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  • Amy F – a wife’s place with T&O

    Hi Pastor John,

    If a wife wants to pay tithes and offerings but her husband does not share the same desire, what is the right thing to do in that situation? Can she pay her tithes and offerings? Also, if the wife does not have an income of her own, is she obligated to pay tithes and offerings?

    Thanks,

    Amy F.
    ==============

    Hi Amy.

    A wife can bring her tithes and offerings, even if her husband does not. However, she must not bring tithes and offerings from her husband’s salary. God made it very clear in the Old Testament that whatever anyone brought to Him had to be willingly offered.

    Leviticus 1
    3. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice from the herd … he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle…

    As to your second question, no one can be obligated to pay tithes and offerings if he has no income of his own. I cannot locate the specific verse that states this right now, but in God’s law, one of the basic rules concerning sacrifices was that the animal you sacrificed to the Lord had to belong to you; you could not sacrifice to God what belonged to someone else.

    Years ago, before I understood many of the truths in my book on Tithes and Offerings, a woman who attended our meetings was paying tithes on her husband’s salary in addition to her own. I did not know she was doing that. Her husband was a nice guy, but he was an unbeliever, and he didn’t know, any more than I did, that his wife was using his earnings to bring me tithes. She was, in reality, stealing her husband’s money and giving it to me.

    When I learned what this sister had done, I immediately researched my records for the couple of years she had been bringing me tithes, to determine how much she had given. Then I called her husband and apologized for the error. I told him that a check would be made out to him for all the money he had lost. I was surprised when he insisted that I not do that, but we did agree that from that point on, his wife would not use his income to bring me tithes and offerings.

    This woman is long gone from our midst. I hope that, wherever she is now, she has learned not to do things behind her husband’s back. That is not a godly thing for a wife to do, especially when her husband in working hard and trusting her to take care of his money.

    Pastor John

  • Wendell – Hospital Visit January 10, 2012

    Dear John:

    As I ponder the flood of thoughts and feelings which are still prevalent from the gathering it amazes me how God does things. For brevity, I am only going to write out about one incident which connected with a statement Damien made at the gathering tonight.

    While waiting at the hospital waiting room Tuesday night when Joseph had an apparent allergic reaction, I was sitting across from a very young couple. The mother, I believe, of the daughter who was waiting with them was courteous and caring for her daughter’s well being. The young boy’s attire was with the ear rings and, I call them, low-rider pants. Now, normally I pay little attention to clothing, but this particular ensemble has always been distasteful to me. The young girl was about a week away from having her baby. Due to their age, I assumed they had gotten to that point without planning for it. I did feel sorry for someone starting out in this life in that situation, so very very young. I pondered how will they take care of the child which would be here soon. Automatically, a prayer seemed to come under my breath God help them. Little did I know God was going to use them to teach me this night.

    Joseph name was called, and he was ushered back to a room in the Emergency room. By this time, I thought Joseph was some better. The waiting was made much more pleasant by the company from Betty and Earl. The times they have helped me are too numerous to mention. Just their presence was comforting. Caroline and I went back with him.

    As a matter of habit, any time I go into any business environment, I note the efficiency of the operation to see how much waste is there, realizing that those costs probably will be passed on to me if I do business with that company. Unfortunately for me, my opinion of a substantial part of hospital operations are they are very inefficient and often too redundant.

    As I was sitting there, the Doctor arrived, I immediately liked his attitude and demeanor. Thankfulness flooded me for a hospital, doctors, a clean facility and nurses to look after Joseph. Everyone of them seemed to be hand-picked to care for us as a family, and Joseph as a patient. This thankfulness just seemed to trump all my other thoughts, and my mind wondered to all the situations around the world where this type of care isn’t available. I could only sit there and under my breath utter thanksgiving to God, over and over. Decisions were made as to what was going to be for Joseph’s care, and then it became a wait and see issue.

    While waiting, I had to go back out into the waiting room, and I happened to meet the young man I spoke about earlier. I asked him how his wife was doing, and he took a moment to explain what was wrong and why they were there. His genuine care for his wife and new born touched my heart deeply. Immediately, repentance came for how I had judged him earlier based on appearance. My upbringing had imposed on me judgment without the spirit, which is never correct, even when it is correct. I knew how I felt about this particular ensemble and made no apologies for it in the past. Based on Preacher Clark’s experience about the long hair, I knew my fixed opinion needed to be corrected, but I couldn’t do it. This night God fixed it. From now on, I feel certain I can’t judge with my eyes based on this experience.

    To me, one of the things Damien said which connected with this experience was in regards to judging God’s creation in relation to people. I can’t find the words to communicate how this connected with my experience at the hospital, but I know it does.

