Don’t let the title scare you away for within this message you will discover how the Lord sees us who claim to be His. I’m shocked as to how so many can go to their denominational church forever and still can’t give a viable testimony. Do you know what that means? I do for I was as lost as a goose in a snowstorm for nearly 33 years. When my wife met Jesus in our living room some 38 years ago the Lord got all of my attention. I felt that my work in the church and my saying “I believe in Jesus” was all there was until then. Was I ever wrong for I could now see the glow on her face even in the dark.
Before this meeting she was like me, “ a good Christian”. Or, as some have witnessed to me, Why, I never killed anyone. Folks let me tell you, God considers it murder when we sincerely hate someone. If this shocks you, He also considers it adultery when we lust after someone. You see, God looks upon our hearts and has told us sin is conceived in our hearts, then we act them out to our shame and detriment. Did you know God says the wages of sin is death? He isn’t kidding, and as soon as this sinks in, please go to your knees and find His abundant forgiveness. If you aren’t willing, you best go to the cross and spend sometime with Jesus. After you see Him dying in your place, you will seek God’s forgiveness hopefully with tears.
Did you know that Christianity is really Jesus living inside us? He comes after we repent and are forgiven by God. He comes in us to “live again” by giving us the gift of eternal life. Did you know He said we must be born again? You can read it for yourself in John chapter 3. Did you know the vast majority of Christians never read their Bibles? If they do, it’s only on some extra special occasion. I can tell you why they don’t, God isn’t leading them. Why should He lead someone to read His Word prayerfully when He knows they won’t obey Him? No one can fool God and anyone who tries, is a fool. I used to be one! I did things that I’m so ashamed of now, and had I realized He was watching me, I wouldn’t have done them at the point of a loaded gun. I would have said, “Go ahead and shoot.”
Do you drive to worship services like a Christian? How about when you leave, do you race to a restaurant to beat other Christians to the tables? Sorry, but I’m guilty of that too. How I wish I hadn’t, but unless we guard ourselves our flesh can make a mockery of our “faith”. By the way did you know there isn’t any such thing as a “Catholic faith”, “Episcopal faith”, Baptist faith”, etc? Faith can’t be divided up like a garden where you plant different vegetables. There is only one Farmer and we just cast His seeds, the Gospel. God made the Gospel simple to “confound the wise.” Are you one of the wise? I sure hope not, these folks are more likely to wander into error. I can name some large denominations that have strayed so far from the Truth they are “very” lost. I often pray the Lord will send the Holy Spirit to them for ONLY HE can bring them back to Jesus.
Did you know you can’t argue anyone into Christianity? I tried a long time ago when I didn’t know any better. Most folks attending dead churches are there only because their moms and dads went there. They will defend them to the hilt for the sake of their parents or grandparents who are no longer alive. God won’t make puppets of us but He will listen to prayer. If you are moved to pray for someone who has religion but no flow of God’s love don’t give up. As long as they are breathing they can be saved. The criminal on the cross next to Jesus is an excellent example. At the last second his eyes were opened to realize his sinfulness and that Jesus was His Messiah. When he asked to be remembered, Jesus saved Him.
Here’s a test for you. Do you love anyone or thing more than Jesus? If you do I can assure you, your name isn’t in the Book of Life “yet“. Once we are born again we instantly love Him the most. This enables us to love the unlovable, even horrible criminals in a jail. I‘ve been there and done that. Before I was born again there wasn’t anyway in the world I could love them, especially since my brother was blown up with a bomb set by one. I could even pray God would forgive them and save them from an eternity in hell.
Can you believe that God said He desires that all men repent and be saved? He gave Jesus up to abuse, death and shame on a cross to accomplish it. Did you know God raised Jesus from the dead three days later? Because He did, you and I can live forever with Him in Heaven. I love Him. Do you love Him too? If you do, let love pour out where He sends you for many thirst for Him. By the way, read your Bible prayerfully for He wants to talk to you. He will meet with you as you seek His fellowship. I promise!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
WHY WORSHIP JESUS
Folks, I hope this message will bring you to your knees. Jesus is God Almighty in the flesh. There is a day coming when everyone will fall on their knees and proclaim Him to be Lord, even if He wasn‘t their Lord.
At this time we need to be on our knees daily worshipping Him for He not only created us but came and died a horrible death so the Father could forgive us of our countless sins. What do you think will happen if we don’t? Do you think the Lord is going to brush off our lack of respect and adoration of His Only Begotten?
If you do, please change your mind right now for eternity could be seconds away. Not one of us knows the exact second we will die and as I write millions are close to leaving this world for the next. Some are seconds from an automobile wreck that will kill them. Others are near a massive thrombosis like the one that took my dad in 1970. I was with him a few hours earlier and he seemed fine to me. He wanted me to have lunch with him and some others but I’d planned to go to Panama City with a friend who was going to hunt in Alaska with me. A fellow with a lot of experience was going to give us some tips. I wish I had known God was going to take Him.
When I was ushered into the emergency room where my dad’s still body lay I was absolutely devastated and wept uncontrollably. Then standing next to him I recall praying, “Lord, thank you that this man was my daddy.” If anyone in the world was ready to meet Jesus that day it was him. I’ve written a lot about my dad’s devotion and labors for Jesus but the majority I never knew. Afterwards folks would tell me of ways he had blessed them. One, a young man on his way to seminary with a wife and children and no money, found in the note that my dad handed them contained a lot of it. We never knew he did this until several years later. The fellow ended up being elected the Bishop of Texas in the Episcopal Church.
My dad was in love with Jesus and I would like to know some day that my love for Him is as close. You might say, I’m working on it. You can too if you come to know Jesus. Knowing about Jesus is not knowing Jesus. Just as I feel many are still lacking intimacy and true knowledge, I too was a stranger. Jesus wants to come and live inside everyone but can’t if we refuse to repent. Please understand repentance isn’t simply saying I’m sorry. It means we recognize that our sins are hateful in the sight of God and must be washed in His Blood.
Can you see your sins on Him? If you can’t go to a quiet place where you can sit with Him. God want’s us to fall in love with Jesus not simply say, “I love Jesus.“ If anyone should ask we should be able to say Jesus is my Lord and God. He has led me to freedom to do and be all He intended when He created me. Or, I’m in the process of being led.
Jesus isn’t who most think. He isn’t the “man upstairs” or some other unflattering label. He is the One who holds the whole universe together. Please read the first chapter of Colossians for an eye opening. Every atom is bound together by His might. He created everything you see and all that you don’t see. We have submarines that can reach incredible depths and return with photos of creatures never seen before by man. Our electron microscopes reveal life forms that was only suspected before. The Hubble telescope is still opening the heavens as never before. What we can see is breathtaking. Do you understand why we should worship Him all the time?
Worship is a privilege and not a right. For us who have become born again it’s like breathing. All our thoughts and actions will hopefully bring glory to Jesus. We know He always knows what we are thinking for His Holy Spirit is within us. In Romans 8 we are told, “The sons of God are those who follow the Spirit of God.” May I humbly ask, are you doing them? If not, would you consider using the verse He gave me over 30 years ago and get busy? “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God Himself prepared for us to walk in.” Ephesians 2:10
I’ve changed it from plural to first person singular, “Good morning Father, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit, I’m your workmanship etc.“ Then I commit to do whatever He has for me. Any born again Christian can do the same. If you aren’t born again you should become one today, time is wasting. If you need my help please ask for I may also be seconds away from going home now. I’ll be 72 in July and that’s a long ways past my dad’s 59. He’s waiting on me with my mom, God showed me this and I want to see Jesus face to face. Do you want to see Him?
In His service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
At this time we need to be on our knees daily worshipping Him for He not only created us but came and died a horrible death so the Father could forgive us of our countless sins. What do you think will happen if we don’t? Do you think the Lord is going to brush off our lack of respect and adoration of His Only Begotten?
If you do, please change your mind right now for eternity could be seconds away. Not one of us knows the exact second we will die and as I write millions are close to leaving this world for the next. Some are seconds from an automobile wreck that will kill them. Others are near a massive thrombosis like the one that took my dad in 1970. I was with him a few hours earlier and he seemed fine to me. He wanted me to have lunch with him and some others but I’d planned to go to Panama City with a friend who was going to hunt in Alaska with me. A fellow with a lot of experience was going to give us some tips. I wish I had known God was going to take Him.
When I was ushered into the emergency room where my dad’s still body lay I was absolutely devastated and wept uncontrollably. Then standing next to him I recall praying, “Lord, thank you that this man was my daddy.” If anyone in the world was ready to meet Jesus that day it was him. I’ve written a lot about my dad’s devotion and labors for Jesus but the majority I never knew. Afterwards folks would tell me of ways he had blessed them. One, a young man on his way to seminary with a wife and children and no money, found in the note that my dad handed them contained a lot of it. We never knew he did this until several years later. The fellow ended up being elected the Bishop of Texas in the Episcopal Church.
My dad was in love with Jesus and I would like to know some day that my love for Him is as close. You might say, I’m working on it. You can too if you come to know Jesus. Knowing about Jesus is not knowing Jesus. Just as I feel many are still lacking intimacy and true knowledge, I too was a stranger. Jesus wants to come and live inside everyone but can’t if we refuse to repent. Please understand repentance isn’t simply saying I’m sorry. It means we recognize that our sins are hateful in the sight of God and must be washed in His Blood.
Can you see your sins on Him? If you can’t go to a quiet place where you can sit with Him. God want’s us to fall in love with Jesus not simply say, “I love Jesus.“ If anyone should ask we should be able to say Jesus is my Lord and God. He has led me to freedom to do and be all He intended when He created me. Or, I’m in the process of being led.
Jesus isn’t who most think. He isn’t the “man upstairs” or some other unflattering label. He is the One who holds the whole universe together. Please read the first chapter of Colossians for an eye opening. Every atom is bound together by His might. He created everything you see and all that you don’t see. We have submarines that can reach incredible depths and return with photos of creatures never seen before by man. Our electron microscopes reveal life forms that was only suspected before. The Hubble telescope is still opening the heavens as never before. What we can see is breathtaking. Do you understand why we should worship Him all the time?
Worship is a privilege and not a right. For us who have become born again it’s like breathing. All our thoughts and actions will hopefully bring glory to Jesus. We know He always knows what we are thinking for His Holy Spirit is within us. In Romans 8 we are told, “The sons of God are those who follow the Spirit of God.” May I humbly ask, are you doing them? If not, would you consider using the verse He gave me over 30 years ago and get busy? “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God Himself prepared for us to walk in.” Ephesians 2:10
I’ve changed it from plural to first person singular, “Good morning Father, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit, I’m your workmanship etc.“ Then I commit to do whatever He has for me. Any born again Christian can do the same. If you aren’t born again you should become one today, time is wasting. If you need my help please ask for I may also be seconds away from going home now. I’ll be 72 in July and that’s a long ways past my dad’s 59. He’s waiting on me with my mom, God showed me this and I want to see Jesus face to face. Do you want to see Him?
In His service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
WHEN DOES JESUS HEAL
This message will bring healing to many once they allow their past understanding of divine healing and grab hold of this TRUTH.
We must understand that Jesus came to save sinners and did so when He died on a cross with every sin ever committed or would be was heaped upon Him. Can you imagine the stench that rose to Heaven as He bore them? It’s no wonder God the Father deserted Jesus causing Him to cry out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.” After this plea the Father must have held His nose and looked back upon His Only Begotten. Please grasp this with all your might for without it how can you and I love Jesus enough?
The truth is we can’t and this is why we see “Christians” having to be recommitted, some over and over. Personally, I don’t believe these folks are born again [yet]. We who enjoy intimacy with Jesus have it as a duty and a privilege to not judge those outside His family but always be reaching out to them. The LOVE of God inside us is all we need so let it loose and see Him redeem them for Himself.
If you think about it Jesus actually accomplished three things as He died. One He shed His Blood so the Father could wash us clean as we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord. He is also our Savior but that will be realized on Judgment Day. Please don’t go around calling Jesus your Savior if you aren’t walking in obedience. Didn’t Jesus say, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?“ Yes He did and few seem to hear it.
As He hung in agony the pain from the beating ministered by the brute Roman Soldiers with a scourge that lacerated His body leaving stripes which were bloody welts. Bits and pieces of His flesh had been removed with each blow. This is a historical fact and the moment we look upon them trusting His agony and sacrifice for us healing will flow to us. Don’t struggle with this just do it. When I feel “ugly” I instantly go to the Lord and thank Him for being beaten nearly to death FOR ME! If you are born again please consider healing as part of your inheritance for it is.
Jesus defeated Satan at the Cross and everything that He accomplished is ours as we receive Him into our hearts as LORD. Please memorize John 1:12 for it is paramount to our relationship. “To as many as those who receive Him [Jesus] gave He the power to become the children of God, even those who believe in His Name.” I will never forget the day the Holy Spirit illuminated this verse to me. For at least 30 days it was the only thing I wanted to speak about. At Last, the Lord allowed me to understand that Salvation isn’t an intellectual exercise but an experiential one. Just as you are breathing now and living once we inhale Jesus by faith we live forever.
Billions believe that simply believing in Jesus will get them saved. Doesn’t Satan and his huge hoard of hateful demon spirits believe in Jesus and tremble? You are right they tremble for they know where they are going when God is through using them. I believe all illness, disease and sicknesses come from Satan. Read the Book of Job and you can see how this works. God only allows Satan so much room to work and then only to bring humans to a place where they will come to Christ. Many are suffering and never come which is our fault. We have tons of God’s love inside us but it has been dammed up.
The Lord has told us that from our bellies would flow LIVING WATER. It can happen when we release it but will not burst out like a volcano until then. Do you want to see folks saved? Love them, lift them up to the Lord boldly and pray for God to reveal Himself in Jesus. In 1st John we are told, “Those who have Jesus have eternal life and those who have not Jesus have not eternal life.“ Do you believe Him? If you do then release Jesus inside you to those headed to judgment and death. If you don’t may I suggest you come up with a very good excuse that God will accept, you will need it.
I would rather pray for a sick person than anyone for I know Jesus and He is more than willing to meet their need. I often have while reading in the Bible where He healed the sick, delivered the possessed, raised the dead and forgave those who repented. Remember the criminal dying next to him who repented? Jesus forgave Him instantly and told him that He was taking him to Paradise. Sadly, the other criminal refused to repent and was lost. We must work while there is still light. That light is Jesus inside you!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
We must understand that Jesus came to save sinners and did so when He died on a cross with every sin ever committed or would be was heaped upon Him. Can you imagine the stench that rose to Heaven as He bore them? It’s no wonder God the Father deserted Jesus causing Him to cry out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.” After this plea the Father must have held His nose and looked back upon His Only Begotten. Please grasp this with all your might for without it how can you and I love Jesus enough?
The truth is we can’t and this is why we see “Christians” having to be recommitted, some over and over. Personally, I don’t believe these folks are born again [yet]. We who enjoy intimacy with Jesus have it as a duty and a privilege to not judge those outside His family but always be reaching out to them. The LOVE of God inside us is all we need so let it loose and see Him redeem them for Himself.
If you think about it Jesus actually accomplished three things as He died. One He shed His Blood so the Father could wash us clean as we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord. He is also our Savior but that will be realized on Judgment Day. Please don’t go around calling Jesus your Savior if you aren’t walking in obedience. Didn’t Jesus say, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?“ Yes He did and few seem to hear it.
As He hung in agony the pain from the beating ministered by the brute Roman Soldiers with a scourge that lacerated His body leaving stripes which were bloody welts. Bits and pieces of His flesh had been removed with each blow. This is a historical fact and the moment we look upon them trusting His agony and sacrifice for us healing will flow to us. Don’t struggle with this just do it. When I feel “ugly” I instantly go to the Lord and thank Him for being beaten nearly to death FOR ME! If you are born again please consider healing as part of your inheritance for it is.
Jesus defeated Satan at the Cross and everything that He accomplished is ours as we receive Him into our hearts as LORD. Please memorize John 1:12 for it is paramount to our relationship. “To as many as those who receive Him [Jesus] gave He the power to become the children of God, even those who believe in His Name.” I will never forget the day the Holy Spirit illuminated this verse to me. For at least 30 days it was the only thing I wanted to speak about. At Last, the Lord allowed me to understand that Salvation isn’t an intellectual exercise but an experiential one. Just as you are breathing now and living once we inhale Jesus by faith we live forever.
Billions believe that simply believing in Jesus will get them saved. Doesn’t Satan and his huge hoard of hateful demon spirits believe in Jesus and tremble? You are right they tremble for they know where they are going when God is through using them. I believe all illness, disease and sicknesses come from Satan. Read the Book of Job and you can see how this works. God only allows Satan so much room to work and then only to bring humans to a place where they will come to Christ. Many are suffering and never come which is our fault. We have tons of God’s love inside us but it has been dammed up.
