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  • Real wisdom

    Hey Pastor John,

    I have been reading in your Solomon’s Wisdom book. In the book, it says, “The secret to obtaining wisdom is in knowing how to seek it. Only those who understand how to seek wisdom will ever find it.” So, my question is how do you seek wisdom?

    Donna C
    ========

    Hi Sister Donna!

    We seek wisdom the right way by asking for it from those who really have it, beginning with Jesus, and then from those whom he has taught the knowledge of God. Solomon said, “Wisdom is hidden deep in the heart of man, but someone with understanding will draw it out.” It takes wisdom to gain wisdom.

    Pastor John

  • GCC stories

    Pastor John,

    I am reading the biography you wrote of your father. I just read the story about about your father and the young woman named Maude. My heart can barely contain the sorrow and the pure love of God that drove your father. Thank you for sharing these stories! I can’t seem to stop reading! Hearing the stories of these old saints makes me want to re-examine my life. I feel so puny right now.

    Michelle
    ========

    I understand, Michelle. It can be very humbling to read their stories, to see both their triumphs and their failures. May God help us to walk in the light and be faithful until the end, as they did.

    Pastor John

  • TFE 1/13/11 When You Are Ready, Part One

    http://goingtojesus.com/site/php/thoughts.php?tname=tfe01-13

     

    Good morning, Pastor John!

    I really enjoyed reading the TFE this morning, When You Are Ready, Part One. God has cursed this world with time, since the fall of Adam, but with that curse he made a way out: time. As Ecclesiastes stated, there is a time and purpose for everything under heaven. God has appointed His people time to get ready, before He calls us home. That is just mercy from God. The good news is, He is the one who gets us ready; we just have to submit to the power of God, as Brother Gary’s poem suggests.

    By the time we meet Jesus, all of the dross, spots, and wrinkles will be gone and Jesus will present us to the Father at the time appointed. That is encouraging news! When I looked around the room on Justin TV, and saw the names watching it, I had the feeling that we are in this pot together. We have so many riches, we can’t even count them all, but it’s fun trying. I love my life, and the people that God put around me; they are my safety! My prayer is, “God, give me faith to submit to your power”.

    Love always,
    Billy

  • 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

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