Be Thankul Unto God

THIS IS OUR WORLD TODAY

 2 Timothy 3:1-9

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

It is more important than ever for God’s People to give public praise to God before the heathen:

1 Chronicles 16:24-25

Declare his glory among the heathen;

his marvellous works among all nations.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised:

he also is to be feared above all gods.

 "I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS"

 "I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS"

I have found that I am using the words above or their type more often now than ever before. I am thankful that I am a survivor and these words are not being spoken over my passing. I am getting tired of all these people dying around me though. I hate death and consider it an enemy, even though it has no lasting victory over a Christian Believer. I still hate death and what it does to good people.  In this season of almost everyone's passing being blamed on Covid, we know that the numbers prove no more are dying this year than in previous years. Then why is our perception changed to where is seems like death is everywhere?  Could it be due to the death count being reported with greater frequency? Perhaps. I do know that death is part of the human experience and few are able to escape its eventuality (Enoch and Elijah). So as I often say, "if you live long enough, you will die". The question is when, how and what then? We have little control over the when and how, but we can prepare for the "what then?" Every time we speak words of condolences to someone's passing, we should be reminded to get our own house in order. It amazes me how many people do not. One of these days either my number or yours will come up. Are we prepared? What we do now will affect our hereafter. It is the truth and we cannot escape. So here is the deal: Repent and Believe on the Name of Jesus Christ for your salvation. Declare openly and loudly that Jesus is now Lord of your life (owner and ruler) and you will be safe in the hereafter. Making Jesus Lord of your life is how you take care of this important matter. Just do it!!! You cannot stop death, but you can out smart it and live beyond the effect of dying.

"I know they are in a better place". Let that be words that people can confidently and truthfully say when you have passed away. have found that I am using the words above or their type more often now than ever before. I am thankful that I am a survivor and these words are not being spoken over my passing. I am getting tired of all these people dying around me though. I hate death and consider it an enemy, even though it has named on Covid, we know that the numbers prove no more are dying this year than in previous years. Then why is our perception changed to where is seems like death is everywhere?  Could it be due to the death count being reported with greater frequency? Perhaps. I do know that death is part of the human experience and few are able to escape its eventuality (Enoch and Elijah). So as I often say, "if you live long enough, you will die". The question is when, how and what then? We have little control over the when and how, but we can prepare for the "what then?" Every time we speak words of condolences to someone's passing, we should be reminded to get our own house in order. It amazes me how many people do not. One of these days either my number or yours will come up. Are we prepared? What we do now will affect our hereafter. It is the truth and we cannot escape. So here is the deal: Repent and Believe on the Name of Jesus Christ for your salvation. Declare openly and loudly that Jesus is now Lord of your life (owner and ruler) and you will be safe in the hereafter. Making Jesus Lord of your life is how you take care of this important matter. Just do it!!! You cannot stop death, but you can out smart it and live beyond the effect of dying.

"I know they are in a better place". Let that be words that people can confidently and truthfully say when you have passed away.

 Aaron and Stephanie Thomason just celebrated their 17th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, August 14th. I remember back to that special day in Amarillo, Texas. It was epic for us all. The addition of Stephanie to our family has been such a wonderful blessing to us! She is pert near perfect! We love her personality, smile, character, spirit, and determination. She has been a great wife, mother and daughter in love.  Praise to Jesus and Randy & Tammy Voight for their contributions. We love Aaron and clearly, so does God! Happy Anniversary y'all!

Here we go!

 My heart is heavy as I see what is happening to my home country. A once united and strong nation standing under God’s grace has now largely departed from the vision of our founding fathers. We have forsaken the guiding principles that made this nation great and prosperous. We have allowed evil godless people to hijack our country. They seek to destroy the foundations and build something ugly in its place. God cannot and will not stand idly by. He has to answer their defiance. Judgment is coming! Those of us who stand with God will witness horrible things. We must be ready to administer saving grace to all who turn to God in these days ahead. It will not be easy or safe. Our time of being smiled on by our government leaders ended. Now we are targeted as the enemies of their agenda and they desire to eliminate us. God will preserve  us and His judgments are not for us but we will witness some hard stuff. Our joy will be in the harvest of many souls during a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the End Time Harvest. We are there! Stand firm. Be strong. Hold the Line!

