Transformed

Have you ever been overwhelmed with the situation you find yourself in? I can remember a time that I was so overwhelmed that I neglected the only source of power that could possibly help. It mattered not how much money I had thrown at the problem; the advice that I had received from my expert friends, didn't help; matter of fact their expert advice made things worse. They said things like if that was my…… this is what I would do. I wouldn't take that for one minute I would…… not one person told me anything that would work or even come close to working in my situation. Discouraged, depressed and disillusioned a man invited me to Church, I said ok but in my mind I said this is no good I need real help and here is what I discovered. Let me explain this way; outside our homes there are wires that run on poles up and down our street. Those wires carry electricity so that you and I can run the electrical devices that we have; like stove tops and oven to cook our food, washing machines and dryers so we will have clean clothes. There are many, many things we use electricity for; just look at your electric bill or better yet go cut it off and you will soon see how important it is. What you may or may not know is that something has to happen to that electricity before it ever gets into your home and that is it has to go through a transformer which lowers its power so it will not burn everything in your home up. Merriam Webster says this about the word transformer- a device employing the principle of mutual induction to convert variations of current in a primary circuit into variations of voltage and current in a secondary circuit. A Transformer either lowers electricity or increases it. Now with that in mind let's read of a woman who had a situation that she had had for about 12-years. She had tried everything possible, she had spent all the money she had and that didn't help. Now with nothing left and still in poor health she hears of this man Jesus and how He had done many things for many people. She goes to where He is and decides if I can only get to a place where I may just touch the hem of His garment.

Mark 5:28
For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Where did she get an idea such as that? I think she had been listening to what this man Jesus had done for others

Luke 6:19
And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. I think what we need is a new way of thinking. It's not a program or an expert although God might use those things; what we need is to change our way of thinking just as that woman did long ago. If you and I keep doing the same things we have always done we are going to get the same results we always have and to think otherwise is only foolish thinking on our part. You and I need a transforming of the mind Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Don't be like everyone else, don't think like everyone else, change the way you think. Let me ask you a question that was asked by Jesus

Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Who is Jesus to you? God's Son, Savior of the world, who is He? Who do men say He is? Who do you say He is? Is He the Savior of the World or is He the Savior of "YOUR" soul? And if so how did He become your Savior? Like that electricity coming from the street to your home it must go through a transformer first. All the talk you have ever heard about Jesus what did it do for you? Did it transform your thinking to the point it transformed the way you lived your life? Did Jesus transform that lady that day on the street or just made her feel good about herself? How about you a new way of thinking or just a feel good for the moment?

Afraid

When my Dad ate an apple he ate it all, except the stem, seeds everything except the stem. Now you may ask what is wrong with that. Really nothing but the life of the next apple was in the seeds and they never had a chance of reproducing. In Genesis we read this:

Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. In the verse before that we read

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, (Adam & Eve) and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Their job was to be fruitful and multiply, in other words reproduce and increase in number. Let me ask you, is our job to increase in number and when we have done that, that's it that's all that is really required of us. I don't think so; let me explain. Jesus made this statement

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Is Jesus saying to His followers go find a wife and start reproducing because I want you leave some children behind. No that's not what Jesus is saying, so what is He saying? Here is what I think Jesus is saying we read in

Matthew 25:15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Here we see three individuals that are different one has five talents another has two and then there is one that has only one talent. What is interesting is that each were given based on his ability; then we are told what each one did. The one with five talents was expected to do more than the one with only one talent and he did. All was well with two of the individuals and they were told this "well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." That was not said about the individual with only one talent he was called lazy and his excuse was that he was afraid. We have all been afraid of something. I woke up many years ago so afraid for I thought I had rolled on top of my baby daughter and killed her. A couple of years ago someone was breaking into our home and I was afraid of what was about to happen and I had a double barrel shotgun in my hand and the safety was off. I was afraid on another night when I heard someone moving in the house, no time for a gun this time they were moving toward our bedroom. I set myself ready to take them out and just before I leaped I discovered it was my wife. I can't tell you how upset I was with myself after that ordeal. This man said he was afraid, I could say that, you could say that and it would be true. This man was not told its ok because you are afraid; no he was called a wicked and lazy servant. Is that what we are when we refuse to tell others about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? There are some that have the ability to tell and do more than others because they have that ability. Now how many talents do you have five, two or one? Are you reproducing yourself? Can you do things but instead you are sitting on your talents or talent? God has made you who you are; He's placed you where you are so you can take people like you to heaven with you! How are you doing with your divine assignment? A few years ago I realized something, everyday God has at least one appointment for me somewhere during the day. I don't know with whom or at what time but it is there. Last week I spent two hours with a lady. I talked with here about a present problem she was having, had prayer with her and asked God to help her and comfort her. God had me there to help one of his servants. My day was busy for sure and I didn't need to take these two hours out of it, but it was one of the appointments my heavenly Father had for me. Let me ask you are you going to eat seeds and all? Or are you going to share your talent and reproduce.

