Showing posts with label Christ-like. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ-like. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Pastor John Collins: LETTER FROM GOD




LETTER FROM GOD.....


Pastor John Collins, evangelist, of Love That Cross Ministries continues to bring hope to us, bringing God back into lives that are missing hope.  Paul Harvey read a broadcast entitled “If I Were the Devil” in the 1960’s.  That particular broadcast is eerily still as accurate for today’s world as it was 50 years ago.  Pastor John Collins presented “A Letter From God  during a sermon.  

God really doesn’t want us to suffer, to be sad, to be lost, to be miserable.  He created us, His children for His pleasure, and it is His pleasure to give us good things.  He is a just God, and He doesn’t simply give everyone what they want when they want it.  He wants us to come to him willingly, by our choice.  He loves us whether we recognize Him or not.  He waits patiently for the time when we will turn to Him in love and faith.  

Pastor John Collins tells us the truth about God, about Jesus Christ, about the scriptures and the Gospel and how we have fallen far from the Cross of salvation, deny the existence of God who loves us, who is just and who tests us to grow in faith in Him every day.  Each day is a test of our faith, and God waits for us to realize He is as real as the air we breathe and the ground we walk on.  He wants us to turn from hate, from despair, from the sadness that simply prevails in this world, to talk to Him in prayer, to learn to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds and strengths.  He is our God, and He gives us chance after chance, forgiveness after forgiveness. 

 

This is Pastor John Collins’ Letter from God:


LETTER FROM GOD

My Children,

My wounded and hurt children, what shall I say to you? I know that your hearts are broken and your spirits are defeated because I can feel your pain. I know that you are lost and weary because I can feel your confusion. I know that you are angry and bitter because I can feel your resentment. I know that you are distant and separated because I can feel your doubt. I know that you are above it all and feel that you are better than I because I can feel your pride.

I see you. I feel you. I created you. I have never forced My love on any of you, I have given it freely. I have never forced My Son on any of you, I offered Him freely.

I look down upon you and am saddened. I look down upon you and am angered. I have given you the truth and it is there within you, yet you ignore it. You have the free will to make your own choices and that is something that I have always honored and will always honor. As a Father, I want the best for My children and have sent so many along the way to guide you and to help you and yet they are rejected and killed.

You hate each other and you hate Me. You have stopped believing in Me and have turned away. What shall I say to you?

Are the skies not blue enough for you? Are the sun and the moon not enough light to guide your days and nights? Has the earth stopped yielding her fruit? Have the waters run dry? Have you stopped being able to have children of your own? Has the earth that I provided stopped doing what it was created to do? Is it not enough to have life and learn to do something precious with that life?

Why do you hate? What makes you doubt? What more do you want that has not been given?

Each one of you was not meant to live the same life as each other. But, each one of you was meant to live a life that will challenge you, enrich you and give you the opportunity to come back home to Me. Why do you despise what you have been given?

You desire to blame Me and you desire to discard Me. I look down and see the rape of children, men and women. I see the slaughter of innocents, the lust of people acting like animals, the pride and arrogance of the doomed. I see the betrayal, the lies, the death and the deception. I see the malice and greed of so many and I see too many that use Me to gain prestige and money. I see the ruin of so many and the ignorance of more.

You may be able to look around and take note of what I am saying, but what you can’t see is all. You can’t see into the depths of hell and feel the pain and regret. You can’t know the bliss of heaven and the beauty of the kingdom. You don’t seem to care that you are blessed with today while you yet have breath in your body.

I know that I do not ask too much. I know that My ways are right. I know that life may very well seem impossible and that is why I have given you My Son. I know the human heart because I created it and I know the challenges in life because I gave you life. Each of you has a choice to make and with all of My heart I hope you choose the right one.

