ARE YOU ASHAMED OF GOD?

"And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. For whoever wants to save his higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the lower, natural, temporal life which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel's will save it [his]higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God]. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life in the eternal kingdom of God]? For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life in the eternal kingdom of God]? For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous (unfaithful) and [preeminently] sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory (splendor and majesty) of His Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34-38 AMP)


     How many times have we had an opportunity to stand up for what we believe and we shrank back instead? How many times have we been presented with a situation when we could've told someone about the goodness of Jesus and we didn't because we figured they wouldn't like it?

     There have been many times when we, including me, have had opportunities to say something to someone and we just decided for whatever fleshly reason that we weren't going to "shake up the waters" per se. We didn't want to cause a commotion or we didn't want to "stir up trouble". We would think to ourselves, "Maybe it's not the right time" or "I don't want to offend anyone". We cannot be this way when it comes to sharing the good news of the Kingdom. We have to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus!! There are times when we will be presented with opportunities to "diminish" Jesus. Maybe you're an author who wrote a book about Jesus and in order to get the $10,000 sign-on bonus you say, "Okay I will take out the name of Jesus and replace it with something else." Or maybe you're a gospel artist who agrees to take the direct references to Jesus out of your music so it will get more "spins" on the radio. Or maybe you say, "I won't mention Jesus at this speaking engagement that I'm getting paid $15,000 for if I don't say His name then I can be faithful and tithe $1500 to my church!" And then you reason with God by saying, "It will get heard by more folks now or my book will get read by more folks now or I will get more speaking engagements now then when they talk to me I can tell them who I am in Jesus!"

     Well the problem is you already told them who you were when you compromised your values to gain the approval of the world. That's why the scripture says (and I'm paraphrasing for clarity), "...what does it profit a man to gain the approval of the world and lose his spot in eternity?" And even more importantly you told Jesus who you were by deciding not to tell them of Jesus publicly.

     You see we can't shrink back in these last days. We have to remember that it's not about numbers but about "is the message of Jesus reaching those whom God needs it to reach. There may be someone who God needs to get your book or buy your CD or attend your conference that really needs to hear about the delivering and healing power of Jesus. God sends people to you whether it's in a big public forum or just in line at the grocery store or dry cleaners. Every opportunity you get, make sure you first of all recognize it as a "kingdom appointment". Then boldly tell of how Jesus rescued you from where you were and brought you to where you are!

     You never know. Your testimony of how Jesus saved you will eventually save someone's soul. And then when you meet the Lord in the air, you will be able to hear Him say to YOU, "Well done my good and faithful servant, well done!"

God bless you!

Robert T Sells

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About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the co-owner, with his wife Marlas, of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at www.robertsellsonline.com.

GOD IS OUR PROVIDER, NOT AN ATM!

Let there be no mistake about it.  God is definitely our provider.  He said He will never leave us nor forsake us.  He will be with us even until the end of the age.  So all we need to do is just ask Him for what we need and He'll give it to us right? Well sort of...  but here's the problem with that statement.  Do we ever spend time with God telling Him how much we love Him? Do we ever say "Lord I will tell others about you no matter what people think about me!"  Do we ever spend time at home when we're alone and put on worship music and just spend time telling God how wonderful He is? Do we ever stop to help someone on the street who is in need of a savior?  Do we ever give a coat or a meal to a homeless person?  Do we ever pray for someone who is in need that we know of?  Do we ever stop and lend an encouraging word to someone who is going through a storm or do we just say it's not our business? 

If we've never done any of these things then how do we have the right to ask God for anything! "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36 NIV)The Bible says that we are blessed to be a blessing.  In other words God blesses us so we may turn around and bless others.  But we don't pass the blessing on sometimes to someone who's in trouble.  So then when we get in trouble ourselves what do we do?  We call on God.  What if God treated us like we treat our fellow man?  The Word of God says, "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40 MSG)  


What is the judgement for denying God's children help?  Jesus said further in verses 41-46: "Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because— I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.' "Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' "He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.' "Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."

Don't treat God like an ATM! We ask Him for money and things just because we gave our "dollar" at church.  But we must reach out for brothers and sisters in love.  Let's show God what we will do with the blessings He grants us.  Let's be the salt and the light to the world and not the bain of someone else's existence.  Let's give away what has freely been given us.  Let's stop treating God like an ATM and develop a heart for other people's souls.  Because if Jesus delays His coming, we want as many souls to come with us as possible.  And when God sees you are a faithful servant over the little you have, I know He will bless you with more so you can do more. 

