Check back daily for Inspiration from the Word of God
Pastors Jeff and Becky seek the Lord daily. Even though you see them mostly on Internet and TV, they spend much time preparing messages and studying the word. We hope you find their daily devotionals uplifting and inspiring.
Reaching Out To the Lost Part 5
Luke 19:11-27
New International Version
The Parable of the Ten Minas
11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
God has given each of us gifts. Use them to reach the lost. He has been made king and let us worship Him.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Reaching Out to the Lost Part 4
John 4:28-42
New International Version
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
The Samaritan woman won the city for Jesus because of her testimony. She had no formal education, she was an outcast, and yet they listened to her because the change in her life was so visible. Jesus will make you a new creation. He will change others though you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Reaching out to the lost Part 3
John 4:31-38
King James Version
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
The meat of the church is to save the lost. It is our food to do the Father’s will. The fields are ready to harvest. Let’s bring them in.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Reaching Out To the Lost Part 2
Luke 15:8-10
New International Version
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The church needs to light a lamp and start seeking the lost. Where are they and why are they not at church? Let’s make heaven rejoice.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Reaching out to the lost Part 1
Luke 15:1-7
New International Version
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Jesus came to that which was lost. He came for the sinners. Thank goodness! Those who thought they were saints He had a name for, brood of vipers. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Jesus loves and goes after the lost person. He and heaven rejoice when He brings them back, He does not attack or condemn them. We too are to restore the lost, not remind them of their sins.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Time for the Church to Wake Up! Part 5
Romans 10:13-17
New International Version
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[b]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
We are the ones who have been sent or commissioned by the Holy Spirit to preach the message of the cross so that people might believe and be saved. If we don’t go, their blood is on our head.
Pastor Jeff Lane
or Jeff Lane
Time for the Church to Wake Up! Part 4
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
New International Version
The Ministry of Reconciliation
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
We have a ministry to reconcile the world to Christ. We are His ambassadors, His voice in this world. He is making His appeal through us that people may be saved. He will give you the words to say so that we can reach the lost.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Time for the Church to Wake Up! Part 3
Mark 16:14-20
New International Version
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
God will be with you and protect you till the work is done. He will confirm His word with signs and wonders. People often tell me they want to see signs and wonders, but they don’t obey and go. Time to quit asking God to do something. He already has. It is a time for us to obey and do something and He will go with us.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Time for the Church to Wake Up! Part 2
Matthew 28:16-20
New International Version
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus told the disciples to go and preach to the whole world and make disciples of them and teach them to obey and do the same as He taught them. It was a command not a suggestion. Jesus is with us as He was with Moses.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Time for the Church to Wake Up! Part 1
Acts 1:4-11
New International Version
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
We are not to worry about times or dates Jesus is coming back. We are to be witnesses to the whole world. Church, it is a time to bring in the great harvest of souls. Go tell everyone about Jesus.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Rooted in Grace Part 5
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
New International Version
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
You see; God’s grace is sufficient to carry you through all the things you are too weak to get through without it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Rooted in Grace Part 4
Jeremiah 17:7-8
New International Version
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Revelation 22:1
New International Version
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Jesus is the river of life. When I read this in Jeremiah I could not help but think of the river of life in Revelation 22. We are to sink our roots in His word and grace so we can survive any drought, storm, or trouble.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Rooted in Grace Part 3
Proverbs 12:12
New International Version
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
Our righteousness comes through Grace. We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. That grace is eternal and will never fade or falter if you trust in it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Rooted in Grace Part 2
Matthew 13:21
New International Version
21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Please understand that we are born again by grace and must be rooted in grace. Grace is our salvation and strength.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Rooted in Grace Part 1
Matthew 20:21-23
New International Version
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
Jesus said we will drink the cup He drank. Friends, we will go through persecution and hardships, but we must endure. God knows you are going through them, and He is there right there with you. He is the fourth man in the fire, He was in the belly of the whale, He shut the mouths of the lions, but He is with you. You may not feel Him or see Him, but He is with you. Sometimes the hardships make us numb to His presence, but He is with you. You are not going through these things because of a lack of faith, but because of faith. I know and He knows it hurts but you will be with Him forever. He cannot deny Himself. You are His Body.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 10
Leviticus 20:26
New International Version
26 You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.
Haggai 2:11-14
New International Version
11 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says: 12 If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?’”
The priests answered, “No.”
13 Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”
“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.”
14 Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
New International Version
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[b]
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[c]
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
A person is not saved because they go to church or read the Bible. It does not make them pure. When the people of God touch the things of this world and condone and participate in them it makes them defiled in God’s site. It also makes us a people who defile others. It is time to come out from among them and touch no unclean or sinful thing. God says be holy as He is holy.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 9
Leviticus 18
New International Version
Unlawful Sexual Relations
18 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. 3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. 4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. 5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.
6 “‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord.
7 “‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.
9 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.
11 “‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
12 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
13 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.
14 “‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
16 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
17 “‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
18 “‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
19 “‘Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.
20 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.
21 “‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.
22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
23 “‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
24 “‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25 Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the foreigners residing among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.
29 “‘Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. 30 Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God.’”
Galatians 5:19-21
New International Version
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9
New International Version
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
Once again the entertainment industry has been peddling all kinds of sexual immorality for a long time. Those who participate and those who passively sit and watch and say nothing will receive the same judgment, which is death. They cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. They can be saved but are not. If you do a word study on 1 Corinthians 6:9 you quickly find out what I say is the truth. Still many defend and even watch Hallmark saying they are ignoring the homosexual parts, but God’s word says we can’t be passive in participation. Please take the time to study the Greek in this and find the truth. You will find God will judge it and all who are associated with it. The Land will vomit them out and God will cleanse the land by fire.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 8
Leviticus 20:27
New International Version
27 “‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’”
The entertainment industry has been peddling the occult for some time. I was absolutely amazed how “Christians” ran after and promoted Harry Potter books, as though it was a good thing. Disney has been using the occult as entertainment for decades but the church has remained mostly silent and when somebody does say anything they are labeled as a lunatic. God’s word is very plain on this matter and not only those who participate but also those who defend such things will come under God’s judgement and wrath. Sadly, because the church remains so silent worrying that they may offend somebody, the people think it’s all cute and entertaining not knowing the danger they are in.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 7
Genesis 19:23-26
New International Version
23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Don’t look back or you will become as worthless as Lot’s wife. Do not long for the things of this world but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 6
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
New International Version
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
I have been telling people to get out of California for years that God was going to judge her. It isn’t that God is not going to judge the entire country, but He will make an example of them. It has become a haunt for every unclean spirit and a capital for sin. Is there any way that God cannot judge California? Come out from them and save yourselves why should the righteous and the wicked perish together.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 5
Isaiah 47:7-14
New International Version
7 You said, ‘I am forever—
the eternal queen!’
But you did not consider these things
or reflect on what might happen.
8 “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure,
lounging in your security
and saying to yourself,
‘I am, and there is none besides me.
I will never be a widow
or suffer the loss of children.’
9 Both of these will overtake you
in a moment, on a single day:
loss of children and widowhood.
They will come upon you in full measure,
in spite of your many sorceries
and all your potent spells.
10 You have trusted in your wickedness
and have said, ‘No one sees me.’
Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you
when you say to yourself,
‘I am, and there is none besides me.’
11 Disaster will come upon you,
and you will not know how to conjure it away.
A calamity will fall upon you
that you cannot ward off with a ransom;
a catastrophe you cannot foresee
will suddenly come upon you.
12 “Keep on, then, with your magic spells
and with your many sorceries,
which you have labored at since childhood.
Perhaps you will succeed,
perhaps you will cause terror.
13 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!
Let your astrologers come forward,
those stargazers who make predictions month by month,
let them save you from what is coming upon you.
14 Surely they are like stubble;
the fire will burn them up.
They cannot even save themselves
from the power of the flame.
These are not coals for warmth;
this is not a fire to sit by.
Many have trusted in wealth like a high wall but it cannot save them. Their doom has long been waiting, and it will come forth. All they have trusted in will be their downfall. Turn to Him, repent and He will give you rest but some have been in darkness so long they can’t see nor know Him. They refuse to consider Him so He will not relent.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 4
Malachi 1:4
New International Version
4 Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.”
But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord.
They are already talking about rebuilding, but God says He will demolish all their efforts. It will be a desolate wasteland until it vomits out all who trust in wickedness.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 3
Ezekiel 34:1-24
New International Version
The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd
34 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
17 “‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?
20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.
God said I will judge your leaders. They will hide in shame. I will expose all they have done in secret the very words they have spoken against me. They think they are a God and above judgement but watch my hand work against them. I have heard the suffering of my flock and will gather them to me and protect them myself.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 2
Ezekiel 7:1-9
New International Version
The End Has Come
7 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel:
“‘The end! The end has come
upon the four corners of the land!
3 The end is now upon you,
and I will unleash my anger against you.
I will judge you according to your conduct
and repay you for all your detestable practices.
4 I will not look on you with pity;
I will not spare you.
I will surely repay you for your conduct
and for the detestable practices among you.
“‘Then you will know that I am the Lord.’
5 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘Disaster! Unheard-of[a] disaster!
See, it comes!
6 The end has come!
The end has come!
It has roused itself against you.
See, it comes!
7 Doom has come upon you,
upon you who dwell in the land.
The time has come! The day is near!
There is panic, not joy, on the mountains.
8 I am about to pour out my wrath on you
and spend my anger against you.
I will judge you according to your conduct
and repay you for all your detestable practices.
9 I will not look on you with pity;
I will not spare you.
I will repay you for your conduct
and for the detestable practices among you.
“‘Then you will know that it is I the Lord who strikes you.
God will show them that it is He who has struck them and He will not hold back until they look to heaven and acknowledge He is Lord. Don’t mourn for them for they have received what their sins deserve. Pray they will repent so that I can relent. 2 Chronicles says: “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." They are so far from me they neither know me nor honor me. Therefore, I will not relent until they repent. Let us pray for repentance and revival in times of disaster.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Judgement and Repentance Part 1
Not long ago while I was on the air God prophesied through me that He would judge Hollywood and it would burn. To be honest at the time I was shocked and thought oh Lord did I get this wrong? How could Hollywood burn? Will you bring it to an end? People will think I am nits nevertheless I decreed it and God did not wait nor hold back His anger. It is burning as I am writing this and they say the worst is yet to come. He is angry because of the filth they have poured out on this nation. He is angry because they mock Him and His people. He is angry because they have fought His will for this country. He is angry because they have lavished their wealth on themselves. He is angry for the violence they have glorified. He has had enough. He told me they will say, “we will build back better”, but He says I will not allow it. I will blow it away. It gives me great pain to talk about this. He told me I will save their lives so they can feel the pain of their loss. They will look on it in astonishment and I will give them a chance to repent, some will but many will remain arrogant and then I will pour out my wrath upon them beyond what they can reason. I will not hold back as I have done but will make them a byword for pain and suffering. Soon I will wash it all away and cleanse the land after it vomits them out.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
New International Version
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[b]
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[c]
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
Pastor Jeff Lane
Restoration Part 5
Galatians 4:3-7
New International Version
3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Jesus came to restore us back to sonship. He came that we would not be slaves to sin that brings death but children of God to bring life. You are now an heir of God co-heir with Jesus for the good things God has for His offspring.
Pastor Jeff Lane
astor Jeff Lane
Restoration Part 4
Galatians 3:13-14
New International Version
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
When the Israelites were passing through the wilderness because of their sin snakes had come into the poisonous snakes had come into the camp and were biting the people so many died. God told Moses to put a bronze snake on a pole and anyone who was bitten could look at it and be restored, healed.
In the same way any who look to Christ can be restored physically, spiritually, and mentally. Just repent and believe. Jesus came to restore our relationship to God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Restoration Part 3
2 Kings 4:8-37
New International Version
The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”
11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”
She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”
14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”
15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”
“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”
17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!”
His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.
22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.”
23 “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.”
“That’s all right,” she said.
24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’”
“Everything is all right,” she said.
27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”
28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”
29 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.”
30 But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.
31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”
32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy but God gives life and more abundantly. Don’t blame God for your loss. For He will turn a bad situation around for the Good of those who love Him. The Shunammite woman never gave up on her son because she knew God had given him to her. She kept saying all is well when others could clearly see it was not. There is not much you can do with dead, but with God all things are possible. She threw herself at the man of God’s feet and would not let go until he came. God did come and her son was restored to her. Know where to go for restoration.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Restoration Part 2
Job 42:12-15
New International Version
12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
God restored to Job what he had lost, but his children did not come back to life. God did bring him a new family and they comforted him in his old age. You may not get back your loved ones but God will give you a new relationship that will comfort you and restore your soul. Stop looking to the past God is a God of the future and the present. You can miss the gifts of God if you are always looking behind you. Turn around and see what God has done.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Restoration Part 1
2 Kings 8:1-6
New International Version
The Shunammite’s Land Restored
8 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.” 2 The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years.
3 At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. 4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.” 5 Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land.
Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 The king asked the woman about it, and she told him.
Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”
It may seem impossible, but when you obey God HE will bring restoration to all Satan has stolen. This is a word for somebody who has lost property, God told me that I am about to restore to you all and more than Satan has stolen. I will bless you once again and you will find peace in your life like never before.
Pastor Jeff Lane
New Year, New Beginnings Part 4
Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
In this new year let us seek Him and His plans for our life and stop making our own. What a great resolution!
Pastor Jeff Lane
New Year, New Beginnings Part 3
Romans 6:1-14 New International Version (NIV)
6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
When we are saved, we are set free from sin and its curse on us. We were crucified in the flesh with Christ and our sin was buried with Him. Christ arose and the stone was rolled away, but sin and the curse were buried and are never to rise again. My covenant with sin was broken because it died with Him and he who is dead is dead to sin and the curse of it. Sin no longer has mastery over me. I died to it and I arose a new creation in Christ Jesus. I stand firm under grace, set free from the past and I am given a new life through Him. In this new year let us make a resolution to walk in that grace and enjoy the new beginning He has given us.
Pastor Jeff Lane
New Year, New Beginnings Part 2
Genesis 9:1-3 New International Version (NIV)
9 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
Just as God cleansed the earth of sin and violence, so we are washed of our sins and given a new beginning. God gives us that new beginning and blesses us through grace giving us all things. He puts fear in all creation and satan to protect us. Praise God Almighty.
Pastor Jeff Lane
New Year, New Beginnings Part 1
2 Corinthians 5:16-19 New International Version (NIV)
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
It’s a new year and people are making their new year resolutions, but there is a greater resolution we can make. When we go to God, He can give us a new beginning. He forgives the past and we have His plans for the future to look forward to. Seek Him first and He will give all things to us. We are called to reconcile others to God and not to look upon them as they were but as God says they are and will be. Then we as we forgive can expect the same in our lives.
