“I Know that, I Know!”

What I am about to share with you, comes from grateful heart. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that He has led me back to the truth. I believe it does our soul good to question and doubt things at times, because it through this avenue our faith, our belief and our testimony grows leaps and bounds. What was questionable becomes the rock of our faith and foundation in Jesus Christ. So I am grateful for the doubts, because they led me to seek the truth and build on that truth. That truth is that Jesus is my savior and He loved me enough to save me and to show me the truth of the “Restoration of the Gospel.”

The other day, on Facebook, I was chatting with a good friend, who was at one time one of my parishioners and I was best man at their wedding. I also counseled this couple too. So as we chatting, I let her know that I returned to my original faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church. She responded that she kind of gathered that by my profile on Facebook. I proceeded to share with her that now I am at peace and joy that I feel in being back in the Church. As we continue chatting, we were getting caught up on news of our various friends. While talking with her, I found out that a dear and close friend was on Facebook too. I was over joy because I was seeking him on Facebook, because I missed our friendship.

My friend and I were very close friends, we were like brothers and like two peas in a pod. We were planning on studying for ministry together and our heart’s desire was to go to Israel to serve the Lord. We both felt the Lord was calling us there, but as time went by, the Lord led us on a different path. I was also the best man at his wedding too. Shortly after his wedding, I became a license minister in the Assemblies of God and Pastor of Pastoral Care at the Church we both attended. I eventually left that Church and started my own Church in my home and it was called “New Jerusalem Assembly”. Shortly after we drifted apart and went on own different paths. Even though we lost contact, I missed our friendship. How good our friendship was, we could spend hours together and not even speak a word; we just enjoyed each other’s company.

On a personal note, I love being a minister. I love to preach, teach, counsel, and ministering to the various people that I am came in contact with. But as time went by, the Lord continue to break me and took me to one of darkness time periods of my life. I like to refer to that time period as the “Darkness of My Soul.” During this time period, Our Heavenly Father stripped my soul and brought me to the light and the truth that the Mormon Church was true. It finally dawn on me, I may left the Church, but the Church never left me! Praise God! He turn my mourning into joy. I have no regrets, except it took me this long to fine my path again and to slowly but surely find my true calling.

So after finding my friend on Facebook, I requested that we become friends again and he responding to my request. As I was looking at his profile page, I found out that he is study to be a minister. There was some pictures on his page and it showed him ministering to various persons at the Church that he was attending. He looked great and you can see the joy in his face as he was ministering. I was very happy and joyful for him.

In the next few lines, I will open my heart to you and become naked before you. The old Steve, would have been jealous, envious, anger and most of all feeling sorry for myself. But that wasn’t the case. I have never felt a peace like did at that moment and continue to have it. That I made the right decision in becoming back to the Church. At that moment, I felt the roots of my faith went deeper and deeper and became a solid oak tree. I felt like that tree in Lehi’s vision, planted in a firm ground and bearing good fruits. As it says in Psalm 1:3 “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

My brothers and sisters, I testify to you that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through him the Church and the priesthood was restored. I love the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the other standards works. I know without shadow of doubt that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is our prophet of our Church today and that Jesus Christ is the head of this Church. I am so grateful that I was led back to the truth and the Church. I feel like a fountain of living waters flowing out of me and I also feel like a rare wine flowing over its’ goblet. If I could climb to the top of City Hall in Buffalo, I shout and bear my testimony that this gospel is true. I say these things in Jesus name. Amen and amen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfzqVXdb9pk&feature=fvst

(Click above on web link)

If you would like to know more about Jesus and your purpose in life, please contact the Mormon Missionaries:

In the Buffalo, NY area:

940-7143

997-4490

1-585- 403 – 0556

Rochester, NY area: Spanish & English

1-585-905-4620

In the Cattaraugus area:

716-740-0631

In the Wyoming County area in the state of Pennsyjvania:

570-240-2354

Elder Zayne Callahan

Elder Callahan's Mission is the whole wide world of the Internet. If you want to contact him and talk with him; you can reach him on Facebook and he also has a blog. Here are the web connections:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/elder.zayne.callahan

http://elderzaynecallahan.blogspot.com/2011/09/rachels-testimony-expected-logic.html

For a free DVD “Finding Faith in Christ” call 1-800-443-9911

“Putting on the Armor of God!”

