the grown-ups became so morally wretched that they ruined the nation of Israel, God by-passed them and raised up children who would hear His voice. May He have that same mercy on this confused and divided generation of His people!

    Pastor John

  • The Son born in Bethlehem?

    Pastor John,

    On page 12 of the Chapter 5 you sent us, I read this prophecy from the Old Testament: “The LORD [F] called me from the womb; from my mother’s belly“

    If the Son of God was always there in heaven with the Father, how could he come from his “mother belly”? He was talking about Mary’s son, but Mary’s son was not the Messiah, was he?

    Margaret
    ==========

    Hi Margaret.

    Thank you for the question. It is an important one.

    Often, after God changes a man, from that point on, the new man is referred to as if he has always been who he is after the change. For example, Paul spoke of “Abraham” doing things which he did only when he was still “Abram”, long before God made him “Abraham”. “Abraham” became his name for his whole life, as far as Paul and God were concerned. In another Old Testament prophecy, Micah spoke of the Son coming from Bethlehem, but that is only because the Son of God and the Son of Mary became one person. It would not, then, be that unexpected a thing for God to speak of His Son coming from Bethlehem, because from the moment they became one person, that new person is referred to as if he had always existed just like he was then. Whew. I hope I explained that well enough.

    As for Mary’s son being the Messiah. The angel of the Lord called him “Christ” (Greek word for “Messiah”) on the night Jesus was born, in Luke’s gospel. But that is because Jesus was chosen to be the Messiah. Jesus had no power to act Messiah until the Son of God came upon Jesus at John’s baptism. It sounds odd when we analyze it, but it is the same way we talk about things. I will demonstrate it for you:

    Where did you meet Arnold, your husband? You will probably reply by telling me about the place you first saw Arnold. But Arnold wasn’t your husband then; so, that was not the place you met Arnold your husband. That is only the place you first saw Arnold the man. The angel who called Jesus “Messiah” the night he was born in Bethlehem was right, just as you are right (in a way) when you say you met your husband at such-and-such a place. But in reality, you first met Arnold your husband only when Arnold became your husband at a later time and place. Likewise, Jesus was not “Jesus Christ” until after the Christ came from heaven and dwelt within that temple, but God and all who believe, can rightly say Christ was born of Mary, even though the truth is, Christ was really never born at all. He was the Son “by whom God made the worlds”.

    Pastor John

  • This is my Son

    Hi Pastor John

    On the way to work this morning, I was listening to a cd and heard Darren’s song “This is my Son”. What a wonderful feeling fell on me! I felt as if everything I was looking at was dripping with love: my thoughts, the feelings. Jesus is so good…….just thinking of Him makes me feel good! It was a wonderful ride to work!

    Michelle
    ==========

    Amen, Michelle! Jesus and Darren sometimes take us to some wonderful places, too.

    Pastor John

  • Simple truth

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

    What a marvelous thing to say!
    Uncle Joe and the old saints sure had some sweet wisdom.
    Simple, and pure, without guile, without condemnation of others,
    their spirits were so in line with Christ.

    Gentleness… and truth… simple truth.
    They didn’t complicate anything or dramatize anything.
    They merely spoke plainly and simply, and thus, it carried so much more weight.
    Their feelings and testimonies from the Lord are INVALUABLE to us today.
    I am amazed, and humbled.

    Brad

     

    PS: This “Pearl” comes at an appropriate time, for I’ve been really blessed lately listening to the old songs on the PTS site and viewing that slideshow of vintage photos. The holiness comes through in those songs, John! It has a therapeutic effect! Of course, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but I have found it refreshing to spend time on that site, as of late. God is working in my heart, saving me, preparing me, adding to my faith. . . it feels good.

    Please have a safe trip down south.

  • speaking in tongues?

    Hi Pastor John,

    Have a question that has been on my mind lately. I know from what I have read, heard, and learned from your teachings and that wonderful first book I received on Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Speaking in Tongues that the only way to Heaven, where God Reigns forever, is to have that Baptism WITH evidence of speaking in tongues.

    Some moments I can accept this idea but more often it is a struggle. When I learned of the Gift of Tongues, I thought it was a Gift and not a requirement. I guess I might need to read that book again and pray more as I read.
    I suppose the adversary is working extra on me these days.

    ron
    ====================

    Hi Ron.

    It’s good to challenge yourself concerning your faith, and it is good to challenge others concerning the faith. Paul told the Corinthians to examine themselves, to make sure they were in THE faith of Christ. I have doubted and examined myself many times, and told myself, “OK, let’s just start over again from scratch.” Then, I’d try to throw out the window everything I had been taught to believed and try to read the Bible as if I were a blank page, and I earnestly prayed that God would help me do that. I believe that He did, repeatedly. He is VERY patient.

