tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15947107692005174102024-03-13T08:40:09.558-07:00From My Heart to yoursInsights from the Word of God by AngieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-33802282156252757982016-05-28T06:13:00.001-07:002016-05-28T09:35:11.954-07:00Why You'll Never See Alcohol in My Hands<div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA126Y2TMaeqDI2QnhqLpooVKrxXdWHaJl5d9Y_GymgIQD6lEHWTYvEblsHxVM5uCBBZDUW8Nwiwp1E6J2d54U8w29SBEHS5kHoZ5HeS4NfVSY24Ajo5ATdobIpMXmRlCU7nNfMitE4-k/s1600/underagedrinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA126Y2TMaeqDI2QnhqLpooVKrxXdWHaJl5d9Y_GymgIQD6lEHWTYvEblsHxVM5uCBBZDUW8Nwiwp1E6J2d54U8w29SBEHS5kHoZ5HeS4NfVSY24Ajo5ATdobIpMXmRlCU7nNfMitE4-k/s200/underagedrinking.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have read several posts on social media platforms from Christians expressing their reasons they drink and I have been asked why I don't drink and also why I have such a strong conviction about it even though the Bible doesn't specifically say I can't drink. I want to make it clear that I am in no way standing in judgment of you nor am I condemning you if that is what you choose to do. Just answering some questions...Enjoy!</div>
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Why you'll never see alcohol in my hands.<br />
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1) Alcoholism is a disease that runs in my family and I can reduce my risks of becoming an alcoholic by not drinking. Cancer is also a disease that runs in my family and there are certain things I don't do because I know they increase the chance of getting cancer; e.g., smoking. No, there is no guarantee but I am willing to do all I can to reduce the risk.</div>
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My father was an alcoholic, sadly the disease got the best of him and eventually took his life at the age of 55! My mother was a social alcoholic or binge drinker and that eventually led her to drug abuse. My mom had several underlying ailments that contributed to her getting drunk on the weekends and some week nights. She was self medicating with these drugs and that lifestyle eventually took her life at the age of 55, just 2 years after my dad passed away. Alcohol meant drunken rages in our home. Alcohol led to drugs. Alcohol was more important than food in our house at times. Alcohol was their way of having "fun". It was their vice, which they couldn't likve without.</div>
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I was taught that as long as I was with my mom I could drink and that started when I was 12! However, if I decided to drink and my mom wasn't around I would get in trouble...this sent mixed signals about alcohol. I was told I could have it but then I couldn't. By the time I was 15, I was getting drunk every weekend and by the time I was a sophomore in high school, vodka was my daily nutrition! Every day I had to have it to cope with life (That's another story to tell). When I became a mom my drinking habits changed dramatically and I became a social drinker/alcoholic, drinking on the weekends, most of the time I got drunk and did stupid stuff like fighting (that for me was the problem). All that changed when I gave my life to Jesus at 28 years old. God revealed the drinking problem I had and that it didn't glorify Him, so I put the bottle down and haven't had a drink in many years. Praise the Lord!</div>
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I know there are people who are going to say, "But I don't have that problem. I drink because I like a glass of wine or a beer with my meal." Again, that is your experience, not mine.<br />
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2) As a Christian I am not to cause another to stumble.<br />
1 Corinthians 8:9, "But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak."<br />
People may argue that I've taken this verse out of context, because Paul was talking about foods that were offered to idols not alcohol. I understand that, however if you read scripture and say, "Well that doesn't apply to me because I'm not drinking or eating foods that are being offered to idols." I just ask that you read these scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Nothing we put in our bodies makes us acceptable or unacceptable to God...Our faith in Christ is how we are acceptable to God, period. That is not my point. If I know that my brother is struggling with alcoholism and I have a drink because it's my right and I don't struggle, is my drinking going to cause him to stumble? AM I responsible to him? My one drink may not cause him to stumble but I am to be mindful/careful of all people around me.<br />
If I invite my Muslim friend to my home for dinner and I offer her bacon, what would that say to them? It would be offensive #1! It could cause them to consider defiling their own conscience to please me, the host. Even though I know that what I put in my body doesn't defile me to offer it to my friend is wrong. The whole point of not causing another to stumble is about respecting others beliefs and not looking down on them for not doing what I do or don't.<br />
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3) As a Christian I am to encourage and build up my brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as unbelievers. In my days of drinking/drunkenness I definitely did not encourage anyone! It was all about ME and my flesh getting a "fix". Whether I used the excuse that I needed a break from my kids and just wanted to relax a bit, it was all about ME. What made ME feel good! What made ME feel happy! What made ME "loosen up" a bit after a hard work week. AGAIN, I am not condemning anyone who has a drink! I am simply stating my convictions.<br />
In seeking to build up one another, I must be mindful of what I do or don't do in the sight of another.<br />
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1 Corinthians 10:23-24, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person."<br />
Bottom line, all that I do or don't do is about building the other person up.<br />
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4) As a Christian I am to do everything in my power to bring honor and glory to my Lord so that many people may be saved.<br />
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (HCSB), "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved."<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-28598A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28598A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> (This includes eating too. Overeating is a sin just as drunkenness and it is not glorifying to the Lord.) Paul wrote the Church at Corinth (Talking to Christians) about what was acceptable to one, may not be acceptable to another, however the bottom line and His main point is that WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT FOR GOD'S GLORY!<br />
