Have you ever read the story in the Old Testament about Abraham and Isaac? How God had asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son.

Have you ever wondered why God asked him to? I was reading a book the other day that went over a scenario, that I had never thought of.

Usually one thinks that God was wanting to test Abraham’s heart, that’s what I’ve always heard.

Well, in ‘ The Pursuit of God “, A. W. Tozer paints this picture.

Remember, Isaac was his only son and maybe just maybe, he had a divided heart and loved Isaac a little to much and God wanted to drive all things away in his heart that might stand in the way

You say, how can one love a child to much? I met a Mother and Father of a slain son who quit God because their boy got killed.

One can love anything to much, what’s in your life or mine that stands between you and God/? I apply this to my life also, no one is exempt.

The question is simple, are you willing to inspect your life and lay down those things that might be standing between you and God? I am. I’m tired of a powerless church.

I read the red letters in my Bible and I know there’s more. It’s just that the world has infiltrated Christianity and we had listened to a diluted version of the gospel.

Today if Jesus came to earth, we would do the same thing the Jews did; we would dismiss Him as a lunatic or assassinate Him. We would be so scared of His power, we would freak out

If a blind man got healed in our churches, we would freak out but, people it’s the norm!

Lord come in your power and freak us out! We need to be shook up, out of our slumber and believe what can be in Your Name. Amen!!!

RL

We pastured rural churches in Mississippi, that was by choice. I have been to hundreds of rural churches as a visitor and I’m here to tell you, if not for the women; the churches would have closed

We pastured a church, if it had not been for one woman; the church would have died.

What is the problem? It’s that men are not answering their God given role, of being the head of the house.

I went to a conference last weekend and the following statistic blew me away. Let’s say in a household of four, a son or daughter get saved. The average who get saved is 6%

If a mother get’s saved, 16% of a household get saved. If a Dad get’s saved, a whopping 95% get saved. Why is that, it’s because he is following the order God ordained!

This conference I went to, twelve men from our church went; I could not have gone with a better bunch. We came back changed, the real secret we found was loving Him first in all things.

You see, if we truly seek Him first; all things will fall into place.

A new Christian went with us, a relative new Father, I believe only five years, he and I wrote on face book and he is on fire to see his family move in the right direction.

The key to a solid church, is have men who truly lov God in order and the homes will be in order and the church also.

It starts in the home people!

Lord WAKE up the men of our nation to their rightful place in your Kingdom. Amen!!!

RL

Last night, I received a message a friend of mine committed suicide. It has really shaken me.

I guess the reason, is because I battle depression and she battled it. The reason I’m afraid, it could happen to me.

I remember three years ago when I was diagnosed Paranoid/Clinically depressed, I thought I was headed to the Nut Farm.

I was making my families life a living nightmare No one could tell me the truth, I was right and everyone else wrong. I imagined thing going on that meant me harm, I saw and heard things that was not there.

My wife took all that she could take. She had my best friend and his wife come over and intervene. I knew I needed help but, was so paranoid; I thought everyone was out to get me. I know now they truly were looking out for me.

I think my dam busted one Saturday, I accused my wife of twenty-eight years of being unfaithful.

My wife got up and got her Bible and left the room. She went to our back bedroom and cried.

I went to the bedroom an hour later and when I arrived, my wife was setting on the bed still crying.

She said unless I got help, she did not know how much she could take

Needless to say, the Lord lead me to a good Doctor and after three years; I am my old self.

Depression is a dark enemy, it will take your life if you let it. I know the depression I’m in is under control but, hearing of my friend’s death has rattled me. I covet your prayers.

If you are healthy, everyday you should thank God. If you battle with depression, talk to someone; get some help.

Lord guard our minds and for those of us who are called to bare this load,send us to the help we need! Amen!!

RL