The Lord has told us that from our bellies would flow LIVING WATER. It can happen when we release it but will not burst out like a volcano until then. Do you want to see folks saved? Love them, lift them up to the Lord boldly and pray for God to reveal Himself in Jesus. In 1st John we are told, “Those who have Jesus have eternal life and those who have not Jesus have not eternal life.“ Do you believe Him? If you do then release Jesus inside you to those headed to judgment and death. If you don’t may I suggest you come up with a very good excuse that God will accept, you will need it.
I would rather pray for a sick person than anyone for I know Jesus and He is more than willing to meet their need. I often have while reading in the Bible where He healed the sick, delivered the possessed, raised the dead and forgave those who repented. Remember the criminal dying next to him who repented? Jesus forgave Him instantly and told him that He was taking him to Paradise. Sadly, the other criminal refused to repent and was lost. We must work while there is still light. That light is Jesus inside you!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
ARE YOU SICK--GO FOR A SWIM
God loves His children and if you want to know who they are, read John 1:12. “To as many as those who receive Him [Jesus] to them gave He the power to become the children of God even those who believe in His Name [Jesus]. Please check out the word “receive” for it is critical to being born again. Jesus exhaled upon His disciples when He met with them after His Resurrection. Why do you suppose He did that? Could it be so they could inhale His Breath? [Spirit] Of course, and it’s the same thing that happens when we place our trust in Him and His accomplishments on the cross as our own. To simply say I believe in Jesus just won’t cut it.
I should know, I feel like Paul who was a good Jew, me an Episcopalian, before we met Jesus. Paul was a different person afterwards and we all owe him for his devotion to Jesus. He suffered as no other and we have the epistles he wrote to guide us. His dedication caused him to continue to reach out to the churches even when in prison. I want to meet him one day and I suspect the line will be long when I do. The Holy Spirit had the perfect person to speak God’s instructions for Paul knew the law and he knew Jesus. He could see clearly how Jesus had come to fulfill the law.
When we accept Jesus, His Resurrection becomes ours as well. This is why I love Him so much. He took my thousands of sins upon Himself as He hung in agony. He paid for them with His Blood the only thing that God would use to erase them from my filthy heart. Until we can see Jesus in our place there is no way we can truly repent, no way at all.
You can become a “Christian” but you sure won’t be a born again one. You see, true repentance brings us to die to self where there is room in our hearts for Jesus to reign. He doesn’t come into to us to argue but to be our Lord [GOD]. When our lives are submitted to Him we can expect the “abundant life” promised in John 10:10. If you are a Christian and don’t have it why not go to the Father and tell Him.
Did you know He said that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them? This is why it is so important for us to pray for the lost. The more lost they are the better for the angels will rejoice more over them than most folks. I suspect they are waiting for more like me to melt before the Lord. I know one thing for sure the day I did is easily the best day of my life. God set me free to be His servant and I love it.
Few seem to understand that Jesus was beaten horribly so we could be healed. Just as we see Him in our place on the cross dying for us we can look closely and see the stripes from the beating. These stripes have provided a huge ocean size reservoir of healing grace. I see it to be larger than the Pacific Ocean. If we would go to the Lord and accept the fact that we “the born again adopted children” are in need of healing from our bodies we could go for a swim. All of God’s gifts to us are the result of us exercising our faith. Did you know He even supplies that? At birth we have just enough to proclaim Jesus as our Lord. What we have afterwards comes from hearing and reading the Word of God.
Many pastors are reluctant to preach on healing for they believe they will be liable if healing is denied to the sick. They try and get around this by adding the faith destroying words, “Lord if it be Thy will” to their prayer. I would go along with it if they would add, “Lord if it isn’t then kill them for I don’t want them to suffer anymore.“ Why in the world do they think Jesus suffered the stripes so He could show favoritism?
God loves us all the same but responds to our faith. Don‘t be confused on this for He isn’t measuring our faith in quantity but by its quality. Jesus defined this as a “mustard seed” which is the smallest of all garden seeds. I’ve discovered when I use all of mine, looking at the stripes, God always answers my prayers. I’ve seen true miracles and He hasn’t run out of them.
I love to pray for the sick but when I do I preach a bit of the Gospel first. We need to be in agreement when we pray. “If two or three of you agree as touching anything I will do it“ are powerful words from Jesus. He wants us to be gathered together [meaning of one Spirit] so God gets all of the glory.
If you are suffering do what it says in James 5, call the elders of your church and have them anoint you with oil as you confess yours sins. God says their prayers will bring healing to you. If they won’t do it, I will. I know Jesus and I know He means what He says. Dr. T.L. Osborn says, “Faith is believing that God will do what God has said He will do.” I like that!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
I should know, I feel like Paul who was a good Jew, me an Episcopalian, before we met Jesus. Paul was a different person afterwards and we all owe him for his devotion to Jesus. He suffered as no other and we have the epistles he wrote to guide us. His dedication caused him to continue to reach out to the churches even when in prison. I want to meet him one day and I suspect the line will be long when I do. The Holy Spirit had the perfect person to speak God’s instructions for Paul knew the law and he knew Jesus. He could see clearly how Jesus had come to fulfill the law.
When we accept Jesus, His Resurrection becomes ours as well. This is why I love Him so much. He took my thousands of sins upon Himself as He hung in agony. He paid for them with His Blood the only thing that God would use to erase them from my filthy heart. Until we can see Jesus in our place there is no way we can truly repent, no way at all.
You can become a “Christian” but you sure won’t be a born again one. You see, true repentance brings us to die to self where there is room in our hearts for Jesus to reign. He doesn’t come into to us to argue but to be our Lord [GOD]. When our lives are submitted to Him we can expect the “abundant life” promised in John 10:10. If you are a Christian and don’t have it why not go to the Father and tell Him.
Did you know He said that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them? This is why it is so important for us to pray for the lost. The more lost they are the better for the angels will rejoice more over them than most folks. I suspect they are waiting for more like me to melt before the Lord. I know one thing for sure the day I did is easily the best day of my life. God set me free to be His servant and I love it.
Few seem to understand that Jesus was beaten horribly so we could be healed. Just as we see Him in our place on the cross dying for us we can look closely and see the stripes from the beating. These stripes have provided a huge ocean size reservoir of healing grace. I see it to be larger than the Pacific Ocean. If we would go to the Lord and accept the fact that we “the born again adopted children” are in need of healing from our bodies we could go for a swim. All of God’s gifts to us are the result of us exercising our faith. Did you know He even supplies that? At birth we have just enough to proclaim Jesus as our Lord. What we have afterwards comes from hearing and reading the Word of God.
Many pastors are reluctant to preach on healing for they believe they will be liable if healing is denied to the sick. They try and get around this by adding the faith destroying words, “Lord if it be Thy will” to their prayer. I would go along with it if they would add, “Lord if it isn’t then kill them for I don’t want them to suffer anymore.“ Why in the world do they think Jesus suffered the stripes so He could show favoritism?
God loves us all the same but responds to our faith. Don‘t be confused on this for He isn’t measuring our faith in quantity but by its quality. Jesus defined this as a “mustard seed” which is the smallest of all garden seeds. I’ve discovered when I use all of mine, looking at the stripes, God always answers my prayers. I’ve seen true miracles and He hasn’t run out of them.
I love to pray for the sick but when I do I preach a bit of the Gospel first. We need to be in agreement when we pray. “If two or three of you agree as touching anything I will do it“ are powerful words from Jesus. He wants us to be gathered together [meaning of one Spirit] so God gets all of the glory.
If you are suffering do what it says in James 5, call the elders of your church and have them anoint you with oil as you confess yours sins. God says their prayers will bring healing to you. If they won’t do it, I will. I know Jesus and I know He means what He says. Dr. T.L. Osborn says, “Faith is believing that God will do what God has said He will do.” I like that!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Friday, December 11, 2009
WHEN DOES JESUS HEAL
WHEN DOES JESUS HEAL
This message will bring healing to many once they allow their past understanding of divine healing and grab hold of this TRUTH.
We must understand that Jesus came to save sinners and did so when He died on a cross with every sin ever committed or would be was heaped upon Him. Can you imagine the stench that rose to Heaven as He bore them? It’s no wonder God the Father deserted Jesus causing Him to cry out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.” After this plea the Father must have held His nose and looked back upon His Only Begotten. Please grasp this with all your might for without it how can you and I love Jesus enough?
The truth is we can’t and this is why we see “Christians” having to be recommitted, some over and over. Personally, I don’t believe these folks are born again [yet]. We who enjoy intimacy with Jesus have it as a duty and a privilege to not judge those outside His family but always be reaching out to them. The LOVE of God inside us is all we need so let it loose and see Him redeem them for Himself.
If you think about it Jesus actually accomplished three things as He died. One He shed His Blood so the Father could wash us clean as we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord. He is also our Savior but that will be realized on Judgment Day. Please don’t go around calling Jesus your Savior if you aren’t walking in obedience. Didn’t Jesus say, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?“ Yes He did and few seem to hear it.
As He hung in agony the pain from the beating ministered by the brute Roman Soldiers with a scourge that lacerated His body leaving stripes which were bloody welts. Bits and pieces of His flesh had been removed with each blow. This is a historical fact and the moment we look upon them trusting His agony and sacrifice for us healing will flow to us. Don’t struggle with this just do it. When I feel “ugly” I instantly go to the Lord and thank Him for being beaten nearly to death FOR ME! If you are born again please consider healing as part of your inheritance for it is.
Jesus defeated Satan at the Cross and everything that He accomplished is ours as we receive Him into our hearts as LORD. Please memorize John 1:12 for it is paramount to our relationship. “To as many as those who receive Him [Jesus] gave He the power to become the children of God, even those who believe in His Name.” I will never forget the day the Holy Spirit illuminated this verse to me. For at least 30 days it was the only thing I wanted to speak about. At Last, the Lord allowed me to understand that Salvation isn’t an intellectual exercise but an experiential one. Just as you are breathing now and living once we inhale Jesus by faith we live forever.
Billions believe that simply believing in Jesus will get them saved. Doesn’t Satan and his huge hoard of hateful demon spirits believe in Jesus and tremble? You are right they tremble for they know where they are going when God is through using them. I believe all illness, disease and sicknesses come from Satan. Read the Book of Job and you can see how this works. God only allows Satan so much room to work and then only to bring humans to a place where they will come to Christ. Many are suffering and never come which is our fault. We have tons of God’s love inside us but it has been dammed up.
The Lord has told us that from our bellies would flow LIVING WATER. It can happen when we release it but will not burst out like a volcano until then. Do you want to see folks saved? Love them, lift them up to the Lord boldly and pray for God to reveal Himself in Jesus. In 1st John we are told, “Those who have Jesus have eternal life and those who have not Jesus have not eternal life.“ Do you believe Him? If you do then release Jesus inside you to those headed to judgment and death. If you don’t may I suggest you come up with a very good excuse that God will accept, you will need it.
I would rather pray for a sick person than anyone for I know Jesus and He is more than willing to meet their need. I often have while reading in the Bible where He healed the sick, delivered the possessed, raised the dead and forgave those who repented. Remember the criminal dying next to him who repented? Jesus forgave Him instantly and told him that He was taking him to Paradise. Sadly, the other criminal refused to repent and was lost. We must work while there is still light. That light is Jesus inside you!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
This message will bring healing to many once they allow their past understanding of divine healing and grab hold of this TRUTH.
We must understand that Jesus came to save sinners and did so when He died on a cross with every sin ever committed or would be was heaped upon Him. Can you imagine the stench that rose to Heaven as He bore them? It’s no wonder God the Father deserted Jesus causing Him to cry out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.” After this plea the Father must have held His nose and looked back upon His Only Begotten. Please grasp this with all your might for without it how can you and I love Jesus enough?
The truth is we can’t and this is why we see “Christians” having to be recommitted, some over and over. Personally, I don’t believe these folks are born again [yet]. We who enjoy intimacy with Jesus have it as a duty and a privilege to not judge those outside His family but always be reaching out to them. The LOVE of God inside us is all we need so let it loose and see Him redeem them for Himself.
If you think about it Jesus actually accomplished three things as He died. One He shed His Blood so the Father could wash us clean as we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord. He is also our Savior but that will be realized on Judgment Day. Please don’t go around calling Jesus your Savior if you aren’t walking in obedience. Didn’t Jesus say, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?“ Yes He did and few seem to hear it.
As He hung in agony the pain from the beating ministered by the brute Roman Soldiers with a scourge that lacerated His body leaving stripes which were bloody welts. Bits and pieces of His flesh had been removed with each blow. This is a historical fact and the moment we look upon them trusting His agony and sacrifice for us healing will flow to us. Don’t struggle with this just do it. When I feel “ugly” I instantly go to the Lord and thank Him for being beaten nearly to death FOR ME! If you are born again please consider healing as part of your inheritance for it is.
Jesus defeated Satan at the Cross and everything that He accomplished is ours as we receive Him into our hearts as LORD. Please memorize John 1:12 for it is paramount to our relationship. “To as many as those who receive Him [Jesus] gave He the power to become the children of God, even those who believe in His Name.” I will never forget the day the Holy Spirit illuminated this verse to me. For at least 30 days it was the only thing I wanted to speak about. At Last, the Lord allowed me to understand that Salvation isn’t an intellectual exercise but an experiential one. Just as you are breathing now and living once we inhale Jesus by faith we live forever.
Billions believe that simply believing in Jesus will get them saved. Doesn’t Satan and his huge hoard of hateful demon spirits believe in Jesus and tremble? You are right they tremble for they know where they are going when God is through using them. I believe all illness, disease and sicknesses come from Satan. Read the Book of Job and you can see how this works. God only allows Satan so much room to work and then only to bring humans to a place where they will come to Christ. Many are suffering and never come which is our fault. We have tons of God’s love inside us but it has been dammed up.
The Lord has told us that from our bellies would flow LIVING WATER. It can happen when we release it but will not burst out like a volcano until then. Do you want to see folks saved? Love them, lift them up to the Lord boldly and pray for God to reveal Himself in Jesus. In 1st John we are told, “Those who have Jesus have eternal life and those who have not Jesus have not eternal life.“ Do you believe Him? If you do then release Jesus inside you to those headed to judgment and death. If you don’t may I suggest you come up with a very good excuse that God will accept, you will need it.
I would rather pray for a sick person than anyone for I know Jesus and He is more than willing to meet their need. I often have while reading in the Bible where He healed the sick, delivered the possessed, raised the dead and forgave those who repented. Remember the criminal dying next to him who repented? Jesus forgave Him instantly and told him that He was taking him to Paradise. Sadly, the other criminal refused to repent and was lost. We must work while there is still light. That light is Jesus inside you!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
THE SANCTITY OF SEX
God gave us sex and intimacy for procreation and that was to be within the bounds of commitment He calls marriage. It’s a holy thing and we must understand this to keep from sinning. He said, “The wages of sin is death.” Please understand we were created to live forever and sinning will deny us that privilege. Sex is very strong for He made it that way. We can see it clearly in the animal kingdom. Huge elk will battle with each other to death establishing dominance over a herd of females to continue their species. Other animals are like minded and on TV most of us have observed it.
When a man and a woman join their bodies together it is a beautiful thing in the sight of God “after” He has joined them together in heart, mind and soul. He makes the child after they supply the “ingredients”. Each of us have been “fearfully and wonderfully” made by Him. I’m speaking from the Holy Scriptures which are in the Bible. If you fail to read and heed them you will soon fall into a lifestyle which is abhorrent to God.
God loves you exceedingly and wants to add you to His eternal family. If you have been caught up in sensuality or adultery there is still hope for you. God has a way to cleanse us from our past sins, even horrible ones. Do you recall David and Bathsheba? During a time of war when her husband was off fighting, David happened to spot her from his balcony where she was bathing on her roof. Lust filled his heart and he had her brought to him. In a short while he committed adultery and even had her husband killed so he could have her. God saw it and must have grieved as David, his anointed fell.
The child she later carried was doomed to die. Before it did, David wept and prayed that the Lord would show him mercy. God couldn’t do this for it would have been an approval for David’s sinful behavior. David’s repentance for this sin was great [Psalm 51] and God forgave him just as he will for any of us caught up in one of Satan’s snares and repent.
We have an advantage over those who lived in Old Testament times in that we have the cross to find our forgiveness. If you seek forgiveness apart from the cross I believe you will be disappointed. Each sin was placed upon Jesus as He hung upon it. There is where we will find forgiveness as we express remorse and a commitment to never commit this sin again.
God loves us so much and when we realize it we are drawn to Him. Have you carefully examined the face of a newborn? Have you noticed how tenderly you look at it? Each small feature is attractive and precious. God looks at us that way even when we are old. Did you know He always calls us children, never adults? He even allows us to call Him Abba or Daddy.