My children, once again I ask you to not be taken in by the lure of the lusts of this world. As much as I love you, I will not force your love upon Me. I will always allow you to choose what you hold dear and will honor your choice. I can only hope that you wake to the truth that is in your heart, where I wait to embrace you. But, it is not only believing, my child, it is acting on that belief.

Do not let the terrors of this world keep you from your reward. Do not let illnesses and broken hearts keep you from loving one another. Do not let resentments and bitterness keep you from forgiveness and peace. Do not let hatred control your actions and do not let greed drive you. Do not let pride and vanity overtake you and do not accept the gifts of the world.

My children, come home to Me, come back to Me, come to My Son and seek His loving embrace. Know that I love you and have not forgotten you nor forsaken you.

Love, God

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins has been spreading the message that God wants us back for over ten years.  This world is a hard and harsh place to live and to do so without God makes us a hopeless people.  Thing is, it’s not necessary to live it alone.  God sent us Jesus to teach us through His actions and words.  Jesus taught us to love, to be like God, to be Christ-like.  We can’t be perfect, but Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross for us makes us perfect in the eyes of God if we accept that They exist and are real.  It would be so much easier to live in a world where we let go of resentment and hate, of pride and vanity.  What people do to each other creates more of the same.  Wouldn’t it be better to create a good place to live, a peaceful place to live?  

Salvation means being saved from condemnation after we leave this body.  Condemnation comes when we reject God and His love, His existence and the existence of Jesus.  Jesus saves us because we are not perfect and we can’t be perfect without Him.  God has done so much for us, yet the world continues to slap Him in the face with hate, resentment, lies, pride and ego.  We have to humble ourselves and admit that we are wrong, that we need Jesus, that we accept His offer of salvation, then truly admit that we regret what we’ve done-sin-and let Jesus and God work the wonders of salvation in us.  It’s that simple.  The alternative is a miserable life here followed by a miserable life in eternity.  


 One second after you die, you will know it’s too late to change anything.



God wants us, as many of us who will come to Him.  He is patient, forgiving, and loving.  He is just. 
As Pastor John preached, God wants us back.  It’s time to bring Him back into our lives.

Yours in Christ.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Pastor John Collins, Wyoming Evangelist: You don't have to be polite and listen to gossip



Pastor John Collins, Wyoming, Love That Cross: Gossip up to our ears


Emails. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Media headlines.  Internet. Trending. Political mudslinging.  We are so immersed in the day to day gossip in our lives from every angle we don't even know we are into it up to our ears. What we say and how we say it gets us into trouble with each other and in the eyes of God.  Gossip, being a busy body with being in others’ business, carrying tales to others, talking about others even in passing turns into sin.  With God, a sin is a sin.  Gossip and being a busybody is the same as murder in the eyes of God.  We often don’t realize that we get a thrill out of being the center of attention because we “know” something that someone else doesn’t. Evangelist Pastor John Collins preaches on gossip and slander and being a busybody in many of his sermons.  It’s time for us to recognize that what we should be talking about and how we should be speaking should reflect the Christian in us.  Talking about others hurts others, it causes them to stumble and have emotional pain.  That is not Christ-like. 

Pastor John Collins is an evangelist that began a revival of renewal of faith in Wyoming two years ago.  He is biblically correct.  He does not pull punches and he does not preach what people want to hear, he preaches what we NEED to hear.  We have all fallen far from the glory of the Cross and the salvation that is from God through His Son Jesus Christ.  Pastor John Collins puts it bluntly and clearly so that we can understand it and uses Scripture to show us exactly what he is referring to.  God doesn’t want us to continue on in our sin and our habits that pull us away from Him. He wants us back, as many as possible, to believe in Him, to trust in Him, and to get to know Him the way that we should.  That is the message of revival that Pastor John Collins is spreading. It’s time for us to find God again, to get back to the Cross

Pastor John Collins says it like this:


“I heard it through the grapevine, word on the street is, rumor has it, have you heard, what’s the latest, give me the scoop, the skinny, the 411, the juicy news, the dirt, good old fashioned gossip…the conversations we all live for, right?  There are magazines, TV shows, reality shows, locker rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, cafeterias, basements, bathrooms, internet sites, cell phones all devoted to spreading the news of the actions of others, whether famous or not.  We do it ourselves.  We are a world that thrives on gossip.

