Father God Loves Us

Almost all fathers and mothers love their sons and daughters. How much? To the moon and back! What does that mean? That means "more than can be measured". Another way to say this is "exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think". 

Many parents who have more than one child know they can and do love all of their children more than can be measured - equally well. Most of them know what I’m talking about, but not all do. Alas.

Now why do so many parents love all of their children equally well and some don't love them at all? Psychologists have studied this extensively and have published their results (again) extensively. And I won't quibble with what they have to say. 

Rather, I submit to you that one big reason is because these parents did or did not experience the love of their own parents, however flawed that might have been.

Now, good news! We can take this one step further, for all parents, and not only for parents, but for everyone!

It is written at the end of Romans chapter 8, verses 38 & 39:

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, you see, absolutely nothing can or will separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We all need to experience this great love of God, and we all can experience His great love. And Father God wants us all to experience this great love: His love, which endures forever!

Now think about the father in Luke chapter 15, who had two sons. I submit to you that he loved both sons immeasurably. Both sons had to learn this, and both sons learned it in different ways.

The younger son learned this through a dramatic demonstration of his father's love in Luke chapter 15:

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him (the younger son), and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

But the older son needed to have his father's love patiently explained to him in Luke chapter 15:

31 “And he (father) said to him (older son), ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

This story, this parable, illustrates what Father God is like and how He loves us immeasurably! It also illustrates what people go through in their journeys through life. You don't want to do life the way the younger son did it. He went through much, much grief and pain to finally get to his father. The older son? Yes, he needed a gentle rebuke from his father. Yes, he needed to repent of his hate and his self-righteousness! You don't want to do life this way either.

Are you far from God the way the younger son was far from his father? Ask the Lord God to enable you to repent! He will do it!

Or is Father God letting you know you are guilty of self-righteousness? Ask the Lord God to enable you to repent! He will do it!

Do you love your family as Father God loves His? You can thank the Lord for putting that love in your heart! And thank Him for His peace as you sit around the table with those you love on Thanksgiving Day!

Larry Carroll

I Believe it Because it is Written in Scripture

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." This is written in Romans chapter 8 verse 28.

Do I believe it? Yes, but not because circumstance tells me it's true. Because circumstance doesn't tell me it's true.

I believe it because it is written in Scripture. And I believe what's written in Scripture. Hopefully you do, too.

In 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 7, it is written, "We walk by faith, not by sight". Our faith is based on what's written in the Scripture, our sight is based on circumstances.

Today, November 11th, is the anniversary of the death of my brother along with six other kids. Thomas Carroll was 14 years old at that time.

After 47 years, circumstance has yet to tell me this was a good thing. Oh, A few people got saved. Yes, that was good. Nevertheless, I lost my brother that day.

Larry Carroll

Finish Well

 

Retirees, and anyone close to retiring: Finish well!  Finish what well? Finish this life well!

OK, so how is this measured? And Who is it that's doing the measuring? Well let's see what the Bible has to say about finishing well.

In Matthew chapter 25 verse 21 we read that Jesus said Father God will be saying this "Well done good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord", to those who finish well!

Well, the righteous will finish well, it says in Psalm 92 verses 12 to 15:

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord

Shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;

They shall be fresh and flourishing,

15 To declare that the Lord is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Paul the apostle declared that he finished well.  It says in Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 6 to 8:

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

A very sad example of one who did NOT finish well is King Solomon, son of King David, who married foreign wives. And they led him into idolatry.

How about you and me? Well, what should we do? OK, since for everyone it's different, then let's ask Him what He wants each of us to do personally to finish well.

I'm writing this primarily to warn people not to retire and then coast for the rest of their lives. But I must also warn people not to wait until they retire to get busy with the Lord's work. And yes, He is gracious and merciful, even here as He answers us. Don't be afraid to ask, no matter how old you are, no matter how messed up your life is.

Let me repeat - let's ASK Him what He wants each of us to do personally to finish well.

Larry Carroll

Tongues, A Blessing

 

Praying in tongues is such a blessing for me and to me. My favorite time and place, but not the only time or place, to pray in tongues is when I'm peddling on the exercycle in the cellar.  It's wonderful. I intersperse praying in tongues with praising the Lord and a lot of "Hallelujah"s.

Now some people think that praying or speaking in tongues is weird. Well, OK, they don't have to pray or speak in tongues. Salvation does not require it. It's not part of the Gospel, the Good News.

I use the word "praying" when there is no audience, and I use the word "speaking" when there is an audience. Praying in tongues is by some people called a prayer language. This is what I do.

