You Cant Change Me Unraveling The Lie

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YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

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PREFACE.....................................................................................................................................12
Part One........................................................................................................................................15
STOP, LOOK................................................................................................................................15
and................................................................................................................................................15
LISTEN........................................................................................................................................15
Chapter 1.............................................................................................................16
Chapter 2......................................................................................................................................23
THE ROAD TO TRANSFORMATION:......................................................................................23
Follow the Heart and Turn to Change...........................................................................................23
CONFUSING SIGNS AND DIRECTIONS........................................................24
OPERATING UNDER THE POWER OF GOD.................................................27
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF............................................................................28
Chapter 3......................................................................................................................................31
MAKING JESUS THE CENTER OF YOUR JOY......................................................................31
THE SOLID ROCK............................................................................................31
NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN................................................................31
WHO IS WORTHY?..........................................................................................33
THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CHANGE.............................................................34
FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW.........................................................................35
Galatians 5:22-23(KJV)................................................................................................................35
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,.........35
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law...............................................................35
MOVERS, SHAKERS AND CONQUERORS...................................................36
MOVERS.....................................................................................................................................36
SHAKERS....................................................................................................................................36
CONQUERORS...........................................................................................................................37
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror *....................................................38
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE.............................................................................40
Chapter 4......................................................................................................................................41
SURROUNDING ATTITUDES, HARDENED HEARTS............................................................41
A TIME FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE..............................................................42
PRAYER THAT BINDS AND LOOSES............................................................42
Matthew16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 43
EXPECTATIONS...............................................................................................43
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror.......................................................47

Part Two........................................................................................................................................49
A...................................................................................................................................................49
WAY OF LIFE..............................................................................................................................49
Chapter 5......................................................................................................................................50
Investment vs. A Way of Life.......................................................................................................50
The Illusionist.....................................................................................................50
ARE WE SIMON?.......................................................................................................................50
CHANGE DEPENDS ON FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS.............................52
CAN YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF?.................................55
MAKING SENSE OF THE SYSTEM................................................................56
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror.................................................................................59
CHAPTER 6.................................................................................................................................60
DELIVERING THE MESSAGE: A WAY OF LIFE.....................................................................60
The Battle...........................................................................................................60
IS IT ABOUT US?..............................................................................................62
EXAMPLES.................................................................................................................................66
OPPORTUNITY.................................................................................................67
A UNIQUE WAY OF TEACHING.....................................................................68
THE PEACEMAKER.........................................................................................68
LISTENING.......................................................................................................68
I'M NOT PERFECT: BEING IN CHRIST PERFECTS ME...............................70
SUMMARY........................................................................................................71
Part Three.....................................................................................................................................74
THE..............................................................................................................................................74
HEART.........................................................................................................................................74
OF A CHILD................................................................................................................................74
Chapter 7......................................................................................................................................76
A DIFFERENT KIND OF HEART:.............................................................................................76
JEREMIAH..................................................................................................................................76
CAN YOU DO THIS ALSO IN LOVE?.............................................................81
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Chapter 8......................................................................................................................................84
TRUSTING GOD TO CHANGE YOU........................................................................................84
Chapter 9......................................................................................................................................88
PAPA............................................................................................................................................88
Chapter 10....................................................................................................................................95
A HEART CREATED TO LEAD.................................................................................................95
WHY DAVID?....................................................................................................96
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror.....................................................100
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE...........................................................................101
PART III THE HEART OF A CHILD.........................................................................................103
Chapter 11...................................................................................................................................103
A CALL TO LEADERSHIP.......................................................................................................103
AN END TO BLIND WILL.............................................................................104
THE CHALLENGE..........................................................................................105
Part 3 THE HEART OF A CHILD..............................................................................................107
Chapter 12..................................................................................................................................107
NEW WINE SKIN......................................................................................................................107
BITTER WITH THE SWEET..........................................................................109
STEADFAST LOVE AND OBEDIENCE........................................................111
PRESSING TOWARD THE HEART................................................................112
PART III THE HEART OF A CHILD.........................................................................................117
Chapter 13...................................................................................................................................117
BITTER WITH THE SWEET, Interlude....................................................................................117
YCCM PART III HEART OF A CHILD.....................................................................................121
Chapter 14..................................................................................................................................121
FINDING PEACE......................................................................................................................121
THE COMFORT ZONE...................................................................................122
THE TEST........................................................................................................124
THE SACRIFICE.............................................................................................125
THE LIE...........................................................................................................126
LIVING YOUR BELIEF..................................................................................126
THE RELATIONSHIP......................................................................................128
THE PEACE.....................................................................................................129
DO YOU REALLY WANT PEACE?................................................................131
NOTES.............................................................................................................134
Part Four.....................................................................................................................................135
DETAILS....................................................................................................................................135
PART 4 DETAILS......................................................................................................................136
Chapter 15..................................................................................................................................136
A DELIBERATE DETOUR........................................................................................................136
PART IV DETAILS....................................................................................................................140
Chapter 16..................................................................................................................................140
KEEPING US IN THE FLESH..................................................................................................140
NEW QUESTIONS..........................................................................................141
NEW ANSWERS..............................................................................................142
FAITH TESTED...............................................................................................147
THE REALIZATION........................................................................................149
A NEW RELATIONSHIP.................................................................................152
YCCM PART IV DETAILS........................................................................................................158
Chapter 17..................................................................................................................................158
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING..........................................................................................158
SCENE 1: THE WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION..........................................158
THE NARRATOR: Back into the REAL WORLD...!................................................................158
STOP! REWIND TO, "BACK INTO THE REAL WORLD." GOD HAS REWRITTEN THE
SCRIPT!...........................................................................................................160
[He reaches up to God for the new script and begins to quietly read the script aloud.]...............160
Jesus changed everything--See Rewrite...Jesus changed EVERYTHING?! WHY? WHAT WAS WRONG WITH
THE OLD SCRIPT?!!................................................................................................................160
SCENE 2: JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING...............................................161
SCENE 3: SILENT DETAILS..........................................................................161
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YCCM PT 4 DETAILS...............................................................................................................168
Chapter 18..................................................................................................................................168
THE PROCESS..........................................................................................................................168
FOOD FOR THE SOUL...................................................................................169
FOOD FOR THE SOUL...................................................................................170
John 14:26.........................................................................................................170
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall
teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
..........................................................................................................................170
YCCM Part 4 DETAILS.............................................................................................................174
Chapter 19..................................................................................................................................174
I (LOVE) YOU: Prove it!......................................................................................................174
WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE.......................................................................................................175
WHY DID SAPPHIRA HAVE TO DIE?..........................................................177
SELF-ESTEEM................................................................................................180
EFFECTING CHANGE...................................................................................181
PROVE IT!.......................................................................................................184
YCCM PT4 DETAILS................................................................................................................187
Chapter 20..................................................................................................................................187
ONE LOVEPERFECT LOVE................................................................................................187
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN LOVE?.......................................................................188
A SEPARATION OF WORLDS.......................................................................189
TYPES OF LOVE.............................................................................................190
CAN THIS BE LOVE?.....................................................................................192
A KISS..............................................................................................................194
THE AGONY AND DEFEAT OF BETRAYAL................................................194
Judas' Betrayal and Death.................................................................................195
JESUS LOVES ME..........................................................................................199
BONDS WITHOUT BONDAGE.....................................................................200
ANOTHER CHANCE......................................................................................202
YCCM PT4 DETAILS................................................................................................................208
Chapter 21..................................................................................................................................208
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: THOUGHTS...................................................................208
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING.................................................................209
YCCM PART 4 DETAILS..........................................................................................................221
Chapter 22..................................................................................................................................221
8:00 AM............................................................................................................221
9:27 AM............................................................................................................222
1:03 PM............................................................................................................223
8:57 AM............................................................................................................223
9:43 AM............................................................................................................224
9:53 AM............................................................................................................225
9:19 PM............................................................................................................225
10:12 PM..........................................................................................................226
10:58 PM..........................................................................................................228
11:45PM............................................................................................................229
NEXT MORNING............................................................................................230
7:19 AM............................................................................................................230
8:10 AM............................................................................................................233
9:16 AM............................................................................................................233
9:51 AM............................................................................................................233
Acts 2 (KJ21)....................................................................................................236
Chapter 23..................................................................................................................................237
APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE WOUND..............................................................................237
PART 4 DETAILS......................................................................................................................241
Chapter 24..................................................................................................................................241
COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.............................................................241
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QUESTIONS..............................................................................................................................244
BE OPENED!...................................................................................................246
THE HEART OF MAN..............................................................................................................248
(HOLINESS)..............................................................................................................................248
Chapter 25..................................................................................................................................255
Worship & Service, Anyone?............................................................................257
Ephesians 4 (KJV)......................................................................................................................264
Who I Am in Christ.....................................................................................................................264
Chapter 26..................................................................................................................................266
THE GAMBLER........................................................................................................................266
Praise God, my Brothers and Sisters!................................................................270
ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE:..............................................................................271
But, We MUST Make One Another ACCOUNTABLE.....................................271
PART 4.......................................................................................................................................274
Chapter 27..................................................................................................................................274
MUSIC: A Spiritual Language....................................................................................................274
JANUARY 2017...............................................................................................274
Happy New Year, My Brothers and Sisters!......................................................274
WHAT COLOR IS MUSIC?.............................................................................276
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW..................................................277
LITTLE DAVID PLAY ON YOUR HARP.......................................................280
THE OLD LANDMARK..................................................................................282
PART 5 GOD OF THE LIVING.................................................................................................287
Chapter 28..................................................................................................................................287
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: TAKE ME TO THE WATER...........................................287
Chapter 29..................................................................................................................................291
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING:.........................................................................................291
PLEASING GOD.......................................................................................................................291
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE....................................................................................................297
PART 5 GOD OF THE LIVING.......................................................................298
Chapter 30.........................................................................................................298
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING:................................................................298
COMMITMENT...............................................................................................298
Chapter 31..................................................................................................................................306
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: JESUS IS ENOUGH.......................................................306
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror...............................................................................309
Chapter 32...................................................................................................................................311
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: JAVIER...........................................................................311
Chapter 33..................................................................................................................................320
WHO AM I TRYING TO FOOL?..............................................................................................320
Chapter 34..................................................................................................................................322
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: GABRIELA....................................................................322
Chapter 35..................................................................................................................................325
GOD OF THE LIVING..............................................................................................................325
Javier's Eulogy............................................................................................................................325
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror...............................................................................335
Chapter 36..................................................................................................................................336
DEFINING TIMES....................................................................................................................336
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Chapter 37..................................................................................................................................342
INFLUENCES............................................................................................................................342
INFLUENCES: FAMILY..................................................................................342
SPOKEN CURSES: Case # 1 - JEROME..................................................................................342
SPOKEN CURSES: Verbal Punishment...........................................................344
LACK OF IDENTITY: Case #2 - RICHARD............................................................................345
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.........................................................................351
FAMILY CURSES -Case #3 HERMAN.....................................................................................352
Summary- Family Curses..................................................................................354
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.......354
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.......355
YOU CAN'T CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie.............................................356
PART 5 GOD OF THE LIVING.......................................................................356
Chapter 38.........................................................................................................356
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: LEAVING BEE.....................................356
SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER: In a hospital outside of Denver, Colorado...............................358
LUKE'S SERMON...........................................................................................360
YOU CAN'T CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie.......................................................................363
SUMMARY................................................................................................................................363
INDEX........................................................................................................................................366
PREFACE
My Brothers and Sisters,
There are many ways to write a book. Most writers try to keep within literary boundaries to create a
story or informative work that is structured to be cohesive, somewhat chronological or increasingly
complex, as well as, explanatory.
The book may try to convey a particular theme or a set of ideas or values. It can offer one or more points
of view. There may be detailed events that lead up to a climax and resolve with a finite ending. At this
point, I cannot say that this is such a book. God only knows.
Yet, I do know that this is not a book written, hoping to find its way onto the Best Sellers List. God was
not concerned with it being published or earning profit for supporting ministry, or how many copies
would be sold, or if it would find its way onto the bookshelves of libraries or homes. He was not
concerned whether or not it would be accepted by well-known authorities on the Bible, celebrated
authors, renowned ministers, or discriminating book critics.
God did not fear being copied or plagiarized. God wanted these words to find their way into your heart
and into the hearts of others; to be shared without obligation or debt; giving credit to no one, but glory to
God. God teaches humbleness at the same time that He teaches us the power of words! Glory to God!
As I embarked upon this journey, into unraveling lies that prevent change within us, I must confess that I
had not outlined any ideas or determined a structure or destination. I knew that I had a message to
deliver and I must be obedient to God. I was completely dependent upon His guiding me through this
journey, where I had not ventured before.
A great amount of patience was required, which I must admit, at times, was difficult to produce. I had to
wait on God for the next step, because I had not gone through the trials and experiences necessary for
me to know, understand, and articulate what He would have me to write about.
Writing You Can't Change Me: Unraveling the lie has been a learning experience for me. It was a
milestone of completion in my ongoing training and maturing as God's prophet. Some may think that all
a prophet does is to listen and repeat what God tells them to say, but it is not that simple.
At some points, this book was my journal with God. At other times, it was like taking dictation.
Sometimes I was being tested and sometimes, I was a patient upon a therapy couch, talking to the
Master of Therapy, HimselfGod. God prepares us for each task and endeavor that is required of us. He
never asks us to do something that He hasn't prepared and equipped us to do.
It was clear to me that God was guiding me in writing a book to: equip the Saints; mature His prophetess
and other prophets; deliver prophetic words; unravel lies; and show others how He empowers us to bring
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change and Transformation through Spiritual Rebirth, into our lives and the lives of others. Now, I know
that our Father had another purpose for this book.
God is once again about a new thing. He does not want you to simply read this book. He wants it to
bring you into a relationship with Him, as you read it. Using me as an example of the intimacy He wants
to have with His Children, along with the questions at the end of most of the chapters, God is striking up
a conversation with you, to become a part of you.
When I began to write, I was very serious. I was focused on getting things just right and sometimes too
wrapped up in sentence structure. As chapter topics began to change, I could tell that God was giving me
wiggle room. He wanted me in on the conversation and to express myself in ways that were unique to
me. In other words, He wanted us to do what we usually do--have a relationship.
God wants to be invited in to hear your thoughts and feelings and help guide you. He wants to take you
on a journey, also, for you to get to know Him and His Son, Jesus, the Messiah. Why? Our Father
desires good things for His Children and wants you to have abundant and eternal life, through Christ
Jesus.
God tells us that there is a time and a purpose--a season for everything. This book, as well as its
contents, has a purpose and a season. This book comes at a pivotal time in man's history; for once again,
the People of God have turned their backs on Him. We have failed to separate ourselves from darkness
and invited it in to dwell with us. We have compromised with the world and allowed it to change us
instead of changing those within the world. We have not obeyed Christ's commandment to love our
brother as He loves us.
The Great Commission, to go out and spread the Good News, that the Kingdom is at hand, and to help
Jesus make more Disciples, has turned into private enterprises with competing doctrine and
philosophical views, which have served more in keeping people from the Kingdom and
making discipleship an unnecessary part of being a Believer.
As in the days of Jeremiah, many of the pastors, priests and prophets were corrupt, as are most in the
revived and randomly implemented Five-Fold Ministry, today. Once again, God is proclaiming that His
people have not been healed and taken care of--not one little bit. Our nations need to be healed and God
does not hear because we lack Fear of God, Trust in God and Love of God. God not only wants our
worship, He wants our worship to be in Spirit and in Truth. He doesn't just want us to say that we love
Him; He wants to see it through our obedience. It is the same message that Jeremiah cried out to the
Kings, princes, clerics and people of His time, before they were carried away into bondage.
Listen now, my children. You may also, lack accountability.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land.
God has not given up on us. He still cries out to our children's children. You will see the scripture
above more than once, within this book; for it applies to individuals, as well as nations. God needs new
wine skin in which to pour His Word. He needs leaders who will belong to Him. He needs those who
walk according to the Spirit and by Faith. He needs Followers, Soldiers and Spiritual Walkers.
In closing, I know that many will say and want to know, Who is this unknown woman, who calls
herself a prophetess of God? I am finally who our Creator created me to bea Child of God.
Come, walk with me my Brothers and Sisters and let us dispel lies, that we may bring others into
The Marvelous Light.
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Part One
STOP, LOOK
and
LISTEN
Chapter 1
Stop, Look and Listen
The right information, at the right place and time, can be like a bomb
dropped upon the adversary; loosening his grip; and awakening lost and sleeping
souls. Someone will hear. Someone will believe. Someone will be delivered
and transformed. Many will follow and God will be glorified! Mishael
You cant change me. I have to change myself. Ultimately, it is my decision, alone to change. Stop trying to
change me! These are all too common and frequent proclamations and protest we hear from those whom we
are involved with during many conflicts or confrontations. Dangerously caught up within themselves to the
point they are imprisoned within their own minds, they dont realize that they are locked and chained to the lie
that they are self-made men and women, who have the choice to live as they please. All the while, they are
under the influence of another, whose age-old deception has changed and misled millions upon millions to death
and destruction.
So deeply embedded is the lie within the human mind that it has become an age-old battle that can end in
frustration and defeat, if you are not armed and prepared to fight. We must stop fighting flesh; look at the
source of the lie, the creator of all liesSatan; and listen for Truth to guide and use us to dispel the lie.
For some, the light of Truth will be untouchable; to othersoverwhelming; many refusing to abandon what
they believe will become angry, outraged and hostile. The prideful will dismiss the idea and refuse to read into it
any further. But, the Truth of the matter is, the One has All Power, even over Satan. United with the Triune God,
we are One, His chosen vessels to do His Will. And, just as He chose to change Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul
the decision to changeto be transformed--is not yours alone.
The Kingdom is not in words but in power and that power has been given to us through the Holy Ghost.
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Not enough Believers understand Kingdom Power, because we have been taught to focus on prayer and God
doing things for us instead of through us. We have also been told that God has given man freewill and leaves us
to decide how we want to live. True enough, but it doesnt end there.
Yes, God has given man freewill. Yet, the Word of God bears witness that, like all fathers, He must exercise His
authority in order to exact His plans, protect His people and set His children upon the right path. He empowers
mankind, individually and collectively, just as He did long ago to help bring about change.
Moreover, the Word of God bears witness that God has never stopped pursuing us: to interact with us; to change
our hearts; to prepare the way of the Lord; and join Him in His Kingdom.
God has many ways of using us for good and empowering us for change. One of the ways He empowers us to
initiate change in our lives and the lives of others is by teaching us to dispel the lies Satan feeds to a blinded
world to keep it in bondage. Hear the crippling lies that he whispers into your ears to puff you up with pride and
harden your heart.
Lie: I am in full control of my life. I do what I want to do.
Truth: When you yield to temptation, you are not in control over your life. When you fight love, kindness
and authority with stubbornness and rebellion, you are not in control of your life. When you succumb to
fear, hatred, bitterness, anger, jealousy, hostility and violence borne out of a hardened heart, YOU are not
in control of your life. For these things are not of God and His Kingdom, but are the tools of the evil one,
used upon the blind and lost of the world.
Under the guise of control: the adversary uses you to sow strife and division; to cut off the blessings that God
would bestow upon those who obey and trust in Him; and to steal the fruit and joy we were created to bear and
receive.
Pride may tell us either to cower and shy away, flee or fight to defend ourselves. When our pride rises up from
within the flesh (self), our first reaction may be to lash out at the presumed attacker and take control. Pride tells
us that we must protect ourselves and exercise our freewill to do so. We may choose an option to refuse to
cooperate or retaliate, causing chaos, confusion, rebellion or harm.
We are lead to believe that, one way or another we will have our way or the last word, giving us victory and
peace. We may never admit it, but part of the relief is seeing others, weak, hurt, wounded or suffering from the
same prideful pain in which we were subjected. And, somehow, we believe we are excluded from Gods
judgment and wrath, because, overall, we are the better person and they got what they deserved.
We think we are in control, but what a farce! What vanity! The moment we use Satans weapons, we are under
his control! And even then, we seek control where there is no real authority; for Satan can only do what God
allows Him to do; for he too was created by God and is under His authority. The Truth is, God will have the last
word and the wicked will be cut off. We become undone by our own pride at Satans hand. Had we humbled
our self and surrendered to the will and way of God, leaning not to our own understanding, carnal desires, fears
and feelings, we would have found peace.
Yes, God allows Satan to create storms and temptations in our lives, just as He allowed Job to suffer complete
ruin and shame in the eyes of others, by Satans hand. Yet, Jobs friends and wife lacked complete faith in God
and knowledge that Gods ways are not like our ways. Who can understand the mind of God or question His
Will?
Many see it as unjust and cruel that innocent children suffer from starvation, fatal disease, heinous crimes and
death. What kind of god would allow such suffering to the young, helpless and innocent? An Almighty God
who uses the past to create the present because He knows the future. The One and only god who can see
past the flesh He created; who readies each living soul for a greater purpose and higher calling to live in His
Kingdom throughout eternity to experience and magnify the glory of His eternal universe!An Omnipotent,
Omnipresent and Omniscient God, not bound and barred by time and seasons, who sees beyond life and death.
Whereas, a child who may live one day upon earth may receive the same reward of a man who has lived 100
years toiling and serving God. And having lived one day, the child has neither suffered nor been denied life, for
God has given him the better in eternal peace and life.
Lie: I can change myself, without anyone's help, because ultimately, it is my decision to change.
Truth: This is a worldly point of view based on pride, self-will, selfishness and the idea of choices. God is
our Creator and ONLY He can complete the work that He has begun.
If need be, God can take away your choices and allow you to fall, so that you must submit to His will or perish
and only because God allows it to happen. --Preposterous!? Do you believe God will not interfere with
freewill? Indeed, God will not allow you to harm those He protects nor will He allow you to interfere with His
plans and promises. He can put stumbling blocks and walls before you; kill you by His own hand, just as He did
to others mentioned in the Bible; allow death to claim you; put someone else in your place; set someone against
you; harden your heart; or change your heart for His purpose.
If you had created heaven and earth alone and control everything and everyone therein, then yes, ultimately
everything would be your decision, alone. However, in reality, you are not the sole inhabitant on earth.
Everything you do affects those around you. It is selfish as a human-being to make decisions solely based on
how you alone think and feel. That's why the family unit is an important part of our nurturing and growth, as
well as our larger family of the human race.
We must see ourselves as part of a larger picture and an important part of God's plan. If you continue to believe
that ultimately it is your decision to change, you kick against the goad--the authority of God, who has set the
pattern of the universe in place. If you continue to think only in worldly, physiological and psychological terms
concerning the function of the brain in thinking and decision- making, you will miss the concept of
transformation (true change) through God's Holy Spirit.
Repentance allows us to turn away from sin that we have committed, but true repentance is only complete
through transformationbecoming one with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and abiding in their Holiness and
Righteousness which keeps us from sinning. Their presence within us and our love for them; our love for
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Holiness and Righteousness, removes all doubt and choices; giving us but one way to live and that is-- within
the will of God.
We are Spiritual Beings with the capacity to be transformed into what God would have us to be; be it man or
woman; teacher or preacher, etc. God has a plan for our lives that is more blessed, joyous, effective, prosperous
and productive than what we can imagine, along with a promise of eternal longevity. God's plan for our lives on
earth from our birth and beyond is complete and without error.
This may not sound like freedom to you. Many will say that much of this sounds like radical ideology and
compare it to the radical religious extremists and terrorists of today and yesterday. The difference is
enlightening and transforming. The difference is in true power. True power sets people FREE--Free in mind,
body and spirit! --Free of bitterness, hatred, anger, violence, prejudice, discrimination, control, lust, shame,
guilt, fear, addiction, oppression, greed and all manner of bondage. --Freedom, free of self-serving rituals, false
doctrine, religions and denominations; Freedom undefiled by man. Freedom not contrived by conservatives,
liberals, democrats, republicans, independents or any other person, organization, nation, political party or
institution that omits or puts limitations on the power of God. When you become one with TRUTH, you are
standing on the very pinnacle of freedom and you are free indeed!
There is no need for God's true servants to either work covertly in undisclosed locations or hide our faces to
carry out heinous acts against humanity. There is no need to blow ourselves up to destroy others in hatred and to
show our power. There is no need to amass weapons of mass destruction. This is vanity! There is no need to
burden others with what to wear; what to eat; when and how to pray; where they can and cannot go; and how
much they should pay. For, no one can hide from God's Light of Truth! It will transform and remove all
impurities and iniquity.
Lie: Neither you, nor anyone else can change me.
Truth: If this statement is true, then, we really don't need God and God really has no need to use man as
a vessel to help others and carry out His plans. As Believers, we choose to believe in the changing power
of God and trust Him to transform us and use us, while He fulfills all our desires within His will and
supplies all of our needs. We believe that God is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. We believe
that He alone, through His manifest power and will can make us whole. We believe that as His vessels,
His power and will is manifested through us to bring about change.
Moreover, one cannot deny that man learns through example, influence, persuasion, imitation and experience.
These collective resources God provides to us through our family, friends, teachers, neighbors, community and
world, which help to form our character and process of decision-making. To say that no one can or has changed
you is not to know yourself or the nature of man. How craftily Satan can blind us to sheer Truth and common
sense by just stirring up our pride. But true change, the kind of change that made Jesus cry out, It is finished!
comes only through the transformation of Gods Holy Spirit; for God does not make mistakes and His work is
complete.
Lie: No one should try to change anyone, nor have they the right or authority to try.
Lie: People should leave others alone and let God change someone, when He is ready.
Truth: These too, are worldly points of view based upon selfishness, pride, rebellion, fear, love of the
world and rejection of godliness. This ideology, omits the power, will and way of God. We are vessels,
created to execute God's will on earth. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
God's Word given to us by His Son tells us that He is ready and waiting for us to change and live by His
Will and Way-TODAY. Tomorrow is not promised to us, so it is not a choice you have.
Jesus said His Father sent Him to speak to sinners. Jesus sent His disciples out to spread the Good News to the
LOST sheep of Israel. One of Jesus' last commandments to those who follow Him was to go out into the world
and make disciples. Paul was sent to bring the Gentiles, many who practiced paganism, into the fold.
Authority to precipitate change has been given by God, the Father, for we are our brothers keeper. Darkness
adds confusion when, those who have not been truly born again, impose their self-will and false doctrine upon
others and not the will and way of God. A Believer has authority over the earth, because everything belongs to
our Father, God. For you to rebuke, mock, scorn, abuse and avoid a Believer when God sets them in your path
to bring you His Word and Saving Grace, is to reject God, doing the same unto Him and crucifying Christ.
Waiting until you think you're ready or believing God will change you when He's ready is just another lie that
must be dispelled. God is always ready for us to change, but because of our flesh, our self-will, stubbornness
and blindness we deny ourselves His added blessings. Meanwhile, the spirit within us longs for living-water to
thirst no more. Thanks to our patient Fathers undying love for us, we are given Grace and Mercy to teach us
His Love, which conquers the world. While we rebel against God, rejecting His Word, Will and Way, we live in
ignorance and darkness, beneath our privilege and kept at bay from God's promise of abundant and eternal life.
As willing servants and vessels of God's Holy Spirit, we walk in our Father's Light and have fellowship with
one another. This fellowship is not just for shaking hands and singing praises. Within our Father's Light, we
have power to cast Light and Truth upon others. The result is miraculous and transforming! The Light draws
others to God or repels them! It can heal and drive away demons and darkness, tearing down strongholds! It can
bring joy and repentance! All because God wants to use us to bring about change and expand the Kingdom of
Heaven! We are empowered to claim our territory and live life in abundance as caretakers of our planet,
glorifying God!
We were created to multiply, that we would be helpers to one another spiritually, physically and mentally.
Hence, we confess our sins to one another, witness to one another, pray for one another, even chastise and
correct one another, that we may be strengthened and accountable, growing in faith, holiness and righteousness.
The change that we as servants and vessels help to initiate is not of our own design, that we may impose our
own will, desires, opinions and persuasions upon others for our own benefit and glory. On the contrary, when
we are reborn, our hearts are changed. As we diligently seek to live in holiness and righteousness, we also desire
others to know God's Will and Love in their lives.
21
Therefore, regardless of what you might think, you can't do it by yourself. You can't change yourself! You may
alter your behavior, but it doesn't change you. You simply choose to refrain from a behavior because it has
unfavorable and problematic consequences or replace the behavior with another learned behavior or pattern.
Hence, the world says that once you are an alcoholic or addict, you are always an alcoholic or addict, because,
there continues to be an inner struggle with temptations. God leads us not into temptations and delivers us
from evil."
Again it is a matter of believing you have choices. But what if you had no choices? What if God allowed you to
become afflicted with diseases and stripped of everything, as He did Job, or, blinded you as He did Saul? Would
you curse His name or praise His name, surrendering to His Will to serve Him? What will it take for God to stop
you on your road to destruction?
What if you stopped rejecting God, today and willingly gave up that right to choose and truly accept Christ and
all that He embodies, to be lead instead by an unerring force? Then you would know what it meant to be a
servant of God and a slave to Christ. You would experience rebirth through the Holy Spirit; for to truly change
or be born again means to remove all choices that would separate you from the Perfect Love of God and Christ.
When you've become accustomed to believing that you have time to change, as well as having many choices as
to how you can live, you've been blinded and programmed to take life for granted. It may be extremely
difficult to put away worldly thinking and think as a Believer--men and women of faith in an Almighty God.
Wherefore, we know that true change is TRANSFORMATION; for God can make all things new and remove
all spots, blemishes and impurities.
You need time alone with the Word of God, Jesus. Remove all stimuli, interference and distractions and reach
out to Him. Believe that He is there with you. Just talk to Him as you would a very close friend--holding
nothing back. Approach Him in spirit and in truth. Let your inner man speak, even if the words won't come to
you. Ask Him to search your heart and remove all doubts and fears. Ask Him to increase your faith. Give Him
permission to break you, cleanse you and make you over again.
Whereas, the world can only offer band-aid therapy, God can cut out, remove and extract that which causes us
to falter, perish and sin; remold that which has been shattered and broken; and become one with us through His
Holy Spirit. He transforms us into a new creature, keeping us from sin as we abide in His Son and His Perfect
Love filled with His Holiness and Righteousness, following the mind of Christ.
Get to know the Word of God--Jesus--through time alone together in prayer and meditation; reading and study;
and through fellowship with other Believers. He will reveal to you that He is the Son of God. --And if you truly
believe, invite Him, the Father and His Holy Spirit into your heart.
If I seem to be repeating myself, it is for your benefit. And so, I say once again, we are transformed by rebirth,
surrendering our will to become a slave to Christ; willingly surrendering all to be made into a new man, so that
there is no other way, but to follow the mind of Christ, living holy and righteously, guided by Our Father,
obeying Him because of our love for Him and His love for us.
Many people believe that they've been born again, through rituals, baptism or simply by being a Christian.
Moreover, many are misled to believe that they possess the mind of Christ in much the same way and by
accepting Him as their savior, by way of mouth that professes with the mind and acceptance has not come from
the heart. Some believe we are born with the mind of Christ simply because we are human. Yet, they remain
stagnant, unable to grow because they have been blinded to the Truth. Truth reveals to us that true acceptance of
Christ is by becoming One with Him and the Father through rebirth, whereas He Lives within your heart and is
the King of your life. There is no desire to live and think as you did before; for you have a changed heart and
mind.
So, accepting Jesus is not just a mind and mouth thing, but a heart thing. Jesus must become the treasure in your
heart, the rare jewel that you have found and the center of your joy, in that you aspire to become all that He has
become, so that you too will shine as bright and be pleasing in our Father's eyes.
Having the mind of Christ involves total surrender to the Will and Way of God to transform and change your
heart. The mind cannot change if the heart has not been changed first. This is why God pursues our hearts. A
changed heart surrenders to the love of God--perfect love--agape love. This is the Love that Christ possesses
because He is one with His Father. This is the love that we will possess, when we are truly born again and under
the mind of Christ. This is why so many of those chosen to mature the saints (apostles, prophets, evangelists,
preachers and teachers) mislead God's people--they have not truly been born again and have not been made
perfect in love. Yes, they may have a calling upon their life and many gifts, but an unchanged heart, so, they
remain in self--that is --following their own mind and desires. How can they help God's people if they don't love
them and have complete faith and trust in God?
Many churches, denominations and religions do not consider this to be important for leadership, neither are
there enough born again laborers to enlighten and mature the saints. The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are
few. Hence, churches are often viewed by outsiders and critics as an enclave of hypocrites and a den of wolves
in sheep's clothing. Many operate as a closed society, making others feel unwelcome, because their hearts are
closed to the will and way of God. God's people, not having been reborn, do not wear His armor or bear His
fruit and therefore are unable to overcome the world and bring in the lost.
Chapter 2
THE ROAD TO TRANSFORMATION:

Follow the Heart and Turn to Change
23
The world will

Romans 12:2 tell you to
follow your
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your heart, meaning,
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. your feelings
King James Version (KJV) and desires,
but the heart we
must follow is
not based on feelings alone. No, it is our spirit--our inner man, turned toward God and aware of His presence
and guidance; a heart fixed on Jesus, ready to follow; and a heart focused first on things above, knowing the rest
will follow.
One can not expect the spirit to operate in the same manner as the mind, for it is of a different nature and
capacity, taking on the characteristics of the Father. Therefore, scientific assessment and evaluation of the spirit
is not given to man to perform.
The Creator knows how His creation functions and how to transform us. Believe it or not, God has a plan to
make this happen, tailored just for you and me. This plan begins with His Son, Yeshuah--Jesus--The Christ.
Jesus tried to explain the concept of the spirit and rebirth to Nicodemus, of the Pharisees. However, Nicodemus
could not move beyond concrete and critical thinking.
second time into his mother's womb, and be

born?
John 3: 1-21
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named of God.
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a
teacher come from God: for no man can do 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
these miracles that thou doest, except God born again.
be with him.
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is
again; he cannot see the kingdom of God. every one that is born of the Spirit.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man 9Nicodemus answered and said unto him,
be born when he is old? Can he enter the How can these things be?
10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art 15That whosoever believeth in him should
thou a master of Israel, and knowest not not perish, but have eternal life.
these things?
16For God so loved the world that he gave
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak his only begotten Son, that whosoever
that we do know, and testify that we have believeth in him should not perish, but have
seen; and ye receive not our witness. everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to

condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not

condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye 19And this is the condemnation, that light is
believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you come into the world, and men loved
of heavenly things? darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil.
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but he that came down from heaven, even 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the
the Son of man which is in heaven. light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness; even so must the Son of man be 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the
lifted up: light, that his deeds may be made manifest,
that they are wrought in God.
CONFUSING SIGNS AND DIRECTIONS

Finding the way to the Truth and Transformation can be very confusing and one could get lost along the way
due to confusing information and directions. People are still looking for signs of divine inspiration and trying to
map out a route to self-improvement and success to change their lives. Churches are divided by doctrine and
interpretations of the Bible. Worldly doctrine and ideology most often leave out the Power and Will of God. As
Jesus said, "a house divided can not stand." Certainly, the evil one will not work against himself.
So, naturally, some who observe and evaluate behavior are confident in postulating laws and indoctrinating
ideology and supporting medical and scientific research, along with principles and theories on the process of
thought, behavior, behavior modification and rehabilitation. While others know that these things are just the
beginning of reconstruction that may or may not lead to transformation.
25
God is not against science and medical practices, for He created them. Through the account given in the Bible,
of the woman with an issue of blood, God gives us a clear and poignant example of putting ALL our faith and
money in man to heal us. This woman heard about Jesus and the Truth changed her heart giving her great faith;
so great, that Jesus felt the power drain from His body, as she touched the hem of His garment.
Years of suffering and misplaced faith prepared the woman for a great spiritual awakening and she filled her
suffering heart with Jesus, putting all her faith in Him. Her spirit thirsted for the Truth and was led to The
Fountain of Living Water--Jesus.
This does not mean that the woman should not have sought medical help and that it did not help sustain her life.
What we do know is that it did not alleviate her suffering or cure her condition. And just as the blind man
through no fault of his own was blind from birth, perhaps the significance of this woman's ailment and
miraculous healing also demonstrate how God uses us to bring glory to His name, so that others may be saved.
NOTHING is too hard for God, but because of His love and compassion for us and desire to strengthen and
mature us, He has to get our attention. Once God has our attention, He begins to work on the root of our
problems and to address our spiritual starvation and illnesses that are affecting our mind and body.
If we truly want recovery, restoration and transformation, it is of the utmost importance that we examine our
hearts. Do we truly believe in Him and place Him at the head of our lives, or have we placed our faith in the
things of the world?
God wants to know where our faith lies. So, once again He is looking at our heart to see if we truly believe, trust
and have faith in Him. The more faith we have, the greater power is given unto us.
The most astounding and significant revelation of this healing is that, unlike the others that were healed, Jesus
did not initiate the act. The woman did not have to ask Jesus to heal her, yet, she had access to the healing
power of God's Holy Spirit! Jesus said that the woman's faith had made her whole. What faith she must have
had!
God wants us to be WHOLE and has given us access to His power just by having faith; faith in Christ Jesus
There are those who will still question transformation and say it is the individual who brings about change to
himself--not God. This is because, like Nicodemus, their eyes cannot see beyond the flesh. They do not look
upon man as a spiritual being. The world will not accept without doubt that God IS our Creator and we are the
spiritual beings He created in the flesh. Just as the Jews did not understand when Jesus told them that He was
not alone and that His Father was with Him. He was in the Father and the Father was in Him and they were
One.
Still, the Truth will set you free and set you upon the road to transformation. The mind (soul) is led by the heart,
our inner man or spirit. God awakens our inner man to Truth to reprogram our mind. This is why God continues
to pursue our hearts and chooses whom He will. He feeds our spirit; for it must be fed by the Word of God to be
healthy and bring about positive, righteous, holy, and complete transformation, because contrary to belief,
man cannot change his own mind to live holy and righteously as God would have us to do.
From the beginning, man was meant to coexist with God as did Adam. However, the sin of Adam and Eve
separated us from our Father, setting us on the path of redemption.
Jesus' parables lead us to examine the treasures of our heart, for example: The Prodigal Son, who squanders his
inheritance; and The Rich Young Ruler, who will not sell all of his riches to follow Jesus. Jesus showed us that
we can have status, wealth, discipline and integrity in the eyes of men, but still lack one thing--perfect love,
which encompasses and conquers all things.
Jesus--The Truth, The Way, and The Life--sent to be the gateway--the door to restore our relationship with our
Father; to lead us into His marvelous light so that we will become whole--One with God in perfect love, born of
His Holy Spirit. Once we are united in spirit, with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, we do what we see the
Father doing and obey because of our love for Him. God speaks to our spirit man--inner man, which He created
to know His voice and submit to His will.
The Road to Transformation becomes much simpler and assured, if you just keep your eyes on Jesus. You will
not sink below the dark waters of the abyss; for you are operating under His power.
It is God's desire that no one should perish. Nevertheless, He has set the standard: a hardened heart cannot enter
the Kingdom; God resists the proud and rewards the humble; lovers of the world are enemies of God; and you
must be born of the water and the spirit.
Once again, God has made it very simple to choose life. If we will only accept Jesus into our hearts, as our Lord
and Saviour, He will lead us down the true path. God's Holy Spirit will come and abide in us making us whole
through rebirth, giving us a changed heart and mind to obey our Heavenly Father.
As Believers, will others recognize Jesus in us and reach out for us? Can we change the hearts of others, thereby
changing their mind? When we have first come under obedience, then, we can draw others to follow Christ,
because, we are operating under the power and authority of God.
OPERATING UNDER THE POWER OF GOD

As Jesus' Ambassadors, God requires us to have real, open and truthful relationships with others, clothed in
humility; yet, bold in Truth and strong in Faith and the Love of God.
In this manner was Moses sent out to change the Egyptian Pharaoh's mind, with God knowing that the state
of Pharaoh's heart would not allow him to do so. Yet, He also knew that Moses' presence and persistence, along
with the onslaught of plagues, would harden Pharaohs heart, driving him deeper into darkness and self-
destruction.
This was not simply manipulation. It was spiritual warfare to prove that He was the One and only God, who did
not need chariots, horses and weapons to wage war with the flesh.
27
As Pharaoh's Creator, the maker and breaker of kings, God knew exactly what it would take to break him,
because He knew what treasures and idols laid within Pharaoh's heart. God attacked Pharaoh's authority; his
gods; his wealth; his vanity; his sovereignty and finally, the only love he knew--his flesh and immortality as a
god--his son.
God used Moses to bring about change. He built up Moses as He tore down Pharaoh. Moses and Aaron were
sent to speak Truth to Pharaoh, telling him of the Almighty God of the Jewish people--the Only God. The
Living Words they spoke, given to them by God, created change within Heaven and earth and within the hearts
of men.
The enemy will tell you, well, it wasnt Moses who changed Pharaoh, but Truth stands that, as Gods
ambassador, Moses had the same authority, as if God Himself were standing before Pharaoh.
God said He would make our enemies our footstool. As He demonstrated to us, through the Israelites, He has
many ways of doing this to meet any situation. He chose Moses to be His ambassador; to harden a heart and
free His people; and to Esther, He gave the power to soften a heart and save a nation.
God had a plan to save and preserve the Jewish people and Esther (Hadassah), was to play an important role.
God had a plan for Esthers life. It had to be Esther, not only because of her beauty, but because of who she was.
Mordecai was a Jew working within the courtyard of King Ahasuerus. Esther was a Jew and Mordecai's cousin,
his uncles daughter, who upon becoming an orphaned child, he took in and raised as his daughter. It had to be
Mordecais cousin because there was an age-old feud between the tribes of Mordecai, a Benjamite and Haman,
an anti-Semitic Agagite; a feud that left them embittered and at odds with one another.
The Agagites were descendants of the city of Agag, named for King Agag of the Amalekites, the Amalekites,
who had waged war with the Israelites, in the wilderness. Thus, God used these circumstances to make Haman
and the Amalekites a footstool to the Jewish people.
Esther, because she had the king's heart, was able to entreat King Ahasuerus to save her people and maintained
his favor, avoiding the death penalty for those who were not summoned. His heart changed his mind about
killing the Jewish people. At the same time, by destroying Haman and his seed, God settled an old account with
the Amalekites, who had killed many Jews.
David, whose heart was filled with lust for Bathsheba decided to have her husband killed in order to have her
and this was against the will of God.
David was forced to have a change of heart for his wrong doing, when God sent His prophet Nathan to confront
and chastise David.
David's punishment was severe, because his sin was great. He was the leader of Gods people, appointed by
God. Davids sin would allow Gods enemies to blaspheme the name of the Lord. God, because of His Grace
and Mercy, did not kill David. God did not have to do this, but He loved David, despite His sin.
Again, we must look at the bigger picture and see what is at stake here. This is not an angry, evil, unforgiving
god. This is The One and Only Loving God who must do what is necessary to preserve the remnant of
Abraham and fulfill His promise unto him, in order to bring about the salvation of mankind, through his seed.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

It is important, when speaking of changing hearts, not to miss the opportunity to expose relevant lies related to
the subject. These lies affect us individually and collectively.
Today, we are faced with religions living under the old covenant with Abraham, whose descendants feel they
must do whatever is necessary to preserve the remnant; claim their birth right; and bring about the salvation of
mankind, through his seed.
Many, with hardened hearts have resorted to unspeakable terrorist acts. Peace is not an option for them. How do
we combat warfare and terrorism based upon these principles?
We must move warfare to the highest level--not with hi-tech bombs, guns, drones, tanks, aircrafts, ships or
political and economic espionage and sabotage, but with SPIRITUAL WARFARE, as God did with Pharaoh.
Spiritual Warfare goes to the very heart of men. It will either tear down the walls of hate, pride and idols or
harden their hearts and drive them further into darkness and self-destruction. It is important to remember that
God will not move through you if it is not His will.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek
my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land
This is as relevant to us today as it was long ago. We must examine our own hearts as individuals and as
nations. What lies in our hearts? --Pride? --Sin? --Anger? --Frustration? --Vindictiveness? --Revenge?
Is the heart of our nation stricken with these diseases? --Prejudice? --Hatred? --Greed? --Immorality?
Has God set others against us because we have turned our back on Him? Have we gone against the will of
God and must now take our punishment?
ONE MAN CAN CHANGE THE HEART OF A NATION, hardening it and driving it into destruction! We
could make a list of leaders who came to power, like Pharaoh and Hitler who led their people into destruction.
The list continues to lengthen, because history repeats itself. Each time the people are so blinded by their
hardened hearts, they don't even realize they've changed and helped to destroy themselves.
Luke 6:42 Either how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me pull out the speck that is in your eye,
when you yourself behold not the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of
your own eye, and then shall you see clearly to pull out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
29
When Jesus stood before the man possessed by many demons, who called themselves Legion, the demons knew
Jesus had the power to cast them out. Upon sending His disciples out to spread the Good News of the Kingdom,
Jesus gave this same power to them. After driving out the demon from the boy who seizure, Jesus said that they
would have the power to do even more.
Jesus described the magnitude of power that can be given to us even if we only had faith the size of a mustard
seed, which is miniscule in size. It is our faith that allows us to overcome the world; and that faith is increased
through Jesus--the Author and Finisher of our faith, whereby the power of the Kingdom is given according to
our faith.
Jesus made us His ambassadors. God uses us as ambassadors, disciples sent forth by His Son, to change the
hearts and lives of others. When we stand before men, we represent Him and possess the power of the
Kingdom to bring forth change. We must have faith in the power of God. We must live in holiness, covered by
the blood of Jesus so that the power of God can run through our veins, as we stand steadfast with faith in an
Almighty God.
We must approach others with the love of God in our hearts, to bring forth Truth and thereby witnessing
its transforming power. It can often transpire so subtly that it catches others unaware, not knowing what's come
over them or from which direction it has come. At other times, it can be like a fiery arrow shot through the heart
or as a jolt from lightning that awakens them from the darkness.
As we help to build the Kingdom, we must love even our enemies and rejoice for their deliverance and
transformation. A changed heart will free a sinner from bondage and lead them to repentance, feeling as
convicted as David.
The path of those who reject Truth can only lead to one thing. They will be cut off from the Light and propelled
deeper into destruction, feeling as insanely outraged as Pharaoh; both hearts, having no other choice, but to
surrender to the will of God.
THE DECREE OF PUNISHMENT TO DAVID:
2nd Samuel 12:10-15
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken
the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives
before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also
hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the
child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it
was very sick.
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Chapter 3
MAKING JESUS THE CENTER OF YOUR JOY
THE SOLID ROCK

In order to define, demonstrate and initiate change, we must show others that "Jesus IS the center of our joy;
for by HIS sacrifice we are justified to be worthy of returning to our Father, to commune with Him and bask in
His love.
Jesus showed us that His very presence affected those around Him; even those who didn't believe in Him. We
can be confident that when we exude His presence, taking on His character, through the power of God's Holy
Spirit, we bring about change in others and change the atmosphere.
Regardless of their condition, status, race, nationality or religion, we must earnestly desire true change for
others--meaning--transformation of the soul, to have a renewed mind. Regardless of their beliefs, we cannot
yield to be politically correct. We cannot leave out the Son--Jesus--because He cannot be separated from His
Father.
For many, this becomes a problem because, they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, yet, they do
believe in God. They worship and pray to the Father and try to live by His statutes. In the eyes of many, they
may seem to be good and godly people, but within their hearts, they remain unchanged and unable to affect
others holy and righteously to be transformed to walk in Perfect Love.
Ishmael and Isaac were raised to know the God of their father, Abraham, but God would give them different
paths to take. The descendants of each would fall prey to idols and false doctrine in other lands. They were
often swayed by the direction of the wind; perhaps leaning into gossip; succumbing to bitterness; or turned by
jealousy, fear and pride. This is the difference between those who have truly been born again and those of the
world. Those who are reborn have an anchor that grips The Solid Rock and this Rock is JESUS!
NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Those without Jesus are unable to withstand the storms of life and the changing winds that can lead us astray,
harden our hearts and fill us with pride. They are blinded to the fact that they have boarded a sinking ship.
When they are tossed and driven in life, as if they are upon the raging seas; when they have been swallowed up
by the angry deep, they look for others to blame. They are chained in bondage to repetitive rituals and
addictions because they walk by sight and not by faith.
We are witness to this weakness today, as we see many people, claiming to be Believers and people of faith,
living in fear, under the law and false doctrine. They latch on to people who feed their fear and pride. Fear
causes them to harden their heart and put blame on others.
Like Cain, the son of Adam, the scapegoat or victim must be someone different from themselves, whom they
feel they are forced to compete with; be it for land, resources, status, position, favor, etc. They must find some
way to disqualify or remove their unwanted competitor.
Satan strives to remove that which lies before him...anything in his path reminding him of his inadequacies. He
removes any comparisons or competitors to invalidate his perceived birthright, supremacy, perfection, authority
and claims to territory. What better way to destroy man than to mimic God and use man to destroy himself?
Living under the law gives man a false sense of redemption, holiness and righteousness, but he is unable to have
perfect love--and give perfect love to his neighbors, because he has not accepted Jesus and God's Holy
Spirit into his heart to be cleansed and remade.
This is why it is easy for some to slaughter their brother, like Cain, who through a hardened heart, murdered his
brother, Abel. Wrapped in self-righteousness, in a fit of jealous rage, blaming his brother for denying him God's
blessings, Cain thought it just to slay his own flesh and blood--his father's son and the child whom his mother
bore. And even when God asked him where his brother was, Cain appeared to be void of guilt and shame.
Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun within the character of man. Oh, how history repeats itself and the
blind continue to lead the blind! Blinded by false doctrine, chained to laws and fear, the world is full of lost
children, living in bondage under a sense of false righteousness, unable to grasp the promise of abundant and
eternal life.
They are bereft of God's Will because they are prisoners of darkness, shut out from the Light, having chose
darkness over Light. And just as Cain slew Abel, it is within the hearts of men today to demean, oppress or kill
by tongue or weapon, under the premises of justice and righteousness, to claim the favor of God.
We see waves of these people wash across the land, attracting attention and scooping up growing numbers of
followers, swelling larger and larger like a tsunami, threatening to overtake the land. But, like waves in the
ocean, they rise to a crest and fall, sinking back into the abyss, because God controls the rise and fall of the tide;
and fall they will.
Yes, God has provided a way to truly live life as He would have us, and affect the lives of others. We MUST be
born again and become One with Him and His Son in perfect love; for Perfect Love (Agape Love) casts out
fear.
By first accepting Jesus, we are worthy to become One with the Father; receiving His Holy Spirit to be made
whole; taking on the mind of Christ to live life abundantly; to STAND; to bear the Fruit of God's Holy Spirit; to
become joint heirs with Jesus to reign in the Kingdom; and receive the promise of eternal life.
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Even so, this does not mean that God does not bless and provide for those who have not accepted Jesus, nor
does it mean that He doesn't hear or answer their prayers: for God is ALL knowing and merciful. God will bless
whom He chooses to bless and harden who He chooses to harden. (See Romans 9:18 below)
What it does mean is that they will not have the same promise and relationship with God as someone who has
accepted Jesus and abides in Him and the Father.
Moreover, they are unable to be one with their neighbor, or see past the flesh and have relationships in God's
Perfect Love. In other words, how CAN they love their neighbors, as they love themselves, if they lack Perfect
Love? How can they be friends of God, if they do not love their brother in Perfect Love, or if they choose to
be lovers of the world? Without Jesus, how can they live in the fullness of God's Glory?
WHO IS WORTHY?
Most people can only see themselves in the flesh and believe that, since there are many races, religions,
cultures, ethnicities and beliefs, God most assuredly has provided many avenues to Him and the Kingdom.
So many think that believing Jesus is the only way to the Father is wrong and that God has provided many
ways, religions, and even deities, idols and prophets to give us the right to enter the Kingdom and the presence
of God. But, God is Holy and nothing unclean can come into His presence.
Even the prophets were not a worthy sacrifice for our sins, for they too were not without sin, being only men of
the flesh. God did not choose Elijah, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel or another. He chose Jesus,
because Jesus was much more. He was His Son in whom He chose to dwell. The Holy Word of God
transformed into flesh, and the Word was God! What GREATER love has a man than to give his life for another
and Jesus gave His life for all.
In the Book of Revelation, where God's Book of Seven Seals must be opened by someone who is worthy, we
find that no one is worthy, except The Lamb of God--Jesus! (See Revelation 5 below)
My Brothers and Sisters, why would we, in good conscience, sound mind, and common sense, follow and bow
to anyone else, except He who has been found worthy by the Almighty Jehovah God?
The prophets died and were gathered to their people. Jesus died and ROSE again! He LIVES and sits upon the
throne at the right hand of God! There is no one worthy, but Jesus!
He alone was worthy to atone for man's sin and bring us back into the presence of God. NO other man born
upon this earth is or was without sin and blemish, except JESUS! God required a perfect, spotless, sacrificial
offering for every sacrifice, so that we would be mindful of His perfection and how we should strive to be! (See
below: Matthew 5:43-48)
There was no man to pay the ultimate price for man's sin, until God begat Jesus! Therefore, we must be washed
and covered in the precious and cleansing blood of God's Son to enter the Kingdom into God's Holy and
Righteous presence.
THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CHANGE

OUR FATHER, in His infinite wisdom, knowing His children, has provided one perfect, spotless Lamb, who is
without sin, for the atonement of our sins and one path and gate to the Truth, the Way and the Life.
He has eliminated the choices and practices in the Old Testament for our benefit and narrowed the path to the
Kingdom, so that there is no margin for error and none but the righteous shall see God.
As parents, we know that if we allow our children to have too many choices and too much freedom, they will
most assuredly make a wrong choice, but through Jesus--The Vine--we are kept free from sin and making the
wrong choices. We need only to abide in Him.
God has provided an opportunity for the children of different parents to see that we are our brothers' keeper. As
Isaac and Ishmael did, at the time of Abraham's death, we must continue to come together to honor our father--
our Heavenly Father. (See below: Genesis 25:7-10)
FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW

The terror we see inflicted upon the earth today is committed by disobedient children who dishonor their earthly
father, Abraham; dishonor their heavenly Father; and who have no honor of their own. Their forefathers came
together, not in war, but in peace, reverence, respect and obedience, but they have forgotten who they are and
adopted the ways of idolaters. Can we have an affect on these people? Yes, if it be the will of God, they will be
blessed or hardened.
God has given them a way to repent--to turn from their ways, and follow the path to the Truth, the Way and the
Light. We must never believe there is no hope. We must never think that the words of Darkness are more
powerful and compelling than the Word of God. The growing numbers in Darkness will never surmount the
magnitude of God's Power and Authority! God will ALWAYS be in control!
The Darkness has caused some people to produce ill-fruit; some to produce fruit out of season; while others
bear no fruit at all. They remain unattached to the Vine and instead of mending the breech, they have chosen to
widen the gap. They choose not to acknowledge that God has overlooked and bypassed the biological genealogy
that separated us long ago and grafted us into one Vine.
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We can only produce good fruit if we are attached to The Vine. The fruit of God's Holy Spirit is powerful and
life-changing. Is it no wonder that the enemy strives to keep us from bearing fruit?
Galatians 5:22-23(KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Against such there is no law! God is looking for bearers of His Fruit, Spiritual Warriors of Light to believe in
and usher in change; for Darkness surrounds, threatening to overtake us.
As those in Darkness try to take control, they deny others their freedom and freewill, believing all should live
under the law and false doctrine. They live and believe contrary to the Will of God; for God will not take away
our freedom or freewill; for it is the beauty and strength in His love for us. He has simply made a better way for
us to choose the right path. We have only to choose to abide in Jesus; for He has full-filled the law, giving us
access to God's Holy Spirit to keep from sin and be fruitful.
Those who put chains and shackles and religious restrictions upon their brother or engage in murder or
genocide, have no Light and true love within them. They prove their weakness by having to kill and force
themselves upon others; for without God's Perfect Love, they lack strength and God's authority. Instead, they
are led by their fleshly desires, their circumstances and hardened hearts.
The very presence of Jesus and His disciples changed the hearts of people and in turn changed their minds. This
is the power given to every disciple, in the battle of Spiritual Warfare, who will stand in the gap to bring in those
stripped of their identity and separated from the Father.
MOVERS, SHAKERS AND CONQUERORS

MOVERS
Upon His return from Heaven, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than
these?" Meaning, do you have Agape love for me; not just brotherly (philia) love for me; for brotherly love is
attached to the conditions and limitations of the world.
"Feed my sheep," Jesus continued to say to Simon. If our heart is filled with unconditional, Agape love, it
follows the mind of Christ, dwelling on the things of the Kingdom, having no limitations. We are prepared to
MOVE, as Jesus compelled Peter to do! (See below: John 21:15-17)
Jesus did not spend time teaching His disciples so that they would go back to doing what they use to do! Jesus
wanted Peter to MOVE and make a difference, if he loved Him! Neither did He die for US and deliver US to be
sedentary Believers! MOVE and make a difference, if you love Him! Led by faith in Christ and love of Christ,
we are void of the fear of man and able to conquer the world!
After having made a first covenant with Abraham, which man was unable to keep, God so loved the world, that
He sent Jesus, His Son, to set the captives free from sin and death; to conquer the world; and defeat Satan once
again. There within is Gods second covenant with man, given through the second and new AdamJesus--
whereby, whosoever believes on the Son of God, shall have abundant and eternal life within His Kingdom. (See
below: Jeremiah 31:31-34, 1st John 5: 1-13 KJV)
SHAKERS
THROUGH THIS COVENANT, this same Jesus, in whom God is well-pleased, is given to abide in us, when
we are born again, into a new man. As we move in the Spirit, we have power over Satan and power to SHAKE
this world of sin, open the eyes of the blind and asleep and defeat death!
CONQUERORS
By tempting our flesh or self-will, Satan has the power to plant seeds of lust, greed and worldly treasures in our
heart, that influence our behavior and place us in bondage to sin. But, mind you, Satan is a defeated foe. He was
cast out of Heaven into utter darkness to roam the earth.
When God placed man upon earth to flourish and expand His Kingdom, Satan set out to destroy mankind by
making man a slave to sin, knowing death would claim him.
But, remember, Satan is a DEFEATED foe! "Resist the devil and he will flee." Our foe lies within our own
hearts; treasures and idols that make us men and women who fall prey to the lies of the evil one; lies that make
us lovers of the flesh (self); lovers of the world; and the things therein, causing us to sin.
As lovers of the world, we are our own worst enemy and enemies of God. Our God is a jealous God and will
not tolerate man making an idol of himself, the flesh, and things of the world, by overcoming these carnal
things, by faith in Christ Jesus, we conquer the world. Therefore, we must die to the flesh (self), surrendering
all to live in Christ Jesus.
Jesus spoke to the hearts of men and women, challenging the things which they treasured. God wants us to
know that the treasures that lie at the center of each heart will affect decision-making and cause us to sin.
Therefore, we must change hearts to desire and treasure Jesus, thereby, changing the minds of people.
Darkness fights hard to discourage us and block our progress. The enemy is busy: putting fear into people;
destroying families and defiling marriage; robbing people of their identity; killing followers of Christ;
terrorizing the world; increasing civil violence; increasing racism; bringing hate-mongers and whoremongers
into political power; dividing Believers; spreading false doctrine; spreading drugs; and increasing all manner of
physical and mental addictions and bondage. The enemy can only be successful if we allow him to be--if we
believe the lies and refuse to MOVE, SHAKE and CONQUER.
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We ARE OVERCOMERS and we have been commissioned to go out into the world, wherever we are to make
disciples. Disciples are men and women, young and old who have been TRANSFORMED!
I have a charge to keep! You have a charge to keep! --To carry the cross of Jesus and shine His Light upon the
world! And, through the Living Word of God we shall change hearts and minds. No, not everyone will drink
from the Fountain of Life; for God chooses, but we must not become feint or discouraged.
It is time to rejoice for God's Goodness, Grace and Mercy; for what a wonderful change has come over us and
can come over others; knowing that God can use us to change an individual and even the world! We and others
are not hopeless because of those He uses to dispel lies, STAND, and help to bring forth transformation in the
lives of others.
Yes, The Truth SHALL set you free, indeed. Jesus has shown us, that because our heart has been freed to love,
as He loves us, we can bring others to our Fathers feet to be forgiven, blessed and transformed, that His name
may be glorified forevermore, upon the earth.
GREATER is He that is in us, than he that is in the world! If we truly believe this, then, our very presence is a
threat to the darkness around us. Like Jesus and His disciples, even our shadow casts out sickness and darkness;
the demons and principalities know our name and at our presence, tremble and flee. We walk circumspect,
clothed in Gods Armor--Sword in hand; not only ready to thwart the enemy on every side, but to change the
hearts of men and women, that they may take on the Mind of Christ and walk in the Light of Perfect Love!
Behold! Our Saviour sends us out boldly to bring forth change. Whom shall we fear; knowing The Creator, The
Counselor and The Comforter are with us?! Our Father has made our Brother, Yeshuah, our Saviour, Ruler,
King and Intercessor. Indeed, He is so much more and God is our All-in-All!
We serve a risen Savior and He LIVES within our hearts! Covered by His sacrificial blood, we are found
worthy of God's Kingdom, His Love, Peace, Joy, Abundant and Eternal Life! This is the treasure and joy at the
center of my heart that has changed my mind and my life--Jesus--Who keeps me from sin, as I keep my eyes
upon Him, following in His footsteps, abiding in Gods Holy Spirit, to love, honor and obey.
By the Precious Blood of our Saviour, Your servant,
Mishael
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror *

Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. As you
closely examine your heart, answer the questions below.
*DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus
and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have had different experiences and
perspectives.
QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this blog.
1. Is Jesus the center of my joy? Why?
2. Do my actions show that I love Jesus and God? In what ways do they and/or don't they?
3. Am I surrendering all and abiding in God's Holy Spirit? What am I still holding on to?
4. Am I allowing Jesus to increase my Faith, by not giving in to fear?
5. Am I learning from Him, how to listen to and obey our Father?
6. Am I learning how to carry and bear the cross?
7. Am I prepared to fight the good fight?
8. Am I bearing good fruit? Write down each fruit and how you have used it to initiate change in someone's
life.
9. Which of the fruit do I have trouble in bearing? Have I earnestly asked God for help?
10. What is my role in the Body of Christ? Do I feel connected with the whole Body?
11. Am I affecting change? If not, do I know why? If yes, how?
12. Do I have accountability? To whom?
13. Do others see Jesus in me?
14. Do I thirst for holiness and righteousness?

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15. Have I learned to wear The Armor of God?
16. Am I able to stand for holiness and righteousness?
17. Have I been made perfect in love? If not, what are my fears? Am I misled by pride, prejudice, bitterness,
jealousy, selfishness, lust, unhealed scars and pain? What am I allowing to come between me and God?
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Romans 9:18 (NIV)
Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV)
Genesis 25:7-10
John 21:15-17
Jeremiah 31:31-34
1st John 5: 1-13 (KJV)
REVELATION 5 (KJV)
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Chapter 4
SURROUNDING ATTITUDES, HARDENED HEARTS
"Can we expect to see change in others if we ourselves are not willing to be transformed
For many, the
ability to be used by God to change people, situations and circumstances around you will be wonderful news;
for others, it is threatening. Taking away their belief that they are in full control may bring their world tumbling
down. What they fail to realize is that they need to decide who they will serve.
We who serve and obey Jehovah, Elohim, The Great I Am, can rest assured that, "If God be for us, who can be
against us!" He is our All-in-All; our provider; our healer; and comforter. Nothing is too hard for God!
And yet...we will still be surrounded by contradicting voices and attitudes, hardened hearts, shallow minds,
slanderers, verbal abuse and attacks, public humiliation and persecution, from naysayers and even those who
have worshipped beside us, in ways which are definitely not the heart and mind of Christ. But, with God for us,
can they stand against us?
If I hang my head, forlorn...thinking woe is me...then; I have laid down my cross and accepted defeat.
Even so, there will be people ready to defend their beliefs and pride in the only way they know how. It may be
the only knowledge they have that they see as validating them, giving them something to believe in, or
sustaining their identity or faith. For some, it may be all they have to hang on to in a world that has let them
down.
If I refuse to STAND, then I too have let them down.
Again, working under the power of God requires us to have real, open and truthful relationships with others and
genuine humility. Many will be threatened because they don't want real relationships with people because they
don't know how to relate and be open and honest. If they can't be honest with themselves, how can they be
honest with you? Neither do they know true humility, because they have not died to self and been born again. It
would go against how Satan keeps them blinded and in bondage. So they will throw spears and arrows at you to
try to injure and block any progress and bearing of fruit.
They may fear others giving you credit, recognition, love and attention and jealousy has overtaken them and
blinded them.
A TIME FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
We are Spiritual Beings who can feel and relate to other spirits around us; good spirits and evil. You may be in
an environment where the feeling of menacing evil becomes overwhelming. Satan may affect the attitudes of
people who set out to hurt you emotionally and attack your pride. Yes, you may feel pain and a multitude of
feelings may wash over you; even all at once. Do not fight your feelings, but give them to God.
Being able to feel other's spirit and surrounding spirits works to our advantage. We can be preemptive in our
attack on Satan and his cohorts. Make sure you wear the Armor of God, pray unceasingly and engage in
Spiritual Warfare to claim your territory. Never cease to bear good fruit.
One day, while in pain, I said to my Father, If I am in pain, I am of no use to you. He answered, That is not
true. If you are in pain, then you know what needs to be done. Pray for these things.
THE TIME IS NOW, My Brothers and Sisters to enter into Spiritual Warfare for the Perfect Love and Good
Fruit that is lacking within God's children and those who are the church.
When you enter a room or situation and feel various spirits of dark, identify them, call them out; even if they be
upon you, so that others may come to your side to help cast them out.
Spiritual Warfare requires us to be consciously aware of our surroundings and of the living, powerful and wise
Trinity inside of us; acknowledging Gods presence in everything we say, think and do. Our soul must always
be on guard. Where are our Watchmen; for our foe is always ready to attack!?
PRAYER THAT BINDS AND LOOSES
Using power in Heaven to bind and loose is the first step to change. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus gave us power to change things within earth and Heaven. Take a moment to
absorb the absolute magnitude and expansive reach of this power, but do not let it stir up pride, as Satan did.
Remember, we can do nothing without God!
As Vessels of Light, We pray for the Will and Way of God to be done in every situation. And with Angels
encamped around us, we wait for our General's commands, ever watchful, holding Darkness at bay. This is
spiritual warfare. We must have faith and believe in the power of Gods spoken Word, which can bind, loose,
create, transform and destroy.
Matthew16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
JESUS said that some demons can only be cast out through fasting and praying, which means we must fight
darkness; binding things on earth and loosing things in Heaven; our body and mind cleansed of earthly things
able to cast out evil, through the power of Heaven above.
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You cannot be filled with fear and doubt, or allow Satan to bind your tongue. Speak Truth into the lives of
others and into the atmosphere; that the power of Heaven may be loosed to rain down on the earth! Glory to
God!!! Glory to God!!!
EXPECTATIONS
People will always believe you have selfish motives in wanting to see them change and surrender all to God.
They will believe that you are a taker, wanting self-glorification, self-satisfaction and recognition. Search
yourself and be sure that they are not right.
Yes, because THEIR heart isn't right, they will claim that you are self-serving; trying to make a name for
yourself; or accuse you of believing you are better than others; or trying to act better than others, when you're
not.
They will make statements like, How can you tell others how to live when you can't get yourself together?
Just remember that, in their eyes, you will never be more than what they want you to be.
Be aware that these are the traits of verbal and physical abusers, under the spell (lies) and bondage of Satan,
seeking to keep you and others in bondage and beneath them.
As you expose darkness, their first response will be that of pride and defense, then to disqualify you in order to
invalidate that which you have said, followed by complete rejection. And, if you respond to this negatively, with
pride or fear--that is--fighting pride with pride, fear with fear, and flesh with flesh...then the adversary has won.
Remember, God has not given you the spirit of fear; pride cometh before the fall; we do not war with the
flesh...; and our weapons are not carnal.
I remind you of these things because many start the race, but do not finish. You must continue to walk in the
Light. If you expect recognition and reward, then you have already given in and lost. If you yearn for glory and
fame then you are serving self--idolizing self and stealing God's sheep for the slaughter!
Do not lose yourself and try to undo Gods work to try and please others. Remember that you belong to God.
You must earn trust by HUMBLY standing firm in your belief, with holiness and righteousness. Then, some,
those with righteous hearts, cannot help but to say that this must be from God.
It is easy to love someone who is like you, but it takes work to love those who are different and despise you. In
doing so, God teaches us perfect love.
Keep your eyes on Jesus; having the mind of Christ. Realize that you will be interacting with people with
stolen identities; who do not know who they are in Christ; or who their Father is; or even why they behave as
they do.
These people have sought their identity within the world, while many of them, believing themselves to be
followers of Christ, have not been born again, nor made perfect in love. Do not expect to win them over easily;
for they are blinded and in bondage. We must have our armor on and fight for them spiritually.
Let everything you do be done in love, for the glorification of God.
Those with a changed heart do not look for what they will get out of change happening, but take joy in what
others and God will get: another soul to live abundantly in the Kingdom; to give glory to God; and bring others
to Christ. We want our brother to be transformed because of our love for him and God.
Your past relationships may have failed because you didnt let God take His rightful place as the head and you
lacked true love for your brother. Will you now let God have a voice in your conversations, a seat at your table
and truly be the head of your life? Will you truly believe He has power and authority over all men and all
things? Then, allow God to lead you into battle. Listen and obey. At His command, Be Still, and let Him fight
for you.
Accept the outcome, for it is God's Will. In every outcome, look for a lesson to be learned, to grow and mature
you, preparing you for what God has in store for you.
Abiding in Christ allows you to release your own expectations and be prepared to accept Gods plan and
outcome. Preconceived, negative ideas and expected outcomes give Satan a foothold. Instead of taking things
into our own hands, we thank God for what He is about to do in our life and the lives of others. Regardless of
the outcome, we continue to trust his plan and praise His name!
One day, I said to my Lord, I feel that I have failed. I have failed you and I have failed my children. He
answered, If you have given them over to me, how have you failed?
I continue to be humbled by His response. Why have I felt that I should do what only God can do? Like many,
these children are of a stiff-necked generation, continuing to rebel against God and choosing the world. It is not
me whom they reject. It is God and His Truth. His Truth is good and merciful to them that love righteousness.
I had placed myself against the world instead of placing God before me. I asked Him, How can I stand? I
cannot stand alone as I have in the past.
I tell you this because, alone, there can be no victory. There is no power, for I am nothing without Him. Praise
ye the Lord and His goodness therein. I shall seek Thee forever. You are my strength and the only love which
endures!
I tell you this because my expectations were of self and unrealistic. My expectations were driven by fear, which
was not of God and I had not been made perfect in love.
Why did I expect the world to treat my children better than His? I asked my Father, If the world just sets out to
destroy them, what is the point of having them? And He answered, You are.
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Talking with God is always a humbling experience. He is TRUTH! He will make you accountable and build you
up as He is tearing down the bad.
God let me see that His ways are not like our ways. Instead of having my own expectations, I should have
complete trust and faith in Him.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, for everything belongs to Him. The seed which you bear belongs to
Him for it came from Him. He cleanses. He purges and purifies. He alone chooses who He will. He alone
decides. Praise ye the Lord for His wisdom endures forever! Amen.
Satan wants to maintain control over others and they will try to have control and influence over you by turning
against you and turning others against you. He will even attack your loved ones to try and distract, berate you
and bring you down in the site of others. --That's why you can never forget who you are in Christ and how God
sees you.
Satan always attacks your pride, but, God will strengthen and build you up, as you carry your cross. He knows
what you have to go through. I'm sure Jesus wanted His entire family to be changed. But, who is your mother
and brother? Who is your family, but those who love and obey God?
We must always believe that God will make a way. That is why we must allow Him to use us to bring about
change in others, that they too will help others find their way back to God.
God wants to strengthen your inner man. There is someone God wants you to reach. Your presence will open
someone's eyes and heart or harden someone's heart, if it is God's will.
You will never be alone. Stay on task, watching out for the distractions the adversary can place before you. He
will try to dishearten you and fill you with the notion of failure.
God will never give you more than you can bear. He will never give you a task which He has not prepared you
for. Yet, He will keep you accountable to Him, those He places within your care, and those He places in
authority over you. He will keep you humble and Oh, what a loving Father He is for doing so! Each new
relationship will not only transform others, but transform you more into His likeness.
As you grow in faith and are made perfect in love, you will not fear the attacks of the adversary and pride will
find no place to rest within your heart. As God sees He can trust you with a little, He will begin to Trust you
with more.
Walk boldly...shod with peace upon your feet, that you may bring peace to others; for blessed are the
peacemakers. Do not fall into the pit and snares of the adversary, fighting pride with pride, hate with hate or
any manner of flesh with flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
2nd Corinthians 10: 1-6

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am
base among you, but being absent, am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I
think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds ;)
5 Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
I HAVE EMBRACED His Love and hidden within His bosom. Now, in my heart, rings a melody of great peace
and joy. As the old song goes, He walks with me and He talks with me; and He tells me I am His own. And
the joy we share, as we tarry there; none other has ever known.1
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I leave you with this spoken prayer for the eyes, ears and hearts of men
Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. Mark 7:34
By the Grace and Mercy of Our Father, Jehovah, God,
To His Glorification and Majesty,
With Gods love that surpasses all love, Your servant,
Mishael
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror
DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and
our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have had different experiences and
perspectives.
1 (In the Garden, c1912 C. Austin Miles)
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1. Who are the people in your life Satan is using to distract you? Has he been successful? Why or why not?
2. What are the things in your life Satan is using to try and distract you (i.e., alcohol, drugs, money, sex,
health, disability, etc.)? Has he been successful? Why or why not?
3. How do you react to attitudes, conflict and people who are against you or your beliefs? Is it successful?
Why or why not? Is it within the Will and Way of God?
4. Think of an occasion when you gave a negative response to an adversary, stranger, friend, spouse, family
or church member (i.e., cursing, obscene gesture, arguing, fighting, hung up the phone, etc.)
5. Did it show you have faith and trust in God? Why not? Did it prove that you are a disciple of Jesus?
Have you repented? Have you been born again?
6. Have you ever left a place because the people made you feel uncomfortable? Why or why not? If you
could go back, what would you do differently?
7. Has God sent you into a place as His vessel to do His Will and you left or refused to return?
a) What were the consequences for you?
b) Did you grow from the experience?
c) What were the consequences for the people?
d) Did they grow?
e) READ Matthew 16 in its entirety. What must each believer be willing to do?
Matthew 16 (KJV)
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Part Two
A
WAY OF LIFE
Chapter 5
Investment vs. A Way of Life
The Illusionist
Simon, a magician in Samaria, heard Phillip preach and became a Believer. After witnessing the power Peter
and John possessed to lay hands upon Believers to receive God's Holy Spirit, Simon offered them money to buy
their power, so that he too could lay hands on others. He saw this manifestation of God as being transferable
like a common commodity.
Perhaps, in his mind, he could only relate the power to the magic tricks that had brought him fame and fortune
and perceived this also to be magic. Nevertheless, at that moment, it was beyond Simon to perceive God's Holy
Spirit as Life-Changing, in the sense that the blessing of God's Spirit would change his way of thinking and
living, or perhaps he would have had second thoughts about making such a request.
Simon showed the Disciples the things that he treasured most in his heart--power, fame, money, self and the
world. His request was not out of love of God or love and compassion for others.
He wasn't thinking in terms of being cleansed of his sins that would end his life of trickery. He could only see
God's Holy Spirit as a lucrative commodity, which could be bought to make him look more powerful in the eyes
of man, preying upon the minds and pockets of others as he did.
Simon was not led by a repentant and contrite heart; instead, his pride led him to assume that a one-time
monetary investment could lead to a lifetime of self-serving results.
It is important to point out that Simon was a Believer like you and me. Still, as a Believer, he wasn't willing to
exchange his whole life for God's Holy Spirit, just a one-time investment, giving a portion of his earnings. Yes,
like Satan, Simon wanted God's Power and in doing so, he created an illusion of being a Believer.
ARE WE SIMON?
Are we also illusionist? People who paint a picture of being Christ's followers that isn't real? So many people
who become Believers are convinced it ends there. They believe that since they've accepted Christ with their
lips and mind, they are automatically followers.
Like many of them, we may think that we cannot relate to Simon and his desires, but we must look at this
picture from a different angle, behind the illusion. This is not just a lesson about a man who was so shallow and
void of substance that he was arrogant enough to think that he could buy God's Holy Spirit and be like the
disciples; or just a man looking for power to bring him fame and fortune; or how the eye is deceived because
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our heart clings to the world. No, this is also a journey into the heart of man, because, you see, Simon was like
any other man in the flesh (self).
I've grown to appreciate this lesson much more and I'm able to put myself and others in the shoes of Simon.
This account is much like Jesus' parables, to help us examine the treasures of our own heart, as well as exposing
how man continues to try and buy God today.
Simon is given as an example--a glimpse of many people who claim to be Believers, but have not been born
again through God's Holy Spirit, because they are still clinging to the world and self.
We often try to buy a little of God to wear about as a garment or piece of jewelry, when it is convenient to do so,
then take it off, put it in a box and return to looking and acting like ourselves. We want to invest bits and pieces
of our life in God; a second, minute or two or hour here, maybe two or three days; or God can be a part of my
family life, but at work, I'm my own man or woman; and I'm not giving God full control over my finances or
how I enjoy myself.
We may offer to spend a little time in worship, prayer or Bible Study, pay our tithes, give to charity, volunteer
time to work, and then believe we have given God enough to receive His blessings. Yet, we have not
surrendered all and given ourselves to God to become a disciple and fruitful member of the Body, because we
haven't learned to LIVE The Truth, The Way and The Life. We are still lacking one thing and that is to be Born
Again, for the Transformation of the heart and mind, united with Christ and God's Holy Spirit to be made
Perfect in Love.
On any given day of worship, people might be kneeling, chanting, meditating, preaching, teaching, missionary
outreach, evangelizing, visiting sick and shut in, caring for the homeless, playing an instrument, ushering,
directing, nursing or working in the nursery, controlling traffic, cleaning, cooking and serving, working in the
store, managing finances, clerical duties, phone lines, or audio and video, security, singing, dancing, speaking in
tongues, prophesying, praying and praising God. If I have left anything out, please forgive me, but, you get the
idea. There is a lot of worshipping and works going on for so many people to be unchanged and the world to
still be in the shape it is today! To believe thats just the way it is, is to not believe God or His Promises; for He
said...
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES, however, like Simon, we have not humbled ourselves. We're still trying to
buy God!
Again, we don't always pay money for God's services. We will invest a small amount of our time in worship or
service, and then expect God to do great things to reward us.
We equate reward to many things, such as: prosperity; good physical health; education; food and shelter; earthly
comfort and pleasure; or the safety of our family. Yes, God will bless you and provide for you, but He has not
made provisions for your physical, fleshly body or any fleshy body within your family to continue enjoying this
life indefinitely. Our bodies in this world have an expiration date.
Let not your work be in vain. We cannot minister to the body and leave the soul untouched in an unhealthy
condition, and then wonder why we have become entrenched in darkness. Yet, most places of worship are
structured to condone and support this type of behavior.
CHANGE DEPENDS ON FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS

What does this have to do with being able to change others--everything. God is very specific in His instructions
for healing and change to take place.
We must:
Humble ourselves
Seek His face
Turn from our wicked ways
These instructions do not only pertain to healing a nation. It is the pattern for initiating change in our lives and
the lives of others.
These are instructions for ACCOUNTABILITY! God wants us to stop taking Him for granted and thinking we
are the masters of our own ship, doing whatever ungodly thing we please, if we are His.
We must bring people out of their comfort zone. Stop enabling people to remain the same and make them
accountable, which requires changing ourselves first.
How do we bring people out of their comfort zone? We show them another way of living. We show them Christ
within us and what God offers them, not with His hand, but by who He is. We offer them the character of God
through the fruit of His Holy Spirit.
If the world has given them anger, we give them gentleness, kindness, self-control, patience, understanding and
true joy that the world can't give and the world can't take away.
It is time to stop living in self and pride and surrender our will and all to God; stop looking for what is in God's
hands for us and seek who He is--His character--so that we can try to become like Him; and repent--turn away
from sin to help pull others out of the miry clay.
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God is not accepting investors in franchises, down payments, installment plans, cash, checks or credit cards.
He's not interested in people who want to make short-term investments and expect long-term results. God is
looking for True Worshippers to become Disciples of Change.
God sacrificed His Son, who suffered and shed His blood for you, so that you can come into His presence and
have abundant and eternal life. He wants you to surrender all of you.
Places of worship are full of people who try to buy a piece of God to make a good show for the people around
them, but what is lacking in individuals is something that is beyond temporary investment in spiritual health.
We can't bargain with and buy God. We can't buy spiritual insurance from God, payable upon death, with the
option of taking out a loan or cashing the policy in.
We can't go to the hospital without accepting a cure and leave the same or worse off than before. Operating like
this is equivalent to giving patients medication that will deliberately make them ill and addicted. It is condoning
spiritual illnesses, selling insanity and mass suicide!
Change! Change! Where is all of the change everyone is talking about, promising, and claiming to have found!?
Why can't we see it?
We can't see it because there is only one who can promise us change and deliver and give us deliverance! There
is only one who can open our eyes to seek Transformation! And His name is JESUS!!!
There is a struggle going on in the world today in individuals, families, groups of people who struggle with their
identity (teenagers, those with mental illness, alcoholics, addicts, homosexuals, terrorists, gang members),
Believers and nonbelievers alike, who have bought into the lie that "You Can't Change Me." Although we claim
to know The Truth, The Way, and The Life, WE prove them right, because we refuse to be changed ourselves
and invest in the lives of others.
When I speak of investing in one another, I'm not speaking of monetary investment, nor of earthly brotherly
love, but the kind of investment your right ventricle makes with your left ventricle, your arteries make with your
blood, your kidneys make with your bladder, your lungs make with your heart and your brain makes with your
body. They are physically dependent upon one another. Whether we know it or not, God has made us physically,
emotionally AND spiritually dependent upon one another.
Yet, we are all so disconnected in the way that we worship and care for one another, because we cannot see past
the flesh to see the condition of the spirit. Are we walking in God's Light and having fellowship with one
another?
Division of the church goes beyond doctrine, religion and denomination or the invasion of darkness in our
places of worship. Division affects us individually, robbing us of our sight and our ability to see each other as
spiritual beings and love one another as Jesus commanded.
We are anchored to corporeal thinking attached to the world. When we look upon our brother, we only think of
him in earthly, fleshly or carnal terms, referencing his state-of-being to what can be seen by the naked eye.
Depending upon the condition of our heart (spirit), we may have very distorted vision.
Some may think I'm referring to empathy, but it even goes beyond that. In order to bring about change in our
brother, we must become a part of him, seeing with God's eyes to look beyond his FAULTS and see his
NEEDS!
There may be funds, resources and man hours set aside for crises and short-term development and care of our
physical and emotional needs, but the long-term care of the spirit is usually left up to the individual.
Most people seem to think that as long as they go hear a message, read the Word of God, and pray regularly,
their spirit is nourished. But if your mind is cut off, locked up in bondage because your heart is unchanged, then
you're walking around malnourished, on the verge of starvation!
Even in small churches spiritual development is considered to be a personal thing in that one is left to their own
devices to apply the Word of God to their own life. Little or no emphasis is placed upon the individual's
spiritual health being an integral and vital part in contributing to the spiritual health of the whole church and the
Body of Christ.
The church, which is responsible for bringing individuals into maturity and maintaining a healthy relationship,
fails to see the face of the individual. As a result, those who fall into sin and bondage are often left alone to fall
deeper and deeper. In most cases, unless they are physically ill or dead, they are usually on their own.
The attitude and stance is that it's between the individual and God and we can't and won't try to force anyone to
be a part of us and be accountable to God, so, we'll leave them alone.
This idea is always backed up by Jesus telling the Disciples to wipe the dust from their feet and depart from
those who won't receive you. Yet, hardened hearts seem to try to enact this policy before trying and applying it
to those who have lost their way, felt rejection, have not received proper help, or have not been absorbed and
utilized for various reasons into the church body.
This alone shows a church that is not led by the Mind of Christ and can't identify itself as being part of the Body
of Christ, whereas, if one member suffers, the others are affected also.
It is really quite astonishing that so much emphasis is put on the care of the mind and body, while the spirit is
sometimes looked upon as a spare part, nonessential or non-existent. It's like servicing a car and never looking
under the hood at the engine which drives it.
People think it is their heart which must continue to pump to keep them alive or their brain that determines the
hour of death, but, it is that part of the body which comes from GOD, the SPIRIT, which tells the body, "No!
We cannot quit! We must press on, until GOD calls us home!"
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CAN YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF?

