David Willis

My younger and only brother, David, turns Thirty-one today. It is a momentous day for him; he is no longer in his twenty's.

I praise God that he got to grow up.

Take the above link and read my brother's survivor story. I want to be like him when I grow up.

John Chapter Twenty-one

John 21 (New King James Version)

Breakfast by the Sea

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?"
They answered Him, "No."
And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Jesus Restores Peter

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

The Beloved Disciple and His Book

 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

At the Horizon XLI

Driving along the road, you can't always see the horizon because there are hills and valleys in the way. The horizon is still there, always. There will come a time in our lives when the road ends and we reach the horizon. Who will you meet there?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 KJV-Bible

Today is my birthday and the horizon is getting closer and closer. Praise GOD, I know who I shall meet then!

Times of the Sign

He touched you where?

This post title sounds like a Jerry Springer episode blurb, I know. Well its not and you don't need to be watching that kind of stuff anyway; this is not me being legalistic but just good advice. That stuff will rot your brain and turn your mind to mush.

When I was younger, I had a problem with crowds. Didn't matter if it was church, school or a family reunion for that matter, crowds were not for me. After I came to Christ, that all changed. I now have friends that I have never met. Everyone that I come in contact with on a daily basis that even gives the slightest hint of eye contact gets a nod or a hello or a smile. This is one of the things that happens when Jesus comes in with Love: fear takes a hike.

Please, don't get me wrong, I am not one of those happy, bubbly, perky types. I show my joy and happiness in a way that more fits my personality.

I have yet to meet a stranger that Jesus doesn't love as much as He loves me.

Just something to think on while you are standing in line at the grocery store.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, New King James Version)

Psalm Twenty-two (Mesiac Nagid) Yahousha

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.

All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. (Psalm 22, King James Version)

Love will not try to browbeat you if you disagree with it

This post is about one specific thing that love does not do: Love does not try to convince by harsh argument or belittlement what it believes if those beliefs are not the same that are held by you. The body of Christ believes many things that have nothing to do with the Gospel and some of those things are held so fiercely that they cause division in the body when they are allowed to interfere with our primary purpose on this planet.

First Corinthians Chapter Thirteen
The following link is to a web site called CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry). The author of the site is Mr. Matt Slick who is a Christian Apologist. I may disagree with Mr. Slick on a couple of points but they have nothing to do with our Salvation, Sanctification or Redemption and Who is responsible for all three. I would encourage you to follow the link and take a look at the Doctrine Grid that Mr. Slick has put together.

I may not know you personally, but I love you because Jesus Christ loves you. I want to love you as much as and just like He does me. Not always going to happen but I try because of Him and what He has done for me.

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Nine of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #9 - John Chapter Nine (14.55MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.