I like to paint and I like to share my faith with others

As a Christian painter, naturally I would want to paint God creating Adam. And I did.

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." 

Isaiah 55:11 

 

Sure I can paint pictures of God all that I want. No matter how good of a painting that I create, it can never do what sharing from God's Word can do.

Hebrews 4:12 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

How many times are we guilty of trying to use our natural talents to do what only the Word of God can do? Have you ever found yourself trying to witness to others and you get frustrated, not knowing exactly what to say or how to approach the other person?

 

 So you don't even try.

Years ago I found that if I would just be honest and up front, I would see the desired results in my witnessing to others. I stopped trying to figure out what to say. 

 

I just would tell the person that I was a Christian and that I wanted to share Jesus Christ with them. And then I would ask them if they minded if I shared from the Word of God.

 

 Not once did anyone forbid me.

So I would read from the Word of God the scriptures that pertained to man's sinfulness and his need of the Savior Jesus. After reading through the path of salvation I would then ask them if they were ready to invite Christ into their life.

 

 Almost always they were ready. The power of God's Word is very real and very active.

1 Peter 4:11 

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

When you are reading from the Word of God to others, keep it in mind that you are an 'oracle' of God. His spokesman to that person. 

 

Have confidence in His words as you read them, knowing that they are a Living Word. Words that are fully able to do what we of our own selves are incapable of doing.

We can talk about God and Jesus all that we want to. It is only the Word of God that will deeply penetrate into the core of a person. And it is only the Holy Spirit that can convict and convince anyone of sin and their need of the Savior. 

 

We might convince someone that they are wrong, but we of our own selves can never convince someone of sin.

When we try to do the work of God's Word or the work of the Holy Spirit, we are blowing it big time. Why not let the Word of God, coupled with the Holy Spirit do what only they can do.

Give up the frustration of trying to be skilled and what ever we think we have to be to do the work of witnessing and let the Word of God and the Holy Spirit do it all. 

 

Just be real and identify who you are and what you want to do. So simple that children have done it.

The more that you do this and see the fruit of it, the more you desire to do it.

 

 Lonnie Frisbee was obsessed with witnessing on the streets because he told me, "I am good at it." He used the Living Word of God. He always would start out by quoting Jesus, "Jesus said" and then he would tell what Jesus had said.

Evangelism is not something you will be able to do in heaven. 

 

Only now, while you are on this side of heaven can you do it. If you have not done this before, at first it is awkward and somewhat intimidating. 

 

But as you continue in your honesty and usage of God's Word, you will start to see the fruit and when you do, it will inspire you to continue.

Proverbs 11:30 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Philippians 2:16 

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

James 5:20 

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Pray, asking God to lead you to those whom He would have you to share His Word with. Then go out with a sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit, expecting a 'divine~appointment.'

Isaiah 43:10 

Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen...

God Himself says to you and I:

Isaiah 44:8 

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

We have the truth. We know that there is only the one God in whom there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

They will back us up as we go forth to share the Word of God with others. 

 

If you are not doing this, then you are missing out on one of the most powerful and exciting experiences we Christians can have.

David Sloane

Hear

I Wonder Which Denomination Was Jesus in?

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” Deut 6:4

How do we find our way back to a shared community that is one, living with a sense of wholeness and togetherness, celebrating our differences yet working together? 

 

How do we find a way past our differences to His one church?

 

The Bride of Christ?

Romans 12:4

 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Romans 12:5 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1 Corinthians 10:17 

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 12:13 

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:14 

For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:25 

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Ephesians 4:4

 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Colossians 3:15 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

1 Peter 2:5 

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

  Jehovah our God is the only living and true God; he only is God, and he is but One God. 

 

Let us not desire to have any other. 

 

The three-fold mention of the Divine names, and the plural number of the word translated God, seem plainly to intimate a Trinity of persons, even in this express declaration of the unity of the Godhead.

 

Within the one God there are three persons.

