PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHTS: TODAY AND THE OLD TESTAMENT

"Tend to your heart and mind daily, and pray your way through life"~ Pastor John Collins, John Collins Ministries

Are we any different from the Israelites who time and time again turned away from God?  As individuals and a nation, do we take the history of the Bible and really read it, understand  it, and learn to fear and revere our just God?  The Old Testament was not replaced by the New Testament and the life of Jesus Christ.  The Old Testament stands as a testimony for us, examples if you will, of how we should NOT behave in the face of God who will judge us fairly.  God gave chances to the Israelites again and again, with the best chance the resurrection of Jesus.  It is up to us to choose whether we accept the truth that is written, and Pastor John Collins of John Collins Ministries is redeeming the Gospel so that we can understand that truth, once and for all, to make an educated choice in truth, knowledge and wisdom.

From John Collins Ministries:

“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’  Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.  For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.” Romans 11:19-21 (NKJV).

Why is the Old Testament relevant? It is there to teach you how God deals with His people. As believers in Jesus Christ, you must know what is expected of you in your relationship with God and in order to know this you are to become knowledgeable in how He dealt with the Jews who are the natural branches of the olive tree, while you are of the wild olive tree.

There is a need to recognize the mistakes that the Jewish people made in their relationship with God so that you do not make the same ones. Do not become overconfident in your faith but always maintain reverence and awe in your contemplation of the Lord. Do not become too caught up in making money and gaining financial success that you forget the basics of your faith. Do not forget to tend to your heart and mind daily and to pray your way through life.

There are just too many people that do not put in any real effort or consistent effort toward getting into heaven but just assume that they are going there. Don’t take Jesus for granted but work your butt off to do as He has told you to do.

Never walk through life with any conceit because you know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and you believe in Him but have humility and pity for those that have yet to come to that knowledge and be willing to live a life that shines for Jesus so that others may come to the cross because of you.

“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” Romans 11:22 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries are determined to change the face of Christianity and redeem the truth of the Gospel and the word of God. 

You can hear Pastor John Collins broadcast on AM and FM stations across the USA.  John Collins Ministries has a Youtube channel that posts regular podcasts of Pastor Collins.  John Collins Ministries has a channel on Blogtalk radio.  This country needs to hear the truth of God and Jesus. This world needs to hear and understand what the rules are in order to get to heaven.  They aren’t preached and they aren’t taught, and it’s time for people to hear to hear that truth.  Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is bringing that message with passion and fervor.  Take the time to listen.  If you want to reach Pastor John Collins, contact him for preaching, prayer, revival, guest speaking at jcollinsministries@gmail.com. We need to get it right.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHTS: I'M FINE

"It's okay.  Really."

We tend to brush off people who truly are concerned with how we "are".  We don't talk as family, preferring to stare at screens in front of our faces.  Too many times avoiding issues leads to hurt and anger.  It's time to learn honesty and transparency, beginning with the ones we love most~Pastor John Collins, John Collins Ministries.

From John Collins Ministries:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NKJV).

‘What’s wrong?’, ‘Nothing.’, ‘How are you?’, ‘I’m fine.’ 

How many times have these questions and answers been given in your life? How many unsaid issues get brushed aside, pushed down and built up? How many avoidances have you given or received? Why is it so hard to express what is going on inside? Our children don’t talk, we don’t talk, everyone avoids the real issues and ignores what is really going on. Is it any wonder why there are so many therapists out there? When did it become necessary to talk to strangers in order to express the truth? Why can’t we be honest with our loved ones? When did they become the enemy, the judge, the jury and the executioner? Is that how we feel about them, as if they couldn’t handle the truth of our souls?

Honesty has been buried in a wave of ‘I’m fines.’ Small issues and hurt feelings become grudges and hate. This world is turning on itself one person at a time, one family at a time, one neighborhood at a time, one city at a time, and one country at a time. Everyone is at war. No one wants to be honest and no one wants to find a solution and our reality has become a shell game of existence of hiding one part of our lives from the other. Where is the transparency of life, the simplicity of truth and the willingness to share all of who you are with the ones you supposedly love?

