7/26/2022
Greetings to all
July 26, 2022, is a beautiful day for Ann and me. It marks our 42nd wedding anniversary given to us by the grace of God, our Lord, and Savior. Praise the Lord! All glory and honor to our Master. Only the goodness of Jesus has brought us so far in love. It was a great day for us when we shared our vows and remain richer today. Keep us in your prayers, and remember enormously in prayer our family, others who shared that day with us, and others who have been there in our journey.
6/8/2022
Leviticus may well be one of the least-read books in the Bible, and you might be wondering what its purpose is in talking about clean and unclean animals. Do not forget Leviticus is as important and divinely inspired as any other book of the Bible. For more years than I can recall, Sister Ann and I read through the entire Bible each year using the help of the Daily Bread devotional guidance. This suggestion for daily Bible reading may be an excellent idea for readers of this blog to start reading through the Bible each year.
Listen carefully to John 5: 39-40 (because what I am about to say can easily be misunderstood, as Oswald Chambers commented on the very words of Jesus Christ), “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These Scriptures testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” Do not worship the Bible; worship Jesus Christ! Do not worship the Bible; it is only God’s way to help us believe in the Only Savior whom the Bible reveals. Never forget this truth, I implore.
Remembering Leviticus Requirement
A Bible commentator named Gordon Wenham said, “As the laws distinguished clean from unclean animals, so (the people of Israel) were reminded that God had distinguished them from all other nations on earth to be His possession…. Man’s highest duty is to imitate ‘and love’ His creator.” Now, this is true for both Jews and Gentiles.
One of the most critical themes or requirements in Leviticus is God’s will for His people to be holy. In Leviticus, God says five times, “Be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11: 44-45; 19: 2; 20: 7, 26). God says 45 times in Leviticus, “I am the Lord” or “I am the Lord your God.” Jesus echoed that theme in Matthew 5: 48, “Be perfect [or holy], therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The scripture from Hebrews 12: 14 read this morning says, “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man will see the Lord.” Further, in front of every Bible, it says, “Holy Bible.” This truth echoed in the loud message from Leviticus is holy or holiness required for following the God-man, Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 11 should reflect that you as disciples of Christ are unique to God and are to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2: 9). We need Leviticus as a reminder about holiness. Do not run from holy accountability in the body of Christ. If you do not want open transparency before other believers, you usually hide something wrong in your life.
We encourage each reader, especially disciples, to study the Bible faithfully to be wise; believe in the Bible for spiritual safety, and practice the Bible to be holy.
12/20/2021
Friends in Christ. Praise the Lord! 2021 has been a challenging year for several reasons. But God has been faithful in every way. The knowledge and assurance of His complete personal salvation and relationship with Jesus make all the difference. For example, going to dialysis three times a week Then God granted a miracle in opening a door for a needed kidney transplant. My present kidney was initially for someone else, but that person was out of State. Therefore, someone contacted to come into NYU Langone immediately and operated on after a few hours. It took weeks for the kidney to get going, and it still has a way to go and needs monitoring. My body still knows and always will that a foreign object is inside and will need proper control. But God is in control. Some pros and cons go with this great blessing for the rest of my life. Thank God for the loving care of my wife, Ann. Phillip Brooks wrote a Christmas Prayer which I share lovingly with my readers: “O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend on us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels. The great glad tidings [say]; Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! ”Our home encourages you to worship our Lord, who came to earth to save us. Psalm 34: 4 says, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. “Have a blessed Christmas and a Christ-centered 2022. Stay safe and healthy, and wise in Christ. Rudy Morgan
11/11/20
These are days that God is giving America another chance to change the course of our spiritual journey. Only Jesus knows how far and long our last window will be opened for us. We need to wake up to be obedient to Jesus and redemption through the Cross. Revival is our cry before the second coming of our Lord.