Ruth's Birthday January 6th

Ruth turns 65 today.  She is so excited about being 65! She gets to go on Medicare. This means she can be a Silver Sneaker at the Health Club and go work out for free! She can also get regular check ups and find out how healthy she really is, etc etc.  Her positive attitude and happy approach to life is one of the many things I love about her. It is amazing how quickly she entered my life 12 years ago and how deeply addicted I am to her.  Her smile, her laughter, her approach to everything being all out, all in, and all energy. She loves me (that's the main thing, right?). She keeps me looking younger than I really am (ears, eyebrows, etc.) and won't let me brush my hair straight back.  She compliments me when I do good and gives me you-know-what when I mess up. I think she tells me that she loves me 15 or 20 times a day. She is hard working, hard playing, and pushes me hard too.  I think that if she had not of come along when she did, I might be dead by now. God knew what I needed and gave me a wonderful, powerful, loving wife for my latter years. I am so grateful for this special gift! I pray that today will be a truly happy birthday for Cynthia Ruth Thomason!!!

 

 Dr James Maloney

It is Christmas Eve 2020 and the whole Christian World is getting ready to celebrate the most wonderful event in human history, the Birth of Jesus Christ. It is truly a wonderful time of the year. This year, Christmas is even more welcome because of all the events of 2020 that have challenged us all. For me and a host of others, Tuesday December 22 was a shocker when our friend and fellow minister James Maloney departed this life for his eternal home in Heaven.  It felt like a "kick in the gut" and unreal. Though Jim's life was a long tale of suffering, pain, and the fiery trial that tested him, we still thought he could beat this one too and emerge victorious like countless times before. But alas, this was to be his last fight before being promoted to his better place.  Jim came down with a covid related pneumonia and was hospitalized in Dallas, Texas on December 11, 2020. Two weeks later he left his battle weary body and soared to His Lord's Presence.  Jim did not lose.  He gained a far better entrance into Glory than we can imagine. His life was that of a Soldier of the Cross who fought on the front lines of spiritual conflict in many nations of the world with an anointing to break the chains that bound whole people groups through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jim believed, lived, and proclaimed the Miracle and Supernatural Power of Christ so everywhere he went, people were delivered and set free from demons, sicknesses, infirmities and addictions. Souls were saved on every continent for over 40 years of traveling ministry that literally wore his body out.  Yet, he would not stop. He would not let up until his final days. In recent years he had several near death experiences that left him unable to go, yet he would fight back and get back out there because "sick people need to be healed". His compassion for the sick and hurting drove him beyond his own human strength to the point that he learned to lean into the Lord and draw strength from the supernatural Jesus he had preached about for decades.  Some of the greatest miracles and healings of his ministry occurred when he himself could hardly stand up. So great was the presence of the Holy Spirit in his meetings. Now Jim is enjoying some rest in his new Heavenly Body and reaping the rewards of the Lord, who, according the the last sermon I heard him speak in person last August, is "my Friend". Yes Jim and Jesus were friends. Close friends.  

I am so glad that I can say that James Maloney is also my friend.  We could talk about anything. We could be serious and then light hearted and let our hair down. I always knew that I could count on him and trust him with my congregation. I never saw him abuse or offend people he was ministering with. It was like watching God love on people. Yes there were healings and miracles, signs and wonders, but in every case, he left people knowing that God loved them and that God cared. People would leave his meetings feeling loved, encouraged, and empowered.  Jim knew what real ministry was about. He always gave all he had and left nothing on the table. In his nearly 65 years, he lived a full, fruitful and effective life. He loved his wife Joy and his children and grandchildren with a passion. I know of many sacrifices he made to make it back home after each ministry engagement to be with his family. Our prayers are for them.

 

Adam and Julie Culp, Nepal

 

This picture of me and Adam Culp was taken at a coffee shop in Kathmandu, Nepal back in February 2020. Ruth and I were there with Adam & Julie Culp to Teach in a Ministry Training Center founded by Adam and to speak at the First Annual Nepal Kingsway Fellowship Int'l Minister's Conference.  Both events were highly successful and we had a great time making new friends.  Little did we know that from just a few miles east of where we were, a Chinese plague was already being unleashed upon the world. Within days of our return home, the world shut down. Air traffic from Asia was stopped and many missionaries were stranded and unable to get back to the United States. This included Adam and Julie and  their five children.  Through a series of events and by God's Grace, they eventually got out of Nepal and back to the States. Nepal has been shut down since March.  The Culps arrived back in Tulsa and are making preparations to return to Nepal in a few months.  In the mean-time they are traveling in the United States to meet their supporters and make new contacts.  It is their plan to raise the funds necessary to return to Nepal and continue being a blessing to that nation.

