PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS DAILY THOUGHTS: SOCIAL MEDIA

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS DAILY THOUGHTS:  Social Media

Years after Reverend David Wilkerson preached that the Internet was a distraction and a means to separate families, that television was becoming too violent for children to watch unsupervised, Pastor John Collins, of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries, emphasizes that social media has become a means for separating families, promoting violence and bullying, and creating secrets.  The violence in Santa Fe Texas earlier this year is a symptom of the violence that children (yes teenagers are still not adults, and therefore our children), are exposed to.  The statistics now show that there are more children killed in school shootings than soldiers in combat zones in 2018, says Pastor John Collins.  The shooting in Annapolis, Maryland had the shooter’s history involved with a Twitter account. So far in 2018, there has been 199 mass shootings in the USA. When is it enough?

Pastor John Collins, evangelist, cautions that social media has been given too much control over our lives.  The amount of time that children spend on social media is detrimental to their development and to their socialization.  It separates us from our friends and our families, and children are being exposed to too much, too early.  Children are not being allowed to be children, are not being given the opportunity to grow through play, and adults are not taking the responsibility of teaching them about the Bible, God and Jesus.

Pastor John Collins cautions that social media content is provocative, negative, promotes vanity, and the medium itself takes away from the personal interactions that create relationships.  Look around the family room, if anyone is there as a family, and you will see that if someone speaks, others are engrossed in whatever is happening on a screen.  Multitasking is not the way to develop relationships.

 “As convenient as the Internet is, it is necessary to remember the danger of it as well. Children need to be children, have fun and play with other children. Kids should be educated about God and Jesus Christ and should be kept close and safe and surrounded by love. Be aware of what your children are doing and be aware of the example that you are setting.” ~ Pastor John Collins

Pastor John Collins writes:

“Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.” 2 John 1:12 (NKJV).

“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” 3 John 1:11 (NKJV).

Communication has changed with the invention of technology that supports the World Wide Web with a push of a button. People all over the world use their phones and computers to express themselves on their social media and even our advertising has changed to accommodate your preferences all determined by your browsing history. There are apps for this and apps for that. Photos and videos are uploaded by the millions each day. Over 40 billion photos and videos have been shared on Instagram since its inception. And for all of the viewing capabilities and communicating capabilities that we have there is a breakdown in basic relationships that should sadden each and every one of us. Families aren’t talking at the dinner table, children are keeping secrets from their parents and parents are living secret lives that are created via the Internet. Gossip has exploded and bullies have new platforms and the levels of violence have escalated. Crime has increased with trafficking of victims, drugs and arms.

Betrayal comes cheap and easy for too many. Social media has created the ruination of many people and has even been the impetus for the suicide of many. We have become too obsessed with the Internet and given it too much power over us.

Photographs were not invented until 1826 and the first photo uploaded to the web was in 1992. Now, kids are obsessed with selfies and videos and that is truly a problem in our society. It just makes people more aware of their looks and it creates an obsession with vanity that is anti-biblical. Children are bombarded with technology here in America and in many countries around the world. The need to feed the social frenzy is all consuming and destructive. It is too easy to get bullied by others for looks, for weight, for clothes and for any other nonsense that seems relevant for the day. Too many pictures are too provocative and children seem to be wearing less and less as their ages creep up year by year. People are devoted to their appearances and to chronicle their lives through social media. It is ridiculous and it takes away from genuine interaction and genuinely valuable relationships that should be built.