We have been through so much havoc over the past four years and lies around that cannot be counted. This is a new season to have a new time for attitudes and dependency on the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord.As a shameless and audacious servant of Christ, choose willingly to pursue godly righteousness and God’s love in each of our hearts now and for eternity. (Proverbs 21: 21)
8/7/20
Three times each week, I need to go to a dialysis center in Queens Village, NY. I receive essential treatment, and often the hours seem “like torture.” This treatment has been going on for over two years. Never once has the Lord not been with me and held my hand. To Him be all the glory and praise.I see different people with similar kidney failure. Many seem to have no hope outside of this life, and the same goes for some clinical workers. In a jovial fashion, I make an effort to be a servant of Christ, and often opportunities to point others to Jesus Christ are afforded. I leave the pulling of others to the Cross to work of the Holy Spirit.There are no situations that we face as disciples that stop Jesus from being lifted in our life. Be abandoned to Him and His will in us, and he gives the fruit. When the devil comes and says we are foolish to hold on in faith and hope to Jesus in the hardest of situations, point to the Cross, and the devil will have no answer for you and run.Be encouraged today, my friend. The Lord has already done the impossible for His children in laying down His life on Calvary. Also, Jesus rose from the dead. Praise the Lord!
6/ 2/2020
The man of God Micah prophesied in 6: 8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is right. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This verse is one of many in the scriptures that speak to God’s people taking justice, mercy, and walking humbly before God very seriously in this life.
Usually, I do not speak about politics on Facebook. But, the behavior by our President yesterday hit the bottom of the barrel and was disgraceful using the Bible before a church merely as a photo op. The problems going on in our country are multi-faceted, and each is important. I must speak truth to power.
Genuine care and empathy are an essential part of leadership. I fear our President increasingly feels more like a god, not of a man who serves us. Our present President is bankrupt of moral leadership and lies to us every day.
“Cheap Grace” (Bonhoeffer) is not what the prophet Micah shares for us to obey in the USA. Saying the word “justice” only is far from adequate.
Church and fellow Americans let us live Christ-like justice. O God, we pray for a victorious breakthrough in our nation in diverse ways. Wake up evangelical Christians to the ‘black hole” we are being carried to by many political leaders.
________________
Significant applications for Micah 6: 8 for today include statements quoted from “good and wise thinkers” below.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
― Martin Luther King, Jr.
“In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousandfold in the future. When we neither punish nor reproach evildoers, we are not simply protecting their trivial old age, and we are thereby ripping the foundations of justice from beneath new generations.”
― Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn
“I am a person who is unhappy with things as they stand. We cannot accept the world as it is. Each day we should wake up foaming at the mouth because of the injustice of things.”
― Hugo Claus
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve a lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples to build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
― Robert F. Kennedy
“There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.”
― Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws
4/24/20
During these days of Coronavirus
Like you, it has been overwhelming being a part of this era of deadly and life-transforming virus that is overtaking people. Life is changing forever before our eyes, and in one way or another, each of us will never be the same. My living in Queens, NYC, makes my comments even more relevant and pointed.
My wife Ann and I and daughter Casey were affected with COVID -19 in March, and only through the grace of God, and the prayers of many our lives spared. Ann testifies to never been as sick in her life before. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah, for giving us more tomorrows to share the Gospel and help another believer to become a better Disciple!
There is sorrow in my heart for all the men, women, young people, and even children who have not been medically fortunate. I read this morning about a five-year-old child dying due to the virus in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Remember, the Disciple’s life is sure and nothing can overcome us, not due to spiritual pride, but as God demonstrates these assurances they become amazingly glorifying to Jesus Christ.
What are other essential thoughts to consider as it relates to firstly, following Jesus Christ and to humankind in general? There are many true promises God gives in the Bible to overcome our fears and to live in peace amid reality. For example, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91: 1-2
In the hopes and truths of the Scripture, there are also specific promises for God’s children for His provision of money and food. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 19. For God’s children wondering where money and food will come from, remember our Lord is more interested in providing than any fret on our part.
What are some essential overall thoughts to consider as it relates to following Jesus Christ and to humankind in general? For the remainder of this blog, I want to stress two.