 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

 Happy those who have this one Lord for their God.

 

 It is better to have one fountain than a thousand cisterns; one all-sufficient God than a thousand insufficient friends. 

 

This is the first and great commandment of God's law, that we love him; and that we do all parts of our duty to him from a principle of love; My son, give me thine heart.

 

 We are to love God with all our heart, and soul, and might. 

 

That is, 

 

1. With a sincere love; not in word and tongue only, but inwardly in truth. 

 

2. With a strong love. He that is our All, must have our all, and none but he. 

 

3. With a superlative love; we must love God above any creature whatever, and love nothing but what we love for him.

 

 4. With an intelligent love. To love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, we must see good cause to love him. 

 

5. With an entire love; he is ONE, our hearts must be united in his love. Oh that this love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts!

The speaker does not say, "Jehovah is alone God," but "Jehovah our Elohim is one Jehovah" (comp. for the force of אֶחָד, Exodus 26:6, 11; Ezekiel 37:16-19). 

 

 Among the heathen there were many Baals and many Jupiters; and it was believed that the deity might be divided and communicated to many. 

 

But the God of Israel, Jehovah, is one, indivisible and incommunicable.

 

 He is the Absolute and the Infinite One, who alone is to be worshiped, on whom all depend, and to whose command all must yield obedience (Zechariah 14:9). 

 

The Lord our God is one Lord.

 The doctrine of which is, that the Lord, who was the covenant God and Father of his people Israel, is but one Jehovah.

 He is Jehovah, the Being of beings, a self-existent Being, eternal and immutable.

 And He is but one in nature and essence; this appears from the perfection of his nature, his eternity, omnipotence, omnipresence, infinity, goodness, self-sufficiency, and perfection.

 For there can be but one eternal, one omnipotent, one omnipresent, one infinite, one that is originally and of himself good; one self, and all sufficient, and perfect Being.

 And which also may be concluded from his being the first cause of all things, which can be but one; and from his relations to his creatures, as their King, ruler, governor, and lawgiver.

And for this purpose these words are cited in Mark 12:29 but then they no ways contradict the doctrine of a trinity of persons in the unity of the divine essence, the Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, which three are one; the one God, the one Jehovah.

 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5

 Pray to God for all men, Jews and Gentiles, barbarians, Scythians, bond and free.

 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of the one God, who is the God of all the nations of the earth.

 And God wills that all should come to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, because Jesus Christ is the One Mediator between God and all men, by whom alone men can come to the Father, and who gave himself a ransom for all.

One Mediator.

Jesus Christ.
 
The human nature of our Lord is here insisted upon, to show how fit he is to mediate for man, as his Godhead fits him to mediate with God.


There is but one God, who is the Creator of all men, and who, in a providential way, is the Saviour of all men; and in a way of special grace is the one God, the one covenant God of all sorts of men, of Jews and Gentiles.

 Christ stands as a middle person, a daysman between them, and lays his hands upon them both; has to do with things pertaining to the glory of God, and makes reconciliation for the sins of the people.

He brings them that were afar off near to God, and makes peace for them by the blood of his cross.

 By fulfilling the law, and satisfying justice for them.

  He appears for them in the court of heaven, intercedes and pleads for them, is their advocate, and sees that all covenant blessings, of which he is the Mediator, are applied unto them.

 And preserves their persons, which are committed to his care and charge, safe to everlasting happiness; and this Mediator is the man Christ Jesus.

All of us have a "go between" who has reconciled us to Almighty God. A man such as ourselves and a member of the Godhead, Jesus Christ.

God incarnate.

A man who paid the price of our sins on a cross. Who has shed His own blood on our behalf that we may be freed from the bondage of sin and made right with God.

A "man," absolutely and genetically: not a mere individual man: the Second Head of humanity, and a member of the Trinity.

His being "man" was necessary to His being a Mediator, sympathizing with us through experimental knowledge of our nature (Isa 50:4; Heb 2:14; 4:15).