Children learn from watching their parents and they are also guided by their parents. What happens when the parents are also consumed with social media, taking photos of themselves and their lives and uploading every moment onto the web? Technology has become a weakness for people and it has become a doorway to sin. The Internet has brought sin directly into our homes and our hands and we just can’t seem to put it down. It is not only the picture and video taking, the constant commenting and obsessive watching of others and what they do and say but it is not bringing out the best in people and it is not increasing the quality of relationships with people. As convenient as the Internet is, it is necessary to remember the danger of it as well. Children need to be children, have fun and play with other children. Kids should be educated about God and Jesus Christ and should be kept close and safe and surrounded by love. Be aware of what your children are doing and be aware of the example that you are setting. Children grow up too fast as it is and we need to be proactive by preparing them to know the difference between good and evil and to teach them to choose the good. We need to protect them and protect ourselves by creating a wholesome and loving home that is safe from the outside world and influences and acknowledge the superficiality of all that can be found in the pictures, videos and words that are uploaded by the millions each and every day. Get grounded in the truth of God and hold on to that.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Preaching is not a popularity contest.  It is a battle to win souls for Jesus Christ and for God.  Pastor John Collins is a warrior in faith and fearlessly will stand on the Gospel and the words in the Holy Bible to bring people back to the foot of the Cross.  Pastor John Collins style of preaching is often loud, and it always reaches into your heart and makes you think, whether you like what he is saying or not.  Often Pastor John Collins will tell his listeners that he would rather offend someone and make them angry by telling them what they need to hear rather than padding the truth with what they want to hear.  There is a battle raging against the evil of this world.  Pastor John Collins is up in the front of the line, fighting for our eternal lives.  Pastor John Collins not only calls for revival of faith, Pastor John Collins calls for redemption of the Gospel, and Pastor John Collins is calling for change, now.

Pastor John Collins preaches from the heart.  His no nonsense style, as he says, “grabs you by the britches”, in old time revival-style preaching. Pastor John Collins is not going to preach and tell you what you want to hear, Pastor John Collins is going to preach and tell you what you need to hear to get yourself right with God, to find your way to the foot of the Cross, to seek the salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Pastor John Collins, it is a matter of eternal life or eternal death, and the choice is ours to make. 

Sundays at 10:00 a.m. mountain time, Pastor John Collins can be heard on Heaven’s Country Radio at www.heavenscountry.com. Daily devotionals and thoughts by Pastor John Collins can be read on Facebook and Twitter.  Pastor John Collins brings an enthusiasm to the pulpit that is matched by no one.  “I get a little loud” says Pastor John Collins, and he gives a presentation of what the Bible represents: Pastor John Collins will “tell it, teach it as it was 2000 years ago.”  Pastor John Collins loves God.  As Pastor Collins puts it, the Bible is beautiful and everyone needs what it says.  Links to sermons, interviews, radio programs, articles, blogs, and Youtube recordings can be experienced by clicking on the links found within this blog.  Pastor John Collins can personally be reached for ministry, prayer, guest preaching and revival at jc65777@yahoo.com. 

Pastor John Collins is in it to win it for God!  Change is coming.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS LOVE THAT CROSS DAILY THOUGHTS: HANG TOUGH

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR FAITH

How can we be strong in a world of violence?  We have wars, threatened wars, suicides, hatred, aggression, and disasters of nature that take away everything we own.  What do we do?  Pastor John Collins of Love that Cross and  John Collins Ministries has the answer. Trust Jesus.  It’s a simple answer that has been available to us for over two thousand years.  Salvation is the free gift that God has given us, with forgiveness and a chance at eternal life once we are done with life here.  But living is tough, right?  There’s crime and drugs and death in the media.  Terrorists threaten.  Across the world, attempts on our faith and our stifling our hope push at us as believers.  Jesus and God are bigger.  Much bigger, and all it takes is to accept that They are real and make Them your own. 

“Be cautious in this world, take nothing for granted and call on Jesus daily for strength, courage and discernment. Be willing to fight the good fight, to run the race of your life and be prepared to receive the prize.” Pastor John Collins, April 2018.

 There are those who preach the wrong doctrine, challenging us to discern the truth with our hearts and the Bible. Liberal society would like Christians to accept fake doctrine, that God has changed, that Jesus isn’t who He is.  It is a time of change.  It is a time for change.

Pastor John Collins writes:

“But who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’” 1 Peter 3:13-14 (NKJV).