Pastor Jeff Lane
You are Not Alone Part 5
Luke 7:36-50
New International Version
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Jesus will accept our love when no one else will.
Pastor Jeff Lane
You Are Not Alone part 4
Mark 1:40-42
New International Version
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Those with leprosy were to yell out unclean and to keep a distance from everyone. Jesus was not only willing to heal him He touched him. Try to imagine the impact on him to be touched by another person after all those years without any contact. Jesus will touch those no one else will.
Pastor Jeff Lane
You're Not Alone Part 3
John 4:4-26
New International Version
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
The Samaritans were outcast from the Jews. The Jews would have nothing to do with them. They would not even speak to them. The woman was an outcast among outcasts. They treated her like a nonperson and yet Jesus knows the details of her life. He not only saw her, He spoke to her and revealed Himself to her. Her life was changed and the people now heard what she had to say. She became respected by the city. God sees us and knows us when nobody else does. He loves you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Not Alone Part 2
Genesis 16
New International Version
Hagar and Ishmael
16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”
Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.
When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”
6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.
7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.
9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”
11 The angel of the Lord also said to her:
“You are now pregnant
and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
for the Lord has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
his hand will be against everyone
and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
toward all his brothers.”
13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
Hagar was a slave and now is told she must have a son for her mistress. She must have felt like less than a human not having a say in the matter and yet God sees her, provides for her and gives her direction. Our God sees all of us and is no respecter of persons. You are not insignificant to God, He sees you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
You are Not Alone Part 1
1 Kings 19:1-18
New International Version
Elijah Flees to Horeb
19 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid[a] and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
The Lord Appears to Elijah
And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
I love this story and I think we all can or will identify with it at least once in our lives. There are those times when we feel we just don’t belong here anymore. We feel all alone, and the people of this world have lost their minds. I love how patient God is with Elijah and how He understands how Elijah feels. He feeds Him and does not rebuke him. He addresses his concerns and reminds him he’s not alone and that He (God) has this under control. Always remember God sees and hears you. He is not in a panic. He will show up on time. Your concerns are important to Him. He is with you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Stand Your Ground Part 5
Ezekiel 13:1-9
New International Version
False Prophets Condemned
13 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken?
8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.
We must be careful to stand upon God’s word, not a word from a so-called prophet. Be careful who you listen to these last days. When somebody speaks a word over you does it line up with the word of God, do you pray about it, what have they spoken over others in the past and has it come about? We are to test these “words from the Lord” to see if they are true. I have seen many people fall from the faith because they put stock in the man not the Spirit. It can be a dangerous thing when we go seeking a word from the Lord instead of seeking the Lord. See what God says: they will not belong to the council of the people. He will remove them in due season. I have seen many of these self-proclaimed prophets through the years and most were not of God and God had not spoken through them. We are to see God for ourselves. He wants a personal relationship with you. He wants to talk to you and walk with you. Be careful who you seek council from. There are many foreboding spirits these last days. A foreboding spirit is a spirit that tells the future for profit but only God knows the future. These spirits get a hold of prideful people building them up making them think they have a special relationship with God that others do not have. They prey on the weak telling them what they want to hear. Sweet lies, sweet bread and only good things. They withhold the truth so these people will stumble and fall. Beware of them. I often have people ask me for a word from God as though I can hear more clearly for them than they can. This is a time of flattery in which Satan tries to deceive the pastor, evangelist, or prophet through pride into having to give such a word. Pastors beware of Satan's traps. Simply say no if God has not spoken to you. Your call is to preach the word of God and don’t scratch itching ears. You cannot stand on a lie; it is only sinking sand.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Stand Your Ground Part 4
Ephesians 6:10-20
New International Version
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
God does not say the day of evil will not come but that when it comes. Many pray that that day would not come but we are to fight and overcome Satan on that day. If it does not come, then Satan wins. We are to put on this armor to fight, not go on a picnic. God says when that day comes, stand your ground, let nothing move you if you stand you win. The real battle is done in prayer not fighting against flesh and blood. We are to fight in prayer against the powers of darkness and overcome them. No prayer, no victory. You cannot defeat Satan with carnal weapons but spiritual. Not guns but the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Stand Your Ground Part 3
Isaiah 7:1-17
New International Version
The Sign of Immanuel
7 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.
2 Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with[a] Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.
3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub,[b] to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. 4 Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘It will not take place,
it will not happen,
8 for the head of Aram is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.
9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.
If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.’”
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”
I love this story. It is very moving if you take the time to study it. The house of David heard that their enemies had banded together against them and they were shaken. Fear had taken hold of them. The Lord sent a man with a message. Isaiah tells them to keep calm and stand firm in your faith. If you don’t you will not stand at all. Then he gives him this great sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Immanuel means God with us. Remember if God is with you who can be against you. What a sign! Our God is with us. What other God walks among His people? None! Why? Because there is no other God. We can stand firm in our faith because there is no other God who can stand against our God. God says the head of these nations is Remaliah’s son and he is just a son of man, but I give you the son of God. What peace we have in knowing God is with us. Now stand firm in your faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Stand Your Ground Part 2
Proverbs 10:24-25
New International Version
24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
It was sin and wickedness that got us into this mess, but Jesus makes us the righteousness of God. We do not have to dread life. God not only makes us righteous but gives us the blessings as His righteous. This includes standing firm in the storm. Walk in His ways and nothing can move you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Stand Your Ground Part 1
2 Samuel 23:11-12
New International Version
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
Shammah was one of David’s mighty men. He stood his ground when all others fled before the enemy. Shammah was probably fed up with the Philistines taking everything including their food. These warrior people made their living off the backs of others labor. They simply took what others labored for. They lived off warfare not shepherding or farming like the Israelites. So, these bullies came down every year to steal the Israelites' food. Shammah stood in the middle of this pea patch and he had had enough. He understood that God had given Israel this ground, God was with Him and he would not be moved. There he took his stand and there God brought about a great victory.
Have you ever felt like your enemies were banding together against you? Have you had enough of Satan stealing all you worked for and have inherited? Then stand your ground because the Word tells us if God is for us, who can be against us? God is greater than your enemies and Satan. Speak His Word to your situation, for they are words of Life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encouraging Word Part 5
Psalm 55:22-23
New International Version
22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
will not live out half their days.
But as for me, I trust in you.
God will take care of your enemies. Give your problems to Him and don’t pick them up again, especially if you can’t fix them. Don’t worry but trust God. He cannot be shaken and if you walk in Him, He won’t let you be shaken.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encouraging Word Part 4
2 Timothy 2:11-13
New International Version
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Even when your faith is waning, don’t disown Him. He will not disown you because of a lack of faith. Look he says He cannot. Endure hardships and you will overcome and reign with Him.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encouraging Word Part 3
Psalm 23:4
New International Version
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
God does not say you will not go through dark places, but that you will go through them and He is with you. Don’t camp there in unbelief. He will bring you comfort and get you through this.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encouraging Word Part 2
Deuteronomy 31:8
New International Version
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Why be discouraged? God goes before you. He is in the storm before you get there and is preparing a way through. Don’t be discouraged God has got this.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encouraging Word Part 1
Romans 8:31-39
New International Version
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God will never leave you, not even in a storm. He is with you. Nothing can separate you from His love. He is for you, the Holy Spirit is interceding for you as well as Jesus. How can you lose?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Spirit of Antichrist Part 5
2 Thessalonians 2:3
King James Version
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Pastor Jeff Lane
Spirit of Antichrist Part 4
Two men Martin Niemöller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer rose up in Germany and fought against Hitler at the cost of their lives. Very few joined them because they wanted to save their lives and so lost them.
Becky and I went to see a movie about Dietrich Bonhoeffer this past Friday. He has been a hero of mine so I wanted to see this movie about this great man. We ordered our tickets early because we thought this being one of the busiest nights for movie going it would be hard to get in. We arrived and went into the room to see this movie. We were confused because we were the only ones there. Twice I went out and asked if we were in the right theater and was assured we were. The movie came on and we were moved by this great man’s life. I turned to Becky and said the saddest part of this night is we are the only ones here. People don’t care about history and so will be doomed to repeat it. They packed out Wicked and Gladiators but missed a life changing moment. They glorify violence and evil more than God’s man. Where is the church? Wake up church the time is near for the anti-Christ to rise to power and will join him like those in the days of Hitler. You may say not and yet almost an entire nation was fooled. Will you be one of the antichrist’s ardent followers? Does this offend you? I hope so. Wake up Satan’s day is coming and the apostate church will follow him.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Spirit of Antichrist Part 3
When Hitler rose to power it would have only taken 50 percent of the church of Germany to defeat him. He would have never risen to power and millions of lives would have been saved. Six million plus Jews, billions with a b died worldwide. The problem is the church became apostate which means to intentionally and consciously reject their faith in Christ and the central teachings of Christianity. They walked away from the truth because it was easier, so they thought rather than take a stand. Church, wake up. Satan lost a recent battle in this country, and I want to ask, do you think he is just going to become a Christian and join the church? No, he is going to step up his deception and fight. It will be the church that he will try to infiltrate. Why? Because it is the church that is holding Him back. 20 million Christians are not registered to vote and they could throw an election in the right direction. Remember even so we have so many Christians who are so far from God they no longer know right from wrong. They use the Bible to condone their sin including murder, abortion, and under the guise of freedom. Church, wake up!!!
There was a noble man who went into a town in England and wanted an alcoholic beverage but could find none. He asked a black man why there was nowhere to buy one. He was told there was a man named John Westley who came through 100 years ago preaching. Since then all the alcoholic shops have closed because no one bought drinks anymore. Today every time I speak on alcohol the church, not the world, become Bible scholars and tell me why we can drink this demonic beverage. Think about it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Spirit of Antichrist Part 2
Hitler rewrote the Ten Commandments and made them twelve. Here they are for you to read:
1. Honour God and believe in him wholeheartedly.
2. Seek out the peace of God.
3. Avoid all hypocrisy.
4. Holy is your health and life.
5. Holy is your wellbeing and honour.
6. Holy is your truth and fidelity
7. Honour your father and mother - your children are your aid and your example.
8. Keep the blood pure and your honour holy.
9. Maintain and multiply the heritage of your forefathers.
10. Be ready to help and forgive.
11. Honour your Fhrer and master.
12. Joyously serve the people with work and sacrifice.
Just read them and is it hard to see what the outcome would be? Today our government has just removed them all together. We are to blindly follow the religion of secular humanism. By the way Fuhrer means guild or leader. They were to follow their leader or guild blindly and without question. They removed all books that did not follow their doctrines. They accused their enemies of doing what they did and that they were anti-government or against the good of the people. Does any of this sound familiar to you?
Also notice nothing about Thou shall not steal or kill.
Hitler not only rewrote the Bible but rewrote History.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Spirit of Antichrist Part 1
When Hitler rose to power there were 60 million Germans and almost a 100 Percent identified as Christians. 40 million protestants and 20 million Catholics. Almost none of which stood up to him.
He had the bible rewritten. He removed all Jewish roots and made them Arian. He removed the Old Testament altogether. He also removed almost all reference to the Old Testaments from his New Testament. Does this sound familiar? Today if you mention the Old Testament you are said to be under the law or God did away with the Old Testament. Then he started his gospel of “Positive Christianity”. Does this sound familiar also? Before we go on I want to let this sink in. The same thing has been going on in our country for some time.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Revival Part 5
Romans 10:13-17
New International Version
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[b]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word that is preached by those commissioned or sent by God. How can they believe if they don’t hear? Seek the Holy Spirit, pray, and be filled and let your cup run over so all may hear God’s word and believe and be saved.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Revival Part 4
Acts 2:12-41
New International Version
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[a]
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[b] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[c]
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’[d]
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Holy Spirit was given that we might prophecy or speak so people would be saved. They were saved through preaching on the day of Pentecost and God still saves men the same way. Men must believe and repent to be saved and reconciled to God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Revival Part 3
Acts 2:1-11
New International Version
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
God wants to speak to us and He does so in our own language. He wants our tongue to speak to others. He chooses different men at different times to communicate with us. The Holy Spirit was given to speak to us so we might be saved. God works though a man to get His will done. His word must be spoken to release the power to do His will.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Revival Part 2
Acts 1:12-14
New International Version
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Do you want God's will to be done? Then we must join together constantly in prayer.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Revival Part 1
Acts 1:4-11
New International Version
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
I want to see God’s Greatest revival before I die. The best is yet to come, with that I begin this study. It’s not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord. For a revival to start we need a spark of God. “James 3:5 New International Version 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” We need the Holy Spirit to control our tongue. That is the spark that will begin this great end time revival. Stop looking for His return and live in the moment. He's not coming back till we complete our mission. We must get our head out of the clouds and pray for His Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 5
John 1:1-5
New International Version
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.
