A Prelude To Thanksgiving

A Prelude To Thanksgiving Day Luke 17.11-19 Jesus was on His Way to Jerusalem. We read in back in Luke 9.51 "As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." So on His way to die, on that final journey of His ministry in Galilee to die in Jerusalem, He encounters these 10 lepers on the outskirts of a village. His popularity had grown in the 3 1/2 years of ministry in Galilee and the surrounding area. People knew about Him. Lepers, especially, held Him in high regard and believed that He was indeed the Messiah. No one could heal a leper except Jesus. They were hopeless outcasts. They still are. In the book about Bob Pierce, Let My Heart Be Broken With the Things That Break the Heart of God, Elmer Kilbourne, of the Oriental Mission Society, is quoted, "The worst part of leprosy is the social isolation connected with it... it happens all over the world, wherever there are lepers. Leprosy can arrested. In many cases it can be cured. But even though a man may survive it, once he has been driven from his home he can't go back. His relatives, friends and neighbors simply will not accept him. So he has to live with other lepers." My daughter, Theresa, spent half the summer of her Junior year of college working in a leper colony in southern India. In Israel in the first century provisions were made for a return in the law. Verse 13 "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" It noteworthy that Jesus didn’t bargain with them. You know, “If I heal you do you promise to follow Me?” Healing is a gift from God. It is given without strings attached. Many have been healed by Him but have not followed Him. Many. These lepers believed Jesus could help them. They were asking Him to come to their aid in their affliction. The fact He could heal lepers had spread among those afflicted with the disease. He was their only hope. At the beginning of His ministry we read in Mark 1. 40 A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was filled with compassion. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. From the beginning of His ministry in Galilee He was filled with concern for the sick and diseased. Luke 17. 12 As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When He saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Now we see the healing here and the subsequent ingratitude. We see it as a horrible thing- this scarcity of Thanksgiving. If you are a person who likes to give to others you have no doubt encountered this issue giving complete when there is that appreciation expressed. Did they like the gift? Was it discarded? Did they get it? Before we tackle the obvious here let's think about Thanksgiving for... 1. Blessings Seldom Thought Of. v.11 These are blessings we often take for granted. For example, if you received a public school education being thankful for those who paid the taxes so you could go. That is not the case in many places throughout the world. The ability to read and write is a priceless gift. I am discovering that more every day. The disciples were walking with Jesus. We walk with Him. Sometime we need to be reminded of His Presence with us, particularly when things are going well! How about your health? Give thanks you are able to be here this morning. John wrote to his friend, “To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” II John 1-2 Being thankful for our bed, our pillow, covers for warmth, a roof to keep out rain and wind. The pastors from Ecuador without blankets. Cold. Laura Sluyter told us about them shortly after I came to this church as pastor. We took up an offering for them. How about being thankful for our country. With all its flaws, we have freedoms that the majority of the 8.2 billion people on the earth today do not enjoy. Blessings taken for granted, seldom thought of…. Like hot showers or clean water. Indoor plumbing, heat, automobiles Blessings here much of the world does not enjoy. How about some past blessings Photo of JetBlue/ Haiti Thankful for them The longer we walk with the LORD’s, the more we have to be thankful for! Last night I had a great time with the LORD. He brought up times when He blessed me. These were times I am still giving thanks for! * My childhood and youth * My Journey to Bible College and how someone paid $100 on my bill anonymously so I could continue. * My detour to Kentucky, working 2 jobs to make ends meet, groceries loaded in our car, $50 bill when we didn’t have gas to get back home. God was teaching me. * Pastoring in southwestern part of the state… spoke to people from there this week, some joining us today on livestream * My return to the Island after 10 year hiatus * God’s Hand upon this church * Haiti $4,000 and $19,000 for the roof unsolicited * This church maturing into a House of Prayer for All Nations * Seeing us become a church with a worldwide ministry Surprise Blessings Indian Village Mission photos December visiting us and sharing a report As we think about Thanksgiving... 2. Give Thanks for the Obvious. vs.14-16 Jesus was giving them instructions from Leviticus 14.1-3 The Samaritan man came back praising God in a loud voice and threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him. Thanksgiving springs from humility- an acknowledgment that everything good in my life has come from the Hand of my Father in Heaven Who loves me. (James 1.17) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows. Often there is a continent of blessing in our lives and just an island of praise. Gigabytes of blessing and kilobytes of thanks. These 10 men were all touched by God. They were healed. It is wrong to pray for blessings, receive them and fail to thank God for them. Things right in front of us- v.15 when he saw he was healed... obvious blessings: food, shelter clothing, people. Psalm 103.3 Praise the LORD, O My soul, and forget not all His benefits. We could go all the way thru that Psalm. More, much more receive benefits and than thank Him for them. It is all to easy to enjoy the benefits and forget Who gave them to us! Finally in this prelude to Thanksgiving we see in this passage... 3. A Lesson For All Who Serve. vs.17-19 This man by passed the priest and went to the Great High Priest. The percentage of people who appreciate the work of God through your life will be low. Look to Jesus for approval not to men for appreciation. Look to be pleasing to God, let people do what is in their hearts. So often someone gets something from the LORD what they want and they never come back. Excitement overwhelms them and they forget to give thanks. The Questions of Jesus, the Master Teacher, the Son of God: 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Undeniably Where are the other nine? Too busy, on their way to their hometowns, certificates in hand 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Obviously and take note! If you look for people to appreciate your hard work you will be disappointed. Look for commendations from God at the end, at the Last Day. Deflect the praise to God when they do. Your treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue! Matthew 25. 34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘LORD, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’ Listen to Paul, the apostle His words to Timothy II Timothy 4. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. Blessed are those who do not expect much appreciation for they will not be disappointed. However the rewards of serving Jesus are overwhelming! There is much to give Him thanks for as you serve. Give Thanks to God for His Indescribable Gift! The LORD’s Supper

