He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:6-8)

When I was in College I had to support my Family while working a full-time job that did not meet our needs. So, I took a second job as a janitor to help supplement our needs. Being a janitor has no prestige. But, I knew it was an honorable job for God and our Family. I often felt like a person who was looked down upon. But, I did what I could and tried to be cheerful. When I read in Philippians how much Paul suffered then I regret ever complaining or feeling less than anyone. There is no mention on Jesus being a janitor while He was on Earth, but He did come to teach us to serve with Humility. Now, I am willing to do any task if it serves The Master and try not to complain. Recently, I was asked to cook some few meals for our needy member’s in our congregation. At first I balked, but then I understood, that even a disabled old man like me can cook! So, I volunteered. Is not that what our LORD is doing? And Has done for us beyond measure? He left His Heavenly Home to come down to Earth and try to save us from ourselves! That is worth remembering when you get an opportunity to be of service.

Why is Church Attendance Down 30%?

According to recent statistics, Church attendance is down about 30% overall. Why is this? There are several reasons. But, I would like to tell about TWO reasons that account for this. In my observations, and my opinion, (And I believe it's from the LORD). The primary reason for low attendance in our Church Congregations falls into Two categories distinctly adverse to Biblical instructions. First, many of todays Church congregations are NOT following the Way of Christ Jesus. Many congregations are too much concerned with " The Business Of The Church", I.E., how to make enough money to fund their own operations. (E.G., missions, keeping of a building payments, paying the ministers and staff, just so they can have an income, a nice home, car, etc.). This approach is NOT what Jesus taught us. However, it IS true, that we as believer's should support our ministry. But, ONLY to help them maintain a lifestyle in accordance with their Basic Needs, in order to carry out the "Great Commission" of Christ, which is to "Carry the Gospel of "The Good News" to the World". If, Pastors, Elders, Ministers, or other workers must work OTHER jobs to support themselves or their Families to have a nice home or other material possessions, then they should Work Other Jobs to support Themselves! And NOT, expect the member's of their congregation to support them financially by their Tithes or Offerings alone. (Jesus, and His Apostles and Disciples wrote and acted exactly in this manner as written in the Gospels and Epistle's of the New Testament). Secondly, we as believer's should NOT just go to any congregation just to be observer's or even listener's only. We should Really go to, First, Worship Our God, and then, try to find a way to help FIRST, the Widow's, Orphans, and the needy Brother's and Sister's who are among us and trying to do God's Will. Then, Next, we should try to support our Leader's (Again, only their Basic needs). And finally, reach out to the unbelieving and try to tell them about the NEW WAY of Jesus Christ. If we can support them financially so that they will become one day self supporting, then we should give accordingly as we individually are able (Without denying our or our own Families obligations). We MUST First support our Believing Brother's and Sister's who REALLY DO NEED our help, whether, Financially, Emotionally or Spiritually in support. That means that we should give money to our Ministry leader's as long as they and the Lord tell us and only as much as they NEED to do their Job. Furthermore, we should also give some money (Or our time) to ANY ministry organization that is helping to further the Kingdom of God through Loving and helpful service to the NEEDY. In this way, we truly Honor God by becoming partner's with enlarging the True Church of Christ. We will then NOT be guilty of "Pretentiousness" or worried about larger "Attendance" at our local congregations. Many of the so called, "Pastor's or Minister's" of the Church today are in fact, "False Apostle's, and even Anti-Christ's against the Church of God. (Read 1 John through 3 John). These false teachers, will try to make their own lives easier and more comfortable, (Whether they know it or not). Do not let them fool you! Even Satan can appear as an angel of light (If God permits) and He does to test our willingness to have "Discernment" and "Wisdom" (From Him) to identify these False teacher's in these Last Days. Many Pastor's and Minister's just try to have a life much like the "Pharisee's" and "Scribes" and "Religious Leader's" that were around back when Jesus was on Earth. And He condemned them Vigorously! (They Refused to Acknowledge or Believe that HE was the Messiah, Even when they KNEW that HE WAS!, Thus, they committed the "Unforgivable Sin"). If you are a leader in God's and Christ's Church, then I beg you to ask yourselves if you are one of the above. If you are, then REPENT! NOW! And you shall be forgiven all. Jesus said so. Begin to Focus on Him and His Ways. We do NOT need bigger congregations. What we need is Bigger Outreach and LOVE for the hurting and in our own care! It would be better to meet (As in the early Church did) in Homes or other places if growth can be expected in these times in the Church of Christ. That, in my opinion, is sacrifice, hospitality and True Love! But, anyway, Jesus said, that nothing shall prevent His True Church from growing! So, I yield to His True Command. I am NOT here writing to either Judge or Condemn or Criticize How any congregation decides to operate their brand of Christian Church congregation. I am merely trying to Convict those who Misunderstand what is MOST important to Jesus and Hid Church growth. If anything that I have written here helps you re-evaluate your own personal convictions in Christ, then, I have done my duty as an Ambassador of Christ. Let it be helpful, correcting and done in the LOVE of GOD and Christ! Amen. Dale Smith, LCPC, NCCA

Soldier's and Vets Do You Want Help?

I have spent most of my life suffering from the effects of Military service. After 20 years of service to my Country America I am one of the 20% of Soldier's who suffer from the Horrible effects and memories of several Wars, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. In my recovery process, it has been a real challenge and struggle to live as a Christian and a member of Society. A Society that really knows so little about the ongoing struggles and challenges of wounded Warriors and how to keep fighting or "Re-Integrate" into a strange Society after we have been changed by War. Even when I was on Active Duty it seemed hard to find anyone who really understood the inner turmoil I have been struggling with, except for a few of my military comrades. So, I am here NOW to tell you Soldier's and Veteran's that there is HOPE and a way to live on for a reasonable and emotional good way of life, either while still on Active Duty or as a Veteran with Purpose and Meaning for your lives. And, not "OFF" yourselves because of the inner or outer despair or hopeless feelings you may have. That's WHY I write and that's WHY I invite you to join us. You CAN, if you choose, to learn to live a Good life in spite of your mental or physical disabilities if you decide to join with us. Please, Please, do yourselves a great favor, both for yourself and those whom you care for to give the Gift of your own suffering to other's. We understand. We CARE! Because we have experienced what you have gone through in Combat and Military service duty of every kind. So, contact us and let's keep our special "Band Of Brother's" helping each other as a successful team!

To Hurting Soldiers-Help is Here!

I have had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of military soldier's and their families hear of and be delivered by Christ from their war on the demons in their mind. I am indeed fortunate to be an example to them of what does NOT work! Because, of this I have been used by GOD to relate well to them in their sufferings. Sometimes, (Actually very often) they find Jesus Christ and then they get the healing, way to live out their remaining life rightly and the comfort knowing that it's OK to be imperfect and broken and have severe troubles. Living the Christian life is NOT about having ALL one wants or from being free from suffering. (There is a right kind of suffering and a wrong kind of suffering). However, as a believer in Jesus, people learn HOW to accept themselves as faulty and turn to do the right thing for the right reasons, slowly, and surely. And, the right things and reasons are stated clearly by GOD when a person wants to know and asks Him. They enter the mind of the one asking God. By intuition, hunch or inspiration usually, or by a messenger from GOD in some way, i.e., dreams, visions or an intuitive hunch or by someone who is already closer to GOD, or through His word, and His written word in the Bible, or through nature or circumstances. (And many other ways. GOD has given each of us a conscience of what is right and what is wrong.. As individuals, we must ask Him for our own guidance about what He wants. Why?, so that we may enjoy His blessings. But, more importantly, enjoy a personal relationship with Him of total acceptance and forgiveness of our sins. Even when we continue to sin we will soon discover that we hate it and start to give it up. Then we can know that we are moving ever slowly toward His plan for us. Actually, we need no other teacher but Him. But, it helps if we can find someone who has gone before us in the same troubles. That person knows, if they have learned from GOD, how to get out of the misery we are experiencing. I myself have been a soldier in the U.S. Army. And, I am still a soldier in the Army of the living GOD and His Heavenly Armies. Make no mistake! There IS a war still raging in your life and mine in the unseen world! There are evil forces trying to distract and ambush you at any moment! The ONLY way to defeat them is through BELIEF in JESUS CHRIST! He will defeat your enemies and needs no other persons to do it. I have been a soldier of many wars. I know how much suffering can come AFTER a war. It is my job to help you find the way out of your misery. I do not want you to suffer more from seeing your Family, friends, or others suffer from your sick and twisted thinking and behavior. Please let me help! I DO have answers to many of your problems. I do not have ALL answers, but I do have enough answers to help you get going in a way that makes your life seem important and useful. I will not charge you any money. I only accept that which you offer to help me do my work. GOD has abundantly supplied all my needs! Hey!, What have you got to lose? You are already in pain! Just contact me and I will be the one who you can TRUST, because I have also been in wars and KNOW what you suffer now. I am ready and able to lead you, as a guide, out of the ambush! I am a POINT MAN! I see what is before you because I've been there myself.