When Jesus walked this earth 2 millennia ago, He gave warnings of how things would be before He returned, before any further revelation would come from God and it is our job to be strong as many prophecies come to pass. These are trying times for the believer and there are many enemies of God that would attempt to undermine your faith in any way possible; be it outright scorn, doubt, aggression, violence or the law. It is a time for us to awaken from our slumber and become vigilant in our walk with God. There are many who would slander the Christian as a bigot and judgmental hater of modern liberal society as well as all other religions and their believers. Knowledge of the truth of Christ and holding firm to that truth is seen by many as elitist and narrow minded and you cannot let the words of others weaken your confidence in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life and the only way to the Father.

We live in a world of violence and must not succumb to intimidation but must stand strong in righteousness. There are many out in the world today who are selling a gospel that is not valid, a Jesus that is counterfeit and false assurances to heaven that will never materialize with true conviction of the Holy Spirit and a genuine submission to God. There are many out there that would like to shame the believer into conforming to this world, into accepting things that are not of God and into compromising their faith and beliefs. There are many prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled and that means that God is not through with this world and it is the responsibility of the believer to obey the Commandments set forth by God in order to receive the salvation that is offered through Christ Jesus.

Do not be lazy in your faith and never drop your guard because there are many different ways that your faith and confidence can be sabotaged and you must be protective of your salvation. Be cautious in this world, take nothing for granted and call on Jesus daily for strength, courage and discernment. Be willing to fight the good fight, to run the race of your life and be prepared to receive the prize.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile you good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins is spreading revival.  As well, Pastor John Collins is redeeming the Gospel that has been changed and altered to suit the liberal society and those who preach a doctrine of endless and only love, forgetting that there is heaven, there is hell, and our salvation is not guaranteed.  Pastor John Collins reminds us we are not even assured tomorrow, and the casualness that we approach our lives and actions is getting us nowhere in our relationship with God.

There is change coming, preaches Pastor John Collins. 

Pastor John Collins preaches from the heart.  His no nonsense style, as he says, “grabs you by the britches”, in old time revival-style preaching. Pastor John Collins is not going to preach and tell you what you want to hear, Pastor John Collins is going to preach and tell you what you need to hear to get yourself right with God, to find your way to the foot of the Cross, to seek the salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Pastor John Collins, it is a matter of eternal life or eternal death, and the choice is ours to make.  It’s not a popularity contest, and in his words, Pastor John Collins will tell you he would rather have you angry at him for telling the truth and make you think about your salvation, than to sugar coat reality of eternity and be put on a pedestal. 

Speaking from the heart, Pastor John Collins can be heard Sundays at 10:00 a.m. mountain time on Heaven’s Country Radio at www.heavenscountry.com. Daily devotionals and thoughts by Pastor John Collins can be read on Facebook and Twitter.   Pastor John Collins brings an enthusiasm to the pulpit that is matched by no one.  “I get a little loud” says Pastor John Collins, and he gives a presentation of what the Bible represents: Pastor John Collins will “tell it, teach it as 2000 years ago.”  Pastor John Collins loves God.  As Pastor Collins puts it, the Bible is beautiful and everyone needs what it says.  Links to sermons, interviews, radio programs, articles, blogs, and Youtube recordings can be experienced by clicking on the links found within this blog.  You can find information about Pastor John Collins on LinkedIn. Pastor John Collins can personally be reached for ministry, prayer, guest preaching and revival at jc65777@yahoo.com. 

Pastor John Collins is in it to win it for God!  It is time for change!

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, DAILY DEVOTIONALS: JOHN 3:16

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: BELIEVING VS BELIEVE IN

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There is a difference in believing and believing in.  Many people believe that God is there, is real, that Jesus is the Messiah, that He was crucified on a cross and died for our sins.  It is one thing to believe, it is another to believe in.  To believe in something is to give everything you have to that purpose, that idea, that concept, that cause. To believe in something is to pursue it with determination, tenacity, a single-mindedness that will not sway you no matter what.  Paul the apostle says it is running a race, and Pastor John Collins, evangelist and head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and Pastor John Collins Ministries, Inc., preaches it means to run the race of a lifetime, full out, all in. 