Avoidance breeds distrust and distrust breeds suspicion and suspicion breeds assumptions and the process undermines love and relationships are lost in the desire to avoid confrontation which leads to an explosion of emotion and words said that cannot be taken back and actions that follow that cannot be taken back when honesty and a willingness to listen and really hear what is being said can resolve so many issues in the first place.

Jesus taught us to listen with our hearts as He does and as God does. You would be surprised how many times your heart would have you forgive someone and your mind stirs up hate over and over again, how your heart would have you take time to help someone in need but your mind spreads fear and you give that instead, how many times your heart would have you humbled and apologize but your mind demands that you are right and deserve that apology instead, that your heart would have you reaching out for help but your mind isolates you into a world of despair.

Become more Christ-like today and begin to listen to your heart instead of your mind.

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries are determined to change the face of Christianity and redeem the truth of the Gospel and the word of God. 

You can hear Pastor John Collins broadcast on AM and FM stations across the USA.  John Collins Ministries has a Youtube channel that posts regular podcasts of Pastor Collins.  John Collins Ministries has a channel on Blogtalk radio.  This country needs to hear the truth of God and Jesus. This world needs to hear and understand what the rules are in order to get to heaven.  They aren’t preached and they aren’t taught, and it’s time for people to hear to hear that truth.  Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is bringing that message with passion and fervor.  Take the time to listen.  If you want to reach Pastor John Collins, contact him for preaching, prayer, revival, guest speaking at jcollinsministries@gmail.com. We need to get it right.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHTS: THE BATTLE WITHIN

Pastor John Collins writes:

“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lords’; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16 (NKJV).

God has given you life and you need to enjoy it. As you walk the path that leads to righteousness, you will face many situations that make you realize that it is a battle not just outside in the world and with those you encounter but also within yourself. God wants you to fight the good fight. God wants you to seek to please Him and to do the right thing in life. Be charitable, be good, be kind, be forgiving, be loving and compassionate toward others. As you go about doing these things you will have to battle your own demons. We all have them. We all think of the easy path, the shortcut and the darker temptations in life and it is that battle that you must encounter each day.

So, what are you fighting for? 

Is it just to get to heaven? That narrow focus can make a person crazy, burn out or just give up. If you cannot see that life has meaning, that you can enjoy life then it is easy to lose your way and fall off the path of the faithful. You have to take the time to live, to feel really alive and to acknowledge that your life is a blessing for all of the struggle. What makes you feel alive? Is it standing in the rain, walking on a beach, riding on a four-wheeler in your swimsuit in the middle of winter surrounded by snow, or maybe it’s a candlelight dinner with your most special someone followed by a dance? Whatever gives you pause and delights your soul is what you should take the time to do. It does not have to be often and it does not have to be so planned that the moment gets lost but you should be looking for those moments in your life that become the memories that you prize. You will take those with you because they belong to you forever.

In your day to day life you may feel run down and overwhelmed with the mundane. In your day to day life you may become discouraged. You need to allow yourself those special moments where you catch your breath and you even need to make the effort to recognize the moments that you have already had and seek out more. That is what you are fighting for in your faith. You see, heaven is full of joy and people who feel that intense awareness of love and hope and happiness every day. You will never truly seek to become a righteous person if you don’t believe in that promise and in order to truly believe in the promise you need to trust and believe in God. It is easy to believe in the truth of God when you can glimpse joy in its perfection in experiences in your life that touch your soul and become engraved on your heart. That is a blessing from God and you should never underestimate His greatness and your connection to Him.

“May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.  May you be blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:14-15 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS!!  PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries are determined to change the face of Christianity and redeem the truth of the Gospel and the word of God. 

