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You are here: Home / Archives for christian

Listen Within The Whisper…

August 26, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

What is it like to hear the voice of God? The following story is told of the conversion of St. Augustine. One day, while he was struggling with his inability to overcome his own passions and desires, he went into his garden carrying the Letter of Paul to the Romans. While in agony of mind over his struggle, he suddenly heard a child’s voice from the neighboring garden saying, “Take up and read, take up and read.” He immediately opened Paul’s letter and read from Romans 13: 14, “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” This experience was the moment of his conversion. He became the greatest of the early Church Father because he heard the voice of God speaking as if through the voice of a child.

What would it be like today if God would speak to his people? How would we experience his voice coming from heaven to speak to us? Would it be a voice of thunder causing fear and dread? Or would it come to us, as with the baptism of Jesus, in a gentle voice of comfort and reassurance? Would we recognize it as the voice of God? Would anyone listen to him? Or are we too busy in our work and our play to have time to listen to God? Are we even too busy in our worship to actually take the time to listen for the voice of God to speak to us? Or do we not even really expect him to speak to us anymore?

If we are to be able to listen when God speaks to us, we will need spiritual ears. We want to learn to listen, and to develop ears that have the spiritual sensitivity to hear what God may be saying to us today. We may learn how we may have such spiritually sensitive hearing from the story of Elijah that we read from the Scriptures today.

In learning to hear God’s voice and to receive God’s message, Elijah had to learn to see things in accordance with God’s way. And that is not the way of punishment and judgement, but the way of grace and salvation. And today, too, if we truly want to hear the voice of God to guide our lives, we must begin by looking to Jesus Christ and to his example of love and service. Through his acts of apparent weakness, he showed us the real power of God. Are we listening for his voice and direction today?

Today, God may speak to us through some mighty miracle, through thunder and storm, through turbulent times and political events that shake the world. Or he may speak to us in quiet words and works of brotherly love. Such words arise when we have personally heard the voice of God speaking his salvation into our hearts and minds. Such works reflect the example of loving sacrifice shown to us by our Lord.

Sometimes we are so busy with our own concerns that we cannot hear God’s voice: the noise of our problems and our works block him out! No doubt our concerns, like Elijah’s are good ones. After all, we are concerned for the well being of God’s Church. Yet, we must learn to lay aside our own concerns, and our own expectations and to quiet our souls so that we may hear the ‘gentle whisper’ of God as he speaks to us today. We must learn to hear God in the quiet and gentle works of Christian love and mercy. We must learn to listen to the Spirit of God at work in us and around us in the quiet deeds of sacrificial love.

We have God’s promise that he will bring judgment upon those who deserve it in his own way and his own time, and not according to our demands. And we have his promise that he will preserve a faithful remnant in every time and place. Those who will not serve the gods of this world. Those who will tune their hearts and their ears to hear the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit urging us onward in our faithful service to God in our daily work.

May God find us all eager to hear his words and commands, eager to obey and to serve him in big ways or small ways. May we all truly learn to listen to the gentle whisper of our God as it comes to us today. Amen

 

 

 

Filed Under: Balanced Life Ministry, Church Assistance, Leadership Forum, Spiritual Growth, The Church Voice Tagged With: balanced, christian, God, life, listen, love, whisper

The Rise or Fall of America

February 5, 2011 by admin 1 Comment

  This message is for The United States of America as a whole and should be applied in the wisdom of God to every home in order to maintain what we have been given. There is a historical cycle in life that proves this message without any room for debate in what takes place when we drift away from the obedience of God and begin to live with our own selfish ambitions.

 Due to the drift away from the wisdom of God in the Holy Bible and the instruction that the Lord gives each one of us to maintain our homes this has opened the door for the spiritual enemy to slowly weaken the foundation that is to be maintained by His people. The spiritual enemy works in many different ways to distract the people in the temptations of foods, material gains, lust of the flesh, positions of power and many other ways of distraction simply to cause a division. With divisions within the body of our core beliefs this only makes us vulnerable for the attack of our enemies in order to learn another lesson in how we can fall. Many people fail to see how the Lord allows oppression to fall upon His people in order to discipline us for our lack of obedience and to realign our focus from the world back to our Creator in Heaven above.

 America is at historical point of either a revival that is going raise up men and women of God that are willing stand for what is right in our homes and in our nation or at a point of further division that is going to eventually lead to the destruction of our country. Without men and women working together with the integrity of Christian values to address the over sized government, reckless spending, corporate greed, legalized murder through abortions, immigration and the addicted nation that we are in then we better prepare for what is sure to come. Based upon the will of God and the national stand of the people in how we open up our eyes to the Truth in the Word of God will determine the strength in our foundation from which we stand in the love of Jesus Christ that holds us all together. Many homes and historical empires lost sight of this principle that eventually led to their collapse.