Sex is the only way children can come into the world. Some are trying to clone or reproduce people in a test tube but they can never produce a soul. He has already designed us perfectly where the right parts mate with the right parts. Thinking in these terms can you see why He despises homosexuality. If you think I’m over stating the fact please read Romans chapter one. Can the Lord restore these folks who have chosen to go their own way? Of course He can but, will He? I know some who are caught up in it and can only pray for them. He has given them over to a reprobate mind. rep·ro·bate (r p r -b t ). n. 1. A morally unprincipled person. 2. One who is predestined to damnation. adj. 1. Morally unprincipled; shameless. ...
How about you? Have you committed sexual sins? If you have, what are you doing about it? If you put off making peace with God, Satan will just pull you further down to where it can be far more difficult to repent. As an example, look into the prison system and see how many within the populations makes it to freedom and a God ruled life. The stigma from imprisonment never seems to goes away. The few who did escape found Jesus as their rescuer. Has he rescued you?
God has prepared a city for us who are born again and live “in Jesus”. We are called the redeemed. Our names are already in the little “Book of Life”. Anyone who’s name isn’t in it will be cast into hell fire. You can read this in Revelations 21. Today is the day of salvation for millions, will you go and confess your sins, including the sexual ones? He knows them, He knows everything so don’t put it off. Jesus died for you personally and you can come to know Him personally. If you are involved sexually with someone sever the relationship and go seek forgiveness. Don’t think He’s going to give you a pass. Those who think so are part of the walking dead.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
When a man and a woman join their bodies together it is a beautiful thing in the sight of God “after” He has joined them together in heart, mind and soul. He makes the child after they supply the “ingredients”. Each of us have been “fearfully and wonderfully” made by Him. I’m speaking from the Holy Scriptures which are in the Bible. If you fail to read and heed them you will soon fall into a lifestyle which is abhorrent to God.
God loves you exceedingly and wants to add you to His eternal family. If you have been caught up in sensuality or adultery there is still hope for you. God has a way to cleanse us from our past sins, even horrible ones. Do you recall David and Bathsheba? During a time of war when her husband was off fighting, David happened to spot her from his balcony where she was bathing on her roof. Lust filled his heart and he had her brought to him. In a short while he committed adultery and even had her husband killed so he could have her. God saw it and must have grieved as David, his anointed fell.
The child she later carried was doomed to die. Before it did, David wept and prayed that the Lord would show him mercy. God couldn’t do this for it would have been an approval for David’s sinful behavior. David’s repentance for this sin was great [Psalm 51] and God forgave him just as he will for any of us caught up in one of Satan’s snares and repent.
We have an advantage over those who lived in Old Testament times in that we have the cross to find our forgiveness. If you seek forgiveness apart from the cross I believe you will be disappointed. Each sin was placed upon Jesus as He hung upon it. There is where we will find forgiveness as we express remorse and a commitment to never commit this sin again.
God loves us so much and when we realize it we are drawn to Him. Have you carefully examined the face of a newborn? Have you noticed how tenderly you look at it? Each small feature is attractive and precious. God looks at us that way even when we are old. Did you know He always calls us children, never adults? He even allows us to call Him Abba or Daddy.
Sex is the only way children can come into the world. Some are trying to clone or reproduce people in a test tube but they can never produce a soul. He has already designed us perfectly where the right parts mate with the right parts. Thinking in these terms can you see why He despises homosexuality. If you think I’m over stating the fact please read Romans chapter one. Can the Lord restore these folks who have chosen to go their own way? Of course He can but, will He? I know some who are caught up in it and can only pray for them. He has given them over to a reprobate mind. rep·ro·bate (r p r -b t ). n. 1. A morally unprincipled person. 2. One who is predestined to damnation. adj. 1. Morally unprincipled; shameless. ...
How about you? Have you committed sexual sins? If you have, what are you doing about it? If you put off making peace with God, Satan will just pull you further down to where it can be far more difficult to repent. As an example, look into the prison system and see how many within the populations makes it to freedom and a God ruled life. The stigma from imprisonment never seems to goes away. The few who did escape found Jesus as their rescuer. Has he rescued you?
God has prepared a city for us who are born again and live “in Jesus”. We are called the redeemed. Our names are already in the little “Book of Life”. Anyone who’s name isn’t in it will be cast into hell fire. You can read this in Revelations 21. Today is the day of salvation for millions, will you go and confess your sins, including the sexual ones? He knows them, He knows everything so don’t put it off. Jesus died for you personally and you can come to know Him personally. If you are involved sexually with someone sever the relationship and go seek forgiveness. Don’t think He’s going to give you a pass. Those who think so are part of the walking dead.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Thursday, December 3, 2009
BROTHERS AND SISTERS WE ARE OUTNUMBERED
I love Sarah Palin for the same reasons that those on the left hate her. She’s my sister in Jesus and they can’t stand to see a true born again Christian prosper in anything. Jesus promised us persecution and folks, she’s getting it by the boat load. What they don’t know is they are adding to her reward with God. How important it is for us to serve the Lord openly too so we too can hear Him say, “Well done My good and faithful servant, enter now into the Joy of your Master.“ Do you think He will say that to you? If not, this message can be of great value to you.
There aren’t many Christians who can give a testimony that is exciting and attractive. I’m not saying they all have to be that way for some folks are going to come to the Lord like a tree growing in the yard. The problem is most of them never do anything but show up for services and do as little as possible in sharing Christ with the world. But those who have experienced the fantastic joy of being set free from a life of sin in a single day are so excited they want to tell everyone. I know this is the case for me. I was as miserable as one could be until May 23rd in 1971 when I receive a full pardon from God and adoption into His family. While sitting on a chair in my pastor’s office God redeemed me and made me one of His kids.
Sometimes I think the Lord allowed me hit the bottom so He could uplift me. My wife had met Jesus in our living room about 6 weeks before and came running to the bed where I was asleep so excited I thought there was an intruder in the house. I was reaching for my gun when she told me what had just happened to her. While on her knees telling God that she loved Him, Jesus came into the room. She said the whole room lit up. I know one thing for sure, she did. For a very long time she walked around reading the Bible or a book on the Holy Spirit in her hands. I’m so blessed to have her as my wife of almost 52 years now for the Jesus inside her has brought me to know Him too.
Be honest now, do you know Jesus or do you know about Him? Don’t feel bad if you can only say you know about Him for that was my condition. I had to surrender my life, all of it, to know Him. My life since that wonderful day has been filled with excitement and sometimes persecution too. Jesus said, “If you aren’t for Me you are against Me. If you aren’t gathering you are scattering.“ Doing what He wants will always bring fire from the enemy and our sister in Christ, Sarah Palin, is under a barrage of hateful artillery. I hope you will adopt her and her family in your prayers today. She was born, like you and me, to love and serve the Lord. She’s an excellent example of how God works to accomplish His will here on earth. I’ve read her book Going Rogue and now my wife is reading it. Hopefully everyone will for in it you will see someone who loves America and our Constitution. She loves people and they love here too. I trust you’ve seen the crowds who show up when she does.
There’s a day coming when we all will stand before the Lord for reward if we are born again. No amount of religion can save us. We must be “in Jesus” for it’s His righteousness, gained by obedience, that makes us acceptable to the Father. We who’ve been buried with Him in Baptism and raised with Him in His Resurrection are already living in our eternal life. No one can kill us for we are now immortal as He is immortal. Realizing this allows us to serve Jesus in spite of persecution.
I suggest we watch Sarah as we pray for her. God is going to protect her and keep her for Himself just as He will for you and me. Isn’t He wonderful? You bet He is and one day we will see Jesus face to face.
Right now we are to commit our lives daily to His service. I’ve used Ephesians 2:10 for over 30 years doing it. Please do the same and allow God to use you in adding to His family. This isn’t hard to do at all. Please take the time to write out your salvation story. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy, just truthful. I wish folks had a long and short version ready for when given the privilege to share our love of Jesus we can do one or the other. I use my “one minute” testimony all the time.
Folks want to know why you are different so tell them. We have the peace of the Lord, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus“, and we are in Him. God doesn’t even remember our sins. He has erased them and forgotten them too. What can be better that this? Begin today sharing Jesus and make a difference for Christ. This is our purpose now. Will you do it? If not, why not? I can help you if you need it.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
There aren’t many Christians who can give a testimony that is exciting and attractive. I’m not saying they all have to be that way for some folks are going to come to the Lord like a tree growing in the yard. The problem is most of them never do anything but show up for services and do as little as possible in sharing Christ with the world. But those who have experienced the fantastic joy of being set free from a life of sin in a single day are so excited they want to tell everyone. I know this is the case for me. I was as miserable as one could be until May 23rd in 1971 when I receive a full pardon from God and adoption into His family. While sitting on a chair in my pastor’s office God redeemed me and made me one of His kids.
Sometimes I think the Lord allowed me hit the bottom so He could uplift me. My wife had met Jesus in our living room about 6 weeks before and came running to the bed where I was asleep so excited I thought there was an intruder in the house. I was reaching for my gun when she told me what had just happened to her. While on her knees telling God that she loved Him, Jesus came into the room. She said the whole room lit up. I know one thing for sure, she did. For a very long time she walked around reading the Bible or a book on the Holy Spirit in her hands. I’m so blessed to have her as my wife of almost 52 years now for the Jesus inside her has brought me to know Him too.
Be honest now, do you know Jesus or do you know about Him? Don’t feel bad if you can only say you know about Him for that was my condition. I had to surrender my life, all of it, to know Him. My life since that wonderful day has been filled with excitement and sometimes persecution too. Jesus said, “If you aren’t for Me you are against Me. If you aren’t gathering you are scattering.“ Doing what He wants will always bring fire from the enemy and our sister in Christ, Sarah Palin, is under a barrage of hateful artillery. I hope you will adopt her and her family in your prayers today. She was born, like you and me, to love and serve the Lord. She’s an excellent example of how God works to accomplish His will here on earth. I’ve read her book Going Rogue and now my wife is reading it. Hopefully everyone will for in it you will see someone who loves America and our Constitution. She loves people and they love here too. I trust you’ve seen the crowds who show up when she does.
There’s a day coming when we all will stand before the Lord for reward if we are born again. No amount of religion can save us. We must be “in Jesus” for it’s His righteousness, gained by obedience, that makes us acceptable to the Father. We who’ve been buried with Him in Baptism and raised with Him in His Resurrection are already living in our eternal life. No one can kill us for we are now immortal as He is immortal. Realizing this allows us to serve Jesus in spite of persecution.
I suggest we watch Sarah as we pray for her. God is going to protect her and keep her for Himself just as He will for you and me. Isn’t He wonderful? You bet He is and one day we will see Jesus face to face.
Right now we are to commit our lives daily to His service. I’ve used Ephesians 2:10 for over 30 years doing it. Please do the same and allow God to use you in adding to His family. This isn’t hard to do at all. Please take the time to write out your salvation story. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy, just truthful. I wish folks had a long and short version ready for when given the privilege to share our love of Jesus we can do one or the other. I use my “one minute” testimony all the time.
Folks want to know why you are different so tell them. We have the peace of the Lord, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus“, and we are in Him. God doesn’t even remember our sins. He has erased them and forgotten them too. What can be better that this? Begin today sharing Jesus and make a difference for Christ. This is our purpose now. Will you do it? If not, why not? I can help you if you need it.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Very few Christians think the rapture of the Church is imminent. I hope you aren’t one of them. Perhaps you aren’t familiar with this coming event so here are the scriptures we must accept as they are in God’s Holy Word.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [[a]in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave].
14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [[b]in death].
15For this we declare to you by the Lord's [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him [c]in death].
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.
17Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!
18Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.
They comfort me for I know that a day is coming when I’m going to disappear and meet Jesus in the sky. I won’t be alone for all “born again” Christians will go with me. What saddens me, the churches are filled with Christians in name only thinking they are safe. Before you want to argue with me please understand that Jesus said we must be born again. This means we have to give up our life and receive His.
Most seem to want religion instead so they can go on living at their own pace and not get in lock step with the Holy Spirit. This isn’t hard but it does require a certain amount of discipline. Once Jesus is living inside us we must come under His Lordship. He isn’t our Savior until we do. He said, “It isn’t you who say Lord, Lord that shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but you who do the will of My Father which is in Heaven.“ In Romans we are told, “The sons of God are those who follow the Spirit of God.” He has also told us that we are to pick up our crosses daily and follow after Him. He’s saying we must lay down our life [will] to do the works that God has prepared for us to walk in [do]. Ephesians 2:10
If you aren’t doing them I would bet you’ve never repented of your sins. Repentance is absolutely necessary. Even the criminal on the cross next to Jesus repented before Jesus gave him eternal life. As he hung dying next to his partner in crime he told him to shut up, “we deserve what is happening to us but this Man is innocent.” Then he looked at Jesus and pleaded with Him, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.“ Jesus said, “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.” Sadly, his partner never repented and prevented Jesus saving him too.
Repentance isn’t something we can do apart from the cross. You can tell God you are sorry for your sins until the cows come home and not be forgiven. But when you gaze at Jesus bleeding and dying on the cross for you personally something wonderful happens in our hearts. We find ourselves loving Him as never before. It’s so strong we want to stop sinning and begin to live for Him. This is real repentance, a change of heart for God. I wept a ton of tears when I repented and I suspect God used every one of them to wash out my filthy heart.
Ask yourself this question; Did my life change when I became a Christian? If it hasn’t what are you going to do about it? Hopefully this message has supplied you the answer. Go to the cross and stay there until you have “experienced” God’s forgiveness.
God loves you with agape or unconditional love. He will accept you like you are even though He may hate what you are doing now. I saw God work while serving Him in a two year jail ministry. There weren’t any “good folks” locked behind bars. Someone was praying for them and God in His faithfulness allowed them to hear the Gospel. When they accepted the invitation to receive Jesus as their Lord God He became their Father just as He does for anyone who will do the same. If He loved us in any other way no one could be saved.
So, regardless of your past surrender to Jesus now before the rapture. After we go up, a terrible time of Tribulation is coming upon the earth. I suspect it will begin with a limited nuclear war between Israel and Iran. If I’m right, chaos will disrupt lives as never before. You don’t want to be here, trust me.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [[a]in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave].
14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [[b]in death].
15For this we declare to you by the Lord's [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him [c]in death].
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.
17Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!
18Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.
They comfort me for I know that a day is coming when I’m going to disappear and meet Jesus in the sky. I won’t be alone for all “born again” Christians will go with me. What saddens me, the churches are filled with Christians in name only thinking they are safe. Before you want to argue with me please understand that Jesus said we must be born again. This means we have to give up our life and receive His.
Most seem to want religion instead so they can go on living at their own pace and not get in lock step with the Holy Spirit. This isn’t hard but it does require a certain amount of discipline. Once Jesus is living inside us we must come under His Lordship. He isn’t our Savior until we do. He said, “It isn’t you who say Lord, Lord that shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but you who do the will of My Father which is in Heaven.“ In Romans we are told, “The sons of God are those who follow the Spirit of God.” He has also told us that we are to pick up our crosses daily and follow after Him. He’s saying we must lay down our life [will] to do the works that God has prepared for us to walk in [do]. Ephesians 2:10
If you aren’t doing them I would bet you’ve never repented of your sins. Repentance is absolutely necessary. Even the criminal on the cross next to Jesus repented before Jesus gave him eternal life. As he hung dying next to his partner in crime he told him to shut up, “we deserve what is happening to us but this Man is innocent.” Then he looked at Jesus and pleaded with Him, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.“ Jesus said, “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.” Sadly, his partner never repented and prevented Jesus saving him too.
Repentance isn’t something we can do apart from the cross. You can tell God you are sorry for your sins until the cows come home and not be forgiven. But when you gaze at Jesus bleeding and dying on the cross for you personally something wonderful happens in our hearts. We find ourselves loving Him as never before. It’s so strong we want to stop sinning and begin to live for Him. This is real repentance, a change of heart for God. I wept a ton of tears when I repented and I suspect God used every one of them to wash out my filthy heart.
Ask yourself this question; Did my life change when I became a Christian? If it hasn’t what are you going to do about it? Hopefully this message has supplied you the answer. Go to the cross and stay there until you have “experienced” God’s forgiveness.
God loves you with agape or unconditional love. He will accept you like you are even though He may hate what you are doing now. I saw God work while serving Him in a two year jail ministry. There weren’t any “good folks” locked behind bars. Someone was praying for them and God in His faithfulness allowed them to hear the Gospel. When they accepted the invitation to receive Jesus as their Lord God He became their Father just as He does for anyone who will do the same. If He loved us in any other way no one could be saved.
