Who's Influencing Your Unbelief?

I must admit that from time to time in prayer I cry out, "Lord, I believe!  Help me with my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).  It is an admission that as a woman of God, I occasionally struggle in trusting God to handle my situation.  In the Bible, there were people who struggled believing Jesus.   In fact, after all Jesus had done, they refused to believe.  Surprisingly, these were not people who didn't know him, but those who did.

1: And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.    2: And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?    3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.    4: But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.    5: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.    6: And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.  Mark 6:1-6

Here is an incident where the Word of God was preached, the Spirit of God was felt, the Power of God was known.  Yet, Jesus was powerless to reach these people.  Why?  Because of the unbelief.  Jesus was puzzled. Verse 6 states, "And he marvelled because of their unbelief." He had poured out His heart to no avail.  This may very well be a picture of any congregation today - Seeing but not seeing, hearing but not hearing, experience the presence of God but not refusing to believe and respond.
Let us note unbelief, the causes of unbelief, and the effects or results of unbelief:
The people were amazed a Jesus' ability to teach, cast out devils, raise the dead, and heal the sick.  They were astonished at His teachings, yet refused to believe ,  2: And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 
You've heard the adage, "Familiarity breeds contempt?"  The hometown folk knew all about Jesus, that he was brilliant, a gifted teacher of the law, and about his family background, yet refused to believe, Verse 3:, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him".  It was not because he was an outsider, but because he was one of them that they were offended.  Notice, how they mentioned his mother, Mary but not his stepfather, Joseph. Who does he think he is?, they said.  
They knew about the miracles Jesus performed, the people He healed. No doubt they had heard he had just raised Jairus' dying daughter and healed the woman with the issue of blood before returning home.  Knowing all this, still they refused to believe. What all has Jesus done for you? Verses 5-6 said, "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  6: And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching".   
And Jesus said to them in verse 4, "A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."  The NIV says, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."  They were amazed, but Jesus was amazed also for their lack of faith.  What all has Jesus done for you?  No matter the new circumstance, He is still able to keep you from falling.
Like Jesus being a prophet without honor , at some point in your life those closest to you will refused to believe in you.  They are not going to call upon you no matter what you do, not going to consider your skill or talent, nor  will they realize and recognize you as the answer to their prayer.  As a result, you won't be able to contribute to your best work, and they won't receive all that God has for them.  It won't be people you don't know who won't support you, but people you know -- family, friends, co-workers, church members -- people right there in your town operating by a jaded perspective of familiarity, influence by those around them, the know-it-alls; and by cultural, religious, socio-economic, environmental factors, they won't believe. 
So, whose influencing your unbelief?  Are they the "believers"?  Don't let their lack of faith negatively impact your relationship with God.  Don't give up, but continue to trust in the Lord. The Bible says,  He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him. Hebrews 11:6.

WLOU Radio Hosts Lonnie Hunter Meet and Greet in Louisville



One of the biggest names in gospel music, Lonnie Hunter, producer of songs Even Me (The Drip Drop Song), Let's Dance, among others, came to Louisville for 104.7 FM WinterFest, December 11th & 12th. WLOU/104.7 FM Radio hosted a pre-WinterFest Meet and Greet with the Stellar-Award winning gospel artist, and syndicated radio show host on Friday, December 11th at The Life Conference Suite. Attendees spoke with, took selfies with Lonnie, listened to his new project, and picked up copies of his new CD, #GetItDone, featuring the new single, He's Worthy.

 

Gospel Artist Lonnie Hunter is Coming to Louisville This Weekend at WinterFest

Stellar-Award Gospel artist Lonnie Hunter will be in Louisville this Friday, December 11 for the 104.7 FM Meet and Greet at The Life Conference Suite, 6:00 pm, a prelude to 104.7 FM's WinterFest

WinterFest Christmas Celebration and Vendor Wonderland, is Saturday, December 12th, at Old Walnut Street, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali, presented by 104.7, that's WLOU on FM and 1240 WLLV. WinterFest features national gospel artist Lonnie Hunter, local artists, choirs, and praise teams, vendor wonderland, polar express for the kids, and Christmas Café, hourly drawings of bikes, flat screen televisions and much more! You don't want to miss it! Hear your favorite Christmas caroles sung live, as we celebrate Jesus, the Perfect Gift, the reason for the season.

We are honored to have Lonnie Hunter ministering in song at WinterFest. Listen to 104.7, that's WLOU on FM for the details. Log onto WLOUonline.com!

Vintage Lonnie Hunter and the Voices of St. Mark reminding us beautifully in song that God loved the world so that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. This song will bless you, and minister the unquenchable love of Jesus to your spirit!

