I Believe...

(A layman's perspective)

I Believe in One Sovereign Supernatural Creator, that in His magnificence and almighty power He  "spoke" all that man knows and those things that man can't possibly know into existence.  I Do Believe that God Is !!!  That in His Devine & Eternal Existence that He has the Intelligence, Power & Sovereignty to Speak all that is into existence in 6 literal days - after all, He Is God !!!  

I Believe that man specifically one man named Adam, chose his own will in the Garden of Eden, rather than the will of his Creator.  In that choice Adam not only followed his own desire, he chose Satan's words over God's.  Therefore; Adam died a very real and immediate Spiritual Death, and some 900 years later, died a very real physical death.

I Believe that God "chose" Abraham, and set aside the Jewish Nation of Israel as His People, that to this day, Israel is God's chosen people, and that He will keep them unto Himself. 

I Believe that thru the ages our Creator, from here forward named "God" and / or Abba Father" made many attempts to show man his Love, Mercy, Long Suffering, Compassion and Grace.  But, due to man's cold heart, he constantly rejected the very being that breathed life into him.  God, had a plan.  His Love for those that would Love Him was & is Eternal and Unconditional.  However; His Holy Righteousness and Anger toward Sin must be satisfied, those that reject Him still choose their own way rather than His, and will face Eternity without Him. 

I Believe that God the Father, sent His Son Jesus in human physical form to this world as a Baby born in a stable, placed in a manger & worshipped by both shepherds and royalty alike. 

I Believe that The Abba Father Loved His Creation so much, that He chose to Sacrifice His Own & Only Son Jesus to redeem all of Creation (past, present & future).  

I Believe that those that would Truly Accept Him as their Redemptive Substitute, and thru that Sacrificial process at Calvary - Jesus became their / our Christ.  That at the moment of True Salvation, God sends His Holy Spirit to each individual in their Belief & Submission to His Will.  At that point, each Believer becomes a Follower of Jesus Christ, and they acknowledge Him as Savior, Lord & King willingly.  

I Believe that The Word Of God, is infallible, it is written by men, inspired and breathed by The One and Only Living God.  I Believe it to be Truth in its entirety, and in the absence of the original Apostles, it is our Gift from The Abba Father to guide, direct and live our lives by.  I believe it to be God's Spoken / Written will for mankind, that it is complete, and is to be obeyed as His Authority in past, present and future ages until His Son's Return.  

I Believe that according to His Word, that the Father will in fact send His Son to Return in the clouds, to call out His Bride the Church from this world.  

I Believe in a Literal Resurrection of the Body & Spirit from this world, that the Dead in Christ first will rise, then those that are still physically alive will join Him and be taken away for a wedding and celebration as part of their Eternal Reward for submitting their will and lives to the True Christ, Jesus.  

I Believe that the world that chose their own will / way will be judged, Jew and Gentile alike.  That without The Sons Shed Blood, all men will be judged according to their words and works.  Without Christ, they will stand guilty of breaking God's Law, and sentenced to Eternal Separation from God and Damnation to an Eternal Hell.  

I Believe in A Holy, Righteous, Loving and Gracious God, that His Character is revealed to us thru the pages of His Holy Word, and thru His Holy Spirit to those He Chose and wrote their names in "The Lambs Book of Life".  

I Believe that God in and thru His Son, reveals His Word & Glory to His Elect thru His Spirit.  To Know Him & Worship we too, must meet Him in Spirit.  I Believe this privilege escapes all men that do not Truly Seek God.  I believe that pride of self, blinds all men and women from truly seeking The Light.  For pride seeks self satisfaction and gratification which pleasures selfish delight in darkness.

I Believe that where there is True Light - there can be NO darkness...  For the Light of God is in Jesus Christ & His Comforter - The Holy Spirit, in them, in their presence there can be NO darkness.  Which is where Gods True Grace is revealed.   That while we walk in the cursed flesh of Adam, Christ as the new Adam provides substitutionary Righteousness.  His Sacrifice covers all sin of the believer, which is not excuse or license for sin...  We are to Live The New Life In Christ as directed by His written will...  God works in the hearts of Men to do His Will, and a Heart submitted to The Lord will truly want to do His will.

I Believe that God shapes men's Hearts and Lives thru trials, tribulation and suffering.  That when Jesus told us to take up our Cross and Follow Him, that it had both Real & Symbolic meaning in the life of each Christian.

I Believe that Abba Father thru His Spirit, places in every Believer's Heart both Light & Joy - unexplainable, undeniable Joy...   NOT  THE  HAPPINESS  CONJURED  BY THIS  WORLD,  BUT - A Holy, Righteous, Loving, Peaceful JOY of The Spirit of God...