Remember Jesus is the word, and He came to save, not condemn you. Accept Him and profess Him and He will lift you up. God’s people are destroyed for a lack of understanding so listen to His word and He will save you. He is our past, present, and future. He gave us life and He continues to do so. Let His light shine on you. He will give you understanding.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 4
Romans 10:6-13
New International Version
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
You must store God’s word in your heart and profess it with your mouth to activate it or bring it about in your life. It is then you will be saved. Saved from what? Whatever you are believing and professing for. Then you will be saved.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 3
Isaiah 55:10-13
New International Version
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
God’s word cannot return void but it will accomplish what He intended for it to do. As far as God is concerned, once He speaks it is finished. If we walk in His word we will go out in Joy. The curse is lifted. We must speak and walk in His word.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 2
Isaiah 55:8-9
New International Version
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
You can’t make God in your image. He does not answer to you. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. Was it you who created the Heavens and the earth? Did you give yourself life? He did all this and more. Who are we to question His judgments? Like a child talking back to their parents we cannot comprehend the scheme of things. He knit us together, not the other way around. Sometimes we must accept He told us so. He can give us more than we can ask or think, but we must listen to Him and do what He says.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 1
Isaiah 55:6-7
New International Version
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Ecclesiastes 9:4
New International Version
4 Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
If you have breath, you have Hope. Seek God while you can. After death there is no hope to change your future. It is what we do in this life that determines our future. People make their own decisions and are responsible for them. Some think He is a good and merciful God and He is but there are no pardons after death. Seek Him while He may be found and repent and He will lift you up. What Good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your soul. Please repent and God will forgive you and you can change your eternity.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 5
Matthew 6:5-8
New International Version
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
God rewards those who pray. We are to pray without ceasing with all kinds of prayer. If we walk by faith, then we pray. Don’t worry about others. You are not praying to impress them. Our prayer life is personal and should be. We don’t babble to our spouses, nor should we do so with God. As I have taught my children to pray, talk to God as you would a man. He will hear and answer you. Jesus is our friend. Jesus will reward you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 4
Matthew 6:1-4
New International Version
Giving to the Needy
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Practice your faith by practicing your righteousness. Faith makes us righteous. Righteousness will activate your faith. Giving is an act of righteousness. It is an act that God will reward. If we walk by faith we love to give because we love God and those who love Him obey Him. Those who love God will be rewarded. Do you believe this? If you do, there will be evidence. Faith is doing, not a noun but a verb. Is your faith alive or a thing? Things that live move dead things do nothing. We are to live by faith. God rewards those who walk by faith and give to those who are in need. If you give to the least of people, you give to God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 3
Romans 1:17
New International Version
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
New International Version
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
New International Version
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
We do not live by the law but by faith. It saves you from whatever you need saving from. We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. We cannot rely on living by the law. It just reminds us we are sinners and under a curse but by faith in Jesus we walk by the Holy Spirit and are justified and set free from sin and the curse. As we live by faith so shall we walk in the consequences of faith. Those consequences of faith are peace, healing, prosperity that is to be poured out on others, and love. What can man do to me? What can Satan do to me? Nothing for those who walk by faith have died to the things of this world and they have no hold on them. People of faith start walking in abundance. Not abundance that is to be stored up but an abundance that is to be poured out on others because the things of God are ever increasing. If you believe this you will walk in the gift of generosity. Faith is to be ever increasing like all things of God. Walk by faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 2
2 Corinthians 5:7
New International Version
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
We live in disturbing times, and it is becoming harder and harder to get by, but it is not God’s will that we get by. It is His will that we are a blessing to others and help them for when we help others we will be helped. The world seeks the news of the day to make plans to survive, invest and live. We live by faith. Faith that overcomes all situations. Those who look to the world and devise their worldly plans will fail in due season. They will slip and fall. Those who look to God and trust in Jesus will walk on the waters of storms. They live by every word that proceeds from the month of God. He put those words in your month that you might be saved if you confess or speak them. The same Faith that redeems from sin redeems you from all things if you believe and speak to the mountain. People of this world get their news from God but those who walk by faith get their news from God. Look no longer to the world and the things in it but look to Jesus and walk by the faith He provided.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 1
Luke 17:5-10
New International Version
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
James 2:14-26
New International Version
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
When we do our duty, or obey God, our faith is at work and the natural consequence is more faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 5
2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Need your life to be healed? Humble yourself, seek Him and pray, then turn away from all wickedness and He will simply heal your life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 4
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the Lord,
Who are we that we should know the plans of the Lord? But if you seek Him, you will find how great His love is for you and that He desires to prosper you and give you a future you can count on. Come seek Him and know His will for you and He will lift you up.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 3
Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Are you anxious, worried, or not sleeping? Could it be you’re running after the wrong things in life? God took care of Adam and Eve in the garden and He sent His son to restore your inheritance. He will clothe you, feed you, and give you shelter. All you need is to just put Him first and He will provide the rest according to His riches. Seek Him while He may be found and don’t wait till the end of your life but find Him now and you will begin life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 2
Matthew 6:22-24
New International Version
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
So many people serve money first. Their eyes are unhealthy because they look at the wrong things. They enter darkness because of their love of money. You can’t serve God and money so serve what will last, not what will be your past. You will find yourself getting angry at God, because you will see Him as the problem because you can’t get ahead in life. Devote yourself to Him not the things of this world. Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Pull the root out and plant Jesus in your life. He is the tree of life that never stops giving.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 1
Ecclesiastes 2:20-26
New International Version
20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Matthew 6:19-21
New International Version
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I’m not sure what the world means by getting ahead. Ahead of what? The neighbor, the bills, or just trying to have enough to retire on. Let’s see what God says.
Well, how much is enough? We work and toil to give some to the government, for power, cars, insurance, housing, food and so forth. Are we living just to get ahead of the bills? What if a storm comes into our lives and wipes it all out, or maybe you get a life threatening disease, or some other disaster, so then what was it all for. Kinda meaningless.
Listen, store up your treasures in heaven or the Lord. No, you can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead of you. Seek God first and walk with Him. He will lift you up. The world may be able to take your things, but it can’t take your God. He will never leave you or forsake you. God’s gift to you is to enjoy the good things He has given you, the curse is to hand it over to another.
Are you anxious all the time and losing sleep? You are doing it wrong. Stop living for worldly things and start living for Jesus.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 3
Proverbs 5:18-19
New International Version
18 May your fountain (Wife) be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
When a man rejoices in his wife and rejoices in her he will be intoxicated with her and find satisfaction in her only. Otherwise, he will always be found wanting and life will be a curse.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 2
Proverbs 18:22
New International Version
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.
Your wife is a blessing from God. She is God’s favor in your life. Don’t despise the blessings of God but honor God by honoring her. God says she is good so always treat her as a gift. Don’t treat the gift of God with contempt as some do because God will see and avenge her. He will turn your blessing into a curse and your children will be a curse to you also. God says she is a good thing and God cannot lie.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 1
Genesis 2:21-25
New International Version
21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Ephesians 5:25-33
New International Version
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians is a commentary of Genesis 2. Men, your wife is your own flesh so treat her as such. She is a gift of God, so love her as yourself. Love her as Christ loved the church giving Himself up for us. She becomes flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone. Be one with her as you are to be one with Christ. When you do good to her you do good to yourself. Protect, provide, and keep her as a precious treasure for if you do God will bless you through her. When you love her, you are loving God and He will see and bless you both. Think about it, if you can’t be one with her, whom you can see, how can you be one with the one who you can’t ?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 7
James 2:14-26
New International Version
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
What good is our faith if we don’t live it? Our faith and deeds must work together to be a blessing and be blessed. God told Abraham be a blessing, and I will bless you and make you a blessing. Our faith is activated by our actions.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 6
Luke 6:38
New International Version
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Friends, we reap what we sow and in direct proportion to how we give. We don’t give to get, but if you plant you will reap a harvest. I just want to say that if we give for the wrong reason we will not be able to enjoy the increase.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 5
Luke 11:37-41
New International Version
Woes on the Pharisees and the Experts in the Law
37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
It is so easy to become judgmental and condemn others with our self-imposed rules of self-righteousness. God says what is important to make us clean is to give to the poor.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 4
Mark 12:41-44
New International Version
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
God’s way and judgements are not ours. Even the poor are to give and God will lift them up. God looks at the heart and judges in proportion to what we have. It is not what you have that makes you righteous but what you do with it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 3
Matthew 26:6-13
New International Version
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
The one thing more important than giving to the poor is to honor God and worship Him. Worship God but don’t forget the poor.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 2
Matthew 19:16-24
New International Version
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The rich man did what he did to save his soul but found no satisfaction. He lacked love above all else. He loves the things of this life more than himself. How do we know that? It is because whatever we do for the least of these we do for the Father. When you love the Father you love His children.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 1
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
New International Version
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
When we give our lives or money to others it should be done in love. Not for what we get out of it but to be a blessing to others. We see that God created all good things then gave them to man. God knows the future, but He gave it to us anyway. Love and giving should be our character, not just a moment in time. May it be who we are and out of that all we do.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 5
Hebrews 11
New International Version
Faith in Action
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
All these people were known for their faith because of what they did not just lip service but action.
God has something better planned for you than this life. He gives us deposits of His grace as earnest of what is to come. Now who hopes for what they already have, but He will give us greater things than we can imagine.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 4
Genesis 6:5-8
New International Version
5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
God saved Noah and his family because He lived a righteous life. Noah still had to build an Ark and obey the Lord to be saved from the storm. Faith without deeds is indeed dead.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 3
James 2:20-26
New International Version
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
We must repent to be saved and to repent means to stop what your doing, turn around and start serving Him. If you have faith in Him you will do what He says. Just look at Rehab the prostitute she was delivered of her life, saved, and became one of the grandmothers of Jesus by faith and by what she did.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 2
Romans 10:5-13
New International Version
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have not served Him, turn to Him now and He will forgive you. Just talk to Him as you would a friend or father and He will answer and deliver you. Today is a great day to be saved and start living for Jesus and He will lift you up out of the storm.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 1
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
New International Version
The Offer of Life or Death
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hold fast to the Lord and He will carry you through the worst of storms. If God’s people will obey Him He will keep you safe. Simple, choose life, for God will give you more than you can ask or think. He will bless you beyond measure.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Devo Encourage as Christ Encouraged Us Part 1
Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we also be like Jesus enduring the insults and hardships of others that they may stand and have hope. We who are strong in the Lord need to encourage the week and the new to Christ as we see the day of the Lord approach. Bearing one another’s burdens, hardships, and pain so they may not fall. Our lives should be lived so that in all circumstances we stand our ground and win the day so other may follow our examples of obedience that they too may be encourage as to their outcome. We are encouraged by those who went before us scorning the things of this life and overcoming in all situations and if not never turning aside but having our hearts and minds fully on Jesus knowing our resurrection will come too. Who knows one day you to may need somebody to come alongside of you to help carry you through, maybe even the very one you helped in the past?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 2
God told me I would always have my eye site but I would not realize what that would mean to me for some time. It was my eighth grade year of school and a friend of mine thought he would play a joke on me. He went up and sharpened his pencil and tapped me on the shoulder thinking I would turn my head and he would poke me in the cheek. What happened was when I turned my head the pencil went into my eye. Back to the eye doctor. The pencil had left a considerable amount of graphite in my eye. He said it would heal but I would lose my vision in that eye and sent me home with orders to return the next day so he could watch for infection. My mom was angry on the way home about this senseless accident and then turned to me and said you are calm for somebody who just lost an eye. I said mom I didn’t lose my eye God said I will have my eye site and always will. I will be fine. I have to admit I was in terrible pain when I said that. She started praising God and said that’s right.
Next day the eye doctor removed the band aids and tested my eyesight and it was 20/20, no pain and was healed. That was the last time I would see him. God healed my other Eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 1
A few minutes before writing this I was in the Trauma unit, and a patient
had come in. I stuck up a conversation with the trauma doctor and started talking
about some of the traumas I had been through. She said you don’t look like you
have been through those things. I said Well God healed me and told her a few of
the stories. She said you must write a book on prayer and what God did for you. I
thought I would start with sharing these things in my devotionals.
I was in the seventh grade and we had group of people over. We decided
to play yard darts. The set of darts was in our basement, so I went to get them.
There were these plastic rings the were the target and they had gotten stuck
under some other things, so I yanked on one it was held together by a piece of
steel, and it flung open and cut across my eye. My mother rushed me to the eye
doctor. It had gone a third of the corneous deep across my pupil and the doctor
said left a trial of rust particles in my eye and their was nothing he could do
because they were too deep to remove. He went on to say that I would lose most
of my eye site but how much would take time to tell. I may lose it all. That night I
cry out to God asking that He heal me. I heard an audible voice simply say, “You
will have your eye site and always will”. The next day we went back to the eye
doctor, and he removed the band aids. He said it looked healed but had a scare
across it, so he made me take an eye exam to see how bad my eye site was. To
his and our amazement I had 20/20 vision. He could not explain it but sent me
home saying there is nothing else to do. My friends God healed my eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 5
John 1:1-5
New International Version
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.
Remember Jesus is the word, and He came to save, not condemn you. Accept Him and profess Him and He will lift you up. God’s people are destroyed for a lack of understanding so listen to His word and He will save you. He is our past, present, and future. He gave us life and He continues to do so. Let His light shine on you. He will give you understanding.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 4
Romans 10:6-13
New International Version
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
You must store God’s word in your heart and profess it with your mouth to activate it or bring it about in your life. It is then you will be saved. Saved from what? Whatever you are believing and professing for. Then you will be saved.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 3
Isaiah 55:10-13
New International Version
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
God’s word cannot return void but it will accomplish what He intended for it to do. As far as God is concerned, once He speaks it is finished. If we walk in His word we will go out in Joy. The curse is lifted. We must speak and walk in His word.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 2
Isaiah 55:8-9
New International Version
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
You can’t make God in your image. He does not answer to you. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. Was it you who created the Heavens and the earth? Did you give yourself life? He did all this and more. Who are we to question His judgments? Like a child talking back to their parents we cannot comprehend the scheme of things. He knit us together, not the other way around. Sometimes we must accept He told us so. He can give us more than we can ask or think, but we must listen to Him and do what He says.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Hope of a Future Part 1
Isaiah 55:6-7
New International Version
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Ecclesiastes 9:4
New International Version
4 Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
If you have breath, you have Hope. Seek God while you can. After death there is no hope to change your future. It is what we do in this life that determines our future. People make their own decisions and are responsible for them. Some think He is a good and merciful God and He is but there are no pardons after death. Seek Him while He may be found and repent and He will lift you up. What Good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your soul. Please repent and God will forgive you and you can change your eternity.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 5
Matthew 6:5-8
New International Version
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
God rewards those who pray. We are to pray without ceasing with all kinds of prayer. If we walk by faith, then we pray. Don’t worry about others. You are not praying to impress them. Our prayer life is personal and should be. We don’t babble to our spouses, nor should we do so with God. As I have taught my children to pray, talk to God as you would a man. He will hear and answer you. Jesus is our friend. Jesus will reward you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 4
Matthew 6:1-4
New International Version
Giving to the Needy
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Practice your faith by practicing your righteousness. Faith makes us righteous. Righteousness will activate your faith. Giving is an act of righteousness. It is an act that God will reward. If we walk by faith we love to give because we love God and those who love Him obey Him. Those who love God will be rewarded. Do you believe this? If you do, there will be evidence. Faith is doing, not a noun but a verb. Is your faith alive or a thing? Things that live move dead things do nothing. We are to live by faith. God rewards those who walk by faith and give to those who are in need. If you give to the least of people, you give to God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 3
Romans 1:17
New International Version
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
New International Version
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
New International Version
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
We do not live by the law but by faith. It saves you from whatever you need saving from. We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. We cannot rely on living by the law. It just reminds us we are sinners and under a curse but by faith in Jesus we walk by the Holy Spirit and are justified and set free from sin and the curse. As we live by faith so shall we walk in the consequences of faith. Those consequences of faith are peace, healing, prosperity that is to be poured out on others, and love. What can man do to me? What can Satan do to me? Nothing for those who walk by faith have died to the things of this world and they have no hold on them. People of faith start walking in abundance. Not abundance that is to be stored up but an abundance that is to be poured out on others because the things of God are ever increasing. If you believe this you will walk in the gift of generosity. Faith is to be ever increasing like all things of God. Walk by faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 2
2 Corinthians 5:7
New International Version
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
We live in disturbing times, and it is becoming harder and harder to get by, but it is not God’s will that we get by. It is His will that we are a blessing to others and help them for when we help others we will be helped. The world seeks the news of the day to make plans to survive, invest and live. We live by faith. Faith that overcomes all situations. Those who look to the world and devise their worldly plans will fail in due season. They will slip and fall. Those who look to God and trust in Jesus will walk on the waters of storms. They live by every word that proceeds from the month of God. He put those words in your month that you might be saved if you confess or speak them. The same Faith that redeems from sin redeems you from all things if you believe and speak to the mountain. People of this world get their news from God but those who walk by faith get their news from God. Look no longer to the world and the things in it but look to Jesus and walk by the faith He provided.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 1
Luke 17:5-10
New International Version
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
James 2:14-26
New International Version
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
When we do our duty, or obey God, our faith is at work and the natural consequence is more faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 5
2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Need your life to be healed? Humble yourself, seek Him and pray, then turn away from all wickedness and He will simply heal your life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 4
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the Lord,
Who are we that we should know the plans of the Lord? But if you seek Him, you will find how great His love is for you and that He desires to prosper you and give you a future you can count on. Come seek Him and know His will for you and He will lift you up.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 3
Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Are you anxious, worried, or not sleeping? Could it be you’re running after the wrong things in life? God took care of Adam and Eve in the garden and He sent His son to restore your inheritance. He will clothe you, feed you, and give you shelter. All you need is to just put Him first and He will provide the rest according to His riches. Seek Him while He may be found and don’t wait till the end of your life but find Him now and you will begin life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 2
Matthew 6:22-24
New International Version
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
So many people serve money first. Their eyes are unhealthy because they look at the wrong things. They enter darkness because of their love of money. You can’t serve God and money so serve what will last, not what will be your past. You will find yourself getting angry at God, because you will see Him as the problem because you can’t get ahead in life. Devote yourself to Him not the things of this world. Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Pull the root out and plant Jesus in your life. He is the tree of life that never stops giving.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 1
Ecclesiastes 2:20-26
New International Version
20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Matthew 6:19-21
New International Version
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I’m not sure what the world means by getting ahead. Ahead of what? The neighbor, the bills, or just trying to have enough to retire on. Let’s see what God says.