They arrived at our home yesterday. They will be ministering in our Wednesday mid week service tonight (Dec 9) and staying for next Sunday morning (Dec 13) before heading back to Tulsa where they are based.

I have known Adam and Julie since the early 1990's when I first met them at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. They were students and friends of my daughter Heather during her time at ORU. Through Heather, I met these fine folks as well others.  In the years to follow, we have become close friends and ministry colleagues. I traveled to India, Myanmar and Nepal with Adam. Just a few years ago, at my insistence, Adam joined Kingsway Fellowship In'tl and has now established KFI in Nepal as a national organization giving credentials and support to a growing number of ministers. Many of these ministers have been serving God in a harsh environment without any covering or encouragement. Now they have an international ministry organization behind them thanks to Adam's efforts.  It is my joy to have been a part of this effort.

I grew up supporting missionaries. They have a special place in my heart and vision. It is always a delight to meet people who give up everything to take the Gospel to the Nations. Adam and Julie Culp are two of the most dedicated and selfless people I have ever known. Their whole family is committed to going where others will not go. They endure hardness and suffer deprivation willingly in order to establish God's work in remote places.  With Adam, I personally have been to the ends of the earth! 

I can without reservation, totally recommend this couple to you for love, support, partnership and prayers.

You can contact Adam at: fhgttn@live.com or give directly through: https://cash.app/$fhgttn

It is hard to believe that almost a year has passed since this picture was taken of Ruth and me with Papa Doorn at our annual Christmas service! Little did we know what lay ahead of us for the new year 2020.  Papa Doorn prophesied the "CHANGE" was coming. Wow! He nailed it for sure! On January 1st we decided to change locations of our church to a building on Atlantic Blvd. The move was completed in mid February just as Covid-19 was about to hit.  With the shut downs and some building permit delays, we were not able to have services in the new place until August. During those months we met in Robert and Irene Fellows' home. Some of our regular members have stopped coming and we still are less than half the size we were when this picture was taken. Our missions activity was severely cut back with only one trip to Nepal in February. We have sent a lot of support to help feed hungry people in Kenya, India, Nepal, Honduras and others. In all of this, God has been faithful to us all for which we are thankful. Ruth and I have made trips to Nepal, Des Moines, Iowa, Phoenix, Arizona, Spokane, Washington, Knoxville, Tennessee as well as several trips within the state of Florida. In all of this, we have avoided the dreaded virus and other sicknesses all to God's glory. Now we are about to celebrate another Christmas season and Papa Doorn (age 91) is scheduled to be with us again on December the 20th. This will be his 20th year in a row to be with us on Christmas Sunday! We are still in the midst of election controversy and praying constantly about the outcome. We believe the prophets and trust God for a great victory. 2021 is looking to be a great year for the Kingdom of God! I BELIEVE JESUS IS LORD!!!

 Seventeen years ago today, Sept. 4th, Norma Joyce Thomason was promoted to her Heavenly home at the age of 52. I met her in May 1969 and we were married the following March 1970. We had 33 years together and enjoyed a wonderful relationship. She was lovely, godly and deeply cared about everyone she met. A great Mother to Heather and Aaron, she poured her life and values into them. She was my wife, my friend and a wise confident. Her passing upset me terribly. The way she died was horrible and it deeply affected me. Then one day she came to see me in a dream.  She was all excited about her passage from this realm into the Presence of God. Her manner of death was nowhere in her mind. She just kept describing how two bronze angels carried her into the very presence of Jesus. She told how beautiful the angels were but she could not look at them because she could see Jesus getting closer and closer as they carried her to Him. She was full of joy and kept clapping her hands as she spoke. When the dream was over, I realized the truth of what the Apostle Paul wrote, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord"! The death scene that I kept seeing over and over was not what was on her mind at all!  I am sharing this because many today have been subjected to some horrific circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one.  For those who die in Christ it is a glorious moment filled with rapturous glory! Think on this!

This past Sunday our church opened our new chapel with a GRAND OPENING celebration. Speaking at this event were my great friends James and Joy Maloney and Robert "Papa" Doorn. We had several guests from near and far to join our celebration. James Maloney, whom I have known since 1984, blessed us with two messages dealing with our relating to the Heavenly Father as 'friends". Papa Doorn shared his heart from over 60 years of ministry and encouraged us to move forward into the new things God has for us to do. You can access the audio versions of these messages at TALKBIBLE.SERMON.NET

Our heartfelt thanks to all who worked hard to make this moment possible and to the many who shared financially too.  Come see our new location at 7144 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32211