Sometimes life is so good that we don't have the time to do all the things we'd like to do. Then we want to set the pace, sometimes making the wrong decisions. Be sure to make the right decision. The game; is already set. You got to get in where you fit in. When you start to live in the fast lane. It's called (hurry up and wait); you are moving too fast. Speeding is dangerous when you travel too fast. When we were teenagers, we could not wait to get 21 and be an adult. Then life is not what we thought it would be, work, and life's ups and downs. I want to remind you that life in the fast lane is sometimes short and full of disappointments. Stay in your lane. Money and the things of this world are not the keys to happiness. Build some good relationships with family and friends. Learn to put your trust in God. Life can be rewarding when we make the Lord God our number one source. You can't go wrong with God on your side. Jesus makes life worth living. He gives JOY that you can't buy. Have you tried Jesus? Take the time to smell the Roses!

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

Dealing with your brokenness is a job too big for you. When you admit you have a problem, you can do something about it. Turning to drugs and alcohol will not solve the problem. A chemical will only change the way you feel. You will get worse. Suicide is not an option; it's a cop-out. There is hope for the broken-hearted and everyone with a broken spirit. Give God a chance and see what will happen. God is waiting on you to ask for His help. He has a plan for your life. Have faith and believe that God loves you.

God is the potter; we are the clay. He makes what He will. Be content with who you are. You're unique, and there is no other like you. God created you. The Bible teaches God created man in His image. In our weakness, we are broken by the power of sin. We can receive spiritual healing through the power of the new birth. The beginning of well-being is hope and faith. When we put our trust in Christ the Lord, He will heal our sin-sick-souls. We are made whole by His love and mercy.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

It saddens my heart to hear people joke about going to hell. Hell is a real place of torment; it's not a joke. People rashly think that there is no hell. The general statement about hell is; that God is so loving that He would not create such a place. That's looking at it one way. If God would create a place (heaven) for them that love Him, why not a place (hell) for those who do not love Him. Man did at one time live in paradise, but he was EVICTED. Not because he did not pay his rent, the reason is simply because of DISOBEDIENCE and SIN. Where there is sin, there is a LAW, and there is a penalty. Upon conviction, there is a place waiting for the offender. Read the bible St. Luke 16:19-31 (KJV), Jesus teaches a lesson about heaven and hell. If you were telling a story of make-believe, you would not have human figures in the story. The rich man, Lazarus, Abraham, and Moses were real people. The point of this lesson is that the rich man died and WENT hell, Lazarus died, but the angles Carried Lazarus to Abraham's bosom in heaven. No one did not send the rich man to hell, he went there on his own. There is life after death. Then notice what happens next, He went to hell for nothing because he had a chance to do something, but he chose to do NOTHING. Make the right choice. So be aware of the truth that you can not only go to hell for the things that you do. You can go to hell for the things that you don't do. You can joke about hell if you like! There is an ENTRANCE, but there is NO EXIT! Hell is full of jokers and unbelievers.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

The God I work for is Alpha and Omega; there is none beside Him nor any above Him. The God I serve is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Creator and sustainer of all life now and forever more.

I have been preaching God's Word for 42 years and praying for the people of God. God has never let me down. Things have not always gone my way. God has bestowed many blessings that I didn't deserve. I found out that He is a rewarder of the faithful workers. God is not unrighteous to forget your good works. Working by faith is trusting Him.

Ten years ago, I stepped out on faith and began to write messages on the website thunderthebaptist.com on thunder's blog. The work has been fruitful and rewarding. I invite you to follow me as I continue to do the work of the Lord. There is a Word for you.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

Restoration is for the repentant soul. If you are out of the ark of safety, you should repent. God will reconcile and restore you. You must confess your sins. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. David cried for mercy and received it.

The 51st number of Psalm is a plea for restoration. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” David confessed his sin; he had enough faith to believe that God loved him enough to restore him. Then David realizes the power of God by saying, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” When you acknowledge God for who He is, you are ready for reconciliation. God can restore you and make you whole.

Christ paid the price for our salvation. He has redeemed us and restored us to God.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

Can you remember how God brought you out of your wilderness? Over the years, you started to forget God and His goodness. You can deceive yourself by thinking you made it on your own. When you get to the top, the bottom is waiting for your return. Don't forget the people that helped you along the way. The gutter is waiting on your return. The mistakes you made in the past ought not to dictate your future. Learn from those mistakes and rise to meet the challenges of the future. Time waits on no one. You have made it this for so don't give up now. God got a blessing with your name on it.

