May 28, 2006

Bro. John:

I just wanted to send you the words that the Spirit woke me with at 4:00 a.m. on Friday. The more you say them, the better they feel! These words really explain what constitutes "living"! Those gathered at the foot of the cross that day, did not know that what they were seeing was not a dying man, but a "living" one! Praise God!

From the Spirit:

"Even in dying, Jesus was living, because he was doing the will of the Father".

Sandy

May 26, 2006

RE: TFM "Going to Mount Sinai"

Hello and a very very good morning to you!

I was just reading this and it is so good to my soul. Everything has been good to my soul lately! 8-) When I read your statement below,

"In AD 70, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, it was all over because the Law could no longer be kept. There was no temple to provide a place for carrying out the rites of Moses’ Law. Peter’s gospel for the Jews was dead. Only Paul’s remained."

It just made me think of the love of God toward His people. He knew they would need some help with the transition, so He helped them, and gave them Paul to explain and teach them. He warned them, but when the time came, He destroyed the "old" things He had given them to help them move on. I couldn't help but hear in the background the people saying, "we will build them again". Some of them didn't get the point, and what they wanted to rebuild wasn't of God.

People today are still trying to rebuild (like the tower of Babel), and God is finished with that. He has sent His Spirit, through His Son, straight from Heaven, from His bosom, to abide in us and wrote that law in our hearts. There is nothing that can be added to that! There is nothing to rebuild. God is the master builder! And He already had the plans drawn out. Oh, what will it take for God's people to truly believe Him?

But, then I read the following:

"The eventual result of Paul’s going to Mount Sinai was that the eternal gospel was revealed, the holy gospel that was to replace the gospel with which the disciples of Jesus began."

And, I say Amen! Thank you Paul! Thank you Jesus! Thank you God! Thank you Pastor John! Preacher Clark! Thank you brothers and sisters in Christ! And anyone else who has upheld the faith and truth of God and come out of Christianity! Anyone who has heard and believed and obeyed the voice of God and come out of Xty to obey the truth of God, has gotten the point. What an honor! It is no small thing to hear the voice of God and obey it! We are blessed, and I hope that God's people everywhere can come out and experience the liberty in Christ we are learning about, the "rest" that God wants for us all! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Sister Amy

May 26, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

While traveling today I was listening to the CD from Wednesday, 5/10/06. You were preaching Galatians, chapter 1. At one point, you were talking about Paul not going to see the other Apostles to find out the truth about God after Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. Rather, he went into Arabia to seek God on his own, not able to trust any man, not even the Apostles of Christ. That made me want to praise God! For if Paul had gone to the Apostles they would have taught him the gospel of the circumcision, and it was the true gospel, the only gospel which existed at that time. They (the apostles) had no idea that there was another gospel of Christ just over the horizon. And at that time, they wouldn't have believed it if someone had told them. But God (there's them words again) set Paul up so He could deliver to him the gospel that would last throughout the ages. For in 70 years or so it would be impossible to keep the gospel of the circumcision. Paul's gospel of the uncircumcision is the gospel that God had in mind for the world all along. Peter's gospel for the Jews was necessary for them so that their conscience wouldn't be defiled. But, John the Baptist said that he must decrease and that Jesus must increase, and that's the way it was with the two gospels as well. In Christ, there is no Jew or Gentile but we are all one in Christ. Anyway, just seeing how God worked all that out and understanding it really blessed me so I thought that I would share it. You've probably covered this beforehand but any truth is worth repeating.

Billy H.

Hi Billy:

Yes, Paul would have never become the man he became in Christ if he had gone to Peter and James and John for instruction. That is why God chose Paul; He knew that in Paul, he had found a man who would die rather than trust any man in the flesh again. The result was an apostle who brought back from the third heaven a gospel that will never change, unlike the gospel that Peter and the other apostles of that time were preaching. What an amazing story!

Pastor John

May 24, 2006

RE: TFM 5-07 Going To Mount Sinai

Pastor John,

I had the thought when I read this that Paul now knew that he could hear from God. Before Jesus had stopped him on the road to Damascus, he had probably never experienced God's power before and had probably always had to go by what someone else told him. Isn't that the way it still is? We begin hearing from God, and then it comes down to finding out from God for ourselves what is right. We have to have it from God, because His opinion is the only one that counts, and He does something first to give us hope that we can access Him. And how blessed we are that we're not alone, that we have each other! We are so blessed to have people in our lives who hear and recognize that same voice! That's fellowship.

What a great thought! For Paul to learn that he could hear from God himself must have been an extraordinary revelation for him, besides what Jesus actually told him!

But what we have is even better than just fellowship. We're also very blessed to have government, where we can rest, and not get confused! We're blessed to be in a body that God has created, for us, where the truth is unmixed with man's own opinions!! Isn't that amazing? That keeps the false teachers out! And, if we learn that something isn't right, we just change!! I am so thankful for what we have! And the way for us all to keep it, is to always stay humble and stay clean. Once we recognize who God has put over us (the government of God), we can rest more and then not have to always "find out for ourselves". God will require us to have faith in the ones He has placed over us. And when we do that, we come out with peace, just as if we had gone to Mt. Sinai ourselves and gotten it from God ourselves. We are blessed! :)

Love,

Cris

God has created a right balance of guiding each of us individually by His Spirit, and also pastors and elders to guide the saints along the way. Either way, it is God who is leading, and the saints are blessed to have that.

Yes, what God has created among the saints who meet at my house is very special. We want to show Jesus that we value this blessing, and we do that by being faithful to him and by doing good to one another. Recently, we have had a few who unwisely thought that God would allow them to "get by" with leading double lives, one life they let us see and another life that they kept hidden. I am thankful that God gave them the chance to repent and exposed their unfaithfulness to him and to the saints. God is good. He is watching over us and judging us! What better could we hope for in this wicked world?

Your servant for Christ,

Pastor John

May 24, 2006

RE: TFM Going to Mount Sinai

I didn’t know the temple was destroyed in AD 70… that answers a question I have been wondering about. I wondered how a Jew after the time of Acts, even with the holy Ghost, would know when it was time to stop serving God according to the Law? In AD 70, God went ahead and made it physically impossible for Jews to keep the Law any longer. What mercy for those who had seen their fathers worship that way and could not bring themselves to stop doing so!

te

It was the judgment of God that fell upon Jerusalem in AD 70. But for the godly Jews whose only choice then was to worship God according to Paul's gospel (without the ceremonies of the Law), it must have been difficult to maintain a sense of community with other Jews who had rejected the Messiah. In time, Jews who had God's Spirit and worshiped the Savior would have been excluded from the community of Jews altogether and assimilated with the Gentiles.

Jesus told his disciples one afternoon, as they marveled at the gigantic, beautiful stones of the temple in Jerusalem, that the day was coming when "not one stone will be left upon another". The disciples could hardly have been able to imagine such a thing. I have read that some of those stones, discovered a few decades ago underneath present-day Jerusalem, are so huge that modern moving equipment would be hard-pressed to budge them. I have a picture of one of those huge rocks, and it was impressive. But when God's wrath is provoked, none of the "mighty" works of man are safe. And when He sent his Roman servants to destroy the city that had "killed the prince of life", God was emphatically putting an end to the Jews' stubborn worship of Him in the flesh rather than to worship as He demanded: "spiritually and truly" (Jn. 4:24).

jdc

May 24, 2006

Hey Daddy ~

Came across this a little while ago while I was looking up something... I can't believe it! Well... then again, I can.

~ Bekah

***************************************************
Southern Baptists adopt new policy
Huntsville, AL—The Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board (IMB) adopted a new policy that forbids missionary candidates from speaking in tongues. The policy, adopted November 15, 2005 during the board's trustee meeting in Huntsville, Alabama, reflects ongoing Southern Baptist opposition to charismatic or Pentecostal practices. It is also designed to guide staff in the office of mission personnel as they consider new candidates. The denomination's North American mission board has a policy that prevents the endorsement of chaplains who participate in speaking in tongues or "any other charismatic manifestations." The IMB trustees voted that any exception to the policies must be reviewed by its staff as well as the board's process review committee. ( Beliefnet)
*************************************************************

Hi Bekah:

There is really nothing new about this policy. It has been unofficially the Baptist policy for years to reject that blessing from the Lord. After all, as a Baptist minister, my own father was thrown out of the Baptist sect in 1925 or 1926 because while he was praying late one night, Jesus baptized him with the holy Ghost and fire, and he began to speak in tongues.

This "news flash" is nothing new, really.

Daddy

May 24, 2006

Hi brother John,

This past Sunday we continued reading in Acts, chapters 6-10. The Galatians translation and comments from others have really helped with our reading of Acts. The story of Paul’s conversion and the things he went through have more meaning when coupled with books like Galatians.

I enjoy listening to the questions the younger ones have that meet here. I am so thankful that you have taught us well. I am even more thankful that Jesus gave me a desire to listen and learn so that I can pass it on to my children and others that may have not had the opportunity I have had over the years.

Before our meetings on Sunday morning, I usually take time to pray, asking God to help us stay focused on Him and enjoy each other. This past Sunday while praying before our gathering this thought came to me. There can be an anointing on group of saints that come together in one mind and heart with a desire to have fellowship and learn things of God. It is not to be taken lightly or taken for granted. It is the goodness of God to us.

I have been hearing good things from the others that have been meeting during the week. God is good.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Tom

Hi Brother Tom.

You wrote, "There can be an anointing on group of saints that come together in one mind and heart with a desire to have fellowship and learn things of God." Tom, this is what Psalm 133 points us to. There is an anointing that is present when a group of God's children gather in genuine fellowship that is very much like the holy anointing upon the high priest of Israel. As you suggested, it is not a small thing. Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in my name", he is there in the midst. And because of his presence and his favor, any decisions that your little group of saints makes concerning how one should live in this society, when you come together in his name, is sanctioned by Jesus. Such decisions carry weight in heaven as well as on earth, and they are binding on the individuals who meet together with you -- not that such decisions bind us. On the contrary, they liberate and protect us. People who feel differently about that are self-willed trouble-makers who would not be satisfied with Jesus if he was here, which in fact, he is. He said so.

Please listen to the Galatians CD on chapters 2 and 3 from the meeting here Saturday night. I think you will receive some liberating instruction from it. God bless you all until we meet again, hopefully very soon.

John

May 22, 2006

I think that understanding that "God + 0 = Salvation" is huge. We just don't need to add anything to the works of God. Playing around with anything related to Christianity is very dangerous. This world makes it very tough to stay close to God, and we should attempt to stay as far from this world as possible. The Holy Ghost certainly makes it possible. Thank you God for your Mercy!

Brother Donald

Hi Brother Donald!

Let me emphasize this: "staying away from the world", as you said, must be done inwardly, as you already know. Many men and women in history, and even now, have thought that to stay away from the world physically (monks, nuns, hermits, etc.) would help make them holy. And withdrawing into a cave or monastery, etc., can make a great impression on the flesh. But that mindset is carnal and worthless to the kingdom of God. Thank God for saving us from that error! We do people no good unless we live where they live. That is the very reason Jesus came to live among us! Thank God Jesus wasn't a monk or a hermit!

Pastor John

May 22, 2006

Pastor John

I’m at work but I had to reply to this TFM.

WOW!!!!!!!

This statement is breathtaking! "The eventual result of Paul’s going to Mount Sinai was that the eternal gospel was revealed, the holy gospel that was to replace the gospel with which the disciples of Jesus began."

