This Encouragement letter went to 150 ministers in India.  The root of it was from a message I shared with the Journey Church in Lebanon, Tn.

Brothers in Christ, I pray that this message will assist you in walking together in the things of the Lord.  As well, may it also give you insights for your respective congregations that you pastor and lead them as well into Godly living.

Our text is I Peter, chapter 3, verses 8-12.  The preceding chapter speaks of submitting to authority and so do the verses in this chapter.  This idea of submitting is most hard for us as Children of God.  We often take the stance of being independent because of being born again, filled with the Spirit, and having knowledge of the Scriptures. I believe that Peter understood pride and the spirit of being independent of others.  His life was filled with examples of speaking before he listened to the Lord.

Peter starts this section of his letter with " To sum it up".  He is wrapping up what he has said in the previous verses with some important directions so as to accomplish what it means to be in submission to one another. Peter uses what is known as "imperatives" in his writings. Such as;  "Therefore Gird your mind", "Therefore, putting aside", "Submit yourselves", "Keep your souls".  He is calling for the readers to get ready to listen, pay attention, and get into the actions of his teachings.

Peter is not going to let those reading this letter escape from all that he has taught in the previous verses. He intends to show them the way and close the door to any who wish to take it with light heartedness.  He wants their minds and hearts to be heavy with the reality of walking out their relationship to God in real ways in a real world that is watching and the absolute need of harmony among believers.

Peter is in essence commanding, ordering, urging, etc. the readers to a godly life style.  The very idea of imperatives is to prepare against an occasion.    He is calling them to actions because there is a consequence of inactivity to the truths he has laid out for them.

Let’s get to Peter's "To sum it up" proclamation before us and examine why Peter is calling for a tentative heart to these things.  We will do so by examining these words: Harmonious, Sympathetic, Brotherly, Kindhearted and Humble in Spirit.

Harmonious   Greek word transliterated Humothumadon ( Homo thoo ma don).  It means to be  with one mind, with one accord, with one passion.  A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.

Sympathetic means to suffer with.  In an obsolete meaning it denotes agreement in quality and or disposition.  Using the word disposition...it clarifies this as a state of being that we as brothers and sisters should have when we see others in circumstances that are not good, we should desire to understand and have grace and mercy toward them.  It is beyond a mental observation, it is actually walking through the circumstances with them. (of which we could not have this disposition if we do not already have Harmony with others.)

Brotherly :  Greek transliteration is adelphos...  simply signifies a family/brotherhood. It is only used in Peter 1st letter (other uses  2:17 and 5:9)  "The word “brotherhood” is somewhat like the word “church” (it describes a “group” of fellow Christians who are both male and female)." 

Kindhearted:   this is simply the idea of being tender. Christians should have a tender heart and not one that is hardened by life's circumstances.  For me it creates the picture of a mother tenderly caring for her baby.

Humble in Spirit:  Best meaning in the context..... to have a modest opinion of one's self,  as well it is a part of one's demeanor when giving corrections because you to have been in that place of needing correction.  It is not being simple minded but rather simplistic in approach, but not with a haughty attitude.

These five attributes are the outward actions of the Nine Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

From these particular words that describe what we must be like Peter moves on to the don'ts.    No evil and No insults......these need no interpretation. Simply do not allow these things to be a part of one's life.

Then he describes how we are to speak to others by giving a Blessing, because it is what you are. The word blessing in the Greek is Eulgeo  --  yoo lo gat o  -- it is the act of pronouncing a blessing on something.   This is where we get the English word Eulogy, which is the act of extolling the virtues or achievements of a person.  We as God's people are to give "good words", a blessing, toward others.  We reap what we sow.  James says, "Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?".

Peter's last few words in this section, gives a warning to those reading that there are consequences to not having the aforementioned things in their lives.  These are quotes and are supported by Ps.34:12,13...34:14, 34:15-18...Proverbs 16:7

We see from verses 10 and 11 that there are actions required of God's people.  Our words portray our hearts, which is where our minds frame our words. If we go back to Peter's "To sum it up" words, we find guide lines that will lead us to the right words.

Verse 12 brings forth a promise of God, not a statement, such as "I hope you can do good. "  It is very emphatic --- For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous.....And His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

 Parallel passages:

 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.. (NASB) Prov. 28:9

So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you, Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood (NASB) Isaiah 1:15

If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; (NASB) Ps 66:18

 

In closing, I wish to remind ourselves, as Peter was reminding the readers, that we must have these characteristics in lives or we will find our prayers hindered and the blessings of the Lord are stopped.   It would be good that we all looked at our lives to see if the Harmonious, Sympathetic, Brotherly, Kindhearted and Humble in Spirit attributes are in our lives.

I pray that it is so with you, for I desire to hear that your prayers are unhindered and the Face of our Father is ever upon you and that He is blessings the works of your hands in the Kingdom of God.

 

Your brother and fellow-worker…. Brother James Ulmer

Unity Among Brethern

Psalm 133 – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

To me this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Word of God. It paints a picture of that which is desired by God for unity among His children. Precious oil here signifies value, something that is not just the “run of the mill” product. We can sing, have the same doctrines and teaching. We can serve in the same church, fellowship in meetings and have the semblance of being together or as some would call it “unity of fellowship”.

Most Christians regard oil as a symbol of the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In thinking of Psalm 133 , this is where my mind always goes. The idea of the Holy Spirit being the oil that causes unity. We cannot have unity unless it is derived from God’s way of forming it. How one perceives of unity creates the pathway one walks and talks unity. Is our idea of unity flowing from God’s design?

Listen to Paul’s call to the Ephesians: “ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 "He called these believers to “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

As leaders of churches and ministries, we should be about seeking unity. Not in the sense of getting along together ( no strife) or in a gathering to proclaim we believe the same things, but rather the “flow of unity” that is caused by being surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds. We can exercise the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and walk in the Gifts to the Church given by Christ yet we often show a lack of Unity in the Spirit. The Unity of the Spirit is about being in a life style of surrender to His leadership in all things and not about our perception of how we think unity should be.