It can be so easy for us to disconnect ourselves from others, strangers, acquaintances and even family, friends
and loved ones. It leaves us to examine motives and sincerity.
We can preach, evangelize and profess that we want our loved ones, friends and the lost to be saved and give
their life to God, but, one of the most difficult realizations to come to, is to realize that you are doing something
for yourself; for your own benefit; what you can get out of it; so that you can feel accomplished, having won a
battle with the flesh; or to make your life easier. There are so many ways to say it, but what it boils down to is--
wanting something for me, myself and I.
This is especially true when it involves someone close to us (spouse, child, family member, or friend). It can be
extremely difficult to see past the flesh of those we interact with daily--those we claim to know and love.
People join a place of worship one day and are never seen again, or go from place to place with no continuity of
care and we feel that it's alright, because God will take care of them. But, WE are the BODY of Christ!
We give people what they want to hear and see about themselves in palatable doses. We seem to think that by
keeping current members productive and active, we make them accountable. Yet, we fail to assess their spiritual
health, maturing them to produce GOOD FRUIT of God's Holy Spirit.
Perhaps Jesus was not specific enough in His instructions as to how we are to go about maturing the saints.
Then, we can blame Jesus.
Jesus said He was leaving us a Helper, God's Holy Spirit.
Should we require that all church members possess God's Holy Spirit?
How, will we know? Is there a test?
Are we prepared to cast out those who bear no fruit, ill fruit, or who are sowing discontent?
What if they are contributing or in positions of leadership or authority?
Is it our place to cast others out of the Body?
Should unfruitful people be in positions of leadership and authority?
Should we give preference to those who contribute more money and participation?
Now that we've pondered these questions, let us think about 'the' question--"Do we have complete faith in God
to do a great work in others to make them whole?" That is what is most important. If we lack faith, in God to
work through us individually and collectively, then what is the point of discipleship?
GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON THE CHURCH! It is not in His Character to do so. To believe otherwise is to
deny what and who we believe in! If He hasn't given up, then why have we?
Our division and lack of accountability prove that we do not believe in the BODY as a WHOLE. We fail to see
that if one member of the Body is spiritually unhealthy, other members will suffer also.
MAKING SENSE OF THE SYSTEM

The human body is an amazing creation. Looking at how the cells, muscles, bones, organs, systems and
appendages work together, one cannot deny that God put great care and thought into His creation. The Body of
Christ is just as important to God.
Jesus showed us how faith can feed a multitude of thousands. Yet, we do not put faith in God providing for the
increase of Believers, so, we are afraid to speak Truth into people, because we are in bondage to fear and don't
want to risk offending them and perhaps embarrassing ourselves. We don't know how to respond to their hurt,
pain or anger, because we either fail to abide in Christ or we have not been reborn and made perfect in love.
We may see no change in their life, because there is no change in ours. Deep down, we believe they are the
ones who need to change. Time goes by and we see no improvement in them or our relationship. We resort to
choices and ultimatums. They must change or else. Usually, or else means distance or separation in the
relationship.
The outcome depends on our needs, desires and will. What will we tolerate and for how long? Are we prepared
to carry out our threat? How important is their change to us? Are we willing to change our lives and
circumstances if they do not comply? Are we an enabler and/or codependent?
Because we are thinking of ourselves, the course of our actions may depend a lot on what we have invested in
the person or relationship. Our decision is based on worldly and institutionalized thinking.
It is sad and appalling to think that any person or church would have relationships that operate like a banking
institution, but it happens. The policies they adapt officially or unofficially are often very much the same. For
Example:
1. Bank: You must meet eligibility to become a member and hold an account with us.
Individual: You must meet eligibility to be in a relationship with me.
2. Bank: As long as you keep investing in our establishment, we will work with you, in the best interest of our
institution.
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Individual: As long as you keep investing in our relationship, I'll work with you, if it benefits me first and
foremost.
3. Bank: If you have a negative balance, you will be heavily penalized with fees.
Individual: If you do anything that I deem as impacting me as negative, hurtful or vindictive to me; if you
can't make me happy; if you upset me; or cross me in any way, I will make you pay either emotionally,
physically, financially, etc.
4. Bank: If you are absent for too long, without making a substantial deposit, or keeping the required balance,
we will close your account and have no further interest in you.
Individual: If you are physically or emotionally inaccessible and I don't get the attention, respect, and
compliance I expect and deserve, then our relationship is over. (Consequences: divorce; un-friend; or
disown)
5. Bank: If you leave or close your account, taking all of your money with you, then we have no further interest
in you unless you have unpaid fees. Wherein, we will seek legal retribution if these fees are not paid.
Individual: I'm going to try to get back what I invested in you, gave you and more for my emotional
damage. If need be, I'll take you to court.
6. Bank: If you are not a member of our bank or credit union, then you cannot do business with us.
Individual: If you're not on my team, my side; if you can't commit to my way of thinking and doing things,
then, we can't have a relationship.
If you haven't figured it out yet, life is about RELATIONSHIPS. The Body of Christ is comprised of
relationships between its members. If one member is not coexisting and functioning in its full capacity, then
there is a breakdown in the relationship that affects the whole Body.
Just as the Body must respond and adjust to external changes, the Body must respond to internal change,
following the Mind of Christ, who loves and cares for all of His sheep the same, meeting their individual needs,
as well as the Body as a whole. Our personal relationships should reflect the same love and produce the same
fruit as the Body as a whole or it will affect the WHOLE BODY.
A member working outside the body on its own behalf, has no relationship with the body, neither can it benefit
the body. In order for individuals and churches to be members of the Body of Christ, they must work on behalf
of the WHOLE Body and have a working relationship with the other members of the Body.
Now, just speculating, to give you an example of what change could look like:
After reading the previous paragraph, how does becoming part of the Body of Christ effect your relationship
with your boyfriend or girlfriend, you don't feel that you have to marry to sleep with; or your spouse you can't
stay in the same room with; your boss you tell everyone you hate; the best friend you're not speaking to; the
choir member you continually argue with and engage in foul language; the pregnant daughter you put out of
your house; your gay son, who you disowned; the family member you told they were never allowed to come to
your house again; and the minister you keep asking to pray for all of these people who don't know the Lord?
Yet, we think nothing of singing and praising the Lord for the new life we have found since we became a
Believer. We could find more or less obvious examples of hypocrisy, but they all would demonstrate an
unchanged heart and mind.
Christ is our First Love. We can truly love others because of His Perfect Love for us. If we are truly following
Him, then we know that our Shepherd watches over His whole flock to attend to all their needs. He will go after
the lost and attend to those who are wounded and hurting.
My Brothers and Sisters, with love and gratitude for all that you do in His name, I pray His continual blessings
upon you.
By the Sanctification of the Blood of Jesus, Our Saviour, Who has justified us that we may continue to bring
glory to Jehovah God, I leave these words upon your heart to grow and produce fruit in His Almighty name!
Your servant,
Mishael

There are questions we need to answer individually and collectively. Take time to evaluate your spiritual health
and your ability to be a productive and spiritually fruitful member(s) of the Body.
perspectives.
QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this.
1. What things, beliefs and people have a positive or negative impact on your spiritual health?
2. Make two separate list and leave room to write Positive Reinforcements or Changes and courses of
action you need to take.
3. How are the things, people and beliefs in your life affecting the WHOLE Body of Christ?
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4. Will you be accountable to the WHOLE Body?
5. As part of the WHOLE Body of Christ, will you help others to be accountable to Christ and our
Heavenly Father?
6. Pray for the UNITY of the Body, under the Mind of Christ.
REFERENCE
D SCRIPTURE
Acts 8:1-40
CHAPTER 6
DELIVERING THE MESSAGE: A WAY OF LIFE
"Accountability is the first measure of faith and love of God and Christ; for our
Saviour said, If ye love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15-31 (KJ21)
He also said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God." Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
How would you measure your faith and love for your Father and His Son when you argue, fight or harm your
brother? If you instill fear and hatred into others or stir up strife by cursing, insulting, instigating, intimidating,
bullying, ridiculing, verbally abusing, spreading gossip, slander, and all manner of denigration, can you be
called a child of God?
If you continue to discriminate against, hate and oppress others, can you be called a child of God? If you join
the ranks of those who take pleasure in terrorism, torture and all forms of violence, can you call yourself a child
of God? And what peace has anyone in the rebellious and stubborn? If you are not a child of God, then, you
serve another and the wicked shall be cut off!
How many Believers today can beckon to others, saying in truth, Come, follow me and see how I follow Jesus
and obey God?
The Battle
As we talk to nonbelievers or those who question our beliefs, they are processing information and memories in
their mind. As we depart the TRUTH unto them, uncovering and dispelling the lies in which they have become
enslaved, we ignite a battle between the spirit and the soul (self). However, internal and external forces, or
spirits of Darkness, may also interfere. These same factors are present to affect the outcome in all of our
relationships and conversations.
1. As we speak, the person may be searching for a frame of reference--something relative in their mind, in
which to compare the new information. They may not be able to relate, because, they have been taught
differently, experienced something contrary, or, simply have not been exposed to the subject and have no frame
of reference.
For instance, without having a sample for the person to taste or see, you try to describe to someone who has
never seen or heard of a caramel latte, how deliciously it tastes. They have never had caramel or seen a machine
that can make espresso; for all they know, you are making it up.
If they trust you to be honest with them, you have a better chance of convincing them, that this delightful and
delectable beverage actually exists for human consumption. But, how do you gain their trust?
2. As they listen, they may be locked in a spiritual battle, because the enemy confounds their mind, or stirs up
pride inside of them to resist the information you are feeding them.
3. Perhaps, they have formed an opinion about you because of your appearance or something they've heard
about you. Or, this is someone you have had a disagreement with in the past. Is it worth talking to them?
4. They may be chained to a spirit of rebellion to keep them in bondage and ignorance, so that their ears will not
hear you.
5. REMEMBER, our Father desires none of His sheep to perish. Even the lost, He sends the Shepherd out to
find. However, is this someone He has chosen to hear? Are they ready for what you have to say? Is it God's Will
that you talk to them?
Now, What if:
They are a person who is likely to believe anything, because they are desperately in need of something
better to believe in?
They feel that agreeing with you will please you?
They are so insecure; they just want to fit in and try to make people like them?
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They are just listening to you to go and gossip about you?
They pretend to listen, because being around you will give them status and prestige and others will
notice them?
They are looking for knowledge to make them feel superior to others?
They just don't like coffee or disapprove of drinking coffee for personal or religious reasons.
We could spend time speculating and continuing to add to the list, but afterwards, will you feel it is worth
sharing your love of caramel latte, if they're really not interested and have other motives for being there?
IS IT ABOUT US?
All of this analyzing falls into the category of self-thinking. What does it have to do with reaching the hearts of
others? Will knowing their motives help us tell the Truth better? Is it so important to know or get past their
motives? Or, is it fear and pride that motivates us to find out?
Is it about US or delivering the message? Do we need to SELL the Truth? Is it even POSSIBLE to sell the
Truth? Peter and John didn't seem to think so. They were appalled when Simon, the magician, tried to buy God's
Holy Spirit! (Acts 8:1-40)
From the accounts of Jesus' Disciples, we know that many of the people who followed Jesus had some of these
same motives. Moreover, they also wanted to see: signs from Heaven; watch Jesus perform miracles of healing;
and hungry crowds swarmed Him to produce more food, as He had for the thousands, whom He fed fish and
bread.
Of course, it didn't please Jesus and it tired Him, but He was on a mission for His Father. He had to listen to
God and continue His Journey, which had an end and a purpose.
If He would have ceased speaking to the multitudes of people, we wouldn't have heard about His life-changing
parables, sermons and miracles.
People may have ulterior motives for being around you, or tolerating you, but, should we allow that to stop us
from delivering God's message? NO, this is exactly what Satan wants you to do! He wants you to think of all
types of past failures, scenarios and excuses not to give others OPPORTUNITY to meet Jesus.
If they refuse to believe you at all, the battle should be in THEIR mind, NOT YOURS! The mind may reject to
believe what it hears, but the spirit records and brings back to memory.
The Pharisees and Sadducees could not relate to what Jesus preached. What man doesn't understand, he often
condemns. Therefore, they claimed that He was a blasphemer and that He had changed the laws given by
Moses. Any man who did so was cursed and had to be serving Satan.
Unbeknownst to them, the Son of God was not just ANY man and by the hand of God, He was about to change
EVERYTHING. Yes, the law would remain, but how man would come to obey the law would be a miraculous
gift from God!
Many confuse the laws of God with traditions, rituals and practices. Also, God handed down many ordinances,
which governed the Jews in how they were to live during that time, because of their disobedience, hard-
heartedness and inability to have perfect love for their brother. Such is the nature of man, without having been
born again to rest and abide in the Father and Son.
God would not have us forget what He has done for us. Therefore, our heritage is important to us because it
connects us to God. However, seeking identity outside of Christ can fill us with pride in self that separates us
from our brother and Christ.
When heritage is steeped in religion, it ties us to the physical world and keeps us under the law, preventing us
from surrendering all and connecting to God, who is a Spirit.
We must remember that Jesus fulfilled ALL the law and the prophecy!! We must also remember that the law
was created to serve man. Man was NOT created to serve the law!
A NEW COVENANT was made because the NEW MAN through the sacrifice of Jesus, The Christ, would rest
and abide in the righteousness and holiness of The Almighty, who created the law and who is The Word. This
was done by the hand of God--not man and cannot be undone. Who will curse God and not be condemned!?
We must look beyond religion, race, creed, nationality and ethnicity; and those things which would DIVIDE us
and have us cling to the flesh and the world! We have become ONE and must now find our identity in Christ
Jesus, who is The Truth, The Way and The Life!
This continues to be a stumbling block for many, because of pride in self and because the world won't let them
forget what they are; the color of their skin and where they came from, but now...
Now, we are able to conquer the things of this world. We have access to the Living Word, along with God's
Holiness and Righteousness, through His Holy Spirit, which no longer places us under the law! BORN AGAIN,
we are kept from sin by abiding in the Father and Son.
God's Holy Spirit is the FOUNDATION upon which Jesus built His Church. He is our teacher, reminder and
comforter. Due to the fulfillment of the law, NO MAN can erase God's statutes and commandments, or the
Living Word of God--JESUS!
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Just as no man can call unclean, that which God has purified through the blood of JESUS!!!
We must come to believe that it is INDEED FINISHED because of JESUS! And what a GLORIOUS FINISH
IT IS!
Father, I LOVE your Word and the TRUTH therein! PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME AND THE GOODNESS
YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON US!!!
Jesus is the cornerstone of the church (Ephesians 2) and the Head of the Body-of-Christ. He is the NEW
ADAM--NEW MAN, in whom we are perfected and justified; our High Priest; King of Kings; Chief
Shepherd; Counselor; Intercessor and more. Like our Father, He is the embodiment of I AM; He will be
what and that which He will be. Praise Jehovah!
Satan wants us to find loopholes and gaps, fine print, amendments, footnotes and addendums, when God has
signed, sealed and delivered the NEW COVENANT complete, without fault.
When we look at the statutes in Deuteronomy, they magnify the lack of self-control, holiness and righteousness
that required Moses to for lack of a better term...micro-manage the Israelites, until his father-in-law advised him
to have others help.
Still, there are those who want to cling to the law and that which could not justify and cleanse man to be
transformed into the newness of life in Christ Jesus. We still cannot comprehend the gift God has given to us
and the sacrifice He made. We still think it's all about US!
As One, we now exist in the flesh, in the world, but also we are aware of our existence on a spiritual plane with
God, keeping our mind on heavenly things. Satan will try to keep us tied to earthly things and ideas that prevent
us from operating in the spirit and producing fruit.
Pride, fear, love of the world, and self prevented many Jews from accepting Jesus. They refused to let go of
living under the law, tradition, rituals, false doctrine, pride, fear, slave mentality, hatred and a lack of faith and
trust in God. Things tied them to the world, when God offered them something better--a free ticket to abundant
and eternal life, compliments of Jesus, who paid the price for ALL!
As Jesus' Disciples, we have been commissioned to spread the Good News of the Kingdom. No, it isn't all about
us. It's about GOD--serving Him and one another!
Will we allow things to keep us tied to the world or will we pick up our cross and follow Jesus? Will we trust
Jesus to guide and mature us as we spread God's Word and message? Will we carry God's Holy Spirit to convict
and draw repentance, inspiring others to believe in Christ Jesus and our Father who sent Him, by which they
may come to enjoy abundant and eternal life?
We cannot let self creep into our conversation, if we are to help change others. We are constantly reminded of
the world in which we live, because we are Spiritual Beings covered by flesh. Remember, although, we live in
the world, we are not OF the world. This is why we must keep our eyes on Jesus, or we will sink.
My counseling friend gave me this picturesque analogy about sinking...
"A ship sinks, not because of all the water around it, but, because of the water it takes in."
In this case, we can say that self is the water. Letting self in will surely cause you to sink and fail, when you
face darkness within others. Thinking about past hurt and offenses, motives, what-ifs and self-preservation,
causes us to fail before we begin. We must seek healing before we can heal others.
Like many people, I sometimes let too many people in my ship (my life), causing me to become overwhelmed
with caring for them and being involved in their concerns. I set myself up for failure, if I don't lighten the load
and make time for taking care of myself and my time alone with God. How can I help lift up others, if I am
down myself?
We are all human and our body and mind tire. Satan loves to catch us at our weakest. Jesus knew the importance
of rest and prayer for the human body and mind and often went off to Himself.
Yet, when communicating with others, too often, we are more concerned with our best interests and not the best
interests of others. Is this carrying your cross? We cannot say, Father, I will do your will, if it is in my best
interests to do so. Or, I will only speak to those with the right motives. Woe be it, that someone is denied the
opportunity to hear the Word of God, because of our fears, prejudices and insecurities.
Until one comes under the mind of Christ, with a changed heart, they only know that they are thirsty. They
know not what they thirst for, until they have drunk from the Fountain of Living Water--Jesus. Yes, they may
search for Truth, Holiness and Righteousness, but until they have tasted it, they do not know what it is, but
search to fill a void and a starving spirit.
We too, have a journey's end, yet the hour or day is unknown to us. "We must work, for the night is coming."
If we allow Satan, he will stir up doubt, pride, fear and all kind of negative feelings to prevent us from changing
someone's life, especially, those close to us. He will feed us a lie that sounds like the truth and make us think it
came from God. Why can he do this? Because we fail to abide in Jesus and think we can approach others in the
flesh (self).
We must acknowledge that we are not alone and the only way to approach Darkness is as One with the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Alone, we will fail.
Yes, people will try to discourage us. They look at: where you came from; who your parents are; the mistakes
you have made in the past; what you struggle with now; and what they can get from you.
However, when a violent storm comes upon us, we are all touched by it. It has no preference to whose house it
will destroy. Darkness affects us all. What matters is, whether or not you choose to remain in Darkness.
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EXAMPLES
LUKE 6:47-49
47] Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is
like:
[48] He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and
when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was
founded upon a rock.
[49] But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon
the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that
house was great.
THE BIGGEST REASON we have been unsuccessful in bringing in the lost and creating healthy, godly
relationships is because we lack valid examples that people can follow--born again Disciples--Believers who
walk-the-walk and not just talk-the-talk.
I would not call them role-models, because that is a term that can be used very loosely to describe various roles
in life. A Disciple strives to become just like his Master...Jesus.
Satan has plenty of examples to tempt people to join him. The problem remains that churches are not producing
enough true disciples--qualified representatives to reflect Jesus. Instead of defeating the enemy, we have
compromised and joined them.
Yet, to say that no disciples are being produced in a church is not to have faith in God; for God always preserves
a remnant, as He did when Obadiah, who greatly feared the Lord, took one hundred prophets to hide from
Jezebel's slaughtering assassins.
There will always be unheard voices God hides until their time, examples of Jesus, ready to cry out to the
masses, "REPENT! FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!!"
The Great Commission is more than just a postcard in the mail, a recorded sermon on a CD or other works; for
without faith, these things are in vain. Just as faith must produce works to be alive, to be alive, true faith must
be a Way of Life--unyielding and refusing to compromise the Will and Way of God! HELP US LORD!!! Help
our unbelief so that we may truly live and abide in our faith in Christ and thereby, conquer the world!
OPPORTUNITY
Before Jesus sent His Disciples out to spread The Good News of the Kingdom, He told them to lodge in only
one house, during the duration of their stay in that city. It was not just a mannerism or custom, but there was a
blessing for that house for their hospitality.
The Disciples were not only giving them opportunity to be blessed by God, but they were blessed by having a
relationship and interacting with a man who had been exposed to Jesus; who loved Jesus and was loved by
Him.
The Disciples could tell them many things about themselves and how they came to know Jesus and because the
household could observe that they were ordinary men, who could do miraculous things, they had opportunity to
believe in Jesus and go on to witness to others, who might believe, also.
Jesus provided opportunities for people to see examples. --OPPORTUNITY, that...is the key! God provides
opportunities to get to know Him through Jesus! WE are the opportunity! Opportunity is a gift from God and
with all gifts come accountability!
We could call it 'planting seeds', as some do, but providing opportunity is so much more than speaking the Word
to plant seeds. It is showing people how to LIVE the Word.
Jesus needed EXAMPLES! Something for people to sample and "Taste and see the GOODNESS of the Lord."
(Psalm 3:8 KJV) That's why He chose twelve men, perceived as being ordinary to do something extraordinary.
God has given each one of us great potential and opportunity to change those around us.
Today, we are able to read some of the Twelve Apostle's testimonies in the Bible, because, our Father knew we
needed examples to prove to us that we are an extraordinary opportunity to bring opportunities to others! Those
who say they cannot be changed must be given the opportunity to meet an extraordinary man named Jesus!
Child of God, KNOW WHO YOU ARE and who you are in Christ! You are an OPPORTUNITY for others to
meet and come to know Jesus; an opportunity to lead others into the Kingdom and change their life!
A UNIQUE WAY OF TEACHING

Jesus' parables were a constructive way of teaching right from wrong, as opposed to the law which said you
must do this and you cannot do that; which for many stirs up pride, rebellion and anger.
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Jesus opened doors for those who had ears to hear and planted seeds that depending on conditions might have a
chance to grow later. Most importantly, God provided opportunity for everyone to see a perfect man, even those
who were decidedly against Jesus.
His parables were thought-provoking, but it required a different type of thinking. It required thinking that
measured things like faith, love, mercy, kindness and forgiveness. It was thought which measured treasures of
the heart. Jesus, The Vine, was preparing them to bear good fruit.
THE PEACEMAKER
As one reads the Apostles accounts of traveling and ministering with Jesus, we don't find Jesus arguing or
fighting with anyone. There is no need to bicker and quarrel, when you know who you are and who you
represent. The Disciples argued amongst themselves, because they were yet to discover who they were in
Christ.
Jesus did not quarrel with anyone or put up a fight. He knew who He was and who He represented because He
was not ALONE! He was filled with the Peace of God's Holy Spirit! The Father was in Him and He was in the
Father. He also knew what His mission was and remained focused, un-swayed and obedient to His Father.
When you are presented opportunity, to change someone's life, KNOW without DOUBT that you are
NOT ALONE. There is no need for you to do a system check or test, because we have God's promise that He
will never leave us alone. It is OUR responsibility to abide in Him. Within Him, we will find peace and be able
to impart peace to others.
LISTENING
HOW does all of this affect listening to others? It makes us better listeners. Listening is vital in communicating
to produce and maintain good relationships.
We know that there are people who for one reason or another are good at talking and others who are better
listeners.
I've heard people say that listening is an art or skill that some master. Given that we have ears capable of
hearing and we all like to be heard, why is this so? Why is it that people don't want to take time to listen to one
another? Why must we be taught how to listen?
It all goes back to being made perfect in love. Love is kind, patient and long-suffering. Those who have not
been made perfect in love cannot love others as they love themselves.
Again, Jesus fulfilled ALL the law. Through Him, we are able to obey the commandments our Father gave to
His children that have been handed down to us. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor, as He loves us.
Think about how much better past relationships and conversations would have been, if we had been better
listeners. Use the new information constructively. Try not to think in terms of "would have, should have, could
have, which only puts guilt and shame upon you, which are not of God.
Instead, use the new information to bring you closer to God, repent and ask Him to teach you a new way of
communicating through abiding in His Holy Spirit and Christ. Ask Him to help you be a better listener by
making you perfect in love to truly care about what others have to say; pray for wisdom to understand their
needs; and patience and guidance to help them.
With His Perfect Love, we are able to see others with His eyes; to see others as a part of us; to see others as a
part of The Body of Christ; to understand how we are dependent upon one another in the Body; and to have
patience to listen to them and bear all Fruit.
Through Communication of the Heart (Spirit), we can listen to the hearts of others. We refrain from speaking
without thinking and being judgmental and saying things we cannot take back.
If we listen to the hearts of others and guide them in letting go of fear and pride, our discussions would not
escalate into heated arguments. Instead of focusing on immediately solving a problem or proving who is right,
we must focus on healing and producing fruit.
If we ask, God will give us discernment to guide us in our relationships with others. Guided by God's Holy
Spirit, we can become spiritually aware of people, places and things both spiritual and carnal, making us better
listeners and able to have wisdom in decision-making.
We know that Jesus was a good listener. He took time to allow others to ask Him questions and He listened to
the conversations of His Disciples. It was important for Him to know what was in their hearts and minds, as
well as to observe how they interacted with one another; for He was teaching them to become more like Him.
I'M NOT PERFECT: BEING IN CHRIST PERFECTS ME

What you do and say in the sight of men has an effect on how they receive you as Jesus' Ambassador. They
remember how you treated them when they did not agree with you. They remember how you treated them when
they didn't understand. They saw what you did when someone cursed and threatened you. They saw how you
responded when someone tried to seduce you. They watched you as you helped someone in need. They watched
as you didn't take more than you needed. They observed you talking to the woman that everyone shunned. They
saw the love and patience you had for a child.
Remember that EVERYTHING you do affects those around you.
But, then, you made a mistake and lost your job. They watched you even closer. What would you do?
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People will wait and watch for you to fall, so that they can disqualify you and refute everything that you said, in
order to continue living sinful lives themselves.
Still, fall as we sometimes do, our FAITH allows us to continue praising God throughout our circumstances. We
can be thankful that because of Jesus, we know how to get up!
We have a Holy Spirit who reminds us who we are in Christ, who enables us to rise above our circumstances,
because of our FAITH in Jesus and our Father above!
When others see you continue to stand upon the principles of holiness and righteousness and then, be able to get
up PRAISING GOD, they are more likely to go, "Hmmm, maybe it's worth giving Jesus a try."
Jesus perfects us, that we may bear Good Fruit. Those without Christ, who believe they are achieving things on
their own, work in vain; for we cannot produce Good Fruit, unless we are attached to the VINE, Yeshuah,
Jesus-- The Christ!
We can do nothing without the help of Christ. With Christ, NOTHING is impossible, which is within the Will of
God!
SUMMARY
As Disciples, we are examples of Christ in the world. We must reflect Christ to bring about change to others.
Discipleship is a way of life, in which to reach others and give them an opportunity to meet Jesus. In order to do
that, we must be born of water and the Spirit, stripped of self and no longer of the world.
Being perfect in love allows us to communicate with the heart (spirit) of another, looking beyond their faults to
see their needs. We also mature in listening to others, when we are made perfect in love.
As Disciples, we are PEACEMAKERS able to carry our cross to usher in peace, because we rest and abide in
Jesus, Who IS our peace, and being One with God's Holy Spirit and attached to The Vine, we humbly bear good
fruit.
"Look and Live," my Brothers and Sisters. "Look to Jesus--NOW and live!"
Giving all Praise, Honor and Glory to God, Your servant,

Mishael

closely examine your heart, answer the questions below. Try to apply them to your personal and public life
perspectives.
1. Ask yourself what is causing your ship (life, relationship/s, and ministry) to sink or why it sank in the
past. What did you allow into your ship to make you take your eyes off of Jesus?
2. Think of a time when you were trying to explain your beliefs to someone and they didn't understand or
believe you? How did you feel? What were your reactions?
3. Did you abide (rest) in Christ?
4. Did the discussion turn into an argument? Why or why not? Did it change the heart and mind of the
other person?
5. Did you seek wisdom and guidance from God's Holy Spirit?
6. Did arguing change how you felt about the person during that time? How so? When your feelings
towards the other person changed did the argument get worse?
7. Did you care then, if the other person was changed for the better? Was the argument more about proving
who was right?
8. How do you think arguing made the other person feel about you and your beliefs?
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9. Apply one of the fruits from God's Holy Spirit to the situation. Changing the tense of the word, if
needed, replace the word argue (argued, arguing, argument) from one of the questions or answers above
with a fruit of God's Holy Spirit. How could it change the results of the discussion? (Galatians 5:22-
23(KJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, 23 Meekness, temperance (self-control) : against such there is no law.)
10. If a person is in bondage, will arguing help to bring them out? What could you do instead to change their
heart?
11. What are you doing to the people around you when you argue and fight? (i.e., children, spouse,
neighbors, co-workers, parents, family, congregation, youth ministry, nonbelievers, struggling believers,
lovers of the world, etc.)
12. Are you held accountable for changing people?
13. When you give an account of something, you must have accountability. Jesus said He obeyed His
Father. Who were the Disciples accountable to? As Christ's Ambassadors, who are we first accountable
to? How should this affect our relationships and conversations?
14. What can you do unceasingly to keep you connected and accountable?
15. Accountability is our first measure of faith and love of God and Christ; for our Father said, "If you love
me, you will obey me." He also said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." How would you measure your
faith and love for your Father and His Son when you argue, fight or harm your brother?
16. Have you conquered the world or are you still OF the world, led by your flesh?
17. Who has won the battle?

John 14:15-31, 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
Acts 8:1-40
Ephesians 2(KJ21)
1 Kings 19
Psalm 34(KJV)
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Part Three
THE
HEART
OF A CHILD
Chapter 7
A DIFFERENT KIND OF HEART:
JEREMIAH
As we go deeper and deeper into exploring the heart, as the vehicle to change, we need to understand why our
youth today continue to become enveloped by Darkness and at great risk of being destroyed.
We need to understand the tactics of the enemy in recruiting them for war, organized crime and helping
Darkness to maintain a stronghold over society, through television, movies, music, radio, internet and social
media. We also need to understand how to counteract this demonic warfare intended to destroy us.
Our Father has left us detailed instructions on how to resist the enemy and how to cast him out from amongst
us. First, we must examine our hearts and learn to trust and obey.
In the Book of Jeremiah, God shows us the kind of heart we must have. In choosing Jeremiah, as His prophet,
God puts an unexpected opponent against the Darkness and corruption within men; an opponent with a different
kind of heart--the heart of a child.
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JEREMIAH 1: 1-19
1. The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
2. To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year
of his reign.
3. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of
Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
4. Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and
I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I
command thee thou shalt speak.
8. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my
words in thy mouth.
10. [See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy,
and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
11. Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an
almond tree.
12. Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
13. And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething
pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
14. Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
15. For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they
shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round
about, and against all the cities of Judah.
16. And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have
burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
17. Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their
faces, lest I confound thee before them.
18. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land,
against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the
land.
19. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to
deliver thee.
Of course, men would dispute and fight against Jeremiah, he was a child! What would a child know? Why
would God speak through a child? Why would God give a child such a great task to be a prophet over kingdoms
and nations, when there were older, wiser, more notable and esteemed prophets?
Was God serious about entrusting this to a child? A prophet's role can be difficult enough, "to root out, and to
pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." Dangerously enough, people don't like the
"to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy" part. Why would God put such responsibility upon a child?
We must remember that with God, nothing is impossible. He told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1: 18
"For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls..."
God changed Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, the priest; the same Hilkiah, who found the lost book of the law of
the Lord, given by Moses, and brought it to the attention of King Josiah. Could this be God blessing Hilkiah for
this deed?
Hilkiah's son was no longer, just a child, but a prophet of God. God fortified Jeremiah and strengthened his
heart (spirit). He set impenetrable walls around him and provided him with defenses.
Who would believe Jeremiah, a child, to be a prophet? Yes! God will SANCTIFY and ORDAIN His children in
the womb!
Do you think Satan doesn't know this? Do you think he doesn't try to destroy the seed before it grows within the
womb? Do you think he won't do everything he can to destroy a child?
We must take heed to guard and protect our children. Jesus said in Matthew 18:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their
angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Children are precious to God and he watches over them. Have you ever watched a child going through a
difficult, life-changing experience or battling a serious illness or disease? Their body may be weak, wracked
with pain and on the verge of shutting down, but God will strengthen and fortify them, making them into
steadfast warriors. He'll put defenses--the angels around them to keep and watch over them.
God sends Jeremiah out against powerful men, but He doesn't send him unprotected. --Jeremiah, a child whom
God prepared to be a prophet, "against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof,
against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land." What would the people think? They had
forgotten about God and now a child is trying to reprimand them? God knows just what to do:
When man arrogantly believes he has God all figured out;
When man believes he knows what God will do;
When man decides he will TELL God what to do;
When man believes he can neutralize or overthrow God's power;
When man believes he can manufacture his own god; and just forget about the One and only Jehovah God.
Then...
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God throws a monkey wrench into the machine, sabotaging and causing man's plans to fail; for out of the
mouths of prideful men, come vain words they live to regret.
Jeremiah lived in a time when the priests and prophets of Israel and Judah were corrupt. Like the people, they
had turned their back on God and forgotten Him.
God needed a different kind of heart to deliver his Word; one that trusted Him, unconditionally; one that had not
been corrupted by the Darkness in the world.
God told Jeremiah not to be afraid of the men that he would have to face, or He would confound him in front of
the men. In other words, God threatened the child with confusing his mind and embarrassing him in front of a
crowd of strangers, if he didn't do as He was told and speak.
It sounds like God is acting like a lot of other parents, who know that sometimes, children need to be prodded.
God was teaching Jeremiah what the people of Israel no longer had...Fear of the Lord and Trust in the Lord.
There is a difference in instilling fear of man and the world into children and fear of the Lord. Fear of man is
not profitable for rooting out, pulling down, destroying, throwing down, building up and planting. Fear of man
will uproot you from your faith in God, pull you down, throw you down, tear you down, destroy your life and
plant you in your grave. Your fear is in vain; for man cannot deliver you or save your soul.
God told Jeremiah NOT to be afraid of the men and IF he was, he wouldn't have to worry about what the MEN
might do; he would have to face what GOD was going to do, because of his disobedience.
Fear of God is what the people lacked then and now.
God was teaching Jeremiah to put his trust in Him, alone; and to know and believe that God's promises are true.
He said, "I will be with you...I will deliver you." God does not lie like man. We have no reason to doubt His
word.
We live in a world where children are sent out into a corrupt world, feeling they are alone; having no fear of
God; having no trust in God; some, having no knowledge of God and the protective angels around them.
If we would teach children to fear God, would the world be filled with so many lost people? Would they know
how to find their way, because, we've taught them that the way to be successful in life is not wrapped up in self-
esteem, but in keeping their eyes on Jesus?
Dispel the lies the world is feeding your child, at an early age to puff them up and make them believe that they
don't NEED God. The lies that we have learned to live by that keep us from surrendering all and becoming one
with God, through the Transformation of Rebirth.
God is teaching us a lesson in parenting here and we would be remiss not to take time to observe and take notes,
from the Father of us all.
Debauchery is spilling over into the streets and finding its way into our homes, destroying our children. They
don't obey us because they don't fear God or the punishment from us as their parents.
We need to fight a different type of warfare, with a different kind of heart, beginning at an early age to fortify
our children against the Darkness.
If we teach them that God is always with them and will deliver them, will they be afraid to tell the drug dealer,
"NO! I don't NEED that, because GOD is with me and HE will deliver me from WHATEVER may come my
way! Peer-pressure won't even be anywhere near pressure to a fortified child of God! Even when curiosity wins
out, fear of God can restore us and put us back on the right path.
We cannot be afraid to tell our children what the Lord commands of us, because, we fear their rejection.
THUS, saith the Lord to His unruly children, Fear the Lord that thy days may be long and fruitful!
THUS, saith the Lord to the parents, I have given you children, for the world has not created man, nor
commanded the seed that was in you to grow. Yet, you fear the world more than me; therefore your children are
devoured by the world, blinded and unable to find their way.
THUS, saith the Lord to the churches, "Suffer the little children to come unto me. Gather them from the houses,
streets and byways, as the enemy does; even the motherless and the fatherless.
Train them up in the Way of the Lord! Teach them to Fear the Lord and walk in the Light of Truth! I hold you
accountable to be an example for them. Do not lead them astray, less My wrath come upon you. Teach them to
Trust and Obey the Lord that this generation will be jealous after them and cry out, "Lord, Save Us!"
My Brothers and Sisters, We can no longer be a generation of hypocrites, telling our children to do as I say and
not as I do and did. The eyes and ears of our children are wide open. The Lord has cast our sins before them and
they can see what we are doing. They know what we have done. It is time for us to have a different heart,
obedient to God; trusting Him to guide us so that we can lead them to the narrow path of abundant and eternal
life!
Bear with me Saints as I REBUKE the enemy; for I have heard the voices of the enemy cry out "NEVER!" and
he is close upon the heels of the Saints, putting doubts in their mind.
Even so, I have seen the tide change at different hours of the day and neither man nor the enemy controls it. I
have seen the wind blow across the land and nothing and no one can hold it back; for when God is ready to
MOVE, WHO can stand in His way, when the time comes upon us?!
Listen children...closely and quietly, God is teaching us a lesson...to heal us and help us stand strong against the
Darkness. He's showing us how to save our children and it begins with our heart.
God wanted Jeremiah to know, that even if they fight against you, they cannot prevail! Who can fight with God
and win?! Be not dismayed, whatever betide. God will take care of you!
Yes, He sees the wayward daughter, son, husband, wife, mother, father, relative or friends; and HE knows that
they cannot prevail against Him. He sees them, but He is looking at YOUR heart. CAN He use YOU to fight
against the Darkness, or are you part of the problem, because you don't fear and trust God? Do YOU know that
they cannot prevail against you, if God sends you to give them His Word, or has fear overtaken you and
confounded your mind? Do you trust God to deliver them AND you? Have you been made perfect in
love? PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR!!!
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CAN YOU DO THIS ALSO IN LOVE?
It is easy to love someone that's like you, but it takes work to love those who are different, rebellious, filled with
hate, anger and darkness; needy, cumbersome, arrogant and prideful. Yet, in doing so, God teaches us perfect
love.
No doubt, when he approached these men who had rejected and forgotten about God and were covered in the
stench of sin and death, Jeremiah had to bear down within himself to suppress fear, anger, pride, weariness,
repulsiveness, and indifference. He came against negativity and ridicule in order to bring CHANGE (GOD) into
the lives of others. God was the change that they needed.
My Brothers and Sisters, God is still the change the world and individuals need today. It is time to BEAR
DOWN and carry our cross, knowing that there will be naysayers and doomsayers; those who believe they fight
with you and the flesh, BUT, REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Now, we have a ROCK and an anchor to
grip Him! He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. May we forever sing His praise!
We must keep these words and treasure them within our heart--the heart of a child; for THUS saith the Lord...
"I am with you! I will deliver you!"
perspectives.
1. Take time to observe the hearts of children.
2. Compare your heart to that of a trusting child. Do you trust God to be the head of your life? Why, or,
why not?
3. What areas of your life are you holding on to?
4. How does your failure to trust God affect your ability to help others trust God?
5. Were you taught to fear God as a child? Did it help you or hinder you? Why, or, why not?
6. Does your failure to trust God in certain areas of your life show that you fear God?
7. If you have been reborn, are there times when you fail to trust God? Why? Do you still have the heart of
a child?
8. As disciples and Ambassadors of Christ, we must be obedient to deliver The Good News and bring
others into discipleship. Do you struggle with this? Why, or, why not?
9. Are you content to just be a member of a church and remain in your comfort zone? Why, or, why not?
10. Do you love God and Jesus? If so, do you show them by obeying?
11. Do you believe God is with you and will deliver you? Why, or why not?
12. Do you love others who aren't like you? Do you love them enough to talk to them about Jesus and God?
13. Did you know that following Jesus entailed bearing a cross?
14. What does bearing the cross mean to you?
15. Do you still want to follow Jesus, knowing ALL that is required and lies ahead for His followers? What
are the alternatives?
16. Have you been made perfect in love?

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Chapter 8
TRUSTING GOD TO CHANGE YOU
This chapter had to be the most difficult for me to write thus far, not only because of the subject matter, but
because, God took me very deep within myself and because of this, I wanted to be sure that I was not writing IN
self, instead of following the Mind of Christ.
Sometimes, old thinking rises up within us and catches us unaware. This was one of those times. It was a
deliberate attack of the adversary.
The adversary wants us to feel vulnerable, so that we will withhold our testimonies, miracles and deliverances,
that could encourage, inspire, comfort, heal and help lead someone to repentance, deliverance and
TRANSFORMATION.
If, the enemy knows God has given us the authority and power to change people, then, why aren't WE
convinced?
Remember...there is POWER in God's spoken Word! What He puts in YOUR mouth to speak can loose, bind,
create, destroy and bring about repentance, leading to TRANSFORMATION--true change in others.
My Brothers and Sisters, It is time to dispel lies!
The enemy whispered a lie into my ear, before I wrote this; thinking it would stop me. Perhaps, I forgot to put
on The Armor of God that day. Perhaps, I took my eyes off of Jesus, just long enough, for him to grab the
opportunity to slide in beside me, to do his dirty-work. Perhaps, my Father, in His Infinite Wisdom, allowed it
to happen, because, it was a test to grow me.
Still, meaning it for evil, the adversary, whispered in my ear, putting the notion, in my head that I could not trust
myself. The idea, alone, of putting trust in myself, should have triggered suspicion.
Nonetheless, as a result, it became difficult for me to begin writing. Then, once I began, I questioned what I
heard and wrote. I became concerned about how others would perceive the message and how they might
perceive me.
I am so very grateful, that we have a Heavenly Father, who watches over us. Who in times like these, chastises
me and reminds me not to fear man, demons, principalities, or anything that will try and exalt itself above God,
but to fear HIM. Most of all, I am glad He reminds me, that I am not alone; for He is always with me.
Yet, until then, there I was--in doubt. I could not go on until I had examined my faith and looked to see where I
was placing my trust.
Who was I trying to please--self and man? I had fallen for an old trick of the adversary, called--distract, separate
you from God and destroy you; yes, the old divide and conquer trap.
The distractions I encountered were relentless. I experienced family problems, which I had to translate into
opportunities to serve God. Then, came continuous nights of spiritual warfare, with heightened episodes of
attack from the enemy, which took me back to remembering the experiences of my childhood, when God began
preparing me to be His servant--a remade, fortified vessel.
As a child, during those unforgettable nights, as I slept, I walked within the realm of Darkness, among demons
and malevolent spirits and engaged in spiritual warfare.
I could always sense the presence of another with me, guiding me; telling me not to be afraid; and telling me
what to say. I was astonished at the words that would come out of my mouth. Later I discovered that they were
scriptures. The demons knew my name and they knew why the other had brought me.
I remember approaching what appeared to be the worst of these demonic spirits and telling him that I did not
fear him, then, I recited the 23rd Psalm, which I also did not remember committing to memory.
Surely, there are skeptics, who will say these are the dreams and nightmares of a child, with an overactive
imagination and/or things stored in my subconscious, that I had the ability to retrieve, at a later time. Yet, for
these things to be drawn out of my subconscious, in such a way, was in itself, a way of awakening me and
giving me an awareness of an unknown and new ability, within me.
Surely, someone in the field of psychoanalysis will draw the conclusion, that I was an impressionable child,
under the influence of religious fanaticism, causing me to incur emotional and psychological damage, resulting
in hallucinations and nocturnal delusions of grandeur.
Perhaps, they would equate my recollection of spiritual warfare, with a child learning to conquer their
nightmares and life's experiences; such as traumatic or foreboding events, or loathsome, frightening people; and
unresolved issues, such as bed-wetting.
However, I was not a child prone to nightmares and when I awoke, had I not repeated the scripture and verified
it within the Bible, I too, would have attributed the experiences to just a dream or figments of my imagination.
Moreover, the dreams were methodical and memorable; not erratic. I knew that there were things that I was
supposed to remember and the undeniable peace and authority of a presence, unlike any I'd ever known, who
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encouraged, comforted and guided me. --One, who was unafraid and powerful, whom the demons feared. I
knew that He was good. I trusted Him. Neither was I afraid and the demons began to fear me, also.
I would dream and envision places and times, while awake or sleeping, then, actually go there one day and
remember I had seen them before. Dj Vu, they call it. So, apparently, it is a common experience.
We are Spiritual Beings and God, Who is also a Spiritual Being, communicates with us through our spirit,
which is a natural occurrence. It just happens, that it is better to get our attention when we're sleeping or still.
Even so, not everyone is aware of themselves as a Spiritual Being. At that age, I certainly was not. So, I kept
these dreams and visions to myself, because no one in my family or church ever spoke of such things.
I certainly was not looking for attention or punishment. --And who would have believed me, anyway--a child? I
had no desire to share these experiences, at the risk of being called a liar, crazy, evil and possessed, or even
worse yet, for a child, was being teased, like I was for my bed-wetting.
Oh, well, convincing others of the validity of my dreams and visions, or having repeated experiences with what
the old-folks labeled as witches on your back, is no longer important to me, because I know who was with me
then and I know who is with me, now.
Now, I can tell these life-changing experiences to you to help you understand that, when I was filled with doubt,
I had to return to having the heart of a child; putting all my faith and trust in God.
When I began to trust AND obey Him alone, my heart was at ease and I was no longer bound by pride and
opinions, because I trusted God to change me.
Now, I remind you, also, my Brothers and Sisters, "Be not afraid!" You are NOT alone! God is ALWAYS with
you and He NEVER FAILS! Come to Him with a child-like heart. Whatever your need, God knows what
adjustments to make and will mold you to meet life head on. Trust Him to change you. Trust Him.

perspectives.
1. What lies has the enemy whispered into your ear?

2. What lies have you been freed from?
3. How were you freed?
4. If you have not been freed, who are you putting your trust in? Who do you fear?
5. Has God spoken to you in your dreams?
6. Have you had spiritual visions and/or dreams?
7. Have you been approached by demons while sleeping or awake? If so, have you shared your experience
with anyone?
8. Do you know your spiritual gifts? Do you have someone to help you learn and be accountable?
9. Do you trust God with a child-like heart to change you?

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Chapter 9
PAPA
"How we see and accept things makes all the difference in life. With the heart of a
child, we can see with God's eyes." --Mishael
My grandfather,
whom I dearly loved and who displayed the same affection for me, was a tall and burly man, from the South,
having what is politely referred to as, a large girth. He was a giant, in my eyes. He had big strong hands, which
you didn't want to have to make contact with, if he threatened to give you a whooping.
I will try to give you an accurate and picturesque description of the man I called Papa, so that you may better
ascertain Papa's relationship with family, church, religion, law, the world and God.
To begin with, I must tell you that my Papa was a drinking man--of whiskey, that is, but, always a hard-working
factory man, and a family man, who took care of his family. He took time with his children and grandchildren.
One of my favorite things was helping Papa in our garden. From what I can remember, Papa was a very capable
man.
However, he'd long-since ceased shining his shoes for Sunday morning services and his newsboy cap or fedora,
which I loved to playfully steal from atop his balding head, seemed to him, to better rest atop a bar stool, rather
than on a church pew.
Yet, it hadn't always been that way. The son of a southern preacher, he knew his Bible and considered himself to
be a God-fearing man. He'd seen his days inside of a church.
While he lived, he never stopped supporting the Baptist church, where he and my grandmother belonged. He
saw to it that his family obeyed God's commandments and had godly morals and didn't mind sparing the rod and
spoiling the child to see that it took.
I never knew what stood in the way of Papa going back to church, other than the liquor and attachment to
socializing at the bar. Perhaps, it was out of respect for his upbringing and his pa and on account of people
might call him a hypocrite. I don't know, but, it didn't seem right to me. I'd seen a whole lot more hypocritin' in
the church, so Papa would have plenty of company to help him work out his souls salvation, as they say. In my
eyes, Papa was just as good as anybody else.
Papa was an avid reader and studier of legal books and the Word. In our extended household, Papa's time to
read the paper; watch the news on television; listen to it on the radio; and study his law books and the Bible
were sacred times. He was NOT to be disturbed.
I often wondered where Papa got all those thick books about the law, which lined the shelves up to the ceiling.
What was so interesting in them about the law, that he spent hours studying them, with such intensity
and seriously seeming to enjoy it? It didn't look like fun to me.
Although, I loved to read as a child, I never touched them much. They looked too official and they felt too
official, like soldiers in uniform, standing at attention. It was like they were taboo--forbidden, priceless and
valuable and only someone as giant as Papa could lift them and understand them.
I looked in a few once. They had thousands of tiny words all jumbled together. There weren't any pretty
pictures, either. No wonder Papa pulled out his horn-rimmed glasses and took all evening to read them.
Papa grew up at a time when men like him were denied the opportunity to better themselves and their families,
but Papa managed. He made sure he stayed educated and informed about what was going on in the world.
The law and the Word--these were two things that Papa knew about and no one could take it away from him.
I saw Papa as having been a pioneer, determined to start a better life. When news of the booming car industry
and rubber factories in the North sent thousands of underpaid and out of work southerners, black and white,
scampering to get a piece of the American pie, Papa, his brothers and cousins were amongst those fleeing the
oppression of Old Jim Crow Laws in the South.
He packed up his gear, left his family down in the deep South and with his wife and child, ventured to the cold
lands of the North, where smokestacks lined the skylines and filled the air with dirty pollutants; the residuals of
progress, efficiency and convenience for an accelerating society in an economy driven, industrial world; at least
that's what the history books say.
To say the least, Mama and Papa worked hard to take care of their growing family. They were once small town
entrepreneurs, owning and operating a grocery store. Papa was able to get hired in as a permanent worker at one
of the big rubber factories. They even bought a house.
During the Great Depression and the years following they fed and raised six children, but one baby, a girl, later
died. My grandma said she had lost another too, that didn't go full-term. Women had to take their chances back
then, without the regular prenatal care women have today.
Papa and Mama, well, they'd seen their hard times and their good times, like anybody else, back then. They
watched their sons go off to war and return home changed and wounded men.
They were able to send some children to college, one being my mother, and they began what would continue to
be generations of college educated young people in the family.
Outside of a few vices (cigar smoking, pipe smoking, tobacco chewing, whiskey drinking, and his job as a bar
bouncer, while socializing down at the family-owned bar, with his cousins) folks down South would probably
say that Papa had made a good life for himself and his family. I bet the Old Reverend would have been proud
of how hard he worked to raise his family right.
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It may seem that I've gotten completely off subject, but Papa's life and story has an important place at this
juncture and I feel I must tell it, as part of my story, relating to the heart of a child.
Papa didn't want to be just anybody. He wanted to be a lawyer. However, the country he lived in was in such
bondage, that it denied him the right to be a man and a human-being, because of the color of his skin. Mmm-
mm, I don't know what kind of disease can make so many people sick in the head all at the same time and
nobody notices how sick they are. Then, those folks who do notice decide to mind their own business and let it
go on for years. The disease must affect everybody differently.
Nevertheless, Papa managed to make a life for himself and his family in the North. Still, all his dreams did not
come true. Had Papa had the opportunity to earn a law degree, I know that he would have been a giant among
lawyers and fed Old Jim Crow enough legal jargon to make him croak. However, somehow, Papa managed. He
drank and he knew the law.
Now, I'm not slighting my Papa or being disrespectful. I have great respect and admiration for all he did for me
and my family. He lived in a place and time where he had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and
continue to try to hold his head up high. When the world told him he was nothing, he didn't just give up. He had
courage, respect for others, honesty and integrity, but he still lacked one thing.
But don't get me wrong. I don't for one moment think that Papa stopped believing in God, but at some point
Papa stopped trusting God to change him. But, God NEVER gave up on Papa. God knew what Papa had been
through and what he was going through.
The wars had changed two of his boys; scarred them real deep inside and they took to drinking heavier than
Papa. Once in a while it was like a battlefield and a war going on inside our house, when Papa got on his boys.
"Pap," is what my uncles called their father and they knew they better respect Pap and shape up. It broke Papa's
heart I think to see them messed up, trying to follow after him.
Papa counted his blessings one by one and was thankful, but I guess he multiplied his troubles inside and took
to managing them at the bar.
Besides my uncles, Papa, my mother's father, was the only father I really knew. He had an active part in my life
and influenced me, greatly. At that time, during my early childhood, I had never met my father. So when, Papa
came home, I wanted to be close to him.
I would take off his big, heavy work boots or dress shoes, roll down his long thin socks and rub his hard, dry,
scaly legs and feet, sometimes with some Watkins ointment. As I look back on these heartfelt memories, I see
the unconditional love of a child, for a man she trusted and despite his habits, admired.
I would sit on his lap, poke his big stomach, take off his suspenders and play with his balding head, hairy nose
and ears. He didn't seem to mind and somewhat welcomed the pain and pestering.
I loved to watch him get his hair cut, when his barber friend came over. They were funny, together. Papa didn't
have that much hair around the sides, but it sure would take a long time for them to get done with all the talking
they did.
He knew just how to get grandma in a tizzy. She was a quiet and meek woman, who had learned to manage in
her own way, keeping to herself, but Papa staying out late and drinking would get her agitated and fussy. Still,
Papa managed and I watched him.
We'd sit outside on the porch, while he entertained friends and family or in the living room and I'd watch him
read and take long naps. They became longer and longer, as he grew ill and aged. He started to cough a lot--real
hard.
My ma said he had emphysema from smoking and his factory work. She said that his breathing in all that dust
from the dirt streets in our neighborhood made it even worse. So, she took to being an activist, meeting with
city officials and neighborhood folks. Meanwhile, Papa managed and I watched him.
After his death, the pages of the law books were no longer turned and the hats weren't interesting, without the
wearer.
One of Papa's boys, one of the older boys, didn't make it and died. Like Papa, he was a tortured soul, still
hanging on to dreams out of his reach, but it drug him down and buried him at an early age. Papa's youngest son
faired better. He surrendered all to God, went through a miraculous recovery and healing and became a faithful
servant in the church and community.
My grandfather was denied opportunities, but God used him in another way; to give opportunities to others.
Perhaps, if he would have allowed God to change and strengthen him, he would have gone beyond just
managing and conquered this old world full of injustice; no longer a slave to a lie; --the lie that life had cheated
him and he had gone as far as he could go.
The greatest opportunity, he could ever have was right before him, in the pages he read--abundant and eternal
life. I know that my Papa knew that and I believe that towards the end, God managed and somehow my Papa
was freed.
My grandfather was not unlike many people in the world today, content to know the laws of God and live under
them, unable to break free of lies and bondage.
Are you aware that there is someone watching you? Are you trusting in God to change you or have you found
your own way of coping and managing, while remaining in bondage to a lie?
Today, I'm a grandmother, with watchers and little pranksters of various ages and sizes. I have my avid readers,
who love to read like me and Papa; intellectuals, mathematicians and scientists; musicians and artists;
socializers and rabble-rousers; athletes and soldiers, who enjoy a more active lifestyle; and my activists, and
budding prosecutors, who can deliver a strong and convincing argument for the prosecution, demanding justice
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and a verdict of guilty for the accused sibling(s); that they be punished to the full extent of the law. My
grandchildren are an interesting, motley crew, who bring me tremendous joy and reason for rest and relaxation.
Papa would have enjoyed them and like me, be ready for a long nap.
The children are growing fast and most often, they soon go off and pursue their individual interests, but on
occasion, I find them--watching me.
I learned a lot about life and managing, watching Papa. No doubt, it prepared me for taking care of my own
family. My mother was as dedicated as Papa, when it came to family; no doubt, she had watched Papa, too.
People find different ways to try and manage whats troubling them instead of trusting God to change them and
before you know it...we've made a mess of our lives and we don't know how to fix it.
We all think we know how to manage. Its not always drinking. There's a long list of ways people try to manage,
that are legal and illegal; not specific to gender, race, wealth or status.
The adversary has a yoke tailored to fit everybody's neck. People can be work-a-holics, control freaks, plastic
surgery fanatics, soapbox opera and reality show addicts, parents living vicariously through their children,
spendthrift collectors, drug addicts, gamblers, sex addicts, compulsive liars, continual gossipers, abusive,
fingernail-biters; videogame addicts, shop-a-holics, hoarders and people with all types of fetishes, self-
mutilators, people with eating disorders and probably more ways of being in bondage than you and I could ever
think of. We humans have quite an imagination, when it comes to self-destruction.
Now, that I've been on this journey, back through time, those days when things aren't going to my liking and I
find myself slipping into--just managing, instead of trusting God, my grandfather's life echoes to me, fondly.
Not because of his mistakes, but because I know that God has allowed me to stand upon his broad and sturdy
shoulders and many others like him, who were denied opportunities, but paved the way for others, with a price.
I know God watched over my Papa, while he was out there managing, but, I wish God would have let me give
Papa my heart to trust Him all the time, like I trusted Papa.
The heart of a child is beautiful, trusting, loving unconditionally and needing to be loved. They put their faith in
you to supply their every need. They trust you with their heart and with their life. They want to be close to you.
They mimic you in many ways; wanting to be like you.
God wants us to come to Him with a child-like heart, having these same characteristics and desires. He wants to
love and care for us as our Father.
Growing up, one of the first things we discover is that life in this world isn't fair. Could that be the moment
when our heart stops being child-like? Could that be the moment when the world takes over our heart and fills it
with lies so that we stop trusting God to change us?
If it is, let us all go back to that moment! Let us recapture our innocence. Let us humble ourselves and repent of
our unfaithfulness to God! --If it were only that simple. Or, is it?
We could all go on just managing, or better yet, come to God with the heart of a child and NEVER stop trusting
Him to change us. There is so much more ahead, if we trust and obey. We have His promise because of the
sacrifice of His Son, that life's journey never ends for those who believe in Him.
John 3:15, 16
15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.

perspectives.
1. Is there someone you watched, when you were a child? Write about them and how they influenced you.
2. Did you notice any of their faults or weaknesses?
3. Did you mimic any of their behaviors?
4. What has happened in your life that you cannot accept now or had difficulty accepting in the past?
5. Have you talked to God and others about those things which you cannot accept? If not, why not?
6. Have you ever developed any habits, behaviors, pastimes or addictions as a way of managing (coping
with) your problems or stress in your life?

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7. Does God see your heart as being like a child's heart, or have you too forgotten how it feels to be able to
love and trust unconditionally?
8. Have you stopped growing and changing, because, you don't trust God with your heart and your life?
9. Do you believe you've gone as far as you can go in life? Why or why not?
10. Do you believe God has given up on you? Why or why not? Reread John 3:15,16
11. If you need help with a behavior problem or addiction, will you come to God with a child-like heart and
trust Him to change you?
12. Will you open your heart to let others help you and to let go of shame and guilt that keeps you in
bondage?
13. Will you repent, turn from your ways and accept Jesus and God's Holy Spirit into your heart to be reborn
with a new mind, the Mind of Christ?
14. Will you follow Christ and abide in Him?
15. Is there someone watching you manage?
16. How can you help them lead a better life?

