Tag: #Jesus Christ

love and fed the people

Choosing Love Over Hate: A Call to Unite Against Division

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello Fellow Travelers,

It deeply saddens me to share that our nation—and my beloved home state of North Carolina—has become a breeding ground for anger, division, and hostility. Even those who serve the public, like FEMA employees, are facing threats to their lives. These are people who have dedicated themselves to helping others in crisis, yet they are now the target of misplaced rage. And what makes it worse is that our own government casts blame on these dedicated workers, who are simply following orders and trying to provide for their families.

If you’re angry, let it be at ourselves. We are the ones who have allowed this toxic environment to grow. We have let it fester through our votes, our silence, and our division. We need to survive not just the hurricanes; it’s the storm of hatred fueled by the leaders we have put in place.

Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Our duty is to help each other, to lift each other up in times of need—not tear each other down. The anger and division we see today are in direct opposition to this call.

In Leviticus 25:35, we are urged: “If any of your brothers become poor among you in any of your towns within your territory that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.” Yet, here we are, turning our backs on those who need our compassion the most. We have become hardhearted, not just toward the poor, but toward one another. This is not who we are meant to be.

1 Timothy 5:8 warns us: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” How can we claim to love our families and communities if we allow hate to poison our hearts? How can we stand by while our neighbors are torn down when it is our responsibility to build them up?

This is a call to action. We must reject the division and hatred allowed to take root. We must return to a place of love, compassion, and responsibility for one another. It’s not too late to change the path we’re on—but we must act now.

Let’s bear each other’s burdens, open our hearts and hands to our brothers and sisters in need, and remember that the storms we face, whether physical or emotional, can only be weathered together.

Let’s choose love over hate. Let’s choose unity over division for the sake of our families, communities, and country.

Together, we can be the change.

God Bless You!

Hello Fellow Travelers

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Isn’t that what we are on this earth? We are only here for a moment in time, and then hopefully, we will be with Jesus for eternity. So how is it going for you? Are you in a season of abundance or in a period of drought? Life, much like the seasons, has its cycles. Sometimes we find ourselves in a season of plenty, where blessings abound and everything seems to fall into place effortlessly. Other times, we may endure dry spells, facing challenges and uncertainties that test our faith and resilience.

In these moments, it’s essential to remember that every season has its purpose. Just as the earth needs both rain and sunshine to flourish, our souls require both joy and trials to grow. During times of abundance, we should embrace gratitude, sharing our blessings and spreading kindness. These are the moments to strengthen our roots, deepening our connection with God and those around us.

Conversely, in times of drought, we are called to rely on our faith more than ever. These are the moments that refine us, teaching us patience, perseverance, and trust in God’s plan. It’s in these challenging seasons that we often experience the most profound spiritual growth, finding solace in prayer and community.

As travelers on this earthly journey, we are never alone. We walk alongside fellow sojourners, each with their unique stories and experiences. By sharing our journeys, we uplift and inspire one another, creating a tapestry of hope and faith. Let’s cherish each season, knowing that both abundance and drought are integral to our spiritual journey.

So, dear friends, whether you find yourself in a season of plenty or facing trials, remember that you are part of a greater journey. Keep your eyes on the eternal horizon, and take heart in the knowledge that every step, no matter how challenging, brings you closer to the everlasting embrace of Jesus.

Blessings to you all, and may your journey be filled with faith, hope, and love.

Saved Soul Counter

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

In Romans 1:25, we are told, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, so that you may not be conceited; Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full numbers of the Gentiles have come in.”

Well, that is a mystery, or is it?

 What is God saying to us? If we break down the passage, we know Israel represents the Jewish people, and the Gentiles represent us, the Christians. We know Israel has endured some tough times since her birth as a nation and will continue until the new earth. A few known facts.  

Now, the phrase “the full numbers of the Gentiles” usually refers to the fullness of the Gentiles or our saved souls. The number of people worldwide who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ being their Lord and Savior. So, it appears God has an exact number of saved souls in mind before He sends Jesus halfway to earth in a cloud to take His Church, us, up to heaven. Since the bible tells us that only God knows when Jesus shall return for His Church, there is no sense in trying to guess.

But wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a Saved Soul counter in heaven similar to our United States debt counter? As the numbers roll, those in heaven could watch the counter and then look to God to see if He motions for Jesus. If I were in heaven, I would be cheering the people of the world, below, onward to saving souls.  

