Wrong Turn

Sometimes in our pilgrimage we get off course or take a wrong turn. You can find a clear example of this in the book of John. See chapter 21. Peter went fishing and some of the brethren followed him.

Nothing is wrong with going fishing. The problem was not, going fishing. The problem was loving fish and fishing more than the Lord.

Peter's love for fish drove him to take a wrong turn in serving his Lord. He had forgotten the importance of the ministry. Jesus had to rekindle the love in Peter's heart for Jesus and for the children of God.

What quenched your love for Jesus and His church? What are you putting before "your ministry"? Are you gazing at the sea and the ships? Are the pretty lights of downtown beckoning you? Is there a longing to be at the casino tables? Did you leave your wife and now you are with another man or woman?

What can you do about your love for Jesus? Is all lost? Has God given up on you?

God did not give up on Peter. If the love of Jesus is still in you, but it is like dim coals, there is hope for you. Your love can be rekindled. The first love (like fresh burning coals) can burn in your heart again.

Take that important first step that Peter took. He covered his nakedness first before he went to meet the Lord. Turn towards the Lord in repentance. Break off the sins. Confess your sins before Him and your nakedness will be removed. After that, let your love for Jesus turn you.

Don't say in your heart that God will not restore you. Remember that God restored Sarah and Abraham. He restored king David also. By the way, God is in the restoration business (Gal 6:1). That's the business you should love. Follow Him and restore others who have fallen.

I hope you take this message to heart and follow the right turns that Jesus wants you to follow.

Abdool N

About the Author

Was Jesus the Greatest Fool?

Do a search of an online Bible (KJV) for the word "mad", and you will find that some people thought that Jesus was mad. They had their beliefs and Jesus was upsetting their traditions. Jesus was not someone who sought popularity. He spoke the truth even if the hearers did not want to hear or believe what He said.

Jesus' love for people who are heading for Hell, and His obedience to His Father made Him a target of hatred from His own nation. Hatred does not like the truth even when it is given by the most innocent person.

Today many people still hate Jesus and respond to His words as though He was mad.

Some people form clubs and only the club members and maybe some of their friends are allowed to enjoy the benefits of the club. Anyone who violates the rules gets a warning, gets disciplined, or is removed from the club.

Another group comes along , and being smarter than others, they decide that a new religion is okay. So they make their religion and if you don't follow their rules, beliefs, and practices, they don't count you as one of them. Their religion contradicts Jesus in many ways, yet they think they are right and Jesus is wrong. They can kill people who oppose them and they think they are doing God's service. All that Jesus has said about repentance and hell, judgement and death is mocked by them. With their acts they are saying, Jesus you cannot be taken seriously, you are mad. You are the greatest fool because you died for all that you believed in and we are wiser because we have the right answers. Jesus, you missed all that we have.

People build clubs, religions, businesses, etc. with rules. Even the gangs have their rules. They all expect their rules to be followed. Yet, Jesus and His rules are rejected and scorned. Jesus, you are the greatest fool, aren't you? You cannot touch us because we are wiser and you are mad. We are more able to get others to follow our rules and we do not expect you to do anything about it.

Now don't get me wrong, most people are not actually thinking that they are calling Jesus a fool, but I am showing you what is the end result of the actions of those people as though they had done just the things I am pointing out.

I want you to see how wrong you could be about Jesus.

If you ponder this more, you will see how many people think that they are wiser than Jesus. May God have mercy on their souls.

About the Author

    The author is a born again Christian. His spiritual offices are Pastor and Prophet. Abdool's ministry is to the body of Christ wheresoever the Spirit of God leads him. Two of his web sites are Nizamuddin's Blogs Central and Spiritual Slavery. This blog may be republished for the cause of Jesus Christ. It must be published without charge. The links may be removed, but the rest of the resource box must remain with the blog. Copyright 2006. Abdool Nizamuddin

A Basic Universal Desire

This desire is with us so often that we are set on auto response to fulfill it. You know it because you were once a child. Your parents know it because they have you and because they were once children.

Jesus addressed it in the holy scriptures. The gist of it is that even evil people know how to give good gifts to their children. The desire of children is to receive good gifts. The desire of most parents is to supply their children with good gifts.

Jesus excels above every parent in supplying good gifts. If you are His child (spiritual) you have experienced His provision and care. If you are one who doubts His promises you are in error. You can become a child of God and expect to partake of the children's blessings.

One of the good gift that God the Father desires to give you is the gift of the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit is only for the children of God the Father.

You are most welcome to receive because you are a child of God and not a stranger.

Ask and believe.

If you don't receive right away that does not mean that the gift is not for you. The keys for receiving after several requests is importunity and patience.

Keep on believing.

One reason you may not get the desire fulfilled is because you need someone appointed by God to pray for you and lay hands on you. You need to follow God's leading and seek out that person. God does many things through human vessels that He has chosen. Submit to the one chosen by God and you will get better results.

There are times when God graciously baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit without anyone laying hands on them. This could happen in a prayer meeting, a church worship service, in your own bedroom by yourself, or under other conditions or circumstances.

Abdool N

About the Author