Yes, I Believe in The Creator, the Creation, The Law, The Christ, The Cross, The Death, The Resurrection, The Judgment and The Eternal Reward for those that Truly are His Own both Jew & Gentile sealed thru the Blood of Christ in Eternity Past, Present & Future.  Yes, I Believe in a Glorious Heaven that God's Light will Eternally Illuminate, and I Believe in a dark Hell where men's souls will be sent to burn eternally in damnation and punishment for rejecting His Son.

I Believe that the Followers of Christ will also stand before their King, in Judgment of their works and use of the Gifts and Talents He gave them.  Where they used those gifts selflessly to Serve and Glorify God there will be reward.  Where those gifts were used for selfish gain, there will be loss of reward.  I also believe that all rewards, even if the Crown of Salvation is all we have, it will thrown to the foot of His Throne in Love and Appreciation, for  he Alone Is Worthy To Be PRAISED...

If My Belief leads to a path of ridicule, harassment, persecution and death, I Pray that I will have the strength and conviction to take that bullet for My Jesus...  Blinded, Sampson saw The Light, in the midst of pain and suffering of the stones breaking and crushing his body, Steven saw The Light.  God comforts and shows  Mercy & Grace to His own in their time of need, for He is Glorified in their deliverance...  Live for Him, for He is all that matters in the end, His Purpose will bring meaning to your life that the world on its own will never understand. 

Because "He Is" -  I Believe,  and because I Believe - I Live...

Hungry and Hurting - Changed...

I hooked up with an old friend a few months back.  We started spending some time together, and I distinctly noticed this isn't the guy I used to know.

His bold arrogant personality is now quiet, gentle, observant and soft spoken.

Where there was once a constant treat of dry arrogant cynicism, there was now meek words of tender encouragement.

Then one day he floored me...  This once stingy tight wad of a guy and I walked into a local quick serve burger joint.  We stood at the back of the line, and he just quietly watched.  Silently, soberly and slowly scanned over everyone there.

Then he walked past me and all those people, went up to the counter and asked for the manager.  I figured, OK, here we go, my old friend is about to resurface.  

The manager came out, my friend bent over counter and quietly spoke something to the manager...  The manager's face reflected shock and confusion.  Then my friend handed the manager something, he looked down, as he looked back up at my friend, his face reflected a wondrous smile.

My friend then shook his hand walked away from the counter, grabbed my arm and escorted me out the door.

Puzzled, confused and hungry, I asked, is the food bad in there?  No, no he said the food is OK.  Well, I am Hungary I said firmly...  He smiled, and said OK let's go up the road a little ways.

As we sat in the car, I said what gives there?  He then asked me, did you see that guy in there with the beat up coat, and the two little girls with him with the torn coats?  Yeh, I saw them...  Well, he was searching his pockets and counting all his loose change...  They were hungry my friend, very hungry, so Jesus just fed them...

My eyes instantly filled with tears, my heart instantly skipped a few beats and both  joy and hurt filled my emotions to overflowing...

The Joy of seeing the True Christ in this changed man, and his meek selfless act of Christian Charity towards these dear poor folks he has never met, not to mention the witness to the manager.

The hurt was for my own slightly hardened heart towards the physical and Spiritual need that is around us all everyday that goes un-noticed...   Oh we see it, but the culture conditions us to look past it...

True Christianity changes the man from the inside out...  In many folks the change / sanctification is slow and steady.  In others it's an overnight transformation.  The point being, true conversion, true belief, true trust in Christ starts in the Heart and is reflected in the actions & energy provided by the Holy Spirit.

This man's life is changed, he shines the Light of His Savior to those around him in deed and kind words...  He speaks The Truth meekly, but matter of factly.  His focus, no, his Spiritual gaze is Heavenly, while his Hearts work is the suffering and lost in this world.

Christ used this changed man to show me Gods desire to use me in an un-formal ministry to serve others than myself with the gifts and blessings God has freely and Graciously given me...

So, the next time you are in line to eat, or at a gas station, or waiting in a park to get on a ride, and the person attending says, "it's ok Sir / Mam, your fee has been paid in full, go on and enjoy".  Remember Dear Friend, Jesus paid it all, and He touched someone's heart to show you He paid it all on that special occasion...  God still works in the hearts of men, and I am just old enough to remember, the old timers used to call that a miracle...

Matthew 25:40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ 

God Bless,

RC  

God's Best Work - Sometimes Is Best Seen At The End Of Brokeness...

Dear Folks,

It is sometimes at the end of a rough patch that we can look back over our shoulder to see God's hand and work in our life to teach us Great Spiritual Lessons...

