GET TOGETHER- THE FORGIVER HAS COME
Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NKJV) Mt 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.
Yesterday J.J. and I went to see J.J.’s and now one of my favorite singers Guy Penrod. He was in Fayette on the campus of Bevill State Community College. It was a very powerful time. the Presence of the Lord was there in a very good way. Before each song the anointing was on him to do some preaching, as well as edifying, and exhorting the people there.
One of the messages that kept coming through him yesterday was that if we are forgiven our past is our past. That is good news! One of the main weapons that the enemy tries to use to inhibit God’s message that Jesus forgives our sins and gives us a new start is condemnation about our past. This morning a dear sister shared that word with me and I told her about what the Lord was saying through Guy Penrod yesterday and I believe that is a message that God wants us to grab a hold of. In Marion and Walker County that means to receive it, believe it, and walk in it.
One of my favorite songs that he sung yesterday was “They Baptized Jessie Taylor.” Here are some of the lyrics
Among the local taverns they’ll be a slack in business
‘Cause Jesse’s drinkin’ came before the groceries and the rent Among the local women they’ll be a slack in cheatin’
‘Cause Jesse won’t be be steppin’ out again.
They baptized Jesse Taylor in Cedar Creek last Sunday
Jesus gained a soul and Satan lost a good right arm
They all cried “Hallelujah” as Jesse’s head went under
‘Cause this time he went under for the Lord. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/oakridgeboys/baptismofjessetaylor.html
I tell you why I like that song. It reminds me that Jesus came to save sinners. It also reminds me that not only does He forgive us of our sinful pasts, but He has a bright and glorious future for us here on earth and in Heaven. It tells me that He can change people. It tells me that He can bring transformation in our lives.
I enjoyed every song that Guy Penrod sang yesterday, but there were two Christmas songs that he sang yesterday that brought tears to my eyes. One was Silent Night and the other was O Holy Night. I am not sure which one it was but as I shared in the message yesterday I can remember one Christmas Eve Night before I met J.J. I was driving home from partying to where I lived in the little mining camp known as Hull near Sumiton, Al when the disc jockey on the secular radio station that I was listening to either played Silent Night, or O Holy Night on the radio. I was between the Sumiton Post Office and what is now Bozeman’s Supermarket when the song came on.
It brought back memories of when I was a child and was in Christmas plays at the Sumiton United Methodist Church. I can look back now and know that it was the Holy Spirit telling me “boy you need to come home.” That’s how God speaks to this old Walker- Marion County boy. He speaks in the vernacular that we can understand.
I believe that was the last Christmas that I spent without J.J. I am so thankful that she pointed me to the Savior when she asked me one night nine years after we were married if I died did I know where that I would spend eternity. I am so thankful that she pointed me to Jesus Christ. My sins were many and they were terrible. But I praise God that the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world shed His precious blood so that we could be forgiven of our sinful pasts.
Maybe even today you can hear the Savior speaking to you in your vernacular and He is saying son, daughter, there is no sin too bad, nor are there too many sins that I am not willing to forgive you of. Give your life to Him. You will never regret it. Maybe you have been praying for someone to come back home. Perhaps this Christmas God will reveal himself to them and they will hear His voice saying this is not the way that you are supposed to be living. Don’t give up! Keep praying and keep believing. By the way if you ever get a chance to go see Guy Penrod it is more than a concert!
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus we thank You that You came to earth to save sinners. We thank You that You forgive us from our sinful pasts and free us to live a great and glorious future here on earth and in Heaven. May You receive Glory and honor during this Christmas season which is not a season without You.
In Jesus Name
Amen
J.J. and I want to say Merry Christmas to all of you. We thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement throughout the year.
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