Chapter 10
A HEART CREATED TO LEAD
Leadership
"Leadership means: having a heart for those around you; listening to the hearts of
qualities, in
others; and trusting God's Holy Spirit to guide you." --Mishael
God's eyes
are a whole different matter. He's not looking for someone who will satisfy the hearts of the people. His choice
for a leader is based on who will best serve him and His plan; for He alone knows what is best for us.
In the case of Jeremiah, His choice was not based on age and maturity.
Moses was not a good speaker. God does not choose leaders by who speaks the best. Neither, does He choose
the one who fights the best; nor the one who makes their opponents look the worst; nor the one who looks and
dresses the best.
God's choice is not always a man. The Prophetess Deborah, a woman, judged the people of Israel for 40 years
and went out with them to battle.
God is not looking for the strongest, bravest, brightest, wealthiest, or the most experienced.
God is not looking for the most popular candidate with the people, who has promised that he can right all
wrong.
God is looking for someone with the heart of a child, who will trust and obey Him.
Jesus chose His Disciples, not by the most learned and influential men of the times, but, by those willingly to drop
everything, put their faith and trust in Him, follow Him and never look back.
However, God sometimes chooses leaders based upon the hearts of the people. God's decision to choose Saul, as the first
king of Israel, was to reflect the heart of the people; and by doing so, to teach them a lesson.
When Samuel grew too old to judge the people of Israel, the hearts of his sons were so corrupt, the people rejected them
as Samuel's successor.
They could not see that their hearts had been corrupted, also. They're hearts lacked faith in God and turned away from
trusting Him to choose a leader. They wanted a king like other nations, thinking it would change them into a great nation,
in the eyes of man.
God gave them Saul. Saul's heart proved to be like that of the people; full of anger, jealousy and pride, disobedient to God
and full of darkness. He even began to trust in witchcraft, instead of putting his trust in God.
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Meanwhile, God had already looked upon the heart of another--a child, to become the next king of Israel. The same child
whose heart and trust in the Lord, gave him the courage to smite the Philistine, giant, Goliath; the child who grew to be a
man, fighting in Saul's army, winning battle after battle, becoming the people's champion and the object of Saul's jealousy
and anger.
WHY DAVID?
David, the son of Jesse, had many brothers. When, the Lord instructed Samuel to go to the house of Jesse and
anoint the next king, Samuel told the Lord that he dare not go, for Saul would have him killed, if he knew.
Samuel knew the hardened, blackened heart of Saul.
In obedience to the Lord, Samuel went and looked upon the sons of Jesse, who were presented to him, but
somehow he knew that the next king was not amongst them. There had to be another.
Samuel's heart (spirit) was being guided by the Spirit of God and God was looking for a different kind of heart.
The heart he sought laid within Jesse's youngest son, a shepherd boy, who sang to the Lord and played upon his
harp. David had a different kind of heart. Those around him could see he had a different heart and the favor of
God.
Later in his life, as a fugitive, running from the wrath of Saul, he crept up on Saul, while Saul squatted in a
cave. His mind said, I see you and I could slay you now, if I choose to do so, but his heart said, it would not
please me to do so, despite what you've done to me. You've betrayed me and lied to me; tried to kill me; exiled
me from my home; made me a fugitive; hunted me down like a dog to ensure my death. Yet, there was still love
and fear of God in David's heart and respect for God's chosen and anointed king.
Many men had perished by David's hands, but, no, David's heart would not allow him to kill Saul, even to save
his own life.
It was said that David was a man after God's own heart. David kept his child-like heart; the same heart that
enabled him to go up against Goliath, the giant. Perhaps, that is why God spared him, when David became king
and also sinned against Him.
When David, by killing Bathsheba's husband and taking her for himself, sinned against God, his Heavenly
Father, Whom he so dearly loved and sung about, he showed great remorse in his heart. He humbled himself
before God, in the sight of the Prophet Nathan and the people.
David's heart showed a desire to repent and change his ways, knowing he would still have to accept the
consequences for his behavior.
Although, he continued to pray and plead for the life of the child born to him and Bathsheba, upon the child's
death, he accepted his punishment with humility, knowing it was the Will of God and immediately went on with
his life.
Those around him could not figure it out. While the child still lived, David was as if death were upon himself;
now, that the child was dead, he recovered, girded his loins and carried on, as if nothing had happened.
It wasn't that David's heart was cold. David's heart was as an obedient child, accepting punishment from the
father, whom he loved and trusted with his very life.
You can't have lived a life like David's and not believed and trusted in something! David chose to believe in
God! He feared God; trusted God and loved God. --And within his heart, David understood the Will of God. He
had met it on the battlefield and knew that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. All that is, belongs to the
Lord, kept by his Grace and Mercy! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
God had kept him and he trusted God to change him from within, because he knew God would continue
keeping him. The heart of the shepherd knew the heart and desire of The Master.
How we accept things makes all the difference in God's eyes. Saul could not accept the idea of David receiving
more praise, glory and favor from the people, than he did. In the eyes of the people, David's skill in battle
surpassed Saul's, by great length and heroic measure.
David was humble and had the undying love of Saul's own son, Jonathan. In Saul's eyes David had wronged
him and taken what belonged to him. David was all that Saul could not be because; his heart was not right--not
right with God.
Saul could not accept being rejected by God and having his crown taken from him, but the most bitter taste in
his mouth, the agony that drove him to madness, was the inability to accept David, as his successor.
At sometime or another, we all have looked for a scapegoat, in which to place blame for our troubles and David
became and continued to be Saul's.
Saul could not accept the Lord's punishment that he would no longer be king and set out to kill David. Being
king meant more to Saul than loving and obeying God.
Like many of us, Saul believed he could go into darkness and come out unscathed--untouched and unchanged.
His pride kept him from thinking about the consequences. --Believing God couldn't see what was done in the
dark--God wouldn't know.
But know this! God will expose the treasures and desires of your heart; not to be vindictive, but because He
never gives up on us. Therefore, He continues to plead with us. (Jeremiah 2:8, 9)
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8] The priests said not, Where is the LORD? And they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also
transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
[9] Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
What does THIS have to do with change? I pray that your heart has listened closely; and perhaps remembered
being a child and having to put your faith and trust in others.
Albeit disheartening, there are many children growing up today, who do not have someone they can put their
faith and trust in to provide for them, love them and lead them in the right direction. Perhaps, you are or were
one of them. Perhaps, you know how difficult it is to accept disappointment and failure. Then, you know why
God needs leaders with the heart of a child, to trust Him unconditionally.
As Disciples, we are followers, who lead others to Christ. As David had to learn, we cannot be led by our own
hearts desires. We are examples who show others how to follow the Mind of Christ.
Perhaps, it is difficult for you to think of yourself as a leader. However, what we do affects everyone around us.
We not only affect the physical world, but the spiritual realm. As parents, men, women, husbands, wives,
teachers, friends, siblings, co-workers, classmates and Believers, we are leaders. Someone is always watching
you and being effected by your choices. At some point in your life, you are leading and influencing others.
It is no longer a difficult task, if you become like Jeremiah; having the heart of a child to fear God and trust Him
unconditionally. God will show you that leadership means: having a heart for those around you; listening to the
hearts of others; and trusting God's Holy Spirit to guide you.
As a leader, we always want to turn the hearts of the people towards God's Will and Way. Like Jesus, we return
their heart to be like that of a child; able to trust and love; to be able to accept the Will of God in their lives; and
continue to trust Him.
It begins with trusting Jesus. Can we show others a faithful and trusting heart? When people turn against us or
cast us out of their lives, can we show them the character and love of their faithful and loving Father, in
Heaven? When we are temped to give up, can we show others how to stand in the midst of life's storms? Can
we fight for others as we would for ourselves?
When we suffer loss and disappointment, can we show others how to accept God's Will and keep loving and
trusting Him? Then, if we can do this within our own lives, then, we can lead others in changing their life;
leading them to repentance and Transformation.
Many might say, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!"
But, that is only true if there is no love for the horse or the horse has no affection for you. What are you willing
to sacrifice, so that the horse will live? Are you willing to wait by the waterhole until the horse is thirsty, and
then offer him Living Water?
Can you watch him go back out into the world, searching in vain for something better? Upon his return,
will you welcome him with open arms?
What kind of person will the horse remember is back at the water hole? Will he find Jesus? This all may sound
very comical, but think about this analogy and the lie that has been fed to us because of it.
As disciples, we are faced with trying to convince people they are riding on empty and need Living Water.
What are you willing to give up, God asks, for your brother? God gave His Son for His children and Jesus gave
His life for you and me; that one day, when we had enough of this world and sin, we would thirst for Living
Water.
But, I guess that is the rub, as they say or the case in point. When do we have enough of this world and sin?
Should we just wait until the horse is ready to drink?
If you feel you have better things to do; bigger fish to fry; other horses in the stall; then why suffer for that one
horse?
Yet, the shepherd leaves all the other sheep in search of the one that is lost. Jesus chose to suffer and die; so that
when we became lost, we too would be found.
Just think of how long Jesus had to wait at that well for some of us to get thirsty enough to drink. When we
returned, there Jesus was; waiting with open arms.
The Adversary is waiting for us to shut and lock the door on our brother; to give up or become discouraged; and
to label them as hopeless. Satan will always find a use for them.
We were created to serve God and one another. If we love our brother as we do our self, we will not only lead
them to the water, but help to bathe and cleanse them. We will wash their feet and put a clean robe upon them,
letting them know that their Father loves them and has a plan for their life.
It is time to dispel lies. We are not horses. We are Opportunities and even if it were a horse we were offering
opportunity to, God is a way-maker and a chain-breaker! He gave us a way and His name is Jesus!
We must show others that they are an opportunity for someone else to meet Christ. How do we lead them to
drink?
We teach them about God and His Son, first, by forming a relationship to show them that they are
loved and understood, second, by being an example, and third by helping them find their identity
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in Christ. Next, we help them find their place within the Body of Christ, nurturing and mentoring
them as they grow.
Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world! We serve a God who has ALL POWER in His hands!
Who told us ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE, only BELIEVE!

perspectives.
1. What situations in your life are you tempted to give up on or have given up on? Why?
2. What people or individual are you tempted to give up on or have given up on? Why?
3. Are you in an unhealthy or dangerous situation? Why or why not?
4. Are you in an unhealthy or dangerous relationship? Why or why not?
5. Does anyone else believe you are in an unhealthy/dangerous situation or
relationship? Why?
6. Read Galatians 5:22-23 below. Consider that we must be attached to the Vine (Jesus) to produce GOOD
FRUIT. Is your situation or relationship producing GOOD FRUIT? Why or why not?
7. Are you producing GOOD FRUIT within the situation or relationship? Why or why not?
8. If not, have you repented and turned away from sin?
9. Are you attached to the Vine?
10. Read Matthew 7:16-20 below. What did Jesus say should be done with an unhealthy tree that cannot
produce good fruit?
11. How can you apply this to your situation, relationship or life? Discuss this with a mature Saint
(Believer).
12. What are you willing to give up in order to improve your situation or relationship? Why?
13. Are you willing to trust God, with a child-like heart to transform you, giving you a new mind to become
fruitful and live life abundantly?
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 7 King James Version (KJV)

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"LEADERSHIP DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL.
LEADERSHIP MEANS THAT, IN ORDER TO LEAD OTHERS, YOU ARE

ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM AND GOD IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE."
PART III THE HEART OF A CHILD
Chapter 11
A CALL TO LEADERSHIP
God is calling for those willing to deny themselves, dying to the flesh; desiring to worship Him in Spirit and in
Truth. He is offering abundant and eternal life; a changed mind and a renewed spirit. He is opening up the
doors of His Kingdom and raising-up leaders to pour out over the world; leaders who will grow in Christs love
and holiness; leaders who will be transformed to become like Christ and become Kingdom Leaders.
To grow in Christ, is to increase in faith, and to live producing the fruits of the Spirit; transformation that begins
inside and spreads to the outside; producing disciples, who are no longer of the world, clinging to worldly
things.
God is looking for leaders who are not afraid to look in the mirror and be truly changed, humbled, obedient and
accountable to Him.
God is looking for leaders who are not afraid of men and of the world; who know what it means to walk through
the valley of death and fear no evil--OVERCOMERS!
Truly, as we look at the world around us, it is filled with sin--the precursor of death.
Many, who have not overcome, because of their own weaknesses and insecurities,
choose to build up walls and false doctrine to keep out what they are afraid to meet head
on. They place themselves in a controlled and seemingly sacrificial environment and live
within an illusion of humbleness and godliness.
God is looking for leaders who do not walk in false humility; who do not operate in grey
areas and justify their actions as good deeds. God is looking for leaders who do not try
to hide behind the Word of God, but carry the Word forward as a Light and Sword.
God is looking for leaders, who truly believe in His Word and His Power; who do not try to limit His Power,
because of their own weaknesses.
God is looking for leaders who walk in the Light, move in the Spirit, worship in Spirit and in Truth; who fall on
their knees and pour out their heart; who weep, laugh, and cry out, because they truly know the Joy of the Lord;
who are not afraid to dance before the world for their God; who are not afraid to take back the land and the
abundant life that was promised to them.
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Yes, God is looking for leaders who are not afraid to die to themselves and live abundantly in Christ. God is
looking for leaders who will truly love ALL of His people, with the heart of a child; looking beyond their faults
to see their needs.
AN END TO BLIND WILL
Our will leads us blindly down the path of destruction. God cannot use those who refuse to submit
to His Will. He will take their blessing and give it to another who will pursue Him wholeheartedly and
surrender all.
God will change the world by creating new leaders that will be accountable to Him. Todays leaders do not
understand leadership.
LEADERSHIP DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL.
LEADERSHIP MEANS THAT, IN ORDER TO LEAD OTHERS, YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM
AND GOD IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE.
Leadership means that God has made you His vessel to implement a vision and plan and
most importantly to be remembered, it means that God has made you ACCOUNTABLE TO
HIM FIRST!
Our crossour calling, as leaders, is to equip the saints and free the captives; and that freedom is found in the
Truth of God.
Christ chose twelve to change the world through faith and belief; and sent many more out to heal and spread the
Gospel. He showed us that one man, through the power of God can overcome any obstacle and affect
millions.
If ever the world needed to see Christ, it is today, when we are on the cusp of self-destruction through moral
decay. Young lives are being corrupted, misused, thrown away and destroyed before they have even had a
chance to live.
Still, we choose to shun the tough issues, such as child sex slavery and pornography. We are too busy
supporting their cohorts; celebrating gay pride and marriage; drug legalization; trying to prove we are politically
correct; and supporting movies, television, celebrities and politicians who are doing everything they can to
corrupt the rest of the world.
Everyone is looking for things to get better in the world, but what are we doing
personally, to insure that it will happen? God is the change that the world needs, but
first, He has to change you.
THE CHALLENGE
God has a challenge for you. Each day, when you arise and thank Him for another day; before you leave the
house; or begin your day, look into the mirror and ask yourself, Do I see Christ? If you see the Son, then, you
also see the Father.
If not, then, humble yourself and make a decision to surrender all to God; to die to self and let Him make you
over and transform you into a new being. Make a decision to become an ambassador for the Kingdom,
wherever you are.
Make a decision to stand with others who are standing firm for God and Kingdom principles. Obey Him like
Jesus, with the heart of a child, putting all your trust in Him. Let the world see Christ and truly believe
that you are changing the world each and every moment, because you have brought God's Kingdom and Will to
Earth. The body and the space that you occupy, belongs to the Kingdom!
Let Him use you, my brothers and sisters. Yes, the world will rebuke you and scorn you, but God will comfort
you and give you strength and peace to endure.
If you believe, without a shadow of a doubt that you have given yourself to God and His Holy Spirit lives
within you, you have the power to make a positive and lasting change in someones life; to change the world
and let His Kingdom come.
TRUST HIM, with the heart of a child. LET HIM USE YOU!
Be not afraid. You are not alone. He is with you! He will deliver you!
AMEN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

perspectives.
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1. How do you choose those who will lead you? Does this line up with how God chooses leaders?
2. How do you think others view you as a leader? Does this line up with how God sees leaders?
3. How would you rate yourself as a leader? Why?
4. How can you become a better leader?
5. Do you fear what man can do to you or what others think of you?
6. Do you prepare yourself each day to lead; spending time in prayer and study of God's Word?
7. Do you truly have a heart for all people?
8. Can you die to self--your flesh daily, giving your will and life to God?
9. Do you abide in Christ to be made perfect in love?
10. Do you listen to the voice of your Heavenly Father and obey His Will and Way?
11. Do you walk by faith and not by sight?
12. Do you hunger for holiness and righteousness within yourself and desire it in the lives of others?
13. When you look into the mirror or reflect upon the image you portray, do you see Christ?
14. Do you check to see if you are fully dressed, wearing the Armor of God?
15. Are you ready to bear GOOD fruit?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Part 3 THE HEART OF A CHILD

Chapter 12
NEW WINE SKIN
It does well to remember and constantly remind one another, that we are not alone. If God be for us, then, who
can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
We, who love the Word, do not mind reading and hearing it again. It is like hearing our favorite song for the
hundredth time and waiting to start the next hundredth. It is like never tiring of our favorite meal. It is a
wonderful way to start the day; a breath of fresh air breathed upon us to revive us throughout the day; and a
sweet melody to lull us to sleep and keep us throughout the night.
Break bread with me, my Brothers and Sisters and taste the goodness of the Lord and hear of His immeasurable
Love for us.
ROMANS 8:30-39 (KJV)
30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom
he justified, them he also glorified.
31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all
things?
33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of
God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come,
39. 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Glory to God! My spirit rejoices, leaping within me and my soul cries out in thanksgiving to God for His Living
Word!
Now, let us continue...
My Brothers and Sisters, Children of God, who are blessed to be free, we are faced with no light task in freeing
our brother from darkness. Freeing the mind means going against family curses, cultural and religious beliefs,
traditions, false doctrine and worldly ideology, demonic influence, self-will and other bondage, affecting the
mind, body and spirit.
Jesus often posed a question to those He was about to heal...
Matthew 9:28 King James Version (KJV)
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe
ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
In dismantling the strongholds over individuals, families, communities and nations, it is important, at this point,
to believe that the influence of Darkness can be undone.
Jesus wanted to make sure there were no barriers to block a person from being healed. They had to believe.
Jesus was teaching us about change and Transformation. There cannot be any obstacles standing in the way of
their faith. Jesus shoed us that He did not have to be physically present to heal. Faith is a conduit--an automatic
connection to the power of God within Christ Jesus.
If people are to accept new ideas and the Truth, there cannot be any obstructions interfering with the connection
to The Truth, The Way and The Life. We must tear down the structure of lies in which they believe and give
them a new house to hold the Truth; one able to hold the Truth, without perishing. We must remove any
stumbling blocks, false beliefs and doctrine. We can liken this process to Jesus' parable of pouring new wine
into old wine skins.
God chose Jeremiah because He needed new wine skin, in which to pour His Word, as Jesus had not been sent
to redeem us and send the Helper, who would give us new birth and a new mind; keep us from sin; and keep our
houses clean and free from bondage. The priests, pastors and prophets, during that time were corrupt,
worshipping Baal. The uncorrupted, trusting heart of a child was new wine skin, in which God could pour His
Word and create a prophet who belonged to Him.
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BITTER WITH THE SWEET
God's need for new wine skin helps us to better understand the process of change, beyond what the textbooks
and behavior specialists can explain to us. God not only changed Jeremiah's behavior, He rebuilt him and
fortified him, endowing him with new attributes needed for his tasks. Then, God poured His Word into His new
wineskin, the prophet, Jeremiah.
During my studies, I have often wondered why there was no change over many others, who had learned or were
learning the same things that I was. Why weren't their eyes opened and their hearts changed? Why were people
beyond my years in age still stuck behind bars, living under the law and false holiness and righteousness?
They would grasp the meaning of the lessons, but were unable to allow it to change them. Now, my eyes have
been opened to the importance of being born of water and the Spirit and why John was told in Revelation to
take and eat the little book; which was like honey in the mouth, but bitter in the stomach.
(Revelation: 8-11) The Word must be taken in and absorbed into our being, becoming a part of us.
My colleagues could not swallow and digest the lessons and let them become part of their being, because they
were not ready to take the bitter with the sweet. Some preferred the old wine over the new, that is, living under
the law.
We find this same problem amongst others who love to listen to the Word of God, but are not ready to take the
bitter with the sweet by applying it to their own lives. Likewise, they profess to believe in and love Jesus, who
is The Word of God, but, they fail to let Him in and abide in Him, because they cannot bear His cross; taking the
bitter with the sweet.
New, fermenting wine causes wineskin to expand. Old wineskin has lost its suppleness and flexibility and
would only tear and burst, as a result of the fermentation forcing it to expand. This is why Jesus used the parable
of old and new wineskin. Some people are like old wine skin, unable to hold new wine; unable to hold the new
Word that they hear, so they pour out the new wine, to preserve themselves and continue to remain just as they
are--unchanged.
Jesus is also telling us that you cannot mix old religious practices and rituals with new doctrine. This is one of
the reasons why there is such division and confusion within churches. Many cannot hold the New Wine--the
New Covenant through Jesus, who fulfilled all the law and prophecy. They cling to religion and rituals and have
no flexibility or malleability to receive new wine. I have seen churches die off and permanently close their
doors for this very reason.
Peter and John were sent to Samaria, because the people believed, but God's Holy Spirit had not fallen upon
them. The new Believers would not bear good fruit if they were not attached to the Vine. They would not be
able to hold new wine, or be able to take the bitter with the sweet, without the new Mind of Christ and guidance
of God's Holy Spirit to enable them to hold and apply God's Word to their lives.
We must ask ourselves, "Am I able to hold new wine? This is vital to change within us and having realistic
expectations of change within others.
God, The Holy Spirit, changed Jeremiah as a child, making him over from the inside out. Yet, He told him that
in order for him to be successful, he must remember that, I am with you, I will deliver you. He made Jeremiah
accountable, saying if you don't obey me, this is what I will do to you.
God had to show Jeremiah tough love to prepare him for the harshness in the world and prevent him from living
in fear of men.
God trained Jeremiah like a horse with blinders on, to keep his eyes ahead, focused on Him and trusting Him to
guide him. He had to be prodded and made accountable for his behavior to become without fear of men, but to
fear God.
Conditions in the world today show us why we can't go on without preparing the Saints, as we were instructed
to do; teaching accountability and abiding in Christ to take the bitter with the sweet, without fear.
Through the process of rebirth, God gives us NEW WINE SKIN! --A NEW MIND, able to hold the Living
Word, poured into it to give us NEW LIFE!
Now, we need only to abide in Him, having The Mind of Christ, with the heart of a child, trusting our Father to
give us peace and courage to conquer that which comes against us in this world. Through Christ, we are made
perfect in love. Perfect Love casts out fear!
Still, we cannot forget the lost and those not attached to the Vine to produce good fruit. It is so very sad to see
people, worshipping and serving God for years, yet, remaining unchanged. Who is accountable for these souls
my Brothers and Sisters, if we say we love our neighbor? What is a joyful noise, but the sound of Truth ringing
throughout the rafters?!
Those stuck behind bars, like in any prison, learn to measure their fruit and the fruit of others by what they have
and what they can give and do and not by the fruit born of abiding in God's Holy Spirit, attached to the Vine.
The most tragic result is that, most often, the most vital fruit of discipleship--love for all of God's people, is not
found within them.
If discipleship had not been replaced by membership, perhaps, more people would be accountable to the
commandment of Christ Jesus to His Disciples, "Love one another, as I have loved you." Jesus is not saying, as
you choose to love them, but as I have loved you, which is in Perfect, Agape Love.
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Change--Transformation--a renewing of the spirit (heart) and mind, is more than most people bargain for,
because of their love of self, the world and lack of love for God and their brother. They cannot surrender all.
How, does this affect our assignment, as disciples? Do we give up on the lost? Do we only focus on those with
new wine skin?
STEADFAST LOVE AND OBEDIENCE
Jeremiah delivered the Word of God for many years, under several Kings of God's people. They did not heed
God's call to repent and change their ways. As a result, the prophecy was fulfilled and they were carried away
into bondage by another people of foreign ways.
Nonetheless, Jeremiah never gave up, but obeyed God. Some might say that Jeremiah's efforts were in vain.
Why did God even bother to warn the people, if He knew they weren't going to listen? --Because, God is a God
of promises, who keeps His promises. He is a teacher and a healer. He is everything we need.
God would not and could not give up on His people. He is the same today as yesterday. It is so wonderful to
know that this is the character of the God we serve.
Our Father said that we should imitate Him and try to become like Him. This means that we too, cannot give up
on others. We must continue being obedient to let others know His Will and that they, too, are accountable.
It may mean that we must watch others and some who are close to us, be carried off into bondage or fall deeper
into darkness. God knows the end and the beginning. He will judge accordingly.
Why continue to use Jeremiah to warn the people? God knew that there would be some hearts changed; there
would be other new wine skin; but, to God, ALL His sheep are important to Him.
Relationships require us to take the bitter with the sweet. God wants man to be a willing participant in our
relationship with Him. He wants us to know that He is still with us and looking out for all of our best interests.
He wants us to know that He loves us and we should have that same love for one another.
Then, with that love comes accountability to one another. These are the things we must continue to tell others,
even when they are in bondage and as with everything, it must be done in love.
God was not giving up on His people, when He allowed them to be carried off into bondage. By enslaving their
body, He was giving them a chance to have their mind freed. This is why we can't give up. God makes a way for
His children to be freed.
As He taught Jeremiah to fear Him, so must He teach His other children to fear Him. He had a promise to keep,
as well as a creation to save. Like any good father, He did not take delight in the punishment.
PRESSING TOWARD THE HEART
As disciples, helping Jesus make other disciples, how do we help them understand fear of God, without turning
them against God? We press towards the heart.
We help them first come to know about God, worship and love Him. This is what churches have been doing
RIGHT. We don't stop doing what is right, but, we realize that there is always another level God wants to take
us to.
Worshipping God seems to be the mode or level in which most churches are stuck today. They have rejected the
fire and brimstone preaching of yesteryear, which began to turn people away from churches, only to trade it in
for God is love and prosperity and Jesus will fix anything, so let us worship Him.
However, to truly love God is to obey God, which involves accountability--an area in which most people have
been left to believe is their own "personal space."
As ambassadors of Christ, we must be that living example to show others how to be accountable, and how to be
open to others, without fearing man. We want them to know that God looks beyond our faults and sees our need,
but He doesn't stop there. Oh, no. He takes us out of our comfort zone, because He doesn't want us to keep those
faults.
We can teach others about knowing God, but to know God they must become One with Him, through His Holy
Spirit.
So we continue to press towards the heart, exposing lies and the weaknesses they will create within us. We teach
them how to resist the enemy, rebuke him and cast him out of their lives. We bring them God's weapons and
armor to wear and teach them how to wield His Sword.
Discipleship requires us to come out of our comfort zones. It exposes our weaknesses and uses our strengths
and gifts and teaches us to work side-by-side with our brother. We, in turn, are able to better minister and
witness to others and be used to help change lives.
This is a very fragile area for most people, especially leaders, because they don't want to be vulnerable or show
weakness. So, they allow Satan to whisper in their ear, telling them to cover up their weaknesses and reject
anything and anyone that might expose them.
They are unaware that their excluding anything and anyone who might expose them extends to include God.
However, God wants to free us because He wants no one to live in constant fear, shame or ignorance. It
separates us from Him. He will expose our pride and weaknesses because He knows that these things stir up
strife, division, hatred and war.
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Our fear affects everyone around us. People become afraid of change in the world, because they have no anchor
to keep them from drifting out to sea and perishing. World change such as globalization brings drastic change to
those who identify themselves in their nationality, culture and religion. It has brought FEAR into the hearts of
nations. It is threatening to those who have no anchor. STILL, anywhere there is fear, we press towards the
heart; for the mind follows the heart. As disciples, we continue to press toward the heart, as Jesus did with His
parables and sermons.
Fear exposes weaknesses and one becomes vulnerable to the enemy by their own doing. That is why our
faith must grip The Solid Rock, Jesus, so that the changing winds in the world cannot sway us or break us.
Yes, fear exposes what we are lacking. The adversary knows that at that point, the most crucial thing we are
lacking is FAITH IN GOD! Is it no wonder that Darkness fights to keep others in the world from knowing and
believing in Jesus and being made perfect in love? Jesus is our blessed assurance that we cannot be separated
from God.
Those who cling to this world will find it forever changing, as the seasons. Those who place their faith in
leaders will be disappointed. Those who place their faith in culture, race, nationality, religion, money, weapons
and war will be disappointed. Their pathway has been blocked, but they cannot see the road ahead, because God
has allowed them to become blinded. --But those who cling to and put their faith in the Lamb of God cannot
fail; for His Way is that of His Father, His Truth is Everlasting and He is our Peace.
God has all power in His hands and is a jealous God. Therefore, He will not have us worship things, people,
ourselves, false doctrine and ideology or any other idol man creates.
The only thing that we can be sure of in this world is that God is unchanging. He will be the same today and
tomorrow as He was yesterday. He is faithful, my friends. He is always, faithful.
Fear of God is a good thing, in that it propels us toward holiness and righteousness and away from Darkness.
Can we say that we fear God and run from Him as some do? No, it is not God, Whom they fear, but fear of
surrendering their will and of losing the world, to which they cling; for to fear God is to know of His Wrath and
Almighty Power, which can snuff you out like a candle.
Fearing God is, knowing He can take His hand and favor from you. Fearing God is knowing there is no place
you can go where God cannot reach. He is all knowing and sees everything. There is no place to hide. God is
not afraid to go into the darkness; for He created darkness. David wrote,
"[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
He is there. Even in the Darkness, He is there. When you continue to sin, Satan has lied to you. He cannot and
has no desire to protect you. He surrounds you with others in sin and bondage, doing the same things, so that
you become bold in your sin.
He wants to expose you and lead death to your door. Need you worry about people exposing you or your
weaknesses, when you have given the enemy Carte Blanche, full unconditional authority, the key, to unlock
your door; not only to expose you, but to steal, kill and destroy your life?
You, see, we must press toward the heart, my Brothers and Sisters; throwing out the lifeline to rescue the lost;
dispelling lies; rooting out; tearing down; and beginning the process of building up, in preparation for the
Transformation of new wineskin. Always in love, my Brothers and Sisters, always in love, to create a
relationship, as Jesus did with His Disciples.
I hear that there is an echo from my heart that wants you to understand and grab on to these words for dear life.
It is an echo of love for you and a desire for you to know the Truth, so that you will live in the fullness of God's
Glory!
God bless you. May He give you steadfast love and keep you in obedience. --May He give you strength,
abundance and wisdom to aid those in need. --May His arms embrace you, for me, also, and wipe away your
tears. --May His peace be upon you. May God keep you in Truth and protect you in Life, until you've Gone the
Last Mile of the Way. Amen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

perspectives.
1. Do you believe? Why or why not? I have left out the object of belief, because I want it to be spontaneous to you.
What is the first thing or person that came to your mind? Ask yourself why? What and who do you believe in?
2. If you believe, did you come to believe on your on accord, that is, because you wanted to believe, or, because you
were told or expected to believe?
3. Did you feel pressured to believe by parents, family, friends or church members?
4. If you don't believe or question your belief, do you want to believe? Why or why not?
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5. Some say, they believe in God, but not Jesus, as His only begotten Son. Some say, they believe in God, but not the
Devil. What are your thoughts about these beliefs? Why?
6. Do you believe in the Bible as the Word of God? Why or why not?
7. Do you believe in Jesus as The Word of God? Why or why not?
8. Do you understand why they are both called The Word of God?
9. Do you believe Jesus healed people? Why or why not? Do you believe Jesus has the power to heal people today?
Why or why not?
10. Do you believe Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, then rose on the third day and ascended into Heaven and
now sits on the right hand of God? Why or why not?
11. Have you asked God to help you believe? Why or why not?
12. Are there barriers or obstacles keeping you from believing (lies, people, culture, tradition, religion, anger,
disappointment, experiences, etc.)? List what they are.
13. How do you feel about these barriers or obstacles? Write down your feelings. Talk to God about these feelings.
Write down what you hear or feel.
14. Talk to a mature Believer about your barriers and obstacles. Write down what you hear or feel.
15. If you are a Believer, do you want to help others to believe? Why or why not?
16. Have you tried to help others believe? Why or why not?
17. If you have tried to help someone believe, what was the result of your efforts?
18. If you weren't successful, why do you think you failed?

19. If you had the chance, what would you do differently?
20. Do you live with or have a friend or family member who doesn't believe or has become lost? What kind of
relationship do you have with them?
21. Have you approached them about their belief? Why or why not?
22. If you have approached them, what happened?
23. If you had the chance, what would you do differently?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Romans 8 New International Version (NIV) Revelation 10 King James Version (KJV)
Matthew 9King James Version (KJV)
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PART III THE HEART OF A CHILD
Chapter 13
BITTER WITH THE SWEET, Interlude
Father, I have seen people, who appeared to be zealous for God, fall by the wayside so hard, it is as if they'd
never heard the Word of God.
I have seen pastors who claim to be God's shepherds turn their back on people they have accepted into the flock;
never going to visit or talk to them; and never questioning their whereabouts; and shunning them in the sight of
others.
People become out of sight and out of mind to them, yet, they claim to have the mind and heart of Christ. What
shepherd does not tend to all the Master's sheep in the flock? What shepherd forsakes the lost?
Ministers have confessed to me that they are not free of racial prejudice; yet, they claim to love and follow
Jesus. They glorify their work and calling, when they don't even love the people they are called to serve. My
Lord! How and why I ask?
FATHER: Their expectations of their God are self-serving.
ME: What drives men and women to such madness and hypocrisy? Do they actually believe You don't see and
know what is in their hearts? Do they actually believe that You don't care?
FATHER: They worship themselves. If they haven't surrendered themselves to me, then, they really don't know
me or my Word. I become what they want me to be in their minds.
ME: Father...
FATHER: My child, they cannot accept the bitter with the sweet.
ME: I'm tired Father.
FATHER: Rest, child.
ME: They mislead others Father.
FATHER: Wait...
ME: Wait for what Father?
FATHER: Wait on the Lord.
(I briefly fall asleep and awaken; my thoughts continuing upon how people can be deceived. Then, a voice too
familiar speaks, having listened in on my thoughts.)
FATHER: Even if you tell them, they cannot hear you. Their hearts follow man.
They cannot accept the bitter with the sweet.
Those who have heard the truth and return to darkness are better off having not heard for now they must bury
themselves even deeper within darkness to forget the Truth which was revealed to them.
They return (to darkness) thinking they can hide from themselves. They look for reasons to blame others for
their misery, when it is their refusing to die to self which continues to be their downfall.
ME: These pastors and priests, with hardened hearts Father, they're living a lie.
FATHER: Be careful that you do not harden your heart. They are men like any other men; who are trapped
inside an insanity brought on by a lie built upon another lie and another, until they can't remember how they got
there or how to escape. Some have been born and raised in ignorance. It is all they know and want to know.
Their pride runs deep within self. Wait, I say.
Do not let this become a distraction to you.
(I arise for the evening to be with family and have my evening meal. Then, return to my slumber, until I awake
within the late hours of the night, hearing...)
FATHER: They can see you.
(Then, I remember thinking...)
ME: If they can't hear me Father, is there any hope in freeing them?
FATHER: They can see you. They follow man.
Relationships...it is all about relationships. Earn their trust with Perfect Love. Then, lead them to my Son. They
will awaken. He will awaken them.
Remain faithful. Trust Me and obey.

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Do not look upon the flesh, if you truly love my sheep. I have looked into your heart and you know what I have
seen. Be a worthy vessel; for I am with you.
ME: Father, help me to abide in You always, as You abide in me. You are forever faithful to me.
FATHER: Then, follow. Keep your eyes on My Son and He will keep your heart on Heavenly things. Let your
Light shine through the darkness to lead them out.
(I dose off again and awaken in the early morning, while darkness is still upon the sky. Somewhat disoriented, I
find myself raising my left hand and putting my right index finger in the middle of my palm, as if something is
supposed to be there, or I was about to write something there. Again, my Father speaks.)
FATHER: Write this upon hearts with the Light that flows from thy hand.
ME: Father, the night has slipped away and each time I have awakened You have been here waiting on me to
tell me something. Thank You.
FATHER: I was there in your dreams, watching over you.
ME: Thank You, Father.
FATHER: Now, feed My sheep.

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YCCM PART III HEART OF A CHILD
Chapter 14
FINDING PEACE
Every now and then, we wander into a grey zone and find ourselves in unrest, greatly distracted and without the
peace in which we rest so comfortably. We are left feeling that peace has left us. Do not let it distress you so; for
it is then that we must find peace in understanding, not as we know it, but in the understanding that comes from
knowing God.
God is with us, we are not alone. Many believe that they know and understand this. As simple as it may sound,
not everyone really understands and acknowledges God's presence within them. We must make what is in our
hearts a reality in our mind, so that it will be manifested through us into our lives and the lives of others. It is of
great importance that we do so; for the strategy of the enemy is to make us feel isolated and to forget that God is
right there with us, in the midst of our trouble, with all power in His hands.
However, knowing you're not alone is not enough. God said He would NEVER leave you. YES, if God be for
you, then who can be against you! These assurances we most assuredly have because God keeps His promises
and does not lie.
STILL! In your hour of trial or tribulation, WHO do you choose to serve? If you are to have peace, this is the
FIRST understanding and surety that YOU must have. Who do you choose to serve? Can God count on you?
What is in your heart during this time? Are you in self? Do you expect God to punish all those around you, who
you believe have offended, inconvenienced or hurt you and taken your peace? Where is your FAITH and
ACCOUNTABILITY in this hour of your life; in this relationship?
THE COMFORT ZONE
When you find yourself out of your comfort zone, what do you do? Do you put all the blame and responsibility
on others and expect God to alleviate your stress? Do you expect others to tiptoe around you, not to fluster you,
or ruffle your feathers and disturb what you consider to be YOUR peace? Do you always expect someone else
to rescue you or just rid yourself of others in order to restore your peace, which in reality is just your comfort
zone? Could this be why God allows you to fall into the pits and snares, the shadows and the grey zones?
Today's society has very explicit and rigid rules concerning the comfort zones of others. I've read that one
should not put entire words in capital letters, because it denotes shouting and rudeness. A young lady once told
me that she didn't like going to church and refrained from doing so because she didn't like being yelled at from
the pulpit.
In both instances, we find that people are expected not to disturb, what is seen as, the peace and comfort zone of
others. Yet, pride is disguised and traveling incognito. Maybe it's not blatantly out in the open, but it's still the
same old pride, laced with fear--"Arsenic and Old Lace [Note 1]" disguised to create an illusion of being docile,
sweet, and innocent, while it comes to kill, steal and destroy, from the inside to the outside, having no
mercy and bringing no peace.
The enemy uses these disguised instruments to play a silent lullaby to lull people to sleep, within their comfort
zones. This is why BOLDNESS in Christ, as Christ is bold, is needed today to awaken the sleeping.
Christ has given us His Sword to awaken the walking dead (those living in sin). He has given us words that
reverberate, echoing within the heart and soul with much loudness and mirth, clanging and rattling to shake the
very soul and loosen the grip of the enemy, before the first trumpet sounds, that our brothers and sisters may
live in Christ and enjoy abundant and everlasting life, today.
Jesus' parables and manner of speech affected those who were ready to come out of their comfort zone, as well
as having a heart, which desired Truth, Holiness and Righteousness. Does it mean that God loved these people
more? You may wonder why you do not have ears to hear or understand all of God's Word. Has He left you out?
God's love for you is unconditional and everlasting. He hasn't forgotten you or left you out. His desire is that
none should perish. Yet, until you have humbled and surrendered yourself to Him, until you, too, thirst for
Living Water, until you come out of your comfort zone, you are like a caterpillar still developing in a cocoon,
not ready to mature and be transformed.
With freewill, comes accountability. Are you ready to take responsibility for your life and come out of your
comfort zone?
BOLDNESS, given in love, the love of Christ, is required to wake the sleeping and shake them out of their
comfort zone. We cannot avoid stirring up the pride of those who wish to remain in their comfort zone, who will
reinterpret (not misinterpret) boldness as being incorrect, blasphemous, angry, arrogant, unnecessary, hostile or
rude, etc.
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They cannot understand it because they are still of the world. It does not look and sound sweet and they refuse
to take the bitter with the sweet. Within their comfort zone, they can cling to self and be of the world; for within
their comfort zone they can reinterpret this, also.
By no means am I suggesting that we be inconsiderate or put aside kindness or gentleness; nor does this mean
that we should advocate and encourage rudeness and boldness out of ill and hardened hearts. --But, FOR mercy
and respect of others, we must understand the seriousness of discipleship and not forget that Jesus said in
Matthew 10:34-39 (KJV):
34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or
daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
SECOND, in order to find peace, we must understand dying to self, or flesh (losing our life, that which keeps us
attached to the world), and learn to live and walk in the spirit, by faith, to follow Christ. Dying to self requires
us to permanently leave our comfort zone, because it is a thing of the flesh.
Self-control (forbearance) is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit. We must be able to foresee and prevent our first
reaction to adversity, which is to turn to self or hide in self. Therefore, we must not be anxious. If we have no
control over self, then the enemy takes over.
This is the pivotal point in whether or not we are taken into bondage or remain in bondage. If we are to help
others become free, this is the point in which we cannot be distracted, deterred or defeated. We must be able to
die to self and abide in Christ Jesus and be led by the Spirit of God.
THE TEST
THIRD, understand that whatever you're going through is a test. No matter what it may look like, it is a test,
because you must BELIEVE that God did not bring you this far just to leave you. He doesn't want you to
remain in grief or turmoil. It may look like the biggest mess you've ever been in, in your life. It may look like
it's the end. However, even in the face of death, you must believe that God will carry you over the river to a
better place.
Remember, God is with you and He has allowed you to be tested to strengthen you. Together, as One, you will
overcome and go on to tell and show others--THIS is how you conquer the world with God!
God is training you, like a horse with blinders on, as He did with Jeremiah, so that you do not fear man and
know who to put your trust in. He wants us to know what to do when we come against the enemy, even as we
face death or lay upon our death bed.
KEEP your eyes on Jesus and do not let them stray; regardless of what's going to happen to you; regardless of
what's going on around you; regardless of what the enemy says or does.
You are not unprotected or defenseless. My Angels are encamped around you. You have a charge to keep--a
mission, even unto death, as Jesus did, and you must complete it at all cost. For what profit is it for a man to
gain the whole world and lose his soul?
Is there not Peace in this?
If we go into a test or storm of life, with a hardened heart and come out with a hardened heart, then, we have
failed.
God showed us the heart of a child in Jeremiah. Now, He wants us to keep the heart of a child, but, to mature
and become like Jesus, always trusting and obeying, because of our love for Him.
If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can go into a test or storm, with the heart of a child (trusting and obeying) and
come out with the heart of a child, then, count it all as joy. Win or lose, with God, you have been victorious and
overcome, having kept the faith, obediently walked in His Will and Way and stood for Holiness and
Righteousness. Whatever the loss, God knows what is best. He is forever faithful and will take care of you.
Overcoming our circumstances as individuals is for a greater cause. We are connected to one another, members
of the same Body of Christ. When one member is strengthened, it strengthens the Body as a whole. We must
meet each challenge and circumstance as: mountains that are not insurmountable; as feats not beyond
surpassing; and as tests given to PREVENT failure. God never gives us more than we can bear.

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As we overcome, following in the footsteps of Jesus, there are others behind us, following with hope, renewed
faith, trust and obedience to God. The Body of Christ is strengthened and the Kingdom is expanded.
THE SACRIFICE
When something traumatic happens in our lives, it leaves an imprint; not only physically, but also, mentally and
spiritually. It is there to remind us and in doing so can either put us into bondage or be used to strengthen us and
others. No matter what others may say to try to diminish the impact it has made upon our lives, we are the one
who has to live with it. They may say that the same thing or worse has happened to them and they recovered
and put it behind them. They may even say they've made peace with it.
There is nothing I wish to say to diminish the trials, grief and trauma you have experienced. I would not want to
diminish it, for the fact that you are still here, in what ever shape or form (you ARE still here) which means God
has a purpose for you and brought you through.
You are still here and NO ONE can tell your story like you can! The fact that God spared your life means that it
is of great value, not only to Him, but to others. It means that you are an Opportunity and that you have an even
greater opportunity to be born again and receive Peace, as a gift; not as compensation or reward, but as a
purchase of love from Jesus, His Son.
Jesus, God incarnate, who died, bearing all our sins and grief, then rose from the dead, is the only one who
knows exactly what you've been through, what you felt and how it impacted your life. He was there and felt
your pain. Why didn't He stop it? Why did He allow it and watch? Because, He has great need of you and your
Father has a plan for your life; not just this life, in this world, but within His Kingdom and everlasting life.
Did God not have to watch and feel His Son suffer persecution, torture, crucifixion and death? Had He not,
what would have become of man in this world? We may see ourselves as one individual, but God sees us as
those who have come before and those who will come after. We are the potential to add countless numbers to
the Kingdom.
You are more than the sum of your pain and sorrows; more than meets the eye; more than you can imagine. God
knew long ago that you were worth the sacrifice and that no matter what happened to you in this world, through
Jesus, you would find Peace and be made whole.
THE LIE
FOURTH, we must understand that the enemy cannot take our peace, because our Peace is not of this world or
of the things in this world. Peace is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit, part of God's character that He imparts to us,
when we are attached to the Vine. You cannot bear good fruit without being attached to The Vine, Jesus.
The enemy cannot steal your PEACE, because you have JESUS! --And Jesus IS our Peace-- for He is the Word
of God...and the WORD is God, Who gives us Peace that, surpasses all understanding. Amen
However, when we go interfering with the enemy's territory and those he claims as his, the first lie he wants us
to believe is that he can steal our peace. He'll have someone say or do something he is certain will rock your
boat, upset you, hurt you, distract you and send you away worried, angry or in pain.
The enemy wants you to believe you're having a bad or tragic day. He wants you to believe that death is the end
and you've suffered great loss. He wants you to believe that your heart is going to stay broken and your life is
over. He wants you to believe that no one cares about you. Yes, he wants you to believe that things are going to
stay the same and never get better.
Misery loves company. He knows how the story ends for him, so he's going down fighting, kicking and
screaming to try and make you believe there's no hope for you, either. He knows that if you become One with
the Father and Son he can't steal true Peace! But, all he has to do is get you to BELIEVE that you can find
peace elsewhere, in the world, and that he can come and steal your peace anytime and anywhere.
LIVING YOUR BELIEF
FIFTH, and within this fifth understanding is the key to unlock the prison door that keeps you from Peace and
enables you to walk out of bondage; not break out, run, escape and hide or be a fugitive or ex-convict; but to
walk CLEAN and unscathed, like Daniel out of the lion's den [Daniel 6] and Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael,
who walked unsinged, not even smelling of smoke, from the fiery furnace [Daniel 3].
God is COMPLETE in describing what He can and will do for us. God will allow you to walk out, having had
your chains to fall off and the door to open, as He did for the Apostles who were jailed in Jerusalem (Acts 5:19,
20) and Peter in (Acts 12:5-8). You will walk out like the Children of Israel did in Egypt and even if the enemy
pursues, you have a GOD who will part the waters for you and swallow the enemy beneath the waves. ( Exodus
12 and 14)
I know that you know about these men and events, but are you remembering them and celebrating them as you
go through your tests and pass through your storms? Are you celebrating the victories of God instead of
impending doom and failure? If not, then perhaps you're not awake yet, perhaps you've slept through your
deliverance and don't even realize your chains have been lifted and you're free to walk out. The only thing that
may be keeping you is your state of mind.
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Perhaps, you don't really believe God delivered these men in such a way. They're just Bible stories to inflate the
power of God, or He just doesn't do that kind of thing anymore. Then, you must carefully consider the fifth
understanding, in order for you to find Peace.
This FIFTH understanding is about a way of life that must be lived daily, BELIEVING in what God can and
will do for you. This fifth understanding may be the hardest for you to undertake, if you really don't understand
the other points.
If you truly want Peace, then, this fifth understanding requires you to digest and absorb the Word and apply it to
your life in the midst of chaos and storms and persecution and abuse and torment and whatever may come your
way. To absorb the Word, you must BELIEVE the Word!
THE RELATIONSHIP
My Brothers and Sisters, we must understand that we were created, not only to be caretakers of this planet, but
to have a relationship God desires to have with ALL of His Children, in Heaven and on Earth.
In this world, filled with darkness, God placed Light. Through the Light ignited within us, by the Word of God,
WE are the Light, if we understand our purpose in life!
Life is about RELATIONSHIPS, but not just any relationships; this is where we must be more specific. Life is
about relationships with the Light and in the Light and we must live accordingly. To have this Light, we must
have JESUS! If you have Jesus NOTHING can tear you from His love.
Having Jesus affects how we have relationships with one another and the relationship God wants to have with
us. If we haven't accepted Him and absorbed Him to become a part of us, we can by no means, way, shape or
form have healthy, holy, righteous relationships that are in perfect love and peace.
Yes! God has a New Covenant! Examine your heart and relationships. Examine your marriage relationship. Are
you lacking one thing? Do you have the unconditional, everlasting, Perfect Love of God? Are there times when
your heart is hardened, spiteful, vengeful or filled with contempt (scorn, disrespect), criticism, judgment,
deception, or betrayal?
Again, life is about relationships with The Light. If we leave out The Light, then, we continue having
relationships in darkness, filled with sin and despair and void of Peace. Our hearts become hardened and we
don't even know it. We think we love people, but we don't. Some of us don't even care about loving our
neighbors. We pick and choose who we will love and when we will love, because, we don't know what Love is.
We believe we have Peace, but we don't know what Peace is.
If we haven't accepted Jesus and the Spirit of God into our heart, one of the hardest things for us to get past in
our relationships with others, is what people have done wrong to us, other people and themselves.
Their sin may be so great in our eyes that we cannot find a way of overlooking it. We can be so hurt by what
they or someone like them has done to us or a loved one that we find them repulsive. We can become filled with
such anger, bitterness and hate, we can't even bear to be around them, let alone talk to them.
Our feelings may be so hurt that we can't even think of trying to help them or see any amount of good coming
into their lives. We may either want to see them hurt or destroyed; out of our lives; or immediately change and
right their wrong. --And yet, we want PEACE in our lives.
It is easy to see and condemn the sin and faults of others, but we cannot see the sin upon us that is destroying us
because of our hardened hearts.
Do you want your living to be in vain? Then, this is why it is so important to know the character of God and
strive to be like Him.
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THE PEACE
If we completely surrender our will and abide in Jesus, we come to understand others, accept others and have a
loving, healthy and fruitful relationship with them. In other words, we have true Peace in our heart and soul. We
have Jesus, there. No matter what comes our way, it is well with our soul; not because we are lethargic or
indifferent, but because of the Peace that comes with Perfect Love.
Ooooh, what a wonderful peace it is! It makes you wonder how you ever survived before without it; and as long
as you keep your eyes on Jesus--it's yours. It is yours today for the asking...just...
Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)
7 Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall
be opened.
There is an old song that says, "I know a Man from Galilee. If you're in sin, He'll set you free. Ooooh...Do you
know Him? Do you know Him? [Note 2]" How can we help change others if we ourselves don't have Peace in
our lives because we don't know Jesus?
Many Believers love to sing and talk about having Jesus, but have no Peace in their lives. The two go hand in
hand. They are one in the same.
The Lost and the Sleepers are right before our eyes, believing they are awake, because they are under the spell
of a lie. They've been sent upon a wild goose chase, as they say, to find peace in the world, to keep them
clinging to self and the world. They will not find the peace and love they are looking for within the world. The
enemy knows that they will only become Lost.
The Kingdom, within, expands with our bringing forth Truth and Light to change hearts and minds. We have
spent much time talking about your heart for this very reason. Changing others depends on our heart being
purged of the world, sin and self.
We must learn to fast and purge, meaning, ridding ourselves of the things of this world--not just food, but
anything that corrupts our mind, spirit and body, such as pain, temptation and lies, which produce doubt, fear,
shame, guilt, unhealthy and unclean thoughts and worldliness. We listen to God's Holy Spirit, so that we fast
wisely for our health and well-being.
As we Fast and Purge, we pray, communing with God and loosing and binding things in Earth and Heaven. We
empty ourselves of self and being rooted in the world and fill ourselves with the holiness, righteousness, love
and power of the Kingdom. Jesus spent much time alone with His Father, doing just this.
You come to love spending time with your Father so much that soon it becomes more automatic and less
deliberate. Then, it becomes a part of your relationship with the Father and Son.
Oh, my Lord, help us in this endeavor, that it may become their nature and their character!
FALL UPON THEM, HOLY SPIRIT!!! TRANSFORM THEM!
If you are having difficulty in believing in God, Who is the Word, Who has given us the scripture in the Bible, I
encourage you to deepen your relationship with Him; that He may reveal the Truth unto you and increase your
faith. Take time to talk to Him as I am talking to you. Open yourself to Him freely and He will fill you with
Peace.
Satan likes to keep us busy and unrested, so that we won't make time to be with God and be revived. Then, he
can have his way with us and those around us. This is why we must remain prayerful, rested, keeping our eyes
on Jesus and seeking Heavenly things; being in the world, but not of the world.
Filled with the knowledge of Peace, dressed in the Armor of God, attached to the Vine and always bearing good
fruit, we are fortified, armed with defenses, which includes God's Angels. We are ready to make a stand and
change the world person by person, and nation by nation.
Do not look for peace in the world, my Brothers and Sisters; for Jesus did not send it. Instead, He brought it
within Himself. If you have found Jesus and you are One with the Father, you have found Perfect Peace. May
others find Him within you and desire Him also for themselves.
"God bless you and keep you in Jesus, our Perfect Peace." Amen
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DO YOU REALLY WANT PEACE?
When people, in the world speak of peace, it is not automatically connected to Jesus, Who is the Prince of
Peace. No doubt, the enemy does not want this connection to be made. Yet, Jesus also said that He was not sent
to bring peace into the world.
As we wear The Armor of God, our feet are shod with peace; therefore, we walk in peace.
We read in Matthew 5:9...
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Also, as part of The Vine, we bear Fruit of Peace. Is Jesus contradicting Himself or does this require a new
understanding of Peace?
Neither. What we must understand is the separation of the world from God's Kingdom and Spiritual Seasons.
Light came into the world and Darkness didn't understand it. Jesus is that Light and Peace that the world does
not know and cannot understand.
John 1:5 (KJV)
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 3:19 (KJV)
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil.
WE of the Kingdom can bring Light and Peace to those, in the world, seeking The Truth, The Way and The
Life. Once they have drunk from the Fountain and accepted Jesus into their hearts, they become part of the
Kingdom and no longer of the world.
It is not time for the world to know Jesus, as the Son of God. The Book of Revelation tells of the Second
Coming of Jesus and the revelation of His identity and acceptance by the world.
It is our Season, as Believers, attached to The Vine, to produce good fruit, to increase the Kingdom and live life
abundantly. We are commissioned as Disciples, Followers, Believers, Spiritual Walkers, Ambassadors of Christ,
The Body of Christ, Soldiers of the Cross, Watchmen, Saints, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and
Evangelists, to spread The Good News of the Kingdom, in Peace; to engage in spiritual warfare; to equip; to
heal and help; bind and loose; edify and exhort; to worship in Spirit and Truth; to be worthy vessels; and to lead
others into discipleship and the Kingdom of God.
If we are to be successful, we MUST have PEACE! We cannot go expecting others to follow, if we don't know
where we're going. We cannot just fill places of worship with bodies and allow them to remain dead in sin.
There is no PEACE in this! How can the dead worship in Spirit and in Truth?!
Do you believe in PEACE?! If you want peace, you have to believe in The Prince of Peace--THE GIVER OF
LIFE! You have to believe in Yeshuah (Jesus), as the Son of Yahweh (God), King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
our High Priest, the Chief Shepherd, the Lamb of God, the Messiah, Counselor, Jesus--The Christ. Indeed, He is
much more, our All-in-All.
Children of the world, why should God give you something you don't believe in? Since Jesus is our Peace and
He is One with His Father, if you truly want Peace, you must believe in the Father and the Son.
Jesus did what He saw His Father do. Before He healed, He asked first, do you believe I can do this for you?
This, then, must be very important for God to know also. God can give anyone Peace. NOTHING is too hard
for God. --But, can or will you accept it, or will your unbelief or religion stand in the way?
There are so many who call themselves Believers in God, walking around not having been born again, because
they really don't believe God can do this or they don't want Him to change their lives that are attached to the
world, darkness or religion. They don't truly believe God can give them something better in this life, than this
world, or the religion that they worship.
So many people are in bondage to religion and making God a popular commodity or a weapon to control people
and the world. They believe God must be called by this name or that name or He isn't God. They have religion,
but are void of a relationship with their Father. They lack one thing; therefore, they lack Perfect Love.
Children of the world, without Jesus, the spirit thirsts. There is an empty void that must be filled and if we allow
it, the enemy fills it with darkness. Look around you, what do you see in the world?
The next time we cry out for PEACE, the next time we greet someone in PEACE, let us think of a man named
JESUS, The Son of God!
PEACE (Jesus) be with you my Brothers and Sisters.
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perspectives.
1. Having Peace requires having a relationship with God and Jesus. Therefore, you must believe in them.
Believing in them means believing in their Power. Do you believe in the Power of God?
2. Do you believe in His Power working within your life and the lives of others?
3. Perhaps, you've said you believe or have written it down, but, what in your life reflects that you truly
believe in God and His Power, other than prayer, worship, fellowship, service, offerings and material
wealth?
4. Can I have a relationship with you if I don't believe in you and your potential? Why or why not?
5. If I don't believe what you've done in the past, how will you feel? How will it affect our relationship?
6. What kind of relationship will a parent have with their child, if they don't believe in the potential of the
child?
7. What kind of relationship can someone have with their Father in Heaven, if they don't completely
believe in Him and His Power?
8. Can we help others believe? How?

9. READ I Samuel 17:45-47 below. When David came out to meet Goliath, he proclaimed, "I come to thee
in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." How do you
think this affected David's ability and victory?
10. When you first come into contact with adversity, what has been YOUR response?
11. Do you remember that you're not alone?
12. Did you think about whom you serve and His Power?
13. Do you first think about your accountability and how God can count on you?
14. Do you have a comfort zone? Why or why not?
15. Do you trust God to bring you out of your comfort zone, to grow and mature you, to live a full and
abundant life? Why or why not?
16. Dying to self requires us to permanently leave our comfort zone, because it is a thing of the flesh and the
world. Have you died to self to live in the spirit and in Christ?
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NOTES
1. Arsenic and Old Lace is an American dark comedy play by Joseph Kesselring, which was later adapted into a
film.
2. DO YOU KNOW HIM, written by Gregory Jakes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exodus 12:30-33 Exodus 14:26-28

I Samuel 17:45-47 John 1:1-5 (KJV)
John 3:14-21 (KJV) Acts 5:19, 20 (KJV)
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Acts 12:5-8 (KJV)

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Part Four
DETAILS
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PART 4 DETAILS
Chapter 15
A DELIBERATE DETOUR
Even within the vilest of men, there is something that wants to hang on to humanity; for it is that, which
separates us from beasts. They are compelled to surround themselves with that, which they see as being good,
believing they have covered the stench of sin and death and proven themselves righteous. Do not let this fool
you.
What is humanity, if not the act of loving and serving our neighbors, which comes from God? For God IS
LOVE. For within love we find hope, faith, peace, joy. For without the act of love--charity--we are nothing. If
you have not found GOD, then you have not found LOVE!
What is righteousness, but to love even our enemy? They have not love or righteousness for they walk in
darkness and have not found God! There is no darkness in God. He takes no pleasure in death. He seeks no
reward nor renders a reward for killing.
I have seen things in the faces of men, who have tried to cover their sin, but left their face exposed. Their
character revealed the Darkness which was in their heart. It could not be hidden from God.
They use others as wood to kindle their fire. Their relationships are self-serving; for they are not One with God.
KNOW this of men who send young children out to fight their battles and die, they are not interested in peace;
they serve no cause, but to fill the pits of hell with wayward souls. They are as rabid, diseased dogs, knowing
only the taste of blood. Darkness releases them upon the lost, weak, suffering and wounded.
They would rather lap up ignorance thrown down to them, than work for the fruit of wisdom and righteousness.
They believe that killing is profitable, but cannot see the holes that Satan has put in their pockets, nor the price
they have paid. Their wounds never heal and their stomachs are never satisfied. Water cannot quench their
thirst, nor wash the blood from their hands.
They have erased their future; for children are our future. What future do they have if they have taught them to
hate and die? Woe to anyone who leads a child astray; for they are precious in God's eyes.
I have seen things and my heart wrenched with terror and sorrow. --Visions of children in despair, because of
the heartless deeds of men.
What if these were my children or my grandchildren today?
Why must I see these things, I asked the Lord? --For they brought me great distress. Write about them, He said.
You must touch and change a heart. There are men with hardened hearts who cannot feel these things for others.
They think only of themselves and the protection of their own.
But what kind of heart could be so cold not to feel the pain of an injured man, be he friend or foe laying upon
the war-torn ground, drinking his blood, gasping for air as tears seep from his eyes fixed hopelessly upon the
pure blue sky, as if it were an out-of-place picture, but the last that he would see?
Or a bewildered, young child, whose face is contorted in a mask of terror; standing in the midst of chaos, who
barely escaped death, only to see her mother's lifeless body mangled among the dead? A child locked in a state
of terror; knowing not what has happened--what to do--where to go; unable to move or speak; unable to contain
their bowels; their ears deafened by the rain of impaling gunfire around them. Father, what drives men to be
thoughtless and uncaring?
We have spent years and decades diagnosing what is wrong with the church, taking bits and pieces trying to
mend or start over with a new model. --Now it is time to look at the church for what it is--the people--God's
people--His sheep. They belong to HIM! And what has been done to HIS sheep? They have not been healed, not
even a little bit.
At this point in my writing, I stopped and asked, "Father, why have we arrived here?" Wherefore, He answered,
"We are at the point of change."
We must not only look at what is wrong, we must look at and continue doing what is right.
If we are to preach, let us continue preaching. If we are to teach, let us continue teaching.
We need only to look at the Body as a whole, with Christ as the Head, to see what needs to be done. What does
the Head require for the body to do in order to function? What does the Body do for the Head? If we are Christ's
Body, how are we taking care of all of it? Are we following the mind of Christ, or are we trying to lead, instead
of following; working against the Mind of Christ?
Then, it is time to seek out the True Worshippers and have the Body of Christ function as it was meant to be.
Jesus has provided us with EVERYTHING we need to take care of the Body and His sheep.
Let us go behind the faade of false worship, behind closed doors, into the homes to root out disease and heal.
How can we show the world a risen Savior, when we have tried to bury Him and keep Him out of our homes?
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In working with those who are homeless and people who have and do not have a place of worship, I've found
that the best way to reach people is to meet them where they're at. Jesus did this, knowing that people are more
relaxed, comfortable and; less likely to be guarded and have defense walls up around them. He was able to
better communicate and have a relationship with them.
Maturing the Saints goes beyond improvement for self and the church. Christ is Living Water. As His Body, we
are water bearers, ready to pour out to others who thirst.
We can bring people into places of worship and discipleship houses, but without continuing the work within
their homes, change or Transformation, becomes problematic. The Body needs to know how to survive and
thrive within its environment.
So many people return to their old habits because they do not know how to apply the Word of God to their own
lives.
Within our mission work, we encounter many people who SAY they are ready for change, but who are unable to
commit to change because of their learned way of coping with their environment. They need examples and
accountability, within their environment.
The Body of Christ should also be accountable in its environment and not function as a separate entity,
disconnected from the people, families, neighborhoods and churches around it.
THEN! THEN...I felt the Holy Spirit stirring inside of me and new thoughts began to connect with old thoughts.
All of this time, I'm thinking, Father we seem to be terribly off track from our subject, but then, it hit me like a
bolt of lightning! He's giving ME time to catch up! I didn't understand what CHANGE meant! I wasn't ready for
the bitter with the sweet! I didn't even stop to ask Him. I just assumed He meant to keep going in this direction.
He didn't stop me and even answered my questions. That's patience and love.
MY LORD!!!
You needed new wine skin and had to seek out a child. The people had forgotten You. The priests were corrupt.
The war--the suffering...
You have shown me these things because we are at the point of CHANGE in the world! New wine skin is
needed, once again; for man has corrupted himself.
Yet, God continues to call out to our children's children. He continues to give us another chance, as He did
before.
God knows that our heart (spirit) CAN change! He created it.
God says to the nation...

The battle is mine, saith the Lord. Obey me and the enemy shall not prevail.
Be not like those who say they trust and believe, but their faith is only as far as they can see. They live in fear,
building fortresses, storing up food, water, supplies and weapons, knowing not when and if the enemy will
come.
If the enemy comes, men and weapons cannot save your soul, for you have entrusted it to fear; food and water
cannot nourish the lack of faith that has caused drought and famine within to rot your soul.
When and if the enemy comes, you will be saved: not because of fear; not because of self; not because you are
prepared; not because of men; not because of weapons, but because, thus, saith the Lord. Trust in me. Obey me.
Allow me to strengthen and fortify you. Know that I am with you and I will deliver you.
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PART IV DETAILS
Chapter 16
KEEPING US IN THE FLESH
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Please join me in loving, praising and thanking our Heavenly Father for always departing unto us His
knowledge, wisdom, holiness and righteousness that continues to encourage, grow, strengthen and empower us.
As always, my hope abounds that this given message will be planted, take root, grow and thrive within the
hearts of others. Let us all continue to pray that our minds remain open to learning and hearing God's voice and
that we may shed the Light of Truth upon others to open their hearts and minds. I pray that this message will be
shared, drawing others to be humbled, repentant, to seek God's face and have a loving relationship with Him.
God is with us, protecting us from the enemy. The enemy is placing lies upon the tongues of men. God is
helping us dispel lies so that we let NO man try to disarm us of God's Armor. He would have NO man try to
make us believe our weapons are powerless, or have us believe that the Word of God is contrary or without
clarity.
God would not have us walking with one foot of the world and one foot in the Kingdom, because we have been
misled. We know that we cannot serve two masters. Neither do we live under the law and in the fulfillment of
the law, within Christ Jesus.
Those who straddle the fence cannot live within the fullness of God's glory nor rightly divide the Word of God,
for it is hidden from them! Do not take the word of man my children, which will lead you into darkness, over
the Word of God, which is The Truth, The Way and The Life.
Now, let us walk in the LIGHT!

NEW QUESTIONS
In part three, The Heart of a Child chapter nine, Papa, we were given to much thought, as to the process of
managing in our lives, as a way of coping with our past and present circumstances, tasks, pain and trials.
Managing (coping) puts us in a somewhat catatonic state of simply existing. It can take up a great deal of our
time; consume our energy and even our lives. As a result, we are separated from God; kept from hearing and
listening to His voice; unable to obey His Will and Way, grow and mature.
Managing keeps us in the flesh (self). It is a direct attack from the enemy in an effort to distract us and prevent
us from bearing good fruit, which is crucial in helping to change others. Remember, separated from the Vine, no
one can produce good fruit.
The enemy and the world have infinite ways to keep us in the flesh (that is, if we allow them the satisfaction) all
dealing with our five senses that connect to our spirit being (heart). Managing or coping becomes difficult to
overcome for this very reason-- it becomes connected to our heart--our spirit being.
Coping, becomes part of us and we learn to treasure it and hold on to it to help us escape or rather, give us a
false sense of escaping, along with false identity, power, reward and control. This bond or bondage leads us to
continually seek, maintain or recapture these sensual or fleshly feelings.
Even heightened senses during moments of sexual intimacy are related to the chemical and spiritual bonds that
can become a vice in men and women, in that it can become an addiction; a natural high created from the
release of hormones, endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine to keep us in lust, attached to the world and our flesh.
So, how do we disconnect it? I asked our Father. He answered, "By keeping your eyes on Jesus."
Many may laugh or scoff and say how can Jesus keep me from thinking about the desire, reward and natural
high produced from sex? Until you have been spiritually disconnected from the flesh and spiritually connected
to Jesus, you don't really understand desire, reward and natural high.
Until you are connected to the Vine, life's purpose is self-serving, even shallow and hollow, without a compass
and true direction. Fleeting moments of ecstasy, become just that--fleeting, because they are without true,
everlasting joy. The body is weak, compared to the power of being in the Spirit. Self-gratification and
immediate gratification cannot compare to abundant and eternal life through Christ Jesus.
Satan would have us believe that nothing can overcome sexual desire. We want to believe sex is an
unquenchable thirst, because, that makes it even more desirable.
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To unravel the lie, that we cannot overcome sexual desire through Jesus, should we start at the end or try to find
the beginning?
Remember, pride--self-idolatry and feelings of entitlement, is the beginning of sin. Here, we have the sense of
entitlement to pleasure and reward, and the vanity and idolization of the flesh, along with its appeal to self
and others, over the Will and Way of God.
Along with giving pleasure, sex is an earthly (carnal) function that aids in human reproduction. However, we
are also Spiritual Beings, in a temporary body, in a temporary home. The question is, what and who are we
living for and will our living be in vain? Also, what is the value of sex to our soul's salvation and eternal life?
If we live to glorify God, then our labor and life are not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58). We must know who we
are in Christ--our value and purpose and that in Christ we have abundant and everlasting reward. If we choose
the world, then we have our reward. Yet, remember...
1 Corinthians 2:9 King James Version (KJV)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Do we value our soul more than the world? Can one be satisfied with what the world alone has to offer?
NEW ANSWERS
1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV)
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication
sinneth against his own body.
"IT IS FINISHED! We must know and believe Christ's Word! The Word of God cannot, will not and does not
contradict itself! Let not vain men try to convince you otherwise because of their misunderstanding, weakness
and inability to overcome the world!
Jesus' sacrifice is not in vain! Nothing is impossible with God and FOR God! Let us dispel a lie that has been
keeping men and women in bondage believing that the temptation of the flesh has more power than God!
We are SPIRITUAL BEINGS. When we become born again, we walk IN the Spirit and by FAITH!
Yes, God tells us to flee fornication (defiling our bodies sexually). But, would God tell us to resist the devil and
he will flee and then tell us that except for this one thing, because He made our minds and flesh so weak that we
cannot overcome? This is a misconception and an engrained lie to keep us weak and in bondage. It is accepted
by men and women still attached to the flesh, unable to overcome their own fleshly desires.
Does God tell us to flee because there is no other way? Yes, the flesh is weak, but FAITH in God and Christ is
strong and even stronger is the POWER of God within us. God told the fleshly, carnal man to flee the
temptation of the flesh, but those who live in the spirit and walk by faith have the power to resist the devil and
he will flee. The question is, "Have you died to self, flesh and that which keeps you yielding to temptation and
clinging to carnal things or is your heart and mind still filled with lusts?
If you run, when do you stop running? Where are you running? Is there a designated safety zone? When you
run, have you left your sexual desires way back there, behind you? Is your mind free of lusts because you have
run?
Why is God telling us to flee fornication? What does He really want us to do?
My Brothers and Sisters, this is why you must read and study the Bible to show yourself approved as a Believer,
a Soldier and Worthy Vessel. Let us read and divide the Word through the Holy Spirit! Read 1 Corinthians 6 in
its entirety and you will see that you have been deceived; the wool has been pulled over your eyes to keep you
WEAK!
IT IS FINISHED!
We are SPIRITUAL BEINGS, living and walking in the Spirit! IF we flee, yes, IF we forget our Armor or Satan
catches us, with our eyes off of Jesus and in a moment of hesitation the flesh rises up and we forget who we are
in Christ, IF in that moment Satan confounds our mind and we become too confused to regain our Heavenly
course following the Master, THEN, our automatic weapon is activated, He who KEEPS us from sin. We feel a
stirring in our Spirit, oh yes we do and THEN, if we flee it is in the SPIRIT! --And we flee TO the SPIRIT who
protects us and KEEPS us from sin. Hallelujah!
Do you believe my Brothers and Sisters? This is what Believing is all about! The POWER of GOD
ALMIGHTY over Heaven, Earth and the enemy of Darkness!
If I have died to my flesh, I am able to conquer the things of this world even UNTO the flesh; for I hide within
Christ Jesus, who keeps me from ALL sin, not some sin.
Jesus did not die just for some sins, but for ALL sins, that we would not suffer the bondage of this world and the
flesh.
When we run from temptation, WHATEVER it may be, where do we run to, but to the LORD, who is inside of
us. Therefore, we have the ability to STAND, resist the devil and he WILL flee!
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My Brothers and Sisters read closely, God is telling us, meat for the belly and the belly for meat. God doesn't
want us to fornicate because, unlike other sins, it is a sin against our body. He wants us not to defile our body
because it is HIS Temple. Would God choose to dwell in a place that cannot be defended and kept clean from
sin? If God be in us, will He not defend us and keep us clean from sin, if we surrender all, keep our eyes on
Jesus and follow?
My Brothers and Sisters, if you run, there is no hiding place, BUT in GOD! If we run it is not out of FEAR!
God will not tell us to be afraid! If we run it is to become FORTIFIED within Christ; for He is our Fortress.
It is NOT the only sin we find within the Bible telling us to flee!
1 Corinthians 10:14
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Do we run from idolatry because our flesh is too weak to resist it? NO! We run from it spiritually because our
God is a jealous God and shall have no other gods before Him. We flee to the One and only true God who can
save us from corruption, sin and death.
1 Timothy 6:11 tells us:
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the
Lord out of a pure heart.
If the mind is willing but the flesh is weak, then we must take on the Mind of Christ! Glory to God! Again, do
not be fooled my Brothers and Sisters. If ye be Born Again, then you follow the Mind of Christ. You are not
weak and vulnerable. You will not live in fear or tire of running, for the Master of Winds and Waves will calm
the storms and the angry sea. You will not sink, if you keep your eyes on Jesus.
Read carefully, my Brothers and Sisters, but, also LISTEN! Listen to God's Holy Spirit inside of you. He will
not lead you astray. God is not a man that He should lie. Satan has no power over Him. His Word, the Truth
cannot be bent or broken. God is faithful and will not let you suffer temptation beyond what you can bear and
will make a way for you to escape. He has made that way within Christ Jesus.
Put on the Whole Armor of God, my Brothers and Sisters. It is failsafe. --Able to protect you, even against the
flesh. Read again, James 4:7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Satan would have us make our Lord's suffering and dying in vain. Yet, it is there, before our eyes, my Brothers
and Sisters. God has not sent us running naked without our clothes, like Joseph, but instead, clothed us in
Holiness and Righteousness; our bodies to be HIS Temple, "Pure and Holy, Tried and True." Glory be to God
for it IS finished. It is complete and we are complete within Him.
Saints, know the Word and LIVE the LIVING Word of GOD!
Psalms 119:11 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your word.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift
you as wheat:
My Brothers and Sisters, this is a time when we MUST read between the lines of what we have heard, consider
the source and pay attention to DETAILS. --1 Corinthians 10:13 puts to rest ALL of our doubts and fears.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to them that love him.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Our spirit, which God placed within these earthly bodies, will always want more than what this world alone can
offer. For this world is not our home.
We look to the world to teach us how to live within our body and interact with the world, when we should look
to God. We look to the world to teach us how to free ourselves from bondage, when it is beneficial to the world
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to keep us enslaved. God has the answer. He sent our deliverer long ago, not just to free the Jews, but to free
mankind from the bondage of sin and darkness within the world.
Jesus is the answer for the world today. The answer sounds so simple. Then, why is it so very difficult for
people to disconnect from coping and managing and from love of the world and self? --Because, we don't make
Jesus the center of our Joy. Forgive us, Lord.
Just think, all the violence in the world could stop. No one need be hungry, naked, homeless or without
medicine and medical care. Everyone could be educated, employed and productive and having love for one
another because they are connected to the Vine, producing GOOD fruit!
Well, that would be wonderful and blessed, indeed. I am tempted to say, God speak it and make it so, but then I
would be like Peter, who told Jesus not to speak of his death. God has a plan and being the perfect God that He
is, it is without flaw or error.
On this journey of unraveling lies that keep us from Truth and Transformation, we've talked about making Jesus
the center of our joy. Please don't think that you are on this journey alone. When God gives us a message, it is
not only for others. He brings things to our attention that we may examine ourselves, first and foremost, in order
to be cleansed and purged to be used to help others.
I find great pleasure in looking at things that are aesthetically appealing. Fine Arts, such as drawing, painting,
singing, playing piano, creating fashion and design are a great part of my being, which is good. God gave me
these talents, along with my spiritual gifts. Nonetheless, if I allow my talents to become the center of my joy,
then, it attaches me to the world and not to God.
The enemy knows our talents and spiritual gifts and wants to use them to destroy us in any shape or form that he
can manage to cause destruction. Yes, he also, is interested in the little, tiny, minute, miniscule, molecular
details of our lives. He may not know every hair on our head, but he is willing to wait, until each has fallen out,
even until we are in our grave, as he did Moses (Jude 1), to try and claim us. What am I saying? I am saying, not
to allow your talents to become your first love, keeping you attached to this world and taking your eyes off of
Jesus. I am saying that you must be very sure, yes, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
--And know, without doubt, that this Rock is Jesus.
FAITH TESTED
If we're going to help others to change, we've got to get their eyes on Jesus. We can't do that if we argue and
bicker back and forth with them. We can't do that if they see us committing the same sin that they commit. We
can't do that if we are in bondage to pride and self.
We have to live the life that we sing about; preach about; talk about; dance and shout about; and even pray
about. God knows the details of our lives and so does the adversary. Someone is watching you and they are
paying attention to the details, also, thinking, "How can you tell me how to manage my life when you can't
manage your own?"
My answer to them would be, I don't want to tell you how to manage your life and no, I cannot manage mine. I
want to show you how to surrender all to Jesus, so that He can take you beyond managing, into conquering,
yourself and the world.
--My life? I know what it may look like to some, from the outside but, because I've learned to abide in Jesus on
the inside, I am VICTORIOUS, more than a CONQUEROR! I am victorious because I rest in the Lord; neither
shall I EVER be left alone.
There is no need for me to manage or cope, when I know and believe where my help comes from. I have no
desire to look down on others when I KNOW that but for the GRACE and MERCY of God, I could still be a
wretch or worse yet, dead and sleeping in my grave, awaiting the Day of Judgment and damnation.
Still, I need a chance to tell them that. This is a test of my faith and obedience. I can't let pride get in the way
and come between us. Therefore, I must humble myself; keep my eyes on Jesus; repent of my pride; and seek
God's face to give me guidance and keep me in obedience; to make me perfect in love; and make me an
instrument of His Holy Peace. Praise be to God!
Come WITH me to rest and abide in His Holy Power and Will. There is enough for everybody. No one can buy
it and no one has a monopoly on it. It is "free to all, a healing stream that flows from Calvary's fountain."
God has given us His Spirit and His Son, Jesus. If we abide in them, they are enough to perfect us. Yet, many
Believers are stuck hiding behind a facade, because, appearance is more important than adherence. They have
been working on the same problem for years saying, "I'm a work in progress," because their pride prevents
them from surrendering all to become One with God and Jesus; to allow them to work on the inside toward the
outside.
Did Jesus die in vain? Then, why are we still expecting progress within us to happen from the outside? Looking
for answers in the world and in others, who can't or won't help us?
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Is it taking so long for us to change because we want to determine what progress is made within, instead of
Jesus? Surrender my Brothers and Sisters. Let Jesus rule.
How can we expect others to become Believers and surrender all, when we as believers expect everyone around
us to be patient with us, because, God is not through with us, yet? If we were in God's place, our patience would
have been worn down long ago. How long is it supposed to take to decide who you will serve?
We EXPECT God to be patient because He is good and kind and merciful. That's just God being God, we think.
He's supposed to be patient and wait on me to change. Yet, everyday, we hear of people going to an early grave,
because they refused to change their ways. Can we see that THAT is just GOD being God? He's supposed to do
that!
Wake up, Children and rebuke the one who keeps you deaf, dumb, blind, mentally crippled and spiritually in
bondage! Dispel the lies in your life so that you can wake up the others sleeping around you.
Tomorrow is not PROMISED to you! We cannot depend on patience, when we're not putting in the work to
improve our lives; when we have no intention on keeping our eyes on Jesus, because the things of this world
look better to us.
Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is a byproduct of Perfect Love. Patience is what we give to those who are
not yet ready, able or incapable of accomplishing or meeting an expectation. Patience is given to us to aid us in
long-suffering; for those things that are beyond our control, that must take time; and for which we must wait
upon God to deliver.
Patience is indeed a virtue. Yet, we have been given freewill. We have been given a mind to make fruitful
decisions and choices. Self-control--forbearance is a Fruit of God's Holy Spirit, also. We are capable of bearing
good fruit, when attached to the Vine.
We must make the correct and righteous decision to truly repent, surrender all and allow Jesus to attach us to
become One with the Vine--not an independent part. If we say we are Believers, followers of Christ and
produce ill-fruit, then, the Truth is not in us.
There is no need to wait on God to deliver us and finish the job. What other work by God needs to be done?
Jesus said, "It is Finished!" God has already delivered and kept His Promise! There is no more work He needs
to do! God delivered the Messiah to us! Jesus anticipated our cry, My Brothers and Sisters and gave His life for
you and me. What greater love?
God is way ahead of us; we are behind and need to catch up. God has put the ball (responsibility) in our hands,
now. Your Savior has heard your humble cry, if it has indeed been humble. God is waiting on you to embrace
Him and truly believe in Him! Salvation is complete! Making us whole and uniting us with our Father is
complete! WE have to come into the REALIZATION of what that completion is and what it means for us; and
what is expected from US to receive it! Our FAITH is what is needed! Our faith in Jesus will make us whole.
THE REALIZATION
God sent a Helper and we're still looking for help? Why? What are we still holding on to? What are we looking
back at? Jesus said that those who set their hand to the plow and look back are not worthy to follow Him.
SURRENDER and repent! Press in toward the Mark of your high calling. Press...Press toward the front of the
crowd and touch the hem of His garment. However, that requires FAITH in Jesus.
Jesus told the woman, who was healed from an issue of blood, "Your FAITH has made you whole." --Faith in
what? --Faith in Christ Jesus.
That's all it took--FAITH! Her flesh had kept her depending on the world to make her whole. She had been
coping with this issue of blood, kept in the flesh; made aware of it everyday ; shunned by others because she
was unclean; unable to connect with God because of being unclean, until she heard about Jesus and took a leap
of faith in the right direction.
Faith...we are able to conquer the world through our faith in Christ Jesus. Where is your faith, today? --Or are
you still waiting for the Messiah and deliverance? Will you be a lifelong 'work-in-progress' that will never be
completed? What is keeping you in the flesh?
If we are to help free others we need to know how long it's going to take. THEY are going to want to know, how
long will this take? When will I be whole? We need to know what to tell them and if need be ask them, "What is
keeping you in the flesh?"
Spoon-feeding and sugar-coating everything will not teach us and others accountability. We need to know that it
is FINISHED! Jeremiah showed us that it is easy enough for a child. --Just keep your eyes on God and keep
your heart trusting in Him.
"How long?" Jesus asked. Have you crippled yourself in asking everyone to continue to be patient with you?
Will it be your crutch to lean on throughout your life? Will you ever be able to "Stand" on the Rock?
Jesus is tenderly calling, today...THROW DOWN YOUR CRUTCH AND WALK!!! JUST KEEP YOUR
EYES ON ME! Yes, it is a WAKE-UP call! When Jesus asked His Father, "How long," I'm sure His heart ached
for the sin and suffering He saw around Him.
We must know and believe that Jesus is enough, if you have true faith attached to accountability. If you're still
looking to be made whole, then you don't know the man called, Jesus, because you have not surrendered all.
You are clinging to the world and your flesh. The answer to your problems, if they are indeed problems
(sometimes it's a matter of our needing to be changed), still, the answer is a man who died on the cross for you
thousands of years ago.
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Does accepting Jesus mean that your bills will go away? No, not if you keep living the way that you're living!
What it does mean is that God can change YOU so that you abide in Him to no longer live in fear, frustration,
pride and sin. God can empower you to change things around you and improve your financial situation and
relationships with others, thereby, helping them to change, also.
We look for an easy solution, when God has provided for us in every way to do the work that needs to be done
in our lives and to help change others. Jesus sent the Five-fold Ministry to mature the Saints, equipping them
for what comes next, not for the purpose of making them whole.
God created the one way to complete the work that He began. He sent us Jesus, The Waymaker, providing the
right tool to complete the job. Still, man continues to try everything else to fix himself in order to keep living in
the flesh (self). Some even believe that the more they go to church the holier and more whole they become,
instead of becoming the church, a part of Christ's Body.
The world continues to fill us with the idea of self and individuality, independence and self-actualization, and
freedom to be whom and what we want to be in the world.
We search for our identity, purpose and happiness, in the world, only to become confused and frustrated,
resorting to coping. We find out that we don't even know who we are in the world and the world has no idea of
who we are either and doesn't care. The world is just doing what the world does; trying to keep what is in the
world, for the world, and of the world.
If you are of the world, then you will have a false image of yourself. That is all the world can offer you; expect
no more. The world can only distract us to keep us from discovering our true identity in Christ. If you're trying
to find yourself by looking in the world, you're looking in the wrong place for answers. You need to go right to
the source--your Creator.
Most people, searching in the world, avoid this option because it involves accountability for their actions. They
believe they can run from God and if they don't look back, He'll never catch up with them. God has no need to
chase you. He is everywhere--omnipresent. He will let you run because there is nowhere for you to hide. Rest
assured, He won't give up on you and will continue to call to you.
The Master has no need to chase you. He is everywhere. He can speak to your heart or send His servants to give
you a message. Stop running, our Father says, It is time to be accountable and move past the mother's milk, the
milk toast and being spoon fed. Jesus stands with open arms, beckoning, come unto me all who are burdened
and heavy laden.
My Brothers and Sisters, it is time to Stand! We cannot serve two masters. Darkness has encroached around us
and those who are not equipped will be devoured. Yet, those who are on the Lord's side shall rise and mount up
on eagle's wings
Which is it--the world or the Kingdom of God? If you call yourself a Believer, are you truly a Believer? Do
the Father and Son dwell in you empowering you to bear GOOD fruit? --Or are you a Believer by mouth only
and your heart does not belong to God? Does your god have All Power in His hands or does He leave you on
your own to run from temptation?
We have been trying to sell Jesus and God to others as a new way of coping. We have been allowing people to
come worship God any old or new kind of way that they wish to without being accountable to God or one
another. God and His Son are not coping methods and the church is not just a place to unload all of your
problems and pinned up stress. The church is God's reborn Believers (Saints) empowered by the Almighty God
and Son inside of them to conquer the world and increase the Kingdom of God.
Will we begin to disciple Empowered, Accountable, True Believers and Worshippers--worshipping in Spirit and
in Truth? Let us pray, in Spirit, that it shall be.
The time for hypocrisy and pretending is over. God knows and sees the details in our lives. What we say and do
proves where our faith lies. --The lies that we have bought in to mock us for believing in them and allowing
them to keep us in the flesh.
We must read deeper into God's Word. It is not patience that we need; it is Truth and Accountability that goes
along with being a Believer and a Child of God. Are we being accountable to The Truth, The Way and The Life?
Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus and staying on the path? Do we wander now and then, only to find ourselves
back in the flesh--managing--trying to cope; believing that it's up to God to finish His work in us, if we're going
to be fixed and made whole?
Do we really believe that God is just taking His time, so others must please us and be patient? --Or, is that just
another way of saying, I'm not ready to change, or, I don't really want or think I have to change?
It is so much easier to tell people to accept me as I am, rather than change for the better. We even try to make
others feel guilty by saying, "If you love me, you'll accept me as I am." We love to give ultimatums to remain
stubborn and feel we are in control (i.e., love me or leave, my way or the highway). Then, we wonder why our
life doesn't change for the better.
We can no longer hide behind false humility! God is calling us out! What are we telling the Lost and enemies of
God about our God, when we claim to be saved or born again, but we are still a fragile, age-old work-in-
progress, who needs constant patience and delicate handling, because the God Who created the Earth and
Heavens in six days, needs years and decades to get us right?
God is calling us out! If He were like us, He might throw His hands up, shaking His head in denial... calling for
a press conference, if need be, to offer a rebuttal and proclaim His innocence. It's NOT ME! He could say. I'm
not responsible!
The gig is up. The time for excuses is over. Take off the mask and reveal yourself, humbled and submissive to
His Will. Realize that you have bought into another lie and it's time to come clean. It's time to be accountable to
live in the fullness of God's Glory!
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There is no way to whitewash (cover-up, conceal) the details of your life. You can neither: invent yourself; nor
reinvent yourself, nor put the blame on someone else or God; nor hide the truth from God. You are nothing
without God. Surrender your will to Him. Let Him rest, rule and abide in you.
Accountability is a privilege, not a burden. Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Still, we return
to the weight of the flesh and expect Him to carry us, when things become hard to bear, even though we're
perfectly capable of walking, if we would surrender to walk in His Light.
My Brothers and Sisters, dispel the lies keeping you in the flesh. We have work to do and it won't be long,
before the Night is coming. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.
Jesus showed us that there is no patience for a tree that cannot bear fruit. Having met corruption, it will not bear
good fruit. It must be hewn down and tossed into the fire, used for kindle. We can be just like an unfruitful tree,
if we allow the details in our lives to lead us into sin and corruption; keep us in bondage; separate us from the
Vine; cause us to whither; and prevent us from bearing good fruit.
A NEW RELATIONSHIP
God is waiting for us to have a RELATIONSHIP with Him! It's not all about search and rescue. You're no
longer supposed to be lost if you've got Jesus. You are not supposed to be continuously on the run or dodging
everything that can lead you into sin.
If you truly want to follow Jesus, and then allow Him to mature you, surrender your will, to follow His Mind
and allow Him to rest RULE and abide. All we have to do to be made whole and complete is to abide in the
Father and His Son. No matter what our weakness is--He is strong and will strengthen, teach and guide us. Jesus
will perfect our faith and give us the mind to follow and obey our Father.
All this time you've been ducking and dodging God and He wants to love and strengthen you.
Like the Israelites at the foot of Mt. Sinai, you'd rather talk to Moses, but not the scary Big Guy on the
mountaintop. Jesus is okay to talk to, also. He's portrayed by most to be meek and mild, but you're afraid to
surrender your will and be accountable to God, because He expects more than you're willing to give.
Jesus was perfect, but you're not perfect, so you can't be expected to be like Jesus all the time. You've got to be
you and part of you is still attached to the world. Is this fear of God or fear of losing the world and dying to
self? Knowing the difference means all the difference to be able to change your ways.
It is time to catch up. God covered our imperfections when He covered us with Jesus' blood. We are justified to
come into the presence of God, whereby abiding in Him, we are made perfect in love. The world will tell you
that no one is perfect, but the Word of God says that we are required to be Holy, Righteous; Perfect in Love and
that Jesus perfects us. Jesus changed everything, in Him, through Him, we are perfected.
God wants to take all the fear away and have a relationship with you. You've heard it before, but do believe it?
Do you really want to experience it?
Then, now, it's time to have a healthy relationship with Him, so He can teach you how to have other healthy
relationships.
At this point in our relationship, we must examine details; for God is a God of Details.
Details are not always visible to the naked eye, which is why we must be clothed in holiness and righteousness,
seeing with the eyes of God and discerning with His Spirit. Can we see past someones flesh into their heart
without turning away and turning them away? Do we want to see past their flesh? The enemy is counting on us
not caring enough about our brother to see the details hidden within their heart. But, Jesus commanded us to
love one another as He loved us; that means caring about the details in the hearts of others and loving them in
Perfect, Agape Love.
In the chapters to come, I am looking forward to sharing some of the details of my heart. I am praying that they
will: touch someone; enlighten someone; and perhaps, even encourage and help to lighten the heaviness that
weighs upon someone's heart.
Children of God, the world cannot keep you in the flesh. Neither can temptation of the flesh defeat you.
Remember...God would not ask us to DIE to the flesh--upon the cross with our Savior, if He could not raise us
up, as He did His Son, having CONQUERED the world.
May the Love of Christ shower upon you and lift you to higher heights in Perfect Love.
Father, once again, I thank You for the Peace and Understanding you have allowed me to share. I pray for my
Brothers and Sisters, that they may receive your Word with Gladness and Thanksgiving. I pray that their hearts
may find new strength and courage to press on in Jesus' name.
In Jesus' name, I ask You to impart to them Your Spirit now and fill them with Your Wisdom and Peace. Baptize
them by water and fire and purge them with hyssop. Amen
Let no bitterness come between us and those who have erred in their misunderstanding and knowledge of your
Word. Do no let their hearts harden that Satan may have his way. Help them to embrace Your Truth in Perfect
Love and bless their humbleness, surrender and submission to Thy Will and Way. Amen
We love You, Father, and seek to obey, following our Brother, Shepherd and King, Christ Jesus. Amen
We Rejoice in Your presence, bow to your Magnificence and bask in Your Love. --Grateful, forever grateful, for
who You are and who we have become through You. Amen
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Father, I have heard your voice. And, I have listened intently as you wrote your words upon my heart. No
sweeter voice I know. I will continue to watch and wait for the sound of Truth to awaken me as I slumber, to
knock upon my door, and to call my name out loud.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. -- As you
perspectives.
1. Do you believe that God gives us power over the flesh and the ability to die to the flesh (self)? Why or
why not?
2. If you believe we can conquer the flesh, how does knowing this affect your life?
3. The adversary is successful in keeping us in the flesh when we fail to see ourselves as Spiritual Beings
and walk in the Spirit by Faith. Do you know what it means to walk in the Spirit by Faith? Do you?
4. How important is sex in your life?
5. Do your sexual desires cause you to have unclean thoughts and thoughts of fornication? Why or why
not?
6. Are you alone able to control your sexual desires?

