AT THE ALTAR OF GOD  

 “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Psalms 85:6. How many times have you heard the Pastor say, “The church is going to have a revival.” This is to pump up the church members, and try to get others into the church. To revive means to bring back to life, bring around, wake up, renew, and refresh, to recover.So, in comes some Evangelist to perform C.P.R. on the members of the church. However, have you ever asked yourself, why should they have to have life breathed into them? To be woke up, to be recharged. Is not the Spirit they have, the Spirit of the all mighty God, capable of breathing life into them? There are some so dead, that they do not need a revival, they need a resurrection. What has happened to the fire around God’s altar? Who poured water on the altar of God today. Elijah, on Mount Carmel, put the wood in order, and said, “Fill four water pots with water, and pour it on the wood. Then he told them, “Do it again.” In addition, he said, “Do it a third time.” And when Elijah prayed the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones of the altar and the dust.” I Kings 18: 30-39 What has happened to God’s Ministers today, the Shepherds of God’s people? The Evangelist comes in for a week or two, preaching the same things they have heard from their own Pastors. However, because they are different, they seem to strike a spark in a few people. The members seem to be revived for a few days. We are supposed to be ‘lively stones in the building” Where is the joy of the Lord? Where is the Rock of our salvation? Where is the fire around God’s altar? It is not our altar. When we come boldly before the throne of God, we come into the presence of the Lord, and it ceases from being a wooden altar at some church, or at home, and instead becomes an altar of God. Are we today, not cable of bringing that holy anointing of the Holy Ghost down around God’s altar?Do you think the Lord wants a Luke Warm Services? He tells us in Revelation, “Because you are neither Hot nor Cold, I will spue thee out of my mouth. That is what Jesus thinks of our Luke warm services. One would think we are breeding a church full of puppets, having to tell them everything to do, “Let us give praise to God in the house of the Lord.” or “Let everyone say Amen” or “Let everyone stand or sit, or raise your hand to praise the Lord.” We are not a bunch of robots, if we feel the fire of God burning in us we should be able to freely lift our hands in praise to our Lord and God, without feeling embarrassed and people staring at us as if we are a bunch of freaks. Jesus says, “If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.”Do you think someone would be asked to leave the church if they were to say aloud, “Thank you Jesus.” Or “Halleluiah.” Whose church is it suppose to be any-way? To some man or to some group of people, or to the Almighty God? The word of God tells us that, “Upon this rock I will build my church.”The Holy Ghost is the fire, if you do not have the Holy Ghost, then how can you have any fire in the church? That is the way it came in the book of Acts, and it has not changed. Jesus tells us, “I am the same yesterday, today and for evermore.” Man is trying to change the word of God to suite himself, but they are heaping coals of hell fire upon their own heads. Where is the Holy Ghost today? It came with “other tongues and with power, as the Spirit of God gave the utterance,” so tell me, why is there no fire around God’s altar? Because too many people are professing to be born again, when they are not, they are professing, but not possessing the Holy Ghost. We are living in the Laodicean church age, neither hot nor cold. The rich-poor church. Rich in the things of this world, poor in the things that have to do with God.People are being taught what a particular church or pastor believes to be right, what they reason it to be, but it is not always, what the Bible says. They give their own opinion, and everyone has an opinion, but they seemed to have left Jesus out. What does the word of God say? The Holy Ghost came on the day of Pentecost and it has not gone anywhere, they spoke in tongues then and we speak in tongues today. It has not changed. God has not changed. Show me in the word of God, where the tongues were taken out of the Holy Ghost. Why do we fight so hard against the obvious? Because the one that we are listening to, Sunday after Sunday, cannot preach what they do not have, and what they do not have is the same Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost. Get the Holy Ghost with the tongues and there will be fire around God’s Altar.  

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR?

Pastor. John Neal

When you go to church, what do you want to hear? The pastor to tell you “God is love” Something to make you feel good. To skip over the things you do wrong. What do you want to hear?

“Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” Isaiah 30: 1; 10

Preachers today are worried, concerned and even afraid to preach the true word of God. They are afraid that their own congregation will not accept the truth or that the world system will not tolerate them speaking out against certain sins like, “Same sex marriages, shacking-up, or anything that is classified as sin. If they speak out on any of those things, it is considered a hate crime. Preacher do not hate the person, they hate the sin that person is committing against God and themselves. What do you want to hear? Do you want the preacher to tell you that it is okay to do those things, when it is not? How can the word of God have any effect, if they skip around the truth and just tell you things that are easy to listen to. Like, Jesus died for your sins. Yes he did. But do you think that because he died for your sins that gives you the right do go out and do anything you want to? No it does not. A sin is a sin, whether you like it or not. Preachers that are called by God cannot water the word of God down, just to please the people.

God told Isaiah 58: 1, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions.” A watered down word of God cannot be effective and do the job that it is supposed to do. It seems that people today want to believe a lie more so than the truth. To put good for evil, and evil for good. This is destroying the foundation on which our Christian value are built. It is already destroying our Nation; and we are closing our eyes and refusing to see what is going on around us. Our leaders are saying it is alright to have the same-sex marriages, and some are even encouraging it, but woe be to them.

The prophets of old were killed far telling the truth, because people had rather heed the false teachers, they wanted to hear smooth things, deceits, just like people of today. Anything you want to do is alright with God, he understands. No, it is not alright, and yes he does understand. Everything is not alright with the Lord, he cares how his children dress, and he cares where they go, what they do, just like you care about your own children. We are His sons and daughters, He is our father.

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Jesus was murdered on an old rugged cross for telling the people their sin, for telling the truth, the Apostles were beaten, stoned, imprisoned, persecuted, others were martyred, except for John, for the Gospel, did the truth die with them? Did the truth stopped at them? Is this Nation reverting to the old ways? Cannot the truth be told today?

Cry aloud, do not be afraid of being heard. Speak up, some ones feelings may be hurt, but it better to hurt their feelings than them to spend eternity in hell, and if you don’t tell them the blood is going to be on your hands, just like it is on Pilate’s, and it won’t wash off. Is that what you want, to answer for their sins? Many are dying in sin every day, which has not been told the truth. God said, “Show my people their transgressions.” How will they know, if the preachers do not tell them? They need to know the truth, then they can make their own decision, either to believe or not to believe, to do the right thing or not to do the right thing, but the choice is their. They have that right, don’t you think?

I Timothy 4: 16 “Take heed unto thyself and unto the Doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.”

What do you want to hear? Tell the sinner, what must I do to be saved. Tell them, what must I do to stay saved. Tell the sinner what is required of them. Tell them what sin is. Sin is an abomination before the Lord, it makes him sick. You may be looking good before your fellow man, but that don’t mean you are looking good before God. Take heed to your ways. Don’t ever think that God is not watching you.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Pastor. John B. Neal

Why do we walk the tight rope between heaven and hell? Is it the adrenalin? The closer we walk to the edge of the Abyss, the more daring it makes us. In other words, why do we try to see how much we can get by with, and not get caught by the Lord? Or how little we can get by with, and still be in favor with the Lord?

It’s like people are playing a game of Russian roulette, with their spiritual life, and one of these days, when they least expect it, the gun will go off.

The bottom line, is what would you do, if Jesus came today? He is coming, make no mistake. It may not be today or tomorrow, but he is coming, and there will be many playing Hide and Seek, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But don’t fool yourself, God’s eyes are ever where, beholding both the good and the bad.

We all have a tendency to want God to see our good points, but when we do something wrong, we try to hide it from him, but that don’t work. Just like Adam, he tried to hide from God, but God knew just where he was and what he had done, and neither can anyone hide.

Do you ever ask yourself, “Why do we go to church? Why do we pray? Or read the Bible? Why do we half-step in our walk with the Lord? We need to be honest with ourselves. Is it just to meet old friends at church, or to catch up on the latest gossip, or maybe to see what your neighbor is wearing. Are we committed to Jesus? He that suffered and died on the cross of Calvary, that we may have life. Do you really love him? If you brought Jesus to church with you, then you know that he is there, and you don’t have to worry about the hypocrite sitting next to you.