God bless you!
Robert T Sells

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About the author:

Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the co-owner, with his wife Marlas, of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at www.robertsellsonline.com.

WHAT ARE YOU GETTING MAD AT? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A CHRISTIAN!

     The last time you were driving down a crowded road and a careless driver cut you off, how did you react? The last time a person jumped in front of you in line at a store when you’ve been waiting forever, now did you react? The last time a child jammed a buggy into your heels in the supermarket how did you react? The last time a person said something very mean about your mother who already passed away, how did you react? The last time someone quickly zoomed into your parking space at the mall after you’ve been patiently waiting for 10 minutes for the last guy to pull out, how did you react?

     The truth is there are many opportunities for us to fly off the handle in our everyday life. And especially as Christian there will be many chances to “let someone have it”. Why do you think this is? Because the devil is out to prove that Christians aren’t worth the salvation they are claiming on a regular basis. He wants to show the world that they can’t rely on Christians to behave according to what the Bible says. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19) When we express anger at any situation that arises we show people that the devil still exists in our lives and when people can see the devil they can’t see God in you.

     This starts with me. As believers let’s start practicing patience, long-suffering, and most of all, love to our brothers and sisters. That includes those we know or don’t know, saved or not, Christian or not. God said out of all the commandments He gave us, the most important is love. So love your brother and sister. Be slow to anger. Pray to God to heal your internal anger if you have something that happened in your past that causes your anger to rise. When we respond with love we may not always get love in return but we have sown a seed in the other person that God can begin to fertilize and water. We may not see the eventual transformation in the person because we may never run into them again. But I guarantee you they will always remember you – and the day they encountered the love of God.

"If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].  Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]."

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 AMP

God bless you,

Robert T Sells


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About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the co-owner, with his wife Marlas, of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at http://www.robertsellsonline.com/.

WHEN YOUR HUGE GIANTS BECOME SMALL!

When I was a little boy I was a scrawny little kid (well, you probably saw the picture I posted by now). So I was always worried about the bullies at school. I can remember walking way out of the way sometimes when I knew a bully was waiting for me in a certain location when I was trying to get home. It seems like they would always know just where to stand to make sure they caught me before I got home. Well I did everything I could to avoid running into them because I was afraid of what they would do to me. I walked 3 blocks out of the way sometimes, spent my lunch hour inside, waited until I got home to use the bathroom sometimes, and even spent extra time talking to a teacher if I knew they were in the hallway waiting for me. I never wanted to come out and confront them so I avoided it at all costs! I mean they were giants to me. What was I going to do against a giant? It was a battle I KNEW I would lose!


But what I didn't know is that the answer to ending the bullying wasn't avoiding them, but standing up against them. When we are faced with giants in our lives we can stand up to them and defeat them everytime when we have Jesus in our lives! We just have to understand that the battle is not ours to fight. The bible says, "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deut 20:4 NIV).

God promises us in His word that we will have the victory. "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.'” (Psalms 110:1 NLT) When you have God in our lives, we are overcomers. 1 John 5:4-5 (AMP) says, "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who 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]?".

So when you're facing a giant (your next mortgage payment, a recent layoff, sickness or disease, a death of a loved one, a divorce or end of a relationship, a big test, you fill in the giant in your life...) speak to it in the same confidence as David had when he clearly announced on the battlefield in front of everyone that He would slay Goliath ON THAT DAY! David knew who his God was and he knew he couldn't continue to allow this giant to invade their lives and talk about their God even though he was only a shepard boy (1 Samuel 17). The word of God says in Mark 11:24-25, " “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."

Speak boldly against the giants that try to come up against you and you will see the salvation of the Lord! You will defeat EVERY giant that comes your way when you allow God to fight the battle and you will be victorious EVERY time, not because I said so, but because God said so in His Word!

God bless you!
Robert T Sells


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About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the Co-founder, with his wife Marlas, of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at http://www.robertsellsonline.com/.

THERE'S A RECESSION GOING ON? REALLY?

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."


Ever since the start of this recession, there has been widespread panic. People have been losing jobs by the 100's of thousands! Houses have been foreclosed on, cars repsossed, and some have even committed suicide as a means of escaping what they felt would be a horrible life of hell on earth.

