AND I DO MEAN “ALL”

This has been an interesting past few weeks, hasn't it? We've taught on healing and how it relates to today and a three part series with the titles that sum it all up “Healing is for Today” Parts 1,2 and 3. Then we put out a call to the churches in the land apply titled “Come Back Home Church, Come back Home,” a return to the most simple, yet most effective message: Jesus Christ and him crucified; the message of redemption and eternal life. Finally last week, a Fathers' Day Message – calling out to all Dads – put your families first in the earth. Love them, provide for them and most important of all: Teach them about Jesus and the ways of God. Introduce them to the instruction book of life (the Bible), read it with them. I guarantee you'll never regret it.

Have you missed some or all of these message? I urge you to go back and read or listen to them all. They are designed to lift up Jesus and thereby designed to lift you up. Jesus said “Lift me up, I will draw all men to me.” Tell you what, let's look at the scripture together and get the exact words of Jesus in John 12:32:

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

Notice the word “if” in this scripture. I have told you in the past when reading your Bible circle every if, but or lest. They always signify a condition or result of the scripture you are reading. In this case, Jesus could have just as easily have said “If you don't lift me up, I won't draw anybody to me,” couldn't he? Thank God, that's not what he said.

The entire reason for this 24/7, week long, online church service is to lift up Jesus, so he will draw all of you to him. Is it any wonder then, that we always welcome everyone to this place? God impressed on me to exclude no one from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You know, if we as Christians really spread the gospel in love, God will have us talk with people we don't even like. I mean, let's be real here. Chances are, if you don't like alcoholics, God will put them in your life. Why? To judge and condemn them? No my friends, a thousand times no!! But to save them!! To share the love of Jesus with them. That goes for homosexuals, gamblers, prideful people, thieves, liars and anyone else you perceive to be ungodly. Notice, I said “perceive.” Only God knows what is in the hearts of men.

As an evangelist, I can't afford to exclude anyone from the gospel. All right, back to the basics. John 3:16-17:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Did you get that, my friends? If Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save it, why should we as believers be any different than Jesus? My burden is for the lost and those who have walked away from Jesus after salvation. I understand there are ministries that focus on the gifts. Many good preachers emphasize different parts of the Bible. I am not being critical of them. God bless them in their work.

When I see a Muslim, my concern is not whether they are a terrorist or not, but how can I share Jesus with them. Same with anyone who belongs to a religion that doesn't preach Jesus and him crucified. How can I reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ? It's time to forget our prejudices and viewpoints about people and look at them from God's point of view. Jesus taught love, compassion, mercy and grace while on the earth. We are to do the same. We are not to speak love while practicing hate. Our position should not be preaching compassion, yet showing only contempt for the situation people are bound up in. Am I making myself clear here? Telling people about God's mercy and grace while showing no mercy and closing the church doors to those the Savior came to this world to save, is not only wrong, it is an abomination.

Jesus came to this earth to die for us. To be beaten, crowned with a bed of thorns that dug into his scalp, nails pounded into each hand, and a spike through his feet. Stabbed in his side with a spear, given vinegar to drink in place of water when thirsty. Death on a cross, yet saying: “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.” You say – where is that, Brother Bob? Turn with me to Luke 23:34:

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and casts lots.”

My point is this: Jesus did not do all this so that the people who accept his free gift of salvation would act just the opposite of him and his teachings. You know believers, we were once the lost that many Christians looked upon and condemned. But thank God, there were those who looked past our ungodly flaws and they were able to see what God saw – a lost soul floundering in the sea of life; unlovable and a nuisance to most, but a delight to God. At long last, a believer who really was carrying on the work of Jesus. Let's be like that person.

You know, the scripture in Romans 5:8 states:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Church, let's do the same as Christ did for us. Let's die to self with all our faults, prejudices and hatreds and let's be who Jesus died for us to be. Saved, loving, caring ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven, sharing the love of God with all, and I do mean ALL!!

God Bless you,
Bro. Bob

Prayer Request: I need serious prayer warriors to pray urgently and with purpose for Kathleen Warren. Kathleen has a court date of July 7, 2010, the result of which could change the course of her life. This ministry is praying for favor for Kathleen and we ask you to agree with us in that prayer. Please do not procrastinate on this; start today.