You can hear Pastor John Collins broadcast on AM and FM stations across the USA.  John Collins Ministries has a Youtube channel that posts regular podcasts of Pastor Collins.  John Collins Ministries has a channel on Blogtalk radio.  This country needs to hear the truth of God and Jesus. This world needs to hear and understand what the rules are in order to get to heaven.  They aren’t preached and they aren’t taught, and it’s time for people to hear to hear that truth.  Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is bringing that message with passion and fervor.  Take the time to listen.  If you want to reach Pastor John Collins, contact him for preaching, prayer, revival, guest speaking at jcollinsministries@gmail.com. We need to get it right.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHTS: HATE THE SIN NOT THE SINNER

John Collins, Evangelist:  Sin and sinner

Sin happens, we have the hope of
repentance with salvation
Pastor John Collins

The phrase "hate the sin, not the sinner"  is not a direct biblical quote, but it is the message that Jesus taught as He found His way among the people of Israel over two thousand years ago.  Sin is what is needed to let go of, to try to avoid.  We will all sin, we will never be perfect.  It is our choice and our work to strive to be perfect, to be like Christ, to overcome our nature that matters to Jesus and to God.  That is why we ask for forgiveness daily, and work to overcome our shortcomings.

From John Collins Ministries:

Hate the sin and not the sinner is all well and good to do but a sinner who continues in his sin without repentance and submission to the will of God through the salvation of Christ will eventually be judged as an enemy of God.

It has become easy to say that Jesus was the only perfect one and therefore there could never be any expectation for anyone else to live up to those standards although Jesus Himself said to be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. It has also been noted that Jesus would be hanging out with the sinners and not with the righteous if He were to be here today and although that is true He definitely would not be hanging out with them to condone their sin but to heal them and to help lead them to righteousness in order to provide them with salvation.

Salvation does not come packaged with an acceptance of sin. God may have mercy and love for His people but He definitely does not have an enabling heart and He does not reward rebellion. He is slow to wrath and longsuffering but eventually His perfect and righteous judgment will fall on all and everyone will receive what they deserve.

It is time to stop making excuses by just saying that we are all sinners because Jesus knows, God knows and every sinner knows that they can do better, be better and can influence others to do the same. Righteousness is very achievable in life and begins with humility and a willingness to sacrifice. Each person chooses their destination in the end and it is necessary that the standards of God begin to be met because there has been too much loss of souls already and it just doesn’t have to be that way. It matters what you do here on earth and it is possible to go to heaven, you just have to want that more than you want to enjoy your existence while you are here and you have to want to obey God and know that He is right more than you have to want to be right yourself.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries are determined to change the face of Christianity and redeem the truth of the Gospel and the word of God. 

You can hear Pastor John Collins broadcast on AM and FM stations across the USA.  John Collins Ministries has a Youtube channel that posts regular podcasts of Pastor Collins.  John Collins Ministries has a channel on Blogtalk radio.  This country needs to hear the truth of God and Jesus. This world needs to hear and understand what the rules are in order to get to heaven.  They aren’t preached and they aren’t taught, and it’s time for people to hear to hear that truth.  Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is bringing that message with passion and fervor.  Take the time to listen.  If you want to reach Pastor John Collins, contact him for preaching, prayer, revival, guest speaking at jcollinsministries@gmail.com. We need to get it right.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHTS: WOMEN AND CHRISTIANITY

From John Collins Ministries:

Women through the centuries have struggled to validate their place in the world.  Pastor John Collins, Evangelist with John Collins Ministries, recognizes that Jesus and God value women.  Women are strong and courageous.  They have never been taken for granted by God.  Strong faith is what women need to face the world today, that faith in Jesus and in God will guide them.

“A woman’s role does not have to be one thing or another but it should always be a role of strength and dignity with love and compassion at its core.”~ Pastor John Collins

Pastor John Collins writes:

“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” John 20:16-18 (NKJV).