Firstly, I believe in and live the authenticity, relevance, and meaning of the whole Bible. One passage that has a very significant phrase minimized and often forgotten is the following. I will put the sentence in context,
“On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
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.”
4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
6 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” (Job 2: 1-6)
There have been countless other conversations over history that God has allowed the enemy of our souls and lives to have with Him. Satan is always trying to find “another way on another day” to destroy our relationship with God provided through faith in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Paul says it this way, “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.”Ephesians 6: 12
Nothing happens in this world without the permission of God. Just as it was with Job who did not know the back-story to his time of suffering. I believe we do not know the back-story presently to Coronavirus. God’s engineering of His will for persons in the book of Job is shown for good, except for Satan. I challenge God’s Church to go through these days by faith, knowing that we will also be growing closer to our Lord in these days. We will also find new ways to share the Gospel of Hope and Disciple “good fruit” in this sin-cursed world.
Secondly, my soul was personally challenged to allow the Holy Spirit to take a fresh look within me to receive assurance from God of my right relationship with Jesus, after seeing so much morbidity before my eyes. Just a few minutes ago, I heard about the death of someone in New Jersey that we have prayed for their salvation often. Let us not run from any corrective measures pointed out by the Holy Spirit as He is allowed to look within. When God is allowed to give a personal search, it is only for our best. Therefore,
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
Paul also says, “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.” Romans 8:28
As our Savior from sin lives with and within us, no virus, anyone or anything else can have victory over each of our lives. We overcome in Christ!
Please share this blog with your friends,
4/3/20
Little did I know in late 2019 when God in His providential care allowed my book Shameless Audacity in the Pitfalls of Life to be published how very timely it would be just a few months later for the body of Christ.Job in his walk with God may not have had coronavirus—obviously it was something much worse—but what is certain is that this Old Testament patriarch obviously suffered much more than those who survive COVID-19, as have Ann and I and our daughter Casey, all because of God’s grace in dark hours.In this probing and very encouraging book, I can identify with Job as a fellow sojourner on the road of uncertainty, suffering, and heartache. I do not know of any Christian who has not occasionally fretted and wished for change. But the Word of God says that during these times, we will find a place of comfort and guidance in the arms of the Almighty.Shameless Audacity in the Pitfalls of Life speaks directly to these truths in a heart-searching and challenging examination of Job and his contacts with friends and direct communication with God. Timely biblical and theological truth is covered as the story unfolds.During these days of home confinement, many of you need some spiritual refreshing for your soul and journey. This is an excellent 5-star read and a practical, powerful book to send to a friend or loved one.Order it now at https://www.amazon.com/Shameless-Audacity-Dr-Rudy-Morgan/dp/1947671618/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=shameless+audacity+in+the+pitfalls&qid=1585767828&sr=8-1
3/20/20
Preparing Expository Holiness Sermons on One of the New Testament’s Most Powerful LettersThe foreword is written by Dr. Samuel Vassel.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must buy for all ministers, bible scholars, and seminary students
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2020
I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Rudyard Morgan at national and international level conferences. He is a scholar of the bible and a man of impeccable character. Preaching Jude is a must-read for all ministers, bible scholars, and seminary students. We live in uncertain times where there is a lot of confusion from the media and our political leaders. Dr. Morgan offers ideas to clarify our purpose and meaning and cut through the confusion of our modern fast-paced lives. In the text, he quotes C.S Lewis.: “The true Christian nostril is to be continually attentive to the inner cesspool.”
Another quote that I believe is very relevant is the following: “Indeed, the center of all genuine Christianity is being authentic and faithful in all ways to the person of Jesus Christ. We only fool ourselves in thinking that Christianity is best based on following some insincere politician who says that they share our values, personal convictions, and even a homemade good conscience.”
Again I highly recommend the book to all people who are searching for answers to life’s challenging issues.
Professor Alan Saunders
Academic Advisor, UNESCO Center for Global Education
Published Editor and international Lecturer.
