I guess you might be wondering what in the world I am talking about. Well I will tell you. God has showed me a thing or two.
About three months ago God told me that something BIG was going to happen in around 3 months. I was like okay this is gooooood. I told another person what God had been telling me. She was like yea, He has been telling me the same thing. So it was like I confirmed it for her and she confirmed it for me.
I was pumped up for a while....then the devil started telling me things like: you made it up God didn't tell you that or my all time favorite you were just in yourself. He lied and played tug of war with my mind. You see when God tells you something you just know without a shadow of a doubt. Nothing can take it away from you. The devil can try to bring you down but deep down inside of you, you hang on for dear life as to what God has spoken.
I am just wanting to encourage everyone out there with a promise from God, to hang on. It might not be the way we think He is going to move or the time we think it should happen. God says that He is moving even when we think He is not. That all things will be done in His timing. Like that song goes "Job said He may not be there when you want Him but He's always there on time He's an on time God yes He is." He says in Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." God has showed me that His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. That if we are truly serving Him with all of our hearts, mind, and soul, that He is going to take care of us.
Something else that I wanted to share.....When we finally make our minds up to serve God and allow Him to take over. There is a cleaning up process that has to be done. God takes all the things (sin) inside of us and gets rid of it. It is not an overnight thing. However long we were out in sin it takes God a while to restore us to our "factory settings". How He intended us to be "programmed". In our life of sin we had grown customed to saying negative things, hearing negative things, and seeing things in a negative way. God wants us to change our ways of thinking. He wants us to prophecy good things in our life. He has showed me that we need to have a spiritual and positive way of thinking. Instead of getting out of the bed of a morning and dreading the day...Get up and say Something good is going to happen to me. Thank God for waking you up and give Him thanks. Then all day long go around saying to yourself something good is going to happen to me. Then if nothing good doesn't happen at least you will notice that you were much happier during your day just by expecting God to do something for you. God is wanting to bless people who are expecting Him to bless them. Someone once said "I would rather expect something from God and get a little than to go my whole life and expect nothing and get all of it." That is so true. We shouldn't be afraid to want to receive a blessing from our Father. Jesus said "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11) That is such an awesome thought. So our negative thoughts have got to go. Instead of thinking that things will never get better start prophecying over them dry bones. In every area of your life start prophecying great things. Just think of it like this, you may be going through a rough time right now but everything in your life is subject to change, except for God, He will never change. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8) So just say "I might be sick today, but my health is subject to change. My son/daugther is lost but they are subject to change. My spouse is lost but they are subject to change. My finances are really bad but they are subject to change. My dreams may not seem like a reality but they are subject to change."
I hope that this has encouraged and uplifted someone that has read this. Don't give up. Don't let the devil lie to you. Things are not as bad as they seem. When we go through things at the time it seems like they are huge (like David & Goliath). But when you see your problem bigger than God then you are doing something wrong. God is bigger than all our problems. If we do what is right and keep our minds upon the Lord, He will come through for us. Stay in His presence where it is well. That is the only peace, joy, and hope we have is in the Lord. Keep putting your faith, hope, and trust in the Lord. All three of these things go hand in hand.
God Bless
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Super Glue
I just wanted to share something with you that the Lord has showed me.
My brother-in-law, Richard, had been throwing things out that he no longer wanted. Things that were either broken or he had no use for anymore. There was a lamp in that stuff. It was a beautiful lamp. It was clear and inside the lamp it had seashells. The only thing wrong with the lamp was the top part where the bulb went was broke off from the rest of the lamp. It still worked but it had that one flaw about it.
Well I was sitting in front of the television watching some show. Then all of a sudden God talks to me. He says you know that lamp you have? The lamp is like a lot of people in the world. They are feeling broken and like they have been thrown out into the trash. God showed me that my intentions were to take super glue and glue the part that was broken back onto the lamp. That it would be good as new. He showed me that people who are "broken" can be "super glued" too. That He can take the biggest flaws or the smallest and fix them all.
It was just awesome how He interrupted me in the middle of the day and showed me this. I want God to interrupt me anytime He wants to. I think it is so awesome how God takes stuff and opens our eyes to it.
The lamp can be fixed. Take it to the Master and He will super glue you too. No matter how much super glue you need, it does not matter, He has a never ending supply of it.
My brother-in-law, Richard, had been throwing things out that he no longer wanted. Things that were either broken or he had no use for anymore. There was a lamp in that stuff. It was a beautiful lamp. It was clear and inside the lamp it had seashells. The only thing wrong with the lamp was the top part where the bulb went was broke off from the rest of the lamp. It still worked but it had that one flaw about it.
Well I was sitting in front of the television watching some show. Then all of a sudden God talks to me. He says you know that lamp you have? The lamp is like a lot of people in the world. They are feeling broken and like they have been thrown out into the trash. God showed me that my intentions were to take super glue and glue the part that was broken back onto the lamp. That it would be good as new. He showed me that people who are "broken" can be "super glued" too. That He can take the biggest flaws or the smallest and fix them all.
It was just awesome how He interrupted me in the middle of the day and showed me this. I want God to interrupt me anytime He wants to. I think it is so awesome how God takes stuff and opens our eyes to it.
The lamp can be fixed. Take it to the Master and He will super glue you too. No matter how much super glue you need, it does not matter, He has a never ending supply of it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Janie Shoulders
I wanted to say a few words for my friend Janie who passed away this morning. She was driving on Hwy 363 and went over an embankment and was killed instantly.
I was at the hospital visiting with my dad when we received the call from my mom. She was crying and telling us that she had found out from my brother-in-law, Clell, that Janie had been in a car accident and was killed. At that moment I was like Janie! No, not Janie, she was just here with my daddy a few hours ago. She had stayed all night with daddy at the hospital last night. Janie had brought a lot of books to the hospital with her. She loved to read. She also loved to write things. Anything and everything she would write it down. Things that she had experienced in life. Things that she wanted to do in life, her hopes and dreams.
Janie Shoulders is to be remembered of someone who absolutely loved God. She served God with her whole heart. She wanted everything she done to bring glory to Jesus name. She lived her life to serve others. She was the type of person that if you didn't have a shirt she would literally give you the shirt off of her back. She loved helping those who were in need. She loved caring for people. She felt contentment just helping by taking someone to the doctor. Things that others see as a burden, Janie took it as a blessing to serve those who needed her help.
A few weeks ago, I was in so much pain. I thought I was going to die. My stomache was hurting me so bad. I had stayed all night with my mom and dad because I had to take one of them to the doctor the next morning. Mom was in a lot of pain and I had to be there to help her. I remembered mom had called everyone she knowed of to take me to the hospital. No one wanted to, but Janie did. She called Janie and Janie rushed over and sit with me until I got ready to go. The whole time she just sit there and talked with me and told me that it was going to be okay. She then asked me if I wanted her to pray with me and she did. All the way to the hospital we would talk about different things. She told me that God was trying to birth something through me. Janie was a very spiritual person.
On October 19, 2008 my dad and sister were baptized. Janie was there to share our families joy. That night I sang a song in front of everyone in church. The next day I was down at mom's house and Janie was there when I had arrived. Mom and Janie were making candy wreaths to give away at christmas time. I was asking mom and Janie if I sounded aweful up there singing. I was very nervous. Janie said, I didn't think you sounded aweful, actually I am proud of you Angie. You done something that I have wanted to do, if only I had enough guts to get up in front of a lot of people. She said I would love to sing for God like that. Angie I am so proud of you.
Janie's personality was as bright and cheerful as the colors of clothing she would wear. She had an aura that would light up a room. She would always make you laugh about something. She always tried to cheer people up when they were down. For anyone that did not have a friend, Janie was always there.
Janie grew on all of us. She had become part of our family, mom and dad even adopted her into our family. They would call her their daughter.
If there is one word that I could find to describe Janie...it would have to be beautiful. She was so beautiful on the inside that if flowed to her appearance on the outside. Janie is an inspiration to me, and I will never forget her and how she came into all of our lives. She was living proof that no matter how hard our lives are, that we should never give up. Never give up on hopes and dreams. That no matter how bad things are going that we should always take the time out to witness and befriend all people in our paths.
Janie went home today....as we all will someday. I know she is happy where she is now. I see her up in heaven singing and dancing with all of her might for the Lord. But I hope she knows that she is dearly loved, missed, and will never ever be forgotten. That even though we didn't tell her, she was a part of our family and will not ever be replaced. That she is an inspiration to me and all those she came in contact with.
We love you Janie......until we meet again in heaven, Angie
I was at the hospital visiting with my dad when we received the call from my mom. She was crying and telling us that she had found out from my brother-in-law, Clell, that Janie had been in a car accident and was killed. At that moment I was like Janie! No, not Janie, she was just here with my daddy a few hours ago. She had stayed all night with daddy at the hospital last night. Janie had brought a lot of books to the hospital with her. She loved to read. She also loved to write things. Anything and everything she would write it down. Things that she had experienced in life. Things that she wanted to do in life, her hopes and dreams.
Janie Shoulders is to be remembered of someone who absolutely loved God. She served God with her whole heart. She wanted everything she done to bring glory to Jesus name. She lived her life to serve others. She was the type of person that if you didn't have a shirt she would literally give you the shirt off of her back. She loved helping those who were in need. She loved caring for people. She felt contentment just helping by taking someone to the doctor. Things that others see as a burden, Janie took it as a blessing to serve those who needed her help.
A few weeks ago, I was in so much pain. I thought I was going to die. My stomache was hurting me so bad. I had stayed all night with my mom and dad because I had to take one of them to the doctor the next morning. Mom was in a lot of pain and I had to be there to help her. I remembered mom had called everyone she knowed of to take me to the hospital. No one wanted to, but Janie did. She called Janie and Janie rushed over and sit with me until I got ready to go. The whole time she just sit there and talked with me and told me that it was going to be okay. She then asked me if I wanted her to pray with me and she did. All the way to the hospital we would talk about different things. She told me that God was trying to birth something through me. Janie was a very spiritual person.
On October 19, 2008 my dad and sister were baptized. Janie was there to share our families joy. That night I sang a song in front of everyone in church. The next day I was down at mom's house and Janie was there when I had arrived. Mom and Janie were making candy wreaths to give away at christmas time. I was asking mom and Janie if I sounded aweful up there singing. I was very nervous. Janie said, I didn't think you sounded aweful, actually I am proud of you Angie. You done something that I have wanted to do, if only I had enough guts to get up in front of a lot of people. She said I would love to sing for God like that. Angie I am so proud of you.
Janie's personality was as bright and cheerful as the colors of clothing she would wear. She had an aura that would light up a room. She would always make you laugh about something. She always tried to cheer people up when they were down. For anyone that did not have a friend, Janie was always there.
Janie grew on all of us. She had become part of our family, mom and dad even adopted her into our family. They would call her their daughter.
If there is one word that I could find to describe Janie...it would have to be beautiful. She was so beautiful on the inside that if flowed to her appearance on the outside. Janie is an inspiration to me, and I will never forget her and how she came into all of our lives. She was living proof that no matter how hard our lives are, that we should never give up. Never give up on hopes and dreams. That no matter how bad things are going that we should always take the time out to witness and befriend all people in our paths.
Janie went home today....as we all will someday. I know she is happy where she is now. I see her up in heaven singing and dancing with all of her might for the Lord. But I hope she knows that she is dearly loved, missed, and will never ever be forgotten. That even though we didn't tell her, she was a part of our family and will not ever be replaced. That she is an inspiration to me and all those she came in contact with.
We love you Janie......until we meet again in heaven, Angie
The Battle Belongs To The Lord
Back in the old testament, they would carry and hold up banners when they were going into war. In a way it was to let the enemy know they were prepared to go into battle.
We all may not get a chance to serve in an army here on earth but we do have to deal with the principalities of the air. The devil is always coming behind us trying and tempting us in our battles. Saying to us, "Look! Now what are you going to do?" "God isn't going to show up no time soon or even at all." When the devil does this we need to raise our banners and prepare ourselves for war. And let the devil know we shall not be moved.
