https://www.facebook.com/113715080341598/

Comfort One Another 1 Thess 5:11, Foley Lane, Foley, AL (2026)

05/05/2021

How Can We Be “Rich Toward God”?
Luke 12:15

Do you want to be “RICH” in your relationship with “GOD”? The Bible speaks clearly to us about how to and not to be “RICH TOWARD GOD” (Lk 12:15). Literal instructions and figurative parables describe people who have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows” that inevitably result from our greed, covetousness, and selfishness (1 Tim 6:6-10).

Recently, I became interested in Woodworking. I found myself wanting to learn as much as possible about this hobby and trade. I already owned some of the useful Woodworking tools. However, many of the unique tools of this trade were not in my workshop arsenal - as they were in all those YouTube videos. As with any new venture, I quickly learned that there are a multiplicity of entry-level to expert quality hand tools, power tools, jigs, clamps, benches, and more costing a few bucks up to thousands of dollars each. The temptation to spend beyond my means so as to possess the best of the best ASAP became quickly evident to me.

Thankfully, I have enough of God’s word written on my heart to clearly hear Him speak to my conscience when I’m tempted to make stupid financial decisions. The words of Psalms 23:1-6, “I shall not want...” reminded me of how completely God provides for all my spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. When I remind myself that “I shall not want” when I’m tempted to be spiritually irresponsible with my finances and an insatiable desire for more possessions, God’s caring voice leads me to instead make wise decisions. It’s a sense of accomplishment to overcome the desire to make stupid decisions and rise to the occasion of wise ones. We grow richer toward God every time our will submits to our Shepherd’s will.

Jesus’ words in Luke 12:15, also encourage me to live responsibly when it comes to a balanced attitude toward possessions. Luke 12:15-21
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

A very wealthy young man who was faithful in keeping so many of God’s commandments, surprisingly went away sorrowful after talking face-to-face with Jesus about his personal salvation (Matt 19:16-22). Why did this man go away so sad? Jesus gave this man instructions that He doesn’t give every wealthy follower of God. Jesus instructed this rich young man to go sell his beloved possessions and give the proceeds to needy people (Matt 19:21).

God didn’t require, Job, Sarah & Abraham, Moses, Lydia, and other children of God to sell all their rich possessions. So, why did Jesus require this young rich man to sell all his cool “stuff” and give the money to the poor?

The difference was not the possession of money and belongings. The difference was that unlike other rich people in the Bible, this rich young man didn’t just possess riches, his riches possessed him. Jesus, let him know that his “love of money” ( 1 Tim 6:10) stood between him and “treasures in heaven.” (Matt 19:21). Like young Timothy, this young man had lived faithful to God since he was very young (2 Tim 3:15; Matt 19:20). How could this particular young man’s attitude toward his money and belongings stand between him and eternity in heaven? Didn’t all his good commandment keeping cancel out his love of money problem?

Our money and possessions can be a blessing from God or a dangerous tool of Satan. The difference is all in our attitude toward money and things. Love for money and/or things is “covetousness” and “covetousness... is idolatry” (Col 3:5). I seriously doubt the rich young ruler who discussed his personal salvation with Jesus considered himself heart-deep in idolatry. However, Jesus, who knows our hearts, cared so much for this religious young sinner, that He revealed this hard truth to him.

The rich young ruler had within his reach “treasures in heaven” (Matt 19:21) When we live “RICH TOWARD GOD” we have Jesus’ promise of these same heavenly riches of salvation. When we chose to make irresponsible decisions with the gifts God has entrusted with us, we can turn blessings into curses. “Covetousness” is serious to God because it is an “idol” that stands between man’s heart and the “rich” “treasures of heaven”.

May we never go away sad when discussing our salvation with Jesus because our “great possessions” possess us! “I shall not want!”
-John W. Pratt

06/14/2020

Naïve Christian Gullibility or Gullible Christian Naivety?
(Matt 10:16 “BE WISE...”)