So, regardless of your past surrender to Jesus now before the rapture. After we go up, a terrible time of Tribulation is coming upon the earth. I suspect it will begin with a limited nuclear war between Israel and Iran. If I’m right, chaos will disrupt lives as never before. You don’t want to be here, trust me.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Monday, November 23, 2009
THE FAITH OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS
From time to time when reading [feeding upon] the scriptures tears come freely. This morning it was as if I was there watching this scene unfold as a destitute blind beggar cried out to Jesus. Those nearby had absolutely no compassion for him and told him to “shut up”. But Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus and ‘knew’ Jesus could give him his sight.
He also knew this may be his one chance to see and began to scream again louder and louder, “Jesus Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now].” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him”. Now his detractors said, “Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.” Bartimaeus threw off his outer garment and came to Jesus. And Jesus asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Master, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has healed you. And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road. Mark 10: 46-52 Amplified Bible
Even now I can see Bartimaeus clinging to Jesus with tears flowing as he thanked Him over and over. His joy must have spilled over the crowd.
They had just witnessed the power of God in giving sight to a man slowly dying in darkness. How I wish I had been there but since this is impossible I want to see Jesus respond the same way today. Did you know the Bible tells us that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever? He is Almighty God along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He hasn’t changed one tiny bit. We can find out by developing the same faith of Bartimaeus.
Did you know that the Bible is not allowed in our schools anymore thanks to Satan and the ACLU? Why do you think this is so important to the devil? If you don’t know let me tell you, God is honored every time someone is healed. Satan hates God and us and works 24/7 against us.
You should memorize Hebrews 11:6 for it is a hallmark verse. “For without faith man can not please God for we must believe that He Is and that He Is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Let it sink in to you slowly for without faith you can consider yourself worse off than Bartimaeus. He received mercy due to the compassion of our loving God. How do you think you can appeal with the same sense of urgency if you don’t really believe? Now if you try and tell me you “really believe” in Jesus I’m going to ask you for your testimony. Your story of how you came to the place where you gave up your life [not just say you believe in Jesus] so God could impart the Holy Spirit inside you. Saint Paul says it best, “The mystery hidden from the ages, Christ inside you the hope of glory.”
Folks if Jesus isn’t inside you, you’re still lost. When He comes inside God calls it being born again. Jesus said we must be born again. There isn’t any wiggle room allowed. Religion, an imitation, is an insidious killer and has taken countless souls to darkness. If you consider yourself religious please spend time with Jesus at His cross and gain a relationship with Him.
God said that He made the Gospel simple to confound the wise. Religion is just as confining and destructive now as it was when Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees. These folks took the law as given by Moses and added thousands of rules to the basic 10 commandments. To make it even worse they didn’t follow them but imposed them on the people, ugh!
Once Jesus is inside us we don’t have to work at being a Christian for the Holy Spirit [of Jesus] is inside us. It’s as if you take a car, remove the motor and ignition and replace it with a modern racing engine and sophisticated computerized ignition. The car may look the same but don’t try to pass it on the interstate. I rode in a modified Ford car in 1956. It came with a basic six cylinder engine but my friend had a highway patrol engine installed with extras like two four barrel carburetors and a ¾ custom camshaft. It went so fast I couldn’t lean forward in my seat. The speedometer registered up to 120 MPH. I saw the needle way past that and we were probably going close to 140-150 MPH. Thank God the tires held together.
My friend later wrecked this car doing 80 during a rainstorm. It spun out and landed in the canal on Alligator Alley. Thank God a road sign took out the windshield creating a way out as the car settled into the dark water. God was there or Bobby would have died! He’s also with you right now. When you have a need can you cry out like Bartimaeus? You can, if you’ve developed a discipline to prayerfully read the scriptures. Jesus is the Word of God and will meet with you each morning if you’re wiling. Are you willing? If you aren’t, why aren’t you? Bartimaeus’ faith can be yours!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
He also knew this may be his one chance to see and began to scream again louder and louder, “Jesus Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now].” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him”. Now his detractors said, “Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.” Bartimaeus threw off his outer garment and came to Jesus. And Jesus asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Master, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has healed you. And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road. Mark 10: 46-52 Amplified Bible
Even now I can see Bartimaeus clinging to Jesus with tears flowing as he thanked Him over and over. His joy must have spilled over the crowd.
They had just witnessed the power of God in giving sight to a man slowly dying in darkness. How I wish I had been there but since this is impossible I want to see Jesus respond the same way today. Did you know the Bible tells us that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever? He is Almighty God along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He hasn’t changed one tiny bit. We can find out by developing the same faith of Bartimaeus.
Did you know that the Bible is not allowed in our schools anymore thanks to Satan and the ACLU? Why do you think this is so important to the devil? If you don’t know let me tell you, God is honored every time someone is healed. Satan hates God and us and works 24/7 against us.
You should memorize Hebrews 11:6 for it is a hallmark verse. “For without faith man can not please God for we must believe that He Is and that He Is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Let it sink in to you slowly for without faith you can consider yourself worse off than Bartimaeus. He received mercy due to the compassion of our loving God. How do you think you can appeal with the same sense of urgency if you don’t really believe? Now if you try and tell me you “really believe” in Jesus I’m going to ask you for your testimony. Your story of how you came to the place where you gave up your life [not just say you believe in Jesus] so God could impart the Holy Spirit inside you. Saint Paul says it best, “The mystery hidden from the ages, Christ inside you the hope of glory.”
Folks if Jesus isn’t inside you, you’re still lost. When He comes inside God calls it being born again. Jesus said we must be born again. There isn’t any wiggle room allowed. Religion, an imitation, is an insidious killer and has taken countless souls to darkness. If you consider yourself religious please spend time with Jesus at His cross and gain a relationship with Him.
God said that He made the Gospel simple to confound the wise. Religion is just as confining and destructive now as it was when Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees. These folks took the law as given by Moses and added thousands of rules to the basic 10 commandments. To make it even worse they didn’t follow them but imposed them on the people, ugh!
Once Jesus is inside us we don’t have to work at being a Christian for the Holy Spirit [of Jesus] is inside us. It’s as if you take a car, remove the motor and ignition and replace it with a modern racing engine and sophisticated computerized ignition. The car may look the same but don’t try to pass it on the interstate. I rode in a modified Ford car in 1956. It came with a basic six cylinder engine but my friend had a highway patrol engine installed with extras like two four barrel carburetors and a ¾ custom camshaft. It went so fast I couldn’t lean forward in my seat. The speedometer registered up to 120 MPH. I saw the needle way past that and we were probably going close to 140-150 MPH. Thank God the tires held together.
My friend later wrecked this car doing 80 during a rainstorm. It spun out and landed in the canal on Alligator Alley. Thank God a road sign took out the windshield creating a way out as the car settled into the dark water. God was there or Bobby would have died! He’s also with you right now. When you have a need can you cry out like Bartimaeus? You can, if you’ve developed a discipline to prayerfully read the scriptures. Jesus is the Word of God and will meet with you each morning if you’re wiling. Are you willing? If you aren’t, why aren’t you? Bartimaeus’ faith can be yours!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
WHAT DOES GOD WEAR
Our wonderful Heavenly Father is clothed in faithfulness and crowned with righteousness. Once we can see this our relationship with Him can begin to blossom. Many Christians have a hard time relating to God. Some out right fear Him thinking He hates them or can’t wait to unleash His wrath upon them and they are right. Don’t get upset with me until I explain this to you. God hates violence and because He does the world was flooded and all air breathing creatures died except for those in the ark with Noah and his family. Can you imagine the scene of those trying to get in after “God” closed the door? It was too late for repentance and they all drowned.
We are approaching a time now when Judgment Day can’t be far off. I say this watching Israel and Iran. Iran is preparing to unleash a hell of fire upon Israel and it will bring about a conflagration. All of the countries around Israel will be caught up in it and this is tragic. Our purpose as Christians is to try and reach them with God’s love before hand so then have a chance to be saved. We have a terrible enemy, the Islamic religion. This religion founded by the Prophet Mohammed commands his followers to destroy the Jews and infidels, that’s you and me.
What they need to understand “by God’s grace” that Jesus is God and He died for them like He did for us. His coming to earth and doing the Father’s will even to death on a cross is the ultimate righteousness. Few seem to understand the violence brought upon His body. The Passion of the Christ movie was good at revealing the hatefulness of the scourge and it’s effect upon a human body. What the Roman soldiers didn’t know was each blow that removed flesh creating oozing stripes were for the healing of man’s sickness and illnesses. Just as the Blood of Jesus was necessary for us to be washed clean of our sins the stripes are necessary for our healing. I know this is true for I have been healed by them.
I’ve shared many times the miracle I received after falling from a tree while hunting. My left knee was dislocated and by pulling my body off of it I heard the “pop” as it came back into place. The pain was unbearable and when I cried out to Jesus He sent a man to help me. As we drove along I told him about my cousin who had been hit be a car leaving her near dead. When her husband and sister ran up to her she said, “I’m OK Jesus is here with me.” When I repeated these same words all the pain left instantly, Glory to God! I didn’t need an operation or any other treatment. The stripes of Jesus were more than enough. God is faithful and I’ve experienced it.
The purpose of this message is to allow you to know Him too if you don’t already. Did you know the worse words in the Bible are those of Jesus when He said to half the virgins in Matthew 25, “I never knew you.” These were rejected just as the ones outside the ark as the water rose. If you don’t know the Lord please understand He loves you and desires that you repent of your sins so He can give you salvation. See yourself in the ark for once inside Jesus we are eternally safe.
Our hearts are hard and must be “cracked open” to receive the Gospel message, this is why preaching is necessary. Teaching appeals to the mind but preaching confronts us and deals with our hearts. For instance do you know that every evil thing you’ve done was placed upon Jesus as He died? Yes, all the things that would make you want to run and hide forever if they were made known. Well let me tell you they will be made known on Judgment Day if you aren’t born again. We who have surrendered our lives to Jesus received an enormous gift, all our sins were erased and forgotten by God. We have been set free from our past forever, Hallelujah!
Anyone who refuses the free gift of eternal life will see their past revealed to all of mankind just before being cast into hell by God’ angels. All of this is in the Bible and if you are wise you will make your peace with God right now. Tell Him from your heart exactly how you feel that Jesus was beaten, abused and nailed upon a cross for you personally. If you don’t feel anything spend more time meditating upon this fact. God gave us emotions and if the Holy Spirit is there I can guarantee you there will be something happening to you. We need an experience for Satan will come often trying to convince you that you are lost. You can laugh at him and tell him in no uncertain terms, “GO NOW” in Jesus name and he will flee from you.
You have been added to God’s eternal family as you received Jesus as your Lord and Master. Now a servant of God you can go before Him and He will anoint you for service. Go today and experience Joy as never before.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
We are approaching a time now when Judgment Day can’t be far off. I say this watching Israel and Iran. Iran is preparing to unleash a hell of fire upon Israel and it will bring about a conflagration. All of the countries around Israel will be caught up in it and this is tragic. Our purpose as Christians is to try and reach them with God’s love before hand so then have a chance to be saved. We have a terrible enemy, the Islamic religion. This religion founded by the Prophet Mohammed commands his followers to destroy the Jews and infidels, that’s you and me.
What they need to understand “by God’s grace” that Jesus is God and He died for them like He did for us. His coming to earth and doing the Father’s will even to death on a cross is the ultimate righteousness. Few seem to understand the violence brought upon His body. The Passion of the Christ movie was good at revealing the hatefulness of the scourge and it’s effect upon a human body. What the Roman soldiers didn’t know was each blow that removed flesh creating oozing stripes were for the healing of man’s sickness and illnesses. Just as the Blood of Jesus was necessary for us to be washed clean of our sins the stripes are necessary for our healing. I know this is true for I have been healed by them.
I’ve shared many times the miracle I received after falling from a tree while hunting. My left knee was dislocated and by pulling my body off of it I heard the “pop” as it came back into place. The pain was unbearable and when I cried out to Jesus He sent a man to help me. As we drove along I told him about my cousin who had been hit be a car leaving her near dead. When her husband and sister ran up to her she said, “I’m OK Jesus is here with me.” When I repeated these same words all the pain left instantly, Glory to God! I didn’t need an operation or any other treatment. The stripes of Jesus were more than enough. God is faithful and I’ve experienced it.
The purpose of this message is to allow you to know Him too if you don’t already. Did you know the worse words in the Bible are those of Jesus when He said to half the virgins in Matthew 25, “I never knew you.” These were rejected just as the ones outside the ark as the water rose. If you don’t know the Lord please understand He loves you and desires that you repent of your sins so He can give you salvation. See yourself in the ark for once inside Jesus we are eternally safe.
Our hearts are hard and must be “cracked open” to receive the Gospel message, this is why preaching is necessary. Teaching appeals to the mind but preaching confronts us and deals with our hearts. For instance do you know that every evil thing you’ve done was placed upon Jesus as He died? Yes, all the things that would make you want to run and hide forever if they were made known. Well let me tell you they will be made known on Judgment Day if you aren’t born again. We who have surrendered our lives to Jesus received an enormous gift, all our sins were erased and forgotten by God. We have been set free from our past forever, Hallelujah!
Anyone who refuses the free gift of eternal life will see their past revealed to all of mankind just before being cast into hell by God’ angels. All of this is in the Bible and if you are wise you will make your peace with God right now. Tell Him from your heart exactly how you feel that Jesus was beaten, abused and nailed upon a cross for you personally. If you don’t feel anything spend more time meditating upon this fact. God gave us emotions and if the Holy Spirit is there I can guarantee you there will be something happening to you. We need an experience for Satan will come often trying to convince you that you are lost. You can laugh at him and tell him in no uncertain terms, “GO NOW” in Jesus name and he will flee from you.
You have been added to God’s eternal family as you received Jesus as your Lord and Master. Now a servant of God you can go before Him and He will anoint you for service. Go today and experience Joy as never before.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Whole Bloody Truth
You and I have only one way to Heaven and it is through the Blood of Jesus. I don’t care what denomination you cling to or support. Unless you are washed in the Blood of Jesus you are polluted with sin. I would bet the vast majority who read this message are unaware they are headed towards hell. This horrible place was made for the devil and his unholy angels who rebelled against God. You might think of sin that way too. We have all broken God’s laws as revealed in the Bible. We are born sinners in that we have a propensity to sin. Watch a child demand their toy from another and you can see it at work. We too are born selfish and that is the absolute opposite of God.
Now please understand this above all else, we are not going to Heaven because we are “good” or have done good things. There isn’t anything we can do to remove the stench of sin except one thing, die to self. You and I can’t do this apart from the Cross where Jesus died for us. If you want to try you will be lost with all the others who refuse to believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Anything outside of Jesus is death and I’m not speaking of dying. I’m speaking of eternal death where God will condemn sinners and have angels cast them into hell fire. All of this is in the Bible but few read it and are ignorant of what the Lord has said. This message will alert you to the Truth and will encourage you to begin a daily discipline of reading from the Bible. He says, “Faith comes from reading and hearing the Words of Jesus.” “Without faith man [or woman] can not please God for we must believe He Is and that He Is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.“
If I could use my pistol to get folks saved I would do it for I know billions are going to spend eternity in hell and with me threatening them they might have a change of mind for Jesus. This won’t work and I know it, so what I do is do my best to love folks the way God loves me. If this gets their attention I tell them my testimony. I was very bad [at least in my mind] and know what it means to receive Amazing Grace. For a little while longer God is going to bestow it upon repentant sinners. Then a world wide shock will occur. God is going to take the born again Christians up to meet Jesus in the air. Please read 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 so you can see it for yourself. Those in greatest shock are those who have sat in church buildings all their life but were never born again. This means they never received the Holy Spirit inside them. He couldn’t come until they repented and surrendered their lives to Jesus. He doesn’t come inside us to argue. He comes inside to give us a brand new life that is “Christ like”. This isn’t impossible for God is within us now and He is able to do anything. Some of the most horrible people in the world repented and have been filled. If you think you are too bad for the Lord you are exactly who He is looking for.
Many who will be lost are “proud of their religion” and are willing to tell you all about it. Those who are God’s own are proud of Jesus and His victory at Calvary for them. They are “Christ focused” and willingly give themselves to the Holy Spirit to use anyway He wants. He pays them with a joy that is unavailable anywhere else. Once we taste it we want more and more for it has becomes our strength. I didn’t have this joy until I was almost 33 years old, all the while I was in church every time the doors opened and many times I was opening them.
Here is a shocking truth for you. At this time we can be added to God’s family by our total trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross in our “personal” behalf. After the rapture those who are added to the family of God will pay with their own blood too. Read the Book of Revelations and you will see this. There is a world wide religion that is growing daily, many added from within our prisons, that will willingly kill you for your Christian testimony. Muslims will only be following the Koran and will be largely incensed at the departure of the born again Christians. They will take out their fury on those who are brave enough to say they believe in Jesus. It’s up to us whether or not we want Jesus in our life now or become martyrs.