2/19/2020
My Testimony – Rudy Morgan
After the tragic death of my Father at which I could also have been killed.it was not long after in my short life (14 years at that time) I came to realize I was a lost soul. Why? Because of the sins, I had committed and depravity inherited from the fall of humankind in the Garden of Eden. In the Easter season of 2012, I was fully aware that I was heading to hell if I continued to live the way I was and no good actions I could do to get the favor of God. The feeling and knowledge of being lost though alive as a human being and filled with potential is not a good feeling., but it was used by the Holy Spirit to bring about what was needed as the only cure for all my sins and receiving the forgiveness of God. The Lord years to awaken every lost soul. Listen to God’s awakening, my friend.
I humbled myself, repented genuinely of all my sins and put my faith in Jesus alone for my forgiveness and salvation. I trusted Jesus to live in my heart and now 48 years later He still lives in my heart and is completely Lord of my life. Every day for me with Jesus is sweeter. Praise the Lord! I love Jesus with my all.
I urge my readers to have the same relationship with Jesus. There continues to be room at the blood-soaked Cross for every lost person. For all my readers who know Jesus today as your personal Savior, I encourage us to joyfully live by faith in Jesus and His Word of God. Also, grow in closer intimacy with Jesus. Become a better friend of our Lord and Savior.
If you need further help spiritually, please feel to share by reaching out through my contact page on this web site or email to sluggymorgan@aol.com.
Grace and peace to you.
12/23/19
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… —Galatians 6:14 The gospel of Jesus Christ always forces a decision of our will. Have I accepted God’s verdict on sin as judged on the Cross of Christ? Do I have even the slightest interest in the death of Jesus? Do I want to be identified with His death— to be completely dead to all interest in sin, worldliness, and self? Do I long to be so closely identified with Jesus that I am of no value for anything except Him and His purposes? The great privilege of discipleship is that I can commit myself under the banner of His Cross, and that means death to sin. You must get alone with Jesus and either decide to tell Him that you do not want sin to die out in you, or that at any cost you want to be identified with His death. When you act in confident faith in what our Lord did on the cross, a supernatural identification with His death takes place immediately. And you will come to know through a higher knowledge that your old life was “crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6). The proof that your old life is dead, having been “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20), is the amazing ease with which the life of God in you now enables you to obey the voice of Jesus Christ.Every once in awhile our Lord gives us a glimpse of what we would be like if it were not for Him. This is a confirmation of what He said— “…without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). That is why the underlying foundation of Christianity is a personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus. We mistake the joy of our first introduction into God’s kingdom as His purpose for getting us there. Yet God’s purpose in getting us into His kingdom is that we may realize all that identification with Jesus Christ means. (Oswald Chambers devotional -12/23/19)To all my readers have a joyful and blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s favor.
11/13/19
The following 5-star review was done by …Professor Alan Saunders, Chair Emeritus, Conference of Non-Government Organizations, (CoNGO) Committee on HIV/AIDs at the United Nations.
Dr. Rudy Morgan has done a wonderful job on the book: Shameless Audacity in the Pitfalls of Life. Suffering is not an easy issue to understand or deal with, especially if we believe as most Christians do that there is an omniscient all-powerful God that controls the universe. In Buddhism, we learn that life is all about suffering and only through enlightenment in the afterlife that we transcend this suffering. Many believers lose their faith because they think that God has abandoned them which cannot be further from the truth. in this book about the life of Job, Dr. Morgan highlights how God worked in his life which had many trials and tribulations.
He is challenging all of humanity to shameless audacity in loving and trusting Jesus in our journey in faith. Dr. Morgan asks the profound question: “Why do people suffer so much?” He correctly states that our suffering can be traced back to the lives of Adam and Eve. He also states: “To this day some people still say that one of the primary reasons for the suffering of individual human beings is their specific immoral behavior. The social thought pattern in the days of Job claimed the same.” Food for thought when we consider the rise and fall of many famous people in history and modern-day America.
Dr, Morgan theorizes, “People who have gone through suffering, (whether physical or emotional) and come out grateful become better individuals. These are persons who have acquired more patience, courage, understanding, and humility which are all keys to becoming more like God.”