Just throw our hands up in the air and say "Thank you Jesus, You are worthy." By doing that we just knocked down a million demons that were following us around placing doubt in our minds. We knock them down just like a bowling ball that hits into the pins at a bowling alley. Can you just imagine this with me? (I laughed when I imagined it) The devil following you around the house or wherever you are at....then all of a sudden you just throw your hands up in the air and start praising God! You'd be doing more than giving him a black eye. Just clapping our hands there are no telling how many demon's heads we are crushing with each clap. The air is full of demons so when you worship and praise God you are stirring up the air in which the demons reside. It is truly halarious if you get to thinking about it.
When we are in a battle we should take our position of worship. We don't need to wait around before we praise God, to see what He is going to do. We need to worship and praise Him even before we see a victory. Because the battle does not belong to us, it belongs to the Lord. If the battle belongs to the Lord then the battle is already won, God is not a loser, He is a winner all the way.
Sometimes all we want to do is give God our petitions but we don't really give Him the praise and worship that He desires from us. If we stay in the presence of God, we are protected by His power. So if we truly stay in the spiritual rather than the flesh, then God is going to fight our battles.
When we worry we are not really trusting in God. We need to just keep our minds upon Him and love Him with everything we have inside of us. When we do this our battles, no matter how great or small, they will seem like nothing.
I thank God for His mercy, long suffering, kindness, love, strength, patients, correction, blessings, miracles, guidance, wisdom, & knowledge. I love you Jesus.
We all may not get a chance to serve in an army here on earth but we do have to deal with the principalities of the air. The devil is always coming behind us trying and tempting us in our battles. Saying to us, "Look! Now what are you going to do?" "God isn't going to show up no time soon or even at all." When the devil does this we need to raise our banners and prepare ourselves for war. And let the devil know we shall not be moved.
Just throw our hands up in the air and say "Thank you Jesus, You are worthy." By doing that we just knocked down a million demons that were following us around placing doubt in our minds. We knock them down just like a bowling ball that hits into the pins at a bowling alley. Can you just imagine this with me? (I laughed when I imagined it) The devil following you around the house or wherever you are at....then all of a sudden you just throw your hands up in the air and start praising God! You'd be doing more than giving him a black eye. Just clapping our hands there are no telling how many demon's heads we are crushing with each clap. The air is full of demons so when you worship and praise God you are stirring up the air in which the demons reside. It is truly halarious if you get to thinking about it.
When we are in a battle we should take our position of worship. We don't need to wait around before we praise God, to see what He is going to do. We need to worship and praise Him even before we see a victory. Because the battle does not belong to us, it belongs to the Lord. If the battle belongs to the Lord then the battle is already won, God is not a loser, He is a winner all the way.
Sometimes all we want to do is give God our petitions but we don't really give Him the praise and worship that He desires from us. If we stay in the presence of God, we are protected by His power. So if we truly stay in the spiritual rather than the flesh, then God is going to fight our battles.
When we worry we are not really trusting in God. We need to just keep our minds upon Him and love Him with everything we have inside of us. When we do this our battles, no matter how great or small, they will seem like nothing.
I thank God for His mercy, long suffering, kindness, love, strength, patients, correction, blessings, miracles, guidance, wisdom, & knowledge. I love you Jesus.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Fairness Doctrine Part 2
This is a follow up of the earlier blog about the fairness doctorine that is going through congress right now.
I read an article that brought this back to my memory. It says "Hashmel Turner, a Baptist minister and Fredericksburg, Virginia, city councilman, often led out in council prayers, concluding with " in Jesus' name." The American Civil Liberties Union urged the city to require a more generic form of prayer acceptable to all religious faiths. When the city complied, Turner claimed that the new policy violated his first amendment right to free speech and free exercise of religion. A lawsuit ensued; the court ruled in favor of the city, and Turner appealed. On July 23, 2008, a three-judge panel of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that included former U.S. Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor, agreed with the lower court's ruling. Writing for the court, O'Connor said that "the restriction that prayers be nonsectarian in nature is designed to make the prayers accessible to people who come from a variety of backgrounds."
All I can say is ......WHAT! The man was sued because he used in Jesus name at the end of his prayer. That is what the fairness doctorine is doing for people. I am so serious. It is going to get so bad that preachers aren't going to be able to preach the truth. They are going to have to preacher the "Generic Truth". This nation is getting so far away from God that it isn't funny. People better open their eyes and see what is going on right in front of them. Christians are going to be persecuted and thrown into prison just by saying Jesus name in public.
Speaking of that, here is another article from the same magazine that talks about how Christians are being treated.
"On July 27, 2008, Iranian police raided the home of Abbas Amiri in Isfehan, Iran, interrupting a house church meeting and assaulting church members. Amiri died of his injuries on July 30; his wife died four days later. According to the human rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, 2008 has seen a significant increase of attacks on Christians in Iran. Some are kept in dismal conditions without charges being brought against them."
Times are rough they have been for a while for those who follow the teachings of Jesus. But they are about to get worse. Those who follow Jesus are going to suffer many things for His name. It will come to a point that some will be asked if they renounce Jesus name. When they say no, then they will be killed. It has happened before and it will happen again. But the good news is that we don't have to worry about where we are going once the pain and suffering of this life are over. We all need to make heaven our home and we won't have to worry about what we suffer through down here on the earth. Heaven will be worth the journey when we get there.
I read an article that brought this back to my memory. It says "Hashmel Turner, a Baptist minister and Fredericksburg, Virginia, city councilman, often led out in council prayers, concluding with " in Jesus' name." The American Civil Liberties Union urged the city to require a more generic form of prayer acceptable to all religious faiths. When the city complied, Turner claimed that the new policy violated his first amendment right to free speech and free exercise of religion. A lawsuit ensued; the court ruled in favor of the city, and Turner appealed. On July 23, 2008, a three-judge panel of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that included former U.S. Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor, agreed with the lower court's ruling. Writing for the court, O'Connor said that "the restriction that prayers be nonsectarian in nature is designed to make the prayers accessible to people who come from a variety of backgrounds."
All I can say is ......WHAT! The man was sued because he used in Jesus name at the end of his prayer. That is what the fairness doctorine is doing for people. I am so serious. It is going to get so bad that preachers aren't going to be able to preach the truth. They are going to have to preacher the "Generic Truth". This nation is getting so far away from God that it isn't funny. People better open their eyes and see what is going on right in front of them. Christians are going to be persecuted and thrown into prison just by saying Jesus name in public.
Speaking of that, here is another article from the same magazine that talks about how Christians are being treated.
"On July 27, 2008, Iranian police raided the home of Abbas Amiri in Isfehan, Iran, interrupting a house church meeting and assaulting church members. Amiri died of his injuries on July 30; his wife died four days later. According to the human rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, 2008 has seen a significant increase of attacks on Christians in Iran. Some are kept in dismal conditions without charges being brought against them."
Times are rough they have been for a while for those who follow the teachings of Jesus. But they are about to get worse. Those who follow Jesus are going to suffer many things for His name. It will come to a point that some will be asked if they renounce Jesus name. When they say no, then they will be killed. It has happened before and it will happen again. But the good news is that we don't have to worry about where we are going once the pain and suffering of this life are over. We all need to make heaven our home and we won't have to worry about what we suffer through down here on the earth. Heaven will be worth the journey when we get there.
The Power Of Forgiveness
This article I read today has really enlightened me to a really good point about forgiveness. When people in life hurt us, it is always good to find it in our hearts to forgive them, no matter what. If we do not forgive those that hurt us, Jesus said himself, that He would not forgive us. I know that turning our cheeks isn't always easy, but in order to be like Jesus, we must take the Word and use it. So if someone is emotionally, physically, or mentally abusing you. Just show love and kindness to them. When we do not forgive those who hurt us, we are carrying around baggage from the devil. We are allowing ourselves to stoop to his level. We are carrying around the baggage of vengeance, anger, and strife. The Lord said vengeance is His.
Here is the article that I read for those of you who are interested in reading it also.
You can nurse your hurt feelings for a long time with a grudge. But here is a reflection of a solution that's much more satisfying-and it's permanent.
Gary Wright's secretary had noticed a man in the parking lot. He'd been wearing a hood and sunglasses, she later recalled, and his face was ruddy and chapped as though he lived outdoors. She'd seen him place something on the ground outside the Wrights' family computer business, though at the time she had no reason to think it important.
When he came to work that day in February of 1987, Gary noticed in his parking lot what looked like a piece of lumber with nails in it - something that he feared might flatten a customer's tire. As he kicked it aside, he remembers hearing a soft click.
He doesn't remember the explosion.
He does remember coming to consciousness 20 feet away, fragments of the package still raining down on him. His trousers were torn off, shrapnel had severed nerves and arteries, and a nail had ripped through his chin and lips barely missing his eye. Over the following months, Gary underwent multiple surgeries to reconnect nerves and tendons and reconstruct his face.
Gary was the victim of an unidentified serial terrorist whom the FBI had nicknamed the Unabomber. It wasn't until about nine years later that Dave Kaczynski recognized, in the Unabomber's published "manifesto," the rantings of his brilliant but mentally ill brother. Dave informed the FBI.
Shortly after his brother's arrest, Dave Kaczynski phoned his brother's victims to apologize on behalf of the Kaczynski family. "But you didn't do this," Gary replied when Dave called him. "It's not your fault." At Ted's trial in Sacramento, Gary publicly thanked Dave for his courage in reporting his brother and thus ending the violence.
Later, during a break in the proceedings, Gary was touring Sacramento's Old Town when his mobile phone rang. It was Dave Kaczynski. He wanted to talk. The two men met at a hotel and talked for hours about families, about loss and disappointment. It was the beginning of a solid friendship that lasts to this day. In the ten years since, the two have traveled thousands of miles together, telling their story of forgiveness, and lobbying against the death penalty.
It would have been quite understandable had Gary Wright spurned the brother of the man who'd tried to kill him. But he chose to forgive rather than live with his anger and resentment.
I occasionally meet people who carry in their hearts wrongs done to them years ago. Sometimes those who injured them are long dead-but they speak of the injury as though it were happening at this moment! It colors their entire lives. They rehearse the story to anyone who will listen. It keeps them looking backwards at a hurtful past instead of anticipating a better future.
An arborist once explained to me why it's important to remove the dead branches from trees. Not only might they fall on people and objects below, but when storms come, the living parts of the tree are more likely to be damaged because of the drag of the dead branches.
Life is hard, and we too are buffeted by its storms. Why carry about deadwood from the past that doesn't contribute to our growth and tears our spirit? When we hold hatred and resentment in our hearts, we may have little effect on the other person-but we do great harm to ourselves.
But what if the person who hurt you never apologizes? Surprisingly, that's not a key point in your willingness to forgive. The poet John Dryden wrote, "Forgiveness to the injured doth belong." Forgiveness isn't a gift to the offender but the offended. Whether or not the other person is sorry, when you understand the effect on yourself of cherishing hurtful feelings, you'll want to eliminate them before they destroy you.
Jesus, when He spoke of forgiveness, never made the other's apology a requirement. " 'For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,' " He said. " 'But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins' ' (Matthew 6:14-15) You can forgive even if the other person isn't sorry for his actions!
Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, wasn't sorry. At Ted's trial, Gary Wright spoke directly to Ted. "I do not hate you, " he said. "I learned to forgive and heal a long time ago. Without this ability, I would have become kindling for your cause." What a depth of understanding! If I'd hate you, I'd become like you-filled with hate just as you are! The hatred has to stop somewhere, and it stopped with Gary Wright.
Jesus was treated as badly as any man who ever lived. Though He could have called 12 legions-72,000- angels to assist Him (Matthew 25:53), He never sought retaliation against His persecutors. Nor did He wait for them to express contrition. As He hung on the cross, His body suspended by two nails through His outstretched hands, suffering the agony of asphyxiation, He managed to gasp, " 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing' " (Luke 23:34).
On the evening of April 25, 1958, In Ho Oh, a young Korean exchange student in Philadelphia, walked to the corner to post a letter to his family in Pusan. Turning from the mailbox, he stepped into the path of eleven leather-jacketed teens. The boys attacked him with a lead pipe, a pop bottle, and their fists. They wanted, they later said, 65 cents each to get into a dance. In Ho Oh had no money. When the police found him in the gutter, he was dead.