One Charlie Niner Hotel (1C9H)I watched, helplessly, as a beautiful land was torn by war.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I watched, helplessly, as my friends were shattered by war.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I watched, helplessly, as she died in my arms.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I stood before a silent, black wall.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I felt a slight tug on my sleeve and looked down into the shiny eyes of a small child. He asked, "Were you a soldier, Mister?"
With a tiny finger, he pointed and said, "My grandpa was a soldier and a hero. Did you know my grandpa, Mister?"
I took his small hand in mine; and with a sweeping gesture I said, "Yes, Boy. I knew your grandpa; I knew them all. They were all heroes. Would you like me to tell you about them?"
My answer came.

Brother’s Keeper

I can remember it like it was yesterday. We had just come back from our daily actives running, training, tracking and being yelled at. We were told to come to attention and there we stood or most of us or should I say all of us but one soldier. Then I saw out of the corner of my eye the drill sergeant moving in a rapid motion in my direction; I thought to myself what in the world had I done. Well, I guess I am about to find out. But no, the drill sergeant passed by me and went to the soldier next to me. What he said or yelled at him changed the way I would think forever. He said "Thank you soldier for getting us all blown up." What could that soldier have possibly done to endanger the whole squad? The young man had reached up and scratched his nose. Then our drill sergeant explained himself; he said "You do something stupid like that in a rice paddy when you get to Vietnam; the enemy sees you and we are all going to be blown up." Then I realized it does not matter how well you do with your M-16 on the rifle range; the rifle range doesn't shoot back. It also does not matter how fit your body is, how well you are armed or how well you think you are hid if I or anyone else gives our location away we are all in danger. We are our brother's keeper. Genesis 4:9
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? This Memorial Day you may not have spent any time in the Military at all and that's ok. But take the time to be thankful to those who have and for those who gave their lives that you and I could enjoy the country we live in. For we are truly our brothers keepers! Also be thankful for those who gave it all. I went by the grave of my hero last week Wayne J. Stokes and spent some time for I am grateful for him; he gave his life. On December 2, 1967 after being in Vietnam only 10 days he was killed in action. I left there and saw another grave marker of another young man I didn't know him or anything about him but his marker told his story! Born 1951 died 1969 and then the word "Vietnam"; another which gave it all. There were many who went into combat expecting to return; you know like the John Wayne movies. But many never returned and today we should be thankful for their great sacrifice. There has only been one who came to this earth knowing He would die and that was Jesus Christ as the song says "do you know Him." Let us not forget the ones who served and those who gave it all.

 

U. S. Army PFC Wayne J Stokes KIA 2 December 1967

U.S. Marine Thomas Craig Richard Jr. PFC KIA 8 February 1968

U.S. Army Neil Kroger KIA November 1965

U. S Army Tom Metsker KIA 14 November 1965

U. S Army Jack Geoghegan KIA

U. S Army Phillip Nixon

U.S. Army Stanley DeCastor

U.S. Army Jimmy Johnson

U.S. Army Jerry Pinson

U.S. Marine David Savage

USAF Richard Ford

USAF Thomas Burns

USAF Ronald Lamp

USAF Randy Fawn

USAF Wayne S Sosebee

 

Army Air Force John H Sosebee WII Thanks Dad Passed away December 27, 1986 age 65

U.S. Marine Thomas Henry Roberts I knew him well; we all thought he was strange when we were kids. Then I found out why! He was a Corporal in the Marine Corps, serving as a Rifle Sharpshooter and member of the Mortar Platoon a survivor of Iwo Jima. He passed away July 14, 2007 at the age of 86.

 

Please pray for our Military they need our prayers. God Bless You! Enjoy this Memorial Day for freedom has a price, it's not free.

Recover

One morning I went out the front door of our home and something was missing; it was my bike. Someone had came and taken it; NO, they had stolen my bike right out of our front yard. What right did someone have to come and take something that wasn't theirs? My heart was crushed and at that point it really didn't matter about the rule my Mom and Dad had told us to do; put your bike up at night; it was gone. It may have been a week or so that I saw a bike that looked somewhat like mine, it caught my attention and I walked over and looked at it. Wait a minute; this was my bike, there had been some changes made to it, but without a doubt it was my bike. I can't tell you how glad I was to have recovered my bike! I had received back what the enemy or thief had taken. I realize that does not happen very many times but it did for me and as I read my Bible it happened for David also.