No, I don’t subscribe to the critical spirit that accuses all Christians of being naive and gullible people who believe whatever their leaders tell them. That is a common accusation non-believers hurl at Christians because we believe and strive to live according to God’s Word, the Bible.

“Don’t drink the Cool-Aid” is an expression that reminds us of 900 people (including many children) who identified as “Christians”, but were in reality, deceived people who, in 1978 America & Guyana, were mislead - far away from the Bible- by their cult leader (and murderer) Jim Jones. They literally drank Cool-Aid laced with poisonous cyanide that killed them. That’s not Bible teaching, that is “naive gullibility or gullible naivety” at its worst!

Sadly, Jim Jones is just one of many historical and present deceivers who have greatly harmed Christians by deadly deception and twisting of the Scriptures (2 Pt 3:16-18).

In the Bible, true Christians are instructed: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matt 10:16) In this one statement, Jesus is reminding His disciples that, in carrying out His mission, they will encounter dangers. In the Bible, the serpent is often used to illustrate evil, deception, and death. In this context, Jesus is telling his disciples to be “wise”, discerning, and vigilant, regarding the deception of this world. In other words, as Christian, we must be wiser than Satan himself by submitting to the Wisdom of God!

Too many “Christians” today will believe whatever their leaders (preachers, pastors, elders, bishops, priests, and TV evangelists...) tell them to believe - without having “searched the Scriptures daily” themselves “to see if these things” they are being taught are true or false (Acts 17:11).

However, the most deceptive enemy Christians are facing today in early to mid year 2020, is the media. The divisive, deceptive, and evil nature of too many politicians, social-media platforms, and news personalities have figuratively and literally set fire to neighbors, co-workers, as well as souls and relationships of far too many “Christians”!

These deceptive spirits have successfully deceived many “Christians” into racial division, confusion, and fear. (1 Cor 14:33)

Jesus shed His precious blood to save and bring together “all nations” (Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8, 16; Matt 28:16-19; Acts 10:34-35) of people into “one” (Eph 4:4-6; e.g. Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:12-27) “family/household” (Eph 2:19). He calls his “one body” His “one church” (Eph 4:4-6). Only Satan and his followers would try to deceive us into believing the opposite (Jn 8:44).

Fellow Christians, please be like the “noble minded” (Acts 17:10-12) students of God’s Scripture in “Berea” who believed in Jesus as their Savior - based on weighing the preacher’s sermon - with God’s actual “Scriptures”. These Bible students in Berea go down in thousands of years of history as - commended for their diligent Bible study and common sense. Unfortunately, certain people in their neighboring city of Thessalonica, were unduly influenced by “envious...” and “evil men” who orchestrated “a mob”, created “an uproar and attacked” a local Christian (“Jason”) even to the point of having “dragged” this Christian “and some other brethren to the rulers of the city” intending to do such Christians harm by their hatred for Jesus and love to incite a violent “mob” (Acts 17:1-9).

Does this Christian history lesson remind us of the fact that there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9)?

What we are witnessing at this present time might seem unprecedented to us. However, the basic elements of evil including hatred for all authority (God, Bible, Government, Police....), an affinity to stir racial prejudice, and absence of love for God our Creator and love for one’s neighbor who is created in the image of God (Lk 10:25-37) - is sadly - “nothing new under the sun”.

As Christians, our first allegiance is to God and not to man. Let us not become puppets to the political agendas, false teachers, and social media manipulation that is an everyday realty in the world in which we live. Rather, let us embrace all the Scripture - including instructions as: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jn 4:1)

Jesus Himself warned all of His disciples/Christians: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits...” (Matt 7:15-20).

My brethren, please do not allow evil people to make you a casualty of “Naïve Christian Gullibility or Gullible Christian Naivety”! (Which are obviously one and the same.)