Well, what's it worth? What's the value of praying (or speaking) in tongues? Is it just to make me happy? No, it's much more valuable than that. In 1st Corinthians Chapter 14, we can read a lot about praying or speaking in tongues.

In verse 2, this is written, "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."  (My emphasis)

So, the Lord God knows what's being prayed but nobody else does.

Let me also say that sometimes really crazy, or really critical, or really hopeless, situations come up, and I don't know what to pray, or how to pray, because the situation is a great mystery. Then for me to pray in tongues right away is wonderful. (And it makes me happy. Just saying.  OK, it makes me hopeful, too.)

Now in verse 4, this is written, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies (builds) himself, but he who prophesies edifies (builds) the church." It does not say "He who speaks in a tongue puffs himself up proudly", because that is not true!  Praying in tongues builds us up in the Spirit!

Now in verse 5, this is written, "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;"

So, we see that both tongues and prophecy have great value in the Kingdom of God in its personal and corporate advance in this world!

Well then, if you want these spiritual gifts, just ask Father God for them!

In Matthew chapter 7 verse 11, this is written, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

Gifts of the Spirit are good things!

I asked for tongues in April 1969 and finally got the manifestation of this gift in August of that year while I was driving down a California freeway, paying attention to where I was going, and not struggling hard to pray in tongues.

Let me end with this: praying in tongues is such a blessing for me and to me.

Larry Carroll

What Is God Like

What is God like? People are usually asking about Father God when they ask this. People have all sorts of answers to the question of what is God like.

But Jesus answered that question by stating, "He that has seen me has seen the Father." This is found in John chapter 14 verse 9. We read what Jesus was like, and still is like, in the Gospels which are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. We can read the Gospels for ourselves and find out what Jesus is like. And we should!

We also read that He is good! We read this in several places in the Psalms, "Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Now I want to suggest that anyone of the elements of the fruit of the Spirit could be substituted in the phrase, "He is good." Why? Because Father God is the original source of the fruit of the Spirit! He is all of these things!

Therefore:

He is Love! (As is written in First John chapter 4.)

He is Joy!

He is Peace!

He is Patience!

He is Kindness!

He is Goodness!

He is Faithfulness!

He is Gentleness!

He is Self-control!

Now let me say this another way:

He is Loving! (And altogether lovely!)

He is Joyful!

He is Peaceful!

He is Patient!

He is Kind!

He is Good!

He is Faithful!

He is Gentle!

He is Self-controlled!

He doesn't change! He will always be this way!

So, He is not a cranky old man that is hard to please! Don't think that way! That's a lie of Satan!

Therefore, when a believer (you) is filled with, or baptized in, the Holy Spirit, this fruit is going to grow in the believer (you) and nothing is going to stop it (except the enemy's deception). Ask for this filling and see what happens! Expect some really good changes!

The phrase "enemy's deception" needs some comment. Let me just say we need to fight it by continuing to read and take in the scripture (the Bible) several times a week, or better yet daily.

Hallelujah!

Larry Carroll

He Pursues Us

Encouragement

You may have heard that the Lord God is called the Hound of Heaven. (No? Well, now you have.)

You know that you can run from Him, but you can’t hide! This should be obvious!

You know He loves you!

And maybe you know that Jesus is a Savior, and He can be, and wants to be, your Savior!

You know that your mom and dad, and maybe your grandma and grandpa, or maybe some friends (me included), are praying for you. Or, if they are gone, they did pray for you. 

You know that your mom and dad prayed or are praying in agreement with what the Lord God wants! This is very significant!  You know He wants you! This is very good, for He is Good!!  

So, rejoice!!!

Advice

Don't fight it! For some reason little kids have very little trouble responding positively, but older folks seem just naturally to want to go their own way, usually. This is not good, for the process needed to soften our hearts and change our minds can be rough.

And no matter how old you are, or what you have done, or whether you have walked away from Him already, He hasn't stopped loving you and pursuing you. He will never stop pursuing you, because He will never stop loving you. So, I strongly recommend that you just respond by saying, "Yes, Lord." And see what happens!

Let me say this again, He loves you!!!

Hallelujah!

I rejoice that He is continuing to pursue me, even right now!

Larry Carroll

Today, 18 September 2025, is our 60th Wedding Anniversary.

I'm happy to say that our marriage is a covenantal relationship, rather than a contractual relationship.

I would describe (not define) a covenantal relationship as: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. (Yeah, all of that. There is much sacrifice and forgiveness in a good marriage, but it is worth it. And there is also much joy and celebration, too. Remember, sometimes you are the one being forgiven!  We are all imperfect people.)

