District Elder's Voice

"What the American flag represent to you?"

2009-07-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

The American flag represents a whole lot to the Americans who have spent time fighting for our freedom in this great nation.

Our forefathers gave all they had in order to establish freedom. As the words of Patrick Henery proclaimed “Give me liberty or give me death”.

I know a man who died for the ultimate freedom His name was Jesus. We may say “Our colors don’t run” but Jesus blood has run for over 2000 years. The blood of Calvary will run until that final day of His appearing. I hope that you will make your rest in His blessed assurance.

One day a few years ago around the time we celebrate the 4th of July, I began to look at that symbol of our American Flag. I believe God began to show me just how much he had anointed our fore fathers to create this symbol.

I began to count the stripes on the flag, 7 red, 6 white. I began to think wow 7 red stripes, Red to represent blood shed, 7 God’s perfect number. 6 white stripes, 6 represents the number of man, pure as white is what man becomes when the blood of Christ is applied. When we put that together God’s love has let his blood be shed so that man can be washed white as snow & perfect.

I began to look deeper into the precious symbol of our freedom. There is a rectangle blue field, Blue represented the heavens in scriptures. What about the stars on the field of blue. 50 Stars Wow the stars represent the light, “We are the light of the world.” 50 was the day of Pentecost, get the picture?
You may say we always didn’t have 50 stars. Well when the first flag was prepared it had 13 hmmm… 12 disciples plus Jesus at the last supper. Still representing the light of the world.

Let’s take deeper look each of the stars has 5 points. The points all move out front the center of the star.

Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Jesus is the light in the center reaching out to the five-fold ministry to perfect the church.

Next time someone comes to you and tries to say we must separate church & state give them something of how God has anointed this great nation's symbol of freedom. Let them know it is not o.k. to take in “God we Trust” away from the what our nation stands for.

Let them know Jesus shed His blood for them as well.

God has allowed us to have great freedom in America please don’t take for granted what He has done for us here.

"Will you to pick up your own dirty laundry?"

2009-06-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been told to pick up your dirty laundry?
Well I am sure all of us have. Many times we spend
our day on menial things consumer our time. Martha
was with Mary & Jesus one day just taking care of the
business of things when she noticed Mary had sat down
from her duties to spend time with Jesus. Martha had
gotten upset because she felt that Mary was slacking
in her duties. Jesus had to tell Martha that Mary had
chosen the best thing.

When we get busy just to show ourselves busy
sometimes we need to re-evaluate things. I can get so
busy doing church sometimes I forget to actually
spend time with the only who actually gave me a
reason to go to church. I love Jesus & there are times
when I just need to spend time with Him. I know that
don’t mean for me just to forget or try to see if
someone else will take care of my duties but I do need
to spend time praying & reading His word.

Recently something else has come up in the church
that I feel needs to be addressed. Sometimes I feel
we have tried to put on our own righteousness. Just
like Martha we do things to look and act like we are
Holy. The Bible says that our righteousness is as
“filthy rags”.

Isa 64:6 - But we are all as an unclean
thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like
the wind, have taken us away.

Why then do some in church continue to fall back into
that spirit of trying to go back to rituals & traditions
of men? Jesus wants us to be Holy just as He is Holy.
How do we do that Church? By dressing up the outer
man or woman or by getting baptized with the Holy
Ghost & let Jesus clean us up from within? I do have a
certain way I present myself because what the Lord
has put in my heart but if I don’t have sound doctrine I
don’t preach it to others. What is sound doctrine you
may ask, just like I tell my young preachers Book,
Chapter & Verse and also out of the mouth of two or
three witnesses (bible that is).

We which have the sound doctrine of Jesus Name
baptism need not to water down the word or add to it
by that means. I can firmly stand & show Biblical
principles that Jesus has clearly stated (Heb. Chapter
6 talks of the doctrine of Christ). I don’t have to tell
some one how to dress but I will tell them to flee from
adultery, drunkenness & such.

2Co 12:21 - And lest, when I come again, my God will
humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many
which have sinned already, and have not repented of
the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness
which they have committed.

It really bothers me when people try to hide behind
their dress or appearance & think its ok to flirt or run
around with the opposite sex when they are married
to someone else. The Bible clearly states what sin is
we don’t have to make up a new sin just fulfill our
own righteousness.

I had someone tell me that my Assistant Pastor was
living in sin because he was clean shaven & wore a
beard. I can tell you that this man truly serves that
Lord with all his heart. The anointing that flows from
him is incredible. I too had grown a beard for the first
time in my life not because I had backslidden into sin
but really because I wanted to be more like Jesus. I
know Jesus wore a beard & I just felt like being more
Jewish.

