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Did God Really Say You Have One Last Thing to Do Before You Die?

Yes ... yes he did.

Did God really say you have one last thing to do before you die?

Yes … yes he did.

Sort of.

This is what he said to Moses: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.’” As so often happened with God’s people (then and now), they did not fully do what God asked. “They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals, and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses,” (11-12). Moses then said, “Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.” (17-18). (There is backstory to this event that explains why God wanted all of the Midianites killed.)

Our time here on earth is limited. “A person’s days are numbered; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” Job 14:5-7 “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Do you believe God has at least one last thing left for you to do? Do you know what it is? If so, why are you not discerning and doing God’s business today?

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Did God Really Say Christians Have Multiple Personality Disorder

Yes ... yes He did

Did God Really Say Christians Have Multiple Personality DisorderDid God really say Christians have multiple personality disorder.

Yes … yes he did.

Sort of.

What He said was this: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1:8

“Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

[Jesus] “prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:15

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Acts 19:2

As the Apostle Paul explains, once an individual receives the Holy Spirit there are now two spirits living within the individual. The Spirit of Christ [God] and the spirit of the flesh [man]. And those two spirits struggle for dominance.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17

Paul goes on to say, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Romans 7:15.

Paul comes back to this struggle and commands us to subdue the spirit of flesh within us. “Just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.” Romans 6:19

How can you know which spirit is speaking to you? Check your thoughts and desires against this list.  “The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:17-21

When you accept Christ as your savior you are saved, but you are not fully transformed into the image of Christ. The transformation from sinful man to Christ-like-man is a life-long process. None of us will ever fully accomplish that transformation on this side of the grave. But as you grow in Christ, others should see fruits of the spirit. Love (for God first, others next), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

So yes, Christians live with split personalties. The spirit of flesh resides in impulses, acts in a reactionary manner, and seeks to have its way. The spirit of flesh is easily offended, demands its rights, and rejects Godly council. If you find yourself under the influence of the flesh, stop, drop to your knees, and pray for the Spirit of Christ to rule over your thoughts and actions. Wait until He speaks. Then, acting in ways that honor Christ, address your circumstances.

If you do this, in time, you will be transformed into the image of Christ and His Spirit will be the dominate influence others see in you.

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How the Second Coming of Jesus Could Happen By 2033

And Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. is hailed as a prophet.

This is not an endorsement of a political party or individual, but only an observation.
I’m not saying THIS WILL HAPPEN. I’m only saying IT COULD HAPPEN.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

* Democratic nominee locked in by May of 2020.

* June 2020 polls show Democratic nominee leading Trump in key battleground states Trump needs to win to be re-elected. (Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania). Polls show troubling numbers for him Texas and Arizona. In Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, North Carolina and Arizona the president and the Democratic nominee are polling even.

* By July stock market reacts and begins to slide as cautious investors plan for the possibility of a President who promises huge taxes on corporations, small businesses, and the wealthy.

* Ahead of forthcoming tax law changes, large corporations and the rich begin moving jobs offshore and wealth out of the country.

* By August of 2020 US economy dips into a recession. Unemployment jumps.

* Democrat wins election in November 2020 by promising

* Open Boarders for anyone on the planet wishing to live in America
(in case you’re wondering, there are 7.6 billion people on the planet)
* Universal Child Care for everyone living in America
* Free College for everyone living in America
* Guaranteed Income for everyone living in America
* Reparations for descendants of slaves and LGBT persons
* Affordable Housing for everyone living in America
* Free Medicare for everyone living in America

* 3 months into new president’s first term, Democratic Congress cuts military spending to pay for promised social programs.

* July 2021 US economy plunges into a depression.

* Fall of 2021 the military, being the military, does what it always does when someone takes their guns. It fights back. Rumors swirl of a potential military coup.

* Spring of 2022 crime in most cities is out of control. Martial law takes affect in large towns. Things become chaotic with the military, police, and home guards staking out their turf.

* Winter 2022 the national debt reaches 53 percent of GDP. Neither the Democrats or Republicans have the will to address the nation’s soaring debt problem.  The U.S. defaults on its Treasury Notes. (The U.S. briefly did this in 1979;  it wasn’t pretty.)

* Early 2023 the global economy plunges into a full-blown melt-down.

* China can’t sell its wares to the US.

* As India’s economy implodes, riots lead to violence and a government crackdown.

* Briton, no longer in the EU, watches as neighboring countries scramble to mount a defense against Russia’s advances across Europe.

* Many Americans rush to the plain states and midwest to avoid lawlessness in urban cities.

* 2024 Yellowstone erupts. (Recently the volcano has shown increased activity.) 1/3 rd of Americans die.

* 2024 Greenland melts due to warming glaciers and fallout from Yellowstone’s volcanic ash. Sea levels suddenly rise two feet, flooding major East coast US cities. (not completely but enough to washout roads and mass transit)

* 2025 Earthquakes send the West Coast into panic and darkness (electrical grid infrastructure issues). Due to the toxic state of the midwest West Coast refuges cannot reach the East Coast.

* 2026 An asteroid hits Russia, wiping out half of Europe.

* 2026 The seven years of tribulation begins.

* 2033 Jesus returns.

* Congress, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. hailed as a prophet. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/daniel-turner-ocasio-cortez-is-wrong-again-the-world-will-not-end-in-12-years

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The Day Dad Stopped World War II

Raymond JonesOn May 7, 1945, Germany learned that Raymond Jones of Seaboard, North Carolina, would turn 18 the next day and enlist in the U.S. Army. Rather than face THAT, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Reims, France, to take effect the following day, ending the European conflict of World War II – and sparing my father from having to open a big old can of U.S. whoop &*^# on’em.