When unity is present, then David’s proclamations is being lived out: “For there the Lord commands the blessing – life forever.” We are ascending to His ways of Unity and not descending to our thoughts of what unity should be.

Paul’s language to the Galatians shows us how to know that the “Oil of Unity” is present. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” 5:22-25

Allow me to encourage you all, along with myself to pray, for the unity that allows us to be in step with God’s Spirit that calls and causes us to be in true Unity. May the Oil of the Spirit reveal anything that prevents you from being brethren that dwell together in unity. Pray for revelation of how to seek that unity of the Spirit daily so that you will experience “the blessing, even life for evermore.”

I am praying for this Unity of the Brethren to fall upon you during your gathering today. Seeking His Grace for us all…….Brother James Ulmer

Worship God through your Actions

Worship God through Actions

Brothers, I woke up with some thoughts of Worshipping God one morning and I wanted to share with you the impact it can make in all of our lives. It was the idea of strange fire and worship.

Leviticus 10:1-3: “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.”

Here is a story of two brothers, sons of Aaron, that simply looks like they decided to offer what the ESV version of the Bible calls “unauthorized fire” to God’s altar. It looked quite innocent, but it is evident God saw it as an offence and He had not called them to do this thing.

This drew me to thinking about worship and its purpose in our lives. Worship is living as God calls us to do each day. It is the act of laying down our lives at His altar. Yet a lot of folks see worship as an act on Sunday or something we do such as singing, praising him etc. I am thinking that the idea “worship on Sunday only” mentality is “strange Fire” or unauthorized fire”.

That idea leads us out of God’s will and is quite dead to His ways in our lives since we have taken it upon ourselves to run to the altar with some fire every now and then verses the daily worship through the way we live out our lives.

This is the message I wish to convey to my own heart as well to yours. Worshipping God daily through the way we live verses thinking of worship as an appointed time or something we do through singing, praising, etc. is radical thinking. Why? It causes us to think about our actions as acts of worship toward God through the interaction of our lives and the lives of others. It is much easier to read the Bible, pray, sing, etc.

There is nothing that kicks back to challenge the way we live our lives. In essence, we might be offering strange fire because we have not followed His way in our lives and think that if we just offer a little fire on Sunday or through acts of Bible study, singing, etc., as the way to correct ourselves, then we will be okay with the Father but will be missing the whole point of worshipping the Father.


Makes me think that my actions toward others are where real worship is. My actions show how I believe, how I worship. It is living worship toward the Father through my obedience through my daily actions that show that I am truly a worshipper of God. Remember the Good Samaritan story….who was the real worshipper of God? It was the one who did the will of the father toward the person in their lives at that moment.

True Worship is in Actions, not in words alone. I am hoping to put this in to practice myself, by doing worship toward the Father through my actions and reactions to those around me that I struggle with. How I treat others regardless of their actions toward me, speaks volumes of my attitude toward Worshipping the Father. This could be a challenge for all of us. Do the actions we have in our lives toward others show us as True Worshippers or do we by pass those opportunities because it is very hard to worship His way and easier to do the Sunday Worship?

“Father, challenge us each moment in our lives to live Worship through our actions toward others as signs of us being true Worshippers. John 4:23: "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshippers.

My Brothers may you truly be found worshipping the Father by the actions of your lives.

In His Grace and Mercy over our lives…….Brother James Ulmer

Fishers of Men

“Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19


“Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.) Luke 5:10b


What wonderful and reassuring statements that our Lord proclaimed to his disciples. It was not, I hope you become or perhaps with lots of work you will become, rather it was “you will”.

Here we are as men of God perhaps at times wondering if we are really “Fishers of Men”. We have those moments of what seem to be lack of fish (the lost) or perhaps times of simply not wanting to fish for men. Such times come to us when our spiritual nets seem to have become worn out from time or even the lack of dipping them in the spiritual waters where Christ has prepared a catch. We simply do not acknowledge His hand at those moments.

We can berate ourselves or even speak of the lack of enthusiasm among others when we are judging the spiritual fishing abilities of ourselves or others. Yet, when it comes to our own lack of fishing for the lost, it might be a great time to remember that Jesus said “I will make”, “from now on you will”.

We should begin to think about how one learns to fish. For most of those who have learned to fish, someone taught them. I am not for sure who taught me, but I do remember a scene from when I was a little boy. An older man would get out a small shallow boat and paddle with one hand up and under the over- hanging front bow of a very large boat. Then he would show me the dirt dauber wasp mud homes that housed the little larvae. He would reach up and scrap them off and we would have our bait.

Someone else taught me how to look for an old willow tree near the bank’s edge along an old pond or lake. There I would toss my line close to that tree and wait till the red and white bobber would dip down under the water and I would jerk that line and set the hook in the fish’s mouth. Then it was a fight to the finish.

Did I paint a picture for you? Does this little example draw memories? Perhaps some of you have not fished. But you just got a mind’s eye view of what I had learned. And I am thinking how each of us has those moments when the Holy Spirit teaches us how to “Fish for Men”. You can look back and relive those moments when a man of God or a woman of God taught you how to “Fish for Men’.
Those were times of learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord’s intention in calling you to become “Fishers of Men”.

I wanted to jog your memories and refresh you with the truth that each of you need to hear. “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And as well to know this promise: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”

Trusting in His Promises, my Brothers, will set you free to be “Fishers of Men”. Brother James

“Then He Opened their Minds to Understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45

The experience of the two believers on the road to Emmaus, after the resurrection of Jesus, speaks volumes to those who lead churches today. Though we may know much about the things of God, we must allow God to open the minds of those around us to the truths of the Word of God.

I Thessalonians 2:13: “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe”

If we as leaders in the Body of Christ are seeking to release those under our teachings to go forth in their daily lives empowered to do God’s will, we must do so by teaching them to allow the Holy Spirit to “open their minds to understand the Scriptures” and to allow it to perform its works in them.

