October 8, 2003

Bro. John:

Ever since last Saturday night's OT class, there has been a feeling of sadness and compassion in my heart for God's people who are not walking in the truth - - the ones who have yet to discover how much God loves them. I was sitting on the porch last night, looking up at the stars and a spirit of weeping just fell on me. The feeling was: "sometimes you just have to cry for the condition of mankind." For just the fact that man is human and void without God. Then, today, I was reading in Jeremiah, and I understood more what the Spirit was feeling. Oh, how God loves His people! But as Jeremiah prophesied, "But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive."

The few verses below from Jeremiah are just full of God's feelings for his people. Pleading for them to do right; weeping for their condition; yet I saw one thing on "repenting" that I had never noticed before: God said that, "I will repent of the evil that I thought to do," and He also said, "If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them."

I have always associated "repenting" with repenting of evil [sin]. Bro. John, God has been SO good to us to send down the rain upon our heads and bless us with feelings straight from His heart. May we never take for granted ANY of the good that He has done so that we weary Him or cause Him to repent for the good that has brought us bountiful blessings. These blessings are not just for us, but to help those being held captive as we once were. Last night, I believe that weeping was one of pity and sorrow for the man without God; a feeling of "weeping in secret places" for the pride of man that separates him from a loving God.

Sometimes you just have to cry for the condition of mankind; and the sorrow that God is still feeling for His people . . . . .

Jeremiah 13:15-17 "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive."

Jeremiah 15:6
"Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting."

Jeremiah 18:8-10
"If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them."

Sandy

October 8, 2003

Good day Pastor John, I saw in the news that California has a new governor. We have been watching his films here. I hope he does well as a governor as he has done in the film industry.

J. O. E., Nigeria

JOE:

If he does, he'll end up in hell with all the other proud, immoral fools in this country. God is not impressed with either muscles or guns.

Pastor John

October 7, 2003

Hi John!

I wanted to share a poem God gave me a couple of weeks ago. I'm so thankful to be able to learn the truth from you and the saints.

MY HEART'S DESIRE

To live a life of holiness
Pure and free from sin
Without angry words and malice
Where mistrust and suspicion are unknown
And deception is less than an obscure concept
Where the love of God is the first work
Of all who enter in
For peace and joy reign supreme here
In the kingdom of God

Thanks.

Gary M.

October 7, 2003

Bro. John:

I loved this TFT (10-07). It reminds me of something that I read from the All Things tract that your father wrote: "It doesn't matter who the messenger boy is, as long as we get the message!"

God is guiding us every day. Our part is to humble ourselves and pay attention so that we can hear what He is saying and "get the message". Otherwise, we may miss out on His love and His correction. One does not exist without the other.

I feel very blessed to have had men of God such as Uncle Joe and Preacher Clark in my life. Contrary to the "backward" proud thought of this world, they were not "self-made" men, but "God-made" men! Praise God!! They were willing to receive rebuke, and God made them into trusting, honourable, humble men . . . . such men are rare, and, oh how blessed we are to have known them!

As was said of David in Chronicles: "And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: . . . . "

Sandy :)

October 6, 2003

When you are traveling, how do you know you're going in the right direction or even know if you have arrived at your destination? You look for and read the road/informational signs...right? Well, Paul said in 1 Cor 14:21-22 "With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people...Wherefore tongues are for a SIGN, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not..."

Who then are "them that believe not"? It can only be referring to those people who have not arrived...that are trying to find their way. And arrived where? Arrived in the Kingdom of God...clearly described in the scriptures as peace, joy and righteousness IN the Holy Spirit. Then how do you know if you've arrived? You become a sign (a beacon)for others just as God said..."With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people..."

GM

Dear GM:

Sounds right to me.

Pastor John

October 2, 2003

>> The Father loves His Son Jesus with all His heart. Still, the wrath of God against sin is so great that even his Son's sacrifice for our sins did not remove the curse placed on all men for sinning. That is not even the reason Jesus came; he knew he would never change His Father's mind about that. <<

Hi, Pastor John:

How are you today? I am doing pretty well. I just read this and thought: God sure is a good God, He knows what He's doing. If we were allowed to live blindly in sin and still live forever, and without knowing Jesus - how unhappy would we be?! Anyway, I just got back from a football game. My dad is from Texas (my mom and I moved here recently), and whenever I visited Texas I noticed how football-crazy the people are. Our high school, Judson, makes a big deal of it. A Brazilian exchange student, my friend Daniela, wanted to see American football and convinced me to go when I don't usually. We were sitting in this big group of people who were throwing stuff - I got hit near the eye with a ketchup packet - and cursing loudly. I felt bad, looking around, but I also felt good for what Jesus has done for me.

Actually, the sky was probably the most interesting part of the game! The moon looked awesome, golden and full, with jet black clouds touching. There were really awesome bluish clouds earlier. There were neat lookin' bugs packed together, flying high over our heads. (Though, it's odd to think about it: Why don't they NOT go towards the light when they see what happens to their friends? ) Oh, and this one football player from the other team gave a helping hand to one of ours after he tackled him to the ground. I was so happy to be able to notice things like that!

Okay, well thanks for the TFTs as always. Have a nice... day.

Stephanie

October 2, 2003

Hi John,

I really enjoyed the meetings this past weekend. It was a blessing to be in them, to hear the music, and the testimonies were so refreshing to my spirit! While you were singing the song that the Lord was giving you at the time, I felt so honored to be in his presence, hearing words that were being spoken and the feelings that were being sent from the throne of God. I felt like a worm, and wanted to get as low as I could. He is so far above us! For him to visit us like he did. “WOW”

Over the past two years, I have learned how important it is to recognize where the anointing of God is and on whom it is. As we are going through the bible study, I can really see what was so bad about the sin of Jeroboam and how it caused God's children to sin. There is only one way to serve God (the way He chooses and where he chooses and whom he chooses). I don’t ever want to lose sight of that. I thank God for so many wonderful people he has put in my life, and my pastor. We have the best on earth!

Thank God for "the Glory”.

Bro. Stuart

October 1, 2003

Bro. John:

My heart was really touched by Sister Wendy's testimony from this past weekend in L'ville. I hope everyone gets a chance to hear it. It was so sincere and deep from her heart. One of the wonderful things she said that I loved was that God had given her more compassion for human beings than she had ever had before. It caused me to think of God's people and the compassion that He showed on my life before I knew Him. I was ignorant of God, ignorant of His ways, ignorant of His love. I never imagined back then that God would give me a heart that would cry out to know more of Him, that would long to feel His touch and hear His voice, or that would go to bed at night praying that somewhere in the night He would visit me. I knew Jesus could love me - - that's who He is . . . . . I just didn't know that I could love Him this much. He had to create in me a heart that would love Him.

There are so many of God's children out there, Bro. John, just like all of us used to be, who don't even know that they ARE God's children. I pray to show them the same compassion and love that Jesus showed to me when I had no knowledge of who He really was. Testimonies of love such as Sister Wendy's stirs up the love of God within us, and shows to others hope for a love and a life they have never known.

All we are and all we know is because of God. I pray the Lord will keep our hearts humble so that we can testify to others in love what we have received from him - - the glory of the Father!

". . . . that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Testimonies that "walk in newness of life" declaring the glory of the Father within us - - that's who He has made us. I heard "newness of life" in Sister Wendy's testimony - - I heard "God". And my heart felt fellowship in the love of God. I heard you say on the tape, Bro. John, "Lord, make my ears worthy to hear a testimony like that." Amen! Mine, too!

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Sister Sandy

October 1, 2003

Hi again, Brother John,

This morning as I listened to more of the teaching tape that I raved about last night, a feeling came over me about people who worship themselves; they that follow after themselves as their own "God."

As in the days of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, where Jeroboam encouraged his people to sacrifice their children to strange gods, I felt a comparison to the immorality of the unbelievers in today's society, who give themselves over to sexual lust, revelling in their own bodies and the bodies of others, to the extent that they choose to kill their unborn children who are the consequence of their irresponsible acts, in essence---sacrificing them to their own god of "self." Because of their unbridled sensual indulgences, they shed innocent blood (lives that God created!), in order to pacify their own selves. Then they go and commit the same immoral behavior again, essentially "worshipping" themselves and what they call their beautiful "gift of human sexuality," not realizing the depth of destruction they're reaping on their own souls. Abortion is a form of child sacrifice, just like in days of old, only the gods have been changed. Whoever would dream such behavior would be acceptable in a "civilized" culture?

History does indeed repeat itself. What a shameful, tragic condition our country is in! What delusion! Self-worship and self-centerdness run amok.

What do you think? Is my point valid?

your loving brother,

Brad

2Timothy 3:1- 5

Brother Brad:

Your point is well made, but more importantly, it is the truth. Jesus is talking to you. Keep listening--and keep telling us what you hear!

Pastor John

And later...

This thought from Brad is really amazing, Bro. John! What a "forward" thought of God: "Abortion is a form of child sacrifice, just like in days of old, only the gods have been changed." Seems as if what Bro. Brad has received here is how God has judged abortion. Settles the issue of "pro-abortion" or "pro-life" or "pro-choice." There is only one side to everything - - Pro-God! When I read his e-mail, it felt absolutely right in the Spirit! Boy, what do we know! It just reminds me of what the Lord told us in the "backwards-forwards" meeting in 2001: "Every thought you have is backwards from mine!" Whew! There is absolutely nothing human about God!

I love when God cuts through all the "muck" and shows us what He thinks! I love it when He teaches us! It is like God has opened a window in a room full of bad air, and all of a sudden we can breathe . . . .ahhhhh!

History repeating itself - - same sin - - different name. And the sad part is that when this type behavior is accepted in a "civilized" culture, it ends up affecting not just "unbelievers", but God's people too. God's wisdom was far-reaching when He instructed His people not to marry "strange wives." If the choice is not "Pro-God", it is "Pro" everything else.

Today, God judged abortion. Wow! Bet that doesn't make CNN Breaking News. Maybe that's why God has turned our attention away from the world's news and to Him - - He is the only "fair and balanced" reporter of the truth!

To think, God, out of heaven, took time to teach us a forward thought today . . . . .

Sandy

October 1, 2003

YEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

WHOOO-HOOOO!

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

Words (especially the above attempts at spelling) just cannot describe the THRILL, the profound JOY , the amazement, and the thankfulness for the wisdom contained in your latest teaching tapes, John, (1Kings/2Chron) on the aspect of Jeroboam and his worship of devils. Oh, the metaphors, the parallells drawn between the demon worship and today's Xn rituals. Satan "digging in God's trash can" was my favorite metaphor! That is brilliant! If Xns could only see this glorious truth!!!! The phenomenal revelations/comparisons regarding the ways of Beersheeba, the "groves," the hanging onto the old ways of worship, when God has moved on! All of it is so RICH , so wonderful, if it weren't so frightening at the same time; frighteningly real. This is truly revelation from the holy ghost, John, and we are so fortunate to have a man such as yourself that God has used mightily to impart this precious wisdom to His people. Amen Amen Amen!!!! Praise God !

I can't express it loud enough in this format.!!!

I might be 3000 miles away but I eat up every bit of food you send me. I'm at every meeting with you even if not in my body. And I LOVE IT! I just keep praying that I can can take it all in! How in the world did you ever learn the Bible so well, as to contrast and compare and put together all the pieces of God's puzzle like you do?!!! The Old testament with the New. I am in awe of what God has done with you, and its all for us! Oh, I'm so thankful I'm overwhelmed.

That's all.

I love it!!! I love it!! I LOVE IT!!!!

love YOU too,

Brother Brad

Brad:

I wish we had a video of that OT class with me using the kitchen trash can as my "text". It would be on the web site. God's children need to know the truth! Christianity is killing them, and they are financing it "thinking to do God a service".