There are a lot of people who say that they are Christians and give only lip service to belief.  They go into a church on Sunday for appearances or to socialize, may be it is a tradition or a habit, but they are not going there to learn how to give their whole life to believing in Jesus Christ and God. “Just because you go into church on Sunday doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you a car” says Pastor John Collins.  This is a humorous analogy, but it is truthful.  People go to church and are pew warmers, putting in the appearance, but for whom?  God sees what your heart truly is, whether you believe in His Son and the salvation that is offered by the sacrifice that was given over 2000 years ago.  To believe in something is to do it with everything you have. 

To believe in something is to take it fully, with your whole heart.  That is what God wants, that is what God expects.  He knows that it is going to take more than saying you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it takes more than saying you are sorry for the sins that you have committed in your life, it takes more than saying the words.  It means having to learn, and if you truly with effort and dedication and devotion accept that you have to accept Jesus as Savior and wholeheartedly admit you are a sinner and repent, meaning a willingness to change your ways, God and Jesus will take that tiny little kernel of faith and grow it into a beautiful rose bush, full of blossoms.  The thing is, so many churches get tied up in the rituals and the rules that the “believe with all your heart, soul, mind, strength” part is lost in the routine of another Sunday.

“Why do you believe in God and Jesus Christ? Is it what you were taught as a child, what your spouse believes, what your heart tells you is true or is it self-preservation and hedging your bets? There are many reasons why people claim that Jesus is their Savior and not all of them are because they genuinely believe this to be true and unfortunately many that do believe are not being responsible in their own faith because they are not living lives that are truly committed to God.” ~ Pastor John Collins, May 2018.

It is time for revival of hope and faith in the United States says Pastor John Collins.  People who say they are Christians need to give more than lip service to their faith, and people who don’t know Jesus and God need to be taught about Them.  Pastor John Collins has been across the country for three years spreading a revival of hope and faith.  Pastor John Collins posts daily thoughts on his Facebook page to stir our hearts and souls.  So many pastors, preachers, ministers and priests are silver coating the Gospel so that the message of redemption from sin has become lopsided; not recognizing that to be redeemed, one must believe in God and Jesus, not just simply say “I believe” says Pastor John Collins. John 3:16 says that “whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.  To believe in Jesus does not mean to say “yes, I believe” and keep on lusting, lying, gossiping, slandering, envying, holding bitterness, resentment, hating….all those actions that God clearly says He does not tolerate.  It means to believe in what Jesus taught from God, to love each other, to care, to have compassion for the weak, the sick, the lonely, and to take to heart that it means no matter what that person looks like, acts like, smells like, who that person works for or doesn’t work.  Every single one of us should have the same chance at the choice of salvation and taking that salvation to heart, believing in that salvation, that sacrifice, and the free gift of forgiveness.  The sad truth is, there are generations that have absolutely no clue what it means:  people go to church because it’s what you do, then go home and do the same sin, the same life, the same routine without keeping Jesus right there beside you each and every step of the way.  Either that, or those pastors, ministers and priests and a judgmental congregation have made it too hard for someone who is truly seeking God to have their questions answered.  Pastor John Collins preaches it is time for a change, and that time is now. 

Pastor John Collins writes:

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:13-16 (NKJV).

Why do you believe in God and Jesus Christ? Is it what you were taught as a child, what your spouse believes, what your heart tells you is true or is it self-preservation and hedging your bets? There are many reasons why people claim that Jesus is their Savior and not all of them are because they genuinely believe this to be true and unfortunately many that do believe are not being responsible in their own faith because they are not living lives that are truly committed to God.

