This scripture hit home with me yesterday (2/19/2013) as I had a close brush with death. I had my seven year old son in vehicle and we were on our way to pick up my wife. We were driving down a very familiar road that I must have driven down hundreds of times before. It was an overcast day like any other day in February when all of a sudden, a loud sound occurred close behind our vehicle. At first I thought it was gunfire but quickly realized it couldn’t be that.

Instinctively, I looked in my rear view mirror and could see the sparks of electricity coming from a transformer on an electric pole and the pole was being ripped in half. Now that I look back at it, it seemed like a scene from a movie. I must have said something like “Oh my God J.R.” He turned and saw it happening also.

The pole fell to the ground and ignited more sparks. The cables appeared to fall across the entire four lane highway and sparks were everywhere. Realizing the pole fell very close to our vehicle and not knowing if more poles or wires were going to come down, my first thought was to get my son out of there and to safety. I praise God for keeping us safe. Even though we were close to danger, we were not harmed at all.

Looking back, I realized that my paternal instincts to protect my son are what God feels for us. Being a child of God, I know that he did in fact command his angels to protect me and my son as well as everyone else on that road. To my knowledge no one was hurt in this incident. That is amazing considering this highway is a highly populated route during rush hour traffic.

In taking a look at this scripture along with Matthew 4:6 and Psalms 91:11, you find that it is part of the scripture that Satan uses in his attempt to trick Jesus into jumping off a cliff. In that light, it must be an important scripture if the enemy attempts to use it against us. This scripture is meant to teach us that God will command his angels to protect us in our everyday lives, but we are not to intentionally place ourselves in danger.

To add to my testimony above, I was not supposed to be safely ahead of the incident when it occurred. It was my intention to leave my house a little later which would have put me on that road later and possibly right underneath the falling electrical pole. However, God fixed it so that I would receive an unexpected text that led to an unexpected phone conversation. Both caused me to deviate from “my” plan and get placed on “God’s” plan. Those few minutes saved our lives.

In conclusion, trust God in all you do. Have faith that He will protect you from any danger. Right now, His angels are watching over you. Believe it because they have been commanded to do so!

Have a blessed day!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

When my little helper returned to the room with a full cup of water, I expressed my disappointment in her choice of containers because a bottle would have been so much more convenient. If you were to enter our kitchen, you would see more sports bottles than we know what to do with.  I fussed about her choice as I reached for the desperately needed beverage. Then I asked her to place it on the table.  I didn’t want to chance a catastrophe if I tried reaching for it from the bottle/cup holder on my exercise equipment.  So now, my thirst has been quenched, but I will have to do without for the rest of my time pedaling and climbing.

After surviving the shortest workout that I will allow myself, I moved to the kitchen and finished my water.  I heard footsteps as my daughter came back downstairs going about the rest of her morning.  As we made eye contact, I felt a sense of conviction.  I came to the realization that my decision to sleep in was no fault of hers.  Nor was it her choice to hop on a piece of equipment without properly preparing. Yet, I found fault in her attempts at helping me. Without that cup of water, I would not have survived this last minute attempt to get in some fitness before work.  I looked her in the eyes and apologized for not being more appreciative of her gesture. Then I uttered the words, “Thank you”.

Often times, we often find fault in things that are meant to bless us, or we simply receive the blessing and fail to say thank you. (See Luke 17:11-19).  My lack of gratitude led to a reaction that I know did not please God. This early morning experience revealed a part of me that needs to be fixed, and I am so glad my heavenly Father spoke to my heart so this could perhaps be dealt with.  I just pray that I responded in enough time that my daughter’s spirit was not crushed.  By the way, she accepted my apology as well as my word of thanks.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15, NIV)

I gave her the example that my pastor, Pastor Reginald Bruce, had given us. It went something like this: A young boy about six or seven years of age is always told that he was handsome and that he was going to break some hearts. The boy grows up and guess what? He breaks the hearts of young girls. Why? Because it was spoken into his spirit.

When we speak something our subconsciousness will make it happen. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” We must learn to channel that power into positive thinking and speaking. The fruits of our positive speech will deliver us through any problem we may encounter in our lives. Couple that with strong faith and you can’t be beat.

One more scripture to feed on is Isaiah 55:11 and it says, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Note that the Bible says your words shall not return empty. This goes for positive as well as negative. Something will return but no one wants that something to be negative so speak life into your life and your word will return positively.

Lastly, I even found a quote from an unknown author. It says, “The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” Saints, even the world knows that speaking life is the right path!

Have a blessed day!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

Does this literally mean my neighbor? No it doesn’t. It means you should love everyone as you would want to be love. It doesn’t matter what standing in life that person has or even if they have done you wrong.

