I would wonder why I was on this earth? What was my purpose in this life. I fumbled around trying to find out who I was. My older brother introduced me to 2 guys who had an Amway business. They were looking for new people to join the business. We would meet in the morning for coffee. My brother was never there on time and I was always early. When I would get coffee and sit with these 2 guys, they never discussed business. They would be talking about what Jesus was doing in their lives. I would sit and listen. Finally one of them asked me to go to church. There God spoke to me and I knew where I belonged. At the end of the service, I gave my heart to Jesus  and was baptized in the Holy Ghost. That brother invited me to his home. There He and his wife taught me for months on how to walk in the way. Love ya, Kevin.

Ephesus became the center of Christianity in the first century. It was a free city in the Roman empire. It was over 100,000 people. It had paved streets, street lights, sewer systems, water system and a good harbor. The agriculture tried to keep up with the population. Paul preached and was imprisoned in Ephesus. Paul left Titus as the first Bishop. Eventually John, the brother of James, became Bishop.

Wealth changed the Christians. When John wrote about them, 40 years later, in Revelations, Jesus asked the question why have you left your first love?

Christianity isn’t about wealth. It isn’t about status. It has nothing to do with earthly goods. The parable of the eye of the needle was to show that we shouldn’t be deceived by earthly treasures.

My wife loves to shop. She’ll spend hours looking for one item. When she goes to the grocery store, she finds the bargains. She is very wise with money. There is always a cost to things, whether buying or doing something. Everything has a cost. Two of my sons joined the National Guard and served in Iraq. When one son came home from Iraq, we began to see the cost of war in him. Jesus said when a king considers war, he first sits down and counts the cost. He has to see if he can finish the war or sue for peace. Everything has a cost to it. Most people only see the cost after it is all over. Be wise and count the cost before hand.

God gave every believer the measure of faith. This is what we start with. Then it is up to us to develop the our faith to be useful in this world. We all know that most people don’t. They are happy at where they are. Jesus said a curious thing, that when He returns we will see Him as He is, because we will be like Him. What does He look like? The bible is a picture of Jesus and when read we see more and more of Him. It would be a shame to miss Him when He returns.

It has been raining lately and the evening sky has been beautiful. The red sky in the evening tells us that the storm has pasted. The red sky in the morning tells us that the storm is coming. I have been looking at the natural beauty of the earth. Jesus called it the signs of the times. When certain events happen, you can see the results if you are aware of the signs. I have been looking at the signs for 40 years. The more I look, the more I see the return of Jesus. The sight I am talking is with your heart not your eyes. He who has eyes let him see and he who has ears let him hear.

Psalms 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”

Balaam didn’t believe God when He told him not to curse the Children of Israel. The donkey he was riding on had to talk to stop him.  Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, didn’t believe God. So the leprosy of Naaman went to Gehazi. Judas didn’t believe Jesus. So he betrayed Jesus and hung himself. Peter didn’t believe Jesus. He betrayed Jesus at the High Priest’s home. But Peter did repent of his sins and lived. Faith is not understanding. You can’t see see, touch or taste faith. It isn’t of this world. It is a God given gift. So ask Him for faith to believe, confess your sins and ask Him to forgive you. Then you will find the God of Elijah.

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Luke 22:40 “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”

Jesus came to this earth for a very specific reason. God sent him to live a Godly life before mankind. Jesus enjoyed himself. He was raised by two Godly parents. He went to school and learn of God and life itself. Jesus had had friends who loved him dearly. He traveled with his parents to Jerusalem. He had a good life as we see it in the bible. The bible says that Jesus learned obedience through the things that he suffered. His ministry began to show the people that God was real and intervened in the affairs of man. But where did Jesus surrender to God’s will? Jesus knew he was going to die and told the disciples at the last supper. When they got to garden to pray, Jesus asked them to stay and he went off to pray. Wine and a full stomach makes for a good nap. The disciples fell asleep. Jesus asked God to release him from this obligation. He pray three times and finally said if it be thy will. Then Jesus submitted to the death on the cross. Now when did you surrender to God’s will?

1 Kings 4:29 “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. 34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.”

God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond anyone on earth. Because Solomon didn’t ask for riches, God made him the richest man that ever lived. The bible says that he kept the gold inside the walled city and dumped the silver on the ground outside the wall.  His guards were dressed better than most kings. Solomon wrote Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. Wisdom is far better than riches. Solomon said that we are to enjoy the works of our hands for it is the gift of God. He saw the world differently. He saw the world as God sees it. The word of God reveals the thoughts and intents of the heart. That is what Solomon saw. It is what we need in our lives the live this life on earth. We are here to accomplish God’s will on the earth.

James1: 5  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

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Ecclesiastes 1:9 “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.”

A few years back, one of my sons was going off to war. My wife and I were at the staging area. All the family had gathered to say goodbye. Some were crying, some laughing, and some just holding on to each other. While I was looking at the crowd of people, I realized that this has happened many times before. A song kept playing in my head, an American Revolutionary song, Johnnie has gone for a soldier. I remembered Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun. Man has repeated history over and over again. God tell us not to be a forgetful hearer. Change is the only real thing in this world. As we change into the image and likeness of God. Remember this and walk towards God and His kingdom.

Ephesians 5:14 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

when Paul was preaching throughout the world, there were always people who saw the power and wanted it. Paul preached Christ and Him crucified. You can’t enter into the kingdom without first coming to the knowledge of Jesus. I was 20 some years before I had a real relationship with my earthly father. It took that long before we had an a close personal relationship. I talked to him and he to me almost every day. We couldn’t establish that kind of relationship without the help of God. This is the relationship that God wants with us, a relationship of a father to his son. God shows us how to develop this kind of relationship. In my walk with God, I began as a servant. Then I discovered I was a son. Then I was a son with an inheritance. Then I was a son, who’s older brother sat on the right hand of my Father. God wants everyone to have that personal and intimate relationship. Sing unto the Lord a new song.