Suffering/Sin/Death/Life

Regardless if you are suffering or sining in any way, God can and will help and use you. We all have some sin (1 John 1:3-9) and we all will suffer (Philippians 1:24). This is the human condition. And, especially in the Christian earthly life. But, in spite of it (Or, because of it) you are being used by God (Even if you don't know it yet). And, yes you are forgiven and loved by God unconditionally because of what Jesus Christ has done and is still doing. One way of looking at it, is that suffering is a process of growing away from our sinfullness. Sin is breaking God's Law. So, everyone is guilty of that physically. But Spiritually, we are growing tired of doing that and therefore, we become more willing to be free of sinful actions. In our new Spiritual state as God's children sin is no longer controlling us (Even if it is still in our fleshly bodies and in our world.) The Law of God shows us mortals just how evil we really are. But, the Holy Spirit in us shows us how we are becomming more and more Spiritually perfect like Jesus Christ. Our physical suffering and sinfulness is just a means to an end and it won't last forever. We will be free from suffering and sinfulness someday when Christ returns or even if it occurs at our physical death. And, physical death is just a door we pass through to our Spiritual Eternal home. God, through Jesus Christ will determine what and when and where that will be, either Heaven and the New Kingdom of God on Earth or not. The quicker we accept what God has revealed by inspiration from the Holy Bible, the easier and quicker and more happy, joyous and free we will experience now in this life (And Eternally). If you doubt me (And I am not important, only Jesus is) then try to honestly and sincerely pray, read, study and learn to follow God's Word. If you are an unbeliever then what have you got to lose? If you are a Believer then you already know. Either way, at first, you probibly won't understand much to begin with, but God will reveal only what you need to know, when you need to know it.

Hope and Dispair/Depression and Faith

I suffer from great episodes of depression. I often dispair, lose hope and my faith is almost gone. When it comes upon me I start praying fwevwntly. I keep reading my Bible and other religious and spiritual literature even if I do not understand it. As John Newton author of the song "Amazing Grace" said in his last years as Dementia erased his memories, "I remember two things,"I am a great sinner and Jesus is a great Savior." Well said John, so am I. I often can hardly get out of bed very long. I don't work, I eat poorly and seldom exercise. I am tortured often with grief over losses. I have terrible nightmares often, PTSD symptoms of war and violence from my earlier military career. Sometimes I wish I had never been born (Like some of the old testament Prophets). But, I fear God's wrath when such suicidal evil thoughts enter my sick mind. I decided long ago that since I did not create myself and God brought me into this world, that He has the only right to take me out of it and into Heaven. So, no matter how miserable I am, my hope is in God. The other day while on my sickbed suffering and praying, I thought I heard a soft voice inside me saying,"Get up, Eat and Write." So, I did and this here now is what I am writing. I hope and pray these are God's Words and Not from MY crazy mind! I really do not feel like writing. I'm not even thinking well now. The keys on my computer are just moving in my hand. I'm done for now. No more words. I just want to finish this posting with one promise of God's. from His Word, it is in Romans Chapter 8: Verses 15-39. I believe it true and hope you do too.

The Good And Bad News

Recently I wrote a letter to my God and it came out like this.

If you have ever suffered from depression, anxiety, fear or despair, I've got some good news (And maybe some bad news) for you. What shall we tell you first?

OK, we'll start with the bad news first. The bad news you already know about! It's mostly in the thoughts. To quote Mark Twain, "I have suffered many calamities in life, most of them never happened."

That idea was also spoken by Jesus, "In this world you will have many troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world!" So much for the bad news and therein also lies the Good News!

If you study the Bible prayerfully and honestly, you will find Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) is removing all the bad news (Perhaps you are unaware) and replacing it with His "Good News." Which is His Love for us.

Perhaps the best thing further I may say, that God already said, is summed up in one verse in the Bible, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, But Have everlasting Life" (John 3:16). The Bible in a nutshell.

It is the BEST NEWS we have ever heard, if we believe it. Anyway, it's a great place to start and return to for having the right kind of life and relations with Him. In fact, it is the ONLY way to have Peace with Him.

Just accept it a true and let God do the rest. More will be revealed in His time and ways. Do your best to remember it (And ask Him to please help you to, with thanks to Him).

Blessings in Christ Jesus!