Philadelphia cried out for vengeance. The district attorney secured legal authority to try the boys as adults so they'd qualify for the death penalty.
Then a letter arrived from Korea that changed everything. It was signed by the parents and 20 other relatives of the murdered boy. It read in part: "Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action.....In order to give evidence of our sincere hope contained in this petition, we have decided to save money to start a fund to be used for teh religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released.....We have dared to express our hope with a spirit received from the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins."
The epitaph on In Ho Oh's tombstone in a Philadelphia cemetery, composed by his family, reads, "To turn sorrow into Christian purpose."
What tremendous power there is in forgiveness!
Jesus is infinitely gracious toward us. "If we confess our sins," writes John, "he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9). God's forgiveness is so readily available to us, so graciously granted, why wouldn't we be as forgiving to others as He has been to us? Says Paul, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13)
There is, says the preacher of Ecclesiastes, "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast" (Ecclesiastes 3:6) Now is the time to cast away whatever resentments you hold close to you, whatever anger that weighs you down-to forgive even those who haven't asked for it.
That's what God does for us!
*Taken from: Signs Of The Times November 2008 issue*
Here is the article that I read for those of you who are interested in reading it also.
You can nurse your hurt feelings for a long time with a grudge. But here is a reflection of a solution that's much more satisfying-and it's permanent.
Gary Wright's secretary had noticed a man in the parking lot. He'd been wearing a hood and sunglasses, she later recalled, and his face was ruddy and chapped as though he lived outdoors. She'd seen him place something on the ground outside the Wrights' family computer business, though at the time she had no reason to think it important.
When he came to work that day in February of 1987, Gary noticed in his parking lot what looked like a piece of lumber with nails in it - something that he feared might flatten a customer's tire. As he kicked it aside, he remembers hearing a soft click.
He doesn't remember the explosion.
He does remember coming to consciousness 20 feet away, fragments of the package still raining down on him. His trousers were torn off, shrapnel had severed nerves and arteries, and a nail had ripped through his chin and lips barely missing his eye. Over the following months, Gary underwent multiple surgeries to reconnect nerves and tendons and reconstruct his face.
Gary was the victim of an unidentified serial terrorist whom the FBI had nicknamed the Unabomber. It wasn't until about nine years later that Dave Kaczynski recognized, in the Unabomber's published "manifesto," the rantings of his brilliant but mentally ill brother. Dave informed the FBI.
Shortly after his brother's arrest, Dave Kaczynski phoned his brother's victims to apologize on behalf of the Kaczynski family. "But you didn't do this," Gary replied when Dave called him. "It's not your fault." At Ted's trial in Sacramento, Gary publicly thanked Dave for his courage in reporting his brother and thus ending the violence.
Later, during a break in the proceedings, Gary was touring Sacramento's Old Town when his mobile phone rang. It was Dave Kaczynski. He wanted to talk. The two men met at a hotel and talked for hours about families, about loss and disappointment. It was the beginning of a solid friendship that lasts to this day. In the ten years since, the two have traveled thousands of miles together, telling their story of forgiveness, and lobbying against the death penalty.
It would have been quite understandable had Gary Wright spurned the brother of the man who'd tried to kill him. But he chose to forgive rather than live with his anger and resentment.
I occasionally meet people who carry in their hearts wrongs done to them years ago. Sometimes those who injured them are long dead-but they speak of the injury as though it were happening at this moment! It colors their entire lives. They rehearse the story to anyone who will listen. It keeps them looking backwards at a hurtful past instead of anticipating a better future.
An arborist once explained to me why it's important to remove the dead branches from trees. Not only might they fall on people and objects below, but when storms come, the living parts of the tree are more likely to be damaged because of the drag of the dead branches.
Life is hard, and we too are buffeted by its storms. Why carry about deadwood from the past that doesn't contribute to our growth and tears our spirit? When we hold hatred and resentment in our hearts, we may have little effect on the other person-but we do great harm to ourselves.
But what if the person who hurt you never apologizes? Surprisingly, that's not a key point in your willingness to forgive. The poet John Dryden wrote, "Forgiveness to the injured doth belong." Forgiveness isn't a gift to the offender but the offended. Whether or not the other person is sorry, when you understand the effect on yourself of cherishing hurtful feelings, you'll want to eliminate them before they destroy you.
Jesus, when He spoke of forgiveness, never made the other's apology a requirement. " 'For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,' " He said. " 'But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins' ' (Matthew 6:14-15) You can forgive even if the other person isn't sorry for his actions!
Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, wasn't sorry. At Ted's trial, Gary Wright spoke directly to Ted. "I do not hate you, " he said. "I learned to forgive and heal a long time ago. Without this ability, I would have become kindling for your cause." What a depth of understanding! If I'd hate you, I'd become like you-filled with hate just as you are! The hatred has to stop somewhere, and it stopped with Gary Wright.
Jesus was treated as badly as any man who ever lived. Though He could have called 12 legions-72,000- angels to assist Him (Matthew 25:53), He never sought retaliation against His persecutors. Nor did He wait for them to express contrition. As He hung on the cross, His body suspended by two nails through His outstretched hands, suffering the agony of asphyxiation, He managed to gasp, " 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing' " (Luke 23:34).
On the evening of April 25, 1958, In Ho Oh, a young Korean exchange student in Philadelphia, walked to the corner to post a letter to his family in Pusan. Turning from the mailbox, he stepped into the path of eleven leather-jacketed teens. The boys attacked him with a lead pipe, a pop bottle, and their fists. They wanted, they later said, 65 cents each to get into a dance. In Ho Oh had no money. When the police found him in the gutter, he was dead.
Philadelphia cried out for vengeance. The district attorney secured legal authority to try the boys as adults so they'd qualify for the death penalty.
Then a letter arrived from Korea that changed everything. It was signed by the parents and 20 other relatives of the murdered boy. It read in part: "Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action.....In order to give evidence of our sincere hope contained in this petition, we have decided to save money to start a fund to be used for teh religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released.....We have dared to express our hope with a spirit received from the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins."
The epitaph on In Ho Oh's tombstone in a Philadelphia cemetery, composed by his family, reads, "To turn sorrow into Christian purpose."
What tremendous power there is in forgiveness!
Jesus is infinitely gracious toward us. "If we confess our sins," writes John, "he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9). God's forgiveness is so readily available to us, so graciously granted, why wouldn't we be as forgiving to others as He has been to us? Says Paul, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13)
There is, says the preacher of Ecclesiastes, "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast" (Ecclesiastes 3:6) Now is the time to cast away whatever resentments you hold close to you, whatever anger that weighs you down-to forgive even those who haven't asked for it.
That's what God does for us!
*Taken from: Signs Of The Times November 2008 issue*
Friday, October 3, 2008
Do You Have An Opening?
Jesus’ Resume!
Jesus Christ
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
Objective
Hello. My name is Jesus -- The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)
Occupational Background
I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance
Summary
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).
Send this resume to everyone you know, you never know who may have an opening!
Jesus Christ
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
Objective
Hello. My name is Jesus -- The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)
Occupational Background
I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance
Summary
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).
Send this resume to everyone you know, you never know who may have an opening!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Campaigning For Jesus
I think it is funny that most people really get into politics. Which I mean we need to be aware of things going on in our world, but why is it that we can stick a banner in our yard or a bumper sticker on our car for the candidate that we feel will do the best job, but we don't hardly ever campaign for Jesus.
Jesus needs to have campaign leaders 365 days a year. He doesn't actually win His campaign until He has won the hearts of His people. With each person that we encounter daily, we need to spread the news of Jesus. Jesus campaign is ongoing, and He needs more workers now than ever! It is harvest time and Jesus says "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;" (Matthew 9:37)
We need to be out working in the name of Jesus to bring lost souls into the kingdom. So they can feel the awesome Love of God and to have a peace that is beyond anything they have ever felt before.
Before we are able to support a candidate in any election, we first know what kind of background they have, and what types of things they have done. So before you go out campaigning for Jesus, you must know the background of this candidate.
So here is a brief history of Jesus and His promises, if you elect Him into your heart.
Name: God, Jesus, King of kings & Lord of lords, Son of Righteousness, Resurrection & Life, Prince of Peace, Alpha & Omega, The Beginning & The End, Messiah, Savior, The Way The Truth & The Life, I AM, Chief Cornerstone, Great Shepherd To The End, Master, Teacher, and Best Friend. But I just call Him Daddy!
Age: Timeless
Resides: On His Throne in heaven and in the hearts of His children.
Education: Lets put it this way; He is a lawyer, doctor, judge, therapist, counselor, and King. I think He had way more going for Him than a four year college degree.
Some amazing things He has done: Spoke the entire universe into existence, formed man with His own hands into His own likeness, freed people who were slaves, clothed fed and gave water to those who had nothing, He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless, He has made a way when there looked to be no way. He was tempted and tried and overcame the whole world. He healed the lame and they walked. He healed the blind and they saw. He healed the deaf and they heard. He has done these things fo years so there is no way of truly knowing how many cases there are...So I will just say countless. He was persecuted and beat so bad that no mere mortal man could of lasted through it. He was then nailed to an old rugged cross and left there to die a horrible death. But He overcame death and was risen from the dead on the third day! I would like to see another candidate do all of that. They couldn't even hold a light to Jesus.
As His child, I can also tell you what He has done for me. He protected me even when I was rebellious and thought I knew it all. He kept me safe and I am still alive today, even though I should be dead. He brought me up from a pit of despair and grief. He lifted me up and has called me by my name. I once, too, was blind but now I see. Death will not prevail. He has blessed me in more ways than I can count. He saved my soul, gave me His Spirit, and a promise that only He can fulfill! He has healed my body. He has shown me what true love really is and that His love for me I could not begin to fathom. He has showed me the true meaning of "getting high" or "living the high life". He has built a mansion for me in Glory. He has treasures awaiting me when I get home. He has loved me even when I didn't love myself. He has worked everything out for my good. He blesses me even when I don't deserve to be blessed.
WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE JESUS?
Because He will do more for you than you can ever imagine and everything that you need Him to be, He is that and a whole lot more.
WHAT ARE SOME OF HIS PROMISES?
BELIEF
" I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:46
" Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
CHARITY
" Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." Luke 6:38
" A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9
COMFORT
" God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
" I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world ! " John 16:33
" Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
COURAGE
" He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak " Isaiah 40:29
" Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine" Isaiah 43:1
ETERNAL LIFE
" I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." John 6:47
" And this is what he promises us--even eternal life ." 1 John 2:25
" Jesus said: 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies'....." John 11:25
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." John 10:27.28
FAITH
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Heb.11:1
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" Gal. 3:26
"We live by faith, not by sight" 2 Cor. 5:7
FAITHFULNESS
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deut.7:9
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be moved, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed." Isaiah 54:10
GUIDANCE
" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
" I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16
JOY
" I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy maybe complete" John 15:11
"...but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22
LONG LIFE
" Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. " Isaiah 46:4
" For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life." Proverbs 9:11
LOVE
" I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3
" I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor. 2:9
MERCY
"...the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! " Isaiah 30:18
" As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13
PEACE
" Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
" And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7
PRAYER
" Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12
"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24
" This is the assurance we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14
PROTECTION
"The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:7, 8
" When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames willnot set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1,2
"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm" Proverbs 1:33
SALVATION
" But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. " Titus 3:4-6
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Cor 5:17
SUCCESS
" That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God." Ecc 3:13
"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy with his work---this is a gift of God." Ecc 5:19
" With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver." Proverbs 8: 18,19
TRUST
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5,6
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust...." Psalm 40:4
WISDOM
"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:5
".....He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths...." Isaiah 2:3
WORD OF GOD
" Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deut. 11:18
" All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training and righteousness. " 2 Tim.3:15.16
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
" The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
" Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. " Acts 20:32
If you haven't made your mind up now to elect Jesus into your lives, I urge you to do some more studying on this candidate. If you would like to know more please read the HOLY BIBLE. Or another good way to find out more is by calling......Dear Heavenly Father.
My name is Angie Rains and me and my Father approve this message.