I made my decision nearly forty years ago and have labored hard in the Lord trying to bring many to Him. I’ve cast the Gospel seed widely but only the Father can bring it to growth. I can’t over stress the importance of submitting yourself to Jesus and not just for you but your family too. “Today is the day of salvation.” If you want more help from me, please ask.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Now please understand this above all else, we are not going to Heaven because we are “good” or have done good things. There isn’t anything we can do to remove the stench of sin except one thing, die to self. You and I can’t do this apart from the Cross where Jesus died for us. If you want to try you will be lost with all the others who refuse to believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Anything outside of Jesus is death and I’m not speaking of dying. I’m speaking of eternal death where God will condemn sinners and have angels cast them into hell fire. All of this is in the Bible but few read it and are ignorant of what the Lord has said. This message will alert you to the Truth and will encourage you to begin a daily discipline of reading from the Bible. He says, “Faith comes from reading and hearing the Words of Jesus.” “Without faith man [or woman] can not please God for we must believe He Is and that He Is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.“
If I could use my pistol to get folks saved I would do it for I know billions are going to spend eternity in hell and with me threatening them they might have a change of mind for Jesus. This won’t work and I know it, so what I do is do my best to love folks the way God loves me. If this gets their attention I tell them my testimony. I was very bad [at least in my mind] and know what it means to receive Amazing Grace. For a little while longer God is going to bestow it upon repentant sinners. Then a world wide shock will occur. God is going to take the born again Christians up to meet Jesus in the air. Please read 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 so you can see it for yourself. Those in greatest shock are those who have sat in church buildings all their life but were never born again. This means they never received the Holy Spirit inside them. He couldn’t come until they repented and surrendered their lives to Jesus. He doesn’t come inside us to argue. He comes inside to give us a brand new life that is “Christ like”. This isn’t impossible for God is within us now and He is able to do anything. Some of the most horrible people in the world repented and have been filled. If you think you are too bad for the Lord you are exactly who He is looking for.
Many who will be lost are “proud of their religion” and are willing to tell you all about it. Those who are God’s own are proud of Jesus and His victory at Calvary for them. They are “Christ focused” and willingly give themselves to the Holy Spirit to use anyway He wants. He pays them with a joy that is unavailable anywhere else. Once we taste it we want more and more for it has becomes our strength. I didn’t have this joy until I was almost 33 years old, all the while I was in church every time the doors opened and many times I was opening them.
Here is a shocking truth for you. At this time we can be added to God’s family by our total trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross in our “personal” behalf. After the rapture those who are added to the family of God will pay with their own blood too. Read the Book of Revelations and you will see this. There is a world wide religion that is growing daily, many added from within our prisons, that will willingly kill you for your Christian testimony. Muslims will only be following the Koran and will be largely incensed at the departure of the born again Christians. They will take out their fury on those who are brave enough to say they believe in Jesus. It’s up to us whether or not we want Jesus in our life now or become martyrs.
I made my decision nearly forty years ago and have labored hard in the Lord trying to bring many to Him. I’ve cast the Gospel seed widely but only the Father can bring it to growth. I can’t over stress the importance of submitting yourself to Jesus and not just for you but your family too. “Today is the day of salvation.” If you want more help from me, please ask.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Sunday, November 8, 2009
MAKING YOUR WIFE
This message can keep you from experiencing a break up of your marriage and a transfer of a lot of your assets to her and her attorney. Joan and I will reach our 52nd wedding anniversary in June if Jesus doesn’t come first. I live in that expectancy for He has promised to come for us and lift us to meet Him in the sky. Please read this for yourself in 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18. Don’t put this off for it will help you in making your wife. Living daily for and in expectancy for Jesus is absolutely necessary. There are no short cuts for anyone. Please trust me in this!
Unless you were born stupid [no hope for you] this can be the beginning of an exciting relationship which many have never enjoyed with their spouse. I’m not saying you aren’t living in a “satisfactory” relationship but trust me again there is far more to be enjoyed. I will share a little of my life with you here so you can see what I’m speaking about.
Joan and I married as sophomores at FSU in 1958. When I first saw her I was blown away with her beauty and grace. Not only that but she had a perfect figure too. To be honest I was enraptured by her and much of my thoughts were of when I might see her again. When I was able to take her to Destin my family was also so impressed with her. Joan was everything a mother wants for her son to marry.
My main problem was religion believe it or not. I loved God but didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. This didn’t happen until 1971 even though I was perhaps the most active male in my church. What ever was allowed I would do it. I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, held an office in the church, and best of all served at the altar as an altar boy and later as a lay reader. I was one busy guy on Sundays. My mom and dad raised me to serve God. How I wish I had known Him during these years.
On May 23rd in 1971 I surrendered my life to Jesus, lock, stock and barrel. At last I wasn’t my own, I belonged to Jesus. Many wonderful things begin to happen including a series of dreams that assured me of my life in the Lord. One placed me in a jail ministry where God performed real miracles. The greatest miracle as far as my marriage was concerned was the opening of my eyes to see Joan as the Lord saw her. I had married the finest woman on earth and I was far from being the finest man. It seemed that I wasn’t appreciating how much work she did at home before. We both worked 14-15 hour days in the Deep Sea Fishing business. During the night folks would call us from all over the southern US asking if we were going fishing tomorrow. Can you believe they did this even when they didn’t have time to get to Destin? Our business began in 1934 after the first Destin Bridge was built. My dad was so blessed as Mrs. Bacon the owner of the Bacon’s by the sea hotel sent him all of her customers. This was a huge advantage for him for few folks came to Destin back then.
You can imagine how many customers we developed over the decades and their kids and grandkids too. I’m not complaining except they woke my dear wife a lot. When we returned home in the evening we were exhausted but her more so. Since she detested doing the laundry I decided to do it for her. She allowed me for a while but one day she asked if I would only do mine. When I asked why, she said, “Ben, you are washing them all together.” I thought everybody did it that way. The main result was Joan seeing me as someone wanting to take some of the load off of her. Before long I was doing the dishes too and found it to be a true joy for my love for Joan was in a new dimension. I wanted to please her as much as I could while still working my tail off.
Captaining a deep sea fishing vessel with up to a hundred or more aboard was as stressful as it sounds. There is a huge amount of responsibility every time I backed away from the pier. Before me was a ten hour voyage which included a trip to and from the fishing grounds which were from 20-30 miles away and then the navigation to one fishing spot after another in the least amount of time. Each minute was important to me for my customers came to catch fish not just go fishing.
I began my day in the Bible where the Lord fed me making my faith or trust in Him to grow daily. Then I would stop off at our church where my singing of How Great Thou Art ran all the hitch hikers out the front door. There I would ask for God’s help not only for me but for all the Captains, crew members and their families. Arriving at the pier I was now “pumped up”. I loved my customers and they knew it. I taught them how to catch fish using the scriptures and during it God allowed me to share His Son Jesus with them. My wife was my number one cheer leader for she knew my heart and it was for her and Jesus. When your wife comes to where she is your number one cheer leader you have “Made your wife”.
In His Service, Capt. Ben Marler captben61@gmail.com
Unless you were born stupid [no hope for you] this can be the beginning of an exciting relationship which many have never enjoyed with their spouse. I’m not saying you aren’t living in a “satisfactory” relationship but trust me again there is far more to be enjoyed. I will share a little of my life with you here so you can see what I’m speaking about.
Joan and I married as sophomores at FSU in 1958. When I first saw her I was blown away with her beauty and grace. Not only that but she had a perfect figure too. To be honest I was enraptured by her and much of my thoughts were of when I might see her again. When I was able to take her to Destin my family was also so impressed with her. Joan was everything a mother wants for her son to marry.
My main problem was religion believe it or not. I loved God but didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. This didn’t happen until 1971 even though I was perhaps the most active male in my church. What ever was allowed I would do it. I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, held an office in the church, and best of all served at the altar as an altar boy and later as a lay reader. I was one busy guy on Sundays. My mom and dad raised me to serve God. How I wish I had known Him during these years.
On May 23rd in 1971 I surrendered my life to Jesus, lock, stock and barrel. At last I wasn’t my own, I belonged to Jesus. Many wonderful things begin to happen including a series of dreams that assured me of my life in the Lord. One placed me in a jail ministry where God performed real miracles. The greatest miracle as far as my marriage was concerned was the opening of my eyes to see Joan as the Lord saw her. I had married the finest woman on earth and I was far from being the finest man. It seemed that I wasn’t appreciating how much work she did at home before. We both worked 14-15 hour days in the Deep Sea Fishing business. During the night folks would call us from all over the southern US asking if we were going fishing tomorrow. Can you believe they did this even when they didn’t have time to get to Destin? Our business began in 1934 after the first Destin Bridge was built. My dad was so blessed as Mrs. Bacon the owner of the Bacon’s by the sea hotel sent him all of her customers. This was a huge advantage for him for few folks came to Destin back then.
You can imagine how many customers we developed over the decades and their kids and grandkids too. I’m not complaining except they woke my dear wife a lot. When we returned home in the evening we were exhausted but her more so. Since she detested doing the laundry I decided to do it for her. She allowed me for a while but one day she asked if I would only do mine. When I asked why, she said, “Ben, you are washing them all together.” I thought everybody did it that way. The main result was Joan seeing me as someone wanting to take some of the load off of her. Before long I was doing the dishes too and found it to be a true joy for my love for Joan was in a new dimension. I wanted to please her as much as I could while still working my tail off.
Captaining a deep sea fishing vessel with up to a hundred or more aboard was as stressful as it sounds. There is a huge amount of responsibility every time I backed away from the pier. Before me was a ten hour voyage which included a trip to and from the fishing grounds which were from 20-30 miles away and then the navigation to one fishing spot after another in the least amount of time. Each minute was important to me for my customers came to catch fish not just go fishing.
I began my day in the Bible where the Lord fed me making my faith or trust in Him to grow daily. Then I would stop off at our church where my singing of How Great Thou Art ran all the hitch hikers out the front door. There I would ask for God’s help not only for me but for all the Captains, crew members and their families. Arriving at the pier I was now “pumped up”. I loved my customers and they knew it. I taught them how to catch fish using the scriptures and during it God allowed me to share His Son Jesus with them. My wife was my number one cheer leader for she knew my heart and it was for her and Jesus. When your wife comes to where she is your number one cheer leader you have “Made your wife”.
In His Service, Capt. Ben Marler captben61@gmail.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
GOD ISN'T NICE
One of the reasons so few are born again Christians is they don’t understand much about God. The reason is they just can’t find the time to read the Bible. They can watch TV until their tails hurt sitting on a couch or chair but just can’t turn it off and read what God has to say. When you see how God responds to folks who aren’t obedient you will say with me, “God isn’t nice.” This doesn’t mean He isn’t Good for He is more than our understanding of the word. He is Holy and His Holiness demands that He not be nice.
Let me explain this for you. God loves us with an unconditional love but not one that allows us to live in disobedience. He sees this as rebellion and since He is preparing a family for eternity and they will be like Him not like the devil. Please read First John 3 and you should see it for yourself. Those who sin “regularly” are not God’s kids, He said that, I didn’t. If He was “nice” He would overlook a lot of what we can “little” or small sins. Let me assure you He doesn’t overlook any sin and not only that all of them are recorded for Judgment Day. If you are not born again you are walking on the thinnest ice in the world.
Folks are dying constantly. I haven’t seen where any funeral homes are going out of business. Many are making less money due to cremations taking the place of elaborate coffins and accessories. You need to awaken each day and thank God you are alive and make a commitment to do His will “all day long” as you understand it. You aren’t working your way into Heaven for Jesus bought that for us by dying on a cross in obedience to His Father. Unless you understand He was dying for you personally [paying for all the sins you have committed or might still commit] you don’t have a snowballs chance of becoming born again. When you and I arrive in Heaven that is the common denominator, we are all born again.
Some have accomplished a lot for the Lord as the Holy Spirit came upon them empowering them to do the “works” God prepared before hand for them. My favorite verse in all the Bible is Ephesians 2:10. Why don’t you look it up and see why. I would bet you will use it before long as you want to thank God for sending Jesus to the cross for you. If you don’t, please write to me ASAP for you have a big problem. Not only that, but you are depriving yourself of God’s Joy. Did you know He said, “I want my joy to be your joy.” Consider JOY as pay for obedience!
God isn’t nice and it’s for our good that He isn’t. Once we are all living in Heaven with Him then we will see His “nice side”. Right now like a great football coach who is turning boys into men they aren’t nice either. They are demanding of the players to give their best and second best in never acceptable. Are you willing to give you best to God in what ever you do everyday? If you aren’t, please tell me why.
When I operated a deep sea fishing business with my wife and mom I never gave less than my best to it. I couldn’t have lived with myself for I had dedicated myself to the Lord before I ever reached the pier. I wasn’t any where as gifted as some of the other captains who also took large groups into the gulf day after day but I was as successful catching fish for my party. I was so dependent upon Jesus He would get the fish ready for me. One day I had a large church group of over 70 aboard and they wanted to have a fish fry at their church when they returned. As I lay in my bed the night before the trip I asked the Lord to help me. He gave me the loran coordinates as to where I was to take them.
Arriving at the spot the water was full of fish and within a few hours the large fish boxes were packed. I was also able to anchor on the place making my day an easy and “great day “ in the Lord. I gave Him my best and He gave me His. The fish weren’t huge but they caught them two at a time. It was a beautiful thing to see. God is so Good, but not nice. I hope you know Him personally but if you don’t please write to me or find me somewhere and I will introduce you to Jesus. He loves you more than I could ever tell you and wants to tell you Himself. Will you allow Him today?
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler,
captben61@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Follow That Blog! http://captben61.blogspot.com/
Let me explain this for you. God loves us with an unconditional love but not one that allows us to live in disobedience. He sees this as rebellion and since He is preparing a family for eternity and they will be like Him not like the devil. Please read First John 3 and you should see it for yourself. Those who sin “regularly” are not God’s kids, He said that, I didn’t. If He was “nice” He would overlook a lot of what we can “little” or small sins. Let me assure you He doesn’t overlook any sin and not only that all of them are recorded for Judgment Day. If you are not born again you are walking on the thinnest ice in the world.
Folks are dying constantly. I haven’t seen where any funeral homes are going out of business. Many are making less money due to cremations taking the place of elaborate coffins and accessories. You need to awaken each day and thank God you are alive and make a commitment to do His will “all day long” as you understand it. You aren’t working your way into Heaven for Jesus bought that for us by dying on a cross in obedience to His Father. Unless you understand He was dying for you personally [paying for all the sins you have committed or might still commit] you don’t have a snowballs chance of becoming born again. When you and I arrive in Heaven that is the common denominator, we are all born again.
Some have accomplished a lot for the Lord as the Holy Spirit came upon them empowering them to do the “works” God prepared before hand for them. My favorite verse in all the Bible is Ephesians 2:10. Why don’t you look it up and see why. I would bet you will use it before long as you want to thank God for sending Jesus to the cross for you. If you don’t, please write to me ASAP for you have a big problem. Not only that, but you are depriving yourself of God’s Joy. Did you know He said, “I want my joy to be your joy.” Consider JOY as pay for obedience!
God isn’t nice and it’s for our good that He isn’t. Once we are all living in Heaven with Him then we will see His “nice side”. Right now like a great football coach who is turning boys into men they aren’t nice either. They are demanding of the players to give their best and second best in never acceptable. Are you willing to give you best to God in what ever you do everyday? If you aren’t, please tell me why.
When I operated a deep sea fishing business with my wife and mom I never gave less than my best to it. I couldn’t have lived with myself for I had dedicated myself to the Lord before I ever reached the pier. I wasn’t any where as gifted as some of the other captains who also took large groups into the gulf day after day but I was as successful catching fish for my party. I was so dependent upon Jesus He would get the fish ready for me. One day I had a large church group of over 70 aboard and they wanted to have a fish fry at their church when they returned. As I lay in my bed the night before the trip I asked the Lord to help me. He gave me the loran coordinates as to where I was to take them.
Arriving at the spot the water was full of fish and within a few hours the large fish boxes were packed. I was also able to anchor on the place making my day an easy and “great day “ in the Lord. I gave Him my best and He gave me His. The fish weren’t huge but they caught them two at a time. It was a beautiful thing to see. God is so Good, but not nice. I hope you know Him personally but if you don’t please write to me or find me somewhere and I will introduce you to Jesus. He loves you more than I could ever tell you and wants to tell you Himself. Will you allow Him today?
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler,
captben61@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Follow That Blog! http://captben61.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 2, 2009
WHY ARE YOU AFRAID?