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The writer of Hebrews knew well the power of the written Word and as well that Word becoming alive in the hearts of those that seek it. Christ is the Living Word according to John 1:1. And as we expound upon the written Word, the Holy Scriptures, the Living Word will “open their minds to the Scriptures through the illumination of the Holy Spirit”. It is here, that we as pastors, teachers, leaders have a wonderful responsibility, that of revealing the Scriptures to those around us.

What a great privilege we have in joining in with God’s work in the lives of those in our congregations and those that allow us to speak into their lives. With this privilege comes a great responsibility: that we too must be in the Word of God.

2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

As servants of God we must be so diligent in reading the Scriptures and allowing Him to open them to our minds. Then in turn we will be able to expound upon them with authority of knowing them because we have sat at the feet of Christ ourselves studying them and listening to the Holy Spirit illuminate the truths to us. This is the beginning point for all of God’s servants of the Word. Be in the Word yourselves.

I pray that this week will be an Emmaus Road Awakening for you. That you would experience that same encounter those disciples of Christ did. “Then He Opened their Minds to Understand the Scriptures.” And from that experience you will lead others to experience such a walk in their lives as well. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

The Aroma of Life

Leviticus 6:15 "Then one of them shall lift up from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil and all the incense that is on the grain offering, and he shall offer it up in smoke on the altar, a soothing aroma, as its memorial offering to the LORD. " (New American Standard Version)

Imagine that soothing aroma before God. Imagine meeting the priest and smelling the aroma that clung to his garment after a day's offering to God. The people of Israel would have known that aroma came from being before the Lord, almighty God. It was the "Aroma of Life" for them.

Paul spoke of a similar "Aroma of Life". It was the act of support for his ministry. Yet, he declared it "... a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God." This gift they offered was not just for Paul's benefit, but one that Paul said would profit them because it would be seen and received by God.

The Holy Scriptures speak of such an "Aroma of Life". 1 Pet. 2:5: ..."you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:18 "But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God."

As men of God, pastors, a holy priesthood, what is your "Aroma of Life"? What is that spiritual smell that clings to you as you walk among the believers and non- believers?

Paul speaks of this, ”Aroma of Life”, to the church at Corinth (Cor. II 2:14,15): "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

Paul knew what the lives of these believers were to be like and why it was to be an "Aroma of Life". It was the proof of God's presence through Christ. It was truly the "Aroma of Life", the ultimate sacrifice, that was pleasing to God that of "Christ in them, the Hope of Glory".

As men of God, your lives and the lives of those under your leadership should have an "Aroma of Life" that believers and unbelievers will want to know about. This spiritual "Aroma of Life" will always be upon God's people. The Scriptures say that it will manifest through you. It will be the knowledge of Him in every place that you set your feet. It is not knowledge about, but the actual knowing of Him. This is the sweet aroma, the fragrance of Christ that goes before us to the throne of God. For it is to God that this fragrance and aroma goes.


Just like the priest of the Old Testament, as men of God today, you must give yourselves to God's directive of what is to be offered, it then becomes the work of Christ. God wants His people to know where you have been and that is at the place of spiritual sacrifice before Christ. Here is the real "Aroma of Life" that must precede you so others can find salvation and assurance of God's presence in their lives.

This is the message of God to you, “Be that Aroma of Life" as you serve Him before others. This will truly be thanks to God who will lead you in triumph in Christ and will manifest through you the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place you go.

My prayer is: Father fill these men of God, your servants, with the Aroma of Christ, that where ever they set their feet they will have those around them ask; “What is this that we sense about you?”. May this spiritual aroma be in their lives in all things they do before you and may it touch those who are being saved and even those that are perishing. In Jesus's Name, Amen!

Brother James Ulmer

Worldly Wisdom or Spiritual Power

“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:3-5


These are powerful words, intertwined with what may seem to be negatives and positives of the human language. Mankind does not like the idea of weakness, fear, and a trembling spirit. This world prefers to hear many words, mistakenly considered as wisdom, or to hear a great orator speak, mistakenly considered as the strength of power.




Paul, one of the most educated men in the New Testament, counted most of his worldly experience as rubbish to be underneath one’s feet. It was not because he believed one should not study for he said, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” II Timothy 2:15


It is not the absence of Truth that we are to avoid, but that which puffs one up with the accumulation of much learning, mistakenly believing that such knowledge will give one the ability to speak with power. I can read, study, and see the diagram of a bike, but until I get up on that bike and feel the wind blowing over me as I pedal, only then will I have knowledge and know experientially what it means to ride a bike.


The Law, the knowledge of God’s will, taught sinners their need of God. But the letter of the Law killed because there was no Spirit to bring its hearers redemption. Paul knew and taught that the Spirit was given into the hearts of receptive hearers and not simply written down. 2 Corinthians 3:8 says: “how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?” Paul knew and promising that it was in the Spirit’s power that we would experience the mighty work of God and it would bring glory to God.


Ultimately this is why we need to remember that it is not in our means and ways that God will be glorified but rather by His Spirit’s work in and through us. It is not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom that we try to bring the lost to Christ, but rather through the demonstration and power of the Spirit. It is not in intellectual comprehension of the Bible that man and women are saved. It is in the work of the Holy Spirit as Jesus told Nicodemus … "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8


Paul knew that just espousing truths does not save a person. If that was true, then the religious leaders would have understood the prophecies and received Christ, because they knew the written scriptures up till then. They refuse the power of God’s Spirit through Christ, who was the revealer of God’s redemptive grace for them.


Christ said: “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-49. Paul said: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:25-27

It was the wisdom from on high, not man’s ability here below, but the ability of Christ in us, through the residing Holy Spirit that brings people to encounter God’s work and his Glory.


My Brothers, beware of much learning, accumulating much knowledge for the sake of being seen as full of wisdom. Instead allow God’s Spirit to empower you to speak forth in demonstration and power so that those that hear will be moved by God’s hand. Then you will be under true Wisdom and Knowledge for your ministry.