Former Patients, Friends Celebrate Retiring West Louisville Physician, Dr. A. O'Tayo Lalude

We enjoyed great evening at the retirement celebration for Dr. A. O'tayo Lalude, Family Practioner and Diabetes Specialist, on Sunday, October 18th at the Glen View Condominium. The celebration included a call of the drum and African dance by the Belizean Dance Intermix and Women of the Drum, welcome by Virginia Bradford; prayer for the Health of the Community by myself, Scripture by Tanya Beachamp, and solo, "Wind Beneath My Wings." Elaine Burns shared reflections from Dr. Lalude 's bio and accomplishments over 28 years serving West Louisville. Special presentation from the Celebration Committee included a proclamation from the Office of Council woman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Kentucky Colonel proclamation, and gift from the committee. Dr. Lalude, his wife Judith, staff and friends and patients all shared remarks. The celebration end in prayer, dance, and drum celebration. Attendees enjoyed a colorful, tasty healthy meal. I was honored to serve as emcee.



Find more photos like this on Jesus Saves Ministries

Father, May I?

By:  Angela Lee Price


I was asked to be in a fashion show on Saturday, September 12th at an African Heritage Festival at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville.  I did some twirling, although not very good because modeling is something I haven't done in a long, long time. Rip the runway? Not hardly, but I had fun getting out of my comfort zone, and giving back to my community.  

I grew up just a few blocks from where the African Heritage Festival was held.  I did a lot of twirling as a child while playing a game with the other children on my block  called "Mother, May I?" One child served as the "mother" and all the other children were the "children." The object of the game was for the children, who started out at the other end of the block, to get to where the mother was. The first one there won the game and became the new mother.

In getting to the mother, the children each took turns asking, "May I hop, skip, run, leap, jump, twirl?." The Mother could accept, reject, or amend their requests. But often the response would be, "Yes, you may!"

I really liked this game. It taught children how to get along with each other, to have respect for authority, good manners, and patience. Sometimes the children were asked to take a number of steps backward, and we did it.

Our goal as children of God is to get to the Father.  We serve a God who is waiting on each of us to ask right now, "Father, may I? Before we get to our Father in Heaven, we have a great work to do for Him right here on earth in reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.  We ought to be on fire for God, willing to do anything, hop, skip, run, jump, leap, and even twirl to get closer to God and show others the way to Him through Jesus Christ! Jesus says in His Word, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).  He said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).  Jesus promises to do the drawing when we do the lifting. 

It is a September to Remember Jesus in Worship, Service, and Giving here at Jesus Saves Ministries as we celebrate our 10th anniversary.  We are blessed by your presence on the Jesus Saves Social Network, but we know in faith that the best is yet to come. God has an assignment for you draw closer to Him, and lift Him up in your neighborhood, church, workplace, home, school, and on social media. You may have to do what I did at that fashion show, that is get out of your comfort zone and twirl, twirl, twirl -- that is worship, serve and give as only you know how!  The Lord needs willing vessels.  The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Just ask, Father, may I?" We pray that His reply to you is, "Yes, you may!"

God's Prescription for Healing

"If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land"  2 Chronicles 7:14

2 Chronicles 7:14 speaks about the people of God who were called by the name of God. Clearly, God was not speaking to the unsaved, but to the saved.  It starts, "If my people...." This promise was originally given to Solomon, the Israelite King, concerning the people of Israel.   God said through Solomon that if His people would do four things, humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, He would forgive their sin and heal their land.  

It is amazing that just four things done by the people of God would heal so much of the brokenness that we are experiencing today. So much of the crime and violence in our inner cities, and in our suburbs, in our schools, and in our homes is due to sin, lack of respect for human life, and a total disrespect for God! I don't know about you, but I need a few things healed, a few things mended, a few things fixed, a few things restored in my life!  What an awesome promise this is!  It is much more than a quick fix.  It does what Alleve, Advil, and Tamaflu can't do.  It is a prescription for healing.

It is so important that as intercessors and as Bible-believing people of God that we remain humble and on our knees before Yahweh, our Almighty God, seeking His face daily and not just His hand. Some devotions on this text say that God is asking us to do three things and not four, that pray and seek His face are really one and the same.  I beg to differ.  I believe God wants us to pray (persistently, every day) and seek His face.  When we seek the face of God, we ask the will of God despite what it is we want to do because His will is what's best. That's why reading the Word of God is so important. Therein we find the will of God, the B-I-B-L-E has our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.  When we read the Bible we gain insight into what God would have us do in our specific circumstance.  When we seek the face of God, we seek the presence of God, the way a baby stretches its arms to be in its mother's lap, or the way we stretch our legs to soak up the warmth of the sun, (and Son) on a beautiful sunny day. The good news is we have an advocate with the Father in Jesus Christ who sits at His right hand making intercessions for us! What happens to us is predicated on our relationship with God and on us doing our part in it. 

Let us claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 today. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Let us not sit on the premises at home, at work, at school, at church, nor here in this ministry, but stand on the promises of God.   If we do our part, then God promises to forgive our sin and heal the land.  What an awesome God we serve!  He is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. To Him be glory and honor, dominion and power both now and forever!  Amen.