I would describe (not define) a contractual relationship as one which can be terminated for poor performance.

The Lord Jesus established a covenantal relationship with both of us (saved us) and empowered us to maintain this covenantal relationship that binds Helen and me together. For this we are most grateful.

Well, what do we have with this covenantal relationship? We have a relationship where Helen and I still love each other.  And we even like each other, (almost always)!  We also have a wonderful family who still loves us. For both of these we are most grateful to the Lord Jesus for His faithfulness in enabling us to keep going and not give up!

And you can too, with His enabling power!  Ask Him to intervene, and save your marriage by His grace!

Larry Carroll

 The Bible stories that we learned as young children such as:

    David and Goliath

    Jesus born in a manger

    Daniel in the lion’s den

Are all good, but we need so much more. The Bible warns us about drifting away from the faith that has been revealed to us in the Lord Jesus. Hebrews chapter two asks "How can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation as this!?"

I've been there.  Saved (Yes, saved from Hell!) at age 6, learned about taking my faith (that is, my relationship with the Lord God) seriously as a teenager, and filled with (baptized in) the Holy Spirit as a young man, I still got so distracted that I let the Word of God (the Bible) slip.  I was drifting away from Christ, and I didn't even know it!  Oh, I was still going to church, but that means I only got a limited feeding once a week.  Not enough!

Well, I was fortunate that somebody confronted me about this, more than once.

I know other people are offended by church goers and cast off their relationship with the Lord God. They say the church is full of hypocrites.  Hey, I think everyone has been offended by church goers, and by believers even.  And I know some people have been offended by ME!  

Hey, the real question is: have you been offended by Jesus Christ? No, you haven't!

We need to continually read the scripture, the Bible, a few times weekly if not daily, to get through this life.

We need to read the Bible for ourselves!

Now don't you go saying you can't understand all those old English words.  There are SO MANY new translations.  In fact, I don't regularly read the old King James Version of the Bible.

And don't say you can't find a Bible, for if you have an Apple or Android phone, you can easily find an on-line Bible.  I'll suggest two: BibleGateway.com and BlueLetterBible.com.  These both have apps you can find in your phone's Apple App store or Google Play store.  I like BlueLetterBible since the BLB app has no ads.

But WHY read the Bible regularly?

Because:

1. It’s like no other book; it’s inspired by the Spirit of God.

2. Although all of these reasons are important, #2 is the most important reason:

It will lead us to Jesus, to know about Him, and then to know Him personally. Start in one of the first four books of the New Testament, called the Gospels. Start in any one of them.

3. It will comfort us when we are down. The Psalms are good for this, but this can take time. Pray the Psalms.

4. It will change us!  We will become, little by little, more and more like Jesus!  And that is Good!

This will keep us from drifting away from the Lord God.

I want you to read the Bible for yourself. Please!

Larry Carroll

Larry Carroll

This morning, I read an article (from BibleGateway.com) by A W Tozer, in which he decried the tendency of many believers to share only the good parts of living as a believer in Christ. He called it salesmanship.

It brought to mind an old song I heard almost 60 years ago, sung by a ladies trio, which said “It’s not an easy road“ living as a believer. Some people in the audience didn’t like that. I can see now that there are two sides to this issue:

1. As believers, we are encouraged to cast all our cares upon the Lord God, the Lord Jesus. This is wonderful, and such a blessing!  Yes, He is a Savior!

2. However, as believers, it truly is not easy having our faith tested, and having our faith mocked, even persecuted.

It was not easy for Abraham to obey God’s command to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, or for Daniel to continue praying to the Lord God, knowing he'd be thrown into the lions' den for doing it.

So I see that it truly is not an easy road; the cost of discipleship is heavy (but worth it!)

However, the cost of living without the Spirit of God within us, without the Spirit of God guiding us, without the Lord bringing us into His kingdom, without His peace now, is eternal ruin!

Larry Carroll

Larry Carroll

 A pilot in training has a goal: someday to fly solo, that is, to fly alone. This is as it should be.

In life it's the opposite, we start out flying alone, but our goal should be to fly with 'our instructor', our Shepherd, our Savior, our Maker, our God!

But why?  Because He loves us so very much and doesn't want us to end up crashing into a mountain, which we will surely do if we fly alone!

Blessings!

Larry Carroll

Covenants

    My marriage is a covenant relationship.  And hopefully, if you are married, yours is, too.

But what does that mean?  It means that my wife and I are fully committed to each other, "for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."  Yes, fully committed even though there have been compromises and sacrifices that she made and that I made.  These go both ways.