Every body seems to think that getting drunk, or shacking up, is okay. Everybody is doing it these days. But I want to tell you, it is sinful. Adultery, fornication, molesting little children, disobedient to parents, without natural affection. People seem to love the things of this world more than they love God, they seem to have a form of godliness, but they are denying the power there of, the power that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ, and having Him in your life. The word of God tells us, from such as these turn away. Don’t have anything to do with them.

We are living in a time that is as wicked and evil as Sodom and Gomorrah, and God destroyed those cities. The world has invaded our churches, and set up shop in them, for Lesbians and Homosexuals are now preaching in our churches. May God help us, and these United States of America? They can’t be preaching the word of God, for God’s word tells us that it is a sin. They seem to be flouting their sin right under the nose of God.

There is a place for them in the church, but it is not behind the pulpit, handling the Holy Word of God with unholy hands. It is an abomination to God. That means it makes Him sick. The place for them is kneeling before the altar of God, and asking God for forgiveness of their sin.

I can’t put anyone in heaven or hell. Every one does their own thing, they do what they want to do, be what they want to be, go where they want to go, in other words, do your thing. But just remember, the Bottom Line, when you close your eyes in that eternal sleep, and the next thing you know you wake up in hell, it will be too late. No one, but I mean no one, will get by mocking God. God will not be mocked. Pay-day is coming for all of us.

Religion is not something you just think, you have to live it. Most people live their lives as though neither heaven nor hell existed. What do you believe in? That our good times, our parties and fun will go on forever. Pay-day is coming, and it’s not as far away as one may think.

No, religion is something you have to live every day. It is time to become serious about our soul; we do have one you know. Everyone has two choices; either they spend eternity in heaven or hell. Both places are very real. But God has given us those choices. Are we ready to face God on his throne? Will you stand up in God’s face and try to lie your way out of the things you have done here in this world? The Bottom line, God has a record book, and everything we have every done is recorded in that book. And a liar he will not even allow to stand before him. Sin, of any kind will not enter back into heaven.

Religion seems to be just a game to many; they live their life any way they want to. They go to church on Sunday Morning, and say I’m a Christian. They give one day to God and the other six days for themselves. I don’t have time to pray, to thank God for my family or for waking us up this morning, nor for my health, nor for my food. I can’t take the time to read my Bible, to see what thus saith the Lord. I have to take my children to football practice, or basketball practice, etc. Just going to church on Sunday morning seems to be enough. People don’t seem to realize that God wakes us every morning, and watches over us during the night while we sleep. How many takes the time to say “Thank you Jesus, for being able to get out of bed this morning.” Do you? Don’t people realize that Jesus holds life in one hand, and death in the other. Our breath, our life, comes from Him.

The Bottom Line, Jesus is coming back for his church. The one true church. Jesus don’t care for the title over the door, He’s not going to say I think I’ll pick the Baptist or Catholic, Holy Trinity, or Bethel house of God, etc. He’s not coming back for a building, but a people that have made themselves ready to go back with him. Jesus picks the church, we don’t. His church that he died for is one church. The church that he purchased with his blood, bearing his Spirit. A people bearing his name.

It is time we stopped putting our head in the sand like an Ostrich, and start facing reality. God has got a love, and he shines his love upon us each and every day, but God has also got a wrath which the world is soon to behold. Read the Old Testament if you want an example of God wrath. Read what he did to his own people the Jews, because they chose to worship other gods. Don’t fool yourselves. The only safety we have is in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 4: 8 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Jesus is coming at the appointed time for his church, and nothing is going to stop it. People can get out here with their machine guns, cannons, bombs, germ war, missiles, what ever they want, but they are not going to stop Jesus from coming back for his church. Are you ready?

The Bottom Line, Get right with God, or get left behind, and go through the seven years of tribulation like this world has never known.