A FATHERS' DAY MESSAGE

Today is celebrated as “Fathers' Day.” We certainly welcome all Dads to this week's 24/7, week long, online church service. I am sure you know by now, everyone is welcome in this place. Early in the Bible in Exodus 20:12, God gave us the Ten Commandments, which to my knowledge have not been repealed or revoked by God. I know there are some who wish or believe the Ten Commandments are not valid for today. After all, shouldn't we live life as we desire? Does that not sound like the mantra for today's living? Let's read the fifth commandment of God in Exodus 20:12:

“Honor thy father and thy mother: That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

Notice that our heavenly father gives you the commandment and then gives you the benefits of following his proclamation. God says honor your father and mother so you may live long on the earth. How many here desire to live a long and fruitful life? A long life full of joy, peace, mercy and grace? By honoring your father and mother, you are honoring God.

Another scripture also points out the benefits of honoring your parents. Please turn with me to Ephesians 6:1-3:

“Children obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

Are you beginning to see the complete picture? God desires for you to honor and obey your parents and he will reward you with long life. I know some of you are thinking: “The way my Dad treated me, it is hard if not impossible to honor him.” I'm going to touch on that later in the message, so just hold that thought for a moment.

One of the greatest blessings of my life is being the father of five wonderful children. They are all grown up now, but sometimes I still see them as ten-years-old or so. If I look back on one of the best accomplishments of my life, it would be that my children, now adults, still love us (their parents), almost as much as we love them. No father or mother could ask for more. Do we agree with them on everything? Absolutely not!! Do we have opinions about life and living that are different than theirs? Many times over the years, definitely yes. Do we respect them? You bet!!

The instruction book of life (the Bible) gave me many tips and instructions on how to be a loving and caring father. One of those instructions is found in Ephesians 6:4:

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Let's dissect this scripture a little. What is God saying to us fathers here? I believe God is saying – Fathers raise your children in love and not hate or fear. Let them express their observations of life and their feelings about such things. Listen to them. Then, give Godly advice in a way that they can see the wisdom of your words and know that if you disagree with their conclusions about life, you still love and respect them. Is that easy to do? Not always. But, it is the right thing to do. The second part of this scripture tells us: Dads, we have a responsibility to bring our children up in the knowledge and ways of God according to his Word. It is never too early to give your children a biblical foundation regarding Jesus Christ. Tell them about Jesus as early in their young lives as you can. It will pay off in the long run.

I guess one of my biggest regrets in life, is that I didn't give my life to the Lord until my first two children were in their teens. Their formative years saw a Dad that drank too much and was away from home too much; a Dad that loved them, but wasn't always reliable. I always feel repentant about that, But thank God, he saved me and delivered me from the things destructive in my life. The salvation was instant, the recovery a process.

Today I would rather have my children see me as a man that loves God and his ways, rather than a man who loved the ways of the world. I look around me today and I see young fathers making the same mistakes I did and it breaks my heart. Young Dads, listen to me!! Your wife and children are the most important things in your life. Not your job, not another woman, not the respect of other men. The alcohol, drugs and addiction to your job will kill you. I promise if you keep on, you will lose everything near and dear to you.

This year when you receive your Fathers' Day card, pay attention Dads. Your family is calling to you. Get right with God. Love God and your family with all of your heart. The payoff to that will be great for you. I am praying for you, Dads. I know you can do it. God loved you so much he blessed you with your wife and children. Take care of them and love them above everything else on the earth. Stop whatever you are doing right now. Go look at your family, aren't they something?

Fathers' Day is celebrated all over this country. Many good fathers will be honored. Yet for many, it is not a celebration at all. Their dads abandoned them. Some even abused their children. Other fathers by example have led their children away from God. I would say these fathers may never know the joy they could have had by serving God and raising their families with love.

Children, I am asking you to forgive your wayward dads, not for them but for yourselves. Let the bitterness and the hurt go. You will live life much freer if you do that. Easy to do? No!! But your life will be so much better. Your heavenly Father, who always loves you, will be honored.