Unless I am mistaken, I believe my late father used the term "trash can" somewhere along the way when he taught us about God using a place, or a system of worship, or even a living being, and then finishing with it. Jesus used my father to save my life, and I honor him for that. He was a genuine and humble man of God who, without any respect of persons, taught me that I must be taught by Jesus. With my father and me, it is much like it was with Jesus and his disciples. They understood him better after he was gone, and they came to love him and appreciate his work after his death as they never did or could have while he lived.

It is a blessing to see you, or any of God's children anywhere, take in the wonderful truth of Christ and enjoy it as I learned to do at the feet of an anointed man of God. Let's take advantage of it. Stay out of God's trash can and stay happy!

Pastor John

October 1, 2003

Hey John,

I remember hearing your daddy say many times that we had a price we would sell out to Jesus for. How frightening. The OT reading these past few weeks have been so good, all I could muster out to God was, "what is wrong with these people, can't they see the tender mercy of you (God)? God loves His people so much and you feel each drop of love and mercy as you read these stories. When little Josiah found the Law of Moses and read it and it went straight to his heart, he loved it. I thought, why can't God's people love the truth when they hear it? Why is it so hard to believe that the holy Ghost baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues is the new birth? Oh Israel, where IS your heart? You are selling out too cheap!!!!!!

Lou

Amen, Lou!

Would to God that we knew how to persuade the children of God everywhere to, at least, consider what we are telling them. But so far, Christianity has succeeded in frightening them away from us.

It reminds me of what I have seen in documentaries from WWII, taken on certain islands of the Pacific as the American forces closed in on Japan. The Japanese soldiers on those islands had told the Japanese civilians such gruesome lies about what the American soldiers were going to do to them that many of those innocent civilians committed suicide as the Americans approached. There are such sad films from those islands that I have seen on television of women with infants in their arms jumping off cliffs rather than to surrender to the Americans. The American soldiers even employed captured Japanese soldiers with megaphones to call to the civilians and beg them not to do kill themselves, but most were too afraid to believe the voice that was pleading with them, even though it was in their own language. Slander and lies had found a permanent home in their hearts and they could not believe the truth. They chose self-destruction instead of the simple truth that would have blessed their lives and saved them and their children from death.

I remember what the Spirit of Christ said in Proverbs 8: "All that hate me love death." God, help your people to recognize that word of God when it comes and to love it!

Pastor John

September 18, 2003

Hello Gary,

I appreciate your prayers for me and my family. I know you have prayed for us.

A lot of things has happened since the last email. My husband came out and admitted to me that he had an affair. God is so alive in me now that all I could think of saying to him at that very moment was "I love you...you must repent of your sins and be born again". He looked at me with sadness in his eyes and said, "I am not born again?"

My heart became heavy because the reality of hell became so much more real to me. The thought of my husband going there because of his pride was the scariest thing. The next day the Holy Ghost fell upon me while I was alone in my home and I went into deep travail for my husband. This was the most powerful experience I ever had. I mean....it was incredible! Isn't that just God, allowing me to worship and praise Him with sweet joy even after my husband confessed that to me?

I realized that, no matter what is going on here in this earthly life, God has set me free. Free from all that satan has to offer. My eyes are no longer on the things of this world but on Jesus, worshiping him in spirit and in truth. I will continue to be light in the darkness.....I just can't help it anymore... Jesus is all through me! Glory! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Once again thank you so much for working so hard at getting the truth out. There are so many in bondage that need to experience the freedom that God has for us. I am grateful to you and your Holy Ghost filled family for hearing the voice of God.

Your sister in Christ,

Sherry

Dear Sherry:

Thanks for updating me on your situation at home. I was wondering why I had not heard from you in a while - some of the saints here has asked me if you had been in touch any more...I had no answer, but I sensed something was amiss. I will certainly be praying for you.

This is a time you need good counsel. Sometimes, the religious spirits around us, especially those that have been in Christianity for a time, have very BAD advice. One sister I knew in San Francisco was told by a woman "prophet" (actually a self-appointed prophet) in her congregation that Jesus was going to restore her husband, and that she could rejoice. The truth was that her husband never got right, kept having affairs, and she could not even feel free to cry the tears she wanted to cry because she was afraid that if she did, then that would mean that she did not have "enough faith" to believe.

Anyway - I highly recommend you read the following publication at our website: http://www.isiah58.com/MARRIAGE.HTM. It is a marriage and divorce guide, and at least you will be able to read something that is Spirit-inspired, with good wholesome thoughts.

Sherry, those that are righteous, DO righteousness. Righteousness is not "words" - don't be deceived by words. Trust what you are feeling on the inside.

We will be praying for you. Jesus has your answers.

Bro. Gary

September 17, 2003

Bro. John:

I was sitting on the porch early yesterday morning. The air was cool and a misty fog was slowly falling around the trees. The mist reminded me of that scripture in Genesis - - "the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." I felt as if He was right there with me.

My thoughts were of those old hymns you were singing in the car on our way back from L'ville - - "The family Bible on the table"; "If I could hear my mother pray again"; "Heaven will never welcome a sweeter mama" etc. The words reflecting, I know, some of your personal, precious, holy memories. How wonderful to be able to sing the words to those songs and have such memories of a loving mother and father, and a childhood of holiness.

As I sat there thinking of my own childhood, a question came to me - - "How many children in the world do you think are conceived in love?" (as opposed to lust) Then the soft reply came, "ALL of God's children are conceived in love - NONE are unwanted, and NONE are mistakes." Whew! I felt so much love from God at that moment, Bro. John, I believe I could have floated away with the mist that was in the trees!

The day that Jesus told me that I was "not a product of that [physical] union anymore" - - meaning an earthly father and mother - - I knew without a doubt that I had been "conceived in love" - - by God - - wanted and loved BY HIM. That day was, and still is, a loving, precious, holy memory of a wanted childhood. We are not mistakes; we are not unwanted - - WE ARE CHOSEN and WE ARE LOVED!!

Thank you, Jesus.

Sister Sandy

September 10, 2003

Hi, Pastor John.

Thanks for the e-mail on the Song of Solomon. The part about doing everything with our whole hearts struck me.

Hey, by whom were the Jews under the Law judged after death? John 5 says:

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honored not the Son honored not the Father which hath sent him.

Does this mean that it was always this way, or what? Also, why is Jesus called the Son of man? "Sons of men" usually indicates to me "humans". The people listening didn't have the benefit of hearing capital letters when He said it, either. Unless maybe the term for that in Aramaic makes it seem more normal to say Son of man?

Bethany

Hi Bethany.

Jesus will appoint men to judge the Jews, under his authority, of course. His disciples will be among those judges of the Jews who lived during the time that the Law was still in effect (Mt. 12:22-27. Note: The "your children" of verse 27 refers to the disciples of Jesus who had been anointed to cast out demons and heal the sick in Matthew 10.) Also, Matthew 19:28 says plainly that they will judge Israel. Beyond this, it is difficult to imagine Moses and David being left out and not given some very important role in judging Israel, too. But all that is up to God. We do know that those Israelites will be judged by the Law that God gave them through Moses (Rom. 2:12).

Concerning "son of man": First let me point out that in the Greek of the New Testament, capital letters were used rarely (not even for the word "God" or "Father" or "Son"!). Capitals were used almost exclusively with proper names and at the beginning of sentences. Neither "holy" nor "spirit" are EVER capitalized, except at the beginning of sentences. The phrase, "son of man", is a phrase that simply means "human". God's favorite name for the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was "son of man". God called him "son of man" a lot when He wanted his attention, and never called him by his given name, "Ezekiel". Jesus is the most important human ever born, so out of respect for that, the King James translators, and others, capitalized the word "son". Jesus used that phrase in reference to himself, but I don't think there is any profound, mystical, or especially "deep" meaning to it.

Do you have a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible? It is the best concordance that it available, and it will always be the best. It cannot be improved upon. It has every word found in the Bible in it, in alphabetical order. And you can't get any better than that. It would help you look up whatever words you wanted to find.

Pastor John

September 10, 2003

Bro. John:

This morning I was thinking of all the matters of the heart and hurt that we deal with in our lives, whether it is hurt that we bring upon ourselves, or hurt brought to us by others, and God sent these sobering thoughts to mind.

God was FIRST to love, and

God was FIRST to hurt

One only has to look around at what is going on in this world - - what is being accepted and what is being promoted - - to realize that there are few sobering thoughts rendered towards God. Very few, if any, considering His feelings.

I had to turn to Genesis this morning and read again how God created Adam, then gave him Eve as his help meet in the garden of Eden, "to dress it and to keep it" and my heart cried. God loved them - - HE was the FIRST to love them. Then sin brought grief to God's heart. HE was the FIRST to hurt because of His children.

"And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart."

To think that not only was God the first to love, but He was also the first to hurt. Those are sobering thoughts.

Sister Sandy

Sandy:

What good thoughts. Such thoughts help us when we are hurting. We know that Jesus the Son became one of us and suffered through this life as one of us. He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. That is encouraging.

But it is something else to consider that the Father has also felt some of the things we feel. He was, as you say, the first one to love and the first one to feel grief, and He felt it for us. May He help us never again to cause Him sorrow. He has suffered enough because of us.

Pastor John

September 9, 2003

Hello Bro Gary,

I just can tell the type of happiness i do derive from view pioneertract website it gives me a lot of joy.

I thank God for your life for making it very clear at first site. What i normaly do after checking my mails at any cyber cafe is to open it for everybody there to view and question it.

Thanks and my regards to everyone.

Bro Frank, Nigeria

"KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON"

September 6, 2003

Pastor John

Yesterday morning (prior to receiving the TFT for 8-29) I was out spraying fertiliser on the olives and had one of those thoughts come to me from the Lord (it wasn't what I was thinking about). It was that conversion doesn't make our old nature better; it doesn't "fix us up". It makes us new creatures. God isn't about trying to make our "old man" right. He is making us a new creature, and in the process, he is killing the old one. My flesh, in itself, is just as rotten as it ever was, but now there is something else in me. Next day, I downloaded the TFT and there it was!:)

Today it occurred to me that it is the same thing with xty. You can't fix it up either, and all it offers people is a modified, supposedly improved, version of the fleshly man. Anything but a new man.

God will only have new things in His kingdom fashioned after His will and His ways. There is no place for the old, no matter how it is dressed up. God help us to let Jesus live in us! That is the mystery we hold.

Damien

Damien:

That is perfect! I wish all of God's children could understand that Xty cannot be restored to cleanliness because it never was clean to start with. Xty is the name of spiritual filthiness itself. It was evil from its inception, and it will never be anything but evil. That is why God is calling to His chidlren, "Come out of her, My people!" He never sent them into that abomination; they joined it of their own will, in ignorance of the truth.

The same can be said, as you did so well, concerning our old nature, what Paul called "the old man". Even after many years in the minsitry, Paul said, "In me, that is, in my flesh, there dwells no good thing". His understood that his old nature was still evil, even though it did not control his thoughts or his deeds. But it would have controlled him if he had given in to it. That is why Paul taught us to be renewed by the holy Ghost "day by day". He said to the Corinthians, "I die daily!" That is to say, he refused to follow the lusts and will of his own flesh, choosing every day to live a bright and holy life with Jesus instead. Paul did not live in sin; he lived in the Spirit.

You are correct in suggesting that Xty offers men only a reformation of the old nature, not a conquest and killing of it, as Jesus does. This is why so many people confuse being "nice" with being holy. The way to heaven is not proper ettiquette and style; it is holiness unto the Lord. Dear God, pour out Your precious holy Spirit into our souls and save us from ourselves and other liars!