IF WE MISS HEAVEN, WE MISS IT ALL.

 By: Pastor. John B. Neal

“...........whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows----such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man---whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows----how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (II Corinthians 12: 1-4).

Paul here is talking about the abode of God, where God dwells, where his throne is, where the angels are. The streets of pure gold, the walls made of Jasper, the gates are all of pearls. What a beautiful picture Paul and John paint for us, what joy there will be when we make it to this paradise Paul spoke of.

We read of these things, but is our mind really on these things, or are they on the pleasures of this earth? Have we ever asked ourselves, how hard are we trying to make it up there? The preachers keep telling us; Jesus paid it all for us. He paid our debt of sin, so we won’t have to. That is true. But do you think that Jesus went through all that pain and suffering, humiliation, of being mocked, and ridiculed, so that we could just sit back and enjoy the pleasures of this world, and do nothing. No, my friend, there is more to it than that. If that is what you think then you have blinders on. If you do not come to Jesus, and take on his name through the water baptism, and covered by his blood that he shed for you, and follows his law and his word, then you are bastards and none of his. I didn’t say that, that is in the word of God. How hard are we trying or are we trying at all? If we miss Heaven, we’ve missed it all.

Don’t be like an Ostrich, with your head buried in the sand, and pretend you don’t understand what I’m talking about. We have one shot at this, and we’re not going to get another.

There are many places I would love to have visited, like Jerusalem, to walk on those dust streets that Jesus trod. To walk with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, where John, Andrew, James, and Peter were fishing, to view the place where Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world. To visit the tomb where Jesus was laid, to see the stone rolled away from the door. Where the angel told Mary Magdalene, “He is not here, he is risen.” She was asked, “Why seek ye the living, among the dead?”

CRIES FROM THE CROSS:

Pastor. John Neal

What led up to there ever having to be, cries from the cross? Jesus wasn’t crying from the pain and agonies, He wasn’t crying for his own self. The first cry uttered from the cross was, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (St. Luke 23:34).

There were two legal system, which proved to be illegal, that condemned Jesus. The Jews, his own people, and the Romans. The very two system on which our own legal system is based upon. The arrest and proceeding’s under Anna Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, were under Jewish law. Those under Pilate and Herod were under Roman law. The Jewish trial was illegal in several ways:

1)- The judge was not impartial, and did not protect the accused. There is no evidence that the quorum of twenty-three judges were present. The judges took part in the arrest, and they were hostile (St. Matt. 26: 62-63).

2)- The arrest was unlawful because it was carried out under no formal accusation.

3)- In Criminal trails, all sessions had to be started and carried out only during the day. The verdict was not to be handed down until the next day. All night session were illegal.

4)- A verdict of guilty could not be rendered on the same day, as the conclusion of the trial. It had to be given the next day.

5)- The search for hostile testimony was illegal (St. Matt. 26: 59, Mark 14: 56; John 11:53).

6)- No accused could be convicted on his own evidence, yet, they sought replies and admissions from Jesus to condemn him (St. Matt. 26: 63-66; John 18:9).

7)- No valid legal evidence was presented against him.

After Pilate declared Jesus Innocent (St. Matt. 27: 24), ever thing that was done after that was contrary to the letter and spirit of Roman law. A murdered man does not have a choice, but Jesus had a choice. He laid down his life willingly. No man took his life from him. Like a sheep led to the slaughter, Jesus let himself be led to Calvary. To give his blood and die for the sins of this uncaring world, but he opened not his mouth, but suffered for us, a death too horrible to even try to understand.

Psa. 22: 14-18, David gives us a picture of the Crucifixion. The bones of the hands, arms, shoulders, and pelvis pulled out of joint (v 14), the profuse perspiration caused by intense suffering (v 14), the action of the heart affected (v14). Strength exhausted, and extreme thirst (v15). The hands and feet pierced (v 16). All are associated with this form of death.

The second cry from the cross was when Jesus spoke to the thief. “Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise” (St. Luke 23:43).