This covenant is modeled after the covenant that the Lord Jesus makes with His bride, the body of Christ, a.k.a. His church, those who have embraced Him as Lord and Savior.  He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  He is fully committed to us!

Oh, but there is one thing: forgiveness.  In Matthew chapter 6, we read in verses 14 & 15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Does it really mean that? Doesn't Titus 3:5 say "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."?  Yes, absolutely!  So isn't forgiving a work of righteousness?  If you think that through your own efforts you can forgive, tell me how successful you have been in the past.  We all can recall how past abuses have come up in our memory, especially when we are trying to fall asleep, and we find that "I just can't forgive!".

This is out of context I admit, but it is written in Mark 2, "Who can forgive sin, but God alone?"  I believe it.

Now this is really important.  Don't just skim over this: We need the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, to come into our "hearts", our innermost beings, to empower us to forgive.  Now when we know we need to forgive, but know we don't have the power in us to do it, we have to go after that power to forgive, earnestly.  We choose to forgive even though we hate it.  Keep choosing to forgive until you receive the power to forgive.

In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus told a parable that illustrates all of this, the parable of the unforgiving servant. This is from verses 21 through 35.

Servant #1 owed A LOT of money to the master. He begged for time, but instead, the master forgave him the whole thing! (So, yes, not by works of righteousness which we have done He saved us!)

Servant #2 owed servant #1 A LITTLE bit of money. He begged for time, but instead, servant #1 threw him into debtor's prison (ie, did not forgive him).

When the master heard this he was furious!

This is how Jesus ends the parable:32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

 

So you have to forgive, but you can't forgive.  What to do?  Choose to cry out to the LORD to fill you to overflowing with His Holy Spirit.  He alone has the power to forgive, and He wants you to have it!  Ask!  Ask for the filling (or baptism) of the Spirit, and ask for the ability to forgive now!

We serve a wonderful, loving God.  Expect a blessing.

Larry Carroll

To Die Is Gain

 

Here is an interesting verse, Philippians chapter 1, verse 21:

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  TO DIE IS GAIN!  Imagine that!  OK, why is that?

Well, part of the reason is spelled out very clearly in Psalm chapter 16, verse 11:

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY!!  In Father God's presence is fullness of joy!

Can we experience this now?  Yes, but there are numerous distractions, alas.  But yes!

OK, speaking for myself, this may sound a bit strange but;

My family loves me and I love each of them (to the moon and back!! You know what I mean?) When I die my family will miss me, but I won't miss them, because I'll be overcome/overwhelmed by the wonderful, joyful presence of Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit!  I hope you can understand what I am saying here.

Here's a quote from A. W. Tozer:

"...we have such a short time to prepare for such a long time. By that I mean we have now to prepare for then. We have an hour to prepare for eternity. To fail to prepare is an act of moral folly. For anyone to have a day given to prepare, it is an act of inexcusable folly to let anything hinder that preparation. If we find ourselves in a spiritual rut, nothing in the world should hinder us. Nothing in this world is worth it. If we believe in eternity, if we believe in God, if we believe in the eternal existence of the soul, then there is nothing important enough to cause us to commit such an act of moral folly."

From his book, "Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church, 87-88.

Hallelujah!

Larry Carroll

A LIE!

 

Very recently, a LIE entered my mind: no one loves me because I am unlovable.

Why is that a lie?  Well, two reasons: (1) it’s not true that no one loves me and (2) it’s not true that I am unlovable.

Why is that?  The reason is that the Lord God is transforming believers (and unbelievers, too!) into His image.

So therefore, there are people in this world that have the Spirit of God in them, and have been transformed such that they can love, even me!  And, I am being transformed (sanctified) such that the Lord God is breaking off unpleasant parts of my personality.

 Philippians chapter 1 verse 6 says He who has started a good work in me will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ.   See, He won't quit!

And He's doing the same for you!

Jesus is a Savior!! He really is!!

Larry Carroll

Fully God And Fully Man

 

Jesus was fully God and fully Man.

However, there is disagreement about whether Jesus did miracles as God or as Man.

For if Jesus did miracles as God that’s loving and wonderful, but if Jesus did miracles as Man, then other people can, too.

So, Elijah was a man just like us, and in the Bible, in First Kings chapter 17, he prevailed upon the Lord to raise a boy from the dead.  Elisha also did the same in Second Kings chapter 4.

In the book of Acts chapter 9, we read that Peter called on the Lord God to raise Dorcas from the dead, and she came back from the dead.