It is my desire to hear of the demonstration of His Power and Wisdom in you all. In His Grace to you all! Brother James Ulmer

Message to Ministers in India for 2011

New Paths, but we have never gone there before!

Spreading the Gospel of Christ often requires God’s servants to go places where they are not familiar with, to those areas that seem to be off limits or at least should have a sign of high caution to such adventurous leading's.

Yet at times our Father calls us to step out into those areas for a purpose and as well for faithfulness to hearing His voice.

Isaiah, the Prophet of God spoke to Israel during a time of captivity and a period of diminished people. Israel felt alone at this time in their history and spiritually childless as a symbol of their poor outlook for the future. Perhaps they saw the future as off limits or there was a fear of never stepping beyond their current condition. (Isaiah 54:1-3 English Standard Version)

Isaiah calls to them: "Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the LORD. "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.

As God's servants and ministers of the Word, we can look back at the greatness of God's work in 2010. Yet, there should be an urging to step out of some of the areas that we felt captive in. Places that seemed barren to us. This is where Isaiah speaks to us. Perhaps we have become more or less permanent in our minds as to those places we can witness in or to expand the influence of the Gospel of Christ. God would have us to enlarge our hearts and spirits to the places of habitation that include areas we have never walked in before or even considered. It is a time to become impregnated with a new vision that calls for us to spread abroad, beyond the areas we have become comfortable with.

As Isaiah said, "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.".

As ministers, servants of the Word, press on into those areas in your personal life and as well in the surrounding areas of your churches. Reach out further than ever before. Strengthen yourselves in the Word of God and allow prayer as the stake of position; spread out to the left and right to inhabit the places that the enemy seeks to possess and enslave with his desolate message of hopelessness.

Let it not be said of us as Jeremiah spoke: "My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and they are not; there is no one to spread my tent again and to set up my curtains." (Jer.10:29)
Instead begin to sing and cry aloud for a birthing of such new paths in your lives. If you do this, the year 2011 will be a year of New Paths, that will be a sign to all those around you, that God is your Father and He is wedded to His Church. Let us take hold of the promise of Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This is the Promise for your New Paths in 2010. He will empower you to enlarge the curtains of your habitations, to not hold back, but instead to stretch forth in faith and go to places that you have never been to before right in the areas of your own churches. He is with you and will guide you into New Paths. May God grant you the vision to see this coming in 2011.

In His Grace and Desire to see you blessed as you travel these New Paths… Brother James L. Ulmer

A Message to Ministers in India - Forbearance

Forbearance verses Tolerance



Scriptural Text: KJV - Colossians 3: 13 "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

(Amplified Bible) "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

Thoughts: Ministers often struggle with the art of forgiving one another at times. Mainly because of pride being the restraining order that seems to rise up in their hearts. And it is not just among their fellow ministers, but even forgiving those who attend their fellowships. What makes it so hard to simply forbear with differences of opinions?

The words forbearance and tolerance mean the same thing, but often they are not proclaimed the same way. Take for instance the idea of tolerance in building something or making an item. If a maker of steel bolts says there can be a tolerance of .01 of an inch either way on a 2 inch bolt then there is allowance for it to work with a little more or less of the required size.

Often a person may say "I cannot tolerate that person." That means they simply will not allow that person lee way. Yet the meaning of Tolerate is: "to treat with indulgence, liberality, or forbearance." What causes the opposite, it is the word: "cannot".

What really is happening here is that Mercy and Grace are left out. Here is a good quote on forbearance: "... "to keep silent or to be still," "to stop or leave off doing something," "to withhold from," or "to spare another." Another means "to draw or to stretch out" or "to prolong," for instance, as in prolonging, drawing out, or stretching out another's period of grace to repay a debt. Another one means "to contain or hold in," as in self-restraint. One holds in what he feels like doing; he restrains himself from lashing out at another."

So ultimately what forbearance and tolerance stand for is Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not applying what one really deserves because of a sinful act or attitude. Grace is giving to a person that which they do not deserve because of sinful acts. It reminds me of Jesus with the woman caught in adultery. He could have stoned her. Instead he showed her mercy and grace. He forgave her and did not give her what she deserved; instead he gave her what she could not deserve and that was freedom from the bondage of intolerance of others. He simply said you are forgiven, go and sin no more.

It seems that applying Forbearance & Tolerance is a must in the ministry. Paul said that we are do this because Christ did it for us. What an awesome ministry builder that would be. We look for those that have wronged us and we forgive them. We look for those that we struggle to have a relationship with because of their personal actions and we give them forbearance. It does not mean we tolerate their sin, but we look at how Christ forgave us and we take that mantle of love upon us and do the same.

Ephesians: 4:32-5:2 “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

A fragrant aroma of Grace and Mercy applied through Forbearance and Tolerance. Perhaps, tomorrow would be a good time to begin this ministry. May our Father guide you to do so.

Serve Him well my brothers as He works these thoughts through your hearts. Bro. James Ulmer

True Fellowship is a Interdependent Life Style

The Greek word for fellowship is "Koinonia" which comes from the root word "Koinos". Koinos is the word for common. It indicates something held in common. Such as a shared use of a house, garden, a mother, father, etc. It is the idea of a relationship that is dependent upon something held in common and is interdependent for its true meaning. That which caused the first Disciples of Christ to be in Koinonia was not that they gathered together to talk about Jesus, but rather that they lived interdependent with each other in Christ.

Acts 2:42-44 "And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common." (English Standard Version)

We need a depth of Fellowship that will show our union before others, a union that would cause others to long to be with us. Most groups gather under the banner of shared beliefs rather than "all things in common". That which drove the early Christians to a communal life style was the era of time and the need for a shared source of provisions to survive in those hard times and not least of all, was the sharing of the common bond of Christ in their hearts.