Jesus needs to have campaign leaders 365 days a year. He doesn't actually win His campaign until He has won the hearts of His people. With each person that we encounter daily, we need to spread the news of Jesus. Jesus campaign is ongoing, and He needs more workers now than ever! It is harvest time and Jesus says "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;" (Matthew 9:37)
We need to be out working in the name of Jesus to bring lost souls into the kingdom. So they can feel the awesome Love of God and to have a peace that is beyond anything they have ever felt before.
Before we are able to support a candidate in any election, we first know what kind of background they have, and what types of things they have done. So before you go out campaigning for Jesus, you must know the background of this candidate.
So here is a brief history of Jesus and His promises, if you elect Him into your heart.
Name: God, Jesus, King of kings & Lord of lords, Son of Righteousness, Resurrection & Life, Prince of Peace, Alpha & Omega, The Beginning & The End, Messiah, Savior, The Way The Truth & The Life, I AM, Chief Cornerstone, Great Shepherd To The End, Master, Teacher, and Best Friend. But I just call Him Daddy!
Age: Timeless
Resides: On His Throne in heaven and in the hearts of His children.
Education: Lets put it this way; He is a lawyer, doctor, judge, therapist, counselor, and King. I think He had way more going for Him than a four year college degree.
Some amazing things He has done: Spoke the entire universe into existence, formed man with His own hands into His own likeness, freed people who were slaves, clothed fed and gave water to those who had nothing, He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless, He has made a way when there looked to be no way. He was tempted and tried and overcame the whole world. He healed the lame and they walked. He healed the blind and they saw. He healed the deaf and they heard. He has done these things fo years so there is no way of truly knowing how many cases there are...So I will just say countless. He was persecuted and beat so bad that no mere mortal man could of lasted through it. He was then nailed to an old rugged cross and left there to die a horrible death. But He overcame death and was risen from the dead on the third day! I would like to see another candidate do all of that. They couldn't even hold a light to Jesus.
As His child, I can also tell you what He has done for me. He protected me even when I was rebellious and thought I knew it all. He kept me safe and I am still alive today, even though I should be dead. He brought me up from a pit of despair and grief. He lifted me up and has called me by my name. I once, too, was blind but now I see. Death will not prevail. He has blessed me in more ways than I can count. He saved my soul, gave me His Spirit, and a promise that only He can fulfill! He has healed my body. He has shown me what true love really is and that His love for me I could not begin to fathom. He has showed me the true meaning of "getting high" or "living the high life". He has built a mansion for me in Glory. He has treasures awaiting me when I get home. He has loved me even when I didn't love myself. He has worked everything out for my good. He blesses me even when I don't deserve to be blessed.
WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE JESUS?
Because He will do more for you than you can ever imagine and everything that you need Him to be, He is that and a whole lot more.
WHAT ARE SOME OF HIS PROMISES?
BELIEF
" I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:46
" Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
CHARITY
" Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." Luke 6:38
" A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9
COMFORT
" God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
" I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world ! " John 16:33
" Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
COURAGE
" He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak " Isaiah 40:29
" Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine" Isaiah 43:1
ETERNAL LIFE
" I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." John 6:47
" And this is what he promises us--even eternal life ." 1 John 2:25
" Jesus said: 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies'....." John 11:25
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." John 10:27.28
FAITH
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Heb.11:1
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" Gal. 3:26
"We live by faith, not by sight" 2 Cor. 5:7
FAITHFULNESS
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deut.7:9
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be moved, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed." Isaiah 54:10
GUIDANCE
" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
" I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16
JOY
" I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy maybe complete" John 15:11
"...but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22
LONG LIFE
" Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. " Isaiah 46:4
" For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life." Proverbs 9:11
LOVE
" I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3
" I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor. 2:9
MERCY
"...the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! " Isaiah 30:18
" As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13
PEACE
" Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
" And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7
PRAYER
" Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12
"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24
" This is the assurance we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14
PROTECTION
"The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:7, 8
" When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames willnot set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1,2
"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm" Proverbs 1:33
SALVATION
" But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. " Titus 3:4-6
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Cor 5:17
SUCCESS
" That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God." Ecc 3:13
"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy with his work---this is a gift of God." Ecc 5:19
" With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver." Proverbs 8: 18,19
TRUST
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5,6
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust...." Psalm 40:4
WISDOM
"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:5
".....He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths...." Isaiah 2:3
WORD OF GOD
" Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deut. 11:18
" All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training and righteousness. " 2 Tim.3:15.16
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
" The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
" Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. " Acts 20:32
If you haven't made your mind up now to elect Jesus into your lives, I urge you to do some more studying on this candidate. If you would like to know more please read the HOLY BIBLE. Or another good way to find out more is by calling......Dear Heavenly Father.
My name is Angie Rains and me and my Father approve this message.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Expectancy
The Lord gave me something Saturday to tell everyone. I just wanted to share it with you all on here as well. I really do feel that God is moving and that things are getting ready to happen.
I felt like speaking to you all about Expectancy. I love brother Harold's testimony where he says, "Each day I wake up and ask God, if today is the day." Brother Harold has an expectancy. He is waiting on the Lord to move.
Waiting is a part of life. We have to wait almost in everything we do. God is no exception. It is all according to His will and purpose for our lives.
Psalm 37:7 says "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:......."
We need to wait on God and expect. Isaiah 25:9 says, "And is shall be said in that day, Lo this is our God; we have waited for him and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." We inherit the promises of God by waiting with patients.
It is just like a doctors visit....We go to the doctors office and we can expect to have a seat and wait. We know that more than likely we aren't just going to go in there and as soon as we walk through the door that we are going to be called back. In some cases it may be that way, but more than likely not. We have to wait.....And what do we do while we wait? Do we get impatient because we want to get it over with or do we sit there quitely and know that we will be called at our appointed time? How we wait determines a lot. It is our attitude while we wait.
It is like we become "pregnant" with visions and dreams. Things we need God to move in....And it is how we wait while we are "expecting". If we are pregnant and expecting we know that there will be a due date...so we prepare for what is coming.
Believing is expecting God to show up at any given time with your miracle. When you are nearer to your due date you could go at anytime. That is the same way with God. He can show up suddenly, so we need to be expecting Him to.
God is going to do some excellent, exceedingly abundantly above and beyond things for those who put their faith in Him, but not if we are not expecting Him to.
We need to leave it in the Lord's hands and wait patiently with an expecting attitude. We should not wait with a passive mentality. Passively is wanting to see God move and do something good but only wishing and not expecting. People who passively wait for the Lord only have wishbone and not BACKBONE!
When we truly believe that the Lord will move, we hear it come from our mouths. What we speak is what is coming from our hearts. Our flesh is always negative so we need to be speaking things with a positive outlook. Because God told us that He would not withhold any good thing from us. We need to go around saying Lord I don't know what you are fixing to do but I know it is going to be good!
A woman who is pregnant when the due date gets nearer she wants to be prepared for any and everything. At the first sign of pain she things she might give birth. We have to start having the due date mentality. Lord I don't know when you're going to move but I am expecting you to move. I don't know when but I can feel it is close. If we never expect anything then most of us will go our whole lives and be pregnant and never give birth!
I watched the movie Facing the Giants...In the movie a man was telling the coach about a story of two farmers who were desperate for rain. They each prayed ferverently that God would bless them with rain, however only one of the two farmers prepared his field for the rain. Then he asked the coach a question..He said something to this effect..Now which one of these two do you think was expecting God for the rain. It was the one, of course, who went out and prepared his fields for the rain.
Even though we don't see God moving or we feel He isn't moving He is! If we pray for something then we should expect to see results. We don't need to pray and then just give up and that be the end of it. We must have faith and believe.
In Acts 1:4 Jesus commanded them to not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father....If they would have waited only a little while and then given up and not expected something then they wouldn't had received the promise. But they waited and expected and then all of a sudden they received the Holy Ghost.
We wait, wait, and wait some more for the Lord to move. And then all of a sudden it happens. We could wake up with a problem we have had for 20 years and then go to bed without it.
Exodus 33:18-23 talks about God showing Moses His Glory. God told Moses that he could not see His face, cause no man shall see him and live. But the Lord told Moses to stand upon a rock and that He would cover Moses with His hand in the clift of the rock, while He passed by. Then once the Lord had passed by he would allow Moses to see His back parts.
You don't always see God coming. But while we are there patiently and expectantly waiting with our problems, burdens, and needs, God is protecting us in the clift of the rock (His hands). And although we don't see Him coming...God says after I pass by, you sure know I've been there!
We need to start calling things even though they are not as though they were. I really do feel that there is going to be the biggest outbreak of miracles that we have ever seen in our lifetime. God is making a way but we have to expect it and receive it.
I felt like speaking to you all about Expectancy. I love brother Harold's testimony where he says, "Each day I wake up and ask God, if today is the day." Brother Harold has an expectancy. He is waiting on the Lord to move.
Waiting is a part of life. We have to wait almost in everything we do. God is no exception. It is all according to His will and purpose for our lives.
Psalm 37:7 says "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:......."
We need to wait on God and expect. Isaiah 25:9 says, "And is shall be said in that day, Lo this is our God; we have waited for him and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." We inherit the promises of God by waiting with patients.
It is just like a doctors visit....We go to the doctors office and we can expect to have a seat and wait. We know that more than likely we aren't just going to go in there and as soon as we walk through the door that we are going to be called back. In some cases it may be that way, but more than likely not. We have to wait.....And what do we do while we wait? Do we get impatient because we want to get it over with or do we sit there quitely and know that we will be called at our appointed time? How we wait determines a lot. It is our attitude while we wait.
It is like we become "pregnant" with visions and dreams. Things we need God to move in....And it is how we wait while we are "expecting". If we are pregnant and expecting we know that there will be a due date...so we prepare for what is coming.
Believing is expecting God to show up at any given time with your miracle. When you are nearer to your due date you could go at anytime. That is the same way with God. He can show up suddenly, so we need to be expecting Him to.
God is going to do some excellent, exceedingly abundantly above and beyond things for those who put their faith in Him, but not if we are not expecting Him to.
We need to leave it in the Lord's hands and wait patiently with an expecting attitude. We should not wait with a passive mentality. Passively is wanting to see God move and do something good but only wishing and not expecting. People who passively wait for the Lord only have wishbone and not BACKBONE!
When we truly believe that the Lord will move, we hear it come from our mouths. What we speak is what is coming from our hearts. Our flesh is always negative so we need to be speaking things with a positive outlook. Because God told us that He would not withhold any good thing from us. We need to go around saying Lord I don't know what you are fixing to do but I know it is going to be good!
A woman who is pregnant when the due date gets nearer she wants to be prepared for any and everything. At the first sign of pain she things she might give birth. We have to start having the due date mentality. Lord I don't know when you're going to move but I am expecting you to move. I don't know when but I can feel it is close. If we never expect anything then most of us will go our whole lives and be pregnant and never give birth!
I watched the movie Facing the Giants...In the movie a man was telling the coach about a story of two farmers who were desperate for rain. They each prayed ferverently that God would bless them with rain, however only one of the two farmers prepared his field for the rain. Then he asked the coach a question..He said something to this effect..Now which one of these two do you think was expecting God for the rain. It was the one, of course, who went out and prepared his fields for the rain.
Even though we don't see God moving or we feel He isn't moving He is! If we pray for something then we should expect to see results. We don't need to pray and then just give up and that be the end of it. We must have faith and believe.
In Acts 1:4 Jesus commanded them to not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father....If they would have waited only a little while and then given up and not expected something then they wouldn't had received the promise. But they waited and expected and then all of a sudden they received the Holy Ghost.
We wait, wait, and wait some more for the Lord to move. And then all of a sudden it happens. We could wake up with a problem we have had for 20 years and then go to bed without it.
Exodus 33:18-23 talks about God showing Moses His Glory. God told Moses that he could not see His face, cause no man shall see him and live. But the Lord told Moses to stand upon a rock and that He would cover Moses with His hand in the clift of the rock, while He passed by. Then once the Lord had passed by he would allow Moses to see His back parts.
You don't always see God coming. But while we are there patiently and expectantly waiting with our problems, burdens, and needs, God is protecting us in the clift of the rock (His hands). And although we don't see Him coming...God says after I pass by, you sure know I've been there!