Also, Peter and John in Jerusalem in Acts chapter 3, and Paul and Barnabas in Lystra in Acts chapter 14, spoke healing to crippled men who were then instantly healed.

This doesn’t prove anything about Jesus. No, it doesn’t, however, we see a clear pattern set, which includes us!  Hallelujah!

Larry Carroll

He Cares For Us

He invites us to cast all our care on Him, for He cares for us.

He invites us to come boldly to His throne of grace, for He cares for us.

He assures us that we don't need to be anxious about anything, for He cares for us.

He says He forgives ALL our iniquities, and heals ALL our diseases, for He cares for us,

Why does He care for us?  Because He IS Love!  So He can identify as Father to us!  Do you understand?

And Father demonstrated His amazing love for us by sending Jesus Christ, who is the express image of Father.  Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."

Larry Carroll

Abide In Me (Jesus)

 

Gospel of John chapter 15, verse 7:

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.   (Read the whole chapter.)

This may sound like abiding in Christ, and having His words abiding us, is a means to an end.

But no, it’s a wonderful end in itself. It’s where we want to be. For in His presence is fullness of joy, as written in Psalm 16 verse 11.  He loves us!  And He wants us to love Him back.  How?  Cry out to Him to save you and to draw you close to Himself!

Larry Carroll

 1. Jesus loves me, this I know;
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
(This is true for you!)

2. I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say;
That I love Him every day!
(Is this true for you?)

It is true for me.
Larry Carroll

He Is With Me, Even In A Traffic Jam

Like most everyone, I really truly don’t like sitting in traffic jams, especially ones where there is no end in sight.

However, I have learned that if Paul and Silas can sing praises to the LORD in the Philippian jail at midnight after being beaten severely, then I can do that too, in a traffic jam.  So I did.

Why, because the Lord God was there with me.  He said He would never leave me nor forsake me.

This is consistent with the scripture that says, “Rejoice in the LORD always…” Phil 4:4.

Larry Carroll

I Will Bless The LORD

 In the Bible, the account of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail, and their response to it all, teaches us a vital lesson, which is explicitly stated in Psalm 34:

I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

They did not wait for deliverance to bless and praise the LORD, they sang praises and worshipped right there in their pain!

And so should we.  And so can we, as we are empowered by the Spirit!  Just choose to do it, for He is worthy, and He is right there in the midst of it all.

But there is more to this.  The parable of the soils which Jesus taught, Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, shows us that we can be distracted from praising the LORD, not only by pain and difficulties but also by riches and pleasures.

I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Just choose to do it, for He is worthy, and He is right there in the midst of it all.  He never left you in your troubles and He is right there rejoicing with you in your pleasures!

Blessings,

Larry Carroll

Do Not Fret Because Of Evildoers

In the Old Testament, we see again and again how the LORD brings beauty from ashes, how He brings victory when circumstances look really bad.  He was a savior then and He's still a savior today.

So for example, it looked pretty bad for Joseph in the book of Genesis on more than one occasion, yet he ended up as the number two man in the mighty Egyptian Empire.

Same thing for Daniel, in the book of Daniel.  The Lord God saved him from the lions and then his enemies were destroyed.  He ended up as the number two man in the Persian Empire.

Same thing for Mordecai, in the book of Esther.  The Lord God saved him on the day Haman planned on hanging him.  And he also ended up as the number two man in the mighty Persian Empire.

Same thing for David, in the book of First Samuel.  The Lord God saved him repeatedly from King Saul.  And he ended up as the King of Israel.

Now we also see, again in the Old Testament, that the Lord God does not look kindly on unrepentant, wicked evildoers.  Here are some verses that describe their end.  Yes, if they repent there is forgiveness, as we see in the account of Saul/Paul in the book of Acts.  But if they don't repent... as they say, it's not pretty.

Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;

But those who wait on the Lord,

They shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,

But it shall be no more.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power,

And spreading himself like a native green tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more;

Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

Psalm 63

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;

Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;

But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

Now Hebrews 13 verse 8 says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."   So, be anxious for nothing!!  Praying really is where we start in fighting evil.

Larry Carroll

Simple Gospel Message

I have a John 3:16 sign in my front yard.  Why?  To share the Gospel in a simple way.  Here it is below and with some other verses that do the same thing.

But first, let me ask, why did Father God sacrifice His Son, Jesus, for you and me?  He wants to establish a relationship, a good relationship, with each of us!  Even if you have ignored Him in the past!

NLT Version  ---------------------

1. John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

2. John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

3. Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

4. Second Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

5A. Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 
5B. Ephesians 2:9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 

6A. Titus 3:5  he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6B. Titus 3:6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7. Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."