Mary Magdalene believed in Jesus, sought Him out, anointed Him with oil, wept on His feet and wiped those feet with her hair. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, learned from Him and was a disciple of His. Mary was the one that Jesus chose to see first after He was resurrected. Mary was brave and humble when she went to Him in that house of the Pharisee as she cared not what others thought of her, nor spoke of her but cared only to go to Jesus and kiss His feet and seek His forgiveness and His acceptance and Jesus not only gave that forgiveness, accepted her love for Him but spoke that she would be remembered for her actions and He demonstrated her value when He chose to go to Mary first and to give her the honor of knowing He was alive and to relate that information along with her witness of Him to his brethren.

It took courage to follow Jesus during His ministry and it took faith to know Him as the Son of God. Mary had that courage and had great faith in her Lord. There were dark centuries that followed the beginnings of the Christian faith. There have been centuries of oppression of not only the uneducated but of women as well. Women have come a long way from the days of the dark ages, of the days of education denial (for many parts of the world, anyway), and from the denial of equality of the genders. Women push forward in their search for that equality and for the opportunities to make their mark in this world but I want to remind women that their mark has been made and has never been taken for granted by God. God values women and Jesus demonstrated the love that He had for Mary by going to her first, by teaching her and standing up for her. Women should never forget that their value begins in the home, for they are the caretakers, the bringers of life and the mothers of our children. Do not underestimate the value of those things as being a mother allows you to teach your children how to get to heaven, how to live boldly and with faith in this dark world and being a wife allows you to help your husband be a part of a family that relies on God. A woman’s role does not have to be one thing or another but it should always be a role of strength and dignity with love and compassion at its core. That is the love of God within you and God has provided women with the complex ability to keep a family together and to guide it in love and faith with trust and truth at its center.

There always seems to be an agenda on the table and as progress ticks away and women continue to fight for what they believe to be most important to them I can only hope that they remember to value what has always belonged to them from the beginning. Family is everything and while equal pay may seem to be the biggest priority to some this world seems to be allowing the family to fail. Industrial success will never replace the failures of our homes and women need to find the courage, like Mary, to believe in our Savior and to brave the opinions of others to declare their loyalty to Him as they live up to the great responsibilities that have been entrusted to them. It is not easy to choose faith over finances, faith over popularity, faith over apparent success or faith over personal gain but in the end heaven is waiting and families need strong women to guide them.

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries are determined to change the face of Christianity and redeem the truth of the Gospel and the word of God. 

You can hear Pastor John Collins broadcast on AM and FM stations across the USA.  John Collins Ministries has a Youtube channel that posts regular podcasts of Pastor Collins.  John Collins Ministries has a channel on Blogtalk radio.  This country needs to hear the truth of God and Jesus. This world needs to hear and understand what the rules are in order to get to heaven.  They aren’t preached and they aren’t taught, and it’s time for people to hear to hear that truth.  Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is bringing that message with passion and fervor.  Take the time to listen.  If you want to reach Pastor John Collins, contact him for preaching, prayer, revival, guest speaking at jcollinsministries@gmail.com. We need to get it right.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, DAILY THOUGHTS: 1 CORINTHINIANS "LOVE"

No matter how hard we try to deny it, we need love.  We are programming in our DNA for it, and that comes from our Father in heaven.  Love that is pure is holy, and that is what God expects from us.  We lost it, we messed it up pretty bad.  Too much hurt, too easy to say nothing and turn away from those around us rather that put the effort in to make things work or make it better, makes it all too easy to give up on true love.  That's the love God offers us, what He offers us through His Son Jesus Christ.

EVANGELIST JOHN COLLINS WRITES:

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

The love that Paul describes here is holy and pure. It is not the love that so many speak of in this life. Too often people will claim to be in love, then out of love, then in love with another, there is puppy love, your first love, your last love, lust described as love and the list just goes on. You have marriages without commitment and parents without the desire to parent and you have the greatest love of all: the love of self but you do not have an abundance of holy and pure love.