Jesus Christ understands our pain and our struggles in life.

 He is also God.

God, Himself, laid down His own life here on earth on our behalf that we might all be forgiven and have eternal life.

Jesus Christ has gone between us and Almighty God to reconcile us to God by His own blood.

Without the Shedding of Blood There is no Forgiveness (Hebrews 9:19-22)

By the grace of God anyone can come to Jesus Christ and declare that they believe that He had died for their sins.

And request that His blood wash away all of their sins and that He would write their name in the Lambs book of the Living.

 The Conversion of the Jailer
Acts 16:30
and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Won't you accept Christ today?

Do you want to have confident assurance that if you were to die today you would indeed go to Heaven?

Do you want to have peace with God, knowing that all of your sins are washed away?

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

"I shall put your sins from you as far as the east is from the west."
Psalm 103.12

You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19

God's sea of forgetfulness. 
 
It doesn't specifically say sea of forgetfulness but it does say cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Before this it says he does not retain his anger forever, which would mean he forgives.

By Jesus Christ our sins have all been washed away and forgiven.

Pastor Tilson Shumate's Monday Manifest

BEHOLD I DO A NEW THING

Thus says the Lord, "I will do a new thing." 

On the day of Pentecost no one knew what to expect. They had no idea that tongues of fire would appear over their heads, and that a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind would fill the house where they were sitting.

A spiritual awakening is about to take place, but no one really knows how it will be. Amos 3:7 indicates that revelation knowledge precedes any move of God’s Spirit. The early disciples knew to wait in Jerusalem. They knew when and where to be gathered and that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost came upon them, but they didn’t know how it would happen.

The Lord lets us know when He is about to do something mighty, but it’s always a wonder when He does. The mysterious ways of God are his to determine and his to reveal.

Modern day Christianity thinks they have it all worked out and that God must act accordingly.

 A new thing!

It’s unlike any other manna that we have ever tasted before. My eyes are wide open in expectation.

All we can do is yield, surrender and be pliable.
Rejoice and sing, be glad.

Even the softest pure heart is a heart of stone compared to what God desires to create within his church.

The closer I come to him, the more I find that I know nothing. Nothing at all, as taught in Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

A new thing is about to happen.

 It cannot be figured out.

Greek words have no bearing on how it will happen or where it will happen.

Doctrinal differences whether simple or complex will not detour it.

Mark 13:37, "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

Pastor Tilson Shumate

Looking into the illegal trial of Jesus the Christ of God

New Testament Details Of Events Day Six

Day Six
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ
New Testament Details Of Events

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

On Thursday night, following Palm Sunday, Jesus had finished the "Last Supper" with His disciples in the upper chamber, in celebration of the great Feast of the Passover. From there we copy the New Testament account of what took place, from the time of the arrest of Jesus until the occasion when Pilate released Him to the mob to be crucified:

"He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where He entered, and His disciples. Judas also, which betrayed Him, knew the place; for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with His disciples.

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come unto Him, went forth, and said unto them: Whom do ye seek? They answered Him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them: I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them.

As soon as He had said unto them, I am He, they all went backward, and fell to the ground.

Then asked He them again: Whom seek ye? And they said: Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus answered: I have told you that I am He. If, therefore, ye seek Me, let these go their way.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malcus.

Then Jesus said unto Peter: Put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and the officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound Him.

And they led Him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. That disciple was known unto the high priest, and went with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known to the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter: Art not thou one of this man’s disciples? He saith: I am not.

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they warmed themselves; and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself,

They said therefore unto him: Art not thou also one of His disciples? He denied it and said: I am not.

One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, said: Did not I see thee in the garden with Him? Peter denied again, and immediately the cock crew,

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him: Before the cock crow, thou shalt denie Me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.

The high priest (Caiaphas) then asked Jesus of His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered: I spake openly to the world; I even taught in the synagogues, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask Me? Ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I have said.