When we sometimes fall under the pressure of trials,  we are willing to be humbly broken and submit to His Will, Wisdom and Sculpturing Hand...  He Masterfully works on our perspective through brokenness, which we may not have otherwise been willing to see.  He sees our life in a different economy of time and space, therefore; He as the Eternal vantage point that we do not have.

He knows best, when we learn that, our Faith and Trust become stronger, deeper and more remarkable, we could not have understood this perspective prior to His Work in our lives through Brokenness...   His Truth becomes more clear and all the more dear to our hearts as we emerge from the fire as an instrument to Praise & Glorify Him...  Our Worship is then deeper, shored up by the knowledge of His presence and deliverance in our lives.

While I was not comfortable walking that Valley, I am eternally grateful for Him loving me enough to bring me here via His plan and path...  I will take His path with Him holding me up anytime over the alternative of me walking by myself...  The path I am emerging from still has brought some scarring and wounds that need healed, but I Love my Jesus all the more, next to His wounds and scars, this life is a breeze...  For He endured more than I could even begin to imagine, especially knowing how much He loved me while I was yet immersed in Sin and filthy in His sight.

 

Thank You Abba Father, for sending Him, and Thank You Jesus for your selfless obedience to the Father.  Please Lord let me be ever mindful that on my own, I deserve Hell.  Never let me forget that I stand boldly before You and the Father while wrapped in Your Righteousness and Justified by Your Blood and work and Calvary.  Praise be to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost...  Amen...

Have a Great Day - God Bless...

Who is defining Love in your life?

Our nations culture and mind set is being strategically formulated by the likes of Oprah, Doctor Phil, the View and countless other talking heads that spin emotion.

They want you to believe that "Love" is how I made you feel yesterday, today & potentially how I might make you feel tomorrow...

God says, Love Is A Choice!  When HE knew most of us wouldn't Love Him back, He still Loved us and sent His Son to die in our place...  In that single act, God taught us Love, Forgiveness,  Obedience and Selflessness...

In the year 2013, the words Moral and Sin are rarely spoken.  Since we miss the mark in those two area's quite remarkably since the Garden, we needed redemption.  HE  LOVED  US - so He even provided the payment for us....

Love is not how I made you feel yesterday, today or even how I might make you feel tomorrow...  It's the eternal commitment to stand by your side, give all that I have to give and love you when the whole world turns upside down and against you...

By God's standard, that applies to you if you are my parents, my spouse, my children, my friend or a brother on the street...  One of Christ's last commands to us, was "to love one another"...  Not make each other feel all warm and toasty inside, but to Love one another...

Love is not a fleeting feeling, it is a lifetime and eternal commitment...  Loving when there is no sign of reciprocation, takes more faith and returns more joy in Spirit than any gushy emotional feeling...  God heals wounded hearts, He bridges emotional hurts and disconnects.  However; Before that can happen in the human heart, we must first go to the author of Love and submit all of our heart to Him...

Dear friends, the world wants to fill that emptiness in your heart with everything but what you were created for...  We were created to take Joy in Him, to Love Him and to Commune and Walk with Him...  A real meaningful relationship...

Is your heart hurting, are you seeking?  Doesn't it make sense to go to the one that created your heart in the first place?

Meet Him at the foot of the cross, He will tell you personally what real Love is!

God Bless,

RC

It's Time To Pray, Watch & Wait...

Wars, Rumors of Wars, Earth Quakes, Weird and Violent Storms, Volcanic Activity, Famine, Pestilence, an Age of Information, and an awareness of Spiritual unrest around the world.  The world feels like is quickly spinning out of control, and men and women participating in un-natural acts, with an agenda to make it a way of life and protected class.  We are all heading for the climax of events, with only a few that truly recognize it for what it really is - a world wide culture of Sodom.

Just as in the 1st Sodom, GOD will pass judgment, but not before plucking out the Church & the Holy Spirit, ushering out the Age of Grace, and bring in the time of great Tribulation.  Christian Brother and Sister, please help me pray that GOD will open the eyes of those around us, so that we may speak Christ and they will listen.

Also, pray with me "Oh Dear Lord, please come quickly", we fear for our Children and Grand Children coming into this world...  We must be diligent and consistent in speaking the Truth in Love so that they will decide to Believe the Message of Truth, accept Christ and place all their faith and trust in HIM...

God Bless each and everyone of you, take care and Speak the Name of Christ...  May all that you say and do, bring Honor, Glory and Praise to the Name of Christ...

Take Care,

RC Hall

Lately Father...