The Church's Love For Christ/ Message to The American Church

The Church's Love For Christ/ Message to The American Church Acts 19.1-22, Ephesians 3.14-21, Revelation 2.1-7 Churches are born and they develop and unfortunately many end up in need of correction, to return to their roots and become a vibrant light again. This is a message the Church in America needs. Many places are need of renewal. The Pastors need to be renewed. The Churches have lost something that they need to regain. Churches go through stages. The Ephesian Church is the one and only church in God's Word we can see from its inception, an epistle written to it and a message from Christ to it in that stage of needed correction. It spanned approximately 40 to 45 years Interestingly often when churches are studied these days you see the tracing of its attendance and finances but seldom is the issue Jesus had with this church addressed. It is ALL important: Love. When I am asked, “How is the flock?” or “How is the church doing.” Most are looking for a numerical or financial answer. Let me humbly say that is why the Church in America is a mess. It is success is viewed solely on attendance. This is poor evaluation. I had someone tell me recently about how many people are coming to their church. Why are we counting? That particular church has had a lot of problems and I know personally that some treacherous things have been done by its leaders. The attendance does not make up for these dastardly deeds! The Ephesian Church had, in the words of Christ to it, forsaken its first love. Before delving into this let's go back to its beginnings to see what it was before this message of Christ Jesus was given to it. What was its first love? 1. The Ephesian Church was born in a great move of God. Acts 19.1-22 Water baptism of believers and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit were in its early days. John the Baptist spoke of both. Jesus did as well. In fact His final instructions before He went into Heaven in those last days before the ascension contains both. The account in Acts 19 of the beginnings of this church start with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some have called this The "Ephesian Pentecost". By v.10 we are told that everyone in the Province of Asia heard the Word of the LORD. The gospel was explained to everyone, to each person, so they could understand it... the Baptism with the Holy Spirit which Jesus spoke about in Acts 1 to empower the church to share the gospel. The apostles needed this to carry out  Jesus' command to go into the all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. They needed this to be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We do too! Speaking of the ends of the Earth, please pray for Pastor Liton Roy in Bangladesh. He has asked for prayer as they hold various outreaches and attempt to feed 200 children in November. Photos The Baptism with the Spirit gave (gives) instantaneous power and boldness, vision and the ability to speak God's Word with great boldness. God confirms His Word with miracles, signs and wonders. So this church in the city of Ephesus was used by God to evangelize the entire province. Being filled with God's Spirit gives power and over a period of time there is the fruit of the Spirit which develops. That fruit is love. Interesting that this move of God affected the economy there! Verses 23-41 Paul wrote to them about the importance of love within the church 2. Paul, the apostle, prayed for their growth in love. Ephesians 3.14-21 Rooted and established in love- v.17 Power to grasp the enormity of the love of Christ.-v.18 to know this love and be filled with all the fullness of God -v.19 knowing the unknowable, His love higher than the heavens, reaching to the sky! This is the most important thing in the church. Is there love? This is reflective of God. Sound doctrine is very important. Prayer as well. Fellowship and Breaking of Bread with love all around. By the time John receives The Revelation of Jesus Christ with the message to this Church at Ephesus some 30 years have passed and Jesus after commending them for their deeds, hard work and perseverance, not tolerating wicked men, testing would be apostles, enduring hardship and not growing weary- they were a very good church, ahead of many, yet- 3. The Ephesian Church had forsaken their first love. - Revelation 2.1-7 first= in time and place and rank. Out of their love for Christ they had their priorities in good order- correct order- their motive and actions were on target. We know they were strong witnesses- they held to the truth. the Word of the LORD spread widely and grew in power. Acts 19.20 What happened?! that Christ told them this! Simply could have been their heart was not as affectionate for Him as in the beginning. What were the early days of  our church like? No building, Main Street Memorial Building, Smith Street What brought us together in 1945? What holds us together in 2025? This Church loves one another! * A group of you around Siggy last Sunday after church * The love you have for the pastors * The love around the tables after church * You look out for one another throughout the week. * You take care of the elderly and sick Mirielle calling me Wednesday afternoon to check on Margot Sue going with me to see Pastor Johnson on Tuesday. Mary texting me to see how Margot was. Robert going with me to see Pastor Johnson on Friday. * You care about other around the world * You care about others in the Parking Lot on Monday Night and Friday Afternoons feeding the hungry. * Prayer Meetings… we have prayer warriors here. Is God calling you? What happened in Ephesus? Perhaps other issues became more important than witnessing- spreading the Word. It could be that they had become bitter and angry- perhaps they had gotten caught up in getting rich quick schemes? Remember Paul wrote to Timothy, “…who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. I Timothy 6.5 The height from which they fell - Love is the highest place a church can come to. You cannot improve on love! Perhaps God's Word and prayer wasn't as important as it once was- maybe they stopped teaching about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit- we have all seen that happen. Jesus gave them a solution Remember- Repent- do the things you did at first. Acts 19 This is to a church but it could easily be applied to you, personally. Are there things that you had going when you first met Jesus which have grown dim? My eyes are dry My faith is old My heart is hard My prayers are cold And I know how I ought to be Alive to You and dead to me But what can be done For an old heart like mine Soften it up With oil and wine The oil is You, Your Spirit of love Please wash me anew With the wine of Your Blood Repent requires humility. Admitting I was wrong. Changing direction. I am so thankful for the return to prayer in this fellowship. It is going on 7 days a week here in some form. Wonderful! We are holding fast to the Word of God. Let’s be like Psalm 123 1-2-3! 1  I lift up my eyes to You,