We need to start calling things even though they are not as though they were. I really do feel that there is going to be the biggest outbreak of miracles that we have ever seen in our lifetime. God is making a way but we have to expect it and receive it.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
THE MOST
The most destructive habit........Worry
The greatest joy......Giving
The greatest loss.....Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work....Helping others
The ugliest personality trait.....Selfishness
The most endangered species.....Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource...Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"....Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome....Fear
The most effective sleeping pill....Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease....Excuses
The most powerful force in life....Love
The most dangerous pariah.....A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer....The brain
The worst thing to be without....Hope
The deadliest weapon....The tongue
The two most power-filled words...."I Can"
The greatest asset....Faith
The most worthless emotion....Self-pity
The most beautiful attire....SMILE!
The most prized possession....Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication....Prayer
The greatest joy......Giving
The greatest loss.....Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work....Helping others
The ugliest personality trait.....Selfishness
The most endangered species.....Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource...Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"....Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome....Fear
The most effective sleeping pill....Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease....Excuses
The most powerful force in life....Love
The most dangerous pariah.....A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer....The brain
The worst thing to be without....Hope
The deadliest weapon....The tongue
The two most power-filled words...."I Can"
The greatest asset....Faith
The most worthless emotion....Self-pity
The most beautiful attire....SMILE!
The most prized possession....Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication....Prayer
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Fairness Doctrine
I was watching the tv this morning and it happened to catch my attention about something that Rod Parsley was talking about. He was talking about the Fairness Doctorine. He was going on talking about how the federal government is wanting to regulate what is broadcasted over the airwaves. I was thinking okay well what is the big deal in that, it was just like censorship. Well, I was wrong.
The Fairness Doctorine is an attempt for the FCC or any other government authority to regulate christian broadcasting. If I am not reading the article I found on the internet wrong, it states that christian broadcasting would have to allow alternate views to their programming. Say a preacher was on the tv preaching about homosexuality, well after the views of that preacher, if the fairness doctorine was reinstated, then after that program the station would then have to let a homosexual talk on their behalf in order to "defend" themselves.
That is going against everything we as christians believe. There is no alternate view on the issues of morality. There is but one way and that is Jesus' way. So if the Fairness Doctorine is reinstated then there will be censorship on what is preached over the entire country.
This puts me in the mind of the movie Left Behind: Tribulation Force & World At War. In that movie the anti-christ bought the largest broadcast station and the world was only allowed to watch what the "government" wanted them to. If there was anything preached on the air about Jesus then the broadcast would get cut.
Well you say what is the big deal, well as I was reading the article I mentioned earlier......this will not just effect tv. It will also effect radio, internet, and any other form of communication that we use. Which then will probably turn into preachers not being allowed to preach the gospel in their own churches. Well not without being fined or thrown into prison.
That is a scary thing to think about. Not being able to talk about Jesus or say His name in public. I cringe at the thought, people better start waking up and realizing we are closer than we ever have with Jesus coming back. The bible talks about these things. One world government and etc. That is what all of this is leading up to.
I just thought I would let everyone know that there is a petition out to have our government leaders know that we don't want our christian tv, radio, and internet censored by them. The links below will take you to the article I have mentioned about the fairness doctorine and the other link is the petition that Rod Parsley wants everyone to sign. I urge you to read about the Fairness Doctorine to learn more before you sign any petition.
Why the Fairness Doctorine Is anything but fair.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Regulation/EM368.cfm
Fairness Doctorine Petition
https://orders.rodparsley.com/Order_First.aspx?ostr=edCLPN0dHHE%3d
If neither of these links work let me know.
The Fairness Doctorine is an attempt for the FCC or any other government authority to regulate christian broadcasting. If I am not reading the article I found on the internet wrong, it states that christian broadcasting would have to allow alternate views to their programming. Say a preacher was on the tv preaching about homosexuality, well after the views of that preacher, if the fairness doctorine was reinstated, then after that program the station would then have to let a homosexual talk on their behalf in order to "defend" themselves.
That is going against everything we as christians believe. There is no alternate view on the issues of morality. There is but one way and that is Jesus' way. So if the Fairness Doctorine is reinstated then there will be censorship on what is preached over the entire country.
This puts me in the mind of the movie Left Behind: Tribulation Force & World At War. In that movie the anti-christ bought the largest broadcast station and the world was only allowed to watch what the "government" wanted them to. If there was anything preached on the air about Jesus then the broadcast would get cut.
Well you say what is the big deal, well as I was reading the article I mentioned earlier......this will not just effect tv. It will also effect radio, internet, and any other form of communication that we use. Which then will probably turn into preachers not being allowed to preach the gospel in their own churches. Well not without being fined or thrown into prison.
That is a scary thing to think about. Not being able to talk about Jesus or say His name in public. I cringe at the thought, people better start waking up and realizing we are closer than we ever have with Jesus coming back. The bible talks about these things. One world government and etc. That is what all of this is leading up to.
I just thought I would let everyone know that there is a petition out to have our government leaders know that we don't want our christian tv, radio, and internet censored by them. The links below will take you to the article I have mentioned about the fairness doctorine and the other link is the petition that Rod Parsley wants everyone to sign. I urge you to read about the Fairness Doctorine to learn more before you sign any petition.
Why the Fairness Doctorine Is anything but fair.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Regulation/EM368.cfm
Fairness Doctorine Petition
https://orders.rodparsley.com/Order_First.aspx?ostr=edCLPN0dHHE%3d
If neither of these links work let me know.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Got To Have Faith
What is faith? Hebrews 10:38 says "Now the just shall live by faith:........"
Hewbrews 11:1-3 says "Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds (or ages) were framed (prepared) by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (are visible)."
Hebrews 11:6 says "But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is a lot of things, but one thing I do know is that in order to allow God to move in our lives we must have faith. Faith has many parts in our walk with God.
Faith Hears
Faith is hearing the voice of God. How can we hear the voice of God?
Being quiet before Him
Living in His presence
Reading His Word
Loving Him with all of our hearts
God wants to speak to His people.
Faith Acts
Faith is hearing the voice of God, and th en doing what He says (acting upon it). It is Action that God likes. It is movement that God wants.
Faith Challenges the Unknown
Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
If you become a person of faith, you are going to enter into the area of the unknown. You will be moving in places you do not understand. Faith is when you are willing to deal with God in areas you are not sure of, not knowing if you have a place to put your feet.
Faith Defeats the Enemy
Faith is a general at war. Faith is a warfare. Faith is being a mighty general for God. Going after the enemy and not wavering. Faith is not for sissies. Real faith is stroing.
Faith Refuses To Be Bought
Faith refuses the unholy. Faith is refusing booty and bounty belonging to the devil. When God promises us something.....we wait.......and wait....and wait.....and wait some more. We believe that God will move, but then just as we start questioning how, what, when, where.....is God going to move, the devil will sneak in and show us "a better way". Then when we improvise we are selling God out and not believing His Word. Therefore selling out on God and our faith. Letting our faith be bought by the enemy!
Faith Is Giving Others First Choice
Faith is giving to others, unbelief is selfish. Unbelief is always choosing the best for self.
When we by faith give to God or others, we are saying to God, "I know you will provide for me." Everything belongs to God. He gives & takes away.
By givng to God and others first, we are allowing God to bless us even more.
Faith Staggers Not
Hebrews 4:20-21 says "He staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded (convinced) that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Abraham journeyed to the promised land and his faith was still under seige. Why? Because God promised him a supernatural son.
The devil tries to keep you away from all the promises of God. He is the chief destroyer of faith in people's hearts. We have to keep fighting him. The fight will not be over until you go to heaven, so just gird up and fight him.
Faith is when God tells us to "jump through a wall", to close our eyes and just do it and jump. It is not your business to make the hole; it is God's, it is our problem to jump.
When God says something, He will do it! When He says it, it is true.
Faith Is Total Love
Faith is total dedication to the Lord. Faith is total commitment and faith is total love.
Faith is trusting in God although the circumstances seem impossible or you don't understand what is going on. Put full trust and believe without doubting.
Faith Is Intercession
Faith is the strength and the power to fight and destroy the enemy. Faith is stepping in and praying for others that God will move in their situations. Having faith for others, when others are weak.
Faith Executes His Last Will
Faith is walking with God and doing His will in every area of your life. Or allowing His will to be done.
Faith In The End
I think that it was Brother Harold Smith who said it best and I quote " Feelings will deceive you, but your faith will substain you."
Our walk with God is all about our faith in Him and having faith that He knows what He is doing. It is all about our walk with God. If we have a close walk with Him then we begin to grow closer to Him and learn to trust in Him and know that He always knows best. And trust me Father always knows best.
It is like a little girl being placed on a very high counter top. She has a man in front of her and he is saying "Okay sweetie, jump for me." That girl is going to look at him and say no I don't know you. But then you place the mommy in front of the little girl and she ask her daughter to jump and the little girl will close her eyes and jump without hesitation, knowing that her mom will catch her. She has faith and trust in her. She has that bond with her mother.
If we could all just have that kind of bond with God, knowing that whenever He says "Jump" that no matter what the circumstances or how "high" it may look from where we are standing that, He is going to catch us. He would never let us fall, He is our Father. Do you think that a parent would allow their child to get hurt?
Jesus is standing there asking each of us to take that jump into His arms. It is up to us to either sit there with our arms crossed, shaking our heads, no way. Or just to trust in Him and close our eyes and know that He has His arms wide open ready to receive us.
What wonders and doors would open if we could all just shoot down the flesh (doubts & fears) and just trust in the Lord.
Hewbrews 11:1-3 says "Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds (or ages) were framed (prepared) by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (are visible)."
Hebrews 11:6 says "But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is a lot of things, but one thing I do know is that in order to allow God to move in our lives we must have faith. Faith has many parts in our walk with God.
Faith Hears
Faith is hearing the voice of God. How can we hear the voice of God?
Being quiet before Him
Living in His presence
Reading His Word
Loving Him with all of our hearts
God wants to speak to His people.
Faith Acts
Faith is hearing the voice of God, and th en doing what He says (acting upon it). It is Action that God likes. It is movement that God wants.
Faith Challenges the Unknown
Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
If you become a person of faith, you are going to enter into the area of the unknown. You will be moving in places you do not understand. Faith is when you are willing to deal with God in areas you are not sure of, not knowing if you have a place to put your feet.
Faith Defeats the Enemy
Faith is a general at war. Faith is a warfare. Faith is being a mighty general for God. Going after the enemy and not wavering. Faith is not for sissies. Real faith is stroing.
Faith Refuses To Be Bought
Faith refuses the unholy. Faith is refusing booty and bounty belonging to the devil. When God promises us something.....we wait.......and wait....and wait.....and wait some more. We believe that God will move, but then just as we start questioning how, what, when, where.....is God going to move, the devil will sneak in and show us "a better way". Then when we improvise we are selling God out and not believing His Word. Therefore selling out on God and our faith. Letting our faith be bought by the enemy!
Faith Is Giving Others First Choice
Faith is giving to others, unbelief is selfish. Unbelief is always choosing the best for self.
When we by faith give to God or others, we are saying to God, "I know you will provide for me." Everything belongs to God. He gives & takes away.
By givng to God and others first, we are allowing God to bless us even more.
Faith Staggers Not
Hebrews 4:20-21 says "He staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded (convinced) that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Abraham journeyed to the promised land and his faith was still under seige. Why? Because God promised him a supernatural son.
The devil tries to keep you away from all the promises of God. He is the chief destroyer of faith in people's hearts. We have to keep fighting him. The fight will not be over until you go to heaven, so just gird up and fight him.
Faith is when God tells us to "jump through a wall", to close our eyes and just do it and jump. It is not your business to make the hole; it is God's, it is our problem to jump.
When God says something, He will do it! When He says it, it is true.
Faith Is Total Love
Faith is total dedication to the Lord. Faith is total commitment and faith is total love.
Faith is trusting in God although the circumstances seem impossible or you don't understand what is going on. Put full trust and believe without doubting.
Faith Is Intercession
Faith is the strength and the power to fight and destroy the enemy. Faith is stepping in and praying for others that God will move in their situations. Having faith for others, when others are weak.
Faith Executes His Last Will
Faith is walking with God and doing His will in every area of your life. Or allowing His will to be done.
Faith In The End
I think that it was Brother Harold Smith who said it best and I quote " Feelings will deceive you, but your faith will substain you."