God has given us a spirit of wisdom, love, power, discernment, desire to be peacemakers, and love for others balanced by common sense! (Matt 10:16) “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Please do not allow this world to make you guilty of, “Naïve Christian Gullibility or Gullible Christian Naivety”. Such is clearly not of God but of the devil! 🙏

06/03/2020

“THOSE WHO MAKE PEACE”
James 3-13-18

06/01/2020

CAN PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY ARE RELIGIOUS AND RIGHT WITH GOD - BE DECEIVED INTO THINKING AND BEHAVING LIKE SATAN?
_________________________________

“YOU SEEK TO KILL ME, BECAUSE MY WORD HAS NO PLACE IN YOU.” -JESUS Jn 8:37, 40

“THEY TOOK UP STONES TO THROW AT HIM” Jn 8:59

Jesus had a intense face-to-face conversation with an angry and blood-hungry group of such religious sinners. It’s recorded for us in John chapter eight. It reminds me of the law-abiding peacemakers and good law enforcement officers who are standing face-to-face trying to de-escalate the blood-hungry mobs on our American streets today.

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND THE DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER YOU WANT TO DO. HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, AND DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

According to JESUS, YES, even people who think they are religious and right with God, can be deceived into thinking and behaving like Satan (“YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND THE DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER YOU WANT TO DO.” Jn 8:44)

In this same context and to these same people, Jesus said, “YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.” Jn 8:31-32

05/30/2020

“LOVE ONE ANOTHER” IS THE ANSWER TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY!
(Read the entire context.)

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Love Your Neighbor
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
(Rom 13:1-10)

If this Divine Wisdom, respect for God’s word, and basic love for one another (“red, brown, yellow, black and white”), was present in that police officer’s heart he would not have let his anger, hate, emotions, prejudice... or whatever moved him - to kill another man - George Floyd - (or at least cross the line and abusively contribute to the comorbities that led to his death - May 25, 2020 Minneapolis, MN).

Likewise, if the same respect for GOD’S “AUTHORITY” AND “LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER” was present in the hearts of the people of various racial backgrounds who are rioting, destroying businesses and livelihoods, stealing, vandalizing, spreading COVID-19. threatening murder, and practicing murder in multiple cities at this time, we would be at peace and not ignorant racial war!

If in*******al couples can love each other unconditionally, the rest of our country can too! WE ALL CAME OUT OF EDEN AND WE ALL CAME OUT OF EVE! WE ALL SHARE THE IMAGE OF THE SAME ONE GOD (God’s image in us is not the color of our hair, skin, or gender. It’s our eternal soul.)!

Racism is the product of stupidity and the child of Satan (the author of lies and “confusion” 1 Cor 14:33).

We can’t control those who are determined to choose ignorant ideology and “justify” barbaric behavior. However, we can individually choose to LOVE GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AND HONOR GOD’S AUTHORITY!

Let’s do our part and pray fervently for God’s light to pe*****te the hearts of those who act animalistic and behave as puppets of Satan as well as manipulative media. Let’s also offer sincere “prayers... for all who are in authority” (1 Tim 2:1-3) - especially the majority of good law enforcement & our National Guard... (self-disciplined, professional, honest, servants, sacrificial, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers...) and all who are on the frontline between us and those who seek to kill and destroy (Jn 10:10)! Again, Love, Love, and more Love is God’s answer!

Rejecting Divine Knowledge Is Nothing New And Always Comes With Serious Consequences.

Hosea 4:1-6
4 Hear the word of the Lord,
You children of Israel,
For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land:
“There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.
2 By swearing and lying,
Killing and stealing and committing adultery,
They break all restraint,
With bloodshed upon bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land will mourn;
And everyone who dwells there will waste away
With the beasts of the field
And the birds of the air;
Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.
4 “Now let no man contend, or rebuke another;
For your people are like those who contend with the priest.
5 Therefore you shall stumble in the day;
The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night;
And I will destroy your mother.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.”

05/21/2020

A Prayer Of Thanksgiving For True Friends

“I thank you for my friends, for those who understand me better than I understand myself. For those who know me at my worst, and still like me. For those who have forgiven me when I had no right to expect to be forgiven. Help me to be as true to my friends as I would wish them to be to me.” (William Barclay)

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Prov 18:24

“A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.” Prov 17:17

05/16/2020

How Does God Give Us
“A Spirit Of... Power”?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7

QUOTE: “No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.” -Edmund Burke

The Bible teaches us of the power of love, prayer, trials, forgiving others, His word, and many other related ways God gives us this spiritual power to overcome worldly fear.

