PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: MEANING IT

From Pastor John Collins:

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:1-4 (NKJV).

John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus preached repentance and His Apostles preached repentance, even the Prophets preached repentance.

I don’t believe that there is a true understanding by most people of what repentance is. Repentance is recognizing your sin and the wrongs that you have committed against God and being sorry about it. It is knowing that you need forgiveness and that what your actions, feelings, thoughts and words have reaped is worthy of sending you to hell. This is an acceptance of God’s law in your heart and soul and it produces a genuinely contrite heart. This will then produce the desire within you to stop those sinful behaviors and to seek to obey the laws of God.

Now, how is it possible to feel these feelings with a genuine heart and not just give a mental nod followed by lip service? You must agree with God. That is where true faith, repentance and forgiveness begin. You must agree that God and His laws are right and that it is for you to obey them. If you don’t agree with God, you will never truly submit to Him, repent of anything nor claim true salvation.

If you don’t agree with God, you will find ways to justify your point of view and to excuse yourself for your sin. Every human sins and every human has an opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus. If you see the laws of God as antiquated and therefore don’t agree with them and choose to disregard them, even if you come to know Jesus and seek forgiveness for your past sins, your heart will not genuinely be remorseful. Imagine a man who cheats on his wife and she never finds out about it. He sees it as hurting no one. He goes to church and claims Jesus as His Savior. In his old age, his cheating stops and he does ask for forgiveness. But his heart does not really feel sorry because he feels that what his wife never knew never hurt her and it really was not any big deal. His heart is unable to feel the remorse required to be forgiven.

Just because we ask for forgiveness does not mean that it is given. We have to mean it. We show that we mean it by choosing to live lives that do not embrace sin. Like Paul says, if you stole, steal no more. We are to quit the sinful behavior and seek to alter our actions, words, thoughts and feelings. We begin to make these right choices when we agree with God. That is why to be friends with the world is to be enemies with God.

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Matthew 4:17 (NKJV).

Love That Cross, Pastor John Collins

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: RESURRECTION DAY

From John Collins, Evangelist:

“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.’” Matthew 28:5-6 (NKJV).

What makes Christianity so special? Jesus! He was crucified and He was resurrected, seen by hundreds of witnesses and left His ministry in the hands of His apostles to take to the masses and tell of the miracle of His death and His rise from that death into life. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus died for the sins of this world and was resurrected from death into life as the proof of the gospel and good news. This is what is celebrated with eggs and chocolate. This is what is celebrated with bunnies and ham. This is what has been confused with pagan rites and heathen practices in the church.

Jesus is not about bunnies and chocolate, ham and eggs or any paganism and yet it is what this world has chosen to associate with the miracle of the resurrection. Jesus is the proof that God has chosen to forgive the sinners of this world through the sacrifice of His beloved Son. The blood of Jesus was shed and His body was hung on a tree to be wracked with pain until the life left His flesh. Jesus came back to His people to prove that there is indeed life after death, there is a heaven to go home to and there is hope.

Christianity is the belief in the sacrifice of our Lord, it is the only way to the Father and it is not open to compromise. To have faith in the Son is to desire the Father and to seek to be obedient. To know who you worship is to trust in God and to know that the only way to achieve salvation is through Jesus. We need to let go of the traditions that do not honor the Son of God and to cling to the cross. It matters. The decorations and origin of the symbolism that is thought to be benign is foolishness indeed. Where traditions begin matters. Many choose to ignore the history of these pagan beliefs and think that the traditions that they have become are irrelevant. I know differently. It does matter because it is just another deception and lie that has been inherited by people who claim to know Christ and claim to love Christ above all. But, ask these believers to give up their traditions, give up the symbols and pagan ideas that represent their ‘holiday’ and see if they are willing. Too often, people cling to what comforts them and brings them joy and toss aside the beginnings with declarations of denial by claiming that, no matter the origin, they are worshiping in spirit and truth through the eggs and bunnies and chocolate and ham.