My friends, let me conclude with this: God sent Jesus to the earth to die for you and your sins. He was the perfect sacrifice accepted by God. If you will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will no longer be just a creation, but you will be an adopted child of our heavenly Father. God is a father without flaws; a father who will always love you no matter what. He is the Father you have always dreamed about. Paul talks about this in Romans 8:14-16:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

Today is Fathers' Day. Be sure and say “Happy Fathers' Day” to your Dad. Oh, by the way, if you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, say “Happy Fathers' Day” to your heavenly Father also. He will enjoy that.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

RETURN HOME CHURCH, RETURN HOME

Let us welcome everyone to this week's 24/7, week long, online church service. The emphasis being on the word “everyone.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is given to anyone who will receive it. So many times in past messages we have talked about choices, haven't we? There seems to be so much in this world that we have no control over. If we only just looked to man to help solve our problems, we are destined for disappointment and failure.

One thing this online church has preached from the beginning is there are answers to all the problems of life. But, Bro. Bob, where are those answers? These are desperate times. Everywhere and everyone we turn to for help seems to have their own agenda. Corruption in government, businesses, and even in the church is running rampant. Who can we trust? What man, what government, what business, or even what organized church can I trust? Please tell me. I will tell you this, my friends, without the leading and guidance of God in your life, there is no one to turn to.

I had a pastor who once said man was never meant to rule or govern himself. And you know what? I really believe him. Just look around you today. No, I mean really look around you. See what the decisions man has made without God's leading and guidance has got us into? A mess, that's what! This has nothing to do with political parties or the way corporations are controlled. It has to do with man choosing to follow their own ways and setting God and his Word (The Bible) aside for their own gain. Even churches are walking hand in hand with the world system, aligning themselves with political parties and corporations for financial and personal gain. Revelations talks about this alignment. Turn with me and let's read Revelations 3:13-17 together. Keep an open mind and see if this doesn't apply today.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And unto the Angel (pastor) of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; And knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

This unfortunately is where many of today's organized churches both denominational and nondenominational are today. When churches turn away from preaching Jesus and him crucified, they will surely lose their effectiveness in helping to bring the lost to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When money and approval by man becomes more important than Jesus, the salt has lost its savor.

Churches that believe material worth and fame of men are all important, don't even realize that their emphasis on material wealth and blessing is not a blessing at all. Rather, it is a distraction from the real mission of the church. The lifting up of the name of Jesus that all men will be drawn to Him. Now, let us continue in Revelations 3:22:

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

So what is the Spirit saying? I believe in plain language the Holy Spirit is saying “Come back to Christ and the cross and come back now.” This is a plea to all pastors. Stop, look and listen to the Spirit of God. First, stop whatever you are doing. Forget the past ways of doing things. Get in the present with God. Second, look around you!! Where and in what direction is your church really heading? Are you neglecting the teaching of the Bible for the teachings of your seminary or denomination? Third, listen to the Holy Spirit calling you back to the foundation of teaching, preaching and healing. Fame, money and influence of man is not the answer. The Word of God and the voice of the Holy Spirit is. My good pastors, come back to Jesus and him crucified. Put the things of this world aside. Once again return to God and his righteousness as your guide. Matthew 6:33 points the way to victory:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles and prophets: God called you to proclaim Jesus, not the things of this world. Come on back!! Your calling has not been revoked. Now listen to me. If you do not fit into this category I have been talking about, do not be offended by what I am saying. But, if you see yourself or your church in this message, make the decision (choice) to once again serve the one you truly love. You can do it, men and women of God. I know you can.

Today I am going to relate a poem that I believe sums up what I have been talking about. Read and listen with your heart. Is this where you or your church is? If so, I pray change is on the way for you. First, the prelude and then the poem:

The successful church calls back to us, warning us by her example that we have missed the way somewhere. A return to the primitive pattern where reproach and suffering are the manifest evidences will be our only safety. As stated Revelations 3:17. The church, rich and increased in goods, have need of nothing, is a church ready to be spewed out of God's mouth.

The Church and the World walked far apart on the changing shores of time; The World was singing a giddy song, and the Church a hymn sublime. “Come, give me your hand, “cried the merry World “And walk with me this way:” But the good Church hid her snowy hand, and solemnly answered, “Nay! I will not give you my hand at all, and I will not walk with you; Your way is the way of endless death; Your words are all untrue.”