Excellent thought, Damien. Such thoughts always stir up things in my soul. Thanks for sharing it with me. I will pass it on, of course.

Pastor John

September 6, 2003

Is receiving the Holy Ghost the same as receiving the Holy Spirit? When a person receives Christ by repentance and faith toward God they receive the Holy Spirit/Ghost, right? On the other hand, being baptised in the Holy Ghost is different than that if I understand you correctly. Can you explain the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

thanks

tim

Dear Tim.

Thank you for your question.

Receiving the "holy Ghost" and receiving the "holy Spirit" IS the same thing. When Jesus received the Spirit, we see that the scriptures describe the event interchanging those words:

From Luke 3:21-22: "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened. And THE HOLY GHOST descended in a bodily shape like a dove, and it abode on him."

From Matthew 3:16: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw THE SPIRIT OF GOD descending like a dove, and lighting upon him."

And from Mark 1:9-10: "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and THE SPIRIT like a dove descended upon him."

The important point in all of this is to remember that a person has not received the Spirit at all until they are baptized with it (with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues). It is Spirit baptism that puts us into the body of Christ (read 1Cor.12:13), and to be in the body of Christ we must have the Spirit. So receiving the Spirit and being baptized with the Spirit are two ways of describing the same thing.

When a person "repents" and "has faith toward God" as you have stated - they ALWAYS receive the baptism of the Spirit, because a person has not repented at all until they DO receive the Spirit of God (i.e., "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his...") Don't let Christian ministers deceive you into thinking a person can receive the Spirit of God without the evidence or the "testimony" of the Spirit. When the Spirit comes in it ALWAYS testifies (through speaking in tongues/stammering lips) that Jesus has taken his abode in our fleshly bodies (1Jn. 4:1-3). In other words, as Jesus taught in John 3:1-8, you hear the SOUND of the SPIRIT in EVERY one who receives it.

Best regards,

Gary Savelli

September 4, 2003

Bro. John:

I was reading Paul's testimony before King Agrippa in Acts 26, and something very sobering hit me regarding Agrippa when I got to the verse at the end of that chapter:

"Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."

When I read that verse, it sent chills into my soul to think of Paul's testimony of God that day before them all. We are given the opportunity to "give" or "receive" something from God all the time. Paul was "giving" his testimony before King Agrippa, but had Paul not "appealed unto Caesar" - - had he been set at liberty - - he might never would have crossed paths with King Agrippa. What an opportunity for Agrippa. What an opportunity for them ALL - - Festus, Tertullus the orator, Ananais the high priest, Felix and Drusilla, King Agrippa and Bernice, and the people - - to "receive" the wonderful testimony that Paul gave of what the Lord had done for him. How sad that they wasted their opportunity to receive what Paul was giving. I suppose it was all in God's plan. He knew Paul would eventually go to Rome, and He knew each person who would be judging Paul. But, more importantly, Paul knew God was judging him.

These are sobering times. We have yet to bear the persecution of scourgings and chains for our Lord. We are yet still learning to endure in love one another. How would we do if we had to stand before the most powerful official of this land? I think that is why the Lord is directing us not to be wasteful of our time and thoughts, but to strengthen our spirits to withstand the things to come. This verse speaks to me of a beautiful, tender and loving commandment from the Lord to Paul, after Paul had already suffered persecution:

"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

I just love feeling these stories, Bro. John. They make me weep for the persecution God's chosen were willing to bear. But, they also make me realize that we, too, must be willing to give our testimony no matter the odds. This generation may or may not have to face scourging and prison, but we must be ready and willing to have a heart like Paul did, ". . . . for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." I hope that is in my heart - - not just to read the words or to think them - - but to mean it as Paul did. Jesus says we must if we are to reign with Him.

Sandy

September 4, 2003

Wow that is good!

Simple and to the point.

The mark of the Messiah - holy ghost baptism

With it = Life

Without it = Death.

Amy

August 25, 2003

Good morning!

I have been trying to get to this all morning since I got to work, but I just want to say how thankful I am for the truth. The truth cuts right through all the junk and let's us know exactly how things are and what we need. There is no beating around the bush or apologies or false accusations but the pure word of God in love. I was listening to a tape on The Will of God vs the Will of Man and it sure is good to know it was God's will to give us the holy Ghost; to let us hear his voice; to have understanding; to have a willing heart; to have peace.

The other day, I dreamed I sent you an email asking you a question about the fear of God and you sent me in response a beautiful poem. When I woke, I went and read the tract on the Fear of God. It was so good!

Saturday night, Donna and I were caught in a very bad thunderstorm and the lightning was very sharp and striking all around. We got very quiet and began to pray. When you see that kind of power, knowing it is coming from God and not in your control, you realize how small you really are and that your life is in His hands. It is His choice whether you live or die.

I have been reading some in Romans chapter 8, and I never realized how many wonderful things are in that one chapter. This is what stuck out to me:

[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

After having that experience with the storm and reading some of the OT readings, I have been very thankful for what we have, and I intend to keep my mind on things of the Spirit. When you keep your mind on things of the Spirit, you want nothing, and you lack nothing. I pray for all God's children everywhere to "be still and know that he is God" and to dig deep into the things of God. You will find him. We really are blessed to know that God is speaking and that He is real. Who wouldn't want to have what Jesus is giving out? Oh Lord help us!

Amy

August 20, 2003

John,

After hearing you, and reading Proverbs last night, my initial assumption was that everyone understood that the Wisdom talked about in Chapter 8 is the Son of God. I learned [after bringing up the issue with some friends] that that was not the case. Interestingly, after reading the e-mail from Bethany this morning, I glanced at the web site she had stumbled upon, and there it was, written in angry words the denial that Jesus was that Wisdom of Proverbs 8. It's just hard to comprehend that even the most obvious things are unseen.

Also interesting, the source page for that angry rejection of the truth is titled "Xtn Apologetics", and according to the dictionary, the term refers to "the branch of theology concerned with defending and proving Xtn doctrines". Isn't it strange (or perhaps telling) that their defense (a whole question unto itself) would start with the word "apology"? I'm thankful to be learning the truth. I'm thankful for you and the saints. And I'm thankful to God for not leaving me a total fool.

Have a wonderful day!

Gary

Dear Gary:

For Christians to call the defense of their faith an "apology" is an ancient tradition, and relates to a certain Greek word. It is not an "apology" as we may think of it. That Greek word's basic meaning, if I remember rightly, is "defense".

That the Son of God is speaking as "Wisdom" in Proverbs 8 is so obvious that we don't even need to argue the point. Those that are blind to that are just simply blind. Some years back I contacted the man who developed that web site attacking me personally and the truth that Jesus has shown to me. I had hoped to develop some kind of relationship with him so that we could reason together concerning the disagreements that existed between us, but that was not to be. From the few times that we corresponded, I did learn that he was not born again. Judging by the tone of his letters and his lack of a testimony, it seemed clear that he had neither received the baptism of the holy Ghost nor did he think that he needed it. After his attitude toward the Spirit became clear, I understood why he could not understand the truth. If we don't want the things of the Spirit, we definitely will not receive them. "Ye have not because ye ask not."

Pastor John

August 19, 2003

John,

I too was in the presence of a Mennonite woman last week. I was fixing her window and noticed her dress and her little cap she was wearing on her head, her long dress, and especially her arrogant attitude--not by what she was saying, but by the proud way she was holding her chin and folding her hands. Although you could tell she was a very intelligent lady, the snobishness of her religion made her isolated beyond being normal as God's Spirit teaches us to be. She was drawing attention to herself, and I felt she was saying, "Unless you're like me, you can't know God as I do." I don't want to know God as she does; God is more tender than that.

Billy M.

Dear Brother Billy:

When someone experiences being in the presence of such pride (in the guise of humility), it is more instructive than reading about it in one of my TFTs, or anywhere else. The bad feeling one feels in that situation is itself the teacher. It is the Spirit of God, telling us "You don't want to be like that! You don't want to make people feel the way you are being made to feel right now." If we judge by what we see and hear, such demons of pride, hiding behind an appearance of humility, will deceive us, but if we listen to Jesus, we will never be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Pastor John

August 19, 2003

Bro. John:

This TFT reminds me of something the Lord spoke to me a few years back.

"What is Truth? Only what God "sets" is Truth."

I remember looking in the dictionary to understand more clearly the definition of "sets." "Sets" means to "establish" or a "stable position."

I also remember looking up the scripture that talks about Jesus being "set down" at the right hand of God. I always thought it was "sat." But when I read the scripture, I saw that Jesus is "established" and in a "stable position" at God's right hand. Amen!!

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Only what God "establishes" is Truth. The truth will save you. I thank God that someone spoke truth to me. I know now that speaking the truth in love IS love one towards another.

Sister Sandy

August 18, 2003

Hi Pastor John,

I really enjoyed reading the TFT 8-11 “A Proud Look”. There is so much of that around us, and it really goes after the children, especialy with new fashions. When I see the way some people dress and make it seem so cool, I get a sick feeling, and I hope our children don’t go that way. It is such a selfish spirit, just looking for attention. I thank God for moderation in him.

Also, when you were talking about the Mennonites that you saw in St Louis, it reminded me of something. I was building a new store in southeastern Ky, near Glasgow, and I had to take a lot of back roads to get there. I ran into a lot of Mennonite people. I would be driving a long going the speed limit, and come over a hill, and there would be a horse and buggy in the road! It scared me a few times and made me kind of mad at them. I could have run over them. In time, I learned to look for the signs, such as fresh horse droppings in the road. Then, I knew to keep an eye out for them. So, I know that some change is for the better and safer. We don’t want to run after the latest in fashion or to get stuck in the past, as they are.

God is always right.

Stuart

August 15, 2003

Pastor John

I looked at the pictures from the movie about Jesus' death and read some of the press articles including the one Brad mentions.

What they have done regarding the depiction of his torture and manner of death is extraordinary. It made tears well up in me as well. I was reminded of the Spirit speaking to me when I had a run-in with a particularly nasty form of cactus on our property. I commented to the Lord that those things "really work". The Spirit spoke back about it being nothing compared to crucifixion. As I continued to think about another nasty spiny burr type grass we have a little of it spoke to me about having a crown of thorns jammed down on your head. Needless to say I have never thought about those plants the same way again. They are a permanent reminder to me of what Jesus suffered for us.

As you said, "If pictures could have been taken ...they would have been far more gruesome than those." One interview with the lead actor revealed that they were aware of this and seriously considered being even truer to the horror but thought that it might harden the audience's reaction. When I read this I first thought that they should have trusted God with that after all He inspired what is recorded but then I thought that perhaps they are right, this generation is so far from God and has been fed so much religious candy that they couldn't handle more.

Using the original languages only (Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic) is certainly a different idea. Gibson is relying on the power inherent in the story and I suspect it will work. Nevertheless he seems to be short of a US distributor wanting to touch the movie. He is paying for the movie himself. As one report said "Hollywood is agog".

No doubt the movie will contain disappointments but the reaction it is already causing is revealing the hatred of Jesus and Jews in the hearts of men. One day that hatred will come after us, too, if we hold the truth.

Doubtless God is watching. Our nations (US and Australia) have both been blessed wonderfully by God and yet the same debates rage that you mention in the tape - gay xtn ministry, abortion, gay marriages. Judgement day must be coming.