Jesus was amazed when his disciples awakened Him from sleep as their small boat began to fill up with water. They were experienced fishermen and knew before long they were going to have the boat sink from under them. As a modern day boat captain even with all the modern life saving equipment aboard our vessels sinking isn’t something I would look forward to experiencing. For one they had no life jackets and maybe weren’t that strong of swimmers especially in the stormy waters they were battling. I can see them bailing water as fast as they can but not gaining at all.
Jesus seemed surprised that they were so afraid for He had been with them for some time now and they already knew He was someone very special. But why didn’t He wake up and realize the grave danger facing them? The answer might surprise you, Jesus is Almighty God in the flesh. Yes He is Emmanuel, God with us. Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that her son would be called Emmanuel or God with us. She was the only one who knew for sure when she delivered Jesus that she was still a virgin. Joseph had been told she was, and to his credit, he treated her as one, even when she turned up pregnant. We who are born again know by experience that Jesus is God for He lives in us. This is what born again means.
When Jesus spoke to the wind it stopped immediately and the sea became calm leaving his crew of disciples stunned. “Who is this that can calm the wind and waves with a word” was their open statement to each other. I can see some standing there looking like a deer in the headlights for they still didn’t know. This is true today for many Christians. They go to worship services and duly place money in the offerings not really knowing that Jesus is God. I’ve heard many call Him, “The man upstairs“ or some other name that reveals they don’t have a clue. If you know Jesus is God I hope you are not offending Him by living a life of fear.
Fear is a spirit and not one you and I should welcome but resist in the Name of Jesus and watch it go. This message is to help you gain the confidence to use the Name of Jesus as the evil spirits are about to make inroads in the church. We are already into a severe downturn in the economy and with the polices being followed by the current administration it will continue to go down. Now this doesn’t mean it will effect us in a negative way for God has made some awesome promises to His children. Please read John 1:12 to see who His kids happen to be. This is a necessity for all of us so do it!
One of the things my wife and I learned about 30 years ago is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When we lined up with the Word of God our life was far more enjoyable. This doesn’t mean we didn’t work for we did and the 14-15 hour days took a toll on us but we were young “back then” and could do it. God didn’t tell us to give everything away but to make it available to the Holy Spirit. Looking back I have some memories that are absolutely priceless [no pun intended] when the gift was really not that much money. I just followed my heart and God did the rest.
Many are fearful now of being able to make their mortgages and to pay their other debts and it may look impossible but Jesus said, “Nothing is impossible with God.“ Our job is to believe Him. In Hebrews 11:6 we learn that, “Without faith it is impossible to please God for we must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Pay close attention to the word diligently. This means to spend time with Jesus asking the Holy Spirit to help you.
As you seek the Lord, know in your heart that He is on your side, because He is alive in you. This alone should relieve you of fear. You are not a mortal now, you are an immortal and can not die. Oh your body might stop working, as everyone’s does, but the real you is instantly alive forevermore with Jesus. “To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints [true believers].”
I suspect most of us have more anxiety over the safety of our family than any other thing. Well if do, let’s commit them to the Lord each day and trust Him to guard them with His angels. Danger lurks everywhere but so does our Omnipresent God.
Coming to understand who you are in Christ is the real secret of living in the gift of God’s Peace or Shalom. It is ours as we accept it. Like someone offering you a gift it isn’t yours until you take it into your possession. Will you take Jesus now as your Lord? He isn’t anyone’s Savior until He is the Lord of their life, trust me in this. I know from my own experience it is true and so do millions more. If you need more please ask. I have many messages that can help you.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
http://captben61.blogspot.com/
To follow all blogs, go to http://captben61.blogspot.com/ and "Become a Follower" by clicking the orange Blog icon. You can also be a feed subscriber! Let your computer find the blogs for you and publish in a "reader. Check out the Posts by Atom at the bottom of the page to sign up today.
Tell your friends and family about this site. God bless you! ~ Webmaster.
Jesus seemed surprised that they were so afraid for He had been with them for some time now and they already knew He was someone very special. But why didn’t He wake up and realize the grave danger facing them? The answer might surprise you, Jesus is Almighty God in the flesh. Yes He is Emmanuel, God with us. Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that her son would be called Emmanuel or God with us. She was the only one who knew for sure when she delivered Jesus that she was still a virgin. Joseph had been told she was, and to his credit, he treated her as one, even when she turned up pregnant. We who are born again know by experience that Jesus is God for He lives in us. This is what born again means.
When Jesus spoke to the wind it stopped immediately and the sea became calm leaving his crew of disciples stunned. “Who is this that can calm the wind and waves with a word” was their open statement to each other. I can see some standing there looking like a deer in the headlights for they still didn’t know. This is true today for many Christians. They go to worship services and duly place money in the offerings not really knowing that Jesus is God. I’ve heard many call Him, “The man upstairs“ or some other name that reveals they don’t have a clue. If you know Jesus is God I hope you are not offending Him by living a life of fear.
Fear is a spirit and not one you and I should welcome but resist in the Name of Jesus and watch it go. This message is to help you gain the confidence to use the Name of Jesus as the evil spirits are about to make inroads in the church. We are already into a severe downturn in the economy and with the polices being followed by the current administration it will continue to go down. Now this doesn’t mean it will effect us in a negative way for God has made some awesome promises to His children. Please read John 1:12 to see who His kids happen to be. This is a necessity for all of us so do it!
One of the things my wife and I learned about 30 years ago is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When we lined up with the Word of God our life was far more enjoyable. This doesn’t mean we didn’t work for we did and the 14-15 hour days took a toll on us but we were young “back then” and could do it. God didn’t tell us to give everything away but to make it available to the Holy Spirit. Looking back I have some memories that are absolutely priceless [no pun intended] when the gift was really not that much money. I just followed my heart and God did the rest.
Many are fearful now of being able to make their mortgages and to pay their other debts and it may look impossible but Jesus said, “Nothing is impossible with God.“ Our job is to believe Him. In Hebrews 11:6 we learn that, “Without faith it is impossible to please God for we must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Pay close attention to the word diligently. This means to spend time with Jesus asking the Holy Spirit to help you.
As you seek the Lord, know in your heart that He is on your side, because He is alive in you. This alone should relieve you of fear. You are not a mortal now, you are an immortal and can not die. Oh your body might stop working, as everyone’s does, but the real you is instantly alive forevermore with Jesus. “To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints [true believers].”
I suspect most of us have more anxiety over the safety of our family than any other thing. Well if do, let’s commit them to the Lord each day and trust Him to guard them with His angels. Danger lurks everywhere but so does our Omnipresent God.
Coming to understand who you are in Christ is the real secret of living in the gift of God’s Peace or Shalom. It is ours as we accept it. Like someone offering you a gift it isn’t yours until you take it into your possession. Will you take Jesus now as your Lord? He isn’t anyone’s Savior until He is the Lord of their life, trust me in this. I know from my own experience it is true and so do millions more. If you need more please ask. I have many messages that can help you.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
http://captben61.blogspot.com/
To follow all blogs, go to http://captben61.blogspot.com/ and "Become a Follower" by clicking the orange Blog icon. You can also be a feed subscriber! Let your computer find the blogs for you and publish in a "reader. Check out the Posts by Atom at the bottom of the page to sign up today.
Tell your friends and family about this site. God bless you! ~ Webmaster.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
ARE YOU TROUBLED BY EVIL SPIRITS
If you aren’t you are very blessed. Demons have been active here since Satan tempted Eve. A jealous evil spirit [angel] tempted Cain and he killed his brother Abel. You can find more evidence all through the Bible that Satan’s demons have been very active. Do you remember the man so strong and violent that even if he were chained he could break them? When Jesus came near the demons in him recognized Jesus and begged not to be sent earl to Hades but to be sent into some hogs grazing nearby. When Jesus set the man free the 2,000 hogs, now possessed, ran into the sea and drowned. When the pig herders told the owners they begged Jesus to go away. There is no evidence that He ever returned. This is a powerful lesson too.
I know for a fact there are evil spirits here for a few times when I became angry over something I could feel them come “upon me”. When I commanded them to go in Jesus Name they left. There is much power in Jesus Name. While loading a new fuel tank down below in Her Majesty 11, I became trapped when it become stuck. Instantly a spirit of fear [claustrophobia] took advantage of it and I felt it. When I commanded it to go in the Name of Jesus and it left and a peace came upon me.
Our cemeteries contain many victims resulting from a “jealous” rage. I once witnessed a time like this and it could have turned out tragic. God is very good to those who love Him. I suspect He allows the devil much more leeway when it involves those who hate Him. Our prisons are filled with folks who were oppressed and when surrendered to the suggestions committed terrible crimes. Some are so possessed by Satan they are spending the rest of their life in solitary confinement. They are so violent they can’t be trusted in the general prison population.
I could share many such stories that I personally know of during my 71 years. I would bet everyone who reads this can relate even if it is only from the news on TV or article in the newspapers. Having said this, do you and I need more encouragement to understand that there is great demonic danger everywhere now?
A relative has just received a crippling injury from an auto accident resulting from a trip to buy some more beer. Who do you think led he and his friends to be drinking in the first place? Alcohol used to be called “alcoholic spirits” in my youth. This stuff is a depressant and can cause folks to do terrible things. I discovered this first hand during a two year jail ministry. If you are drinking beer as a beverage with your meals you might become a victim too. Countless people have been killed in auto accidents after someone had “a few beers”. I don’t have to belabor this point anymore for you know it is true.
If you are wise you will avoid alcohol in whatever way it’s offered. Some will say wine is OK. I have an old room mate from Sewanee Military Academy who confessed to some outrageous behavior when he and some friends while eating in an exclusive restaurant drank too much wine. Even in the scriptures we see Jesus’ disciples accused of having drunk too much wine on Pentecost. They were drunk but not with alcohol, they were filled with God’s Holy Spirit not alcoholic spirits.
The difference was profound for instead of doing the devil’s evil work for him instead they performed one of the greatest miracles revealed in scripture. Read the first chapter of Acts and you will see it for yourself. God wants us free from any influence that prevents us from serving Him 24/7. You may come up with some imaginative excuses on why you drink but trust me they won’t hold water when you stand in Judgment.
Alcohol and drugs are some of the devils most useful tools. Pot is a favorite for him for those who smoke it will NEVER reach their potential. God has a wonderful plan for our lives and we don’t need any illegal substances to fulfill it. Learn to hate this stuff and Satan will have a very hard time getting you involved. Anyone using or selling drugs are criminals.
I bet you don’t like that statement if you’re a user but it’s true. You can lose your job if you fail a drug test in some businesses. At this time, when the economy is tanking, I would hope no one would take chances. Worse of all that they could be involved in an accident that resulted in fatalities. Or, they would abuse their loved ones while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Remember, the Bible tells us, “Greater is He [Jesus] who is in us than he [Satan] who is in the world.” Get born again soon and you are safe. Need more information? I have much more and it is yours for free if you ask.
In His Service,
Captain Ben Marler
++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE SHARE THIS BLOG.
I know for a fact there are evil spirits here for a few times when I became angry over something I could feel them come “upon me”. When I commanded them to go in Jesus Name they left. There is much power in Jesus Name. While loading a new fuel tank down below in Her Majesty 11, I became trapped when it become stuck. Instantly a spirit of fear [claustrophobia] took advantage of it and I felt it. When I commanded it to go in the Name of Jesus and it left and a peace came upon me.
Our cemeteries contain many victims resulting from a “jealous” rage. I once witnessed a time like this and it could have turned out tragic. God is very good to those who love Him. I suspect He allows the devil much more leeway when it involves those who hate Him. Our prisons are filled with folks who were oppressed and when surrendered to the suggestions committed terrible crimes. Some are so possessed by Satan they are spending the rest of their life in solitary confinement. They are so violent they can’t be trusted in the general prison population.
I could share many such stories that I personally know of during my 71 years. I would bet everyone who reads this can relate even if it is only from the news on TV or article in the newspapers. Having said this, do you and I need more encouragement to understand that there is great demonic danger everywhere now?
A relative has just received a crippling injury from an auto accident resulting from a trip to buy some more beer. Who do you think led he and his friends to be drinking in the first place? Alcohol used to be called “alcoholic spirits” in my youth. This stuff is a depressant and can cause folks to do terrible things. I discovered this first hand during a two year jail ministry. If you are drinking beer as a beverage with your meals you might become a victim too. Countless people have been killed in auto accidents after someone had “a few beers”. I don’t have to belabor this point anymore for you know it is true.
If you are wise you will avoid alcohol in whatever way it’s offered. Some will say wine is OK. I have an old room mate from Sewanee Military Academy who confessed to some outrageous behavior when he and some friends while eating in an exclusive restaurant drank too much wine. Even in the scriptures we see Jesus’ disciples accused of having drunk too much wine on Pentecost. They were drunk but not with alcohol, they were filled with God’s Holy Spirit not alcoholic spirits.
The difference was profound for instead of doing the devil’s evil work for him instead they performed one of the greatest miracles revealed in scripture. Read the first chapter of Acts and you will see it for yourself. God wants us free from any influence that prevents us from serving Him 24/7. You may come up with some imaginative excuses on why you drink but trust me they won’t hold water when you stand in Judgment.
Alcohol and drugs are some of the devils most useful tools. Pot is a favorite for him for those who smoke it will NEVER reach their potential. God has a wonderful plan for our lives and we don’t need any illegal substances to fulfill it. Learn to hate this stuff and Satan will have a very hard time getting you involved. Anyone using or selling drugs are criminals.
I bet you don’t like that statement if you’re a user but it’s true. You can lose your job if you fail a drug test in some businesses. At this time, when the economy is tanking, I would hope no one would take chances. Worse of all that they could be involved in an accident that resulted in fatalities. Or, they would abuse their loved ones while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Remember, the Bible tells us, “Greater is He [Jesus] who is in us than he [Satan] who is in the world.” Get born again soon and you are safe. Need more information? I have much more and it is yours for free if you ask.
In His Service,
Captain Ben Marler
++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE SHARE THIS BLOG.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
EXPLODING FAITH
Have you ever noticed how folks handle explosives? From what I understand dynamite, which is easily the safest, is treated with great respect and rightly so for it can do great harm by it‘s inherent power. Within the clay like mixture there is a small amount of nitroglycerine. This stuff is very unstable and can go off by simply dropping it. Now, let’s see how this can help us understand faith in a new and exciting way, OK?
We are born with enough faith to say, Jesus is Lord. Had not God given it to us [all faith is a gift] we could never have any hope of living in Heaven. If you read Romans 10: 9-10 God will show you how it works. We are going to explore faith that works to bring about the Kingdom of God. A faith is available that Jesus used and His disciples afterwards. One of the great miracles is revealed as Peter and John went to worship after Pentecost. A man crippled from birth was instantly healed when he received what “they had”. They had Jesus inside and the power of God upon them and the cripple was set free.
God is still using disciples who are humble and anointed to accomplish His will. This is a key statement and I trust you understand it. Disciples are those who have given up their life for their Master. They are broken in God’s sight and desire to please Him 24/7. They have been found trustworthy by God and have received the “power from on high” that came upon Jesus at the river Jordan when He was baptized by John. If you are like most who will read this you will mistakenly believe God can’t use you. Trust me, this is Satan talking and if you are a born again son or daughter of God you are able. If you haven’t experienced the new birth yet, you still can.
There is no way any can come into a relationship with God apart from faith that Jesus died “personally” for them while hanging on the cross. God planned it this way for our hearts are hard and when the cross is preached, not taught, it will accomplish God’s intention of breaking our hearts. Mine was broken and when it was the seed [Gospel] was able to take root and begin to grow. From it came God’s love which is unconditional. He placed John Moore and me in a jail ministry for two years where I was actually able to love criminals. This was hard going for me at first. When I was able to see them through God’s eyes I finally could. Then God worked through John and me to set some of them free in their hearts.
God uses explosive faith to do such things and we experienced it. One of my favorite books is Healing the Sick by Dr. T.L. Osborn. He and his wife were used to do the things Jesus did by a multiple of times. There are pictures where up to 250,000 people came to hear the Gospel. While there the Holy Spirit healed them by the hundreds. I’ve given away over 1000 copies since I first discovered it. Within it’s pages we read the scriptures that can explode. I’ve seen them do it!
Nothing angers me more than to hear someone say, “So and so has all the faith in the world and he or she wasn’t healed.” Folks it is hard to explode crude oil but once it is refined into gasoline it’s like a bomb. Jesus said we needed the faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains or cast trees into the ocean. He is saying our faith must be “refined” too. As you read the scriptures or hear them something wonderful is happening. God the Holy Spirit is giving us more faith. At some point we must act on it and when it does it explodes! The more refined the more powerful it is.
