Tag Archive: Luke

Great Expectations!

Author: April 13, 2017

Luke 12:48-49  “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.  “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”

Dearly Beloved:  May God’s grace, peace, love and understanding be ever upon you and may His wisdom guide your heart.  We here in America are very blessed. God has been great to us.  Those blessings are not ours alone. For to whom much is given, much is expected in return.  We and our allies have been blessed abundantly and in turn we must share those blessings with the less fortunate people in this world.  We are strong and thus we must protect the weak.  For the LORD has commanded us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  More than once we have been called into service to fight the evil tyrants who rear their ugly heads.  My beloved, we are being called once again.  The devil is thriving in North Korea and in Syria.  This world is being threatened by demonic dictators who lust for power.  These tyrants are unmerciful and vicious.  Their hearts are so cold that they starve and poison their own people.  They are ruthless and beyond reason.  These men are the very personification of evil.  They must be stopped at all cost. (more…)

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Joy To The World

Author: December 24, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-hand-holding-heart-shape-with-text-253208/Luke 2:10-11  “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Dearly Beloved:  May God’s grace, peace, love, salvation, truth, righteousness, protection, glory and light be ever upon you!  Merry Christmas and happy new year!  You know, I think it is so fitting to celebrate the new year right after we celebrate the birth of our MIGHTY SAVIOR.  When we get saved, we start fresh with a clean slate.  Isn’t that what we are taught to do in every new year?  This time of year is all about new beginnings.  That’s also what JESUS is all about.  That’s what His wonderful salvation does for us when we accept Him.  He washes us clean and we get a fresh start.  That is why it is called being “Born Again”.  Our first birth is a physical one; while our second birth is spiritual.  Now that may seem tough for some of you to grasp.  It is kind of like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.  For Christians, our cocoon is the word of GOD.  We must wrap it around us.  We must let it envelope our entire being.  Most importantly, we must remain in our spiritual cocoon until our physical life ends.  On that day, we will be released from our cocoon and fly away home into the loving arms of the LORD.  None of that would be possible if it weren’t for the birth of Jesus.  HIS is the most important birth in the history of mankind.  Praise His mighty name!  Shout hallelujah!  His birth changed the world forever.  Not even the atheist can deny that.  We need to focus on the meaning of the birth of Christ – Liberty!  Freedom from the darkness of sin! (more…)

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Prosperity Vs. Avarice

Author: August 20, 2016

God's Plan versus My PlanJeremiah 29:11  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.” (NIV)

Dearly Beloved:  May God’s love, grace and peace be upon you and may you prosper in the Lord.  Amen!
It seems today that everyone wants to be wealthy, but not everyone understands what that means.  You can be wealthy with material things, yet poor in the spirit.  Likewise, you can have an abundance of the Holy Spirit beyond measure and yet be physically dirt poor.  I would choose the latter over the former any day of the week and twice on Sunday.  For, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet has not love?  God is love and love is God.  Without love, without God, it is pointless to exist and you shall forever feel empty and incomplete.  Now, let me be clear…God wants us to prosper both spiritually and sometimes financially.  He wants all of our needs met both physically and spiritually.  That is a fact.  Solomon and David are prime examples of the wealth God can lavish on His children.  When you are a child of God, you are meant to prosper.  Of course, there are times such as in the case of Job when suffering may be part of His plan.  In His infinitely divine wisdom, He sometimes allows folks to be physically poor.  Just as steel needs to be pounded and tempered, so too must God’s children in order to gain strength and wisdom. (more…)

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Be The Lord’s Ground !

Author: June 1, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/home-gardening-young-rucola-6414/Luke 8:15  But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Dearly beloved:
May God’s grace, blessings, peace and joy be ever upon you.
Have you ever done any gardening or farming?  For those of you who haven’t, allow me to break a few things down for you about the process.  The first step is to find good, fertile ground.  The soil must be rich and well balanced with proper minerals and just the right pH level.  It should be well irrigated and on flat ground to insure optimum saturation.  It should be in an area that receives plenty of sunshine.  Next, the land needs to be cleared and tilled.  It needs to be sectioned in alignment.  Finally, it is ready to be moistened and seeded.