Acts 20:24 (HCSB), "But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-27650A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-27650A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> I received from the Lord Jesus,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-27650B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-27650B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> to testify to the gospel of God’s grace."<br />
When was the last time having a beer led someone to the Lord? Or even brought true glory to His name?<br />
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I am thankful that my God convicted me and I am walking with Him in a truth orgthat has set me free! I would be lying if I told you I never struggle. When my friends or family are having a drink, I would like to partake but I simply can't and I have to pray that God gives me the strength to just say, "No, thank you."<br />
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One last thing, each of us have differing opinions about alcohol and that is fine but I will never let our differences get in the way of relationships. I am a firm believer that we can agree to disagree.<br />
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If you struggle with alcoholism, drug abuse</div>
or any other form of addiction you can visit the following websites for more help.<br />
We<br />
<br />
www.celebraterecovery.com<br />
<br />
www.dualdiagnosis.org<br />
alcoholism as a disease<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-6327928842246781642015-10-09T05:52:00.001-07:002015-10-09T15:43:16.396-07:00LOOK UP, PEOPLE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look up, people! If we would just look up and see the world around us...God's creation cries out, people made in His image are searching for hope. We can be the vessel that He chooses to use if we'd just look up!<br />
There's the nudge, you try ignore it but The Holy Spirit inside you is calling you to obey your Father. Have you felt this nudge where your heart starts racing, butterflies take over your stomach because God is calling you to reach out to a stranger? You seem to argue with God saying, "Not me God and not now..."? I have to share my son's story and I pray it will encourage you to stop arguing with God and start obeying His nudges.<br />
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Stephone took his sister, Keanna, to the mall for a job interview and decided to sit at a table in the food court until she was finished. He started to write a post for his online personal training business (No Limits Training) when out of the corner of his eye he saw a man using a walker approach the table next to him. It was obvious he experienced a hard life by his appearance, wearing a frown to display his disappointments. Stephone looked up and smiled. Carefully making his way to sit in the chair across from him, he looked at Stephone and asked,"Do you speak Arabic?" <br />
Stephone smiled, "Excuse me?"<br />
"Do you speak Arabic?"<br />
The Holy Spirit nudged Stephone to put his phone away and sit down at the table with the man.<br />
"No, I don't speak Arabic. Why do you ask?<br />
To Stephone's surprise he replied. "I want to talk to God."<br />
"Why do you want to talk to God?"<br />
"Because I want to die and go to heaven."<br />
"Why do you want to die?"<br />
With sadness and no hope in his voice he said, "I have no purpose for living. Look at me. I can't walk good, my eyes are bad, my hearing is bad and my smell is bad."<br />
Stephone listened and chatted with this man of Muslim religion for about 20 minutes or so. Talking to him about his Christian faith and the man's religion. Stephone told me that he never felt the need to convince this man to believe in Jesus that God just told him to spend time conversing and sharing God's love for him.<br />
As they finished up their talk Stephone said, "I'm going to pray for you."<br />
With a look of surprise the man replied, "Why would you pray for me?"<br />
Stephone smiled and said, "Because I want to."<br />
"I'd appreciate that."<br />
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As time has passed since this divine appointment God has reminded me that His Holy Spirit nudges and it's our job to obey. You never know how you can change the direction of someone's life. Stephone was used by God to give this man hope! He came to the mall in despair but left hopeful! I don't know about you, but I want to be the vessel God uses to bring His hope to people! If we would just look up when the nudge comes...<br />
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God Bless and may we all be empty of self, filled with the Holy Spirit and obedient to His nudging!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-79879609475276568362015-09-11T04:01:00.000-07:002015-09-11T10:39:10.555-07:00Behaving as the Pharisees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Matthew 9:11 (HCSB)<br />
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”<br />
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Matthew 12:2 (HCSB)<br />
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”<br />
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Matthew 15:1-3 (HCSB)<br />
Then Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked,“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat!” He answered them, “And why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition?" <br />
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If you and I don't search our hearts, compare ourselves to God's Word and allow Him to show us who we really are without Christ, we WILL behave as the Pharisees. <br />
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The Pharisees were full of pride. They looked at their outward behavior and appearance then compared themselves to others. They truly believed that they were in the "upper class" of religious society. Rather than asking God to search their hearts (Psalm 139:23) they were more worried about what other people were doing wrong. Pride kept the Pharisees in their little cliques because they were "too good" to fellowship with the "tax collectors and sinners". Pride kept them questioning Jesus and His disciples. Pride kept them following tradition rather than the Truth. Pride made them judge other sins as worse than their own. Guess what? Their actions reflected their heart's condition.<br />