Why is it that people do not have the capacity or desire to embrace a lasting relationship based on love and have a life that is committed to love? People are not committing their lives completely to God is why. It is when you truly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and have committed to living your life as God has instructed us to live that you begin to know the love of God.

Having given your life to Christ does not make you exempt from hurt in this life but it does soothe the wounds that come. We learn from those things that cause hurt and we grow in our capacity to love. We must first dedicate ourselves to learning how to love in a pure way and that means that we must purify our hearts and forgive the old wounds so that we can heal. We need to be willing to lift others up and not ourselves and be willing to be patient in our lives. This generation of people carries around self-entitlement like a badge of honor. It is shameful and we need to get back to humble roots.
Jesus was humble and always had His priorities straight. Let this generation be willing to learn from Him and be willing to slow down and learn to desire the grace of God. Let your heart swell with love and pray it lingers and sheds light on another in the name of Jesus Christ.

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS THOUGHT OF THE DAY: SIMPLIFY

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: PUT DOWN THE ELECTRONICS

Pastor John Collins leads John Collins Ministries.  Pastor John Collins preaches revival of faith in God and Jesus Christ, preaching no nonsense and clear cut messages of the Holy Bible to bring God back into our lives.  He is a nationally and world known pastor.  His messages cut no corners and do not pad the truth of God with political correctness that so many ministers and pastors buy into and spread from their pulpits.  Pastor John Collins lives the words that he preaches.  He is restoring the lessons that Jesus Christ taught during His time He lived among people. Too often, those who call themselves Christians miss the point of Christianity.  Pastor John Collins brings the point of faith, God and Jesus Christ clearer to those who hear him.

Pastor John Collins writes:

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV).

Simplicity in life is a choice, for the majority of people in America, anyway. Although across the globe there are deprivations that have created great need in many societies, America remains contemptuous of the basic provisions that are taken for granted and seen as poverty. In this country, the people are hungry for more, for better, for the next new and shiny thing. What are the newest trends in fashion, in home decorations, cars and all of the accessories that add detail to the presentation of status and success? People care about their food, their entertainment, their education and their jobs and pass on those values to those they have brought into this world. When did the basics stop become enough? Why are we so impressed with materialism?

We were all born naked and without the awareness of greed and lust. We were all born with the same basic needs of survival. All will die and will take nothing with us; that we can carry anyway. What we take are the lessons, the love, the memories and the connections that we made in our relationships while we were here. It is not necessary to become rich or famous. It is not necessary to amass a fortune. It is necessary to love and be loved, to allow those that are close to you to know you intimately and to value the closeness that you will be given by those who matter to you in life. You should be building relationships and friendships that are loving, loyal and lasting. That is what matters, that you be honest with yourself and others, that you learn to forgive yourself and others and that you allow your faith to grow and guide you. Life passes so quickly and sometimes, too often, it will pass us by while we think we are doing the best we can to make a living and keep the wolves at bay that we have forgotten to pay attention to those that live with us, to those who we are friends with, to the neighbors we haven’t bothered to introduce ourselves to. We have allowed technology to erase our human connectivity with one another and have become so busy and tired striving for better that we have not taken the time to just stop, look around and be grateful for what we have.

It is worth it to just take a moment and imagine the worst has happened and you have lost a loved one, whoever may be the greatest shock to you, and to think if you would have said something different, done something different and to not hesitate to do that now. Make the choice to simplify your life and restructure what you hold dear in life. Make the choice to allow the love of God that is in your heart to guide your words, your actions and your intentions. Make the choice to care more about the people in your life and less about the stuff. Life is precious and all of our time is limited so don’t hesitate to show the love you have, go meet a neighbor and be kind to a stranger. Learn to let your life shine for Jesus.

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS!! PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is determined to change the face of Christianity and redeem the truth of the Gospel and the word of God. 