Jesus explains to us in Luke chapter 8, “The Parable of the Sower”, that spreading the Word is comparable to planting gardens or farming.  The person must be fertile ground with rich soil in order for the Word [or seed] to take root and properly grow.  We need to be stripped bare and tilled by our trials and tribulations, fertilized by the need to change, and a hunger for love.  We need to be willing to submit to the Sower, or Farmer, if you will.  We need to open ourselves up to Him, accept Him and allow ourselves to be saturated with His Holy Spirit.  Amen!  It is then and only then that we can be properly seeded and produce a beautiful, strong and righteous crop for our Farmer, our Father, The Almighty God! (more…)

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We All Have Ups And Downs

Author: April 7, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/roller-coaster-ride-66143/Dear beloved brothers and sisters,  May God’s peace, mercy, blessings, glory and love be ever upon you.  Have you ever heard the saying “What goes up, must come down”?  For every high there is a low and vice-versa.  Nowhere in the Bible does it promise us heaven on earth.
Read Luke 3:16 – John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
We all, as Christians, must be baptized with fire.  The lows we face are like that fire.  It is only our faith which prevents us from being consumed by the flames.  True faith can stand up to anything this world throws at us.  Just look at our brothers and sisters in France and Belgium who continue to remain steadfast in their faith in spite of the evil carnage inflicted upon them by ignorant and savage minions of the devil.  The terrorists who seek to inflict fear only strengthen true believers.  May we all learn from those who endure such, for it is proof of God’s everlasting glory.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that it is easy to be a Christian.  In fact, it tells us repeatedly that ours is a narrow path teaming with persecution, strife and pain.  I dare any of you to show me where it says that life on earth will be easy for a Christian.  I promise you that it never does.  Read it for yourselves.  Jesus said that we must forsake all and follow Him. (more…)

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Got Flavor?

Author: February 16, 2016

https://static.pexels.com/photos/6401/food-kitchen-cooking-spices.jpgMatthew 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  May God’s spices, herbs and seasoning be ever upon you.  Amen!  I want to talk to you about flavor.  I want to talk to you about being savory, delectable and of good taste.  Right now, I can imagine you saying, “What’s this guy saying?  Has he lost his mind?  Does he think I am a chicken dinner?”  Let me be clear, I am not calling you chicken – I assure you.  But, in a manner of speaking, all Christians are a dish meant to be served to the starving unsaved souls around them.  That means we need to be zesty and tangy, but not too tart; spicy and warm, but not too hot; inviting and friendly, but not too sweet.  We need to be flavorful, my brothers and sisters, but not overbearing.  How many of you remember the story of Goldie-Locks and the Three Bears?  We need to be like that last bit of porridge – “Just right!”  Mmmm Hmmm!  Yes, sir!  You see, salvation is free.  Thus, we must not act like salesmen.  Are you with me, folks?  How many of you like fried chicken?  I like the home cooked kind, but every now and again I used to buy K.F.C. [Kentucky Fried Chicken].  Of course, my own chicken is much better. LOL!  But, I do on occasion enjoy the flavor of the colonel’s secret blend of herbs and spices.  The Bible is God’s own blend of herbs and spices – 66 to be exact.  And, unlike the colonel’s recipe, it’s no secret at all.  God wants you to have it.  He wants you to feast on it until it is coming out of your pores.  He wants you to be bathed in it and most importantly, He wants you to feed it to others.  (more…)

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What Is Liberty?

Author: February 6, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunset-man-person-silhouette-6945/II Peter 2:19-21  “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
Dearly Beloved,  May the power and glory of the Lord forever surround you and flow through you.
I want to talk to you about liberty, or freedom, if you will.  When I was stuck in the mire of sin, I was under the illusion that I was free.  I had “worldly freedom”.  That there is not freedom at all.  It’s a lie, a trap, a pitfall and snare set for us by the devil.  I am imprisoned with all manner of men who believe they are free even in here.  It was once said that to experience true freedom, one will inevitably commit criminal acts.  You see, there are many in this world who look at law and order as nothing more than a restraint, a chain, if you will.  They crave anarchy.  Even in the deepest depths of my sin, there were lines and boundaries that I would not ever cross.  But, some folks have no boundaries and they think that makes them free.  Nonsense! (more…)

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Believe In The Power Of Prayer