Lately Father, I find it comforting that I can’t get You off my mind. You are in my thoughts, even when I am relaxed and not wound tight, when I do the little things that don’t matter much in life, I find myself looking for Your face. I constantly wonder if You are happy with me, am I pleasing You, are You smiling with me – crying with me? I find myself thanking You for even the most trivial events in my day, and praising You for all those big things that make life - Life. I guess it has been a gradual thing – but lately events have made me more aware and conscious of Your presents. So I found myself asking this morning – why is it that I love You so and what brought me here?

Dear Father, here is what I came up with, which I know is no surprise to You. Your Spirit, which You gave me as a gift to comfort me has convinced my heart gently but firmly of my inability to see You or get to You without petitions to Your Son. He gently prompts my heart to read and listen to your word. I find myself thanking You many times a week for placing me where You have, and providing and placing a loving Pastor that taught and mentored in Your will. The Holy Spirit has shown me that without that which You first gave me, I am a condemned man, without excuse. That even in the presence of Your precious Gift and Blessings – I am but a worm dwelling in the rotten apple we call reality.

The man I thought I was – now looks back at me from what seems to be a distant past. He taunts me over the things that are different, but when I look back through straining eyes I find it harder to recognize that image of the past. Today, I realized that because You have taught me how to love You, that image I strain to see is no longer the man that You see. You have placed people in my life to remind me of that old pit once in awhile, but I feel You leading me more into the new creation You are teaching me to rejoice in. I find myself sitting in the quiet of my study, peaceful and content to rest in Your arms. The truth of Your word coming alive off the pages and speaking to my heart – it is Your voice I hear. I yearn so much to seek Your face, to be with You, to walk with You – this is a love that You are teaching me.

This man You gave me as my earthly father has sought You father and You speak to him as well. Praise You for answering prayer, thank You for touching hearts that were once cold, glory to You for 1st choosing us when we were yet still in our wretchedness. Father, You have shown me Yourself in the eyes of this man I call Dad. You have shown me tenderness through the heart of this man that I once thought was heartless. I once heard that a man’s perception of You is directly correlated to the relationship he has with his earthly father. With me – You proved the opposite, if we don’t first honor our relationship with You; we can never fully enjoy the relationship with the earthly father You gave us. Praise be to You Father, for working a good work in my heart, and showing my dad and I the best You have to offer – in your Son Jesus Christ.

Why do I love you so? Because I am compelled to – because as part of that transaction @ the cross, you gave me a cleanly washed heart to seek you out – and wonder in Your love – unconditional and unbridled to those that truly seek Your face. Thank You Father, for all the Godly Fathers through the ages, Abraham, Issac, Moses, as well as those in my linage – Robert Tormey, John Hall & Byron Hall. Thank You Father, for the role models that you have placed in our lives, Joseph, Joshua, Peter, Paul and today’s role models like Stephen Burns, Marvin Apple & all the Godly Pastor's that love your people and sacrifice for them.

Praise Your Holy Name - I Love You Father!

Never Forget To Be Thankful...

I am another year older, and find myself reflecting more over the passing of time, than in my younger years. I am reminded that we should never be forgetful of the many Blessings that our Dear Father showers us with each day. As Dear Children of the Heavenly Father, we must have a Thankful Heart!

Remembering those Godly showers of Blessings is a small step in this walk of Faith, in the Light of HIS Dear Son and the sacrificial gift He brought for us. Never Forget, the sacrifice He made to purchase our sin laden souls. Humility in Spirit is born of a heart that is aware of our position in Christ, and the transaction that took place at the Cross. A thankful heart remembers that we cannot achieve anything outside the will of God.

THIS past year I have been made aware all the more of HIS Mercy through the Holy Scriptures shinning a sharp and bright light on my sinful soul. Making me all the more knowledgeable of just how short we fall of HIS Glory and Righteousness on our own. That it is only through the redemptive work on that old Tree that we can be made right and whole before the throne of GOD.

Thank YOU Dear Father for the gift of Eternal life, continue to cleanse this old human heart of all unrighteousness, please forgive any un-confessed or unrealized sin in my life. Never let me lose sight of YOUR Deity and Sovereignty, give me the strength and will to yield and submit to YOUR authority in my life.

Father, give me the boldness and wisdom to speak YOUR Word when YOU call upon me to share with a soul searching for Truth. Thank YOU Father, for the Spiritual Heritage, and the shoulders of family Saints that have gone on before that I now stand on. Thank YOU Father for their earnest and unending prayers for me; that only now are being realized to the depths they were offered and answered Dear Lord. Thank YOU for all the Saints of our Church Lord that have paved the way and provided testimony for us to follow. Thank YOU for the Pastor, HIS Family, the Church and the folks that serve therein. Thank YOU for Godly Church Leadership, that wants YOUR Will, and believe in and strive for Spiritual unity in the Local Body of Christ.

Thank YOU for a Godly, Loving, Sacrificial Wife that honors YOU with her life and testimony. Thank YOU Father for Christian Parents, the blessing they provide in our visits and the encouragement they are to me. Thank YOU for Christian Friends, that seek the Face of God, help us be an encouragement to each other, and accountable to each other. Thank YOU Father, for a Family that wants to follow YOU, but Father, give them the strength and desire to Yield and Submit to YOUR Will! Those family members that are not walking with YOU Father give no peace or rest until they repent and lay their lives down and take up YOUR Cross. Thank YOU for providing a work place where quiet time with YOU at lunch time is not deterred. Please continue to Bless this company and help them maintain a moral integrity that is above all others in the area.

Thank YOU Father for the Mercy that I in no way deserve, for the Grace and Light of YOUR Word that Lights the path on which YOU have place me. May I never, ever forget my sinful past, the condition of the un-generate heart that YOU found me, nor the consequences of sin and the bond thusly broken by YOUR Son’s Sacrifice. Never let me forget what I am outside YOUR Mercy and Grace, that it is YOU and YOU alone that provides redemption, that there is NOTHING I can do or provide to work my way to YOU, that the gate is closed and sealed. Never let me forget that the only way to YOU Father is through YOUR Son’s Shed Blood and Redemptive Work on the Cross. That even then, our Faith comes of YOU, that the regenerated Heart is of YOU and our Works in the Spirit are of YOU – lest any man boast. May I always crave for, and have a burning in my heart the desire of learning more, while growing closer to YOU through Christ. Father, create in my mind and heart the habit and desire to start and end my day with YOU… Place in me that same heart that David had, to always seek YOUR Face.

These prayers and petitions of Love and Thankfulness, I boldly bring to YOUR Throne, while wrapped in YOUR Son’s Righteousness. May all that I say and do bring Honor, Glory and Praise to YOU Dear Father, In Christ’s Name I Pray… Amen…

Where Have All The Godly Men Gone?

Good Morning Dear Folks,

I have been working on this post off and on for over 6 weeks. The Lord has burdened my heart to address Christian men in this country. This burden includes Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Teachers, Ushers, Church Office Workers and yes the men in the congregations of every local Church in America. I want to offer a word of encouragement, and offer a little insight as to how to maintain a strong and powerful Godly influence with those around you.

A little over a year ago, our Pastor of 30 years had decided it was time to retire, he was a very loved man, and led by example. He walked Faith, he exercised Trust, he showed Forgiveness, he practiced Compassion, but more than all those wonderful attributes – he was a man of his Word!  If he told you something, you could take to the bank, his Word was solid. He poured his heart into our Church, and on many occasions sacrificed personally to keep things afloat. He taught his congregants the Love of Christ, the doctrinal truths of the bible while disconnecting us from the religiosity developing in many churches today. This Pastor dedicated his entire life to Christ, and devoted much of his waking hours to the Church, building folks up in the Faith. Pastor Burns taught and preached the Word of God, with conviction, with power and without excuse.

There is a very dear lady in our Church that once was part of the Billy Graham Ministry Team. She once told me that when Mr. Graham was out and about, he never had less than two men with him. A Godly Man, he put the full armor of God on, and worked at and protected his testimony. What the world saw, was a Godly, Righteous man that lived and practiced what he taught around the world.

My Grand Fathers were both strong Godly Christian men. Both of them walked that which they spoke, their lives were above reproach. Both men were deeply active in their respective Churches. Grand Dad Hall was a Christian from a young age, and stood on the Spiritual shoulders of his Father. Grand Dad Hall was an ordained “old time” Methodist Preacher, that eventually started a Baptist Church in his hometown. What a Spiritual Giant! He knew the Bible inside out, upside down, and loved his Lord with all that he was. You could set your watch by his morning devotions, and evening Bible studies. He served as a Deacon and Adult Sunday School Teacher in that Baptist Church, where he was a "prayer warrior". He challenged the Pastors that served in that Church and truly enjoyed Theological discussions and debate. He too was a man of his word, and truly Trusted and Waited on GOD. Grand Dad Hall once thought that I would be a Pastor someday, but due to my own arrogance and playing Church through my 20’s, he never realized that dream. But, God did hear his prayers, and I am active in several ministries today, using some of his old studies and notes.

Grand Dad Tormey was saved later in life, one of those miraculous conversions that if you didn’t see – you have a hard time grasping it. My Grand Dad Tormey, was an alcoholic, smoked many packs of cigarettes each day, and was somewhat abusive to his family. My Grand Mother Tormey coaxed him to an old tent revival meeting one night, and Christ laid his hand upon him, and he accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord. Like a light switch being turned on, he gave all that up that night, he was a “new creation” all the old vices and abuses ceased. I only knew Grand Dad Tormey as a fine and upright Christian man. He was a great outdoorsman, and he taught me to fish for food, and through his life for Christ, I now know how to fish for men.

A question in my mind that begs to be answered. Where have all these GODLY men gone? Are they passing with that generation of Reverend Billy Graham, my Grand Dads and my former Pastor of 30 years? I want to believe that there are still seminaries that are turning out great Godly men.  But… Unfortunately, the Head Lines and news stories don’t seem to confirm that thought. What GODLY men of the past once believed with all their hearts, and taught as foundational Truth, is now called to question. Life Choices that are clearly highlighted in the Bible as an “abomination to GOD” are now freely being accepted as normal and politically correct – even in the old rock solid Churches of my youth. The Bible clearly tells us to “love the sinner as Christ loved him, but hate the sin and the damnation that it will bring”. Where have all the GODLY men gone?

Just a little over a year ago, we called a new Pastor to replace our retiring Pastor. This man had a Testimony similar in some ways to that of Grand Dad Tormey. Saved later in his life, being rescued from a few vices. A few years my junior, he seems to know his Bible well, and teaches a good lesson. Due to other commitments, he isn’t a 100% full time Pastor yet, so he does not yet have the luxury of devoting the time and energy the previous Pastor did. He answered the call of our Church and God to lead us into the next level of Glory in service to our Precious Christ and the Father. There are folks in the Church watching, wanting to see those same wonderful Godly characteristics in this Pastor. Due to previous employment commitments he didn’t start his preaching ministry in our Church until mid March of last year. In those 9 short months, I see the heart of a servant of God. His messages were strong and pointed, addressing issues of the day in our Church and many Churches today.

In his Sunday Morning messages, he has addressed the “luke warm spiritual condition of many”. The lack of commitment and devotion to our Lord, and in turn the lack of commitment to the brothers and sisters in the Church. He has taught us of Christ’s words, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no”. He has taught us to serve with conviction, devotion, and all sincerity. He has taught us to put Christ first, then to exercise our belief, by totally and completely Trusting in Him, and have the Faith that HE will meet our needs.  He also teaches the Scripture without reservation or excuse.

This is our Encouragement for this day! That if men, take up the cross of Christ and lean on Him, not relying on their own means to survive, but on Him – it is then that we will reclaim our Spiritual Heritage. Pulling ourselves out of the Church of Laodicea, and being on fire for the Lord, making a difference in the lives around us – starting with our own families. Men, I just heard a statistic this very morning on Christian Radio. That if family men turn to Christ, allow HIM to change their lives and live good Godly examples, that statically better than 90% of those families will follow his footsteps toward Christ.

Remember those wonderful Godly men I referred to earlier. You must be a man that practices what you PREACH! You must show your family Love and Encouragement. You need to read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 and the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. These are not suggestions, these are Truths brought to us through Christ’s own words and the pen of Paul. If we are Truly saved, if we are serious about living a life for Christ, then get up men, put your faith into action.

Start by keeping your word when you give it. Then live out your Faith by Trusting in God, the power of His Grace, and the ability that Christ has given you to stand before the very throne of GOD!!! Don’t rely on your own means to succeed, put all of who you are in your Trust in Christ’s ability to save you and provide for you. IF – God is who we say we “Believe He Is”, then we must put feet to that faith men. Pray that He will provide opportunity to serve, have a Godly Christian man, Pastor or Deacon help you realize your Spiritual Gifts. Then – put them to work! In your home. In your office or place of work. In your Church. In your neighborhood. “Don’t just be hearers of the Word – be Doers of the Word”.

Take time to think about your answers to peoples questions, then say what you mean – and – mean what you say. Build a reputation of Honor, Godliness, Holiness, Righteousness and work out your Faith in the eyes of God and men. Don’t give Satan and temptation an inch, draw a line in the sand, and never cross it. Live a life that is beyond reproach, be a man that can be trusted, counted on and looked up to as a man of God. These will be the Spiritual Shoulders our children stand on in a world that becomes more Godless every day. Remember men, your weakest or lowest level of Spiritual Growth, will be the next generations highest level of Spiritual Growth.

