The Devil's Domain (video sermon)

Believer's Heritage- George Foreman

 George Edward Foreman was born on January 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas. He grew up in the Fifth Ward of Houston with six siblings. His step-father, whose last name he bore, drank heavily, and argued violently with his mother. He dropped out of school around 15 and started mugging people and brawling in the streets of Houston. 

At 16, however, he received his GED through the Job Corp, a program developed to help disadvantaged kids by teaching them vocational job skills, and learned carpentry and bricklaying.

He moved to Pleasanton, California and was interested in football, However, he took up boxing and competed between 1967 and 1997, with a small break in the late 70's to early 80's, winning two world heavy-weight champion titles and an Olympic gold medal. 

"There was a big element of patriotism in what I did; being in the Olympics, you couldn't help but love your country more than before," Foreman said in his autobiography By George. "But I meant it in a way that was much bigger than ordinary patriotism. It was about identity. An American - that's who I was. I was waving the flag as much for myself as for the country. I was letting everyone know who I was and at the same time saying that I was proud to be an American."

At 25, George found out that his biological father was Leroy Moorehead. His mother told him that she had received a letter from him asking to meet George. Leroy was a World War II war veteran. George got to meet him in his church, though he died a few years later. At the funeral, Moorehead’s service pistol and a flag were presented to George. George said that he would never forget looking into an open casket and thinking, “Man, that is my father . . . or could have been.”

During this time, George had four marriages that ended in divorce. In 1985, he married Mary Joan Martelly, who was his wife until his death. He had 12 children, including five sons, all of whom he named George.

His first retirement came when he suffered heat stroke after a fight. He spoke of being in a hellish, frightening place of nothingness and despair, and felt that he was in the midst of death. Wanting to survive, he prayerfully offered "to devote his boxing prize money to charity" when he heard a voice saying "I don't want your money...I want you." He began to plead with God to help him.

George said that he awoke to find himself on a locker room table, surrounded by friends and staff members. He said he felt as if he were physically filled with the presence of a dying Christ. He felt his forehead bleed, punctured by a crown of thorns; his wrists, he believed, had been pierced by nails of the cross. "I knew that Jesus Christ was coming alive in me," Foreman said. "I ran into the shower and turned on the water and — hallelujah! — I was born again. I kissed everybody in the dressing room and told them I loved them. That happened in March 1977, and I never have been the same again."

 In an interview, George stated, "I wasn't interested in any religion. But from that point on, I started reciting the Bible, talking from the pit of my stomach, in that dressing room. I was talking about how Jesus was God's son and that he was alive.  So when I came out of that, I asked a friend to go get me a Bible.  And he said, "What kind?"  And I said, "I don't know. One like your mother has." So, he went out and bought me a King James version of the Bible. And that's how I got into religion."

"When I started going to church, there were so many preachers there. They'd let me tell my testimony, but I didn't get a chance to preach much. One kid said to me, "George, I know how you can preach. Let's go on the street corners."  I began traveling from one street corner to another, three-fourths through Louisiana, Tyler, Texas, all around Houston."

"One time, I picked a certain corner, just by coincidence. And I preached, it wasn't too far from where my father, J.D. Foreman lived, who had always been an alcoholic.  I didn't know that he was hiding in the way, listening to everything I said, and watching me carry on."

"The next week he was in church. And he said to my mother, "You know, something's happened to that boy. I got to find out what it is." He never took another drink. We would go to church as brothers--he called me the preacher, and he was Brother Foreman—until the day he died."

Following this, HBO boxing commentator Larry Merchant commented that "There was a transformation from a young, hard character who felt a heavyweight champion should carry himself with menace to a very affectionate personality."

George got saved, retired from boxing, and became an evangelist in 1978. He began preaching on the streets of Houston, and eventually became the minister of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, which he founded and built. George said, "I'm always studying the Bible. The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know." 

George came out of retirement in 1987 to raise money for a youth center he founded in 1984- The George Foreman Youth and Community Center, a non-denominational place for kids who need direction like he once did. In 1994, he became the oldest ever heavyweight champion at age 45.  In 1997, he retired from boxing again, with a final record of 76 wins, 68 of which were knockouts.