1Samuel 30:3
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Oh, this is much more serious than a bike; we are talking about families here. Now David did something I didn't do, he prayed.

1Samuel 30:8
And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And (the Lord) He answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
The Lord said to David you're not only going to overtake them but you are without fail going recover it all and bring them back home. What has the thief stolen from you that he has no right to? Maybe he's stolen a child of yours or the love that was once in your marriage. Maybe he's stolen the joy you once had in serving the Lord, or the love and the unity your church once knew, or the sense of calling you once had. Satan also steals reputations, even years of your life, by keeping you from Jesus. David came to the conclusion that he was going after what had been taken away but he didn't go without first asking the Lord; which tells me of his relationship with the Lord. I spent about 5 hours on yesterday with a man whom the thief had stolen a lot of his life. At forty-seven he still lives at home with his mother and dad. I said something to him that the Lord put in my mind and it was hours before I realized what had transpired. As we were talking I began to tell him of an experience I had. There was once a man about 38 years old whose boss had called me and asked if I would meet with him and his employee. We had met and as I told the story to this man I told him what he said. He said "Tom you are 38 years old and you still live with your mother and all you have for transportation is your bike." He then said these words, "Tom what is wrong with this picture? Don't you want more out of your life than that? The reason you don't have it is you drink it up." I had forgotten that this man was living almost the same life style. God uses us in strange ways sometimes or it maybe it's like my wife tells me you need to think sometimes before you speak. Excuse me, but I wasn't running this man down and I wasn't drawing a comparison between the two, because this man didn't even have a bike. But God allowed me the time to talk to him about what the thief had stolen and what did he really want and what were his plans to get it back. I am glad one night a man spent some time talking with me; I've had a lot of people talk at me; you do know the difference don't you? Talking at you is telling you all that you are doing wrong and have done wrong and if you would quit doing this or that and start doing this then this is what will happen. Talking with you is spending time getting to know you and dropping the outer wall and let them see you really care and becoming a friend. What has the thief taken from you that was not his to take? What are your plans on getting it back? Let me make a suggestion do what David did, pray and see what the Lord will do. I think you will be amazed at what the Lord will do for you. This Monday is Memorial Day and I will write some about being our brother's keeper but until then why not talk to someone this weekend and be thankful for our freedom and remember it's not free!

Sheep

When I as a boy would do dumb things my mother and Dad would ask me the same old question "son why on earth did you do that?" I would always say because everyone else was doing it; to which they would say "if everyone was jumping off a cliff would you?" I was reminded of that when I read in USA TODAY a story of 1500 sheep that decided to do just that. First one sheep jumped to its death. Then stunned Turkish shepherds, who had left the herd to graze while they had breakfast, watched as nearly 1,500 others followed, each leaping off the same cliff, Turkish media reported. In the end, 450 dead animals lay on top of one another in a billowy white pile, the Aksam newspaper said. Those who jumped later were saved as the pile got higher and the fall more cushioned, Aksam reported. Now what is so amazing about what we just read is that the bible says we are all like sheep.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; When my Mom and Dad asked me "if everyone was jumping off a cliff would you?" I could have said sure we all have even you two! I would have never said anything to my parents like that for if I had you would not be reading this now. Sheep are not the brightest and are we like sheep? Now think about it for a moment, if everyone starts buying one or two brands of shoes, clothing or whatever we think if we are going to be cool we must have it. What's the difference between the sheep that plunged to their death? Here's the coolest thing, that when you and I realize we are like those not so bright sheep there is something great for us. John 10:7
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus said He was the door of the sheep and if you and I enter in we shall become the family of God. There is a thief that doesn't want you and I to go through that door and that thief would be the devil and he would rather kill and destroy your life. If you read your bible you know that he is always on the move wrecking lives and destroying relationships. He does his best to keep you away from that door "Jesus Christ" because he knows that once you enter in you are out of his family. So he will tell you all kinds of lies like you are a good person or a nice guy, you are going to be alright; why so and so says they are going to heaven when they die and look what they did. Let me give you the bible scoop about being a good person

Romans 3:12
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Jesus said this about being good

Luke 18:18
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luke 18:19
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God.

There you go right from the lips of Jesus we aren't good; we may do good things, act good from time to time be not one of us are good enough to make it to heaven! We need Jesus Christ! Who is the shepherd of your life; you, the thief or the Good Shepherd? I hope and pray it's the Good Shepherd and this is why:

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

He did when He gave His life on the cross for you and I so we wouldn't have to try to be good.