January 7, 2011 The Big Trip 4-4

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. Sorry I am a TAD late, I was out plowing the snow that hit last night. Not much snow, but we here at Carry The Light Ministries have a plow route to clear. Just another way of helping to bring in some dollars for the food pantry. Beside that, I still love to plow snow even if I am getting old. I have an update on Jenny and it will be at the end of the message. Please take time to read it.

The Big Trip 4-4: Matthew 3:10 - The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (NIV)

Let me put that scripture into my words today... The ax is already at the root of the trees. To me that means God The Father is getting nearer and nearer to sending His Son Jesus back for we who are saved and that Judgment is just around the corner. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. To me that means if we are not producing for our Lord Jesus, hear me on this, if we are not producing for our Lord Jesus, we are in danger of being cut down, and tossed into the lake of fire... Meaning we, if we are not producing for Jesus, will be cut down and sent to hell.

Brothers and sisters, we cannot work our way into heaven, we must go to Jesus and confess and believe, and we must work for Him. Brothers and sisters, the way I read my Bible is you just cannot go to church once a week, maybe plow the snow for the church, or work the bake sale, you must work for the Lord, meaning you must be saved and you must work telling others about Jesus. Yes, those other things need done, but you cannot work your way into heaven that way, you must, again according to the Bible, go to the corners of the world and tell the good news. Someone say Amen.

I mean it is ok to work that bake sale, but those coming to purchase your baked goods need to hear the word. Which is the most important part of the ministry of the church, raising money at the bake sale or telling people about the free gift of Salvation through Jesus? But you need the money you make to keep the church running, and yes, you do, but you must work it together. Yes, we must clear the parking lot at the churches but if when people come to church and don't hear about salvation through our Lord Jesus, please tell me what good it did for the lot to be plowed. If in the summer the grounds around the church are mowed and looking great, but the word inside was not about salvation or was not the COMPLETE truth about our Lord Jesus, tell me, did it do anyone any good to get into heaven cause the lawn was nice but the pastor was absent the word, or the flock at the church did not walk in the light of the Lord? Are you getting my point here, you cannot work your way into heaven, you must seek out the Lord, and then, and then, and then go to work for Him. Mow the grass, but when people come to that beautiful church because the lawn looks so nice, tell them about how nice heaven is going to be. Show them around the church, show them that pretty lawn, and show them the blacktop on the parking lot, and then remind them how the paving on the streets of heaven is made of Gold. When Jesus went to the cross for us, He did it out of Love. He had already worked feeding people food, and feeding their minds, He worked healing them from broken hearts, broken homes and even raised the dead. But His love went farther than that, His love for us was death on the cross to take our sins away. And folks, it is only going to get better WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN, and I do pray you are in the ALL of that line. Is the ax at your roots, are you heading for the old brush pile? Cheer up, spark up some love for Jesus and get humping for Him... Plow the snow, cut the lawn, trim the trees, and tell people about the Love of Jesus... and not just about your love of plowing or your love of a nice lawn... A choice needs to be made, and you are the one who must make it. Are you going up, or going down? Are you going to going to have a seat at the feet of Jesus or are you going to go stoke the fires of hell... again your choice. I made mine. I am going up...

Dear Father in Heaven, I want to repent, and I want to live for and with You. I need help doing it, I really do, so I am asking You to keep me on the straight and narrow in all things. Thanks for being with those on our healing lists. Help others who want to repent this day, and Lord, thanks for the good, good news from Jenny. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Go forth now loving Jesus, sharing your blessings and working for Him, by showing others the way to salvation through Jesus... Love ya, Pastor Dan.


Prayer update:

Jenny outran the treadmill for 20 minutes during her echo test. She did get dizzy at the very end of the run. The doctor noticed a major change in her breathing when she got dizzy and feels that might be part of her troubles. The best part of the test was that again it proved that her heart did not miss a beat and is in great shape. Therefore, she is not in danger of dropping over during a basketball game. Jenny has low blood pressure all the time. All the activity and sweating during a game causes her pressure to bottom out.
Where do we turn from here? We just need to focus on hydration, eating right, cut out caffeine, and take breaks to rest during a game. In doing a lot of research and reading on some of her symptoms, doctor Dad is going to add a slew of supplements to her daily vitamin. We started this last night.

The even better news to all of this is that the doctors are certain she will grow out of all of this. Just need to be patient. Plus, the doctor will be talking to all of her coaches to compare notes and reassure them about her heart.

But when you have a heart for Jesus like Jenny does, what else could it be but strong!

Robert Campbell