The third cry from the cross was when Jesus looked down and saw his mother, he said to her, “Woman, behold thy son,” this he spoke of John the beloved disciple, and to John he said, “Behold thy mother” (St. John 19:26-27).

The forth cry from the cross, and the most saddest anyone could hear was, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (St. Matt. 27: 46; St. Mark 15:34-36).

The fifth cry from the cross, Jesus simply said, “I thirst” (St. John 19: 2 .

The Sixth cry from the cross, “It is finished” ( St. John 19: 30).

The Seventh, and last cry from the cross, “Father, into thy hands, I commend my Spirit” (St. Luke 23: 16).

Put yourself in Jesus’ place, see what was happening at the foot of the cross. While Jesus hung there on the cross suffering and dying there in pain and agony, the soldiers sat at the foot of the cross and played their games, and parted his garments, casting lots, gambling on his garment to see which one was going to get them. The people stood beholding, in indifference, like it was a circus going on. (St. Matt. 27: 35- 42). It was show time at the cross that day. The rulers, mocked him. They wanted religion, but, without a divine Christ crucified for their sins. (St. Matt 27:41). They railed at him (St. Matt. 27: 39). Reviled him. Def: Railed, means , criticize, denounce, condemn. They were there from near and far for the feast of the Passover, and they came to behold this public execution. He claimed to be the Son of God, would he come down from the cross. All eyes were upon him, waiting to see what he would do.

The Cross is for the judgment of the world. We have to go back to the cross, even though Jesus is not there anymore. That is where he was Crucified. That is where he died. That is where he shed his blood, so that we, who partake of it in Baptism, may be washed clean of our sins. Jesus told John the Baptist, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (St. Matthew 3: 15).

Why Pray? Why Fast?
Mood:  happy
Topic: Prayer & Fasting




WHY FAST? Well, first of all, WHY NOT? There is something about prayer &
fasting that rub the flesh the wrong way! First thing the flesh says is..
DO I GOTTA?

ANSWER: YES! Well, that is if you want to be successful in God! If
you want to be a spiritual failure...No you don't have to Pray & Fast.
We will assume that since your here, you want to make it!
PRAYER & FASTING ARE NOT OPTIONAL FOR A CHILD OF GOD!
These are issues of Spiritual discipline... they are a must: HERE'S WHY:

#1. IT IS YOUR MOST POWERFUL WEAPON:
Mark 9:25- 29 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he
rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, [Thou] dumb and deaf spirit, I
charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And [the spirit]
cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead;
insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and
lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his
disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said
unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
(we'll come back later)
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him. (AND HE WAS SET FREE)
James 5:15- 16 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven
him. Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that
ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much.
Many battle you will face will be coming from Satanic forces & Devils. But
by prayer & fasting you will overcome!

#2. WE ARE TOLD TO PRAY:
I Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy
hands, without wrath and doubting.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Romans 12:11- 12 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the
Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in
prayer;
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought
always to pray, and not to faint;
I Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober,
and watch unto prayer.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with
thanksgiving;
HOW TO PRAY WILL BE COVERED IN NEXT WEEKS SESSION: However, NOTICE:
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
[are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners
of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They
have their reward.
Note that Jesus said WHEN you pray... not IF you pray. Prayer was
expected. But Jesus taught us to pray with sincerity... not for show like
Pharisee.
ALSO: DON'T PIDDLE AROUND, PRAY MEANING BUSINESS ===> BELIEVE!
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye
pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
AS A YOUNG CHRISTIAN, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT A PRAYER LIFE IS WHAT
BUILDS YOUR FOUNDATION: EVERYTHING RISES OR FALLS UPON YOUR ABILITY TO
TOUCH HEAVEN.

*** You must have a relationship with Jesus Christ.. Not just the church!

#3. WHAT SHOULD WE BE PRAYING FOR?

A> Leaders... both spiritual & secular...