1 John 1:5-7 (ESV) “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”


Believers are to find fellowship in the Father in order to have fellowship with others. True fellowship, with the Father, is living in His light and practicing the truth in all areas of our lives. Notice the Scriptures preface our living in the light as a prerequisite to “having fellowship with one another”.


Fellowship first is through the Father & our obedience to His will in our personal lives. The journey continues, into the broader reality of Koinonia of “living in common”, through an interdependent supporting life style. It is the Church living before others in all things, where Christ is Lord of all of our lives and we are a family that shares our relationship with God the Father, through Jesus Christ, His son, and we are empowered to this Koinonia with each other through His Holy Spirit.


Do we sell everything and move into a common house? No, it is the selling out of self into fellowship with the Father & learning to be interdependent with those God has placed us with and over as His shepherds of the Gospel of Christ. The moment we do this, there will begin to be a unity that will allow awe (the rapt attention & deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary) to come upon those that see and know us. It will open the doors for unbelievers to see God at work through signs & wonders that are beyond our abilities when we simply are held together by a common belief. Because now we are in Fellowship – Koinonia – held together by His presence, His life lived in & through our lives as the Church. The Greek word for church is Ekklesia & its root form means "called out". The depth of that word is the assembling together for a particular cause or purpose which is fellowship in its truest meaning.


Our purpose in this life is to live in Fellowship with the Father, through His “Called Out People”, for the purpose of causing “awe and wonder” to come upon those around us, so that they will seek to know the One who causes us to have Fellowship. No longer do we walk independent in our Faith but rather interdependent I Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” I Colossians 2:2 “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself.”.


What a blessing the Word is. It brings clarity to the reality of Fellowship. We are not left alone to figure out how to have fellowship among fellow believers. Fellowship is the assembling together for a particular cause or purpose which is fellowship in its truest meaning. We cannot do this on our own. It is an empowerment that comes to us as a result of our fellowship with the Father.


My Brothers in Christ seek to have your fellowship in order with the Father and then you will have the ability to take to the congregations, that you pastor, this same fellowship. That fellowship will be seen by those outside of Christ, which will bring awe to their hearts and draw them to desire the same hope that you all are living.


Let the Fellowship of Christ reign in your hearts!

Appointed Times to Witness

Message: "Appointed Times to Witness"Passage: Luke 24:13-35 Key Verse: 32....Key Thought: "Life's encounters can be Appointed Times."

Dear Brothers in Christ, I pray this message will set you on a road of discovery of those special moments when the Father uses you to bring spiritual life and light to the spiritually blind eyes of a lost soul.

Each of you as His Servants/Ambassadors represents the Father wherever you are at any given time. You are empowered to speak life into a conversation. "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11) This life is spiritual and those appointed times are moments when the Holy Spirit is moving upon the ones whom you will speak to.

Not only can you speak life, you have the liberty to do so. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17) This liberty sets you free to minister, knowing that the one who gives liberty is the one leading you!

As God’s servants we all need to consider that not all encounters are simply chance meetings in this world. There are those moments that we sense this "Appointed Time". There is a flow of discernment from the Holy Spirit that this is going to be the moment like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, encountered "...their eyes were opened and they recognized him."

Take note of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 who was so concerned about his understanding of the testimony of Isaiah, that God appointed a time for him to meet Philip. This man's eyes were opened and he proclaimed "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God". This meeting was not by chance but by God's design.

A Life's encounter may be an appointed time where you will experience God's timing for the removal of spiritual blindness from the one you are speaking to. It is a moment that you as a servant will speak life and bring liberty to a lost soul.

Not all of life's encounters are specifically designed by God, but they are there and what makes your walk exciting is that as you are faithful in the small things... you will hear these words and experience its promises: "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave (servant) You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." This statement streams from the parable of the talents. When the slaves/servants where found faithful, their reward was increased by the master.

In your faithfulness to the Word of God, to Fellowship in the Holy Spirit, and taking hold of the Bread of Life daily, you will have your eyes opened to “Life's Encounters”, that well may be Appointed Times.

In the days ahead, believe with all your heart and mind that there is a stirring in the heart of someone to know more about God. That you will be that Life Encounter and Appointed Time for them to have their Spiritual eyes opened. That you own heart will burn with fervor as you open up the Scriptures to them. Then come back together and share the victories with each other of your Appointed Times to Witness.

Perhaps this will be your Emmaus week for an appointed time. My prayer is this for you "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him." Ephesians 1:17

In His Grace and Love for you all.......... Brother James Ulmer

Calvinism and Arminiansim: Two Gold Calves

Calvinism and Arminianism: Two Golden Calves I Kings 12:28-29 (NAS) "

So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O' Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt." And he set one in Bethel and the other he put in Dan."

Deuteronomy 6:12-14 (NAS) "...then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you,.."

Matthew 4:10 " The Jesus saith to him," Away with you, satan! For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY WITH YOU SERVE."

I woke up from a long night of sleep with two passages on my mind. I Kings 12:14 and 14:12. This stirred me to read Chapters 12 through 14. So much is there about people choosing their ways over God's commands. They considered what they thought was best and moved forward with their plans. One can extrapolate many things from all of the events, but what stood out to me was the disobedience to God's directives and the creation of a better way in the eyes of those that wanted to build their way of reaching God.

John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius, men of God, from the 16th century sought to help the church and rebuke heresy from the philosophers and as well within the church of their time period. Each felt that their interpretation of Scriptures would bring forth a truer understanding of God's work of salvation. Little did they know that these two forms of Soteriology would become golden calves for the church to argue over for the next 500 years.

This writing is not to define nor to refute either teaching, but rather to give warning of the dangers of placing man's interpretation of the Scriptures in to a system of doctrinal laws of faith.

The passage below reminds me of the dangers of self-directed, systematic created interpretations to "be right". Matthew 23:22-24 (Message Bible) "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God's Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that's wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?