I repeat: why did Father God sacrifice His Son, Jesus, for you and me?  He wants to establish a relationship, a good relationship, with each of us!  Even if you have ignored Him in the past!

NKJ Version  ---------------------

1. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

3. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

4. Second Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

5A. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God
5B. Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

6A. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6B. Titus 3:6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7. Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

I repeat yet again: why did Father God sacrifice His Son, Jesus, for you and me?  He wants to establish a relationship, a good relationship, with each of us!  Even if you have ignored Him in the past!

Thank you, Father, thank you, Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit, for redeeming my life from destruction and making me part of Your family!

Blessings,
Larry Carroll

Verses That Encourage Me

 

Scripture List

Verses that encourage me

Hebrews 13:

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.   (He doesn't change! What He has done, He still does, and will continue to do.)

Proverbs 4:

20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;

22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

(Your words are life and health!)

Psalm 34:

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.              (All means all.)

5 They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles.                (All means all.)

7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,

And delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Second Corinthians 5:

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.    (Hallelujah!  Your word is the Truth, LORD! What You say is more true than our circumstances.)

Matthew 7:

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 

11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!   (Much More!)

Psalm 103:

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  (All means all.)

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:                        (All means all.)

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,                   (All means all.  Thank You, Jesus!  Hallelujah!)

Who heals all your diseases,                          (All means all.)

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Isaiah 53:

4 Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 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.

Matthew 8:

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,                 (All means all.)

17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

First Peter 2:

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed. 

Psalm 16:

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Nehemiah 8:

10 Then he said to them, " Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. "

Hebrews 13:

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He, Himself has said, " I will never leave you nor forsake you. "

6 So we may boldly say: " The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me? "

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Philippians 1:

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!      (Always includes now.  I will rejoice now!)

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

First Peter 5:

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.     (All means all.)

Hebrews 4:

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.     (All means all.)

16 Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Luke 10:

19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.          (All means all.)

Lamentations 3:

22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

24 " The Lord is my portion, " says my soul, " Therefore I hope in Him! "

Jeremiah 29:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.    (The Pearl of Great Price!)

14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity;

Jeremiah 32:

17 ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

26 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying,

27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

(Nothing, Absolutely Nothing!!)

Isaiah 40:

31 But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:

10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 54:

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me, Says the Lord.

John 14:

12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15:

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 16:

23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  (This means in Your presence!)

First Thessalonians 5:

16 Rejoice always,   (Rejoice evermore)

17 Pray without ceasing,

18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Hebrews 13:

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Romans 8:

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?     (No one!)

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written: " For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. " 

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hallelujah!!

Joy

Some of my friends (I'm thinking of you, Ben.) know that one of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm chapter 16 verse 11:

"In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

It occurred to me yesterday that I am always in His presence since it is recorded in Hebrews chapter 13 that He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  And that is really, really good news!

Pile on top of this more good news as it says in Nehemiah chapter 8, "The joy of the LORD is your strength!"  Yes, let the weak say I am strong!

OK, I am always in His presence even if I am not always aware of it!  And so are you!  That gives me great joy!

Larry Carroll

Commitment

Helen and I are committed to each other, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.  And I'm so glad she stayed with me through it all.  For indeed, some of it has been for worse, for poorer, in sickness.  And yes, I stayed with Helen all through these years, too, 57 years, and happily, with no end in sight.

We were committed to each other, but the wedding ceremony made it official and made it really real to us.

As believers, we are committed to Jesus Christ, and He is to us.  There is a ceremony that makes it official: baptism.  Just today I heard yet again the price some people pay by getting baptized and making it official.  That price is death in some cultures.

In the Bible, in the book of Acts, when people were converted (became believers) they quickly wanted to be, and were, baptized.

When we baptized people long ago we used to sing, 'I have decided to follow Jesus, (repeat), (repeat again), no turning back, no turning back.

You know I'm sure, that commitment works both ways.  The believer is committed to the LORD, but think about this, the LORD is committed to the believer, which includes right now!  In fact, His commitment to us makes our commitment to another person possible.

Let me tell you what a wonderful thing commitment is for the long haul.  Those of you that are married know.

Larry Carroll

The Power Of Weakness

The Power Of Weakness

Now that's a strange concept isn't it, the power of weakness.  But what comes to mind is this:

Second Corinthians 12:9,10:

 And He (Jesus) said to me (Paul), “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We also read in Scripture this:

First Corinthians 2:3-5:

I (Paul) was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive/enticing words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

that your faith should not be/rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Now, if we look to Jesus Christ as an example here, we see the perfect example of weakness on the cross.  You know He didn't want to die here like this, but He submitted to Father God.  And what a victory it was, since it totally broke the power of Satan over us.  That's called the power of the cross.  It's the power of weakness.