    In brief, the answer to your question is this. There is no such thing in the Bible as a “gift of speaking in tongues”. The gift mentioned in 1Corinthians 12 is a the gift of “diverse tongues”, which is an added measure given to some of those who already speak in tongues, just as “the gift of faith” is an added measure given to some of those who already have faith, and the gift of healing is an added measure given to those who can already pray and be healed.

    On page 1 of my book, Speaking in Tongues at Spirit Baptism, I say that the book does not deal with the issues of praying in the Spirit or the gift of diverse tongues. It is only a book about the baptism of the holy ghost and the evidence of it; namely, speaking in tongues, or “stammering lips”, as Isaiah said, or the “pure language” that Zephaniah foretold, or the “sound of the Spirit” that accompanies every new birth experience (Jesus), a sound which “cries out, ‘Abba, Father!’ declaring us to be the children of God (Paul), because it is the Spirit that bears witness that we are the children of God (Paul and John), giving rest to the spiritually weary (Isaiah, Jesus, and Paul), and providing a sign for unbelievers” (Paul).

    Pastor John

  • The Key of David

    Pastor John,

    I had some trouble understanding the section on “The Key of David” (Rev. 3:23-25). Especially the verse in Isaiah 22:24: “And they will hang upon him all the glory of his Father’s house, the offspring and the issue: all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.” Not sure I understand what they are referring to here regarding the issue and the vessels?

    This sentence is definitely a keeper! – “We are blessed that we have the Son as both a father and a God, that we have him as our brother, our high priest, our counselor, our life, our friend, and our Savior.”

    Thanks,
    Rebekah E.
    ============

    Hi Rebekah.

    That verse from Isaiah 22 is there to make the point that even the smallest things in David’s house will be in the hands of the man with the key of David. From the greatest assets, the children, to the least important assets, the little vessels in the house, all are under his care and are his responsibility. For a man in the Old Testament to be given this authority in the king’s house was another Old testament foreshadowing of the authority of Christ in the kingdom of God. Joseph was also a figure of Christ. Pharaoh, you will remember, gave Joseph complete charge of every element of life in Egypt. “Without you,” Pharaoh told Joseph, “no one will so much as lift up a foot or put it down.” That is the sort of power and authority which God gave Jesus over all Creation. Our very breath is in his hands.

    Thanks for writing!

    Pastor John

  • Let it shine

    Good morning John,

    I was on my way to work this morning thinking about last night and how good it felt at the gathering on Justin TV. All the songs sung and testimony’s were going through my mind. What a wonderful life we have in him! As I came around a bend in the road by my house, I looked across the field, and the sun was coming up over the trees, and I had a cd playing in the truck, and brother Gary and Joel were singing, “Let It Shine!” What a blessed way to start your day!

    I was thinking about how free we are. I am doing everything I want to do. People everywhere are being led by something, thinking they are free to do whatever they want to do. The only people on this planet who are free are the ones walking in the Spirit because they are the only ones who have a choice to do good. “He is my buckler and my shield.” He is my light. He is my day and my night. He is my life. Without him, there is nothing. What an honor to be a part his body and to have such wonderful feelings.

    Stuart

  • sweet experience

    Hi Pastor John

    I had a real sweet experience with Jesus and wanted to share. The past several weeks have been very very busy. There is a lot going on at work. We are hiring another physician and are in the process of purchasing the suite next door to expand the practice, and we are about to integrate a completely new EMR and practice management system. And on top of that, at home, I have been preparing to move. I have been going non-stop. For the past several days I have felt really heavy. I have tried to talk to the Lord and just didn’t seem to get where I needed to be.

    Yesterday it all just seem almost unbearable. I felt like if I could have just gotten off to my self I could have just cried all day. I kept thinking I need rest oh Lord please help me I need rest. So when I got home last night I did nothing but keep my mind on Jesus. I didn’t bring work home. I didn’t pack one box. I just wanted my thoughts my mind and my heart on Jesus. I put on a dvd Aunt Betty had made for me and really enjoyed it. I started praying, and I felt to just lift my hands, and when I did, I felt like Jesus was just pouring water down all over me. I could not stop praising Him, nor did I want to. I could not stop speaking in tongues, and I could not put my hands down. As long as my hands were up I felt a rush of relief!

    I don’t know how long this went on, but when it was over, I felt that sweet rest I had been longing for for weeks. I was so thankful for what Jesus had done for me. I went to bed and woke this morning feeling so refreshed! I remember when Donna came to visit me she told me, “Stay under Jesus’ wings, Michelle,” and that is what stays on my mind. I know I can find my help, my relief and my comfort when I stay under Jesus wings!

    Jesus has been so sweet to me Pastor John- I just love Him so much!

    Michelle

  • quote

    I Just read this. It is from one of my books for school. How true!