“And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” 1 Timothy 5:13

There are many people that make their careers on photos and stories about the dirt on others.  We lap it up like pigs.  We spew it out like geysers.  We love it, we live it, we don’t even notice when we are doing it.  Most people couldn’t tell you exactly what gossip is.  They are just asking about Bob and Sue, right?  Wondering if they are doing okay and ignoring that thrill that comes from finding out Sue just filed for divorce because she caught Bob cheating on her with Beth.

“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:16

Wyoming’s Pastor John Collins asks: Are our own lives so boring that we must entertain ourselves with the pain and humiliation of others?  Do we really need to know who is doing what and why?  Is it any of our business?  Isn’t there something we could be doing that is productive and good?  Isn’t there a wholesome way we could converse with each other?  Is it really any of our business to discuss the sex lives of others?  Is it proper to discuss our own sex lives with others?  Is there nothing that is sacred anymore?  Is there nothing we will not expose about someone just because we can?

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  Ephesians 4:29

Gossip is the same as murder in the eyes of the Lord.  It harms people, it destroys reputations and it is just an awful way to spend your time.  It is a part of society today and it is shameful and wrong.  Think of your conversations, consider your words and know that idle speech is of the devil.  We should all cast away our joy in gossip and learn to bridle our tongues.  Be careful of what you say and what you readily listen to.  You don’t have to be polite and listen to gossip.  You can easily say, “I prefer not to hear that.”  Life can be easily simplified by not engaging in idle talk.


“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8



Your tone of voice is an indication of the true intent behind your words. Someone may say something that is true and yet the way in which it is said and the words that are chosen are either combative and malicious, calm and soothing, frank and impartial, or ingratiating and patronizing. Each of us should always be careful of intentions and try to avoid causing others to stumble in this life.

Our emotions determine our actions. When we are angry at someone and have no forgiveness in our hearts for a situation or person then our speech about anything concerning that situation or person will be hateful and bitter. When we are jealous of someone then our speech about them will be spiteful and cutting. When we are hurt we can lash out and try to hurt in return and say awful things that cannot be taken back but just becomes the next set of words and the next situation that must be repented of and forgiven. Life is exhausting if you do not manage to gain the perspective that permits you to desire to seek righteousness and obtain that goal.

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” Proverbs 6: 16-19.

Evangelist Pastor John Collins reminds us that righteousness is doing the right thing all of the time and not just when it suits you. 

Jesus was righteous and His life taught that you can become righteous and you can do the right thing. You do this by choosing to learn how God sees things and by trusting that God will take care of the justice of this world. Humans are prideful and stubborn and always want to think that they are the wronged party, the misunderstood and the victimized. Humans just have that wrong.

Jesus came and showed us that life isn’t fair, life is tough, and people are judgmental and can be hateful. Jesus came and showed us that forgiveness is right, kindness is good and that God does value His children. Jesus showed us that our words have the power to hurt, heal, encourage, deflate, inspire and so many other wonderful and terrible things. You need to be willing to give your soul a chance at salvation and to that you need to be willing to obey the Lord, hear the Lord and submit to the Lord. You cannot do that if you are always right, always defensive or offensive, prideful, stubborn, unforgiving, hateful, bitter or unwilling to bend.

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:5-6

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, WYOMING EVANGELIST


Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Evangelist Pastor John Collins, Wyoming: Put your WHOLE self in



What is really pleasing to God?  Is it the rituals that a church congregation practices in worshiping each Sunday or Sabbath?  Is it the music that is sung by a choir or played by a worship band before, during, and after the service?  Is it the offering that is taken?  Is it the sermon that has been written for a specific topic preached by a seminary prepared pastor?