Damien

August 15, 2003

Bro. John:

When I got to the meeting last night, I didn't know that we would be reading in Proverbs. It was wonderful. It went right along with what I had been feeling since reading Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles on Tuesday night. I wept as I read aloud and felt Solomon's heart going up to God, and God's heart coming back down in response. As you said, Bro. John, God is always talking to us - - every day - - if we listen. Even when we may not understand where His Spirit is leading, Jesus is protecting us and guiding us with His wisdom. Just listening and obeying His Spirit saves us from unforseen traps and hooks that this flesh would lead us into. He has given us a life that is surrounded by His beauty and holiness, free from the unclean spirits of this world. A place where we can rest in His holiness.

I am amazed at what Jesus has shown us and done for us. When I look around and see all the lives in this world that are shipwrecked, and here we are, sitting in a safe harbor. . . . . it makes me go to my knees in thankfulness. And we are here just because Jesus wanted us and loves us. To wake up every morning knowing that He is right here all the time, guiding us with His wisdom and love. What we have cannot be bought with money - - it is a Gift - - and Jesus chose us to receive it. How humbling to have been chosen by the King.

Getting to know Jesus is sweeter than anything I have ever known in my life. And He will not hide Himself from a heart that truly seeks to know Him. "O taste and see that the Lord is good . . . ." I hope that our young people will get to know Jesus. I mean really get to know Him so that their lives may be full of goodness. He is not boring or dull. He never runs out of new places to take you. And it is more than worth the time spent seeking Him every time He shows up! It is very hard for the world to convince you that there is not a Prince when you are wearing the glass slippers! Praise God! I love Him and the beautiful life that He has given me . . . . . it is more than I ever expected to have in this world.

When you fall in love with Jesus and get to know Him, He will take you places you have never been.

Sister Sandy

August 14, 2003

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I got so much out of what was said tonight that I had to ask Aunt Betty for a tape just to listen to it again. A couple things were real special though. At a time right before we started to pray, I got real still and I heard the Lord say "Come on", and that was an answer to a prayer I had had earlier. I heard it over and over, then at the end of the meeting when Aunt Betty said she heard the same thing, it touched me just to think about how much God loves His people. All the help and encouragement everyday allday is a blessing. Then while I was praying, I was thinking back on what you had said earlier that night and I asked God to let me be satisfied with Him and let nothing get in the way of that. Lately that's just what I've been feeling, to just be satisfied with God. Nothing in this world even comes close to being able to satisfy me the way God can and has. God is so wonderful that I don't want to bring in anything that will disrupt the peace and joy that He has given to me. This is a good life! I'm so thankful that I have been taken away from a filthy life and have the honor of living a clean one with the most wonderful people on this earth.

That brings up another thing too... I was thinking the other day what God did for me... He took away from my home and family in Washington but replaced those things with things so much better! I no longer see my stepdad, so God brought my daddy back into my life, I left my mom but God gave me Julie, I left my sister but God gave me a double portion, I left my aunts and uncles but God gave me more (and better) aunts and uncles, I left my friends but God has blessed me with not only friends but a whole family, and not only people but things as well. It's just been one thing after another, He keeps making sure I know that He will provide for me the things I need if I will obey Him. Thank you God!

But reading in Proverbs tonight really touched me and it made me want to stick even closer to Jesus as I begin my years at college! I pray that the Lord will increase my faith in him so that I do not stray even a little, I want to keep my mind on the things of God. I want to set good examples for the younger children with my actions and attitude, and I want people (especially at school) to see that I'm not like them. I love my life and I want it to show!

Well I guess that's it so I'll be having sweet dreams tonight, and as long as I follow Jesus, I'll have sweet dreams as long as I live. Amen! Goodnight...no, wonderful night!

Leah

August 14, 2003

John,

I have been thinking more about last night and another thing that touched me so much was when you were telling the young people about obeying God now so that they can have God's best. I know I don't have God's first choice for me and when we read over those things in Proverbs about how there is a time for everything and when you are young to learn all you can so that you can be what God wants you to be. To be clean and pure and patient and to wait for the right mate in your life. Those things always touch my heart because I know I didn't do those things in my youth and that is something that you never forget. Even though God has made me happy, there are hurts. I just didn't know God like that. But now I know that I can keep going from where God has brought me on until the rest of my life.

I can't help but feel sad from the things from my youth. I wish I could have lived a clean moral life in the truth all of these years. My what wonderful places in God to be but that was not the case. Now, to see Token and Jason doing that is like living my life through them. It is so sweet and pure and the road is wide open. I love what God has done. That is why it is so special to me, because I get to see someone else do it and be blessed by God. Everytime we read Solomon's Wisdom or Proverbs or talk about those things, it stirs up the feelings of my youth and how much I missed. I know that is why God told me...'I saved you from death" because I certainly was on that road. I hope that God will have mercy on me for the sins of my youth as I grow older. I hope to be around for a long time with the young kids but that is in God's hands. I am thankful for my life and where God has placed me. I hope the young people realize that life is not a game, it is real. The things that are being said to them are for a purpose and will save them and make them the happiest people on earth. It's too late when you have passed "the time to learn"; after that, you spend a lot of time trying to catch up, and sometimes you never do. When you get older, if God has mercy on you, you wish you could go back and change it because you know now the value of life. It is precious and much to be desired of God. The spirit inside me is saying to the young ones "Go Go Go! Be all that you can be!"

Amy

August 14, 2003

Good morning,

I just wanted to thank you for the teaching in Proverbs last night. I feel so thankful this morning. As you were reading, I could feel my heart opening up in layers taking in the wonderful instructions of David and his son Solomon and Jesus. It left me with a clean, sober feeling. I always love it when you read from the bible or "get back to the basics" as I call it on the simple truths of God. It is clean and pure and holy.

After the reading, I could not wait to get down on my knees on the floor and thank God for what he has done for us. I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness that I could not speak. As I was praying, the Lord spoke to me and said, "I SAVED YOU FROM DEATH". I could not even say Thank You enough. How do you? I was dead and Jesus reached down and chose to give me life. Who am I? All during the day yesterday I kept hearing the words the Lord spoke to me some months ago..."IT IS NO SMALL THING THAT YOU WERE CHOSEN".

The feelings of prayer I had in the meeting last night, are the same spirit of prayer I have when I am alone in my bedroom crying out to God. What a wonderful clean feeling to pray and do anything with your whole heart to Jesus. You are never disappointed.

Thanks again.

Amy

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. - Job.33:4

Dear Amy:

There is something special and wonderful about the Bible when the Spirit is teaching us what it means as we are reading it. That is true life, and without that life of the Spirit, we are lost when we read the Bible, and its true meaning is lost to us. I thank God for His presence last night, encouraging, exhorting, and feeding us.

jdc

August 10, 2003

Bro. John:

I don't know when I have read a more loving, beautiful, and absolutely defining explanation of "the blood of Christ" - the holy Ghost. So clear, so plain, so reasonable. When I read what you wrote:

"It is an experience [baptism of the holy Ghost] that is of such importance to each of us that it cost God the life of His only begotten Son. Without that experience, no man will be saved from the coming wrath of God. It is an experience so full of the love of God for us that men can hardly even believe it. Jesus died in hope that somebody would believe it and come to know God as he knew him. Jesus was willing to lay down his life so that we could receive this precious "gift of God", and because of that alone, it is sin for anyone to refuse it."

I was drawn to read John 17 again. The selfless, loving plea for us in Jesus' prayer to His Father that night before he agonized on that cross can only be felt in the Spirit that he sent back. God's heart must have been so full hearing his Son praying like that. I thank God for His Spirit living in me so that I can have my heart touched by this scene. . . . . touched and able to understand that before the world began there was God's Son before there was Mary's son. And that he was willing to die for us so that I can feel what I am feeling right now.

I am sure that the tears now falling from my eyes do not even compare to the ones that Jesus cried on that night pleading for us.

Thank you for this TFT. I wish all God's children could feel the depth of love in the words written in it.

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Thank you God for the "precious Gift." Thank you for "the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Sister Sandy

August 6, 2003

God Bless you Brother

Im a Member of the {UPCI} The United Pentecostal Church since Nov 8th 1992, i was Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ ACTS 2:38, i feel a very strong Pull to come completely out of all Denominations, i am a Ordained Minister Moveing to the Philippines to start my own Ministry in Nov, that will Preach and teach only what Jesus Christ Himself Tought and His Apostles, For years i kept wondering how can all of Christianity still Worship on Sunday and Still Celabrate Pagan Catholic holidays, i Believe that christianity as a Whole is Apostate! Please tell me More, i realy love what i have read so far!

God Bless you

Brother Johnny

Dear Brother Johnny:

Catholicism is, as you suggest, the great Whore of Revelation 17, and Prostestant denominations are the "daugters of that Whore. There is much more to coming out of Christianity than merely rejecting Catholicism with its abominable doctrines and rituals. We must reject every Christian sect if we want to please God. Christianity itself is evil, and it has never been anything else. Christianity is not of Christ. Please continue reading the articles on my web site, and you will continue to increase in the knowledge of the truth.

I would caution you on one point. Peter said, "If any man speak, let it be as the oracles of God." After you move to the Philippines, speak to the people only the words that Jesus is saying now, rather than merely repeating what he said when he was here among men. Jesus is a living Lord who has truth to tell us now, through the holy Ghost. Please do not fall into the Christian trap of merely repeating what others, long ago, said who heard from God. Seek to hear from God for yourself.

Pastor John

August 1, 2003

John,

Betty and I were talking the other night about when the Lord told me to not go to church. She was talking about how amazing it was that I heard the Lord clearly enough, way back then, and obeyed. All I can say is how easy it was to obey. And God made it that easy for me. I asked him the question, "What about the children?", and he let me know that they were better off at home going nowhere than to go and learn lies about God. That made it easy for me to obey. I have never regretted not taking my children to any christian place for them to learn lies about God.

At that time I was taking my children to places where the spirit of God was....Full Gospel, Four Square, Assembly of God,.....any place where the Spirit was... I would visit, but never felt completely right.

Now that one of my children is in the truth, she has no limitations on how far she can go with God. No lies to unlearn (if any......not from a place she went as a child).

Maybe some wrong ideas about God, but not something added from christianity. Possibly some from me, because I didn't know God that well myself.

All I can say is, God made it easy to obey and come out of christianity, and for that I am thankful. Especially when I see so many struggling with the idea of coming out. But at the same time, I didn't have the added pressure of belonging to a denomination that I had been in all my life. With my husband's job, we had moved around so much that I really never got caught up in that. I say it again: "God made it easy to obey" that commandment.

Sarah

Dear Sarah:

I have always marveled at your testimony about hearing God tell you to go nowhere in Christianity so many years ago. That you even were able to believe it was really God talking to you is amazing to me. You did your children a very great favor by obeying Jesus, something never to be regretted.

jdc

August 1, 2003

Bro. John:

What a blessing I got today reading in 2 Corinthians, Chpts. 10, 11! Paul's confidence and boldness in the Lord brought tears to my eyes. He KNEW God! Whew! Anybody who might be feeling a little weak in faith today, or "beat up", I recommend reading these. My, this is an easy time to serve the Lord! Our battle, as yet, is still in the Spirit. How will we do when the "horses" and the "swelling of Jordan" comes?! I hope as Bro. Paul:

"For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed . . . . ."

Here's just a "preview" of some of the "good" things Paul said in 2Cor 11:

[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. (5X40 = 200 lashes to Paul's body!!)
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the congregations.

August 1, 2003

Pastor John,

In hearing and thinking about last night's meeting in which you said that in the holy ghost was freedom from the limitations and lies imposed on us by the flesh (freedom from the world). It is awesome to consider just how far-reaching that thought is. It's as if, except where/when the holy ghost is involved, all the world revolves around the worship of graven images, with those graven images represented by wrong doctrines and flawed scientific theories, proofs and ideas. And if that's true, then our acceptance and belief in these wrong ideas is an obstacle to drawing ever closer to the truth. What is the limitation on God's freedom? We know healing and raising the dead are not limitations, nor is casting out devils, or moving mountains. If they are not limitations, then what ...

