Where God Ain’t

He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'

A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig-zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.

'I've been to Bible School ,'
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'

'M'm very fine way,' the neighbor said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'

Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.'

Author unknown

Cement Shoes?

It is interesting that the most popular item on the Powerhouse are our blogs and podcasts about Miley Cyrus Nude Photos. Of course, what these people are finding at the Powerhouse is the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ, not what they may have thought that they might be finding.

Our latest podcast presents seven (and a half) minutes of wisdom entitled “Cement Shoes.”

This podcast is a follow-up to our Save in the Suburbs blog and was inspired by the fact that there are a tremendous number of temptations facing children and teenagers... more so than have ever been seen in world history.

Marketers and advertisers think that selling images of self-actualization through sexualization to teens and tweens is the path to quick profits. But it is also a pathway to harsh punishment!

Jesus has this important thing to say about this subject:

And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in My name receives and accepts and welcomes Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!

Matthew 18:5-7 [AMP]

That millstone around the neck reminds us of an old Mafia punishment called Cement Shoes. Both are equally fatal... and if Jesus says that sinning against young people is that deadly... they you better get right!

This seven minute podcast is available at http://powerpodcasts.blogspot.com, or by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).

You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.

The Child of Promise

Writing to the Galatians the apostle Paul said,

"And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also {Gal. 4:28-29NAS}."

In today's modern congregations that gather in our Lord's name there are those who, like Isaac, are born according to the word of God and are the children and heirs according to the promises of God {John 3:16}; true believers who are born of the "water and the Spirit {John 3:5NAS}."

They are those who have come to know their Savior through the power of the gospel {Rom. 1:16}. They are believers who know the fundamental teachings of Christ and of His sufferings. They know of His work in His death, burial and resurrection and of their fellowship with Him {Rom. 8:17NAS}. They are true believers who are being sanctified by the cleansing "by the washing of water with the word {Eph. 5:26NAS}."

The "born again" are those who believe in the indwelling Spirit of God and the power that comes through the spiritual union with Him in prayer. They believe in the gifts of the Spirit, the resurrection of the dead, the laying on of hands, healing of the sick and the blind and the lame. They believe that the same God that created the heavens and the earth is the same God that watches over them day and night. The true believers know that there is nothing impossible with God!! These are the ones who are lead of the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God {Rom. 8:14NAS}. They are the invisible church, a remnant that is few in number.

And then there are those who, like Ishmael, are born according to the traditions of men; they are the works of the flesh. They were invited and came on "pack a pew day," or "bring a friend day," they were invited and came to the "church picnic," they came to play basketball with the other "young people" of the church, they went on the church group trips, they had their ears "tickled" and their fleshly senses stirred, which brought about an emotional decision to miss hell and go to heaven using a man called "Jesus" for a free pass.

And then they were invited and were baptized and added to the "church roll," and then told that they were heirs of the kingdom of God. They were told of and they serve a "new and improved god" and are saved by "a new and improved savior" who understands and is more broadminded concerning modern day man. They are the ones who do not follow some ancient outdated writings, but follow the "new and improved version" called the "Sunday school book," written by uninspired godless modern man.

They far out number the "true believers" therefore they can vote and pass on all the programs of man they desire; and they can place or displace who ever they desire in the pulpit. They have usurped and mocked the children of faith; and they ridicule them for all the "silly" things they believe. These are the children of the flesh, these are the "wolves in sheep clothing," {Matt. 7:15} these are the "tares" among the "wheat" (Matt. 13:25-40}. These will be removed in the "day of the Lord;" they will not be heirs with the children of promise.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all the true church that are on the congregation membership roll; neither are they all children because they are baptized in water and cry, Lord, Lord; but through Jesus are the children of the church named. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children who are according to promise are regarded as His seed {Rom. 9:6-8}.

Which one are you; an Ishmael or Isaac? Do not leave this world deceived!! If you are not sure, make sure before it is too late. Today is the day of salvation!!!

Pastor Jake

The Rod of Correction

I recall, as a first grader, being taken to get inoculated from some disease or another. The shot was with a four-pronged device that was scary-looking and very painful. One of my classmates was so upset at the teacher for taking us to get shots, he stabbed her with a pencil. He was strongly disciplined.

Flash forward to today’s society where teachers practically need bodyguards to go to and from the classroom.

For example, there was the situation in Waycross, Georgia where eleven third-graders conspired to murder their teacher. Each of the eleven students at Center Elementary School had a job to do, including one assigned to wipe up the blood after the teacher had been killed. Fortunately, the police were tipped and the murder was prevented.

What?

3^rd graders conspiring to commit murder?

Eight year olds?

In Seattle, Washington, roving gangs of youths as young as eleven have been attacking innocent bystanders... according to CBS News, at least one attack resulted in a fatality.

Part of the problem in our modern society can be attributed to our own societal foolishness. Remember the old verse from the song “School Days” that went:

Reading
and writing
and ‘rithmetic,

Taught by the rule
of a hickory switch

My parents experienced corporal punishment (e.g., getting spanked by a teacher or a school administrator). That went away with my generation. However, when my group began cutting up, the ringleader’s dad was invited for show and tell. He showed how he used his belt to whip his son’s posterior anatomies... and started to tell his son to straighten up or else! But that could not happen in today’s litigious society. Today, even parents are held back from spanking their own children.