It is easy to allow self-seeking in this life keep you from truly giving your life to God. It is very easy to seek God out of self-interest as well. Many people pray to God because they want something from God in this life such as wealth, health, love and success. Many people choose to go to church for all of the wrong reasons. Don’t be a Christian out of habit and don’t bother going through the motions if your heart is not truly in it because God knows the difference.

You should never want a relationship with Christ in order to gain something in this life. The promises and rewards that do come from faith in God are eternal and priceless but if you are self-serving and self-seeking in this life then you can be sure that you will be given your reward here on earth and will not be given anything further.

You should want a relationship with Christ for all of the right reasons. You should place the salvation of your soul at the top of your priority list and do all that you need to in order to make sure that you get right with God and stay there. You must be conscious of your faith day by day and behave accordingly. You must be careful to know the why behind everything that you do, including why you seek God.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Commit yourself to God and Jesus, you cannot sit on the fence and hedge your bets on your faith.  There is no other living God, and no other person died and came back to life.  There is no other way to secure eternal life in the presence of God, instead of in Hell.  You can’t simply believe as if Jesus Christ and God are Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, you need to believe in, full on, all out.

BELIEVE THAT!

Pastor John Collins is featured Sunday mornings in a broadcast on Heaven’s Country Radio with Marty Smith.  You can hear Pastor John Collins’ sermon at 1000 am mountain time at www.heavenscountry.com.  Other sermons, recordings, blogs, YouTube, and media by Pastor John Collins can be viewed by clicking on link found within this blog post.  If you wish to reach out to Pastor John Collins, you can do so by email at jc65777@yahoo.com.

Pastor John Collins is in it to win it, for God!

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, DAILY DEVOTIONALS: TALKING TO GOD

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Paul’s letter in 1 Thessalonians 5 says to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” ( 1 Thessalonians 5: 16) NKJV. Pastor John Collins preaches that God wants to hear our prayers.  Some doctrines teach that there needs to be a person to intervene for your prayer; this is not so.  God sent Jesus Christ to be our intercession for prayer.  When we pray, we are to pray in Jesus’ name, as the old hymn says “what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” 

God wants that personal relationship with us, He wants to hear our prayers ~ Pastor John Collins, 2018.

What a wonderful thing to be able to talk to our Father about anything and everything, from thanks to pain to worries about family, God is our loving Father who wants to hear from us.  Yes, God knows exactly what we need and He knows what is going on for us, but as our Father, He wants that personal relationship with us.  How do we do as Paul instructs to pray without ceasing?  We couldn’t work, we couldn’t attend to our physical responsibilities, and we physically cannot stay on our knees unceasingly.  The Hebrew word for without ceasing means “constantly recurring”.  Instead of trying to pray without ceasing, God wants us to tune in frequently.  As Pastor John Collins has preached, prayer should be the first thing you do when you wake up and the last thing you do before you fall asleep.  If you happen to fall asleep while praying, it’s ok, when you wake up, you will remember you were praying, finish that prayer, God understands and will hear us. Prayer and conversation with God should be a priority in our lives.

“We have a God that wants to hear from us, wants that relationship with us and He is seeking those who would worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Let your life be grounded in prayer, built upon prayer and fueled with prayer. Always be willing to prioritize your time and know that prayer should be at the top of the list.” Pastor John Collins, April 2018.

Pastor John Collins is an American evangelist and head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries, Inc.  Pastor John Collins travels throughout the United States to bring revival of faith and hope back to churches and congregations around the country.  Communities are looking for hope and change, and Pastor John Collins is a voice of hope among the craziness in society today.  Pastor Collins posts devotionals on his Facebook page to help to explain where our faith should be, redeem the Gospel, and talks about difficult issues that many pastors won’t.  Pastor John Collins is determined to redeem the Gospel and bring God and Jesus back into our lives.

Pastor John Collins writes:

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple,And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalm 18:6 (NKJV).