Well I found out someone who I deeply cared about
became disappointed in me because of my beard so I
shaved it. The thing that really bothered me the most
was that it was brought up in front of a crowd as to be
put there as now I got rid of my sin. I almost felt like
Mary just waiting for the stones to fly. I respected my
elders and left it alone. The next thing you know I
have someone tell me not to wear my purple suit
because I am drawing attention away from the Lord.

There may be times in the bible when it tells you where
someone shaved their beard but no where in the bible
does it say if you grow a beard you are in sin! If that
were true Jesus wouldn’t have had one. You may ask
why I am bringing this out. Well for the same reason
Paul got on to Peter for being a respecter of persons.

I feel people need to hear the truth & teach the truth
not add their own personal convictions & tell people
that they are in sin when they don’t do they say. My
own father used to teach that way “Do as I say not as I
do…” It is that same as the Pharisees used to do.
They had the appearance down but inside they were
filled with sin.

Mt 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within
full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

It is really easy to point out sin upon someone else but
when it comes home to your own door it is something
we want to push under the rug. It is time for us to
trust in the Lord who baptizes us with His Holy Ghost
to teach us. His Holiness is what I want to follow. It
is time for us to judge ourselves & focus on real sin &
getting that out of our own lives.

"It is time for us to pick up own dirty laundry?"

Shall we Gather at the River?

2009-04-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

It is time for the church to begin to gather and assemble ourselves together. The bible tells that we should gather together even as we see the day approaching. God set the gifts in the church not man.

1Co 12:28 - And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

It amazes me that we are so easily removed from the faith. I see a lot of people wanting a title but not willing to do the work or serve as a minister. It kind of reminds me of the time when Jesus was getting ready to be crucified & the disciples where looking for a position. Who will be sitting on the right & left?

Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

It is time for us to quite looking for a position but rather to look for a way to serve our fellow man & prefer them over our desires.

1Co 11:18 - For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

Not too long ago I heard someone ministering in the Name of the Lord who claims to be an evangelist. The comment was made that she was an outfielder for Christ & that she was there to catch the fly balls outside the church. Well that to me was an excuse for them to stay out of God’s will and submit themselves to a Pastor. The Lord has given us a variety of ministries to Edify the Body! Also so we can submit ourselves to one another and grow up, not out of the church.

If they are truly catching the fly balls the church is missing where are they placing the fly balls that they catch? Or are they letting the enemy take back what ever seed that they may have planted. The tender plants need to be cared for not just put a seed in the ground & hope for the best. They need someone to water & fertilizer them to help them grow big & strong.

The words submit seems to be out of our vocabulary. I indeed make sure I some covering I submit myself to other ministries & the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that the church comes together to become a unified force to fight against the enemy who is trying harder now to separate us from the Faith.

Heb 13:17 - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Jas 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

“Test of Time”

2009-02-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

I can do nothing but thank the Lord that he is consistent. He has brought to my life so many blessings that I don’t deserve. He is still blessing His people in ways that only He can.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Many Miracles are still happening today. People are still seeking His face. JESUS still is moving in ways that only He can.

He still surprises me from time to time. I recently had to do a funeral & I did as I normally do I asked Jesus what would he have me to deliver to bring hope to these people. I of course had my thoughts of how I would bring this wonderful message of hope that would be uplifting & make people fell comfort, joy & love. But I learned a long time ago to listen to His voice.

The Lord brought to me a message that I would have never guessed. Matter of fact I was thinking it would have been too strong of message to share at a funeral. It was about Lazarus & the rich man. It talks about how one man went to hell and the other to Abraham’s blossom or shadow & type of heaven. Here in this message it tells about how we are going to be judged for the things we do & do not do.

Well I came away from that funeral wondering if I had really heard God’s voice & questioning the Lord why He had gave me that message. Well it wasn’t even a day had lapsed before Jesus brought the answer. My wife had went to visit the family of the lady which passed and wasn’t there too long before some of the family was asking how can we to be saved?

This kind of reminded me of the day Peter spoke up on the day of Pentecost and He was asked the question what must I do to be saved? Of course his response brought out God’s plan for repentance & the baptism in Jesus Name. The message has not changed. His plan still works today. It is the doctrine Jesus taught. I find it so simple yet too many have tried to complicate this simple Gospel.

I will continue to bring this wonderful message to whomsoever will receive it. It is God’s grace that has brought it to me & freely as I have been given I will freely give.

Truly it has stood ….The “ Test of Time”

What's LOVE got to do with it?

2009-02-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

EVERYTHING!!!!