I have known Dr. Morgan for several decades and he and is wife have endured through many challenges, as did Job in the old Testament. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to become more enlightened on the meaning and purpose of their lives, especially as it relates to transcending suffering.
10/28/19
Mary Kay Gunning Bonfante
5.0 out of 5 starsFinding Comfort in the Wisdom of God!
The problem of our suffering is not an easy one, especially as it concerns Christians or anyone who believes in God. If we believe in the God of the Bible, we may have many questions. Dr. Morgan’s book, “Shameless Audacity: In the Pitfalls of Life” helps to answer some of them.
Does God lack compassion? If we believe in Jesus Christ, Our Suffering Savior on the Cross of Calvary, we would have to say, No. He feels our pain. Isn’t God all-powerful? We believe He is. So why do people — especially his servants — suffer? These questions have been asked throughout the ages. But Dr. Morgan — and the Book of Job — both point to the third quality of God’s nature often ignored by armchair philosophers, and that is the wisdom of God.
Many ministers and other believers will tell you that God does not cause pain and suffering, but that He does allow it — and Dr. Morgan does not contradict that belief; indeed he supports it. The key to understanding this is humility, and if we are to have a glimpse of God’s wisdom, glory and Holy Presence, as Job did in his amazing story, it will not be possible without a humble attitude.
Dr. Morgan is no stranger to suffering, and so he is qualified not only as a minister but as a human being, to write about this subject. It’s very helpful, when people are suffering, and they read about the reality of suffering, that they also understand that it’s not an abstract concept for the writer.
Dr. Morgan’s firsthand experience makes it real. A delicate balance is needed for good reading and understanding, and he gets it exactly right. He begins with his own background, but without any trace of self-pity. As he presents Job’s predicament to the reader and analyzes Job’s situation, he includes key portions of the text with other pertinent scriptural selections, his experience ministering to the needs of others, and insightful quotes from other authors whose mighty inspiration spurs us on.
Have you ever tried to read through the book of Job in the Bible and make sense of the different voices speaking to one another? Dr. Morgan is able to separate these different persons, perspectives and levels of knowledge in a meaningful way. Thus it is a valuable tool for any minister, student of ministry or budding theologian. I have always wondered who some of these people are!
Of course, an initial reading reveals a lot about Job, the central character, but God and Satan are also key characters in the drama that unfolds in Job’s life. I have found Job’s friends (who often sound more like “frenemies”) much more puzzling: Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and finally, the young upstart, Elihu. Perhaps the most misunderstood of all is Job’s wife, and Dr. Morgan offers some insight into her character, as well.
I found that Dr. Morgan’s book spoke to me personally because I have experienced a lot of loss, grief and continuing emotional distress. Even now, I have family members who are experiencing physical suffering. This book has given me some tools to help me respond more effectively to the suffering of others.
Just today, a dearly loved family member told me that she must have committed a terrible sin that she is unaware of, to be suffering as she is. I was able to respectfully disagree. God must have a reason why He is allowing this, but I don’t think that’s it.
