My say on Back to School

Every year all over the world kids/children go Back-to-School in just about every civilize country. And keeping that in mind, its no wonder one of the most special moments in Pentecostal Apostolic Churches I know over the years, is the Back to School Prayer for the Kids/Children, Parents, Guardians, Teachers, and so on. I still believe that is really special and awesome. Even if you are not a Religious Person but you are someone who believes in God or Jesus, you will love the Back to School Special Prayer for those mentioned above, etc.

Every year at every level of School Life there will be some very strange or unexpected events happening that will adversely affect kids/children, teens, and young adults. Good health, safety, guidance, and protection for them all is still truly important. 

The School Term is not long. But the School Year is. And I know in January they normally do not have that Special Back to School Prayer, etc., in Schools, Churches or elsewhere. So August/September is the normally accepted time. That does not mean that parents, relatives, guardians or friends do no pray every day or all year long for the Kids/Children, etc. It just means extra attention and prayers is given now at this time of year.

No one will normally wish or hope for any evil towards someone else Kids/Children. Because the same you wish for someone else may happen to yours as well or instead. Its just better to be kind or humane. We were all Kids/Children once upon  time. And so we know what others are now facing, to a certain extent, in their life as kids, teens, or young adults. So we help each other and one another - in Jesus Name.   

READ:
John 15:12 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Romans 15:1 - We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Change and the Faith

If you are someone who is a saved Bible Believer for 20 or more years, do you believe that if Jesus second return/coming does not happen in the next 20 years will you still remain a Believer? Not sure? Maybe? See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 KJV.

Sometimes I think that since we live more abundantly in the times of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. AI) most, not many but most, people are changing their minds about God - the love of God. The bible says "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" Romans 5:5 KJV. So the love for God is changing. 

There is an YouTube Channel name "Ready to Harvest" that gives some useful information about many Denominational Churches that are changing in the wrong way. Because the Liberal Lifestyle of this world is very much now entrenched in the Church Worship and Administration for those Religious Christian Denominations that function on the principles/beliefs of modern "Intelligent People" views than Bible/Scripture Information.

Man has never and will never do things like God. The bible says  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV. So the Holy Biblical ways of God from the Old Testament to the New Testament will never change. The world that is "governed" by men/women (as God will allow) will always change with the times, opinions, views and knowledge of men/women. 

Men/women do not "consult" God or ask him of His ways most of the times. Otherwise, we would not see so many changes in the World and the Christian Churches (including Oneness Apostolic) that are contrary to God's Way. So as the world changes in one direction, so man ways go along with that direction.  But not all will ever go along with the world. There will always be a "remnant" who love the ways of God.

Change in this world is always coming and will always take place. But the "remnant" of God's People who love his ways must keep the faith in God's way of doing things - in God's Church. Our Salvation is from God (and comes from God) not man/woman. So God must always remain above man. God is holy and will always be holy (1 Peter 1:15-17 KJV).
 

Prayer Checkup

" A Prayer Checkup " by Liane R. Grant.
Preparing to write an article about praying according to God’s will caused me to examine some of my typical prayer requests. Do they really line up with what the Bible says about God’s will? A prayer checkup can be very enlightening… and convicting! Let’s look at a few Bible verses about God’s will and see how they apply to prayer.

“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:15)

There’s a phrase I used to hear all the time growing up that doesn’t seem very common anymore. “We’ll see you next month, Lord willing” or “I am starting a new job soon, Lord willing.” We tend to make our own plans as we see fit, forgetting to invite the Lord to direct our lives. We rush ahead to the next thing on our schedule, seeing how many things we can check off on our to-do list. How would our prayer life change if we put James 4:15 into practice at the beginning of each day?

“That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” (Romans 15:32)

If anyone ever had a right to get moody and tired of travelling, it would be the Apostle Paul, but he chose to do God’s will with joy, and so can we. It’s easy to let annoyances, frustrations, and discomforts consume our prayer time. But if we truly believe that circumstances beyond our control have passed through God’s approval process, then we are in the middle of His will. Let’s pray that God will help us to respond with joy and let our faith and faithfulness be a living testimony that refreshes those around us.

. .

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“That’s just my personality.” “You know redheads have a temper.” “I’ve never been able to tolerate . . .” and so on. Hmmm . . . are these just excuses for bad habits we have developed? The scripture above emphasizes our need to change so that we can live out the will of God. His will is that we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Regardless of our personality, our childhood or experiences, we should pray daily that God will shape and change us according to His will. And His will is good, it’s acceptable, and it’s perfect!

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (I Peter 4:19)

This one is difficult. We love to talk about God’s will when it pertains to comfortable, fulfilling, and exciting things; but sometimes His will is for us to suffer. We can’t choose when and where to do God’s will; it is a total commitment. So how do we suffer “according to the will of God”? This can only happen in prayer, by throwing ourselves into His arms, in total trust that He really does know what is best for us. He is our Creator and He WILL be faithful to us. Remember that God has His eye on the end result. When all is said and done, what really matters is that our souls are saved. Let’s pray sincerely and let Him choose what suffering is needed to accomplish our salvation.

 
These are just a few scriptures that can guide us as we pray according to God’s will.
We need to remember that our Heavenly Father is in control and that He loves us more than we could ever comprehend!

Info from: Ladies Prayer Int Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesprayerinternational-aol.com@shared1.ccsend.com

I knew a Mother who got saved

Mothers Day 2024 is coming in May very soon. And it has been on my mind about how I knew a mother who got saved (according to Acts 2:38 KJV). I remember her personality and life before that happened, and after that.