    I am very thankful for this change God made in me, I needed a fix and he gave it.

    Brother Wendell
    ================

    Thanks, Wendell.

    I was just recently telling someone of the angel who visited my father and changed his feelings toward young men with long hair, back in the early 1970s. It is a precious gift to have Jesus condescend to help us get past our weaknesses.

    jdc

  • Taylor – short poem

    Thanks, Taylor! The gratitude comes through. It really does.
    jdc

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

    This little poem hit me out of the blue at work a few weeks ago. I forgot about it until I bumped into it today, so thought I would share it!

    Found in less than desirable array
    Cleaned, clothed and fed; shown the holy way
    Given shelter in the shadow of God’s men
    How can this be? I ask every now and again…

    For I’ve been loved, loved, loved
    God’s Son purchased this for me
    Love, Love, Love
    The love of God has rescued me

    Don’t know why I’ve been picked
    To receive such blessings as this
    If only to receive His grace along the way
    And shine a light so others can say…

    I’ve been loved, loved, loved
    God’s Son purchased this for me
    Love, Love, Love
    The love of God has rescued me

    Taylor C

  • Web site question – Which Bible?

    Name: Jim P

    comments: What bible do you use?

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

    My Bible of choice is The New Testament in the Original Greek: Byzantine Platform. I believe that it is superior to the UBS Greek text. We are in the process of producing a new translation of the New Testament, using that Byzantine Greek text as a base. You can keep up with our progress by visiting this site:

    http://www.goingtojesus.com/site/php/translations.php?tname=intro

    Beyond that, it is my opinion that the King James Version is the best overall translation, even with its occasional archaic language. I also refer to other versions when I want to compare what is written. We have here, for reference purposes, 30-40 other versions, both old and new.

    Pastor John

  • Wendell – After Wednesday Night Meeting

    Pastor John:
    Upon returning home from the prayer meeting Wednesday night, I decided I wanted to just enjoy the feelings so I went to bed. When I awoke the next morning it is first time I felt rested in my body in a long time. Then it hit me; I hadn’t woke up during the night with knee pain , I hadn’t woke up during the night with back pain and I hadn’t woke up during the night with shoulder pain.

    Jesus, thank you for a night’s rest! It makes growing old more enjoyable.

    For all who are sick, I pray you have a speedy recovery.

    Wendell

  • Unclean temple

    Hi Pastor John

    I remember you told me once that no where in the bible does it say “the holy Ghost will not dwell in an unclean temple”- is this right or is there scriptures that people misinterpret?

    Thanks!

    Michelle

    ========

    Hi Michelle!

    That is right. There is no such Scripture in the Bible (and for good reason).

    There are, however, several verses in the Mormon bible that are similar to that. Instead of “an unclean temple”, the Mormon version is, “an unholy temple”. But the saying is false, regardless of the specific word that is used. God’s presence remained in the Old Testament temple for many hundreds of years after it was polluted with sin by His people. And Jesus stays with God’s people who have fallen away from him. He does not forsake his people when they err; rather, he stays with them and corrects them.

    Sayings such as “The Spirit cannot dwell in an unclean (or, unholy) temple” was invented by somebody who had lost their love for God’s children when they wander away from God. Don’t be like that.

    Pastor John

    You can read what I have written on the subject at:

    http://www.isaiah58.com/clark/clark07_18_99.html

    ==========

    Pastor John:

    I have this, from the minister of a friend, who asked her pastor the same question that I asked you about the phrase, “the holy ghost won’t dwell in an unclean temple”:

    Hey Sis, there are scriptures for this, although it does not say this exact phrase. It is 1Corinthians 3:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:15-20. Pretty Plain and simple actually, people use the excuse and say because it does not say this exact phrase that it is NOT in the Bible, but it IS in the Bible, it just does not say that exact phrase. I believe people back slide sitting right in the house of God. When we do not do according to Gods will and continue in this state, we are backsliding. Although, we do not call it that, i say we, i mean HolyGhost believing folks say grow cold, haha, its the same thing just different words to justify it

    Brother D——

    My friend also added this:

    “PS. The other way I would use “the HG wont dwell in an unclean temple” is when a sinner comes to the Lord. He MUST first repent, get his temple clean, and then the HG comes in. Some people start asking for it before they even repent is all I’m saying.”

    My question about that, Pastor John, is this. I know that we must repent before we can receive the holy Ghost; however, the holy Ghost is what cleans you up. Correct? So how can the holy Ghost come into an already clean temple?

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

    Michelle,

    If you have the study guide for “The Spiritual Condition of the Disciples before Pentecost”, look at Number 1 on that study guide. It is, “They were clean, but they were not sanctified.”