Our walk with God is all about our faith in Him and having faith that He knows what He is doing. It is all about our walk with God. If we have a close walk with Him then we begin to grow closer to Him and learn to trust in Him and know that He always knows best. And trust me Father always knows best.
It is like a little girl being placed on a very high counter top. She has a man in front of her and he is saying "Okay sweetie, jump for me." That girl is going to look at him and say no I don't know you. But then you place the mommy in front of the little girl and she ask her daughter to jump and the little girl will close her eyes and jump without hesitation, knowing that her mom will catch her. She has faith and trust in her. She has that bond with her mother.
If we could all just have that kind of bond with God, knowing that whenever He says "Jump" that no matter what the circumstances or how "high" it may look from where we are standing that, He is going to catch us. He would never let us fall, He is our Father. Do you think that a parent would allow their child to get hurt?
Jesus is standing there asking each of us to take that jump into His arms. It is up to us to either sit there with our arms crossed, shaking our heads, no way. Or just to trust in Him and close our eyes and know that He has His arms wide open ready to receive us.
What wonders and doors would open if we could all just shoot down the flesh (doubts & fears) and just trust in the Lord.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Our God Is Huge!!
I just finished watching Indescribable by Louie Giglio.....again. I love this movie a lot. I first watched it when my friend Amber let me borrow it. Every since then I have been trying to get a copy. Well I found one on Ebay and it arrived today. I could never get tired of watching this movie. Louie goes into detail about how huge our solar system is. And knowing that God created this great big old place it leaves me to believe that He is GIGANTIC!
Everytime I watch this it leaves me feeling confident in Jesus. Knowing that my problems seem so big, but to Him they are nothing. Our lives are nothing but a vapor and that He holds everything in His hands.
I really recommend this video to anyone. Especially if you love astronomy like I do. I love everything that God has created, but once you watch this video it puts everything into a perspective.
We are smaller than we could ever imagine, and God is bigger than we could ever fathom. The wonderful thing about this though is He created us all, and knows each of us by name.
God created the sun, moon, stars, planets, & amazing beautiful galaxies. But did you know that He did not die for those things. He died on the old cross for you and me. As small and insignificant as we are, He died for us! He cares for each and everyone of us. He died that we may have a chance to live with Him forever and ever and ever! He died for you and me, and suffered the cruel and unimaginable things that He went through just because He loved us. Jesus didn't have to do it but He did.
He went through all of those things and the least we could do is live for Him. Anyone who reads this..........If you don't know Jesus as your Saviour, I encourage you to give Him a chance. You have nothing to lose and I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed. For those who are serving Jesus and having a rough time right now or going through a valley....keep serving Him and just know how big He truly is.
Everytime I watch this it leaves me feeling confident in Jesus. Knowing that my problems seem so big, but to Him they are nothing. Our lives are nothing but a vapor and that He holds everything in His hands.
I really recommend this video to anyone. Especially if you love astronomy like I do. I love everything that God has created, but once you watch this video it puts everything into a perspective.
We are smaller than we could ever imagine, and God is bigger than we could ever fathom. The wonderful thing about this though is He created us all, and knows each of us by name.
God created the sun, moon, stars, planets, & amazing beautiful galaxies. But did you know that He did not die for those things. He died on the old cross for you and me. As small and insignificant as we are, He died for us! He cares for each and everyone of us. He died that we may have a chance to live with Him forever and ever and ever! He died for you and me, and suffered the cruel and unimaginable things that He went through just because He loved us. Jesus didn't have to do it but He did.
He went through all of those things and the least we could do is live for Him. Anyone who reads this..........If you don't know Jesus as your Saviour, I encourage you to give Him a chance. You have nothing to lose and I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed. For those who are serving Jesus and having a rough time right now or going through a valley....keep serving Him and just know how big He truly is.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hope When Life Hurts The Most
I watched a movie tonight about how things in life turn us upside down and when these things happen how it takes us on a rollercoaster. As a christian we are not promised a "perfect" life. We are not even promised that just because we accepted Jesus that our lives would be easy. But we were promised a better way. Jesus' way is always better, even though at the time it may seem it is not. Just like people we love die and people in our lives come and go, all things happen for a reason. You might be wondering well how in the world can any good come from someone dying of cancer or maybe you just broke up with someone you loved dearly or maybe you and a friend split up. Jesus is the only one who knows how things are planned out, but I will tell you this story about a girl who accepted Jesus and then something unexpected happened.
Ashley was a college student who attended a university in Florida. Ashley was the partying type. She loved her life or so she thought. She had tried going to church before but she did not understand all the Jesus "stuff". Anyways she moved into an apartment and then soon she had a roommate. Her roommate would always talk about Jesus and how awesome He really was. Ashley didn't understand how someone could be that excited to be a christian. So Ashley asked her roommate questions. The roommate had let Ashley watch a video of a certain preacher and this had changed her life. Anyways, Ashley got saved and started her new life. About 4 months later Ashley was in a car accident. She had only started her journey with Jesus four months prior to this accident. The point I am trying to make is that Jesus knows and sees all things. He knew that Ashley would be in a fatal car accident, so He sent her roommate into her life to witness to her about Jesus. People do not come and go into our lives by chance, there is a reason for everything.
Well Ashley's getting saved and knowing Jesus wasn't the only great thing that came out of her roommate coming into her life. Ashley's death took a toll on her brother, mother, and father. Needless to say they were all devistated. When Ashley died they all reflected back on her life just before she died, especially her father. He had told people that even though he didn't believe in all this Jesus crap that, he did notice a change in Ashely the past couple of months. And he was interested in knowing why. Ashley's death introduced her father to Jesus. Her brother was dramatically changed by this whole ordeal. Her brother was already a believer before she died and it made him question why Jesus didn't heal her, why didn't Jesus answer his prayer to save his sister. Her brother found the love of God through this situation and it has made him a stonger person now.
We never know the reason of why things happen to us or good people. But we can all be assured that if we have accepted Jesus into our lives then He is working everything out for our good. He loves us and He will never leave or forsake us. People are placed into our lives not by chance but by God. That is why we need to witness and testify about how great our God really is.
Let everything we do and say be a beacon of light unto others. To help the "lost" find their way to Jesus. To let all of our joy and suffering be a megaphone for everyone around us, to know that our God is really awesome and loving. That they can have the same peace that resides in our hearts.
People do not want to listen to you about Jesus when your life is going so great and here you are saying Oh God is so good. You have all things going for you and you feel as though you could "walk on water". People really take a notice of your actions when you are at your lowest point. Then they are saying well this person is still serving and praising God even though they are in the worst slump in their life. Jesus must be pretty awesome. I gotta have some of this Jesus for myself. So no matter what life throws at us let all of our joy and our pain and suffering be a megaphone to scream that Jesus is the most wonderful and greatest person that you could ever accept into your life. That He is not just there in our good times, but in the bad as well.
That even though things may not turn out how we expect them to, that as long as we serve Jesus and walk upright before Him then we know that His will for our lives will be done.
Whether people are just "passing through" or here to stay in our lives....just let Jesus and His love shine through you. That all things are not by coincidence and they do happen for a reason (good or bad).
I praise Jesus name! Even though I have had it rough or what I feel like is rough for the past little bit, I can always count on Him for everything. To Jesus all glory, honour, and praise!
Ashley was a college student who attended a university in Florida. Ashley was the partying type. She loved her life or so she thought. She had tried going to church before but she did not understand all the Jesus "stuff". Anyways she moved into an apartment and then soon she had a roommate. Her roommate would always talk about Jesus and how awesome He really was. Ashley didn't understand how someone could be that excited to be a christian. So Ashley asked her roommate questions. The roommate had let Ashley watch a video of a certain preacher and this had changed her life. Anyways, Ashley got saved and started her new life. About 4 months later Ashley was in a car accident. She had only started her journey with Jesus four months prior to this accident. The point I am trying to make is that Jesus knows and sees all things. He knew that Ashley would be in a fatal car accident, so He sent her roommate into her life to witness to her about Jesus. People do not come and go into our lives by chance, there is a reason for everything.
Well Ashley's getting saved and knowing Jesus wasn't the only great thing that came out of her roommate coming into her life. Ashley's death took a toll on her brother, mother, and father. Needless to say they were all devistated. When Ashley died they all reflected back on her life just before she died, especially her father. He had told people that even though he didn't believe in all this Jesus crap that, he did notice a change in Ashely the past couple of months. And he was interested in knowing why. Ashley's death introduced her father to Jesus. Her brother was dramatically changed by this whole ordeal. Her brother was already a believer before she died and it made him question why Jesus didn't heal her, why didn't Jesus answer his prayer to save his sister. Her brother found the love of God through this situation and it has made him a stonger person now.
We never know the reason of why things happen to us or good people. But we can all be assured that if we have accepted Jesus into our lives then He is working everything out for our good. He loves us and He will never leave or forsake us. People are placed into our lives not by chance but by God. That is why we need to witness and testify about how great our God really is.
Let everything we do and say be a beacon of light unto others. To help the "lost" find their way to Jesus. To let all of our joy and suffering be a megaphone for everyone around us, to know that our God is really awesome and loving. That they can have the same peace that resides in our hearts.
People do not want to listen to you about Jesus when your life is going so great and here you are saying Oh God is so good. You have all things going for you and you feel as though you could "walk on water". People really take a notice of your actions when you are at your lowest point. Then they are saying well this person is still serving and praising God even though they are in the worst slump in their life. Jesus must be pretty awesome. I gotta have some of this Jesus for myself. So no matter what life throws at us let all of our joy and our pain and suffering be a megaphone to scream that Jesus is the most wonderful and greatest person that you could ever accept into your life. That He is not just there in our good times, but in the bad as well.
That even though things may not turn out how we expect them to, that as long as we serve Jesus and walk upright before Him then we know that His will for our lives will be done.
Whether people are just "passing through" or here to stay in our lives....just let Jesus and His love shine through you. That all things are not by coincidence and they do happen for a reason (good or bad).
I praise Jesus name! Even though I have had it rough or what I feel like is rough for the past little bit, I can always count on Him for everything. To Jesus all glory, honour, and praise!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Power Of Jesus
I just wanted to take the time to write and let everyone know what happened to me this past Sunday (07/20). I went to church and I was healed from the pain in my back that I had been having since the car accident. Jesus took away the pain instantly and I knew that I had been healed. Every since my car accident I have been having really bad, constant pain in my back. Then to top it off a week or so before the Homecoming I was going to be in the Lifehouse "Everything" skit that the youth was doing for the church. I had to drop out of it and was heartbroken. I really enjoy doing stuff like that, and it was making me angry because I was afraid to do the skit in fear of making my back "worse" than it already was. So I told Amber that I would just sit this one out.
Well to make a long story short.......I had went up to the altar to pray and when I had got finished, Sister Steele asked me to help her pray for her son. I went over and prayed for him and before long I was speaking in tongues. Then I felt the Spirit of the Lord hit me like a brick wall and then I started shouting. Then all of a sudden I felt someone come up behind me and place their hands on my back exactly where I had been hurting. I felt the pain leave my body and I was like I HAVE BEEN HEALED. I was so excited, I wanted to tell everybody that I seen. I was really wanting to testify before Bro. Bryant dismissed everyone downstairs, but I knew that people where eager to eat, so I just decided to wait. Then after he dismissed them I went and told Amber excitedly. I felt the Lord's Spirit all over me. It was awesome. When we got downstairs I even told Sister Bryant about it too.
The week before Homecoming I had a thought enter my mind about maybe going to Bro. Larry Roark's church, since we were not having services at our church that night. I went ahead and got ready and went that night and I am glad I did. Every since I had got healed that morning at church the devil had been coming out me saying "You didn't get healed, you still have pain in your back." It was really fustrating to me because I knew I had been healed. But that is how the enemy will do us, everytime if we will let him. After the sermon that night they had a prayer line and I kept hesitating whether or not to go up there to be prayed for. Finally I decided that it wasn't going to hurt anything, so I went up there. Larry Paul prayed for me and I started speaking in tongues. I felt the Lord spirit lightening up on me so I bowed my head down and then the enemy shouted in my mind........"No you are not healed, you are still in pain." At that very instant as those words were coming in my mind, Larry Paul rushed over to me and he said "Oh no satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Then he said "Do not let the satan take away your miracle that you just received." At that very moment I knew that God had healed me and it was awesome. I started jumping up into the air and shouting. I was very excited and just praising God.