But everything you've been seeing is a result of fear. Everyone is afraid that they think they won't be able to make it to the next day or week, not to mention the next year or more! The problem is that so many people are relying on the world's system to get us out of a spiritual dilemna. What do I mean by this? Instead of relying on the world (ie: your employer, your paycheck, your business), rely on God who is our true provider. When you live God's way, you don't experience recession like the world does. When you have God in your life, you have hope that no matter what comes your way, He will protect you and provide for you. When you trust God to be your provider and you confess things over your life you will begin to see God work in your life in miraculous ways. A stranger will come up to you and give you money. Your bank account will have deposits and you won't be able to explain where they came from. You will get unexpected checks in the mail. Amounts of money you thought you were getting will be amazingly higher than the amounts you were expecting.

When you put your trust in God you will see the awesome power of God over and over again. I'm not saying you won't experience some challenges but the difference is that you have the hope that rests in Jesus Christ. You have the knowing that whatever you're going through the the Lord WILL see you through it and bring you out if you ask Him. You will have the assurance that God says in His word when He says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

God is always with you even when you don't feel Him there. He will carry you through any recession, depression or any challenging time and you will prosper in the middle of the worst of times beyond anything you can imagine!

Trust God to bring you through and he will do it. Once you put your trust in God, then stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!

God bless you,
Robert T Sells

About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the co-owner of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at http://www.robertsellsonline.com/.

THE BEST PROTECTION YOU CAN HAVE!

      As I'm sitting here writing this I can hear the wind whistling outside. I hear it as it hits the side of the house and the shutters. It's now 35 degrees outside! The wind is blowing out of the North at 19 mph which makes it feel like 24 degrees! But inside my house I'm wearing a tank top and sweat pants with no socks. What's my point?


     My house is a shelter from the wind, the rain, the cold, and the snow. So I am confident that I will be okay in spite of what's going on outside. In my shelter I am safe, warm, and have everything I need to survive a long, cold winter in Northwest Indiana.

     My house is a physical shelter just as God is a spiritual shelter from the horrible people and things that try to get to me. David said to God, "For You have been a shelter for me,A strong tower from the enemy." (Psalms 61:3 KJV). He later said, "Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me." (Psalms 143:9 NLT) David understood who his enemies were, and he also understood how to escape from the wind, rain, snow and cold that came after him. He took his shelter in God!

     So as you go through your day today, think about the things that have been plaguing you. Think about the worries, the concerns, issues, problems and challenges you face as you go throughout your day. Then think about God! He is there to shelter you from anything that comes your way is you just put on the "whole armour of God" you can stand against the attack of the enemy. Don't let the flaming arrows the devil send your way hit you square on! Jump immediately behind the shelter that God provides just for you and you will know unending peace in spite of what's going on around you. You will be able to wear your tank top and sweat pants with no socks on even in the dead of a winter season in your life!!

Glory to God!
Robert T Sells

About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the president of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at http://www.robertsellsonline.com/.

 

HELL ON EARTH IS NOTHING LIKE "HELL"

I watched the end of Training Day earlier and I remember how horrible the end scene was when Denzell's character, Detective Alonzo Harris, a crooked cop, was murdered in a hail of repetitive gunfire. I don't know how many rounds he took in his body but I can tell you it looked like dozens, possibly 100 or more! But my mind first drifted off to the pain he went through to die being nothing compared to the pain he will go through when he dies not knowing Jesus and opens his eyes in hell!

In the movie the character lived his life with total abandon, without a regard to what would happen tomorrow because he felt invincible.  He was a highly decorated cop with many commendations.  He had broken arrest/conviction rate records.  He was the proverbial "tough guy".  But he is no match for the devil and his demons in the spirit realm without God.  And I can assume that He didn't know Jesus based on his lifestyle.

Wouldn't it be horrible to have to die a horrible, grisly death only to find out that doesn't even begin to compare to what you'll be experiencing for the rest of eternity? If you don't know God, or if you know someone who doesn't know God or maybe they've gotten away from God, please forward this to them.  It is my heart's desire that EVERYONE come to accept Jesus as their Lord and savior before it's too late.

All you have to do is first believe that Jesus is Lord, then accept Him into your life.  You can do this by repeating this prayer with me:

"Lord, I know I'm a sinner. And I repent of my sins. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die for my sins. So I confess my sins now and I ask You to come into my life Jesus. I thank you for saving me. Amen!"



If you just said that prayer and believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord, then you are now saved.  I would recommend starting a bible reading program like the one at the link below. 
 
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/
 
God bless you!
Robert T Sells
 
About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the president of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Merrillville, Indiana. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit his website at www.robertsellsonline.com.