When George came back from retirement, he reasoned that his success in the ring was due to his healthy eating habits. He was approached by Salton, Inc. in the 1990's to be a spokesperson for its fat-reducing grill, which became a sensation thanks to his memorable catchphrase, the "Lean Mean Grilling Machine".

George Foreman died at a hospital in Houston, Texas, on March 21, 2025, at age 76. His life had changed from making the most of himself, to serving his Savior as best he could. "It doesn't matter what you achieve, what you accomplish in this life...The most important thing is to keep your eye on the true prize, and that's serving God."

The Disappearing Missionaries (poem)

 Ten eager missionaries laid their lives on the line;
One stopped to count the cost, and then there were nine.
Nine potential missionaries, concerned about the world's fate;
One said he was too old, then there were eight.
Eight studying missionaries, learned to preach of Heaven;
One decided he'd rather farm, and then there were seven.
Seven sincere missionaries, headed for "the sticks";
One couldn't get support, and then there were six.
Six anxious missionaries, eager to arrive;
One tired of waiting for visas, and then there were five.
Five idealist missionaries, landed on foreign shore;
One suffered "missionary shock," and then there were four.
Four earnest missionaries, busy as could be;
One didn't keep his marriage together, and then there were three.
Three weary missionaries, trying not to be blue;
One didn't return after furlough, and then there were two.
Two seasoned missionaries, praised God for what He's done;
One was called to Glory, and then there was one.
One aged missionary, doing what he can do;
But the job is still so big; who will go help him-will you? 

Author unknown

What Sins Are You Talking About? (song)

Questions Asked At The Judgment

 Job is an interesting character to read about. He is more like the Christian than most other people mentioned in the Old Testament. 

Job lives shortly after the flood. He is a man that is trying to do the right thing. God Himself says that Satan has moved the Lord God Almighty to persecute Job without a cause. But, in the end we see that God did have a reason and because Job passed the test he was rewarded.

While Job is in the midst of his trial, some friends come to visit him and they have a rather deep conversation. During this conversation Job asks them these questions:

Job 26:2-4-How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

These questions are good ones to ask ourselves, because they could be the same ones that we will face at the Judgment Seat of Christ. 

I Corinthians 3:13- Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Remember, our works will be judged when we stand before Christ. Our salvation is settled. But our reward during the Millennium will be based on how we chose to live our life.

Job asks these questions to his friends.

1. Did you help those who couldn't help themselves?

2. Did you save those who had no strength?

3. How did you counsel those who came to you?

4. Have you declared the truth?

5. What spirit are you walking through life with?

These are good questions to ponder as we think back over our day. There are others out there that depend on us, and we can be a blessing or a stumbling block to them.

Did you help those who couldn't help themselves?

Philippians 2:1-4- If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

There are others out there who have needs. Sometimes God miraculously fulfills these needs, and other times He uses willing Christians to fulfill these needs.

Romans 12:10-13- Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Our lives should reflect Christ's willingness to help others. 

Did you save those who had no strength?

Romans 15:1- We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

We aren't necessarily talking about saving a person's life. But we are coming in during their time of weakness and lending them our strength until they can find their own.

I Thessalonians 5:14-15- Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

Each and every one of us has times when we are strong and can help those around us, and there are also times when we are weak and need the prayers, graces, comfort, or understanding of others.

How did you counsel those who came to you?

Ephesians 4:21-25,29- If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

When someone comes to you with a problem or a concern, do you answer them according to your own fleshly knowledge and desires, or do you respond according to the Word of God? As Christians, we should always have Scripture to back up how we advise people.

Philippians 1:9-11- And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

If we are consistently reading our Bibles and praying for God's guidance, there should be no reason that we cannot answer those who come to us with a Word fitly spoken from the Scriptures.

Have you declared the truth?

I John 1:3- That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Our mission as a born again child of God is to tell others the good news of the Gospel- that Christ died to pay the price for the redemption of their souls. This is the main truth that we are called to declare.

II Timothy 4:1-2- I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

What Spirit are you walking through life with?