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Mom … My Biggest Fan and Best Salesperson

Happy Mother's Day, ya'll

Momma_NellOne thing about Mom, you always knew what she was thinking—whether you wanted to know or not. You also knew you were loved.

A few years ago Mom was on her way to the hairdresser when another driver ran a stop sign and smashed into her Buick. Mom got out, inspected the damage, and exchanged insurance information with the other driver. While waiting for the police to arrive, Mom popped the trunk and motioned the other woman to the trunk.

“My son’s a writer,” Mom announced, “and I’ve got some of his books. Do you want a copy?” I wasn’t at the crash site, but knowing Mom, I imagine the inflection in her voice was more like: “You do want a copy of my son’s book, right?” I’m almost certain of this because the woman bought one copy of my pirate novel. I bet the woman doesn’t even have kids.

But that was Mom–always hawking my books and asking me how my writing was going. She worried constantly I wouldn’t make enough as a writer to support my family. I kept telling her our daily provision is God’s business; mine was to be obedient and write stories that reflect His truths.

In 2012 I lost my biggest fan and best salesperson.

The last thing Mom told me was, “I’m not as young as I used to be, Son. You need to come see me once in a while.”

I will, Mom. One of these days we’ll be together, again.

If you’re blessed enough to still have your mom around, give her a hug and whisper, “Love you, Mom.” Trust me, it’s the best and cheapest gift there is.

Love you, Mom.

—EJ

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Creating Compelling Characters

From the book "A Novel Idea"

A Novel Idea - Learn How to Write a Novel in Under 60 MinutesWhat makes a character compelling? Simple. Something happens to them. Even if you despise your (_____), you enjoy telling others about his failures. “Did you hear what happened to my ex? He got busted for…” We love to loath, meddle in the affairs of others, and watch them fail. Our participation in their lives expands our world, which explains part of what fuels reality TV.

 

CHARACTERS MUST…
• Reveal heart
• Face obstacles
• Pick paths
• Make a discovery
• Reveal a secret

Characters Conquer Mountains

For your characters to be likable they should be witty, charming, wise, friendly, empathetic, authentic, encouraging, secure, or vulnerable. If your lead is perfect she’s boring, so give her both redeeming qualities and flaws so the reader can relate.

Give Your Lead Goals 
• What does she want?
• What is she willing to do to reach her goal?
• What WILL she do to reach that goal?
• What is she willing to sacrifice?
• What happens if the she fails?
• Is your Lead larger than life?
(Does he lay in the middle of highway, hang from a Ferris wheel, and rebuild an old house for the girl he loves?)

Want, Need, Motivation
If the reader questions why a character reacts in a certain way, then you’ve lost credibility. There are two reasons your characters act “out of character.”
1. There is no clear motivation for the character to perform the action.
2. The motivation provided isn’t sufficiently developed.

That’s the start of character development. Question: Is your character such that others cheer for you?

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From Pit to Prominence (Faithfulness)

Ernie Big EZ Baker

Ernie Big EZ BakerSo the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.” Genesis 39:22 (NIV)

In his thirties he led an e-business technology team from a start-up company to its public stock offering. The firm made a splash in the press, sold out, and went looking for a new and younger manager.

Unemployed, he founded a new business. The job took him to Asia where he met with top executives in the semi-conductor industry. Modeling the successful strategy of his previous job, he positioned the firm to go public. But days before their announcement, the global economy burped; investors pulled back, the firm floundered. For years he watched as one angel investor after another waltzed by his office, but none came bearing good news and gifts. The firm folded.

In order to pay the bills, he began restoring homes, adding decks, and refinishing rooms. Of course, business thrived. He hired additional help, rebuilt his savings, and discovered he enjoyed working with his hands, going to bed tired, and waking up in better shape than the day before. He dropped pounds and added muscle, plus a few more clients. Over coffee one morning, a customer commented on his leadership skills. “Would you like to have a job with an office, benefits, and stock options?” his friend asked.

“Only if it presents a challenge.”

Of course it would.

He accepted a job at the customer’s firm and soon his unit led the company in growth, profits, and efficiency. The CEO offered him a promotion, one as head of a new division with increased responsibility and income. Then, on the eve of the announcement, he was diagnosed with bone cancer. The firm fired him.

Joseph also suffered betrayal, mistreatment, and misfortune. Told by God that he would become a grand leader, Joseph struggled with the mantle of greatness. “Listen to the dream I had,” said Joseph. “I had another dream… No one is greater in this house than I am…When all goes well with you, remember me… show me kindness… mention me… I have done nothing to deserve being put in a pit.” Joseph’s arrogant attitude bred jealousy and resentment, leading others to forget and forsake him.

God has made each of us responsible for someone and some thing. Whether we’re serving time in prison, serving soup to the homeless, or serving on the board of a Fortune 500 company, our attitude toward others reflects our heart for God’s work.

When my friend arrived home that final evening, he hugged his wife, held her hand, and prayed for God to see them through the crisis—just as they’d done in times past. I have no doubt he’ll rise again from pit to prominence. That’s what men of God do.

Even when we feel imprisoned, we don’t have to yield to despair. God’s promises, power, and protection will set us free if we trust, work, and wait upon Him.

On APRIL 26, 2019, after a 9 year battle with cancer, God welcomed Big EZ home. I have no doubt Ernie heard the words, “Good job, buddy. You did it!”

 

My Father's Business(the post above first appeared in the book My Father’s Business.)