Does it mean that there is not gold in the searches of these men of God, Calvin and Arminius, to know more fully the grace and mercy toward mankind? Absolutely not! God allowed the Hebrews to retain gold on their way out of bondage. Yet, they took that which was to be used for other purposes and erected idols of their own creation to worship God in the way they deemed best. Can it be that in their searching, the Israelites, rather than simply bringing the gold along with them and seeing to its purpose, perhaps of making vessels of service toward His grace and mercies toward them, they instead made idols they could see and touch?

Has the Church for the last 500 years done the same thing in many ways? It has taken the grappling and wrangling over two men's teachings and thus created two golden calves that have taken the eyes of millions off of the worshipping of the Father to the worshipping of two sets of doctrines of how God chooses or does not choose to have relationship with His own creation?

The names Dan and Bethel seem to point toward something. Dan means Judgment and Bethel means House of God or Gate of Heaven. Have Calvinism and Arminianism become a point of contention that each proponent of these teachings are trying to say we are the best Judgment or the Gate of Heaven? Both groups when broken down into groups of Christians give forth an air of superiority to the other. Jeroboam sought to set up two places for Israel to worship so they would not go to Jerusalem.

I am thinking that the enemy has set up the Two Golden Calves (Calvinism and Arminianism) and people bow down to them rather than bowing before the Father and worshipping Him. The end result that Jeroboam wanted was to redirect the people away from facing God.

Now, we have had 500 years of debate over this issue. The Southern Baptists has been redirected for the past years over this issue. It is not in my heart to debate, prove my point or have someone prove their points of these issues. I find that it will redirect our attention from God by creating a false sense of security that we are going to find the right system of teachings which will make us better Christians or at least give a sense that we have the right doctrines to offer those who come to church.

Yes, it is good to look at how we express our Soteriology, for it tells the story of God’s love for mankind. For me, looking at both systems of teaching and drawing from them truths that are plainly in the Bible is spiritually healthy. And being able to articulate our understanding of God’s Grace and Mercy toward the lost is a must.

But to choose one over the other simply means someone has convinced us that their research is better than the other. As a result you are going to have to declare that the Holy Spirit led you to that belief, and that decision declares that all others are not being led by the Holy Spirit in their research and conclusions. This is our own Holy Wars/Crusades in the Southern Baptist Convention and no one is going to come out of it any closer to God by taking a side in this Theological quagmire. As a matter of fact, it will divide many who are simply on the outskirts of these camps. And for those of us who hold strong convictions it will cause us to always wonder about the speech of others as they share their faith, considering that someone may not tell the “Gospel Truth”.

We need to remind ourselves of this passage. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Take off Your Sandals !!

Have you had your Holy Ground Moment ??

"God replied, " Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals--the ground where you are standing is holy." Exodus 3:5 (CEV)

Because of the pressing pull on our lives to attend to everything but our own selves, we allowed the dust of life to pile up on our Sandals of Life. Perhaps it is time that we all learn how to pull aside to see the burning presence of the Lord our God.

Have you felt that way lately? Take time today to remove your sandals of life off and spend time all allowing Christ to towel your feet clean with His presence and love and in the process seeing the burning presence of God's grace and mercy for you in the midst of life's responsibilities.

Orthopraxy Orthodoxy What did you say ?

Orthopraxy equals correct activity or actions. For Christians that means that their daily living in all situations is guided by the desire to live in Orthopraxy. Orthopraxy has to have guidelines, thus there is a need for Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy equals right thinking. Orthopraxy and Orthodoxy are intertwined with Dogma. Dogma equals one belief or Doctrines which is a system of beliefs or body of teachings that lay out what is Orthodoxy and that in turn leads to Orthopraxy.

Whether one wants to admit it or not, these words: Orthopraxy, Orthodoxy, Dogma, and Doctrine guide one’s opinion of Theology. Theology equals God reasoning or how one believes God operates or a discourse about God.

Jews, Moslems, Christians experience those words in their respected religious understanding. Whether it is the Bible, Torah, or Koran, they each derive their Theological teachings from their book of Faith.

Since I am Christian, I will restrict myself to speaking to the issue of the Christian Faith and its practitioners. Followers can be anyone who is interested and likes what they see, but are not necessarily Orthodox in their Orthopraxy as they follow the Dogmas of their Theology.

Who determines the internal realities of these words? What is the driving force that brings these things to life in the lives of those that profess to be true believers? For the Christian, it has been three things: the witness of the Scriptures, the witness of the Holy Spirit within the believer, and the history of the church (which includes its Theological teachers and their Doctrinal understanding of the Bible).

Here in lies the problem for the followers of the teachings of Christ. Which Christian group is right? Whom among the myriads of groups/denominations, etc does one align with so he or she can be Orthodox in his Orthopraxy as they follow the Dogmas of Theology.

A lot of folks simply say I will just follow Jesus and not be worried about all of this. Those who say this are basically claiming to be an island of Theology that is understood only by themselves and their personal interpretations of the inspired writings of the Christian Faith. Such people have created untold number of false teachings and have led many into a false sense of being the only ones that are right.

So what does one do? Perhaps bend over and kiss their little theological posterior goodbye, because there is no way to apprehend in this world who is right and who is wrong in their group's theological grapplings. Perhaps, move out to the mountains, burn the theological books, and just get under the glory spout of God? Well, to be honest none of these will solve your dilemma.


Here in is the crux of living in community with God's people. How do I live in the midst of fellow believers whom hold to different beliefs within the Common Faith? For me it is to recognize that we as finite beings are simply not going to be perfect in our Theology. Simply and plainly all of us have looked through the lens of others in regards to what we believe that God would have us to hold as Orthodoxy and to walk in Orthopraxy of the Dogmas of our Theology.As much as my heart and mind tells me that the Bible is my sole authority, I still will be inclined to follow certain practices that "feel" right to me, seem "logical", or just plain have to be the right "authority" because I can prove it through my personal studies. I am still just finite in my abilities. Yes, I have the Holy Spirit that my spirit bears witness with and I also have the written witness of the Scriptures, yet I am still bound by my finiteness compared to the infinite wisdom of our Father.