Have a nice day!

G. M.

Dear GM:

God wants us to be free from wrong ideas about Him. If we can attain the that, we shall be "free indeed". Nothing but the truth will ever make His children free. May God give us a heart to love His truth with all our hearts when we hear it. That is eternal life, to know God and His Son Jesus Christ whom He sent (Jn 17:3).

Pastor John

August 1, 2003

Bro. John:

I believe Jesus gives us experiences in him so that we can rise above the mundane and petty things of this world and feel the reality of the Spirit in His world. To take us beyond this aging and corruptible world and into His real eternal world - - the one that is waiting for His saints. I did not know such places in God could be touched on . . . . until February 20, 2001, when the Lord blessed the saints so. And He is continuing to send such blessings to whomever is willing to go with Him. I remember the night in your office when we first sang the "Way of Grace", how the Lord said, "If you are not afraid to go, I will take you places you have never been." And what places He has in His Spirit to show us! I would like to try to share one of those places He took me this past weekend.

Saturday night, in the L'ville meeting, Sister Betty, Sister Amy, and you were singing and playing some of the songs from Psalms that you all have written. You started singing "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein . . . . . . " The Spirit in me started praising the Lord from deep down inside. It just felt like the little "song bird" spirit that the Lord lets me praise Him with was soaring. When you sang the part, "open up and let the King come in," I was not expecting what happened next. It felt as if the doors of my heart just "flew" or "sprang" open. And when they did, there stood the King of Kings - Jesus! Then I was in a great court - - the King's court. A long red carpet extended from the great doors that had sprung open. I was standing on the carpet. When the doors suddenly sprang open and I saw the King, with his robe and crown, all I could do was immediately fall humbly to my knees and bow. There was NO time for anything else. And I knew that I HAD to have a gift to give Him. But not just any gift. It HAD to be the Gift that He had given me - - the Gift of the holy Ghost. When I lifted up my head, still ON MY KNEES, I lifted up my hands to present him my Gift. It was the ONLY Gift acceptable to Him.

Bro. John, there is no way that I can tell in words the feelings that were there in that court when those doors suddenly "sprang" open. I just know that His Presence and Power overcame that whole court. I wept when I went to bed, and the next morning, I awoke weeping. I could still feel the "residue" in me of being in the King's Presence. It made me want to get still and quiet, and as Solomon said, "consider."

This world goes along from day to day with people coming and going . . . . but few "considering." Few considering that one day they will stand in the Great Court of the King. The Lord said that He "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."

Some have traded their Gift, some have tarnished their Gift, others have received it and laid it aside, as if it has no value. And others, still thinking that there is plenty of time, will be found with no Gift for the King when the doors suddenly spring open.

Peter said, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." On that Day, there will be no buying nor selling. Nor time to buy or sell.

There is only one Gift that is acceptable on that Day. Consider.

May the Lord keep us bowed and humbled before Him, ready to lift up our Gift when He, the King, appears.

Sister Sandy

Dear Sandy:

I pray to God that Jesus will give more of us those kinds of experiences with him. Your experience Saturday night touched a bunch of us. It was obvious that Jesus was doing something with your heart. Your experience was real; it was holy; and it was sobering to "consider".

Pastor John

July 31, 2003

John,

Reading Amy's e-mail, I was reminded of some people's response to us coming out of Christianity. When considering the children, they asked, "What will you do for the children?" They try to make it sound as if there is a lack of learning for the saints and children who come out of Christianity (Xty). That's the opposite of what really happens.

Xty teaches children many conflicting doctrines and other wrong things about God; they don't even agree with each other! Xty teaches children conflicting rituals, and other wrong ways to worship God; Xty claims to be the body of Christ when it is not. The whole religion of Xty is not of God; why would anyone not come out of it? Outside of Xty is where the best learning really takes place.

Coming out of Xty gives room for young hearts to grow in knowledge and wisdom. God's spirit can begin to teach children the truth about the government of God, the doctrine of God, and the way of God's grace, without interference from Xty. I think of the children of parents who have obeyed God and come out of Xty. They have had the opportunity to experience the real spirit of truth. The peace that young children feel among saints who are outside of Xty relaxes them, and if punishment is needed, the punishment is done with understanding and justice.

There is hope in our hero (Jesus ); there is no hope in Xty.

Bro. Earl

July 29, 2003

hello Pastor John,

We are really grateful for what God have been doing to us through you.

It is not quite long that i finished reading one of your books entitled "Solomon's Wisdom (the secret pathway)". Really, it is a book to befriend, and it is specially meant for my type of people. I gained a lot of youthful balance through it. Thank God for His marvelous inspirations to His faithful ones like you.

My regards to the family over there.

Bro Frank,

Lagos, Nigeria

July 24, 2003

Hi, Pastor John:

. . . for whatever reason, the topic of slavery came into my head, too, maybe a few days ago. And, like you, I could only remember things in the Bible that told how to deal with slaves - nothing saying that it was sin. Oh, now I remember: The president said something in Africa like, "Slavery is the biggest sin . . ." I have much love and reverence for Pres. Bush, but I hate how when people get in high positions they feel obligated to be all everything-is-okay-if-you-think-so.

Maybe everyone's big deal is that they don't want to seem racist or something by not opposing slavery, which is another topic altogether. . . Most people think right away about American slavery, and the whole deal that went (goes) on, over a hundred years after it was abolished. Like, I have some friends - and even strangers I have talked with - that will say things almost like, "Slavery is so bad", as if they mean to compensate me for something that they neither did to me nor did I ever experience! I don't think you missed a thing in the TFT. It's always really nice to just read something plain and truthful without an immediate apology or something!

Angela

Angela:

That is a very mature and perceptive response to my TFT on slavery. I am impressed that you have not fallen victim to the "poor pitiful me" spirit of this age. In our time, as Sister Lou said in a prayer meeting some years back, "everybody wants to be a victim." I hope that the Lord will continue to shine his light into your soul. In Christ, there are no "victims"; he was victim enough for all of us.

Pastor John

July 23, 2003

Bro. John:

Last night was such a blessing for me - - sitting there reading with you Preacher Clark's stories. After we had finished reading, again, just as when I typed them for the first time, the love of God started filling up my heart. As I stood and was ironing a blouse for work, I was thinking of the story of your father and Bro. Creech's healing meetings and how their lives crossed paths. Then the best "living" feeling came over me. God was letting me feel how my life had crossed that path, too. How I was a little part of their story. Here I stood, some 50 years later, still feeling the "touch" of Bro. Creech's hands placed on my head when I, as a little girl, had gone to his tent meeting and been blessed by his healing prayers. Able now to say as your father did, "I know Bro. Creech is right." I know because I was taken to one of his healing meetings as a little girl because a surgeon had said that the only way to rid my eye of a large cyst was to operate. He also told my mother that I would be scarred for life. But my grandmother knew of a "Bro. Creech", and a holiness tent meeting, where prayers went up to Jesus for healing. I remember standing in the sawdust before a platform, looking up at a soft-spoken man kneeling down in front of me. Tenderly, he looked at me and asked, "Honey, do you believe in Jesus?" "Yes sir", I replied. "Do you believe Jesus can heal your eye?" Again, "Yes sir." Then he pinned a little anointed cloth on my dress, gently laid his hands on my head, and prayed for Jesus to heal my eye. He told me to go home and pray and thank Jesus for my healing. I did, Bro. John. My mother and I prayed to Jesus. And no more than a couple of days later, we awoke to find that cyst rolled out of my eye and in the bed! Praise God!! And never a scar to this very day!

Today, here I am - - sitting listening to stories of two men who only God knew would still be blessing my life 50 years later! The little girl, healed, now blessed with the holy Ghost, loving and learning of that same power that led both of those precious men, Preacher Clark and Bro. Creech . . . . . and now hearing the truth and word of God preached by you, Bro. John, the son of George C. Clark. How much more could one's life be guided and blessed by God? I am humbled to be a part of all this. God help us to be worthy of all these blessings and to be able to continue these wonderful memories of God and His power for generations to come.

Thank you, Bro. John, for continuing to hold up the standard of holiness. Someone, somewhere is being blessed right now by this truth and may not realize until 50 years or more down the road what a loving God was directing their path.

Sister Sandy

July 23, 2003

Hi Gary.

Hope everything is well. Sorry I've been out of touch. I've been on the road for work for over a month straight now. I've got to go to Chicago this week, but then I finally get to come home for a while. I was just reading some tracts on Pastor John's website, and after I read one of them in particular about "the second death" I was left with quite a chill. Not scared, but it definitely made me pause and think. You know it's so easy to focus so much on this worldly life because we are in the "here and now" and life is hard and carries so much responsibility in the world today. It's hard for me to think about anything other than the day at hand. But what a short life this is. Yet I cannot figure out why it is so hard for me to put worldly things aside and instead use this life to make myself ready for the next. Maybe I don't have enough faith in God that everything will be better than its ever been if I suffer through some things now and go to Him. Maybe I don't want it bad enough.

I can feel God. Sometimes when I think about sins I've committed I start to cry and feel so sorry in my heart. Those are the times when I feel God's comfort. It feels like God is crying with me, but I can also feel Him loving me at the same time. I know God loves me so much and I feel like he's waiting for me. It's hard to say this but I feel like I can't do it. I don't know if I have what it takes for a long-term effort of seeking God. I had so much happiness and optimism when I was meeting with the Louisville saints on a regular basis. It was all so wonderful. I know I will come to Christ by being with those who have already come to Christ. That one night at your house where I fell on the floor shouting was the first time I ever felt God in such a dramatic way. I had never been happier.

I need to get back to work so I'll stop rambling now. Please keep me updated on the Louisville meeting schedule. I want to give this another try if you all will still have me. I love knowing what the real congregation of the Lord is and I love being around all of you.

I need lots of prayer. For that reason, I'd love it if you read this email (or forwarded it) to the Louisville crowd but don't feel obligated. Each one of you are in my thoughts everyday. Thanks and I hope to see you soon.

Your friend,

Victor

Hello Vic.

Thanks for the update on what's going on with you....I will pass your e-mail along to others as you asked, for prayer, etc.

Vic, it's just a matter of what you really want. It's easy when you just "be" the kind of person you want to be... I think that the "hardness" of it is in NOT doing what you want to do. It's time to stop "whining" about what you can't do, and trust the God who CAN do!

Jesus gave you that experience on the floor which you described - and it made you happy! Jesus can make you happy if you believe on Him. And continue to associate with the people that are, as you have described well, "so wonderful" (and spend your time on them, not on people who are not after the God of truth.) It's just a matter of you living out what you say the "inside" of you really wants!

We still meet on at the same times as we used to meet. You said about being with us, "I had never been happier" --- well what's keeping you? Come on! We have never been happier too!

Gary

July 23, 2003

Brother John,

I sure have enjoyed the TFT on Tithes & Offerings. I remember when I started coming this way, tithes felt right. I tried to give a little at the Baptist place, but giving there didn't feel right. I remember feeling blessed by Brother Swaggart, although God was letting me see how little truth that he knew. I sent my tithes there and that didn't feel right. Praise God for feelings. How blessed I feel, sitting here writing this.

Then I sent my tithes to the 700 Club and wrote on the letter, "Feed the poor." That didn't feel right. So I started every payday putting my tithes in a bank account. I told God, "They are yours. I don't know what to do with them; I'll put them there until you tell me what to do with them."