We are told to pray without ceasing, to give our burdens to the Lord and to seek Him in all that we do. Too often people get busy in their lives, they have things to do, jobs to go to, children to raise, families to see to and trying to carve out some personal time to enjoy social activities all while trying to maintain a strong relationship with God. Sometimes prayers are whittled down to the bare necessities or even cast aside until a day of trouble and calamity. Prayer is personal and essential to your walk of faith. Prayer is your journal of love, hurt and worry written on your heart and trusted with the One who is trustworthy. Prayer is your place that you can admit all that you hide from the world, where you can be more honest than you ever dare to be out loud. Prayer is the place you are safe.

We should be taking the time to pray in thanks to our Creator and be willing to voice that praise out loud to all. We should be casting our cares upon Him and sharing our fears and worries while trusting that all things work for the good of them who love the Lord. We should be seeking wisdom and righteousness in all we do, coming prepared to every situation, having been founded in prayer. We should be connecting with God continuously so that His strength is what we carry with us through the days. We should never put off our prayer, ignore our need for prayer nor should we allow our prayers to become rote. We have a God that wants to hear from us, wants that relationship with us and He is seeking those who would worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Let your life be grounded in prayer, built upon prayer and fueled with prayer. Always be willing to prioritize your time and know that prayer should be at the top of the list.

“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:7-8 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

God loves us, we are His children.  Like any good parent, He wants to know what is going on in our lives first hand from our own hearts and minds.  Prayer is our way to talk to God. 

Pastor John Collins is a dynamic and charismatic preacher with humility and a love for God and Jesus that sets an example for everyone.  Pastor John Collins is a featured speaker on Heaven’s Country Radio, www.heavenscountry.com, on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Mountain with Marty Smith.  Other content of Pastor John  Collins can be accessed by clicking on links through this blog post, including interviews, radio programs, sermons, and YouTube recordings.  Pastor John Collins is determined to bring God back to church, family, and society through redeeming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pastor John Collins walks the walk and talks the talk.

In all things, pray.  Believe that.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY DEVOTIONALS: CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS TO GOD

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: PARENTING, THE ART OF SELFLESSNESS

Our children are our biggest resource.  When we grow old, it is our children who will be making choices that will affect us.  Children today seem to be encouraged to grow up fast and childhood is lost through abuse, neglect, selfishness, and ignorance.  The phrase children should be seen and not heard was a phrase that was coined during the Middle Ages.  Some would like to say it comes from the Holy Bible, but that is wrong.  The Holy Bible is very clear about how to raise children, and Jesus spoke to the disciples who tried to keep children away from Him. 

Children are precious to God, and when we become parents, we are being given a blessing and a responsibility to raise a child for God ~ Pastor John Collins, 2017 (paraphrased).

Pastor John Collins, evangelist and head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries, Inc., teaches us that it is our children who need to be given the time and care necessary for them to learn how to behave, how to become responsible, and how to become mature Christians.  We have sure fallen far from raising a generation of children who know God or Jesus Christ.  

Unfortunately, like so much in this world, children can be as much as something to throw away or ignore as a used tissue.  When David Wilkerson went into the streets to work with gangs and drug addicts in New York City, he also discovered a lost generation-these are the children of the addicts that were left alone while parents went out in search of a fix, and often they were left alone for long periods of time.  Those children didn’t smile or play as children are supposed to do as part of growth and development.  They were left alone in ghetto apartments with boxes of cereal or crackers (if there was any food at all).  These children were quiet because to make noise would draw abuse.  They were neither seen nor heard.  They were not called children; Reverend Wilkerson called them little people because they never experienced childhood.  They were little people, neither adults nor children.

 “We have got to grow up and get right with God. Parents need to parent. We have to be able to see that selfish pleasures and needs in our own lives do not serve our children well. There is too much partying and romance that keeps parents from their children. People don’t want to hear that faith is the answer but that is the truth. The solution to every problem lies in the hands of Jesus. The change that comes from believing and trusting in God is truly miraculous. The hope that comes from the Cross is eternal.” Pastor John Collins, February, 2018.