I know this book will continue to give me food for thought, comfort for my aching soul, and support in helping others, as I walk with my Lord Jesus through this time, and times to come, for however long God allows me to remain in our world. Thank you, dear friend, Rev. Dr. Rudy Morgan, for encouraging me to have shameless audacity in believing that God will see us through. I need to always, ever, closely, and firmly hold onto Jesus because He is ever faithful and holds onto me.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
Philippians 3:12 NKJV
10/17/10
The following is an excerpt from the book Shameless Audacity in the Pitfalls of LifeChapter 5The Lord’s Revelation to Job(Job chapters 38–41) Sometimes we as God’s children have moments and seasons of inspiration in our journey through life. But God never allows any of us to stay in the cloud of motivation because we have a world filled with valleys we need to face and be channels of Christ-like love to others who are very needy even when we are suffering and facing challenges. Keep in mind always that it is the low times of life (during your suffering, pain, trials, and mundane experiences) when you must learn to live best for the glory of Jesus Christ.As a disciple of Christ, you are His light, regardless of the circumstances in which you find yourself. Chapters 38–41 were a learning season for Job in interacting with God—and also a tremendous refreshing season after so much pain and havoc. Why had God been silent for so long as Job remained swamped with so much inaccuracy?Do you realize that God’s silence is often a special privilege for some of you since it means that our Savior has trusted you with His silence, which will bring Him glory? Remember the story of Lazarus and his sisters—all were friends of Jesus, as recorded in John 11. In John 11:4–7 it is registered regarding hearing that Lazarus was very sick, “When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’”Why was God silent for so long with this family in their time of need? Jesus was allowing them to be a part of one of the most significant miracles in the New Testament. Jesus had so much confidence with this family’s faith that He did nothing for a few days and said nothing. The Lord revealed heavenly blessing in His silence when God was keeping quiet and merely observing. It takes a shameless audacity in our love for God for Him to trust us enough with His silence.Likewise, God had listened enough to the conversations between Job and the men who had gathered with him. The servant Job was swamped with gross innuendoes and speculations that were far from the truth. But guess what—even Job did not always see clearly as evidenced by some of his statements that fell short of the mark. God helped to open the eyes of Job by asking him over sixty direct questions that Job could not answer, causing him to be genuinely amazed and stunned. Through this questioning encounter, Job received a dose of “revelation sense.” In Job 12:7–10 Job had indicated that animals could be a source of unraveling the “suffering mysteries” he had faced. The questions by God now focused on His creation and handiwork, and these were holy moments for Job. Indeed, the servant of the Lord was standing on “holy ground” in these chapters.
10/3/19
The late saint Iona Corbett-Franklin (a backbone member of the Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene, Queens, New York) shared with me. Sister Iona titled the poem “Bountiful Benefits.” “How can I say thanks to my gracious, loving, heavenly Father, Who has been my Rock in times of trials, testings, despair, sorrow, and pain?He has been my Shepherd to guide from my youth— My Deliverer in times of danger. He plucked me as a brand from the fire of destruction— restored my soul, established my goings, so I learned to trust Him and rely on Him implicitly.I thank Him for translating me from the kingdom of Satan Into the heavenly kingdom of His dear Son, Jesus Christ, Daily filled me with bountiful benefits, and Brought me from darkness to light, Adopted me into His own family as an heir of salvation, Purchased with the blood of the Lamb, Giving me all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ With an inheritance that will not fade away. What more can I ask for today?” I am happy for the assurance in His Word that no one can pluck me out of His Hand, I am His, and He is mine forever and forever (John 10: 27–29).
9/26/19
The following declaration is from the heart of Mrs. Ann Morgan: For me, the book of Job for a long time was merely an account of his losses in chapters 1 and 2 and the restoration of his blessings in chapter 42. The middle sections were just words. It was only one of the books you go through as you are reading through the Bible each year. Having gone through an in-depth study of Job, I find that the middle chapters now have so much more meaning. I am so grateful that we took the time to “break it down and chew it up.” There is so much in this book that is timeless and shows the condition of the human heart today. Here are some things which stood out to me as we studied: God’s people can give bad advice. We often think of Job’s friends as accusers, but they were godly people, only misguided by what they saw, and passed judgment on Job without knowing the facts. Have you been there? Have you been falsely judged and demeaned by “good people” who didn’t know what they are talking about? Let’s be careful with how we treat each other in the family of God. We should pour in the “oil and wine” on the wounded, not “sulfur and vinegar.” The man Job was suffering physical, emotional, and mental pain from not understanding the “why” behind the suffering, and then he had to face emotional pain from the accusations of his friends. The example of the life of Job has been such a growing point for me. Lord, let me never again stand in the shoes of Job’s friends but learn to be compassionate to those who appear to be on the wrong side of the track. No matter how difficult the circumstance, once you are walking with God, nothing can happen to you unless God allows it. Job received galvanization in his faith. In the face of the accusations, he would not flinch. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15 KJV). Job trusted in God altogether. I am asking my Lord to give me Job-like faith that will not falter.