A few months later, through circumstances, God brought me into your life and into your father's life. God had already been showing me the truth. I knew this was where I belonged. If I remember right, I brought you a check for about $1,100.00. I said, "This is where I want this to go."

Although I didn't know about the offerings, you taught me the right ways on offerings. Do you know the joy and relief to my soul when there was someone worthy to take my tithes? Praise God for his mercy. As I write this letter, tears of joy are rolling down my face. Jesus has always showed up whenever I needed him.

And thank you, Brother John, for being there.

Brother Sammy

Dear Sammy:

The congregation that meets at my house is a people that God put together. One by one, Jesus has added us together and made us a happy family. I wish that all of God's children had a real spiritual home like ours instead of wandering from one "high place" in Xty to another.

Anyway, I am glad that Jesus has made you are a part of our life, and I look forward to the years ahead with both you and Sheila, if God will let us live to see them.

jdc

July 22, 2003

Bro. John:

The 7-23 TFT, "How Jesus Looked", really touched my heart. It brought back to mind, a paint-by-number picture of Jesus that I did as a very young girl. I don't even know why I chose to paint a picture of Jesus. I can only imagine now that it was a seed of love that Jesus had planted in my heart that he knew one day would grow. After I had completed the picture, I discovered that I had painted one of his eyes wrong, making him look a little "ugly" and deformed. I remember how it bothered me that I had not painted him "perfect", until you told me one day how Jesus was described in Isaiah as having no real beauty in his looks. I still have that picture.

When I was in the world, I met some "beautiful" looking people with awful attitudes and mean dispositions. All things that are beautiful are not always good nor kind. But as David said of God, " . . . . thy spirit is good . . . ." I am so glad that God has given us His Spirit so that we can know what is beautiful and good, and what is not.

This morning, He awoke me with such a beautiful feeling and said, "Stay in the boat until Jesus finishes His work in you."

Bro John, wherever Jesus is, is where I want to be. Sometimes He is out of the boat walking on the water, and sometimes He is in the boat calming the storm. Wherever He is, it is His goodness, wisdom, and power that is keeping all of us. He sure is beautiful to me!

Thank you for the good TFTs.

Sandy

July 18, 2003

John,

The whole time we were in XTY we kept giving because we wanted Jesus to be happy with us. But there was never any peace in it; there was only unrest because we knew we didn't have a lot of money. The Xtn ministers really know how to pull at one's heartstrings to get money from him. We just didn't know God well enough to realize all their begging wasn't really about God.

I'm so thankful Jesus loved us enough to correct us regarding finances so that we can really give with a cheerful heart. We've been on the side of not being allowed to pay tithes & offerings...that was one of the hardest things I've ever been through. And now we're on this side of having the priviledge of bringing back to God His tithes & offerings & it is so wonderful. What a clean feeling we are all allowed to feel when we give back to God His tithes & offerings.

Love,

Tim and Bess

July 17, 2003

Hey Pastor John,

I really enjoyed brother Jr’s e-mail. That is what a right heart will do when it hears something that is right---it goes after it. My experience with paying tithes is similar to Brother Jr’s. Anna and I had only been coming about 3 to 4 weeks together, when brother JT and brother Jimmy P and I went fishing together. I had just received the holy ghost, and brother JT started talking about paying tithes.

I don’t remember everything that was said, but it felt right. Now, we had lived on the edge of our finances all of our life. We paid all our bills, but there was not much left over, and we were deep in debt. When we got home, Anna and I had a talk about tithes, and we both decided that we were going to pay our tithes whether we sank or swim. It was not God's fault for what we had gotten ourselves into with our finances. But when you start doing what is right, there is no telling what God will do! “Praise God” Somehow we made it----I know how we made it: “GOD DID IT”, and our life was better then it had ever been before! AND we learned how to handle our finances the right way, and we have been blessed since.

Then you came up and started preaching about offerings, and we went straight to work on that, too, and have even been more blessed. “Amen!” And, John, it is not about gain. It is all about doing the right thing. Even if we would have lost everything, it would still have been right. It is about having fellowship in God, and that is what we want more than anything.

Bro. Stuart

July 16, 2003

I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading the TFT's on Tithes and Offerings. I may not make much money for the month just working a little bit from home, but I sure do look forward to getting paid that once a month and giving God HIS money! I love being able to do that! Ken and I both have been blessed so much, and we are both so thankful for what God has done and is doing in our lives.

I am content with what I have and need nothing more. We are so blessed! I would love to have another child, but if God's will is for us not to, then we're happy with what He has done for us and given us. Our little girl is a precious gift from God, and we love her dearly and thank God for her! I know it's all right, b/c it's in God's hands. :) We are going to keep praying about it.

I just read the TFT for today and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it and all the rest of them we have read.

Love,

Rita

July 16, 2003

Hey Pastor John,

I've really enjoyed the e-mails on tithes and offerings. I was thinking back when I first started years ago and an elderly lady came to Natalie and I and mentioned tithes. It was the first time I had ever heard of tithes, but I had only been around about thirty days and had not yet received the Holy Ghost, but when I heard about tithes it just felt right. We started paying them but then went several years without knowing about offerings. I thought that offerings were helping someone with financial need in the congregation. If I remember correctly, you came to town and preached about tithes and offerings and it was a good feeling. Then we started paying offerings, thank God for his truths!

I was also thinking about the meeting we had on Sunday when Sister Wanda came in praising God. She was sitting down praising God, she was standing up praising God, she had a smile with tears. It was amazing that someone being around for only a couple of months was teaching us how to praise God. When the meeeting was all over and she was finished praising God, she went up to Natalie and asked about paying tithes. Gary then gave her a tract on tithes.

I'm glad to know that everything I have God has given to me and without Him I would have nothing. I appreciate all the help you have been these twenty years or more in my life. I hope we have at least twenty more! I also enjoy paying my tithes and offerings, and thank you for receiving them. I'm thankful that God has sent you as my pastor.

Brother Junior

July 15, 2003

Hi John,

I have really enjoyed all the e-mails on T&O's and all the responses. It is so exciting to read the TFT's and feel every word bubbling up inside of you, and knowing you have been feeling right about T&O's all along the way. I feel so honored that God would let my family be a part of what he is doing here on this earth, and I would feel really mistreated if we were not allowed to do our part of that. I mean, if God did not require us to pay T& O's, and he would bless us like he has, I would have to explode inside. Tithes is a relief to me. To be able to pay T&O's, what a holy thing to do! Praise God! Jesus has done it again!

Stuart

July 15, 2003

Hi John.

I have really enjoyed your series on Tithes and Offerings. Was that the last part? The reason I am asking is that I am going to combine ALL your articles and put them on my website. I think T&O is a topic that I get the most questions on day to day. Normally the questions come from people who say that tithing is never mentioned in the new testament, and therefore not required by believers today.

That is where the old testament knowledge comes in. Thank God we have some! A person need only decide whether tithes and offerings is a "moral" or a "ceremonial" commandment. If it is moral, it must be sin to CEASE from doing it. If it is ceremonial, it would be sin to CONTINUE it (in the flesh). (And of course, I suppose we must always be open to new commandments.... if God directed us NOT to pay tithes or offerings by giving us a new commandment from Spirit of God, we would have to be open to that. But I guess that would be equal to God saying we would have to kill a person. We would have to ask God for His ID to hear that one!! )

Boy - we have been blessed by God with knowledge, haven't we? It's hard to imagine living without the knowledge of God we have - but I was there. Doing things, and not even knowing why, really. What a joy to say "thank you Jesus" for all that he has given us. It's because of Him that we live, have peace, understand anything, and are even ABLE to obey Him. He gets all the credit again!

Anyway, thanks for these articles. They really added to my understanding and blessed me.

Gary

Dear Gary:

There is more coming.

jdc

Hey there...

I thought about something interesting after I wrote you my last e-mail on tithes....

Has God ever led His children in the new testament era, to do something contrary to the moral commandments in the old testament? I.e., would the Spirit of God ever have us do something "contrary" to what was written in the moral laws of the old testament, via a new "commandment" from the Spirit of God? I could not think of a new testament situation in the bible where God did do this. Do you know of any?

That was an interesting thought to me - and I wondered why I thought that God WOULD ever change any of his moral commandments at all, if He has never done so. And if he would NOT change any of his "moral" commandments, then tithes and offerings would be something that would not be altered in this age!

What do you think? Or is that an "overthinking" thought?

Gary

Dear Gary:

The thought you have is a good one. The moral commandments of God are more in force now than they were in the Old Testament. In other words, if tithing is a moral commandment, as it certainly is, then it is more in force now than in the Old Testament, and it will never be repealed. On the new earth, we will still be happily bringing to God His tithes and offerings. This is suggested in Isaiah 66:23 and Revelation 21:23-24, and maybe some other Scriptures that I can't think of right now.

We also know that the whole world will be required to come to worship Jesus during the thousand year reign with Christ, and it is unthinkable that they will be allowed to come before Him empty handed.

God is to be feared and honored with the firstfruits of all that we receive, and it will always be that way throughout eternity. That is something that the upright want to do. It is their joy because they know that it is an honor if God receives what they bring.

I have not heard from the Lord on this, but there have been several people over the years who have felt that they should bring to the Lord their entire first paycheck from a new job, or their entire first Social Security paycheck. If I hadn't known the hearts of the few people who have done that, I would have refused them. But I couldn't turn them down. There was something about the conviction they felt that seemed right and acceptable. If I ever feel led by Jesus to teach people to do that, I will. Until then, I will leave it to those who have that thought come from their own hearts.

Thanks for the thought. It is a good one.

jdc

July 15, 2003

Wow! haha... That email from Mr. Nelson was really sweet. Thank you for letting us read these emails. It may sound a little weird, but when you all get excited about things, and I'm not so excited... I have to ask Jesus to fix whatever it is, "Jesus, there has to be some kind of hardness somewhere, let me be happy over it like them!" As you can imagine, it has actually been happening piece by piece. I can't even imagine how you all love life... "So much that you want to live forever", like Mr. Nelson said! Thank you a whole bunch. Not to sound grudging, but it's still a new thing to me for adults to be so innocently happy over anything... or most people I've ever met (myself included) for that matter.

Have a nice day! It's quite gloomy outside here in Texas, but I hope I have a nice day too!

Bethany

Dear Bethany:

Jesus said that unless we become as little children, we will never see the kingdom of his father. We can't do that in ourselves. "But with God all things shall be possible." No matter how big we are (and Mr. Nelson is a pretty big guy, 6'4" and all that), the love of God, when it is taken in, can melt the heart and turn us into a happy little child in His eyes.

Sometimes I have had to wonder, "Can life get any better than this?" It is so humbling. Jesus is my hero.

Pastor John

PS Hope all is ok with the storm that is down there now.

July 15, 2003

Wow,

I just read Part 4 of the TFT on Tithes and Offerings. This is just good. When I read this statement:

If your pastor receives God’s tithes and offerings from you even when he knows that you are living in sin, then what you are doing is simply bribing him to keep his mouth shut.

I had not had that thought before. It is exactly right. And, oh, how serious a thing it is. Consider what you are doing and who you are giving your Tithes and Offerings. It matters to your soul. If you are not giving to God what is His anyway, you cannot be completely convinced in your heart that you are hearing the truth. If you are half-heartedly giving here and there, then you are:

"hiding from God’s conviction under the shadow of a dying tree."

This is good stuff. I love getting down to the basics and being reminded of God's simple truth. You examine yourself and God reminds you of all He has done! I am thankful. Thankful. Thankful!

Amy

July 15, 2003

John,

Reading these TFT's on tithes and offerings makes me even more thankful for what Jesus did for me. I was so miserable living a sinful life years ago and when Jesus touched me in Sept. 98 I took Him "hook, line and sinker"!