I Timothy 2:1- 3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For
kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this [is] good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
Did you notice that you don't start by praying for self? Gimme Gimme... We
should be praying for those in authority, not just bashing them verbally!
*** YOU SHOULD DAILY PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR & HIS FAMILY & YOUR CHURCH ***
I Thessalonians 5:11- 13 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know
them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish
you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. [And]
be at peace among yourselves.

B> That your counted worthy to escape...

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man.

C> For the lost...
Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth laborers into his harvest.

D> To overcome Satan...
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. <<<
Tell story of Daniel chapter 10 briefly >>>

E> To be spiritually minded & overcome the flesh...
Romans 8:5- 9 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the
flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to
be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and
peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in
the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have
not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
II Corinthians 10:4- 5 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ;

F> To maintain a forgiving humble spirit...

Matthew 6:14- 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and
arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

G> To keep from fainting...

II Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward
man perish, yet the inward is renewed day by day.
Proverbs 24:10 [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is]
small.
START PRAYING & DON'T STOP FOR ANYTHING!
*** PEOPLE OF PRAYER ALWAYS HAVE THEIR REWARD!
Cornelius found salvation: Peter was freed from prison: TO NAME A COUPLE!
________________________________________________________________
A FEW WORDS ABOUT FASTING:

Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men
to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (NOT IF!)
Like prayer: fasting must not be done for show... mean business!
First of all, fasting is always linked with prayer... fasting with out
prayer is a diet... Nothing wrong with that... but it won't have SPIRITUAL
PUNCH! *** YOU CAN PRAY WITH OUT FASTING, BUT NOT VICE - VERSA
Matthew 9:14- 15 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we
and the Pharisee fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto
them, Can the children of the bride chamber mourn, as long as the
bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall
be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Jesus said there will be plenty of time for spiritual battle &
heaviness... But while I'm here, I want you to enjoy it! (OH WE NEED THOSE
TIMES!)

*** FASTING'S GREATEST WORK: = To help us subdue our flesh & be sensitive
to the holy Ghost... Notice God's direction came after fasting...
Acts 13:1- 4 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain
prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and
Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the
tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where unto I have
called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands
on them, they sent [them] away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy
Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
FASTING IS CONNECTED WITH MOURNING:
Esther 4:3 And in every province, whither soever the king's commandment and
his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting,
and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Psalms 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was]
sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into
mine own bosom.
Psalms 69:10 When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was
to my reproach.
FASTING MOVES GOD:
Ezra 8:21- 23 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that
we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for
us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed
to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against
the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The
hand of our God [is] upon all them for good that seek him; but his power
and his wrath [is] against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and
besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.
Look at what Fasting will do:
Isaiah 58:5- 6 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to
afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread
sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an
acceptable day to the LORD? [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to
loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the
oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
_____________________________________________________
SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED
____________________________________________________

A> HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FAST?

No set amount in Bible... But should be regularly. Paul gave a hint...
II Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in
hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.

B) ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FASTS? Many. Here are 3 basic types.

1. Partial: Fasting certain things of enjoyment but not total food.
Daniel 1:8- 12 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he
drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might
not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love
with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto
Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your
drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children
which [are] of your sort? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the
king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set
over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech
thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

2. Normal: Jewish fast was water only... for 24 hour periods.

3. Absolute: No water or food. This is not recommended for long.

Even in the Bible, the longest fast of this type was 3 days... except for
occasions when supernatural strength was given.
*** REMEMBER: you are not fasting for ego, or to appease God.
Your fasting to draw close to God. If you fail during a fast, and slip,
don't let guilt destroy you... get back in it! If you come to a situation
of complete weakness... eat some raisins or light fruit or honey. Then
keep right back on it. You will notice how after 3 days fasting becomes
simple after you get over the hump.
LET'S GET STARTED INTO SPIRITUAL VICTORY WITH FASTING & PRAYER!
I Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with
consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and
come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinence.
We need to give ourselves to prayer & fasting...
It will kill out this old man, and open doors to the spirit for us.

*** IF THE FIRST CHURCH NEEDED IT, HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD THE LAST? ***


Posted By. Bishop Michael Neal, D.D. PhD
JCAMI

Water Baptism

Is it Necessary?