“Nay, walk with me but a little space.” Said the World with a kindly air. “The road I walk is a pleasant road, and the sun shines always there. Your path is thorny and rough and rude, and mine is broad and plain; My road is paved with flowers and gems, and yours with tears and pain. My path you see, is a broad, fair path, and my gate is high and wide. There is room enough for you and me to travel side by side.”

Half shyly the Church approached the World and gave him her hand of snow; and the false World grasped it, and walked along, saying in accents low, “Your dress is too simple to please my taste; I will give you pearls to wear, rich velvet and silks for your graceful form, and diamonds to deck your hair.”

The Church looked down at her plain white robes and then at the dazzling World, and blushed as she saw his handsome lip with a smile contemptuous curled. “I will change my dress for a costlier one,” said the Church with a smile of grace; Then her garments pure drifted away, and the World gave in their place, beautiful satins and shinning silks, and roses and gems and pearls; And over her forehead her bright hair fell, crisp in a thousand curls.

“Your house is too plain.” said the proud old World. “I'll build you one like mine – carpets of Brussels, and curtains of lace and furniture ever so fine.” So he built her a costly and beautiful house – splendid it was to behold. Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there, gleaming in purple and gold; And fairs and shows in the halls were held, and the World and his children were there; And laughter and music and feasts were heard in the place that was meant for prayer.

The Angel of Mercy rebuked the church and whispered, “I know thy sin.” The Church looked back with a sigh, and longed to gather her children in. But some were off in the midnight ball, and some were off at the play and some were drinking in saloons; So the Angel went away.

The sly World gallantly said to her, “Your children mean no harm – merely indulging in innocent sports.” So she leaned on his proffered arm, and smiled, and chatted, and gathered flowers as she walked along with the World; While millions and millions of deathless souls to the horrible pit were hurled.

“Your preachers are too old and plain,” said the gay old World with a sneer; “They frighten my children with dreadful tales which I like not for them to hear: They teach of suffering, toil, and pain and a cross that all must bear; And the world, the flesh and the devil disdain if they the crown would wear.”

“I will send you some of the better preachers, brilliant and handsome and fast, who tell them that people may live as they want and go to heaven at last.” So he filled her house with false divines, gifted and great and learned; and the plain old men that preached the cross were out of the pulpit turned.

The sons of the World and the sons of the Church walked closely hand and heart, and only the Master, who knoweth all, could tell the two apart. Then the Church sat down at her ease and said, “I am rich and in good increased; I have need of nothing, and naught to do but to laugh and dance and feast.” The sly World heard her, and laughed in his sleeve, and mockingly said aside, “The Church has fallen – the beautiful Church – and her shame is her boast and pride.”

The Angel drew near to the Mercy seat, and whispered in sighs her name; and the saints their anthems of rapture hushed and covered their heads with shame. And a voice came down, through the hush of heaven, from Him who sat on the throne “I know thy work, and how thou hast said, 'I am rich' – and hast not known that thou art naked and poor and blind, and wretched before my face. Repent of thy sins, lest I spew thee out and blot thy name from its place.”

Do you see what has happened to the church run by men and their agendas? This ministry calls out to the true church of Jesus Christ – Return home church – return home.

God Bless you,
Bro. Bob

Prayer Request Update: Please pray for Nancy Stewart. She is undergoing chemotherapy due to cancer of the liver. I am asking the church to seriously lift up Nancy for a total and complete healing. We command the spirit of cancer to leave her body, in Jesus' name. Amen.

HEALING IS FOR TODAY... PART THREE (Conclusion)

We welcome everyone to this week's 24/7, week long, online church service. No one is denied entrance to this place. We must warn you however, your life as you know and understand it may be changed by being here. The words this online church preaches are words of life. Everyone, whether a believer or not cannot help but be affected by the words of life we preach.

Everything we do and say is designed to lift up the name of Jesus. We found the best way to do that is to go to the instruction book of life (the Bible) and ask God to give us wisdom and understanding of his word. As God through his Holy Spirit relates the way to share the words of life he provides, we then share them with you. Pretty plain and simple, right? We do not copy sermons or take our messages out of books written by Bible scholars, preachers or professors of theology. Do we read such books? Of course we do. But, if what they say doesn't line up with the Word of God we discard it quickly.