On several occasions I have had conversations with people who have struggled with loving someone who has treated them wrong. I have even struggled with this issue in the past. When someone has wronged you it is hard to continue to love them but the command does not allow for any exceptions (Matthew 22:39).

If you find yourself with feelings of hate toward someone, jump into the word of God and chase that hate away. Matthew 5:22 says, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

The price to pay for hatred is severe so it’s not worth it. “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9). Go to that person and attempt to heal whatever is wrong between you. If that fails take it before the church. If that fails take it God.

Have a blessed day!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Can you imagine being in the presence of Lord and thinking you were going to drown when the waves began to sweep over the boat? However, this is what many of us do today. We find ourselves with problems or situations sweeping through our lives and we forget that the Lord is on our side. 2 Timothy 1:6 tells us “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

A Mustard Seed

Have a blessed day!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

2 He said to me, “Son of man,[a] stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.

Footnotes:

a. Ezekiel 2:1 The Hebrew phrase ben adam means human being. The phrase son of man is retained as a form of address here and throughout Ezekiel because of its possible association with “Son of Man” in the New Testament.

Have a blessed day!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

What I want to do is not only show you that the devil is a liar but just how he lies. Let’s look at this example. The City of Florissant, Missouri received countless calls regarding an email about carjacking in the city. It got so bad that the Chief of Police had to post a denial on their website. It turned out an email was circulating that someone was putting $100 bills on the rearview mirror of cars and when the driver got out to get the bill they were forced to turned over their cars at gunpoint.

The email further stated that a Detective Bledsoe of the city’s police department confirmed the activity in the St. Louis County area and a Lieutenant Bartholome encouraged everyone to continue circulating the email. Even with the truth being posted on the website, this email continued to circulate. Snopes.com confirmed that this was a false email. They pointed out that there is a Detective Bledsoe but he’s in Texas, and there is a Lieutenant Bartholome, but he’s with the Florida Highway Patrol. This lie contained some truths but overall it was a lie.

The devil uses the same tricks. He will tell you a lie but that lie may contain several true facts. Think about it Saints; he did it to Jesus so why wouldn’t he do it to you? Let’s look at Matthew 4:5-6:

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Note the words, “For it is written”. Satan is saying that the Bible makes this statement and therefore it is true. He is correct. The Bible does make this statement but, of course, it’s not entirely as he says. Let’s look at Psalms 91:11-12:

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Note that the two scriptures are almost identical except Satan left out “to guard you in all your ways”. Why did he leave this out? Because “to guard you in all your ways” means God would not allow anything to happen to Jesus (or you). Jesus noted in his response that what Satan was asking him to do violated Deuteronomy 6:16 which says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test…” Therefore, God will protect you from danger but you should not intentionally place yourself in danger to prove it.

Being aware of the fact that Satan is a liar is only half the battle. We have to study for ourselves. We can be easily tricked by the words of someone wanting to trick us especially if those words contain some truth. Examine all of what you are told, pray over any decisions that you have to make and when you’re ready to decide…pray again!

Have a blessed day!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will keep your paths straight.” (3:5-6)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (4:23)

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (15:22) 

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (16:18) 

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (17:22) 

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (18:2) 

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” (19:20) 

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (22:6) 

“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” (27:2) 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (27:17) 

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” (27:19) 

“Blessed are those who always tremble before God, but those who harden their hearts fall into trouble.” (28:14)

Have a blessed New Year!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

The word “shew” means “show” so as many of you have read and heard “study to show thyself approved…” This couldn’t be a more important statement to the Saints of God. Don’t just take someones word for anything. Go, read it and discern it for yourself.

Faith is a necessary component to our journey in this life. Blind faith can cause you to stumble and suffer greatly. Take notes at your church service then go home and study it for yourself.

Have a blessed New Year!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Submit means “to give over or yield to the power or authority of another”. We must make up in our mind that the world is not the place for us. We must turn away from what the world is offering and submit to God. I was thinking how wonderful God is to have created all that is in existence today. I find it funny that people try to believe in such theories as the Big Bang theory because they don’t want to believe in a supreme being.

What is the Big Bang Theory? It is “a theory that deduces a cataclysmic birth of the universe (big bang) from the observed expansion of the universe, cosmic background radiation, abundance of the elements, and the laws of physics.” Now look at the items that must have existed prior to this big bang. “Expansion of the universe”, “cosmic background radiation”, “abundance of the elements”…who created these?

After reflecting on this, I asked myself “how can I not be submission to God?” So Saints in 2013 I plan to strive toward a closer relationship (drawing nigh) with God, the creator of all that is and ever will be!

Have a blessed New Year!

The Pastor’s Message

Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!