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

My brothers and sisters, we have adversary and the enemy of our soul. As the above scripture states he is like roaring lion waiting to attack us and destroy us. He is the father of lies and he is enemy of Our Father in Heaven, and since we are Our Heavenly Father’s children, Satan is our enemy too.

 Satan’s concept and thoughts don’t change. They are the same as it was in our pre-mortal world. He will continue attack the truth any way he can. That is why we need to be aware of his methods and be ready to reject all his efforts to destroy the truth and the Church.

 When the enemy attacks our soul, we need to remind him of Mt. Calvary. It is at Calvary, Our Lord Jesus Christ defeated him by dying on the cross. It is through Jesus Christ, we have the victory. In Him, we are more than conquerors! By walking, praying daily, and being in Christ we are able to face onslaught of devil and have victory as we face our daily battles. He has given us tools, such as prayer, The Bible, The Book of Mormon, other standard works, teachings of modern prophet and He also has given us the Armor of God.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6DpNnsfKso&feature=related

(Click on above web link)

In the previous scriptures, the Lord is not telling us to put armor of God; He is commanding us to put it on. If we fail to put this spiritual armor on, is like going outside in our under clothes. Just like are regular clothes protects us from outside elements, whereas our spiritual armor protect us the devil’s fiery darts. A few years back, I said the following prayer as I put on each item of the armor of God on. By doing so, I was able to walk in victory and in this walk; He led me to the truth again of the restored Gospel.

After praying and reading the scriptures, I would put on armor of God and I would say the following: “Lord, I give You praise, honor and glory in Jesus mighty name, and I put on your armor today. I grit my loins with Your truth and I stand on Your Word. Your Holy Scriptures are my truth and my foundation, for Jesus is my chief cornerstone. For Your Word is a lamp unto my feet. I put on breast plate of righteousness. Lord take Your rightful place in my heart and cleanse me from all unrighteous. I forgive all those who sin against me and I walk in your mercy and righteousness. For in You Lord, I am in righteousness. I shod my feet with the gospel of peace. Wherever I walk today, I will declare Your Word and Your Love. I will declare Your peace to all whom, I come in contact with today. For I am Your ambassador. Lord I take up shield of faith. For Lord, I know that all things are possible with You. I know that no weapon form against me shall prosper and every lying tongue shall cease. I say to that mountain, that I face, ‘be gone in the name of Jesus’ and it shall be so. I put on the helmet of salvation on. I cast down any vain imaginations and high things that come against You and I bring all thoughts into obedience and captivity of Christ Jesus. For Lord give me the mind of Christ. Lord, I take up Your Sword and I will declare Your Word. Lord take the coals from Your altar and cleanse my lips as you did with the prophet Isaiah. Let me declare Your Word in season and out season. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so I am sensitive to Your Spirit. Let me an instrument in Your hands. I say these things in Jesus name.”

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7lhkG_zOMw&feature=related

(Click on above web link)

To be honest with you, I get caught up in my daily routines and I fail to put on this armor. On those days, when I fail to put the armor on, I notice there are far greater attacks from the enemy, but as soon as I put the armor on, I am able to defeat the enemy and walk in victory. I would like to encourage you to put on His armor on daily basis. Be encouraged and strengthen in Him! Be about doing the Lord’s business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CStFaggio5c&feature=related

(Click on above web link)

If you would like to know more about Jesus and your purpose in life, please contact the Mormon Missionaries:

In the Buffalo, NY area:

940-7143

997-4490

1-585- 403 – 0556

Rochester, NY area: Spanish & English

1-585-905-4620

In the Cattaraugus area:

716-740-0631

In the Wyoming County area in the state of Pennsyjvania:

570-240-2354

Elder Zayne Callahan

Elder Callahan's Mission is the whole wide world of the Internet. If you want to contact him and talk with him; you can reach him on Facebook and he also has a blog. Here are the web connections:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/elder.zayne.callahan

http://elderzaynecallahan.blogspot.com/2011/09/rachels-testimony-expected-logic.html

 For a free DVD “Finding Faith in Christ” call 1-800-443-9911