7. Do you find yourself looking at pornography, erotic movies, or listening to provocative music to arouse
or fulfill your sexual desires? Has it become a habit or addiction? How does it affect your life? What
kind of people does it draw into your life?
8. Do your sexual desires cause you to dress provocatively? What kind of people do you attract?
9. If you are attracting the wrong kind of people, can you expect your life to be without complications?
10. Can you expect to have true, Perfect Love or will your life be filled with meaningless relationships?
11. Have you ever tried to serve two masters? What effect did this have on your life? -- On your relationship
with God?
12. Rumors get started and are passed down. The original message often changes and becomes very much
distorted. This is often how people gain incorrect knowledge of God's Word. Do you verify what you
have heard by reading your Bible? Why or why not?
13. We cannot serve two masters. There are things and people who are of the world that we may find
difficult to give up. Have you tried or are you trying to serve God and still remain in and of the world?
How did it or does it affect your life? Do you find yourself filled with guilt, shame and confusion?
14. God is a god of details. Leaving out the details often makes it easier for Satan to fool us and easier for us
to lie and sin. Have you been in a relationship or situation, where you did not know the details about the
situation or the person and it resulted in your being deceived, hurt or making a mistake?
15. Often, we find ourselves coping with life and so deeply entangled in bondage, we are unable to unravel
our rope or chains. Yet, if we start at the end and trace the details back to the beginning, we will find the
source of our bondage.

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16. Examine the details in your life which have placed you into bondage to a lie, habit or addiction. Write
them down from the ending result of bondage to the beginning. Track your chains to their source. Where
did you end up?
17. Did the trail lead back to you no matter what and how you tried to look at it? Even if you were a victim
of abuse?
18. Have the details in your life made you buy into (accept) a lie, which put you into bondage, such as:
you're damaged, tainted, unworthy, no good, useless, stupid, unloved, ugly, hopeless, unemployable,
unforgivable, a failure, etc.?
19. Are you turned off (deterred) or apprehensive about being a Believer because you believe you have to
try and be perfect? How does God perfect us?
20. Are you ready to take responsibility for believing the lie and turn the details in your life around into
victories and freedom?
21. Where within does pride lie?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 Corinthians 6 King James Version (KJV)
1 Corinthians 15:58(KJV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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YCCM PART IV DETAILS
Chapter 17
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING
SCENE 1: THE WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION...

[A disheveled, man dressed very comfortably (t-shirt, boxer shorts, socks, robe), watching a science fiction
movie on television and eating popcorn. He stops and looks into the camera, acknowledging the presence of the
audience. Grabbing the remote control, he mutes the television and begins to speak in a very intriguing voice to
deliver his monologue and become THE NARRATOR.]
THE NARRATOR: My friends, God is a god of details. The adversary is counting on your overlooking the
details. God is counting on you to trust Him in giving them the proper attention.
Perhaps, you've seen or heard of a science fiction movie about Good versus Evil, where Good wins, but Evil
leaves something behind, with a nefarious plan to start all over again and wreak havoc upon the Earth.
Oblivious to the remaining evil that looms about him, which lies hidden in plain sight, spawning hideous
offspring to await another chance to spoil the heroic life of our hero; Good rides off into the sunset. Captivated
by the beauty and charm of the rescued damsel in distress, beside him, he neglects to look around the scene to
clean up the last details. Only YOU are aware of the impending threat...but...then...they make you wait a year or
two for the SEQUEL!!!
[He bursts into laughter, sending popcorn flying in every direction, and then regains his composure. Managing
to portray one of his more serious faces, his demeanor changes, as he dramatically moves closer into the
camera.]
THE NARRATOR: Back into the REAL WORLD...!

Life in the real world can be just as dramatic! Let's say that God delivered you from something. Let's say that
you were delivered from using recreational drugs. However, you decided you would still hang out with--that is--
go places with that friend you use to get high with, because, you've been friends for years. What harm can it do?
It's just ONE...
[He holds up one finger and eyes it suspiciously.]
...of the details that kept you addicted. Now, you're clean and changed. You're in control. Who knows, maybe
you'll be a good influence on them.
[He throws himself down on the floor and begins acting out the story he is telling.]
Next thing you know, you wake up one afternoon and see your empty wallet next to you on the floor. You
stagger to get up, because, you feel terrible. You head to the kitchen, thinking maybe a cup of coffee will help,
only to find the refrigerator and the cupboards bare. You're broke, so, you can't even buy a cup of coffee.
You start to look for your car keys and find them mixed in with the chicken bones, in one of the restaurant take-
out boxes in the bathroom, but your car...
[Looking out of the window]
...you THOUGHT was outside...is nowhere in sight and you can't remember how you got home last night or
where you went.
You find your phone covered in hot sauce, in the other box, full of chicken bones and try calling your friend.
Later, you find out your friend didn't answer, because, they were out with someone else, you're not even friends
with, getting high off of the drugs you spent the last of your money on.
You lie down on what appears to be the bed, but it could just be a pile of clothes, since you haven't cleaned in a
while. Your mind finally comes into focus and you realize why you're feeling so bad. Your body is craving that
next fix--that next high.
You decide, well, there is only one thing and one person who can help you. You slide down to the floor on your
knees...
Finally, you find your shoes under the bed and head out to the streets to sell your watch and look for your drug
dealer. Hmmmm
[He quickly presses his nose into the camera, leaving a large smudge on the lens, provoking a spontaneous
response from the cameraman, who emits a sound of disgust and squeamishly wipes the lens.]
Didn't you know that the adversary will always leave someone or something behind or something undone to try
and get back into your life to finish off the job of destroying you?
[He slowly backs away from the angry cameraman's guarded space and beloved, precious camera. He mouths
an apology, holding his hands up in a gesture of peace and surrender.]
Satan always tries to mimic God, whereas, God leaves seeds behind to grow us, Satan leaves something
tempting behind to DESTROY us!
Details are important when evicting the enemy and cleaning house.
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[He pretends to hold a weapon, making his hands into a gun and cautiously moves along the walls of the
apartment set, sharply turning corners with his hand gun out in front of him.]
If we are to remain free from bondage, we must make a clean sweep of our perimeters.
[He increasingly becomes excited, on the verge of hysteria.]
There are things and people we can no longer hold on to and must give up! There are places we can no longer
visit! Things we shouldn't look at or hear! We must stay away from ANY and ALL TEMPTATION!!!
[He moves and stands in front of the sofa.]
You pleaded with God to deliver you! You were so tired of being tired! You thought you were clean! How could
this have happened?! Did God abandon you? WHAT WENT WRONG?!!!!
[He flops down on the sofa backwards, lies there a few seconds, then, quickly sits up, contemplating the
dilemma, as if addressing and analyzing an audience member experiencing the current problem.]
Maybe, God allowed you to believe you were delivered to show you that you didn't want to be delivered. You
know...you probably just wanted to be out of your current misery.
Maybe, you weren't ready. You didn't want to let go of the things that had helped to put you in bondage. You
tried to keep bits and pieces that you thought were valuable to you. Like the children of Israel, you tried to bring
back IDOLS and TAINTED SPOILS OF WAR, when God TOLD YOU NOT TO DO-O-O THAT!!!
[Suddenly he looks up to the ceiling, startled and leaps to his feet, listening intently. Then, he waves his arms,
signaling frantically, like an animated police officer directing traffic.]
STOP! REWIND TO, "BACK INTO THE REAL WORLD." GOD HAS REWRITTEN THE
SCRIPT!
[He reaches up to God for the new script and begins to quietly read the script aloud.]
Jesus changed everything--See Rewrite...Jesus changed EVERYTHING?! WHY? WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE
OLD SCRIPT?!!
[He quickly leafs through the pages of the new script, and then throws the old script towards the camera. Frantic
and filled with frustration and irritation, he screams at the crew, wildly, waving the NEW script.]
Guys?...HEY GUYS!!!! Jesus changed EVERYTHING, Guys, GET THE REWRITE!!!

(Looking at the script again, he reads in disbelief.)
IT SAYS HERE THAT JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO!!!
WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED?! WHO GAVE ME THIS OLD SCRIPT?!!!...
[He rolls the script into a tube and beats the palm of his hand.]
DETAILS, MY FRIENDS! This movie is supposed to be about teaching people to pay attention to
DETAILS!!! --AND WE CAN'T EVEN GET THE FIRST DETAIL RIGHT BY HAVING THE RIGHT
SCRIPT!!!
[Again, he plops himself on the sofa backwards, appearing to be exasperated and exhausted. When, suddenly he
hears a voice say...]
VOICE: Watch the television.
[He grabs his popcorn and sits up comfortably.]
SCENE 2: JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING
[An ancient writing and language appears on the screen, having subtitles beneath it. The narrator grabs his script
and unrolls it to read along. Scene: Jesus dying upon the cross.]
Narrator: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
[The camera zooms out and fades, as the narrator becomes engrossed in reading the script and watching the
television screen.]
SCENE 3: SILENT DETAILS

[The camera zooms in on a small, brightly lit, Las Vegas chapel.]
SCREEN CAPTION: Las Vegas, Nevada, some 2000+ years later...
[Penetrating the walls, the camera begins to slowly pan the perimeter, showing the over-decorated walls, lit by
fluorescent neon signs. Pictures of happy newlyweds cover the tiny back wall like a patchwork quilt; some, very
comically depict the couples in teetering poses, as the groom tries to lift or carry his bride.
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From out of nowhere, an elderly woman appears at the front door. She's dressed like a glamorous leading lady,
from an old Hollywood movie, wearing a huge withering corsage. Her glitz and sparkle give her the appearance
of a chameleon against the gaudy shimmering walls.
She primps herself in front of a full-length, lighted mirror, framed with rhinestones, and then dramatically whips
a tired looking mink stole around her drooping shoulders. Smoothing her hair, she turns and poses, as if she
is finally prepared for a photo shoot, then, waves and calls to the stranger kneeling at the altar.]
Minister's Wife: Yoo-hoo! Hey darlin'! I'm the minister's wife!
[The stranger turns his head for a moment, and then rests it back in his arms on the altar.]
Minister's Wife: I'm sorry to disturb you sweetie, but we're closin' up early tonight. We don't normally do that--
this bein' Las Vegas and all, but, we're just one of many chapels around here (and probably the cheapest one),
but, anyway, ya see, tonight is kinda special.
[She giggles and blushes, with a school-girl charm that erases her haggard years and maturity.]
I mean for me and the Reverend, that is. Ya see...
[She pauses, to clear her throat, and then proceeds to sing in a high screechy voice]
IT'S OUR ANN-I-VERSARY!
[She waits, expecting applause or some type of congratulatory response. Then, looking quite perturbed and
obviously let down she manages to deliver her next lines in a somewhat tart and acrimonious voice.]
But, you're welcome to stay a while, sweetie pie. Lord knows we ALL need prayer. I've already locked up and
all, but, if you'll just hit this here light switch...
[She moves to a switch box on the wall, pointing.]
It's the one with the weddin' bell sticker, swee...well...whatever your name is.
[She smoothes the sticker, mumbling to herself.]
Dearie me. Gonna need a new one.
[She yells, hoping, in one last effort---one desperate, final attempt, to get the stranger's attention and a
response.]
IT'S A LITTLE CURLED UP, BUT...

[Getting no response she begins to wonder if something is wrong with the man, then, walks toward him in her
loud, clunky heels. Timidly, she begins to reach out to touch his shoulder, while she calmly speaks in a soft,
motherly voice.]
You alright, Sugar?
[The man nods his head and her hand jerks away, as she is startled to see him move. Slowly, she turns back
toward the door, then, hesitates, giving the man a puzzled look over her shoulder. Walking to the door, with a
synchronized 'clip, clop' accompaniment from her high heels, she gives him last minute instructions.]
Well, just shut the door reee-al hard. It'll lock. Now, me and the Rev will be back to check on things. We live out
back in the trailer. Take your time and send a prayer up for me, too, now. Ya here? Byyyyee!
[The man begins to sob uncontrollably. Unable to hold himself up, he rolls down to the floor and draws his legs
up into a fetal position. His wallet slides out of his pocket onto the floor. His sobs become wails, as he clinches
his fist to his forehead in agony, rolling from side to side. His body rigidly stretches, only to contract again into
a fetal position, kicking his wallet partially under the sanctuary podium; the sanctuary where couples had been
happily joined as one and pictured in candid photos, depicting the beginning of their lives together.]
Narrator: My Brothers and Sisters, this is not the usual type of movie that ends with boy gets girl, or the hero
or villain getting the money or prize. Neither is this your typical story of enlightenment and salvation. This is a
story of true deliverance and transformation; showing us how God, just as He brought light into the darkness of
the Universe, brings Light into the darkness of man's life.
This story follows the hand of God, as it transforms chaos in the life of one man, which could be any man or
woman, into abundant life; a productive life, a meaningful life; a blessed life.
This story has no ending; for which I offer no apology. It is the story of one man's journey from what seemed to
him to be the pit of hell to the gates of eternity. But for the grace of God, it could have been me or you.
But, in this version of the story, you...you or I, knew the meaning of enough is enough and were tired of sin
ruling and ruining our life. We came to God willingly, with a humble and contrite (repentant) heart, desiring to
surrender all of our life.
God pulled us up out of the miry clay--our drug addiction, in order to give us a chance to truly change--to be
transformed, not to just be delivered from a drug addiction. The two go hand in hand.
God is not a department store for you to shop for what YOU need and continue living a life of sin. God doesn't
do customized, made-to-order jobs that come without you surrendering all and being born again!
In this version of the story, you not only discover that God is a god of detail and chances, but He is also a God
of completion. Rebirth is true deliverance; for only a changed heart and a new mind--The Mind of Christ--can
keep you from sin.
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There will be pauses and interruptions throughout the movie; not for the usual popcorn, soda and restroom
break, but to offer an occasional explanation.
Again, we cannot apologize; for your life is at stake. We do not want to simply entertain you, but, to give you an
opportunity for true, abundant, eternal life and joy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

perspectives.
1. In what ways do you see the THE NARRATOR as symbolizing some places of worship today?
2. How does THE NARRATOR react to change?
3. In what ways can we compare the old script and the Old Testament?
4. In what ways can we compare the new script and the New Testament?
5. Does THE NARRATOR have true Peace?
6. Who does THE NARRATOR blame for his problems?
7. Who does THE NARRATOR expect to solve his problems?
8. Does THE NARRATOR have a connection to God?
9. What kind of connection does he have? Is he giving or taking?

10. Is the NARRATOR able to STAND when adversity and stress comes his way and stand upon GOD'S
commandments and principles?
11. What do you believe you know about the character of the minister's wife thus far?
12. Who is the minister's wife more concerned about?
13. What is the minister's wife more concerned about?
14. What do you believe you know about the character of the minister?
15. What do you believe you know about the character of the cameraman?
16. What do you believe you know about the character of the stranger?
17. What do you believe you know about the character of THE NARRATOR?
18. Can we judge THE NARRATOR by his title, name or position? Should we?
19. Can we judge the narrator by his acting or the way he reads the scripts? Should we?
20. What actions, words or conversations give us a better idea of the narrator's character, faith and
relationship with God?
21. After reading part of the script and watching it on television, what SEEMS to have changed about the
narrator?
22. What has changed about the story?
23. Reading and analyzing a story may not help solve our immediate problems in life, but it can help us look
at our problems and ourselves in a different Light, from a different perspective and seek another solution
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and Helper. Think about something that you perceive to be a problem in your life and then, think about
how the story changed because Jesus Changed EVERYTHING!
24. How can you approach YOUR problem(s) differently because, Jesus changed EVERYTHING?
25. What other things did you find in the story, which were of significance?
26. Did paying attention to DETAILS in the story help you to better understand the story?
27. Will paying attention to the DETAILS in your life help you to better understand the life that you
HAVE and the abundant and everlasting LIFE God WANTS you to have???
28. Will paying attention to the details in the lives of others without JUDGING them help us to better
understand them and help lead them to a better life following Jesus?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Psalm 34:18
Psalm 51:17
Isaiah 57:15
Isaiah 66:2
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YCCM PT 4 DETAILS
Chapter 18
THE PROCESS
Hebrews 10:14
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
God is forever moving things around inside of me and rearranging things, as if He's putting together a jigsaw
puzzle. But, before He lays down the right piece, He has to clean up the space it's going to occupy.
I asked God, does this mean, I am incomplete? Not whole?
He answered...
No, you became WHOLE when we became One. I am keeping you from sin. It is a puzzlement to you because
you do not understand the process.
Later, I asked, does this mean you are perfecting me? He answered...
Yes.
I still didn't quite understand. If He was perfecting me, then I must be unfinished. Not meaning to sound rude or
untrusting, I asked...
How and why are You able to do this? He answered...
You have surrendered your will to me. You are made perfect in my Son--abiding in Him.
Am I a work in progress? He answered...
It is finished! I share my knowledge and wisdom with those whom I call 'friend'.
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Yet, in this flesh you are tempted. I will not leave you to stand alone. Those who walk in my Light no longer
walk in the Darkness of the world and must trust in My power to keep them. Obey MY will and walk in
completion!
FOOD FOR THE SOUL

My Brothers and Sisters, it is a good thing to be called a friend of God. Let us fill ourselves with the goodness
and mercy that this friendship offers us.
James 2:23 (NIV)
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
Proverbs 3:32 (NLT)
Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
Romans 5:10 (NLT)
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his
enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Yes, Jesus restored our friendship with our Father and His sacrifice gave us even more. Through the sacrifice of
Jesus, we were perfected, so that when we are reborn, God creates in us a new man and a new mind.
This has been compared to the Potter making a new vessel. If the vessel is perfect, the Potter has no need to
make it over again unless it is broken. The Potter makes the vessel according to its purpose, protects the vessel
from harm and takes care of it.
Each time self rises up or the world tries to come in, God takes care of you by rearranging the pieces inside of
you. His Holy Spirit brings things into remembrance and shows you the things you are feeling, thinking or
doing that can cause you to sin.
For instance, God speaks and His Word is Truth, without doubt. He doesn't think, well, if I say this, is everyone
going to like what I say? Am I going to lose friends or followers? No, that would be self and pride talking.
Truth is pure and to question itself would be contradictory and fruitless.
I, on the other hand, still exist in the flesh. Be it as it may, the mind may be willing to follow, but sometimes, the
flesh is weak. The Darkness that surrounds us is always mimicking God, trying to expand its territory, so it
presses hard upon us. Yet, in God, through Jesus, we have a fortress. Although, we may sometimes be
bombarded by the arrows of the enemy, we have a Saviour to help us lift up our shield.
If we have not surrendered our will to God and invited His Trinity to rest, rule and abide within us, then, yes, we
are a work in progress. Then, the Potter has not made us over again into a new vessel that is purposed to follow
Christ, walking in the Light of God.
Many people believe that their conscience is God's Holy Spirit, but we must learn the difference between the
two. One's conscience can instill fear, guilt and shame. It can even encourage us to sin. Fear, guilt and shame are
not of God. He will not lead us into sin.
The conscience of self or self-conscience may deter or detour us from sin, but it cannot keep us from sin, which
means to change our heart, so that we no longer desire sin. Only Rebirth, Transformation to the Mind of Christ
through the endowment of God's Holy Spirit connecting us with Jesus and our Father can take away the desire
to sin.
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all
things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
I questioned, my Lord, further...
So, when I abide in Christ and You are the Head of my life, the puzzle pieces are replacing any thinking that is
not of the Mind of Christ, which I allow to get in the way? He answered...
Yes, they are there within you, because HE is within you. It is finished, my child. Do not allow the world to put
doubt into your mind. My Word is Truth. I will not lead you astray. Trust and obey.
So, Father, when I STAND FAST, rooted and grounded upon The Rock, I am pressing toward the Mark? He
answered...
Yes, My Child, STAND! That is the process!

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Philippians 3:13-15
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
FINALLY, it clicked! God had already answered and given me everything I needed to know. We are made
perfect through Christ. All the shuffling and moving around is like a train being rerouted, switching tracks to
be routed in the right direction. That's why He put the image of the train changing tracks in my mind. It
explains why most people just bypass the station and keep going in the wrong direction. They never allow
the conductor to switch tracks, so, they continue in their wrong thinking.
When self rises up, we must be willing to surrender, die to self and receive directions through the Mind of
Christ, in other words, switching to the right track to get to where we need to go. By navigating our thought
processes through Christ, we are kept from sin. The Body of Christ must always surrender to the Will and Way
of God. It cannot work against itself. I am a member of the body, therefore, my thoughts must agree with the
Mind of Christ within me, which MUST rule over me.
God NEVER forcefully takes our freewill away, nor does He ask us to relinquish it. Even after Adam and Eve
sinned, He did not take away their freewill. He will not make us obey by taking away our freewill. He asks us to
willingly surrender, so that He may use us. When His Holy Spirit fills us or brings things to our attention, He
will not act without our permission. Therefore, we cannot simply expect God to do everything in our lives
independently, without any effort on our part.
When we joined with God, we formed a relationship and a partnership, in which we have duties to fulfill and
accountability. In our relationship with Him, we prove our love for Him by obeying. Each time we say yes, use
me, Lord, we are choosing to trust and obey Him.
The process of Standing in the Will and Way of God is like the process of being still and waiting on the Lord. It
is not just a motion, but a notion--a BELIEF and thought process which gravitates toward Holiness and
Righteousness in WHATEVER we think, say or do--pressing until it has reached the Mark.
At this point, I am wondering...

Father, how do we miss these kinds of details that are so vital to healing us, leading us to Rebirth and sustaining
us? He answered...
It is the poison of the world to keep my children sick unto death and to keep them blind and unknowingly in
bondage. The world has no profit in healing them; for it seeks the wages of its master to keep them ill.
Father, I pray that this message shall break the shackles of millions, empower them and lead them to eternal life.
I pray that it will break through misconceptions, wrong teaching, hardened hearts and the influence of Darkness.
Let it illuminate and penetrate, leading others out of Darkness. In Jesus' most precious and Holy name. Amen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

perspectives.
1. Think of a sin you use to commit that brought you fear, guilt and/or shame. When God took away the
desire to sin, how did you feel about that sin?

2. When God takes something away, He replaces it with something to make us more productive and
fruitful. When God took away your desire to sin, what area(s) of your life became more fruitful?
3. Are there times when you are aware of self or pride rising up within you when confronted with adversity
or temptation?
4. What do you do in these situations?
5. Do you first try to deal with your feelings by yourself?
6. Do you believe that united as One with God, you are WHOLE?
7. Does becoming ONE in Holy Matrimony (marriage) make us WHOLE and complete?
8. Can one be WHOLE and be single (unmarried)?
9. What does being PERFECT mean to you?
10. Do you believe that you are made perfect in Christ? In what ways are we perfect?
11. What do empowering, equipping and preparing mean to you?
12. Are these words synonymous with completing?
13. Can we be complete or whole, but still be in need of training, instruction and power to serve God and
one another?
14. How will being WHOLE affect our ability to receive training, instruction and to become empowered?
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John 15:13-15
Hebrews 10 (KJV)
Colossians 2:6-15 (KJV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YCCM Part 4 DETAILS
Chapter 19
I (LOVE) YOU: Prove it!
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for continuing upon this journey with me. Whether you are just an observer or a participant,
experiencing enlightenment and revelation and/or awakening from slumber or darkness, your presence and
fellowship is welcome and needed.
I pray that by the end of this journey, you will consider this to be a relationship between spiritual beings; for
although we are not present in body, connected to God's Holy Spirit we are One. Praise God!
I pray that you will begin to view your relationships and live your relationships in the Light and learn to view
your work, effort and giving as acts of love.
Yes, a relationship is an act of love. When God is keeping us, moving things around inside of us, doing things
on our behalf, He is doing it out of LOVE. It is not WORK for Him. So, then, why do we say we're working on
our relationship or marriage is a lot of WORK?! --Because, we are not willing to give in Perfect Love, like our
Father does for us.
We must change the way we think, bury that old self-thinking and think with the Mind of Christ! WHATEVER
God does for us is not WORK, in the sense that we define work; it is an act of LOVE! So, what does that tell
us? We should try to be like our Father.
I use to wonder if God was testing my patience by having me repeat things over and over again and in different
ways. He told me that, "Maybe you got the message, but let me make it plain for someone else, who may not
understand, or who didn't hear it right the first time."
Now, I've discovered that it is not only a question of patience that was a problem for me, but that old self had
raised an ugly head and let pride slip in. My wanting to be a perfectionist and to follow literary guidelines and
structures of writing, instead of just being obedient to the Lord and the gift He has provided and chosen to use,
caused me to lose sight of Jesus. I cannot fear man's criticism and scrutiny. I must deliver the message as God
speaks it through me.
Everyday should be a day of celebration for God delivering us from ourselves! Hallelujah! I thank Him for
opening my eyes and ears and putting up road blocks, so that I don't blindly fall off of a cliff.
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Sometimes, we can expect everyone else to be like us and rush ahead in life, not giving others a chance to catch
up. If people can't keep up, we want to leave them behind. But then, one day, the shoe is on the other foot and if
we are attached to the Vine, then, EUREKA! --A revelation from God that enlightens and corrects us to bring us
back down to Earth, planting our feet on Solid Ground. Then, we are able to bear good fruit!
I pray that today is such a day for you, my Brothers and Sisters! So, let us dispel lies to free the minds of others!
WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE
Worldly (carnal) love is not everlasting. It is not Perfect Love, therefore, it has no power or authority to change
anyone. So, what is it good for?
Many people have become hurt by believing they can change someone, just by telling them that they love them.
In their minds, they have done, for them, what is the equivalent of proving their love.
But, how can you prove your love to someone who doesn't love you and/or doesn't know what love is or how to
love?
Below is a list of things people try to do to get the attention of someone they believe they're in love with. As
you read the list below, please remember to keep in mind, it is describing ways people try to PROVE their love
for someone. Oh, I'm sure that some of the things will sound ridiculous to you, or down right crazy, but,
nonetheless, even if you would NEVER try something like that, someone has.
Yes, it is a long list, but, even longer is the list of man's sins. So, let us bear fruits of patience and love for others
and try to help as many as we can who are in bondage to sin.
After reading the list, before reading any further, think of things you have done or might be doing to try and
prove your love to someone. Write them down and/or check them off of the list.
To prove their love, there are many, who even go as far as to:
change how they look or dress
change how they talk, (e.g. ,curse, use slang or colloquialism, try to sound more like another race, ethnicity or
nationality)
disobey and/or lie to a parent/guardian
go to the wrong type of place/places
run away from home

betray someone
lie to friends or authorities
steal from or cheat others
start smoking
have sex out of wedlock
fight a rival because of jealousy and claim on someone
be in a gang or around the wrong people
join an exclusive or secret society, secret club or organization, cult, community or colony
join a radical, violent or terrorist group
blow themselves and others up with a bomb
commit suicide (take an overdose of drugs, etc.)
self-mutilation
self-starvation to lose weight (anorexia, bulimia )
abandon, or allow themselves to be isolated from, family and friends
compromise their beliefs and morals
leave the church or turn their back on God
change religions
worship idols
worship Satan and demons, join a witch and warlock covenant
give up their education and/or quit college
quit or turn down a job, promotion or other opportunities
go into a profession or job not suited for them
try to buy someone's love with gifts and money
loan money, car, equipment, electronics
give someone access to their personal and financial information

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become someone's slave
participate in a sport, hobby or event
Cook and/or clean
dedicate their whole life to someone else's happiness
allow themselves to be mentally abused, verbally abused, physically abused, sexually abused, neglected,
disrespected or exploited
engage in perverted and/or illegal sexual activity
sell or transport drugs
take drugs and alcohol
become a drug addict
sell their body
choose to have a baby/babies for someone out-of-wedlock
have an abortion
adopt a child
allow someone to move in with them, without getting married
continue to live together, have children and never get married
get married
allow someone to live off of you and take advantage of you
give away money and food intended for their child/children
abandon, neglect or abuse their child/children
allow their child/children to be abused mentally, verbally, physically and/or sexually, neglected, disrespected or
exploited
commit adultery
wait indefinitely for someone to leave their spouse
share their spouse sexually with others and/or allowing their spouse to share them
buy drugs or alcohol to support an addiction

commit violence, crime or murder
go to jail for someone who is responsible for committing a crime
tell someone how beautiful, or handsome, wonderful, sexy, smart, cool, bad, etc. they are; trying to satisfy their
ego or build what the world chooses to call their self-esteem, which in reality is pride and vanity.
WHY DID SAPPHIRA HAVE TO DIE?
When we start inquiring and delving into details, in the personal life of others, they may begin to wiggle and
squirm. Some people may even start to perspire and experience dry mouth, due to nervousness; while others
may take on a different personality or attitude.
Most people don't share the details of their life willingly. Just as, many people love to hear the preacher preach
about the sins and sinners of this world, but are reluctant to divulge the sin that continues within their own
household, because pride gets in the way. So, they continue to live in sin or surrounded by sin, because they
believe that the God of Details, will overlook the sinful details of their life, keep the blessings coming and give
them eternal life.
Everyone has something--some detail, that they have escaped from, or continue to live with, that they are not
particularly proud of in their life. So, when they come into contact with others, they usually try to avoid the
subject. When it is unavoidable, some people will lie or omit details. However, lying in any form is also a sin
that leads to death.
I'd like for you to read Acts 5, an account of Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple, who lied to the disciples
and believed they could deceive God. Ananias lied first, then Sapphira lied to protect her husband and perhaps
herself, also. No doubt, she believed her loyalty to her husband, even in his dishonesty and disobedience,
proved her love and faithfulness.
I pray that your heart has been changed and you have come to acknowledge God's presence in everything you
think, say and do. I pray that reading scripture is not a difficult or tedious task for you and that you use it as
your time alone with God. It is a time to be fed by God and His Word; to gain wisdom and understanding
through the revelation of God. It is a time to ask God questions and reflect on how the scripture impacts your
life and how it can enrich your life.
Sometimes, it's best not to try to read and understand everything all at once. God reveals things to you when
you are ready.
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Carefully select and obtain a Bible version that you are comfortable with, which doesn't distort and attempt to
change the meaning of the scripture. Try using an audio Bible, if you are impaired in any way. Now, let us read
Acts 5...
Acts 5 (KJV)
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the
apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the
price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou
conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard
these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet
of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found
her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all
with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Ananias and Sapphira, like many people who claim to be Believers, thought they were entitled to their privacy,
when it came to their finances and private lives. Clearly they had something to hide, but, why do people cherish
and protect their privacy so, even when they have nothing to hide? Usually, they are afraid of what others might
think about them and how they will be judged. Some people automatically compare themselves to others and
judge themselves. And what drives these compulsions, making us think highly of ourselves or underrate
ourselves? --Pride.
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Ananias allowed pride to breed a sense of entitlement and greed within him. He thought more highly of himself
than he did of God and His Kingdom. Clearly, he underrated and underestimated God's Power and saw Peter as
just another man he could lie to, cheat and deceive. Ananias was already dead in sin.
Knowing what her husband had done, like Abigail, who brought supplies to David and his men to save her
household (1 Samuel 25), Sapphira could have redeemed her household by telling Peter the truth. Would she
have been seen as betraying her husband or being faithful to God? Where should her loyalty lie first? Should
she allow her husband to lead her into sin and death? Should she put her love for him above God, Truth,
Holiness and Righteousness?
Because Sapphira followed after her husband in sin, she followed him in death. Was this punishment or death
coming to claim its own? Since, it happened immediately and was so fearfully shocking and abrupt, we might
see it as God striking them down in wrath. However, the couple had already claimed their wages and the wages
of sin is DEATH! THEY chose death over eternal and abundant life in God's Kingdom. God simply removed
His HANDS of SALVATION, MERCY AND GRACE and ALLOWED Death to claim them.
It is only by God's HANDS that we are spared and live to see another day. Ananias withheld from God's
HANDS what rightfully belonged to Him. Therefore, God withdrew His HANDS OF MERCY. We cannot
esteem ourselves more worthy than God.
Ananias and Sapphira didn't KNOW God. Had they known Him, they would have known better than to think
that they could deceive His Holy Spirit within Peter. Had they known God, they would have shown it by
OBEYING Him.
They had no intention of knowing God; for they loved the things of this world and esteemed themselves better
than God and everyone else. They idolized SELF and put self first at any cost, so, God withdrew His hands,
because they were already dead.
Jesus asked many to follow Him. One man said; let me go bury my father first. Luke 9:60 gives Jesus'
response.
"Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."
"Let the dead bury the dead." In other words, children of perdition, lost to the world and dead in sin and because
of sin.
SELF-ESTEEM
Ananias and Sapphira esteemed themselves more important and worthy, believing they should come first. We
must ask ourselves where self-esteem comes from and what purpose does it serve.
Self-esteem is a term used by the world to teach us to identify in self and self-ability, when we should identify
with who we are in Christ, knowing that we can do NOTHING without God.
We cannot have it both ways. Either we learn to put ALL of our faith and trust in God or depend on self.
However, if we depend on self and self-esteem: What do we do when our looks fade, the body becomes weak
and aged and the mind no longer serves to be of use to the world? --When we can no longer play, work, be
active and financially productive? --When we're not the brightest one or the prettiest one? --When there is no
one around to encourage us? --When we have failed and money is gone and friends and family turn their back
on us?
Self-esteem does not provide us with love or prove we are loved, or fulfill the need to know who we are and our
value, which is why so many famous people struggle with it. The world is telling them they are supposed to
have something they are not capable of having. Self-esteem, self-worth, self-help, self-confidence, self-interest
and selfish-ness can only take you so far. Only God can make you WHOLE, build you up, give you identity and
purpose and fulfill your need for love.
Self-esteem has its place in the world and within behavioral science, but we, who are no longer of the world,
must not give into the lie that it is needed to better oneself, or, feel good about oneself.
I feel good about myself, not because of what I can do or what I look like; not because of where I came from or
how much money and things I have; not because of how many friends I have or how people or the world treat
me or see me.
I feel good about myself, because, I am a Child of God! Without Him, I am nothing! The world cannot make me
feel bad about myself because I know who and what I am in Christ Jesus.
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EFFECTING CHANGE
If we want to see change in people and the world, we must look at what we are teaching them and what the
world is teaching them.
Do you know what children are learning in school? Are you dispelling the lies that are contrary to the Will and
Way of God, while still teaching them to respect education and educators?
Some people think the answer is to take their child out of public school. The real solution is to get involved with
your child's education like you're supposed to be, instead of expecting the school system to take full
responsibility for educating your child. Make them smarter AND wiser as you instill Godly principles and
Perfect Love. What the public, private, or parochial school doesn't teach them--you teach them; which means,
you need to know what they're learning. As they say, YOU are your child's FIRST educator. You should also be
your child's BEST educator in preparing them for the world, with God as the Head of their lives.
Do not let them grow up ignorant of the world, in which they live, not knowing what other people think and
believe and what they should believe, or they will buy into a lie. They won't be able to distinguish right from
wrong. One day, you may have to wonder why Johnny or Jill joined a terrorist group or tried to recreate
themselves and live a worldly lifestyle, when they were sheltered from all of that worldly, bad stuff.
People need the experience of applying the knowledge they've learned in the Bible to the world God has given
them to live in. Again, it is the world God has chosen for them to be born into and God doesn't give us more
than we can bear. We must all learn to bear. How are we to disciple others if we do not teach them to bear the
cross of Jesus and conquer the world? This is why our children are easy pickings, lambs fed to the wolves,
sheep for the slaughter.
What does this have to do with trying to prove you love someone? Everything! This is where it begins, with
parents and those who nurture us trying to prove they love us in the wrong ways. This is reinforced by television
and media, trying to convince us that the way to make people happy and show love is by giving them things,
money, sex, fame and power.
Parents may try to buy our affection by spoiling us with gifts and money, sheltering us, doting on us, setting the
wrong example. Children watch their parents and how they show their affection to others. They mimic their
parents and want to prove their love to them and others. Have you ever asked your child or someone to prove
their love to you? What was their response? --Perhaps, a kiss?
One of the most painful feelings to experience is finding out someone doesn't love you the same way you love
them. We all want to love and to know that we are truly loved back, but we set ourselves up for failure by
following after worldly love and lies.
The world tells us that we can fall in and out of love with someone, but, that is because it is not true,
everlasting, Godly, Perfect Love. The world tells us that a man can marry a man and a woman can marry a
woman, but that is because it is not Perfect Love or Holy Matrimony according to God.
People in worldly relationships become surface dwellers, that is, their relationships never go too deep within
them for fear of having to face reality; the reality that God created us for greater love. They must convince
themselves that worldly love is satisfying and remain on the surface, in the flesh, so as not to shatter their
illusion of happiness. Some want something better, but aren't willing to love God's way because they're too
attached to self and the world. In their mind, they have found the right way to love and it's better than nothing at
all or something they must give up the flesh and the world to obtain.
We are living in confusing, unholy and dangerous times. Those living in darkness are willing to fight for their
rights and the master they serve, because the world has given them rights without righteousness. The blind have
been given eyes through technology and power through money. They are more than ready and willing to take
the freedom and rights of those who walk in the Light.
We must march boldly with Truth or be trampled underfoot, beneath lies that try to suppress and silence us with
biased laws and political and religious constraints. It is but a shadow of what is to come and what is to go. Let
us prepare the way and strengthen ourselves! God readies those who are willing! HE makes us able!
Therefore, let us dispel the lies Satan feeds us to keep us divided and living in fear; putting blame on someone
else, as Adam did to Eve. Dispel the lies that set us up for failure in life and our relationships. There will be a
REMNANT and we shall be STRONG! Strong in the LORD! --But, even more, we shall be filled with
HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS able to STAND and give GLORY, HONOR AND PRAISE to the KING
OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS!!!
My Brothers and Sisters, this is no easy thing that I speak of, neither is it to be taken lightly, for it involves
matters of the heart! Yet, to experience love, we must experience God; for God IS Love! When we prove our
love for Him by OBEYING Him first, then, we can love others as HE would have us to love, in Perfect Love,
not worldly love.
I'm sure there are other things on the list of ways people try and prove their love, that need to be explained to
some, but, I will explain them all, by summing them up to this:
NOTHING on that list can prove love. Therefore, YOU can't do any of the things on that list, expecting it to
prove that you love someone. None of the things listed will prove that you love GOD!
Your list of do's and don'ts to please someone is just as ineffective and cannot prove your love. What it does
prove is that you are controllable; able to be coerced and manipulated. You have bought into a lie.
If someone asks you to do any of those things listed or anything else to prove you love them, God, or anyone
else, they don't know what love is.
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Keep in mind that people don't always make request verbally. Their behavior can be very manipulative to lead
you into giving into their desires. Their words and actions can be insinuating.
For example:
You want your boyfriend or girlfriend to spend more time with you, unaware that they are a manipulative
person. They see your vulnerability, but don't want to be forthright and come right out and ask to move in with
you, in order to make it look like it's what you wanted them to do. Having it to be your idea gives them a way
out, in case they need it, because they don't want to commit to a permanent relationship.
They may be use to getting their way and have become very good at manipulation for getting ahead in life;
getting what they want; and using other people to survive. So, they say, "My hours at work, plus living on the
other side of town make it hard for me to see you." This is just enough to get the wheels in your mind turning in
their direction and come to the conclusion that you could be together more, if you would move in together. They
say, "If you do this, you must really love me." There it is, if you go through with the idea, you've proved you
love them! It may sound very facetious and contrived, but most of the time, that's all it takes is to plant a
suggestion in someone's mind.
Although, you may think that only the gullible fall for such things, when we are enamored or in fear of losing
someone, we can become more vulnerable and compliant.
Of course, this is not always the case, but the point is, if we are not living in God's Will and Way, abiding in and
following The Mind of Christ, we can be swayed by other's ways and thinking to try and prove we love and care
about them. This is especially true if we are inexperienced, lonely or in our youth.
If you have a prayer list, please keep this list along with it and pray about these things and the people going
through them who have believed a lie and have been hurt.
As long as we keep doing only what we want to do, or what someone else wants us to do, and not the Will and
Way of God, we can't expect to see change in our lives or the lives of others. We become a one trick pony, an
old clich, a chip off the old block, a puppet or a participant in a never-ending game of Simon Says.
PROVE IT!
God proved His love for us when He sacrificed His Son upon a cross to restore our relationship with Him and
give us abundant and eternal life. Do you love Him in Perfect Love as He loves us? Prove it! Obey Him!
Trying to prove you love someone can become an addictive and self-defeating behavior. In doing so, we
compromise our beliefs, morals, value and relationship with our Heavenly Father.
The person you are trying to prove your love to may also have behavior addictions that prevent them from
trusting and believing you. Therefore, your efforts will always be in vain, leaving you both unsatisfied,
frustrated and in a chaotic relationship.
You must recognize the behavior addiction and relationship as being unhealthy. Decide who you will serve and
who you will obey. Accept Christ and God's Holy Spirit to dwell within you. Trust them to be your guide,
leading you on a course to recovery and Transformation through Rebirth.
In the chapters to come, we will look closer at Perfect Love, which is not only transforming for you, but, for
those around you. Trust God, with the heart of a child, to lead you to higher heights, following and keeping your
eyes upon Jesus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.
QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer.
1. Do you have a relationship that is filled with distrust or uncertainty?
2. Have you tried to improve it?
3. What have you done to try and keep the peace?

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4. Do you find yourself being the one to try to make things better?
5. Does the other person expect you to be the one to fix things and prove you still want them or love them?
6. Do you rationalize to find reasons to continue trying to please the other person and/or stay in the
relationship?
7. Does God have an active part in your relationship?
8. Are you also guided by mentors?
9. Have you been made perfect in love?
10. Read 1 Corinthians 13 below. Does the love in your relationship fit the description in the scripture?
11. Do you want to have the love described in 1 Corinthians 13?
12. Do you believe Jesus can make you perfect in love?
13. Are you willing to surrender to God and obey, even in the face of adversity?
14. Do you know how and in whom you can find peace?
15. Are you ready to follow Christ, dying to self and pride to live in abundance and eternal life?
16. Are you ready to be an example to children and others to lead them to discipleship and healthy
relationships?
17. How do you think your behavior change will affect your relationship?
18. Are your expectations realistic or based on faith?

19. Do your expectations line up with God's Word?
20. Can you put aside your expectations and accept God's Will, continuing to trust and obey?
21. Are you willing to bear your cross to help save someone else?
22. Share 1 Corinthians 13 with someone you love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke 9:57-62 (KJV)
1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV)
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YCCM PT4 DETAILS
Chapter 20
ONE LOVEPERFECT LOVE
John 17:26
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved
me may be in them, and I in them.
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by
His Spirit in the inner man;
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height,
19 and to know the love of Christ, which surpasseth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the
fullness of God.
20 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to
the power that worketh in us,
21 unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons and daughters
of God! Therefore, the world knows us not, because it knew Him not. (1st John 3:1)
My heart is filled, as I bring you this message; filled with the joy of the Lord. He has made me glad in that He
perfects the love within me, that I may come to reveal His Will and His Way to His Children, whom He dearly
loves, unconditionally.
I have included much scripture in this chapter, that your knowledge of the Truth may be full. Do not let it
overwhelm you. It is good to stop and rest on your journey. Take your time in reading and lean on the Lord for
patience and understanding, remembering that this is a time for feeding your spirit. Let us be anxious for
nothing, but patient in all things, doing all things for the glorification of God; for we can do nothing without
Him. Let us do all things in love, remembering the love that is bestowed upon us, continuing to keep us.
Be it known to all, far and wide that GOD IS LOVE, UNCHANGING and His love is PERFECT LOVE.
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN LOVE?
There is much good in the world; for God created this world. However, during our lifetime, we are exposed to
people and experiences that change the way we see the world. Those experiences can change the way we feel
about ourselves and others.
Our heart may not see that which is good, because our vision is obstructed. We can end up becoming people
who want to be nice and loving, but didn't have good instructions to begin with.
We may become so deep in bondage; we don't know how to get out. We want to love and be loved, however,
pride gets in the way. We become so confused, we don't know what real love or true love is. Certainly, there
must be a way out of this endless maze of confusion.
But while we are searching in the world, in vain, we become so wrapped up in worldly and fleshly love that we
don't know how to truly love people, yet, believe we are living in Christian love.
As Christians, we sign our correspondence with the phrase, 'in Christian love'. Often, so as not to confuse
people as to how we love them. But, are we loving them as Christ loved them? Will others know we are His
disciples? Is our love made PERFECT, free from fear, malice, jealousy, contempt, condemnation, lust,
bitterness, guilt, shame, arrogance, hatred, etc.? Do we hold anything against our brother? Or, are we
indifferent?
What is Christian love? What is Christian love today compared to Christian love during the time following the
death of Christ? How did Christ love? Can we love like Christ? Can a husband love his wife as Christ loves the
Church and still love others as Christ loves us? Is there a difference in this love? Is Christ's love ambiguous?
Did He differentiate in His manner of loving one from another? --And if He didwhy? Then, how are we to
love?
In the previous chapter, we uncovered some of the details of the life of Ananias and Sapphira, who showed us
the wrong way to love. They were among those who called themselves Followers, Believers and Disciples of
Christ. Yet, their love was for themselves and the world. They were not concerned with the DETAILS of being
Believers. They thought they could continue being who they were in their private lives, putting themselves first,
lying and deceiving others and no one would be the wiser. Had they learned nothing from the life and death of
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Judas Iscariot? Ananias and Sapphira lacked One thing, Perfect Love. They had not become One with God and
Christ.
God has separated us from the world and through His Holy Spirit; He shares with those whom He calls Friend.
Through His Holy Spirit He shares His Love, thoughts and His wisdom, that we won't be deceived by the lies of
the world. ONLY by becoming One with God can we learn how to love in Perfect Love.
A SEPARATION OF WORLDS
My brothers and sisters, we do not strive as the world does, but we surrender to a better purpose and a perfect
love that will keep us from sin and strife and allow us to rest in abundant and eternal life as citizens of God's
Kingdom here on Earth.
Jesus' teachings constantly encouraged us to examine the way we love others, God and the Son, whom He sent.
Christ told us that, in Heaven, no one is given in marriage. (LUKE 20:34-36)
Please do not misinterpret this scripture. It does not mean that it is better not to marry on Earth or love our
family. --No, by no means. God has made the children of this world as man and woman to be given in marriage,
loving and caring for one another; to be fruitful and multiply; to replenish the Earth; and to be its caretakers.
Within the union of marriage, two become oneconnected to Godliving, loving, serving and worshiping as
one. Agape love is of God and as we are re-birthed through His Holy Spirit, we are born of this love.
Then why do people experience so much divorce, abuse, poverty, crime, pain and suffering in the world?
--Because they are functioning on love of the world and of the flesh.
TYPES OF LOVE
Heaven is filled with the pure love of Godly loveAgape love. There is no worldly or fleshly love. No Eros,
Philia, Storge (see below for definitions); all of which are types of love that exist due to our having a body made
of flesh.
Agape: selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love observed in the Bible
Philia: brotherly or friendly love
Eros: physical, sensual love between a husband and wife (Greek term does not appear in the Bible, but
examples of this type of love are given in Solomon)
Storge: family love, the bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers (Greek term does not appear in the
Bible, but examples are given, i.e. Noah and his family, Jacob and his sons, Mary, Martha and Lazarus)
Philia, Eros and Storge, are these the types of love that God wants us to abide in; love that can lead to
selfishness, covetousness and/or love of the world; love that can be fleeting and corrupted?
Some have been misled to believe that only God can have Agape love. Yet, His Holy Spirit dwells within us and
is manifested through us. God is unchanging. When we die to self--when we surrender to His Will and Way, the
love that He manifests through us is Agape love.
This Truth narrows the path to truly walk in the Light of Holiness and Righteousness and be
called a Child of God.
Matthew 7:13, 14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it.
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Jesus continuously gives examples to His disciples of true and perfect love. He emphasizes that there is a
greater love than that which they have known and practiced.
John 21:15
So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me more than
these?" He said unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." He said unto him, "Feed My
lambs."
Jesus was asking Peter: Do you have Agape love for me; Unconditional love for me; Everlasting love for me;
Are you ready to lay down your life for me and my flock? Or, is your love Philia, brotherly love, with which
you so easily betrayed me and denied me three times?
My friends, after Jesus ascended into Heaven, Peter and some of the other disciples had gone back to doing
what they knew beforefishing, when Jesus had made them fishers of men. If we are Christ's disciples, we also
are fishers of men. Then, why do we also go back to doing the same things we did before and loving the way we
did before? Are we truly Christ's disciples?
John 13:34, 35
34 A new commandment I give unto you: that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also
love one another
35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples: if ye have love one for another.
Jesus is not speaking of any type of love, but the Agape love of God, His Father, who dwelled within Him. Our
Heavenly Father's Holy Spirit which dwells within us empowers us also to be made perfect in love to manifest
God's Perfect Love.
One day, we will put off the corruptible (our fleshly bodies) for the incorruptible. But, NowYes--Now--At--
This--Moment--We are to bring Heaven to Earth each and every day and moment and that can only be done
through ONE LOVEPERFECT LOVE.
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CAN THIS BE LOVE?
Matthew 12:46-49
46 While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood outside, desiring to
speak with Him.
47 Then one said unto Him, "Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand outside, desiring to speak
with thee."
48 But He answered and said unto him that told Him, "Who is My mother? And who are My
brethren?"
49 And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples and said, "Behold, My mother and My
brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of My Father who is in Heaven, the same is My brother, and sister,
and mother."
Matthew 8:19-22
19 And a certain scribe came and said unto Him, "Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou
goest."
20 And Jesus said unto him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of
Man hath nowhere to lay His head."
21 And another of His disciples said unto Him, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."
22 But Jesus said unto him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead."
Matthew 10:34-39
34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to 'set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-inlaw.'
36 And 'a man's foes shall be they of his own household.'
37 He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me. And he that loveth son or
daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
39 He that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for My sake, shall find it.
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Mark 13:12, 13
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise
up against their parents and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated by all men for My name's sake; but he that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved.
Luke 21:16-17
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren and kinsfolk and friends, and some of you
they shall cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated by all men for My name's sake.
The previous scriptures paint a very different and disturbing picture of familial (Storge) and brotherly (Philia)
love. What kind of love can be turned into hatred against one's mother or father, sister or brother? What is its
character? What are its roots? Is Storge love so fragile and corruptible that one would choose the world over
one's kin? Yes. Did Cain not slay Abel, his brother?
We witness the failure of Storge love daily and time to time experience it. Domestic violence within the family
is a common occurrence. To have a dysfunctional family or broken home is considered the norm in society.
Increase in divorces, dating and living together have altered the course of commitment, whereas, most couples
don't really commit to stay together forever. Many parents do not feel responsible for their children and many
children do not feel they owe their parents respect or loyalty.
During the era of Nazi Germany, children who had been brainwashed and indoctrinated into the ideology of the
Nazi Regime, turned on their own parents and reported them to the secret state police (the Gestapo) of the
German Third Reich, to be imprisoned or put to death. Love for the world and self can be very strong and
darkness fights to hold on to what and whom it has claimed for its own. We must ask ourselves if we are truly
teaching our children to love by the example of perfect love that abides within us through Jesus Christ.
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A KISS
A kiss is a sign or symbol of love. Yet, it is more than a physical gesture to express what is felt inside. Feelings
can be fleeting and die, but Godly love is alive and everlasting. Thus, Christian's are to greet one another with a
kissa sign of everlasting, unconditional love. Hence, when Judas betrayed Christ with a kiss to identify Him
to His accusers, Jesus questioned him for using this gesture.
Luke 22:46-48
46 And He said unto them, "Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
47 And while He yet spoke, behold, a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went
before them and drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him.
48 But Jesus said unto him, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?"
Have you been like Judas when you deceived another with a kiss or hug, given without pure and perfect love?
Are you betraying Christ and Godly love because you fear and love the world? Are you being like Satan
mimicking God? Is love something that you turn on or off? Or turn up or downincrease or decrease?
THE AGONY AND DEFEAT OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 13:18-23 (NKJV)
18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one
comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately
receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution
arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world
and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who
indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
CHILDREN OF GOD,
Jesus left us with these detailed parables so that our living would not be in vain. Read the Parable of the Sower
carefully. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy that which would be fruitful and give glory to God. The
enemy will cause many counted among us, who profess to be One, to betray us. Nonetheless, betrayal is self-
defeating; for the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy all who could be fruitful and give glory to God, even
after they have realized that they have betrayed innocent blood. Judas was no longer useful to Satan, in the
flesh. He was disposable and so he disposed of him.
The adversary knows that we have potential and our fruit will glorify God. We are soldiers and bearers of the
cross and as our Lord, and Saviour, Jesus Christ suffered, so must we to be counted worthy. Yet, we do not live
to war with flesh...nor take the battle into our own hands; for the battle is not ours...but the Lord's.
When adverse situations come into our lives, we may ask, Why me? However, if we are serving God and
bearing His fruit, we must realize, Why not me?
When our world appears to be shattered and we feel that all is falling down around us, because we have been
betrayed by what we felt was love, or we have betrayed another and God's love, what do we do? Should we
withdraw from the world, take it out on others, give up or destroy ourselves?
Judas' Betrayal and Death
How could Judas not know that Jesus loved him? The love of Jesus penetrates through darkness. Yet, it did not
matter to Judas because he had not surrendered his will or been washed and cleansed in Jesus' love.
Judas lacked perfect love, honor and obedience. He rejected that which would have protected him from sin. He
clung to the world and chose the world over the Father and the Son. Therefore, he was left to the malady of
darkness to infect him and be used to do Satans bidding. He did not wish to be joined as One and only when it
was too late, did he realize the love that he had betrayed.
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Before we condemn Judas we must recognize God's plan. --If it wasn't Judas, then who else? It could have been
you or me, before we were washed in the blood of Jesus. God used the darkness within Judas to bring forth true
Light to the world and thus prophecy and scriptures were fulfilled.
Judas was counted among the twelve, as one of Christ's disciples. He was sent out to perform miracles and
preach the Kingdom of God. Judas walked with Jesus, the Son of God. He listened to the Word of God and
became a follower. Yet, like millions of Believers today, he still lacked one thing. Still, we must remember, that
Jesus did not wash Judas clean from sin.
We can go to church and fellowship with one another and still lack one thing. We can pray and fast and still lack
one thing. We can read and study our Bible, but still lack one thing. We can sing, dance and praise Jehovah God,
but still lack one thing.
We can have houses and lands, riches, status, intelligence and talents, but still lack one thing. We can be
anointed and greatly esteemed, but still lack one thing.
And that one thing is PERFECT LOVE; for if we are chosen to be Children of God to enter into His Kingdom,
we must have PERFECT LOVE and be washed CLEAN from the sin upon us and that permeates our soul.
God's perfect love for us grants us grace, mercy and forgiveness. When we fall into sin, we can have regrets and
remorse, but without true repentance, a genuine desire to change and turn from our sin, our regrets and remorse
are in vain. The wages of our sindeath--will eventually come to claim us.
As we abide in Christ our faith is increased and we are made perfect in love and we come to love God's
Holiness and Righteousness and living in His Light.
If we fall into sin, we fall into darkness. However, our love for the Light compels us to repent. Like King David,
we feel lost, humbled and remorseful for having disappointed and hurt our Father. We are thankful for His Love,
Grace and Mercy and for Jesus and God's Holy Spirit; that we are not lost and never alone.
Are we true disciples? Do we truly believe in Christ and God, our Father who sent Him? Our unbelief will
always betray us; for if we believe in God and God within us, we also believe in His Perfect Love and surrender
to the manifestation of Perfect Love through us.
Our unbelief will betray us; for if we lack Perfect Love we cannot truly love one another. Is it no wonder that
the father of the boy Jesus healed, possessed with a deaf and dumb spirit, asked God to help his unbelief?
(Mark 9:24)
Judas' unbelief betrayed him. Ananias' and Sapphiras unbelief betrayed them. They doubted what God could do
for them if they surrendered all and loved in Perfect Love. Their love was filled with fear, distrust and greed.
We can have no doubt in God's power, His Will and Way and His Holiness and Righteousness. Our fear,
distrust, disobedience, rebellion; our going ahead of God, and taking things into our own hands, always betray
us and exposes our lack of Perfect Love. (I John 4:18)
Because of our unbelief, God cannot work in our lives. We bear ill fruit and live in conflict and hypocrisy;
sowing distrust, jealousy, bitterness, pride, selfishness and all manner of iniquity. Because of our unbelief, we
are hearers of the Word, but doers and sowers of the Word we are not. Thus, darkness, conflict and adversity
follow and surround us.
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Matthew 13:57, 58
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in
his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Matthew 17:19-21
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a
grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew 27:3-10
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back
the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to
it!"
5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury,
because they are the price of blood."
7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty
pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,
10 and gave them for the potter's field, as the LORD directed me."
Let Judas be an example of the agony and torment of betrayal that ends in self-defeat. One cannot serve two
masters. What profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?
Judas desired the things and esteem of the world, even after Jesus had shown him another way and told him of
His Kingdom. Are we any different when we take on the ways and love of the world, then go to church and
pretend to have Perfect Love? Our soul falls into agony and torment over and over again as we continue in an
endless spiral plummeting into darkness and eternal damnation. We lack true belief and servitude to God.
Perfect Love is the legacy, gift and inheritance of the Gospel. We cannot preach Jesus and His Gospel without
the message of Perfect Love; for to believe and abide in Christ and the One who sent Him is to believe and
abide in the Perfect Love that led to our salvation and conquered all. (John 3:16, Matthew 6:24, Acts 1:15-20)
My brothers and sisters, our betrayal--our self-defeat--is evidenced in our inability to truly love God and
believe His Word; our inability to love one another and be One; and to believe in the Kingdom and Will of God,
here on Earth, manifesting Perfect Love within our lives, therefore entering into holiness and righteousness.
Will you also, like Judas, when it is too late, realize that you have betrayed Christ and His love for you? Judas'
betrayal served a purpose in that the scriptures were fulfilled. What purpose does your betrayal fill? Is it self-
serving? Will others know that you walk with Christ, not only by your speech, but by the way you live and
love? On the Day of Judgment, will your Father know you? If we love like our brother, Jesus, the world will not
know us. Can you bear being apart from the world; unpopular; ridiculed; even persecuted?
We suffer in life with sickness, disease, addictions, bondage, trials and temptations, because we wrestle with
self, while we claim to believe and trust in the Almighty God. Our belief does not rest in our cognitive ability to
recognize Christ as the Son of the One True God. Our belief must flourish from our heart, soul and spirit,
bearing fruit in the way we love and serve one another. Again, our words and deeds prove our unbelief. We trust
and believe Darkness, while, Jesus is the Light of the World. (John 3:17-21)
Many believe we must strive to live and love as Jesus did, but Jesus has already carried our strife so that we
simply need to abiderest in Him. Our struggle comes from our fleshour refusal to die to self, letting go of
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pride and self-will. We have denied ourselves abundant life due to our self-willed, expectations and pursuits in
the world.
Ask yourself, Am I really pursuing God and His Kingdom? If you are, then you are seeking His Light and His
Will to be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. You offer yourself as a vessel for God to perform His Will. As you
abide in God, that which you do is done by His power and might to His Glorification--not so that others will
praise and honor your accomplishments.
There are times when we pay too much to details and fail to see the big picture. While we may concern
ourselves with that which is Biblical, we overlook that which is Holy and Righteous and Glorifying God. We
must acknowledge God's presence in everything we think, say and do; doing all to His Glorification.
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus' love is always there for us, as is Abba Father's love. However, we must learn to embrace it; loving as
One, honoring and obeying God. Marriage vows have us repeat 'love, honor and obey.' A man is to love his wife
as Christ loves the church. However, we must pay close attention to the passages that follow, telling us how and
why Christ loves the church. Christ is One with the Church; joined together.
Ephesians 5:25-31
25 Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
27 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such
thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He hat loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the
church.
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.
31 "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and
they two shall be one flesh."
This passage also tells us how Christ loves us; for WE are the church, who Believe and Follow, uniting in
fellowship, in God's Light. If we consider ourselves part of the church (One Body), is Christ's love for the
church more than for any ONE man or woman within the church? Does He love the Jew more than the Gentile;
the Gentile more than the Jew? Didn't He die for us all?
The Church is compared to Christ's bride, yet, it is also His flock; for He is the Chief Shepherd. Does He love
one sheep more than any other? Won't the Shepherd set out to find the one lost sheep which He also loves and
rejoice when it is found, just as He sent His disciples out to find the lost sheep of Israel? Although, Judas
betrayed Him, Jesus died for him and others like him because of His Perfect and Unconditional Love.
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AWAKEN My Brothers and Sisters and let us not allow darkness to obstruct or distort our vision and the
revelation of Godly love, which is to rest, abide and be manifested in each and every one of us. We are no
longer of the world. We must put aside our worldly thinking. Christ has given us a commandment and asked us
to obey. If we love Him, we will obey Him.
John 15:12-14
12 "This is My commandment: that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.
BONDS WITHOUT BONDAGE
Are you still confused by what true love is? Are you chained and tied up in fleshly, worldly descriptions,
translations and definitions of love? Are you in bondage to a lie? Do your relationships fail or are they suffering
because of your bondage? Are you afraid to tell people that you just simplylovethem; for fear of what they
might think your intentions are and how they might take it and react? Do you choose carefully to whom you say
'I love you'; for perhaps they might be mentally, emotionally or spiritually unstable? Or, it might make someone
else jealous? Or, you feel as if you are betraying another?
When in fellowship with others, do you say, love you, not really meaning it, or having some hardness in your
heart against that person, such as their appearance, jealousy, judgment, distrust or a grudge? Or, do you simply
not reply and reciprocate? Has saying I love you simply become a clich and congenial way of greeting
people? Have you been made Perfect in Love as God requires His children to be?
To love requires a relationship, be it familial or brotherly, relationships are a gift from God, because of His love
for us. A friend, spouse and child are given as a gift. That which is given to us must be appreciated honored,
respected. Our obedience lies in our accountability to God for their care. We are expected to provide for the
nurturing and upkeep of the gift, as well as to love them, as God loves them. We must not confuse sex and
physical intimacy with Godly love. These are things of the flesh that enhance and add pleasure, through the
desires of the flesh, but alone they cannot forge and fortify the bond that holds a marriage together.
To become one in marriage is as becoming part of the Body of Christ. Marriage is not just a union between two
people. It is a union between, God, a husband and wife and the community of Saints accountable to God for the
sanctity of that union. We cannot remove the lifeline that sustains them both.
A hug and a kiss given to a child cannot create or strengthen parental bonds without heartfelt love and care.
These bonds must be forged and strengthened by love that emanates from God. Through our relationships with
one another, we strengthen our relationship with Jehovah God.
There are children we birth and children God gives us to watch over, pray for and mentor. As Christians, even if
you're not a mother or a father, we all should love, watch-over and pray for God's children and lead them to
Christ. This is discipleship. This is God's love.
Parents, be you single or married, men and women alike, take heed, if someone cannot accept and love your
children; the love of God is not in them. So, how can they truly love you?
God's love is unconditional and so, we, too, must love in this way. Just because you don't like what young
people are doing and how they are living doesn't mean you throw them away, talk about them and shun them.
You take them under your wing, by the power of God and show them another way. You pray for them. You
become an example for them. You go through things with them. Mentor them. This is discipleship. This is
Godly love. It will stretch and grow you as much or more than it grows them.
God goes through things with us because He loves us unconditionally. We must be willing to go through things
with others, likewise, standing, not wavering, in holiness and righteousness. This is how God teaches you His
unconditional love and the power of God within you.
My brothers and sisters, is your doubt, lack of faith, behavior and disobedience giving Satan permission to put
curses upon your children due to what they've seen, heard and experienced? Do you love yourself more than
your child? Do you rationalize and make excuses, telling yourself, It's none of their business what I do, I
deserve to have a life, too or, They'll get over it, or, They need to know what the real world is like, or,
Kids are resilient?
Are you unable to bond with your child because you are in bondage? Then, your child's deliverance begins with
your repentance and asking God to purge your selfish thinking and renew your mind; to make you into a Godly
parent worthy of the gift given to you.
If we ask Abba Father if He really loves His children, we already have His answer. He sacrificed His only Son
that you and your sons and daughters may have eternal life and life abundantly. What will you sacrifice for your
child, today and everyday? Will you give your life to God; surrender all; die to self and live in Christ Jesus, that
your children also may have God's Promise?
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ANOTHER CHANCE
Mark 6:6
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. Jesus marvelled at the unbelief of the people of Israel.
When the Truth is in you and you abide in the Truth, unbelief in others stands out. It is evidence that
they have not been made perfect in love.
They may gossip, mistreat their neighbor, make fun of people, lie, bask in pride and arrogance, live in constant
fear, doubt, discontent, anger and bitterness, and yet regularly proclaim their salvation and deliverance. While
you may be perplexed as to why they can not see their lack of faith or hypocrisy, at the same time, it will sadden
you. So, was Jesus saddened? Although, Jesus marveled at the Jew's unbelief, He was willing to die that they
might have another chance to abundant and eternal life in God's Kingdom.
We may see our loved ones deep in bondage and forget that God knows. We may lose sight of our Saviour; cry
out in pain, humiliation, guilt, anger and despair. We forget that we are not the exact same people we were ten
years ago or twenty years ago. We may only see a dark path and doomed ending for them. Yet, darkness has its
purpose. The Light of Truth pierces it, shining brightly to attract those seeking Truth.
Now, here we are with God in the futurechanged, remadea renewed mind; fighting off, suppressing and
dying to the old man we were and abiding in Jesus. We must have faith in the work of God in others. It may be
seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, or even years from now, but it can happen. As each new dawn breaks
and we awake into consciousness, God is giving us and others another chance. We may be too preoccupied with
our present circumstance or whatever brought us to this moment to recognize it as another chance and see that
God has been preparing us for change.
God knows that we made some choices out of fear; some were made out of rebellion; others were made because
of hurt, pain, weaknesses and bondage. Still, other choices were tainted with pride and selfishness. However,
God wants us all to come to know Him and live in the fullness of His Glory. Each bright new day He gives us is
another chance.
When we accept that chance, what we have learned determines our path. If we have not learned the love of God,
then how can we learn to love others? If we have not learned discipline, then, how can we be expected to obey?
If we have not learned to respect God, then, how can we be expected to respect ourselves or others? If we have
not learned holiness and righteousness, faith, hope and Truth, then our lives are built on lies that cannot stand.
Yet, the day comes, when Truth is revealed, even to the blind and feeble-minded. Of this we can be assured. It
will happen. Happenit will. So, fret not for those who live their lives in vain, who choose to live their lives in
accordance and agreement with the world. Where we see hopelessness, shame and despair, God sees another
chance, daily, and a way to shine the revelation of Truth. The God of Love and Truth is in controlalways.
Be ye mindful that tomorrow is not promised to us. We must choose this day who we will serve. It is foolish to
believe that the PURPOSE of each new day is to give to you another day to make up your mind to serve God
and abide in perfect love. God wants us to have a long and full life living abundantly in His Kingdom on Earth.
Each new day, we are to come to our Father, asking His Will, in Jesus' name. We are to come to our Father as a
child. The heart of a child can love unconditionally. Jeremiah showed us that even a child can decide to accept
the love of God and trust Him. Even a child can choose Light over darkness and obey the Will of God.
Jesus reminds us:
John 14:13-15
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son.
14 If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 "If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:23-26
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will
love him, and We will come unto him and make Our abode with him.
24 He that loveth Me not, keepeth not My sayings. And the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the
Father's who sent Me.
25 "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach
you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
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My brothers and sisters, we've got it all wrong. Love is not only about how we feel or how we make someone
else feel. Neither is it just about what we give or receive. Perfect Love is received through a spiritual
connection, a living bond, an umbilical cord that continuously feeds us and connects us to the Source of Love
God; a love that strengthens, nurtures, edifies, exhorts one another and gives glory to God. God sent us our
connection to Him, our Bond without bondage to keep us from bondage.
To love and unite with another is to be conjoined as one, as two children within the same womb feeding from an
umbilical cord attached to God. From that union exudes the force of God, within the ministry of matrimony;
within parenthood; and it is that same fortifying power which empowers you to love your neighbor.
God does not give us anything that He does not prepare us for and provide for its existence. As our Creator, He
perfects us and our relationships. Is there any doubt that He created marriage? Then, He provided for its
sanctity, its righteousness, its fortification, its purpose unto the Body of Christ; its survival and its glorification
unto Him, just as He provided for family relationships and our relationship with our neighbor. That provision is
Perfect Love through the embodiment of the Holy Spirit and Christ Jesus.
Perfect Love can never be inappropriate, for it is covered in God's holiness and righteousness. Perfect Love has
no darkness or sin, for God is Light and Holy. One cannot indulge in fornication, promiscuity, homosexuality,
incest, pedophilia, prostitution, living together unmarried, open marriages, adultery, etc. and have true love.
These things cannot bring glory to God.
Certainly, this statement will outrage millions of people. However, love is not a man-made thing, neither is it a
thing. Love is alive, as is the Word of God; for it dwells within us, thrives and increases to bring Glory to God.
Our love comes from God; for God IS love. His characteristics are unchanging and His Word is everlasting.
Whereby, His love which is manifested through us is unchanging and everlasting.
How do we insure that our love is real and pure and not of self? God says to, Abide in Me. Be Ye Holy, for I
Am Holy. As we abide in God, His Holy Spirit and Son, we love as One, joined together. When you abide in
God, He will make you perfect in love; and perfect that which concerns you.
Knowing this, we can understand why David sang:
PSALM 138
1 I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee.
2 I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy
truth, for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.
3 In the day when I cried, Thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise Thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of Thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly, but the proud He knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand
against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me; Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever; forsake
not the works of Thine own hands.
It is hard to bring oneself into submission to God when concerning matters of the heart that are attached to the
flesh. The flesh allows fear, hurt and pain to become stumbling blocks. Past experiences hinder us because we
are leaning on self-confidence. And then, pride and disobedience may hold us in bondage.
Before God brings you out of the wilderness, some changes have to be made within you. And, if you allow Him,
the touch of the Master's hand can make all things new--bright and beautiful; even that which once was a dark
cloud hovering over you.
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not
of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.
My brothers and sisters, are you satisfied with loving as the world loves? Will you be keepers of the true
Gospel, true followers of Christ keeping His commandment to love as He loved?
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As we surrender our lives to God, we are made perfect in His love, by His love, to love Him and others in
perfect, unconditional love. What an endless source of power, rejuvenation, inspiration and divine love. How
can love die out if it is plugged into God? How can it fail with God to lift it up?
We must learn that without the Perfect Love of our First Love, we cannot truly love another. Let us experience
and live out the full joy of the Lord to His Glory and Majesty. Let us take the path to the full knowledge of
Jesus Christ in knowing our Father as One Perfect in Love.
By the grace and mercy of Our Loving Father,
Your servant,
Mishael
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perspectives.
1. It is clearly written that Jesus wants us to love one another as He loved us. Do you believe that Jesus, who is The
Word of God, loved with Agape Love? Read John 1:1-14
2. What will your legacy be? Will they list all of your accomplishments and assets, but say that you still lacked One
thing?
3. Is Christian love the same thing as Agape love? Why or why not? Should it be the same thing?
4. Do you think Christian love today is different from Christian love after Christ's death and resurrection?
5. Are Christians loving one another today like Jesus loved His Disciples
6. Were there Believers during that time, which were not made perfect in love?
7. Have we isolated ourselves and excluded others by referring to our love as Christian love?
8. Did Jesus give His love a name or was it His Father's love?
9. Have we strayed from loving as Jesus loved us?
10. Have we failed to live and love one another as disciples? How and why?
11. We must all examine how we love others. Do you love some people more than others? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever felt that someone loved someone else more than they love you?
13. Do you find yourself loving people who are most like you?
14. Do you love some people and like some people? Why or why not?
15. What is the difference between loving someone and liking someone?
16. Does the heart determine the difference?
17. What is in your heart when you like someone?
18. What is in your heart when you love someone?
19. God told us to love even our enemies. Have you hardened your heart against others?
20. Have you been betrayed? How did you feel? What did you do?
21. Have you ever betrayed someone?
22. Have you betrayed Jesus?

