PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS: FIGHT THE FIGHT

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: HANG TOUGH

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, LOVE THAT CROSS: JOHN 3:16

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: BELIEVE VS BELIEVE IN

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 whole heartedly 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 (IN) 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, LOVE THAT CROSS: JEALOUSY

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: JEALOUSY, A ROOT OF ANGER AND ENVY

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 traveling 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!

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS: THE POWER OF PRAYER

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS: PRAYER

from Google images

The best day I ever spent was in continued prayer.  It left my spirit lighter, I felt like there was accomplishment in an otherwise lackluster kind of day, and it just felt plain good.  Prayer isn’t about asking for yourself, it is part of what Jesus taught to care about others….prayer for others is what we should be doing because we should do for others what we want done for us.  There simply isn’t enough prayer, and God does want to hear from us, from our heart.  It is a relationship that those who were found to be righteous in the eyes of God had:   Abraham, Job, Enoch, Elijah, Mary, Esther, Daniel, Moses and others….all of these individuals are recorded as having a full relationship with God through prayer that pleased God. 

Evil in this world is because of our free will, Pastor John Collins reminds us, just as Jesus taught during His ministry.  God gave us free will, as a good Father, He allows us to make our own choices in our lives.  He cares that much about us to allow us to choose instead of being robot-like creatures.  Evil is a product of individuals being selfish, self-serving, desiring power and recognition (Pastor John Collins, January, 2018).

“If God is so powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen? That is always a question for those who would deny that there is a God and would claim that if there was a God at all then He must not care about us and must not be all good as those who believe in His say. God gave men free will to live and choose to behave as they would have it and for that reason there will always be evil in this world. Evil is just selfish desires and power grabs manifested in this world.” Pastor John Collins, January 2018.

Pastor John Collins is an evangelist and the head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries.  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.  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:

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:19-21 (NKJV).

There is true evil in this world. We can look around and see it. Many people would like to ignore it, not be bothered by it, not have it touch their lives and just go about their business. Sometimes evil intrudes and we are shocked, hurt and want to question if there is a God at all. If God is so powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen? That is always a question for those who would deny that there is a God and would claim that if there was a God at all then He must not care about us and must not be all good as those who believe in His say. God gave men free will to live and choose to behave as they would have it and for that reason there will always be evil in this world. Evil is just selfish desires and power grabs manifested in this world. Evil is those choosing to lash out at others because of their own hurt. Evil is defiance and rebellion acted out in order to lift oneself up. Evil is petty and there will come a time when God chooses to step in and bring about further revelation to this world.

Some wait for God to act and some want to ignore the signs but while there is still yet time we should be praying for more light to shine in the darkness. Prayer is a powerful thing and God wants to hear from us, not just about our lives, our desires, our sicknesses and needs, our family and friends but about our hopes and thoughts regarding this world. Do you consider praying about those who suffer, the abused men, women and children? Do you pray for the weak? Do you pray that those who protect us are themselves protected? Do you pray that righteousness would make its way into the government? Do you pray that foreign nations would be strengthened in food and health to limit the depletion of your own country? Do you pray that revelation would come from God that would minimize the desire to blow each other up? There are people whose only desire is for more power, more money, more weapons and the opportunity to display it all for the world to see. There is evil in this world because some only care about themselves and they don’t value life or the gifts that come with it.

What so many have forgotten, failed to realize or choose to ignore is that the only true power in this world comes from God alone and all of the rest is an illusion. God is the one who has all of the strength and He really does want us to make the best choices available to us and sometimes people just don’t know what that is. Changing things in this world can start with hope and prayer. Change does need to come, more light needs to permeate the dark and more people need to wake up to the reality that things are changing and we need to change as well. We need more righteousness in this world, not more rebellion. Pray for that.

“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.” John 3:16 (NKJV).

Love That Cross, Pastor John Collins

Prayer is powerful.  It changes lives. You can believe that.

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, LOVE THAT CROSS: THE DELUSION OF PRETTY PROMISES

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: BUBBLES OF DENIAL

from Google images

“Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me?”  If we hear that phrase with a heavy New York accent and a hand gesture by the speaker pointing to himself, we chuckle.  The prophets of old told of tales of horror and pain, and the Hebrews looked at them blankly as if to ask “Are you talking to me?”  Sadly, we are in the same situation now, and it isn’t funny.  The commandments that God wrote for Moses and the Israelites have been padded with the lie that we don’t have to pay attention to them because Jesus replaced them.  Wrong.  Fear and trembling have been padded with shiny promises of wealth and fortune if we give enough money to a prosperity pastor.  Wrong. 

Pastor John Collins is passionately preaching and teaching that our will gets us in trouble, that God wants us to come back to Him and find Jesus again follow the will of God.  We don’t want to look in a mirror and examine why we keep on the blinders and keep doing what pleases us.  We need to let go, and let God and Jesus take over those reins and in pleasing them, we become more, we enjoy more, we are more…more than what we can create alone.

“Most people are fed up with religion and look out into the world and see the effects of what so-called faith has brought about. The deaths and wars, the judgment and exclusion and the riches for the wrong and the poverty for the right. Most people want to move past the need for religion that many see as just an opiate for the masses. Underlying the superficial of religion lies the truth of God and He has commandments that most find antiquated and obsolete.” Pastor John Collins, January 2018.

Pastor John Collins asks when Jesus calls, what are you doing, what are you going to do?  Will you drop everything and turn to Him, or will you keep on doing what pleases you?  Pleasing yourself will earn you judgement that will make you go “oops” one second after you die.  When we answer “yes Lord”, we begin a marvelous journey of regrowth, renewal, and yes-rebirth as crazy as that sounds, for there is no other description that fits.

From rebuilding community churches to spreading a renewal of hope and revival, Pastor John Collins is fighting the fight to bring God back to all who will hear the Word.  Pastor John Collins preaches, speaks and writes with a passion born of faith and obedience to God that leads Him to speak the truth as God meant it to be spoken.  Pastor John Collins is an evangelist and the head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries.  From a not-Christian past to giving his life to serving God and Jesus, Pastor John Collins is reaching out to redeem the Gospel so that people have a genuine understanding of what Jesus taught and preached over 2000 years ago.  The Holy Bible is full of hope, but the truth should never have been glossed over by those who would rather deny that the faults of the men and women who lived as an example for us to follow now existed, or that their trials and tests don’t apply to us today.  King Solomon even pointed out millennia ago that there is nothing new under the sun….and that is the truth.  Pastor John Collins is determined to bring the truth back for the salvation of all who will hear it.

Pastor John Collins writes:

“An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” Jeremiah 5:30-31 (NKJV).

One of the most difficult truths for a believer in the truth of God and Jesus Christ to acknowledge is that most people don’t want to be bothered with the commandments of God, with the consequences of rebellion and disobedience or with what may be required of them in order to follow the will of God. Most people don’t want to have to examine their motives, their actions or their feelings about it all. Most people don’t want to hear of hell, judgment or their own peril. People like to live in the bubble of denial because it is comfortable and it allows them to go about their own selfish way.

Most people are fed up with religion and look out into the world and see the effects of what so-called faith has brought about. The deaths and wars, the judgment and exclusion and the riches for the wrong and the poverty for the right. Most people want to move past the need for religion that many see as just an opiate for the masses. Underlying the superficial of religion lies the truth of God and He has commandments that most find antiquated and obsolete. Most people find comfort in the niceties of religion that coat us all in bright and shiny hope but they don’t want to look into the mirror and face the possibility of the need to overhaul their souls. There has always been a passionate determination to avoid the judgment of God by living in the moment and choosing to believe that all is well in your world and somehow, someway God will find a way to fulfill all of the desires of your heart because He wants you to be happy.

Is the truth all doom and gloom? Is the reality all bad and not any good? Is there no hope for joy and pleasure in this life? Is there only burning judgment to look forward to? No. There is love and hope in this life and joy beyond measure but if you allow yourself to live in a bubble of denial and refuse to acknowledge the commandments of God and follow your own will and the pretty promises of others without examining your own heart and making changes according to the standards of God and His requirements for receiving the promises that He has made then you are living in delusion and will find disappointment for your soul when it is too late to do anything about it. If you don’t make it to heaven, you have failed. If you don’t teach your children how to get to heaven and give them a righteous example to follow, you have failed. Be willing to hear the warning and be willing to heed it.

“To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, And they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.” Jeremiah 6:10 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Being Christian doesn’t mean you go to church Sundays or Wednesdays, then go home and keep on acting like you did before, says Pastor John Collins.  Just because you go into a church doesn’t make you Christian, just because you go into the garage doesn’t make you a mechanic.  You have to walk the walk, take the time to stop and reflect upon what you are doing, and honestly ask yourself if what you are doing is pleasing to God.  Use those Ten Commandments and honestly answer have you broken them?  Paul said we all fall short of the glory of God, we all are sinners, and we all need the salvation that Jesus has offered us, every day, for the rest of our lives. It truly is a race to run, using the analogies of Paul the Apostle.  The only way to get through this life with true joy is to find hope in Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness, seek His help and ask His guidance every day, every minute-Pastor John Collins, April 2018.

Pastor John Collins can be heard broadcasting on Sunday mornings at 1000 am Mountain Time on Heaven’s Country Radio with Marty Smith at www.heavenscountry.com.  Other sermons, interviews, YouTube recordings, media, blogs, and broadcasts can be viewed or heard by clicking on the links found within this blog.  Pastor John Collins takes his faith seriously.  He can also be reached by email at jc65777@yahoo.com for prayer, ministering or to make arrangements for guest speaking, preaching, or revival for your church or group.  

Pastor John Collins is in it to win it for God. Believe that.

PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS: MIXED UP TRADITIONS

 PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, EVANGELIST: PAGANISM & CHRISTIANITY

from Google images

The Holy Bible is pretty clear on the definition of paganism and not worshiping anything or anyone but God.  The first commandment taught to the Hebrews is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, with all our strength.  No compromise.  Everything we’ve got.  Pastor John Collins of Love That Cross Ministries calls out the pagan practices that have been woven into the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God.  The point of Easter, Resurrection Day, is that Jesus who came to the world as human was sacrificed and crucified, very painfully killed.  The miracle of the story is that He physically died and was resurrected, came back to life, proof that there is life after death.  The proof is that Jesus showed Himself after he died, very much alive, to hundreds and hundreds of people, that is documented in the Holy Bible.  Those hundreds of people suffered and died for that truth, standing boldly in the face of the Romans, even to death, declaring the truth. A lie wouldn’t have lasted three weeks. That proof is the truth of life after death. It is not about the hype and traditions of yet another holiday tied into pagan rituals.

“Jesus is not about bunnies and chocolate, ham and eggs or any paganism and yet it is what this world has chosen to associate with the miracle of the resurrection. Jesus is the proof that God has chosen to forgive the sinners of this world through the sacrifice of His beloved Son. The blood of Jesus was shed and His body was hung on a tree to be wracked with pain until the life left His flesh. Jesus came back to His people to prove that there is indeed life after death, there is a heaven to go home to and there is hope.” Pastor John Collins (April, 2018).

Pastor John Collins continues to bring revival across the United States just as he has been doing for the past decade.  Pastor John Collins is an evangelist and the head pastor of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries.  Having seen so many people turn away from the church, God, and Jesus Christ, Pastor John Collins is committed to redeeming the Gospel so that the truth is heard.  Too many pastors preach what “tickles the ears”, meaning a feel good sermon that leaves the listeners feeling good about themselves instead of taking a look at what would please God and making that change in themselves.  Pastor John Collins preaches from the heart, and teaches us that we all have something that we can change, to work toward becoming better Christians; none of us, including Pastor Collins, have reached the perfection of Jesus Christ.  Becoming Christian is a work in progress for every day of our lives until we come face to face with God when we die. 

Pastor John Collins writes:

“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.’” Matthew 28:5-6 (NKJV).

What makes Christianity so special? Jesus! He was crucified and He was resurrected, seen by hundreds of witnesses and left His ministry in the hands of His apostles to take to the masses and tell of the miracle of His death and His rise from that death into life. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus died for the sins of this world and was resurrected from death into life as the proof of the gospel and good news. This is what is celebrated with eggs and chocolate. This is what is celebrated with bunnies and ham. This is what has been confused with pagan rites and heathen practices in the church.

Jesus is not about bunnies and chocolate, ham and eggs or any paganism and yet it is what this world has chosen to associate with the miracle of the resurrection. Jesus is the proof that God has chosen to forgive the sinners of this world through the sacrifice of His beloved Son. The blood of Jesus was shed and His body was hung on a tree to be wracked with pain until the life left His flesh. Jesus came back to His people to prove that there is indeed life after death, there is a heaven to go home to and there is hope.

Christianity is the belief in the sacrifice of our Lord, it is the only way to the Father and it is not open to compromise. To have faith in the Son is to desire the Father and to seek to be obedient. To know who you worship is to trust in God and to know that the only way to achieve salvation is through Jesus. We need to let go of the traditions that do not honor the Son of God and to cling to the cross. It matters. The decorations and origin of the symbolism that is thought to be benign is foolishness indeed. Where traditions begin matters. Many choose to ignore the history of these pagan beliefs and think that the traditions that they have become are irrelevant. I know differently. It does matter because it is just another deception and lie that has been inherited by people who claim to know Christ and claim to love Christ above all. But, ask these believers to give up their traditions, give up the symbols and pagan ideas that represent their ‘holiday’ and see if they are willing. Too often, people cling to what comforts them and brings them joy and toss aside the beginnings with declarations of denial by claiming that, no matter the origin, they are worshiping in spirit and truth through the eggs and bunnies and chocolate and ham.

Christianity and paganism, paganism and Christianity. It is all mixed up. There is a lack of desiring purity in worship and a lack of desiring righteousness in faith. I choose to reject the trappings of this holiday and to honor my King with truth. The resurrection is a day of mourning for this world as too many have taken it for granted and too many have rejected the gift that has been offered. I will mourn for this world and yet give thanks to the humility of the King who obeyed His Father unto death and was resurrected unto life to sit down at the right hand of God.

“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.’” Luke 24:46-48 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS PASTOR JOHN COLLINS

Pastor John Collins has many sermons, blogs, interviews, recordings and other media that can be viewed by clicking on the links found within this post.  Pastor John Collins preaches every Sunday at 1000 Mountain Time on Heaven’s Country Radio with Marty Smith and can be heard at www.heavenscountry.com.  If you would like to speak to Pastor John Collins for prayer, ministering, or questions-not to debate-he can be reached through his personal email at jc65777@yahoo.com.  Pastor John Collins is in it to win it for God.