    “The canonical Scriptures, as the term implies, are the standard according to which all claims are judged. Christianity is, like or or not, a religion of the Book.”

    I’m glad I have a religion of the Spirit!

    ~ Bekah
    ==============

    I am, too! As Paul said, “The letter [the book] kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

    jdc

  • PJH Website Testimony

    Pastor John… I would love to share with you my testimony … As I shared with you in a previous email, I was raised in a Baptist family.. My Father a baptist preacher.. However, my Father was not a normal Baptist preacher… He actually desired to live for God and pressed upon me the need to serve him as well as living right… He believed in Holiness and lived as close to God as possible for a southern Baptist…I was not raised listening to Billy Graham but remember listening to Jimmy Swaggart, if you can believe that… My Father did not believe in tongues but did believe in the anointing …. After being led to say the sinners prayer and become SAVED for the millionth time by my Father, I was now 20 yrs of age and trying to live as best I could in a marriage that was headed for disaster…. However, my wife was Pentecostal not filled with the Spirit but Church of God… The story gets better… I had always been interested in prophecy and the rapture of the church… My mother n law worked for Golden Flake.. I was workin for Alabama Graphics… She helped me get on at Golden Flake… I met several friends at Golden Flake that I sat with during break… One of them was a strange man named Kevin…A few days go by and a man enters the breakroom named Bobby.. This man had a demeanor about him that was unlike any I had ever seen before…. He sat down at the table and began to talk to Kevin about the Lord… I was like what is going on??? I didn’t know Kevin was a Christian to begin with based on the worldly conversations we had.. He had seemed a little strange like me but he begin to talk to Bobby as though he had spiritual authority… I was intrigued to say the least with Bobbys love and the change that had taken place in his life was something I desired… At Golden Flake, we had a 3 month probation period… We could not bid on another job until that period was completed… So right at the time that my probation period was completed a cook job came open.. At Golden Flake, a cook job is big money and one of the best jobs… So it would be impossible for me to get that job with only 3 months with the company, right??? Wrong… I bid on it and got it cause no one else bid on it??? It gets better… I was placed on this new job training with Bobby… Bobby like me had been raised in the Baptist church, which was a great testimony to me… He shared with me his testimony of how he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues… Now I had heard of speaking in tongues… My wife, her family, and my best friend were all Pentecostal, but I had no idea what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was… I realized that he was sincere but I was very skeptical… One thing he also liked to talk about was the rapture of the church… Now that was a subject I was also interested as I told you earlier…He had a new take on the rapture, something we called the Prewrath rapture.. This led me to intense Bible study and a understanding of prophetic scripture that I never knew existed… I had questions that he encouraged me to share with other people…I ask my dad and my father n law many questions about the rapture… None could disprove or convince me that what I was seeing was not the truth…This new found doctrine led me to a intense Bible study on the day of the Lord… Because that is the basis of this teaching…I noticed that the outpouring of the Spirit according to Joel and Acts would be followed by the day of the Lord… I was learning that the day of the Lord was the day of his wrath and the rapture as we call it…This new found truth led me to understand that the gifts of the Spirit had not ceased… My dad said it ended with the Bible.. The Bible seems to indicate that the gifts would continue until the Lords coming…So I began to study about the Holy Spirit Baptism as I studied about the rapture… God started revealing to me things in scripture that I never realized … Now Bobby was a man of great love for the Lord and seem to be very happy… He talked about the joy of the Holy Ghost which made me desire to feel that joy … Me and my wife started goin to a charismatic church about a year or so after intense Bible … They were teaching about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit if you can believe that… One Sunday, maybe a few weeks later, they had special prayer for anyone that needed it… My wife encouraged me to go up and get special prayer for my dad.. I was a little scared cause I had never had hands laid on me… Never even been up to the altar in a Pentecostal type church.. But I decided that I would give God a chance and when the preacher laid hands on me, I felt the power of God for the first time in my life… I went to the floor and I was no longer skeptical… For the next week, I was seeking the Lord for the Holy Ghost… I prayed continuously … I was repenting… I was trying to stay away from sin as much as possible… I was hungry and wanted to be filled… So the next Sunday, I was ready… I don’t even remember what the message was… All I could think about was receiving the Holy Ghost… When it came time for altar call… I began to cry and continue to repent as I went up front… The preacher said call on Jesus and he will give it to you… As he laid hands on me, I began to feel the fire of the holy Ghost burning through me and begin to speak in tongues… I fell out under the power of God and when I came to my feet.. I felt like a new man… Full of Joy and Love… I could not wait to fill that power and to fill that joy again and again… I have more to share …. My story is still goin … I don’t know what is next

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

    Dear Brother John,

    Thank you for letting us hear your testimony. It, along with the blood of Christ (=the holy ghost), will overcome the world and everything in it (Rev. 12:11).

    Pastor John

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