Dr. Osborn makes a statement that all should accept. “Faith is believing that God will do what God has said He will do.“ There is no way we will know what God has said He will do without spending time in His Word, the Bible. Each word was dictated by the Holy Spirit to the writers. Argue with this statement and you are hopeless. God can not use you apart from His Word! He isn’t going to change it even a tiny bit. We need to grasp that He loves us in spite of our sinfulness and will never cease to for God is Love!
His will is for all to come to repentance and receive Jesus as our Lord [Master]. For those who will, eternity will be spent in God’s presence. For those who refuse, the devil will have their company forever in darkness. This message is to help you not only realize that God loves you eternally but has an exciting life planned for you. If you want to know more my email address is below. May God help you to become an anointed disciple today.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
We are born with enough faith to say, Jesus is Lord. Had not God given it to us [all faith is a gift] we could never have any hope of living in Heaven. If you read Romans 10: 9-10 God will show you how it works. We are going to explore faith that works to bring about the Kingdom of God. A faith is available that Jesus used and His disciples afterwards. One of the great miracles is revealed as Peter and John went to worship after Pentecost. A man crippled from birth was instantly healed when he received what “they had”. They had Jesus inside and the power of God upon them and the cripple was set free.
God is still using disciples who are humble and anointed to accomplish His will. This is a key statement and I trust you understand it. Disciples are those who have given up their life for their Master. They are broken in God’s sight and desire to please Him 24/7. They have been found trustworthy by God and have received the “power from on high” that came upon Jesus at the river Jordan when He was baptized by John. If you are like most who will read this you will mistakenly believe God can’t use you. Trust me, this is Satan talking and if you are a born again son or daughter of God you are able. If you haven’t experienced the new birth yet, you still can.
There is no way any can come into a relationship with God apart from faith that Jesus died “personally” for them while hanging on the cross. God planned it this way for our hearts are hard and when the cross is preached, not taught, it will accomplish God’s intention of breaking our hearts. Mine was broken and when it was the seed [Gospel] was able to take root and begin to grow. From it came God’s love which is unconditional. He placed John Moore and me in a jail ministry for two years where I was actually able to love criminals. This was hard going for me at first. When I was able to see them through God’s eyes I finally could. Then God worked through John and me to set some of them free in their hearts.
God uses explosive faith to do such things and we experienced it. One of my favorite books is Healing the Sick by Dr. T.L. Osborn. He and his wife were used to do the things Jesus did by a multiple of times. There are pictures where up to 250,000 people came to hear the Gospel. While there the Holy Spirit healed them by the hundreds. I’ve given away over 1000 copies since I first discovered it. Within it’s pages we read the scriptures that can explode. I’ve seen them do it!
Nothing angers me more than to hear someone say, “So and so has all the faith in the world and he or she wasn’t healed.” Folks it is hard to explode crude oil but once it is refined into gasoline it’s like a bomb. Jesus said we needed the faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains or cast trees into the ocean. He is saying our faith must be “refined” too. As you read the scriptures or hear them something wonderful is happening. God the Holy Spirit is giving us more faith. At some point we must act on it and when it does it explodes! The more refined the more powerful it is.
Dr. Osborn makes a statement that all should accept. “Faith is believing that God will do what God has said He will do.“ There is no way we will know what God has said He will do without spending time in His Word, the Bible. Each word was dictated by the Holy Spirit to the writers. Argue with this statement and you are hopeless. God can not use you apart from His Word! He isn’t going to change it even a tiny bit. We need to grasp that He loves us in spite of our sinfulness and will never cease to for God is Love!
His will is for all to come to repentance and receive Jesus as our Lord [Master]. For those who will, eternity will be spent in God’s presence. For those who refuse, the devil will have their company forever in darkness. This message is to help you not only realize that God loves you eternally but has an exciting life planned for you. If you want to know more my email address is below. May God help you to become an anointed disciple today.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Thursday, October 15, 2009
PORNOGRAPHY POISON
Would you take a substance that could end your life? Would you expose yourself to videos and pictures that can end your marriage? Would you allow others to draw you into crime? If the answer to these questions are yes this message isn’t for you. It is being written for those who have found themselves entrapped and need hope and freedom. All porn isn’t “hard core” but it’s all deadly. Those spending huge amounts of their life in prison could tell you that at some time in their life they viewed it. Some even tried to act out what they saw leading them to terrible crimes.
Before you dismiss these statements investigate the dangers of porn on the internet. This stuff is hideous for it is satanic and used by the devil to create division in the home and work place. Many years ago I exposed myself using an argument that it would help me minister to those caught up in it. What a stupid, dumb and idiotic thing to do. It has taken years with much prayer to have the images erased from my memory bank. Even now when it attempts to pop up I come against it in the Name of Jesus. I highly suggest that all who read this do the same if you have been exposed.
Years ago when I turned on my computer there were numerous attempts to lure me to sites where I could be entrapped. I know some folks now who are involved and their marriages are in trouble and could end. A military officer whom I hunted with lost everything including his wife due to it. She called me from Alaska asking me to pray for her and Dave. What she told me I won’t reveal here but this precious beauty from New Zealand was devastated and their marriage in ruins.
Satan is very clever and he has gently led many with R and X rated movies which are now common fare on TV. There are billions being made from the sale of movies and other related merchandise which tells us this is a vast problem. The saddest thing is those who haven’t surrendered their lives to Jesus will die in this snare. There is only one way to be set free and that is to die. I’m not speaking of literal death but a death of our will by repentance. True repentance is just that and not a series of “I’m sorry” statements. God isn’t a fool and he knows our future as well as our past. He made us and not our parents. He used their egg and sperm but that was to combine their chromosomes so we would be more like them in appearance. We are His property whether we surrender or not. We are not our own!
Hell is going to be packed according to Jesus for few are willing to give themselves to His Lordship. There are many who claim Him as their Savior but have no intention of committing their lives daily to Him. He tells us we are to pick up our crosses daily and follow Him. If you aren’t doing it consider this a reminder that all born again Christians have work to do. Ephesians 2:10 has made this clear, “We are His workmanship. We have been created in Christ Jesus to do the works that God Himself has prepared for us to walk in.”
After reading this message you have no valid excuse to offer Him on Judgment Day. If you are struggling with this remember that the angels will go out and separate the sheep from the goats on a day appointed by God. The difference between these two similar animals is great. One follows along after the shepherd and the other must be driven by the goat herder. Which are you? If a goat, this is your day to surrender your life to Jesus for no one knows for sure if you will be here tomorrow. Go to the cross and spend time until you love Jesus more than you do yourself. He suffered and shed Blood so we could be washed clean, even clean of the sins associated with porn.
Don’t allow the devil to tell you that God won’t have you for it’s a damnable lie. You are very precious to God and He has a magnificent plan for your life that will bring Glory to Himself. Until you are liberated from porn or other deadly sins you can never accomplish His works for Him.
Make the choice today to “Fear God and live.“ This isn’t fun and games to God and one day billions will be cast into a fire along with the devil who led them in rebellion against God. There is no way anyone would choose this fate in their right mind. If you have read this far you still have your right mind. In Romans God tells us that homosexuals have been given over to a reprobate mind. I suspect many were led by porn into this lifestyle leading to their sure rejection by God on Judgment Day. Pray with me for them. Jesus is in the redeeming business!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Please tell you loved ones about this Blog - Webmaster Athena Creamer
Before you dismiss these statements investigate the dangers of porn on the internet. This stuff is hideous for it is satanic and used by the devil to create division in the home and work place. Many years ago I exposed myself using an argument that it would help me minister to those caught up in it. What a stupid, dumb and idiotic thing to do. It has taken years with much prayer to have the images erased from my memory bank. Even now when it attempts to pop up I come against it in the Name of Jesus. I highly suggest that all who read this do the same if you have been exposed.
Years ago when I turned on my computer there were numerous attempts to lure me to sites where I could be entrapped. I know some folks now who are involved and their marriages are in trouble and could end. A military officer whom I hunted with lost everything including his wife due to it. She called me from Alaska asking me to pray for her and Dave. What she told me I won’t reveal here but this precious beauty from New Zealand was devastated and their marriage in ruins.
Satan is very clever and he has gently led many with R and X rated movies which are now common fare on TV. There are billions being made from the sale of movies and other related merchandise which tells us this is a vast problem. The saddest thing is those who haven’t surrendered their lives to Jesus will die in this snare. There is only one way to be set free and that is to die. I’m not speaking of literal death but a death of our will by repentance. True repentance is just that and not a series of “I’m sorry” statements. God isn’t a fool and he knows our future as well as our past. He made us and not our parents. He used their egg and sperm but that was to combine their chromosomes so we would be more like them in appearance. We are His property whether we surrender or not. We are not our own!
Hell is going to be packed according to Jesus for few are willing to give themselves to His Lordship. There are many who claim Him as their Savior but have no intention of committing their lives daily to Him. He tells us we are to pick up our crosses daily and follow Him. If you aren’t doing it consider this a reminder that all born again Christians have work to do. Ephesians 2:10 has made this clear, “We are His workmanship. We have been created in Christ Jesus to do the works that God Himself has prepared for us to walk in.”
After reading this message you have no valid excuse to offer Him on Judgment Day. If you are struggling with this remember that the angels will go out and separate the sheep from the goats on a day appointed by God. The difference between these two similar animals is great. One follows along after the shepherd and the other must be driven by the goat herder. Which are you? If a goat, this is your day to surrender your life to Jesus for no one knows for sure if you will be here tomorrow. Go to the cross and spend time until you love Jesus more than you do yourself. He suffered and shed Blood so we could be washed clean, even clean of the sins associated with porn.
Don’t allow the devil to tell you that God won’t have you for it’s a damnable lie. You are very precious to God and He has a magnificent plan for your life that will bring Glory to Himself. Until you are liberated from porn or other deadly sins you can never accomplish His works for Him.
Make the choice today to “Fear God and live.“ This isn’t fun and games to God and one day billions will be cast into a fire along with the devil who led them in rebellion against God. There is no way anyone would choose this fate in their right mind. If you have read this far you still have your right mind. In Romans God tells us that homosexuals have been given over to a reprobate mind. I suspect many were led by porn into this lifestyle leading to their sure rejection by God on Judgment Day. Pray with me for them. Jesus is in the redeeming business!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Please tell you loved ones about this Blog - Webmaster Athena Creamer
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK
Have you read the Bible, especially the last Book called the Revelations of Jesus Christ? There is going to be an end of time and many of us think that the scenes are being prepared for it. Having said that, allow me to clarify. There is coming a time when the Lord Himself will descend between Heaven and Earth and with the shout of the Archangel. Then He will call up the Holy Spirit to meet Him in the clouds [angels]. We who are born again will go instantly too for the Holy Spirit lives inside us.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 speaks of this time and many refer to it as the rapture of the Church [true believers or saints]. This will not include those who are not His. The born again have been purchased and redeemed by their faith. It was the Blood of Jesus that washed them as clean as new snow even though many were terrible sinners. I must confess that I was one of them. When the Lord forgave me I literally felt tons of guilt leave.
Now this begs the question if you are a Christian, did you have an experience of some kind when you became one? Many will try and convince you that there is no need for one but I disagree. Let’s reason together for a moment, OK? If salvation involves repentance [turning and going the other way with remorse] to the place where we are willing to give up our will [life] to Jesus once and for all, shouldn’t there be some kind of an emotional discharge? If you say NO, I fear for you. I’ve been with folks who have accepted Christ without any emotion and I can’t remember them becoming servants of God. They might become worshippers on Sundays but as far as becoming witnesses, nada. You see, they had nothing to tell.
Why should we witness? Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us we shall become His witnesses. Now if you haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit I believe you might have a leg to stand on before the Lord when He asks, “How many did you bring me.” Do you remember Jesus said, “Good ground will produce a crop, 100, 60 and 30”? If we have received Jesus [John 1:12] this is evidence we are “good ground”. The Gospel took root and has begun to grow. Once it gets started we should be producing the fruit of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Longsuffering, Temperance and Faithfulness for others to enjoy.
This fruit is the result of us living in Jesus and not simply saying we believe in Him. It’s kind of where the rubber hit’s the road in Christendom. Our love is now identical to that of Jesus. We love unconditionally, not necessarily perfect as He did. You see, we must develop the mind of Christ and this seems to take some time. Picking up our crosses daily is also a requirement.
I asked the Lord one day, Lord, what is my cross. Instantly he replied, “The difference between My will and your will”. I was stunned for a moment then it became extremely clear, if I want to do the will of God my cross is light but when I have something else to do, it can be as heavy as concrete.
The thing I’ve realized over the decades is this, the things God has for me to do are what really makes me happy. Sometimes the Joy is so strong it brings me to tears. These tears are evidence that the Lord is truly within me doing His works. I love Ephesians 2:10. “We are His workmanship. We have been created in Christ Jesus for or [unto] good works that God Himself has prepared for us to do [walk in]. For over 30 years it has been the basis for my walk with Jesus. How I wish every Christian would try it for 7 days straight. If they would, they will never stop, “Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” will become a daily reality.
Have you been one of the millions who want God to bring on His Kingdom so you won’t have to do it? I’m not trying to upset or anger you but to move you off dead center. Jesus said, “If you aren’t for Me you are against Me. If you aren’t gathering you are scattering.“ Do you believe Him? If you do, make sure you are born again. Here is a test for you; Do you love Jesus more than you do yourself or anyone else? You must be honest now!
I suspect half the church is still lost in their sins. Read Matthew 25 and see if you agree. There is a day coming “tick tock, tick tock” when He will look at some “good folks” and say, “I’ve never known you“. This doesn’t have to be you. Go to the cross and stay there in worship until you understand the price Jesus paid for your salvation. Then as you love Him you will have an incredible experience receiving Him as your Lord. I guarantee it!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 speaks of this time and many refer to it as the rapture of the Church [true believers or saints]. This will not include those who are not His. The born again have been purchased and redeemed by their faith. It was the Blood of Jesus that washed them as clean as new snow even though many were terrible sinners. I must confess that I was one of them. When the Lord forgave me I literally felt tons of guilt leave.
Now this begs the question if you are a Christian, did you have an experience of some kind when you became one? Many will try and convince you that there is no need for one but I disagree. Let’s reason together for a moment, OK? If salvation involves repentance [turning and going the other way with remorse] to the place where we are willing to give up our will [life] to Jesus once and for all, shouldn’t there be some kind of an emotional discharge? If you say NO, I fear for you. I’ve been with folks who have accepted Christ without any emotion and I can’t remember them becoming servants of God. They might become worshippers on Sundays but as far as becoming witnesses, nada. You see, they had nothing to tell.
Why should we witness? Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us we shall become His witnesses. Now if you haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit I believe you might have a leg to stand on before the Lord when He asks, “How many did you bring me.” Do you remember Jesus said, “Good ground will produce a crop, 100, 60 and 30”? If we have received Jesus [John 1:12] this is evidence we are “good ground”. The Gospel took root and has begun to grow. Once it gets started we should be producing the fruit of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Longsuffering, Temperance and Faithfulness for others to enjoy.
This fruit is the result of us living in Jesus and not simply saying we believe in Him. It’s kind of where the rubber hit’s the road in Christendom. Our love is now identical to that of Jesus. We love unconditionally, not necessarily perfect as He did. You see, we must develop the mind of Christ and this seems to take some time. Picking up our crosses daily is also a requirement.
I asked the Lord one day, Lord, what is my cross. Instantly he replied, “The difference between My will and your will”. I was stunned for a moment then it became extremely clear, if I want to do the will of God my cross is light but when I have something else to do, it can be as heavy as concrete.
The thing I’ve realized over the decades is this, the things God has for me to do are what really makes me happy. Sometimes the Joy is so strong it brings me to tears. These tears are evidence that the Lord is truly within me doing His works. I love Ephesians 2:10. “We are His workmanship. We have been created in Christ Jesus for or [unto] good works that God Himself has prepared for us to do [walk in]. For over 30 years it has been the basis for my walk with Jesus. How I wish every Christian would try it for 7 days straight. If they would, they will never stop, “Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” will become a daily reality.
Have you been one of the millions who want God to bring on His Kingdom so you won’t have to do it? I’m not trying to upset or anger you but to move you off dead center. Jesus said, “If you aren’t for Me you are against Me. If you aren’t gathering you are scattering.“ Do you believe Him? If you do, make sure you are born again. Here is a test for you; Do you love Jesus more than you do yourself or anyone else? You must be honest now!
I suspect half the church is still lost in their sins. Read Matthew 25 and see if you agree. There is a day coming “tick tock, tick tock” when He will look at some “good folks” and say, “I’ve never known you“. This doesn’t have to be you. Go to the cross and stay there in worship until you understand the price Jesus paid for your salvation. Then as you love Him you will have an incredible experience receiving Him as your Lord. I guarantee it!