    to You who sit enthroned in heaven. 2  As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
    as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
    till He shows us his mercy. 3  Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,
    for we have endured no end of contempt. 4  We have endured no end
    of ridicule from the arrogant,
    of contempt from the proud. Humility is a fruit of love.

God’s Word of Encouragement

God’s Words Of Encouragement Acts 18. 9 One night the LORD spoke to Paul in a vision:“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the Word (Logos=Jesus) of God. We all need encouragement from time to time. In times of challenge we need it all the more. My Coach, Paul Limmer, built great track and Cross Country Teams in Bellmore because the man knew how to encourage his runners. He believed in us before we believed in ourselves. I employed his technique when I coached Little League. He included everyone, the very talented and those with little ability. When it comes to running the Christian Race, working for the LORD, we all need to hear from Heaven once in a while. Psalm 46.1 Monday night Sink down, relax Sometimes that Word from the LORD is all we need. He gave Paul what he needed for this time. He does the same for us. Rebecca often prays for “that Word” from the LORD that people need.. Paul received it. It is for us too. I would venture to say we all need this today. * Don’t Be Afraid “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid” is 365 times in the Word of God. In this case of Paul, the Apostle it was fear of physical harm coming to him. In our case it is how our culture has changed from being fairly Christian to opposed to our faith. Take Sundays… 60 years ago, even 50. Today it is the majority. Fears Common to Man * Fear of Getting Old What is going to happen to me as I age? Where am I going to end up? In God’s Hands Psalm 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. * Fear of the Future With all the changes we are facing today how will I adjust to the future? Change is definite. We see it happening each day. I know Who holds the future! Each day ordained for me. * Fear of being desolate. What happens if I use all my money and cannot support myself? A friend of mine wrote yesterday: ***How many more foreclosures will add to the 18 pages they already have due to the tax reassessment ( supposed to be done every 5 yrs and hasn’t been done in 40yrs) plus the electric Bill and in cases have seen people with a 300% plus bills compared to 3 months ago ? I hope it’s a warm winter***** * Fear of starving or being out of food Matthew 6.33 I have been young, and now I am old and I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. * Fear of being Abandoned I am losing friends and family. Will the few left leave me too? What if relationships I have now are no more. Hebrews 13.5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” We will never be abandoned by the LORD! You need to hear that today! * Fear of Death Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. He comes to us in Death’s Valley in so many ways! Many! Mark 5. 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the Teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus’ words to us about death whether they are raised from the dead or not. Have faith! A Christian’s view of death * Our last enemy I Corinthians 15.26. Final battle * Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see! * Those who believe in Him will never die John 11.25 Death does not have the final say over the Christian. In fact we face it and then we see Christ! * What we see/ What they see * Our last heartbeat, our last breathe in God’s Presence! John 11 God’s Son is glorified through it. -v.4 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 43 When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” * Keep On Speaking Do not stop doing what God has called you to do. Paul was sent to Macedonia. Acts 16.9 His call was reaffirmed. God will do that. He does through encouragement from others. What God calls us to do He encourages us to keep going. Opposition will come. Judases will arise once in a while. If God be for us who can stand against us? * Don’t Be Silent Places on Earth where it is against the law to preach the Gospel: China this week: China detains dozens of underground church pastors in crackdown -Reuters Hebrews 13.3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. When I pray for the Church in China I try to feel what some of my fellow pastors are feeling there in prison. Then there are Countries like Nigeria where Christians are being slaughtered this week. Reports from multiple human rights and religious freedom organizations confirm that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted and killed, particularly by extremist groups in the country's northern and Middle Belt regions. The violence has intensified in recent years, making Nigeria one of the deadliest places in the world to be a Christian, according to advocates.  * I am with you God is present in our down times. He promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. He is our refuge and strength Our strong tower Proverbs 18.10  The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. * No one is Going To Attack or Harm You. Not in all cases Acts 20.23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. Pressure, affliction, straits No physical suffering but mental anguish, stress, which we can, by His Grace, turn it over to Him. * He Tells us Things We Do Not Know. “I have many people in this city” Proverbs 3.32 He takes the righteous into His confidence. His secret counsel The LORD will show you things and tell you things that are just between you and Him. This is to help you serve Him. I love the way He does this… Yesterday, something came up in conversation in front of Target. What I had suspected was proved true. I didn’t ask. I just listened. God took me into His confidence. I have not shouted it from the rooftops but I am praying about confronting someone, here in Bay Shore. Mark 4. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you…” What a blessing! Then there are secrets like this one with Paul. That must have been so good for Paul to hear. God has people here! In this church, in His Church in Bay Shore, on Long Island… in this world!