Pastor John Collins has been involved with revival of faith and hope for several years since launching a series in Wyoming.  Pastor Collins has traveled across the country, redeeming the Gospel and preaching salvation from his heart with passion.  As an evangelist, Pastor John Collins is determined to bring as many people back to God as possible, but first we need to hear the truth of the Gospel, not the watered down versions that have become the general template for most pastors on the pulpit, whether in the public eye through media or a local community style church.  This is what Pastor John Collins means by redeeming the Gospel.  Old style tent revival preaching is the trademark of Pastor John Collins, preached with humility and reverence for God and Jesus Christ. 

Pastor John Collins writes:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV).

Our way of life has got to change. What happens when kids have kids? What happens when the “parents” put their social lives and partying ahead of their own children? What happens when a parent’s love life takes precedence over spending time with their kids? What happens when a child’s right of passage to maturity is their first beer, their first drag of a cigarette, their first joint, their first line and their first sexual encounter?

Too many parents are clinging to youth by partying and dressing to impress. Too many parents are living lives that are teaching the young that social interactions are at the top of the priority list. Too many parents are going out and cutting loose because they feel that they have lost so many of their “good years” to raising children. What example are we setting for the children we are meant to care for when we put ourselves first?

Raising children is a big responsibility and it is a challenge to remain selfless. It is not always fun to act like the adult. When you have kids at a young age and those children get to a rebellious stage it is not always easy to handle the problems that arise with maturity and confidence. There has got to be a point when parents make a conscious choice to parent.

Parenting is the most important job that a person can have. A parent is responsible for teaching their children how to be respectable people, how to behave appropriately, how to prioritize correctly, how to deal with confrontations and challenges that come with life and most importantly how to get to heaven. If you do not teach your child how to enter the kingdom of God, you have failed. If you do not live a life that exemplifies those lessons, you have failed. If we don’t make it home, we have failed.

We have got to grow up and get right with God. Parents need to parent. We have to be able to see that selfish pleasures and needs in our own lives do not serve our children well. There is too much partying and romance that keeps parents from their children. People don’t want to hear that faith is the answer but that is the truth. The solution to every problem lies in the hands of Jesus. The change that comes from believing and trusting in God is truly miraculous. The hope that comes from the Cross is eternal.

Be willing to be selfless. Be willing to change your ways and become a beacon of hope for your families. Children are a joy and such a gift. Let us learn to parent with the love of God and Jesus in our hearts and the devotion and commitment that our children deserve.

“Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’” Luke 18:15-17 (NKJV).

Love That Cross, Pastor John Collins

Parents need to be parents.  Parenting is a choice to become selfless, not selfish, so that children can grow and become the generation of Christians that will be caring for aging generations to come.

Pastor John Collins broadcasts Sunday mornings at 1000 a.m. Mountain Time on Heaven’s Country Radio with Marty Smith at www.heavenscountry.com. Pastor John Collins’ broadcasts are always on target relating to the issues that we are facing right now and he preaches it the way we need to hear it. Pastor John Collins has other recordings, media, interviews, radio programs, blogs, sermons, and YouTube clips that can be accessed by clicking on the links found within this blog.  If you would like to reach Pastor John Collins, he can be contacted through his personal email at jc65777@yahoo.com.   Pastor John Collins is truly in it to win it for God. Believe that.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHT: PETTY JEALOUSY

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: JEALOUSY

There is a thought that the Holy Bible is simply a good historical book that has some really great stories in it, but it doesn’t apply to us today.  Pastor John Collins, evangelist and head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and Pastor John Collins Ministries, Inc., repeatedly reminds us that the Holy Bible gives examples of how we are supposed to live. Jealousy and envy still cause resentment, bitterness, rage and hate.  Cain was jealous of Abel’s sacrifice that was accepted by God, and Cain killed Abel.  Joseph was resented by his brothers and sold into slavery.  King Saul lost favor with God and spent his life driven crazy by jealousy for David who would eventually replace King Saul and his lineage upon the throne.  The Pharisees were resentful of the attention that Jesus was given by the masses.  Jealousy is not excusable.  Jealousy causes murder, and the stories of the Bible that relate to jealousy, anger, and hatred are still good examples of how we should be acting today.