Where is the love that the church used to show? The bible says he has put Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Apostles and Prophets in the church for the perfecting of the saints. To edify the church… Edify means to instruct or benefit, esp. morally or spiritually; uplift. Have we as the church today been tearing down more than rebuilding or lifting up? Casting Crowns sings a song called if we are the body. It describes how the church should be the hand & feet of Jesus and those we should be going out to reach.

It amazes me how quick we can forget where we come from when we are in the church for so long. Do we forget that we were once also so far from God? We judge, criticize; forget the love someone showed us. God must be the one to clean up the vessels we are not God. Maybe you’ve grown up in church and never have had to be delivered from drugs & alcohol or some other addiction. But we all were sinners!!!! Maybe he is trying to perfect us in our own patience as we minister to the lost. Sinners need our help not just our words.

You can do things to make the outside of the vessel appear to be Holy but just like the things the early church found Pharisees & Sadducees only were there to place judgment & justify themselves. They appeared Holy on the outside but inside they were filthy vessels. I really have a problem when someone only looks to the outside as an appearance to be Holy.

The true God has shown us how to truly love someone…. Jesus reached out to the world with His pure Love! He was willing to become the servant of all.

LOVE is patient. LOVE is kind. LOVE isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant.

"War on Lust"

2009-01-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today we are in a world that has been caught up in the desires of the flesh. It is a demon Spirit that draws our nation away like never before in time. The thought of someone “coming out” of the closet sickens me because people are flaunting the sin to our faces. It used to be people would try to hide or cover up sin. Our kids have grown up in a society where they try to use the world’s system to express their so-called “right to privacy”. They expect parents to pay the bill for a cell phone & not expect the parents to monitor what they are doing with it. Today I heard on the radio that 30% to 50% of the kids in school are using their cell phone to send nude pictures of themselves & others. Do we have the control? Or are we letting God have control of our lives & theirs? The kids need someone to care enough about them to check them especially with all the perverts out there just waiting to devour our precious ones. The bible has warned us that these times would come “Men shall be lovers of flesh more than lovers of God.” It really bothers me that even if you are trying to live righteously before God that the Internet is constantly trying to throw spam sites at you that go against your values as a Christian.

It is my prayer that we get together on this sin which has so easily besets us. I know Satan thinks he got the victory on this generation. I also know I myself must constantly be aware that Satan is going to attack us anyway he can for his time is short. I know that Jesus has died for kids, my Grandkids & me. I will take a stand to humble myself in prayer cause I know prayer changes things. If my people which are called by my name… We are the people of the Name, which is Jesus. No other Name has more power. Join with me on this “War on Lust” to pray for our nation & our kids to find something real in the generation.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

His Grace is Sufficient or is it?

2008-11-14T12:58:00.000-08:00

When we look at God He tells us His Grace is sufficient:

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Sometimes I feel we expect too much out of our Babes in Christ. Many times those that have been in church a long time forget just how much a mess they used to be. I can remember when I first got saved how embarrassed I felt when I ran into someone in my church who I worked with before I got saved. I didn’t like the old wrenched man I used to be. In the same respect as we look our own children & grandchildren we don’t spank our 18 month old kids because they don’t walk very good.

Now on the other hand if we have been serving Christ for many years & haven’t grown any then something needs to change in our life. We would think it really strange to see someone 40 years old running around in a diaper & sucking on a bottle. God Said Grace not Grease. Too many people want to use God as a magic Genie & not grow up. His grace is not there for us to see just how much we can do wrong so we can prove how great his grace is. Thank The Lord Jesus for the mercy He has shown us by dying for our sins so we no longer have to live in them.

Dust Tape or a Nail

2008-10-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." "That's wonderful," says St.Peter, "that's worth three points!" "Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says St.Peter. "That's certainly worth a point." "One point!?!!" "I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." "Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "Two points!?!!

"Exasperated, the man cries. "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God." "Bingo, 100 points ! Come on in!" We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and duct tape.

God did it with a nail.

In God We Trust

2008-09-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

I find today that too many people are placing their trust in things that are fleeting. God wanted us to trust him he came in the form of a man to show us the way. Why are we trusting in the government to bail out society? Maybe we need to go back to the reason we are even here as a nation. Somebody has stood up to point the glory to the place it needs to be. We have it printed on the paper we call money "In God we Trust". We need to remember God will have no other idols before Him. He is what has made this nation great!! It is time to start following the guidelines He has given to us "if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves & pray then will I heal the nation..." If we must point the blame at anybody for the downfall of our nation we need to take a look at ourselves. All of us have become hung up on ourselves & are looking for some one to bail us out of our situation. The only way out is to get our eyes off ourselves & back on the God that has made this nation great. By the way just in case you want to call Him by name, His name is Jesus.

Let's get back to the source and give God the Honor He deserves!!!! Praise God

Signed Pastor Russ