9/19/19
The following is the testimony from the heart of Mr. Anthony Turrentine in the book Shameless Audacity in the Pitfalls of Life: The book of Job has inspired me to follow the life example of the patriarch Job, no matter the cost. Now in my sixties, I am at the stage in my life journey that no matter how much I am given or do not have, I am going to stay close to Jesus. I will belong to Jesus through my suffering, trials, and any loss or gains that God allows. I know that I will not be as righteous as Job throughout his life, but when I accepted Jesus as my Savior He freed me from all my sins and made me honest through His blood shed for me on the cross. Job’s experience has shown me the importance of enduring the many challenging things that will come my way. That will include family problems, financial burdens, and health issues. As Job found comfort in the Lord, I am determined to stay confident trusting in Jesus for every situation and in every area each day for the rest of my life. I have worked two jobs for the past twenty years and have been away from home most of the time; I’ve learned to put my trust in God, who provides shelter and direction as I come and go. The time away from family can be very stressful and lonely, and the care of my family and me is in God’s hands. To work in New York and live in Pennsylvania is not easy. God is giving me a Job-like spirit knowing that I leave my journey in His hands and give my talents and spiritual gifts to be used as God sees best. My Savior is teaching me more and more patience, perseverance, and endurance. There have been many days that I feel like I cannot go on. Sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel facing pain and sleepless nights. But Job has been a great help in drawing me closer to God and allowing His wonder-working power seen from my innermost being. My prayer is that God’s favor toward me will continue to increase as I worship in deed and word. He has continued to keep me from falling asleep as I shared with my Bible study group and almost died. Living life so busily has not stopped me from making myself ready to help others as God prompts. He has given me so much mercy, grace, and love, and I pray to keep open to help other people just as Job did in the Bible. I have been encouraged so much in my spiritual walk during my study of the book of Job. I pray the same for all others as you study thoroughly the Word of God.
FIRST BLOG – 9/12/19
The following is the testimony from the heart of Mr. Durwin Edwards in the book Shameless Audacity in the Pitfalls of Life:
This book describes the spiritual warfare Job went through at a deep level. The author highlights well the journey of Job through interpreting the scripture, poems, songs of praise, offering of prayer, and so on. Going through the book of Job has promoted a sharper focus for readers like me. I have grown to appreciate a better understanding of Job’s testings and his fellowship with God, but above all, Job’s determined resolution to be accurate to his Lord and Master. With all honesty, I lost so much along the journey of my life. I admit being deceived by faulty counseling and the challenges brought through financial hardship and some health afflictions.
Years ago I had brain surgery, went into a coma, and became paralyzed from my neck down. There has been so much back pain, painful swellings, and other hurts from numerous illnesses. If you saw me now, you would not believe how God has helped me to walk and process my daily tasks. I do have severe scars as a reminder as to how far I have come. God gave me a second chance. But in my journey at one point I lost hope; I was distracted and many times upset and put down. Even in reflecting on the many miracles the Lord blessed me with, I forgot my spiritual footing, and there were times when I fell into depression with a broken heart. Rudy’s book provides biblical references to focus on. It has been light for my journey and a reflection and reminder of how deep and vast is God’s love for me and other children of Christ. God’s faithfulness, justice, provisions, and promises are beyond comparison. In my times of trouble, I needed something like God’s Word in this book to uplift my spirit and redirect my steps. I had a hunger for solutions, and the Lord provided me with this book as a point of reference that I surely needed.
I enjoyed this book so such as it peaks with passion from an author who has been a friend for a long time. It is my prayer that all readers of this book develop a deeper understanding of the heart of God as He searches the hearts of readers and helps them to fulfill His purpose for them in the growth of God’s kingdom.
Under Shameless Audacity page replace the photo with the one below.
Buy New & Now $14.99
You can find my book online at : www.Amazon.com
Thanks for your prayers and support.
Follow Us & Like Us !