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23. Have you fallen in and out of love with someone? Why or why not?
24. Has someone fallen in or out of love with you? Why?
25. Do you love yourself and/or the world more than others?
26. Do you love yourself and/or the world more than God and Jesus?
27. Do you turn your feelings of affection on or off around some people? Why?
28. If you are married, do you love your spouse like you love yourself? Why or why not?
29. Are you loving others as Jesus loves you?
30. Are you satisfied with the love the world offers you? Do you want to continue loving like the world?
31. Are you ready to be made perfect in love?
32. Are you ready and willing to help tear down the walls, labels, names, prejudice and discrimination, exclusiveness
and lies that have kept us from Truth and loving one another as Children of God?
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Acts 1:15-20
John
John 3:16
John 3:17-21
I John 4:18
E 20:34-36
Mark 9:24
Matthew 6:24
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YCCM PT4 DETAILS
Chapter 21
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: THOUGHTS
NARRATOR: My Brothers and Sisters,
While waiting for you to return, I found myself between the pages of a book. The same book you are reading
now. In the preceding chapters, some of the details and processes of being made whole, complete, perfected
through Christ, and perfect in love were explained, followed by a look at love, as we know it in the world and
love as it should be inside of us as Believers. Our being made perfect in love, enables us to have thoughts and
reactions which are fruitful and productive.
Our first thoughts about someone often set the atmosphere for our relationship with them. These thoughts, of
course, come from our heart. When someone enters or leaves our presence, there are thoughts that either feed or
bind Darkness. It is one of the DETAILS that the Adversary wants us to overlook.
We can conquer Darkness that tries to enter our relationships and decide if our encounters, conversations and
relationships will be positive or negative, by stopping and taking time to look at the details. Are we being fed
lies by Satan? Is our heart DECEIVING us? Is PRIDE in the way?
Let us take a look at two people of very different ages, who are still not whole or made perfect in love, but they
are on their way to experiencing love and God in a very different way.
NOW BACK TO OUR STORY...


Narrator: The minister and his wife pull up in front of the chapel and get out of the car to check the door.
Minister's wife (Bee): I told him to lock up Merle, but, as I was telling you, he seemed kind of out-of-it...
Minister (Merle): ...and I told you Bee, come and get me when somebody's in there, especially if they don't
look or act right!
[He tries the door and finds it locked.]
Bee: Well, at least he locked the door, Merle!
Merle: Yeah, but if he WAS a drug addict or crazed maniac you could've been hurt or worse!
Narrator: Merle has reason to be cautious and protective of his wife and property. He runs a public
establishment, where no doubt, he has come into contact with many unsavory characters, criminals and
vagrants, barely escaping and falling prey to various mischievous and malicious acts.
However, our reasoning can take a wrong turn and attach sin to certain groups or kinds of people, blinding us
and making us unable to see beyond the flesh of human beings. We are also blinded from seeing that, we have
invited in darkness that will not only affect US, but, those around us.
Bee: I wish he woulda turned the lights out in here, though. The bill last month was sky high and...
Merle: Was he EATING in here?! There's PAPER up by the altar! Those PEOPLE!!
[Bee goes up to the altar and stoops down to pick up the paper, then, sees that it is a handwritten note.]
Bee: No Merle, it's a note...from him, I guess.
[She begins to read it aloud.]
Thank you for your hospitality. --Needed time to think. --Took one of your brochures for the shelter down the
street. Hope they'll take me in. Please pray for me. LT
[Bee steps backward to turn towards her husband and her high heel steps on an object sticking partially out from
under the podium. She stumbles and grabs the altar rail to keep from falling. Merle runs toward her shouting.]
Merle: BEEEE!
[He holds her close in his arms and takes her to a pew.]
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Merle: (winded and anxious) --You alright, honey? You scared me to death! Here, let me see your ankle...
Bee: I'm alright, Merle. No need to fuss over me.
[She flexes her foot and winces. Merle turns his back towards her and pulls out his handkerchief to wipe the
sweat from his brow. Then, puts his head down in his hand and whispers a prayer.]
Merle: (aloud) Thank you, Father. Amen
[He goes up towards the altar, searching the floor, while Bee rubs her ankle.]
Bee: --think I'll just soak this ankle tonight in some epsom salts and it'll be good as new in the morning. Well,
maybe not good as new (laughing), it's pretty old now.
[Wanting to stand up, she looks over to Merle, but, he's busy eyeing something sticking out from under the
podium]
Merle: What's this here? (He picks up the wallet.) I thought you tripped over loose carpet, but, it was a wallet.
Wonder who...
Bee: I bet it belongs to that young man. Let me see it.
[Merle walks over and hands her the tattered wallet. Bee opens it and stares at a driver's license.]
Bee: (smiling) Yep! I believe that's him! Look! Lucas Thomas! LT! It's gotta be him! I'll take...
Merle: Uuuuh...wait a minute, Ms. Busy Bee, I'LL take the wallet. I'm not about to let you go around that men's
shelter by yourself.
Bee: ...but Merle, I've been there before. The men who work there are really, quite nice...
Merle: Busy Bee, you need to rest that ankle. I can handle it alone.
Bee: My ankle's fine Merle. At least let me ride along. You know I don't like to sit around doing nothing.
Merle: Okay, we'll see how you're doing in the morning. Come on, let's get you home.
NEXT DAY
[Merle and Bee drive to the men's shelter, but, after going in, Merle returns to the car holding the wallet.]
Bee: What's the matter, Merle?
Merle: He wasn't there.
Bee: He wasn't there? Was he out for awhile?
Merle: No, they didn't know him. They said he never signed in.
Bee: Well, maybe he used another name. Did you show them his picture?
Merle: Yes, Bee. They haven't seen him and he's not a regular client. He's never been there before.
Bee: Oh my! I'm sure he's going to need his wallet. I hope he's okay.
Merle: Don't fret yourself Bee. We'll hold onto the wallet for a couple of days, then, take it to the police station.
But, right now, the car's almost on empty. Let me pull into the gas station across the street.
[Merle pulls into the gas station and goes inside to pay. Bee sees some men loitering outside who could
possibly be from the shelter across the street. Taking the wallet, she gets out of the car and feels the pain in her
ankle as she puts pressure upon it. Bearing down, she hobbles over to the men and opens up the wallet.]
Bee: Hello gentleman! It's a fine day we're having. How ya doin?
[The men nod their heads in agreement and one replies.]
Man 1: Howdy ma'am. Can I help you?
Bee: Why yes, if you don't mind, I reckon you can. I'm looking for a friend of mine who might be in trouble.
Here's his picture.
The men move in closer to get a good look at the driver's license. One of them nods his head and Bee smiles.
Bee: You've SEEN him?
Man 2: YES MA'AM! Real late last night and I gotta say he caused QUITE a commotion.
Bee: What do you mean?
Man 2: Well, I hate to give you bad news, but he was out there in traffic, like a da...(one of the men nudges
him)...foolishly wandering around and the cars were trying to dodge him...
Bee: (gasp) OH NO! Did he get run over?

223
Man 2: No Ma'am. He da--
[The man nudges him, again.]
I mean, he almost got run over, but, the car put on its breaks and bumped him, and almost knocked the...
[This time he gets clobbered on the head with his hat and eyes his acquaintance, waving a fist. Bee can all but
contain herself and keep from bursting from holding back laughter.]
Man 3: It knocked him down, ma'am. I don't think he was hurt bad, but they couldn't identify him and they said
they was taking him over to county hospital for evaluation and all and we all said he musta been on some kind
of hallucination drug and...
Narrator: Stereotyping, racial profiling, bigotry, prejudice, biased opinions and judgments can and will lead us
astray, because, they are not based on Truth, Holiness and Righteousness.
The world has taught us how to do these things, even without being aware that these thoughts are taking place
in our minds. As a result, horrendous acts such as discrimination, segregation, spontaneous and malicious
killing and terrorism, find a welcome place within our hearts and in society.
We can find ourselves avoiding certain types of people: the poor, homeless, different nationalities. We become a
knowing or unknowing participant in disenfranchisement and discrimination. Killing or condoning the killing of
those we see as being a menace to society can become second nature, without much thought behind it. It can
become part of a sacred and silent creed of a culture, religion, political party, regime, nation or group of people.
We are ALL guilty of it by thought, word or deed, until we have been cleansed and purged in the Blood of Jesus
and surrender to God's Will, On Earth, As It Is In Heaven!
Bee: Thank you kindly gentlemen. You've given me all the information I need. You've been a BIG help! God
bless you!
Man 2: Thank you ma'am. God bless you, too.
Man 1: We hope you find him and he's alright.
[Bee hobbles back to the car, waves at them, puts the wallet in the glove compartment, then, pretends to be
taking a nap, until Merle pulls into their driveway at home.]
NEXT MORNING
Narrator: Bee headed out early before Merle could get out of bed. She told him that she had made a medical
appointment for her ankle and would be back soon. Merle mumbled something about going with her, but she
said she couldnt wait. Pointed toward the car keys, he said goodbye, be careful and mumbled something about
her not telling him about the appointment last night.
After some impromptu acting, in which she used her sweetest and most innocent face, Bee managed to convince
the nurse at the hospital that she was a relative of Lukes. The nurse happily gave Bee Lukes room number and
told her to stay as long as she liked.
Bee knocked on the open door of Lucas Thomas' hospital room. Expecting another nurse, doctor, or
psychiatrist to come stick him with needles, probe him or ask him fifty questions, Luke barely looked up.
Luke: Come in
[Surprised, he looks up again. Realizing that it's not medical staff, he sits up.]
Bee: Hello? Lucas Thomas?
Luke: Luke, please.
Bee: Hi, Luke, remember me?
Luke: No, I can't say that I...I mean...should I?
Bee: No, I just thought you might. I'm from the chapel--last night?
Luke: OOOOH! LAST NIGHT! No...sorry...I can't remember.
Bee: That's okay. Anyway, I'm the minister's wife from the chapel in Vegas, where you were last night.
--Bee Vickers. How ARE you Luke? I heard you had an accident?!
[She goes to Luke's bedside and offers her hand to shake. Luke shakes her hand and smiles. The two freeze and
look at one another, while Bee stands holding onto Luke's hand, staring at him oddly.]
Luke: (feeling embarrassed) I'm okay...just a big bump on the head and a few bruises...Excuse me! Where are
my manners? Have a seat Mrs. Vickers!
[Bee takes the only seat in the hospital room, by the window]
Bee: I hope you don't mind me coming like this, but I have something for you.
[She takes his wallet from her purse, which he immediately recognizes, and hands it to him.]
Luke: MY WALLET! I'd recognize that beat-up old thing anywhere! Thank you, Mrs. Vickers!
Bee: Call me Bee, please. You left it at the chapel last night. It almost KILLED me! I tripped over it!
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Luke: Ouuuuu..., I'm SOoo sorry, Mrs.
[She gives him a tap on the arm.]
I mean...Bee. Is that short for Beatrice?
Bee: UH! Heavens NO! I WISH! It's short for BERTHA...Bertha Earlene Hoggenshnaught! --Whata name,
right?! I couldn't WAIT to be Bertha Vickers!
Luke: Well, thank you, Bee. BOY, could I have used this earlier! They didn't know who I was so they slapped
this John Doe wristband on me and locked me up in here.
They said I was trying to commit suicide, but I was trying to get to the shel--OOOH WAIT A MINUTE! I left
the chapel--MINISTER'S WIFE! You're HER-- the GLAMOUR LADY!
[Bee blushes.]
Oh, I'm sorry, but you don't look like her....I mean...you're not...uh...your hair...
Bee: It's okay, Sweetie. I know that I overdue it...and this week is Katherine Hepburn week on the movie
channel, so, I died my hair and I'm dressed like Katherine Hepburn! It's just something I do to keep myself busy.
--One of the reasons Merle calls me his Busy Bee. Plus, I keep it up because it brings in the customers. Merle's
a good minister, but he lacks the PIZZAZZ needed for Las Vegas.
Luke: How did you get in here, anyway? They told me that we coo-coo birds could only have immediate family
members visit.
Bee: I told them that I was your grandma that raised you and I showed them your wallet and this here picture of
your daddy and me inside of it.
[She hands the picture to him and smiles. Luke looks at her very puzzled.]
Luke: Bee...you LIED to see me? You put the picture inside the...
Bee: Don't worry. I already prayed and asked for forgiveness. SEE...he...he looks a lot like you.
Luke: Who is he?
[Bee grips her purse, holding it to her bosom and stands to look out of the window. In a broken voice, she
answers.]
Bee: I-i-i-it's me a-and m-my shadow.
Luke: Excuse me?

[Bee manages a little laugh, takes a hanky from her purse to wipe her eyes and clean her glasses, then turns to
look at Luke, with a stiff upper lip.]
Bee: My little shadow. Th-that's what I used to call him.
Luke: Him?
Bee: My Den...my Denny (in a quiet, barely audible voice) ...my son.
[She laughs loudly and continues in a loud and boisterous voice.]
He used to follow me around all day. Merle thought he was going to be too soft--a mama's boy, but Denny was
ROUGH and TOUGH! He excelled in every sport and never got beat down in a fight. When he would come
home on leave from the army, he'd say, "Mama V, I'm not leavin' your side!"
[She sits down, keeping her head towards the window. --Seeing that she is in distress, Luke apologies.]
Luke: I'm sorry for asking. Is he...is he
Bee: YES! (She stands rigidly) He's dead!
[She grips her hands together tightly; making marks in her skin with her nails and slowly sits down again.]
Bee: (quietly) He was killed. It happened a long time ago.
Luke: I'm sorry. Look, we don't have to talk about this...
Bee: O-oh I don't mind. It happened so long ago. Life goes on, ya know. My Denny...
[She straightens herself up in the chair and clears her throat.]
My Denny was a war hero!
[She tries to smile and go on.]
I should be PROUD! Specialist First Class Dennis Merle Vickers served his country well. Saved the lives of the
soldiers in his platoon and company, so they could return home to their loved ones...
Luke: (feeling very uncomfortable) Hey, hey, listen...since you brought me my wallet and I've got five bucks,
how about I ask the nurse if we can go down to the cafeteria and get a soda? I need to get out of this cage for
awhile. I've been staring out of that barred window going stir-crazy.
First they wouldn't even unlock the door. I've GOT to get out of this room! You can tell them you won't let me
out of your sight. They can put a LEASH on me if they want to!
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(He gives an awkward, half-hearted laugh in an effort to lighten the moment. Bee nods her head and gives Luke
a little smile.)
Bee: Okay, but, I can't stay too long. I told Merle I was going to the doctor to check on my ankle. Don't worry, I
already prayed--
Luke and Bee together: and asked for forgiveness.
[Bee blushes and puts her head down. Luke looks at her and shakes his head in disbelief, then, throws back the
blanket and sits up on the side of the bed. They laugh as Bee awkwardly helps him put on hospital shoes and
another gown to cover his exposed buttocks. They head towards the door and Luke notices Bee limping.]
Luke: How could I be so STUPID to leave my wallet on the floor? Here... lean on me.
[Bee takes Luke's arm firmly and he holds her tightly bearing her weight. She looks up at his handsome face
and smiles.]
Narrator: Bee has a deceitful heart which tells her that she is entitled to think and do as she pleases and expect
forgiveness from God. One can detect bitterness within her for the loss of her son and the survival of others and
even a bit of rebellion in her actions.
In our story, we can see that this is blatantly wrong behavior and thinking. However, we, often do this same
thing in our daily lives.
Be honest with yourself. What are some of the thoughts you have and things you continue to do that you expect
God to forgive on a daily or regular basis?
JESUS said, "...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her... (John 8:7)
Yet, today, we are faced with a tremendous amount of condemnation, judgment, persecution, violence and
verbal stone throwing, throughout our homes, schools, places of worship, work and gathering. Right before our
eyes evil behavior has become popular and acceptable and encouraged by those whom many people respect
and have chosen to represent them as LEADERS! They believe they can fight hatred with hatred!
Many still believe that there exists a separation between church and state and that there should be, but it is a
fallacy. The first failed coup dtat occurred in Heaven, when Satan tried to overthrow God's Kingdom. God
cast Satan and the angels who followed him from Heaven to ease tensions and regain stability or in other words,
a detente, making Satan and his cohorts, hostile, undesirable aliens and terrorists on earth.
Satan deceived Adam and Eve to anger his enemy and gain the territory of the world, which God had given
them, thereby starting a war between worlds and kingdoms.
God is the creator of all things and at the root of all things. Do not overlook the DETAILS!
If you are running for a political office you must engage in political debate, abide by political rules and
standards, whereby, you become a politician, subject to using the same routes and making the same mistakes as
other politicians. David found this to be true for Saul and himself. The deciding factor for success is if God is on
your side and you continue to place Him at the Head of your life and the office He has entrusted to you.
Political candidates continue to try and win votes because of their religion, faith and morals, which are based on
godly principles. Yet, many fail to uphold those principles! Even King David sinned against God for not
upholding God's principles!
The character of our political system has digressed to breed hatred, prejudice, slander and violence. We fail to
properly define godliness, maturity, wisdom, responsibility, reliability and acceptability, because of the
darkness, hardness, and pride that has set into our hearts.
Transfer this same knowledge and experience to your relationships, family and everyday life! As for you and
your house, who will you serve?
CAN WE BELIEVE WE ARE ENTITLED TO HATE AND EXPECT GOD TO FORGIVE US?!
Should we not expect the gates of hell to open up and darkness to pour down upon us, because of our inviting
and conjuring it to do so?!
--And those responsible will deflect the blame, because they believe they are entitled to think and do as they
please, even if others reap the tragedy and terror from their behavior.
When we build up WALLS of hatred, we are inviting Darkness in to dwell with us and setting ourselves up for
those around us to knock down our walls and bring death, destruction and devastation to ourselves, family and
neighbors. Does segregation and discrimination help or hinder? Is there a price to pay? Does it provoke anger,
retaliation and violence? --And WHO are we overlooking whom we must answer to and be ACCOUNTABLE?
We REAP what we sow!
People deny themselves a RELATIONSHIP with God and with one another, simply because, they take pleasure
in throwing stones, failing to understand that you reap what you have sown. They cannot understand HOW they
usher in conflict, terrorism and violence, because of the terror and violence they breed and nurture within their
OWN hearts, when PRIDE has set in.
We miss out on the FAVOR of God. He removes His hands of Grace and Mercy, because, we have made the
SAME mistake King David made--we COUNTED on man, when we should have counted on GOD!!
Take note of this simple and unlikely relationship between two flawed individuals of different ages, who have
chosen to lean and depend on one another to help each other through life's struggles, instead of throwing stones.
TAKE NOTE, my Brothers and Sisters and determine who, despite their differences and flaws, is setting the
better example in life, the stone throwers or the embracers of the characters of God: peace, love, kindness,
mercy, forgiveness, faith, and patience?
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Do not WAIT until it is TOO LATE, my friends!! PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS RIGHT BEFORE
YOUR EYES! Do not be fooled or misled. Satan has fooled individuals, families, communities and NATIONS!
Do not become complacent! EVIL must be STOPPED before it is let out of the gate to run its course;
BEFORE the thoughts it places within men's minds become ACTIONS!!!
With God's help, you CAN change! WE can change the thoughts of others, the heart of the nation and the
atmosphere of the WORLD!
Until next time, may the Mercy and Grace of God be upon you and WITHIN you to impart unto others. Amen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

perspectives.
1. Think of recent situations or conflicts that you were faced with at work, home, school, etc., and write down one
word to describe what was in your heart to begin with? (i.e., fear, anger, distrust, prejudice, uncertainty, etc.)
2. Do you believe that you invited darkness in and affected everyone around you, giving them like feelings, or
provoking anger, embarrassment, pride, shame, anxiety, guilt, feelings of blame, judgment or condemnation, etc.?
3. Now, think of positive and empowering words to replace those feelings and thoughts for the next time you are
confronted with similar situations.
4. Look into your heart again. What was the real reaction you hoped to evoke from the other person(s) through your
choice of word(s) or actions?
5. Were your expectations self-fulfilled?
6. Can we reshape a person's mind by the way we treat them and our expectations of them?
7. What are some of the stereotypes, profiles and misconceptions we attach to gender, race, nationalities and groups
of people?
8. Do YOU feel you are ENTITLED to hate, condemn and throw stones at others and expect God to forgive you?
9. JESUS said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Are YOU without sin?
10. Are you standing behind, supporting and joining in with people and leaders who encourage stone throwing,
accusing and condemning others?
11. Should we require godliness, maturity, wisdom, responsibility, reliability in ALL of our leaders and NOT just the
ones we CHOOSE to like?
12. Do you receive pleasure and a sense of superiority from condemning and throwing stones at other people?
13. Do you laugh at people who have made mistakes and told lies, condemning them, forgetting the mistakes and lies
you have told?
14. Do you think that God will forgive YOU for making mistakes and lying but NOT some people?
15. Do you want to DENY yourself a RELATIONSHIP with God and eternal life in His Kingdom because you choose
to follow after those who are popular, powerful, charismatic and beguiling, but who do not have the character of
God or love for ALL of His people?
16. After fire has consumed ALL the oxygen in one room, it spreads to find knew sources of fuel to consume. Can
hate be controlled and contained within walls or will it spread?
17. Will hate consume us and our loved ones, too?
18. What are some of the STONES you have thrown or continue throwing at other people to condemn and destroy
them in your mind or by word or deed?

231
19. Can you take the stones back once you have thrown them? What must you do? Will you reap what you sow?
20. Have stones, accusations, condemnations and judgments been thrown at you?
21. Did you experience pain from the stones being thrown at you because you are human?
22. Can we demonize or dehumanize other people to serve our needs and pleasures as slave owners and colonialist
did?
23. By DEMONIZING and DEHUMANIZING other people, does this show we have an understanding of godly
principles? A relationship with God? That we're abiding in Jesus? That we LOVE God? That we are obeying
God? That we love our neighbor as ourselves?
24. Then, what has happened to us and the world if we can't see these things are happening and/or we are
participants?
25. Who has blinded us?
26. Then, are we fighting FLESH?
Dispel the LIES Satan is feeding you!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John 8:7
Ephesians 6: 10-20 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YCCM PART 4 DETAILS
Chapter 22
8:00 AM
Merle: Where ya goin' Bee?
Bee: Den...I. mean Luke gets out of the hospital today. I'm going to pick him up.
Merle: Bee, you need to be careful with those kind of people, they'll try to pull the wool over your eyes.
Bee: Merle, he's a sweet boy.
Merle: He's an ADDICT and suicidal, Bee. You have to be careful!
Bee: You don't KNOW that Merle. He said he quit using drugs and he was trying to cross the street. Give him a
CHANCE Merle!
Merle: Where are you taking him? I'll come along.
Bee: I'm taking him to the shelter. They're going to try and help him.
[They arrive at the hospital. Merle turns the car off and Bee gets out.]
Bee: Are ya comin' in Merle?
[Merle rests his head on the steering wheel for a moment, thinking, then, looks at Bee.]
Merle: I'll wait in the car!
Bee: Suit yourself, Sweetheart. I'm sure it won't take long.

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9:27 AM
Narrator: An hour later, Bee and Luke emerge from the tiny door of the huge building, walking arm-in-arm.
Bee introduces Luke to Merle and after that, there is silence all the way to the shelter, until Luke gets out of the
car and waves goodbye. On the way home, Bee looks at Merle, very cross. Merle finally looks at Bee and
speaks.
Merle: What?! What's wrong? What did I do?
[Bee gets out of the car and slams the door and shouts through the window.]
Bee: You didn't have to TREAT him like that!
[Merle gets out of the car and follows Bee in the house, shaking his head.]
Bee: You wouldn't even talk to him. What kind of minister are you? You made it pretty clear you were just
doing CHARITY work! Even addicts deserve to be treated like HUMAN BEINGS!!!
Merle: BEE...LISTEN...
Bee: Listen to what?! --You lecture me and tell me how NAIVE and gullible I am and that he's nothing but an
addict?!
Merle: HE'S NOT DENNY, BEE! He's not Denny.
[Bee calms down and looks at Merle.]
Bee: I know he's not Denny. He's nothing like Denny. Is that why you don't like him?
Merle: NO, Bee! I don't want you to be hurt! We don't know WHO he really is or what he does. Just don't attach
yourself to him.
[Bee grabs her purse and starts to leave, but turns back.]
Bee: Well, I don't want to live like that anymore. We've been doing that since Denny was killed; not attaching
ourselves to ANYBODY! What are you AFRAID of Merle?
[Merle rubs the top of his head as he struggles with something inside of him. Then, he breaks down into tears.]
Merle: I...I'm afraid of losing somebody close to me, again, Bee. I'm afraid of losing YOU...and I couldn't bear
losing another child. I don't dislike him, Bee. I'm afraid to get CLOSE to him!
[Bee goes up to Merle and wraps her arms around his waist and they hold onto one another for dear life.]
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1:03 PM
Narrator: Luke took his first step to being accountable for his life. He sought out a place of worship and
discipleship at a shelter dedicated to leading men to Christ and Discipleship.
The men gather in the sanctuary for a short worship service before going to their afternoon discussion groups.
The opening scripture is:
John 15: 12, 13 (KJV)
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Narrator: The men are invited up to give their testimony. Luke is impressed with their stories, but, then something
happens...
The addiction is gone, but the underlying pain it was covering up is still there and he has nothing to fight it with.
THE NEXT MORNING
8:57 AM
Narrator: Bee and Merle decide to go and check on Luke at the shelter. They go to the front desk to check in
with the attendant.]
Merle: Hi, we're here to see Lucas...
Bee: Luke Thomas.
Merle: I'm Reverend Vickers and this is my wife, Bee. We're friends of Luke.
[The attendant checks the log book.]
Attendant: Let's see here. We have everybody sign in and out here and...I-eeeee...Oh! Here he is! He signed in
yesterday and signed out before curfew and didn't come back. They do that sometimes. Change their minds
about getting help and surrendering all to God. They just aren't ready to change.
Bee: No. He wouldn't DO that. Are you sure?

Attendant: Yes ma'am!
[Merle takes Bee's arm and she unwillingly allows herself to be led out of the door and into the passenger's seat
of the car. Merle gets in and starts the car.]
Bee: WHERE did he go, Merle?
Merle: Let me handle this Bee.
Bee: (very distressed) I've gotta find him and HELP him!
Merle: I said, let ME handle this Bee!
Bee: But, you don't really want me to see him.
Merle: I'm taking you home and you're going to STAY there! I'll call you later on.
Bee: but, MERLE?!
Merle: BERTHA EARLENE HOGGENSHNAUGHT-VICKERS!!! Not ONE more... (whispering) word.
Narrator: Merle drops Bee off in front of the trailer and as soon as she gets out of the car, he peels off--tires
screeching. He pulls into a little diner and sits at the booth.
9:43 AM
Merle: Coffee pleaseand lots of it.
Proprietor: You must have a long day ahead of you.
Merle: A long day and night, probably, trying to find a needle in a haystack, for someone I love.
Proprietor: Good luck with BOTH of those problems, pal.
[Merle stares into his coffee cup and begins to think about what the man said, "Good luck." He begins to
silently pray, hoping to figure things out inside of his head, with God's help.]
Merle: Father, I don't know what I've gotten myself into, but I do know that luck or chance has nothing to do
with it. (Sighs) Just tell me where to go and what to do. The chances of me (he laughs to himself). Listen to me,
CHANCES, chances. I'm contradicting myself.
Lord, I've been afraid and hiding for a long time, not really having faith and trusting you with my life. Bee's
right and I don't want to live like that anymore. Help me, Lord...
237
JESUS, I need a MIRACLE!
The enemy wants me to believe this young man is someplace strung out or dead. PLEASE God, wherever he is,
let him be ALIVE! I saw him so briefly, I don't even know if I can recognize him.
--And Bee!
[He unknowingly speaks out loud.]
Oh, LORD!
[He goes back to praying silently.]
I'm beginning to think we need HIM more than he needs US. HELP us, Father!!
Proprietor: You alright, sir?
Merle: (Merle looks up.) Yes, thank you. May I have that coffee to go please? I better get started.
9:53 AM
Narrator: Merle sat in his car and phoned police stations, hospitals and shelters. Then, he begins to drive
around Las Vegas checking out places where he's seen homeless people. By evening, he's looking in casinos,
bars and strip clubs. Finally, at his wits end, he pulls in front of a church and decides to go in to ask if he can go
rest, pray and use their restroom. He wants to call Bee, but he doesn't have any good news to tell her and doesn't
know what to say.
The inside of the church is huge, spacious, immaculately clean and beautifully decorated. Only a few people are
in the pews, praying. Merle manages to find the church office and knocks on the glass window. A young
minister comes to the door.]
9:19 PM
Merle: Hi, I'm Reverend Vickers. I was just wondering if I can rest here for a while and use your restroom
facilities.
Young Minister: Of course, Reverend! No need to ask. We run an evening counseling program, so we're open
late. Just go right around the corner.
Narrator: Merle finds the restroom, and then takes a seat in one of the plush pews. The young minister he
spoke to is talking to one of the people in front of him, giving them information. He stands and walks over to
Merle.
Young Minister: Reverend a...
Merle: Vickers
Young Minister: Reverend Vickers, we ask everyone who comes in if we can serve them in anyway.
Merle: Oh, no. I just needed a break. I've been out all day searching for a homeless man, not even knowing
where to look.
Young Minister: Ah yes, we get PLENTY of homeless people and people with gambling addictions who have
lost everything. One particular homeless man stands out to me tonight; he had a bandage on his head and was a
nice guy...
[At the mention of the bandage, Merle stands up ready to take off.]
Merle: Excuse me, but, did he have dark brown hair and about my height?
Young Minister: Yes, but he could be...
Merle: How long ago?
Young Minister: About a half hour ago.
Merle: Did he say where he was going?
Ben: I sent him to our shelter over on Bixby. Here's a card.
Merle: Thank you, thank you! God bless you!
Narrator: Merle ran out of the church, jumped into his car, and looked at the address on the card, then sped
away. When he got to the street of the shelter, he couldnt get close to the building, because of a crowd
gathering outside, looking up at the top of the building. Merle parked on the street and walked, making his way
through the crowd. He heard them talking about a man on top of the building ready to jump. His heart started
racing fast, as he pushed his way inside and went to the front desk.
10:12 PM
Merle: (out of breath) I'M LOOKING FOR LUKE THOMAS!!
Desk Attendant: You know our jumper?!
Merle: JUMPER?! YES!! Take me to him! I'm Reverend Vickers a...a...his minister!
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[The Desk Attendant motions for Merle to follow him.]
Desk Attendant: We've called the police, but they haven't gotten here yet. (Shaking his head) We keep that door
locked! I don't know HOW he got up there. CHUCK! HEY CHUCK! He knows our jumper, take him up!
[Merle is handed over to someone who looks like he might be the janitor. The man is talking to him, but Merle's
mind is racing a mile a minute. What will he say to this young man he wouldn't even TALK to? He keeps telling
himself that he should know what to say, because, he's a minister.
He arrives at the top of the building not remembering how he got there or how he was able to take so many
flights of stairs that fast at his age. The janitor opens the door and Merle sees Luke standing near the edge of the
building, with his back facing them.]
Luke: I SAID, LEAVE ME ALONE! I'VE MADE UP MY MIND!
Merle: (very winded and nervous) Luke...it's Reverend Vickers, from...the chapel...aaaa...BEE'S HUSBAND. I
know you don't know me well and I wasn't so friendly when you met me, but...you see, I've been out looking for
you ALL DAY! And I know God led me here to you.
[Luke turns around and the crowd below gasps.]
Merle: BE CAREFUL LUKE!
[He wipes the sweat from his face and tries to go on.]
--As I was sayin'...
[He tries to think of something to say.]
...as I was sayin' ...I've been looking for you Luke, because we care about what happens to you. Maybe you
don't believe I do, but think about Bee. The woman has a heart of gold and I'd do ANYTHING for that woman.
She's been KIND to you Luke. I can tell that she loves you. You see...we use to have a son.
Luke: I know
Merle: Well, we know you can't replace him, but if you'd give us a chance. We nee...need you Luke. I-I-I know
that now.
[Merle pauses and unsuccessfully tries to regain his composure.]
I was afraid...I was afraid. I've been afraid for a long time. I didn't...I COULDN'T say anything to you.
Listen........I don't know why you want to do this, but, life is precious, Luke. No matter what terrible thing
you've done...or... or whatever happened that you believe is UNBEARABLE, God can help you! He doesn't
WANT you to do this! He wouldn't have led me here if He didn't want to save you, Luke. God has a plan for
your life.
[Luke turns back towards the edge and the crowd below gasp. Merle begins to weep.]
I...don't want to lose anyone again...I don't know what I'm going to tell Bee. I can't tell her... I can't let her down.
[Sirens in the background begin to drown out the sound of his voice. ]
NO LUKE! DON'T!!! OH, GOD!! I CAN'T DO THIS!! WHY DID YOU SEND ME HERE?! TAKE ME,
INSTEAD...TAKE ME!! LORD, TAKE ME! DON'T LET THIS BOY DIE!! I don't want him to die.
[Merle sinks to his knees covering his face, sobbing. After awhile, he feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up
to see Luke, with tears streaming down his face. Luke reaches down and pulls him up from his knees and
embraces him. Merle stands there sobbing. The police, who've been standing close by, help the two men come
down the stairs and ask them for information to help file a report.]
10:58 PM
Policeman: Are you sure you don't want us to take him over to county psychiatric, Reverend?
[Merle looks at Luke and sees the fear in his eyes.]
Merle: No, officer, we've got some counselors and doctors for him and we're going to make sure he stays there
this time. Come on, let's go home, Luke.
[Luke and Merle get in the car and there is an awkward silence. Merle decides to break the silence.]
Merle: Was it thinking about Bee that changed your mind?
Luke: Sorta, I could see that you two really DID need me and all of a sudden all the PAIN wasn't as bad
anymore. --And when I thought about all that you'd done for Bee and how you couldn't STAND the thought of
disappointing her, I knew you were someone who could be counted on. But.........you said something reminding
me of what I heard in worship service...
Merle: Oh?
Luke: Yeah...something...something Jesus said. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his
friends. Did you mean it?
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Merle: Mean what?
Luke: You said, "Take me instead, Lord."
[Merle pauses to think and realizes he did say that. He remembers the day when he realized his calling to be a
pastor and the love he had for God and Jesus; the feelings of love and compassion he felt for all people; the
desire to serve others and preach the Word of God so that NONE would perish for lack of knowledge. Merle
fights back the tears welling up in his eyes again, as he realizes he has to stop hiding. He knows, that in his
heart, he truly did mean what he said on that rooftop. With a lump in his throat, he answers Luke.]
Merle: Yes, Luke...I did.
Luke: (quietly) Thank you.
[They ride in silence until the thought comes to Merle that he hasn't called his wife.]
Merle: BEE! I haven't called Bee. She must be worried sick!
Luke: I don't think I can face her tonight, but the shelter won't take people in after curfew, because they're short
on staff.
[Merle, not really wanting to upset Bee anymore with all that had happened that night, begins to think. He takes
out his cell phone to call home, but the battery is almost dead]
Merle: I know someplace we can go.
[Luke looks at Merle questioningly, as he pulls into a gas station to park and call Bee. Then, he dials another
number on a card.]
Merle: Bee? I can't talk long, my phones dyin'.
[Luke can hear a hysterical voice on the other end of the phone line.]
Merle: Yes, I'm alright...yes...I know I should have called earlier. Are YOU okay? Yes...I know you're worried
sick...try to calm down. I've got Luke...I SAID I'VE GOT LUKE, HONEY. Yes...he's alright. He can't talk right
now--my phone--really, he's okay, Bee. Try not to worry. We can't get into the shelter, so we're going someplace
to talk. No...no, Bee it's best that we go someplace else. Don't wait up for us and try to get some rest. I'll call
you first thing in the morning, sweetheart. I love you, sweetheart. Bye.
[Luke doesn't think that was the end of the conversation, somehow, and he feels guilty for causing so much
turmoil in their marriage.
11:45PM
They drive to a familiar church and park in the parking lot. He recognizes the minister who comes out to meet
them--the minister, who prefers to be called Ben. Ben apologizes to Merle for having to take and keep his
driver's license and ask a lot of questions so late at night to fill out a form.
Ben leads the men into a large storage room with beds, mattresses, cots, blankets, clothes, boxes of canned food,
water and medical equipment that must be for disaster relief. He continues to apologize for the
accommodations, which Merle assures him are more than adequate for the night. However, Ben explains that
he'd called and asked permission for them to stay in the infirmary, which is much nicer, but things have gotten
so complicated taking in homeless people and drug addicts. He goes on and on complaining about how he's so
bogged down in paperwork, which takes away from giving people the care that they need and how he'd like to
see the system change to be more personal.
Turning off the lights, but, leaving on the hallway lights, he tells them that someone will be in to check on them
and clean in the morning. Merle goes to freshen up and use the restroom. When he returns, he finds Luke asleep
on top of the bed, fully clothed.]
NEXT MORNING
7:19 AM
[Merle opens his eyes and sees the bed across from him empty. Suddenly, realizing he's not at home and who's
SUPPOSED to be in that bed, his mind immediately becomes alert and he gets out of bed. Hurriedly, he puts his
shoes on and starts to search the church, calling out for Luke. As he nears the door to the sanctuary, he can see a
figure at the altar praying. Quietly, he approaches the altar and kneels to pray on the other side of the room.
But for the sound of the peaceful waterfall flowing into the baptismal pool, there is dead silence in the room,
until, a deafening, gut-wrenching cry, shatters the silence, loosed from the inner part of Luke's being, causing
him AND Merle to jump up from the altar. Looking up to the cross in the middle of the ornate, stained glass
window, streaming colorful light from above the baptismal pool, Luke stretches his arms above his head. Merle
almost falls down rushing to his side, not knowing what is happening to him. He flings his arms out again,
barely missing Merle's head. Merle steps back as Luke moves back and forth in front of the altar, swinging his
arms, jumping up and down, head flung back, and tears pouring down his face and his mouth stretched wide
open as IF in agony. Merle watches in AWE.]
Luke: (crying out over and over again) I SURRENDER!!! I SURRENDER ALL JESUS!!!
[Finally, Luke melts into a heaping pile of exhaustion on the floor and Merle sits beside him in tears, holding
him, praising and thanking God.]
NARRATOR: Now, there will be many who will wonder what DID happen to Luke and perhaps think that he
had a psychotic fit or nervous breakdown. Even other Believers who claim to be BORN AGAIN, may say that,
"It don't take all THAT, or he was just putting on a show, pretending, being OVERLY emotional, or mimicking
what he's seen those OTHER people do who say they've got the HOLY GHOST.
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Others might say, "I didn't hear him speak in tongues, so he ain't SAVED!"
But My Brothers and Sisters, THESE ARE THEY; these are the ones whom Jesus cautioned the Disciples about,
as we read in:
Matthew 16:5-12.
5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among
yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many
baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine
of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
THESE ARE THEY, who want to keep God behind a veil that only they have access to, within a box, with
blessings and powers only THEY can benefit from!
THESE ARE THEY, who would have accused the Disciples of being DRUNK or having LOST THEIR
MINDS in the Upper Room, when God's Holy Spirit rushed through the door, like a whirling, gust of wind,
sweeping down upon the anointed of God with fire and WONDER WORKING POWER, that can only come
from God Almighty, Himself! --And there were witnesses who saw His Holy Spirit embed Himself within them
and cause them to speak in a way unbeknownst to them all before!
THESE ARE THEY, may God have MERCY upon them...
Who like those naysayers and accusers of long ago, would have condemned David and his men for eating the
showbread from the temple and delivered him to Saul; and chastised Jesus and His Disciples for plucking and
eating corn in the fields on the Sabbath; and tell God, Himself who should allowed to be saved and how he must
do it!!
My Brothers and Sisters let us not JUDGE OTHER BELIEVERS and say who is SAVED and NOT SAVED!
Let us come to KNOW THEM, and to know them is to have a godly RELATIONSHIP with them; that we
may know them by the fruit that they bear. Then, let us not forget to serve one another in Truth and in Love--a
SERVANT of the Lord, helping those who are lost and blinded to find the right path and attach themselves to
the VINE and bear GOOD FRUIT!
We know that there will be those who will continue to RESIST the Truth, but the battle is not ours, but, the
LORD'S. He is depending on our ACTIONS and UNCONDITIONAL, PERFECT LOVE to make the deciding
DIFFERENCE in whom they choose to serve.
Has Luke been reborn and transformed? Is the Truth within him? Let us look at the DETAILS and see what kind
of FRUIT he bears.
[Luke wipes his eyes, looks at Merle who is still praying and praising God, and begins to talk to him. Merle
stops to listen.]
Luke: I thought I was going to be okay after I stopped using. I prayed and asked God to deliver me from drugs,
alcohol and pills and He did. I thought I'd done what I was supposed to do and He'd make things better.
But...then..things started churning inside my stomach and I couldn't make memories from the past go away. I
couldn't sleep or eat. I felt more confused and conflicted than when I was using. I couldn't take it anymore.
What was the use of me being alive if I had to be depressed and tormented everyday? I JUST WANTED IT TO
STOP!! I just wanted it to STOP!
I knew nobody cared! I don't HAVE anybody! I grew up in Children's Services with a bunch of foster parents,
who had their own kids and their own problems.
Merle: Did you know your real parents, Luke?
Luke: My mom was alive, then, but, she's the reason I ended up in foster care. She was an addict and she use to
neglect me and let things happen to me.
[Merle looks up at the ceiling, not wanting to think about what those things might be.]
I was too old for anybody to want to adopt me and I had behavior problems...
My father? (Laughing and shaking his head) ...I don't even know who he really is. My mom had different
boyfriends that moved in with us all the time. Each time there was a new one, she'd tell me to call him daddy.
Merle: Bee and I care about you, Luke. Do you know a lot about the Bible Luke? I know that you pray, but, do
you know The Word?
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Luke: One family I stayed with took me to church, Bible School and youth night, all the time and I learned a lot
from the Bible. After they had to send me to another family, I kept going for awhile, but...my foster parents
didn't think it was important. I still find myself praying now and then.
Merle: That's good Luke, but, you and I have got to get past just knowing about the Bible and start LIVING the
WORD OF GOD--JESUS!!! Come on, Luke, I don't know why...but...I'm feeling GOOD this morning!
REVIVED!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! BOY THAT BED WAS HARD!!
8:10 AM
[Merle puts one of his arms around Luke's shoulders, while he holds his own aching back with his other hand.
The two men laugh their way to the car.
They stop to have breakfast and talk at a mom and pop diner. Merle finds himself laughing more than he has
with anyone in a long time and feels comfortable in Luke's presence. The two men clean their plates and are
ready to lean back and relax, when Merle remembers that he told Bee he'd call first thing in the morning. Luke
sees Merle's sudden change in demeanor and realizes they're both in a heap of trouble.]
9:16 AM
Luke: BEE, right?!
[Merle nods his head and excuses himself, to go to the men's restroom. On the way out he hurries to pay the bill
and motions to Luke to get in the car. Luke and Merle arrive at the trailer and see Bee standing behind the
screen door, looking out. Merle tells Luke that he'll talk to Bee alone, first.
Seeing them, she opens the door wide. Merle gives her a kiss before she can say anything and leads her to the
bedroom in the back of the trailer. Luke takes a seat.
Later, followed by Merle, Bee emerges from the bedroom in tears and clearly upset.]
Bee: YOU LIED TO ME, LUKE! YOU LIED TO ME!! YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF THAT
NIGHT!! Did you lie about stopping the drugs, too?!
9:51 AM
Luke: NO, but...You're upset about ME...ME LYING TO YOU?! As much as YOU tell lie after LIE and think
NOTHING of it? OH! I know what it is...I forgot to PRAY and ask God to forgive me. Take a look in that
mirror over there. YOU'RE the QUEEN BEE of lies, Bee!
[Bee hurries out of the door, headed to the chapel.]
Luke: I'm sorry, Merle. I shouldn't have talked to her like that. I never should have come! I'll walk down to the
shelter.
[Merle stands in front of the door.]
Merle: --OH NO YOU DON'T!!You're not going ANYWHERE! DON'T YOU DARE! Not after all the
searching I did to bring you BACK HERE! I'M taking you down there myself and staying with you!
...Listen...I'm sorry. Don't worry about Bee. I'll take care of it, just like I use to patch things up between her and
Denny. Bee can be bull-headed, just plain old stubborn if she doesn't get her way in an argument. She doesn't
like hearing the truth and you told her the truth, bluntly, but it was the truth!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. It is not uncommon for people to want to believe something about someone or something so badly, that they will
overlook the details indicating the truth. Can you remember such an incident in your life? How can this help us in
bringing about change in others?
2. Having a better understanding of other's beliefs and the reason behind their beliefs, helps us get to what is in their
heart and what is preventing them from changing. People often don't want to take time to do this to avoid conflict
and division. When you hear about what someone believes do you try to understand why they believe that way?
Do you care about why they believe in such a way?
3. Have you ever thought about how much time we should take to try and save another's soul?
4. How much love, patience and prayer should we give to another to help them know the truth? Can it be measured?
5. Can we FORCE the Truth on anyone or what we believe to be the truth?
6. Then, how do we APPROACH helping them know the Truth?

247
7. Merle thought he didn't know what to say to Luke, when he was on the roof, about to commit suicide. Merle was
expecting himself to have answers instead of God. Luke was looking for something he couldn't find in the world
and didn't receive as a child--Perfect Love. Because of the Word of God spoken to him at the shelter, Luke
recognized Perfect Love in Merle. Can you see God's hand operating in all of this?
8. Does this show God's unconditional love for us and that He is still working, on our behalf, and trying to bring us
closer to Him, even when we fail to completely trust Him?
9. Luke thought that if he was delivered from his drug and alcohol addictions, his life would be in order and he
would be happy. What did Luke forget about?
10. If we don't surrender ALL to God, can He give us a NEW life?
11. Often in our relationships, we cannot see eye to eye or solve disputes, because we want people to surrender to our
way of thinking or to our will. Whose will, should they surrender to?
12. Surrendering to God's will often takes a different form than what we expect or desire. It may not be the answer or
solution we desire. God may simply will us and/or the others involved to do nothing. Who SHOULD we
surrender to and give AUTHORITY to when faced with adversity and confrontation?
13. People always seem to want an immediate solution to their problems. Can ALL problems be solved by man?
14. If our discussions, conversations and consultations are resulting in arguments and fights, then, one or more people
are not surrendering to God's Will. If there is no immediate solution to our problem(s) by either consensus or
majority rules, what should we do?
15. If those involved believe that the problem can't wait, what do we do, if they choose to act against our advice and
God's Will?
16. If we continue to put our faith in God, trusting and obeying, will He not deliver us from evil? --forgive our
trespasses, IF WE forgive those who trespass against US?
17. People often hold people in ministry up to higher standards, forgetting that they are human beings, also, who
make human mistakes. This can become a stumbling block preventing others from becoming Believers or cause
other Believers to lose faith and stumble (sin) themselves. Those in ministry are accountable to God as we are also
accountable to one another. However, we must distinguish between accountability and judgment. When does our
holding them accountable for their actions become JUDGEMENT?
18. Luke's childhood and past has most likely caused him to be a confused individual, open to darkness and sin. No
doubt, his means of coping was to find some way to escape reality. Now, the enemy wants him to believe that
without drugs and alcohol, he has no way of escaping other than death. How can we transform escaping into faith
in God and not another coping method?
19. Luke was impressed by Merle not wanting to let Bee down and his willingness to do anything for her. God also
gave him affirmation of his beliefs through the Word he received at the shelter and Merle's pleas to God to take
him instead. Can we help replace the desire to escape by giving people someone they can depend on for Love,
HOPE protection, food, shelter, strength, guidance, Truth, Righteousness, Holiness, humbleness, Patience, clarity,
order, Joy, Kindness and more?
20. If they don't see evidence of those qualities within us, will it prevent or deter them from wanting to escape and
turn to God?
21. People often want to run away, hide and escape from the TRUTH, because it attacks their PRIDE. At the center of
their pride is fear. How can we help replace their fears with Perfect Love?
22. When we offer someone Jesus, we need to be able to give them an accurate description of who he is. People are
often able to do this through their testimonials, telling people about who and what they were before being reborn
and who Jesus has perfected them to be. Do you know who Jesus is? How did you find out?
23. Does hearing the testimonies of others encourage, strengthen, increase your faith and give you hope?
24. Do you have a testimony to share? Have you shared it with someone who is a nonbeliever or who is lost?
25. Do you believe that your testimony can help someone who might be experiencing similar circumstances know
that there is another way--a better way?
26. If you are impaired or inhibited in any way from verbally giving your testimony, try alternative ways. Writing,
creating artwork or making a craft or sewing project (quilt, storybook, album, scrapbook) are expressive ways to
tell a story that can make an impact and leave a lasting impression.
27. Sometimes our very PRESENCE is a testimony, inspiration and encouragement to others. People who have
overcome extenuating circumstances (i.e., natural disasters, grief, disabilities, illnesses, war, rape, financial ruin or
set-back, domestic violence, poverty, job loss, barriers to education and success, criminal backgrounds, etc.) can
make a tremendous impact just by being visible and a reminder not to give up and try harder. Can you think of
anyone who has overcome something who inspires you, just by their PRESENCE?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke 6 (KJ21)
Acts 2 (KJ21)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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YCCM PART 4 DETAILS
Chapter 23
APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE WOUND
There are times, when we have just been through a tumultuous battle, that has left us scarred and exhausted, we
feel that we need and deserve rest--a break, even a vacation, but instead, adversity comes and opens old wounds
and our heart (spirit), again begins to bleed.
Yes, often, when we have been wounded, instead of things getting better, they get worse. We may think, "What
else can go wrong?" Or, "What worse can happen?" But, then, that something else happens and sometimes it IS
worse, or it is not what we expected, prepared for, or hoped.
We may feel that the actions of others have contributed to or caused our problems, or that we've been
abandoned by God, or perhaps, that in some way, we are being punished. Our heart (spirit) is in a state of
trauma, conflicted and bleeding, wounded by the enemy.
How quickly we forget that God promised NEVER to leave us alone. He is there with us. God is there applying
PRESSURE to our wound.
We expect God to be our doctor, lawyer, teacher, friend and everything else, but most often, we don't
understand, welcome or agree to the methods He chooses to use to help us. Applying PRESSURE to our wound
seems to be temporary cessation to our bleeding problem. When is God going to heal us completely? Why
would He just stop the bleeding, when, to us, the problem demands an immediate solution! The pressure causes
more aggravation and irritation. What is God thinking? What kind of physician is He?
Our God, our Father, is the BEST kind of physician. He can look beyond our faults--our corrupted flesh-- and
without the assistance of x-rays and technology, see our TRUE need. God can HEAL you anytime that He wants
to. Nothing is too hard for God, but, He is concerned with mind (soul), body and spirit. The three must be in
agreement with the Will and Way of God, seeking FIRST the Kingdom of Heaven, knowing that ALL else will
follow.
God applies pressure to our wound, waiting for us to trust Him and obey; to surrender to HIS Will and Way; to
accept Jesus as our healer and teacher, so that He can show us how to OVERCOME the world and live in the
FULLNESS of God's glory.
Peter was already grieving, filled with sorrow and guilt, from the loss of his friend and teacher, Jesus. When
Jesus returns, Peter's heart is still wounded and bleeding, from the darkness that crept inside. Instead of
comforting and healing him, Jesus applies pressure to the wound by asking him three times if he loves him,
more than these. Peter is reminded of how he betrayed Jesus, not once, but three times, but he is also reminded
of Perfect Love, which cast out fear and stops his bleeding.
Was Jesus being cruel? --Vengeful? He could have just said, I forgive you, Peter. I realize you were just trying
to save your own neck--your own life. Yes, Jesus could have consoled Peter, but that would not have healed his
gaping wound. It was not a wound caused by physical damage. Peter was afflicted from spiritual damage, which
ushered in darkness, filling him with fear, guilt and shame--a different kind of pain and bleeding.
Jesus offered Peter a remedy that would heal and redeem mind (soul), body and spirit. Jesus' healing words for
Peter are, "feed my sheep." To be healed, free from guilt, shame and pain, Peter must prove his perfect love by
obeying Jesus, as His disciple, and return to feeding His sheep.
Knowing and witnessing what happened to Jesus, this certainly wasn't a choice of therapy or treatment to end
ALL suffering. In order to prove his love, he was being asked to save MANY lives and now, having cowardly
and selfishly coveted and protected his own life, he's being asked to risk it again. Yet, here was Jesus before
him, alive again, having been tortured, crucified, dead and buried. What He had told His Disciples was true. He
had risen and returned to them. Again, here is Jesus, giving perfect love, teaching them how to conquer the
world. Surely, there was not only a GREATER cause to die for, but a greater cause to LIVE for--Jesus and The
Kingdom of God.
Apply pressure to a wound to stop the bleeding, until the patient can receive proper medical care and begin
healing. Likewise, God allows an external force to be applied to our spiritual wounds, until we are led to Jesus,
to be healed and made perfect. Can we count it ALL as JOY my friends? Can we shout, GREATER is He that is
in me, than he that is in the world? Truly, there is no need for weeping to endure for a night, for joy most
CERTAINLY comes in the morning, through JESUS, our Bright and Morning Star!
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Just think of how completely AWESOME it is that God is concerned with ALL of you and me--the physical,
spiritual and mental components, which comprise our BEING. The Great I Am is a god of detail and
completion, who considers the state of our heart, that it be filled with: perfect love; abundant life; peace; true
worship and discipleship; hope and joy; that we live in holiness and righteousness; and that we bear good fruit
to serve and love our neighbors.
Yet, when we feel EXTERNAL PRESSURE around us, when problems arise, when we are in need of healing
and cleansing, how can we still wonder, "Am I going to make it?" How long? Why me? What else can go
wrong?" Or, "What worse can happen?" We have a Heavenly Father who is not only concerned with big
problems, but the smallest details of our lives.
Oh, ye of little faith! is what I often hear, when I worry or fret. God is applying PRESSURE to the wound,
until we get to Jesus, because, He knows there are more SERIOUS things going on inside of us. He knows who,
what, where, when and why. He will do HIS part, if we do our part to trust and obey. Yet, as Jesus paid the
ultimate price for our redemption and completion, God asks that we die to the flesh (self) and surrender ALL!
Will I remember this the next time adversity comes knocking at my door? --When Darkness reopens old
wounds? When Im tired and in so much emotional pain, so that I feel I cant go on? --Will wearing a cross
always help to remind me? If I faithfully pray will I cease to fall into traps, pits and snares set by the enemy?
Perhaps, but, with each adversity comes a new test, an opportunity to GROW and become more like our Father,
whom we find in Jesus. Still, we can shout, count it ALL as JOY, when indeed adversity has led us to become
more like Jesus! Indeed, our pain, our sorrow, our living and our death is not in vain, if we have learned to
conquer the things of this world, with our Saviour.
Are you going through trials and temptations now? Do you want to grow and move beyond your circumstances
and self? Let God remove the scales from your eyes to see the lies around you. Let Him awaken you from your
slumber in Darkness and the spell cast upon you by lies. God is applying PRESSURE to your wound(s), waiting
for you to get to Jesus, so that He can treat ALL of you--mind, body and spirit.
Remember, You Are Blessed, My Brothers and Sister! No matter how bad your life seems now, throughout each
and everyday, come what may...you ARE blessed with a God who never stops caring.
Things CAN change. Things WILL change. God is applying PRESSURE. It's your decision as to WHO will
treat your wound. If you choose the enemy, he could lead you to the gossiper, the hater, the bigot, the drug
dealer, the adulterer, the fornicator, the thief, the liar, etc., and ultimately, death.
Hopefullywith prayer, in perfect love, from a grateful heart, hopefully, this message leads you to JESUS!
All glory to God!
Your servant,
Mishael
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PART 4 DETAILS
Chapter 24
COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Philippians 2:1-5
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if
any tenderness and mercies,
2 fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other
better than himself.
4 Look not every man to his own things, but every man also to the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:14-15
14 Do all things without murmuring and disputing,
15 that ye may be blameless and unoffending, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a
crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
May this message reach your heart and bring you the peace and fruit of true fellowship with one another
through God's Holy Spirit.
We are living in an era where the church lacks accountability to Christ. Neither are we all like-minded, nor are
we all striving to become like-minded. Although, we find many non-denominational churches and various
denominations uniting for worship services from time-to-time, the overall consensus is that it is alright to be
divided for now. We put our faith in God cleaning up our act later on.
Yet, in Revelation, we find distinct warnings to the churches for having strayed from following Christ; reward
for those who endure and punishment for those who do not. Yet, the mind-of- man continues to believe that he
and others like him are an exception to the rule.
We act as if we have forgotten our first love, Christ. If this were not true, Satan would not have been so
successful in causing division within the church and spreading false doctrine.
Pride has taken a front seat in the pews and in the pulpit. Jesus did not focus on trying to persuade the Pharisee
and Sadducee to obey God and stop misleading the people. He knew that they were blinded by their pride and
did not have ears to hear.
He simply told the people not to do as they did, but to obey the laws of God.
Surely, we are living in like times, where we cannot approach leaders of most churches and tell them that they
are not following Christ for Christ is not divided. Surely some question, is there a right or wrong way to follow
Christ? Just as everyone has their own interpretation of worship and fellowship, people take a different
approach to following Christ.
Does God allow this as long as the end result is a connection with Him? Yet, how does this affect our
relationship with God, which is most important? Do we learn to worship in Spirit and in Truth? Who is trusting
God? Who is right but God?
Somewhere along the line, there was a breakdown in communication. There were no more messengers like
Timothy to send to remind the church to be like-minded in Christ. Division within the church replaced
fruitfulness and increase, as defined by the Word of God.
Has Satan succeeded in hardening hearts and transforming the church from a living organism into a building of
stone?
Communication is important to us, as we are Christ's Ambassadors. Communication is key in diplomacy. A

diplomat acts as an ambassador representing their country.
When studying communication, counseling and diplomacy, one learns to listen for the things that are not
spoken; the unspoken details. The things that are not mentioned can be more important and weigh heavier in
decision making and analysis than the things a person has said.
However, we can't all be analyzers. As communicators, we must be willing and able to ask the hard questions
and to answer the hard questions. We cannot avoid or bury the unwanted or hard questions and still say that we
stand for truth. We are not standing. We are sitting in an easy chair trying to keep the peace to comfort
ourselves; trying to protect our feelings and preventing our growth in Christ. We cannot confuse sowing peace
with protecting self-interests and self-preservation or the inability to act due to our fear of confrontation.
Peace is achieved through unity, which comes from taking on the mind of Christ, becoming One and walking in
the Light. Peace is achieved through obedience and following the will and way of God.
Jesus came bringing true peace--peace that comes from within when one knows and abides in the Truth; peace
that comes from being loved by Christ and loving others as He loves us. Truth brings forth peace as the Word is
written upon the hearts of men to love one another and trust in God and His Word.
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God communicates with us through His Holy Spirit. When we think of the Holy Spirit, we cannot separate it
from God and His Word. In the beginning, was the Word and the Word was God. The Holy Spirit, also, is
God. You cannot separate one from the other, nor can we as One with the Triune God, separate ourselves from
Him when we communicate with others. Again, if we are One with God, we cannot separate ourselves from
Him when we communicate with our brothers and sisters.
Therefore, when we speak, we should speak with the mind of Christ; Speaking always in love and Truth, with
the power of the Holy Spirit and meekness.
When we become born again, our old thinking must be done away with; for it will not sustain the new, just as
one cannot pour new wine into an old wineskin, lest the skin perish. With a renewed mind, we walk differently
and talk differently. There should be a change in the way we treat others and communicate with others because
we are One, abiding in God's Holy Spirit. There is only one Holy Spirit.
Matthew 9:17
Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins, else the wineskins burst and the wine runneth out
and the skins perish. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
When God is doing something new, He sets it apart to shed old tradition, rituals, practices and religious
doctrine. He asks us to lean not to our own understanding and to wait on Him for instructions. We must
understand that, if we continue to do only that which we know, we will not growwe will not grow in the
knowledge of God and Christ.
If we, as leaders and ambassadors, knowingly allow our brothers and sisters to continue in their old thinking and
ways, without trying to lead them into the newness of Christ-like thinking, we will be held accountable, for we
are our brother's keeper. We stand in the way of their growth. They cannot grow if they have not been
informed.
Romans 10: 14
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in
Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Jesus' teachings conflicted with what the Jews had been taught and practiced since childhood and for centuries.
When we are comfortable with something, we are reluctant and resistant to change. However, if Jesus had not
opened the eyes of many, would they have found Truth?
Many believed Jesus, but later rejected God's Word, because they simply could not let go of their old thinking,
which was attached to the world, as they knew it. Regardless of the outcome, we must speak Truth and leave it
to God's Holy Spirit to enlighten, convict and transform, so that others may live in the fullness of God's Glory.
That which is left undone or uncorrected, in our past, may become a stumbling block in our present and future.
God needs Watchman who are alert at their post; Soldiers, with love and compassion, who are not afraid to fight
not only for themselves, but for their brethren; and Ambassadors who will truly Stand up for Jesus Christ to
bring true peace!
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QUESTIONS
When something or someone is new to us, we have questions. God expects us to ask questions; for it is the
nature of man. God wants us to ask the hard questions. His Holy Spirit within us can comfort us, guide us, and
give us assurance, correction and understanding. Because there is one Holy Spirit, we can rely on this same
spirit to guide us in communicating with our neighbor. We cannot be afraid to ask the hard questions, nor
correct one another in love; for the Word is given to us:
2nd Timothy 3: 16, 17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.
Somewhere along the line, the church stopped asking the hard questions. We laid down the cross, because it
was too much of a burden for us to carry, while we were tending to our own affairs. We were so concerned with
our own agenda, survival and infrastructure that we did not put the true gospel first. Therefore, it was lost in
our archives, waiting to be discovered once again, perhaps like Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered the Book of
the Law, in the House of the Lord, in the days of King Josiah (2nd Kings 22).
Churches are filled with unsaved, unhealthy and unholy people with no accountability, because people are afraid
to ask questions that might be difficult, uncomfortable, embarrassing and confrontational. Then, again, why
bother to truly look inside someone when you are not prepared to deal with their issues and bondage, or you're
simply not going to take time to deal with it, because your own agenda is more important?
In the past, the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, preachers, and teachers) which is responsible
for equipping the Saints was eliminated from the structure of most churches. Everyone had their own
interpretation of whether or not it still existed and/or how it should be used within the church.
God blesses and increases that which will be fruitful. God will not approve or add to anything that will not be
fruitful. The reason all five-fold ministries are not present within most churches is because it will not be
fruitful. God will only approve a relationship or union that will be fruitful.
Today, we see so much of the counterfeit; false apostles, prophets, evangelists, preachers, teachers who revel in
self-glorification, exploiting God's people for their own benefit. The question is, Is the church ready for the
five-fold ministry? Can it commit to the True Gospel?
You cannot have commitment without accountability. Churches have been more concerned with the outer
person than the inner person. That is why people aren't growing in Christ. There is more concern with what
people can do to help the church instead of what the church can do to help them improve their lives and walk
with God in holiness and righteousness.
Members are allowed to slander and abuse others because of their loyalty and contributions to the church.
Many churches are operating like businesses, clubs, fraternities and secret societies that use covert tactics to
admit, exclude and advance members.
Membership, monetary gain and building construction has become more important than discipleship and using
God's gifts to strengthen the Body and help those in need. This is not leading people to follow Christ and abide
in God's Holy Spirit; nor is it communication and fellowship.
1st Corinthians 12: 12-14
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.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we
are bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
We must first get to know the heart of others; for without a change of heart, all else is in vain. There can be no
growthno commitment to the Gospel, the Body of Christ, or the institutional church. The church becomes a
den of vipers and wolves in sheep's clothing. We must not be afraid to get involved with people's lives; for if
one member of the Body is afflicted, the others suffer, also.
1st Corinthians 12: 26, 27
26And whenever one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or when one member is honored,
all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Jesus, Our Chief Shepherd, was not afraid to ask the hard questions and He was not afraid to tell and hear the
truth; for there is no fear in God. His questions were intended to open up the heart, the ears, and the mind, to
stir the spirit to receive Truth and prepare for transformation. He did not ask out of suspicion, accusation, pride
or malice. His questions were not self-serving. He was not seeking to harm, slander or spread gossip. He
spoke and questioned in love. He spoke openly with the power of God, yet in the spirit of meekness. He spoke
from an open heart.
Paul spoke to the church of Corinth concerning their correction:
1st Corinthians 4:14-17
14 I write these things not to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved sons.
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15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet ye have not many fathers; for in Christ
Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel.
16 Therefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17 For this cause I have sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord, who
shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every
church.
BE OPENED!
One cannot expect others to be committed to a cause they are not committed to themselves. Only an open heart
can accept the heart of Christ. If we are to lead others to Christ, we must be open. --As Jesus said,
"Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." (Mark 7:34)
The heart of a shepherd must be open, his ears ready to truly listen to others and his hand ready to correct. He
cannot be afraid to ask the hard questions that examine the heart; for if he truly loves his sheep, he is interested
in them and what is needed to help them live abundantly and become like Christ. He speaks to them in love
always. Therefore, he has no contempt, fear or malice. He is not in competition with them. He believes in
them knowing that their only limitation is their lack of belief in themselves and faith in God; for God can do all
things for them and through them; for we cannot limit the power of God, or say who and how He will bless, or
predict how he will operate.
Our Father has an intimate relationship with usnot in the carnal sense, but through His divine spiritual
presence, which permeates our lives to love and care for us. He knows our thoughts, feelings and every detail
of our lives.
Without intimacy, there is a lack of understanding and ability to effectively communicate to the heart, which is
the circuit for accountability and commitment.
Churchgoers often base commitment on who shows up for Bible Study and Sunday morning service. Those
who show up on Sunday service and Bible Study are not always the faithful. Many are status seekers, power
seekers, attention seekers, Satan's agitators and cohorts to sow discord and keep others from coming.
If the shepherd doesn't have an intimate relationship with his flock, then these people rule the church. There
will never be unity and no one is going to commit to something that is not beneficial to them or fruitful, neither
will God add increase. The faithful are those who keep their eyes on Jesus and obey God, walking in His Light,
submitting to His Will and Way.
1st John 1:4 -7