No.  It isn’t one of these rituals.  Evangelist Pastor John Collins began a revival in Wyoming to spread the truth of the Word of God, bring back God, and to fix the brokenness of Christianity.  Christianity is indeed broken.  Christians are treating faith as a buffet, caring for others as a pick and choose menu, treating the Holy Bible as if it is a book of suggested topics for life and choosing which passages to follow instead of taking it all in.  Pastor John Collins calls it out like it is:  the Bible was written by people who were inspired to write it by God Himself.  It isn’t fabricated, it isn’t randomly written.  The Bible ties everything together, Old to New Testaments.  What Jesus Christ taught, He meant. He meant it when He said “Love your neighbor as yourself, do to others as you would have done to you.” It wasn’t new and those were God’s words from the Old Testament. Jesus spoke them and taught by action.  That does not mean that you ignore the guy struggling to find a safe place to sleep because he lost his home and can’t get work but turn around and help out the other guy who shows up asking for money.  It does not mean that you care for the person sitting next to you in the pew but not the woman who is drinking to kill shakes at 9:00 am. It doesn’t mean sing in the choir on Sunday, then Wednesday go into the porn store. It means that Christians act like Christians EVERY day, ALL the time, not just when it suits to do so. Christians are not supposed to act like hypocrites, doing one thing and saying another.  Pastor John Collins puts it all quite plainly:

“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which makes a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’” Mark 12: 41-44.

You cannot only be a Christian when things are going good in your life and you cannot only be a Christian towards those whom you like and approve of. The whole point of being a Christian is to be Christ-like and believe me, Jesus was kind to those whom He knew to be sinners and those whom He would not approve of, which is the reason that He was sent to earth, to save those who were lost. Jesus gave all that He had down to His last breath, for us.

Many people take their own lives and situations too seriously and become defensive and ignore those who are around them. Many people justify their self-absorption by claiming tragedy, turmoil, victimhood and obligations. You cannot justify acting nasty or dismissive to others because you are not in a comfortable situation or in a place of stability. God tests you on how you behave under pressure, under stress and in the tough situations. God tests you all of the time and if you really are interested in how you are doing, just go and read the Sermon on the Mount and see how you measure up.

The words of Christ when He spoke are not to be dismissed, they are to be obeyed and that is how you will be tested. God doesn’t want you to wait until you are happy and financially stable to help another. It is your suffering that makes you able to have compassion and it is your willingness to put another before yourself that makes you rich.

Be willing to be a follower of Christ when no one is looking and be willing to open yourself up to another when they are in need. Not everyone needs money as charity. There are so many lonely people in this world that need love and faith. Be willing to offer both freely because God knows that Jesus always will. “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” Matthew 6:2”

It’s time for Christians, or those who call themselves Christians to take a good long look at themselves and how they portray themselves to others.  People ARE watching.  People who have not been inside a church for years do that because they don’t feel comfortable with the double message that is so often delivered by those inside the church to those outside the church.  What little does it take to offer yourself in truth, in kindness, and not be judgmental?  Don’t offer your hand in kindness and helpfulness then turn it over to criticize and withdraw from someone. Jesus Christ came to save us all, He didn’t pick and choose to serve us from a buffet of lesser sins.  A sin is a sin in the eyes of God, none greater, none lesser. It’s time for Christians to stand up and take a fresh look at how they are measuring up in God’s eyes because that is Who really matters, not the eyes of fellow church goers.  Are we living a biblically correct life as a Christian?  Are we measuring ourselves against the book that was given to us for that purpose?  We are all sinners, every one of us, pastors and congregations alike.  We all need to get it right to get to heaven, to get back to God and to bring back God to others.  We have to change how we are toward others in order to save ourselves.  It’s time to come back to the Cross.

LOVE THAT CROSS, BELIEVE THAT! Pastor John Collins, Evangelist