Paul the Apostle said it best: 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 (King James Version) "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. "


I do not wish that you would consider that there is no use to setting forth correct teachings and correct practices within your understanding of the Scriptures. Rather, it is my wish that we all might consider our plight in a fallen world, awaiting for our full revelation of who we are in Christ, that we need God in our lives rather than fitting God in our ways and means of seeking to please Him.

These two passages highly paraphrased in simple language perhaps say it best .

Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 (The Message Bible)"When I determined to load up on wisdom and examine everything taking place on earth, I realized that if you keep your eyes open day and night without even blinking, you'll still never figure out the meaning of what God is doing on this earth. Search as hard as you like, you're not going to make sense of it. No matter how smart you are, you won't get to the bottom of it."

Colossians 3:16 (The Message)"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Have you ever thought of yourself as a robber?

What about Spiritual Robbery? Proverbs 1:19 (GNB) "Robbery always claims the life of the robber -- this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence"

Is it possible there are things that we are doing that could be robbing God? And in turn is claiming our lives? James 1:15 (NASB) "Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." Both passages speak of an end to the results of choosing a lifestyle that brings violence into play.

I am speaking of actions in ones life that steal ones soul (mind,emotions, and will). What are the things that one can choose, that steal from their own self? Is there violence happening to that person's soul when he or she chooses to commit actions that is in opposition to the life God calls them to?

It is always good to say "Choose what is right","Speak Positive", and you will be fine in your walk with the Lord. Yet, there is always this corrective measure that the Word of God calls for and generally there is "Don't do that". So, if there are things in our lives that robs God and we as the robbers are having our lives claimed or as Apostle James puts it "and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.", what should we do?

Perhaps we have to root out the things that rob us of our lives. Similar to those little grub worms that lie beneath the surface around a plant. One cannot see it, but it will soon rob the life of that plant and it will bring death. Perhaps there are things that we participate in that are robbing God of His claim to our lives. In essence we are committing violence against our souls. Matthew 21:13 (KJV) "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Perhaps we should consider what we are allowing into our house (wills,emotions,minds)1 Peter 2:5 (AmpBible) "Come and, like living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ."

Perhaps it is time we see if we are allowing our lives to be claimed through participating in robbing God and thus robbing(bringing death) to ourselves. When one does this, it it is call "Confessing sins". Then "repenting of those sins" will bring life to those robbed areas of one's life and Spiritual Blessings will begin to flow.

The Testimony of Believers

It seems that most people are simply not at ease with speaking about their Faith in public settings where they are others whom they do not know or are not sure if they share a like minded faith in God.

How do you deal with sharing your Faith with others?

Read John 4:7-53 in several translation and think about the conversation that Jesus and the woman were having. Check out the communication between Jesus and his disciples. What are some power points that zing out at you and make you think about how you share or do not share your Faith. Share your thoughts with us.

Conviction or Condemnation
Choose this Day whom you will serve.


Romans 8:1 (KJV) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." ( Key Phrase: after the Spirit )

John 16:8 (Amplified Bible) "And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:" ( Key Phrase convict and convince. )

Conviction adhered to brings life to an individual who responds to that nudge before it becomes condemnation which is developed by the mind of a person who is wrestling with the work of the Spirit of God. The question that comes to the forefront is: Am I willing to receive conviction and let it works its full potential? Or will I wander around in condemnation and try to figure out a way to justify my actions? It is interesting that Satan may get involved right in the middle of the Spirit's work of conviction. If there is something in your life that is pulling you away from the Father's presence and you sense this(conviction), but you begin to mull it around to see if you can justify your actions and those actions begin to well up with condemnation then you can be assured that a battle for your soul has begun. Satan would love to create condemnation in your mind and heart. So strange, he wishes to cause you to feel condemn for sinful behavior. But, the problem is that you simple draw away from God out of fear being punished or worse you determine that some things are okay, because you have liberty and it is only Satan that is making you feel condemn.

The fact is that conviction can be turned into condemnation if you choose to ignore the prodding's of the Holy Spirit.

I John 2:16 (KJV) "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

This is a key passage to consider in such battles of conviction and condemnation. Whatever you are involved in will fall under one of those categories of: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.

The first two are fairly easy to discern. It is the third that really creates the darkness of condemnation. It is in the pride of life that one begins to desire to control what is wrong or right. Do I not have the right to choose what I do? God has given me a mind to figure this out. Surely, I can make a judgement on whether or not these actions I do affect me or will effect those around me.

There is a simple solution. Follow the conviction of the Holy Spirit and see what happens. Follow the condemnation and ignore the Holy Spirit and see what happens.
Following the Spirit brings life. Following condemnation brings death. You decide !

Scars of Commitment.

Isaiah 49:16a (Amplified Bible) "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands."

The idea of "Scars of Commitment" is not an easy thought to ponder. What in my life would be considered scar worthy? Are there events in my life that would be monumental enough to consider being in the category of sacrificial? Isaiah was telling Zion that He was aware of their needs and He would write on His hands ( palms ), basically their names or perhaps his promises. Isaiah even said that God would lift His hands to the nations so they could all see His care for Zion ( Israel ).

John 12:33 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die."

Our Lord and Savior did the same thing but with piercing of His palms. Using the phrase, lightly, "Scars of Commitment" take on a whole new meaning. If we as His children where to think of our "Scars of Commitments", what would they be?

Here is Paul the Apostle's "Scars of Commitment":2 Corinthians 11:24-26
"From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren."

I personally cannot think of such "Scars of Commitment" in my life of this nature. But, I am reminded that they can come and should come.
II Timothy 3:12 (Amplified Bible) "Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]."

When those moments come into our lives, may they show that we endured for His name sake and the battle scars are simply tattoos of those "Scars of Commitment".

What does it mean to Walk by the Spirit?

Is it possible to be walking by another spirit?

Hmmmmm. Would you consider that you walk by another spirit other than the Holy Spirit?