Well, how much is enough? We work and toil to give some to the government, for power, cars, insurance, housing, food and so forth. Are we living just to get ahead of the bills? What if a storm comes into our lives and wipes it all out, or maybe you get a life threatening disease, or some other disaster, so then what was it all for. Kinda meaningless.
Listen, store up your treasures in heaven or the Lord. No, you can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead of you. Seek God first and walk with Him. He will lift you up. The world may be able to take your things, but it can’t take your God. He will never leave you or forsake you. God’s gift to you is to enjoy the good things He has given you, the curse is to hand it over to another.
Are you anxious all the time and losing sleep? You are doing it wrong. Stop living for worldly things and start living for Jesus.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 3
Proverbs 5:18-19
New International Version
18 May your fountain (Wife) be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
When a man rejoices in his wife and rejoices in her he will be intoxicated with her and find satisfaction in her only. Otherwise, he will always be found wanting and life will be a curse.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 2
Proverbs 18:22
New International Version
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.
Your wife is a blessing from God. She is God’s favor in your life. Don’t despise the blessings of God but honor God by honoring her. God says she is good so always treat her as a gift. Don’t treat the gift of God with contempt as some do because God will see and avenge her. He will turn your blessing into a curse and your children will be a curse to you also. God says she is a good thing and God cannot lie.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 1
Genesis 2:21-25
New International Version
21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Ephesians 5:25-33
New International Version
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians is a commentary of Genesis 2. Men, your wife is your own flesh so treat her as such. She is a gift of God, so love her as yourself. Love her as Christ loved the church giving Himself up for us. She becomes flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone. Be one with her as you are to be one with Christ. When you do good to her you do good to yourself. Protect, provide, and keep her as a precious treasure for if you do God will bless you through her. When you love her, you are loving God and He will see and bless you both. Think about it, if you can’t be one with her, whom you can see, how can you be one with the one who you can’t ?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 7
James 2:14-26
New International Version
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
What good is our faith if we don’t live it? Our faith and deeds must work together to be a blessing and be blessed. God told Abraham be a blessing, and I will bless you and make you a blessing. Our faith is activated by our actions.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 6
Luke 6:38
New International Version
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Friends, we reap what we sow and in direct proportion to how we give. We don’t give to get, but if you plant you will reap a harvest. I just want to say that if we give for the wrong reason we will not be able to enjoy the increase.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 5
Luke 11:37-41
New International Version
Woes on the Pharisees and the Experts in the Law
37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
It is so easy to become judgmental and condemn others with our self-imposed rules of self-righteousness. God says what is important to make us clean is to give to the poor.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 4
Mark 12:41-44
New International Version
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
God’s way and judgements are not ours. Even the poor are to give and God will lift them up. God looks at the heart and judges in proportion to what we have. It is not what you have that makes you righteous but what you do with it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 3
Matthew 26:6-13
New International Version
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
The one thing more important than giving to the poor is to honor God and worship Him. Worship God but don’t forget the poor.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 2
Matthew 19:16-24
New International Version
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The rich man did what he did to save his soul but found no satisfaction. He lacked love above all else. He loves the things of this life more than himself. How do we know that? It is because whatever we do for the least of these we do for the Father. When you love the Father you love His children.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 1
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
New International Version
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
When we give our lives or money to others it should be done in love. Not for what we get out of it but to be a blessing to others. We see that God created all good things then gave them to man. God knows the future, but He gave it to us anyway. Love and giving should be our character, not just a moment in time. May it be who we are and out of that all we do.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 5
Hebrews 11
New International Version
Faith in Action
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
All these people were known for their faith because of what they did not just lip service but action.
God has something better planned for you than this life. He gives us deposits of His grace as earnest of what is to come. Now who hopes for what they already have, but He will give us greater things than we can imagine.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 4
Genesis 6:5-8
New International Version
5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
God saved Noah and his family because He lived a righteous life. Noah still had to build an Ark and obey the Lord to be saved from the storm. Faith without deeds is indeed dead.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 3
James 2:20-26
New International Version
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
We must repent to be saved and to repent means to stop what your doing, turn around and start serving Him. If you have faith in Him you will do what He says. Just look at Rehab the prostitute she was delivered of her life, saved, and became one of the grandmothers of Jesus by faith and by what she did.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 2
Romans 10:5-13
New International Version
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have not served Him, turn to Him now and He will forgive you. Just talk to Him as you would a friend or father and He will answer and deliver you. Today is a great day to be saved and start living for Jesus and He will lift you up out of the storm.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 1
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
New International Version
The Offer of Life or Death
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hold fast to the Lord and He will carry you through the worst of storms. If God’s people will obey Him He will keep you safe. Simple, choose life, for God will give you more than you can ask or think. He will bless you beyond measure.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Devo Encourage as Christ Encouraged Us Part 1
Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we also be like Jesus enduring the insults and hardships of others that they may stand and have hope. We who are strong in the Lord need to encourage the week and the new to Christ as we see the day of the Lord approach. Bearing one another’s burdens, hardships, and pain so they may not fall. Our lives should be lived so that in all circumstances we stand our ground and win the day so other may follow our examples of obedience that they too may be encourage as to their outcome. We are encouraged by those who went before us scorning the things of this life and overcoming in all situations and if not never turning aside but having our hearts and minds fully on Jesus knowing our resurrection will come too. Who knows one day you to may need somebody to come alongside of you to help carry you through, maybe even the very one you helped in the past?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 2
God told me I would always have my eye site but I would not realize what that would mean to me for some time. It was my eighth grade year of school and a friend of mine thought he would play a joke on me. He went up and sharpened his pencil and tapped me on the shoulder thinking I would turn my head and he would poke me in the cheek. What happened was when I turned my head the pencil went into my eye. Back to the eye doctor. The pencil had left a considerable amount of graphite in my eye. He said it would heal but I would lose my vision in that eye and sent me home with orders to return the next day so he could watch for infection. My mom was angry on the way home about this senseless accident and then turned to me and said you are calm for somebody who just lost an eye. I said mom I didn’t lose my eye God said I will have my eye site and always will. I will be fine. I have to admit I was in terrible pain when I said that. She started praising God and said that’s right.
Next day the eye doctor removed the band aids and tested my eyesight and it was 20/20, no pain and was healed. That was the last time I would see him. God healed my other Eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 1
A few minutes before writing this I was in the Trauma unit, and a patient
had come in. I stuck up a conversation with the trauma doctor and started talking
about some of the traumas I had been through. She said you don’t look like you
have been through those things. I said Well God healed me and told her a few of
the stories. She said you must write a book on prayer and what God did for you. I
thought I would start with sharing these things in my devotionals.
I was in the seventh grade and we had group of people over. We decided
to play yard darts. The set of darts was in our basement, so I went to get them.
There were these plastic rings the were the target and they had gotten stuck
under some other things, so I yanked on one it was held together by a piece of
steel, and it flung open and cut across my eye. My mother rushed me to the eye
doctor. It had gone a third of the corneous deep across my pupil and the doctor
said left a trial of rust particles in my eye and their was nothing he could do
because they were too deep to remove. He went on to say that I would lose most
of my eye site but how much would take time to tell. I may lose it all. That night I
cry out to God asking that He heal me. I heard an audible voice simply say, “You
will have your eye site and always will”. The next day we went back to the eye
doctor, and he removed the band aids. He said it looked healed but had a scare
across it, so he made me take an eye exam to see how bad my eye site was. To
his and our amazement I had 20/20 vision. He could not explain it but sent me
home saying there is nothing else to do. My friends God healed my eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 3
Romans 1:17
New International Version
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
New International Version
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
New International Version
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
We do not live by the law but by faith. It saves you from whatever you need saving from. We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. We cannot rely on living by the law. It just reminds us we are sinners and under a curse but by faith in Jesus we walk by the Holy Spirit and are justified and set free from sin and the curse. As we live by faith so shall we walk in the consequences of faith. Those consequences of faith are peace, healing, prosperity that is to be poured out on others, and love. What can man do to me? What can Satan do to me? Nothing for those who walk by faith have died to the things of this world and they have no hold on them. People of faith start walking in abundance. Not abundance that is to be stored up but an abundance that is to be poured out on others because the things of God are ever increasing. If you believe this you will walk in the gift of generosity. Faith is to be ever increasing like all things of God. Walk by faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 2
2 Corinthians 5:7
New International Version
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
We live in disturbing times, and it is becoming harder and harder to get by, but it is not God’s will that we get by. It is His will that we are a blessing to others and help them for when we help others we will be helped. The world seeks the news of the day to make plans to survive, invest and live. We live by faith. Faith that overcomes all situations. Those who look to the world and devise their worldly plans will fail in due season. They will slip and fall. Those who look to God and trust in Jesus will walk on the waters of storms. They live by every word that proceeds from the month of God. He put those words in your month that you might be saved if you confess or speak them. The same Faith that redeems from sin redeems you from all things if you believe and speak to the mountain. People of this world get their news from God but those who walk by faith get their news from God. Look no longer to the world and the things in it but look to Jesus and walk by the faith He provided.
Pastor Jeff Lane
More Faith Part 1
Luke 17:5-10
New International Version
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
James 2:14-26
New International Version
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
When we do our duty, or obey God, our faith is at work and the natural consequence is more faith.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 5
2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Need your life to be healed? Humble yourself, seek Him and pray, then turn away from all wickedness and He will simply heal your life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 4
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the Lord,
Who are we that we should know the plans of the Lord? But if you seek Him, you will find how great His love is for you and that He desires to prosper you and give you a future you can count on. Come seek Him and know His will for you and He will lift you up.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 3
Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Are you anxious, worried, or not sleeping? Could it be you’re running after the wrong things in life? God took care of Adam and Eve in the garden and He sent His son to restore your inheritance. He will clothe you, feed you, and give you shelter. All you need is to just put Him first and He will provide the rest according to His riches. Seek Him while He may be found and don’t wait till the end of your life but find Him now and you will begin life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 2
Matthew 6:22-24
New International Version
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
So many people serve money first. Their eyes are unhealthy because they look at the wrong things. They enter darkness because of their love of money. You can’t serve God and money so serve what will last, not what will be your past. You will find yourself getting angry at God, because you will see Him as the problem because you can’t get ahead in life. Devote yourself to Him not the things of this world. Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Pull the root out and plant Jesus in your life. He is the tree of life that never stops giving.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Seek God First Part 1
Ecclesiastes 2:20-26
New International Version
20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Matthew 6:19-21
New International Version
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I’m not sure what the world means by getting ahead. Ahead of what? The neighbor, the bills, or just trying to have enough to retire on. Let’s see what God says.
Well, how much is enough? We work and toil to give some to the government, for power, cars, insurance, housing, food and so forth. Are we living just to get ahead of the bills? What if a storm comes into our lives and wipes it all out, or maybe you get a life threatening disease, or some other disaster, so then what was it all for. Kinda meaningless.
Listen, store up your treasures in heaven or the Lord. No, you can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead of you. Seek God first and walk with Him. He will lift you up. The world may be able to take your things, but it can’t take your God. He will never leave you or forsake you. God’s gift to you is to enjoy the good things He has given you, the curse is to hand it over to another.
Are you anxious all the time and losing sleep? You are doing it wrong. Stop living for worldly things and start living for Jesus.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 3
Proverbs 5:18-19
New International Version
18 May your fountain (Wife) be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
When a man rejoices in his wife and rejoices in her he will be intoxicated with her and find satisfaction in her only. Otherwise, he will always be found wanting and life will be a curse.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 2
Proverbs 18:22
New International Version
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.
