The Sinners Prayer / Prayer of Salvation

Hey everyone. I want to talk about something very important today. This topic has been on my heart for some time now and I cannot take it anymore. There is no Biblical precedent for what we see happen week after week and in many cases day by day in churches and among church folks. I'm talking about leading someone in the "Sinners Prayer". Thanks be to God for folks who wanted to make Jesus available and as easy as possible to receive. There just is no Biblical basis for the supposition that a person can "repeat" a prayer and have a saving faith in Christ.
The only thing that will bring you to that is a belief in Him as the Bible says. Before you get too carried away you should know that God does not buy into your confession of belief without actions that "prove" your belief.(See the book of James).
I won't reinvent the wheel here as I've come across an article on this very topic that says what I'd like to say very well. Here's the link. "What Is The Prayer of Salvation?"
"What is the sinners prayer?"
Don't be deceived. Go with God and walk in the dust of Jesus.
Keep the faith and wear the crown.

Peace is the presence of the Goodness of God
P. Jas.

I Had It, I Lost It, I Want It Back

Yes, I've lost it. I had had it and now it is gone. Lost it along the way while I thought that I was using it. One day I woke up and realized it was missing. It is missing because I took it for granted. Surely by now you must be wondering what it is. Truth is I don't know. I only know that I had it and now it is gone. I'd like to describe it for you, but that is difficult to do. I can however tell you what it does for me.
It is what some have that others want. It is that intangible something that leaders posses in order to make things happen through others. It is also what makes me "go".
I've been so busy with life and love and ministry, that I've misplaced it and now I want it back. I want it back because I cannot do what I need to do, what I've been called to do effectively without it. Without it, I'm just me. Perhaps you know me and likely you don't, I'd rather be the version of me with it than without it.
I'd like to point out that I'm not talking about God, but I am talking about something that He gave me. I'm talking about it now because I've been revived and refreshed this past week. I have Bro. Craig Groeschel to thank for pointing out to me that it was missing. So thanks Craig. I appreciate it. Good looking out.
Now that I know I need to get it back I can begin to look for it. Only thing is, it is rarely where you lost it. I know because sadly I've been around this mountain before. Good news is that I have assurances from the one who supplies all of my needs that He will help me find it. Getting it back will require a humility and pause that I am not accustomed to operating in as of late. I'm certain that I will get it back, but I need your prayers to stay strong and to walk this thing out. The result will be a better me in every way. The result for you will be a better you and a knowing that if you have it, you should treasure it and hang on to it at all costs.
The process of getting it back has begun and I'm closer to it than I was. I believe that it is now trying to come back to me as I move toward it. Before long I'll have it again and I won't let it go.
Keep the faith and wear the crown.
Peace is the presence of the goodness of God
P. Jas.

Greater Works

What were the greater works of Jesus? This is a question that begs asking. Do you know? Have you thought about it?
I submit to you today that the greater works of Jesus were not the works of healing, miracles and so forth that we tend to focus upon. Think about it. He healed everything from blindness to leprosy to oppression. He raised the dead. Last time I checked all of those that were healed and/or restored later died. Even Lazurus is today in the grave.
I believe the answer can be found quite indirectly in the resurrection. The resurrection and all that led to it were the chief act of His love toward us.
My mind is often on love these days. My Pop-Pop, the Rev. Dr. James L. Dandridge, went to be with the Lord last week. Pop-Pop was amongst other things a mentor and Pastor to me and countless others. Pop-Pop had one word for me and all that he ever addressed. That word is love. He taught the church I came to Christ through the message of love for over 25 years. He knew there was a more excellent way. I know that he knew this, because he not only constantly spoke of it, but demonstrated it freely to all he encountered.
Get off your "whatsaname" and love. Take your eyes off of you for a spell and see those around you in need of the greater works of our Lord, even the greater works of those who follow him. You do that and you won't ever have to worry bout being in God's will.
The fact of the matter is that God is love. Keep this in mind and write it on the fronts of your eyes. God is love and expects of us that we love. Not a noun but a verb. Love is the fuel of your faith. Love today and live today. Keep the faith, wear the crown, and remember that love never fails.

Peace is the presence of the goodness of God.
P. Jas.

Waiting To Exhale

Hey check this out. I have a great metaphor for Christian living today. It's called breath. You know that song, "Breathe". The words are, this is the air I breathe and I'm desperate for you...etc. That song. Check it out. Inhale. Inhale again, and again, and again, and again. Fact is if you were to continuously inhale without exhaling you'd black out eventually. I think that many of us have "blacked out" in a very real sense because we do nothing but take from God. No wonder we can't be a witness, because in the economy of God's Kingdom we have to take what we have and give it away in order to gain anything. Are you waiting to exhale? Please breathe out or you too will be stale and blacked out in the kingdom and we don't need anymore of that.
Keep the faith and wear the crown.

Peace is the presence of the goodness of God.
P. Jas.