We find in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything under the Sun. There is a time to laugh and a time to cry. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to break down and a time to build up. Now the scripture lets us know that we are living in the end times....dangerous times....evil times, a time when men will become lovers of themselves (II Tim. 3: 2) and without natural affection, having the form of godliness, (the appearance of being a Christian) but denying the power thereof. (That power is the power of Jesus Christ).

It is now time to break down our old way of life...our old habits and build up a new way of life in Jesus Christ. The only way we can do this is by taking on the name of Jesus Christ through the water baptism. We are baptize into the likeness of his death and rise up out of the water in the likeness of his resurrection. If we want to be his bride...we must take on His name.

There are many people today who feel that it is not necessary to be baptized, but the scripture plainly tells us in St. Mark 16: 16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” If you believe the Bible, this makes it very clear, that we must be baptized. Let us go a little farther so there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that baptism is necessary.

You may not realize it, but we are living in the end times. The time just before the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A time when people seem to be playing games with religion, just like the blind leaders leading the blind. (But this is my soul and I want to make sure it’s in good hands). There are preachers that get up in the pulpit and tell you that you don’t have to be baptized and that the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues don’t mean anything. That it’s not necessary. That it don’t happen today, that it was just for the apostles. That’s not true. Don’t you believe it. I want to tell you, take heed and beware for the Bible tells me, “Be not deceived, for God is not mocked.”

Jesus tells us in his own words in St. John 3:5 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” Since these are the last days, or the end time that we are living in, the scripture says that the people will have etching ears and will not endure sound doctrine. (II Tim. 4: 3-4) They want to hear something pleasing to them, something that makes them feel good, because if they excepted the truth they would have to give up some of the things of this world, that they don’t want to give up. I know one lady who said, she would come to church, if she didn’t have to give up her pants. Which do you think is more important the pants or the soul?

II Tim. 3: 1 lets us know, “That in the last days perilous times shall come.” Look around you, you don’t have to take my word for any of this. Dangerous times, and that’s the way it is today. You cannot pick up your newspaper and read without reading where someone has been killed, robbed or beat to death, as if a human life meant nothing. Turn on your T.V. and you will hear the same thing. Without natural affection. Yes my friend, these are perilous times we are living in. In these last days there is so much confusion, so many different spirits, and they all claim to be of God, claiming to be right.

But if we will read our Bible we can find that I John 4:1 tells us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” If a preacher or anyone else tells you....you do not have to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission (forgiveness) of your sins, then he is not of God, and is deceiving you.

If there was ever a time we needed the divine protection of Jesus Christ in our lives, it surely is now. It is time we stopped playing with religion and find out what, “Thou saith the Lord.” Not what, “Thou saith some man.”

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up and delivered his first sermon with great boldness. The church of Jesus Christ had begun. Peter had been endowed with power from on high, and he held the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. (Acts 2:14- 40 also St. Matt. 16:19) We can find in Acts 2:38 that on the day of Pentecost, “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” as you can see for yourselves this verse tells us very clearly that we must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Jesus has left us all without an excuse. For Jesus, Himself was baptized of John the Baptist in the river Jordan, leaving us an example. He was not sprinkled nor was water poured over his head. The scripture said, he was baptized. The word “Baptize or Baptism means: To immerse, dip, or plunge under water.

When one is baptized into Christ or takes on his name, this signifies union with him; and this union involves sharing in his death, burial, and resurrection, of which the baptism is a symbol. Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Also Col. 2:12)

Let us keep in mind that the baptism with water and the baptism of the Holy Ghost are two different baptism. But we must receive them both in order to enter into the Kingdom of God or to be saved. For the word “Except” means “Unless.” So unless we are born of water (which is the baptism in Jesus’ name) and born of the Spirit ( which is the gift of the Holy Ghost) we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Read the scripture for yourselves, the apostles Peter and Paul and Jesus Christ himself, told us what we should do and what we should not do. May God bless.