Your wife is a blessing from God. She is God’s favor in your life. Don’t despise the blessings of God but honor God by honoring her. God says she is good so always treat her as a gift. Don’t treat the gift of God with contempt as some do because God will see and avenge her. He will turn your blessing into a curse and your children will be a curse to you also. God says she is a good thing and God cannot lie.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Wife A blessing of God Part 1
Genesis 2:21-25
New International Version
21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Ephesians 5:25-33
New International Version
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians is a commentary of Genesis 2. Men, your wife is your own flesh so treat her as such. She is a gift of God, so love her as yourself. Love her as Christ loved the church giving Himself up for us. She becomes flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone. Be one with her as you are to be one with Christ. When you do good to her you do good to yourself. Protect, provide, and keep her as a precious treasure for if you do God will bless you through her. When you love her, you are loving God and He will see and bless you both. Think about it, if you can’t be one with her, whom you can see, how can you be one with the one who you can’t ?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 7
James 2:14-26
New International Version
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
What good is our faith if we don’t live it? Our faith and deeds must work together to be a blessing and be blessed. God told Abraham be a blessing, and I will bless you and make you a blessing. Our faith is activated by our actions.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 6
Luke 6:38
New International Version
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Friends, we reap what we sow and in direct proportion to how we give. We don’t give to get, but if you plant you will reap a harvest. I just want to say that if we give for the wrong reason we will not be able to enjoy the increase.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 5
Luke 11:37-41
New International Version
Woes on the Pharisees and the Experts in the Law
37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
It is so easy to become judgmental and condemn others with our self-imposed rules of self-righteousness. God says what is important to make us clean is to give to the poor.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 4
Mark 12:41-44
New International Version
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
God’s way and judgements are not ours. Even the poor are to give and God will lift them up. God looks at the heart and judges in proportion to what we have. It is not what you have that makes you righteous but what you do with it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 3
Matthew 26:6-13
New International Version
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
The one thing more important than giving to the poor is to honor God and worship Him. Worship God but don’t forget the poor.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 2
Matthew 19:16-24
New International Version
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The rich man did what he did to save his soul but found no satisfaction. He lacked love above all else. He loves the things of this life more than himself. How do we know that? It is because whatever we do for the least of these we do for the Father. When you love the Father you love His children.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Charity Part 1
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
New International Version
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
When we give our lives or money to others it should be done in love. Not for what we get out of it but to be a blessing to others. We see that God created all good things then gave them to man. God knows the future, but He gave it to us anyway. Love and giving should be our character, not just a moment in time. May it be who we are and out of that all we do.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 5
Hebrews 11
New International Version
Faith in Action
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
All these people were known for their faith because of what they did not just lip service but action.
God has something better planned for you than this life. He gives us deposits of His grace as earnest of what is to come. Now who hopes for what they already have, but He will give us greater things than we can imagine.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 4
Genesis 6:5-8
New International Version
5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
God saved Noah and his family because He lived a righteous life. Noah still had to build an Ark and obey the Lord to be saved from the storm. Faith without deeds is indeed dead.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 3
James 2:20-26
New International Version
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
We must repent to be saved and to repent means to stop what your doing, turn around and start serving Him. If you have faith in Him you will do what He says. Just look at Rehab the prostitute she was delivered of her life, saved, and became one of the grandmothers of Jesus by faith and by what she did.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 2
Romans 10:5-13
New International Version
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have not served Him, turn to Him now and He will forgive you. Just talk to Him as you would a friend or father and He will answer and deliver you. Today is a great day to be saved and start living for Jesus and He will lift you up out of the storm.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 1
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
New International Version
The Offer of Life or Death
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hold fast to the Lord and He will carry you through the worst of storms. If God’s people will obey Him He will keep you safe. Simple, choose life, for God will give you more than you can ask or think. He will bless you beyond measure.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Devo Encourage as Christ Encouraged Us Part 1
Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we also be like Jesus enduring the insults and hardships of others that they may stand and have hope. We who are strong in the Lord need to encourage the week and the new to Christ as we see the day of the Lord approach. Bearing one another’s burdens, hardships, and pain so they may not fall. Our lives should be lived so that in all circumstances we stand our ground and win the day so other may follow our examples of obedience that they too may be encourage as to their outcome. We are encouraged by those who went before us scorning the things of this life and overcoming in all situations and if not never turning aside but having our hearts and minds fully on Jesus knowing our resurrection will come too. Who knows one day you to may need somebody to come alongside of you to help carry you through, maybe even the very one you helped in the past?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 2
God told me I would always have my eye site but I would not realize what that would mean to me for some time. It was my eighth grade year of school and a friend of mine thought he would play a joke on me. He went up and sharpened his pencil and tapped me on the shoulder thinking I would turn my head and he would poke me in the cheek. What happened was when I turned my head the pencil went into my eye. Back to the eye doctor. The pencil had left a considerable amount of graphite in my eye. He said it would heal but I would lose my vision in that eye and sent me home with orders to return the next day so he could watch for infection. My mom was angry on the way home about this senseless accident and then turned to me and said you are calm for somebody who just lost an eye. I said mom I didn’t lose my eye God said I will have my eye site and always will. I will be fine. I have to admit I was in terrible pain when I said that. She started praising God and said that’s right.
Next day the eye doctor removed the band aids and tested my eyesight and it was 20/20, no pain and was healed. That was the last time I would see him. God healed my other Eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 1
A few minutes before writing this I was in the Trauma unit, and a patient
had come in. I stuck up a conversation with the trauma doctor and started talking
about some of the traumas I had been through. She said you don’t look like you
have been through those things. I said Well God healed me and told her a few of
the stories. She said you must write a book on prayer and what God did for you. I
thought I would start with sharing these things in my devotionals.
I was in the seventh grade and we had group of people over. We decided
to play yard darts. The set of darts was in our basement, so I went to get them.
There were these plastic rings the were the target and they had gotten stuck
under some other things, so I yanked on one it was held together by a piece of
steel, and it flung open and cut across my eye. My mother rushed me to the eye
doctor. It had gone a third of the corneous deep across my pupil and the doctor
said left a trial of rust particles in my eye and their was nothing he could do
because they were too deep to remove. He went on to say that I would lose most
of my eye site but how much would take time to tell. I may lose it all. That night I
cry out to God asking that He heal me. I heard an audible voice simply say, “You
will have your eye site and always will”. The next day we went back to the eye
doctor, and he removed the band aids. He said it looked healed but had a scare
across it, so he made me take an eye exam to see how bad my eye site was. To
his and our amazement I had 20/20 vision. He could not explain it but sent me
home saying there is nothing else to do. My friends God healed my eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Choose Life or Death Part 1
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
New International Version
The Offer of Life or Death
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hold fast to the Lord and He will carry you through the worst of storms. If God’s people will obey Him He will keep you safe. Simple, choose life, for God will give you more than you can ask or think. He will bless you beyond measure.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Devo Encourage as Christ Encouraged Us Part 1
Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we also be like Jesus enduring the insults and hardships of others that they may stand and have hope. We who are strong in the Lord need to encourage the week and the new to Christ as we see the day of the Lord approach. Bearing one another’s burdens, hardships, and pain so they may not fall. Our lives should be lived so that in all circumstances we stand our ground and win the day so other may follow our examples of obedience that they too may be encourage as to their outcome. We are encouraged by those who went before us scorning the things of this life and overcoming in all situations and if not never turning aside but having our hearts and minds fully on Jesus knowing our resurrection will come too. Who knows one day you to may need somebody to come alongside of you to help carry you through, maybe even the very one you helped in the past?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 2
God told me I would always have my eye site but I would not realize what that would mean to me for some time. It was my eighth grade year of school and a friend of mine thought he would play a joke on me. He went up and sharpened his pencil and tapped me on the shoulder thinking I would turn my head and he would poke me in the cheek. What happened was when I turned my head the pencil went into my eye. Back to the eye doctor. The pencil had left a considerable amount of graphite in my eye. He said it would heal but I would lose my vision in that eye and sent me home with orders to return the next day so he could watch for infection. My mom was angry on the way home about this senseless accident and then turned to me and said you are calm for somebody who just lost an eye. I said mom I didn’t lose my eye God said I will have my eye site and always will. I will be fine. I have to admit I was in terrible pain when I said that. She started praising God and said that’s right.
Next day the eye doctor removed the band aids and tested my eyesight and it was 20/20, no pain and was healed. That was the last time I would see him. God healed my other Eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 1
A few minutes before writing this I was in the Trauma unit, and a patient
had come in. I stuck up a conversation with the trauma doctor and started talking
about some of the traumas I had been through. She said you don’t look like you
have been through those things. I said Well God healed me and told her a few of
the stories. She said you must write a book on prayer and what God did for you. I
thought I would start with sharing these things in my devotionals.
I was in the seventh grade and we had group of people over. We decided
to play yard darts. The set of darts was in our basement, so I went to get them.
There were these plastic rings the were the target and they had gotten stuck
under some other things, so I yanked on one it was held together by a piece of
steel, and it flung open and cut across my eye. My mother rushed me to the eye
doctor. It had gone a third of the corneous deep across my pupil and the doctor
said left a trial of rust particles in my eye and their was nothing he could do
because they were too deep to remove. He went on to say that I would lose most
of my eye site but how much would take time to tell. I may lose it all. That night I
cry out to God asking that He heal me. I heard an audible voice simply say, “You
will have your eye site and always will”. The next day we went back to the eye
doctor, and he removed the band aids. He said it looked healed but had a scare
across it, so he made me take an eye exam to see how bad my eye site was. To
his and our amazement I had 20/20 vision. He could not explain it but sent me
home saying there is nothing else to do. My friends God healed my eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Devo Encourage as Christ Encouraged Us Part 1
Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we also be like Jesus enduring the insults and hardships of others that they may stand and have hope. We who are strong in the Lord need to encourage the week and the new to Christ as we see the day of the Lord approach. Bearing one another’s burdens, hardships, and pain so they may not fall. Our lives should be lived so that in all circumstances we stand our ground and win the day so other may follow our examples of obedience that they too may be encourage as to their outcome. We are encouraged by those who went before us scorning the things of this life and overcoming in all situations and if not never turning aside but having our hearts and minds fully on Jesus knowing our resurrection will come too. Who knows one day you to may need somebody to come alongside of you to help carry you through, maybe even the very one you helped in the past?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 2
God told me I would always have my eye site but I would not realize what that would mean to me for some time. It was my eighth grade year of school and a friend of mine thought he would play a joke on me. He went up and sharpened his pencil and tapped me on the shoulder thinking I would turn my head and he would poke me in the cheek. What happened was when I turned my head the pencil went into my eye. Back to the eye doctor. The pencil had left a considerable amount of graphite in my eye. He said it would heal but I would lose my vision in that eye and sent me home with orders to return the next day so he could watch for infection. My mom was angry on the way home about this senseless accident and then turned to me and said you are calm for somebody who just lost an eye. I said mom I didn’t lose my eye God said I will have my eye site and always will. I will be fine. I have to admit I was in terrible pain when I said that. She started praising God and said that’s right.
Next day the eye doctor removed the band aids and tested my eyesight and it was 20/20, no pain and was healed. That was the last time I would see him. God healed my other Eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 1
A few minutes before writing this I was in the Trauma unit, and a patient
had come in. I stuck up a conversation with the trauma doctor and started talking
about some of the traumas I had been through. She said you don’t look like you
have been through those things. I said Well God healed me and told her a few of
the stories. She said you must write a book on prayer and what God did for you. I
thought I would start with sharing these things in my devotionals.
I was in the seventh grade and we had group of people over. We decided
to play yard darts. The set of darts was in our basement, so I went to get them.
There were these plastic rings the were the target and they had gotten stuck
under some other things, so I yanked on one it was held together by a piece of
steel, and it flung open and cut across my eye. My mother rushed me to the eye
doctor. It had gone a third of the corneous deep across my pupil and the doctor
said left a trial of rust particles in my eye and their was nothing he could do
because they were too deep to remove. He went on to say that I would lose most
of my eye site but how much would take time to tell. I may lose it all. That night I
cry out to God asking that He heal me. I heard an audible voice simply say, “You
will have your eye site and always will”. The next day we went back to the eye
doctor, and he removed the band aids. He said it looked healed but had a scare
across it, so he made me take an eye exam to see how bad my eye site was. To
his and our amazement I had 20/20 vision. He could not explain it but sent me
home saying there is nothing else to do. My friends God healed my eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Devo Encourage as Christ Encouraged Us Part 1
Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we also be like Jesus enduring the insults and hardships of others that they may stand and have hope. We who are strong in the Lord need to encourage the week and the new to Christ as we see the day of the Lord approach. Bearing one another’s burdens, hardships, and pain so they may not fall. Our lives should be lived so that in all circumstances we stand our ground and win the day so other may follow our examples of obedience that they too may be encourage as to their outcome. We are encouraged by those who went before us scorning the things of this life and overcoming in all situations and if not never turning aside but having our hearts and minds fully on Jesus knowing our resurrection will come too. Who knows one day you to may need somebody to come alongside of you to help carry you through, maybe even the very one you helped in the past?
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 2
God told me I would always have my eye site but I would not realize what that would mean to me for some time. It was my eighth grade year of school and a friend of mine thought he would play a joke on me. He went up and sharpened his pencil and tapped me on the shoulder thinking I would turn my head and he would poke me in the cheek. What happened was when I turned my head the pencil went into my eye. Back to the eye doctor. The pencil had left a considerable amount of graphite in my eye. He said it would heal but I would lose my vision in that eye and sent me home with orders to return the next day so he could watch for infection. My mom was angry on the way home about this senseless accident and then turned to me and said you are calm for somebody who just lost an eye. I said mom I didn’t lose my eye God said I will have my eye site and always will. I will be fine. I have to admit I was in terrible pain when I said that. She started praising God and said that’s right.
Next day the eye doctor removed the band aids and tested my eyesight and it was 20/20, no pain and was healed. That was the last time I would see him. God healed my other Eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Miracles Part 1
A few minutes before writing this I was in the Trauma unit, and a patient
had come in. I stuck up a conversation with the trauma doctor and started talking
about some of the traumas I had been through. She said you don’t look like you
have been through those things. I said Well God healed me and told her a few of
the stories. She said you must write a book on prayer and what God did for you. I
thought I would start with sharing these things in my devotionals.
I was in the seventh grade and we had group of people over. We decided
to play yard darts. The set of darts was in our basement, so I went to get them.
There were these plastic rings the were the target and they had gotten stuck
under some other things, so I yanked on one it was held together by a piece of
steel, and it flung open and cut across my eye. My mother rushed me to the eye
doctor. It had gone a third of the corneous deep across my pupil and the doctor
said left a trial of rust particles in my eye and their was nothing he could do
because they were too deep to remove. He went on to say that I would lose most
of my eye site but how much would take time to tell. I may lose it all. That night I
cry out to God asking that He heal me. I heard an audible voice simply say, “You
will have your eye site and always will”. The next day we went back to the eye
doctor, and he removed the band aids. He said it looked healed but had a scare
across it, so he made me take an eye exam to see how bad my eye site was. To
his and our amazement I had 20/20 vision. He could not explain it but sent me
home saying there is nothing else to do. My friends God healed my eye.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 20
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Amplified Bible
4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 8 To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; 9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another the working of [a]miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 11 All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.