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
RUNNING FOR YOUR ETERNAL LIFE
RUNNING FOR YOUR ETERNAL LIFE
I’m deeply concerned for Christians who limit their relationship with God to only attending worship services. You may not be one of them but you surely know someone and they may be family members. Most have a dose of religion instead of an intimate relationship with Jesus. This message is to help those so entangled and want to be free.
In the Book of Hebrews we are told:
1THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(A)
3Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.
It’s clear to me that we are to do more than show up for services. God has a magnificent plan for our lives and if we will seek it there is a wreath at the end of the race. Please don’t allow anyone to tell you that God doesn’t have things for us to do.
41Then He will say to those at His left hand, Be gone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
42For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,
43I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me [l]with help and ministering care.
44Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?
45And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [[m]in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.(D)
46Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.(E) Matt: 25 Amp. Bible
Jesus said we must be born again:
1NOW THERE was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews,
2Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles--and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him.
3Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother's womb again and be born?
5Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.(A)
6What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3 Amp. Bible
This is of utmost importance for our acceptance by God is based upon our “having Jesus”. Paul said, “The mystery hidden from the ages is Christ within you the hope of Glory.“
1EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).
2By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)--[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].
3For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).
4For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
5Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]? 1 John Amp. Bible
If you haven’t experienced the new birth spend time at His cross so you can repent. The cross is the power of God unto repentance. Tell God how you feel that Jesus died for you. Ask Him to forgive you and He will. Now by faith invite Jesus into your life as your Lord. God will claim you as a son or daughter. Then He will have your name written in the Book of Life.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
I’m deeply concerned for Christians who limit their relationship with God to only attending worship services. You may not be one of them but you surely know someone and they may be family members. Most have a dose of religion instead of an intimate relationship with Jesus. This message is to help those so entangled and want to be free.
In the Book of Hebrews we are told:
1THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(A)
3Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.
It’s clear to me that we are to do more than show up for services. God has a magnificent plan for our lives and if we will seek it there is a wreath at the end of the race. Please don’t allow anyone to tell you that God doesn’t have things for us to do.
41Then He will say to those at His left hand, Be gone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
42For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,
43I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me [l]with help and ministering care.
44Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?
45And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [[m]in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.(D)
46Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.(E) Matt: 25 Amp. Bible
Jesus said we must be born again:
1NOW THERE was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews,
2Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles--and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him.
3Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother's womb again and be born?
5Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.(A)
6What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3 Amp. Bible
This is of utmost importance for our acceptance by God is based upon our “having Jesus”. Paul said, “The mystery hidden from the ages is Christ within you the hope of Glory.“
1EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).
2By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)--[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].
3For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).
4For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
5Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]? 1 John Amp. Bible
If you haven’t experienced the new birth spend time at His cross so you can repent. The cross is the power of God unto repentance. Tell God how you feel that Jesus died for you. Ask Him to forgive you and He will. Now by faith invite Jesus into your life as your Lord. God will claim you as a son or daughter. Then He will have your name written in the Book of Life.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
FAITH IS GOD'S GREATEST GIFT
FAITH IS GOD’S GREATEST GIFT
This message may shock some folks and I am praying with all of my heart it will. There are all kinds of faith and we use them constantly. For instance do you ever get in an elevator? I was stuck in one recently and for a while my faith in its ability to take me up and down was in severe doubt. Even now I pray when I get in, “Lord, let this thing work.” My faith in it was greatly shaken. Have you ever experienced something similar?
The measure of faith all are born with is the same. I can see and touch the elevator but I can’t touch God or His Son Jesus. God is Spirit and Jesus is at His right hand interceding for us. When Satan comes to accuse our Advocate is there to defend us. Isn’t that awesome?
Now this isn’t true for everyone. It’s the result of our giving up of our lives for His, using our faith. It’s the Spirit of Jesus now in us that makes us God’s property. We were able, at some point in our lives, to hear and understand the Gospel message. As sinners we understood, again by God’s grace, that we were lost [separated] from Almighty God. We needed help and Jesus was revealed as the Only One who could and would clean us of a sinful attitude and the record of our sins. When we came to realize He had to die for us, something special happened in our hearts, we felt remorse.
Remorse led to an appeal for God’s forgiveness and instantly we had it Not only did the Lord forgive us but He had the record of our sins removed from the Books to be opened on Judgment Day. And to top this, He instructed an angel to write our names in the Little Book of Life. This is the listing of those who will live in Heaven as adopted sons and daughters of God.
This happened for me on May 23rd in 1971, easily the best day in my life. Since that day I’ve wanted everyone to experience God’s forgiveness. He chose me to do write and for over 30 years I’ve written what He places in my heart. Once written and shared, it’s like the parable where Jesus said the farmer cast the seed and some of it falls on good ground, rocky soil, thorn bushes and the hard path. Only on the good ground can it take root and grow. As it grows it is to reproduce. Jesus said 100, 60 or 30 times as much. I asked for a million times and if He tarried and I got my million I wanted another million. You see, I was forgiven much and I love much.
How about you? Do you have the assurance that Jesus hung on the cross in your place? Until you do, how in the world can you surrender your life to an invisible Jesus? To be honest, you can’t. What you will end up with is religion. True Christianity isn’t a religion but an intimate relationship.
I lived in it for nearly 33 years and know the difference. God gave me “extra faith” after claiming me. He placed an insatiable appetite in me to read the scriptures. Getting up an hour early [4:30] I would read 10 chapters from my Bible after asking the Holy Spirit to teach me. This went on for decades and even this morning I spent time in His Word. There is no way I want my faith to weaken. If you feel weak in your faith admit it to Him and ask Him to give you a hunger too. I love the Amplified Bible!
There’s a special faith imparted by the Holy Spirit to do miracles. Did you know Jesus told His disciples, “The things I do you will do and even greater things shall you do. For I go to the Father that the Father may be glorified in My Name?“ I suspect greater here means “more” for what can be greater than raising the dead?
I’ve seen and been a part of God miracles. I even received one when He healed my dislocated knee while riding in a game warden’s truck. Moments before the pain was unbearable, now it was gone. All I did was witness to the guy how Jesus had healed a cousin who had been hit by a car. I repeated her words to her husband and sister who knew she had to be dead. “I’m OK, Jesus is here with me.” She knew Jesus and He knew Peggy who trusted Him.
I cried out to him when I hit the ground. The limb I was sitting upon broke and the fall of about 8 feet was enough since my leg was under me. I can’t begin to describe the pain and how it increased when I was able to get my knee to “pop” back into joint. Instantly all pain left and my confidence in God’s willingness to heal His children was confirmed. I was desperate and when I called to Him for help, He was there, “all the time”.
Do you use desperate faith? He will be there for you too, “all the time“. Remember, faith like love is a verb, an action word.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler captben61@gmail.com
This message may shock some folks and I am praying with all of my heart it will. There are all kinds of faith and we use them constantly. For instance do you ever get in an elevator? I was stuck in one recently and for a while my faith in its ability to take me up and down was in severe doubt. Even now I pray when I get in, “Lord, let this thing work.” My faith in it was greatly shaken. Have you ever experienced something similar?
The measure of faith all are born with is the same. I can see and touch the elevator but I can’t touch God or His Son Jesus. God is Spirit and Jesus is at His right hand interceding for us. When Satan comes to accuse our Advocate is there to defend us. Isn’t that awesome?
Now this isn’t true for everyone. It’s the result of our giving up of our lives for His, using our faith. It’s the Spirit of Jesus now in us that makes us God’s property. We were able, at some point in our lives, to hear and understand the Gospel message. As sinners we understood, again by God’s grace, that we were lost [separated] from Almighty God. We needed help and Jesus was revealed as the Only One who could and would clean us of a sinful attitude and the record of our sins. When we came to realize He had to die for us, something special happened in our hearts, we felt remorse.
Remorse led to an appeal for God’s forgiveness and instantly we had it Not only did the Lord forgive us but He had the record of our sins removed from the Books to be opened on Judgment Day. And to top this, He instructed an angel to write our names in the Little Book of Life. This is the listing of those who will live in Heaven as adopted sons and daughters of God.
This happened for me on May 23rd in 1971, easily the best day in my life. Since that day I’ve wanted everyone to experience God’s forgiveness. He chose me to do write and for over 30 years I’ve written what He places in my heart. Once written and shared, it’s like the parable where Jesus said the farmer cast the seed and some of it falls on good ground, rocky soil, thorn bushes and the hard path. Only on the good ground can it take root and grow. As it grows it is to reproduce. Jesus said 100, 60 or 30 times as much. I asked for a million times and if He tarried and I got my million I wanted another million. You see, I was forgiven much and I love much.
How about you? Do you have the assurance that Jesus hung on the cross in your place? Until you do, how in the world can you surrender your life to an invisible Jesus? To be honest, you can’t. What you will end up with is religion. True Christianity isn’t a religion but an intimate relationship.
I lived in it for nearly 33 years and know the difference. God gave me “extra faith” after claiming me. He placed an insatiable appetite in me to read the scriptures. Getting up an hour early [4:30] I would read 10 chapters from my Bible after asking the Holy Spirit to teach me. This went on for decades and even this morning I spent time in His Word. There is no way I want my faith to weaken. If you feel weak in your faith admit it to Him and ask Him to give you a hunger too. I love the Amplified Bible!
There’s a special faith imparted by the Holy Spirit to do miracles. Did you know Jesus told His disciples, “The things I do you will do and even greater things shall you do. For I go to the Father that the Father may be glorified in My Name?“ I suspect greater here means “more” for what can be greater than raising the dead?
I’ve seen and been a part of God miracles. I even received one when He healed my dislocated knee while riding in a game warden’s truck. Moments before the pain was unbearable, now it was gone. All I did was witness to the guy how Jesus had healed a cousin who had been hit by a car. I repeated her words to her husband and sister who knew she had to be dead. “I’m OK, Jesus is here with me.” She knew Jesus and He knew Peggy who trusted Him.
I cried out to him when I hit the ground. The limb I was sitting upon broke and the fall of about 8 feet was enough since my leg was under me. I can’t begin to describe the pain and how it increased when I was able to get my knee to “pop” back into joint. Instantly all pain left and my confidence in God’s willingness to heal His children was confirmed. I was desperate and when I called to Him for help, He was there, “all the time”.
Do you use desperate faith? He will be there for you too, “all the time“. Remember, faith like love is a verb, an action word.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler captben61@gmail.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS
FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS
Marriage is an institution created by God to ensure stability in a relationship for the rearing of children. This grand plan by Him is based upon our ability to keep our promises to each other and to God to forsake all others. At first I believe these relationships are established for many reasons bringing children into the world not being one of them.
When I saw my Joan for the first time I was overwhelmed by her beauty, grace and marvelous figure. Her smile was warm and friendly too. Here before me was a young woman I felt drawn to. Looking back now nearly 52 years we both know God was in the middle of it. We are in many ways opposites and complete each other. I call her my better half and this is an understatement. I thank God for her all the time and remind her often just how much she means to me.
When we married in 1958 I honestly didn’t realize what a treasure she was for I was blind. This is also true with my relationship with Jesus. I was taught to love Him. I knew He loved me for my parents had an intimate relationship with Him which caused them to devote much of their life to serving Him. I wanted to live two lives, mine and on Sundays, for Him. This wasn’t the best arrangement but God had a plan which would develop many years later. He had a plan for me and to fulfill it I had to also be in love with Jesus.
For about 13 years my wife and I raised our two daughters in the church where they learned as I did, God loves you. Do you remember singing “Jesus loves me”? It is still one of my favorites for it spoke the truth to my young heart causing me to stay near to Him.
I admit now that I placed myself way before everyone else including my family. This ended on May 23rd in 1971 when I melted in repentance in my pastor’s office. When the Lord entered my heart I was instantly a new person, I was born again.
My love began to grow for everyone but not that much more for Jesus. This may sound strange but it is true. I loved Him a ton and didn’t seem to have a need for more. How wrong I was and I was about to find out. One day a woman approached me after worship and asked if I could help her. When I asked she said she had been attending our church and could see others were so excited about being there but “nothing is happening to me.” I asked a woman passing by to go with us in a counseling room where we sat upon three chairs arranged in a triangle. While holding hands I prayed, “Lord, I don’t know the answer to her problem but you do.” Instantly I heard Him say, “Walk her to Calvary.” Stunned for a second I thought, walk her to Calvary? Then in a split second I was there observing the last part of the Crucifixion. I narrated what I was seeing and it ended in a couple of minutes. As I opened my eyes I was shocked that tears were flowing down my face. I looked at the two women and the same thing was happening to them.
I stood up, hugged them and walked out of the room, no longer loving Jesus but now firmly in love with Jesus, what a difference! From that moment on Jesus was first in my life and His will was my desire. It didn’t matter what it was I wanted to do it for I saw with my own eyes in the vision the brutality heaped upon Him for me. The movie the passion of the Christ is one every Christian should see for it should bring about the same result if they are born again. Now if they aren’t it should bring them to the place where they want to surrender their will to Jesus. I believe many have been saved after seeing this great film.
Are you in love with Jesus? You can be, but I believe with all my heart you must spend time at the cross where the Holy Spirit leads you into this deeper relationship. It can’t be done with out Him and that’s for sure. Jesus said, “You can do nothing apart from Me”. He and the Holy Spirit are One with the Father. Jesus is the visible manifestation of Almighty God. He told Phillip, “Have I been with you so long that you don‘t know that when you see Me, you have seen the Father for I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.”
My Joan will tell you in a second that I’m in love with her now. I want to do for her all I can just like I want to do all the Lord has planned for me. It took the cross to bring me to this incredible level of love. Do you want it?
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
Marriage is an institution created by God to ensure stability in a relationship for the rearing of children. This grand plan by Him is based upon our ability to keep our promises to each other and to God to forsake all others. At first I believe these relationships are established for many reasons bringing children into the world not being one of them.
When I saw my Joan for the first time I was overwhelmed by her beauty, grace and marvelous figure. Her smile was warm and friendly too. Here before me was a young woman I felt drawn to. Looking back now nearly 52 years we both know God was in the middle of it. We are in many ways opposites and complete each other. I call her my better half and this is an understatement. I thank God for her all the time and remind her often just how much she means to me.
When we married in 1958 I honestly didn’t realize what a treasure she was for I was blind. This is also true with my relationship with Jesus. I was taught to love Him. I knew He loved me for my parents had an intimate relationship with Him which caused them to devote much of their life to serving Him. I wanted to live two lives, mine and on Sundays, for Him. This wasn’t the best arrangement but God had a plan which would develop many years later. He had a plan for me and to fulfill it I had to also be in love with Jesus.
For about 13 years my wife and I raised our two daughters in the church where they learned as I did, God loves you. Do you remember singing “Jesus loves me”? It is still one of my favorites for it spoke the truth to my young heart causing me to stay near to Him.
I admit now that I placed myself way before everyone else including my family. This ended on May 23rd in 1971 when I melted in repentance in my pastor’s office. When the Lord entered my heart I was instantly a new person, I was born again.
My love began to grow for everyone but not that much more for Jesus. This may sound strange but it is true. I loved Him a ton and didn’t seem to have a need for more. How wrong I was and I was about to find out. One day a woman approached me after worship and asked if I could help her. When I asked she said she had been attending our church and could see others were so excited about being there but “nothing is happening to me.” I asked a woman passing by to go with us in a counseling room where we sat upon three chairs arranged in a triangle. While holding hands I prayed, “Lord, I don’t know the answer to her problem but you do.” Instantly I heard Him say, “Walk her to Calvary.” Stunned for a second I thought, walk her to Calvary? Then in a split second I was there observing the last part of the Crucifixion. I narrated what I was seeing and it ended in a couple of minutes. As I opened my eyes I was shocked that tears were flowing down my face. I looked at the two women and the same thing was happening to them.
I stood up, hugged them and walked out of the room, no longer loving Jesus but now firmly in love with Jesus, what a difference! From that moment on Jesus was first in my life and His will was my desire. It didn’t matter what it was I wanted to do it for I saw with my own eyes in the vision the brutality heaped upon Him for me. The movie the passion of the Christ is one every Christian should see for it should bring about the same result if they are born again. Now if they aren’t it should bring them to the place where they want to surrender their will to Jesus. I believe many have been saved after seeing this great film.
Are you in love with Jesus? You can be, but I believe with all my heart you must spend time at the cross where the Holy Spirit leads you into this deeper relationship. It can’t be done with out Him and that’s for sure. Jesus said, “You can do nothing apart from Me”. He and the Holy Spirit are One with the Father. Jesus is the visible manifestation of Almighty God. He told Phillip, “Have I been with you so long that you don‘t know that when you see Me, you have seen the Father for I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.”
My Joan will tell you in a second that I’m in love with her now. I want to do for her all I can just like I want to do all the Lord has planned for me. It took the cross to bring me to this incredible level of love. Do you want it?
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
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