And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying: Answereth Thou the high priest so?

Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest Me?

Now the chief priest, and elders, and all the council, sought false witnesses against Jesus, to put Him to death; but found none, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At last came two false witnesses, and said: This fellow said: I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

And the high priest arose, saying unto Him: Answereth Thou nothing? What is it which theses witnesses say against Thee? But Jesus held His peace.

And the high priest said unto Him: I adjure Thee by the Living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus saith unto him: "Thou has said: neverthe less, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of God sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven."

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying: He hath spoken blasphemy; what futher need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said: He is guilty of death.

Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; saying: Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, who is he that smote Thee?

And straightway in the morning the chief priest held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

Pilate went out unto them and said: What accusations bring ye against this Man? They answered and said unto him: If He were not a malfactor, we would not have delivered Him up unto thee. Then said Pilate: Take ye Him and judge Him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.

And they began to accuse Him, saying: We found this fellow perverting the Nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a king.

And when He was accused of the chief priest and elders, He answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto Him; Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him no to never a word; insomuch that the Governor marvelled greatly.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto Him: Art Thou the King of Jews?

Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?

Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thine own Nation and the chief priest have delivered Thee unto me. What hast Thou done?

Jesus answered him: My kingdom is not of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto Him: Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate said unto Him: What is truth?

When he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them: I find in Him no fault at all.

And they were the more fierce, saying: He stirreth the people, teaching throughout all Jewery, beginning from Galilee to this place.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man was a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.

Then he questioned Him with many words; but He answered him nothing.

And the chief priest and scribes stood and vhemently accused Him.

And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them: Ye have brought this Man unto me, as One that perverted the people; and, behold, I have examined Him before you, have found no fault in this Man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him. No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I will, therefore, chastise Him, and release Him.

The chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

And they cried out all at once, saying: Away with this Man, release unto us Barabbas.

Pilate said unto them: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ: They all said unto him: Let Him be crucified.

When Pilate sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying: Have nothing to do with that just Man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tulmult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just Person; see ye to it.

Then answered all the people: His blood be on us, and on our children.

Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said: Hail King of the Jews! And they smote Him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them: Behold, I bring Him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in Him.

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them: Behold the Man!

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying: Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Pilate saith unto them: Take ye Him, and crucify Him; for I find no fault in Him.

The Jews answered him: We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was more afraid; and went again to the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus: Whence art Thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Then saith Pilate unto Him: Speakest Thou not to me?

Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee? And have power to release Thee?

Jesus answered him: Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from hence forth Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying: If thou let Him go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. Whosoever maketh Himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour; and he said unto the Jews; Behold your king.

But they cried out: Away with Him, away with Him. Crucify Him! Pilate saith unto them: Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Caesar.

Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away.

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired."

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Sidebar:

The above record of events, now more than two thousand years old, has stood the test of time and criticism. No one, however brilliant, in all the whole world, has been able to successfully impeach that record and that testimony. And now it is the universally accepted truth, save a very few exceptions- those who, either because of training, religious teachings, or hard-headedness, refuse to believe the New Testament as being the inspired Word of God. We of the Christian faith can have no doubts respecting the authenticity of each and every word so faithfully, logically and truthfully recorded by those eye witnesses, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John!

The Center of the Bible

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117

What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119

Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118.

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118.

Add these numbers up and you get 1188

What is the center verse in the Bible?Answer - Psalms 118:8

Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word! Psalms 118:8

(NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Friends Don't Let Friends Fry Their Brain Cells. We should all use ear pieces, speaker phones or headsets for brain health!

Brain Surgeons and Cellphones 

"I’m rethinking how I use my cellphone after hearing three brain surgeons make the point that they use ear pieces, speaker phones or headsets when talking on the phone, and they don’t put cellphones next to their ears."

Nor should you!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/brain-surgeons-and-cellphones/

Please spread the word and "share" this with one of the sharing links below!