I just love these non-christian truths. I mean, saying things like this is going to make you a hopeless heretic in the eyes of so many. Some will look for stones to pick up if they haven’t already. This statement along with the whole message of Galatians (and I haven’t heard what else you may have gleaned from the letter recently) destroys so many sacred cows. The truth puts the word of God so far above the bible and all cherished traditions. We can only stand in awe and say, "Yes, God."

“Replace the gospel with which the disciples of Jesus began” ….. I mean , whoooaaa, who did Paul think he was? Answer - nothing; he just heard from God, and because he was nothing in his own eyes, he did nothing but report what God said as earnestly as he could.

As I said once before – did anyone ever tell you, you’re not much of a christian?

Well, somehow, back to work.

Damien

Hi Damien:

I never was much of a Christian, even when I thought I was supposed to be. And I don't believe that anybody else is either, if that person really wants what is right.

One wonderful thing about Paul's gospel replacing Peter's for the Jews is that it was done altogether in love. There was no strife on Paul's part, no ill-will, just submission to the will of God. Jesus did it all while Paul just obeyed.

And Jesus is doing it all for us. We are non-Christians only because of God's great mercy through Christ! Let us live in such a way that others are at least made to consider the possibility that it is God's mercy that brought us to this place. Shame on us, if we, by doing evil, bring a reproach on the precious gift of being made non-Christian servants of Jesus. If we are sinful as non-Christians, we lay a great stumbling block before God's children who are watching us and wondering. It is difficult enough for them to believe what God has done for us when we walk perfectly with Christ "outside the gate" of Christianity; but if we live sinfully before them, we are working with Satan against them, turning them away from the call of God for them to come out, too.

Pastor John

May 22, 2006

Re: TFM 5-06 "Accursed"

Hi, blessings. Pastor John, What the people do not understand in Christianity is that there were two different gospels, one for Jews and other for Gentiles. Now I understand but before I [used] to think that the gospel I have [taught] was the right one.

By the way the music and the book of thoughts that you all sent with Bro. Rob was of a big blessing and still are. He also was of a lot of blessings to me and my wife.

Thank you all for everything we are grateful, God is so good.

With love Manuel and Christina

Las Vegas.

Dear Brother Manuel:

It is good to hear from you. Brother Rob told me that you and your wife helped make his business trip to Las Vegas a pleasure. He enjoyed visiting with you both. Thank you for that kindness.

Yes, it is extremely important that God's people understand that in the earliest part of the New Testament age, there were two gospels ordained by God, one for the Jews and the other for us Gentiles. We also need very much to understand the difference between those two gospels! That is critical to a true knowledge of God. I will be sending out some material on that issue soon.

Thanks for writing, Manuel. Stay in touch.

God bless you both,

Pastor John

May 21, 2006

John,

I want to try to tell you what I was feeling tonight as you were teaching us about Galatians. I began to understand more about my testimony about having children by listening to what Paul was telling the Galatians about law and the law.

In 1989 when I first wanted to have a baby, we started asking Jesus for help. Several years later, he gave Tim the name Jeremiah, and that was when our real journey began. Time after time, when discouragement came, I'd cry out to Jesus for relief. The relief always came in some form: "read these scriptures", or "come see a friend's baby be born", words from a bank customer ("I was praying, and he Lord told me you wouldn't be at the bank much longer, but you'd be at home with your own children"), and on and on.

Then I really began having the desire to recognize the voice of the Spirit. I used to go into our extra bedroom and read and pray to hear from God. More experiences came. And then came the trip to Oklahoma, when I heard the Spirit tell me to lay my hand on my abdomen. That's the time I felt power go into my abdomen, and I knew God had done whatever was needed to give me the desire of my heart! On the way home from Oklahoma, I heard the Spirit tell me to set up the nursery because the baby was on the way. WOW! I was hearing and recognizing God's voice!

Then the baby, Jeremiah, came and I was so happy and thankful because I knew God had heard and answered my prayer. But Jesus wasn't finished speaking!! This is when Tim met you and Bob and Ellen.

We began having glimpses that something wasn't quite right in Xty. We were having right thoughts from God and were beginning to recognize they were HIS thoughts. We had heard His voice before...this was the SAME voice as the one which said to Tim, "Ask me for a name"! Now the holy Ghost was taking us down a different path of recognizing Jesus. Questions about doctrines began to stir in our hearts . . . when is a person born again? . . . the trinity . . . knowing that God, not the devil, is the One who controls all our life, including when I went through another miscarriage when Jeremiah was about 9 months old.

Even having the thought to read Proverbs to a 9-month-old baby everyday at naptime was from Jesus...chapter 8 talks about the harlot, and I started to see that it referred to Xty. Once we were out, we began to see God was just using the desire I had for children to teach us to recognize His voice so that when He started giving us questions about doctrines and Xty, we'd know those questions, answers, and experiences were from Him! Praise God!

Saturday night, reading through parts of the new Galatians translation, I realized there was so much more to leaving Xty than what I first understood. When Paul was telling the Galatians that to go back and add to the doctrine he had received from God for them the physical forms of worship, such as water, animals, blood, was to worship the devil, made it really sink into my heart about why God wanted us to escape Xty. He did not want these two of His children to be cursed because of the way they had been taught to worship Him. And seeing that Jesus became that curse for us . . . what Jesus did here on earth by fulfilling the law for us. It's counted to our record, if we are in Christ, that we have been circumcised with him, buried with him, raised with him, and are seated with him at the Father's right hand. We are no longer under law, but the law has been fulfilled for us, and now we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

I don't exactly know how to put into words the thoughts I was having about Jesus redeeming us from the curse of the law and Jesus becoming a curse for us. What you said last night was so good to my soul. Whatever you said last night made the connection in my heart but I don't know how to express it! :)

The Old Testament teachings were flooding my heart about how God was very serious about the way people worshiped Him . . . how that many who worshiped in their own way were struck dead by Him. And God is very serious about it today as well. He will lead anyone out of Xty who has an ear to hear His voice! That is so exciting to me. I am so very grateful Jesus didn't get tired of helping us. He knew one night, years down the road, I'd be at Pastor John's house listening to Paul's words to the Galatians about law, and I'd be very thankful for all He's done for me.

Thank you, John, for helping me to live by teaching me the truth.

Love,

Bess

P.S. When Darren sang his new (old) song about creation, I had thoughts of when I was a child on the farm really studying the dew on the grass, looking at the fish in the shallow end of the pond, picking and smelling wild flowers, watching the wind blow through the trees, seeing the leaves dance, hearing the rooster crow, touching tiny grains of sand and having questions like where did this come from, how was this made, why is it like this. Oh, I thank God he used His creation to cause me to seek after Him! :)

May 11, 2006

Pastor John,

Just when I thought a meeting could not get any better, last night happened. The testimonies are just so encouraging and the preaching was definitely not from this world!

It would be difficult to say that it was the best meeting in my four years, BUT GOD

Brother Donald

Hi Brother Donald:

Yes, Paul's message to the Galatians is extraordinary. And I was so blessed by Sister Donna's testimony that I could hardly take it in. I wanted to praise God even more loudly, but I held back because I wanted to hear what she was saying! It was wonderful.

Pastor John

May 11, 2006

Hey there!

Oh Yes to Brother Donald's comment! The meeting last night was extraordinary! I believe that is the best I have ever heard Sister Donna tell her testimony...or.... it just gets better all the time. I am so thankful for the people God has placed around me and has placed me around. They are the best in the world! 8-)

Lately, the messages that have been coming are like little deposits in my bank. Like they are going down and embedding themselves in my heart. The lessons, people, and messages we have been getting lately are so valuable. God is serious with the things He is doing and He is serious about us. I feel so blessed and so thankful. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Go God!

Sister Amy

May 11, 2006

:) I could not wait till another meeting to tell how thankful I feel today. I am so thankful for the message I heard last night. The time I have spent in the translating sessions has really been wonderful. Then when you put it all together in the meeting last night - whew! It was wonderful.

I am so thankful for my testimony! The longer I live, the more precious and alive it becomes. I love what God did for me!! It makes me love everybody else's testimonies more and more! I love what God has done for all of us! God is good.

:) Donna N.

May 5, 2006

John,

I was thinking today and thought since the meeting Wednesday night, just thinking about how wonderful Jesus is! The meeting was wonderful!! The feelings I had were so strong and overtaking. I have never felt the power of God so strong. I tried to sit down once and just couldn’t. The flesh tried to question what I was feeling but I could do nothing but yield to the Spirit. It was overwhelming and wonderful!

I have been praying for the strong feelings to come back that I had when I first got the holy Ghost. It seems that when you go through things sometimes those feelings aren’t as strong. The Lord was preaching to me on the way home that there is a balance in the holy Ghost. You stay focused on God and you stay balanced no matter what you are going through. He never leaves you hanging. You go through things focusing on what God wants out of you and you can’t blame anything or anyone for it. You can’t even take the credit! It’s all God! He sure does love us. You can’t say, “well, so and so…………….but so and so……………..if so and so……………….” He puts people or things in our path to help us. They are tests and I want to pass. I don’t want to focus on the negative, just the positive. Get the good out of what is going on instead of focusing on the bad. It’s just God loving us and showing us who He wants us to be!!

We may not understand at the time what we are going through like you have said, not understanding what is being said in a meeting, but the holy Ghost understands and when it gets happy that makes you want to yield and get happy too!! Just go through things and focus on God, and it is all worth it in the end. I can’t even type this out as well as I can feel it. You have to be willing to stand back and look in that mirror and see what He sees. You know, as I was getting so blessed Wednesday night I had feelings to come over me that I can’t explain! I love those unexpected blessings! I’m telling you, I couldn’t have sat down if I tried! It was so good! I am so thankful!!! I love my holy Ghost!! I love my life! I love my family!! I just love GOD!!! And I love you! This is every day life and it feels so good! Focus on today and what God has for us today and be happy. I just love what He told me, “I put you through things to get you past things”. I believe it and I love it. It’s all about obeying and yielding to the Spirit!! I want to be balanced for God! We serve a real God!!! He speaks!! How amazing! I can’t imagine life without JESUS!!!! I can’t seem to stop typing but if I left out anything I’ll email you again.

Love,

Tracey

P.S. It’s all about being humble and willing to listen too. You have to be willing to be teachable. You have to have a good attitude. You have to be willing to be all these things if you want God to teach you and that is through other people too.

Hi Tracey:

Sounds as if you are not finished testifying yet and that there is much more to come. Thank the Lord for pouring out His blessings on us as He did Wednesday night.

Pastor John

May 4, 2006

This is your translation Galatians 2:20:

"I live, yet it is no longer I, but Christ is living in me; and the life I am now living in the flesh, I am living by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and offered himself for me."

This touched me and just seemed to say so much. I haven't compared it to the KVJ to see if it's much different or not, but I just really liked this scripture. We can't (and don't) take credit for anything, and we only have this goodness b/c Jesus loved us and did something for us first. Then, by faith, we just let him live through us.

It just seems to sum up what a well established life in the Lord is.

Cris

May 4, 2006

Hey John,

I’m at Tracey’s and we are still feasting on last night's prayer meeting. Everything you were saying, I was thinking, “He is talking to me”. Tracey also said, "Everything he was saying, I was thinking, 'He is talking to me'." I know others probably thought the same thing. The feeling in that meeting was wonderful, and I hope that sometime, Tracey will tell how blessed she felt. Meetings like that don’t leave room for, “I wonder if he was talking about…..? I wonder if he meant……? I wonder if ……?

John, I will tell you this, meetings like that leaves no room for condemnation to settle in. You just see another mirror!!!!!!!!!! Praise God, it was wonderful. It really is all about God and how much he loves. Thank you John, I loved it!!!!

Lou

May 3, 2006

Hi John.