Years earlier, while I was in Christianity I remember paying some money regularly, but it was certainly not 10% on gross income, plus offerings. I remember being in "christian" business meetings and the discussion of money and how the christian church always needed more money for the building fund in order to build larger buildings, more money to buy prettier robes, more money to put on better dramas, etc...

Well, when Jesus touched me in 1998, I had been out of Christianity about seven years. I had not been paying any tithes and offerings to anyone, anywhere. I was so excited to have been touched by Jesus and given a new chance at life that paying my tithes and offerings was not a problem. WOW! Looking back, that was a big deal. It was a big deal to be so excited over what Jesus had done for me that I could hardly wait for payday to come around so I could pay my T & O's. It was amazing to me to see how God started blessing my family. Everytime I get an increase in salary or a bonus, I know it is God and I am reaping what I have been sowing! I knew a big reason He had given me a chance to live was because "somebody had been praying for me"! I knew that somebody was you and the saints! The same people whom I did not like prior to Jesus touching me in 1998, and suddenly I was in a spot where I could not get enough of all of you wonderful people. Wonderful people and a Pastor who were/are just living a clean, happy & holy life. People who enjoy life so much that we all want to live forever!

I remember hearing some stories where you had actually given some people's money back because their money had hooks in it. Oh boy, I knew that was something that I had NEVER heard anywhere else. A Pastor giving people money back and/or not accepting money that was unclean. WOW! It was just another big check mark on my heart that "this really is the way". I did nothing to deserve the truth, but here I am right in the middle of God's wonderful love.

Over the last five years I have seen a few cases where paying tithes and offerings is a stumbling block to new folks who have been touched by Jesus. It is scary to me for those new folks, because I know the seriousness of the situation. I can feel my heart yearning inside wanting to tell them "go ahead and put all your eggs in one basket, this is not christianity". Paying tithes & offerings to an anointed man of God is part of staying clean before God. It's a way of showing God just how thankful we are to have had our eyes and ears opened. It's a way of showing God how happy we are to be in the truth.

Thank you for obeying God and wanting to help others find the keys to happiness and life.

Brother Rob

July 15, 2003

Bro. John:

With each and every TFT you have sent out on "Tithes and Offerings", I have felt the seriousness of obeying God's commandments. My Spirit has felt to weep for the purity and holiness in the words that I have been reading. They remind me of what the Lord spoke when we were out in L'ville a few months ago - "I want my People near me. You WILL be a most Holy People because I am a most Holy God."

To recognize "God's representative" on this earth who is here "in Christ's stead" is the spiritual lifeline for God's children. God's People cannot survive if they don't recognize that. It makes me tremble to think that one of God's holy men would be in my presence and I would not heed what he is saying. What you wrote in today's TFT on T&O, ". . . . whenever Melchizedek received tithes down here, those tithes were received in heaven", went deep into my heart. Giving my T&O to God's Anointed is the same as placing them in the hands of Jesus. That is a very sobering and serious thought.

God wants us near Him. To be near Him there is no "choice" to be holy. We MUST be. It is a commandment: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1Peter: 15,16

I heard you say on the last "Government" tape that "this is a Family business." It feels like God is also saying, "this is MY Business, and I AM SERIOUS."

Lord, help us to take all these things into our hearts. We are blessed to be hearing such pure and holy words from above. Let us love them, Lord, because loving your commandments is loving You.

Sandy

July 14, 2003

Bro. John:

I am thankful that God has placed me where I can be taught the "right ways" of God. Tithes and offerings was one of the right ways that I had to be taught. Coming out of Xnty, I had no knowledge that tithes and offerings was a commandment of God . . . . . the God of my salvation. In Xnty, tithes and offerings was just like one word. In Xnty, it meant "give whatever" when the "offering" plate was passed around. Just put "something" in the plate. But after I received the holy Ghost, I wanted to do what was right in God. And I had to learn what that was. I remember the day I heard your father say on a tape, "If you don't pay tithes and offerings, you cannot be saved. It is a commandment." I had never thought about it as breaking one of God's commandments, "Thou shalt not steal." In His mercy though, Jesus started teaching me. Now, I realize that I am blessed to have a very rich Father who owns "the cattle upon a thousand hills", and none of it is mine. He just loves me enough to share with ME what is HIS!

Bro. John, in these latter years, when I stop and realize that I have lived more years of my life than are left for me to live, a soberness has set in to take each and every day and thank God for the commandments that He has written in my heart, and to obey them. To follow His Spirit, and live.

Proverbs 4:4

"He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live."

Thank you for such humbling thoughts: "God doesn't owe us anything." AMEN! And we don't have anything to give to Him. It is already His.

The TFT's have been wonderful. They address REAL life! Thank you.

Sister Sandy

July 14, 2003

Pastor John,

I really enjoyed reading the TFT's on Tithes and Offerings. It is very clear what God requires of his children. I love how clear and simple God's plan is. What else but to live simple....obey his commandments....and enjoy living. Thanks for explaining this in more detail. The things we have only come from Jesus....and to give him what is already his is an honour and a privilege. I feel very thankful just to have someone that will accept my tithes and offerings, for if I was 'wandering in the wilderness' [of Christianity] ...I wouldn't know what to do with them. Thanks again.

Amy

July 11, 2003

Pastor John

I just read the e-mail from brad and he mentioned something about the trinity. Every time i have read some material that has mentioned that in it, i am just lost, i don't understand it, (even before i was shown the truth) i don't want to understand it, even though you cant understand it. I have tried some times to try and see it from a xtn point of view but i cant, it is too confussing. i just could never understand that even when i was a little kid in xty. They had like school's, while the minister gave his sermon and they taught stuff (which i can't remember) they taught how there was Jesus teaching people when he walked on this planet, and they also taught how god created the unirverse and all the planet's, but they never said any thing about the third thing (which i cant remember what it is). am just glad that jesus' way is simple and straight.

sweber

Steven:

I'm with you, buddy. Thank God for His simple Truth!

But there is one thing in your letter that I would like to clarify for you. You say that you could never understand the doctrine of the Trinity from the Christian point of view because whenever you tried to understand it, you became confused. My dear Steven, confusion IS the Christian point of view. So, you see? You are smarter than you thought you were! You really were seeing the doctrine of the Trinity from the Christian point of view.

Nobody on earth "understands" that doctrine, Steven, and everybody who tries to understand it becomes "confused". The only difference between you and Christians is that they just won't admit that they are confused by that bizarre doctrine, and you are honest enough to say, "This makes no sense!"

Keep up the good work, and stay close to Jesus. Don't surrender your God-given common sense to any man.

Pastor John

July 11, 2003

Pastor John:

Whew! I'm exhausted from reading all that contorted doctrinal gobbledygook on B's friend's website for her church.

It's just phenomenal how contradictory and confused it all is, ------and those are holy ghost filled believers! What a shame. I can feel Jesus' heart breaking. It's absolutely pathetic. Wow.

This is particularly weird:

"We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural. . . . (Yeah, right. Dream on.) . . .but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained."

Now THAT's insanity!

John, I can't understand how you've been able to endure the heartache of so many brothers and sisters being trapped in Xty for all these years! Now that God has made me part of His family I can feel how much it hurts, when on this side of the fence the Truth is so simple and clean. I suppose we must simply continue to love it and live it and not strive to free our trapped brethren from the cages they've grown accustomed to. God bless Bethany for the revelation she's been given! What a precious spirit of discernment in a young person.

~Brother Brad

Dear Brad:

It is heartbreaking to see some of precious God's children "standing tall" in defense of Christianity and its strange rituals and doctrines--especially that insane doctrine of the Trinity. They have absolutely no idea what they are doing, or where those doctrines and rituals came from. Sometimes, I have to remind myself not to become impatient and vexed in my soul, that there is nothing I can do about the situation except obey and trust God for myself, and that God loves His people more than I do. It is all in His hands.

All we can do is publish the truth as purely and as lovingly as we can. It is a fearful responsibility because I know that the truth is going to rescue those saints who believe it, and that it is going to condemn the children of God who do not (2Thess. 2:7-13). God help us to do our part faithfully for our brothers and sisters now imprisoned by the spirit of Satan within that awful thing called Christianity. How we love them! They are the apple of God's eye, and of our eye as well, if we are like Him.

Pastor John

July 11, 2003

Hi John,

Thank you for the TFT on worthless zeal. It was wonderful. You are right, God does not owe us anything! Everything we do right has been directed by HIS SPIRIT. Without his spirit, we all would be lost.

When I hear people mention sometimes about how far I have to drive to the meetings, it makes me want to crawl under my chair. I feel so honored to be there, and without God putting that in my heart, I would not do it. I feel like that is my reasonable service, what I am supposed to do, and I get blessed to do it!! "Wow" God gives you the spirit to do something, and then he blesses you for it!!! What kind of God is that?! "I love him" It all is about God.

Thanks, John.

Bro. Stuart

July 11, 2003

Thank you for this great TFT, John, on Worthless Zeal (7-09). I soaked it in - and it felt very good. I pray that it stays as the leading thought in everything I do on this earth.

Jesus is everything.... it is an honor to have anything I do be not only "inspired by", but also accepted of Him. I owe Him everything - he owes me nothing - yet He gives me His sweet feelings in Christ Jesus day by day. He is truly wonderful and worthy of all praise...I want to praise Him more!! (and have it be acceptable, of course.)

Thanks again.

Gary

July 10, 2003

Bro. John:

I just wanted to share with you the wonderful feelings in the meeting last night. It felt as if the Spirit was reaching out and touching each one with such an overwhelming Presence that all I could do was go to my knees. Then from a place way down deep in my heart the Spirit started flooding out in thankfulness to Jesus. I could hear, "What have I to bring to Jesus but a thankful, humble heart?" The Spirit just flowed out of my mouth in thanksgiving and a feeling of such humbleness before Him. There was no need for anything else except praise to Jesus in all thankfulness and humility from way down deep in the heart. It was wonderful, Bro. John. I know there is NO meeting without the Lord, and last night . . . . . the Lord WAS the meeting.

It blessed me so to look around and see and hear each one, from the smallest to the biggest, being touched. As our Bro. David said in Psalms, to be redeemed of the Lord and have rest in our souls should make each one of our hearts rejoice for evermore. We can feel that peace now in humble praise and worship of our King.

Last night, my soul was singing unto the Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you.

"My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed."

So thankful,

Sister Sandy

July 7, 2003

Hi, Pastor John.

The TFT for 7/4 was so wonderful. The following was really good:

"A holy life brings light into the world; it exposes those who are still living in sin. You don’t have to try to make it be that way; simply obeying God does it. True holiness makes sin appear to be sin, and very often, when their sins are exposed, sinners choose to condemn the light as being evil rather than to repent of the evil they are doing."

This explains simply why, when I have talked with love to sinners about the truth of the new birth, they are sometimes very angry and/or upset, thinking (and sometimes saying) that I am being holier-than-thou.

I just want them to pray and get close to God and become "holier-than-thou" with me! Haha!! I know I cannot put that desire in their hearts, but maybe can win them to me by loving the truth and letting it show in every area of my life. This is what happened to me when my son, Paul, came to the truth and I saw his whole life changing before my eyes. His love of the truth won me to want it also. True holiness really does make sin be just what it is......SIN!!! No more lying or pretending that it is NOT sin. Obeying God makes us know that SIN is SIN!! How good to love this truth! How clean to be living SINLESS! I am like Sister Donna...I am having a wonderful day and I haven't sinned all day! Thanks to Jesus.

What a wonderful time we all had over the week-end. I am more in love with Jesus and His people than ever. Thanks for being there for us. See you soon.

Sister Ruth.