    People can be “clean” according to a set of rules, such as the law of Moses, but not sanctified by the holy ghost.

    Pastor John
    ===================

    John,

    This is regarding the emails concerning that made-up scripture, “The holy ghost won’t dwell in an unclean temple.”

    I remember this one all too well. I hope that the way the Lord gave me to handle this false rumor with an associate at the company I was working at in Henderson years ago never leaves me in this life because it brought peace.

    A young boy came up to me one day and said, “The Holy Ghost won’t dwell in an unclean temple.” Somehow in the spirit the Lord let me know from whom the comment originated. I didn’t squabble with the young man but replied very gently and softly, “Please find that in the Bible and let me know where that is located. I want to read it.” The Lord let me know in the spirit he would go back and tell the sower of that seed what I said to him. (This was not my wisdom but God’s.) By doing this, it put the sower on the spot with him to explain his comments. He said he would find the scripture for me (I think he said he would do it that night) and come back and tell me where it was located.

    The next day, I was waiting for him to come talk to me, but he avoided me by keeping a distance between us. Finally, the following day, he came to me real low and told me, “You know, that is not in the Bible.” I remember telling him, “You tell the fellow that told you this was true that I said it is a serious thing to tell people things about God.” He didn’t dispute that he had a partner in the event who was the instigator, nor did he admit it, other than by his silence.

    What I loved about the way God did this is that two people learned something about God, and the issue was settled peacefully. It also made the young man cautious about believing anything he heard.

    I have seen this doctrine, or the spirit of it, lead people to be extremely cruel to people who had erred and were trying to find their proper place back with God. In one case, if the person had known what he was doing, he would have been close to Blasphemy. That doctrine makes people feel free to be very cruel “in the name of the Lord”.

    When I think on these things, it brings to mind what Jesus said: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

    Brother
    Wendell

  • Saturday/gathering

    Hi Pastor John:

    I can sum what happened to me by the Pearl, from today. I don’t remember a lot (only what I felt).

    The message has been wonderful, we just need the, “want to”. When I went to be prayed for, you spoke to me, “Come to the water,” then Gary somewhat giggled. That’s the last conscience thing I remembered for a while. I remember it felt like a bolt of lightning that hit the top of my head and shook my whole being (inside and out). I went to the floor, but I wanted more! As someone helped me up, I just couldn’t move; I was a sponge. From there, it felt like time was in slow motion; my spirit, body, and mind were at rest. I do remember praying, “Jesus, I am not going home the way I came . . .you can have every one of my burdens . . .please fix me.”

    From there it felt like a constant presence flowing through my body. No surging, just a presence. It saturated my whole being, and I could see it saturate the whole room, and everyone and everything in there. The more I felt it, the more I couldn’t move. God stood me still, so that I could feel and see this. He covers the universe like this, and now, I can see how he orchestrates each star as well as every blade of grass. He can form galaxies and yet work on a human heart. He can create a microorganism and put a ring around Saturn. His presence envelopes all creation and it is influenced by Him, at his pleasure.

    I don’t remember how I got to the Prater’s house. Judy said that Stuart drove us there in my truck. I remember looking around in the bedroom, and Judy said, “It’s okay. This is where we are staying.” The last thing I remember is still feeling the presence of God and looking at the clock; is showed 10:32 pm. J udy said she helped me during the night to use the restroom, but I don’t remember. She said in our 31 years together she has never seen me like that. The next thing I remembered was looking at the clock; it showed 5:22 am. I got up to take a shower. My legs we were wobbly and rubbery. I was very weak.

    I went to Darren’s kitchen and read the Bible in John 3. John was writing about how those that love you will keep the commandments of God, and you love those people by keeping the commandments of God. That is how we really know who loves us, even if they say, “I love you”. Forget the words. How are we living? That is how we love; keeping God’s commandments in our hearts.

    I do remember after the prayer meeting, most of the people (not all) had left, but some of the KY people sat around you, talking, facing me. I still could not move. I wanted to hug everyone of them. I cried because I wanted to embrace them and could not move; my body was not working. I started thanking God for each and everyone of them, and I asked God, “I know you sat them down here, in front of me. What do you want me to do?” The Spirit spoke, “You can do nothing. They need to see that I am real in you.” I don’t remember anything else. You may have to ask others, to put the pieces together.

    Judy told me when she was being prayed for, she was asking God for a perfect heart. That’s when she said that you sang, “Only Believe” to her. She said she felt very encouraged after that. We serve an amazing God! He can tell me to come to the water while He sings to another, “Only Believe”, while the whole time, He has the earth rotating in his hands. The presence of God permeates all and everything, and we desperately need it. This morning, Judy said she slept the whole night through. Wow! That has not happened in many years. Peace is a wonderful thing.