Please notice that almost all these gifts are spoken. They are given to others through us, not to us. Be His word for it is the living spoken word that saves the world.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 19
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Amplified Bible
The Use of Spiritual Gifts
12 Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit By which we come to know Him and are saved. We are to be His hands, eyes, and mouth on this earth. Be the Word.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 18
Romans 10:5-17
New International Version
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Not everyone will believe the message or Word of God. God sent His Spirit to anoint or commission us to preach that the lost might be saved. If you are saved then be glad that somebody obeyed and spoke the word to you. Be the Word of God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 17
Acts 2:17-21
New International Version
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
He poured out His Spirit on all flesh so they would speak, prophesy, preach His will on earth. He poured out His Spirit on both men and women, not just men. Young and old. I was filled on my ninth birthday and I had a lady recently filled who was well over eighty. Are you saved? If so then you qualify. Be filled and be God’s word on earth.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 16
Acts 2:1-4
New International Version
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
“As the Spirit Enabled them” The Holy Spirit was given to us so we could be God’s voice, Word on earth. He speaks His word through us. It is God’s spoken living word that changes the world.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word part 15
Acts 1:8
New International Version
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
God sent His Holy Spirit on us to be witnesses of His will. We are the living word of God to the world in the image of Jesus. We are to be witnesses of the living God not a dead God. We are the evidence of Christ’s resurrection.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 14
John 14:26
New International Version
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Spirit is given that we might know the Word of God so we can become the living walking word of God. We through the Spirit become God’s word on earth to all generations.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 13
Romans 8:26-27
New International Version
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
When we are Baptized in the Holy Spirit, He stirs us to pray the will of the Father so we might walk in the Father’s blessing, safety, and will.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 12
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
New International Version
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[a] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
The Spirit knows the mind of the Father and the Son. The Spirit revealed the mind of the Father to Jesus the Son when He walked in the flesh with us. We also are given that same Spirit so we can have the mind of Jesus and know the Father’s will that we might live it. We are given the wisdom of God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 11
Romans 8:27
New International Version
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
The Holy Spirit knows the mind and will of God the Father and as The Spirit of God is in us so He prays through us the will of the Father. Remember God will give you more than you can ask or think. If He gave us His Son, then there is nothing Good He will withhold from us.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 10
Romans 8:9-11
King James Version
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
It is when we are born again God breathes His Spirit back into us giving us the ability to communicate with Him again. The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies and one day will change us and give us eternal life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 9
Genesis 2:17
King James Version
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
The Literal Hebrew here is when you eat of it dying you shall die. In other words, dying spiritually you shall die physically. You could also say as the Spirit of God leaves your body, you will lose communication with your life source, and you will die physically. You will live outside the presence of God and therefore will die. You will lose all communication with God the Father.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 8
Genesis 2:7
New International Version
7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 1:27
New International Version
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
When God formed man he breathed His Word into the Man and Man came to life in God’s image. That breath was life. It was God’s Word. It was what made man different from all other creatures. It was what gave man the ability to communicate with God his Father.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 7
Genesis 1:1-2
New International Version
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Here we see God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You might say The Father thought it, Then, spoke it by His Son the word and the Spirit did the work. The Spirit always does the work that God has spoken and brings order. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He fulfills His Word by His Spirit.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word 6
Zechariah 4:6
New International Version
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
God has always had and still does His work through the Holy Spirit. When someone was anointed for office Priest, or King He would be anointed with oil representing the Holy Spirit. This is how God Glorified them to serve Him by His Spirit.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 5
Romans 8:28-30
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
God not only justified you by Jesus’s blood, but He also glorified you. He sees it as though finished. We all seem to see ourselves justified and saved when we come to Jesus, then why not glorified? God’s word will not return void and obviously His will is to glorify us. This is what we who are saved are predestined by God for. We are predestined to be the radiance of God’s glory. Hallelujah!!! Praise God Almighty. What an inheritance. Thank you Jesus!
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word Part 4
Romans 8:23-27
New International Version
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
What is God’s will? It is to save us from our sins. It is to bless us and make us healthy. It is to restore us to His image, the image of God. It is to crown us with Glory as we will see. The only way to know the will of God is to know the Word and that by God’s Holy Spirit for only the spirit in a person knows the will of that person. God reveals His will to us through the living Word Jesus and that by His Holy Spirit. Consume the Word daily. You are what you eat.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word part 3
Romans 8:14-17
New International Version
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
If we walk in the Spirit, we are His children and heirs of God and His Glory. We will share in His sufferings and His inheritance. We will be the power of God on earth as in Hebrews 11:3.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word part 2
Hebrews 1:3
New International Version
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
The Son or Word is the radiance (light) of the glory of God. It is exactly who God is. It is by God’s word or His son everything is kept in order. It is given life, sustained. It is food for our souls. Jesus was at the right hand of God before he came and lived among us and now not only fully God but also fully human, He sits at God’s right side the firstborn of many brothers.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Become His Word part 1
John 1:1-5
New International Version
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.
You can no more separate the Word from being Jesus than you can the Godhead. Jesus is the Word and the word is God. Jesus is the living manifestation of the Word (God) in the flesh. I don’t believe we the church have fully understood this or the importance of it. The Word is the light that shows us who God is. It is God among us. The Word keeps order and brings life and healing as we see in the life of Jesus. This is why we hide it in our heart. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We are to be filled with Jesus.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 10
2 Timothy 3:10-17
New International Version
A Final Charge to Timothy
310 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Look at Paul’s life and that of Christ. Did they sin? Did they chase after financial gain? Did they do what ought not to be done or teach their followers to use grace as a license to sin and break the law? Of course not, nor should we. Let us follow their examples of obedience and live Godly lives obeying the scripture and listening to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not teach to do things that are contrary to sound doctrine but to be fully obedient to the word and the laws of morality.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian part 9
2 Timothy 3:1-9
New International Version
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
Look how the leaders in the last days will be deceiving many with their folly. They will lead weak minded individuals into breaking God’s laws so they and their followers will fall into a pit. Promising them financial gain their folly will be clear to everyone when they don’t get very far and are destroyed. These men have depraved minds deceiving and being deceived because of their love of money. Be alert and have nothing to do with them.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 8
1 Timothy 6:11-21
New International Version
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
We also are to make a good confession of faith, not to deny we are His children. We are to obey the Father and not turn aside for financial gain but to live good lives before Him no matter what the cost. Don’t turn aside to those with their Godless chatter trying to seduce you with worldly wealth so as to deceive you as Satan tried to deceive Christ in the wilderness. Keep the word which is Christ Himself in your hearts and avoid the evil of this world at all costs, knowing He will deliver you and bless you with eternal riches.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 7
1 Timothy 6:3-10
New International Version
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Many are teaching what is not sound doctrine and is a blatant lie. They love to argue over things that split us and words that they use to promote their so-called revelation that is the opposite of what Jesus and Paul wrote us. We are to have nothing to do with this world. Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge and look what that got us. We are to eat of the tree of life, Jesus. The word is Jesus and is the foundation of our faith. These people are fault finders trying to divide us with their doctrine they made up so they can exploit the people of God for financial gain. They love money more than the truth and the people of God. Not caring if they send their followers to hell. They tell them things like they can do anything they want and it makes no difference and they will still be saved or they don’t need to repent, which is contrary to God’s word. Have nothing to do with them.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 6
Romans 1:18-32
New International Version
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
So many in the church have been given over to reprobate minds having a form of godliness but denying the power of the cross. They think that they can sin in every way and the blood of Jesus will cover that sin. What must I do to be saved? Repent turn away from you wicked ways and follow Christ. He knew no sin. Simply put, to do anything else is spitting on the blood of Jesus. God will give them over to their sin so that they might be destroyed. Read revelation. There is a distinction between the righteous and the wicked. We are not to assimilate into this world but depart from it and touch no unclean thing.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 5
Hebrews 10:26-31
New International Version
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Where do you see in scripture that we are free to break the law and are free to deliberately keep sinning. Don’t just read the Word, do what it says. If we use the word as a license to break the law we are worse off than if we had never known grace. Have we forgotten that our God is a consuming fire and that the day of the Lord will come and he will put all evil doers under His feet? The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 4
James 1:21-26
New International Version
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Do what the word says as Abraham the father of faith did. Satan has deceived the church by taking out of context things that Paul taught. It would seem that James was under the law. He was not saying that we are saved by the law, but that if we are saved we obey the law and not to do so is a worthless walk. We are to do what it says and get rid of ALL moral filth.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 3
1 John 3:1-6
New International Version
3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
Sin is lawlessness, but Christ came that He might fulfill the law in us. If we are in Christ we stop breaking the law, but some seem to think that they can keep on sinning and remain in Christ. But that is not so, Abraham was considered righteous for what he did in obeying God. If we love Him we will obey Him. We are saved by faith but faith walks in obedience to Him.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian Part 3
1 John 3:1-6
New International Version
3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
Sin is lawlessness, but Christ came that He might fulfill the law in us. If we are in Christ we stop breaking the law, but some seem to think that they can keep on sinning and remain in Christ. But that is not so, Abraham was considered righteous for what he did in obeying God. If we love Him we will obey Him. We are saved by faith but faith walks in obedience to Him.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Life of a Christian part 1
Jude 3-4
New International Version
The Sin and Doom of Ungodly People
3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
This is a term misused in the church today “Under the Law”. The law was given so that we might know and understand what sin is. No one is saved by the Law but is condemned or convicted by it. Christ came that he might fulfill the law in us not do away with it. We are saved by grace, but it was not given so we might do evil or break the law without consequence as we will see. Christ did not make immorality the rule for the Christian. The Ten Commandments still stand as a guide for our lives. If you have a problem with this, please read the next devotion.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and be Restored Part 7
Acts 17:16-31
New International Version
In Athens
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[b]
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Just like Acts 2:31-32 we see repenting is the message for everyone. It is for the whole world and through repentance we come to God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and be Restored Part 6
Acts 3:11-26
New International Version
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a]
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b] 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
It is by the name of Jesus and faith that this man was healed. Faith is sorrow for our sins, seeking Jesus, praying and turning from our sin. It is to repent because we know Jesus is the son of God and died and rose from the dead for us. People tend to forget that faith is to turn from our sin and then we will be saved. It is more than a simple belief for Abraham and Rehab were saved for what they did not just mind belief. If you believe you will follow Him.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and Be Restored Part 5
Acts 2:37-39
New International Version
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Jesus said He would send His Holy Spirit and He did on the day of Pentecost. What was the message of the Holy Spirit? It was to repent to be forgiven. It was also made clear that it was for all times and that all could receive the presence of the Holy Spirit who is God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and Be Restored Part 4
Luke 24:45-49
New International Version
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Jesus died in place of us for our sins. He who knew no sin became sin for us so we might be saved. His message to us is one of repentance. If we repent, we will be saved and restored to God. The message of Jesus in Luke 4 is repent and be restored. Our message given by God is for all to come to Him through repentance.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and be Restored Part 3
Luke 5:27-32
New International Version
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Some people tell me that I don’t know what they have done and that they can’t come to Jesus because they are so evil. Jesus came to us and because we are sinners not because we are righteous. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, so He is coming to you offering salvation so you might be restored to God the Father. What must I do to be saved? Repent!
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and Be Restored Part 2
Luke 3:1-9
New International Version
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a]
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
John the Baptist was sent to clear the way of the Lord and turn the hearts of the people back to God. Notice his message was one of repentance. We must repent to know God. Another part of repentance is to be a blessing to others. We are to do as Jesus did as His Father does.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Repent and be Restored Part 1
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
New International Version
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God disciplines His people. We must remember that when we are undergoing bad times it can very well be God disciplining us. He wants the sin out of our lives so we will be blessed and will be able to come into His presence.
Sorrow for sin is not repentance but can lead you to repentance. It is an important part, but there is so much more. We must humble ourselves, pray, seek Him and turn from our wicked ways. The last part of turning from our sin seems to be forgotten or the hardest to do. You cannot have the blessing and the presence of God and continue in sin. Stop your sinning or something worse will come on you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 20
Hebrews 11:6
New International Version
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
This scripture says so much. You must walk by faith. Faith is not only believing God exists and is able to do all things but you must believe He will do it for you. Remember God does what He does not because you deserve it but because it is who He is. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Proverbs 3:5-6
King James Version
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 19
Deuteronomy 28:1
King James Version
28 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
My father said this to me; “And this too shall pass”. I must say it has carried me through the hardest of times. I shared this with my son, and it got him through boot camp and a war. My Father’s father shared it with him and his father before him. Now I share it with you all things will pass just trust in the Lord and obey Him and He will get you through.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 18
Romans 8:31-39
New International Version
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Are you saved? If so then God is for you, and nothing can separate His love from you. What more can we ask for?
Pastor Jeff Lan
Surviving Hard Times Part 17
Romans 8:28
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
This scripture had got my wife Becky through the worst of times. When in doubt, just love Jesus and worship Him and He will lift you up.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 16
New International Version
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
This scripture was spoken over me when I was 19. I will never forget it. It has brought me peace many times since then as I hope it will you. May God bless and keep you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 15
Jeremiah 29:10-14
New International Version
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
God took the Israelites into Babylon to discipline them and so they could once again be blessed by Him. He had great plans for their future and ours, but we must obey Him. Obedience is not optional as many seem to think it is. God is not interested in sacrifice as much as obedience. This will ensure God’s plans for you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 14
Hebrews 12:4-13
New International Version
God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Discipline seems to be a thing of the past or a bad word. People act like a father who disciplines their children is an abuser. Friends spare the rod, spoil the child or ruin the child. Why would we deliberately destroy our children for a lack of discipline? Only a loving father disciplines, all others are imposters and hate their children. I see so many lazy parents these days not taking the time to train their children. It would seem things have been turned upside down and the children rule the household. It causes nothing but chaos. We are to obey God and this will bring peace and healing to our lives and our children’s lives and their children. You may go through a hard time, but God is training and loving you. He does what is best for you not Himself. Now go and do likewise. Now obey, go in peace for God is watching over you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 13
Isaiah 55:6
New International Version
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Seek the Lord at all times, don’t wait until disaster overtakes you. We live in changing times and don’t always want to change. The message is the same but the means by which we deliver it are sometimes like hitting a moving target. His ways are not ours. Stay open to change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever but His methods change as society changes.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 12
Isaiah 55:8-11
NIV
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
It was not long after that that we would get on Direct TV. I was very ignorant of how things worked in this world and thank God I was because I probably would have thrown in the towel If I had known then what I know now. You just don’t walk into a TV station or the like and throw down money and say hey I want to be on the air, God has called me. You have to have a track record and then find somebody who believes in your ministry. They are very scared of getting a nut who may ruin their reputation and destroy the station. Well WHT had a man who liked our internet program and had seen me on CTN’s You and Me. He gave us a chance and we have been with them I think for five years now. They have been like angels of God to us. We later tried PTL, but they had too few followers. We also tried a few other stations, but things never worked out on them. Mostly because they touted large audiences they did not have. Not everything is always what it seems when working with these stations. Truth can be optional. I was naive and tended to believe them. I mean after all they were Christians right? God saved us from disaster time and again. I have always thought the internet was the way to go but at that time it was not quite where it needed to be.