Jesus didn't have to give me confirmation, but He did. I ought to have known that I didn't need confirmation but sometimes I just don't think about things, I sometimes have a tendency to over analyze some things. But it was confirmed and I just want to give Jesus the Praise and Glory for everything! He is such an awesome God. He wants to bless us, if we will allow Him to.
As if one answered prayer wasn't enough, I had two to be answered in the same day. The other wonderful part of this was that I had been praying to God about being worthy of Him. People just don't know how much I want God to use me and to have His blessings rain down from Heaven upon me. How much I desire to have a such a close and intimate relationship with Jesus. I cry out to Jesus and I ask Him to give me everything of His heart in me. I want to be so much like Jesus that I can hardly stand it sometimes.
I was praying one night about a week or so ago and I was pouring my heart out to God. I mean snot was slinging and tears were pouring down my face. I was telling Jesus that I desired to be more like Him and that I loved Him so much. I was telling Him that even though I am not worthy of His love, mercy, compassion and grace that I loved Him with all of my heart. He had even give me a vision while there on my knees praying it was of me offering my heart up unto the Lord. I couldn't see His face but I knew it was Him. (It is funny every vision I have had of Jesus, I can't see His face, but I know it is Him and He is always wearing a robe of white.) Anyways, I was crying out and telling Him how much He meant to me and how much I wanted Him to use me for His glory. I told Him I wasn't much, but what I had was His. That I totally completely belong to Him. I prayed this way for about two nights.
Then the same night I was at Brother Larry Paul's church. I knew from the moment he said what the sermon was going to be about that it was meant for me to be there. The sermon was titled "Walking Worthy" my spirit lifted up so high that night. I was like Jesus you were listening to every word that I spoke that night. Needless to say I hung onto every word that was preached that night. Jesus spoke to my heart and He told me that I am worthy of Him and his blessings. He told me that I was worthy not because of anything that I do, but because of what He did for me already. I was worthy because I had been washed, sanctified, and justified by Him. Praise you Jesus! I also learned how to get closer to Him (I had been praying about this also), He told me that "....beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." He also told me that if I love Him I will keep His commandments and love my brethren. That I must love even those who hurt me. That if I love everyone then I also love Him, because He is Love.
I just think it is awesome that Jesus answers our prayers in His own time. There is reasons when we don't hear from Him so soon. But I do want to encourage someone today, that whatever it is that you are praying for don't quit now.....Jesus is listening to you as he weaves the perfect pattern for your life. He is listening and knows what you need, He will never quit listening and He will answer your prayer according to His perfect will for your life.
As always I give Jesus the glory, honour, and praise for everything. What a mighty God we serve! A-men
Well to make a long story short.......I had went up to the altar to pray and when I had got finished, Sister Steele asked me to help her pray for her son. I went over and prayed for him and before long I was speaking in tongues. Then I felt the Spirit of the Lord hit me like a brick wall and then I started shouting. Then all of a sudden I felt someone come up behind me and place their hands on my back exactly where I had been hurting. I felt the pain leave my body and I was like I HAVE BEEN HEALED. I was so excited, I wanted to tell everybody that I seen. I was really wanting to testify before Bro. Bryant dismissed everyone downstairs, but I knew that people where eager to eat, so I just decided to wait. Then after he dismissed them I went and told Amber excitedly. I felt the Lord's Spirit all over me. It was awesome. When we got downstairs I even told Sister Bryant about it too.
The week before Homecoming I had a thought enter my mind about maybe going to Bro. Larry Roark's church, since we were not having services at our church that night. I went ahead and got ready and went that night and I am glad I did. Every since I had got healed that morning at church the devil had been coming out me saying "You didn't get healed, you still have pain in your back." It was really fustrating to me because I knew I had been healed. But that is how the enemy will do us, everytime if we will let him. After the sermon that night they had a prayer line and I kept hesitating whether or not to go up there to be prayed for. Finally I decided that it wasn't going to hurt anything, so I went up there. Larry Paul prayed for me and I started speaking in tongues. I felt the Lord spirit lightening up on me so I bowed my head down and then the enemy shouted in my mind........"No you are not healed, you are still in pain." At that very instant as those words were coming in my mind, Larry Paul rushed over to me and he said "Oh no satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Then he said "Do not let the satan take away your miracle that you just received." At that very moment I knew that God had healed me and it was awesome. I started jumping up into the air and shouting. I was very excited and just praising God.
Jesus didn't have to give me confirmation, but He did. I ought to have known that I didn't need confirmation but sometimes I just don't think about things, I sometimes have a tendency to over analyze some things. But it was confirmed and I just want to give Jesus the Praise and Glory for everything! He is such an awesome God. He wants to bless us, if we will allow Him to.
As if one answered prayer wasn't enough, I had two to be answered in the same day. The other wonderful part of this was that I had been praying to God about being worthy of Him. People just don't know how much I want God to use me and to have His blessings rain down from Heaven upon me. How much I desire to have a such a close and intimate relationship with Jesus. I cry out to Jesus and I ask Him to give me everything of His heart in me. I want to be so much like Jesus that I can hardly stand it sometimes.
I was praying one night about a week or so ago and I was pouring my heart out to God. I mean snot was slinging and tears were pouring down my face. I was telling Jesus that I desired to be more like Him and that I loved Him so much. I was telling Him that even though I am not worthy of His love, mercy, compassion and grace that I loved Him with all of my heart. He had even give me a vision while there on my knees praying it was of me offering my heart up unto the Lord. I couldn't see His face but I knew it was Him. (It is funny every vision I have had of Jesus, I can't see His face, but I know it is Him and He is always wearing a robe of white.) Anyways, I was crying out and telling Him how much He meant to me and how much I wanted Him to use me for His glory. I told Him I wasn't much, but what I had was His. That I totally completely belong to Him. I prayed this way for about two nights.
Then the same night I was at Brother Larry Paul's church. I knew from the moment he said what the sermon was going to be about that it was meant for me to be there. The sermon was titled "Walking Worthy" my spirit lifted up so high that night. I was like Jesus you were listening to every word that I spoke that night. Needless to say I hung onto every word that was preached that night. Jesus spoke to my heart and He told me that I am worthy of Him and his blessings. He told me that I was worthy not because of anything that I do, but because of what He did for me already. I was worthy because I had been washed, sanctified, and justified by Him. Praise you Jesus! I also learned how to get closer to Him (I had been praying about this also), He told me that "....beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." He also told me that if I love Him I will keep His commandments and love my brethren. That I must love even those who hurt me. That if I love everyone then I also love Him, because He is Love.
I just think it is awesome that Jesus answers our prayers in His own time. There is reasons when we don't hear from Him so soon. But I do want to encourage someone today, that whatever it is that you are praying for don't quit now.....Jesus is listening to you as he weaves the perfect pattern for your life. He is listening and knows what you need, He will never quit listening and He will answer your prayer according to His perfect will for your life.
As always I give Jesus the glory, honour, and praise for everything. What a mighty God we serve! A-men
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
It Is Possible
Why do we all expect bad things to happen? It seems that people always search for bad things in life. They never stop and think about positive things. They are all the time gloom and doom. I am no exception to this, I feel this way a lot. I feel like there is so many bad things happening to me or around me, what is the use in looking for something good to happen.
I have been enlightened....or whatever you want to call it. We, as God's children, need to come to a realization of just who we really are. We are children of the most High King! Our Father owns everything....He holds all things in His hands. That being said, then why do we at times fret or worry about our problems? Do we tend to forget of whom we serve? Or is it that we want to place boundaries for God in our lives? I know worrying and burdens are all apart of being human. We just need to start thinking about positive things instead of negative ones, all of the time. We need to get up out of bed everyday and say "Something good is going to happen to me today!" If we can start thinking positive then we may be able to reverse all of the negative thoughts that sin and living in the world has caused us to believe.
In the book of Isaiah in chapter 66 verse 1 it says: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...." Imagine this with me.....God said the heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool. When I think about that I imagine HUGE!!!!!! With our God being that big it makes my worries seem like a particle in the air, like a spec of dust. If our problems are that small to Him, and He is taking care of everything that we need in life, then why do we worry so much? Yes, I know that our problems seem so gigantic at times, but that is when we need to tell ourselves that God is taking care of everything.
The bible says in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Which to me means that if we are doing what is right, and we acknowledge Him, He is going to lead and guide us through everything that life throws at us. That is a promise He made!
The point I am trying to make is this....We don't need to get comfortable with where we are right now. We don't need to plant our feet and not step on out into the waters of God. We need to fully submerge ourselves. We need to stop worrying about what if and just step out in Faith. If you are needing a healing then ask God and believe. If you are needing help with financial problems ask God and then believe. If you are having problems in any of your relationships then ask God to help you and then believe. We need to leave it with Him and believe and have faith that He knows what He is doing. Just go around everyday, all day saying "God is doing something good for me today." And expect it to happen. I think that by us expecting good things to come our way then it gets His attention. He is always looking for children He can bless. All we have to do is receive it.
Jesus said "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." All we have to do is ask and then believe!
Remember the woman with an issue of blood in the bible?(Luke 9:43-47) Do you think she would of ever gotten anywhere by staying home and sulking in her own pity? No, I don't believe she would. She would of still had her issue of blood and still miserable. The bible said that she spent all of her life going around to doctors looking to find a cure or to be healed. But she wasn't satisfied with the way she was living her life and she heard about Jesus. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. She just didn't think about it she done it. And because of her faith, she was made whole. If she had thought negatively she would of never got healed. She didn't sit around and think of the negative things in her life....she went looking for a blessing! She expected to be healed and got it.
We just need to embrace the fact that nothing is impossible with God. If we can fully capture this, then we will have conquered all of the fears and worries that the devil throws at us to make us doubt God. It will diminish all negativity in our lives and not put a limit on what God can do for us.
I felt really led to write this and I hope that it will help someone out there who is going through the same things I have lately.
I love you all and I give Jesus the glory and praise for everything!
I have been enlightened....or whatever you want to call it. We, as God's children, need to come to a realization of just who we really are. We are children of the most High King! Our Father owns everything....He holds all things in His hands. That being said, then why do we at times fret or worry about our problems? Do we tend to forget of whom we serve? Or is it that we want to place boundaries for God in our lives? I know worrying and burdens are all apart of being human. We just need to start thinking about positive things instead of negative ones, all of the time. We need to get up out of bed everyday and say "Something good is going to happen to me today!" If we can start thinking positive then we may be able to reverse all of the negative thoughts that sin and living in the world has caused us to believe.
In the book of Isaiah in chapter 66 verse 1 it says: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...." Imagine this with me.....God said the heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool. When I think about that I imagine HUGE!!!!!! With our God being that big it makes my worries seem like a particle in the air, like a spec of dust. If our problems are that small to Him, and He is taking care of everything that we need in life, then why do we worry so much? Yes, I know that our problems seem so gigantic at times, but that is when we need to tell ourselves that God is taking care of everything.
The bible says in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Which to me means that if we are doing what is right, and we acknowledge Him, He is going to lead and guide us through everything that life throws at us. That is a promise He made!
The point I am trying to make is this....We don't need to get comfortable with where we are right now. We don't need to plant our feet and not step on out into the waters of God. We need to fully submerge ourselves. We need to stop worrying about what if and just step out in Faith. If you are needing a healing then ask God and believe. If you are needing help with financial problems ask God and then believe. If you are having problems in any of your relationships then ask God to help you and then believe. We need to leave it with Him and believe and have faith that He knows what He is doing. Just go around everyday, all day saying "God is doing something good for me today." And expect it to happen. I think that by us expecting good things to come our way then it gets His attention. He is always looking for children He can bless. All we have to do is receive it.
Jesus said "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." All we have to do is ask and then believe!