Galatians 5:16 & 25 (King James Version)
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

The key is learning to walk in the Spirit and that is only done when you live in the Spirit. Can't do either without the other. You can't walk in the Spirit if you are not living in the Spirit and you cannot live in the Spirit without walking in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

I simply love this verse. Why? Because it tells me that I am already filled with His Spirit. And I can live in or by the Holy Spirit and thus can exercise that reality by walking in the Spirit. And if I choose to walk in the Spirit, I will not do the things that are considered sinful. How in the world is that possible? Well, that is the key...not in the world but of the Spirit. If we choose to abide in the things of the world then we simply cannot walk in the Spirit, because have chosen to not be led by the Spirit.

What helps us is the knowledge that the Spirit lives within us and that we can draw on that wonderous experience of being redeemed not only to experience a Heavenly bliss in the future but spiritual intervention that gives us the power to live victorious lives.

Read Chapter five of Galatians and pay close attention to verses 19-24. The answer is right there. Which will you walk in?

Judging One's Own Self.

"A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. " I Corin. 11:28-32

As God's children, we become so enthralled about His loving embrace; we often forget His judgment( Which, I see as a loving embrace as well) in our lives. The seriousness of the Lord's Supper is clearly indicated by Paul's words. It was a spiritual time of connection to the Father and it required self-judgment. How easy it is to say, God knows my weaknesses and I need the Lord Supper to remind me of what Christ did for me. Paul would have, no doubt, agreed with that statement, but he would have said judge yourself for the sins in your life first and repent, then partake in this spiritual Communion.

Confession of one's sins and repentance is a spiritual encounter that must preceed forth in one's life at all times. If judgement was waiting at the door of those who read Paul's admonition, it likewise is at our door as well.

The Bible is very easy to understand.


But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers.
We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world?


Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend it-self against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.


I open the New Testament and read: “If you want to be perfect, then sell all your goods and give to the poor and come follow me.” Good God, if we were to actually do this, all the capitalists, the officeholders, and the entrepreneurs, the whole society in fact, would be almost beggars! We would be sunk if it were not for Christian scholarship!

Praise be to everyone who works to consolidate the reputation of Christian scholarship, which helps to restrain the New Testament, this confounded book which would one, two, three, run us all down if it got loose (that is, if Christian scholarship did not restrain it).
- Soren Kierkegaard,

Trials of Life are just Wedgies !

So life has thrown you a few wedgies !
Or in a more colloquially pictorial thought: "What's got your panties in a wad?"



"What's happening up on the street, just don't seem right brothers & sisters, but it is evident that I am suppose to be in the groove of it all. No matter which way I turn something smacks right up against my face. This here life seems to be a bit harsh, if you get my word on it. The Lord, seems to be laying down that I am to be walking the talk in the midst of my chaos, but I'd rather be cussing the stuff that blinds my eyes to doing my own thang. So back tracking is the path to dealing with the chaos. Pulling toward the One who has the answers. Bulling my way through the stuff, just ain't going to get it. Time to get it right." James 1:2-4 JLU translation

Often I have heard it said that God does not tempt us, but He sure found a way to test our character. When we go through the trials of life, they are testing our fortitude in Christ. Will we look at the trials of life as our path of learning? Or will we curse them and blunder through and hope that those troubling circumstances will go away? The Apostle James saw that trials were simple testings of our faith. Testings that should bring great joy, because in and through them, Christ reigns supremely and those going through them will "go on to complete a balanced character that will fall short of nothing." New English Bible

So got a few wedgies? Allow those circumstances to be the testing ground of your faith and walk in Christ !

Without a Picture

It is hard to describe something without a picture. Especially, in today's society. We are not people that communicate with words of description as much as statements of thoughts. "I see a bird." Verses "I see a brown bird with an orange belly." Or "I see a dark brown bird with a brilliant orange vested belly and splashes of white when it raises it wings."

But, what if you are talking to a person blind from birth?

All of mankind is spritiually blind from birth. Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned."

How do you describe to a spiritually blind person, the grace and mercy of God?

The answer - is Romans 5:10,11 "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

We have the statement, now we need to paint the picture through our lives, so those who are blind can see.

Mark 8:23-25 (King James Version) "And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees,walking.
After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

Perhaps we can paint the picture when we allow the Master Painter to guide our hands.

To Speak or not to Speak

"To Speak or not to Speak is the Question"

Now, we all know that there are people who have the propensity to communicate more than others. It is just their nature. The question is whether or not it is from the natural man's desire to be heard or from the spiritual man's desire to impart wisdom into the hearer's ears.

What saith the Scriptures?

James Chapter 3......traditional Heading for this chapter: The Tongue is a Fire. Main verse that speaks it plainly is: James 3:10-12 (The Message) "My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?"

Though this is an extreme vernacular translation, it gives some down to earth examples for us today.

It may be said that most people do not intend to muddy the waters, but it happens. So, what does one do to deal with that natural inclination to speak in to conversation? Stop! Look! Listen! Then pray for wisdom so you will not cloud the issue, but instead bring clarity! Better said than done, but it is the truth.

Proverbs 25:11 (The Message)
"The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry."

If you have time place some comments on this site with Scripture that will help us all...to learn "To Speak or not to Speak"

Mix DNA produce illegitimate life

Can it be possible to do that which seems natural and be out of God's will? Certainly, if God has already told you no to certain behaviors. The question is "Were you listening?"

Ezra 10:10-12 (New International Version)
" Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, 'You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel's guilt. Now make confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives. ' The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: 'You are right! We must do as you say'."

We want to judge God for this harsh command. Those poor people ! But, what we fail to see is the consequences of the mixed DNA spiritually. God knew the end results of such disobedience and He was calling for them to repent and come back to His spiritual DNA.

Are there things in your life that God has spoken no to? Do you try to justify what you are doing as being natural and just doing what you feel is right? Check it out ! Does the actions you walk in have consequences to your spiritual DNA? If so, then stop the illegitimate actions....because they will produce offspring that you will regret !!