Yesterday I was reading your tract, "Keep Thyself Pure". The second sentence reads like this, "Paul's injunction to Timothy, 'Keep thyself pure', has encouraged the saints through the millennia toward godliness". When I read the word "godliness", the word seemed to jump off the page and I instantly felt like I had a new understanding of what it means to be godly.

It kind of came like this . . . What is it that God spends ALL of His time doing? Or, what is it that God is ALWAYS doing? The answer . . . good to us. He is constantly doing good things for us and towards us. Whether it be leading, teaching, correcting, you name it, this is what God is doing, all of the time. This is a big part of what makes God, God (if not all of it). In turn, the essence of what makes a person godly is to be doing what God is doing (in the same Spirit that He is doing it in); namely, good towards others (this is in the same vein of the email I sent you last week). It also means, of course, to keep oneself from sin (but that is not a problem for God, and it ought not be a problem for us).

That was it, but that was very good to me! It seemed to open up a whole new understanding of God to me (through the understanding of what He is ALWAYS up to!)

Taylor

Hi Taylor:

That is so good! If we are like God, we are who people see us to be, whether they are looking or not. A godly person does not have a secret, sinful life.

Another point that could be added to this is that a godly person learns how to do good for others. We know by our own experience that desiring to do good for others and actually doing it are very different things. Everybody on earth starts out with wrong ideas about good and evil, and Jesus has to rescue us from doing people harm when we think we are doing them good. Jesus warned his disciples that the day would come when some people, thinking to do God (and His people) a service, would try to kill them.

Really being like God is, and really being like God all the time is real life. May God help us do that!

jdc

May 2, 2006

Hello pastor John,

I was sitting here and thinking about "us", God's family. I wanted to say hello to everyone, I love you all.

We finished the first five chapters of Acts this weekend. It was very good reading. When we got into the second chapter, and started reading about the disciples being born again, there was some discussion about the "tongues" that were being spoken when the Spirit fell on Peter and the others. The discussion was concerning weather these "tongues" were the many "languages" that the many nations that were present were hearing, or the "unknown tongue" that is always present when one is born of the Spirit. Or both. This discussion stirred up what God had done for me about 3 days earlier. So, as I am attempting to do now, I shared what happened: I was getting ready for work, In the kitchen, and I heard the holy Ghost start preaching to me in my inner ear. "When God sent the Gentiles the holy Ghost, it came with irrefutable proof that the Gentiles had been adopted into the family of God. The kind of proof that convinced an unbelieving Jew. If a Gentile had started claiming to belong to God without the witness of the Spirit, he would have been laughed to scorn by the Jews, and rightfully so, and maybe even killed. It wasn't like the Jewish nation was looking for a reason for the Gentiles to be grafted in with them. They were looking for every reason for it not to be so. It took something from God to make such a thing be. The testimony of a Gentile was worthless concerning Jehovah. It took proof from Heaven that a Gentile was clean. There has never been another Gospel sent to Earth, except the one that could convince an unbelieving Jew."

I am doing a terrible job of repeating exactly what I was hearing. This went on for maybe 10 or 20 minutes that morning. I felt the floodgates opened up to me when this was happening. I felt like flipping across the kitchen floor. I know I jumped at least once.

Bro. John, I cannot imagine during that time, trying to convince a member of the Jewish nation that I belonged to "GOD" because I accepted Jesus into my heart. I don't think they would have believed me. It took irrefutable proof that God did it. It made me reconsider what Paul said -Tongues are a sign for the unbeliever - I only considered the unbelievers to be sinners. But God's own people had to be convinced of His mercy toward us Gentiles.

Thanks,

Jerry

Brother Jerry:

That is wonderful! I know that was God teaching you. That is really good to my soul. Thanks, brother!

Pastor John

May 3, 2006

Daddy ~

When I read this email from Bro. Jerry, I kept thinking about something that I showed to Ryan several weeks ago concerning the first time a Gentile received the Spirit. It tells us in Acts 10 exactly what it was that "astonished" the Jews there with Peter at Cornelius' house and offered them that "irrefutable proof" that Bro. Jerry mentioned:

44: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45: And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46: For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Amen!!

~ Bekah

May 3, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

Reading Jerry's email made me want to do a backflip too! Well, almost. I'm still recovering from surgery. Ha, Ha. Good enough to send an email though. (Here is an electronic backflip! :))

This last week I was remembering when I was in Xty, they would always be talking about the "days of the apostles". There was a feeling of lament there. Something was lost, they would say. We aren't there anymore, people would say. It came up a lot but there was never any solution. I think that subject was talked about wherever I went. No one ever knew what happened. And there was always a striving. It was like a terrible futility.

After thinking about that, I had a strong desire to read Acts and find out what happened. And I am now on the 5th chapter. Whew. It is like I am right there with you. What has stood out to me was how before the Spirit fell, they were all in one accord. (Xnty isn't in one accord). And that the witness was the holy Ghost. (Xnty doesn't honor the holy Ghost.) The believers who were filled with the holy Ghost in Acts became a witness because they had the witness. That is the same Spirit that is in Jerry telling us the truth and giving us light that we are yearning to know. It is lifting me up today reading those words. And it is encouraging me that both the question and the answer are from Him. Jesus is with us in our bible study. We are in one accord going back to the book of Acts and the same Spirit of God that fell on Pentecost day is still with us speaking. And I don't feel as though there is something missing. Thank you God for this day! This is a very great blessing to me.

Adam

May 8, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I am doing a lot better today and am able to sit for much longer than I have been able to. That is very encouraging. It used to be just a little time at the keyboard was all I could do. But that is changing. There is no more bone pain now and I haven't had to take pain medication lately. Jesus is so good to me. On days like today I can see there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I am still thinking about Brother Jerry's email. It has really changed me and has been an answer to a question that I have been feeling for a long time. Whenever I heard that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever, I, too, thought that the word "unbeliever" referred to a sinner but had a sense that there was something missing. I wasn't sure what it was. The message was really good for me, and it has brought a lot of thoughts together that I would love to share here. Some I already knew, but they just went together so I wrote them down too. I may need some help with some of them.

The message about tongues being a sign for the unbelieving Jew makes me think about the fact that what we do now is what they did then. With one another, we look for the sign of the baptism that Jesus gives, and when we hear tongues, we know who belongs to the family of God. In Acts, the Jews were doing the same thing amongst themselves, but the Spirit made a leap into a different realm they didn't expect. It went to the Gentiles! The knowledge that came to the Jews with their baptism of the holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost was preparing a way for the Gentiles -- right as Pentecost happened. When Cornelius and his household received the Spirit, they (the Jews) found that they had to agree with God because of what they already knew was right (that tongues were the sign from heaven of a person being accepted and cleansed by God by the holy Ghost, and that He gave this witness to all who were obedient to Him.) Cornelius was known to be an upright man whom God had remembered for his deeds, and God honored him to be the example set for receiving the baptism of the Spirit outside of the Jews. It was irrefutable all the way. God bypassed the necessity of John's baptism as well as physical circumcision, as He was looking only on the condition of the heart. When Peter told the story to his brethren, he had to say "Who was I to withstand God?" When Cornelius and his household spoke in tongues and magnified God, that was what the Jews were now having to accept as God's witness spoken to Peter: "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." The transition was made, and it was in an instant. There was no time for ceremony. As much as God's judgement was right in giving the Gentiles the holy Ghost, the opposition still came and they needed a man sent by God to come to their aid. They needed Paul to affirm the perfect work that was done in their midst, and he was on the way. They needed help to see there was nothing they had to do outside what God had already done for them.

I thank God for the teaching that you are giving us. I feel like it is all fitting together, and I am more appreciative than ever. It's like a drama that is still playing in so many ways. What is written by Paul in 1 Corintians 14:22 feels complete. It is like a sure foundation. So much revolves around it. In Ps 89:15 it says: Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound. It is the evidence of who we are and moves us from not knowing to knowing. When we are blessed, we will be looking for it. I hope this makes sense. I have just been thinking a lot about it.

Adam

Thank you, Adam. It is good that while you are recovering from your surgery, God supplied you with good things to ponder over. And you have pondered over those things to the good of everyone.

Pastor John

May 9, 2006

Pastor John

I was reading Adam's second email about tongues. I agree with him that there are some wonderful things in Bro Jerry's email. While mulling over what he said and the thoughts about tongues being a sign for unbelieving Jews I had a thought come to mind.

In 1 Cor 14 Paul also refers to Is 28 as we know well. What came to mind was what Isaiah prophesied.

28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

In particular the phrase "to this people" stood out. Who are "this people" but Jews as v14 shows.

14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

So Isaiah's prophesy agrees fully with what the Spirit spoke to Bro Jerry. Not surprising but still I love that. The truth has an unbreakable quality that is dear to my heart. It is interesting who are singled out in v14 - scornful men that ruled "this people". This certainly applied to rulers among God's people at the time the Spirit came in Acts 2.

Sadly there were many of these unbelieving Jews who were never convinced by God's sign to accept that Paul really had a gospel from God for the Gentiles and from that unbelief we have xty. The truth about Paul's gospel is the only thing that will bring God's children out of xty eventually and for those who still refuse there will be the final delusion from God. Thank you God for letting us see, believe and love this gospel.

Damien

Barbara brought up the topic of Jerry's email, and Adam's response, this morning, and it reminded me of the great importance of Peter in the events surrounding the Gentiles' holy Ghost baptism.

We are told that when Peter returned from Cornelius' house to Jerusalem, he was rebuked by certain of the elders there for ever entering the house of a Gentile (Acts 11). It was during the course of Peter's self-defense before them that he made the famous statement, "Who was I, that I could withstand God?" Peter maintained in the councils of elders convened throughout this time that what the Gentiles received was the same thing that the Jews had received in the beginning.

Peter was a rock for the Gentiles; if Peter said the same gift from God fell on Cornelius as fell on the Jews on the day of Pentecost, and if the evidence from God (speaking in tongues) was present, there was no Jew who could dare to say that the Gentiles at Cornelius' house had received a false spirit. And there were multitudes of Jews who would have been very willing to say that any man who claimed to have received the real holy Spirit of God without first becoming a Jew (being circumcised) was deluded.

This controversy over the Gentiles' need of circumcision was the greatest doctrinal issue among the earliest saints. It consumed the attention of most of Paul's writings to his Gentiles converts. And in the end, Paul failed to persuade his dear Gentile converts that they were OK with God without circumcision and the other rituals that followed that one. As a old man, Paul lamented that all the saints within the Roman province of Asia had forsaken him and turned to some other gospel. But because God had given His sign of the covenant (speaking in tongues) to the Gentiles, and because Peter was not ashamed to call them brothers before the Jewish elders, the Gentiles were given time to grow enough in grace to allow the gospel to become established in some hearts, and the message was not altogether lost.

That tongues is a sign to unbelievers is still true, even if the "unbelievers" originally intended were those among the Jews who would not have believed God would take us Gentiles into His kingdom. And we owe Peter respect and thanks for his courage in confessing that Christ had indeed entered into Gentile hearts, even though doing so made him some powerful enemies among his own countrymen.

Pastor John

April 28, 2006

John:

I would like to share something the Spirit woke me with on Wednesday morning:

"Don't forget the goodness of God"

You wouldn't think we would have to be reminded not to forget such a good God and His goodness towards us. I could not help but think of Moses and what he told the Israelites before they went over into Canaan's land:

"And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee . . . . ."

God keep our hearts humble to these thoughts.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

Don't forget that old saying, "The last thing a fish would discover is water." God is so good that sometimes we human "fish" can lose sight of the overwhelming floods of His grace and love.