You can hear Pastor John Collins broadcast on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Heaven’s CountryRadio and other AM and FM stations across the USA.  John Collins Ministries has a Youtube channel that posts regular podcasts of Pastor Collins.  This country needs to hear the truth of God and Jesus. This world needs to hear and understand what the rules are in order to get to heaven.  They aren’t preached and they aren’t taught, and it’s time for people to hear to hear that truth.  Pastor John Collins and John Collins Ministries is bringing that message  with passion and fervor.  Take the time to listen.  If you want to reach Pastor John Collins, contact him for preaching, prayer, revival, guest speaking at jcollinsministries@gmail.com. We need to get it right.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS THOUGHT OF THE DAY: SEASONS

The helper and the helped.....

We are not meant to walk through this life alone.  “No man is an island” is truth.  Learning to accept and receive help and kindness is a life-long long process.

Pastor John Collins of John Collins Ministries says “Do not let your pride deny others of their opportunity to serve God by helping you. Do not lean too heavily in either direction so that you do not become a burden nor defensive…. This is true for all aspects of our lives. We will go through situations in our lives that will bring us low and sting our pride. We will go through times of being lifted up that will challenge our egos and tempt our pride. Both sides of this coin is needed to test our faith and teach us the ways of God. We must be able to become humble. It is not worth it to hang on to your ego or to cling to your stubborn pride. Be done with it and let it go because it will never serve you well. In order to enter the kingdom of heaven we must allow God to stomp our pride in the dirt. Be willing to welcome that huge piece of humble pie” (April, 2018).

By Pastor John Collins:

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, excercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV).

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV).

A kind person with a kind heart will do kind things for others. Mercy and compassion will drive a person to be considerate of others and to take the time to help others out. Thoughtfulness comes in so many different ways. It can be helping out a friend to move, getting groceries for an elderly neighbor, helping someone change a tire, giving a few dollars to the homeless or it could be taking the time to hear out your son or daughter which will give them the confidence in your relationship to learn to act with maturity and transparency.

Jesus has said that we should love one another. He gave us perfect examples for doing so. What happens when we deny another the opportunity to help us when it is our time? Our pride can stand in the way of our path to heaven. To everything there is a season and time. As we go through life, we will not always be in a position of helping others. We will come to a time or times in our lives when we should be accepting the help of others. You see, this is important in our faith. God will bring people into our lives that will further the faith of both parties. Sometimes you are the helper and sometimes you are the helped.

Each of us cannot stand alone. We were never meant to. It is a give and take in this life. We need to learn to be compassionate and kind as well as learn to be accepting of that same compassion and kindness when we need to. Our bodies are deteriorating all of the time. You cannot expect a 70 year old woman to move her household furniture by herself. She has passed the age of being able to do so. The Levites that took care of the tabernacle did so from the ages of 30-50 years. Their strength was greatest during these years and their service was limited to that time. There are seasons in all of our lives of physical strength and those seasons do pass. Do not let your pride deny others of their opportunity to serve God by helping you. Do not lean too heavily in either direction so that you do not become a burden nor defensive.

This is true for all aspects of our lives. We will go through situations in our lives that will bring us low and sting our pride. We will go through times of being lifted up that will challenge our egos and tempt our pride. Both sides of this coin is needed to test our faith and teach us the ways of God. We must be able to become humble. It is not worth it to hang on to your ego or to cling to your stubborn pride. Be done with it and let it go because it will never serve you well. In order to enter the kingdom of heaven we must allow God to stomp our pride in the dirt. Be willing to welcome that huge piece of humble pie. Gobble it up and ask for more!

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 (NKJV).

Love That Cross, Pastor John Collins

Pastor John Collins is an American evangelist.  Over the course of more than a decade, he has spread the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ through revival.  He can be heard Sundays at 10 am and 6 pm on Heaven’s Country Radio at www.heavenscountry.com and across the United States on AM and FM stations. Pastor John Collins is determined to change the face of Christianity one church at a time, one person at a time.