A Worshipper's Space

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Do you remember the old rhyme that many of us quoted when we were children; “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”? The truth is that words are powerful things and can cause long lasting harm. Physical wounds will heal, but words spoken in anger can last a lifetime.

As a child my dad who was an alcoholic used to pick on me. He would call me stupid and mock me. He would tell me that I would never amount to any good. One time, he told my first girlfriend that she would be better breaking off with me and finding someone else. Those words stayed with me and I developed a hatred for my dad. For years I struggled with my worth and even believed that God could not love someone like me, because I was stupid and couldn’t do anything right. It was only when I met His Son Jesus Christ that my view of self began to change. I still struggle now and then, especially when I mess up or when things go wrong. I find myself during those times asking; “God do You really love me? Of course He does and He has never stopped.

I was very careful what I said to my two children in raising them. I leaned from my past and the way that the Jews raised their children. They speak into their children’s lives everyday and tell them how bright and intelligent they are. That they will go far and can do anything they set their minds to. If you look at some of the most intelligent and successful people today and see what their upbringing was, you’ll find most come from Jewish families.

Parents be very careful what you say to your children. Let them know always you love them and are proud of them even when they mess up. Show them how to get back up and try again. Encourage them at every turn and never, never for what ever reason put them down. Punish them when they do wrong, but always let them know it is because you love them.

If you are a spouse always speak encouraging words to your husband or wife. Let them know how much you love them and appreciate all they do, even the little things. I take the time to always thank my wife and let her know how special she is to me. It is amazing how just using words that bring life can spice up your marriage. If your marriage is struggling, try using positive words in speaking to each other and I bet within a few days you’ll begin to see a difference.

Last year some words were spoken over my life that almost destroyed me. For the last year I almost believed I was a person without hope and that God had abandoned me and I would never be used again. Every night for the last year I would go to bed crying out to Him wanting to hear some kind of word. All the words that were spoken to me years ago were mocking me even to the point that I was coming to believe that just like my dad, God couldn’t find any good in me either. I had been thrown away and was only fit to be thrown into the fire. I kept up a good front as I didn’t want anyone to know the pain I was going through.

About a month I found a church called Daily Hope just down the street from us. I called the church and arranged that my wife and I would visit. That night I had a dream where all of a sudden I was given a new song, but yet it was an old song. Hard to understand, but in my spirit I know what it means. As I began to sing this old/new song I was raised up into the air beside a flag pole and I knew that this was the Holy Spirit that was upholding me and I saw that I was singing to the nation. It was the next day that I got a call from the pastor of Daily Hope and knew then after meeting with him that God was not finished with me. I was exactly where He wanted me to be and that this was the appointed time.  He had never abandoned me. I remember a prophet speaking over me years ago and now his words come back to mind so clearly. He said that God was calling out to me as though through a megaphone saying; “You are my son and I have called you from before you were even in your mothers womb and I set out a path for you. There are those who have even said, can anything good come out of this man? But be encouraged because they said the very same things about my Son. I tell you that in that appointed time my Spirit will fall upon you and they will know that I have called you by my name, says the Lord.”

Please, please be very careful what you speak into someone’s life. You may have very good intentions, but you can cause more harm than good.

Just as I finished writing this blog I looked at I bag of Granola that I was munching on and even though my eyesight is poor, I saw a scripture on the bag stood out and it says; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Could the Lord be speaking any more clearly?

Pastor Gerry Desjardins

Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,¹⁶ holding fast the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16b

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honour your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22 (NLT)

We live in a very affluent society. Many of us have been blessed with good jobs and possessions. We in the West have more than our ancestors ever had. We think it’s important we own our own home, need at least two cars and give everything to our children that we didn’t have. It seems to me as even though we are blessed with these things, we are less happy than those that came before us. We are never satisfied with what we have and want more. So it is with the general population. Riches and wealth of possessions rarely brings happiness, Yet so many of us would be hard pressed to part with them.

As I was praying last night I thought much about this young rich man that Jesus spoke with. What if I was in his position and Jesus asked this of me? Would I react in the same way? In all honesty I have to admit there was a lot of hesitancy on my part. I love my warm home and my bed and the fact that I live in comfort. Am I more interested in my own comfort than that of the poor? I’m not rich but what I possess is much more than many around the world. This troubled me quite a bit. My heart is not in the right place and I am in the process of remedying that. In giving us His all, Jesus has asked for all of us. It’s not an option. He’s either Lord of all or not Lord at all. We can’t afford to have any attachment to this world. We are not our own, we have been bought for a great price. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Nory and I are facing this right now, neither of us have jobs and without the Lord intervening we are about to lose everything, even a place to live. We have no choice but to believe the Lord will provide and see us through, but what if He doesn’t? Would we still call Him Lord and say “Yet though He slay me, I will still trust Him”? With thousands of Christians around the world losing everything because of persecution and war are we any better than them? What if it is to fulfill a purpose that only the Lord can see? Would we still trust Him? Please pray for us as we face this trail of our faith.