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard from Him and declare unto you: that God is light,
and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The sheep look to the shepherd to guide them in God's Will and Way; therefore fellowship and communication
are very important. If the shepherd has walls and barriers up in front of him, the sheep cannot see where to go.
When we have barriers and pride up as a wall, we cannot receive from God, thus we err. If the shepherd takes
his eyes off of Jesus or has not overcome weaknesses and temptations, then the sheep might also be led astray.
They watch him closelyhow he treats and responds to others and they may follow his example. He
cannot mistreat others, nor be partial to one or show favoritism over another, lest he inflict hurt, pain, sow
contempt, jealousy and division.
His eyes must be open as well as his ears and heart to assess the well-being of his flock. He must never forget
that the sheep belong to the Master and he is held accountable for all of their well-being.
One sheep is as valuable to the Master as another and equally as loved. The shepherd cannot care for the sheep
based on his feelings or opinions of them. He must be endowed with God's wisdom through His Holy Spirit.
God is Truth and knowledge of the Truth requires humility. The humbleness of Christ conquered the world.
God resists the proud and blesses the humble. Humbleness is not to be mistaken with vulnerability and
gullibility. Being humble does not make you vulnerable or gullible to the lies, deceit and mistreatment of
others. People are afraid of being vulnerable and gullible, so they don't allow others to get too close to them or
allow them to know too much about them.
If you are afraid of people being in your life and what you deem as your business, you in turn are afraid to truly
be intimate with others. You constantly question the motives of others and rely on hear-say. These feelings are
based on pride and not trusting God. This is worldly thinking that has not been made perfect in love. We
cannot operate like the world lest we become like the world.
Humbleness does not make you vulnerable. It opens your heart to receive the Truth--to receive God.
How can we communicate when we have set up so many walls and barriers for one another? As members of
the Body of Christ, we must put away our pride, insecurities, pain, doubt, titles and personal agenda and give
honor and glory to Him alone who is worthy.
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A title is not who you are. It is how God uses you; for you are nothing without God. The Lord can use you
in any capacity he chooses if you are willing. He can endow you with one or many gifts. We cannot limit the
power of God.
How can we communicate when we give honor to titles, wealth, and status and not God? A title cannot make
you holy or righteous.
There is an overwhelming number of believers in the church today standing behind a title. No one is worthy of
a title but God. Jesus did not send titles. He sent gifts to be used as the Holy Spirit, God, saw fit to use them.
These gifts are not for us to covet and use to elevate ourselves and appease man; nor to laud over our brother
and demand his respect and submission; not to put ourselves on pedestals and lift ourselves up, but to lift up
Christ and edify the Body of Christ.
When we look for a title to lift us up and open doors for us, where are we placing God? Who are we trying to
appease and impress? Who are we lifting up? Where are we placing our faith?
It is said that a gift makes room for itself, then, we should let the gift speak, led by the power of God's Holy
Spirit.
One day, this flesh will be no more. We will be alone. It will be us and God. Can our title then open up the
gates of Heaven for us?
Are we being like Paul and placing ourselves in bondage and our neck in the hangman's noose because of our
sense of entitlement? Are we going where we want to go and not where God wants us to go?
We can be in the right place for helpa church or hospital, but still no one can help us but God. God opens
doors in our lives. It is to Him, alone, we should look, to open and shut doors in our lives.
We study to show ourselves approved. If it be His will, we may go on to higher education and earn a degree or
certificate, through the help of God, to enhanceadd to--that which God has already given to us. And, with the
title that man bestows upon us must come humility which God requires of usin that we are nothing without
Him.
Oh son of man you have turned your ears away from hearing and turned your heart to the world.
Lord, teach us to truly listen to our brother's heart; to share in his suffering and help supply his needs. Teach us
to communicate because of the love we have for one another. Help us to live in righteousness. Make us Holy
and wholly Thine.
THE HEART OF MAN

(HOLINESS)
God communicates with us very directly and decisively. He is not timid, wish-washy, apologetic or unclear as
to his motives and his intentions. He is God and He is Holy. He lives in a Kingdom that is Holy.
But, how do we on Earth remain holy when we must live with or within that which is unholy? Holiness is
within the hearta heart washed in the blood of Jesus and perfected in the love of God. The mind will follow
the heart and bring the body into agreement.
Yes we are to refrain from sins of the flesh and the world, but that alone does not make one holy. To be holy you
must also allow God's perfect love to cast out fear and pride so that you are not afraid to love and communicate,
be it man or woman, rich man or poor man, saint or sinner. You are not afraid to speak truth to them because
you know that God loves them as much as He loves you. Speaking truth shows that you truly love them.
A heart filled with fear, pride, self-preservation, hidden agendas, suspicion, accusations is not a loving heart,
neither is it holy, neither can it communicate and reach the hearts of others.
We must do unto others as we would have done to us. I may feel that you are not good enough for me.
Therefore, I set up limitations and boundaries in our relationship. Yet, I claim to live a life of holiness. I may
have fooled myself, but I cannot fool God.
The Bible tells us to speak always in love. If my heart is hardened against you in judgment because you do not
meet my expectations, then my speech will be tainted. Perhaps I don't like how you look or dress. In my heart, I
covet these feelings. Then, regardless of my words, my speech is tainted with unholiness and unrighteousness.
How can I say that I love my brother? How can I be holy?
Is there no wonder that relationships and marriages fail when they are not built on holiness, but instead, selfish-
desire and selfish-expectations?
Without holiness, communication within the relationship becomes tainted with darkness. Man and woman enter
into holy matrimony through the sanctities of God. However, for the marriage to be holy, the man and
woman must first be holy and only God can make one holy.
My brothers and sisters, God is asking a far greater thing from us than a handshake with holiness. He is telling
us that we must be joined with Him as One to be Holy. Nothing and no one can make and keep us holy--Only
God- -for He is holiness.
God is asking a far greater thing than just to project an illusion of a holy life. He is telling us that to be holy
your heart must be transformed into holiness, able to see past the flesh. A born-again heart sees a different kind
of love and beauty that surpasses all others. A born-again heart communicates freely with the world and people
around it--in love, because it is compelled by holiness.
The spirit of discernment is blocked when we allow ill-feelings and judgments to effect how we treat and speak
to our neighbor. When we try to discern their motives, to justify our feelings of insecurity and allegations, in
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order to prove ourselves right, and to maintain our own agendas, where is the holiness in this? Where is the
righteousness? Where is the love? Who is right but the Lord?
Yes, God is asking far more of us in being holy. He is asking for holiness that not only looks like holiness but
feels like holiness; taste like holiness; sounds like holiness; and smells like holinessa sweet aroma to the
Lord.
My brothers and sisters, before we can truly love one another as Christ loves us, we must rid ourselves of the
stone in our hand we would throw at our brother or sister and first look at the sin in our own hearts.
While we covertly plan to catch others doing wrong, we are caught acting wrongly ourselves. People who act
in this way have something to hide, themselves. Love reaches out openly to those who are on the wrong path.
Believers must stop using the tactics and evasiveness (untruthfulness) of the world, which only leads to
confusion, hurt and chaos. Let us speak in love, boldly and openly.
Can you help someone who doesn't know they need help? Yes, it is different from trying to help someone who
doesn't want help. You help by opening the doors of communication.
This is what God's Holy Spirit does with us. God helps us by focusing on our thoughts and what is in our heart.
He is always listening, whereby, He comes to know us. We cannot come to know others if we do not listen to
them. Communication is a two-way street. An effective and caring communicator knows that being a good
listener is just as important as talking and does not monopolize a conversation. A Christ-like mind learns to
focus on others with sincerity because it is led by the loving heart of Christ.
As Christ's followers, we should imitate our Father. God knows that behind every action is a thought that leads
to our hearts. He made us and He knows how we function. That is why He pursues our hearts. If men were
given power to judge and condemn others by their actions, there would probably not be a man alive. If we are to
edify and exhort one another, we must show true love and interest in one another.
When we are filled with the love of God, we are compelled by His love to pursue the hearts of others in order to
help them change their actions. Intimidation, suspicion, insinuations and even unspoken accusations are not the
holy works of God nor do they show His love. These are cowardly acts of the enemy. Do not let the enemy
confuse you and convince you that you will hurt instead of help. Trust God. Trust His Holy Spirit. Follow
through on your actions. Help and guide people through their feelings.
If we are to move toward showing our brother true holiness and God's love, we must learn to communicate with
him as God communicates with us. We must speak in truth and love pursuing his heart to show that we are truly
concerned for THEIR well-being and not just our own. Our intentions must be to strengthen and edify, to
bestow love upon our brother with peace and understanding.
We must be Holy; holiness that elevates us above self, pride and vanity; holiness that opens our hearts to God's
will and not our own; holiness that supersedes all our wants and desires, protocols and traditions; holiness that
sets us on the realm of Christ, who sacrificed all.
When we set out to expose, tear down and eliminate our brother, in doing so, we have eliminated ourselves from
holiness, righteousness and the Kingdom of God. Too often we hide behind the facade of not wanting to hurt
others feelings when it is our own feelings and ill-will we are hiding.
Believers today have taken on the communication skills of the world and enemy, weaving and dodging,
conniving and plotting. The tongue of holiness speaks from a holy and loving heart. Its words follow a
straight path to reach the hearts of others.
Men who fear the conniving and plots of others connive and create plots of their own thereby setting a trap for
themselves. Holiness fears no evil for it is set high above the reach of the hand of darkness and knows that the
darkness cannot touch it. Therefore, God's plan for your life cannot be thwarted.
When man fears, man fears things that will interfere with his plans and desires. He often builds up a wall that
keeps out the blessings of God. His heart is open only to his desires and cannot receive the will of God.
Acts 6:8-15
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Then there arose certain from the synagogue which is called the Synagogue of the Libertines, and
Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and those of Cilicia and of Asia, and they disputed with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Then they suborned men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses
and against God."
12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him and caught him,
and brought him to the council.
13 And they set up false witnesses who said, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words
against this holy place and the law;
14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change
the customs which Moses delivered to us."
15 And all who sat on the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as though it were the face
of an angel.
We have heard men make vain, long speeches, filled with pride and vanity to defend their feelings, positions
and opinions, leaving out the most important word--and that is love--love born of the Spirit; For love is not
puffed up nor does it have reason to defend its value and worth. It has no opinion or preference of its own.
Is it no wonder that we do not reach the hearts of men when our own words speak the prejudice and hardness of
our hearts?
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The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd. --A voice of love. It is not our place to judge the hearts of men, nor
to condemn them, but to meet others with unconditional love that we may communicate that love that pierces
through darkness to reach the hearts of others with words that bring forth reconciliation, true repentance and
restoration through He who has created the thread and fabric of life--the maker of all things new. So will His
love restore and renew that which is broken; that which has been neglected, abused and misused.
When born of love, communication is not an art or skill or strategy: It is beyond language; It is like a
baby's smile that penetrates and softens the heart; It is pure and undefiled; It is like music that opens
up the imagination, calms the soul, stirs and heals the heart.
As we communicate, we must remember that it is not about trying to prove that we are right or better. We are
not trying to change people through selfish desires. We are not criticizing, judging or condemning. We are
planting a seed for the Holy Spirit to grow.
Trust the Holy Spirit to help you communicate with people. God will tell you when it is right to speak and what
you should say.
As we wear the armor of God, we walk boldly. We are prepared to do His will and bear His fruit. We are
shielded from darkness, but filled with the Light that we may help cast out darkness in others.
We must also speak boldly. We must listen and ask our Father, what would you have me to do? What would
you have me say to someone today that I may open up their heart that they might receive You and Your
blessings?
Abba Father, we pray that every mouth will be opened to speak boldly, in the name of Jesus, to profess Him as
Your only begotten son, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; to proclaim the Good News; lifting up the name of
Jesus to draw all men unto Thee; to communicate openly in love with our neighbor in fellowship; and to
strengthen the Body of Christ. We give You, All Glory, Honor and Praise! Amen.
By the Grace and Mercy of God,
Your servant,
Mishael
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. In today's fast-paced world, we have learned to do things quickly, sometimes without giving it much thought. This
behavior carries over into our method of communicating with people. We don't take the time to allow God's Holy
Spirit to lead us and guide us in our conversations and end up saying things we can't take back. How often do you
ask the Holy Spirit to help you communicate in your relationships?
2. When someone tries to lead you into an argument, do you acknowledge the presence of God before you speak or
do you speak out of self to retaliate and strike back?
3. Do you feel you are entitled to speak your mind and defend yourself?
4. Where does your pride lead you when you speak out of self? Where does it lead the conversation?
5. Do you continue to communicate like this because you enjoy hurting people or has it become a habit that you just
can't seem to break?
6. Are there just a few people who you just can't seem to get along with and have a peaceful conversation? Who is at
fault? What is in your heart when you are around these people?
7. Have you been made perfect in love through Jesus?
8. A few of the side-effects of our fast-paced society are stress, anxiety, depression and egocentrics--people focused
on themselves because of the pressures and influences around them. Do you suffer from any of these conditions?
Do you believe that abiding in Jesus can help alleviate your struggle or heal you?
9. The answers to our communication problems involve a BREAKING of our will--surrendering all to let Jesus lead
us and a humbling of ourselves to allow God to use us in a positive and effective way. If you truly want to change
and break the cycle, will you open up your heart to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Will you slow down and take
time to communicate from a heart filled with God's love?
10. Are you afraid to ask the hard questions when communicating with others, for fear of embarrassment, hurt, pride,
shame, guilt, etc.? Why or why not?
11. Do you speak out of love for the other person and a desire that they be saved and accountable to God?
12. Do you just avoid talking about certain things in your relationships just to keep the peace? Is it true peace? Who
gives us true peace?
13. Have you allowed a title, degree, status or position in life or within the church to come between you and others,
causing communication problems?
14. Are you afraid to be open with others or has hardness of heart made you treat some people as threats or enemies?
15. Do you feel that you have communication problems or that your relationships could be improved by better
communication? Why or why not?
16. Are your relationships with others based on love, holiness and righteousness? Does this show in your
conversations? Why or why not?
17. Do you have this same rapport with men, women, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, other nationalities and races,
addicts, prostitutes, ex-convicts, rich people, poor people, homosexuals, young people, old people and those who
belong to religions?
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18. Why do you think the adversary has been so successful in dividing and segregating our churches and keeping
them divided?
19. Are the things that divide us commanded by God?
20. If there was a break down in communication long ago and we stopped following the mind of Christ, knowing this,
why do people continue being divided?
21. Does being divided prove our love for one another? Does it prove our love for God by obeying Him to love our
neighbor as ourselves? Does this help to show hypocrisy in division and in man-made religions?
22. Do you belong to a segregated or denominational church? Why or why not? Should we try to please God or man?
23. Is the Five-fold ministry active and healthy at your church (Ephesians 4)? Why or why not? Should we try to
please God or man?
24. Wearing the Armor of God is not to aid you in attacking flesh out of anger, malice and vindictiveness. If this is
your intent or the result of your conversation, then you are not wearing the Armor of God, but, acting out of self.
Were you wearing the Armor of God in your last argument or heated discussion? What should you have done?
25. When you converse with someone who has differing opinions that you feel or know do not line up to the Word of
God, are you more interested in proving yourself right or planting a seed for God's Holy Spirit to grow within the
person? Who are you trying to please?
26. Any conversation or discussion where there are unresolved problems and difficult decisions should begin and end
with prayer, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the conversation. Begin to implement this into
your relationships. If the other person(s) will pray with you, know that God is in the midst. You are joining
together to fight the darkness that would cause strife and division. If they won't join you, do not let it hinder or
discourage you. Continue to pray for them.
27. A common mistake we all make in our relationships, conversations, arguments and discussions, is judging or
belittling people; making others feel inadequate, guilty, ashamed and wrong. This takes the blame off of us for any
wrong doing in the relationship or conversation, but we are being used by darkness to destroy the relationship.
How can this be avoided?
28. Do you want the heart and mind of Christ? Will you surrender to God's Will and Way today? If you have not been
born again, will you give your life to God right now and invite His Spirit in? Who do you want to please?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philippians 2:1-18
1st Corinthians 12: 4-14
Ephesians 4:11-18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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YCCM PART 4 DETAILS
Chapter 25
NARRATOR: My friends, I'm happy to say that Luke got settled in at the shelter and started getting involved in
the ministry. And don't you know that Merle stuck by him, became a regular face at the shelter and soon began
helping to run the services and counsel the men. I tell you, God moves in mysterious ways.
Well, being new, Luke was required to attend several weeks of orientation, where they talked about: committing
yourself to follow Jesus; leaving the world of sin behind; setting your hands to the plow; keeping your eyes on
Jesus; and never looking back. They explained how everyone has unique experiences on their journey, in
becoming a Disciple and following Christ.
At each orientation session, they would start out by reciting some of "Who I Am In Christ (see below) and
talking about what it means and how important it is to seek repentance and rebirth. There was an interactive
study on identifying the character of God, hearing His voice, journaling, praying and communing with God
through His Holy Spirit.
Luke had heard most of it before and tried to be patient. He still didn't quite understand everything he was
learning, but his counselors told him that he would grow in God's Word and Gods Holy Spirit would reveal
things to him in time, then, write it upon his heart. He wasn't exactly satisfied with that explanation, but again,
he tried to be patient.
It was in small groups that Luke found that he thrived and learned the most. They discussed Biblical literature
and history, other religions, cultures and how Christianity is viewed by other religions and countries. They tried
to bring in different perspectives and experiences to better understand The Word of God, the world and people.
After a few weeks, Luke found that he enjoyed these sessions the most. After several months, he often found
himself leading the discussions.
Let us follow the camera and see what progress Luke is making today.
[The camera zooms in on Luke studying the Bible in his small room he shares with a roommate. Merle knocks
on the door].
Luke: Come in.

Merle: Hey, Luke! Just thought I'd stop by and... What are all these books? Whoa! These are heavy books!
Reminds me of when I was in Divinity School. Wait a minute, these books are from the Bible College! When
did you...What are you studying, Luke?
Luke: Sit down, Merle. I didn't tell you EVERYTHING that happened to me that morning, when we were
praying, at the church. I wanted to be sure.
[Luke tells Merle about hearing God's voice that morning,]
Luke: I was talking to God about everything that happened that night...the...s-su-su-icide attempt... (Luke takes
a deep breath and lets it out slowly, then whispers...) help me Jesus...
I was asking God's forgiveness and telling Him how tired I was of living in darkness. I was asking Him to help
me and all. I thought about you and Bee and I said I didn't want to be a burden to people anymore. I wanted to
be unselfish like you and help people. Then, I heard...
"Who better to shepherd my sheep, than he who has found his way out of darkness?"
I wasn't sure of what I heard, or if it was me. So, I looked around and waited, then, knelt again and before I
could say anything, I heard, "Yes, it is I Am." I knew I wouldn't have said that, so, I started asking questions
and that's when you walked in. I have never been so humbled and at peace...by God's voice, I mean. I had never
heard Him before.
But, then, He said, "I will use you to break chains of bondage, my shepherd. Go, and feed my sheep." That's
when I felt the chains fall off of ME! I felt such relief, but at the same time such exhilaration, warmth, peace
and love washing over me and filling my very being. I can't...I can't quite describe it well enough.
[Merle is overwhelmed and embraces Luke in tears.]
Merle: You're doing quite well. I'm sorry, Luke...I...I don't mean to be so emotional...it's just...it's just that
you're like a son to me. I love you, Luke. (Merle breaks down in tears, again.) I'm sorry.
Luke: (smiling and laughing) Merle, Merle! Don't apologize! You don't know what that means to me! Sit down
old man and let me get you some water.
[Merle manages to laugh at himself, then sits on Luke's bed. Luke goes down the hallway for a glass of water,
from the recreation room, and returns to find Merle praying. Hearing Luke, he looks up beaming with joy.]
Merle: I've got to go tell Pastor Scott and the other leaders. They're going to flip!
Luke: Uh...Merle, I'm afraid I have to apologize about that. You see...they already know.
[Merle looks a little downcast.]

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Luke: You see...I didn't want you to be disappointed in me. I couldn't tell you, until I was sure, and I started
school.
[Merle stands up, looking somber and gives Luke a hug.]
Merle: I understand, Luke, but...I wouldn't have been disappointed in you, if you had second thoughts. Most of
us do. It's an important decision to say yes to God and follow through on it. Many of us end up stumbling,
Luke, es-especially when tragedy strikes our lives. For me, it was losing Denny. I ran a-a-and I HID; unable to
face people and unable to face God.
Take it slow, my boy, and let God lead you. Spend as much time talking with Him as you can. One thing you've
helped me realize, I should have NEVER stopped trusting him.
[Merle embraces Luke again and kisses him on both cheeks. Luke blushes and Merle grabs him again, hugging
and patting him on the back
Merle consults with the other leaders, and service that night is like none other that Luke has ever attended
before.]
Worship & Service, Anyone?
Scott: Ephesians, my Brothers and Sisters! Chapter 2, verses 18 through 20.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of
the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Let us bow our heads and pray...
Father, we acknowledge your presence within us. Help us to always be mindful of your presence in everything
we think, say and do. Tonight, we welcome our Brothers and Sisters, one and all, knowing there are no visitors
here; for they would not be here if You had not made a way. We may not know their name, but, You do and You
are within us and in the midst. Most gracious Heavenly Father, help all those who are here with us tonight to
enter Your Light and fellowship with us as One.
Tonight, the Brethren and I have planned a different type of service than what we have done in the past,
allowing Your Holy Spirit to lead us. We have taught Your children many things to equip them, but we have
been remiss in protecting and empowering them. We have neither utilized the ministry that Jesus sent to help
prepare us, protect us and empower us; nor the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. We talk about Ephesians 4, but we
have not enacted it as we should. For this we are heartily sorry, Father, and ask your forgiveness and guidance.
Thank you for sending Pastor Vickers to remind us.
Guide us as we embark upon a new path of worship in Spirit and in Truth. Amen. Protect us from the evil one as
we shine Your Light of Glory upon Your Children and send them out to disciple, share Your Gifts and Perfect
Love, doing all things in Love and for Your glorification. Amen. These things we ask in the most precious name
of Your Son, Jesus, Our Saviour. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen
SCOTT: For those of you who have not been here, this will be my last week as head pastor of this church and I
thank you for freeing me so that I may be full-time pastor at the shelter. Most of you know Pastor Merle Vickers
(He motions for Merle to stand), whom God has sent to fill my position. With God's help, we will work together
to serve you and fight the good fight, knowing that with God, all things are possible. And with that said, I will
turn the podium over to our Five-Fold Ministry of apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers.
[An attractive, young woman takes the podium and motions to a group of people sitting on her right to come up
to the front.]
Julie: Hi, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Julia DeHart, just call me Julie, and I have the pleasure and
honor of being Pastor Scott's wife. (Looking at her husband, she smiles and giggles, then becomes very serious.)
But, I am also a prophetess. It's no coincidence that Scott and I are together. God planned it that way. We not
only draw strength and knowledge from one another as husband and wife, but, also as apostle and prophet.
The Five-Fold Ministry (she motions to the people standing in front) will be working with you individually and
also in groups to equip the saints. We will familiarize you with Ephesians 4 and the role of the Five-Fold
Ministry. We will address the church when it is necessary, working and consulting with the head pastor and
elders. Please don't forget that the pastor is your shepherd, we are your spiritual helpers, but God's Holy Spirit is
your first teacher, comforter and guide. EVERYTHING we do must line up with the WORD OF GOD! Amen?!
(Coaxing everyone to join in agreement)
CONGREGATION: AMEN!!
[Julie leaves the podium receiving applause, then turns around and goes back to the microphone.]
Julie: With all due respect, I'm going to ask you to search your heart and make sure you're giving all of that
applause and glory to God. AMEN?!
CONGREGATION: AMEN!!
[Julie leaves the podium and Frank Washington steps out from the group and up to the microphone.]
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Frank: (Speaking in a deep, gravelly voice and clapping.) PRAISE THE LORD!!!
CONGREGATION: PRAISE THE LORD!!! [There is a round of applause and praise.]
Frank: (hoarsely) My name is Frank... (Clears his throat) Frank Washington and I know most of you, because
I've been here for ten years. I started out with this ministry at the shelter. Not as a leader, but as an addict. I was
one of the first residents, when all we had was a couple of rooms, packed with cots, in the back of a store front
church. But, it didn't bother me none. I didn't have anyplace else to sleep, nothing to eat, and I had been put out
of places so many times, all I had was the clothes I was wearin'.
Yes, I'm thankful to the ministry, but that's not why I stuck around. I know where my help comes from and
where the ministry's help comes from. I'm here because this is where God can best use me and I know that's
why He brought me out of darkness into His Marvelous Light.
[Everyone gives praise to God. Frank lets the Spirit use him and in his deep, gravelly, baritone voice, he sings,
"He Brought Me Out," followed by a chorus of, He made a way. People join in and some begin to weep. After a
moment of silence, Frank continues.]
Yes, He brought me out and I've been evangelizin' ever since; tellin' addicts that what He did fo' ME, He can do
fo' YOU. I was one of the WORST of the WORST! The BEST addict ANYONE could be! Robbin', stealin',
shootin'...ANYTHING to get a little rock or...or...or ANYTHING that would get me high! I tried to clean up a
couple of times, but, those who believe they are clean of addictions and bondage, without fillin' the void with
Jesus and God's Holy Spirit, have only made room for greater bondage. Jesus gives us an example in (He picks
up his Bible.):
Please turn to Matthew 12:43-45. I'm readin' the King James Version, cuz I like how it sounds. I didn't
understand it at first, but I asked the Holy Spirit to give me revelation...and He DID! Praise the Lord! (He gives
everyone time to find the scripture in their Bibles.)
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty,
swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and
dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked
generation.
My Brothers and Sisters, with each spiritual gift from God, comes the need for accountability and wisdom from
God.
Some of you may not understand Spiritual Warfare and castin' out demons. But, I tell ya', it's not a main
attraction or a sideshow. You could do more harm, than good.
Spiritual Warriors and the one who was in bondage must allow their heart to be cleansed, washed by the blood
of Jesus and abide in the Holy Spirit of the Father and His Son. Hallelujah!
I had Spiritual Warriors lay hands on me and pray for me and what happened, at the time, I thought, was
downright weird and scary. I didn't understand what was happenin' to me, but, I was dealin' with some evil
spirits and demons, which had just set up house and decided to live in me. Mainly, because I had invited them
by opening myself up to sin.
The Spiritual Warriors at the shelter taught me about bondage, castin' out demonic spirits. They gave me a clear
understandin' that you cain't just cast out demons and leave the house EMPTY! There's more that our Father
requires us to do! Castin' out demonic spirits is just the beginning! There is still one sacrifice that's required of
us.
YEEES! Jesus DID pay it all..."all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain and He WASHED me WHITE as
snow!" Hallelujah!!! And because He paid it all our RELATIONSHIP with God is restored so that our sins can
be forgiven, BUT...but, but, God still requires one sacrifice of us! Listen, now! He wants us to REPENT of our
sins, ASK forgiveness and-- SURRENDER-- AAALL to Him!!! It's not such a great task considerin' the PRICE
that Jesus paid!!!
TONIGHT...TONIGHT, my Brothers and Sisters, if you haven't truly accepted Jesus in ya' heart, it's time to
profess to BELIEVE! And recognize Jesus, as God's ONLY Begotten Son! Ask the Father and Son to come into
your heart, to make you whole and become One. I AM A WITNESS!!! THE BLOOD HAS SIGNED MY
NAME!!! Glory, glory to God!!! (Frank jumps up and down praising God, then continues, breathing hard and
wiping his forehead)
If you are ready to SURRENDER, come up and give your life to God!
If you need prayer, Glory to God, come up and let us pray for you!
If you need healin', as Jesus said, "Do you believe that I can do this?" Then, come up and be healed!
If you need food, shelter, clothing, ANY KIND of help, come up and let us connect you with somebody to
HELP you!
If God has put it on your heart to give your services and HELP somebody, come up and make it known to
somebody!
If you just wanna give God some praise, COME UP AND PRAAAAAISE HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!!!
God has provided for this ministry, THANK YA LORD! --Suppling us with a team of Prayer Warriors, Healers,
Pastors, Evangelists, Teachers, Prophets, and Apostles! We have our Social Workers and Counselors here
tonight! Some people even came from other churches to help out! We are here for one another! Do you believe
that God will supply AAAALL your needs?! Then, GIVE GOD THE GLO--REEEE!!
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[Everyone praises the Lord for a while. Then, Frank goes to the altar, drops to his knees and begins to pray.
Luke sits on the edge of his seat, expecting chaos to break out, or to see people looking around so confused and
baffled, they won't know what to do or where to go, but, something peculiar begins to happen. Without being
told, the people move to the aisles and line up. Social Workers begin to take each person to their needed station
or room and very quickly, everyone is served, as those wishing to pray or praise God, continue to praise Him.
No one said anything about an offering, but the basket next to the altar is overflowing.
People trickle back into the sanctuary little by little having been served and/or received appointments for
follow-up service. There isn't the usual boredom and impatience as people feel free to join in fellowship and
song.
Suddenly, about a dozen children walk in and teachers seat them on the front pews. Luke smiles, laughs to
himself and shakes his head, thinking, Papa Vickers certainly has been busy.
Quiet settles in as a woman, Luke recognizes as Frank's wife, Sheila, takes the podium.]
Sheila: Hello, everyone! I'm Sheila Washington, that was my dear husband, Frank, the evangelist, who spoke to
you earlier. I am a teacher and principal here in the city and I'll be Superintendent over the children's church.
One day, maybe we'll even have a school. Praise the Lord!
[She bows her head and begins to pray.]
Father, I acknowledge your presence within me and within my Brothers and Sisters. Use us Lord! Have your
way!
[There is clapping, shouting and praising God.]
Father, tonight, you showed us what we can do, if we trust you and allow You to use us, and...and...we just
thank you Father. We magnify and glorify Your Holy Name. We love you Lord, for who You are, knowing we
can do nothing without You.
Many of us doubted that we could do this, because we were focusing on the word we, and not You, Lord. I was
one of them. Please forgive me. My structured school principal thinking got in the way. I allowed myself, my
flesh, to get in the way. Thank you for chastising me and giving me the privilege to serve You and my brethren.
We know this is just the beginning, Father, and there is so much more and so many more of Your children who
need help. Please bring us more parents and children and more workers for the fields. Humble us. Prepare us.
Continue to use us, I pray, Dear Lord. Amen.
NARRATOR: Viewers, I believe we've witnessed the Body of Christ working in unity and on one accord.
Amid naysayers and skeptics, the Spirit of God prevailed.
The worship service continued, just a little while longer. After a couple of worship songs, Scott had
Merle dismiss the service.
On the way out, Luke noticed a new bulletin board hanging up, with WORKERS FOR THE FIELD in big
letters across the top. Underneath, were different types of skills and labor needed, (e.g., plumbers, teachers,
carpet installers, haulers, roofers, food service, repairmen, accountants, cleaning services, electricians, child
care workers, brick layers, drywall hangers, painters, fishermen, farmers, landscapers, gardeners, etc.).
Luke saw the men from the shelter and many others signing up. He shook his head and smiled, again, thinking,
Papa Vickers has come out of hiding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this blog
1. It is not uncommon for people to be tired, bored or impatient sitting through worship services or Bible Study. It
can be like having to sit still in a classroom and having information fed to you for hours that you may not
understand or remember. We must also take into account that not everyone learns the same way. Has sitting
through services or study groups been a problem for you? Why or why not?
2. Do you think you would be more interested if the material was presented to you in a different way? Why or why
not?
3. Have you tried going to different places of worship where the service is different? Why or why not?
4. Do you attend your place of worship because the pastor is a good speaker? Why or why not?
5. Should our worship center on the pastor's ability to deliver an interesting or invigorating sermon? Is this
worshiping in Spirit and in Truth?
6. If you are attending worship because the pastor is a dynamic speaker, who are you worshiping?
7. Does God require His Word to be delivered in an entertaining or intriguing way to draw men unto Him? What
should be in the heart of the listener?
8. Has the enemy managed to creep into our worship services tying churches to traditions and services that lull
people to sleep? Are these services changing lives and feeding God's sheep? Are the saints being equipped?
9. Can entertaining music or people change lives, feed God's sheep and equip the saints? Can it teach accountability?
Is it worshiping in Spirit and in Truth? What should be in the heart of the listener?
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10. Do you have to have a place of worship with a good choir and musicians and a captivating minister? Why or why
not? Do these qualities mean that it is a god-filled place of worship and the minister is godlier?
11. God told us that we should be Holy because He is Holy. Our spirit (heart) should hunger for holiness. We cannot
be Holy without God's Holy Spirit. Wherever we find holiness, our spirit can be fed. If we thirst for Truth,
wherever we find Jesus, we will find Living Water to drink to thirst no more. Luke is trying to be patient with
learning about God, but is he hungry and thirsty yet?
12. Luke finds a more interesting and effective way of learning in his small discussion groups. Do you think this is
why Jesus chose this way to teach His Disciples?
13. Small discussion groups enable students to learn from one another and the instructor. Have you considered joining
a smaller congregation, finding a church that has organized small worship/study groups, or starting a
worship/study group within your home?
14. Each leader at the worship service had a different way of talking about God and serving Him. Each was doing
what the Spirit led them to do, which was best for the Kingdom of God. One thing they have in common is
humility. They have learned to humble themselves and accept God's Will. Scott humbly resigns his position as
head pastor of the church and welcomes Merle and his changes to the service, staff and church. Julie humbles
herself, not wanting praise and reminds everyone to give all glory to God. Frank humbles himself to give a
testimony of how God has delivered him from the bondage of drug addiction and is led by the spirit to sing for the
glorification of God. Sheila humbly admits her short-comings and her doubts about the success of the service,
asking God to forgive her. As leaders, are they showing others how to humble themselves, surrender their will and
be accountable?
15. Luke and Merle's relationship is evolving into a father and son relationship. Merle, who was afraid of Bee getting
too close to Luke, now seems to have dropped his guard. Do you think: he trusts Luke more; he has allowed God
to free him of the fear of losing someone close to him again; or he has learned to trust God?
16. Trusting Luke more and being freed from the fear of losing someone again does not show that Merle trust God,
which should be his first priority, in order to be made perfect in love; for perfect love cast out fear. Many
marriages and relationships fail because of the issue of trust, especially if a spouse has been unfaithful.
Relationships go sour or break up, when a friend has betrayed a friend. If we have been made perfect in love, we
will not live in fear, or put strain and self-fulfilling prophecy upon our relationships. We can love others
unconditionally, knowing that we can trust God to see us through whatever comes our way. Do you have trust
issues in any of your relationships? Do you see it as being more of the other persons fault, than yours? How can
you improve your relationship? Have you surrendered your will to God? Have you been made perfect in love?
17. Luke stutters a little when mentioning his attempted suicides. Do you believe he has completely forgiven himself
for these acts? Does his struggle in talking about them suggest guilt and shame? Do you believe God has forgiven
Him? Should he give these feelings over to God?
18. Forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing for us to do. Satan wants to keep us in bondage to prevent us from
moving on and growing. Have you or someone you know attempted suicide? Have you forgiven yourself?
19. Luke hasn't grasped why they spend so much time reciting who they are in Christ (see below). Like many people,
he goes through the words and motions, but he hasn't digested, absorbed and applied the Word to his life. Does
Luke need to talk more about his feelings? Do you think that his guilt and shame keep him from doing so? How
can we help people dealing with this problem?
20. Luke was afraid of disappointing Merle. He is probably not use to receiving acceptance and forgiveness. If Luke
talked to others more about his feelings concerning his suicide attempts and past, do you think he could come to
see the bondage he is still in?
21. Has society and religion made it more difficult for people to accept and help those with mental illnesses and
bondage?
22. Read Ephesians 4 below. Do you understand the function of the Five-Fold Ministry that Jesus sent?
23. God is a god of order. This Truth we learn from the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Most worship services are built around this
statement. Some people shutter at the idea of letting the Holy Spirit lead the service. Many have the spirit of
control and feel they must control everything within the church. However, who is the Holy Spirit, but God?
Therefore, any service led by God's Holy Spirit should be an ordered and cohesive service. When is this not the
case? When those in the service have not been born again and filled with the Spirit of God. Therefore, they are
acting out of self. Have you seen or attended a service that was supposed to be Spirit led, but was chaotic and
unorganized? Were you uncomfortable?
24. With spiritual helpers, The Five-Fold Ministry, Jesus provided for the equipping and maturing of the saints
(Ephesians 4:12-13) 12" to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to
the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Who should address lost sheep who act out of self and/or they have
gone astray? --The pastor, who is their shepherd. Can he equip ALL the saints by himself, just by rendering a
sermon?
25. Merle had arranged for helpers to come from other churches, which was a practice in the early days of
Christianity. Do you think Merle was comfortable in doing this because he completely trusted them, or because he
had learned to walk by faith and not by sight?
26. Frank talked about how his first experience with Spiritual Warriors laying hands and casting out demons was
weird and scary. A lot of people probably feel the same way he did, because they have not been properly informed
or equipped to engage in spiritual warfare and the laying of hands. This however, is a necessary part of equipping
the saints and discipleship. Jesus and his disciples cast out demons and healed. The Five-Fold Ministry is the
balance needed to mature the saints for these works and services so that there will be no chaos or confusion and
gifts are used in accordance to God's Word, giving all glory to God. Do you know your spiritual gifts and calling?
Have you asked God to show you? Are you being equipped for work and services in the Kingdom? Are you being
accountable to someone and God for how you use His gifts? Do you give all glory to God?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ephesians 4 (KJV)
Who I Am in Christ
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I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).
I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).
I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).
I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).
I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).
I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being
enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18).
I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to
speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me
(Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19).
I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of
Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9-10).
I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into
my bosom (Luke 6:38).
I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians
4:19).
I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).
I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
I am Gods child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever
(1 Peter 1:23).
I am Gods workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
I am a spirit being alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).
I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).
I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).
I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).
I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).
I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).
I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).
I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).
I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).
I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).
I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).
I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into Gods kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).
I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).
I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).
I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12).
I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).
I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).
I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).
I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).
For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).
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YCCM PART 4 DETAILS
Chapter 26
THE GAMBLER
He had been gambling since childhood, playing cards, shooting dice, playing for marbles, baseball cards, and
comic books and so on. Now, he plays the casinos and race tracks--large and small--the game depends on his
cash-on-hand and how high the stakes are that day.
Gambling? So what's the BIG DEAL? Win a little--lose a little. Sure, he owes a lot of people money, but it's
their loss.
He believes he was BORN to be a gambler. It's in his blood. It's as second nature to him as getting out of bed,
brushing his teeth and drinking water from a glass; and he'd much rather gamble, than have to put energy into
the latter.
Gambling and making those next dollar bills to continue gambling, consumes his thoughts. Sure, he likes
women, drinking and socializing, but even the women know they take a back seat, when the table is set, the
chips are stacked and there's money waiting to fill his pockets.
Little does he know that he's just the front guy and his thoughts no longer belong to him. Why not? Because he's
under the spell of another--the real high roller, who only goes for the highest stakes--souls. The front guy labors
in vain, as an indentured servant, helping his master to corrupt everyone around him. He can never win enough,
no matter how much he wins and he can never pay his debts because his master brings new charges against him
daily.
He's in a rut, but, he's been down in there so long, down looks like up and up looks like down. Yeah, he's a
winner alright, but he can't win for losing.
Yes sir-ree, gambling puts you into bondage to another master. How? --Through Pride. You believe you're in
control because of the false sense of empowerment it gives.
Those who see gambling as innocent unless it becomes addictive, fail to see that it is an issue of FAITH. Where
are you placing your faith?! This is what the enemy doesn't want you to see.
God said to have NO OTHER GODS and to put ALL of our trust in Him. He will supply our needs. When you
put your faith in luck and chance, you live a life that's not about God's Will and Way.
You have another belief system based on chance and luck, IDOLS, tools of Darkness, magicians, fortune tellers,
and the occult; tools, that you believe will enable you to BEAT THE ODDS!
You are soon fooled into making gambling acceptable because you're a WINNER! You've got SKILLS and that
SPECIAL touch. You're a smart cookie, whos got hustle, street sense, and you've got GAME! "You know when
to hold 'em and when to fold 'em." YOU control gambling, it doesn't control you. You're not addicted so that
makes it okay for you to do it.
First Timothy 6:10 tells us,
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered
from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Hebrews 13:5 declares, Keep your lives
free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I
leave you; never will I forsake you. Matthew 6:24 proclaims, No one can serve two masters.
Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and Money. (gotquestions.org)
But, You are a money-making machine and able to take care of yourself. Even when your pockets are empty and
you're stone cold broke, you're still believing the lies. You tell yourself, or hear that voice say, "All you need is a
little start up money to make the magic happen again." And that's what our guy is feeling today, MAGIC at his
fingertips, electricity surging through his veins and ready to spark some action. He's feeling LUCKY and luck is
going to bring in the money to get him what he wants, including MORE MONEY!
Gambling and money are the center of his life. It made him forget about worshipping and serving God a long
time ago. Now, he's separated and isolated from his Help. Now, he feels dependent upon gambling to supply all
his needs, instead of God. It's his cure for loneliness and inadequacy. It's his dose of medicine for what ails him
on a rainy day. It takes away the hunger for a better life and each time fools him into believing that this is the
day when it's ALL going to change.
He does acknowledge that there is a higher power, but, he tries to serve two masters. In his mind, God exists to
do HIS bidding, when he needs Him. He believes God is his side-guy, his good luck charm, who exists to aid
him in winning. And when he wins, he believes it must be God's reward and his blessing to continue gambling.
He uses God, but he worships and clings to his other master, Satan, doing his bidding. As long as he continues
to put his trust and faith in him, he is in BONDAGE. No, he's not interested in breaking free. What for? He can't
get past his love of the world and worldly things to see that he's missing out on truly living.
As a result of all of this, he's developed a kind of split personality and paranoia, Satan has used gambling to
instill fear into his heart and mind, and that fear leads him into acts of desperation. This is when he does the
most harm to the people around him and those who love him. He USES them, STEPS on them and over them to
get what HE wants. It's ALL ABOUT HIM, EVEN WHEN IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM, HE
WANTS TO STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT!
Some people wonder if he's got a heart. Others say he lost that long time ago or he was born without one.
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But, he tells everybody, "I don't care what they say about me. I'm in this for ME!
I'm taken the EASY road so I ain't gotta be accountable to NOOO--BODY," he says. He's his OWN boss and
NOBODY can tell him what to do!
I've met guys like him before, some call them 'real jerks', but that just ain't nice. They're lost souls. They like
things easy because they can't handle the DIFFICULT things in life.
And the world certainly has made it EASY for them to gamble; just as the world has made it so easy for
everybody to SIN. You don't have to go to a casino. You can go online at home or go to an internet cafe to
become addicted to gambling. There are plenty of ways we can gamble at work, school, home, shopping, on
Monday night football and so on. FOR PETE'S SAKE! People will bet on ANYTHING!
City, county, state, and federal governments encourage gambling to add to the economy, fund schools,
government programs and circulate wealth. The world is a big slot machine, just pull the handle and watch it
spin a lie to keep you hooked!
EVERYONE knows people like to gamble because they like to WIN! Oh, of course they need money and want
money, but aren't there other ways of getting money? Why gambling? IT'S QUICK AND EASY! Immediate
gratification...Yes! The thrill and the high...Yes! Need of identity and attention...Yes! All of these things are
right, but at the HEART of a habitual gambler is FEAR, which of course stems from PRIDE.
--Fear and Pride? Yeah, it's sort of hard to believe with them being so confident in betting and throwing their
money out there, but, it's like having an infected tooth. We know the only way to get any real relief is to go to
the dentist and have it pulled, but they choose to go gamble to try to take their mind off of the pain. As painful
as it may be, they don't want to be cured, or to alleviate the pain because it satisfies another need. But, in the
end, gambling doesn't satisfy their REAL need and after temporary relief, the pain comes back, so they have to
repeat the cycle.
To help these kinds of people, we've got to treat this like a dentist treats an infected tooth. You don't just pull the
tooth, which in this case is Pride, without first treating the infection, which is fear, or the infection will spread
throughout the body. To remove the fear, we must dispel the lie that brought it.
If we keep the person away from gambling environments, will that cure their desire to gamble? No? If we take
away their winnings each time, will that cure them? No? If we threaten their loved ones, will the desire leave
them? --Probably not. How about making gambling less enjoyable? --Shock therapy? Nope, won't work. That
would be trying to replace one fear with another fear. We could drive the person into finding new ways to
escape, along with gambling.
What if we put Jesus at the wheel and He went straight for the heart? Perhaps, He would say to the gambler,
who believes he is doing what is right, that he lacks ONE thing--Perfect Love.
Our gambler retorts, "Oh, no,no,no! I love everybody! --And to prove it, I'm going to buy everyone a round of
drinks."
Jesus, being the calm and cool guy that He is, might give him a warm, understanding smile and say, that's not
necessary.
If you truly love them, I would like you to go and tell each one of them everything about yourself, from birth,
until now, leaving NOTHING out.
Tell them how gambling has changed your life. Tell them how it affects your relationships and why you'd rather
gamble than have healthy relationships.
Tell them the other feelings that go along with gambling--the fear and desperation, the loneliness, the guilt and
shame.
Tell them it is easier for you to hide inside of gambling because it's too hard for you to surrender your will to
God and you like things and relationships that are easy, not requiring any work on your part.
Tell them all you've missed out on in your family's lives.
Tell them that your gambling addiction requires you to remain selfish, greedy, deceitful, secretive, unattached,
self-centered, egotistical and arrogant.
Tell them how you have no accountability to anyone and pretend to be in control of your life to cover up your
weaknesses and the fact that you live in constant fear.
Tell them how gambling makes you feel you don't need God and winning makes you feel like you are a god,
giving you a false sense of being fearless, controlling and conquering others; being undefeated and invincible.
If you truly love them, tell them, that you are addicted to gambling, not just out of fear of not being successful
in another area of your life; but for you, it is fear of not being successful in anything else in your life; a curse
handed down to you from your father, who loved money and working for money more than his own son and
more than instilling good morals and values into his son to lead a life led by holiness and righteousness.
Tell them, that is the void you are trying to fill, which could be filled with truly loving others and yourself. It
could be filled with becoming who God created you to be. It could be filled with having healthy relationships, if
you would surrender your will to God.
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If you truly love them, tell them how it all began and how long you've been doing this; the faces you've seen
that have come and gone in and out of your life, because, you refuse to change. Tell them about the other
addictions that you struggle with because you opened the door to the adversary and welcomed him in.
Tell them that misery loves company and what you have loved about them is the opportunity to use them, take
their money, and see them miserable, too, to make you feel better about yourself.
Tell them that because you truly love them, you will stop gambling and want to be their role model, mentor and
support system. Humble yourself before God, seek His face, repent of your sins, and follow me.
If you love them, continue to pray for the deliverance of your Brothers and Sisters and help them to overcome
what has kept you in bondage.
DO THIS FOR ME, because you truly LOVE Me, as I love you and want to SAVE those whom I LOVE!
Follow Me and I will give you peace and fill your void with Perfect Love that casts out fear. I will give you
abundant and eternal life. YES, YOU!! Who was lost and in sin. FOLLOW ME, as I follow and obey our
Father and help Me increase the Kingdom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Praise God, my Brothers and Sisters!

We could take the scenario of The Gambler and apply it to other addictions and bondages and use it to lead
people to Jesus to dispel the lies in their life.
The Jesus within us wants to empower us to lead others to follow Him. We can inspire, encourage and even help
others draw from The Well That Shall Never Run Dry. We can lead them to drink from His Fountain of Perfect
Love, Peace, Abundant and Eternal Life and live with Accountability.
FIRST, we must establish a RELATIONSHIP with them. We can't build up walls and block out communication
and we must learn to PENETRATE walls that have been built up by others. We become the EXAMPLE of Jesus
to show them how to live and have a RELATIONSHIP with God, instead of a religion.
This is how we take them to meet Jesus, who always did what He saw His Father do and obeyed to please Him.
He will tear down ALL of their walls of Darkness, make them perfect in love, increase their faith, and be their
fortress and Light to stand against the enemy. Yes, we can please our Father, too. Abiding in Jesus, let us dispel
lies and free our brother from bondage, doing all things in love.
The world wants us to believe we are just ordinary people, so, you find everyone wanting to become SPECIAL,
changing themselves into something they aren't, in order to do so. But, this is just part of the lies that Satan
feeds us.
Why would an All Knowing, Almighty God, create something ordinary? There are no ordinary people. Each of
us is a one-of-a-kind, rare jewel, a masterpiece of workmanship, created by THE Master. God made each one of
us extraordinary and unique; each with a set of distinct fingerprints to make his or her mark on the world, not
the other way around. WE were created to CHANGE the world and as a result BUILD GOD'S KINGDOM!
It would be wonderful and so easy if we were born knowing exactly what we were created to do. It would also
be less stressful, if our society and world were set up and well organized to place everyone in the job they were
specifically created to do. However, that's not how the world works and that's not how God works.
Yes, God gave us each various talents and gifts, but God wants us to be diverse and flexible so He can use us in
various ways to help and serve one another. We may find our niche in the world, but we should keep ourselves
open to be used by God in the capacity in which we are needed.
God wants you to know you are special! There is someone only YOU can help. We must come to realize that
God is strategic in His planning and so was He in His creation of man.
Yet, too often, we feel as if life is like living in a big family. We wonder, "When do I get my turn? Where are my
blessings?"
Satan has instilled another lie into us; that is, the one of it's all about me and I deserve! We may even believe
we don't have to wait or shouldn't have to wait for our turn, because we are MORE deserving than someone
else.
But, it's not about us, it's about GOD, Who ALONE is worthy, of "blessings and honor and glory."
We were created to SERVE others in order to receive blessings. God gave us everything we need to be a
blessing to others when he embedded part of His spirit within us to give us life. He gave us POTENTIAL! He
created us to serve and give, not just to take and get, or to become bitter and jealous of what others have.
ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE:
But, We MUST Make One Another ACCOUNTABLE
One day, while waiting at a bus stop, I encountered a gentleman, who was full of anger and hatred for the world
and his fellow man, especially, white people, since they had mistreated him and his race. He stood in front of
me early on a hot, summer morning, sweating, drinking a beer, and proceeded, in his best drunken machismo
style, to make an effort at flattering, and wooing me, expecting to win my admiration and attention.
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He belonged to that segment of Black men in our society today, who have been led down the wrong path, or
trapped within a racially biased legal system, the result being prison time. Upon release he hadn't found much
more waiting for him, than--time and bondage.
He had fathered a child by a woman; I soon came to realize was my cousin. He was very bitter and angry over
the child's court ordered custodial arrangement, due to having a troubled mother and family, leaving himself out
of the equation.
I tried to help him reason and turn his anger into understanding, but he became rude, belligerent and profane,
even verbally attacking two white men standing near, whose attention had been drawn toward us, due to his
outburst of volatile behavior and who probably feared for my safety. However, I remained calm and at peace, no
doubt protected by God's unchanging hand upon me.
The height of his anger came when he realized that I was trying to make him accountable for his current actions,
feelings and role in the course of events. He responded with, "I DON'T HAVE TO JUSTIFY MYSELF TO
YOU! ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME. I HAVE A REASON TO BE BITTER AND ANGRY. "
No you don't, I said. God is Almighty, All Powerful; He can turn whatever happened in your life into good.
It seemed to make him calm down a little; however, our conversation was soon ended by the arrival of the bus.
Whew! I thought that would be the end of it, but, he made it a point to sit across from me on the bus.
Apparently, I had connected. I was hoping I wouldn't receive more of the same behavior or it was going to be a
short bus ride for him.
However, I know I shouldn't continue to be surprised by these things, but he had gained control over that spirit
or spirits within him. In a sobered voice and demeanor, he apologized to me and told me that I was right about
everything and that he really wasn't a bad person. I said, "I know you're not."
I proceeded to empathize with him and bring out the plight and persecution of the Black male in America, but
with that goes accountability not to live up to the enemys expectations. He told me how he wanted to do better
for himself and his child. We must pray and believe a seed was planted for God's Holy Spirit to grow.
How does this relate to THE GAMBLER? Well, both men are living in frustration and bondage, trapped within
walls of their own creation, because of pride and fear. They wanted an easy way out and chose gambling,
drinking, drugs, racism, blame, violence; some way to feel BETTER about being helpless, emasculated,
trapped, demeaned, disenfranchised, disconnected from relationships, guilt, shame and sin.
They were blinded from TRUTH and hearing the truth wasn't easy for either one of them. Upon hearing the
truth, no doubt, PRIDE fought back and Satan tightened his grip. But, those in bondage and those around
MUST HEAR TRUTH OR THEY WILL LEAD OTHERS TO PERISH WITH THEM!
My Brothers and Sisters, this is part of DISCIPLESHIP! WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT! Don't miss
OPPORTUNITIES that God places in front of you to make a difference and plant a seed or form a
RELATIONSHIP to CHANGE someone's life. Do not let your eyes and heart deceive you, telling you to put up
walls because that person doesn't look or act worthy of your attention.
LET US TEAR DOWN THE WALLS AND OPEN THE DOOR TO CONVERSATION AND GODLY
RELATIONSHIPS!
STANDING IN FAITH AND IN GOD'S HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
Speaking to you, In PEACE, In LOVE, In JOY, to the GLORIFICATION of God, Our Father,
Your servant,
mishael
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PART 4
Chapter 27
MUSIC: A Spiritual Language
JANUARY 2017
Happy New Year, My Brothers and Sisters!

This year was created for you, because God has a plan for your life. There are people for you to meet, places for
you to go and things for you to do that were designed for you to make a difference. Start out by taking time to
listen to the voice of God to lead you.
Patience is needed for every living and growing creation of God. Taking time to be patient and listen is a
problem in today's fast-paced society. We live in a world where most people want everything fast, for instance:
fast food; fast online shopping; fast banking; fast ways to make money; fast business transactions; fast holidays;
and even fast time spent with one another.
It appears that we don't have time to slow down or to be patient. However, this year, why not change the
atmosphere? All things are possible when attached to The Vine, Jesus, who will help you to be patient and bear
good fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
During this holiday season, I have experienced fast and I have experienced slow and due to the activity and
demands of the season, it sometimes became a challenge to be patient and wait on the Lord. Trying to meet
deadlines and mass produce can help you stay on task and be productive, but it is possible to completely miss
your target and goals by rushing ahead of God.
Reading and writing require patience. A book is not always the best way to reach people; especially a book
entitled YOU CAN'T CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie. Its title alone can automatically invoke the spirit of
rebellion and many people aren't that committed to change to read the entirety of a book. However, this book is
not just for those who are looking for self-help, but for those who believe in the power to change others through
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit within us. This requires patience and steadfast faith. God often requires us to
slow down, be still, trust, obey and have faith. Patience can be a true test of walking by faith and not by sight.
My most productive and quality time has been when I've slowed down and waited on God to show me the next
step. And, that's what I have been doing, slowing down, taking my time writing and listening to God, along with
trying to be a better servant and vessel by taking care of myself, also.
Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Yes, being patient can be a challenge at times, but the challenge can be met and the labor becomes fruitful.
Wisdom is often gained with patience. God has reminded me of why the older generations loved the old slow-
metered gospel songs and from them, I have gained an even better understanding from which to draw strength.
You see, most of those old slow-paced songs were born out of pain and suffering. They were meant to draw
you into the presence of God, which was the only place these people could receive understanding, strength,
relief and comfort. Those old songs were written and sung so that the words and music don't just hurry by or
slide off of you. They have time to thoroughly wash over you, penetrate and sink way down deep to stir up your
spirit and feel the manifestation of God's Holy Spirit working inside of you and through you, that is, if you've
been reborn. And, perhaps, this is why we tend to cater to the fast-paced crowd, now, since there are just not
enough people who have been born again.
The fast-paced crowd doesn't want to slow down and linger long enough to feel the power behind those slow
melodies and words of Truth slowly rising up to Heaven, praising the great Jehovah God. The spoken words are
so powerful, they grip your soul and make you weep and cry out to Heaven. The moans and groans and singing
drew the soul to repentance. One could hear the music resonating through the air to change the atmosphere, and
no one worried about how long the song was, how it sounded or who was singing it. And, somehow, even the
children knew to be quiet, for the Saints were with God. But, now...now, we often find that the fast-paced crowd
has a time limit and a set schedule to keep, because they have their own agenda. Unlike those who worship in
Spirit and Truth, the fast-paced crowd has no time and patience to tarry awhile to change lives and the
atmosphere around them. There is a time limit for sitting in reverence to the Creator of the Universe, drawing
strength, courage, wisdom, peace, faith and even drawing the wayward and lost sheep to God.
Beginning in my youth, I have been privileged to witness and experience what some would call the supernatural
orchestration of fellowship and communion with God; Believers bathing in the Light of God in harmony
together. It is a spiritual symphony played before the angels and God. As the words and music linger on, there is
a prevailing stillness, as God's presence commands Holiness. Music and voices swell and diminish, as the soul
reaches for the hand of God and Holiness commands peace, while calmness, like fluid water flows throughout
the Body, even as people rock from side to side, nod their heads, or clap their hands--there is a stillness, a
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blessed assurance that holds on to God's unchanging hand. With the naked eye, you can see souls waiting on the
Lord in good courage with strengthened hearts. This is what the language of the spirit does. It has a common
message, creating a sense of fellowship and goodwill that reverberates and resounds throughout the Body,
because of the Mind of Christ and the presence of the Lord.
That is the DIFFERENCE ...the PRESENCE of the Lord. How can we worship God without knowing and
feeling His presence? Our fast-paced world has distracted us from acknowledging the presence of GOD! We are
distracted by people; things, places, events, holidays and music that make us feel good without CONNECTING
US TO GOD! Many attend places of worship just going through the motions of worship, but God wants to have
a continuous connection and relationship with each and every one of us. The reward of rebirth is His divine
presence within us, always. He wants us to ACKNOWLEDGE His presence! Even when He came with His
Son, Jesus, did we acknowledge Him? Did we know Him? That is why He places a song in our hearts and
words of praise upon our lips; not for show, not for just feeling good and a quick high, or comfort and
temporary distraction from our day-to-day problems. There is so much more to the gift of music than wanting to
sing and dance, applaud and hand out awards.
Music is a spiritual language of emotion, like the moaning and groaning of the Holy Spirit as we pray. It is not
just for our entertainment or the entertainment of God. When we pray and as we render song and praise, God
hears and sees what is in our hearts and is able to look beyond our faults to see our need. Hallelujah, Glory to
God!
This is not to say that fast-paced music is not spiritual or effective praise. When we are expressing feelings
such as gratitude, victory or joy in the Lord, we are going to be enthusiastic, jubilant, vigorous and excited. God
sees and hears what is in our hearts, even then, but we must be careful that it is spiritual language and emotion
reflecting worship in Spirit and Truth, directed toward God and not the world and flesh.
WHAT COLOR IS MUSIC?

There are people with an exceptional gift, who have the ability to not only hear music, but experience colors
from the different tones. They are able to consistently associate each tone with a specific color as it appears
within their mind, when the tone is played for them. This appears to be an extension of the spiritual language of
music. For what purpose, or what effect it has over these individuals, perhaps only God knows, but it tells us
that music is multifaceted, that is, having many aspects or phases. Perhaps, this is why music has the ability to
affect us all in different ways. Think about that the next time you're sitting beside someone in worship, who
appears to be unaffected by the music. Will forced worship change the spiritual language within their heart?
Could God be affecting them differently through music? Could the Holy Spirit be working something out
differently through their spiritual language and interpretation of music?
Having had the experience to worship with and being invited to perform for segregated and integrated
congregations, I've always noticed the differences in styles and genres of music, whether it be Negro Spirituals,
Southern Gospel, Contemporary Christian and so on. Typically, the music defines and exposes the minds and
hearts of the people.
Most segregated congregations adhere to the music genre or style of musical interpretation of their own race.
They feel comfortable and just in doing so, because of the race and ethnicity of their congregations. I've even
been asked to stick to performing the songs of my own race when invited to a segregated congregation. It took
some time for me to allow God to extract my disgust, outrage, frustration and discouragement, having been
asked to do so. Now, with better understanding and grace, I marvel at their unbelief and pray for the veil of
ignorance to be lifted from the eyes of God's people.
Throughout my young life I was struggling between what seemed to be two different worlds at odds with one
another; worlds which had no intention of trying to understand one another, or try to truly experience what was
in the hearts and minds of the other world's people. I guess I was somewhat like a biracial child, who felt they
had no real place in either world.
One would think that things would have changed by now, but they haven't. Buildings, landscape, social and
economic conditions have changed, but thinking remains the same, because the minds of the younger
generations have been imprinted by the bound and imprisoned minds of the generations before them.
It makes one wonder, when God hears the music and song being lifted up to Him from these congregations in
bondage to lies and prejudice, when He hears the spiritual language of their hearts, are they worshipping in
Spirit and Truth, having been born again with a renewed mind? Is God pleased?
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Psalm 33:3
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Psalm 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and
shall trust in the Lord.
Psalm 96:1
O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 98:1
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O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy
arm, hath gotten him the victory.
Psalm 144:9
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing
praises unto thee.
Psalm 149:1
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Isaiah 42:10
Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea,
and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
Revelation 5:9
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation;
Revelation 14:3
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and
no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed
from the earth.
Why were these new songs composed? Why were they sung just for God? And why could no man but the
hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth learn the new song?
Satan is crafty and of course we know he is a liar. We find his lies in anything and everything to distract us and
turn us away from God. He tricks us into believing we can get around, detour from the Truth and still somehow
be right.
He has tricked many Believers into believing that new and contemporary is better and more anointed. Old
music is out of style, for the older generation, or it has served its purpose. Many often misinterpret scripture in
the Bible, describing God's people bringing forth a new song. Many even have been tricked into believing
worship and praise music is for their liking and the more new and contemporary we keep it, the bigger crowds
we'll draw and the happier God will be. But, how do music and new songs TRANSLATE TO AND FROM
THE SPIRIT? What language does it speak? What does God hear and see from the heart? Were the hundred and
forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth able to understand the spiritual language of the
new song? Did their REDEMPTION count them worthy as men to render it unto God?
As we read into God's Word, these NEW SONGS seem to be SPONTANEOUS musical renditions of joy,
gratitude and praise; spontaneous expressions from the language of the heart, an integral and innate form of
worship to the Almighty Jehovah God.
Yes, music, as it was meant to be from the beginning and continues to be, is an integral part of our worship, as
it speaks to and from the heart, with the purpose of pleasing and glorifying God. We can bring new songs into
our worship, but is God PLEASED? Is the music releasing the petitions of the spirit and communing in
holiness with the Holy Spirit of God? Is there worship in Spirit and in Truth?
--In Truth? Let us meditate on that when we sing a new song to God. What makes the song new is the NEW
REVELATION OF TRUTH being shared from our hearts unto our Father because of Truth that has been
revealed and received from Him. We see new songs in the Book of Revelation because the TRUTH OF THE
LORD IS ABOUT TO BE REVEALED, A REVELATION OF THE POWER, GLORY AND REDEEMING
GRACE OF YAHWEH. Thus, we HONOR Him with a new song from our hearts as only He is WORTHY of
the Praise and a new song is offered for the Lamb of God, Who alone is WORTHY to open the Book of Life.
The new songs aren't for OUR entertainment. As the heart of the composer speaks, and the Body is directed in
unison, it is intended to glorify GOD. So, why should we come to worship looking for a new song to satisfy and
tickle our ear, when it is our heart that should be rendering a new song to God for the message of TRUTH He
has REVEALED to us to keep us from day to day?
TRUTH NEVER GETS OLD and revealed to the blind it is NEW SIGHT!!! HALLELUJAH! That's how we
should look at songs of faith and worship. Even an old song becomes new when it departs Truth and Revelation
to a blinded soul! A soul can still cry out in revelation, at the sound of Amazing Grace, I ONCE WAS LOST
BUT NOW I'M FOUND! I WAS BLIND, BUT, NOW I SEE!!!" THANK GOD! THANK GOD! PRAISE HIS
HOLY NAME!
God wants us to sing a new song of TRUTH from our hearts as it can only be sung by us about our lives and our
need for Him in our lives. THEN SHALL THE PRAISES GO UP AND THE BLESSINGS COME DOWN!!!
Many people can compose a new song and many people can sing a new song, but are they communing in a
spiritual language from their heart? Is their new song OUR new song?
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People are eager to sing the newest songs by the most popular recording artists. People want to point out and
label anointed music and anointed musicians, misconstruing the meaning of being anointed by God and chosen
for a specific purpose. But the anointing comes with a broken and contrite (repentant) heart --a humbled spirit--
reborn and an unchained and a renewed mind.
"The Bible says that Jesus Christ was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News and free
those who have been held captive by sin (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38). After Christ left the earth, He gave us the
gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). Now all Christians are anointed, chosen for a specific purpose in furthering
God's Kingdom (1 John 2:20). "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who
also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (2 Corinthians 1:21-
22)."(gotquestions.org)
We must not confuse gifts and talents with the HOLINESS of God. Nor compare or judge one anointed over
another; for God has chosen the anointed and God has chosen their specific purpose. Although, two people may
have the same gift or talent, they may not have the same anointing. Within the institutional church, we often
usher in pride, jealousy, bitterness, strife and all manner of corruption, instead of stirring up the gifts in each
individual and allowing GOD'S anointing to direct their purpose. Why does this happen? --Because of a lack of
HOLINESS. This is why corruption took hold of Satan, Lucifer, a gifted and adorned Archangel created to fill
Heaven with Beauty and Music, but, alas, he lacked the Holiness and Righteousness of God. Ezekiel 28:12-19,
Isaiah 14:12-15
Now, on earth as he did in heaven, Satan continues to stir up strife and division, creating layers of division
within institutional churches because he corrupts minds to confusion, jealousy, comparison, judgment and
discrimination, so that the gifts, talents and the anointed cannot be used for their specific purpose.
LITTLE DAVID PLAY ON YOUR HARP

With the heart of a child, little David played upon his harp, while the sheep grazed in the fields and God was
pleased by his worship.
While watching over his flock, the shepherd boy, David, sang and played praises to the God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, whom we all know was the God of Ishmael and the God of what later became many scattered tribes
of Israel. This same Almighty God gave the Prophet, Warrior, Poet, Musician and King of Israel, David, son of
Jesse, many spiritual gifts and musical talents--the ability to compose music and lyrics, play instruments, sing
and create musical instruments to interpret the spiritual language within his heart (spirit).
David, the psalmist, singer and musician, knew he needed different instruments to produce specific sounds to
express this language of feelings that spoke to him in various emotions in a spiritual language --a language from
one spiritual being--His Father and God, who sat upon His throne on High, to another spiritual being. God's
words flooded his heart, spilling into his being and he needed to interpret them into an understandable language
to express joy, sorrow, pain, faith, victory and the goodness of the Lord. He needed instruments that could
interpret and be understood by the heart (spirit), regardless of the language the tongue spoke. Within the psalms
of the Bible, we find designated instruments to express and enhance the lyrics provided.
1 Chronicles 23 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Divisions of the Levites
23 So when David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.
2 And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and above; and the number of
individual males was thirty-eight thousand.
4 Of these, twenty-four thousand were to look after the work of the house of the Lord, six thousand
were officers and judges,
5 four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the Lord with musical instruments,
which I made, said David, for giving praise.
2 Chronicles 7:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the Lord,
which King David had made to praise the Lord, saying, For His mercy endures forever, whenever
David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel
stood.
David is God's example of an anointed, favored and versatile individual possessing spiritual gifts and talents to
be used by God as He chose, when He chose, because David, humbled himself, repented, prayed and sought
God's face, surrendered and became a willing vessel and servant.
We can say that David was in touch with his Inner Man or Spirit Man. He knew that the spirit must be fed and
it was created to express itself in praise and tribute to God. He became known as the King who danced
somewhat naked before his people, praising God and celebrating the return of the Arc of the Covenant.
It is no surprise that Satan continues to mimic God, disguised as light, while he corrupts music, because he
knows the characteristics of man's spirit. He continues to introduce false gods for man to worship and
corrupt himself through music. We can most assuredly say that not all music stirs or empowers the Spirit to
holiness and righteousness, or manifests God's Holy Spirit, but is intended for distraction and self-glorification.
Corrupted music can be found in every genre, for not all music speaks Truth and Light and often it is the one
rendering song, which then, corrupts and taints what was intended to glorify God and not man.
Does this mean God frowns upon us enjoying different genres of music? We must seek the answer to this
question within God's purpose for music and how it affects us as individuals. Music keeps us communicating
with one another in the world. Music acts as a narrative of our lives and culture, helping us to understand one
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another. Music heals and comforts through the Holy Spirit. Music helps us express our Inner Man,
communicate with God and extol praise and gratitude to God.
Still, there are things in this world that can be corrupted to distract us and lead us from the narrow path to
separate us from God. Music in any form is one of them. Through music, the adversary can persuade us to
idolize music and musicians, use us by making us an idol in the eyes of others, or use us to idolize ourselves and
follow the desires of the flesh (self). Therefore, we must be on our guard and turn from anything that tries to
separate us from God and cast out the enemy who seeks to pollute that which is intended for good and for the
glorification of God. We must examine our hearts for our intent, so that all is done in love for the glorification
of God and His Kingdom.
I suppose this is why there are religions that ban music and instruments from their worship, as they fear
corruption such as that which took place in Heaven because of the musical Archangel Lucifer, whose pride,
arrogance, lies, deceit and rebellion resulted in his expulsion from Heaven. Such is the trickery of Darkness,
disguising itself as light; for within the Garden of Eden were the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. They
were not corrupt, but Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness, the fallen angel, who allowed his pride to corrupt him,
used what was created for good to stir up pride and invite confusion, rebellion, sin and corruption into Adam
and Eve. God has not banned music and instruments from Heaven, but told us to make a joyful noise, as there
our songs of praise rendered before Him in Heaven, without end. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Psalm 100 King James Version (KJV)
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his
people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Let us not deny God of that which He, alone, is worthy--Praise. In return for His unconditional, perfect love, all
He ask for is to commune with His children, daily. We gain so much from being in His presence, we can never
meet or surpass His giving. He has created so many ways to communicate with us, even if we are blind or deaf.
Still, so many people in the world remain unaware of His presence. We, too, become so busy; we fail to
acknowledge His Spirit living within us and among us, communing with our Spirit in the same language.
Man offers the argument that God is dead, a fairy tale, or a figment of the imagination, because He can't be
seen, but, the eyes are earthly bound as is the bound soul of an unbeliever. May God have mercy upon their
soul! SLOW DOWN! TARRY A WHILE AND WAIT ON THE LORD! HUMBLE YOURSELF IN PERFECT
SUBMISSION AND SEE WITH YOUR HEART THE GLORY OF THE LORD! SEE HIS DIVINE MAJESTY
POURED OVER THE EARTH AND THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE! Truly repent, pray and seek His face.
Perhaps, then, you will hear His melodious voice calling to you and the spiritual language of your heart can
answer, "Here I am, Lord! Save me, a poor sinner."
Psalm 51: 7-10 King James Version (KJV)
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
THE OLD LANDMARK

As the old song goes, "Let us all go back to the old landmark and stay in the presence of the Lord." As we offer
music to God, let us not forget where and when we first saw the Light. As we lift up our voices in song, let us
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not forget Gethsemane and the agony Jesus suffered for us to be able to sing a new song. As we play upon our
instruments, feed upon God's Word, fellowship as we walk in His Light and commune with God, spirit to spirit,
let us not forget the old ways of worship, separated by the veil, with blood sacrifices and burnt offerings, but,
now we have Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
If we remember, we know that it is worth us slowing down, stilling our heart, allowing our spirit to absorb,
interpret and offer worthy praise to our Heavenly Father, lest we miss out on our blessings; for as they say,
when the praises go up, the blessings come down.
If we abide in JESUS, He who has suffered and died for our salvation, which by His blood, we have become
worthy to lift up our hearts in praise to the One and only Triune God of ALL people and nations, we will always
acknowledge our Father. It is through JESUS that our faith, heart and worship is perfected! Glory to God!
My friends, if you want this year to be a better year for you, start out by making it a year of praise, praying,
worshipping and communing with God in Spirit and in Truth!
The next time you sing, play, or listen to a song or musical piece, ask yourself what God will hear from the
spiritual language within your heart. Are you communing, sharing your life, putting God first, speaking truth
and having a relationship with Him? Will He be pleased with what is in your heart? Even if you are troubled,
have you come to your Father like David, with the heart of a child, humbled, repentant, prayerful, seeking His
face? Do you know that within Him is healing, comfort, restoration, peace and love? Do you know and follow
His Son? Do you really want a relationship with Him because you love Him and want to obey Him or is your
hand out just looking for something in return for your worship?
I look forward to bringing forth the many things God has placed upon my heart to share with you. I pray "It is
well" with you. May His Spirit keep you within His Will and Way, as He keeps you within His care.
In the spiritual language of music, may your heart be blessed and your soul rise up to higher heights to rest upon
the harmony of peace.
Your servant and soldier, by the sacrificial blood of Jesus, united with the One in peace and harmony,
mishael
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THE PRESENCE OF GOD
1. How often do you acknowledge the presence of God within you? Within others?
2. When you take time to acknowledge God's presence, does it change you? The atmosphere around you?
3. What is your outlook on the year ahead of you?
4. Do you believe God has a plan for your life?
5. Has God revealed to you His plans and your "specific purpose"?
6. Have you made plans this year to change your life?
7. How do you plan to go about making changes in your life?
8. Do you believe your plans are within God's Will?
9. Is God included in your plans?
10. Do you pray and talk to God daily about the changes you want to make?
PATIENCE
1. Do you need to slow down and not rush so much in your decisions and/or activities?
2. How do you plan to slow down?
3. Do you have decisions or situations in which you need patience or require you to "be still" and wait on the Lord?
4. What do you do to try and be more patient? If Jesus can command the winds and waves can He calm the storm
within you?
5. How do you see this year being different or better than last year? In what ways?
6. How do you determine better? What will make it better? Will you bear "good fruit"?
SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE
1. What type of music do you listen to?
2. Does your music reflect your mood and feelings, thoughts, experiences, race, ethnicity or culture?
3. How does your music make you feel? What messages are you receiving?
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4. Do you acknowledge God while you're listening to music?
5. What do you think He hears and sees in your heart? How does this make you feel?
6. Do you idolize music, musicians, or recording artists?
7. If God cannot be a part of your music experience, are you putting your music above God?
8. If your music reflects divisiveness, exclusion or prejudice, are you putting your music above God?
9. Does your music reflect anger, hatred, violence, abuse, obscenity, profanity, promiscuity, misogyny, love of
money and the world? Are you putting your music above God?
10. Do you participate in praise and worship when you fellowship with others?
11. Do you feel pressured to take part in praise and worship? Why or why not? How does it make you feel?
12. Have you witnessed others being pressured or criticized for not taking part?
13. What genre or style of music is typically used in your worship services? Why?
14. Is more emphasis placed on contemporary, new music than older music?
15. Has the worship music become more for the people and less of how they worship and commune with God?
16. Has a lack of holiness caused contention and strife within your music ministry?
17. What can we do as individuals to make our music more about communing with God and pleasing God? Can Jesus
help us to change within and change the spiritual language within our hearts? How? What must we do to be like
the hundred and forty and four thousand? Are we redeemed through Christ?
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Ezekiel 28:12-19 King James Version (KJV)
Isaiah 14:12-15King James Version (KJV)

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PART 5 GOD OF THE LIVING
Chapter 28
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: TAKE ME TO THE WATER
Acts 8:14-17New International Version (NIV)
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent
Peter and John to Samaria.
15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy
Spirit,
16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Narrator: Luke's second semester of classes was even more interesting than the first. He was introduced to a
very jolly Believer, Dr. Heinrich Schmidt, who very emphatically explained to the class the purpose of Baptism.
It went like this...
Professor Schmidt: When we talk about repentance, remission of sins, deliverance, change and our relationship
with God, we must not leave out the most important thing; Jesus changed EVERYTHING, by His sacrifice for
us. We can get so caught up in details that we forget that God has empowered us through Jesus.
I don't want to overwhelm you, in this first night of my class, but it is imperative that you understand what
Baptism is.
Is it a ritual or a gift? Is it an act created by GOD or ritual added by man? --To determine that, we must look at
origin, effect and direction.
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Some might think that the ORIGIN begins with John the Baptist, but where did John get it from? Did he make it
up or was he given divine inspiration and a mission? Your text books will explain the different types of baptism
throughout history within Greek, Egyptian, pagan and Judaic cultures and religions.
But, the act of baptism within Christianity today is not just for the affirmation of your faith and becoming a
member of the church. NO! It has a greater and more powerful purpose!
We are immersed in water for spiritual cleansing, in repentance of our sins that we may emerge, having gained
remission (forgiveness) of our sins, through the precious, sacrificial blood of Jesus! Is this a necessary act? No?
Yes? Consider this...
It is important to note that before Jesus' death and resurrection baptism was only repentance and cleansing, a
preparation for what was to follow. Then, through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we became
COVERED by the precious blood He shed for us, worthy of the salvation that His sacrifice granted us. Only
then did we become worthy to come before our Holy Heavenly Father to surrender our will, inviting His Holy
Spirit to rest, rule and abide within us. This pleases God and this is the EFFECT! What do I mean by this? As
God's Son pleased Him, so must we please God, also.
John the Baptist knew that Jesus was already WORTHY! He was without sin and in no need of repentance. That
is why he did not want to baptize Him. He knew that Jesus should be baptizing him! Praise God! Praise God!
Does this mean that he who has no water in which to be immersed in cannot and will not please God? Does this
mean that he who has no bread or wine to share in remembrance of Jesus cannot and does not please Jesus? NO,
by no means! It is our WILLINGNESS from our heart that God looks at; to take that which he has GIVEN us
and use it to please HIM!
As Mary did with the expensive fragrant oil, she took what was GIVEN to her from God to PLEASE Him.
So WHY would Jesus come before John to be baptized? --To announce His arrival? --To validate John and his
ministry? Let us move past our carnal thinking to the SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP between Jesus and His
Father to UNDERSTAND that Jesus did what He knew pleased His Father, taking what was GIVEN to man by
GOD and using it to please Him. THIS is the DIRECTION, in which our hearts SHOULD be turned, seeking
ALWAYS to bear GOOD FRUIT! It is because of this HUMBLE gesture; the humble heart within Jesus, always
wanting to please His Father that we ought to come running and crying out, TAKE ME TO THE WATER, TO
BE BAPTIZED!
We tend to forget that God is omnipresent, thus, we leave Him out of things. However, we must remind
ourselves that we are not alone, God is here with us. He promised NEVER to leave us alone and His angels are
around us. --Just as the angel was sent to stir the healing waters in the pool of Bethesda. When we baptize, we
must remember, that God's eyes are upon us, witnessing the act of repentance; for if not, our actions and efforts
are in vain; for only God can grant us remission of our sins.
From the emergence of the water in the womb, we are given LIFE by God! This is the ORIGIN!
From the emergence of the water of baptism and the LIVING WATER (The Word of God) OF JESUS CHRIST,
we are given NEW LIFE by God!
God sent John to baptize His children, because they had been so corrupted with sin, they needed to REPENT
and be BORN ANEW! John was preparing them for NEW LIFE! Baptism is not a RITUAL, but like a newborn
child, it is a GIFT from God! --PREPARATION FOR NEW LIFE! It is EXCITING and WONDROUS! God
created man from the dust of the earth and RECREATES him with...
WATER AND FIRE!!! (Professor Schmidt gives a little jump and waves his arms imitating an explosion to
make a dramatic effect to emphasize his point.)
We are given a new chance to live in the fullness of His Glory; having DIED with Jesus, BURYING the old
man, the FIRE of the Holy Spirit purges us, removing the dross and welding our spirit to The Vine to inherit a
NEW MIND--THE MIND OF CHRIST! Covered by the blood of Jesus, we can walk in the Light of our
Heavenly Father and commune with Him friend to Friend.
If we honor the commandments of God, there should be no debate about baptism. Do we love God with ALL of
our being? Do we want to PLEASE Him, like Jesus? When we have a RELATIONSHIP with God, we move
beyond practicing doctrine and rituals and enter into desiring to PLEASE God. If I say that my soul's desire is to
serve God and God says to me, "HEINRICH, my son, teach my children about repentance and baptism," then I
must be an EXAMPLE, like Jesus! The enemy uses doctrine to separate us, but I believe that what is good
enough for God's Son is a PRIVILEGE for me!
Have you decided? Is Baptism necessary, my Brothers and Sisters? Just remember, before you can be received
by our Holy Father to become one, you must be prepared in mind (soul), body and spirit, humbled, repentant,
cleansed and covered. As He ALWAYS does, God has prepared a way. Will you accept the Will and Way of
God?
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I would like for you to write a two-page paper on why you believe or don't believe baptismal is a vital part of
our rebirth. Remember, we are not arguing the origin or direction, but the effect to achieve the direction! Read
the pages in your books listed in the syllabus and prepare for a test next class. Class dismissed!
[The professor wipes the sweat from his brow and takes a seat.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Have you every told God you are sorry for your sins? Why or why not?
2. Has God witnessed your repentance?
3. To repent means to turn away from sin and change your ways. How do you feel about repenting of your sins?
Why do you feel this way?
4. Do you want to please God? Why or why not?
5. Do you think we should be an example for others in showing them how to repent?
6. Christ died and paid the price for our sins so that we could receive salvation. Do you consider yourself to be
saved? Why or why not?
7. Do you want to be saved?
8. Do you understand what you are saved from?
9. Christ conquered death and overcame the world. Would you like to share in Christ's Victory?
10. Do you know how to become saved?