Christianity and paganism, paganism and Christianity. It is all mixed up. There is a lack of desiring purity in worship and a lack of desiring righteousness in faith. I choose to reject the trappings of this holiday and to honor my King with truth. The resurrection is a day of mourning for this world as too many have taken it for granted and too many have rejected the gift that has been offered. I will mourn for this world and yet give thanks to the humility of the King who obeyed His Father unto death and was resurrected unto life to sit down at the right hand of God.

“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.’” Luke 24:46-48 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

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HUMILITY-STRENGTH IN SUBMISSION FROM PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, JOHN COLLINS MINISTRIES

From John Collins, Evangelist:

“But Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:23-26 (NKJV).

Jesus speaks often of not being able to love this life and serve Him, of not being able to serve two masters, of following Him and being His servant in obedience in order to claim heaven as our home. Jesus may have spoken in parables but His message was clear. Those that truly believe must work at having a strong faith in order to live the life that is necessary to receive the rewards upon death.

People have allowed their faith to become weak and polluted in this life. Too many people are just not sure of what the truth is to them and what it means. Too many people do not devote enough time to prayer, bible study and to seeking righteousness.

It is too important to your eternal welfare for you to not care about your soul. It is too important to those you love that you show a strong faith and walk a righteous path in submission to Jesus. God did not make us weak and God did not create us to be pushovers or enablers in this life. God did not create us to be corrupt but God knows that this world is corrupt and our influences are poisoned. God has made it so that His grace is known and that His truth is right there in front of us so that we can choose. There is a point in life when we know that we are choosing His way over the world’s way, if we want to belong to Him and we believe.

As much temptation as is possible for you to encounter, the power of God and the pull of His love will always be stronger if you paying attention. There comes a time when personal indulgences must stop and submission to God must start of you want to go home to Him.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ‘Father, glorify Your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.’” John 12:27-28 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, JOHN COLLINS MINISTRIES: WISDOM VS KNOWLEDGE

From John Collins, Evangelist:

“Does not wisdom cry out,

And understanding lift up her voice?

She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,

Beside the way, where the paths meet.

She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,

At the entrance of the doors;

‘To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

O you simple ones, understand prudence,

And you fools, be of an understanding heart.’” Proverbs 8:1-5 (NKJV).

There is a big difference between biblical knowledge and biblical wisdom. There are many people out there that can quote the bible because they have memorized certain passages that further their points of view. There are many preachers out there that can speak with seemingly great amounts of biblical knowledge but the really smart person is a person that knows how to take that biblical knowledge and apply it to their lives and show that they have obtained wisdom.

Just knowing what God has said and what Jesus has said will do you not one bit of good if you do not obey them. Just knowing that there was an Exodus from Egypt will not do you any good if you are not willing to see yourself as the rebellious Israelite and alter your ways. Just knowing why Judah was removed from their land is not enough if you are not willing to see that denying God His honor and refusing to submit to His will is repeating the same mistakes.

The bible is not just a story. It is not just history. The bible is the word of God and it is our blueprint to life. The bible is not ancient nonsense and it is not a book to just make us feel justified in our choices. The bible is our instruction, our conviction and it is there to guide us to heaven.

Being able to repeat some bible verses does not make you a righteous person. Being able to use the bible to increase your wisdom and bring hope to another with the message of Christ is to seek to please the Lord. Being able to allow your heart to admit its flaws and to seek the forgiveness and lessons of the Lord is to claim Jesus as your Savior. Be willing to learn and grow in your faith as you seek to reach out for righteousness and you will come to know wisdom well.

“I love those who love me,

And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Riches and honor are with me,

Enduring riches and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,

And my revenue than choice silver.

I traverse the way of righteousness,

In the midst of the paths of justice,

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,

That I may fill their treasuries.” Proverbs 8:17-21 (NKJV)

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: HEART HEALTH

From John Collins, Evangelist: 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV).