All her life, until she was in her 50s, she believed another Doctrine about how to be saved (according to Matthew 28:19 KJV). Then one day that changed. Thanks to the help of her new Pastor who happened to be an Apostolic Minister/Pastor, that change took place. She believed and obeyed Acts 2:38 KJV, received the Holy Ghost/Spirit, and became a happy mother. That was unlike what she was, and the life she lived before that. She died as a saved Believer in January 2010 in Philadelphia Hospice Service after a short illness. But she died happy because she got saved before she died.

Salvation (i.e. receiving the Holy Ghost/Spirit) has a way of changing people lives for the better. Read Ezekiel 36:26 and John 4:10-14 KJV. When we live without the Spirit of God, we are at the expense and mercy of the enemy of our soul. God is love. And that is shown to us when we receive the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Because the love God has for us is revealed in His Spirit that he gives to us. And read John 10:27-28 KJV.

Living without the Holy Ghost/Spirit is almost like trying to live without natural water that our body needs. So as our natural body needs water, so our soul needs the Holy Ghost living water. The Holy Ghost gives us massive strength to resist the devil, the evil things/people of this world, and prepare us for Eternal Life. We need the Holy Ghost to be counted as one of Gods Sheep/People. Read Romans 8:9-11 KJV.

The Holy Ghost/Spirit changed a mothers life many years ago, and helped her live for God: Jesus in ways pleasing and acceptable to God. The mother I knew got saved by God: Jesus (not by man or a man-made religion) who gave His Holy Ghost/Spirit to her. So I knew a mother who was unhappy for many years, and a mother who became so happy only God can really tell how happy she was to be saved by God.

Pray for us and more Information

Pray for us.

Like some Bible Believers and saved Christians, I never get tired of asking People (i.e. Holy Biblical People of God) to pray for me. Not just me, but we all need prayers - all the time. And the Bible tells us to Pray without ceasing. But I believe we must also always ask for prayers without ceasing.

I have seen God: Jesus working many times in my personal life as a Bible Believer. Whether it be for healing, deliverance from evil Employers or protection from criminals in the City where I live. No doubt, those came about from the help of others praying without ceasing on my behalf.

For many years, I prayed for my unsaved family in Canada, for example, to be saved. But one died without being saved (as much as I know). More are still alive. So praying without ceasing can help the living - not the dead, I believe.

Praying is easy - not hard as some think or believe. If we pray from the heart (that only God: Jesus can see) its easy on our selves. See 1 Samuel 16:7 KJV. The really difficult part is getting your prayers answered. Because we do not have absolute powers to answer our own prayers or make things happen. Thats Gods Domain.

But we can pray believing he will do what we asked/requested. God: Jesus is just, fair, wise, and the list goes on. Answers from God that are not what we wanted or expected can hurt a lot. But what can we do? God is God. We are not. See Job 28:24, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Matthew 10:30, Isaiah 40:13-14, Acts 1:24, 1 Corinthians 2:11 KJV, and many more Scriptures.

We are commanded , admonished and encouraged in the Bible to pray, and pray always. Prayer helps us to keep the connection and relationship with God going. Its good for us. Because we can do some or many things for ourselves as humans, but there is a limit. Some things we cannot (or can never) do for our selves - we need God: Jesus.

So prayer is good to do. And so we pray one for the other.

The Bible says: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

See 1 Thessalonians 5:1-25 KJV

AND

Easter and for the Gospel sake.

Many years ago I remember how my first Pastor/Bishop E.N.Green from North Kingston Santuary was happy to see Easter Time (just like Christmas Time) .

This was so not because he was happy to celebrate Easter in the traditional sense or meaning of the Event. It was so because, over his many, many years in the Ministry, it was the time of year that he only saw many more people coming out to Church Service.

For the Gospel sake, he was delighted to help as many as possible who turn up for Easter Sunday Service to repent at the Altar (or during the Service from the heart) receive water baptism for the remissions of their sins, and receive the Holy Ghost. So for the Gospel sake, it was good to see them come out to Service during Easter just like Christmas.

Now that was really good to know. Because even today, many, many, still do not turn up or come to Church unless its Easter or Christmas. For the rest of the year, no Church for them - in their minds or busy life. So let them come so they can have a greater possibility of being saved by God: Jesus from just being inside the Church with Godly People and others like themselves.

Too much harsh criticism is never helpful to anyone just because they attend Church once or twice a year. Helping them whenever we (i.e. saved Bible Believers) can is always better. So let them come to Church at Easter Time. The Church will welcome them for the sake of the Gospel.

And the Bible says:
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

See 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, King James Version

PLUS

Keeping the faith in 2024 and beyond.

I wrote a longer Post and posted it to our website earlier this month to start the New Year.

However, we continue to experience some technical problems with many of the Blog Scripts Apps/Software (that are out-dated) from Softaculous via cPanel. So we lost some of our previous Posts, including the one I wrote before.

Unfortunately, I did not get to keep it on my PC so I could go back to it and re-post it. I just wrote it and posted it at the Website the day day/time.

Nevertheless, I say again these points for the 2024 New Year from the KJV of the Scriptures:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever Hebrews 13:8 and Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me John 14:6.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses 1 Timothy 6:12.

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar... Romans 3:3-4.

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. 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2:15-17.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

At the time of writing this, its only early January 2024. A lot of things are ahead of all of us if we are still alive until the end of the Year 2024, and then into the New Year 2025.

Unless we have the gift of Prophesy (from 1 Corinthians 12:1-14 information) we will not know what will happen day by day. But if we keep the faith in God: Jesus, he will help us make it day by day.

I believe we really need God: Jesus in our life. And we know what the Bible says at Matthew 28:20. That Scripture is a great comfort from the word of God with the Holy Ghost that he also gave us.

So God: Jesus continue to bless us all - in Jesus Name.