 Like in the fall of the Roman Empire you will find that their quest for power led them into a socialist culture in trying to simply appease the people by being naive to the importance of a core religion which eventually led to their fall. Why did the Roman government make this decision in appeasing the people with their beliefs? Simply due to their desire of power, greed and then due their state of survival. The leadership in Rome during their deterioration never grasped the principle of how to maintain the integrity within their foundation in having core beliefs to maintain the order. The Romans thought they could hold things together through a larger government that eventually absorbed all the nutrients within their empire which led to their collapse.

 If you were to look at the direction of America today you would honestly find the same misdirected leadership in our country that is trying to appease the people to maintain their political positions and their false thinking that money is the answer to our internal problems. America like Rome and every other nation that tries to impose their way of life on others only opens the doors for spiritual friction that will eventually lead to war. As God teaches us in His wisdom we are to maintain our homes by learning to stand on the principles of God without becoming complacent in His Word. Our founding fathers of The United States of America knew this importance and they recognized the dangers of a nation that drifts away from their Christian faith.

      President Thomas Jefferson: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” 
     President Andrew Jackson called the Bible; “The Rock upon which our republic rests.” 
     President John Adams said; “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.” 
    Patrick Henry said, “It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains.” 
    George Washington said; “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” 
    President Ronald Reagan once said,”If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

 Now, here is the part of this message that I pray that America hears in order to maintain the foundation for our children’s future and for preparation of what is sure to come if we continue the national drift away from our Christian foundation. The United States of America as a whole is a home that is no different than my own on an individual level. Through my fore fathers it has been been built on specific principles that parallel Joshua 24:15 to maintain the strength within its’ foundation. I like the leaders in the Roman Empire and like many of our American leaders today once fell into the wrong thinking that I could fix my problems with money without truly addressing the roots of the  issue at hand.  My own ignorance to the Word of God and rebellion led me into a state of survival that eventually had to fall in order to stand again.

 This is where I praise God for giving me the chance to live again in His mercy and grace! I pray that every father and leader within this nation will begin to address the issues that they are trying to avoid to eliminate the depth of the fall. Too many times we think we can fix something when we are not the ones who can fix anything! 

 Regarding leadership in America I pray that God will raise up leaders that will stand in faith in serving Him instead of trying to appease the people. It is not our place as a true Christian to force our beliefs on another nation nor is right for anyone else to enter into our house of America and try to change our ways in return. The rise and fall of homes and nations is all determined on who we serve and how obedient we are to God’s Word. Have we gone too far? Is it too late for the point of return? Only God knows the answers to these two questions but according to His Word in which still stands today we are told in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 As long as we have breath then there is hope and the outcome is determined by the hand of God in the decisions that we make! Are you willing to make a positive difference and learn to stand on the principles of God for our children’s future? Don’t ever be misled and think that we are not accountable for our actions! For God is real and in full control of everything from Heaven to Earth. We are here to serve Him and not ourselves! So, please recognize the positive difference that you can make at your own dinner table by learning to trust in God instead of relying upon our government or on another man…Amen

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Filed Under: Balanced Life Ministry, Church Assistance, Divorce & Broken Homes, Economics & Finance, Leadership Forum, Prophecy & Dreams, Spiritual Growth, The Church Voice Tagged With: america, bible, christian, God, Government, James Harrison, jesus, life, president, roman empire, spiritual, war

Ricky Gervais’ Spiritual Misguidance

January 21, 2011 by admin 1 Comment

 Recently on the Golden Globe awards Ricky Gervais made a statement at closing in thanking God for making him an Atheist. This statement has brought him further national attention which has allowed his own lack of understanding to misguide the American public. One of the first things I found interesting in his original statement was that he thanked God which tells me that he recognizes there is a God. Is this not a contradicting statement within a single sentence? I was under the impression that an Atheist did not believe in God but I guess Ricky has now shown me that there are different religions within atheist as there are under Christianity. Actually, this closing statement of Ricky’s only confirms the message of God further. For we learn in Acts 19 that the spiritual darkness of Satan recognizes those that are filled with the light of Jesus Christ.

 This statement of Ricky’s thanking God on the Golden Globes has led him into a recent interview with Piers Morgan on CNN that aired on January 20, 2011. I found this interview very interesting for several different reasons due to pointing out the monopoly within the church and his further acknowledgement of the spirit of God. Sadly, Ricky Gervais was correct in his mentioning of the control or monopoly within the church that has taken place over the years due to the lack of true love being displayed within the overall Christian body and the lack of proper teaching in the Word of God. This has allowed the modern day Pharisees to rise again because they simply fail to recognize how we will naturally obey God’s commands in our love for thy Father in Heaven. For why would we want to hurt thy Father if we truly love thy Father? 