Always remember if God spoke it over you He will make a way. Also remember to never stop seeking God in what you are doing. Sometimes He can take a new direction. He does know the future.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 11
Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Here we were starting a new ministry. The first thing I wanted to know of this builder of studios was what would be the cost? He gave me an answer and even before I could pray about it I said we will have the money. Within 2 hours I had the amount he said we would need and started building. We had a location, materials and funds. God our provider did just that. We were going along fine when I told him we are going to be short. You didn’t figure for the phone system we need, and I think that will be five thousand. He agreed and I told him just keep at it and I will get the money not knowing who or where just that God would provide. I went home and left him there. When I walked into the house Becky said there is a letter on the table, and I think you should open it immediately. I never stopped to ask her why she didn’t open it. I picked it up and there was a check for $5000.
We soon completed the work and were on the internet ministering to people. Now in those days I set it up so I did everything myself. I had no one with me. It could be a little difficult to handle. Soon God started sending help.
God also provided for Becky and I. I don’t know how we made it but He sent provisions time and again. I didn’t want to take money from the ministry at that time and slow things down. God is great!
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 10
Genesis 26:19-22
New International Version
19 Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. 20 But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. 21 Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. 22 He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.”
Issac’s first well was called opposition so he moved on. The second was called ‘dispute’ so he moved on again and the third he named ‘room’, because he finally found room and peace in the land. There is a time for everything, a time to plant and a time to uproot.
God told me to move on. I asked Him if I would ever be on TV again but all I got was I got this. I felt uprooted.
God told me the exact time to go in and resign. It was a Friday and I knew that Bob was supposed to be there, but he was not, so I asked for the CFO but he was not there. Finally I asked for the station supervisor and he was there and I went and told him.
As I was walking past the front desk there was a fellow there and God told me to talk to him before I left. I never saw him before nor knew who he was. As I was resigning, I found myself arguing with God over this. I said to God ‘am I hearing right? You want me to talk to this man I don’t know’, and He said do it.
I walked out and there he was still at the desk so I struck up a conversation with him, but it was going nowhere. Finally I just asked him what he did for a living? The lady behind the desk said “you don’t know who this is”, and I said no. She went on to say this is so and so and he builds the best TV studios. I looked at him and he said before I could say a word no, I will not build you a studio. I was standing there thinking I didn’t ask and wasn’t thinking about it. He kept talking and I interrupted and asked, "Well, would you just give me some advice as to how to go about it”? He said “no” then said “OK call me tomorrow”. Well long story short, God sent the money and he did build it. God found room for us and it was time to plant.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 9
Ecclesiastes 3:5
New International Version
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
I started feeling poorly. I went to a doctor and he said all my tests say I am like a eighteen year old. I said I don’t feel like an eighteen year old. I talked with a doctor at the hospital where I worked about it and he said you need to see this doctor I know, so I did. I told this doctor that if you ask the wrong questions you get the wrong answers and that I thought that the previous doctor had asked my body the wrong questions and that I felt like I was very sick. He agreed and took some blood. About twenty minutes later he said I don’t know who you are or what you are doing but you are dying. You have not been sleeping and I give you a month to live. I was floored. Most nights if I got three and half hours of sleep it was a good night. He went on to say “stop what you are doing now”. I told him what I did and asked how long must I take off? He said a year at least but you could try six months but you will be right back here after a month if you go back to doing what you are doing. I asked him for a letter to take to CTN for a leave of absence for a month then I would decide what to do. He wrote it for me and said “please just let it go”. Then he said when you take off in two weeks it will hit you like a train and you will understand. It did.
I took the letter to Bob, the CEO of CTN. I told him I had to take off immediately and that I would be back in a month. He read the letter and then said that he wanted me to extend the program for three more hours a night. Get me a pastor to come in and pray for those extra hours. I want to raise money to bring on this evangelist to do an afternoon program. I asked what he was going to pay them to come in the early hours of the morning and he said they were to be all volunteers, furthermore I was to tell no one about our conversation. I told him that I could never find enough volunteers to do that and left.
I had taken off and two weeks later I got so bad I could hardly function. I knew it was time to go. I was to no longer embrace this program. It was a time of mourning for me.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 8
Proverbs 27:4
New International Version
4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
Things are not always what they seem. I have said it many times; “Christian TV is anything but.” I was being attacked by some of the other hosts. One even warned me that if I talked to Bob or his wife {the owners} that there would be consequences. There was much demonic activity in the building at night. Someone even put painkillers in my tea and the police had to come down to the station. I am allergic to painkillers and if I would have drank it I might have died. God told me when I started to drink it while on the air, that if I drank it, I would die. The policeman who tested it said they had put so much narcotics in it that it could have killed me even if I was not allergic to it. The person who was responsible for making the tea quit and at the same time someone had been stealing through the building at night. It was all shoved under the rug. I am positive that this incident had nothing to do with the hosts at CTN and don’t mean to imply that at all. God was with me.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 7
Deuteronomy 25:4
New International Version
4 Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
I asked them for a stipend to cover our expense for gas to come down and do the program. I was told at first that it was a privilege to be on the air and I should cover my own expenses, but we were barely getting by financially. I was just working as a chaplain at the hospital. They finally agreed to it and gave me a small stipend. The program had grown bigger than ever before and was bringing in more money than ever before. Some weeks I would get eleven hundred letters and read every one. They finally started paying me a small hourly wage. Things were going great with the program, and we were very happy. I was told I was the first host who ran everything with the program at night.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 6
1 Samuel 16:14-23
New International Version
David in Saul’s Service
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
David had been anointed by Samuel to be King but only his family knew it. God’s ways are not ours. God brought David in the back door to begin his training as king. David was not only a boy but a nobody yet God chose him to be King.
I had left the nursing home position and was still a chaplain at the hospital. It was hardly a living wage, but I knew we would survive. I am now working as a volunteer host at CTN on the You and Me program. Days became weeks and weeks months. The former host kept trying to come back but kept having accidents or taking turns for the worse. It was so hard to give up the program because I had become endeared to the audience. They were like family, but I told them I would step aside as soon as the former host came back. By now many times she said she would return but didn’t show up, but this time her and her husband had assured CTN they would be there. I was put to the side without even a thank you. I called Jim and told him I would come down and wait in another room out of sight if she could not do the program. He said after the way you have been treated he could not believe I would return. I told him this is not about me but God’s people. I still was not being paid. Three hours a night five days a week from 12pm till 3 am. She did not show up and they came and got me. I still was not to be the official host for some time. All this time I was being attacked by her husband and others for trying to steal the program. Nothing could be further from the truth. They to this day can’t get anyone to do that program five days a week even if they paid them. It’s a calling not a position. You must be motivated by love. Every other TV person at CTN told me they would never do that program and that’s OK they were not called to it. It had become a very painful time for me but I loved those people. The former host died and they gave the program to me.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 5
Hebrews 13:5
New International Version
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
The phone rang as I was walking down the fifth floor of the hospital, I had just walked out of the ICU. It was a familiar voice but somebody I had never personally met. He told me his name but I interrupted him and said I Know who you are and told him his life story. He had been a DJ at a local Christian radio station, had a TV program for a while but then I had lost track of him. He told me he still worked at the TV station and that he was over the “You and Me program”. He went on to say He needed a pastor that night to come down and pray on the air and that their pastor was sick and could not fill in. I asked how in the world He got my name? He told me another pastor friend of mine had been helping out but could not do the program and that he said he thought I would fit in. I said I would come in. I go to the studio thinking this is a one-time thing and would have fun doing what I liked doing praying and helping people get through life.
My training was “there’s the chair, sit, look into the camera, take the call and pray”. Rinse and repeat. LOL! I did it and went home thinking that was that. The phone rang and Jim asked if I could do it again? I said “yes I loved it” and did it again. The next day the phone rang and Jim said “I don’t know how you did it but you are a natural, we would like you to come in more often”. I talked with him and asked how long their preacher would be out and he said two weeks. I said that he seemed stressed about this and that I would come in till she returned. I was not being paid at all but I loved doing the program. The callers were like family soon, and God was answering prayer. All Becky and I had been through helped so much. To be continued…
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 4
Ecclesiastes 8:5-6
New International Version
5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
though a person may be weighed down by misery.
Everything seemed to be going well. I was asked to transfer to a different nursing home some sixty miles away and knew I was to do it. Things got even better. We both loved our new setting even though we had to drive so far. We enjoyed our time together in ministry, but things began to change and after a year I was transferred to a nursing home very close to us. You would think this was a good thing. It was a living hell. I learned spiritual warfare here. I dreaded waking up in the morning. I hated going to work. I could not believe how bad it got. I will just say the administration made my life a nightmare. The more I did for them the more they wanted. It was during this time that the hospital in Bradenton Florida asked me to be their chaplain because I had helped out there when we worked at the previous nursing home. I accepted and was working at both places, but finally I couldn’t take the pressure any longer and quit the nursing home. We were not making enough money to hardly get by but God worked a miracle and we would pay off our house. Oh, happy day! It had only been three weeks since I left the nursing home and the phone rang. To be continued.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 3
Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God had a plan for us. Oh, how can He be so mindful of us? Who are we that He should even notice us but He does. This position God gave me would open so many doors. Friends you can never go back because God has a future for you. Just worship and trust Him and He will lift you up.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 2
Malachi 3:13-18
New International Version
Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God
13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
The Faithful Remnant
16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Most all my contractor friends lost their houses, marriages, and about everything else. God did not save me because I was more righteous than others but because we walked by faith and obeyed Him. We are saved by faith not our own righteousness. People we must obey Him and then their will be a distinction between you and the rest. Serve God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding for God’s ways are not ours. He put Becky and I on a new path. We have to much respect and fear of God to disobey Him and not tithe.
The phone rang and at this time I had no job. Construction was out of the question. I was still healing from the neck surgery. I wanted God to heal me but He just said I had to have the surgery, so I did. Listen, God's ways are not ours. I know if I had been healed I would have gone right back to doing what I had been doing, but for now there was this call. The voice was familiar, it was one of our people from a church we had been pastoring before all this went down. She said I applied for a job for you. I hope you’re OK with that. I ask what was it? She said there is a chaplain position in a nursing home. I said I needed work and thanked her. Now this would be a miracle. First I Preached in a nursing home some years before and had such a bad experience that I thought to myself I would never go into one again. Yet here I was but I had not got the job yet. They had another candidate in mind but I did get the interview. I was sitting in a room with about 15 managers doing the interview when the administrator got called out. She left for a while then came back and asked if anyone had learned anything. Me and my silly sense of humor couldn’t help it. I said to her Yes, I learned all kinds of things about you. She laughed and said you will fit right in here. She ended up hiring Becky and I. We fell in love with the residents and still feel it was one of the most precious times of ministry in our lives. This would be a turning point for us.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Surviving Hard Times Part 1
Malachi 3:7-12
New International Version
7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
It was back in 2008 that Becky and I went through one of the hardest times of our life. One Thursday afternoon I got a call that there was no work for our dump truck business and that all the contracts had been canceled. It was at that moment I knew the economy was crashing. If housing goes, everything goes. Most people don’t realize the importance that building is and what an economic indicator it is. Soon our construction business would follow. All our contracts were canceled in one week. I called my fellow contractors and they said they were going through the same thing. Soon the building we were renting for our church was foreclosed on. The owners of the building could not make the payments.
Simply put God would deliver us, but we were about to go through some of the hardest times of our life. The next thing that happened was I was riding in a car, and we were in an accident and my neck was broken. Here we were, lost all our income, our church and now the debt of the businesses had the debt collectors on our door. It seemed as though God had forsaken us, but he would deliver us soon. This lasted for about a year.
Just when we were about to go to court over the business and lose our home, cars, and properties we had left, most had been sold off by that time, I fell on my face before God. I took responsibility for the debt, asked for forgiveness and asked God for help. He told me that He would take care of it. I got up and felt peace like I felt when I knew God would deliver me. It was like when God told me my oldest daughter would live when all the doctors said she had minutes to live. Finally, sweet peace.
God told me that the creditors would start calling and settle with me on the debt and that I would not have to do a thing. The next day they started calling. I didn’t ask them to do anything, they just started saying this is what we will do. I got a settlement from the neck injury that was less than ten percent of what we owed. God had them all offer to settle for what I had. They never knew I had gotten this settlement. They just settled for that amount and in ten days we were debt free except for the mortgage on our house. God is good, but I had one question for God, why? It was the above verse He gave me, because you two tithed. He rebuked the devourer for us. This was the beginning of a transformation of our lives.
I just want to add that there is power in agreement. Becky stood by me. So many couples will fall apart and take the easy way out, but she stood by me. Don’t let the devil steal your inheritance. Money will come and go, but never let him take the love of your life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 10
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
New International Version
The Resurrection Body
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we[b] bear the image of the heavenly man.
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
We are saved, being saved and one day will be saved, but it is not until we die will we come into that glorified state. In the meantime I have a deposit of God’s Holy Spirit to guarantee what is to come. Flesh and blood can not inherit the Kingdom of God, I must die to my flesh so His Glory might be revealed in my life. Paul died daily and so must we so we can be used by God and know Him. This way God is revealed to the world.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 9
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
New International Version
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God gave Paul great revelations but also gave him a thorn in his flesh so he would not think of himself more highly than he ought to. Power is made perfect in weakness or humility, not our strengths. It is through weakness God brings glory to Himself.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 8
2 Corinthians 11:12-33
New International Version
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Satan’s workers masquerade as angels of light as He does. Boasting of their credentials, pedigree, and education. They come to impress instead of boasting about Christ they boast about themselves. They lift themselves up so they can exploit you. There is no love of God in them. They deceive God’s people. Paul on the other hand boasts of his weakness so others would trust in the Lord not the flesh.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 7
John 17:13-26
New International Version
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made
you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
You don’t need to be taken out of the situation but you need to know Him, for He is able to deliver thee and overcome the situation. God knew you would be in that situation before you got there. He most likely brought you to this day, that He made to show His glory though you. Pray that His will be done.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 6
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
New International Version
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.