But Jesus didn't always act in a weak manner, did He.  When He drove the money changers out of the Temple, He was not acting weakly.  So, is this being inconsistent?  Yes.  Well, what was the controlling factor in His life?

John 5:19:

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

And similarly, John 12:49:

 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.

So we see Jesus was completely and continually filled with, baptized in, and led by the Holy Spirit.  And we can be, too.  I want to be, every day.

Hallelujah!  Jesus!!

Larry Carroll

Everything in Moderation

08 November 2022

 It is commonly said, "Everything in moderation".  Really?  I don't think so.

Jesus said, "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."  This is a command.  DO IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART!!

On the other end of the scale, should we engage in just a moderate amount of sin?  A moderate amount of theft, a moderate amount of adultery, or a moderate amount of deception?  Of course not!

Well, where is this appropriate?  How about putting a moderate amount of food on your Thanksgiving dinner plate?  (Oh dear, now I'm meddling!  Alas!)

Larry Carroll

Trouble

Any relationship based on the attitude of "What's in it for me?" will fall apart quickly.  We know this intuitively.  We can picture someone relating to us this way and we see that person as a leech, trying to get from us as much as he can.  Not good.  We want out.

This is also true of a relationship with Father God.  Do people want to relate to Him just for what they can get out of it?  Say, for example, a ticket to heaven?  Why?  Just because it's better than hell?  (Well, yes it is.)  But if you can't relate to the Lord God now, then what are you going to do when you are looking at Him face to face in His kingdom?

OK, that's all good, but that's not where I'm going.

Rather, let's address a situation in which a believer is offended or hurt. He reacts.  He's angry.  He may say, "Hey, I thought my God would make things better for me."  (All better even?)

But the scripture says in John chapter 16 verse 33, " In the world you will have tribulation".  And we also know by experience that this is true.

Well then, what are all the promises of God, written in His Word, all about?  Is my life just driven by random chance, sometimes I win, sometimes I lose, even though I work hard?

Or is He truly a Good Shepherd?

Well, let's look at John chapter 16 verse 33 again.  It says:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  (NIV)

Again:

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (NLT)

This is Jesus talking here.

You know, there is a lot in this relationship that benefits me now!  The Lord God has filled me with His Spirit, and because the Spirit lives in me I can:

Forgive - and that's really huge!

Rejoice in the LORD no matter what - and that's huge, too!

Not worry (when I turn my eyes upon Jesus and keep looking at Him.)

Trust Him for my sustenance and comfort.

Let me add one more thing.  In Matthew chapter 13 there is the parable of the sower that sowed good seed in different soils.  Only one of the four soils was profitable.  So:

Don't let the enemy steal your life in the Spirit.

Don't let trouble poison your life in the Spirit.

Don't let circumstances deceive you with different prizes.

Hallelujah!  Jesus!!

Blessings,

Larry Carroll

Rejoice In His Presence

So I will not glory or boast in His presence, but instead, I will REJOICE in His presence!  I will rejoice in His grace, His mercy, His peace, His love, His goodness, His salvation!  Hallelujah!

First Corinthians chapter 1, verses 26 through 29:

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  [He chose David over Goliath or Saul]

28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Jesus!!

Larry Carroll

The Greatest, The Servant Of All

 

"The greatest among you shall be your servant."

We read this in Matthew chapter 23 verse 11.

So, who is the greatest of all?  Well, you know, you learned it in Sunday School.  Yes, Jesus is the greatest of all.  So, He must be the servant of all.

And He demonstrated His servanthood mindset when He washed the disciples' feet in John chapter 13.  They had a hard time receiving it, as expressed by Peter, and we would too, I suspect.

Now Jesus is the same, yesterday and today and forever.  Right?  It says so in Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8.

Therefore, He is your servant, too, isn't He?  So what are you worried about?

And we want to be like Him.  Do you know why?  Because we have been filled with His Holy Spirit.  (Well, I hope you have been filled with His Holy Spirit.)

Hallelujah!  Jesus!!

Larry Carroll

Holiness

Holiness is beautiful, clean, pure, and glorious, and therefore is so very, very attractive.  And you can be holy, clean, pure!  Yes, you can.  You can be transformed.  Yes, you can!  Cry out to Jesus to make you holy, clean, and pure. 