Getting Into the Word: Malachi 3:10 Famously Misapplied

This week's lesson in Malachi 3:1-10 is the last in my Walking With Jesus Summer Series. I hope you have gained a few valuable insights from recent recaps from the prophets Micah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Zechariah. These brief recaps served as a source of inspiration to stay in your Bible and study your lessons during the "dog days" of summer. Exciting times are ahead! The new quarter begins next week on the book of Acts where we will learn more about the growth of the early ch...urch. Good stuff! Back to Malachi.

Malachi was unique in that he was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Though all of the OT books are not in chronological order as to when they were written, Malachi really is the last book. When God finishes speaking here, he says not a word for 400 years until he announces his Son Jesus.
Malachi in a nutshell: Worshipping God is not about doing the least you can do to get by, but about "keeping it 100," wholeheartedly. The tone of this book is not jovial but angry. Malachi reprimanded the Israelites for disregarding God's laws, and bringing damaged crops and sacrifices. They also failed to give the tithe which supported the priest and levites. They acted as if they were innocent and/or totally oblivious to their own disobedience and wickedness. Malachi stated, "Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now, return to me and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. But you ask, 'How can we return when we have never gone astray? '"
The Isrealites went astray and we have, in many respects, gone astray today in our giving, yes, but also in our misapplication of Malachi 3:10, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" This text is famously presented as a "give-to-get" text. We ought give as an act of worship, because it is the right thing to do. Let us repent and turn back to God in every area of our lives, also in the application of God's word.
The follow link shares more on how Malachi 3:10 is famously misapplied.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php…

Jesus Saves Ministries Day at the Movies

It was Jesus Saves Ministries Day at the movies on Saturday, August 29th! A group of us put our war clothes on and went to see the movie WAR ROOM at the Carrmike Cinemas Stony Brook 20. The movie is a must see! Get your group together, family, church members and friends and support this movie on the power of prayer! It will make you laugh. It will make you cry, but most of all, it will make you more inspired to pray! Jesus Saves Ministries is celebrating our 10th anniversary so I brought along giveaways for everyone, great new gospel music CDs by Marvin Sapp, Israel & New Breed, JJ Hairston, Risen, and local artist Michael Young and In God's Presence. Pastors Thomas and Linda Moore gave DVD of their weekly cable ministry. We are planning another movie day real soon. Don't miss it! Jesus saves!

Getting Into the Word: Straight Outta Ezekiel!

My aunt Evangelist Carolyn McKinney  posted this tag about children taking personal responsibility in her Facebook group, Armed and Extremely Dangerous Warriors the Kingdom.   This is what Ezekiel Chapter 18 is about in a nutshell, our Bible study lesson this week!

The Israelites tried to blame their exile in Babylonian captivity on the sins of their forefathers,  as if they did nothing themselves to deserve it.  The prophet Jeremiah warned them time and again to repent and turn from their wicked ways, and so did his contemporary Ezekiel. The Iraelites weren't hearing their loose rap, though.  They worshipped idols and did everything they were big and bad enough to do. They cited a proverb from the past (v2), "The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are on edge," but God wasn't hearing that either!  He told them He didn't want to hear that proverb ever again, because they were using it to shift blame and avoid taking responsibility for their sins.  He said in v4, "The person who sins is the one who will die."

He goes on to say in v20, "The child will not be punished for the parent's sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child's sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness."

Children need to be taught from a young age to take responsibility for their actions, and what the Word of God says about this in Ezekiel 18.  This trumps generational curses. And even if they are not rewarded by the world's standards, God will reward them for their right acts by His standard because He is a just God.  Jesus saves!

Getting In the Word: Jeremiah Chapter 7

GETTING INTO THE WORD: The weeping prophet Jeremiah wasn't weeping and wailing for no reason, or shall I say, without reason. This major prophet prophesied 600 years before the birth of Christ in Judah, the southern part of the divided kingdom prior to and during Babylonian captivity.  The books of Jeremiah and Lamentations both bear his name. When Jeremiah saw the depravity of his people, he cried. He cried for them, and he cried to them over and over again to change their wicked ways. In verse 3, the Lord told him to tell the people, "Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place." Don't you hear Jeremiah crying aloud today?

In Jeremiah chapter 7, we find Jeremiah preaching at a strategic position at the temple entrance. The Lord sent him there to warn the people to reform. The people, though, weren't havin' it. They thought since they had the temple and the Lord was with them they could do whatever they wanted as long as they went to church and gave their sacrifices. 9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,[a burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord."

In verse 12, Jeremiah told the people to go to Shiloh. God's temple was once there, but He destroyed it. God told the people through the prophet, don't think I won't destroy your temple, too,  “‘Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer.14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your ancestors. 15 I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your fellow Israelites, the people of Ephraim.’

Newsflash! It ain't about the building. It ain't about superficial religiosity. It's about a geniuine covenant relationship with almighty God. We can't do whatever we want -- disobey, disrespect, dishonor, the Lord and expect to receive His blessings. It ain't gonna happen... not then, not now! Jesus saves!