God called David, a boy, at the time to defeat Goliath, not a bigger giant. Goliath despised David. David overcame him in the name of the Lord. God calls the weak to show His Glory. When you say “I can’t”, God is looking for you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 5
Luke 22:39-46
New International Version
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
We see the frailness of Jesus, His human side so clearly in this moment. He is in anguish, exhausted, and tired. He is praying but we see His Apostles could not stay awake. You might say because of prayer He knew this was the final hour. How many times are we taken by surprise by the god’s work or the devil's schemes because of sleeping through the hour of prayer. Jesus can truly empathize with our weakness. He does not condemn us but exhorts us to pray so we don’t fall into the devil’s schemes.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness part 4
Hebrews 2:5-18
New International Version
Jesus Made Fully Human
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8 and put everything under their feet.”
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Oh, how we long to be clothed in God’s glory but for now what do we see, Jesus the Christ sending His Holy Spirit as a deposit of better things to come. Repent and you will be saved. He was made weak as we are weak. He was made fully flesh and weak as we are weak so that He could be that atoning sacrifice that you and I would be made clean and free from our sins. He can sympathize with us having been tempted as we have been tempted. We have no excuse for our sin but must turn to Him to be set free from it.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 3
John 17:1-5
New International Version
Jesus Prays to Be Glorified
17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus always was and always will be. He transformed Himself to be like us in every way so that we too could share in the Glory of God. He completed that work on earth and returned to the right hand of the Father and was reinstated to His former glory now fully Flesh the first born of many children. We too will share in that glory being transformed to be like Him. Oh, what a day that will be!
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 2
John 12:23-33
New International Version
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
The Father clearly understands what is about to happen to Jesus but He watches it happen not stopping for He designed this moment for us. He also tells us this will happen again not that Christ would have to go to the cross but that we also will drink of that cup and follow in His footsteps. Jesus did not need the reassurance of the Father’s voice but those who follow Christ. He knew He must be lifted up on that cross so we could be saved. He didn’t say Father take me out of this situation but understood it was for this very reason He came into the world. This is why Christ told us to pray ‘Thy will be done not mine’.
Pastor Jeff Lane
The Importance of Weakness Part 1
John 12:23-28
New International Version
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
Jesus knew what was about to happen to him. He understood He was born to be an atoning sacrifice for all our sin. He had to be made like us in every way so that through the weakness of flesh we could be saved. God brings glory to His name through our weakness. He does through us what we could not do ourselves. It is our weakness that God can bring glory to Himself. It is in weakness that we submit to His will by faith, and He lifts us up. Lord, I ask your will be done not mine. Don’t give me strength to overcome but your grace for it is sufficient in all things to overcome the trials of this life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel Part 10
Job 2:3
New International Version
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
Job 2:7-10
New International Version
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among
the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish[a] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Even Job, one of the greatest men of integrity, did not find a good woman.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel Part 9
Ecclesiastes 7:27-28
New International Version
27 “Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered:
“Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things—
28 while I was still searching
but not finding—
I found one upright man among a thousand,
but not one upright woman among them all.
A good woman is far rarer than rubies as the Bible says. She is to be valued and honored. Women, be that jewel, that exception among women. Your influence may seem minuscule at the time, but it can save your sons and a nation. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. They are worth far more than gold and will last generations.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel Part 8
Proverbs 31:10-31
New International Version
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Hard to be a mother without being a great wife. Mothers, you can’t pick your son’s wife but remember you can have great influence on who he marries. A son tends to marry a woman like his mother. Be the best woman you can be, and he will follow.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel Part 7
2 Timothy 1:3-6
New International Version
Thanksgiving
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Paul recognizes the character of Timothy’s Mother and grandmother in Timothy. Just another example of a mother’s influence on generations. Faith can be passed down when it is a value of the mother. My own mother passed her faith to me because she held faith in a high position in her life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel Part 6
1 Samuel 3:19-21
New International Version
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
All Israel held Samuel’s word with high regard. Why, because he had the character of his mother. He obeyed God and his word was good. Momma’s influence and her character showed through Samuel. How important is a mother? Her wisdom can turn a nation back to the Lord.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel part 5
1 Samuel 2:18-26
New International Version
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.
26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.
God blessed Hanna with a family of her own. She continued to be a part of Samuel's life and I am sure continued to have an influence on Him. Samuel was a man of integrity like his father and mother. People listened to him and respected him unlike Eli’s sons who were scoundrels. We know nothing of their mothers, but I have a good idea as to her character. Mommas, you are raising our next leaders. How would you have them lead?
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel part 4
1 Samuel 2:1-10
New International Version
Hannah’s Prayer
2 Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Under the anointing of God Hanna gave this prayer. The line that is hits me hard is “It is not by strength that one prevails”. It is to the one who prays and trusts in the Lord. Mommas you can change the world through prayer and trusting God. Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
He will also make your child’s paths straight.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother In Israel part 3
1 Samuel 1:21-28
Hannah Dedicates Samuel
21 When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”[c]
23 “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his[d] word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
24 After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull,[e] an ephah[f] of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 25 When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
Hanna keeps her promise to God because she and her husband are people of integrity. She raises Samuel till he is six years old, the time of weaning a child. A child’s values and morals are instilled in a child by their mother by the age of six. We will see this as Sammuel grows up. Momma had a great influence on his life. Can you just imagine how hard it was to give up this child she so desperately prayed for? Good mommas do the hard and right things for their child. Mommas, you can change the world. Make your child a blessing not a curse.
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother in Israel Part 2
1 Samuel 1:1-20
New International Version
The Birth of Samuel
1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
Being a mother to a Jewish woman was considered a great honor and a disaster if barren. These women long to have a son to bring honor to their husbands, carry on the family name to pass down their inheritance, and just maybe their son would be the messiah. Hanna wanted a son with all her heart. She was a praying woman and sought the Lord’s favor. She wanted to be a mother and she offered her son to the Lord. He would be dedicated to God and he was to be a Nazarite. He was to be set apart to God, like Samson or John the Baptist. Nazarites were types of Christ or deliverers. God granted her request and blessed her for it. Her son was to be like her, a prayer warrior. Mommas you can save the world!
Pastor Jeff Lane
A Mother In Israel Part 1
2 Samuel 20:6-22
New International Version
6 David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.”[a] 7 So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.
8 While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.
9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.
11 One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. 13 After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.
14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites,[b] who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he answered.
She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”
20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”
The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”
22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.
Though this is a very gruesome story it shows the power of a mother to stop violence and save a city. Mothers can have wisdom that stops foolish men from destroying a city. This mother had more wisdom than these men. It is so funny the way she talks to Joab and the city like a mother, and they listen to her. Never doubt the power you have to save the world, momma. It is a gift of God. Sons will bow and humble themselves to momma’s reasoning before they will a sword of a man.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 10
Philippians 2:1-4
New International Version
Imitating Christ’s Humility
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
When we encourage one another, we do it out of humility not for personal gain but often personal sacrifice as Jesus did for us. Interceding for others whether in prayer, conversation, or just listening to their hearts. We are not to do it to gain something for ourselves or interests, but to lift them up. We use the gifts that Christ has given us for the body, not ourselves, just as Jesus did for us. Lift one another up and encourage them from what Jesus has done in and for you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 9
Acts 15:22-35
New International Version
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
There will always be those agitators who stir up the body of Christ with a burden that is not of God. They make men doubt their faith and walk with the Lord. Disrupting the body as a distraction to keep them from the work of reconciling the lost to Christ. It is in these times we must encourage all to follow Christ and their faith, so as not to be troubled by these workmen of Satan. Lifting them up in the Word and in prayer so they won’t fall. Restoring the peace of unity in the Body of Christ.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 8
Romans 15:1-6
New International Version
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are commanded to endure hardship and to encourage one another. There will always be weaker souls in the church and we who are strong in Christ must lift them up. Whatever you do for the least of these you do for the Father. Do as Jesus did.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 7
Acts 11:19-30
New International Version
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Barnabas remembers Paul and goes and gets Him. It had been seventeen years since Paul had been converted. He, like many of us, probably thought God had forgotten him or that he would never be used because of his past. Nevertheless, God had a plan and Barnabas was to carry it out. I don’t know but maybe the church and the Jews would not accept Paul after all they did send him away, but God was ready to reach the gentiles and Paul was itching to preach. God sent the encourager to get him. After preaching with Paul for a year a prophecy predicting a great famine came, and so what do the followers of Barnabus do? They don’t hoard food but send a gift to Judea to encourage the saints there.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 6
Acts 4:36-37
New International Version
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
I love people like Barnabus who are always encouraging and even to the point of giving to others to help them through rough times. We need more people like Barnabas in the church. People who care and can feel others pain and help them with their cross in life. He forgets no one as we will see. What a name to have “son of encouragement”. That’s like saying Son of God.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 5
Jeremiah 29:11-14
New International Version
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Have you ever felt as though you were exiled or captive to this world? God tells us that He has plans for you and you have hope. {Romans 5:1-5 New International Version 5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.} God’s hope will never disappoint you. He will bring you out of this world’s captivity and set you free. Whom the Son has set free is free indeed. We are encouraged because Jesus has given us hope and a future. A future that will endure forever. He became sin, the curse and shame for us so we would be set free. What greater hope, what greater encouragement than that. So don’t only be encouraged but encourage one another as we see the day approaching for our God has already overcome for us.
John 8:34-36
New International Version
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 4
2 Corinthians 13:11
New International Version
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
We are to encourage one another so we can walk in God’s love and peace. Not an option but a command. Lift one another up so that we don’t stumble and fall into the devil’s schemes.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 3
Joshua 1:7-9
New International Version
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Be encouraged because God is with you when you’re with Him. Just as Joshua was told to be strong and courageous, so should you be too. Stand firm in your faith or don’t stand at all. God's word will not return void but will accomplish what he sent it for and has He not said we will be prosperous and successful? So now, be encouraged for He will never leave you or forsake you. He is with you. Greater is He who is in you that He who is in the world.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 2
Psalm 10
New International Version
1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by[b] him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”
7 His mouth is full of lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”
12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.
Like the people of God in the days of old so evil men look as though they shall prevail over us, but be encouraged we live by faith not sight. What you see today will be gone tomorrow. The wicked pass away but God’s people will endure forever with Jesus. He who will never pass away will save you.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Encourage One Another Part 1
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
New International Version
The Day of the Lord
5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
It is becoming clearer and clearer that Jesus' return will be soon and that time will be the worst we have ever seen. My friends don’t be discouraged and don’t despair, but encourage one another and all the more as we see the day approaching, because our redemption draws nigh and this all will pass but God’s word shall never pass. Lift up the name of Jesus and the body of believers for this is our day to shine for the Lord. Think of what it was like when the Egyptian army was about to overcome Israel and God drowned them in the sea, so also, He will deliver us in these times and we shall overcome.
Pastor Jeff Lane
End Times Part 7
Isaiah 66:10-24
King James Version
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Ezekiel 12:26-28
New International Version
26 The word of the Lord came to me: 27 “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’
28 “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
Joel 3:14-17
New International Version
14 Multitudes, multitudes
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and moon will be darkened,
and the stars no longer shine.
16 The Lord will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem;
the earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
a stronghold for the people of Israel.
17 “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God,
dwell in Zion, my holy hill.
Jerusalem will be holy;
never again will foreigners invade her.
Don’t worry about Israel for God will bring them peace on His great and glorious day when he gathers their enemies to that valley of decision, Armageddon and wipe them out. We should be concerned for ourselves that we walk in His ways and holiness before Him. The United States will not bring them peace and safety but God Himself.
Pastor Jeff Lane
End Times Part 6
Luke 21:29-33
King James Version
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Israel became a nation on May 14th, 1948 as God said it would happen This is the budding of the fig tree.
Matthew 24
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Genesis 15:
13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”
Here we see that God referred to 100 years as a generation.
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
We do not know the day or the hour but we know He is coming very soon from the signs. We need to be about the Father’s business
Pastor Jeff Lane
End Times Part 5
Isaiah 66:7-9
King James Version
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Israel became and was recognized by the world as a nation on May 14th, 1948. They were birthed as a nation in one day as God had told us they would. Though the world recognized them as a nation they could not have stopped it from happening, but they had fulfilled God's desire. This is one of the greatest signs of the return of Jesus we have.
Pastor Jeff Lane
End Times Part 4
2 Peter 3:10-15
New International Version
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
I am amazed that the day of the Lord will come like a thief to those who are perishing. They know about it and even make movies about Armageddon and yet seem oblivious to the fact it is upon them. They mock and make fun of it like Lot’s sons in law. The church seems to live in sin and condone those who do. Not striving for God’s Holiness but looking for ways to live as far from Holiness as they can and still make it in. I mean really do you see the church making every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him? Sin blinds their eyes to the truth and though they talk about His coming they don’t believe it. Look at their actions. Don’t try the Lord’s patience, but speed His coming with a holy and Godly life.
Pastor Jeff Lane
End Times Part 3
2 Peter 3:3-9
New International Version
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
I believe and can clearly see Jesus will soon come. Thank goodness God is long suffering not wanting any perish. He is so patient, and all His judgements are to bring us to repentance. Men have become so arrogant in these last days, questioning whether God exists and where is He if He does, but remember after 430 years of bondage HE calls Himself the I AM. He said I am to be remembered by this name forever. He is the I AM and forever will be. God is and on this point, we should never doubt He exists. God will see that His word will not return void but accomplish all He said. If only we could interview those who were destroyed in Sodom or the flood. These were examples of what is to come and yet with all the evidence that they did indeed take place men still doubt.
Pastor Jeff Lane
End Times Part 2
Acts 1:6-8
New International Version
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We are not given times or dates of Christ’s return, but we are told to be witnesses till He returns.
Pastor Jeffery Lane
End Times Part 1
Daniel 9:27
New International Version
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
When the anti-Christ and Israel sign this covenant the tribulation starts. Some seem to think it starts when the rapture happens but that could be in the middle of the tribulation or even long before the Tribulation starts. We simply are not told.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Why is the LGBTQ wrong for Christians? Part 8
1 Corinthians 6:9
New International Version
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
Homosexuals will not go to heaven for they cannot inherit the kingdom of God unless they repent and turn from their sin.
Pastor Jeff Lane
Why is the LGBTQ wrong for Christians? Part 7
1 Timothy 1:8-11
New International Version
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Homosexuality is contrary to sound doctrine. It is a sin and like all sin is punishable by Hell.
Pastor Jeff Lane