The question begs asking, what about you? Are you so tied to your possessions that they mean more to you than your service to Christ and His Lordship? If Jesus asked you to give up everything tomorrow, would you? Or would you walk away sad like this young man did? As Christians we should be able to let go of people and possessions at the drop of a hat. Our answer should always be, “Yes Lord.” without hesitation. Everything you have been blessed with is not yours anyway. It belongs to Him to do with a He pleases and if that bothers you then you need to seek the Lord as to why. We bring nothing into this world and there is nothing that we can bring with us when we leave it.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mark 10:23-27 (NLT)’

When Jesus died on the cross He made it possible for all to be saved, but it still comes down to a matter of the heart. Where your heart is there is your treasure also. Luke 12:34. Whatever possesses our heart, possesses us. If it be Christ then we are in the right place. If it is other people or things that we possess then we need to get right with God. Jesus tells us that in giving up our earthly desires and possessions that we gain much more in heaven.

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” Mark 10:28-31 (NLT)

So tell me is your heart here on earth set on your possessions or are you building towards your inheritance that Christ has promised you in heaven? It is a question you alone can answer in your time with Jesus. Lord help us to put you first in all things!

Gerry Desjardins

One who argues with his Creator is in grave danger, one who is like a mere shard among the other shards on the ground! The clay should not say to the potter, “What in the world are you doing? Your work lacks skill!” Isaiah 45:9 CEV

Gabe, who? Oh, that guy..

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Psalm 46:1-3

It’s quite sad how much peoples minds are controlled by what comes out of the media. We as Christians are told, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8. Our emotions are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. We need to be always wanting the best for a person, even if that person has offended you.

Let me ask you a question, if someone willingly killed your child or a family member, could you forgive them? It would probably be the hardest thing you ever had to do. And yet it was our sin that killed God’s Son on the cross. We were the ones who nailed Him there and the Father let it happen. We are deserving of the fires hell and yet Jesus cried out; “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” So if because of the sacrifice of His Son we are forgiven how much more should we forgive others?

I see racial division over this George Zimmerman trial even in the church. Shame on us! Jesus paid the price for all races equally and He called us His body. I can’t work properly !f I am missing part of that body. We need each other no matter what colour we are. There are greater things that the church needs to be concerned about and that is the salvation of souls. Millions are on their way to hell right now, consumed by hatred that is inflamed by the media and shamefully even pastors and so called reverends. Let’s get our act together church! It does not matter who was guilty or who wasn’t. We should be praying for the salvation of all those involved including George Zimmerman and if you can’t do that you are part of the problem.

It is incredible the racist element that has shown up in many peoples lives since yesterdays not guilty verdict. What is even more incredible is that many of these people call themselves Christians. How dare you place yourself in a higher place than God. One day the Pharisees, hoping to trip up Jesus brought Him a woman caught in the very act of adultery.

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2… but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Are you greater than God in passing judgement when the Lord says; “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” ?

How many of you have had the thought, “Oh I’d just wish that person would die.” Do you not know that you are guilty in your heart of murder? So how is it that you can stand there with a stone in your hand ready to throw it at George Zimmerman? If you have anger, hatred and unforgiveness in your heart right now towards George, do you know you cannot enter heaven? “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Grow up and let the Holy Spirit rule you instead of your emotions! – Gerry Desjardins

People think you must do mental gymnastics to know the truth of God’s Word. Not so, the Word is very clear to those who draw near to Jesus in spirit and truth. Ever since the Spirit inspired man to put the Word on paper, the enemy has tried to twist and manipulate it to his own purposes and he has succeeded in many ways. The Lord never changes and neither does His Word. The same promises still apply today. What God said He will do, He will do. Satan was completely and utterly defeated at the cross. He has no power over the believer. You want to know the truth? Seek the Word. Jesus said if you seek me with all your heart I will be found by you. The Word is near those who seek Him with all their heart.

I’ve been in the Word now over 35 years and everyday I see Christians falling victim to a case of itching ears, running to and fro to every wind of doctrine. Not having a firm foundation because they have neglected the Word or taken misguided preachers sermons as gospel. I’ve been guilty of that myself. Seek the truth in God’s Word and ask His Spirit to guide. The Spirit is there to reveal Christ to you. With the Word in your heart and mind you’ll not be so easily deceived.