Seek God’s Face, reach for Christ, pray without ceasing, desire a double portion of the Holy Spirit; then Walk the Walk! Holding your head with all humility, walk the faith, share the Gospel to all that will listen and devote yourself to His Cross and His cause. He came here to die, He gave it all for mankind. If we claim His Name, and Possess His Spirit, how can we possibly not give it all for Him? The Right, the True answer is, “we can’t give Him any less”.

Philippians 4: Verses 4 though 13

(4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. (11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The Bible(s) I Use In Teaching

Good Morning!

Several of you have asked what Bible am I using, what books do you read, and who are your favorite Preachers / Teachers?

Well, to answer those questions in any real depth, I would have to open up my Testimony and dust it off a bit. So since this week’s post is lengthy like the last couple of weeks I will try to keep this somewhat brief.

First my Bibles! I personally use The New Scofield Reference Bible (KJV) in Church to follow the Pastor in Morning and Evening Service, and sometimes for teaching. For my Wednesday night Prayer Meeting Messages, I consistently use two sources. (1) Bible Resources at the www.bible.com web site, and (2) Quick Verse Bible software, version 2007 sold and marketed by FindEx.com, Inc. When writing 90% of my messages and lessons, I default to the KJV. I have found that in most cases, it is closer to the Hebrew and Greek text, that I also have a complete set of via Quick Verse. If I use any other version, it would be the New American Standard Version, just to add clarity for me to expound a Biblical principle or point that I need to get across.

My library has grown immensely in the last couple of years, mainly because our retiring Pastor donated his entire library to me. I have several new books by Alistair Begg, and two new books to me by Jonathan Edwards, as well as a couple new books to me by John Stott. I also have an entire collection of Charles Spurgeon, who is one of my all time favorites. I have his entire collection electronically, and I have the entire book collection of Charles Spurgeon’s Sermon’s.

My favorite Preacher’s / Teachers…. Well, let me go back to the 1960’s and work my way forward. My first favorite Pastor was John C. Hall, my Grand Father. I was saved in a little Church in Osceola Mills, PA and the Pastor was Reverend Mink. My home Church most of my life as a child was the First Baptist Church of Bellefonte, PA where Pastor Marvin Apple was the Senior Pastor; I attended this Church until I left home for the Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, when I came home on weekends or on leave, I attended the Church that my Bride to be attended, The Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Steven Burns was the Senior Pastor.  Over the years, Pastor Burns has become one of my closest friends, and I go to him first with Biblical questions or Spiritual issues. I also follow the work of RC Sproul, Ravi Zacharias and Alistair Begg.  Our new Pastor, Alan Kilian, is a good Teacher, I have only sat under his teaching for a little less than a year.  He Preaches the Truth without reservation or excuse - so he is on the path to becoming one of my favorites as well.

So there you have it, as brief as this “Old Sinner – Saved By Grace” can do it. I love you all, and appreciate all the wonderful encouraging emails, and occasional comments on this Blog Site. It is my prayer that you may find Christ in the pages, Encouragement and Blessing in His Words. May God Bless, Have A Wonderful Day!

Robert C. Hall

My Prayer This Evening...

Dear Precious Lord,

...grant me the wisdom & heart needed to exercise meekness in the face of those that would persecute for defending the Faith.   Father, Please forgive those brothers and sisters in Christ's Name, that bear little or no fruit of the Spirit that they claim lives within them...   Then Father, Teach me to yield and surrender to YOU only, while giving me strength to show no compromise to the world.  Teach me Father to stand with a humbled heart in YOUR service, and let me claim the desire to say "here am I Lord, send / use me".  I Love You Dear Lord Jesus, and I pray to the Father tonight in your Precious Name...

Amen.

Where does your light shine? ©

We that share the Faith in Christ, all have a part in the body. Some are teachers, some are encouragers, some are gifted with a servant’s heart, some are built for leadership and others yet to continually pray. No matter what the gift you have been blessed with, we all share the common Light of His Truth. The Gospel! That wonderful blessed Light that He has placed within us – through His Holy Spirit. How’s your testimony today? Are you shining HIS Light in all the places He opens the doors for you to share? Shine the Light in your part of the world, and then let your testimony be the seasoning or “the salt of the earth” that they are all looking for. Your joy in Christ will lead them to the Light, His word hidden in your heart will provide that precious Gospel message, and His Spirit will take care of the rest. Let His Light Shine In Your Life and He will bring those looking for that light into your life.

True Independence ©

This independence day, I found myself wondering if God’s people truly think about their independence from the old man / woman. You know, that old person we used to be without Christ, the one that loved the things of this world. Remember, the guy or gal that used to indulge in all the earthly pleasures with no consciousness of the consequences of those actions. Unfortunately for the Lord’s Testimony, some Christians still walk a little too close to that line, attempting to serve both masters. Some of us do not contemplate the end result of all our life’s work without the independence Christ gave us? 