The reason God warned His people not to forget Him is that (1) He knows how wonderful He Himself is and (2) He knows us. And when we come to know Him as He knows Himself, and when we come to know ourselves as He knows us, then we will be like Him, and we will constantly be "exhorting each other while it is called 'today'" not to forget God, the way he warns us.

jdc

April 27, 2006

Pastor John,

Today was "take your kids to work with you" day! I had to write about three presents that GOD sent to the Pottery today.

Danielle, Kayly,and Matt! This was the sweetest day ever! These children listened to instruction and did a wonderful job!

Listening to each of them was so refreshing. I thanked GOD for them, and for their parents loving GOD! Talking with them and listening to their sweet clean feelings is a gift from GOD! Donna and Sue brought three blessings to work, and I am so grateful for this day!

GOD IS GOOD!

love,

sister wanda

Hi Sister Wanda:

God has given us wonderful people with whom to share out lives, hasn't He? I hope that we are grateful enough, and that we will always do good, and only that, to the ones God sends our way. Sounds as if you are very grateful for the blessings of God in your life. That is wonderful.

Pastor John

April 27, 2006

Hey John

I read the TFM “WITH EVERY SECRET THING”. I really love that one because when I am alone with God, I feel I can just be who I am. When you are open with God and let the spirit flow from God to you, it feels so good. Then when you are around the saints of God, you can share what God has done for you. It feels so good just to feel the sweet Spirit that God allows us to feel. After all, God sees everything anyway, so just be real and be who God has made you.

D. White

April 27, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

I have been listening to the CD sermon, "The Seven Charges To Timothy". It is full of LIFE! Every word is about GODs LOVE for HIS children. It is full of HOPE! Every word is about ENDURING in GODs WORLD! Thank you for doing GODs WILL! I thank Jimmy Tolle for testimonies of GODs LOVE for him and us!

I just want more GOD! To do HIS WILL always! To hear that still, small voice and obey. To stop over-thinking and just know what GOD does is perfect! Trust and Obey! We love, see, and hear only by the GRACE and MERCY OF GOD! PRAISE GOD FOREVER!

I sure need to hug each one of you there! Thank GOD for all of GODs people! Thank GOD for the young people in this walk! How safe and loved they are! May they always know GODs WILL for them and do it.

Pray for me,

I will always pray for you,

love,

sister wanda

April 22, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

Less than a week and I will be visiting the Callaghans! Yippee!

Hey, there is something I wanted to share with you. I am not sure why but it seems very significant to me.

You know I told you about how God warned me not to go into Xty, well I've remembered lately that He said something else. He said to me that Christianity is “fools gold”. He was trying to warn me.

My Grandfather was a bit of a gold miner in his younger years (he dug his own mine years ago and found some), and I can remember sometimes when we would go panning for gold in creeks with him (he never got anything!). So I know about fools gold. To the untrained eye it looks like the real thing. It will glisten and attract the eye and it looks just like gold, but it is not the real thing, and it is worthless. But it has fooled many people, who get excited thinking it's the real thing, just as Xty has fooled many people. Xty looks to be the real thing, but it is not. This is what God tried to tell me all that time ago.

Oh why didn’t I listen then?? I remember it so distinctly; now it’s almost haunting me! But how merciful is God that I didn’t listen, but he showed me the truth after all. And terrible that it is still fooling people en masse.

Jenny

Thank you Jenny. That is an excellent parable. Jesus certainly loves us, and is doing his part to guide us, but my, how long it takes us sometimes to believe what the Spirit is saying to our hearts! What the Lord tells us at times frightens us because we know "it is not the Christian thing to do", and yet, Jesus is saying "Do it!" I am glad you finally got the message!

If God's people can just get over being good Christians and just obey God, they will be united and happy at last. I long for that holy day to come.

Pastor John

Pastor John:

I am so glad you like that [email about fool's gold]. This idea of Xty being fool's gold is just so prominent in my mind that I feel very strongly that it is a major part of my testimony. I don't know how to convey this idea to people currently in Xty though!! I did tell one person about it just the other day and she didn't get too mad or seem overly offended! I suppose it is for people who God is calling and are questioning Xty. I dunno. When I get the holy Spirit it will tell me who to speak to and about what.

JH

Hi JH:

I had a friend in the seminary many years ago who said that we ought to live so close to Jesus that when he comes and gives us a new body, there really is not that big a change that takes place. I liked that. Such thoughts take away a superstitious kind of view of the future and places emphasis on the present, where God is.

Let me tell you the same thing about receiving the holy Ghost. Don't make a superstitious thing out of it. You ought to be so dedictaed and thrilled by the call of His grace that when you receive the holy ghost, there isn't really that much of a change. After nine months in the womb, there is isn't that much of change that takes place with an new born, even though what has happened is essential. Birth is just a gateway to living a life. And it is the living of that life, not the being born, that is most important.

Pastor John

Wow how did you get that response from my email? I especially like:

"You ought to be so dedicated and thrilled by the call of His grace that when you receive the holy ghost, there isn't really that much of a change."

That is exactly right. I agree. I like everything you've said. Thank you very much for this email. It's funny because the more I thought about what you wrote, the more I saw how I needed to get that message in that email. I love how you liken it to the birth of a baby - it develops in the 9 months in the womb and is not very different just before birth, to after. Very good. It really was very good and just what I needed to hear.

JH

April 16, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

I have been enjoying the cd teaching series on Revelation. You were explaining the glassy-sea. All of the saints were there praising God and showing the Angels who were looking on how we worship God. One day all of this will be over. Can you imagine standing next to each other, saints we know, before the Throne of God giving thanks for our glorified bodies? It'll all be worth it; just a little while longer. I feel sometimes God allows us to meet together to give us a small taste of what it will be like over there. To feel the presence of the Lord is a privilege; feeling any life from God is an honor. To be in the company of the group of saints in N.C. and Louisville is very humbling. Each and every soul is precious to me. They are put there to help me. I need them so very much. I feel very thankful God has shown mercy on me. He didn't have to, but He did. I pray I am found worthy in the end.

Bro. Billy M.

Amen, Billy.

Pastor John

April 14, 2006

Hello Pastor John!

I hope you are rested and feeling well. Last Saturday was a treasure for all! I sure wished that there was a CD to listen to, so I could get all the gold from each word you gave to us. It was wonderful to see, hear and hug you, Barbara, Debbie,and Jimmy.

Seeing the young people being prayed for and feeling such love from GOD! Listening to Night Music2 felt so comforting. We sure are a blessed people. There is a freedom in our walk with GOD and I felt it stronger than ever sitting on the floor listening to you say, "I am going with GOD whether anyone else does or not."

Those are not the exact words yet the meaning was clear. OOH, how I love where GOD has allowed me to be! There is great comfort in being led by GODs Anointed. The HOLY GHOST in me REJOICES to have such safety while on this earth. Each one of GODs children here and N.C. have it! WOW! What a LOVING FATHER!

Thank you Pastor John for loving GOD and doing HIS WILL, and LOVING HIS children. GODs mercy and love is so great that it feels like my heart will bust when I try to tell HIM "Thank YOU!"

love,

sister wanda

Hi Sister Wanda:

That afternoon and evening in Brother Gary's living room with everyone was absolutely wonderful, wasn't it? Our fellowship was as pure and encouraging as we have ever felt. I wish all of God's people knew the brightness of life into which Jesus has led us with his love and truth. It is precious. But they will have to come out of Christianity to find this kind of life. This beauty is not to be found anywhere within the walls of Christianity.

You know, Wanda, this week someone else (I forget who) also told me that last Saturday night I said to you all something like, "I am going on with God whether anyone else does nor not." I could hardly believe my ears when they said that, and I figured they had just been mistaken. And now, you tell me, too! I am surprised. That doesn't even sound like me. I feel too great a need for fellowship with you all to think like that. Maybe those words did come out of my mouth, but I can't imagine how they sneaked past my mind. I must have been thinking about something else while my mouth was running. :) I wish we had recorded our conversation so that I could lsten to it and see what it is that I was trying to say. Whatever it was, it was not that. I do not have that kind of boldness. Jesus had taught me better.

Some years ago, I was listening in my car to a Christian minister "preaching" on radio. He was bragging to the effect that he was "going on with God no matter if anyone on earth turned against him and the gospel" -- something to that effect. Jesus spoke to me and said, "That's how a man talks who has never heard from me." I knew immediately what he meant. Paul the apostle never said anything like that. Rather, he humbly asked the saints to pray for him, that he would have the courage to speak the things he had been taught by Jesus. A man who has really heard from God does not feel super-confident; instead, he feels deeply his need of help. The doctrines of God can be terrifying.

I need your prayers, Wanda, your love, your gentle spirit, your testimony. And that goes for all the saints. That's why God gave you to me, and me to you, in Christ. The truth of Christ challenges our flesh. It reveals the greatness of God, not man. It does not give any man room to boast in how faithful he will be to God, "no matter if everyone one earth turns against him." I don't know what I would do if I were all alone, the way Jesus was when he walked here among us. He is my hero because he was faithful to God with no one to help or encourage him. He really did overcome the whole world. Even his closest friends worked against him, without understanding what they were doing.

Anyway, please help me by praying for me, as well as for all the saints, that I will be faithful to Jesus and courageous as I ought to be with the light he has entrusted to me. This is a frightening gospel. It is too great for any man to bear in his own strength. You and the other saints are a precious gift to me, and I love you all. Let's continue to strengthen each other until we all meet together in the presence of God. That will be the best meeting of all.

Your servant,

Pastor John

April 7, 2006

Pastor John,

These "evilution" e-mails remind me of a conversation that Haskell and I just had last Saturday after looking at roadkill :) There was a dead oppossum in the road and another one not far away. We got to talking about how wonderful it is that God created the living creatures (scavangers) to "clean up" everything that dies. Haskell even broke it down to bacteria and viruses. We talked about how "intricate" and "detailed" our world is, and it couldn't have just come from a "big bang".

Cris

Hey Cris:

This universe did not come into being with a "big bang", but it will end in one. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2Pet. 3:10).

Pastor John

April 7, 2006

Hey there, me again.

I kept my last e-mail short and left a bunch of details out. I just read yourTFM on The Greatest Danger, and it touched me very much. I read it through tears. It was explaining exactly what I was trying to tell in my last email, what I was trying to explain.

wow... Who gave MAN the right to tell someone he is born again without the spirit? With that Spirit you can live a sinless life, in everyday living. And the only way to be born again is in the spirit. This is what I was telling my friend.

And then he began with, "But he [his Christian minister] sounds so good, and looks so holy, and is so smart." And he told me that they tell him no one can live here without sinning. What a trap! It's awful to try to explain your way through Xty. But for now, I see it a must.

It really confirms to me again to do my part, tell my story, read my bible, and leave the rest in Jesus' lap, to decide who he calls to him...

Thanks for everything.

Paul

Dear Paul:

Yes, the testimonies of God's children would be so much more easily understood and received if Christianity did not have people's minds filled with wrong ideas about God. All we can do is to confess Christ and then trust him to get the light in to the hearts that he wants. Keep up the good work.

Pastor John

April 6, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

Yesterday I was reading the 'evilution' emails. They must have really affected me. This morning I was waking up to some thoughts I have never had before about creation and the order that was in it from the love of God.