 Ricky mentioned that he loved people and this claimed the second most important commandment in the Word of God, loving thy neighbor as thyself. This is where many Christians have gone wrong in trying to force their ways upon others and condemning those that do not believe in the eternal Way through the blood of Jesus Christ. In Luke 6 and in Romans 12 we are taught in the Word of God to love thy enemy and this is displayed throughout the Old Testament as well through men and women of God who learned that the Lord is the one who is in control. For love is not directed but it is received in our freewill.

 Due to the wrong examples being displayed within a majority of the Christian body many individuals have failed to understand how to love the sinner but hate the sin. This lack of proper witness has allowed a spirit of judgment into the body and a spirit of disbelief in the Power of God that can change individuals from who they once were into someone completely new.  Due to the disobedience within many Christians and the lack of understanding of how to love as Jesus teaches this has caused many individuals like Ricky Gervais and many others to drift even further away from the Truth in the Word of God.

  In the interview with Piers Morgan Ricky mentioned that he was not offended when someone mentioned God and I respect him as a creation under God for making this statement. Neither atheist nor Christians should be offended when someone shares their belief in a respectful way without trying to force their belief upon another. This relates to Muslims as well, for why does someone become offended unless something is simply not right within them self? Now, here is the question that should have been asked by Piers to Ricky verses his acknowledgement of God, “Does it offend you if someone thanks Jesus or bother you to speak His name?” 

 Have you ever noticed how individuals can speak of God but they cringe when they speak or hear the name of Jesus the Son of God? Shouldn’t we as Christians receive the same respect back in return if someone can say they are an Atheist or a Muslim then can’t we mention our faith in Jesus Christ? Why is it that every other belief can mention their gods’ but we as Christians can not mention ours? What is wrong with this picture in equal rights and freedom of religion here in the United States of America? I believe Martin Luther King Jr. would say this is discrimination just as it was in telling others where to sit on the bus.

 Many Christians have fallen weak in this area because they have found that mentioning God brings less persecution than mentioning the name of Jesus. In Matthew 10 Jesus tells us, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”  Throughout history man has believed in higher powers and in many different false gods’. As a true Christian we believe that there is one living God that sent His only begotten Son to teach us how to live and to break the spiritual chains that can hold us back from the eternal Kingdom of God.     

 Another interesting segment of Ricky’s interview with Piers Morgan was his recognition of the spirit within him when he looked upon the mountains and visited with family and friends. He did not go into detail with what he felt nor did Ricky have words to explain this sense of love and awe when looking upon God’s creation. In Ephesians 6 of the Holy Bible we learn that this life is far beyond what we see in the physical and throughout God’s Word He plainly teaches us how to discern between the spirits of good and evil. In fact this statement of Ricky’s stating the sense of awe within his spirit when looking upon the mountains this reminds me of what God’s Word say’s when He looked upon His creation in Genesis 1,”And He saw that His creation was good.”

 It is amazing to me how individuals can look from the Heavens to the earth and state that they do not believe in God and think that this all just happened with no explanation nor purpose. To this day with all the education man still cannot explain the human brain or much less the miracles in life. Everything in God’s creation works with such unity and harmony except for the human race that disrupts the natural course of events due to our sinful nature and false thinking that we are the ones in control. Unfortunately, over the years in our drift away from the Word of God within our homes and within our nation this has opened the door spiritually to Satan to deceive many children that are lost and cause others to lose hope because they have fallen weak in faith. 

 Let’s pray that God will raise up a new generation in the love of Jesus Christ that will seek the Truth and learn to stand on the principles of God to maintain what He has given for our countries future. Dear Lord I pray for a spiritual awakening that will open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the def with a spirit of power that will ignite a fire within the believers that will shine throughout this dark world. May leaders learn to stand in faith proclaiming your name Lord Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords while acting in your love to show others the Way back to your Kingdom. For this life is only a training ground to see which direction we will go and I thank you Father in Heaven for sending your only Son in your mercy and grace to prepare our eternal place in Heaven above. Forgive us Father for all the national sin and I pray that you will bless us once again. Lord if it be in your will, we pray as your children in Christ that you will open Ricky’s eyes to your truth and spare his soul from the eternal damnation….Amen

 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us that “True Love is patient and kind; True Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. True Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. True Love never ends!!!”