Years ago, a mother in Georgia slapped her son for mouthing off to her in a department store. Someone saw that and called the police. The woman was arrested, even though the boy admitted that he deserved punishment for his behavior. Even across the pond, a mother in the UK was arrested for smacking her son.

As Marvin Gaye would ask, What’s going on?

Now, this is not to advocate child abuse, but just to make note of an ancient truth:

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 22:15 [Jewish Publication Society; Tanakh]

It is a child’s role to do crazy things. That is simply the nature of a child. That is who God gives us parents... to teach us the correct way to behave.

Think about the 8-year-old who assaulted his teacher in Fort Myers, Florida. The parent (grandmother) blames the teacher. WRONG! It is the job of the parent to correct bad behavior. But when the law says you can’t discipline your child and school officials are also powerless... then what is the alternative?

You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol.
Proverbs 23:14 [NASB ©1995]

Think about that. A simple spanking can keep a child from going to hell. How so? Well... if you don’t set boundaries for your children (and enforce them), then someone will. They may grow up in your house without restrictions... but then society will impose restrictions... like stopping for a red light or not murdering someone. But if the child rebels there, then the penal system will impose the restrictions. And, if the child still doesn’t learn... eventually he or she will exit this planet and stand before the Throne of Judgment.

Pause and think about that...

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
Proverbs 13:24

Again, we are not talking abuse... we are talking about teaching them while they are young and pliable that life has boundaries. If you don't spank them... the police officer or state trooper will do so. And the longer it goes on... the more severe matters get. There is the case of the 14-year-old boy in Washington, DC who was shot by police officers after their vehicle was hit by a bullet. There is question as to whether or not the 14-year-old fired the shot. Still, shouldn’t a child of that age have been at home and not on the mean streets in the evening hours?

A group of youth we recently started working with would say no. It’s boring being in the house... outside is where the excitement is. One young man confessed he was in trouble for sleeping in class. When asked why, he stated he didn’t want to go to bed when his mother told him to... he had better things to do. Funny, when my mom told me to go to bed, the only alternative I had was to have a high-heel shoe wedged into an orifice.

Our youth pastor asked the youth if they saw their teachers as authority figures. The unanimous answer was no. One young man explained, “They’re just people in school who talk to you.”

You get that?

It is important for us to come to grips with the idea that our youth are rapidly going downhill. You see on TV the kids in the middle east with rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons. Kids in urban America are almost as well equipped... and how long before gangs in the USA roll down the streets in M1 Abrams tanks?

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame.
Proverbs 29:14-16 [Amplified Bible]

My parents knew the importance of taking the rod of correction and placing it against the seat of understanding. Is it too late for this generation?

For the next?

One of our more recent podcasts, The Rod of Correction, goes into this topic.

You can find more details at Powerhouse Podcasts, or download it at our iTunes podcast page.

Pearls of wisdom to brighten your day, strengthen your walk, and enlighten your path as only The Powerhouse Ministry can do it...

Most podcasts are “Seven Minutes of Wisdom” that provide milk for the babies and meat for those more mature.

Get your free subscription to Powerhouse Podcasts featuring Brotha DC on iTunes!

Thugs’ Bunny

Assud the rabbit and his friends is a children’s television program airing in the Middle East.

The purpose of this program is to convince young children in the Arab world the elements of hatred and warfare.

We should pray first and foremost for the peace of Jerusalem.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you [the Holy City]!”

Psalm 122:6 [AMP]

Secondly, we need to pray for the souls of those who would lead little children into sin.

⁶But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea.

⁷Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!

Matthew 18:6-7 [AMP]

More details about ths television program may be found at the Anorak News web site.

To see a translated clip from this program, check out the video that we have embedded below:

The Golden Compass

There is a motion picture starring Nicole Kidman called “The Golden Compass.”

This film is being marketed as a movie for Children. Well, that is only true if you want your children to be lead away from a relationship with God.

If you want your children to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, do not let them see this movie!

Read this article at Snopes provides additional information and links.

Children Raping Children

Have you heard the case out of Atlanta Georgia about three boys under the age of ten who are in jail for raping an 11 year old girl?

This is a reminder that the enemy is actively seeking those whom he may devour. Pray over your children!

For details on this case, see the WLTX TV web site or Fox News.

War on Children

At least two cased in the past two months of parents who killed their children by hanging before committing suicide. A trend? We hope not!

In April, The Baltimore Sun reported on a man who took his one-year-old and two-year-old into the woods and killed them by hanging before committing suicide by hanging.

Today, Reuters reported that a mother hanged her four children (ages 5, 3, 2 and 8-months) with strips of fabric before taking her own life. Fortunately, the 8-month-old survived.

There is not just a war on drugs and a war on terror... but satan has declared war on your children! Pray Psalm 91 over your children... and the children of this world!