11. Do you better understand baptism now as THE CLEANSING WATER FOR REPENTANCE OF SINS TO
PREPARE YOU FOR THE FIRE, that is, God's Holy Spirit, Who, Himself, grants REMISSION
(FORGIVENESS) because that which is UNCLEAN and UNHOLY cannot dwell with that which is HOLY?
12. When they pierced the side of Jesus upon the cross, LIVING WATER flowed from His side signifying NEW LIFE
that had been given to man through the sacrifice and salvation of Christ. When we repent and accept Jesus, His
LIFE GIVING WATER, which flowed from Calvary, washes over us as His sacrificial blood covers us. God uses
cleansing, Life-giving water and Fire to make us over, just as a potter works with clay to create a jar or vase. If the
potter leaves out a step, will the jar or vase be made correctly or be whole?
13. We know that salvation is free because Jesus paid it all, but we must DESIRE what it has to OFFER. By
REPENTING we are choosing ANOTHER WAY--the WAY given to us through acceptance of Jesus, The Truth,
The Way and The Life. By being baptized, we SHOW God that we are ready and willing to ACCEPT and
SURRENDER to His Will and Way. We can also accept Jesus with our mouth, but we must ask ourselves, "Why
hadn't the Holy Spirit fallen on ANY of the Samarians, who had accepted the Word of God and been baptized
ONLY in Jesus' name? Why did it require the prayers of John and Peter? What was missing? What and WHO had
been OMITTED? Acts 8:14-17 New International Version (NIV)
14. Without God there can be no REMISSION (forgiveness) of sins, for it is He, whom we have offended and HIS
presence that manifests the ONE, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost within us. Therefore, we MUST baptize in the
name of the Father, Son and (God's) Holy Ghost. Are Baptism (WATER AND FIRE) vital steps in our REBIRTH?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acts 8 King James Version (KJV)
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Chapter 29
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING:
PLEASING GOD
Matthew 21:23-27 King James Version (KJV)
23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came
unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who
gave thee this authority?
24
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I
in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with
themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then
believe him?
26
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
27
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I
you by what authority I do these things.
Narrator: On the way home from class, Luke, who has never been baptized, gives his professor's comments a
great deal of thought and decides he wants to be baptized. The following Sunday, he chose to join others to be
baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the presence of other Believers as witnesses.
At his baptism, Merle, the presiding minister delivers a compelling sermon, entitled, Pleasing God."
Merle: My Friends, What does your heart tell you? Is baptism a ritual? Did John the Baptist believe he was
performing a ritual or doing what God had instructed him to do?
Matthew 3:1-3 tells us:

1. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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Then, Matthew 3:4-6 states:
4. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his
meat was locusts and wild honey.
5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
"CONFESSING THEIR SINS," it says. Which of us who is truly REPENTANT will do this today, or are we
too PROUD, believing baptism to be a private thing to hide our sins?
John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus, God's Son. God is a god of order. Therefore, He always
makes preparations. He prepares the messenger and He prepares the way. Word of John's coming was first
foretold to the prophet Esaias to prepare the people. Then, John the Baptist prepares the Jews telling them in
Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier
than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
So, here we are told that baptism is not just done with WATER. God is preparing the MINDS and the
HEARTS of the people so that we don't argue amongst ourselves over doctrine like the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
In Mark 10:35-40, Jesus speaks of another type of baptism:
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou
shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left
hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I
drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them
for whom it is prepared.
Jesus explains His baptism in Mark 10:43-45.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
ransom for many.
Jesus, who was without sin, was baptized--anointed and given a specific purpose and sacrifice to make.
However, Jesus did not leave without preparing the people for the next phase of baptism by FIRE, which is
the HOLY GHOST or SPIRIT of GOD. Did this do away with baptism by water? --No, my friends. Before
we can come under the FIRE, we must REPENT, SURRENDER AND DIE WITH JESUS TO BE
CLEANSED OF OUR SINS AND ARISE, COVERED BY HIS HOLY, and SACRIFICIAL BLOOD!
The potter must BREAK THE VESSEL to make it over again.
Matthew 21:42-44 King James Version (KJV)
42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected,
the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation
bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind
him to powder.
The Kingdom of God has been opened to us. Which shall it be my Brothers and Sisters? To change from our
wicked ways, we must go to the Rock to be broken and die to the flesh, so that love of SELF and the WORLD
does not lead us back to drown in iniquity and be destroyed.
Repentance and Baptism is the Process that prepares us for Transformation, where we will come under the FIRE
of God's Holy Spirit to receive a NEW MIND. God is a god of order, who PREPARES. Thus, why wouldn't and
shouldn't we prepare OURSELVES to come into the PRESENCE of HOLINESS and be PLEASING, WASHED
AND CLEANSED FROM THE SMELL OF SIN, HUMBLED, A SWEET AROMA UNTO OUR GOD?
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The Disciples understood this and continued to baptize after the Holy Spirit had been sent. Can WE understand
this, now? Baptism is not to be taken lightly. Neither is it to be taken for GRANTED. No, baptism isn't a
commandment; neither is the taking of Holy Communion. Wherein, Jesus made a REQUEST for His Disciples
to remember Him, as often as they break bread and drink wine together. God wants us to come willingly to
surrender all and make him Lord over our lives. Baptism marks admissions of sin, repentance, surrendering all
to our Father, the cleansing of our sins, DYING WITH JESUS as we submerge beneath the water and rising
again defeating sin and death as we emerge professing JESUS as our Lord and Savior. Can we just skip over the
physical act or do we FOLLOW OUR MASTER?
Jesus always sought to please His Father. The Disciples obeyed Jesus because they wanted to please God. John's
disciples obeyed because they wanted to please God! That's what disciples DO! Jesus was showing us this,
when He was submissive to John. John, in turn, knowing Jesus was more than worthy, obeyed Jesus and
baptized Him, because it was God's Will. John also wanted to please God. Together, they showed us that it is not
about us! It is about pleasing God!
When we stopped being Disciples, the enemy was able to fool us. He confounded our minds and confused us to
turn us against one another. We were able to be separated because we started thinking about self and we stopped
trying to please God!!
Baptism became a ritual when it began to be used to please man--meaning man believed he could be baptized
without truly repenting and turning away from sin and pleasing God. Jesus' example showed us that it is
ALWAYS about pleasing God, no matter who you are!
In Revelation, we find that The Lamb of God was the only one worthy to open the Book of Seven Seals! What
makes any man think he can sneak by God, without being covered in the blood of Jesus?! God sees your heart!
He smells the sin upon you! His Spirit cannot dwell in an unclean temple!
Jesus came back and walked among His Disciples. He could have very well said, you can stop baptizing those
folks now, but He didn't, because He already told us what was going to happen. He knew that some would stop
following Him and be led astray by false doctrine. God can separate the wheat from the tares by those who live
to please Him, doing ALL things for the glorification of God.
Children of God, there should be no argument, dispute or doctrine governing baptismal, concerning whether or
not it is necessary or a rite. Within the church--the Body of Christ, it is a gift from God to emerge from HIS life-
giving water, cleansed from sin.
Now, WE are the Body. CHRIST is the Head. We follow Christ and the Mind of Christ. The Mind of Christ
ALWAYS tries to please the Father! Again, Baptism is an act of pleasing God! IT IS NOT ABOUT US! IT'S
ABOUT PLEASING GOD!
[Merle sees the sanctuary door open and Bee walks in wearing a floral dress and a pillbox hat. In his eyes, she's
a delicate flower, as beautiful as the day he married her.
Merles heart leaps and he feels a resurgence of joy. Thanking God inside of his heart, he smiles and continues.]
It's not about us. It's about doing what will please God.
Jesus didn't get baptized by John because it was His coming out party into the world, or coming of age. It wasn't
an act of becoming a Christian.
John was telling people that the time had come for God's people to repent of their sins and enter into
HOLINESS, the Kingdom of God. Therefore, they had to prepare themselves: humble themselves; confess their
sins to be cleansed and purged and emerge into the new life.
John was doing what was pleasing to God; what He was sanctified and ordained in the womb to do. It was no
coincidence that God told him to take people to the water and submerge them back into the water from which
they emerged from the womb to be reborn again. God always has a plan!
Jesus knew John was doing what he was supposed to do and that it pleased God. He knew that what John was
doing was the precursor of what was to come; that is, baptismal by water and fire.
My friends, Jesus didn't come to steal John's limelight or his followers. He didn't want to make himself look
better than John. He didn't come to support John because he was a close relative and to keep the business
wrapped up and coming to their family.
Jesus came to leave a footnote; a footnote that most people fail to read or understand and that is to ALWAYS--
do-- what--PLEASES--the Father.
No matter what YOU think the protocol, policy or doctrine should be; no matter whom you are; no matter
where you came from; no matter what your status or education; no matter how GOOD you think you are.
Oh, my Lord!!
You must HUMBLE yourself!! Baptize me John--Jesus said, the Son of God! He was setting an example. Let
no man esteem himself better than the other. Glory to God! Let every man PLEASE God!
And what did our Father tell those present, giving us witness to this Truth?
"This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."
[Merle can't help but to glance at Luke. Luke gives him a boyish grin.]
Please God my friends; not because I say; not because it is within your church doctrine; not to please mother,
father, friends, relatives, pastor or self. Please God because it is within your heart--a heart that follows Jesus to
do so, because, of your love for your Father.
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Pleasing God is what many within the church have stopped doing because they'd rather please man first. Yet,
knowing this we can begin to turn things around. We can dispel the lies that we have allowed to separate us
from one another and our Father. If we humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, repent and be born again.
Pleasing Him is what God is asking us to do when He says "seek my face." I know that I want to please Him,
my Brothers and Sisters; not just because of what He has done for me, but because of WHO He is.
What would the world be like without the knowledge of goodness, love, kindness, peace, joy, patience, self-
control, faith and long-suffering?
--no beauty; no music; no friendship; no fellowship; no sharing; no harmony; no hope; no grace; and--no--
mercy.
Father, we thank you for your presence --your being--your Spirit. Bless these, your children who have come to
be baptized in Your name and in the name of Your Son and Your Holy Spirit.
Brothers and Sisters, Baptism is indeed a life-changing moment in the life of a Believer; not to be taken lightly.
Let us rejoice for their choosing to confess and repent of their sins! Let us rejoice for the sacrifice of our Savior
and His precious blood that was shed for our sins to be forgiven!
Let us pray as One for God's Holy Spirit to fall upon these repentant souls and rest, rule and abide within them,
forever. Let us rejoice for their choosing to become One with the Father and Son and One with Us, The Body of
Christ!
[Each baptismal candidate is taken into the water confessing and repenting of their sins, prayed for and
submerged. After joining hands and singing, Merle gives the benediction.]
Now, we are joined with them and they are joined with us! We are accountable to one another, members of the
Body of Christ, Children in the family and KINGDOM of God!
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my
strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:1-2
Amen and Praise God!
Narrator: Luke wanted to thank Bee for coming to his baptism, but, he turned around and she was no where to
be found.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Have you been baptized? Why or why not?
2. Do you belong to a religion or denomination that believes in baptism?
3. Do you have a better understanding of baptism, now?
4. Would you consider baptism, if your place of worship allowed it?
5. If you have been baptized, do you feel that it changed your life? Why or why not?
6. Were you ready to be baptized or did you get baptized to join a church or to please others?
7. When you were baptized did you understand what it meant to be baptized?
8. Were you old enough to understand what it meant to be baptized?
9. Do you feel that it is necessary to be re-baptized if you didn't understand its meaning?
10. Have you been christened (sprinkled with water to be dedicated or given to be raised in the Christian Faith)?
11. Do you understand the difference between being Christened and being baptized?
12. If you were baptized, did you receive the Holy Spirit? How do you know? Were there signs?
13. Have you been told that there must be signs that you have received God's Holy Spirit, such as, speaking in
tongues?
14. Are there other 'Gifts of the Holy Spirit'?
15. Does everyone possess all the 'Gifts of the Holy Spirit' or are these things that can be manifested THROUGH you
BY the Holy Spirit as He wishes to give them to each individual?
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 King James Version (KJV)
7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds
of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
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11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
16. When we choose to become a part of something, we must fully understand what it is we are joining and our role
and obligations within. Does joining and becoming a member of a church automatically make you a member of
the Body of Christ? How are we joined to Christ, The Vine?
17. Our heart (spirit) plays an important role in repenting, accepting Christ, and receiving God's Holy Spirit to joins
us to the Body of Christ. Do you wish to have a changed heart?
18. Do you want to please God? What can you do today to please Him?
19. Will you join me and the Body of Christ in praying for the hearts of our leaders and people throughout the world
who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 Corinthians 12 King James Version (KJV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 30
COMMITMENT
Psalm 37:4, 5
4
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Narrator: Luke spent the next two years committed to learning about being a willing vessel and disciple, along
with developing and using spiritual gifts and talents. He learned about being humble, communing with God,
listening and being prayerful at all times. He learned the importance of faith; and believing and trusting God to
Transform and guide you.
He was surrounded by a new family, many of who were mature Believers, whom he was willingly accountable
to and who were trained in addiction recovery, counseling, and discipleship. He was accountable for how he
spent his free time and accountable for spending time in training, counseling, Bible study and worship. He had
become a soldier in training and his teachers wanted him to be fully equipped daily to conquer the world,
wearing God's Armor and bearing the Fruit of God's Holy Spirit.
As he heard the testimonies of other Believers, soon he became encouraged and led to share his own testimony,
also; a testimony in which Merle, Bee and many of his new family had played a huge part.
He had a support system and team to see that he had what he needed; that he stayed in school; and worked part-
time to earn his keep. He was actively involved in life and ministry. He felt needed and wanted and he knew
that people cared about what happened to him and loved him.
Was he happy? He was discovering what true happiness really was, but, he knew not to look for it in a needle,
pills, alcohol or any other types of drugs. He knew he definitely wouldn't find it there. He never actually did.
The drugs just made him forget how unhappy he was.
Through God and His Son, he was learning to love himself and discovering who he was meant to be. He
understood now that through no fault of his own, he was unequipped as a child to handle all that was going on
around him. He was unequipped, but never unprotected, for God and His angels were always there.
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Still, he had questions and--well, there something else that lingered and left him unsettled and uneasy. He knew
that in time, God would reveal it to him and he had to be patient.
Luke was committed to exploring his new self and improving his relationship with his Father in Heaven.
However, everything still felt pretty new to Luke, even when he would spend time in prayer and meditation. He
always wondered if he was doing it right. He'd ask Merle about it sometimes and Merle would answer, "Does it
feel right to you?"
When Luke was with others in fellowship, especially when observing them at home, learning about their
relationship with Jesus and God, he felt like he was a part of something extraordinary. Perhaps, he thought, this
was what he was always missing. It meant something to be part of the Body of Christ, living, contributing and
sharing your gifts in a community of God's Saints. He knew this only worked because they always put Christ as
the Head and committed to following Him, drawing others to Him and increasing the Kingdom of God.
Being with other Believers and meeting new people to support one another through trials and tribulations,
helped him learn to rest more and abide in Jesus and God's Holy Spirit, following the Mind of Christ. He
wondered if this is what it meant to become a disciple, following Jesus, obeying your Father; spreading the
Good News of the Kingdom, so that others may also repent and be reborn.
For the first time in his life, he felt at peace, safe and living a life with true purpose and meaning. It was a much
needed feeling and although he had many responsibilities and obligations to meet, this is the first time his body
felt at ease and able to rest and relax. He had spent his life holding feelings, emotions and heartache tightly
inside, with no way of releasing them, outside of taking drugs.
Although it was difficult, it was a joy to go to school. Luke studied hard for his first sermon. It would count as
one third of his final grade and he wanted it to be good. There was a panel of three professors who graded you
and one of them was Professor Heinrich Schmidt. He had done well in Dr. Schmidt's class and he felt confident
in receiving good marks from him. Luke shut himself off from people, the world, and the multitude of problems
around him in order to concentrate. When, he delivered his sermon, he felt confident with his facts.
However, the next week, when Luke checked the university website and found that grades were finally posted,
he discovered that he had received a 'C' on his sermon presentation. He couldn't believe his eyes. He spent most
of the day and half of the night wondering what he had done wrong. The class had ended and the semester was
over, but, he decided he had to find out. Knowing that the professors would probably be around for a few more
days, he decided to go on campus to try and talk to Dr. Schmidt in the morning.
The next morning, Luke ran into Professor Schmidt on campus, coming out of the coffee shop. He thought, now
was as good a time as any, and walked over to say hello.
Professor Schmidt: Hello Luke! You love learning so much you can't stay away from the university?
[He laughed and was as jolly as ever, early in the morning. Luke nervously laughed, then stuttered and stumbled
on his words]
Luke: I-I-I wanted to-to talk to someone..I mean...I wanted to talk to you...
Professor Schmidt: Oh? (Professor Schmidt chuckled) And to what do I owe this honor and pleasure?
Luke: It-It's about my presentation, I mean my sermon.
Professor Schmidt: Oooh, I see...
[Professor Schmidt lowered his head as if deeply in thought, then, looked up at Luke as he did when he was
ready to start his lectures.]
Professor Schmidt: You had plenty of facts and scripture, Luke. We could tell that you're a good student and
study hard. But, how will these facts and scriptures change lives? How have they changed your life? Who were
you listening to Luke? What was your heart telling you?
Learn to draw from the world and people around you. A minister shows the love and compassion he has for
God's people. He is God's shepherd watching over His flock. Listen to what God is telling you about them. Ask
God what He wants you to do for them.
What can you personally tell people about God and Jesus to lead them to follow Jesus and serve God? Were you
leading, Luke?
Who were you trying to reach, Luke? Were you trying to reach people or impress people? How does God want
to use you and others to bring about changed lives and make disciples? How do all of these things figure into
the Kingdom of God?
You are a bright and gifted young man, Luke, and to whom much is given, much is expected! Do not be
disheartened, Luke. God is using you and growing you. See me in my office and we will talk. I have a meeting
this morning. Can you come to my office at two o'clock?
[Luke never imagined he had done so poorly in the professor's eyes. He was speechless and dumbfounded, but
he managed to clear his throat and speak.]
Luke: I work from ten until two o'clock today, but...
Professor Schmidt: Fine. I will wait for you. We will meet regularly on break to talk and help you find your
voice--the voice God has given you to use.
Narrator: Luke rushed to the university after work and found Professor Schmidt's door ajar. He knocked lightly
and peeked inside. Seeing the professor kneeling and praying, he started to turn away, when the professor
spoke quietly.
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Professor Schmidt: Come in Luke and join me in prayer, please.
Narrator: Luke felt a little uncomfortable praying with his professor, but, he obediently knelt a comfortable
distance away from him in front of an overstuffed chair. Folding his hands and bowing his head, he began to try
and pray, not knowing what to expect next. Minutes began to seem like hours. Finally, Professor Schmidt rose,
went to his desk and hurriedly wrote on a memo pad. He folded the note and handed it to Luke.
Professor Schmidt: Can you meet me in the university chapel tomorrow at the same time?
[Luke nodded.]
Professor Schmidt: I will see you tomorrow, then. God bless you, my boy.
[Feeling confused, Luke muttered.]
Luke: God bless you, too.
Narrator: The professor hurriedly packed his briefcase. Then, briefcase in hand, he swung his arm and whisked
it out the door, making huge strides for his short legs and small stature, leaving Luke, once again, standing
speechless and dumbfounded.
Timidly unfolding the note, Luke tried hard to read what the professor scribbled on the paper:
Psalm 37:4, 5
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the
Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Luke arrived at the university chapel the next day and found the professor in the same position as the day
before, kneeling and praying. He didn't want to disturb him, but he felt that he should let him know that he was
there. He walked close beside him and before he could clear his throat, the professor pointed to the spot beside
him, motioning for him to join him in prayer.
Obediently, Luke folded his hands and knelt beside the professor. Again, minutes felt like hours. His mind was
racing too fast to concentrate on prayer and he felt uncomfortable kneeling beside his professor. Finally, as
before, the professor rose and stood next to him. This time, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, placed it
upon Luke's hands and departed.
Luke read the note:

Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. See you tomorrow.
--Same place. Message me if you cannot come.
Luke plopped himself upon a pew, feeling even more perplexed and hopeless than before. What did the
professor really think of him and was he really going to help him?
Reluctantly, Luke headed to the university chapel after work, the next day. He didn't know if he had the patience
to endure the silence. It would be hard to go in and not say a word to the professor and just let him continue
treating him this way--ignoring him.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the chapel door and looked at the altar. His eyes settled on a small, chunky,
balding figure huddled in the center. There he was, silently in prayer. Luke rolled his eyes and headed to the
altar. He stopped short of the professor and defiantly went to sit on a pew to wait until the professor was done.
Somehow...somehow, this little man knew he was there. But, how could he know? This somewhat irritated
Luke.
Professor Schmidt: Hello. Aren't you going to join me today, Luke?
Luke: (hesitating) ...I thought. Well, I thought.
Professor Schmidt: You thought what, Luke?
Luke: I thought you were going to help me. You know, really help me.
Professor Schmidt: You thought I would answer all of your questions and solve your problem so that you
would get all A's, Luke?
[Professor Schmidt stands and begins teaching in his usual dramatic and animated style.]
Life is full of questions that people need answers to in order to find their purpose.
These questions will always help you in your relationship with people and as God's servant.
How did you used to live? Why?
How do you want to live? Why?
Why did God create us?

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What does God expect from man?
Why does God love us?
Why do you love God?
Why do you love Jesus?
Questions require us to search for answers within our own heart and the hearts of others. This is what we are
reaching for, Luke, the hearts of men and the heart of God and Christ. We are trying to help change the hearts of
men to reflect the heart of God and Christ.
We can say that we have learned many things, but, to truly learn, we must be committed to CHANGE. We must
develop a personal relationship with that which we have been instructed in to integrate it into our lives. You are
a good student, but, how do you take your knowledge and integrate it into the lives around you to bring about
CHANGE? You must create a relationship between them and the knowledge that reaches their heart, which in
turn influences their mind.
Luke, when you present yourself before men and God, it is for the purpose of a relationship. It is all about
relationships, Luke. Jesus did what He saw His Father do. He pursued a relationship with man. What Jesus set
out to do with His Disciples, this is the work before us, also. And if we commit this work unto God, for HIS
glorification; not for a grade or to impress others, but for the purpose of loving and caring for His precious
sheep, then, God orders our steps and directs our thoughts. We must see with God's eyes into the HEARTS of
men, LOVE them and bring them to God.
When you commit your works unto the Lord, Luke, He will equip you and prepare you for the task. He will
give you the words to say and the help that you need for completion, growth and expansion; for battle and
victory; strength for standing and patience for enduring and being still.
Luke, I AM NOTHING WITHOUT GOD! I CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT GOD! Do you think I am
somebody because I am a professor and doctor of theology? I could do NOTHING if it were not the will of
God! But, WITH GOD, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! And because I know this, I know that I must go to my
Father for what I need. I must ASK! You have not because you do not continue to ask! And have you searched
your heart for your motives? Why are you asking? Is it for selfish reasons or is it for the service of the Lord and
His Kingdom?
Rely upon the Word of God within you, Luke; that which God has built and established within you to hold you
up and bring you out of darkness. IT IS THERE or you would not be HERE to live out your purpose! You must
be COMMITTED TO DISCIPLESHIP, Luke! TRUST and OBEY! HUMBLE YOURSELF AND FERVENTLY
PRAY! ASK HIM LUKE! ASK HIM FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND NEED!
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that
asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of
you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
I am helping you, Luke. What you asked for can only be given by GOD! Therefore, I am taking you to the
SOURCE of our help.
It is not that I have no faith in you, Luke. God has shown me that you have no faith in YOURSELF or the
POWER OF GOD that LIVES within you! It is THERE Luke! We are here praying because I REMEMBER! I
know what God has done for ME and I know He will do the same for YOU! This is the faith and hope we must
have for our Brother! Pray for their increased FAITH! Pray for their FRUITFULNESS! Pray for God to USE
THEM, DELIVER THEM and PROTECT THEM! I am asking God, that you may receive that which you
desire as His servant, as should YOU!
Do you REMEMBER, Luke? Do you remember where He brought you from? He didn't bring you this far just
to leave you. He has a plan for you that requires your FAITH and TRUST in His Power and in His Word--His
Son--The Truth, The Way and The Life!
You are being tested...not by ME or the university, but by GOD! That is why you must look to the hills from
whence cometh your HELP!--not just in a textbook, but to the all-knowing FATHER, JEHOVAH GOD!
(Professor Schmidt shakes his head and gives a big sigh, then folds his hands and kneels, again.)
I am finished. Now, humble yourself and let us get back to praying.
Narrator: Luke, feeling very much HUMBLED, finally "gets it" and with new understanding, he humbly
moves beside Professor Schmidt to pray. In the following days and years, the two of them have lengthy and
deep conversations about everything Luke can think of, for example, early Christianity, horse-racing,
astronomy, politics, Broadway plays, poverty, Creation, Spiritual Warfare, angels and demons. The topics never
ended and Professor Schmidt seemed to have endless knowledge and diverse interests. He tested Luke
rigorously on his views and opinions and how they related to God's plan and how he could help others to
become enlightened and empowered by them. Luke felt his relationship getting closer, not just with Professor
Schmidt, but with God. The proof was there--GOD CARES! He had sent such wonderful people into his life to
help him. Luke did whatever he could to show God how grateful he was and it showed, even in his sermons.
Professor Schmidt continued as Luke's mentor for the next two and a half years. Then, at the end of his junior
year, Professor Schmidt asked Luke something he hadn't really given a lot of thought to--his future.
As an addict, you basically lived day-to-day. Since, he'd been at the shelter and become part of the staff,
working and going to school, he was still taking it one day at a time, sometimes unable to believe how much his
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life had changed. When Professor Schmidt asked him about grad school and getting his master's degree, he was
too shocked to give him a definite answer. He couldn't believe he only had one more year to graduate and get a
bachelor's degree.
Professor Schmidt: I will be in need of a new grad student for my teaching assistant and I hoped you would
enter the master's program.
Luke: Uh, I hadn't thought that far ahead, professor.
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perspectives.
1. Professor Schmidt tells Luke that he remembers what God did for him and believes he will do the same for Luke.
Do you believe that God will do the same for others as he has done for you? Is it your desire that He do so,
regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion or status?
2. Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ and Your Heavenly Father?
3. Do you think it is too late for you to start a new life? It is not too late. Humble yourself and pray. God cares about
you and your life. He's waiting to hear from you.
4. Professor Schmidt took it upon himself not only to be Luke's teacher, but to mentor him and show him how to
disciple others. Luke could not see this in the beginning because one thing stood in the way of him growing and
being used by God--his pride. Is your pride standing in the way of your relationship with God and your growth?
How?
5. Luke wanted to impress the professors with his sermon. He thought he deserved an A for his intelligence and hard
work. We cannot always see that our pride is in the way. Professor Schmidt had to show Luke his pride by making
Luke feel ignored and insecure. Do you think Luke would have understood if the professor simply told him his
problem and how it affected his sermon?
6. When Professor Schmidt critiqued Luke's sermon, he could tell that Luke was shocked in disbelief. He knew he
could be more effective in Luke's life by having a relationship with him instead of being critical or judgmental.
We often bypass this option because of our own pride, trying to prove we are right, or wanting to belittle or punish
others. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, shouldn't we take the time to understand them, listen to them and try
to steer them in the right direction?
7. Luke wanted to give back to the community, because of his gratitude to God. As a grateful Believer, is there
someone you can mentor?
8. Many people often cast doubt upon others because of what they have done and because of what they have been
through. Yet, they may still say that nothing is impossible with God. Professor Schmidt overlooked Luke's faults
and past and exercised his faith in God's promises. God has promised to grant our desires and requests within His
will, if we ask. The professor wanted to EMPOWER Luke to ASK God for what he needed. He gave him
scriptures that would make him think about what he needed to do. Was Luke's mind open to thinking for himself
or was he looking for someone else to give him the answer?
9. Has anyone ever doubted you could have something, do something, or become something, discouraging you from
trying because of your situation or past? Remember, God has the final word. Is it that YOU have not because you
ask not of your Heavenly Father?
10. As Believers, God uses us to EMPOWER, SUPPORT and ENCOURAGE others. Our presence in the lives of
others can make all the difference. Luke knew that others had made a difference in his life. Our FAITH is not only
for ourselves, but it is power to LIFT and ELEVATE others. The way we treat others can change the way they feel
about themselves and God. Can you think of times when you have encouraged someone and it has made a
difference in their life?
11. As a Disciple, are you COMMITTED to changing lives and making disciples?
12. Do you believe in the POWER of prayer?
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Chapter 31
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: JESUS IS ENOUGH
NARRATOR: When things do not go our way, we often fail to realize, that God demonstrates His love for us
by correcting us, in His desire for us to know Truth. He sent His Son to us and sacrificed His life for this
purpose. Many believe that knowing part of the Truth is enough to just get on with their lives, as they see fit,
and wait to go to Heaven.
However, when people try to go on with their lives, they find there are many little details left behind that keep
them from changing, growing and embracing the Truth. Most often, people around them don't want to address
these troubling details, because they would rather avoid "confrontation," as they see it. We throw out the "Love
your neighbor, as yourself" and instead of addressing the details, we choose to leave people in ignorance and sin
and fool ourselves into believing we're being kind and considerate, while keeping the peace. Meanwhile, the
little details you ignored start to tear relationships apart; tear families apart; tear church congregations apart; set
people against you; divide your family; keep you up at night; and keep most of the world on medications.
To make matters worse, our failure to be "our brother's keeper," allows places of worship to become places of
conflict and strife. A place of worship should never be a place where individuals can set up their own autocratic
governments, yet, that is what often happens, when everyone is not following the Mind of Christ. None the less,
everyone stands on the assurance that we have Jesus and that's enough.
Yes, Jesus is ENOUGH. However, for too long Believers have only been taught to be worshipers of God and
not to LIVE Jesus, thus, leaving out Truth, empowerment and accountability. This is why Darkness has spread
and in many cases prevails.
God led Merle to this topic when he spoke at Luke's graduation prayer breakfast.
Merle: My Brothers and Sisters, Jesus IS enough, when we allow ourselves to BECOME like Jesus and not use
Him as a maintenance man to clean up our mistakes and problems we have created. Jesus is enough to teach us
how to conquer the world and sin. GLORY to GOD!
As God's shepherds we must take into consideration that many Believers have not had the training or spiritual
background that some of us have had, which sometimes can be more of a hindrance than a help. We must
humble ourselves and not expect them to be like us and know what we know. If we can't be patient, loving,
understanding and humble, then we don't know ENOUGH about Jesus ourselves and haven't learned to abide in
Him.
Jesus is the only man who can perfect us, but, MY having Jesus just for myself is NOT ENOUGH! To solve
MY problems is not enough! Jesus is counting on me and you, for He has made us a LIGHT, which must shine,
leading others to the pathway to The Truth, The Way and the Life!
Therefore, I must not only worship, I must become LIKE Him to be a True Worshiper of God, who can worship
in Spirit and Truth; a vessel and effective member of the Body of Christ; a disciple spreading the Good News,
building the Kingdom; and a servant preparing the way for Jesus' return.
Jesus is counting on us to be fruitful and diligent workers in the field, fertilizing the ground, planting the seed,
tending the crops, bringing in the harvest, providing bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty, watching over
the flock, finding the lost and helping to build His Kingdom. It is like having an endless and ever changing job
description that sometimes appears to be too much to handle. But, God knows how much we can bear. He will
measure what is enough, send us help, give us wisdom to delegate duties, patience and strength to endure,
courage to walk by faith and not by sight, and accept His Holy Will, when we have done all that we can do.
All of this may sound like a lot, but, again, remember, God never gives us more than we can bear and He has
given you His Holy Spirit to help teach and guide you.
Knowing what you would need, Jesus has prepared for your training and on-going ministry. We must be
mindful of Ephesians 4 proclaiming the Five-fold Ministry Jesus sent to help prepare the Saints; apostles,
prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers; none above the other, for each of us is to look at another man as
being better than ourselves.
Philippians 2:3 King James Version
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
Therefore, we must humble ourselves and know that we can never stop learning and growing. We must work
together to learn from one another, to equip the Saints, to be Watchmen and Soldiers of the Cross, upholding
Christ's Victory over Darkness, bringing HOLINESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND INCREASE to the Kingdom,
COMMITTED TO DISCIPLESHIP; doing ALL things IN LOVE, WITH LOVE that others may see the
GLORIFICATION OF GOD and follow.
But, let us keep it REALREALISTIC! God didn't say it would be easy. What will you say to the Smiths,
whose baby has cancer? --Or the Jones who lost their teenage son in a car accident? What can you DO when
there is political and racial unrest in your district and the people need guidance and direction? How can you
support families of servicemen and women and mothers and fathers who see their sons and daughters go off to
war? --When gang violence is a threat to the mortality rate of your young people? There are elderly who have
no one to make sure they eat, bathe, take their medications and help them take care of their home. There is
never enough time for you and your staff to visit all the sick. Sometimes there are more calls in the middle of
the night because of crises, than many doctors have. How will you help feed the hungry at home AND abroad?
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How can you take care of financial responsibilities without pressuring and over-burdening the people? How can
you help make the people FRUITFUL and ACCOUNTABLE to be an effective part of The Body of Christ?
How do you incorporate teaching into busy lives? And the most important question of all, how do you help
people to understand that it's not just about them, but about DISCIPLESHIP for the KINGDOM and the
glorification of GOD? It's about LOVING AND PLEASING GOD.
And, the list of responsibilities goes on and on. But, we must see them as more than RESPONSIBILITIES.
They are OPPORTUNITIES to take people to God. People NEED you to represent the presence of God, when it
is hard for them to look beyond their present circumstances to see Him and connect with Him. We must be
BOLD, never wavering in HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS. Yet, still, we must be COMPASSIONATE and
LOVING to watch over God's sheep.
And yes, there will be many Believers who have the attitude and spirit of rebellion and defiance, born out of
pride; thinking they are already grown. However, they have stopped growing, stunted by their pride, and no
one can tell them anything. They've been in the church for years. They know all about the Bible. They're a
deacon or deaconess, a Sunday School teacher, a mother of the church, a missionary, a board member, a priest,
pastor, etc. They have a title and credentials and a pew they dedicated with their name on it. Still... after all of
that time spent, sitting in that pew, praising God, they really don't know God at all and haven't learned to
become like Him, because they haven't tried to humble themselves, love their neighbor, or allow God's Holy
Spirit to perfect their love. Yes...THEY need you, too.
There will be people who feel that the church belongs to them because they or their family helped to build it, or
they are a large financial contributor. While everyone else will want to feel like they belong and they are
important, too. They have chosen to worship a building instead of worshipping the God who provided the
building and their salvation.
My advice to you is this: NEVER FORGET WHO THE SHEEP BELONG TO! DO NOT BE AFRAID TO
MAKE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE! FEAR IS NOT OF GOD! Therefore, you must be made perfect in LOVE!
--For love conquers fear! God is their MASTER as He is yours. WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD! And the
Master desires that none of His sheep should perish or be lost.
You are not running a popularity contest or trying to meet quotas. You should not treat your CALLING like a
JOB and live in fear of losing your job. You must never compromise the Truth to keep your position or fill the
church with members, and thereby become a HIRELING, selling your soul to the highest bidder.
You are not running a business or an institution. You are watching over a family, the Children of God and the
Body of Christ. EACH member is important! The WORD OF GOD is the AUTHORITY over the church and
not any man-made rules or doctrine.
God will sift the wheat from the tares. If we LIVE by HIS WORD it will draw men or repel men. At the same
time, a shepherd cannot be afraid to be BOLD in the face of evil and let Darkness harm or corrupt God's sheep.
There are times when we must BOLDLY CAST OUT EVIL!
YES! Jesus IS enough for those who open their heart to Him; follow Him; and have been reborn, with the Mind
of Christ. But, for those who simply want to call Him up on the main line and tell Him what they want, He will
never be all that He could be for them, until they surrender all and allow Him to empower them. This is when
you must decide if you truly love God and His people, for you will deal with a multitude of sin and darkness.
Never forget that THERE IS A WAR GOING ON, ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN! We too are SOLDIERS OF
THE CROSS.
I hope I haven't made you change your mind. You've got your work cut out for you, as they say. However, God
has prepared you and He will KEEP preparing you as long as you stay humble and put Him and the Kingdom
FIRST!
God is a god of details. The adversary is counting on your overlooking the details. God is counting on you to
trust Him in giving them the proper attention.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! CHILDREN OF GOD! SERVANTS OF YAHWEH! FOLLOWERS AND

AMBASSADORS OF JESUS! SAINTS:
CARRY YOUR CROSS, WEAR YOUR ARMOUR, BE EMPOWERED, BEAR GOOD FRUIT, BE BLESSED
AND STAND!
Narrator: Luke graduated with honors and stayed to be one of Merle's associate pastors, while he worked on
his master's degree. Wherein, happy to have his student and friend at his side, Dr. Schmidt wasted no time in
making Luke his graduate assistant.
Luke was glad he stayed around. Papa V, as Luke had taken to calling Merle, became ill for a long period of
time. Luke and the other associate pastors had taken over a lot of his duties.
Bee was beside herself with worry. She started coming to church more often. Luke was happy to see her take
part, but he knew much of the reason for her presence was her concern for Merle's health. Whatever the reason,
with Bee around, they were more of a family.
Mama V fussed over the church babies and made everybody feel special, just like she did at the wedding
chapel. She was happier than Luke had seen her in a long time. At times, Merle couldn't stop smiling, knowing
she was close by. Luke loved seeing them together more. In his heart, he prayed God would send him a wife and
they would love one another through good times and bad times, just like Papa V and Mama V always did.
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perspectives.
1. When you perceive things as going wrong in your life, do you ever think that it may be God's Will for you?
2. At times, it is difficult for us to accept that what we want is not God's will for us. Have you ever tried to MAKE
things work the way you want them to go? --Or MAKE a relationship work?
3. If we continue to try to make things work that are not God's Will for us, we are in bondage to a lie. God's desire
for us is to know Truth. Has there ever been a time when you learned the Truth about a person or situation? Did it
free you from bondage and/or an unhealthy relationship?
4. There is a difference in being confrontational, critical and judgmental and imparting Truth to change someone's
life. If we are to help one another accept Truth, we must change our heart first to love others in perfect love. We
must desire to have fruitful relationships so that others know we love them and want the best for them. Are you
likely to accept the Truth if someone is confrontational, argumentative and critical of you?--if they judge how you
look or where you come from?
5. The institutionalization of the church and the omission or insignificance of the Five-Fold Ministry within most
churches has placed many clergy and ministers in the precarious position of being treated as employees instead of
being recognized as shepherds and servants called by God. One might debate that it has also affected the quality
and integrity of those in ministry today. The status of an employee or brand has allowed many in ministry to
become rich and famous. Does this make some people doubt their sincerity and integrity? Why?
6. Should they be judged by their wealth and fame or by the FRUIT which they bear?
7. Christ commissioned His Followers to go out, spread the Good News of the Kingdom and make Disciples. Are
you ready for TRUTH in YOUR life? Why or why not?
8. Do you look to others to feed you the Truth?
9. Can we find Truth for ourselves within God's Word and also ask God's Holy Spirit to reveal Truth to us?
10. In what ways has God used you to bring Truth into the lives of others?
11. Do you have to be a minister for God to use you to minister to others, when and as needed?
12. Should we uphold and align ourselves with those who love lies and love to deceive others?
13. Should we marginalize those who are unknowingly caught up in the lies of the world?
14. As Ambassadors of Christ, do we not ALL have an anointing to spread the Truth and make Disciples?
15. Should we let man-made rules, ideology and agendas, override the TRUTH of God?
16. Will you STAND UP AND DEFEND God's TRUTH whenever and wherever it is challenged?
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Philippians 2 King James Version (KJV)
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Chapter 32
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: JAVIER
Narrator: Javier had been in and out of prison, taking drugs, selling drugs, and engaged in violence. He was
argumentative, abusive, and a womanizer; a man who fathered children and just moved on to avoid
responsibility. Somehow, Javier was never to blame, at least that was the way he saw it. It was always the
woman's fault things didn't work out between them. They couldn't accept him for who he was and let him be
him. They were always trying to CHANGE him.
It wasn't that Javier didn't see that lying, cheating, physical and emotional abuse, drugs, stealing to pay for the
drugs, inability to contribute financially, in and out of jail or prison, and neglect of his children were obstacles
and destructive agents, preventing a stable and healthy relationship, No, and Javier just didn't care. He wanted
what he wanted, when he wanted it. He was selfish and cared more about himself than anything or anyone else.
You listened to Javier, worshiped and obeyed him or he moved on to someone who appreciated his presence or
who would temporarily tolerate and accommodate him. He didn't know how to love or be loved. Javier wanted
total submission and obedience, regardless of his behavior, because he was supposed to be the man in charge.
He had quite a long arrest record. He wore his endless list of felonies and misdemeanors like a war hero. They
were his badge of courage, proof that he had no fear and nobody told him what to do in life. Sadly enough, he
was so blinded by his love for himself that he could not see that a life behind bars told a different story and
spoke quite the contrary of his being in control of his own life.
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Over his lifetime, he had been arrested for various charges from being a dealer and selling drugs, possession of
drugs, assault and battery, felonious assault, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, to theft, vagrancy
and domestic violence. He'd do his time in prison and vow that he was going to make a clean start when he got
out. However, soon, the drug-addict and prison mentality would win out over the new man initiative. It was a
vicious cycle for most of his life and he wasn't getting any younger.
Javier's mother was Latina, but his father was African-American. They both had passed away a few years ago.
Being of mixed race and being poor, Javier bought in to the idea that he was born with three strikes against
him--counted 'out' before he could reach first base.
He was raised in the Latino culture, but racial discrimination in society taught him how to be both Black and
Latino. He had a married, twin sister, Gabriela, who was busy being a teacher, wife and mother, raising four
children. Then, there was his younger brother Mateo, an engineer, who was temporarily living in Mexico,
working on a project for the big corporation he worked for. Over the years, they both had tried to help Javier
countless times, but he would end up going back to his old ways and hurting them in the process.
In prison, he would choose the race with the strongest gang to belong to. Javier was manipulative and used
being biracial to his advantage sometimes, in order to use people for whatever purpose he needed them. Once,
as a means of protection and fitting in, he even embraced the Muslim Brotherhood, but, his belief was basically
a rebellion against what he saw as the white man's god and a tool for assertion of power over other inmates. In
his mind, God was just a means for people to have power over others and nobody was going to have power over
him. He would use religion like he used people, for HIS benefit.
When he got out of prison and decided he'd had enough, he just wanted a little bit of religion, just enough to
make his life better and let people know he was a decent guy. That's the way Javier saw it, because he knew no
other way and he didn't want to know another way.
His rebellious spirit convinced him he had to be in control of his life at all times, especially when it came to
religion and women, because people didn't really care about you and he doubted if God did either. Matter of
fact, he often doubted if there really was a God. Addict mentality had taught him to go along with a lot of things
if it got you what you wanted or needed and prison life had reinforced his number one rule of looking out for
one's self first and foremost.
Even being a father to his children once in a while was to benefit his ego, in order to feel like somebody loved
him and looked up to him. His main philosophy remained to form alliances with people to get what you needed
or wanted, as protection and strength against the competition and oppressive establishment opposition.
In Javier's world, every day was survival of the fittest. There was no need to think about or plan for the future,
just live life on the edge, always on your guard, protecting your feelings with an impenetrable wall of pinned up
anger and bitterness directed at an insufferably, harsh world, which had done nothing but punish and degrade
him as a man, since the day he was born.
Did Javier really believe racism was the biggest factor in why his life had been so chaotic and wasted? Javier
felt sure, it was. He KNEW it was. Latinos were at the bottom of the totem pole with Blacks and perhaps they
were hated even more now since there were so many of them in America.
Javier felt that he owed no apologies to America for his behavior, since the odds had been against him from the
start. Sure, a lot of Latinos and Blacks had, so-called 'made it' and become successful, like his brother and sister,
living out the 'American Dream', but they were part of the quota and society had plenty of ways to put a cap on
that and direct the overflow into poverty, drugs, death, prison cells or out of the country. "They (white America)
don't really want us here," he'd say. "I'm just being what they expect me to be...the only thing they've given me a
CHANCE to be."
Luke met Javier when he came home from class, one night. He had had a room to himself for a while and had
gotten use to it, but there sat Javier on his bed looking through his belongings. He was about to go report him
when Pastor Scott walked up behind him, yelling.
Pastor Scott: Javier, we catch you stealing or going through anybody's stuff and you're out of here! Read the
rules we gave you! --First and final warning! Luke, check your stuff and let me know if anything is missing or
damaged. By the way, Luke, this is Javier Mendoza, he's your new roommate and you're his mentor.
Javier: Hey, man, ain't you Mexican? Gimme a damn break! I was just trying to find out what kinda person I'm
living with.
Pastor Scott: I'm from Peru and I have respect for myself, race and culture, as should you. And please address
me as Scott.
Javier: SCOTT?!
[Javier laughed at the idea of a Hispanic man being named Scott and waving his hand at him in disgust, threw
himself upon his bed. Luke looked at Scott in dismay.]
Luke: mentor?
Pastor Scott: You're ready to take it on, Luke. We'll talk about it later in my office. Please make sure he reads
the rules tonight.
Narrator: Luke looking somewhat bewildered looked at Javier and managed a crooked, half smile. He decided
not to check his things, especially not in front of Javier. He knew he needed Javier's trust and didn't want to lose
it the first day they met.
Luke read the rules for Javier, who didn't want to read them after stumbling over a couple of words. He could
tell Javier wasn't a good reader, but what else did he need to know about this man, other than he might be a
thief? He went down to Scott's office to talk to him about his role as a mentor and to read Javier's file.
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After reading the file, Luke felt obligated to help this man, although Javier had a reputation of being both
stubborn and verbally abusive to everyone who tried to help him. He had been referred from another shelter and
agency who said he managed to become a saboteur to his own pursuit of growth and rehabilitation. He just
couldn't get past his pride and fear of change, so, no one was able to tell him anything, especially those closest
to him.
Because of his rebellion and early drug and alcohol use, his maturity and academic level were both low,
hindering him in life and in growing and getting ahead. His awareness and self-consciousness of these facts
only made him more defensive and bitter. His only defense in the world against feeling helpless or overpowered
was to develop hardness and become insensitive, rebellious, pessimistic, sarcastic and at war with God.
Apparently, he was exposed to Christianity and going to church, but as he saw those Christians around him as
being hypocritical and not practicing what they preached, he felt it wasn't worth his time.
Javier had decided that religion was just another con game and that was just the way it was, so why be any
different from the hypocrites...just play the game. He looked down upon those who tried to be something more,
labeling them as holy-rollers, people who had a holier than thou attitude and thought they were better than
others, especially him. In his eyes they were always trying to preach to him; always trying to change him,
judging everything about him...ALWAYS trying to judge him; thinking they were so much smarter than him and
they had all the right answers. If he wanted to change, he'd do it himself, when he was ready to change. Javier
had seen and dealt with enough of those know-it-all kind of people and swore in profane and bitter words, he'd
never become one of them.
Luke returned to his room and found Javier asleep on the bed, snoring loudly. Great! He thought, so much for
studying in his room tonight. He laid down on his bed as thoughts raced through his mind.
Luke: (thinking) so, why is Javier here? Why are we trying to help him, if he really doesn't want to be
helped? But, maybe he doesn't know how to be helped or maybe he's just using us because he needs a place to
stay. In any case, why give him to me? Why me? After awhile, Luke, drifted off to sleep and dreamed about
loud, growling bears trying to attack him in his room.
Narrator: Needless to say, Javier did not take to the rules of the house well. Luke struggled to keep him in line.
Javier just wouldn't let him get too close to him. He seemed to be intimidated by Luke's intelligence and his
going to school to better himself. Luke tried to encourage Javier to read and learn new things. Being no stranger
to the streets, Luke tried to witness to Javier and relate to him on his level. Luke knew the ins and outs of drug
abuse and its after effect on those trying to stay clean but Javier totally rejected him as an equal.
One night, when Javier came in drunk and hysterical, screaming he was in a cult and kept prisoner, Luke was
the only thing between the door and Javier's being kicked out of the shelter and put on the street. However,
Luke began to feel like he was babysitting Javier and it was taking up too much of his time. He wanted to talk to
Scott about it, but he didn't want it to look like he couldn't handle Javier or that he was giving up. He
remembered how Merle, Bee, Scott, Dr. Schmidt and others hadn't given up on him, but most of all, it was God
who never gave up on him.
He prayed and asked for strength and guidance and he prayed fervently for Javier. He asked Javier if he could
anoint him with oil and have others lay hands on him to pray. Javier didn't seem to care either way and agreed.
He went through the motions and Luke thanked everyone for their prayers.
After that, Javier seemed to be extremely moody. He wasn't hostile or mean to anyone, but he tried to stay to
himself and he was very quiet. Luke would hear him stirring in the night and wondered how much sleep he was
getting.
A month went by and Luke thought Javier was still behaving strangely for Javier. Of course, his subdued
behavior meant Luke had more time to concentrate on school and other matters, but Luke was concerned about
Javier's robotic behavior and wondered if he was going out to get drugs. He decided to check to see when Javier
last dropped and had a drug test and if he was going regularly when he was scheduled.
While he was in the office, glancing over Javier's drug screenings, Scott came in and saw him reading. Scott
knew it could only be one person's file. Luke decided it was time to ask for help.
Luke: Hi Scott, do you have a few minutes? I'd like some advice on helping Javier.
Scott: What's the matter?
Luke: I don't know...I mean it's hard to tell. He's sort of despondent, sullen. He's not complaining, arguing and
yelling.
Scott: And, you're worried about that?
Luke: Well, I'd say it was an improvement, but...when I ask him what's bothering him; he says that nothing is
wrong...but, I know he's not sleeping or eating well. I hear him up at night and he's lost weight.
Scott: Check his psychiatric evaluation for the last time he's been checked for depression.
[Luke flipped through the documents until he found the most recent form.]
Luke: It was about six months ago, before he came here.
Scott: Well, we're going to have to be more careful about that. We're working with cause and effect, introducing
life-changing ideas and using the power of Spiritual Warfare to change lives. Satan doesn't like to give up those
he's claimed.
Schedule Javier for a new evaluation ASAP and I mean as soon as possible. Tell them it's urgent and he's being
referred by me.
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Narrator: Luke thanked Scott for his help and thanked God that he created scientific, medical and spiritual help
for His children and it was possible for them to work together to meet the needs of individuals.
When, Luke got back to the room, he informed Javier that he would be getting a new psychiatric evaluation
because he hadn't had one since he came there. Javier shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't care, because
he'd been through all of that over and over again.
Javier turned his back to Luke and pretended to go to sleep, but he didn't want to go to sleep. He dreaded falling
asleep. He didn't want to dream and he didn't want to remember. His dreams had become nightmares that
replayed the course of his life, leaving him with dark and demonic thoughts. He was afraid in his dreams and he
didn't like feeling afraid or the idea that anything could frighten him.
He could see it all very clearly, now. --What he had done to others and what he had done to himself. There was
no pushing it to the back of his mind or justifying it. He had created a life of hell and brought nothing more than
hell to the people around him. There was no taking it back. He would have to carry guilt and shame for the rest
of his life. People around him knew what he was and what he had done. His life was useless and pointless from
here on in to the finish line.
Javier's appointment was scheduled for the coming Monday. Sunday, Luke got dressed for church and seeing
Javier lying on his bed, fully dressed already, told him he would see him at church.
Before the service, Merle looked a little tired, but he appeared to be in good form and spirit, ready to buckle up
and soar as he sometimes told the congregation to do. From the pulpit, Luke caught Bee's eye and lovingly
smiled at her. She gave him a little wink of the eye. After praising and worshipping for awhile, Merle plunged
right into his sermon.
Merle: If we haven't accepted Jesus and the Spirit of God in our heart, one of the hardest things for us to get past
in our relationships with others, is what they have done wrong to us, others and themselves. Their sin may be so
great in our eyes that we cannot find a way of overlooking it. We can be so hurt by what they or someone like
them has done to us or a loved one that, we find them repulsive. We can become filled with such anger,
bitterness and hate, we can't even bear to be around them, let alone talk to them. Our feelings may be so hurt
that we can't even think of trying to help them or see any amount of good coming into their lives. We may either
want to see them hurt or destroyed; out of our lives; or immediately change and right their wrong.
It is easy to see and condemn their sin, but we cannot see the sin upon us that is destroying us because of our
hardened hearts. This is why it is so important to know the character of God and strive to be like Him. If we
completely surrender our will and abide in Jesus, we come to understand others, accept others and guide them,
in other words, we have peace in our heart and soul. No matter what comes our way, it is well with our soul; not
because of lethargy or indifference, but because of the peace that comes with perfect love.
Ooooh, what a wonderful peace it is! It makes you wonder how you ever survived before without it; and as long
as you keep your eyes on Jesus--it's yours. It is yours today for the asking...just..."knock and He will answer,
seek and you shall find. "
We have spent much time talking about your heart for this very reason. Changing others depends on our heart
being purged of the world, sin and ourselves, so we must learn to fast, meaning ridding ourselves of the things
of this world--not just food, but anything that corrupts our mind, spirit and body (doubt, fear, shame, guilt,
unclean thoughts and worldliness). This comes with much prayer (communing with God and loosing and
binding things in Earth and Heaven). We empty ourselves of self and being rooted in the world and fill
ourselves with the holiness, righteousness, love and power of the Kingdom. Jesus spent much time alone with
His Father, doing just this.
Narrator: Missing him during the service, Luke went back to the dormitory and not finding him in their room;
He searched the halls and restrooms and found Javier in a restroom trying to cut his wrist with glass from the
mirror behind him that he had broken.
Luke was too stunned and frightened to say anything. He looked at Javier, who was shaking and sweating. His
own voice shaking, Luke said the first thing that came to his mind.
Luke: Javier, you look like you haven't slept in days. Have you eaten? It's no wonder you're so depressed. Come
on, put that down. Let's go get something to eat.
Narrator: Javier just mumbled something. Luke could tell he was too high and spaced out to be coherent. Luke
tried to move closer, but Javier's eyes rolled back in his head, as his head jerked backward and he began to fall.
Luke froze for an instant and could feel panic setting in, but managed to pull Javier toward him before his head
hit the sink. Javier's sinking weight pulled them both to the floor. Luke pulled himself up and noticed the
reflection of a needle on a broken piece of glass. Then, Javier started to seizure and Luke knew he had to get
help.
Narrator: Merle was still preaching, when the ambulance was arriving, but as it got nearer it drowned out his
voice and most of the congregation was turning around or leaving to see what was happening.
Merle: Satan likes to keep us busy and without rest. He wants to be able to ease in and take control of your
mind. He finds ways of keeping us from spending time with God to be strengthened and revived. Then, he can
have his way with us and those of the world. This is why we must remain prayerful, rested, keeping our eyes on
Jesus and seeking Heavenly things; in the world, but not 'of ' the world. We must stay clothed in holiness,
dressed in the Armor of God, attached to the Vine and always bearing good fruit, so that we are fortified, armed
with defenses, which include God's angels. We should be ready to make a stand and change the world person by
person, nation by nation...
Narrator: Javier wanted to do something right, for once in his life, so he devised a fail-safe plan to kill himself,
when everyone had left the building for church. According to his rationale, this was setting things right.
Although, some said it was an unconscious cry for help, Javier had seemed pretty determined to get it done. If
an overdose of drugs didn't work, he was going to bleed himself to death.
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Something had changed within him, but with all that he had done in his past and all that he was fighting inside
of him that resisted change, he was unable to accept it. He couldn't put it all together and didn't want to. It
wasn't how he had planned things to go here. He had lost control.
By the time the ambulance arrived, Javier's seizure had stopped and he appeared to be in a coma. Luke
accompanied Javier in the ambulance and stayed by his side in the hospital until Merle arrived and told him to
go home and get some sleep.
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perspectives.
1. Children can be exposed to or open themselves up to darkness and demonic spirits. Training up a child in the way
they should go also means equipping them to fight the darkness around them. Once they are labeled as problem
children and shoved into a juvenile correction center, it can become more difficult to reach them. Were you
labeled as a problem child or do you know someone who is? Did someone help you overcome your problems or
did your life become more difficult and troubled?
2. What can we do to help children who are struggling with problems and identity?
3. Do you have programs within your church or place of worship to address problems that young people face?
4. Role models, volunteers and mentors are very much needed to connect with children from single-parent or
troubled homes. Have you ever thought of offering your love, services, time and skills to a youth program?
5. Luke wasn't sure he wanted to be a mentor. He had other important things taking up his time. We pray and ask
God for a way to do things that we want to do, but shouldn't we also pray and believe God will make a way for us
to help others?
6. Luke didn't recognize Javier's depression or that it could be related to their laying hands upon him and praying.
He was use to Javier being aggressive and difficult. Having to supervise Javier less meant more time he had to do
what he wanted. Luke's attitude showed a lack of belief and understanding of God's power given to us through the
laying on of hands. Do you think he believed Javier would change?
7. Have you ever had someone lay hands on you to receive blessings or healing from God or to cast out unclean
spirits?
8. Jesus asked those wishing healing, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord." Did you
believe in your healing or deliverance?
9. Do you believe in the power of God's Holy Spirit manifested through laying hands upon others and praying? Did
Javier believe?
10. The power of God's Word draws or repels, therefore, our healing or deliverance is determined by God's Will and
can take on a form other than that which we expect. The outcome of repelling is most often overlooked, as we all
desire and expect good outcomes as the Will of God. Javier's outcome was not what Luke expected, but, if God
allowed it to happen, was it the Will of God?
11. Javier felt that he had been mistreated in life, disenfranchised, marginalized, discriminated against and made an
outcast not only by society, but by his family, also. Javier looked for forgiveness and acceptance in the world. He
didn't believe he could find forgiveness and acceptance in the church because of the hypocritical examples of
Christians he saw. Luke didn't understand why Javier was referred to their shelter program. Did Luke fail to see
the Light that they shined and the example they set for others?
12. Javier believed he was in control of his life. Was he? Who controlled him?
13. Do you feel you are in complete control of your life? Why or why not?
14. Did Javier know how to forgive himself? Did he see himself as redeemable? Did he understand that through Jesus
we become worthy and are given redemption?
15. Knowing we are forgiven and accepted can change the way we feel about ourselves and life. When we lose our
support system and love from others, Satan can isolate us and keep us in bondage. Do you have a good support
system of family, friends and Believers?
16. Do you feel redeemed and accepted? Have you humbled yourself, repented, prayed and sought after God's face
through Jesus Christ?
17. Do you take time to acknowledge and be with God?
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Chapter 33
WHO AM I TRYING TO FOOL?
Narrator: Luke returned from class and saw a group of men talking outside of the men's shelter. Having earned
some seniority and respect, he warns the men about congregating outside and blocking the sidewalk.
Luke: Come on guys, you know, someone is going to complain about us loitering and being a nuisance. Take it
inside.
[The men, look at him, then stare at one another and put their heads down.]
Luke: What's the matter?
Man: Has anyone told you,yet?
Luke: Told me what?
Man: About Javier?
Luke: No. What about Javier?
Man: He's GONE, man...I mean, he's dead.
[Luke is stunned and stares at them in disbelief, then, finally gulps and speaks very solemnly.]
Luke: Come on guys, let's go inside.
Narrator: Luke goes to the shelter office and finds Merle sitting inside Pastor Scott's office. The two men seem
to be locked into a very serious conversation. Pastor Scott notices Luke enter the office and beckons him to
come in. From the expression on his face, they can tell that Luke knows about Javier, but they fill him in on the
details. Javier's organs started shutting down and they couldn't save him.
Luke is outraged when he learns that, although Javier was in a coma, he was left to die in the hospital, alone, no
one with him.
Scott: We couldn't get in touch with his sister. The hospital tried, too. By the time Merle and I got there, he was
gone. We prayed over him and offered our help to make funeral arrangements.
Luke: What kind of place is this? What good are we? What good am I? I should have been here! I should have
stopped him!
Merle: Luke, you can't save everybody.
Luke: I'M NOT TRYING TO SAVE EVERYBODY!
Merle: LUKE! THERE'S NO NEED TO SHOUT AND BE ANGRY!
Luke: WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO NEED TO SHOUT AND BE ANGRY?! A MAN IS DEAD! HE
WAS UNDER OUR CARE! WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO STOP HIM. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN
THERE. I WAS HIS MENTOR!
Oh, GOD, I saw the SIGNS! I KNEW the signs! If anybody knows the signs, it's me! WHY DID I LET MY
PRIDE GET IN THE WAY AND WAIT SO LONG TO GET HELP?!
Merle: Luke, don't blame yourself!
Luke: I'M NOT TRYING TO SAVE EVERYBODY! BUT...but......I...I...I'm not...I mean, I thought I could save
him. We laid hands on him, anointed him, fasted and prayed for him. It was supposed to work. If God works
through me, why didn't it work?
[Feeling weak in his knees, Luke backs up against the wall and at that moment he feels that it's the only thing
holding him up.]
Luke: Why didn't it work?
[Luke slumps down to the floor in tears, then becomes very bitter, yelling as he storms out of the office.]
WHO AM I TRYING TO KID?! I'M NO HEALER AND I'M NO MINISTER! I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I
REALLY BELIEVE IN ALL OF THIS!
Scott: Luke!
[Pastor Scott starts to get up to follow Luke, but Merle motions for him to stay put.]
Merle: He's got to work this one out on his own, He'll come around. God will speak to his heart.
Narrator: The next day, still discouraged and disheartened, after Javier's death. Luke tells Scott and Merle that
he's thinking about quitting and leaving the ministry.
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Chapter 34
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: GABRIELA
Narrator: The morning paper listed Javier's death as sudden and unexpected, after a short illness. It also listed a
memorial service at the church he attended. That was bending the truth, Luke thought, and wondered how many
other suicides had been reported as sudden and unexpected.
Truth was, Javier had been sick for a long time--most of his life. He had been dead in sin and the wages of sin--
death had been waiting to finish the job and claim him. But, Luke felt that he had been used to hurry the process
along. He believed he had failed to help Javier see that there was another way and that he was capable of
finding it just like he had. Luke heaved a big sigh, thinking, I just needed more time."
At the memorial service, the church was filled with men from the shelter and others from the church able to
come and help. It looked like none of Javier's family or friends were coming. Merle was about to begin the
service when a woman and man with four children walked in the sanctuary door and proceeded to the front of
the church. The woman was supported on each side by what he assumed was her husband and the oldest son.
Luke knew this had to be Gabriela and her family. Room was made for them on the first pew. They carefully
seated Gabriela, who looked like she could barely stand. She continued to hold the hand of her husband and son
tightly.
After the service, Merle introduced himself to the family and offered his sympathy, prayers and support. He
asked Gabriela if she wished to have her brother's ashes. She nodded her head to signify yes. Merle, motioned to
an usher to bring the urn containing the ashes. The usher handed Gabriela's husband the urn containing the
ashes of Javier Mendoza. Gabriela placed her hand upon it and wept. Merle placed a hand upon her and prayed.
After the prayer, Gabriela carefully held her head up the best that she could and looked into Merle's eyes.
Gabriela: Thank you for all you have done. We will repay you. I am sorry to put this burden upon you. If I
would have known I would have been here to help.
Merle: We were happy to be of help. Don't worry about it.
[Tears began streaming down her cheeks, causing her husband to put his arm around her tightly.]
Gabriela: I'm alright, Miguel. (Sniffing and wiping her nose) Javier never kept his contact numbers current. He
always tried to stay estranged from our family. I am the only one who will talk to him, now. (She stopped to
think about what she had said.) My neighbors saw the obituary in the newspaper and told my husband,
yesterday. Miguel called your church this morning and spoke to Reverend Scott, who told us what
happened...what Javier did...
[Gabriela grabbed her husband's hand unable to go on. Merle asked the usher to go and get her some water, but
Gabriela declined the offer and went on.]
We were twins and at one time inseparable. I keep asking myself, what happened--what happened? What
happened to the brother I knew as a little child? How did he get so lost? When we were thirteen, he started
hanging out with kids that did drugs. He was arrested for robbery and sent to the juvenile detention center and
when he came out, he joined a gang. Then, he was always fighting and in trouble.
He and Poppy would get in arguments all the time. It broke my mother's heart. Then, after they died and he got
out of prison this time, he stayed away from the family because they had given up on him. I told Javier I
hadn't...I LOVED HIM..., but he stayed away from me, too. He would call from time to time. Maybe he stayed
away because I'm married and have a family now and he didn't want to burden me. But Miguel and I always
tried to help him. He has beautiful children and one son looks just like Javier did as a little boy. He had so much
to live for! (Gabriela had to stop again to gain her composure, but insists on going on talking.)
Javier called me last month. He called me last month and said he was in a good place and...Luke, where is
Luke? I must talk to him before we leave.
Narrator: Merle, glanced at the usher, who understood and set off to find Luke. Upon locating him, he filled
Luke in on the conversation taking place between Merle and Javier's family and that Javier's sister had
requested to see him. Luke felt nervous and tried to calm the butterflies inside his stomach. He was hoping to
avoid this meeting. When he had seen Gabriela coming down the aisle, she reminded him so much of Javier, he
almost couldn't bear it. But, obediently, he followed the usher back to the sanctuary. Tears filled his eyes as he
looked at Javier's nieces and nephews.
Luke: Hello, I'm Luke, nice to meet you.
[Gabriela began to stand and her husband rose to assist her and make sure she was steady. She wrapped her
arms around Luke's waist tightly and squeezed him.]
Gabriela: (whispering) Thank you. God bless you.
Narrator: Luke didn't know what he had done to deserve that or her gratitude. He began to break down in tears.
Merle took him by the shoulders and sat him down on an opposite pew to keep him from leaning upon the
already weak and fragile Gabriela. Gabriela and her husband walked over to Luke. She sat beside him and held
his hand.
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Gabriela: My brother called me last month. He told me he was in a safe and good place. He told me about
you...how smart you are and how you once were an addict on the streets. He said, "This guy is young, but, he
knows what he's talking about." Javier doesn't give many compliments, but I could tell that he liked you.
When he said he had a mentor and he was going to church, I couldn't believe it. He said you were special
because you were real, not like any of those fake people--a real Christian and a good minister . I could tell there
was something different about Javier, but still I worried. We are twins and we have a special bond. I always
knew when something was wrong with Javier, but, this time...this time...
[Gabriela shook her head from side to side, not wanting to start crying all over again. Then, she stopped and
looked up at Luke]
I want to thank you for helping Javier.
[Luke began to sob.]
No, no, no, you must believe me. If only for a moment, Javier was changed! He said that, other than me,
mommy and poppy, he had never had anyone care about him and truly, sincerely be interested in helping him
like you were.
Please don't blame yourself for what Javier did. No one knew Javier better than me. My brother was fighting
demons all of his life with the wrong weapons. He was stubborn and proud, selfish and angry. He rebelled
against everything our parents taught us. There was nothing anyone could do when Javier made up his mind.
But, when he called me and talked about you, I didn't hear anger in his voice, no, not when he talked about
being here. He trusted you. Thank you for the peace you gave him, if only for a short time.
I can see with my own eyes now, you are special and Javier was blessed to meet you. God bless you, Luke.
[She looked up to her husband and over to her children to let them know she was ready to leave.]
Merle: Won't you and your beautiful family stay and eat with us?
Gabriela: Thank you, but I need to rest. I have not slept. Finally, I will take my brother home with me and we'll
be together again. I'll come to see you and we'll talk again.
Narrator: Miguel handed Merle a business card, thanked him and gathered his children. Gabriela leaned over
and kissed Luke's forehead. Luke buried his face in his hands upon his lap. Gabriela shook her head in sorrow
and empathy.
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Chapter 35
GOD OF THE LIVING
Narrator: Luke remained after everyone left the church, sitting in the same pew, in the same spot. Merle knew
he needed time alone to think about his future and reflect on the past, so he left him there.
Luke was thinking about the eulogy Merle had preached at the memorial service. Merle's words were no doubt
inspired by God and touched his heart in new and painful ways, cutting through the fog that clouded his
thinking, opening up a pathway to clarity and resolution of the conflict which raged inside of him.
Javier's Eulogy
Merle: ...Working at the men's shelter I've learned a lot about accepting God's Will. Something I wasn't able to
do before I came here.
Bee and I had a son. No one could have asked for a better son. And on the day we were told he was killed in a
war, in a far off land, it was as if three lives were taken with one bullet. We forgot how to live. We forgot how to
breathe without feeling the pain and emptiness.
We had each other and that seemed like the only thing keeping us going, but, God was always there. And
although, I didn't reach out to him, He kept reaching out to me.
I thought I could run from my calling, run away from the church and being a pastor. But, God was patient with
me. He let us move to another state and another city and get into the business of marrying couples. And at the
time, it was enough for me, but God wasn't through with me.
347
My son, Denny, didn't die so that Bee and I would stop living and being fruitful. God would use his life and
death to affect MANY lives. You see, h-he's h-here in my h-heart. (Merle wiped a tear from his eye.) I give a
part of him to every man I come into contact with at the shelter, everyone who comes into this church and
everyone I meet.
Denny's life and death meant something to his fellow soldiers, to his country, to his family and to His God. No
life or death is meaningless. Like a pebble tossed into the water, it creates a rippling effect that only grows in
size.
--Increase, a property of God's Kingdom. God uses us to affect countless lives in countless ways.
We would like to believe that God only uses us to bring bright happy futures to others. The opposite is often too
hard to accept or bear. Moses was used to harden Pharaohs heart and destroy him. Yet, wasn't this for good,
also?
Accepting God's Will is accepting God's Wisdom and Omniscience. God is all-knowing. He is The Alpha and
the Omega--The Beginning and The End. Therefore, He ALONE knows the future. Surely, just as He knows our
heart, He knows everyone's beginning and end.
To orchestrate His Divine Will and Plan for His Children and mankind, He must allow those who stand in the
way of that Holiness to be given unto Death and those whose lives must bring about TRUTH and CHANGE, to
be brought home to rest in Him; BOTH being a catalyst, part of God's plan, His way of turning that which was
meant for EVIL into GOOD.
At the shelter we work on the premise that, every case is a REAL person and every person is important to God.
EVERY case is RISKY, because each person is at RISK.
These men are FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES! And we must help them fight! Denny was a soldier, who went
to war to protect and fight for those who were at risk of losing their freedom and their lives.
My Brothers and Sisters let us not forget that there is another type of war going on which FUELS all other
wars! We, too, are SOLDIERS, but soldiers of the CROSS! Soldiers who must be EQUIPPED with the Armor
of God, fighting for the Kingdom of God!
I prefer to think of Javier and Denny now, not as CASUALTIES of war, but as CATALYSTS to spur me and
others to loose the chains of BONDAGE that keep men and women enslaved to Darkness and the certainty and
finality of DEATH. Their deaths spark debate, provoke thought, instill appreciation, rally causes, and awaken
awareness, demand attention and action. Their deaths give me and you a CHOICE TO CHOOSE LIFE OR
DEATH AND I CHOOSE LIFE IN THE BLOOD AND SANCTITY OF CHRIST JESUS!
YES, we grieve for Javier and those who have been lost! But if WE die and allow OTHERS to die without
knowing and accepting their God and Savior, who can give them abundant and eternal life, then, DEATH HAS
DEFEATED US and their dying is in vain.
We must move on and live out the life God has planned for us, accepting the Will of God; accepting that He
knows what is best for us because of His undying, unchanging and unconditional love...
Narrator: Come Sunday morning, Luke knew it was wrong, but he didn't feel like going to church. In his heart,
he just didn't feel like worshipping God. He was still grieving and not wanting to let go of the conflict inside of
him.
Due to his expectations, having failed to save Javier, he felt like he had failed God. Moreover, because of the
pain he felt, he also felt that God had failed him, too. Still, as a leader in the ministry, he knew he had to be
accountable and be an example.
Merle was excited about his sermon for the day. He had spent a lot of time reading and in prayer and
meditation. He felt God had given him just the message that was needed at this time.
He hadn't been feeling well, so, Bee had told him to take it easy with his sermon. Merle gave her a long,
romantic kiss, after which he retorted, "I'm an old man, but I ain't dead, yet." Feeling spry, He dug right in to the
message, enthusiastically, with a booming voice.
Merle: Good morning, Brothers and Sisters! Isn't it Wonderful to serve the LIVING GOD?
[The congregation responded with a loud burst of applause, amens and praise.]
Yet, as Jesus, the Word of God, described Him, He is "GOD OF THE LIVING.
My friends, I'm going to ask you some important questions. I don't want you to try and answer them now- -just
listen.
What is life?
Who is living?
Is everyone who does GOOD, alive?
What does it mean to be dead in sin or born in sin?
Are we kicking against the goad when we hate and discriminate?
Tell me, do you really believe that Christ is The Truth, The Way and the Life? What does that mean?
Are all those living under religion lost?