Sometimes it may be difficult to get over wounds in your life. Sometimes you may not feel that you are valuable. Sometimes you grow up and have left over scars from the process that can lead to low self-worth, addictions, grudges, resentments and self-sabotaging behavior. It can be hard not to blame others and end up blaming yourself for all kinds of things that just lead to more pain. Sometimes it is just so hard to let go of past hurts and to find the optimism for the future and the joy for today. We all hurt and we all struggle. Faith in the Lord is what allows His love to come into our hearts and heal us. Knowing the value that Jesus places on us and the value that God places on us is where true love begins. It is important to know that you are loved without end and that God wants a relationship with you.

You are worth it. You are unique and you are strong. You are capable of overcoming and you are capable of forgiveness in your life. You are filled with the capacity to be kind and to share love greater than you have ever known. Jesus is there for you and He cares for you. Jesus walks with you and you do not need to feel unworthy, unloved or unwanted, ever. You may have been hurt in life, you probably experienced pain in childhood as well as doubt and fear and awkwardness but that is part of growing and maturing. Life is learning to accept human weakness and human failure, knowing that life is full of lessons. You will make mistakes and you will overcome and you can know that no matter what, Jesus is there for you. You matter. Your heart is capable of healing because you are loved.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Philippians 4:23 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Read more about JOHN COLLINS MINISTRIES, or reach me, Pastor John, personally through John Collins Ministries at www.johncollinsministries.com.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: THE PITY POT

From Pastor John Collins:

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJV).

This world is not innocent. So, why do so many take things so personally and get so offended by the grief that comes with life? Why do so many place the blame squarely upon the shoulders of God? What is wrong with sorrow and grief? It teaches you to appreciate the joy and hope. What is wrong with sickness and death? It teaches you that there are seasons to life and health is not a guarantee. What is wrong with loss? It teaches you to appreciate what you have. There is beauty and wonder that we have feelings at all. Life is precious and filled with the ability to emotionally connect with others and death is filled with hope because Jesus has made it possible for you to continue loving those that you love.

People want to feel wounded and offended that they have suffered in this life and they want someone to blame and want to complain about it all, to be the victim. There are victims in this life and there are terrible things that happen but that is part of living among others who have the same opportunity as you have and that is free will. There are bad people in this world and there is evil in this world and that is something that we all have to deal with for now. It doesn’t mean that anyone has the right to blame God or to sit on the pity pot because as long as there is breath in your body, there is hope for salvation and you will not be gaining salvation while there is resentment for God and bitterness toward Him because you find your sufferings too big to accept.

Jesus did not grow old. Jesus did not get gray hair and lose His eyesight. Jesus did not raise a family and rock His child to sleep. Jesus did not take vacations and travel around the world to see different places. Jesus did not have the luxury of a long life. Jesus came to this world and from His earliest age was doing the work of His Father. Jesus concerned Himself with His people, His land and the salvation of this world. Jesus taught others and took the time to heal others and be kind. Jesus is perfect and yet He suffered for you. Jesus was ridiculed and mocked, beaten and hung on a cross to die. For you.

This is not a fairy tale that you have outgrown. This happened. Jesus is not just some man that lived long ago. Jesus is the Son of God and your Savior. Think about just how much you do have to be thankful for this week. As you make your plans to gather together for a meal and rejoicing, think about the times that Jesus gathered with His people for a meal. Jesus always was thinking of others, the salvation of souls. In the end that is what counts because the soul is eternal and we should all be thinking in that manner, maybe then awareness of the enormity of the gift that Christ has made possible for us all would truly sink in and gratefulness, the kind that produces life, would follow.

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until the day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’” Matthew 26:26-29 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN

Read more about JOHN COLLINS MINISTRIES or reach me, Pastor John, personally through John Collins Ministries at www.johncollinsministries.com.

*photo from The Passion of the Christ, 2004, Icon Productions