Remember the woman with an issue of blood in the bible?(Luke 9:43-47) Do you think she would of ever gotten anywhere by staying home and sulking in her own pity? No, I don't believe she would. She would of still had her issue of blood and still miserable. The bible said that she spent all of her life going around to doctors looking to find a cure or to be healed. But she wasn't satisfied with the way she was living her life and she heard about Jesus. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. She just didn't think about it she done it. And because of her faith, she was made whole. If she had thought negatively she would of never got healed. She didn't sit around and think of the negative things in her life....she went looking for a blessing! She expected to be healed and got it.
We just need to embrace the fact that nothing is impossible with God. If we can fully capture this, then we will have conquered all of the fears and worries that the devil throws at us to make us doubt God. It will diminish all negativity in our lives and not put a limit on what God can do for us.
I felt really led to write this and I hope that it will help someone out there who is going through the same things I have lately.
I love you all and I give Jesus the glory and praise for everything!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Bring It On
Boy I tell you what, something awesome must be getting ready to happen for me or to me or something. 'Cause I have been tested and tried this week like you wouldn't believe. I know we are all tested and tried at times, but I mean for me it is like one right after another.
First it was about my car being totaled. Then it was about a baby and I am sure there is some more stuff in between that I didn't write about. Now we are back to the car thingy again. When will the madness end?
I have been praying for the last night or so about that guy James who hit me in the car accident. I have been asking Jesus to make him miserable so that he can't sleep. Let it weigh so heavy on his conscious that he has no choice but to tell the truth. Then I asked Jesus to deal with his heart. This might have been wrong of me to pray something like this, but ya'll I don't see me getting my car paid for by his insurance company until he confesses that the accident was his fault.
Oh how I wish I could have a car again. The freedom to drive wherever you want to when you want to. The freedom of not having to ask others do they care if you drive here or there. The freedom to drive wherever a half tank of gas will let me. LOL
But seriously I am asking you to help me pray that God deals with his heart. Help me pray that James B. will hurry up and admit that the accident was his fault. So that I can finally have a car again. 'Cause it is getting pretty bad. I mean I am looking at not having a ride to church or the doctor or anything. 'Cause when you are down people could give two hoots about ya. Mom let me use her blazer for a little while and then she had to have it back tonight. So tomorrow I will be thumbing for a ride to church. (Sigh)
On a brighter note............I was troubled about something other than a car this past week and I sat down and had a good cry and talked my problems over with Jesus. I believe that he has answered my prayer. He is such a good, loving, merciful, caring, and AWESOME GOD! I have came to this conclusion with His help. It is better to obey God than man.
If you ever feel that God is asking you to do something, then you should do it. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't. I was pretty down the other day. I was pretty upset over something. I didn't know which way to turn, but thank God for a good friend. (Thanks Amber) And thanks to Jesus for helping me get through this.
Well I have said all I can think of for now, but don't worry I should be back to let you know more about this continuing soga of As The Car Turns.
First it was about my car being totaled. Then it was about a baby and I am sure there is some more stuff in between that I didn't write about. Now we are back to the car thingy again. When will the madness end?
I have been praying for the last night or so about that guy James who hit me in the car accident. I have been asking Jesus to make him miserable so that he can't sleep. Let it weigh so heavy on his conscious that he has no choice but to tell the truth. Then I asked Jesus to deal with his heart. This might have been wrong of me to pray something like this, but ya'll I don't see me getting my car paid for by his insurance company until he confesses that the accident was his fault.
Oh how I wish I could have a car again. The freedom to drive wherever you want to when you want to. The freedom of not having to ask others do they care if you drive here or there. The freedom to drive wherever a half tank of gas will let me. LOL
But seriously I am asking you to help me pray that God deals with his heart. Help me pray that James B. will hurry up and admit that the accident was his fault. So that I can finally have a car again. 'Cause it is getting pretty bad. I mean I am looking at not having a ride to church or the doctor or anything. 'Cause when you are down people could give two hoots about ya. Mom let me use her blazer for a little while and then she had to have it back tonight. So tomorrow I will be thumbing for a ride to church. (Sigh)
On a brighter note............I was troubled about something other than a car this past week and I sat down and had a good cry and talked my problems over with Jesus. I believe that he has answered my prayer. He is such a good, loving, merciful, caring, and AWESOME GOD! I have came to this conclusion with His help. It is better to obey God than man.
If you ever feel that God is asking you to do something, then you should do it. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't. I was pretty down the other day. I was pretty upset over something. I didn't know which way to turn, but thank God for a good friend. (Thanks Amber) And thanks to Jesus for helping me get through this.
Well I have said all I can think of for now, but don't worry I should be back to let you know more about this continuing soga of As The Car Turns.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Baby Blues
Okay yesterday was like blah. I was down and out over a car and stuff, but now I am like really really excited. I went to church tonight and I really feel as though Jesus is letting me know that soon I will be blessed.
I have been wanting a baby now for 8 or 9 years. I have even had a doctor tell me that I will not have a baby because I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Okay well from the opinion of others around me they say well you should consider it a blessing that you can't get pregnant. You just don't know how lucky you are.
Well I tell those people well if you were in my shoes you wouldn't say stuff like that. I tell them how blessed THEY are! Children are a blessing in disguise. Yeah so they are cute and adorable when they are little and then they step all over your heart when they get older, but that is something that I want to experience for myself. No one knows, except for Jesus, how I feel about all this.
I have laid in bed numerous nights and cried my eyes out. I have begged, pleaded, and even promised things to the Lord, if only He would give me a child. I do know that you are not supposed to make vows to God and then not keep them. Boy that would be trouble. It wasn't anything bad anyways. I just told the Lord that if He would give me a child that I would give the child back to Him. And by that I mean bringing the child up in church and raising it in a christian household and teaching it about the bible etc.
In the bible Hannah wanted a baby so bad that she went to the man of God and had him to pray for her. That was after she went and threw herself down and really I mean really pleaded with God. She wanted one so bad. I know exactly how she feels.
Anyways, to make a long story even shorter (lol). I write novels, can't you tell. After we prayed for people at church, I asked to be prayed for. It was like Jesus was telling me to go on. So I did, and as everyone was praying, I was like God you said that if two or more agrees on something in your name it shall be done. I was like I don't have to wait to get this blessing, I can get it now. I was like Lord please let someone place their hand on my stomache and pray for me.
Well low and behold Sister Bryant did. I didn't know it was her because my eyes were closed, but I just knew. She placed her hand on my stomache and I could feel the power of the Lord so strong. It was so strong that I creeled over from it. Then I started shouting and screaming and I was on cloud 99.
Something then told me that my days of wanting a child are about over and that Jesus is getting ready to move for me. People may not believe that miracles happen but I do and this will be proof for many. Especially those who know my situation and know how long I have wanted this.
I already give Jesus all the glory, honor, and praise for this, because I know it is going to happen. He said seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness and all these other things will be added unto you. I admit I am not pefect, no one is, but I am trying my best to serve my Lord to the best of my ability.
I just ask you to pray for me. It is really hard on me sometimes, but although it hurts really bad, I know that Jesus has been here with me through all of it. He has made the desire for a child not to disappear but just ease the pain from not being able to have one yet. I used to get all depressed at times but not anymore, yeah it hurts but I have a peace about things that used to make me crazy.
All I can say is I have never met anyone like Jesus and never will.
I have been wanting a baby now for 8 or 9 years. I have even had a doctor tell me that I will not have a baby because I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Okay well from the opinion of others around me they say well you should consider it a blessing that you can't get pregnant. You just don't know how lucky you are.
Well I tell those people well if you were in my shoes you wouldn't say stuff like that. I tell them how blessed THEY are! Children are a blessing in disguise. Yeah so they are cute and adorable when they are little and then they step all over your heart when they get older, but that is something that I want to experience for myself. No one knows, except for Jesus, how I feel about all this.
I have laid in bed numerous nights and cried my eyes out. I have begged, pleaded, and even promised things to the Lord, if only He would give me a child. I do know that you are not supposed to make vows to God and then not keep them. Boy that would be trouble. It wasn't anything bad anyways. I just told the Lord that if He would give me a child that I would give the child back to Him. And by that I mean bringing the child up in church and raising it in a christian household and teaching it about the bible etc.
In the bible Hannah wanted a baby so bad that she went to the man of God and had him to pray for her. That was after she went and threw herself down and really I mean really pleaded with God. She wanted one so bad. I know exactly how she feels.
Anyways, to make a long story even shorter (lol). I write novels, can't you tell. After we prayed for people at church, I asked to be prayed for. It was like Jesus was telling me to go on. So I did, and as everyone was praying, I was like God you said that if two or more agrees on something in your name it shall be done. I was like I don't have to wait to get this blessing, I can get it now. I was like Lord please let someone place their hand on my stomache and pray for me.
Well low and behold Sister Bryant did. I didn't know it was her because my eyes were closed, but I just knew. She placed her hand on my stomache and I could feel the power of the Lord so strong. It was so strong that I creeled over from it. Then I started shouting and screaming and I was on cloud 99.
Something then told me that my days of wanting a child are about over and that Jesus is getting ready to move for me. People may not believe that miracles happen but I do and this will be proof for many. Especially those who know my situation and know how long I have wanted this.
I already give Jesus all the glory, honor, and praise for this, because I know it is going to happen. He said seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness and all these other things will be added unto you. I admit I am not pefect, no one is, but I am trying my best to serve my Lord to the best of my ability.
I just ask you to pray for me. It is really hard on me sometimes, but although it hurts really bad, I know that Jesus has been here with me through all of it. He has made the desire for a child not to disappear but just ease the pain from not being able to have one yet. I used to get all depressed at times but not anymore, yeah it hurts but I have a peace about things that used to make me crazy.
All I can say is I have never met anyone like Jesus and never will.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
When It Rains It Pours
Right now, it seems, life is taking me on a roller coaster ride. I feel as though I am on an overload status.
No news about getting a car. I really want a car so bad. I can't go anywhere or do anything. I wish that the old man that hit me in the car accident would hurry up and tell the truth. Then all this would be settled. I could get paid for my car which is now sitting in my yard totaled.
Daddy is in the hospital and I feel really sorry for him. He is looking better than he did though. They have given him 5 units of blood so far. I just pray that Jesus will give those doctors and surgeons the knowledge of what to do for him. He is really needing a touch from God.
The only happiness I am getting right now is going to church. When I go to church it is like all my problems and worries go away. Jesus has really let me feel his strength and presence lately. He is the only thing keeping me going.
Although life is crazy right now, I will say that I am blessed. William doesn't see this. He asked me the other day how in the world can you go around all the time saying you are blessed. Look at us! We don't have a car, I can't work because of the accident, etc., etc, etc., the list goes on and on.
I just simply tell him that Jesus knows my needs and that although everything seems gloom and doom right now, it will get better. Jesus has never let me down and He never will.
I am walking, talking, and alive! That is a lot to say right there, but there is a lot more that He has done for me. I can't begin to count everything that Jesus has done in my life.
All I know is that I have got to keep on keeping on. Just keep believing in Jesus and trusting in Him. No matter what!
'Cause He did say He would never leave nor forsake me.
No news about getting a car. I really want a car so bad. I can't go anywhere or do anything. I wish that the old man that hit me in the car accident would hurry up and tell the truth. Then all this would be settled. I could get paid for my car which is now sitting in my yard totaled.
Daddy is in the hospital and I feel really sorry for him. He is looking better than he did though. They have given him 5 units of blood so far. I just pray that Jesus will give those doctors and surgeons the knowledge of what to do for him. He is really needing a touch from God.
The only happiness I am getting right now is going to church. When I go to church it is like all my problems and worries go away. Jesus has really let me feel his strength and presence lately. He is the only thing keeping me going.
Although life is crazy right now, I will say that I am blessed. William doesn't see this. He asked me the other day how in the world can you go around all the time saying you are blessed. Look at us! We don't have a car, I can't work because of the accident, etc., etc, etc., the list goes on and on.
I just simply tell him that Jesus knows my needs and that although everything seems gloom and doom right now, it will get better. Jesus has never let me down and He never will.
I am walking, talking, and alive! That is a lot to say right there, but there is a lot more that He has done for me. I can't begin to count everything that Jesus has done in my life.
All I know is that I have got to keep on keeping on. Just keep believing in Jesus and trusting in Him. No matter what!
'Cause He did say He would never leave nor forsake me.
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