Galatians 5:16- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Generally, you are either walking in the Spirit or you are walking in the flesh. That means that you are following the guidance of the Holy Ghost or you are living according to the emotions and desires of the flesh.

We are to emulate Christ's actions because we are representatives of His. We cannot react like Christ if we aren't submitting to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in each area of our lives, and the only way to know how He wants us to act is by reading the Bible.

II Timothy 1:13-14-Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

When our lives have ended and we stand before Christ to give account of how we spent them, will our service come forth as gold or will there be a pile of ashes remaining? 

Lessons From Solomon

 ​Solomon is the wisest man mentioned in the Bible. Almost everyone is familiar with the fact that Solomon is the wisest man who ever lived. In fact, the Bible mentions some men who were considered wise that lived around the time of Solomon, but you've probably never even heard of them!

I Kings 4:29-31- And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

Solomon is a person that we can go to if we want to get some understanding. We can gain some wisdom of our own from the things he wrote about.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon looks at various aspects of life from a human perspective, life under the sun, and he comes away with some interesting insights.

In Chapter 1, he speaks of the circuit of the sun, the water cycle, and the atmospheric circulation patterns of the wind. He is giving us just a glimpse of how smart he is, and he is living around the 900's BC!

What is his conclusion regarding his knowledge?

Ecclesiastes 1:13-14- And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Basically, having a head full of knowledge can't bring you happiness.

Ecclesiastes 1:18- For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Moving on to Chapter 2, he speaks about all of his possessions that he came to own. Anything he wanted, he acquired it. I mean, he was the richest man to ever live!

I Kings 10:23,27 - So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.

I've never lived in a place where there was so much silver that it looked at as a common commodity! But, life was like that under Solomon's reign.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11- And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Solomon's end conclusion to possessions was that they couldn't bring happiness. Eventually, you will die and leave them all behind, and you don't know who will benefit from them.

Ecclesiastes 2:18-19- Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

Solomon seems to be a real downer in this book! But, he is just pointing out the end conclusion of matters. Anyone who has devoted their life to the pursuit of knowledge or possessions will eventually come to the same conclusions.

In Chapter 3,  he expounds on the limitations of time. There is an ebbing and a flowing. There are joys and sorrows. There are victories and defeats. And, what is his conclusion?

Ecclesiastes 3:19-22- For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Everyone is bound by time. We are all locked in the present. We can look back and see where we messed up, but we can't look forward to see what will come next.

Next, he turns his attention to humanity. It's not a pretty picture. Our history is riddled with oppression, sickness, and travail.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 -So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 

Solomon can only say that it is best to live life with someone than to live it alone. That really shouldn't come as a surprise. Loneliness is a terribly depressing thing. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10- Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Solomon goes on to point out the folly of riches.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11- He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

That saying, "He who dies with the most toys wins" is foolishness, because you can't take any of that stuff with you!

Solomon seems to be pretty depressed. The next chapter talks about the futility of life. And in Chapter 7, he contrasts some paradoxes that he has noticed.

Ecclesiastes 7:1,5,8,20,29- A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Then Solomon makes an interesting statement.

Ecclesiastes 7:26-28- And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

I don't think Solomon is pulling an arbitrary number out here. He had a thousand wives! He knew something about women.

I Kings 11:3- And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

Solomon knew that women had a certain power over the men in their life. They could use that power for good or evil. Solomon certainly had a lot of regret where women were concerned!

In Chapter 8, he goes back to his consensus regarding judgment.

Ecclesiastes 8:6,11- Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

You can choose to live life however you please, but you cannot escape the consequences of your choices. Every person alive will one day battle with death, and they will lose.

Ecclesiastes 9:3- This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

We all know that will die, but not everyone is conscious of the judgment that he will face after death. He comes to the conclusion that how you will be judged by God is the main thing that should guide your actions.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14- Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Solomon observed many people, and he knew about many things. If all his knowledge boiled down to this one point, don't you think it would be wise for us to ponder it, too?

Revelation 20:12- And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Daniel 12:2- And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

How have we lived our lives? Are we ready for what comes after death?

Wall of Prayer (song)