    I woke up this morning; everything looks and feels so different. God is so very good and kind.

    Thank you, John! I wish that I could type in tongues 🙂 We have had a good bath this weekend, all things are really and truly new.

    billy

  • Anna D – new job

    Hey Pastor John,

           Tonight’s meeting was so good. As I was listening to the words of the song, “Perfection is His Business,” I felt like God was showing me how easy it is to have a perfect, pure heart. I have always made a task list for myself of things I felt I needed to do in order to have a pure heart or get closer to God, and made attaining to perfection such a daunting goal. The song says that it’s His business to make that happen. We just need to trust and relax. Carrie’s testimony was also perfect for me because I tend to think too much and make things out to be something that they’re not and get myself in a tizzy. For one, it felt good to know that someone else has gone through something similar, and more importantly, that God can fix it. I feel like God gave me a dose of faith through the message tonight and the testimonies. It also helped regain my faith that if God wants me to get into PA school, he’ll make it happen. He knows what He’s doing. It’s just good to be reminded that He has my best interest in all things. I’m so glad I was able to see the meeting tonight.

          I’ve told a couple people this, but I wanted to share it with everyone because it’s no small thing, and I’m very thankful for it. I recently got a new job at a very good hospital. For about a year, I’ve been looking for a new job. For one, the one I had was really going downhill and the people I worked with weren’t the best either. Also, I wanted to gain more experience in a different setting because I thought it would look good for graduate school. After I had the interview for the hospital, I was feeling apprehensive about the job, not knowing if I should take it or if I would like it. Driving home on the highway one evening, I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular, just driving. Out of nowhere I felt this strong feeling of happiness just fill me up. It really came suddenly. For no other reason, but God making me do so, I turned my head to my left and caught glimpse of the hospital. I was feeling such strong feelings of happiness and after seeing the hospital, I just closed my eyes, praying, crying. I literally felt like I could close my eyes on that highway and would be just fine despite the merging traffic right next to me. I knew, without a doubt, that God was taking care of me. He wanted me to know I should take that job and he was taking care of me in that just as much as He was letting me close my eyes while driving. I had no doubt.

           Almost needless to say, I did get the job. I’m working in the rehab department, helping patients who’ve suffered strokes, paralysis, and limb amputations. One day before work recently, I was riding the elevator up to my floor and just asking God why he gave me this job and what I needed to get out of it. That day, I was training under a sweet lady from the Ukraine. She told me that sometimes she prays for the patients and brings them scriptures for encouragement. I even saw her pray for someone that day. Regardless of what God wants me to get out of this job, I’m very thankful for it and for the people that I get to work with. They’re all very sweet and helpful.

          Anyways, I’m just very thankful.

          Anna

  • Debt question

    John,

    I’m working on some of these pearls and the one below reminded me of a question I’ve had. Would what your father said below (I’m really just thinking about the “Get out of debt” part) also apply to low-interest and long-term debt like a mortgage? For instance, if someone could pay off their mortgage in advance but would rather use that money to prepare for the future (i.e. retirement, education for their kids, or whatever) – would that be ok? Or perhaps there is not a one-size-fits-all answer here; it just depends on a person’s situation?

    Thanks,
    Taylor

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

    Hi Taylor.

    The short answer is no. Preacher Clark did not teach that you were “in debt” in a bad way if you had a car or a house loan. However, if you were unable to make your payments on time, it was obvious that you were in debt, as he was speaking of debt, and needed to get your affairs in order (e.g., sell what you have, and then buy a smaller house or a cheaper car).

    The debt he was speaking of had more to do with discretionary spending. He taught us that if anyone borrowed money to buy unnecessary things (including Christmas presents), they needed to pay those debts off before they brought offerings to the Lord. He would not even allow anyone to become a part of his work in Christ if they were in that kind of debt because of such purchases, unless they began a sincere effort to get out of debt and were committed to living the kind of life that avoided wasteful spending in the future.

    jdc

  • Last night’s meeting

    John,

    I just want to say last night’s meeting was wonderful. Everything we needed was offered by Jesus last night: your teaching/food on perfection, rest, healing, anointed music, etc. We are so blessed. That touch (rest) stayed on me all night and is still here this morning. I feel very thankful.

    Thank you for loving us.

    Rob

    ==========

    I don’t think I ever have seen you the way you were at the end of the meeting last night, Rob. You were somewhere else, not altogether with us. It was way beyond the normal enjoying of a wonderful meeting. That was so good to see! And Donna said you were like that until you went to bed!

    What should I say in such a case? Congratulations” is the only thing I can think of. You were touched by the Spirit of the Lord.

    jdc

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