It is Springtime outside and I was thinking about how God is the one who chooses the seasons. Man has nothing to do with it. He never has. All life follows what God has already decided. Whether there is rain or snow or night or day is up to Him. Everything in the world is set in motion by God. All life is riding on the back of that horse. How can man not see that? Knowing that much is enough to humble a person. Everything that was made was before us. We were not here when the herbs of the field were being created for our food. God's perfect love was here preparing a place for us. Our home here was carefully considered and only then were we placed in it. His Spirit was here first. Incredibly, Genesis 1 happened before the recorder of it lived, and only by divine revelation of who He is by Him could the events therein have been written down. There is so much love there. How is it that He would give to us this wonderful chapter in the Bible telling us of His goodness towards us before we could have had pen and ink or even a memory? And how is it that these thoughts are in me today about Him? What a wonderful God. That is as much a miracle as watching the seasons come in as Springtime is today.

The love of God is in knowing that we were not first. Everything had to be in place for our care before we were. God was first. His Son was first. His Spirit was first. And it is His Spirit that is now lighting up and revealing the miracle of creation to me. When He created us He knew what was going to happen to man. But it was not a lost cause. He had the remedy waiting. Even that was here first. God was still in control when He sent His Son so that we could become a new creation that was not of this world. Only then could our eyes be opened to His goodness. We needed that much help. I couldn't enjoy what He has given without really knowing it was from Him. It is only by His Spirit that we can see through 'evilution'. I thank God for these thoughts and that He remembered me. That was a beautiful picture that was sent yesterday of one of the herbs of the field. It was all for a loving purpose.

Adam

April 6, 2006

Awww...reading Bro. Adam's e-mail made me think of my feelings I was having in my Developmental Biology class (this is a class where we learn how a human being is formed, from day one) the other day. I was sitting there listening as my teacher lecture, vigorously writing down notes with hardly enough time to take in what he was saying. And I stopped for a minute and listened and the thought came to me, "How? How do people ever believe in evolution when they know all of this?" My teacher was explaining the very intricate design of how all of these hundreds of genes and proteins and cells work together to make our little brains, spines, nerves, etc. The picture of what he said was flashing through my mind, and it's hard for me to imagine, let alone think that some random thing happened to cause it. Really sometimes, I feel overwhelmed with the thought of how God designed the smallest things for His glory. Telling a tiny cell, with no brain, to do a certain thing so that we are able to have eyes to see, ears to hear, fingers to touch with, it's just amazing. I just thought I'd share that. Thank you, Bro. Adam for writing your e-mail! You reminded me of some very good thoughts! :)

Ashley

April 6, 2006

Hey,

Yeah that reminds me of when I was studying Pathophysiology for my nursing degree. I remember learning about the immune system. I studied it quite intricately and it is staggering at how intricate the immune system and what it does to fight infection. I remember being overwhelmed at this of part of the body. It's so very intricate and very important. And then to think this is one of many systems that make up the body. The way the heart functions is intricate, and the rest of the circulatory system. The way the gastrointestinal system functions is intricate, so is the respiratory system and the renal system (kidneys), and the intergumentary system (skin) and the nervous sytem and all of them. And this happens in the one body. It's perfect and does everything that is needed to be done.

I loved studying anatomy and physiology (the human body and how it works). I could not fathom how the the body is a creation of God. It amazed me and I was awed by God. It is far too great for me when you know how intricate it all is. But it is ludicrous to think it just came together of its own accord. That's just ludicrous. (Maybe it is sinful mankind - denial of God???)

Anyway, I think i just repeated what Ashley said but I don't suppose it can hurt to reinforce the point!

Jenny

March 31, 2006

John,

I sat down at the computer tonight and I felt like writing this. I don’t mind if everyone reads it, but I thought I would at least let you know my experience with almost ending my own life, and how the Lord saved me from it.

Up until I was about 18 years old, I was a pretty straight-laced kid. I put forth a decent effort in school and I had no interest in alcohol, drugs, etc. However, I did spend most of my time playing soccer with guys who were interested in those things. These guys regularly prodded me to get involved in all of that; I just had no interest. For two years, I told them that if our high school team won the state championship, I would go out and get drunk with them. My senior year, we won it. That night I went out and did what I said I would do.

One night turned into another, and then another, and then another. No more than one month later, I was in Florida playing in a tournament. I distinctly remember the moment before one game when the thought hit me, "What am I doing here, again? (growing up just about all I did with my weekends and school breaks was play in these tournaments) I am so sick of this game. I'm done". I had spent most of young life playing that game. I was playing the best soccer of my life, and the future looked bright (I was being offered scholarships to play at colleges up and down the East Coast). Suddenly it all meant nothing to me. One month of the "partying life" completely took away everything I had ever worked for on a soccer field. I turned into an apathetic fool in almost no time.

Generally, we'd have a few weeks off after we played in that Florida tournament every year. During those weeks off, I continued to "revel" in the partying life. After a few weeks were up, it was time to start getting ready for our spring season. I decided I wasn't ready to get back at it so I skipped our first practice (I don't remember a single time before that even considering skipping a practice). I just didn't feel like going. One practice turned into another, and then another, and then another. I figured I'd snap out of it one day and just start back up. My coach knew I needed a break so he left me alone.

After several months, I called my coach and said I was through. He told me it all was an awful shame, that my game was really starting to round a corner. He told me to call him if I ever needed anything, and that was that. I was done.

I decided to attend Carolina and concentrate on my school work (I did have a little sense left, but almost none). A few of my closest friends also decided to go to Carolina so off we went, together and up to no good.

About the only respectable thing I did during my first two years at Carolina was study hard. The rest of it was a total waste.

During the summer before my junior year, I was totally spent. I was so miserable in sin. I decided there was nothing worth living for. I remembered talking to Carrie on the phone and hearing some light-heartedness in her voice. I would think, "Man, she doesn't know anything. What is there to be happy about in this life?" One night I decided I was through. I could find no good reason to continue on. I felt like the planet Earth was a big Godless joke.

I went to the bathroom. I told myself I was going to try one more thing. I would call Sam Nadler. He was my Dad's boss and the only preacher I ever listened to growing up. He was a Jewish man who converted to Christianity. There was something about him that made me listen when he preached. I would call him and tell him what was going on. If that didn't work, then that was it.

I called Sam and told him I needed to talk. He told me to come over. I went downstairs and told my parents that I was going out for a bit. I got in the car and started driving. On my way to Sam's, I started crying out to God with all my strength. "I'm sorry!!!!! I'm sorry!!!!! I'm sorry!!!!!" I was yelling at the top of my lungs.

Then . . .

I remember the exact place on the street where it happened. It was like the snap of a finger, the heavy, oppressive, suicidal whatever was gone. It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. It was completely gone and I felt like I was "together". Nothing like that had ever happened to me. I remember when I got to Sam's and before he opened the door, I was thinking, "I don't know what to tell him. I feel like everything is ok."

I remember almost nothing of what we talked about that night. But I do remember that was the beginning for me. This was when I felt like the Lord really started calling me to Him (I met you two years later).

I don't know if I ever would have had the courage to "go through with it", but God sent relief that night and turned everything around. He didn't have to do that. He could have let me slide into a deeper misery and let me kill myself, as He has let many others do. I was finished with it, but God showed up.

I think quite often how I ought to be dead, but God . God showed up and changed it.

Taylor

Oh, Taylor. I am glad you cried out to God instead of taking matters into you own hand. Only God should decide when any of us die. He is the one who gave us life.

Pastor John

April 1, 2006

John,

I wanted to add my part to the testimony that Taylor just wrote. Not only did God save Taylor by not letting him end his life, He had mercy on me too.

I met Taylor when I was 14 years old when we were freshmen in high school in Wisconsin. From the beginning, God put a love in my heart for Taylor. When I was 14, I knew that one day Taylor and I would be married. Even though Taylor moved to North Carolina when he was 16 (just a year and a few months after we met), through the ups and downs, I still felt like I knew the "real" Taylor that was deep inside of him. Taylor admits that sometimes he wondered, "Why does she keep hanging around?" But God used that love He gave me for Taylor to "hang on" and keep in touch with Taylor.

I knew that Taylor was pretty miserable during his sophomore year in college, but Taylor did not share that information with me until a few months ago. The verse came to me about God not giving you more that you can bear. God had mercy on Taylor but on me too. With the love that I had for Taylor, if he would have ended his life, it would have been more than I could have handled...without knowing God or having the holy Ghost. It makes me feel all the more thankful for just about everything!

I look at the beautiful life that God has given us...He knew all along. How Jesus would bring us to the Truth right when we got married, give us a pastor and a real family to love, bring my parents in, give us two happy, healthy children, more and more blessings all the time. It is a story about God.

Love,

Carrie

Dear Carrie:

Thank you for adding your special part to the testimony Taylor wrote. It is very touching, and real.

And my part of Taylor's story is that God had mercy on me, too! I think a lot of people feel that way, don't you?

Pastor John

March 29, 2006

Hi John:

Speaking of the OT and the Law, reminded me of what I heard your father say while I was listening to him this week on an old cassette tape from 1971. One of the things that I had forgotten, but that felt so good hearing again, was when he said that the greatest commandment in the OT was, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Then he said, "But the greatest commandment in the New Testament was when Jesus commanded the disciples, "that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me." Then he continued, saying that without the holy Ghost, we would not be able to keep the first commandment.

And then, Uncle Joe started preaching.

Whew! I feel like I have been in my meeting for this week, too! I just love the simplicity that I feel when I hear both of them! It just clears the air of all the "stuff" and brings you to that place where there is "nothing but God."

Well, praise God!! What a blessed life!

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Sandy

March 29, 2006

Hey there!

The following is a very brief Bible study prepared by my daughter Rebekah for a friend of hers. They had recently been discussing the issue of the blood of Christ being the holy Ghost and Rebekah prepared these Scriptures for her friend to consider. I enjoyed it, so I thought I would pass it along to you.

Pastor John

1.

**We are justified, sanctified, & washed from our sins by the blood of Christ:

Romans 5:9 - Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Hebrews 10:29 - Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified , an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Revelation 1:5 - And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

**We are justified, sanctified, & washed from our sins by the Spirit:

1 Cor 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

2.

**Jesus was raised from the dead by the blood:

Hebrews 13:20 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

**Jesus was raised from the dead by the Spirit:

Romans 8:11 - But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

3.

**The Spirit is life:

Romans 8:10 - And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (it is actually even called the "Spirit of life" in verse 2)

**Likewise...

John 6:53-56 - Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

Also, I thought that it was interesting that Jesus said in verse 56 that if you drink his blood (& eat his flesh), then he is in you (and you in him). Compare that to 1 John 3:24 - And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. !!! Mmmm... that's so good to me.

Well... one more thing I'll put here that stood out to me is 1 Cor 12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. I thought that it was notable that they referred to "drinking" into the Spirit - or of the Spirit.

Just like in John 7:37-39: (And this goes really well, too, with the verses from John 6 that I typed in above.) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Anyway... I guess I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. One thing that stood out to me doing this study, though, is how I am even -more convinced in the absurdity of saying that a tiny cup of grape juice or wine is -- or could in any way ever be or have been meant to be -- the true blood of Christ. It is certainly so, so much more -- something that we have available to us at all hours of every day, anytime we are in need of a touch from God.

Well... these are just some things that I have been thinking about lately. I hope that you are having a good day.

Bekah

March 29, 2006

Hey,

It's funny Lou said that. I have been doing the same thing for the past week or two. I have been listening to the Old Testament cd's and I am in Exodus where Moses is on Mt. Sinai and God is giving the law to him for the people. It is so good to refresh myself on the things we have learned. Well, before we went on to the story, we were going over some "homework" you had given us. I was having the best time answering the questions before I heard the answers, right or wrong. I was right there in class again, laughing and learning and hearing different people answer and you give your answers in return. We laughed. We cried. We rejoiced. And, so did I all over again. I love remembering those things. We have learned so much about God since then and His feelings toward us, things just seem sweeter and better and kinder and gentler, and cleaner, and, and, and, .....