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Do those trapped in religion worship a different God?
What or who do they worship?
I want you to ponder these questions this week, study your Bible and your heart. Talk to God and see if you get
the answers. But, perhaps, you're not ready for the answer to some of these questions.
(Merle paused and looked over the questioning faces of the congregation, then, went on.)
My Brothers and Sisters, Brethren,
The character of God should be within our heart. That is why God judges the hearts of men. The heart reveals
that which you treasure and desire and also the god or idol that you worship.
God commanded us to have no other God than him. Yet, today, many still worship and pray to graven images or
give more credence to tradition, rituals, religion, politics and the doctrine and ideology of man. But I ask you,
can you pray to a stone and have Jehovah God in your heart? Can the stone be omnipresent, omnipotent--
loving?
If you accept the stone as your god or as a vehicle to your god, then, what does this reveal about your heart,
your god, your world, your existence, purpose, reality and mortality? What is your value to the stone? To the
Great, I Am, our value was the sacrifice of His Son's Life.
Where am I going with all of these questions?
I want you to make sure that you are one of the LIVING! I want you to understand those who are DEAD in
God's eyes. How do we work with the living and do we accept God's Will for the dead?
Jesus told the Sadducee who came before him and who did not believe in the resurrection,
"He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. Mark 12:27.
Therefore, God could not be the god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, if they were DEAD! They had been
RESURRECTED, by the Divine POWER, Grace and Mercy of The Almighty God.
Are you ALIVE, having received eternal life through Jesus, my Brothers and Sisters, or are you DEAD IN SIN!
What can we do for the dead? Is there ANYTHING we can do? We can ASK! Even Jesus had to ask! Ask what?
God has a plan for the dead just as He has a plan for the living. Judas Iscariot was used to help fulfill prophecy
and complete God's plan for the salvation of man.
We can ASK! Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Jesus resurrected the dead, but He PRAYED and
asked for the WILL of God. And it was God's WILL that man should KNOW that RESURRECTION and NEW
LIFE is given through Jesus Christ, the Son of God!
Jesus was flesh and blood, he did not want to suffer the agony of the cross, but He knew He had to ACCEPT the
Will of God. At the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He ASKED GOD. We read in Luke 22: 39-
44:
39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also
followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be
done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of
blood falling down to the ground.
Jesus did not die in vain, but gave His life that man would be saved and given new life, because it was God's
Will. What can we do for the dead? We can ask for the Will of God for their lives.
We can sacrifice ourselves as disciples, dying to our flesh to live in Christ Jesus, with the Mind of Christ. We
can spread the Truth to all and be an Example of the Way that others may follow us into New Life and be saved
from the fate of the Dead.
What can we do for the Dead? We can help create societies and laws to COMPEL men to do good, although,
many may not know WHY they do good, it may lead them to find out why.
But, the BEST and MOST LOVING KINDNESS we can do for any man is to show them Jesus. For if they are
Dead, perhaps they haven't seen him before. Perhaps, they've never had a Friend like Jesus. And, in this, we
know that our work, our prayers, our love for them will NOT be in vain.
Having come into contact with a Believer espousing and living the Word of God, the Dead are affected by
the magnetic properties of God's POWER. That Power is within us. The Word is Alive within us and it will
either DRAW OR REPEL!
There is NO DOUBT that we will bring about change, for it is the Will of God and we are part of HIS plan, not
ours, but, GOD'S PLAN! That is what we must HOLD ON TO. We are used to carry out God's Will and God's
plan for His children. EACH ONE OF US IS IMPORTANT TO GOD! NONE ABOVE THE REST!
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His love for us is unwavering, so much, that He allows us to choose life or death. We can choose to love and
obey Him; for God says if you love me, you will obey me; or we can reject Him and be forever outside of His
Light.
God says that He calls those who obey Him, friend and shares His wisdom with them. This says that God has a
close relationship with those He calls friend. If your religion requires you to pray to or through another to get to
your god, then what does this say about your value to your god? Does your god consider you worthy to be
called' friend' or instrumental as a vessel to be used?
Think about it for a moment, do you have a 'personal' relationship with God, your Father? Are you his friend if
he cannot share with you and communicate with you personally? Does his spirit live within you?
We who worship the God of Abraham are quick to accuse others of worshipping false gods. But do we know the
God we serve? Do we have a personal relationship with Him? Does He call us friend?
If we are not worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth, are we trying to serve two masters? Then should we point
a finger to accuse and condemn others?
Is it not our Father and Creator's desire that NONE should perish? Then, our Father must have provided A WAY
for none to perish!
And, perhaps, the only thing that separates us from our neighbor--our brother, is not their religion, but OUR
OWN UNBELIEF IN GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND POWER!
Think about it. If we do indeed believe that God has made a Way through Christ Jesus, then shouldn't we ALL
be traveling that Way? Yes?
But, it says in Matthew 7:14:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
it.
So, EVERYONE is not going to find the Way! But, God doesn't want ANYONE to perish, which means that we
still must try to show EVERYONE the Way! God wants them to know about the Way, so we must tell them and
try to show them. So, we must tell them the TRUTH and they must accept the Truth.
But, like Judas Iscariot and Simon, the Magician, people can accept the Truth and reject the Way, clinging to
their old ways. If they chose to follow their old ways, they cannot stay on the straight and narrow path and enter
into NEW life. Yet, still they have been told and know the TRUTH.
Yet, the Word of God says that it is better that they NEVER KNEW THE TRUTH, if they choose to remain in
sin.
2 Peter 2:20-22
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with
them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have
known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit
again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
There are consequences to rejecting the Word of God, because "In the Beginning was the Word and the Word
WAS God."
We cannot straighten other roads or widen the gate for others because it is OUR will. God has SPOKEN. Let
HIS Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!
DO WE BELIEVE IN AND SERVE AN ALMIGHTY GOD? DO WE BELIEVE IN AND DESIRE TO HAVE

AND GIVE GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL AND PERFECT LOVE? God made a way and told us to point the
direction. This requires us to change hearts and turn them in the right direction.
Then, we must stop putting limitations and prejudice guidelines upon HIS ALMIGHTY POWER and WILL and
look at the limitations we have put on ourselves and one another! The power of God is His Power and Will to
wield as He pleases, to whom He pleases, WHEN He pleases.
Our condemnation of others, our judgment and limitations we set upon our neighbor can be a death
sentence. Limiting the power of God, by judging and condemning our brother, is not BELIEVING, neither is it
worshipping in Spirit and in Truth, but shows that ANOTHER has INFLUENCE over us and we serve two
masters. Therefore, we do not SURRENDER ALL in order to be USED by God. Let us not forget that WE have
FORGIVENESS AND Redemption, not because of our worthiness, but because of the worthiness of Jesus
Christ.
Do you know and accept that by claiming to be a follower of Jesus--a Disciple, and that He has
COMMISSIONED you?! You have an assignment! You are commissioned to go out and change the world by
changing the hearts of our neighbors and those who do not have a true RELATIONSHIP with our Father. But,
how can you do this if there is condemnation in your heart? If you put limitations on who is worthy and try to
bend the Will and Way of God?
It is not God's POWER that fails or is prejudice, limited or bound. It is OUR heart that has failed to free the
hearts of men by exemplifying the indiscriminate and eternal love and character of Jehovah God!
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Like spoiled children, many people receive blessings and gifts from God and refuse to share them with others.
They have confused God's Grace and Mercy and providing for His Children with receiving His FAVOR. David
received Favor from God because his heart, his obedience and love for God proved him worthy.
Do you have God's FAVOR? And, if you do, what makes you WORTHY, not only of God's blessings, but of
having His Favor?
Many people are wealthy, famous, powerful or have high status or station in life, but they do not have God's
FAVOR. God showed us this through Saul, a King who was put into power as a LESSON to a rebellious and
ungrateful people. Saul was blessed by God to be King of Israel, but because of his disobedience and hardened
heart, his kingdom was given to one whom God FAVORED.
While the people were putting limitations on God, doubting His power, doubting His Divine Will, doubting His
very existence, God was waiting to see what the PEOPLE would do. He had warned them about what would
happen if they were given a King. He told them how Kings can abuse their power. We must remember that not
every man that God allows to rise to power, not every leader, not every president, has God's FAVOR, but can be
a LESSON for the people to turn back to God, when they have BELIEVED that they can LIMIT the power and
love of God.
As we witness in today's world, it is indicative for those who are religious to put limitations on God's power in
order to gain power for themselves! --And in doing so practice discrimination, oppression, persecution, terror
and killing, in the name of religion, disguised as the Will of God.
Saul, who became Paul, thought he could limit the power of God and persecuted the Believers in Christ. Jesus
met him on the road as a LIGHT! Paul was stopped dead in his tracks! He could go no further because of the
POWER and LIGHT before him that LEFT HIM IN DARKNESS, BEFORE GOD ALLOWED THE SCALES
TO BE REMOVED FROM HIS EYES AND GAVE HIM SIGHT!
IN TIMES LIKE THESE, WHEN WE and OUR COUNTRY ARE SURROUNDED BY DARKNESS, GOD IS
THE ONLY POWER WE MUST BELIEVE AND TRUST IN! We must not put our faith in political parties or
religious factions to deliver us from evil!
Paul a devout Jew, one of the elite, became a BELIEVER and bondservant of Christ. Yet, before then, as one of
the elite, Pharisee, he was certain and convinced he knew and served God as it SHOULD BE, the way which
had been ESTABLISHED by man.
Now, ESTABLISHED RELIGIONS AND RELIGIOUS PEOPLE believe they can decide who is serving a false
god. Yet, JESUS appeared to Paul as a LIGHT, a Beacon, The TRUTH, The WAY and The LIFE. God appeared
to Moses as a BURNING BUSH.
Exodus 13:21
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of
fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
He appeared to Jacob and wrestled with him as an Angel. How has God appeared to YOU?!
When Moses asked God what He should be called, He said, "I AM." He could be who, what, where He wanted.
Man cannot put limitations or boundaries upon Him.
Those who walk in sin and darkness are the walking dead, but they do not appear to the eye to be so. Yet, the
Great Jehovah God says that they are DEAD. JESUS said they are DEAD. Can we call upon the eyes of man as
a witness? The eye would say, "Certainly, they appear to be alive! How are they dead?"
We cannot look to the eyes and heart of the carnal world to give us truth or save us, for it worships another
master, the prince of darkness and the father of lies. Today, amidst all the turmoil in our nation and the world,
God is sending us a message, asking, "Why are we looking for truth from the world now?" It has never been
there. The Truth was sent to you and like Paul, you had no use for Him! You crucified Him!"
Must God continue to remind us that Judaism, as a RELIGION could not and cannot SAVE man? Christianity,
as a RELIGION cannot SAVE man. Islam, as a RELIGION cannot SAVE man. Neither can any other religion;
for only the LIGHT can lead us out of Darkness. God showed man the LIGHT and man sought to capture it for
his own use, but the LIGHT could not be altered because it was TRUTH.
We must stop putting limitations on how God works and trying to change it for our own benefit! It is evident
that within most religions can be found some degree of godly principles. God has shined the Light upon His
people around the world, but how did men INTERPRET it at the time? Holiness and righteousness is not a ritual
or ideology! It is the Living CHARACTER OF GOD THAT TRANSFORMS AND INFORMS. It is a state of
mind and being that connects us and unites us with God in Spirit and in Truth.
Paul had been persecuting Christians for years, but when God was ready, in His time, He sent His Son to let
Paul know and understand that he was LIVING in Darkness.
Jesus had to let Paul know he was kicking against the goad, the authority of God. Paul's effort to exterminate
Christians, the followers of Jesus, was in vain. It wasn't going to stop God's plans for man's deliverance and the
glorification of His Son.
GOD OF THE LIVING! My friends, are you amongst the living, today? Is God YOUR God?
What is life?
Who is living?
Is everyone who does GOOD, alive?

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What does it mean to be dead in sin or born in sin?
Are we kicking against the goad when we hate and discriminate?
Tell me, do you really believe that Christ is The Truth, The Way and the Life? What does that mean?
Are all those living under religion lost?
Do those trapped in religion worship a different God?
What or who do they worship?
Many will not understand this message today and that's okay. It is more of a question for you to seek answers to
and that's what I want you to do. ASK GOD! And, if you find that you are DEAD IN SIN, ASK GOD TO SAVE
YOU--a poor sinner. Just ask Him children.
I'm going to post these questions and make copies that will be readily available around the church and with
teachers and counselors. We will discuss them later in small groups in our classes. But, before you come to us
for answers, I want you to ask God. Do not be discouraged if you are not ready for the answer, God is not
through with you, yet. He wants you to learn more about life, the world, people, yourself, Jesus and Him.
I want you to ponder these questions this week, study your Bible and your heart, talk to God and see if He gives
you the answers. Are you His FRIEND? Is it that He expects something from you or that He wants you to truly
Love Him and Obey Him?
These are questions each and every one of us must find answers to in our OWN heart FIRST. We must allow
God to examine our heart and honestly ask ourselves, "Are we kicking against the goad and God's plans,
because of the Darkness within our own heart? Do we REALLY love our neighbor as we love ourselves? Do we
REALLY love the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? If we can't love our neighbor as He commanded, then,
what god, do we worship and SERVE?!
Are we serving Him or waiting to be served by Him? Are we worshipping in Spirit and in Truth? Have we
REALLY been REBORN through His Spirit and our minds RENEWED to be like Christ?"
Those OF the world can do good, but know not why. They give more CREDIT to their RELIGION than they
do GOD. Therefore, their corrupted mind tells them THEY must be right and their religion must be the right
religion.
Many do good and are thought to BE good because of their works. But, is DOING GOOD the same as
producing GOOD FRUIT? This is how Satan so craftily misleads people, disguising darkness as Light. Corrupt
men will do good deeds to win the support and admiration of others, as they use them for their own purpose of
evil and corruption. To produce good fruit, one must be attached to The Vine. This is the deciding factor
between FAITH and WORKS! Fruit can be BITTER and grown in vain as can works. FAITH must be the fertile
ground to produce good fruit and that faith comes by the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Christ Jesus, The
Life-giving Vine. Without Him, we are simply producing wood for the fire.
Under man's laws, Paul thought he was doing the right thing and doing good works; that is, doing good by
persecuting and killing Christians. He could not see God's hand working, since he lacked a relationship and
friendship with God. He THOUGHT his works were supported by deep faith and belief in His God. But, what
god was he worshipping? What was in his heart? What did he treasure most? --His status and his religion? --
Hatred and persecution? Where was GOD in Paul's WORKS?
Before Jesus came, did anyone CONSIDER these things or that they had allowed religion, tradition and rituals
to separate them from their God? Anything foreign, unknown or not understood, threatened to bring in false
doctrine and threaten their beliefs. And so, it threatened Saul, who became Paul. It had to be cast out, cut off,
BANNED and eliminated. What kind of faith did he have that was so fragile and vulnerable? Was it based on
TRUTH?
If religion is more prolific than a relationship with God; If religion is more appealing than a relationship with
God; If those in religion are seen as more prosperous, joyous, faithful, etc., than true Believers; If religion is
seen as having more authority and power, than the Word of God, then WE as BELIEVERS have to step up and
be BOLD to PROCLAIM the TRUE GOSPEL, awaken the sleeping and bring in the lost!
My friends, if you don't have answers to these questions, then it is time for you to find out if you are DEAD or
ALIVE, for God is God of the Living. Let us pray..........
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

perspectives.
1. Try to answer the questions throughout Merle's sermon. Discuss them with a mature Believer and/or in small
groups.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke 22 King James Version (KJV)
2 Peter 2 King James Version (KJV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 36
DEFINING TIMES
Narrator: Merle wasn't giving up on trying to help Luke and the rest of those under his care to understand what
it means to be Dead in Sin and having New Life. He continued his teaching series on this topic the next
Sunday.
Merle: ...As when Jesus came to Shine His LIGHT and open up the minds of the people to set them free from
bondage, once again we find it is time for DEFINITION! We are faced with people in our nation and around the
world, who believe they are populists, claiming to represent the "common people," but who have the old mind
of Paul, in bondage to pride, hatred, murder by tongue and hand, selfishness and greed, representing instead evil
and common strongholds of darkness. They are worried more about THEMSELVES than believing in and
obeying the Word of God.
As Ambassadors of the LIGHT, we must shine the LIGHT before them and stop them in their tracks to let them
know their works are in vain, for they kick against the goad...the authority of God. At the same time, Darkness
has used these people to bring workers of iniquity, enslaved to greed and selfishness to power; men with
traitorous instincts and intentions to bolster the interests and riches of the wealthy.
Some would call these Dark Times in man's history, but, we as Believers have been presented with the
opportunity to make this an Age of Enlightenment. These are DEFINING TIMES where we must call a lie a lie
and sin as sin. We must expose and translate sin, hatred, prejudice and ideology that has been redefined as good
WORKS, but is bitter fruit and bears the mark of DARKNESS AND EVIL.
We must DEFINE LIVING AND LIFE as it is in JESUS, The TRUTH, The (ONLY) WAY, and (TRUE) LIFE.
Is it that the blind remain blind and the lost remain lost because we have not stood in their path shining the
LIGHT OF TRANSFORMATION and the BEACON to lead them home? Or, are these the LAST DAYS when
we must leave the dead to walk in the sin that has consumed them?
TIME IS WINDING UP! We are surrounded by the beginning of beginnings and the perpetual motion that will
not and cannot be stopped. The battle wages on and the carnal hungry devour the weak. Serpents, which are
void of life, fill the streets and byways, preying upon the people of God, ready to strike with venomous fangs to
still the beating hearts of men and rob them of their souls. This may sound like something out of a horror novel,
but IT IS REAL! --Real and a constant reality.
What can we do? Jesus said that we would be able to do EVEN MORE than the miracles He performed! God is
still producing MIRACLES! We need only to ASK for the Will of God. Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in
Heaven.
We have the power of the LIGHT and HOLY SPIRIT within us. With the WILL OF GOD, we need only to
STAND in the path of darkness and proclaim God's WILL on EARTH as it is in Heaven.
Are you filled with the LIGHT and indeed ALIVE my Brothers and Sisters? Then, God is YOUR GOD and if
He be for you, then, who can be against you?
Let me take you even farther into the Light by explaining last Sunday's scripture,
Mark 12:18-27 King James Version
18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him,
saying,
19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no
children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven
had her to wife.
24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures,
neither the power of God?
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25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as
the angels which are in heaven.
26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush
God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
My Friends, if you have been BORN AGAIN, you do not DIE! You have been given ETERNAL LIFE!
Jesus was unraveling the lie that was fed to the Jewish people and settling the argument between the
Pharisee and the Sadducee concerning the resurrection of the body of man! There is no need to TOUCH the
dead body of one who is dead in Christ to bring it to life, as He did to his friend Lazarus. As God's Holy
Spirit and Christ live in you, and so are you promised to eternal life in Christ.
Romans 8:11
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from
the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
1 Thessalonians 4King James Version (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God
bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Children of God, I hope you listened carefully, for just as Jesus and Paul DEFINED the resurrection to AFFIRM
and DEFINE the works of today, so must we. I repeat. THESE ARE DEFINING TIMES!
We must CLARIFY THE MESSAGE, INSTRUCT and SET THE EXAMPLE of who God would have us to BE
as Believers and what He would have us to do. The CONTRAST BETWEEN THE WORLD AND HOLINESS
AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IS DISTINCT and in our favor! Darkness has raised its ugly head and shown its
intent to tear down and destroy the foundation of humanity and send the world spinning off of its axis.
THESE, my friends, these are Defining Times to define who you are in Christ; if you are TRULY ALIVE and
are assured eternal life. We cannot be dissuaded, or taken aback, intimidated, discouraged, and caught up in
guilt, grief or despair! When Jesus prayed in AGONY at Gethsemane, God sent an angel to STRENGTHEN
Him. CHRIST HAS DEFINED US! We need only to know who we are in Christ to gain strength to carry on
VICTORIOUSLY! As Christ has defined us, our SALVATION DEFINES THE PRESENT TIMES! We need
only to watch as the wheat is sifted from the tares before our eyes!
Many do not want to believe in the LAST DAYS, Brothers and Sisters! However, we know not how or when the
Lord will BEGIN and END His Process! Yet, there is NO MISTAKING the power of the Lord! We are in a
TRANSITION PERIOD. --Where the Lord is WEEDING and DEFINING. SIFTING and MAKING PLAIN
HIS WORD UNTO US! --AND, THOSE WHO HAVE AN EAR TO HEAR, WILL HEAR THE WORD OF
THE LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY, Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
It is true that although we wish to...we cannot save everyone. There are those who are as Judas, the son of
perdition, souls used by God to turn what was meant for evil into good. They are catalyst to bring about change
in others.
God may bring someone into your life to show you how blessed you are to be you; to show you how you have
been spared; to bring you into submission and humble you; to inspire you to go on to greater things; to empower
you to be used as a holy vessel; or to teach you what our Lord and Saviour endured for us, sacrificed for us and
conquered for us.
Again, NO life is born in vain for every life touches upon another life to change it, but it is up to us to LIVE a
LIFE that is not in vain, in that it is not only abundantly full, but, in that it has been truly TRANSFORMED,
REBORN through the sanctification of God's Holy Spirit, making us WHOLE and ONE with our Father.
As it is often said, God works in mysterious ways. --Revisiting things in our past that keep us from moving
forward. Bringing closure and closing doors which need to be closed. --Righting wrongs. Bringing justice and
righteousness to that meant for evil. WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE ALONE AND NO ONE COULD
HEAR OUR CRY, GOD WAS THERE! He didn't forget about us. He knows what happened to affect our lives.
That's why He allows people to come into our lives--some of them LIVING some of them DEAD, some of
them LOST, some of them ASLEEP! People we may have never met or may meet again. However, ALL of
them are important to God's plan for us and those around us. Each of them has something to teach us and we
have something to offer them, in return. What they give us will help us to complete our journey and we, also,
will help them to complete theirs. GOD OPENS DOORS AND GOD CLOSES DOORS! And often, because of
His love for us, He allows us to make the choice to walk through.
Life is about relationships. And, yes, many of them will be difficult, but as WE are commissioned to do, we
offer the lost, asleep and the dead, the KINGDOM OF GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS AS
THEIR KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! The DEAD may remain dead, the LOST may remain lost
and the SLEEPING may remain asleep. But, to believe that NO CHANGE has come about is not to understand
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the POWER of the WORD OF GOD that can and will DRAW OR REPEL! Everything has an opposite! And as
we know, the prince of darkness was shut out from the Light of God, because he rebelled and rejected God.
As the Pharaoh of Egypt was made to understand through the Word of God handed down through Moses, God's
WORD has WONDER-WORKING POWER! --Power that hardened Pharaohs heart against the God of Moses
and Israel and allowed hatred to destroy his army and kingdom. Pharaoh, by his OWN hand and hardened heart
chose DEATH, because he did not HEED NOR RESPECT the Word of God.
When we speak the Word of God to people, like Moses, we are extending the all powerful hand of God to them.
CHANGE MY FRIENDS IS IN GOD'S WILL ACCORDING TO HIS PLAN. Yes, NEVER be dismayed
thinking all efforts are in vain, Again, CHANGE is in God's WILL, according to His plan and we must accept
that change, whatever it may be, as the WILL of God, for He knows what is best.
God does not empower us to impose upon others our OWN WILL. We may will the dead to come alive--to be
SAVED and have eternal peace, but understand THIS...God's plan is COMPLETE! God's plan comes full-circle,
just as the seed grows in the ground and becomes a flower, which blossoms, is pollinated to produce new seed,
withers, dies and fertilizes the ground to nourish new life, the DEAD give meaning and purpose to the LIVING.
God instructed His Children not to TOUCH that which was DEAD, as it was UNCLEAN. There is a PROCESS
going on after death. The spirit must be processed. As Jesus showed us in driving evil spirits into the swine,
even animals can be possessed by unclean spirits. That which is unclean cannot dwell with that which is HOLY.
Those who have chosen to walk in sin are DEAD in sin. Sometimes, God sends them your way to give or
receive a message and sends them on their way. That 'way' may be down the road or it may be to more sin or
their mortal death. The Word and Will of God is the deciding factor. If you have delivered the message God
intends for them and set the example, then you have turned on the Light to the road they are to take and brought
about the change that was needed for God to enact His PLAN.
You might say, "Well, God, I turned on the Light, but my daughter got pregnant, anyway. Well, God, I turned on
the Light, but my son ended up in prison, anyway. Well, God, I turned on the Light, but my husband left me,
anyway. Well, God, I turned on the Light, but my sister committed suicide, anyway. God, what did I do wrong?
I thought you said I had the power to CHANGE people. I sure didn't change them. WHAT DID I DO
WRONG?! DID YOU LIE TO ME?!"
Not all plants and animals have the same lifespan or purpose. Well, my friends, as we know, not all PEOPLE
have the same lifespan or purpose, either. But, does that mean we did something wrong or does it mean that,
having done what God asked us to do, we must accept the WILL OF GOD?!
For every ONE that REMAINS DEAD, THOUSANDS may find LIFE, if we persevere and obey the Will of
God. It is when we HAVEN'T DONE WHAT GOD ASKED OF US that we should feel that perhaps something
went wrong. Perhaps, we didn't care enough to tell others the Truth. Perhaps, God is pointing out our lack of
PERFECT LOVE for our neighbor and even for our enemies.
Even those walking dead in sin need to hear the Word of God. SATAN REMAINS ROAMING THE EARTH,
waiting to claim the DEAD. But, like the dying thief upon the cross, perhaps, if they get a glimpse of JESUS
before they die, they might believe and cry out FORGIVE ME, LORD AND TAKE ME WITH YOU!
Never DOUBT the Word and Power of God! EVERYDAY God is giving EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND
CHILD a chance to LIVE! Therefore, just as salvation was not withheld from the dying thief upon the cross,
WE cannot withhold the changing and transforming Word of God from ANYONE! Bless the Lord! Amen!
Narrator: Soon, church was dismissed and Luke knew that sermon, also, had been for him. When Javier was
given to him to mentor, he had asked, "Why me?" Now, he knew why him. After everyone had cleared out, he
approached Merle at the altar where he had been talking to various people and answering questions. He had
thought about the scripture and there was only one question he had on his mind. If it was the right answer, it
could make all the difference in how he was feeling and his decision to leave the ministry. Luke looked into
Merle's eyes and asked.
Luke: ARE these the Last Days?
(Wrapping his arms around Luke and squeezing him tightly, he whispered in his ear.)
Merle: For many people, Luke, yes, they are. His time was up. God determined that, not you, me, or anybody
else.
Luke thought about his sister, Sharon, who had taken her life, unable to live with the sexual abuse she endured
as a child. Having an addict mother had left them unprotected and easy prey for the unscrupulous people she
brought into their lives.
These were the memories that he pushed into a special room in his mind and locked behind a door he and no
one else had access to. It was filled with shame, guilt and questions to which he had had no answers. God had
delivered him from the fear and anger attached to his past, but he had held on to the shame and guilt, giving
Satan a way to manipulate him through pride.
Throughout his life, he had felt guilty for feeling anything. He had felt guilty for being alive, let alone for
allowing himself to enjoy any happiness that might come his way. His mother filled the atmosphere of their
home with smothering depression and sadness, making her children feel that they were responsible for her
problems. All of his life he felt that he should have done something to make a difference. Then, at that moment
God spoke to his heart.
"You are doing something to make a difference. This was my plan for you."
He held Merle as tightly as Merle held him and wept knowing that through Javier's death, God was delivering
him from the bondage of guilt and shame that had plagued him throughout his life. He whispered to Merle...
Luke: I know that now...thank God, I know.

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Chapter 37
INFLUENCES
Narrator: Luke finished his master's degree, writing his dissertation or thesis on "INFLUENCES." He drew
upon his life and the lives of others to present, "The influences that affect falling into darkness and the
commonality of these influences on those who become drug and alcohol abusers, leading to socioeconomic
problems such as homelessness." He categorized the sources of influence as being from relationships (familial,
peers, marital, friends), health, society (class, status, disenfranchisement, norms, and deviants), economics, race,
ethnicity, culture (music, art, film, literature, etc.), ideology, religion, politics and the justice system. His
opening scripture was:
Matthew 6:22-23 (KJV)
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of
light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee
be darkness, how great is that darkness!
In his two-part thesis, he presented arguable hypotheses that might counteract these influences and help to bring
people into God's Marvelous Light. With permission, he interviewed several men in the shelter and included
their testimonies to compare and draw conclusions to support his theories. He included their case studies within
his thesis. Here is a short excerpt from the transcript, highlighting the dialogue exchanged between them.
INFLUENCES: FAMILY
SPOKEN CURSES: Case # 1 - JEROME
Jerome: ...Yeah, I guess I did give in to peer-pressure as a teenager and just followed the crowd. I did what
everybody else did. I wanted to fit in. I wanted people to like me and think I was somebody.
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When I was growing up my family use to say, "You got no common sense." And they labeled me as being
'gullible', when I barely even knew what the words meant. I mean, I only knew that I felt shame when these
words were spewed upon me. It was like spitting, on me like I was a piece of...well...
When I began to understand what it meant to have no 'common sense' and be 'gullible', I became more angry
and rebellious when they said it. Yep, I guess it did harden my heart and I guess the shame, turned into anger. I
didn't like being called a word that everyone else seemed to think was dirty and terribly, horribly ugly and just
plain outright...bad. So...that's what I thought. I wassomething bad.
Once said, the words were like my new name, a nickname and it stuck in my mind and followed me into
adulthood. I got tired of hearing it. EVERY time I got into trouble it was their answer for all the mistakes in my
life. I was gullible and had no common sense.
I started believing I was incapable of making good choices and doing anything right. Yet, this was only part of
the lies I would have to dispel, that were instilled into me as a child. I'm only beginning to find out why God
allowed this to happen.
Yeah, I understand a little better, now. I get it. You know, kids can be such an easy target for cruelty, verbal
abuse, neglect, exploitation, manipulation, brainwashing and violence. And, what my family did may sound like
a cruel thing to say and do to a child, but in their minds, they were trying to teach me a lesson. It's the way that
they knew. Although, it just sounded like criticism and ridicule, it was a lesson they used, somewhat hoping and
intending for it to mold and improve the future me, but it also punished me for not being what they wanted me
to be. I ended up thinking I was a total failure!
I hung around with people who didn't expect much of me. I just followed the crowd, but it was the wrong
crowd, so I ended up doing things I shouldn't have done. When you think you don't have much going for you,
you settle for whatever is available. For me, it was drugs and hustling.
Luke: Jerome, I can tell you're a pretty smart man. You said you settled for what was available. Is that true or
are you just making an excuse? I mean, there are programs out there and jobs to keep you busy that don't require
a lot of education. Are you just rationalizing and passing the blame on to somebody else? Where was your faith
in God to provide for you and make a way?
Jerome: Wow, man, you dig in deep. Don't you? I didn't think about those things because I didn't fully
understand those things. It was all about SURVIVAL, man! SURVIVAL! Using what you see in the world and
can get your hands on.
Rationalize? Yeah, I guess you learn to do that--rationalize, because you don't want to face the truth...you're
afraid to try it any other way. You're living in fear and you don't want to have your pride hurt, because you're
afraid of failure and you're afraid of people hurting you. It's easier to hurt other people! So, you take the lazy
and easy way out. Create your own reality where you rule your own world. Yeah, I guess that's what I did.
Luke: Do you wish you would have done it another way, now?
Jerome: Luke, if I would have known what I know now, I would have never started! That's why I stick with this
program. It works! I'm working...and I'm not working AGAINST myself! Thank God!
You know what I want to do with the rest of my life, Luke? I wanna give kids a chance by connecting them to
Jesus, especially those who are struggling with family issues like I was.
Now some people would word that as a chance to BETTER themselves and have good SELF-ESTEEM, but
that's a joke the world wants you to believe to mess your mind up even more.
Better YOURSELF? Kids need to learn at an early age that they need JESUS! And, self-esteem is a
disguised pride. NO! Somebody needs to wake these kids up, deflate their pride and let them know they are
NOTHING without God and they can't do ANYTHING without Him AND, if they want to feel good about
themselves, they need to find out who they are in JESUS!
Luke, kids need to know about the Kingdom BEFORE they're put out there unprepared and unequipped to stand
against the enemy.
SPOKEN CURSES: Verbal Punishment
Psalm 52:2
The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Verbal punishment is something we humans sometimes love to inflict upon one another to make us feel better
about ourselves. We may love to point out the faults and mistakes of others, dig up dirt on one another and open
closets to expose skeletons. At some point in our lives, each of us has punished someone verbally or physically
for whatever reason we felt they deserved to receive it.
Depending on the status of the relationship, the method of punishment doesn't always agree with the
transgression, but what someone feels most satisfies and appeases the harm that they believe was done.
Yet, the tongue can be used to inflict the most brutal punishment of all. We must be careful not to speak curses
upon others that usher in darkness and destroy lives.
James 3:1-10 (KJV)

1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also
to bridle the whole body.
3. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
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4. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned
about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth!
6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the
whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been
tamed of mankind:
8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God.
10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
LACK OF IDENTITY: Case #2 - RICHARD
Richard: Can I read what I prepared for this interview? I'm not to good at talking.
Luke: Sure...go ahead.
Richard: We live in a world run by pride. I know that now. In my family, everything was about looks. I was
teased because I was too feminine for a boy and I wasn't tough. I was teased and called "Pretty Ricky."
I didn't fit in and they didn't understand. At a time when I was looking for my identity, I found I didn't fit in. So,
I chose a lifestyle where I did fit in.
My family wanted me to be stronger and masculine. They thought their tough talk would toughen me up and as
a boy; I should be able to take it. My mom wanted to be able to boast that mama didn't raise no fool and my dad
wanted a chip off of the old block.
Being proud and indestructible was an asset in my family...a blessing, but, I didn't feel indestructible or blessed.
I felt like I was being torn apart, piece by piece, until there was nothing left of me.
My family believed I lacked good judgment and I felt that they looked down on me and thought I was evil
because I couldn't be like them. They said my rebellion would be the ruin of me and them. I was an
embarrassment to them.
No one wants to be an embarrassment to their family. No one wants to be labeled as a foolish person, who is
easily taken advantage of. Who wouldn't be upset by being called a fool, stupid, a sissy, a fag and a homo by
people who were supposed to love you? It was bad enough hearing it from kids at school. They thought calling
me names would shame me and change me. I was changed alright, but, change had taken the wrong direction.
My parents believed I deserved to be chastised for my behavior, that lacked accountability and they were right
in some ways. However, they didn't see Satan playing a trick on them. They had bought into Satan's lies and
allowed him to use them to instill shame, insecurity, frustration, depression, rejection, guilt, bitterness, anger,
rebellion and other ill-fruit. Thank God I found out that bondage begets bondage. Now, I understand them better
than they understand me. I forgive them and I still love them thanks to God.
I didn't know who I was and after while, I didn't care what they thought. I didn't want to be like them. I'd be
who I wanted to be. The drugs made it easier, so I thought.
Luke: Do you put all the blame on them, Richard?
Richard: Of course not! I'm the one who got on this roller-coaster ride! I allowed myself to be led into
temptation because of my pride. Sure, I was born a little different, but that didn't mean I should be blamed for
not knowing how to deal with it. They didn't know either.
Can I finish reading now?
Luke: Oh, I'm sorry I thought you were finished. Yes, go ahead. I apologize for interrupting.
Richard: First, the drugs made me even more rebellious. Then, after I got a taste of the forbidden, I wanted to
satisfy my desires and what I believed were my needs.
I'm older now and responsible for my own actions. It's just that when you're constantly surrounded by
negativity, it does something to you, and if you don't have Jesus, you fight back the way the world does.
When you know you're not accepted by the people around you, you go look for the kind of people who will
accept you and what you like to do or you try to drown it out by self-medicating.
I resented my family for a long time. I had a friend whose family encouraged and supported his homosexuality,
since he was a child and I wanted that. I felt that they should accept me. Accept that I'm different! I was born
like this! Now, I understand that people you love can accept you and love you, but that doesn't mean they have
to accept what you do and how you live.
I was in love with myself. I loved me more than anyone else and more than God. I believed that life was all
about ME and I should be able to make my life into what I wanted it to be and become who or what I wanted to
be. I couldn't understand why they didn't give me what I wanted.
I was just addressing one part of me--the flesh--self. I didn't take into account that the soul, body and the spirit,
which belongs to God, must all work together to be healthy. I didn't take into account that God made me and
God doesn't make mistakes.
I didn't take into account that the spirit has separate needs that are different from the flesh.
I didn't take into account Jesus or obeying and trusting God, or the Kingdom of God. I didn't take into account
eternal life and that this isn't all there is.
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I really didn't know and understand these things. I just felt I was trapped in a world I didn't understand and that
didn't understand me. But, now I ask myself, this flesh will rot away and this life will pass away one day and
what will happen to my spirit?
I guess some people feel that life in this world is enough for them and they don't care, but I care. God has
promised something better and part of me wants something better.
Luke: Well said, Richard! Go on.
Richard: Well, now that you've got me started...
My family thought I didn't have any sense, but I can figure this much out. Those who believe they can love a
partner of the same sex the same way God loves are lying to themselves. God is Holy and He doesn't change.
God told us to be Holy like Him.
Now, Luke, if we're supposed to imitate God, do people honestly believe God would have sex with another
man? I don't think so. He brought His Son into the world through Mary because that's the way it's supposed to
be!
We were made in His image and He didn't tell us to remake His image into what we wanted it to be. Okay, now
let me finish reading this...
Now, the Bible says that Jesus didn't see it as blasphemous or a sin to be counted equal with God. Not in those
words, but you know what I mean. Anyway, Jesus was the Word and the Word WAS God. Now, here's the way I
see it. God told us to be LIKE Him. We should be Holy and have His character, because His Holy Spirit and
Jesus live inside of us making us One like Him and Jesus. Well, if you're going against the Word of God, then,
YOU'RE OUT OF CHARACTER! You've been play acting, playing a role not meant for you and the only way
to get REAL AND REALLY LIVE is to die to the flesh and BE REBORN with a NEW MIND, the MIND OF
CHRIST, endowed with the character of God!...
You know, Luke, I was sooo rebellious. My momma used to get so mad at me that all she could do was take a
deep breath and say, "Ricky, just keep on livin." I took what she said as a grain of salt. I didn't pay any attention
to what she said, then. I just kept on doing what I wanted to do. In other words I was kicking against the goad,
as they say, the authority of God.
I miss my momma now, but just like she said, I had to keep on livin' to find out the hard way, for myself, that
the Creator has control over His creation. He'll let the world have you and you find out that the world doesn't
have mercy on you, like your Heavenly Father does. But, THANK GOD He's given us power to overcome the
world and the flesh.
HALLELUJAH!
Whew! My, my, my, that is sooo true! I'm almost done reading. Where was I? Oh!
...It's a matter of BELIEVING the Word of God or NOT! My mind was in the world and what the world could
offer me, but it was never enough. The world can never offer me what God can.
I was all wrapped up in MY feelings! What "I" wanted. People believe that God OWES them something and
should make exceptions for them, accepting how they feel and their lifestyle.
But, I know better now. I understand, now that that type of thinking is not unconditional, perfect love. It is
selfishness and unbelief in the all-knowing God, who knows better than we do.
It is not--loving and obeying God and the love God would have us have for one another.
I know now that I am NOTHING without God. I WANT to be CHANGED--REBORN and be perfected in love
through His Holy Spirit. Sure, I know that God still loved me, before, but He wants something better for me,
now. That's why I'm here.
The end. Did I write too much? Is the tape recorder still on?
Luke: Yes. That was fine Richard. ...more than fine...It was GREAT! We've spent a lot of time together,
Richard. Do you mind telling how many times you've tried to commit suicide?
Richard: two
Luke: How many times have you overdosed?
Richard: Umm...Probably, a couple of times that I can remember.
Luke: What did you do to buy drugs?
Richard: I was a prostitute!
Luke: Did you worry about getting A.I.D.S?
Richard: OF COURSE I DID! I had friends who died from A.I.D.S. I got checked all the time. I tell you
[Richard chokes up and tears come to his eyes]
But, for the grace of God, Id be dead, too. I was living dangerously. I know it was God. He kept me alive for a
reason.
[Richard wipes the tears from his eyes, then, puts his hands together, prayerfully, and raises them up as he looks
up toward Heaven, thanking God.]
Luke: Are you on medication, Richard?
Richard: They said that I should try medication for my depression. I haven't been on it very long, but, I believe
it is helping me. I can think more clearly and I feel different.
Luke: Where are you at in your life now, Richard? You said part of you wants something better and you said
you want to be reborn. What's stopping you? You don't feel like you've been reborn?
Richard: Well, I'm finding out who I really am in Christ. But, I'm still afraid, so I know I have a long way to
go. I'm afraid of going back out there in the world.
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Luke: Are you afraid of people and how they'll treat you?
Richard: I'm more afraid of myself and what I'll do. I've got to get myself a job and a decent place to stay. It's
gonna take some time, but, God is giving me the information I need and is equipping me. I'm learning to lean
and depend on Him. It's up to me to keep asking and pursuing Him.
Luke: What I'm hearing from you, Richard, is that you want to die to your flesh, but you don't know how. Is
that right?
Richard: Right
Luke: Do you think this is why many who practice homosexuality struggle with sexual identity?
Richard: What do you mean?
Luke: Well, is it that they don't understand surrendering all to God, even that which you claim identifies you, in
order to become who and what God created you to be?
Richard: But, they think they are being who God created them to be, why surrender? That's what their mind,
which follows the desires of their heart, tells them. They live in a world of me, me, me, not total sacrifice and
surrender. They think the mind identifies who you are and if you believe that your bodys DNA and
chromosomes aren't what you want them to be, then, you can just toss a coin to decide, so to speak. That's why
we have to make Jesus the center of our joy in our hearts, so we can keep our eyes on heavenly things and not
treasure the things of the world and the flesh.
Luke: Well, do you believe they dispute the Bible?
Richard: We are living in times when those in authority are disputing the Bible, because, moral decay in society
has changed what is considered as unlawful and sinful. Civil rights now demand equal rights for sin.
There is moral decay in families, who are no longer teaching children to surrender their will, obey and be
accountable to God. And, there is moral decay in many churches because discipleship was eradicated.
--Being a disciple DEMANDS sacrifice and accountability. If the leaders in the church don't know how to
surrender all and be accountable, they can't expect it of the people. Too many places of worship have become
prosperity workshops, that have gotten so far away from accountability that they have no idea how to teach
people to surrender all and die to the flesh, because they don't know how to themselves.
Disciples have to surrender all and submit to authority. I don't know many people gay or straight who can really
do that. You've got leaders and clergy out there pretending to and making people believe they ARE the
authority, so while everybody is supposed to be under their authority, they aren't under ANYBODY'S
AUTHORITY INCLUDING GOD!
Luke: Do you believe you can do that, be a Disciple, surrender all and submit to authority?
Richard: I'm trying, but, I'm learning that without God, I can do nothing.
Luke: Richard, you've learned a lot since you've been here. Repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus, believing
He is the Son of God is the first step to surrendering all.
You THINK differently now, Richard. People often don't understand or know what to expect when they've been
reborn. Some people expect to be perfect by themselves, when it is God within us who perfects us. Our NEW
MIND acknowledges His presence and draws from HIS perfection!
Look beyond the reasoning in your mind into the LOVE of GOD within your HEART. He is there to perfect
YOUR love and cast out your fears. It's not just about who YOU are. You are ONE with God's Holy Spirit and
Christ. Look to who you are in THEM! You are no longer ALONE! You are protected and strengthened!
Often, people have trouble accepting Christ when they don't feel worthy. Satan can make us believe that
because of our sins and past, we aren't worthy of a better life. It is not by anything we can do or have done that
makes us worthy. We become worthy by the sacrifice and blood of Christ Jesus.
When we don't know what another life might bring us, fear can prevent us from letting go of the life we've led
and our expectations can lead us astray. We expect things from others or ourselves that we should seek and find
in God. Jesus had to seek God to be strengthened to bear crucifixion. Strength and courage are found in God.
We can do nothing without Him, as you said.
I believe that being made perfect in love and letting go of fear has more to do with resting in God's love, than
anything we can control or do ourselves. It's walking by faith and not by sight, knowing that even if you fall,
God is going to catch you or pick you up, because He loves you so much.
We have to really, REALLY believe with ALL our heart and soul we have a loving Father in Heaven, Who
possesses such a POWERFUL love for us and then, FEEL that love in our faith through Christ Jesus.
Faith, Richard! God WILL increase your faith through Jesus, The Author and Finisher of Faith.
And through the blessing of being reborn, you need only to recognize and believe in the powerful and
unconditional love of God within you, to comfort and empower you throughout each day. David said it best in
the 23rd Psalm.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my
cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord for ever.
David had great faith and walked by faith. That is why it is so important for us to have Jesus, who can increase
our faith and help us come to know our Father and His Love.
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It is clear to see that you have faith, Richard. I believe that in the twenty-third Psalm, David is telling us how to
just let go and let God. Let go Richard and let God lead you.
How could a man say the things in the twenty-third Psalm, if he didn't totally believe in God's love for him?
David is telling us not to worry because we have a God who will be EVERYTHING to us and keep us in His
care forever.
I like to meditate on the twenty-third Psalm, daily, to calm any doubts and fears I may have and remind myself
of God's unconditional love.
I can tell that you have invited God's Holy Spirit to dwell within you to become One with the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. God's Holy Spirit will teach you His love and Jesus will increase your faith. Just pray, believe and
ask. Peace, Love, Joy and abundant life is yours for the asking.
You're right, Richard, it's about BELIEVING the Word so that you "walk the walk and not just talk the talk."
God is going to give you your heart's desire and remove all your fear, you've just got to keep asking and
pursuing Him.
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
We all want others to change for the better. However, in our eyes, something better, usually looks a lot like us.
God is always there, watching. If anyone might wonder why their efforts or methods were unsuccessful, perhaps
their idea of change for the better wasn't in God's plan.
FAMILY CURSES -Case #3 HERMAN
Herman: My bobeshi, God rest her soul, my grandmother, on my father's side, was an Eastern European Jew,
who spoke Yiddish. She was a devout Jew, but I think she wrote her own Torah. She'd say,
"Hermie, you've got the curse of your father, who had the curse of his father and his father before him. Now,
listen to me Hermie or you'll never break the curse and get ahead. Pride begat Bondage who came to power and
served Satan, turning the hearts of generations away from God, creating Shame who took Pain as a wife and
begat Anger and Frustration, Rebellion and Resentment. --Anger begat Violence. Rebellion begat Promiscuity
and so on."
It was her way of saying that one thing leads to another because of pride and I had brought everything upon
myself because I wouldn't humble myself.
"Hermie, she'd say,

A nar geyt tsvey mol dort vu a kliger geyt nit keyn eyntsik mol. A fool goes twice where a sensible person
doesnt even go once. Don't be a fool, Hermie, or you'll never be a Mensch (a full, honorable human being)."
Luke: Did you believe you were cursed like your father and ancestors?
Herman: I don't know. I mean, look at me and where I am! I'm a recovering addict! I can't keep a job! I've been
divorced twice, like my father. I guess I did.
I lowered my expectations and what I wanted in life. I expected bad things to happen to me. It's almost like I'd
unconsciously do things so that they would turn out bad.
Sometimes, I think I used it as a backup to get out of things I didn't want to do anymore for one reason or
another. I know it affected my relationships. I got involved with people who wouldn't do anything but get me
into trouble and I can't have a lasting relationship.
But, one thing Bubbe was right about, I was proud like my old man. He'd get fired from jobs and get in fights
all the time trying to prove himself. I was too proud to face the fact that my behavior was my problem, until I
ended up out on the streets.
Luke: You said that you cant have a lasting relationship. The words we speak are powerful. Like God, we can
speak things into existence, if we truly believe it. Jesus said that with the faith of a mustard seed we can speak
to a mountain and tell it to move and it will move.
What we speak can reveal what we believe in our heart. If we don't want to fail, then, we must change our
negative or pessimistic beliefs, walk and live by faith in God, speaking God's Will for us to have abundant life
into existence. This begins with rebirth and a renewed mind.
Herman, do you believe a lot of kids have family curses?
Herman: Generations of alcoholics, drug addicts, battered women and men who abuse women, father and sons
incarcerated together and now more women, divorce, incest, poverty and so on. What do you think it is when
you see it over and over again in families?
Luke: Do you think you've broken your family curse?
Herman: I humbly pray that I have. I pray that I don't have to go any lower than I was. BUT! I know that it
depends on my heart, who and what I treasure in my heart--Who and what I put FIRST in my life; keeping
myself humble, praying and seeking God's face. I want to follow Jesus. Yep, I want to follow Jesus, now.
Luke: Why?
Herman: Why? Because, I've been reading over and over again what He says in the Bible. Then, how He was
cru...
[Herman stops, dropping his head down to the floor, shaking his head. He wipes his face, trying to recover.]
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Luke: Are you okay, Herman?
[Herman continues in a strained and emotional voice]
Herman: Yeah...I'm alright. You see, I've always felt like the world was against me, but I was against myself.
God was just waiting for me to see that. J-Jesus is REAL LUKE! God i-is real...
I never use to pray before I came here. I was too proud...but...
Luke: Do you want to stop for a while?
Herman: No. I'll just say that I believe and I'm thankful for another chance. I'm thankful God never stopped
loving me.
Luke: What are you doing to make positive changes in your life, Herman?
Herman: I'm trying to discover who I am and believe who I can be.
Luke: It sounds like you've found a great deal of you, in Christ, Herman.
Herman: Yeah, I guess I have. Uh...I wanted to read these verses. I keep these verses with me...and a read them
everyday.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:12-13
Summary- Family Curses
Family curses can be traced back through hearts, just like hearts of the kings in the genealogical list of Kings of
Judah and Israel. We change the course of history for our children by who we choose to serve in our heart.
You may faithfully go to worship and give your service to the Lord, but if your heart has not changed; if there is
no peace in your house because there is no peace in you; if you bear no good fruit, because you are not attached
to the Vine; if you think you can dabble in a little sin here and a little sin there; if you sold your soul to Satan so
you can have things of the world, then don't look up and be surprised to see your children carried off into
bondage and Satan coming to collect your debt owed to him. You reap what you sow.
Family curses leave a trail that can be traced straight back to the heart. Divorce, promiscuity, homosexuality,
adultery, incest, pedophilia, alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, domestic violence, depression, suicide,
poverty, and so on, this can pass on bondage to others because of a living example or role model with an
unchanged heart.
Luke 11:1-4 King James Version (KJV)

1. And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3. Give us day by day our daily bread.
4. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into
temptation; but deliver us from evil.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke 11 King James Version (KJV)
James 3 King James Version (KJV)
Philippians 4 King James Version (KJV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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YOU CAN'T CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie
Chapter 38
JESUS CHANGED EVERYTHING: LEAVING BEE
Narrator: Merle told Luke that Bee had been in bed moping, since learning of his moving back to California to
start a new shelter.
Merle: Luke, I want Bee to go through the program with me, Luke.
Luke: Mama V doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem. Neither do you. She...
Merle: That's not all this program is for, Luke. We're qualified and prepared to help people with ALL types of
addictions, bondage, marriage problems, depression, behavior problems, stress and more. We've contracted with
other agencies and I'm meeting with Ben to try and combine our programs. Luke...Bee NEEDS help and I need
help and I'm not too OLD or PROUD to admit it. Things are good between us, but they could be better. I want
Bee to be okay, if something happens to me.
Luke: Papa V...
Merle: No, no, I want you to listen to me, Luke, things have changed. It's not just about all the time we were
addicted to grieving and forgot how to live our lives together, trusting and obeying God! This is about being
prepared to meet Him!
[Luke gave Merle a blank stare, suddenly aware of what he was trying to say, as he struggled to process and
accept this unwelcome information. He couldn't imagine life without this man he'd come to love so dearly and
respect.]
Now, that you've been ordained and you're going to be leaving and starting up your own ministry...well...Bee's
taken to grieving even harder. I can't talk to her about it. She won't listen!
Luke: I'll talk to her, Papa V.
[Later that day, Luke went to the visit Bee.]
Bee: ...What am I going to do, Luke? Merle is always down at the church and shelter. We barely have any
customers at the chapel, since we started taking them by appointment, only. Now, you're leaving! What am I
going to DO? We're probably going to be forced out of business, soon, anyway! We might as well close the
chapel!
Luke: Forced out of business...forced out of business by whom, Mama V?
Bee: The world, sweetheart. Merle refuses to marry gay couples or take on somebody else who will. He's
wanted to go back into full-time ministry for a long time. I know he only kept the chapel for me. I got real sick
after Denny died.
Merle said we needed a change of scenery--to get away from everything that reminded us of Denny. Las Vegas
and the wedding chapel was my idea. I know he's been unhappy. He's probably tired of me being such a burden.
I've probably destroyed my husband and my marriage by being so selfish.
Luke: No, listen, Mama V. One night, after prayer service, Papa V confided in me. He said that after Denny
died and you ended up getting so sick, he was empty inside. He didn't know how to love God and he didn't
know how to love people. He wanted to leave the ministry. The chapel wasn't just for you. He said it was a type
of compromise he made in order to not give up completely...
Bee: He couldn't LOVE people? He didn't love me? I turned him against EVERYTHING!
(Bee buries her head into her pillow and sobs. Luke grabs her hand and puts his face down to hers.)
Luke: Noooo, no Papa V loves you and he never stopped loving you. He'd do ANYTHING for you. Losing
Denny took a toll on him, too. It just affected him differently.
He's not unhappy. He's working down at the shelter now and he's GREAT with the guys. They've got a full-time
ministry now because of him and they can support the shelter. We can help even more people now! That's why I
MUST leave!
It's time for YOU to stop being busy and start being PRODUCTIVE! Papa V needs you down at the church and
the shelter. He wants and needs you in ALL of his life.
Mama V you helped him keep going all of these years. He told me...he told me that after Denny died, he
couldn't have gone on if it wasn't for loving you so much.
--And me...I'm still ALIVE because of you and Papa V!
You're...you're like the mother and father I never had. (Tears well up in Luke's eyes as he hugs Bee) You've got
to be strong Mama V and help me do this. I need you!
Bee: (trying to stop crying) Okay, but you have to come and visit whenever you can.
379
Luke: Of course! And I'll send for you sometimes, once I get settled.
SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER: In a hospital outside of Denver, Colorado.
Bee: Denny?
Linda (Luke's wife): No mama, it's me and Luke and Little Denny.
[A nurse whispers to the couple standing in the doorway.]
Nurse: I'm glad you came quickly. We don't expect her to make it through the night. Her heart is real weak.
She's a tough lady, though. She goes in and out, but, most of the time she's still in control of her faculties.
[Linda can't hold back her tears and grabs and hugs her son. Luke goes to Bee's side.]
Luke: Mama, it's me, Luke.
Bee: Oh, it's my other son, the one God left on my doorstep.
(Luke manages a chuckle that ends in tears)
Luke: Yes, Mama, but, we brought Little Denny with us. Merle's watching Meryl at home. Denny insisted on
coming.
Bee: Denny? Where are you at boy?
[A boy about six years old timidly approaches the bed, but Bee begins to wheeze and gasp for air, so he runs to
his mother.
Bee's eyesight has grown so dim, that she can't see the boy and holds her frail, skeleton of a hand out for him.
Denny timidly looks up at his mother, who, then, motions for him to go to Bee. A big and healthy-looking boy,
he is the spitting image of his father. Tears stream down his rosy cheeks.]
Denny: I'm-I'm here gramma. (He grips her hand tightly and sobs)
Bee: Now, now my little shadow, that's not what we talked about. You've got to be strong for the family now--
your big brother Merle, your sister, little Meryl, the baby on the way and your mommy and daddy. Linda?
Linda?
Linda: Yes ma'am. I'm still here.
Bee: Don't you let Luke talk you into naming that baby Bertha or Earlene; not even for a middle name.
(Linda looks at Luke and smiles)
Linda: Yes, Ma'am. We have a name picked out now--Katherine Belinda Thomas. Luke said you were
Katherine Hepburn when he met you and we put Bee and Linda together for the middle name.
(Bee tries to laugh, but ends up gasping for air. Denny is terrified)
Denny: (sobbing) DADDY?!!
Luke: It's alright, Denny. She's going to be alright!
(Bee tries to call out Luke's name rather hoarsely.)
Bee: Lucas Matthew Thomas! You know how I hate lies, now. Quit lyin' to the boy. I'm dyin' over here!
Luke: I think mama's had enough, now. We've tired her out. It's time to go.
Linda: Me and the kids love you dearly, mama. Thank you for being in our lives and being so good to us. I'll
make sure ALL of the kids NEVER forget you.
(Denny bursts out sobbing, screaming loudly)
Denny: GRAMMA, GRAMMA I don't want you to DIE!
Luke: SHHhh... Denny! Linda, please take him outside to the waiting area.
(Linda and Denny give Bee a hug and kiss, then leave, whimpering and crying.)
Bee: Are you leavin' Luke?
Luke sits in the only chair in the hospital room, which is over by a window. He leans over to pull the blanket up
around Bee's shoulders, lays his head beside hers and speaks softly into her ear.
Luke: I told you fifteen years ago when we lost Papa V...
Mama V, I'm never leavin' your side.
Bee: (trying to smile) We were quite a messed up pair when we met. Weren't we?
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Luke: Yes...yes we were. I was pretty lost.
Bee: But then...Jesus...Jesus changed everything.
Luke: Yes, Mama V. Yes, He did.
Bee: You know I love you, Luke. Thank... (She begins to gasp for air and Luke adjusts her oxygen tubes on her
face)
Luke: Don't try to talk, Mama, just rest.
[Using his arms for a pillow, Luke lays his head down on Bee's bed to rest beside her and ends up falling asleep,
himself. He awakens to a hand on his head.]
Luke: Mama V?
[In one last exhale, Bee speaks.]
Bee: ...Jesus
[Holding her hand, Luke cries out.]
Luke: MAMA V?!!..........mama v?
[Lights out. Total darkness.]
LUKE'S SERMON
Luke: I want to thank everyone for all the kind and comforting words during my mothers illness and during me
and my familys time of grieving. Thank you for the cards, flowers, donations and the time you spent helping
Mama V, me and Linda, and our children.
[Luke fights back tears, puts on a brave smile and announces his sermon.]
My FRIENDS, as my Papa V would say when he came to visit us, "Sit back and fasten your seat-belts, because
we're mounted upon eagle's wings and we're gettin' ready to soar! Let's talk about, WHEN HUMOR
BECOMES A BUSINESS!
One of our teenagers once asked me what it was like to grow up with an addict parent. I told them it was like
never waking up from your worst nightmare and living it over and over again.
Then, they looked at me curiously and I could tell they were pondering the same question that haunted me
everyday of my addict life. Why would you become an addict after suffering as a child with a parent who was
an addict? Perhaps, this will help to explain...
Many great comedians have become lost or died due to depression, drugs or alcohol addiction. They help to
heal others by making them laugh at their mistakes and lives, while they are unable to be healed and move past
their own mistakes. Laughter is no longer a coping method. It has become a stressful business, affecting their
personal lives. Their happiness in the world is fleeting--a quick high, that comes crashing down. They have no
true Joy, which is everlasting.
Satan has his way, because they have no Rock and no Foundation. They are drifting in a world which can only
hear the humor and not the pain behind it. The world, which is neither interested in their heart or spirit nor
their life, doesn't even notice they are drifting off, until they are completely lost at sea.
As a child, I was in constant pain and anguish, causing me to have headaches and behavior problems. I had a
sister who was sexually abused and committed suicide. Shortly after that, my mother died from a drug overdose.
I was passed around from foster home to foster home and no one really paid attention to the details behind my
behavior, just the erratic behavior they produced. So, I drifted away.
Becoming an addict is like being that burnt out comedian. There's no more joy in getting high anymore. It's a
business that occupies all of your time to keep it going. Until you let go of pain, pride, fear, shame, guilt or
whatever is keeping you in bondage, you'll be in the business of being an addict all of your life, trying to find
joy and happiness. Drugs become that little bit of canned laughter you can always count on to make you a hit
and give you a false since of peace and the false esteem that you need. However fleeting the feelings may be,
they're packaged and ready for you at your convenience, as long as you can pay for them. And PAY FOR
THEM, YOU WILL!
Until you stop being angry, bitter, hating or prejudice, you'll be working to stay angry, bitter and hateful the rest
of your life; not knowing true joy. You will be a slave to your dark emotions and feelings that will keep you in
bondage to Darkness.
We shouldn't have to work at being happy and having joy. Neither should we expect others to make us happy or
bring us joy. We need only to know the TRUTH!
The world has redefined happiness and joy and fooled us all at some time or another into believing that the
world and worldly things and the flesh can give us HAPPINESS. So, we search in the world and become so
entangled in Satan's lies that we end up far from the Truth, confused, tired, selfish, depressed, jealous, greedy,
and so on. Sometimes, forgetting what we were searching for in the beginning, we settle or give in to the lies
that fame, fortune; status, beauty, sex, power, drugs and material things can make us happy. And, because we
383
have buried the details, hidden the facts and circumstances of our lives and refused to face what is truly in our
hearts preventing true joy, there is no GROWTH; no change in the RIGHT direction. So, we fall ASLEEP or
become truly lost. Many embrace the Darkness, walking in sin and death. Pleasing self, the flesh, has become
their means to, what the adversary has fooled them in to believing is, happiness in the world.
When God uses us to help change others we must pay attention to the tiny details in their lives. We must hear
past the laughter and humor, or the anger, bitterness and hatred that have become their business, to hear the pain
and understand why it is there. In other words, we must do as Jesus saw His Father do. We must pursue a
RELATIONSHIP with them. We must give them something to hold on to, so they won't drift away. I drifted
away, using the only method I knew to take pain away; the one that my mother taught me--drugs and alcohol.
Later, this very astute young man asked me, "Can you ever go back to see old friends from your old life of sin
and bondage?" Yes! I told him. Life is about relationships! If you truly love them as Christ loves us, you will.
You have Jesus with you and if you abide in Him, He is enough to keep you from falling into sin.
If you love those you've left behind, you will go as Jesus' Ambassador, giving your testimony. They know who
you were, but when they see Jesus in you, they will see who you have become in Him.
Does this mean that you will change them? Yes, for they will have heard and been effected by the changing
power of TRUTH! But, this does not mean that you will SAVE them. They will either be drawn to the TRUTH
or spend the rest of their lives hardening their heart trying to REPEL, CHANGE or DESTROY its
indestructible, never changing power.
You must be prepared to accept God's Will, for the Word of God draws or repels; opening or closing hearts to
The Truth, The Way and The Life.
If you love your Father and Jesus, who have transformed you into a new man or woman, you will continue to
pray for your wayward family and friends and others like them to be delivered from whatever type of bondage
they are in, that they also, may enter the Kingdom to have abundant and eternal life. You will offer to pray with
them and invite them to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
(He thinks of Merle, who helped save him that night on the rooftop.) You will tell them that God has a plan for
their lives, better and beyond their imagination. You will tell them The Good News of the Kingdom, which
requires them to repent.
Let not your heart be troubled if they don't join you, if they laugh at you or ridicule you, remember...God's Word
either draws or repels. They have not rejected you. They have rejected God, GOD OF THE LIVING and NOT
the God of those who are DEAD!
Who knows? Perhaps, you have left something behind (a seed) to ignite the spark of true deliverance and the
next Story of Transformation will begin. Perhaps, we won't even have to wait one or two years for the sequel.
NARRATOR: Yes, My Brothers and Sisters, I AM LUKE. And Ive written this story hoping to help you look
into your heart and the hearts of others for the details that can connect them to God and help you form a better
relationship with them.
GOD OF THE LIVING and what a WONDERFUL God He is to serve!
Bless you my Brothers and Sisters. God's blessings and protection be upon you! My love abounds and hopes for
you and yours.
[Luke turns to face camera 2 on his left. The camera zooms in on his face. LIGHTS OUT. Spotlight on Luke.]
Hey! You out there! Yes, I'm talking to you. I've been where you are, in the dark, watching someone else's life,
hoping to forget about my own. You don't have to live one more day in darkness, shame, guilt, anger, bitterness,
sorrow, regret or bondage. It all starts with your heart. Give it to God and let him change you. I didnt think I
could be changed either, but that was before I met Bee and Merle Vickers. Perfect Love can have that effect on
you.
There is a better life for you, here on Earth, within God's Kingdom. Drop what you're doing right now, don't
look back and start following Jesus. He will lead you to abundant and eternal life. Hope to see you there!
THE END
YOU CAN'T CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie
SUMMARY
385
The contents of this book can be summed up to God's UNCONDITIONAL and PERFECT LOVE for you.
--YOU, the one whose eyes are upon these words and whose ears hear them sound upon your heart. Your Father
is calling you to know that:
Through the power of God within us, we are transformed, able to resist the lies of the enemy. Through that same
power, God uses us as vessels to expose lies and alter the course of others, leading them to Jesus.
Those who say we cannot change them do not understand that as Believers, like Jesus, we are ONE with our
Father and His power is within us. This was our Brother's heartfelt desire for us because of His love for us and
His Disciples.
Jesus commanded that we have this same love for one another and asked His Father to send us a Helper to guide
us. When Jesus cast the demon from the boy, Jesus told His Disciples, you will be able to do this and MORE.
Even after Jesus ascended into Heaven, His Disciples continued to be endowed with power to cast out demons,
heal and change lives.
When others attack us with accusing words and denials, they are being used by the adversary to arouse pride
and anger within us. We may forget that our war is not with flesh, the battle is already the Lord's and the
absence of this Truth may lead us into conflict and chaos. This is what prevents us from being fruitful. This is
why we must be HUMBLE, surrendering OUR will to God FIRST to claim the power that will bring about
change in others and be manifested through us.
When we proclaim that we cannot be changed to live by the Will and Way of God, we claim DEFEAT and
DEATH; for the adversary and his followers are a defeated foe and the wages of sin is death.
We must DESIRE others to change or be reborn to follow God's Will and not our own will. Therefore, we must
have a clean heart that has been perfected in love.
To be a Child of God and a worthy vessel, one must have the heart of a child, trusting and obeying God, even if
we do not understand His Will and Way, desire to obey, or know or agree with the outcome.
As Believers, these are things we have read and heard in God's Word, but do we truly believe them and do we
practice them?
I, like many of you, have seen the Lord work in very mysterious ways that are unbeknownst to the enemy; for
the enemy is blinded and cannot walk in the Light of God.
God shares with those whom He calls friend. Like, Abraham, we can become God's friend, when we believe and
obey His Will, letting go of our love of self and the world.
This book is about a relationship with God, His Son and God's Holy Spirit. It is a relationship that shows us The
Truth, The Way and The Life, while embracing us in unconditional, perfect and everlasting love, which teaches
us to love in kind.
Through this experience--this journey, we've looked into the mirror at our heart and soul and compared them to
the heart and mind of Christ Jesus. From this we've gained wisdom and strength to encourage and inspire
growth that will improve our relationship with God and one another.
Have we unraveled the lie and even more lies? Can I change you? Can you change me? Yes, we can bring about
negative change or positive change for and to the glorification of God, to abide in His Will and Way.
As JESUS died upon the cross and CHANGED EVERYTHING, our perfect love for our neighbor, our sacrifice
and endurance, can change people and the world.
Yet, we must remember, it is not about pleasing man, it is about pleasing God. All PRAISE, GLORY and
HONOR to HIS name, for we are NOTHING without Him!
I thank you for embarking upon this journey with me and for staying; even if just for a little while. We have
fellowshipped together, by walking in the Light of God, and are all the better for it.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE EMPOWERED! BELIEVE IN GOD'S POWER WITHIN YOU! STAND ON HIS

PROMISES! When you can do nothing else--STAND!
Through the most Blessed Power of God and the Precious Blood of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus,
Your Servant,
Mishael
387
INDEX
accountability, 14, 39, 56, 67, 73 Jesus, 13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34,
addict, 21 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 44, 45, 47, 48, 51, 54, 55, 56,
apostles, 23 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,
Author and the Finisher, 20 78, 80, 82, 83, 84, 86, 93, 94
Believers, 16, 19, 22, 27, 32, 36, 37, 50, 51, 53, 56, 60, Job, 18, 21
66 Kingdom, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36,
Bible, 12, 18, 24, 25, 51, 67, 85, 88 37, 38, 42, 44, 64, 67
blessings, 17, 20, 32, 51, 58, 90 Light, 19, 21, 30, 32, 35, 37, 38, 42, 43, 54, 80
bondage, 14, 17, 19, 30, 32, 37, 41, 43, 44, 54, 56, 61, Love, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 31, 33, 35, 38, 42, 46, 51, 58,
72, 90, 91, 92, 94 69
born again, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 31, 33, 36, 41, 44, 48, 51, Love of God, 14, 21, 27
63, 66 Marvelous Light, 14
carnal, 18, 37, 43, 46, 54, 69 mind of Christ, 22, 33, 36, 41, 44, 65
commandments, 20, 63, 69, 88 nation, 19, 27, 29, 52
Darkness, 20, 35, 37, 43, 60, 65, 76, 79, 80, 81, 85 new wine skin, 14
denominations, 19, 23 obedience, 14, 27, 35, 46
disciples, 20, 29, 36, 37, 38, 51, 66, 82 Omnipotent, 18
dispel lies, 14, 38, 84 Omnipresent, 18
doctrine, 13, 19, 20, 24, 31, 32, 35, 37, 54, 64 Omniscient, 18
evangelists, 23 peace, 17, 18, 35, 46, 60, 68, 71, 72, 85
Faith, 14, 20, 27, 39 Perfect Love, 33, 58
Fear of God, 14, 79 physiological, 19
fellowship, 21, 22, 54 pray, 14, 19, 21, 29, 31, 42, 51, 54, 58, 69
Five-Fold Ministry, 14 preachers, 23
forgive, 14, 29, 51 Pride, 17, 29, 64
Freedom, 19 prophetess, 13, 14
friend, 22, 48, 55, 57, 58, 64, 91 prophets, 13, 14, 23, 33, 34, 66, 78, 79
Gentiles, 20 psychological, 19, 85
gifts, 23, 67, 87 rebellion, 17, 20, 61, 68
Good News, 13, 20, 29, 64, 67, 82 rebirth, 21, 22, 24, 26, See
Grace and Mercy, 20, 28, 37, 47 reborn, 21, 23, 31, 56, 82, 94
Great Commission, 13, 66 religions, 19, 23, 28, 33
heal, 14, 21, 25, 29, 51, 65, 81, 84 religious extremists, 19
heart, 12, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 36, Righteousness, 19, 22, 63, 65
37, 38, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59, saints, 23, 56
65, 68, 71, 72, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 86, 87, 90, 92, Satan, 16, 17, 18, 20, 32, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47,
93, 94 50, 62, 64, 65, 66, 78
heaven, 14, 18, 20, 24, 29, 43, 51, 78 Saul, 16, 21
Holiness, 19, 22, 63, 65 seek my face, 14, 29, 51
Holy Ghost, 16, 26 servants. See servant
Holy Spirit, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 31, 32, 33, 35, 38, 39, soul, 18, 26, 31, 42, 44, 52, 60, 79, 91
50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, Spirit and in Truth, 14
94 Spiritual Beings, 19, 42, 64, 86
humble, 14, 26, 29, 46, 51, 92 Spiritual Walkers, 14
ideology, 19, 20, 24, 25 spiritually, physically and mentally, 21
iniquity. See sin Stop, Look and Listen, 16
Israel, 16, 20, 24, 30, 79 teachers, 20, 23
Jeremiah, 14, 33, 36, 40, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81 temptation, 17
terrorists, 19, 53
transformation, 19, 20, 25, 26, 30, 31, 38 Truth, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 34,
treasure, 22, 37, 38, 81 35, 38, 43, 45, 51, 53, 56, 62, 63, 65, 80
Triune God, 16 vanity, 17, 19, 27
Trust in God, 14 vessel, 19, 48, 85
389

You Cant Change Me Unraveling The Lie

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You Cant Change Me Unraveling The Lie

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YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror.......................................................47

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror.....................................................164

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

My Brothers and Sisters,

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

Listen now, my children. You may also, lack accountability.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

Lie: I am in full control of my life. I do what I want to do.

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

Lie: Neither you, nor anyone else can change me.

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

THE ROAD TO TRANSFORMATION:

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

The world will

second time into his mother's womb, and be

17For God sent not his Son into the world to

18He that believeth on him is not

CONFUSING SIGNS AND DIRECTIONS

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

OPERATING UNDER THE POWER OF GOD

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

THE DECREE OF PUNISHMENT TO DAVID:

2nd Samuel 12:10-15

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

MAKING JESUS THE CENTER OF YOUR JOY

THE SOLID ROCK

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CHANGE

FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

MOVERS, SHAKERS AND CONQUERORS

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

By the Precious Blood of our Saviour, Your servant,

SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror *

1. Is Jesus the center of my joy? Why?

4. Am I allowing Jesus to increase my Faith, by not giving in to fear?

5. Am I learning from Him, how to listen to and obey our Father?

6. Am I learning how to carry and bear the cross?

7. Am I prepared to fight the good fight?

11. Am I affecting change? If not, do I know why? If yes, how?

12. Do I have accountability? To whom?

13. Do others see Jesus in me?

14. Do I thirst for holiness and righteousness?

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

15. Have I learned to wear The Armor of God?

16. Am I able to stand for holiness and righteousness?

Romans 9:18 (NIV)

Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV)

1st John 5: 1-13 (KJV)

YOU CANT CHANGE ME: Unraveling the Lie

SURROUNDING ATTITUDES, HARDENED HEARTS