I for one understand the extent of my sin, and the vast separation from God that it created, and on my own I had no way to bridge the distance. This is where a large majority of the world’s population lives today. The chaos of this fast moving, information saturated world grabs at us at every possible decision, at every choice, at every opportunity for rest and peace. Satan’s plan is to rob these last generations walking this earth from every opportunity to see Christ. Satan wants to keep the “family of God” on the outskirts, convincing the world that they are irrelevant, and their faith is old school and doesn’t conform to the academics of an evolving / advancing culture. Satan has either polluted or diluted the word in a many of our Churches today, to where they really don’t know what they believe or why they believe. 

The Christian’s world today is changing at an alarming rate; in just 40 short years we have gone from an environment where we had neighborhood Bible Clubs and Vacation Bible Schools for our children. To a culture that is intolerant of any descending opinion of the “inevitable social progress” that is occurring all around us. In our communities where we could once openly and freely teach our children biblical principles and doctrines concerning sin, and immoral choice, we are now considered hatemonger’s and culturally ignorant and irrelevant to social progress. In a very real sense, the world looks at real Christian’s as repulsive, unwanted and unneeded. 

Relative truth and Pragmatism have replaced absolute Truth, and fear of the Almighty God. More disturbing yet, is the fact that some of our main stream churches today no longer cling to the Word of God. They have explained away the need for Christ, dismissing John 14:6-7; (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

There are Churches in this country today that actually teach there are many ways to God, Rubbish… God sent his Son to die on the cross so that none should perish, but if they deny the Son, and His plan of Salvation and His commandments, they deny the Father along with the Way that He provided to Himself. This very Blog may be considered offensive in some Christian circles, which I am willing to bear for the conviction God has placed on my heart. I would rather face persecution for speaking the Truth, than deny Almighty God His Glory and Praise while sitting on the sidelines in fear of men who can only take the body but cannot touch the soul. 

Ravi Zacharias; a man I love and greatly respect has a piece posted on his sight discussing this very topic.   This man is extremely intelligent and eloquent in providing explanations of the impact of secularism on Christianity today. He offers wonderful insight and useful information to ponder, and then put into action. 

We must educate ourselves, and understand the opposition’s arguments. Then we must study our bibles, pray and let the Holy Spirit both calm and quiet our anxious hearts. We must also allow the Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts and hide His Word in our hearts so that we may draw upon it when called to do so. We must remember that Christ said “think not that I am come to send peace on earth, I came not to send peace, but a sword”. (Matthew 10:34) That sword is the Word of God, dividing brothers and sisters, shedding light on the sins of all, and showing the One and Only Way to God. YES – it will be and is offensive to those that wish not to have their lives shown in the Light! 

We are to love our neighbors, and have compassion for the lost, but not to the point that we forget our purpose here on this old earth. We that are called out from the world of sin are here first to give Glory and Praise to Almighty God, and to serve Him. We are commanded to love our neighbor, to come up alongside of him and help him bear his burden. All the while we are to remain aware of his fallen condition; the Light that he sees in us must be shared with all care, grace and concern. Christ shared the good news with the sinners of His day, but He did not partake in their evil ways to prove the point, He walked perfectly and righteously as an example. 

We must remember that “inevitable social progress” will attempt to strip the world of all morality, serving the old devil, and promising pleasure and delivering death – physical and spiritual. Christian Brother and Sister, we are to fear no man, we are to stand firm in our Faith, Trusting Christ’s deliverance for us, and the ability to stand before the God of the universe wrapped in His Son’s Righteousness. God is in control, no matter how hard the battle, no matter the physical outcome, HE WILL PREVAIL, and if you made it all the way to the back of the book, you already know – WE WIN!!!!!!! Stand with Him, draw that line in the sand, dawn your spiritual armor, and get in the battle, and fight to WIN. If we don’t learn to stand – and to stand for the Truth, then we will surely fall, and we will fall for anything. 

The moral compass of the world, of this country – of your community, is you, the children of the King, who Live in the Truth! Pray, Study, Learn, Share the Gospel, and Stand for Christ and rejoice, His promises and prophesy are being fulfilled. These are exciting times that challenge us to stand out and be counted. Are you aware of your surroundings, do you know what’s going on, are you ready to defend the Faith? 

 So, Happy Independence Day Christian, tonight get on your knees and thank our Heavenly Father for sending His precious Gift in Jesus Christ and the sin debt He paid on the Cross to give us TRUE Independence. May the Lord bless you, may you find Joy in His service… KEEP GOING!!!