Chanting,

“Save those souls!”

“Save those souls!”

Then I will glance over at God, and if He does not motion to Jesus, I will have to start all over again.

My excitement for the rapture of the Church and what it will signal for Jews and Gentiles is like the excitement of a child anticipating a very special present. You see, for a very long time, I have not felt at home here on earth. My soul knows that I belong somewhere else and to someone else. And I have been known to get lost in my daydreams as I observe a daytime clear blue sky with white fluffy clouds passing overhead. For in my mind, I am in another dimension of space and time unknown to this world. And the peace that fills my soul is unexplainable in this dimension and time.  

So, what do you say that we get busy saving some souls? The first part is, have you been saved? If not, there is no time like the present to get things done. Who knows, you may be the one God is waiting for before He sends Jesus back! Your place in history can be cemented as “the” saved soul who began a new time for humanity! Just think about it! And if you happen to be saved, be sure to check on others you know. They might require an introduction to Jesus from you!

God Bless You!

Restoration

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Well, I finally did it! I had my nose, and the front facial structure was redone entirely, again. This is the third time the surgery has had to be done because of the Wegener’s disease. I would put a picture up for you to see, but it resembles an MMA fighter after a rigorous bout. Not a pretty sight to see.

.

So begins my restoration. I believe that my eight years in Texas were learning years where God truly opened my heart and soul to him. And now the return to North Carolina is my time of restorations, better health, and dreams realized. Throughout the eight years, it was a process of learning, suffering, and coming to lean completely on God for everything! My soul has also affirmed my belief, and shown me that restoration will be for my family. Sawyer, our son, will see his health restored and the plans God has for his life come to fruition. And like everything that God does, this new time of restoration will be a process in working progress.

Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. Hosea 6:1

So, how was your holiday and New Year’s Eve?  Do you see yourself a continuation of the old or a Godly restoration into the new? I pray you find restoration in your life this new year.  2020 may have left us weary and wounded but we can also find strength through God to pull up our boot straps and begin again. Anew, refreshed, and alive in Jesus Christ!

God Bless You!

Prayer Breaks Shackels

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Satan and the world have distorted our vision to the point that we do not recognize the shackles that bind us. We have enslaved ourselves to hatred, political gains, religion, lifestyles, and probably a hundred other vices that give us a wearisome life. And, most people have been circling this rat wheel for so long they don’t know how to get off.

Now I know the next statement has been overused and abused within Christian communities, and I also know that I harp on praying repeatedly. It is so simple, and the world is not could be the issue with most people grasping the reality of it. But here I go again.

True freedom in life is found through a relationship with Jesus, Christ, and prayer! Not church attendance, mission trips, or community outreach, even though these are useful elements of a Christian’s life, but it can not be allowed to replace your relationship with Jesus. Did you know that there are religious leaders in America today who don’t pray or even read their bible except to do a sermon? And it is not a handful but a majority of these leaders who have been lured away by administrative work and a particular lifestyle which is now the forefront of their religion or, more accurately, idol worship.

Do not allow yourself to be caught in the busy work of Christian life, but immerse yourself in Jesus’s prayer work. Because your essential foundation of the Christian life should be reading God’s word and praying daily, everything else in your life must fall in line behind Jesus. If not, you are building a life on sinking sand, and one day it will cave in on you.

I know that prayer is the only way to survive the evils of this life, it is the only way to understand our right paths in life, and it is the only way to be a servant to others. My life before prayer and bible reading and my life after my relationship with Jesus is a light into the darkness revelation. I want the same for you now more than ever before. Because we live in the end of times, and even though we were told we would not know the date, day, and time, we were told that we would see the signs within nature and the happenings on earth. And, I feel the urgent need to keep telling you about having a relationship with Jesus. Matthew chapter 24 is the perfect chapter in the bible to read and understand what Jesus says about His return and that we must be ready! Are you ready, and is your life a reflection of what Christ wants from you?

Break free of your worldly shackles and begin reading your bible, pray every day, and walk in the garden with Jesus. For those of you who complain that you do not have enough time for prayer, how many times do you play games on your phone or computer, or visit social media sites or chat sites? Try stopping or cutting back these menial activities in your life and replace them with prayer. You are the only one who can decide what is essential to your life!

God Bless You!