July 7, 2003

Hi Pastor John,

Saturday night was wonderful. I kept thinking of the word "worship" instead of "praise", so I looked up the words in the dictionary.

Praise is to commend the worth of, or to glorify God. Worship is to have intense love or admiration for.

I think that is what I was feeling Saturday night, intense love for God like I have never felt before. Surrounded by the presence and love of God, loving him back, and back and forth. It was wonderful, can't describe it.

We've had the OT class many times, but never have we reached the places we have this time. Thanks for teaching us.

Love,

Debbie T

Dear Debbie:

If God's children everywhere only knew the Old testament well, I believe that 90 percent of the divisions that exist among us would be done away with. I am glad you are experiencing the glory of God as we travel through the OT together.

Pastor John

July 5, 2003

Dear John:

I don't know who has the job (maybe not a "job") of sending out tracts that are requested but I thank whoever is responsible for doing it.

Your tracts from the Pioneer Tract Society (pioneertract.com) have blessed me down through the years, and thank God they are not the "Plan of Salvation" type that never did anything much for me but get me confused.

Ray

July 5, 2003

Dear John,

You know what?

I've been in my office for the past three hours, all of this Saturday morning, reading your newest TFTs, studying my Bible with my concordance, praying when the spirit moves me to, weeping with profound thankfulness, joy and wonder at the revelations given to us----through you, our pastor, through Sister Sandy, Gary's teachings, and whoever God graces us with. I can't get away. I can't seem to stop living in the wonderful things of God (!)

I am humbled.

I am thrilled.

I am at His mercy.

I am in love with this truth and with our beloved savior. I can't put it any plainer that that.

It's overwhelming----- while at the same time----comforting to know that the doctrine we believe is from the living, holy God of this Universe. PRAISE JESUS!! AMEN!

In knowing this we do not boast, for it has been given to us by His mercy and by grace. He has given us the faith to believe it. It is not of ourselves!

It's INCREDIBLE, yet CREDIBLE! It's beyond figuring out! Amen!

When I read the TFT titled, "You Will Not Die" I was reminded of a strange occurance in my youth.

Around 1976 or 1977 the King Tut Exhibit toured the museums of America. My wife, Ann, (then my girlfreind) and I went with my folks to view the wonders of the Egyptian collection in San Francisco.

I vividly recall a moment when I looked upon the famous golden mask of Tutankammen, embellished in lapis blue and black, that I heard a voice say to me, "You will not die." It startled me a bit. I pondered it. Looked away, then fixed my gaze again on the ancient relic, and dared "the voice" to say it again. As I stared in awe at the beauty of this Egyptian face, I heard the same comforting voice say, "You will not die". I knew I heard some supernatural voice, yet I wasn't superstitious enough to think it came from a dead Egyptian art treasure. In my heart, I knew it was the voice of God, and strangely enough I believed it. (At the time, I didn't even care anything about God or Jesus) But ever since then, it instilled in me an inner confidence. A faith in everlasting life, or at least a long life in my earthly body.

For years I recalled that voice. I'd think back on that Egyptian mask and reconsider what I'd heard and how moved I had been, deep in my soul. "You will not die." Then when I began to seek Jesus and the truth, I rememberd that voice again, and it began to take on a new context. Now, I have a funny feeling that it was the voice of Jesus, speaking through another vessel, while my spirit was in a reverent attitude. Although I was viewing an archeological exhibit that was neither holy nor unholy, Jesus planted something in my brain---in my heart---that I never forgot, that carried me forward, for two more decades, always hungering and thirsting for The Truth.

Wow. Look what's become of that promise that I heard in a vague chamber of my heart. A still small voice had a hold on me, and blessed me with faith; a meager, but nevertheless, tenacious measure of faith. Without even realizing it, I'd been given the promise of everlasting life, by the holy ghost, which has come true at last, having been born again (if I endure obediently to the end).

Who can know God's ways? They are beyond understanding. Amen!

Brother Brad

Wonderful story, Brad. Just goes to show us again that we were His before we came to Him. He knew us before we knew Him, even before the foundation of the world.

Pastor John

July 2, 2003

Pastor John,

This is Jonathan again - thank you for your response. I just wanted to make something clear - I was not intending to talk badly about the UPCI - generally, my experience with the UPCI congregations has been a tremendous blessing. Being 20 years old myself, maybe I've missed this...but I've heard that back 20 or 30 years ago, there was a lot of pride in the Pentecostal movement, and so a lot of people from the baby-boomer generation left and got hurt very badly, but I think that was more of a generalization.

Jonathan:

I saw that pride and what it did to people. The old-line Pentecostals had become so dead spiritually, proud of their former humilty, that God by-passed them altogether in the 1960's and 1970's and began filling with the holy Ghost people who were Baptist, Methodist, many Catholics, etc. I can't tell you how unexpected among Pentecostals that was. It had not been that way before. Nobody (or close to that) at that time received the holy Ghost unless he went to a Pentecostal meeting.

That new and wonderful work of God provoked many Pentecostals to anger, much like the Jews were angered when God by-passed them and their "works of the Law" (including water baptism) and began pouring out His Spirit on us Gentile "dogs" without having to participate in those works.

Honestly, my experience has been great - and its funny, but most UPCI congregations that I know of celebrate Christmas now - I've never been given a bad attitude or anything.

Good!

That is news to me about UPC members now celebrating Christmas. I hope they don't get too wrapped up in that awful "spirit of Christmas", but I am glad to hear that some of them have lost their superstitious fear of the Christmas tradition.

I am wondering if there are any other doctrines with UPCI you are concerned about - I am, for example, a little confused by your stand on water baptism, as to why we don't need it today - forgive me if I'm wrong and that is not your position.

Anyway, it was great to hear from you again, friend.

Your friend,

Jonathan

Jonathan:

As concerns UPC doctrines, I am ignorant of most of them.

As for water baptism, I was asked about it so often by UPC people that I decided to make a special place on my web site just for the UPC people--the "Apostolic Corner" in the lower right hand corner of the front page. Most of the correspondence there has to do with water baptism because it is so very important to UPC people, and they always bring up the subject. I believe that all your questions about what I teach concerning water baptism can be answered (probably several times over) in that place. Check it out, and if any of your questions remain unanswered, please feel free to let me know.

Your non-Christian servant in Christ,

jdc

July 2, 2003

John,

The TFT regarding "Making Jesus Lord" (TFT 7-1-03) really touched me. I wish there was a tract with this message so we could send it out with our Internet orders.

While reading this TFT it brought back sweet memories of how Jesus touched me one night. Someone had given me tract called the Four Spiritual Laws. It was a formula for making Jesus your Lord and Savior. Although this phrase was unfamiliar to me, I was used to religious formulas and recipes because of my catholic background.

The point is I needed help. My heart and emotions were broken. My mind was in torment. As I knelt on the floor of my living room reading that tract with as much sincerity as I could, Jesus touched me. It was as if he reached over, took the tract out of my hand, and said, "I have always been Lord of your life." I did not hear those words but what I felt changed my life forever.

As you said earlier, "God can do anything", so he was not moved one way or the other by what I was reading. He was already Lord of my life and was just making me aware of it.

Thanks John for taking the time to send out these messages. They are sweet nuggets from heaven.

Tom

July 1, 2003

Hey John,

I love these TFT's. They are honey to my Spirit. The Friday night class about David was so good, and I remembered I had a cd of an old meeting titled David Above the Law. I have listened to it over and over, and I have never felt what I feel now about the story of David and the mercy of God. It has touched my heart so deep. I can hardly type this without crying. John, God loves His people, He has made a way of escape for anyone who will repent and do right. We are very blessed to see this truth and to know a true and living God, one that touches our hearts and gives us understanding. The very same God that David knew!!!!! You have said over and over again that God is not a big one of us, and He is not. He is just BIG and He CAN DO ANYTHING.

Sister Lou

June 30, 2003

Bro. John:

What a sobering time. I've yet to read anything that has made me feel more the unlimited power of God and the limited nature of man than the TFT for 6-30: "God Can Do Anything". If Jesus in Psalms cried, "But I am a worm, and no man; . . . . . " how much more should we be on our faces humbly crying out to God for help. I am so thankful to be here in the truth. . . . . . still learning of His amazing ways. Still feeling the wonderment every time He takes us to another place in Him. I did not come to the truth by knowledge of the Bible, but by the direction of a living God who can do anything. That living God's voice led me. And still is leading. I am thankful that the Bible is not God. That God is God.

Thank you. This TFT is going to soak in for a while. It makes me want to get as low as I can get in His Presence.

Sister Sandy

Dear Sister Sandy:

You last comment reminds me of the 2-20-01 prayer meeting when the Spirit of God fell so wonderfully on us all. Do you remember what you said, after that you and Lou came to yourselves? You said to the congregation that "you are still a proud people", and you told everyone that if we hope to get close to God, we must humble ourselves greatly.

This is true, and the more I ponder over the awesome truths of God, and the coming Judgment, the humbler I desire to learn to be. I think that it is beyond human ability to humble ourselves as we ought. I believe it will take God in His mercy and power to help us become as humble before Him as we need to be in order to obtain His best and to escape His wrath that is coming upon all unrighteousness. We have placed our hope in Him to help us to do just that.

Pastor John

June 21, 2003

I'm afraid.

Pastor John,

I don't know what's going on. I told you in another email about how when anyone has loved me, I've told them off or something. Well, my mind is cursing at Jesus. I used a word that I have RARELY said out loud in the past (because it bothered me even then).

I am afraid of blasphemy. I have called the Father and Jesus both weird things in my thought process for over a month now, but it's getting stronger and heavier. I hate it. I draw near to God and my mind curses at Him. These words have been used towards other things, yes, but it's mostly towards things holy. I'm scared. All other blasphemies will be forgiven of men, but that one... I want to hope in God's mercy for forgiveness, but without as much faith as is needed...

Please, pray for me and HELP me. I don't know what to do. I don't want hellfire FOREVER over something I can barely control. I keep thinking about the thing about being "made to be taken and destroyed" and I don't get that, so maybe you see how my thoughts are raging right now. I have to pray to Jesus - even babble, it seems - to keep the thoughts out, and it felt like I stopped prayer for about a second today and ended up swearing at Him "to His face". I don't know what's going on. I AM AFRAID. I 'm not doing well right now, please answer me.

Kelly

Dear Kelly:

You are not the only one who has heard those voices. I and others have been through the same battles. They are voices of the spirits of this age, and the world is full of them. They cry out and would interrupt every good thing we do, if they could. When you hear them, just take it as a reminder of what God is calling you away from. This is the most important thing, however: You MUST know that it is not you. If you think it is you, you will feel condemned. And if you feel condemned, then you will try to repent, but you cannot repent because it isn't you that committed the crime. And if you cannot repent, then you never feel "forgiven", and it just goes on . . . . an endless cycle of misery and fear.

The key for me was to learn that it was not I. Brother Earl Pittman is the one God used to help me learn that, many years ago. What a relief that was! Merely hearing those voices is not a sin. The whole world is full of unclean spirits, and we all hear them and feel them sometimes. But we can be happy that they are not us. Think about it; you know that those voices are evil, and you hate them. You know certainly, then, that they are not you. Just keep going toward Jesus with confidence in his love for you.

And you need not fear that you have committed the unpardonable sin. No one can commit that sin until after he has been born again and known the power and truth of God. Read Hebrews 6:4-6. You have not yet "tasted of the heavenly gift", etc.

We already love you, Kelly. You are already in our hearts. It already hurts us when you are troubled. I want you to "be of good cheer", for "he calleth for thee."

Pastor John

Later on June 21st...

Whew.

I had a feeling they weren't me, bu