Life sure is good!

Amy

March 29, 2006

Hey John,

Well I just got to Tracey’s and found out we were not going to have a meeting. You know what I said? “Well good, I had mine this morning”. John, every once in a while I get out my old test on the Old Testament class and go over them to keep myself fresh. This morning was wonderful. I was looking over the old test and then I got to the final exam. You know, the one I didn’t like because you changed the format (ha ha). Well, the final exam was in a story form as you will recall.

I began reading and the Spirit would stop me in different places and just let me reflect on what I am learning and have learned. I got to the story of Joseph and cried of course. I got to the story of Daniel and his dream and the image and boy, was that good too. God was letting me see where we are today in that image. I could go on and on, that is how good that story form exam was to me. Then I got close to the end where after the 70 years in captivity the Israelites were allowed to go back to Jerusalem and to the part where Ezra and Nehemiah had their part to teach and rebuild. By that time I was crying my eyes out and begging God to help His people today. They are still in captivity and need to be free. I really wish I could put this in words like the Spirit was letting me feel. It was wonderful John, and I sure am thankful and grateful for what God has done for me!!!!

Love ya’ll!

Lou

I hope everyone had their own meeting with Jesus today, too! Thanks for this. The reason God had those stories written down was to cause us to feel and to do what you did, and to understand them as you understand them, Lou. You make Jesus glad he did it.

jdc

March 29, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

My wife and I are in need of prayer because of another family tragedy. One of my wife’s sisters had a step-son, 30 years old, who killed himself. We need strength and comfort from the Lord for ourselves and for the family. Thank you.

B. H.

Hi B. H.:

It is sad when people become that miserable -- whatever the reason. I wish they would choose God’s eternal life instead of choosing just to put an end to this miserable earthly life. There is a better way than suicide to bring a unhappy, sinful life to an end, and that is to ask Jesus for his life of peace and joy.

When God’s people "die" to this life, it is a blessing. Paul happily announced to the Colossians, "You are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." And he said of himself, "I die daily"(1Cor. 15:31), and, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20).

So, the young man was right to want to be dead. Anybody with good sense in this perverse world wants to live somewhere else. But he was a fool not to go to God and ask Him for help.

May God help us always to remember where our relief from this world comes from.

Pastor John

March 29, 2006

John,

Hey. The last couple of paragraph's in this e-mail describe exactly how I was feeling just before I received the holy Ghost. Not suicidal, but miserable and wanting to die. I knew Jesus was the only one who could help me, and I was pleading to him and making a promise. If I remember right, that was the night (just hours) before I got the holy Ghost. I am thankful.

Love,

Lyn

March 26, 2006

Hello there.

Just wanted to say hey and tell about a touch from God today. I was at Tom's house this morning for reading of the bible. And there was several people there. We began to read in the book of John, chpt.14. We began to read through the book and I starting really seeing what Jesus was saying to them there, what he was tryng to get across to them. I've read that book before, but never like this. It started in the 1st verse with Jesus saying let not your heart be troubled, and from there, I was in a different mind set (or something like that).

It was the same spirit teaching them then that is still teaching us today. I could see him telling me the same things. One point along the reading I had to stop and ask if could back up and read a couple things that stood out to me. And as I began to read the things real slow and trying to read what I was feeling the spirit in there was so sweet and tender.

verse 27: peace I leave with you, my peace I give you: not as the world giveth.give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I read that. It was overwhelming to me. I felt like Jesus was telling me, "I give you me." Jesus gave himself to me. WOW. I felt very small thinking on that. What a life to live. Having the Holy ghost living in you, for the spirit being for you, to be on go all the time. Available. Ready to do good, spread good. WOW.

There not many words that I know to describe the feeling I'm having. Hope this makes some sense. I love Jesus......

See you this weekend. We're staying till Monday.

Paul.

Hi Paul:

When God's children humble themselves to read His book together, good things happen. This morning, good things were happening here in my house, too, as we read some Scriptures and talked about the wonderful things of God!

Keep it up.

jdc

March 25, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

The TFM on "worship in the flesh" was great! I have been thinking this week of "presenting your body a LIVING sacrifice, holy and acceptable (as in your last few sentences in that TFM) unto God which is your reasonable service''.

When we know where the sacrifice of Christ was made, to whom it was made, and who was the sacrifice, then we can know what a living sacrifice is. You have taught us that Jesus made the sacrifice to God in heaven, not on the cross, and that Jesus being killed on the cross was not the sacrifice. That understanding helps us be able to go, as Bro. Darren sings,'' beyond the cross", where life is. I thank God that wherever Jesus went, life and light from the Father followed him.

There is so much more written beyond the cross. That is where the living way is now, which is "reasonable", and...it's our "reasonable service unto God." Christians teach that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross; they do not go beyond that, (save maybe the resurrection on the 3rd day). I guess maybe that's why they try to accept him on this side of the cross, and in turn can only serve God in dead ceremonial works. That is not the "living way", and it's not "reasonable unto God" at all. If we can get the truth out about where the sacrifice of Christ was made, then people can know as you have said, that "Jesus is not on the cross any more''. And they can compare their dead worship with our reasonable living way of worship in the Spirit, then make a choice for themselves.

It's a shame to see many people still choose death instead of life. which is not reasonable. I have enjoyed LIVING this week, and thank God for his love and mercy. And as Jesus said, "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." This must mean that God is not the God of an unreasonable person.

Praise God!

Bill M.

Sounds "reasonable" to me, Billy. Thank you for that.

Pastor John

March 24, 2006

John,

Hmmm, Gary's email about Matt's vocabulary word, "sincere", reminded me of what Joel and Jeremiah asked me yesterday during their Reading class. The teacher on the video had used the word "fickle" and they stopped the video and were trying to find the word in the dictionary. They wanted to know what that meant. I looked up the exact definition tonight. It means "likely to change, esp. due to caprice, irresolution, or instability; casually changeable." The second definition is "not constant or loyal in affections."

I couldn't help but think about the meaning of "sincere" and what that leads to, and the word "fickle" and what it means and leads to. I have had thoughts over the last week about the value of being honest, not only with other people, but with myself. >From what I have seen, the people who do well in the Lord are honest. They are honest with themselves and with God. Even if their life is in a mess, they know what is true about themselves. That has to make it easier to say, "God, I need you" every time!

Donna

Being honest with ourselves is essential to getting the help we need from Jesus. Those who lie to themselves about themselves are cutting themselves off from their help, and they are blinding themselves to the truth about others as well.

jdc

March 23, 2006

I've been listening to the last part of last Wed. night while I'm getting my stuff done around here. Boy! I felt it all over me. Did you realize that you had made the statement last week, "It's not about the pastor, it's about Jesus," and "In Christianity the minister is the star of the show!" ? WOW! That was so good! It IS so good! I feel like Jesus was putting that into demonstration for us last weekend. We already knew it, but it's like having the picture to go with the words. And I LOVE that we have an humble pastor to be a good example for us :)

Thank you!

Love,

Cris

Hi Cris.

A man would have to be a fool to be proud. Jesus is the only hero there is.

jdc

March 23, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

Over here I feel so blessed every day being fed and touched and cared for by the wonderful things coming this way. Sister Wanda's email to me said it all. Her thankfulness to God is such an inspiration and blessing to me.

We have been learning about the way of the Spirit, and it is good. And it is from the anointing that God has given you. I sometimes think of where I would be without the covering that you give. Glory to God. He places us in the body. I can't say it enough, but it is exciting to me. We are grafted in, to go with what He is doing! Happy is agreeing with God! We get happy when we go His way. That is how we were created. To be pleasing to Him.

It feels so good to be listening to the testimonies, and they reinforce how God has brought us all together. Even though we are far away, we are one in Christ. He is doing good things across the miles. The other day while listening to "The Minimum Requirements" sermon, I was feeling: "Let God decide!" He is doing that in blessing us on the outside of Christianity, and is calling us to more. Like doing the little things. I want to do the little things and look back at the time we have spent with fondness because His footprints were there. It is a new and living way that keeps going! This is a wonderful life that He has given.

Thank you so much for caring for us, John, and for telling us the truth so that there would be real safety. I want to listen and keep going! Where there is fullness of joy. It is there! and it is available. I just wish I could wrap my arms around the ones who could be feeling this too. And I am thankful that He has given me a chance.

With Love,

Adam

March 23, 2006

Hi John.

Today I did my normal spelling lessons with Matt as we do on Tuesday and Thursday. In each lesson, there is a "keyword", and today's word was "sincere". It was fascinating I thought.

The word comes from the latin "sincerus" which means "clean, pure, genuine, and honest". That had much more meaning from what I thought "sincere" was. The Greek word equivalent meant "pure when examined by the light of the sun", as when you hold a diamond up to light and see no imperfections.

I recalled how you said that the cure for slander was "sincerity".

With pure motives, a genuine heart, and an honest spirit, God can hold us up to the light of the sun, and there will be no imperfection. After reading that I said to the Lord, "yes Lord, keep me always sincere." I like when I feel those kinds of things from Jesus... they come from deep within.

Gary

Hi Gary:

It may be that the most important part of the meaning of "sincere" is "pure"; that is, with nothing mixed in. A person who is sincere is completely whatever he appears to be. There is no pretense at being one thing while really being another. When we are exhorted to be have "sincere love of the brothers", it means that we should not have any reservations about loving one another with all our heart.

jdc

March 23, 2006

Dear Bro. John:

The Spirit woke me Wednesday morning with an invitation: "There is a place you can reach where there is nothing but God."

Whew! That morning, I could only set that aside and wait on God to further explain it. And that He did - - in your wonderful message Wednesday night. I will have to get the meeting CD to "eat" it up again, but it sure was filling me up as you spread the table! My! Just imagine, God is inviting us to be free from ALL the influence of Christianity and have "nothing but God." I don't think I was able to take in every wonderful morsel that was put out there tonight, but my heart sure is feeling good right now! I realized while you were preaching that the "place" is a place in the heart, free from Christianity, purified of all its influence, thoughts, and behavior. Oh, we really can have it - - God has issued the invitation to come and be free from it all!

I didn't realize until you started preaching that God was not only telling me Wednesday morning that there was a place where there is "nothing but God", but He was telling me that we are not there yet. If we were, He wouldn't have issued the invitation. Isn't it wonderful how He keeps pulling us onward to that "beyond perfection" place that He knows is there and is just waiting for us to open the door! His voice was so soft echoing in the night and beckoning me to come that it was like soft dew falling in my soul! Oh, my! What a wonderful God we serve!

Wonderful, wonderful message! I can't wait to hear it again on CD. I thank God that you are my pastor! I just love this life and God! I love the way God has put us all together and uses each one of us to stir up His goodness! Praise God!

Sister Sandy :)

March 20, 2006

Hey,

Recently, I dreamed that some of us from the meetings at your house were preparing to go on a journey. We were all packing many things we needed for the trip. You went around the room looking to see if we had everything we needed, and as we were about to leave you said,"You know we are going to have to take highway 51." And our reply was, "Yes, we know." It was a very serious remark and a very serious reply. It was a very short dream, but as I awoke, I saw the sign "51" (a highway sign).

When I woke, I looked up highway 51 on the internet, and when the list came up, my eyes were drawn to one site in particular. It read "US Highway 51-The Lost Highway, desolate and abandoned", and it showed pictures of a highway all grown up, the asphalt broken, and weeds everywhere. I knew immediately that the dream was from the Lord. That highway had been traveled on previously but had now been abandoned for many years.