Be A Berean

Be A Berean Acts 17.10-12 Paul the Apostle left Thessalonica and traveled to Berea. This was done at night. He was snuck out of the city to escape persecution. He still had the scars from the severe flogging in Philippi. He did the same things with the Bereans as he had always done. He went to their synagogue. His pattern was, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1.16 The success in Berea was greater than Thessalonica. There was a reason for this... actually several: The Bereans were of Noble Character: Well behaved, Good. The Greek word used in Acts is eugenesteroi, which comes from eugenes, from which we derive the personal name "Eugene." Originally, it meant "wellborn" and implied nobility. Later, it described those of a generous spirit, who are open-minded toward truth, not prejudiced, hostile, or suspicious of others, but give others a fair hearing. It is interesting to see the different characteristics in the various churches. The Thessalonians believed false reports about the Return of Jesus, that it had already taken place. That would not have happened to the Berean Church. They would have reached that conclusion for themselves. For over 40 years here I have gone through the Bible, chapter by chapter, many years verse by verse. We have not had problems with false doctrines when they have been floating around. This is a church which moves on to maturity. A few of the false doctrines floating around: * God wants everyone to be wealthy and healthy. * The Rapture is going to happen in 1988. * The LORD is coming in 1994 * We need to get prepared for Y2K because all kinds of horrible things will happen at midnight on December 31, 1999 * Our fillings are turning to gold! * You cannot meet as a church during COVID Churches differ The Philippian Church was generous, very generous with giving to the Apostle Paul.. The others did not. The Corinthians were into the spiritual gifts. They also tolerated immorality worse than the pagans! The Galatian Church was falling for the lie that you had to become a Jew before you came to Christ. Look at the 7 Churches in Revelation! The Church at Ephesus lost its first love. The Church at Laodecia put Jesus on the outside. It didn’t feel it needed Him because it was increased in goods and wealth. Jesus’ assessment was that it was miserable, poor, blind and naked! What should the church be like? Since Jesus is building it it should represent Him. Jesus asked His Disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” Matthew 16. 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” There are John the Baptist Churches today. They yell “repent.” They go after the corruption in government. They see many baptized. Today we have a convergence of pastors going to Washington, DC Interestingly Jesus did not send His followers to Rome to bring reforms. The city He was concerned about with His followers was Jerusalem and that they did not leave until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. I have received a few invitations to the Presidential Inaugurals in our nation’s capital. I have not gone. I did go to Albany to pray years ago in an opening session of the Senate. It was nice, a lot of driving but memorable for me, not sure about our Senators, although I was told they appreciated my comments. My prayer is recorded in the permanent record there. There are Elijah Churches today. They do mighty deeds. Many would say that they are on fire. They stress miracle, signs and wonders above all. They can fly higher than an eagle! They dazzle the mind and impress many. They celebrate things with great fanfare. If you go there you will find that they believe that the whole Island is repenting and coming to the LORD. They go beyond the Scriptures. There are churches like Jeremiah. They cry a lot. They lament over sin and the destruction it has brought on the nation. Songs are in a minor key. They are depressing churches. They talk more about the bad news more than the good news. You will weep if you go. You will not be offered much hope, other than being told you just need to hold on until Jesus comes back. These churches have strange vision. Jesus asked His Disciples, 15 “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” There are churches that are like Jesus. Like Him, there is nothing in their appearance that would attract people to them. They are not “Attraction Churches”. They are strong in the faith and compassionate. They are in the Word and the Word is in them. They lay down their lives for others. They are a House of Prayer for all nations. They are filled with the love of God. They love Jesus deeply. They are so refreshing. Those churches are marked by love. You are going to hear how wonderful Jesus is rather than how great the church is. People in love with Jesus are not looking elsewhere. They have found the Pearl of Great Price. The Bereans were into the Word. They knew the Scriptures. They checked out if what Paul was proclaiming was true. * The Bereans are considered as noble because they listened to the preaching of the Gospel with open hearts as they pursued God and His whole truth. * May you have an open heart. In this time of great change in the world and Church. In the sunshine and the rain. We need both to make flowers grow. In the seasons of the year and life. The Bereans held the Word of God in high esteem. They understood the commitment to the Apostle’s teaching as stated in Acts 2.42. They listened to it and made sure it lined up with Scripture of the Old Testament. * When obeyed it follows that they would be committed to Breaking of Bread, the fellowship and to prayer. They Apostle’s teaching is a continuation of what Jesus began to do and to teach among the Twelve. * The character of a nation, a group of people, a denomination, a church’s character will be known by the place it holds the Word of God in its heart and life. Always hold the Word of God along with His Name high in your life. Hide it in your heart. I wish Paul had written a letter to this church. It would have been one full of commendations. May we be that kind of church! Commended by God. You cannot have a church like Jesus without them knowing the Word of God. John 15. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. His Word abiding or remaining in you. And wonderful things happening between us and Him. A church that remains in His Word and prays. The Church is being built by Jesus. It reflects Him to the world. We are the Body of Christ. * What man commends/ What God commends We have the letters of Paul to the churches. We have the messages of Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. If we were have a letter written to us what would it say? I can hear Jesus say, “Continue in My Word!” * The Bereans were model seekers/ believers They were eager to learn. Take hold of it. Receive it like a grant. Embrace it. Zeal We need to diligently search the Scriptures daily. Marinate yourself in it. We should be people of one Book. All other books should be read in the light of the Word of God. I am concerned because that is not so today, even among so called believers. Our relationship with the Word of God is one of embracing it, being zealous to keep it, receiving the gift of it with thankfulness. What a gift we have been given! * The Benefits of Being A Berean: * A humble faith * A Heart for God * I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing Your praise. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your name for Your love and your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your Word. * A knowledge of God’s Word * A perspective of where we came from Genesis 1 and where we are going Revelation * A Firm and Sure Foundation Matthew 7. 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the Rock….and that Rock is Christ. * Hope I Peter 1. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,through the living and enduring Word of God. * 24 For, “All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the Word of the LORD endures forever.” And this is the Word that was preached to you. * Psalm 138.2 Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119.89 The Word of God is our sole basis for truth and error. Testing the Scriptural Teaching To see if what is being proclaimed is true. To see if what I believe is accurate. * You didn’t hear from Bereans: “Wow! What a great message! What an awesome speaker. I could listen to that man preach all day! What a great preacher!” May God help us move away from such childish thinking across the Body of Christ! * Here is Paul’s Testimony: I Corinthians 2.1 And so it was with me, brothers, When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. * The Bereans were a people who held Scripture in such a high regard that it became their daily pursuit, their source of truth, the only reference book or material they would read in search of what is true. There is no record of any letter to the Bereans. * Sifted Getting the wheat separated from the chaff Pulling out the truth Examined Checked out his quotes from the Old Testament. Judged Is it reasonable? Is it right? Listening to the Word of God put them in the Word of God daily. Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. Be a Berean! One word on searching the Scriptures without having Christ: John 5. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, 40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. Christ in us as we study the Scriptures. If you don’t have Him within you don’t have Eternal Life. Have a plan of reading the Bible, God’s Word. I have changed mine over the years. Now I am slowing down to take more in. Be disciplined. Enjoy. Celebrate. Stick to your plan until God changes it. The Sunday Morning Message Listen to men of God expound the Word of God. Check out everything you hear from the Scriptures. Be a Berean!

One In Christ

One In Christ Acts 15.6-18 Does a person need to become a Jew first before they receive Christ? This is the question of Acts at this point This is the issue of Galatians. It was settled in the first century. Today, is there anything other than faith in Christ, repentance of sins, and following Him that are necessary to be saved? Romans 10. 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” The Church at Galatia was heavily influenced by the men who traveled from Jerusalem. They told those at Galatia they needed to become Jews first. Paul wrote to them. Galatians 3.1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Phillips: O you dear idiots of Galatia, A person comes to Christ by believing on Him alone for salvation. Whenever it happened to you that is how you came. For me it was November 22, 1963. I was 7 years old. For my friend, Keith it was a week ago Saturday, for 13 souls in Bangladesh it was at one of our livestream meetings. Photo of Baptism It was not Jesus plus some work. It was simply Jesus. I prayed. I had begun to read the Bible. I was already attending church. My Mom wisely had me call my Sunday School teacher and tell her. * Peter and Cornelius were in part for this time. v.7-11 God wonderfully saved Cornelius, his family and friends in Caesarea Acts 10 This was for them. God took note of this man’s prayers and sacrifices. It is a beautiful story. This was for years later. God was going to use this wonderful account He will use your story. It is His Story. Wait. I was texting with a friend who just lost his wife. I was trying to encourage him. He asked if I had experienced loss. It opened up his heart as I opened up mine. People need to know they are not alone, that someone has experienced what they have experienced. There are things for this time. There is no place for prejudice when it comes to the Gospel. Christ died for everyone! He came for everyone! Jesus loves the little children of the world Some children see Him… Some children see Him lily white,
the Baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
with tresses soft and fair.
 Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,
this Savior whom we kneel beside.
some children see Him almond-eyed,
with skin of yellow hue.
 Some children see Him dark as they,
sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
and, ah! they love Him, too! 

The children in each different place
will see the baby Jesus' face
like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
and filled with holy light.
 O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering,
come worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight! There are things that transcend language in communicating. * Music * A smile * Love * The need of a Savior Our actions affect the future. More than we can imagine. The congregations of Patchogue and Bellmore saw the people moving into this area after World War II and decided we need to start a new church here. We are here today because of their faith and vision. We are seeing people moving in. Suffolk County is growing. Bay Shore is an epicenter of growth. How will we reach those thousands in the apartments? Peter was able to say this happened first with me. The LORD was bringing His Church to be a House of prayer for all nations! All the Ethnos… all the ethnicities Mark 11.17 John 16. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. (The Gentiles being included.) 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. This was the ongoing work of Jesus. He died for all the ethnos. We are to pray for all the ethnos. We are a House of Prayer for all Nations. Ethnos What else could the Ethnos be? The Gentiles were viewed by the Jews as unclean outcasts, unable to approach God. In the First Century the Jews looked at the Gentiles in a horrible way: * They were on the same level as dogs Jesus said to the Syro Pheoncian woman, “ It’s not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the .”dogs.” Matthew 15.26 He was expressing a common thought among the Jews, among His disciples. He gave her what she asked for because of her faith. The Centurion got his request and Jesus said that He had not found such faith in all of Israel. He was getting His Disciples ready for the unthinkable in their Jewish minds. Salvation was going to be offered to Gentiles without becoming Jews! * The first century Jews thought the Gentiles were created to fuel the fires of Hell. * However if a non Jewish man (like the Centurion in Galilee) was kind and religious he was commended. The temple did have a Court of the Gentiles and was called a House of Prayer for all nations. Who are the “Gentiles” of 2025? What about those struggling with addictions, those in alternative lifestyles? They need Christ. If they come to Jesus they will be free from the Chains! Let’s go after those not like us! We don’t give up our faith when we share it. We gain more faith when we see people come to Christ. The answer to that question is in the words of Jesus in regard to His Father’s House being a House of Prayer for all Nations. The Ethnos is what God is doing throughout the world through this little church! Beautiful Lady from India leading the worship a week ago at the Pastor’s Conference. I joined in with my heart. Didn’t understand the words except Jehovah. The music was in a minor key. I loved it! Our preferences can eliminate ourselves from what God is doing! The Church at Jerusalem was confronted with that. It is also those who engage in socially “unacceptable sins” among the church. I Corinthians 6.9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. The Ethnos came in. Did they have to obey the Jewish traditions? This meeting stopped the church from being another sect of Judaism We would have all to become Jews first. Jesus was building His Church with all nations. The picture of the Body of Christ is “us.” Not Americans and the rest of the world. The whole world! v.11 We believe it is through the grace of our LORD Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” The Worldwide Family here on earth. We are the Church. His Father’s House… * Paul and Barnabas told the most recent events. v.12 God was working wonders through and with the Gentiles. They had recently returned from a missions trip. Those of you who have gone on one know what it is like when you get back. You can hardly keep your mouth shut as you tell the wonders. Your worldview is altered. Your view of the church changes. Missions are exciting. We can learn. Baptism in Bangladesh. Feeding there. It is so helpful to our faith to see what God is doing among the nations. * The LORD had foretold this 750 years before. vs.14-18 Isaiah 56. 8  The LORD God, Who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to Him Others besides those who are gathered to Him.” Even before that the promise to Abram in Genesis 12 that through him and his seed all the nations on earth would be blessed. And after that the our Father’s House would be a House of Prayer for all nations in II Chronicles in Solomon’s Dedicatory prayer of the temple. In Christ the Gentiles and Jews are one. Ephesians 3.6 This mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ. All Nations are One in Him. Therefore go into all the world and preach the Gospel Make Disciples of the Nations He is with is always

Hardships On The Way To Heaven