In this short devotional, we will look at just one source of this spiritual “power” opposed to “a spirit of fear”. That one source is the power of His Living Word - Our Bible. The Psalmist emphasized this power when he declared, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psa 119:11 Notice how the Psalmist wielded the power of God’s word: “Your word I HAVE HIDDEN IN MY HEART.” He made a conscious choice in his heart and mind to understand, remember, and live by God’s word.

In Hebrews 4:12-13, “The Word of God” is described as “living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

This daily battle we face between good and evil, the voice of God and the voice of Satan is real. Thus, God uses the weapon-of-war imagery of a “two-edged sword” that is “sharper than any” sword known to man to instill in us a healthy respect for our dependency and respect for His word.

Every part that makes up the “whole armor of God” (Eph 6:10-20) which fully equips us to “be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (6:11), defeat “principalities... powers... the rulers of the darkness of this age... spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (6:12), and “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (6:16), are descriptions of God’s powerful word. Consider each part of the Christian’s “full armor of God” and their essential function:

1. “gird (GIRDLE/BELT) your waist with TRUTH” (6:14a)
“... Your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17)
2. “put on the BREASTPLATE of righteousness” (6:14b)
“All your commandments are righteousness” (Psa 119:172)
3. “having SHOES on your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (6:15)
4. “the SHIELD OF FAITH” (6:16)
“faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God”
(Rom 10:17)
5. “And take the HELMET OF SALVATION...” (6:17a)
6. “And take the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (6:17b)

CONCLUSION:
So, how does God give us a “spirit... of power”? (2 Tim 1:7)

THE POWER IS IN US WHEN HIS WORD IS WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS AND MINDS. LET THE WORD AND VOICE OF GOD GUIDE YOUR LIFE!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”
(Psa 119:105)

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Eph 6:10)

“as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby,
if so it be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Pt 2:2-3)

SELF-APPLICATION:
Has your heart accepted and obeyed God’s all powerful word?

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because

“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,

25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”

QUOTE: “Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.”
— Unknown

05/15/2020

This Page is devoted to my sincere effort to share God’s love and Word of Grace! -John Pratt, Non-Denominational Minister, Hospice Chaplain

05/15/2020

Title: THE VALUE OF ONE PERSON
Matt 6:26

QUOTE: “Transformation starts in your mind. What you allow in, good or bad, is what you will become.” (Author Unknown)

(“VALUE”- “To rate highly; to have in high esteem; to hold in respect and estimation; to appreciate; to prize” (Webster)

1) How much does God value you? (Matt 6:26)

-“Look at the birds... “ 6:26
-“Consider the lillies...” 6:28
-Remember “Solomon in all his glory...” 6:29
-“ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?” 6:26b
-“Of how much more value is a man...” 12:12 (10:31)
“Of how much more value are you...? Lk 12:24 (12:7)

2) How much do you value yourself and others? (Matt 6:33-34)

-“God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them...” (Gen 1:27-28)
-“Before I created you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you...” (Jer 1:5)
-“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jn 3:16)
-“As my Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love... Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (Jn 15:9, 13)
-The Lord is not... willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pt 3:9)
“... there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:7)
-“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ...” (Rom 8:35-39)
-“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people...” (1 Pt 2:9)
-“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)
-“Comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess 4:18)
-“...I (Jesus) go to prepare a place for you ... that where I am (heaven), there you may be also.” (Jn 14:1-6, 27)

🙏 Do you see yourself as valuable as God, in His word, describes His love and estimation of you?
🙏 Do you view other people the way God views them?
🙏 What changes do you need to make to value yourself and others in a godly way?

Comfort One Another 1 Thess 5:11

05/05/2021

06/14/2020

06/03/2020

06/01/2020

05/30/2020

05/21/2020

05/16/2020

05/15/2020

05/15/2020

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category