God... Who are you? Still Struggling? Spiritual Growth A Higher Calling Fellowship & Witnessing Men, Women, Seasonal An Assembly I Visit Thank you for welcoming me, into your midst. There is certainly something here, we cannot resist. Something has started, you can’t imagine what. And once this door is opened, it cannot be shut. Don’t think for a moment, I am going to be. Like the others, the leaders, who came before me. Those who would conjure, some lofty dream. And were even likely, to promise most anything. They were looking for power, pretending to lead. Drawing you into darkness, they fed on your need. But didn’t you notice, how they never truly led? They pushed you from behind, covering their head. You took all the risk, when the enemy fired its shots. You drew the first arrows, defeated by dark plots. They offered no compassion, you saw their cold glares. You are their shield and sustainer, safety is theirs. Yes, it’s true, they battered your soul. I see the cost, I can measure its great toll. Since you will not deal, with your own pain. Your indecision has given, to me free reign. When I first entered, into your midst. I sat… and I thought… and I made my list. You say you don’t know, what you should do? Well, then… let God’s Spirit reveal it to you! God’s love enfolds you, this evil can no longer remain. I am here to help you, I see the track, I see the train. Will I be the conductor, just sit in the caboose? I mend broken ties, I bring the hangman’s noose. I spotted, I found out, the bad one in the bunch. God’s power is quick, to deliver the one-two punch. You think I’m your deliverance, so new and anticipated. But your champion came before me, silent as he waited. The despoiler comes forward, sounding the battle cry. But your defendant is hidden, as time rushes by. You can’t name your helper, you’re not that aware. He’d gladly come forward, if you’d back him with prayer. I see two opponents, one pure, one defiled. The battle seems decided, the brutal over the mild. I’ve uncovered the enemy, how he’s had his day. The tide is now turning, here’s what innocence must say. Should I stand here, call down fire from above? Should I speak, expounding on God’s great love? What will I do, what action should I take? I worry. Oh, no. Not me. What if I make a mistake? Now I’ve shown you the thoughts, of evil and pure alike. My time is running short, I’ll just unplug the dyke. I’m not here for parlor tricks, no time to play games. On to the challenge, on past kids calling names. Where does this come from, just look to the tree. I walk down the aisles, sensing things you can’t see. No need to point out the evil one, his smile is fading fast. As for your champion, is it you, or will I walk on past? I point out your champion, here all along. Don’t be surprised, he’s bold and he’s strong. You always thought, he was too quiet and too shy. That’s the work of the devil, you believed his great lie. The evil one you exalted, you made him king of the hill. I knock down that mound, here’s a level playing field. All the spells of delusion, now disappear. Behold your champion, his moment is here. In prayer he’s now bathed, my hands on his shoulders. This isn’t just on paper, we can smash through great boulders. We grind into pebbles, the walls that divide. The enemy in shock, his mouth opens wide. This prayer is the turning point, there’s no turning back. Your champion now empowered, you’re right back on track. He takes on the task, which God does ordain. The ties are now mended, and on goes your train. Your champion, now dauntless, jumps up from his pew. Ready for battle, he knows what he must do. It’s all coming together, don’t be alarmed. He’s quite well equipped, he’s now fully armed. The evil tries in vain, to make one final attack. Maybe some deception, can bring his power back. Before he’s tried flattery, and subtle disguise. But now he’s out for blood, there’s fire in his eyes! So now that your champion, has risen up to fight. There’s no more delaying, it’s over this night. Evil cannot escape, back into the throng. Banished from God’s house, with a great joyful song! No longer your church, this demon will taint. We knocked down a devil, we raised up a saint. You know that God’s Spirit, has been our good host. All this has happened, by and through the Holy Ghost! Jeff Nape Thanksgiving Article: A Walk In The Woods Some people go through life with no purpose or direction, wandering aimlessly down one path and then another. They are lost. They are like a small child hopelessly trapped in the woods. They are groping in the dark, desperately searching for an escape from their dimly lit world. Where is the way out? Where is the light? Will they ever find the way to the light? It is important for Christians to spread the Good News about Jesus. A kind word from us and our example of Christ's love may be the only hope or light cast into the dark world of some people. Jesus is a beacon of light, ready to illuminate their world, ready to bring hope and light where there was once only darkness and despair. But someone has to carry Jesus' light into their dark world. Someone must lead the lost souls from the woods into the clearing, where there is light. Who is there to do this task? No one but the workers of the Lord. No one but you and me. And once a soul has been led into the clearing and into the light, our work is still not done. When entering our church, a person will be leaving his old, dark woods and may be entering a new kind of woods. Look at the trees on the Thanksgiving bulletin board. (Everyone wrote on the leaves of those trees for what they were thankful.) Do you see the leaves? Do you see the trees? Do you see the woods? You and I can look at the leaves on the trees and reflect on happy memories. We can see how the trees have grown and flourished over the past year. We can see a place to fit in, a place where we belong. A place where we are rooted. But what does a person who has just come out of the dark woods see? His world may be brighter now, but is it any less confusing? He has a new set of options available to him, but he still has many choices to make. He will still go through life with no purpose or direction, unless someone continues to lead him toward the light. Someone must help him make his choices by training him for his new, brighter world. Who is there to do this task? No one but the workers of the Lord. No one but you and me. Christians must understand the light found in Jesus to be equipped to lead others to that light. Where can we go to learn more about the light? And where can new Christians go to learn about God's plans, so that they can make the right choices necessary to grow in God's world? The answer to both of these questions is Sunday School. Jeff Nape

Site Map www.HisLoveShines.com Copyright 1991-2007 Jeffrey L. Nape. All Rights Reserved.