Facing Hardships On Our Way To Heaven Acts 14.21-25 We must go through many hardships in order to enter the Kingdom of God. I Thessalonians 3.1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. This is a truth we do not particularly like. We are destined for hardships if we are following Jesus. It was never easy to be a Christian in China. Read the hardships of Hudson Taylor in books about him. Google “The Boxer Rebellion.” By 1950, after Mao took over, it became very difficult for Chinese Christians. Mao went out after the church. You can read about this in China: The Church’s Long March by David H. Adney Hardships? You will discover, as in Acts, what Mao meant for evil God meant it for good to the saving of many lives. Hardships oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits, a pressing, pressing together, pressure We are in a battle today. It is Jerusalem against Babylon. It is the Kingdom of God versus the kingdom of this world, it is a battle in the spiritual realm. It is good against evil, Light against darkness. Righteousness against sin. Holiness against wickedness. We are in a conflict greater than we can imagine. The surest way to receive less criticism is to do nothing. The surest way to avoid persecution is to be quiet about your faith and be prayerless. Yes we are persecuted for being a House of Prayer, but we are not going to stop. Pastor Humphrey on Wednesday: We are in a great spiritual battle. Faith Missions does not seek to “benefit” from its investments. Relative asking me when I am going to get something back from the trips. Sadly he does not understand the Kingdom of God. Nor do many American Pastors. They understand the political kingdom of man but not the Kingdom of God. We are servants not Kings. We seek to advance God’s Kingdom, not the church. Jesus takes care of His church. Justin once I would like to read about how an individual was used to expand God’s Kingdom, rather than a denomination! So We must go through many hardships in order to enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God and Prayer Prayer is the language of the Kingdom of God. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. I Corinthians 4.20 We see the power of God in answers to prayer. Yesterday! Luke 18.1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, (give up) 7 will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" You will find the Kingdom coming when people are sincerely praying, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk. If this is not sitting well with you, can I ask you, “How is your prayer life?” Are you praying without ceasing? If not keep seeking to. Think about prayer: puny human beings talking to Almighty God on His Throne! Think of His past deeds! He never changes. He is the same! The cries of God’s children, the cries of Israel in Egypt. At that time men began to call upon the Name of the LORD Genesis 4.26 * The Kingdom of God is among us. Luke 17.20 When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs. 21 Nor will people say,‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ For you see,the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Jesus is the Embodiment of the Kingdom of God. Wherever there are two or three gathered in My Name there am I in the midst. This was in the context of prayer. The Jews needed a minimum of 12 men to form a synagogue. Jesus sets us free from that. Prayer partners. While invisible we can see the results of the Kingdom of God among us. Build at a 90* angle and the building stands. Cooperate with the law of gravity. Eat right and exercise, you will feel better Give and it will given to you. Mostly in redeemed souls. Their transformation. Changes in their behavior, speech and attitudes. I have been watching it here. Making Disciples is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Feed the hungry and you are seeing the Kingdom of God come. Preach the Gospel to the poor… this opens the Kingdom of God. Bangladesh Audio Bible Photo Haiti Church * The Kingdom of God is Coming It is forever. Psalm 145.13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all He promises and loving to all He has made. Jesus is coming again. The Kingdom of God will rule the earth forever. While it is among us, when Jesus comes the kingdom of darkness will be banished. There will be no more battles. All is peace and joy and love. Revelation 21.1-8 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain,for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” * Hardships We Go Through Paul’s II Corinthians 1. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers.Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. I Corinthians 15.31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our LORD. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, II Corinthians 11.23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits, a pressing, pressing together, pressure Persecution for the Gospel: made fun of, mocked, accused of being holier than thou, accused of being a holy roller Left out of things Talked about behind our backs Watching people mess up spiritually Financial concerns for the churches. Our own struggle against sin Hebrews 12. 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? Hardship as discipline Don’t run away from it Remain in it, in Christ, persevere, hold fast To the pastors… II Timothy 2.3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Shepherding a flock brings hardships. Sheep who wander off The enemy trying to divide Being alone. In the battle Being falsely accused Through We don’t live in them They are temporary They are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us Romans 8.18 We will be done with them one day. We will lay our armor down and receive a crown. We must go through many hardships in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

A Man After God’s Own Heart

A Man After God’s Own Heart Acts 13.21-22 This is during Paul’s First Missionary Journey. He and Barnabas were out together. It is interesting how this came about. The laying on of hands. The Holy Spirit spoke, probably through a prophet. They were sent out. This was in the context of the Church. This is how missionaries are sent. I remember when I went to Haiti for the first time, 11 years ago. I had Pastor Johnson, Rudy Migliore, Ray Toca and Pastor Dennis Hodulick, my prayer group, lay hands on me in a prayer meeting a few days before I left. I wanted to humble myself and be under God’s Blessing. Pastor Dennis said that I would be speaking in a church there on Sunday. I said I don’t even know anyone in Haiti. Yet Sunday Morning I found myself speaking in Pastor Joes Church and the mission began… and it ended it well… with a new church built. They were in Pisdian Antioch. Their pattern was to the Jew first and also to the Greek. So they went to the Synagogue. Paul spoke out of the Old Testament, the Scriptures of