And yes, people often come to Jesus because they have a need He can fulfill.  But then, some get close and see His beauty, His glory, and the beauty of His holiness, experience His love and discover He is altogether lovely.  Oh yes, He is altogether lovely.  Really.  And so, we fall in love with Him. 

Hallelujah!  Jesus!!

Larry Carroll

Rejoice In The LORD Always

First Thessalonians chapter 5:
16 Rejoice always
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Somewhere around 1970, my father‘s friend was killed as a pedestrian walking in the street. A car hit her at night.

Her husband told my dad, "Larry, (that’s my father's name, too) I’m not thankful that my wife was killed."  My dad said the scripture doesn’t say give thanks FOR all things, it says IN everything give thanks.

OK, is this just double talk, trying to make the scripture fit reality?  (And not too well, either.)

No, we do not give thanks because our loved ones die, or misfortunes come upon us.  That's crazy!  Instead, we rejoice IN THE LORD, as it says in Philippians chapter 4.  Why?  Because He is here with us and going through it with us, feeling the pain with us.  He has revealed Himself to us, He has revealed His love and His goodness to us, and we won't let go of it, ever!

Philippians chapter 4 verse 4 "Rejoice in the LORD ALWAYS and again I say rejoice."  "Always" always includes right now!  Right?

Do you think Paul and Silas were thankful for the stripes and the wounds and being locked up in the Philippian prison?  No, they were not!  But they were rejoicing in the LORD and singing praises because He was with them, even in the prison!  They knew and were focused on His great love for them, for He had previously revealed His love and goodness.  Find this in Acts chapter 16.

A few years later, in 1978, my family had the opportunity to do this very same thing!  We gave thanks to the LORD for His goodness in all things, even when my brother died at age 14.  We were not thankful that my brother died; we grieved, but we were thankful that the LORD was with us.  He never left us.  He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace!

Jesus!!  Hallelujah!

Larry Carroll

Book of Job

The Book of Job

I am now reading in the book of Job, and what I see is the three friends who sat with Job in silence for seven days! When they finally started to speak, they had good things to share, at least to start.  They were all very wise, and I mean that in a good way.

However, what they had to share with Job was inappropriate, wrong, and hurtful!

If we are not led by the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, we will mess up, too. I know by experience, alas.

But God...

Hallelujah!  He redeems, He comforts, He gives beauty for ashes to those who mourn!  So we have hope!  And we praise Him!  Hallelujah!

Let me say that yet again - Hallelujah!!

Larry Carroll

ASK!

 

Ask!

We are free to ask our Father in Heaven for all sorts of things.  And we should!  This is where we start, asking for personal requests where we can see answers!

However, what could we ask that would be really significant - really, really significant!?

Solomon was told to "Ask!  What shall I give you?" In First Kings 3.
And he asked well, for he asked for wisdom to take care of his people.  And he received it!

Ahaz was told to ask in Isaiah 7, but he said, "I will not ask..." which wearied both the Lord God and Isaiah, too.  This led to a prophecy of the virgin conceiving and bearing a Son, Jesus.

Then in Matthew 7, verses 7 and 8, Jesus promises that if we ask we will receive:
7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

In John 15, verses 7 and 8, Jesus said:
 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

In John 16, verses 23 and 24:
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Hey, this is Jesus speaking here.  Do you believe Him?

So I, Larry, asked Him, "What should I ask?"  Wisdom, as Solomon asked for sounds good, not just for me, but for all believers.  That could lead to revival!  Wonderful!

But we can do even better than that, as good as it is!

 Ask the LORD to pour out His Spirit on all flesh, as He said He would do in Acts 2 verse 17. 
Note: He said 'all'.  As they say, all means all.

Yes, join me in asking for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, On All Flesh!!  Hallelujah!

Larry Carroll

The Lord God Will Reveal Himself

"I'm not a bad person.  I never killed anyone."

How many of you have heard something like that from someone?  And the next thing said is, "So why do I need a savior?"

This could explain why Jesus said the tax collectors and prostitutes enter the Kingdom of God before the Pharisees, that is, before the law-abiding people.  If one doesn't know he or she needs a savior, needs Jesus, that person is going to be content just to live a life of self-fulfillment.

But God...

But the Lord God loves people too much to let them drift along like that, without any awareness of their peril.  He will reveal Himself, whether they like it or not, even more so if you are praying for them.  And you may recall what happened to Saul/Paul, how he was knocked to the ground and heard Jesus' loving confrontation.  The believers were praying intensely!  (Acts 9)

He'll do that with your loved ones, too.  Because He loves them!

Larry Carroll