Lou

Dear Sister Lou:

Thanks, Lou. When you were telling your dream, certain chapters in the Bible kept coming to mind, such as Psalm 51, Isaiah 51, and Jeremiah 51.

In Psalm 51, David is pleading for God to a renew a right spirit in him, to take him back to the way of righteousness that David once knew.

In Isaiah 51, God calls on His people not to be impressed with how many people are traveling the road they are traveling but to consider Abraham and Sarah, whom God called all by themselves and blessed by themselves.

In Jeremiah 51, God foretells the destruction of Babylon, saying, "I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind." That destroying wind is the "strong delusion" that Paul said God would send on those who do not love the truth. And in Jeremiah 51, God pleads with His people to remove themselves from the broad way that leads to destruction and to return to the narrow way that "enters into life". He cried out, "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul."

God will destroy that wide highway and everyone who is traveling on it and will raise up young men who will restore the old paths to His people. He spoke of these young warriors in Isaiah 58:9, saying that they "shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

From what I hear, Highway 51 was abandoned in the early 1970s in favor of a new, wider highway that was constructed nearby. And that reminded me of the Scripture from Isaiah 35:8 "And a highway shall be there [that leads to destruction], and a way, and it [the way] shall be called the way of holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those [called by God]." And it also brought to mind the verse from Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

God's way was abandoned by His people many years ago when Christianity reared its ugly head and claimed to be the body of Christ. That precious old path was forgotten in time, so much so that those who love it now seem strange, even to most of God's people whose hearts have been stolen from Jesus by the spirit of Christianity. But in that path we have found rest for our souls, and I am thankful God let us find it.

Pastor John

March 20, 2006

John,

This e-mail reminds me of the first scripture the Lord let me understand while listening to the New Birth Series in the early 90's(Matthew 7:13-14). In Christianity I remember that the number of people attending made a difference, and then to understand that the broad way was the wrong way.

Yesterday's meeting was wonderful! It makes you feel like traveling on!

Caroline

March 19, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

I’ve just been around at my brother’s house and I chatted with our friend Tim. Tim goes to the church I used to go to (Blue Mountains City Church – AOG). We were quite friendly for a long time, and we have had many inspiring/encouraging discussions about ‘God’ in the past. He wanted to discuss ‘what is going on with me’ - again. So we did. He was really trying to get to the bottom of the differences between what I now believe and Xty. It was really very difficult to show him what the differences were, probably cos' I don't really have it down pat either (I don't want to worry too much about doctrine right now). It was confusing. I don’t feel I was the slightest bit successful! Anyway, it was clear to me that Tim (among others) is concerned that I am being isolated from ‘believers’ (Xtn’s). My friends Dan and Monique are also very concerned about this as well.

I came home after speaking to Tim and for some reason I decided to have a little browse on the web site (Gary’s Isaiah 58 one). I noticed a new section with some “Thought for Today’s” you wrote and had a little look and was very interested to read about “Satan’s Favourite Scriptures: No 6 – Hebrews 10 v 25”. Now, can you believe that that is a memory verse I have been going over and over a lot lately. I have been really focusing on that one - I've no idea why, because I can think of others I love much more. I don’t know if that’s significant but it sure is peculiar. Anyway I found the point you make so very interesting and I can totally see what you are saying. Indeed I am seeing what you are speaking of happening among my friends from BMCC (church). I haven’t really presented the truth to the any of the people that go to that church, but I can see already that the attitude of the spirit-filled believers there is such that they would stumble upon leaving because of that very verse. I know for myself that that verse was prominent in my mind in regards to leaving church. (I didn’t listen in my case obviously, but that’s because it was kind of irrelevant given what I came to believe). If I hadn’t believed you, I would have stood upon that very verse and never left the church. Well, I don’t even know if anyone has heard the call to come out in the first place, but if they did, this verse would be a stumbling block. Interesting, and terrible.

Jenny

PS The great thing about ‘not being successful’ in my discussions with Tim is that I no longer feel like it’s “all” my responsibility to ensure someone ‘get’s saved’. I feel perfectly happy about leaving all of that up to the holy Ghost. My job is only to speak the truth when it is time. I was once so bound up in all that effort and activity, not to mention the guilt of being so unsuccessful and complacent about all the souls that were being lost because of my apathy (as I thought).

Hi Jenny:

The truth will set you free from a thousand burdens and "guilt trips" that Xty would have you bear but Jesus will not. I am glad that you are willing to be set from that one.

Pastor John

Hey,

Yes, so good to be set free (of that). I hope to be fully set free from all the wrong things I have been caught up in. And set free to serve (one another) in love (Gal 5 v 13) and serve and love God. How good would that be?! I want to be rid of all Xty hang ups and all things in the world.

Jenny

March 18, 2006

Dear Bro. John:

I have read Bro. Billy's emails over the last few days and the experiences with his mother and other relatives. They have only made the feelings stronger about what God has been teaching me this week: "salvation is what is happening while we are loving and being loved by God." Only God took me a little bit further and helped me understand all the more the difference between Christina love (love of the world) and God's love.

I once again was listening to the "New Birth" series and you were talking about the spiritual condition of the disciples before they received the holy Ghost. You were talking about how, before God put His Spirit in them, they loved Jesus and God, they believed Jesus was the Son of God, but the love that they had BEFORE receiving the holy Ghost was not the same kind of love that they had AFTER God put His Spirit IN them (John 17:26; Rom. 5:5). They loved the only way they knew how to love before receiving the Spirit, but it was not the same kind of love as after they received God's Spirit. After that, you said, it became "saving love."

As I read Bro. Billy's compassionate emails of love for his mother and others around him, I could not help but be deeply touched in my heart by the tender scenes he was describing. Bro. Billy was passing out that "saving love", Bro. John. It was touching hearts and giving comfort and hope and compassion as Jesus did, not as the world and Christianity does. The love that the world gives is fleeting and cannot bring relief and comfort that the heart is in need of and crying out for. The "saving love" of Jesus does more than save just one -- it is felt by all who are around whether they admit it or not. The hearts that need it the most are ready when it comes and welcome the relief it brings.

God has helped me this week to understand the difference between Christian love and God's saving love. The first will leave you empty; the second will fill you up. Praise God!

Well, please forgive the length, but Bro. Billy's last beautiful email pushed me over the edge - - in a wonderful way!

"Saving love" - - my, it is so good to me! Can you imagine? - - once I thought I was "saved". Now I am just loving being saved -- every day -- by God's saving love.

Sister Sandy :)

P.S. The new "Night Music" we all listened to tonight in your office was beautiful. There really are no words to describe the feelings brought on by this music. I'm just thankful that I have two ears to hear it and two hands to praise and thank Him for all He has done.

March 17, 2006

Good morning Pastor John,

WOW! GOD IS GOOD!! Reading the TFMs and the emails from bro.Billy and Allison telling on GOD! And Sheila!! How absolutely GOD!! The list Token sent out from your Sunday meeting about how to avoid letting the flesh disguise sin in us!

I woke up this morning in AWE of GODs LOVE!

I was just thanking HIM and smiling sooooo BIG!

In the TFM about Amy P's testimony "'Who is reconciled to whom?", at the end, this paragraph stood out: "And when that love of GOD was put into the human body of JESUS, we saw with our own eyes the loving heart of our CREATOR, who longed with ALL that was within HIM for HIS created beings to be reconciled to HIM again."

PRAISE GOD! We are blessed by GOD! More and More! HE is raining HIS GOODNESS on us! IN us, FOR HIS GLORY!

This is a good life! And getting better every day!

love,

wanda

March 17, 2006

Bro. John:

One more thought that God has replaced in my heart from wrong ideas from Xty. In the part of Xty I was a part of, the focus was always on "getting saved". God has taught me this week that "salvation is what is happening while we are loving and being loved by God." The God of Xty puts the focus on salvation. Our God puts the heart towards humility and loving. If we do live like that, He is fully capable of handling the rest. Isn’t that wonderful?

Let’s just fall so much in love with God and stay so humble that we let Him save us! :)

Sister Sandy

Dear Sandy:

The flesh tries to turn every good thing from God into a formula, a system of correct ceremony and proper form. It is the only way the flesh has of serving God, and it is inadequate. Thank God for the way of "in spirit and in truth"! We can just relax and love God – and leave the salvation up to Him!

Pastor John

March 17, 2006

John:

As I was thinking about what you told us about Gary's prayer for God's children to know the truth in a big way, and the Lord's less than positive response, I remembered an incident written in the scriptures. (Gary's labor earned him this privilege.) It is the time when Jesus was thankful to God because God didn't reveal himself to others. To have real peace, I believe we must get to this same point. The only way Jesus he could have had that attitude was by being humble and knowing his Father was right. That is real Faith.

I also remember Uncle Joe saying that you cannot talk someone into the way of truth. I think his attitude was that if you could convince someone of any other doctrine or way they would not be able to stand in the truth.

Boy, what confidence Uncle Joe had in GOD!

Thanks:

Wendell Satterwhite

March 17, 2006

Hi John,

When Jesus touches someone, he touches them with what God is. When he touches them with healing, it is becasue God is the great phycisian; when he touches them with mercy, it is because God is merciful; when he touches one with love, it is because God is love; when he touches them with faith, it is because God is faithful; when he touches people with grace, it is because God is gracious, ..... and on & on.(endless).

Jesus touches us with what God is! Amen!

Billy M

March 16, 2006

John,

I am so glad we can say "Baptist church" or "Methodist church" instead of "Baptist place" or "Methodist place." It is great to call it what it is.

Caroline

Hi Caroline:

When I think about how we used to avoid using "church" when referring to the Christian religion because we thought the true chruch was God's people, I feel liberated again by the truth. Christianity is the church. We are free now to call it what it is, and that is no small relief for us!

It reminds me of what my father told a man named Joe Hilliard one time. He said, "The worst thing I can call you is Joe Hilliard." The worst thing we can call Christianity is what it is: the church.

God has been very merciful, not only to us to bring us out of church religion but also to liberate our minds from wrong ideas about it all.

jdc

March 16, 2006

Hi John,

I loved Shelia Durham's email, especially when she said, "If I wasn't at work I would be up shouting and dancing (about to anyway). Man, I wish I was at a meeting right now! What do I do with these feelings???? I am so HAPPY it's scary!!!"

I had a similiar experience one time that I would like to tell about. This is exactly how I have it recorded in my journal.

On Monday 3/11/96, I went to work so excited about Cliff receiving the holy Ghost. I tried to tell a few people at work but they could not understand what I was feeling. So I called Debbie, Mama, and Lou; but I kept getting happier and happier. I thought I would pop wide open. I prayed, “God this is misery, having so much joy and can’t get it out; if you don’t help me, I’m going to explode all up beside of these walls.” I went to the bathroom to be alone, but a bathroom stall is just not adequate in releasing this kind of great joy. I thought I might feel better if I talked to John. So I called him and that only made matters worse; my joy bubbled over even more. I prayed, “God please help me make it until lunch time so I can go somewhere and get this joy out.” When lunch time came, I started driving, debating on going to Uncle Joe’s house but didn’t think I could make it that far. I drove to Jim and Debbie Gregory’s house, and parked my car. Jim opened the door for me. I looked at both of them, started taking off my shoes and said, “I know you’re trying to sell your house and I dont’ want to scratch up your floors but I have just got to get this out.” I started dancing around in their living room, shouting and praising God. They were enjoying God right along with me. Once the joy was out, I ate my lunch and went back to work.

John, these wonderful feelings that the holy ghost gives are always alive when we keep the gift of God stirred up. I thank God for that wonderful experience from ten years ago.