Author: January 13, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/lights-party-dancing-music-2143/Dear Readers,
Joy, love and blessings to you, my beautiful brothers and sisters.  May the peace of Jesus Christ fill and surround you and may His grace be ever upon you.  Amen!  Let me start by giving you an update on my dearly beloved pastor, friend and brother, Tom Shuford.  As many of you know, Tom went for surgery on 12/30/15 to put a dialysis port into his abdomen.  Tom is suffering from kidney failure and a host of other ailments.  Tom has defied death [only by the grace of God, of course] for over 30 years now.  I am happy to report that once again God has stepped in and spared Tom’s life.  Hallelujah!  Praise Jesus!  The Bible says that “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” – Luke 18:27.  The Lord does not lie.  Tom is proof of that.  He is a living testament to both the power of God and the power of prayer.  Make no mistake about it folks, our prayers have helped Tom tremendously and continue to do so.  It was the faith of all of us, including Tom, that helped Tom make it through this and live to fight for the Lord another day.  Praise God!  SHOUT HALLELUJAH!  THANK YOU, JESUS!  WE BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER, ALMIGHTY GOD!  Yes, we do.  I thank all of you around the world who have kept our brother in your prayers.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL!  Tom is not totally out of the woods yet.  He faces a lengthy recovery.  So, please continue to pray for brother Tom, knowing that those prayers shall be heard. (more…)

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The Power Of Joy And Laughter

Author: December 11, 2015

https://unsplash.com/photos/yvx7LSZSzeoJames 1:2-3  “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

Dear Readers,  When I think of the passage above, I see an even deeper meaning, especially due to my current circumstances.  Now James is telling us that when we suffer for Christ, we should take pleasure in it.  He is explaining that it is wonderful and honorable to suffer on earth for the Lord.  But, I believe there is more to it.

I am now in my fifth month of solitary confinement.  The S.M.U. [Supermax Unit] is divided into sections.  I am housed on what is known as the programs corridor.  There are 14 men altogether on this corridor.  Seven on one side and seven on the other.  Our cells face each other, so we can yell through the cracks of our cell doors and conversate.  Every day, I find a way to make these men laugh. (more…)

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Wage Peace, Not War

Author: November 12, 2015

https://www.pexels.com/photo/german-love-padlock-4662/Luke 1:77-79  “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Dear Readers, May the peace of Christ be ever upon you.  I want to tell all of you, everyone who reads my posts, that I love you in the name of Jesus.  Praise His Name!  Shout Hallelujah!  When I say, “everyone”, I mean even those who hate and despise me.  Even those who return evil for good, and especially those who mean me harm, the ones who think of me as  their enemy and wish to take down this site.  I want you to know that I love you most of all.  Even the M.D.O.C. and the prison administration, who have begun to threaten me weekly, and who only last Friday told me that I will remain in solitary confinement until I stop writing.  I love you!  That love has been hard won within my spirit.  Like any normal human being, my first thoughts upon being attacked are often those of indignation.  But, like any true Christian, the love of my Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit which dwells within me has led me to the ways of peace and forgiveness. (more…)

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Solid As A Rock

Author: August 7, 2015

Randall Daluz - The Solid RockLuke 6:46-49  “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great.”

Dear Readers:  Today is my first day of prison.  As I expected, I am in the super-max.  They say it is for my safety.  They have put me on the most restrictive level.  For now, I am being confined to my cell for 24 hours a day.  I am not allowed to use the telephone – which they say is for my safety.  I am only allowed to shave once a week and I can only shower 3 times a week.  My cell is small and as I look around, I can feel the suffering and loneliness which has no doubt been endured by many, many men.  There are blood stains on the ceiling, walls and floor.  They are signs of the depravity, which becomes some men, when their loneliness and pain overtakes them.  I am not, nor do I intend to be one of those men.  You see, I possess something that they do not have – the love of Christ.  The Lord is my Rock.  HE is solid.  I have built my house of faith upon Him.  Thus, my faith is secure and shall not fail me. (more…)

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Return To The Lord

Author: July 10, 2015

Randall Daluz - Extended HandLuke 15:29-32  So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.  But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

Dear Readers,  When I was a child, my mother brought me to church on Sundays.  I have fond memories of going to church back then.  I loved the singing and clapping.  We always attended multi-ethnic churches.  I loved seeing people of all colors worshiping Jesus together.  I accepted Jesus as my Lord many times back then.  I attended Sunday school and bible camp.  And, I do believe I loved Jesus as a child.  As I got older, time and circumstances led me away from church and eventually away from God.  The further I drifted away from God, the worse my life got.  I lost my faith and with it, my peace.  I suffered a lot in my twenties.  I lost a lot of people that I loved.  I blamed God.  I got so angry at Him that I refused to believe in Him.  I thought He wasn’t real and if He was, then He surely hated me and abandoned me, leaving me broken and forsaken.  I didn’t understand God.  I could not fathom Him at all.  I question whether or not my acceptance of the Lord as a child was real.  Sure, I believed at the time, but I ask myself, “How could I have drifted so far and sunk so low if I truly was saved?” (more…)

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