Receive the blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ. Do it today, tomorrow is not promised to anyone. God promised us eternal life through Christ the Lord. The test of time will defeat you if you die without accepting Jesus as your Savior. Don't let the sin of unbelief be your downfall. Be born again and be delivered from God's wrath. Christ is calling you to come today.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

Love and faith are the theme and passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ showed love to everyone, even His enemies. We are representatives of Christ; we should think with the mind of Christ, we should walk as Christ walked fulfilling the will of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are saved by faith through Christ Jesus the Lord. Not by good works as some men may think. Being in the will of God makes us safe. Without the grace of God, we would self-destruct. The sin of unbelief is destruction unbelief is the seed of rebellion. When you say that you believe, there should be some evidence of Christ in your life. If we are justified by faith, we ought to be identified by the love of Christ in our hearts. We are justified through the righteousness of Christ by faith. Your faith and what you believe are all that you own. Don't let your failures and your disappointments hinder your faith. Every obstacle that you overcome will help you to grow spiritually. Love and faith are the keys to being a good and effective witness. It is not about what you say but what you do. Your Walk, your Work, and your Worship are your witness.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

You have more reasons to celebrate your life than you realize. Decide to stop complaining and put your faith in action. You will see some results and some answered prayers. When you can't find a reason to smile, it might be you. Happiness comes in many ways. Look on the inside of yourself and find peace and joy. Money is not always the answer. Sometimes it can be your downfall. When you focus on what you don't have, you don't appreciate what you already have. Life is more than a bed of roses; it also has rows of hard knocks. Build a life of love and peace and reap the rewards. Evil is always present; you can overcome it by doing good deeds. Your good works will speak for you. There is a difference between Joy and Enjoyment. Joy is everlasting, and enjoyment is for a moment. Pleasure seekers are often disappointed in people, places, and things. You must realize that joy comes in serving the Lord. Jesus taught His disciples about staying connected to the Vine. When we are faithful, we become fruitful. The fruit that we bear is to the glory of God. Love is the key to the joy of the Lord. The Lord does not expect us to love; it's a commandment. In the bible KJV, St.John 15:10-11, " If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Sin and the lust for enjoyment will take away your joy.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

St Luke 13:6-9

Every Christian should learn this parable. It reminds us to do a self-exam. We should give an account of the fruit that we bear. We are the branches, Christ is the vine. Jesus warns us about being unfruitful. "Saying every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away. And every branch that beareth fruit is purged that it may bring forth much fruit."

In the text, we must understand that we represent the fig tree. There is a consequence for not being fruitful. The owner of the vineyard (God) talks with the keeper (Christ) of the vineyard (Church) and says, "these three years, I have come to get fruit and there is none. Then He says cut it down. Why let it take up space?"  We know that there are people who hold positions in the church and don't get anything done. And some people say they are working but there is no evidence. The complainers are many, but the true workers are few. Verse 8. "And he answering said unto him, Lord let it alone this year also, till I dig about it, and dung it." Verse 9. "And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down."

We must understand how Christ pleads mercy on our behalf. He gives us the power of the Holy Ghost to be fruitful and accountable. We are unworthy to serve God but through Christ, we can be fruitful.

Faithfulness - in service

Obedient - to leadership

love which is the fruit of the Spirit

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street

As you study the Bible, you will discover a book of many teachings. The lessons are for the betterment of life. You will read about riddles, parables, and the power of love. Love is the greatest element in the world because it is associated with blood. There is nothing like true love. The Bible teaches forgiveness and giving are the beginning of love. You can give and not love but you can't love and not give. In the Bible, Jesus teaches about love more than any other subject. He teaches about loving your enemy. It is unusual to teach one to love their enemy and pray for those who despitefully use you. In the Bible KJV, St. John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Christ goes on to teach His disciples the great commandment; "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all mind." And the second commandment is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Falling in love will melt a heart of stone. It is a gift from God. We sometimes abuse love when we turn it into lust. Lust will deceive you, and the pain that it brings is often too much to bear. Jesus teaches His disciples that He is not telling them to love, but it is a commandment. We have a charge to love one another as Christ has loved us.

thunder the baptist

putting the Lord's business in the street