Sheila P.

March 16, 2006

That is so good about God recognizing another sincerely humble soul. There is peace in that. He knows us and He loves us! I have been trying to take in what you said the other Sunday morning about how we are not in church anymore. Wow.

I am not in church at Pastor John’s house.

I do not go to church.

We do not get up and get dressed in our nice clothes to go to church.

MY, MY, MY! I keep saying those things over and over again.

We are just going to meet with our family to praise God. It’s our FAMILY, not our CHURCH. We are free from church religion. We are free from sitting in pews, or chairs, and smiling at each other. We are free to speak our hearts and to love the holy Spirit on our bodies. We are free to give someone a hug at any time the Lord leads us. I have not fully taken that into my heart. There is so much pride in saying, “I belong to the so-and-so church.” Or even by saying, “I am in the church. I am a church member.”

Jesus must be trying to help us not be a proud people by allowing us to see that we don’t have any part in the church. But I still sometimes sit in my chair when my spirit wants to be praying on my knees or standing or hugging someone. I know others sometimes do the same thing.

But I believe that if we can really take it in that we are not in church, then God can use us much more effectively. What liberty there is in not going to church. I love my family.

te.

March 16, 2006

Pastor John,

I was sitting here reading and re-reading this, especially this one line, " If you are sincerely humbling yourself to reach out to God, He knows you because He is doing toward you what you are doing toward Him." That felt so very very good! I started thinking about it on a human level. When someone wrongs us, we are hurt. That person has to humble himself to be sorry, and we have to humble ourselves to accept it. But when we love people, that's all we really want in the first place -- peace with that person. I guess I never really thought about the humility it takes in accepting the apology.

It's like, it only hurts because you love so much to start with. If you didn't love that person, it wouldn't even hurt. God has let me feel that for people lately. I can feel hurt, but tell God about it and say, "God if they would just talk to me, I'd be willing to completely forget it." He spoke back and said, "That's how I forgave you!" There's no holding on to anything in that, it's all forward >>>> full steam ahead>>>>And if we are like God, we are looking for a way in, a crack in the door, to love that person anyway! And that will be our attitude towards ourselves, too. It's like God is teaching me righteousness (because sin hurts everybody involved), mercy (being willing to forgive) and peace (how to keep it) I have that song on my mind, "But what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God" :)

Okay, I have to get to work now. I've enjoyed thinking about this!

Thanks for that wonderful thought!

Cris

March 14, 2006

Our impromptu meeting Sunday meeting was so good to me! I loved how you were able to show us how sin works and how the flesh works to try to disguise itself. I was praying, “God what can I do to avoid being like this?” Then different ones gave testimonies about how to avoid it! So I wrote down what they were saying and made a list for myself of the very good things that they said. I thought it was so helpful I wanted to share it…Here is a very good checklist:

Respect your Pastor and others.
Love others with the love of God
Stay tied-in to the family of God around you/ stay around/ keep fellowship
Have purity of heart
Admit your love of God, truth, your brothers and sisters, etc.
Keep a correctable spirit
Be honest with what you are feeling (and from my experience you will then be able to listen to others feelings)
Stop having to be right / Be willing to be wrong
Be happy with being happy

What a wonderful meeting and what a treasure chest of good things in God. We are very, very blessed!

I know how it feels to love everybody so much. Each one has been a teacher to me in some area, no matter how small.

Te.

March 13, 2006

Good Morning Pastor John,

I wanted to write and tell you about some things that I was thinking on. Well, yesterday Sarah was telling a testimony about something when she was a child and she talked about how when they were children they played meetings. When she was telling those things I just couldn't help but start crying. Those are some of the sweetest stories I have ever heard in my life! Someone started talking about how Aaron would just walk up and pray for Sonny if he was visiting and the sweetest feeling I can ever remember having, just fell on me like a blanket. I never knew a clean childhood like most of these children have had. I sure hope that they can see the value in it. I think about Kayla and how exposed she has been to the filth of this world and it is almost more than I can bare. Oh, how I wish that I lived in this world so much sooner with my real family. I can't change the past but I can sure make the future put the past to shame. Oh I can't encourage these young adults enough to please testify about the wonderful things of your childhood. There are children here that your testimonies will do a world of good for.

Another thing that happened this morning was that for the first time the Lord really let me see just how filthy the world really is. I was thinking about the things that I use to do and the books that I use to read and I had this overwhelming feeling of filth. Oh, I am so happy that God had mercy on me! I use to read horror books and a few months ago I picked one up at the library and I got about 10 pages into it and for the first time in my life I stopped reading a book that I had started. It gave me the worst feelings of sadness and just plain old creepiness. I use to love those books...........another reason to say THANK YOU JESUS!!!

I am telling you that these last few months have been the best of my life. God has really been showing me things, building my faith and giving me a gratefulness that I have only longed for. These feelings are so wonderful! Please pray that I will continue doing the right things and making right decisions so that I can continue to feel this wonderful Holy Ghost!!

Love,
Sheila Durham

Sounds wonderful, Sheila. Your experience with the type of book that you used to enjoy is the kind of thing that happens when we really start growing in the grace of God. Please stay on that road. It is the road where you will begin to experience discernment of spirits and real fellowship in the light.

Pastor John

March 13, 2006

Pastor John,

You sent this TFE out last year and I was re-reading it today. This TFE just sums up how I want to be influenced by good and holy people. We had a wonderful weekend. We had Randell, Doris, James & Lyn over for supper Saturday night and cooked on the grill. Sister Lyn brought her guitar. She played and just sung some of the prettiest songs. We really had a great night with them. We got to share testimonies and see how God has touched each one of us. We talked about everyday life too. It just felt good. I wish everyone could feel what we feel and love it.

Love,

Tracey

Preacher Clark had another way of making the same point. In his sermon that long ago Sunday afternoon, he said, "spirits are more catching than diseases." In other words, if you want to be spiritually healthy, then stay away from spiritually sick people. You can catch the disease of sin.

If you want to be good, then invest your time around good people. If you want to be holy, then seek out holy people and spend your days around them. It will not be what you see and hear that most will influence your spirit; rather, it will be what your spirit feels. (The influence of their spirits is what you are seeking, not their intelligence or natural abilities.) Their spirits will influence your attitude toward life, your desires for the future, and your methods–all the things that really get you somewhere with God.

The existence of influence is undeniable; it is a reality from which none of us on earth can possibly escape. The only issue is, by whom will we choose to be influenced?

March 13, 2006

Hi John,

When I read your TFM on "One Way", it went along with what I have been thinking all day about the simplicity of the gospel and how much I love it. About 90% of all divisions among God's people could be cleared up if they just knew one thing: When is a person born again? Or. to put it another way, When are sins washed away? I wish more of God's children knew what He did for them when He gave them the holy Ghost. For the most part, they don't even know they have been born in to a new world when they are baptized with the holy ghost.

It is hard for me to imagine not understanding what He did for me when He gave me the holy ghost. I have had an anointed man from God to teach me and guide me in the right direction, and I have had others that have walked this walk to encourage me along the way in right things. Thank God for the people he has put in my life! You know, it really is simple. Just knowing who is in the body and who is not will let a person cut out most of the problems concerning who and who not to listen to. And if you pay attention to the spirit, you will learn how to discern who is in the body -- and who is who in the body as well!

When I first received the holy ghost, I could not read the Bible and understand what I was reading. I needed help from someone that God was working through to teach me. I also needed to stay prayed up and hungry for the truth. It is very important for someone to hear the truth, but on their end, they need to be able to receive "the Love of the truth" because many have heard the truth and believed a lie and are not with us any more. God sent them a strong delusion. So, I have learned that if I don't know something, or I read something in the Bible that I don't understand, I should never try to make up something to make it fit what I think, because it takes a revelation from God to know anything about His kingdom. If we need to know it, He will send it. That is as hard as it gets.

I love this way, John.

Stuart

And it is obvious, Stuart, that this holy way of Jesus is loving you.

jdc

March 13, 2006

John,

I have read this TFM a couple times and it feels so good. More understanding on just how good God is and how much He loves. Wow! It feels like God is zooming in on us for something.

It reminds me of what the spirit was saying to me a few weeks ago (one morning) when I was up in Canada:

"Just how much of my love can you stand?
Just how much of my feelings can you take?
How much of my correction can you stand?
How many of my blessings can you handle?"

It was the best feelings flowing through my soul when I was hearing this. It was also a very serious feeling, because God has so much more that He wants to give us and He has to hold Himself back.

It is always amazing to me to see how people here on earth will blame and turn against the very one that has helped them the most. I know you have seen and experienced this many times. And God has seen it ever since mankind was created. Yet, He longs for humans to come and be reconciled to Him. Wow!

Thank you for this wonderful TFM.

Rob

March 12, 2006

you know, when God brought forth the creation,it was becouse he had his glorified children on his mind, not you when you were a sinner.He had the John Clark who is in Christ in mind.He had the "end product" in mind."According as he hath chosen us(the new creatures)in him(in christ) before the foundation of the world,that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"Eph.1:4. you see, the glorified children were standing before God(in the mind of God)before God created anything.We are the beginning(the cause for the beginning) and we are the end(we are going to be the end product that caused the beginning). We are alpha-omega.We want the glory we had with the Father before the foundation of the world."For by(by reason of) him(Jesus Christ,head and body)were all things created(by God)"Col.1:16. Jesus understood this by receiving a revelation of "before the foundation of the world" that's why he prayed "And NOW,O Father,glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory i had with thee before the world was"Jn.17:5.Don't you know that is what we are all after.We can all pray that prayer. Amen..

Oh, Gino, you take everything too far. You started out so well, and then transformed those good things into something else strange. None of us had any glory with God before the foundation of the world. That is perverse Mormon doctrine. The Son of God is the only one who had glory with the Father before the foundation of the world, and that is why he prayed that prayer. We are neither the beginning nor the end. The Son of God is. Jesus did not hold to such a doctrine, and neither should we.

Dear Brother, just be content with the simple things of the kingdom of God and resist the temptation to delve into things that you really have not seen from God, but have only imagined.

Pastor John

March 12, 2006

Hello Pastor John,

We were reading in John this morning, chapters 8, 9 and 10. The hatred of the Pharisees toward God really stood out to me, especially in 9. It seems that they worked themselves up to a point that if God himself had spoke directly out of heaven concerning His Son, they would have refused to hear.

That's a spiritual condition that any us can fall into if we do not stay close to God and walk in the Spirit. And it is not a rare condition. You can see it regularly among saints who drift away from Jesus.

They had lifted their ownselves up, so far, that they could not even humble themselves to their own Creator.

That is true, but have you considered how you came to understand that? After all, they spoke highly of God, claimed to be serving Him, and did many religious works. They appeared to be humble.

You understand the truth about their hearts because you observed their attitude toward the servants whom their Creator sent to them, in this case, His Son Jesus.

When Jesus healed the blind man in chp 9, they could not glorify God in Jesus. Jesus said, "If you do not believe me, believe the works that I do, and know that the Father is in me." They could not dispute His power, so they accused Him of having power from Satan -- anything but the truth.

They told the blind man "Give God the praise: we know this man (Jesus) is a sinner." The healed man said to them, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, He could do nothing."

The Pharisees then cast the man out. They hated the light when it came. They attempted to mask their hatred for Jesus with a zeal for God's law. But if they really loved God's law, from God's heart, they would have loved God's Son. I then thought about their real love for the law when Judas tried to repent before the leaders of Israel, saying, "I have betrayed innocent blood."

They responded, "What is that to us?" They had their man. That was the whole point.

Just some thoughts,

Jerry

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