Jealousy causes people to become violent and create chaos and harm to others.  Mass shootings, child kidnappings, theft all relate back to a root of jealousy.  If we say we are Christians, then to be jealous means that we are not satisfied with what God has given us. Who are we to tell God that we aren’t happy with what He has given us?

Jealousy will cause your soul to wither and die if you allow it to. We do not need to look to what others have and desire that for ourselves because if we could just learn to love what we have and be grateful for the smaller things in life our satisfaction would never waiver. God provides what we need and the more we realize this and the more content we are the more our lives will reflect that thankfulness. It is not about how much you have or how well you are known around town; it is about how well God knows you and how well you know Him. Life is more than recognition and material things.” Pastor John Collins, April, 2018.

For several years, Pastor John Collins has been travelling the United States spreading the word of the Gospel and igniting revival in the faith of those who hear him.  Pastor John Collins recognizes that the Holy Bible has been manipulated to control people, to suppress populations, and to serve the leaders who present it instead of serving God who wrote it through His divine influence upon people.  The Holy Bible is meant to be a guideline for living in a righteous manner, in a way that would please God in all ways.  Pastor John Collins preaches that God is far from pleased with us and the way the world is now, and the time has come for change.

Pastor John Collins writes:

“And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.’ So he said to him, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said to him, ‘Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me.’ So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.” Genesis 37:13-14 (NKJV).

“Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to one another, ‘Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams! But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, ‘Let us not kill him.’ And Reuben said to them, ‘Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him’-that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.” Genesis 37:18-22 (NKJV).

Jealousy has caused many a murder. It has caused hate and resentment, bitterness and rage. The bible says that God is a jealous God. That means that He is jealous for our souls and loves us so much that He does not want to lose us to the pits of hell. This does not mean that we are permitted to feel jealousy and envy. God’s jealousy is righteous and we must never justify our own jealousy by comparing it to Gods.

We each know right and wrong in our hearts. Reuben knew that it was wrong to harm Joseph and tried to save his life and be clever at the same time so that his brothers would not turn on him as well. There are times in our lives that we may face opposition that seems overwhelming when we want to do the right thing but we need to have the faith and confidence in our hearts and trust that God will provide a way for our righteousness to prevail. It is never right to go along with what others are doing just because it is easier.

Jealousy will cause your soul to wither and die if you allow it to. We do not need to look to what others have and desire that for ourselves because if we could just learn to love what we have and be grateful for the smaller things in life our satisfaction would never waiver. God provides what we need and the more we realize this and the more content we are the more our lives will reflect that thankfulness. It is not about how much you have or how well you are known around town; it is about how well God knows you and how well you know Him. Life is more than recognition and material things.

Let petty jealousies fade and don’t allow envy to burden your heart and when you have the chance stand up and do the right thing. Don’t allow yourself to partake in evil just because it is easier than calling on your faith to find a way to act with righteousness. God will not let you down and will guide you always so trust that doing the right thing is better than doing the wrong thing or nothing at all.

“Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes.” Genesis 37:29 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins is redeeming the Gospel and the Scriptures.  On Sunday mornings at 1000 a.m. Mountain Time, you can listen to Pastor John Collins and Marty Smith on Heaven’s Country Radio by linking to www.heavenscountry.com.  Other sermons, radio recordings, interviews, blogs, and YouTube and media of Pastor John Collins can be viewed by clicking on the links found within this post.  Pastor John Collins can also be reached at jc65777@yahoo.com for prayer, ministering, or to discuss the possibility of guest speaking, preaching or revival at your group, church, or gathering.  As Pastor John Collins very passionately puts it, he is in it to win it for God.  Believe that!