Scrooge

Being that it is approaching Christmas and I happen to be in the Holiday Spirit, are you? the Lord put it on my heart to blog about a Christmas Carol movie. Most of us are familiar with the great Christmas Classic by Charles Dickens a film about a man name Scrooge. Ebenezer Scrooge was a cold-hearted, tight fisted, selfish business man, who despised Christmas and all the things that it represented; we all know that this is a time of giving. Scrooge didn’t want any part of this; it wasn’t until after he was visited by the ghost of the past, present and future after seeing the negative outcome of his life he made the change for the better.

Thank GOD for his son JESUS Christ the Scrooges we know have an opportunity to get to know JESUS; the only way they can truly get acquainted with JESUS is through you and me “The Body of Christ” it’s been said that the nearest thing to a church some will venture too is the Christ that lives within you and me. We must live Christ Like before others at all times if we are to change the hearts of stiff neck people, you see when we call ourselves getting even with others it only keeps them in darkness that much more longer and stagnates our growth in Christ.

What a beautiful ending, Scrooge saw that if he did not change his outlook towards others he would die an old miserable man, but with a change of love for one another, charity, and patience he could experience being loved and accepted by others. We can create our own walls of greed, selfishness, pride, boastfulness and thinking I’m better than them only keeps us from being accepted into GODS Family.

I would like to quote a scripture my pastor shared with me it comes from the book of John 9:4 - I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.


“Don’t be impartial”

"Expiration Date"

When going to the store we unconsciously take for granted that a majority of the food we buy is within the expiration date, we may consciously pay close attention to our milk expiration date. We know that some of the items maybe some what beyond the manufactures expiration date, it will normally be on sale because usually it is not as affective or it is about to go beyond the expiration date.

GOD has an expiration date and it is when he knocks at our door/heart, by being obedient children we are to act upon his commandment right then or possibly miss out on our extra blessings by putting off his will until we are ready to act upon his command. The extra blessing can be found in the book of Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Look at the story in the Bible of the manna from Heaven, GOD supplied food from Heaven to the Hebrews when they were hungry, lost and wandering in the desert, the manna from Heaven was sufficient for that day, what did they do instead they put their own trust in storing the left over for tomorrow instead it spoiled, GOD is sufficient for today.

When GOD gives us an assignment, our labor begins right then and there and if we put if off until it is convenient for us to fit into our own schedule he may just take our assignment and bestow it to someone else that will act upon it right now, (his will must go forth) he is still blessing us but maybe not at the extent he would desire for you, I am so glad that we serve a GOD of a second chance because he will keep giving us chances only if we seek them. We all are being blessed daily, our blessing lies within the sun shining on us, the air we breathe and so on everything is his. The WORD states in the book of Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

By now you see that I have been blessed with using analogies of things we do in our everyday lives by relating them to our Christian Walk, I Thank GOD for this Gift. It was through my Pastors Spiritual Sensitivity that this Gift was birthed and I Thank Him for that and for leading/guiding me to a platform in which my Love for our Lord and Savior JESUS Christ can be expressed. Never judge a book/person by its cover.

"Act on it, before it expires."

"Whats the problem"

Never allow someone else’s negativity on life creep into your Christian beliefs which can have you behaving contrary to what you have been taught. The Bible states that - Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall: - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

We are not to take things so personnel, remember that one of the greatest forgiveness given is when they crucified our JESUS, the Bible states in the book of Luke 23:33-35 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. - Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. - And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

We have to forgive just like JESUS did, if we are to learn this much needed attribute so that we may begin to soar just like the eagle, when a storm arises the eagle does not seek shelter he rises above the storm. We cannot grow in GODS Grace and Mercy by holding grudges because our feelings were hurt, we must look beyond the action and see their need because they may not really understand the ramifications of their actions. The Bible states - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; - Matthew 5:44

Troubles don’t last always!!!

Chess

While my son was growing up I taught him the game of playing chess, now that he is a young man in his own right I find myself communicating with him and using the analogy of this game called chess even in my own christian walk to grow further in GODS Wisdom.

You begin the game with your pawns, rooks, bishops, knights, queen and your king; normally in the order just described is there significance of value. The object for winning is to checkmate the king, which is to corner him in such that he has nowhere to move thus having the opponents’ king in checkmate.

William consider/prayerfully all your decisions before acting on it. The enemy only comes to rob, kill and destroy such as taking your prize possession JESUS/The King of Kings. You must grow in Christ JESUS if you are to find safety from your opponent in this life (satan). We were all just beginners at one time, but to get much more better we have to learn all the steps so that we may be much more knowledgeable. Paul said it best in the book of Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

During the game of chess, if one doesn’t consider the ramifications of his or her move there will be consequences to be paid whether good or bad and we all should seek for the good in our lives. In this game to be victorious you will have to sacrifice pieces to obtain the end result, Victory. Here comes that parallel with our own Christian Life, we must sometimes make sacrifices if we desire to grow in GODS Holy Plan for our lives that requires careful decisions that we make. Be obedient and he will direct thy path to go and then and only then will your end result be Victorious.

I just heard a sermon from our pastor from the book of Mathew 28:16-20, Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. - And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: - Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

After hearing the sermon comining from GODS Holy Throne I now realize that after all those years of playing chess with my son we were missing one piece, the DISCIPLE. Go and tell someone else how you made it over!!!

Buildings

There has been a long time standing building here in my city which at one time was a fancy store with an escalator in it called SEARS & ROEBUCK it later became a car dealership; it was located in our downtown area. As a young boy I would visit this store to buy candy and to ride the escalator. This building is now being torn down; I have many fond memories of my childhood experiences being spent in this building.

Seeing the building nearly now all the way torn down, it gives me a new view of things that have always been there before but never seen in this new perspective. I pondered this thought and wondered how many obstructions do we yet have standing in our own lives that should be torn down so we can grow, so that we can start seeing things in a new perspective.

The buildings we house can only be torn down in oneway, and that is by the covering with the Blood of JESUS Christ, it is then and only then can we begin to see things in a new perspective. Seeing the SEARS Building come down is somewhat sad but necessary for growth in our community if change is to take place. There is so much parallel in our own lives, just think about it. Do you feel what I’m trying to say here?

NATURE

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Creation what an awesome undertaking of GOD(S) Holy Divine Power which he allows us to enjoy freely each and every day. Psalm 118: 23-24 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. - This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Many days if the weather is permissible I will take a walk in the afternoon on my lunch break and oh what evidence of GOD(S) creation he allows me to see. I get an half hour for this walk, I normally take my headset and a small pocket knife so I can cut flowers along the way for my desk at work, others are moved and respond positively when they see the flowers. As I make this walk through out the season the flowers change from a spring appearance to a fall look, only a True Living GOD could do something like that, he is ever changing just like the season. I also spend about twenty minutes of this walk along side a river in our town called Saint Joseph, I talk with the Lord most of the day, but when I am on my walk it is sharpened because it is just me and Him. That same sun that shines on me and you is the same sun that shined on the pharaohs of Egypt and not only that but our Lord and Savior JESUS Christ, oh what Good News this is.

Our pastor teaches us that we as humans are left without excuse that there must be a GOD. I was compelled to tell you the goodness of this earth he has made for me and you. The Bible says in the book of Mathew 19:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: - But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: - For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Because one Day GOD said - "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17 and this will only be for those who - But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13 When the world use the cliché “stop and smell the roses” the above mentioned is what they really mean.

My Grandmother loved nature.

In Memory
CHARLES RAY (MOTHA) COLLINS