A Message From "Snaps"

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites. I AM has sent me to you” (Exo 3:14). This name (I AM) tells us that God is eternal, changeless, and always present. There is no deceit in Him. He is and does what He purposes to do. We can depend on Him. Jehovah (or Yahweh in Hebrew) is the way the name “I AM” is often said in our language. It means The Eternal or Self Existent One.

First of all, I want to pray for all who read this. I pray that you saints stand firm on every Word of God, letting the Holy Spirit guide you in your personal walk, at the same time, understanding that you’re a unique part of our church, our body, with Christ as our head. That we need you in a way that only God could have planned for you. Praise and all glory goes to the Lord. You are not alone. In the name of Christ Jesus we say amen!

We are not born knowing secrets of the Bible. I learned Jehovah and Yahweh’s meaning through a Bible study. They used Exodus 3:14 to help define “I AM” and what it means about God’s character. Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpeneth iron. So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” That right there tells me that we need to learn from one another, that what we learn about our Lord and Savior, what His Holy Spirit reveals to us… it’s our job to pass it on.

While locked up in the mainland, there was this Pastor McGee who preached a message about Ephesians 4:11-16. If you read it, you can figure out what he preached… but the point I want to make is that he doesn’t realize how that sermon impacted my walk, let alone my name. I believe that was a spark that lit a fire in me to study about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Pastor McGee shed light in a certain part of our walk I didn’t know about. All he did was his part in “the body”. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God used Pastor McGee to bring that good Word to me to be a light to my path.

Before that, I was content to just listen to preachers preach, be a bystander, you know. Let me tell you that in Christ there are no bystanders. Interaction is what we are all about. Proverbs 18:1 – “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire. He rages against all wise judgment.” Christ said in Mark 16:15 – “Go preach the gospel to every creature.” With all that in mind, I thought I’d better learn something. I mean, maybe I’m not a speaker or a teacher or a pastor, but I’m “something”! God has me here for a reason and it isn’t for just my own benefit. He has a divine plan for all of us; you, me, and the rest of the “church”.

I want to encourage all who read this to get in “the Word”, study your Bible. Hebrews 4:12 – “The Word of God is living and active. Sharper that any double edged sword, joint and marrow, it judges our thoughts and intentions of our heart.” Let the Word live in you in your life. Let His light shine through you on to another poor soul like myself.

Pastor McGee is one among others in my life that has given me insight, knowledge, and wisdom. I can’t express to you how much fellowship and study with others can help you grow in Christ or even outside studies that you can send for. Seek God and He will reveal Himself to you. That is Scripture. Once again, read your Word, study you Word always in prayer. Don’t be led astray and don’t think that you can’t make a difference. Like I said in the beginning of this, you are unique. I need people to help me understand at times… do you agree? If you don’t believe you’re in God’s plan, get to studying the Word and you’ll find your place in the church body.

In closing, I thank God for all the saints He has in His service. I pray that the demons and devils that try to hinder us flee. I pray that we all hold up the light God has given us, however big or small it may be, cause no darkness, no amount of darkness, can put out the smallest candle; that any light, any size of light, can penetrate the dark. I pray that we all continue in our walk in one accord, that all the saints will continue to learn, preach, and teach. I pray that with every day our voice gets stronger and clearer. In the name above all names, Jesus Christ, I pray and say AMEN (John 14:16).

Anthony “Snaps” Deluca