James A.Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Filed Under: Balanced Life Ministry, Church Assistance, Leadership Forum, Spiritual Growth, The Church Voice Tagged With: america, atheist, Balanced Life Ministry, christian, CNN, God, heaven, James Harrison, jesus, life, martin luther king jr, piers morgan, piers morgan tonight, ricky gervais

Jesus In The Superbowl Of Life…

January 30, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

 Over the last 40 years I have probably watched only a small handful of Superbowl games and I never understood why I could not see the excitement that even disappointed some of the people I was with because I was not in the spirit of the game. But now I see why this took place since my spiritual eyes have been opened. God has now given me this understanding that I never understood before until now in what it was that dampened my spirit of the Superbowl game.

 God has been working in my life for a long time and once I truly learned to surrender He set me free to understand what it is that He has been showing me. If you are honest within yourselves and truly listen to this long but short message you will hear something beyond the words which you see and hear the cry of Jesus in whom we believe. Our savior cries in the heart for how He shed His blood for each of us and for how far we have allowed our focus in life to drift from what we know in hearts to be true.

 Why is it okay for us to stand and shout at a Superbowl game with cheers of joy when our team is ahead but when we are in church in the presence of God we stay seated with our mouths barely speaking a word or saying an amen? Why is it okay to stand up and encourage our team in the Superbowl game when they are behind with power in our voice to reach the fields but when someone in our church or community may be falling behind we barely even give them some of our time?

 Tell me, do you think our pastors are the only ones on the team? We are all on the team as a Christian and it is our duty to Stand Up, Encourage, and Cheer in God’s mercy for our children to see the love of Jesus in how He has set us free. There is nothing wrong with a game as long as we understand the principles behind self discipline and order to keep our perspective and based on what so many show it is easy  to see how many are holding back whom they know. Can you only imagine what church would be like if we were all as excited about the service as we get when we meet for that special event? 

 I say all of this to you recognize the spirit of God and don’t just sit still with it when you feel it in your bones making you quiver. Because we never know when that day may come that we will be delivered. Enjoy the Superbowl with your friends and family but when you begin to feel that spirit making you cheer always keep God first because He is near.

  I challenge you as a true Christian to quit holding back the spirit of God and thinking you can’t stand up to cheer because of being too worried about what others may think in giving you fears. Life in the spirit of God is a gift that we all have been given when we learn to listen and turn ourselves over to Him to use us as the vessel that we were set out to be. Always remember there are only two teams being good and evil to insure the team that we are are on because we never know when our time could run out!!!…amen

James Harrison / Servant

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Filed Under: Balanced Life Ministry, Church Assistance, The Church Voice Tagged With: balanced life, Balanced Life Ministry, christian, God, James Harrison, Jesus Christ, jesus in the superbowl, special delivery book, superbowl, superbowl game time, tim tebo supwerbowl commercial

Christians Need To Wake-Up In America

March 11, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

 Never in my life have I seen such confusion in this country of The United States of America. Our government speaks of good intentions but they have forgotten how to reach the people. We do not need new roads or new buildings! We need to maintain what we have and put the money to work where it will help the most from the bottom to then reach the top. It is a proven fact that we can not solve problems from the outside and expect them to reach the inside. Because when we do this it is only a superficial healing that will come back to haunt us in the future. This same wisdom applies to pouring money to those on top and expecting it to reach those that can make a difference on the bottom.

 By majority the Christian body has become blind and needs to Wake Up to the facts! It is pathetic how we by majority are relying on knowledge instead of on God through Jesus Christ! Our freedom is being taken from us every day and while the Christian body is lying dormant this only allows matters to get worse. God help us for what I see!

For the sake of your children and mine please Wake Up and lets come together as one nation under God to prepare for the future.

James Harrison http://www.specialdeliverybook.com

Filed Under: Balanced Life Ministry, Leadership Forum Tagged With: 700 club, balanced life, Balanced Life Ministry, baptist, billy graham, christian, Christianity, church, CNN, conservatives, cpac, Economics & Finance, fox news, glen beck, inspirational blog, James Harrison, Leadership Forum, nbc news, obama, pat robertson, politics, president obama, recession, Rush Limbaugh, southern baptist convention, special delivery, taxed enough already, taxed enough already tupelo mississippi, the white house blog, unemployment, USA Today, washington post

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Moving Forward At The Outpost…

August 14, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

The Lord recently led me from my daily writings at BLM, to living it out in faith, at a little place on the edge of the TN River called The Outpost located in Pickwick, TN.

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America's Prayer...

America’s Prayer…

September 18, 2021 By admin Leave a Comment

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Don’t be like Eli in 1st Samuel and miss something that has been given by God. If you recall with Eli he did not listen because the Word of God was rare in those days and he did not recognize what was taking place until he saw the persistence of Samuel…

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