For example, take this series on Healing is For Today. There are tons of books in Christian book stores on this subject. Some of these books advocate healing is for today but many do not. Regardless of what viewpoint these books may take, they do not have the whole and entire answer regarding God's healing power and how it relates to us today. Only one book gives the complete story regarding healing and that is the Bible, plain and simple, over and out – period.

I hope that is clear enough for you. So many times we look to man and their brilliance to answer all the questions of life and guess what folks? They can't do it!! Let's turn to our foundational scripture as we continue on our series regarding healing. Isaiah 53:5:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

What a wonderful way God had of showing us that healing is for today. The last words of Isaiah 53:5 are “..with his stripes we are healed.” The unbeliever or in some cases even believers, who have not been taught correctly may ask what stripes are they talking about? Oh my, oh my, my good friends the stripes being talked about here are the thirty-nine stripes left on his back due to being beaten with a whip. Different medical experts have said all classifications of sickness and disease come under no more than thirty-nine categories. Yes, yes, yes Jesus took our sickness and disease upon himself so we could be free from sin, sickness and disease. But, Bro Bob, I don't feel free from sickness and disease. My body aches, my mind is confused, my outlook is not good, what about me? Have I been forgotten? Your condition is why I am doing this series.

I am here to encourage you by directing you to the Word of God. Read every scripture on healing. Make them your own!! You will find conditions that can stall the manifestation of your healing – such as unforgiveness, sin in your life, doubt and unbelief. But, the good news is God is always and forever with you. Do not give up. Your healing is on the way. We stated earlier in this series that we do not know why, when, where or how God will heal you, but God will through his Word and Holy Spirit reveal these things to you.

Let's turn to some scriptures to encourage you. How many know what Jesus did for the people he ministered to while here on the earth, he desires for you today. Luke 9:1-2. Jesus is talking to the twelve disciples. Read carefully here because he gives the same instructions to us in scriptures to come. Okay, now let's read Luke 9:1-2 together:

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

Once again, my friends, the things Jesus asked and told his disciples to do he asks the same of us today. Through the new birth in Jesus Christ we as believers have the same power and authority to cast out all devils (demons) and to cure diseases. My friends, there are demons in this world today with a soul mission of bringing sickness, diseases, things like cancer, depression and all manner of infirmity on you. The reason is to turn you away from God. The good news that may be hidden to you until now is this: Believers in Jesus Christ, born again by the Spirit of God, walking in faith and not by sight have authority to pray for you and to command sickness and disease to leave your body. These same believers have authority to cast out devils that may have oppressed you. You might ask, who are these believers? The answer my friends, is our selves!!

We just have to let the power we possess over devils, sickness and disease become real to us. We cannot go by what we see, how we feel or what people say. I remember our pastor in Michigan would say “Don't go by the way you feel, go by the word that is real.” And you know what? Pastor John Bulloch was absolutely right. This is one of the lessons this series was meant to provide to you. I know there are preachers who will say that Jesus only meant the instructions in the book of Luke to be for the apostles. But, let me say it kindly – they are wrong!! The same instructions Jesus gave to the twelve disciples in Luke, he also gave to us. Turn with me to Mark 16:15-18:

“And he (Jesus) said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Church these were the last words recorded of Jesus, for then he was received up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. You don't believe me? – read it for yourself in Mark 16:19. Regarding the subject of healing, what we do get from these scriptures, here it is right down to earth – if you are a believer you can cast out devils of infirmity, you shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Who said so? Jesus himself said so, that's who.

Look ladies and gentlemen, I am certain this series on healing has given you enough proof so that regardless of what you thought or believed about healing before, you must conclude healing is for today. To all those who are sick in body or mind at this moment, throw off all condemnation people have put on you. Read this series over and over. Read the scriptures regarding healing. Get rid of any self-destructive habits or thoughts. Know this ministry is praying for your healing on a daily basis and we are expecting a whole and complete healing for you. Healing may be a hard concept for you at this time, so start by agreeing with us for your healing. As the Rev. Oral Roberts used to say “Expect a miracle!” Why? Because healing is for today.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob