P.O. Box 640109

El Paso, TX 79904

21 February, 1999

Dear Children,

Would you believe it’s now 2:40 PM Sunday afternoon and I still have this sermonet to write? And the reason that I’m so late getting this one started is because of my boss. You see he’s one of those "people persons" in reverse. In fact he thinks so much about his employees that he has them work seven days a week (including Sunday). And having said what I’ve just said, what better time than now to pick it on up with the rest of this message:

Boy, does time ever fly when you’re really having fun! In fact this last week seemed like it was only two or three days long. And what kinda fun do you think I was having? Well to tell you the truth I was just fooling around with some snakes. You see that’s the job Father God has chosen for me to do (I’m a snake handler)... and He’s even giving me a pretty intensive course on just how to do it (I’m new to the business). And even though I am progressing at a pretty steady rate, there are times, might I add, when this job seems to get just a tad bit overwhelming.

Because you see it was somewhere around the first of the week that I sent the following e-mail to a friend in Toro concerning my snake handling job at Toro:

Dear Mr. _____,

The big snake is having a bunch of little snakes... and he’s having them pretty fast... and they’re coming after me. But praise the Lord!

In the Lord,

Bruce

That was what I said, and then it was his very kind and considerate reply that gave me the reassurance I needed to keep right on handling them snakes: "Bruce... all the big snakes and all the little snakes in the world couldn’t defeat you and the Lord."

And of course my reply to him was an astounding "Amen to that!" Because the truth of the matter is that my friend hit the nail right on the head. You see I’ve been called to do a job (handle snakes) and as long as the Lord is by my side I ain’t a gonna get snake bit. But even though the Lord is by my side, and even though I do know that He will protect me from the most poisonous snake ever hatched, there are still times when those big old cold and slimy slithering serpents of darkness tend to make me just a little bit shaky.

So in the short form, what I‘ve just covered about the snakes was a pretty good summary of my last week’s snake handling job at work. And of course as usual, what I’ve said thus far today will be very shortly all tied back into the sermonet series on The Sin Of Amway (part V). But first of all, let me share with you three very special letters that I’ve received during this past week. Now the first one we will read is from an old Clemson College buddy, and it read like this: You know Brucester, comments like this, "Now you can listen to whatever religious group you want to (Amway, Baptist, or otherwise), but as for me, I’m a gonna listen to the Word of God and the Spirit of God," and your condemnation of the Catholic Faith support the statement that you think you have been appointed as some kind of judge, I assume by God! So it really is ironic that by your assumptions you will be sent straight to hell one day!

Love,

R.T.

So what do you think of that one? Well it didn’t take me too very awful long to figure out from the tone of things that my "use to be college buddy?" has now become attached to one of those religions called The Catholics. So that was letter #1... and what a letter it was. And then it was only a day or so later that I got letter #2... and it went like this:

Dear Bruce,

It’s been a long time since I’ve had direct contact with you - besides receiving your weekly sermonets. I can’t say that I’ve read every one but I enjoy reading most. I grew up ignorant of the teachings of God and even though it is a hard message, I enjoy hearing them from you. I appreciate the enormous commitment you’ve made to spreading the word... You keep writing, and I’ll keep reading. I went a long time in life without a religious foundation. I feel I have strong convictions about right and wrong. You’re helping me see right and wrong as a different light. That said, I’ll keep the faith - trying not to be a hypocrite. I wish you and your ministry the best.

Your’s truly,

H.M.

OK, so how do you figure those two letters fit in with the series on The Sin Of Amway which has so nicely resulted from the series on The President, The People, and The Religion? Well the truth of the matter is that both R. T. and H. M. have been receiving the sermonets for quite some time now, and it appears that only one of them has accepted what "thus saith the Lord." You see one of the two believes in the Word of God while the other believes in the word of religion. Ain’t it a shame? And what’s an even bigger shame is that if these two letters are a true representation of our nation’s population then only 50% have been set free from the bondage’s of religion... while the remaining 50% have become pretty well hooked.

But let’s just hold on a skinny minute... let’s not get any too hasty. You see what I’ve read to you today really ain’t all of the letters, because this week I got a total of three. And it was this third and final letter of the week that was from one of Mr. Pat Robertson’s CBN crew (one of the folks who work for him). And it went like this:

Dear Bruce,

Warm Christian greetings to you today. May the Lord bless your heart as we share together. It is always good to fellowship with other Christians and to share those things that are on our hearts, just as you have. God intends for us to join with one another in prayer, as well as in encouragement and support... May God be with you, guiding you, healing you, holding you up in his love by the power of His Spirit. And may the precious name of Jesus be glorified in your life.

Yours in Christ,

R.K., CBN Partner Correspondence

Now I don’t mean to be cynical (unfriendly?), but, considering the contents of her letter do you really think this lady has been reading the weekly sermonets in their entirety? And if she has, do you really think she’s even begun to understand them? You see the most important part of my "fellowshipping with Brother Robertson" has been on the subject of the religion of The 700 Club... and this lady did not even mention one little word about it! So what do you figure is going on?

Well to tell you the truth, I think these "letters of the week" are a perfect representation of "the people" of our once great nation. Because taking a closer look at the situation, what I see in these letters is one person who chooses the word of religion over the Word of God, a second person who chooses the Word of God over the word of religion, and that third and last person who just completely ignores what The Word of God has even said in the first place.

And now that we’ve made it through the preliminaries of this week’s message, let’s get it on down with the heavy stuff. But in order to bring you back up to speed with this seemingly never ending sermonet series on The Sin Of Amway, let’s do a quick replay of what we’ve covered in previous weeks. So picking it up in Luke chapter 12, verses 1-10, "(1) In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he (Jesus) began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (2) For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. (3) Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (4) And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (5) But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (6) Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? (7) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (8) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: (9) But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (10) And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven."

So that was then, but this is now. And it’s the 11th and 12th verses of chapter 12 that we are about to cover for this week’s message that will likewise become the "then" of next week’s. But not wanting to get too far ahead of the plan, let’s read what we are about to read for the "now": "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

Now I know that this is gonna be sorta hard for some of us, but we’ll just have to try and keep this story all together as one. Because you see God has written this Scripture as one, and He wants it to be used as one, and He wants it to be used as "the one" in this message to Amway. So stepping back through this story verse by verse, in the beginning we see Jesus telling His disciples:

(1) Look out for what those religious folks called the Pharisees teach you, because it’ll definitely make you swell up real big and start stinking...

(2) And even though these things they teach you might sound pretty good, I’m going let you in on a secret (the truth)...

(3) And once you hear this secret (the truth), I expect you to tell it to all the world...

(4) Not even being a little bit afraid of what they might do to you for "spilling the beans" on their most unholy religious scam operation....

(5) Because no matter how mean and dirty the threats of them religious folks might get, they should be of no concern to all who truly fear God Almighty (accept Him as God the Father and obey Him as God the Father)...

(6) Because God the Father loves all of His creation (even the tiny little sparrow that seems so very insignificant)...

(7) In fact He loves you so very much that He keeps track of every little detail about you, right on down to the exact number of hairs remaining on your head...

(8) And in return, if you really love Father God, you will want nothing more than to tell the world the truth about The Word... Who just so happens to be His Son Jesus Christ in the flesh. And of course in order for you to tell the truth about Jesus (The Word) it becomes absolutely necessary to call the lie of religion a lie...

(9) So seeing how this is what Father God wants His children to do, then this is what His children must do...

(10) But because of all the evils of this world, God’s children will be very tempted not to do what Father God wants them to do, and of course that’s why He talks to them through His Holy Spirit. So you see that’s why when He tells them that they are sinning by not obeying Him... and then they still don’t listen to Him... it’s impossible for them to be forgiven... because they aren’t obeying the Father God by confessing and repenting of their sin...

(11) But then again, if and when that person does accept the responsibilities of being a child of God... and begins telling others the truth about the lies of religion... they will have many more excellent opportunities to continue on with their preaching. Because the truth of the matter is that a whole bunch of religious folks are going to get so made at them that they are going to want to lock them up and throw away the key. And it’s during the courtroom appearance that the child of God will have the opportunity to witness to a courtroom full of people...

(12) But even though that person has been suddenly thrown into a situation that tends to make them speechless (a full blown courtroom trial), God the Father, through His Holy Spirit, will give that person the Words to say to those religious folks (who might I add have continued to refuse to hear directly from God Himself). Because you see the Holy Spirit will talk through that child of God in just one more effort to save the lost and dying folks of religions.

Whew! And after having said all that I can’t believe that I’ve actually said it... but I do believe that we have to do it... because that’s exactly what this thing about the snakes in the beginning of this message was all about. In fact you might even say that in a very small way I’ve already been there and done that... and it ain’t even easy getting through it... but it can be done. Because just as my friend in Toro put it so very nicely: "all the big snakes and all the little snakes in the world couldn’t defeat you and the Lord."

Now in order to help you understand these step by step procedures of proclaiming "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy", let us follow along behind the disciples as they give us a real good example of just how it’s all done. So starting off in the book of Mark, reading from chapter 16, verses 9-19, "Now when Jesus was risen... he appeared unto the eleven... And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

Don’t you just love the way the Lord puts these little messages together? I mean talk about the snakes and there they are. But anyway, are you starting to see just how all of this fits so very well together? This Scripture as found in the book of Mark is everything we’ve just talked about... in a nutshell. Because the facts are that if you believe that The Word of God became the Son of God Who gave His life so that all Who believe in Him might be saved, and then follow it up by becoming baptized in the Holy Spirit, it’s then and only then that Luke 12:1-11 swings into action.

So what we have just read in the book of Mark were the words of Jesus to His disciples after His crucifixion and before His departure to Heaven. And by turning on over to the book of Acts we can see the rest of this grand and glorious story unfold. Because starting with chapter 1 and verse 1, we find, "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen... And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

Now I wouldn’t even want get into the discussion with the Baptist about their beliefs in water baptism (not now anyway), but the truth of the matter is that unless you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit you ain’t a gonna be able to do what God the Father wants you to do, and likewise that’s about the time the part about "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned" comes into play.

But anyway, that’s what Jesus told the apostles (disciples) through the Holy Ghost... and that’s exactly what they did ("wait for the promise of the Father")... and the following Scripture as found in Acts chapter 2 is exactly what happened next: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Now ain’t that amazing! And for all of you who have never experienced It, you really ought to! Because believe you me, it’s just as the Scriptures said; it happen back then and it still continues to happen today. And of course one of the reasons that God made this "Holy Ghost and Fire" become real to us was for the purpose of the preaching of the gospel ("Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"). And when it finally did happen what do you figure the rest of those "religious folks" thought about all the ruckus?

Well reading on into verse 7 we find, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven... And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?... And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine."

Now I don’t know about you but this all sounds pretty familiar to me. You see to most of the religious world (the world of religion), a powerful moving of the Holy Spirit such as this will only make their hearts grow harder. And that’s why the Scripture said that the religious men... were all amazed... and in doubt... and thought that these tongue talking followers of Jesus had gone fool crazy. But this is where that "Holy Ghost and Fire" kicks in the afterburners. Because reading on we find, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose... But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams... And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Glory Hallelujah!!! Thank you Jesus!!! There just ain’t nothing like preaching under a Holy Ghost anointing! And this was only the beginning of Peter’s Holy Ghost filled sermon. Because He continued right on along by saying, "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he... being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne... This Jesus hath God raised up, wherefore we all are witnesses... Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Now to some of you these words of Peter might not sound too awful strong... but believe you me they were. Because what Peter had just laid out on the hearts of the people of Israel was the fact that the Son of God, the Savior of the World, had not only lived with them but He had also been killed by them. And of course for all those who think they are most holy, it is completely and totally unacceptable to even consider the possibilities of having killed the Son of God. So it was a risky sermon to say the least... but it was the Spirit of God that gave it to him... and of course the results of this fiery speech were just as God had intended. Because, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost... And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousands souls."

All right, so by now you should be able to see how the commands of Jesus, as found in Luke chapter 12, have been obeyed and followed by his disciples in the book of Acts. But what we have read so far was only in the beginning. Because reading on into chapter 4 we find: "And as they spake unto the people, the priest, and the captain of the temple , and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand."

So do you kinda like see things heating up with these most unholy religious folks? Well the facts are that anytime you have a called out child of God anointed with "The Holy Ghost and Fire", and preaching what "thus saith the Lord", there is gonna be some smoke and flames. But what we have just read was only the beginning of the excitement. Because continuing on we find: "And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes... and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"

Now what that most unholy high priest had just done was only to light the Holy Ghost fuse of the Holy Ghost bomb that was about ready to explode. Because reading on, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel... Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Oh my goodness, Peter is on as Holy Ghost roll and I’m running out of paper. But anyway, continuing on, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus... But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men?... let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."

Now as these most unholy religious folks were about to find out, what they had just done was not the way to shut up "an on fire Holy Ghost filled child of God." Because... "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they herd that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God... And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."

And of course now that I’m all fired up I’ve just gotta say Shout Hallelujah And Praise The Lord!!! This is the way God the Father has designed it, and this is what God the Father expects us to do. So stand up against the religions of both Amway and the world, preach the True Word of God with boldness , and Keep The Faith In Jesus!!!

Love,

Dad (Bruce Hallman)