the Jews. David was their most beloved King. To this day there is a tomb in Jerusalem which is called the Tomb of David. We know when Acts was written his tomb was there. It is one of the holiest sites in Israel. It is a Memorial to Israel’s most beloved King Paul speaks of David. He was a shepherd, Hero in slaying Goliath, becoming King and most of all in the line of the Messiah. Mary and Joseph were of the house and line of David. This is why they went to Bethlehem to register during the Census. We are sharing about important things today, things of the Kingdom. It is not the Pro 17 iPhone that is important. We are in a time when the news cannot be trusted. Calls are going out since Wednesday for a return to God in our nation. It will happen when the people of God stop talking about Him and begin to cry out to Him. The most important and wonderful thing is that God is at work in the lives of those who are after His own heart. Those who are calling out to Him. In India we are being asked to pray for land for a church. Pastor Johnson’s Indian Village Mission. In Bangladesh a number of hungry children were fed by gifts given through this little church. In Kenya Pastor Daniel had the rim of his motorcycle fixed. He attended a conference in Uganda (6 hour trek on roads that are not like ours) I rode 6 hours thanks to Marcos and Nydia to be with my Mom on her 96th birthday on Thursday. It was a lot different trip than Pastor Daniel had. While there she got to talk to Pastor Humphrey from Nairobi. His church building needs a roof. We have some materials there but more are needed. What is most important? The thing Paul recalls is a deeply spiritual issue. David was a man after God’s own heart. * David was a Shepherd. As the LORD Psalm 80. 1  Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,     You who lead Joseph like a flock. You Who sit enthroned between the cherubim,     shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken Your might;     come and save us. “Shepherd of Israel” is a biblical title for God, emphasizing His role as the loving leader, protector, and provider of the nation of Israel and the Church. I am the Good Shepherd, Jesus said in John 10.11 The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The Sacrificial Lamb of God In the Old Testament the LORD is my Shepherd, Israel’s Shepherd. In the New Testament, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, the Chief Shepherd Hebrews 13. 20 Now may the God of peace, Who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 5. 1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. David said He was His Shepherd This is huge. It shows God’s heart. Loving, caring, graceful, gentle It shows mankind’s need. The crying need is for shepherds today. In this time guidance for the soul is needed. We have medical needs at times. We have emotional needs, physical needs. But the overwhelming need is in the soul, for direction, for comfort, to be heard, to be loved, to be affirmed. Take someone who is successful in their career, makes lots of money, has the things money can buy, may even have friends. If they do not have a relationship with the LORD’s, their life is empty. Take someone who lives in a developing nation, say Bangladesh They just get by, they do not have money or really anything. They just have the LORD. They have all they need. They are content. Fitz Chrysler said, “The person who has everything and Christ is not a whit richer than the person who only has Christ.” The soul is where the issues of life are. The soul is that eternal part of man. We need daily guidance. For someone to care without charging. I love it! Shepherds, true shepherds, have a deep love for the flock. I was blessed in my pre shepherd days to have men who loved the LORD and tended to their flock. * David understood the Kingdom of Israel, God’s Kingdom You do not ascend to power on your own. Psalm 75. 6 No one from the east or the west     or from the desert can exalt themselves. 7 It is God Who judges:     He brings one down, He exalts another. This is precisely what happened with Saul and David. God anointed David and rejected. You do not do what you want to with the power entrusted to you. Jesus said, “For the Son of man has not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10.45 The LORD seeks servants whom He can work through. David fought the LORD’s battles. I Samuel 25.28 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The LORD your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the LORD’s battles, What are the LORD’s Battles Today? The souls The soul of this nation How do we fight. Clothe ourselves with the LORD Jesus Christ Prayer You submit yourself to God. Sheep are safe when they submit to the Shepherd. The shepherd sees what is ahead. He gathers the sheep together in times of storms. The shepherd seeks out food for them, leading them to a table prepared for them. It is deadly for a sheep to leave the flock and the care of a shepherd. It is also deadly for the sheep to attack the shepherd. It is unseemly. Actually wolves attack, sheep are defenseless. You do not touch the LORD’s Anointed. Psalm 105.15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. His prophets. All of God’s people. We have an anointing. I John 2.20 * David Shepherded them with skilled hands and integrity of heart. Psalm 78.70-72 He had a heart like God. Full of Grace Full of Love He cared about justice. He led the nation in worship. He saw nature as God’s Handiwork. Throughout the Psalms he praised the LORD for it. He had a beginner’s heart, an awe of His Father’s World At the death of Saul, before he took the throne, he led the nation in mourning. Part of God’s heart breaks for human beings on this earth broken by sin. A man after God’s own heart is * humble * Loving * Kind * Willing to suffer, insulted, spoken evil of, forgiving * Worshipful * Seeking guidance from above * Crying out to God * The eyes of the LORD go to and from throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. II Chronicles 16.9 Be a man or woman after God’s own heart.