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And today, pride keeps religious people acting the same way. Some have a tendency to look down on others, thinking their sins aren't as bad. Pride keeps people from bowing down in humble adoration and looking up to Holy God. Pride keeps people following their comfortable cliques and not reaching out to those that may be different. Pride keeps people from forgiving others. Pride keeps people from God's forgiveness that's been extended to ALL repentant sinners, because they think in the end their good will outweigh their bad. <br />
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Father God, I pray that I don't ever behave as the Pharisees; prideful, and self-righteous with an attitude of, "Look at me and all I do for God and the church". Our lives are to be lived out as a drink offering. Being poured out for You and others! Holy Spirit, convict me if pride starts to rise up in me so that I may repent. May I never forget where I came from, the pit of selfish pride. Search my heart and show me any offensiveness within me and lead me on Your path. Father, thank You for rescuing me from my sins. I am thankful to be associated with the "tax collectors and sinners", because Jesus, you desire fellowship with people just like me! People willing to see themselves through Your eyes. People willing and humble enough to say, "I have sinned and I still make mistakes, therefore, I need a Savior". Thank You Lord for your grace and mercy. Thank You for calling me to Yourself. Help me now to live for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-71432547195772521932015-03-17T05:22:00.002-07:002015-03-21T05:17:47.936-07:00Counterfeit Christianity!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Baseball season is upon us! Can your eye detect counterfeit tickets? Be cautious as to where you get your tickets from...You want to save money so you find someone selling tickets for a fair price. You pay the money for tickets you think are real, you then walk up to the gate to get into the game, they scan the tickets and BEEP BEEP BEEP, they're fake! You were fooled but the ticket collector wasn't! No game for you...<br />
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Counterfeit Christianity will only get you so far also. You prayed a prayer and maybe got baptized as a baby or even as an adult and you think you're good to go. The day comes when you die and stand before the Lord...what will He say to you? You were fooled but the Lord cannot be fooled! No eternal life in heaven for you...<br />
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This may seem harsh to some but I am compelled to tell you the truth. Counterfeit Christianity has swept through so many churches and has fooled so many people. I was walking today and this thought came to my mind and I prayed asking the Lord for clarification. How many church don't talk about sin? LOTS! How many preachers talk about heaven and say if you believe in Jesus you will go to heaven? LOTS! How many people are calling themselves Christians and yet have no conviction about sin? LOTS!<br />
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Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of churches that do talk about sin, preachers who do explain clearly how one gets to heaven, Christians who do struggle with a sin/s and fell conviction not wanting to live contrary to the Word of God. I'm happy to say that I belong to a church that speaks the Truth without fear or shame!<br />
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So why am I writing this blog today? My heart is burdened for those who have been fooled...usually the fooled one doesn't know it until "the joke is on you" so to speak. I have to speak up and pray that someone hears the Gospel clearly today! I'm going to break it down as best as I can with the help of the Holy Spirit and then leave the rest to Him.<br />
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Read the Bible verses below:<br />
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Matthew 4:17<br />
From then on Jesus began to preach, “<b>Repent</b> of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”<br />
Matthew 11:20<br />
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t <b>repented</b> of their sins and turned to God.<br />
Luke 5:23<br />
I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to <b>repent</b>.”<br />
Luke 15:7<br />
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who <b>repent</b>s and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!<br />
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First, one has to admit they are a sinner and repent, confessing your sins to the Lord. <br />
1 John 1:8-9, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. <span class="text 1John-1-9" id="en-NLT-30510">But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." Have you been </span>broken by the fact that your sins are the reason Jesus had to die on the cross?<br />
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Another thing counterfeit Christianity says is if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God then you are saved. There is some truth to this but is that enough? Is belief the same as faith? Look what <br />
James 2:19 says, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."<br />
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One last thing counterfeit Christianity says if your good outweighs your bad then you will go to heaven. So do the most good and God will accept you in to His perfect heaven. <br />
Look at Isaiah 64:6, "We are all infected and impure with sin.<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-64-6">When we display our righteous deeds,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6">they are nothing but filthy rags. </span></span><span class="text Isa-64-6">Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-64-6">and our sins sweep us away like the wind."</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6">What is true Christianity? We are all sinners, in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ! We don't deserve heaven based on our own goodness and we can't earn our way to heaven by being good enough. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6">Jesus the sinless Son of God died in our place on the cross. Jesus is the WAY, TRUTH AND THE LIFE no one can get to heaven without faith in Him. The good news is that HE PAID IT ALL! Jesus did what no man could do! The burden of our own salvation has been lifted by the Cross of Christ! Praise the Lord!</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6"></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Isa-64-6">When faith compels you to belief this truth, you will be humbled, repentance will be your hearts desire, you will ask Jesus to forgive you and be your Lord and Savior. He will then take up residence in your heart. His Holy Spirit will begin teaching you the things of the Lord and your life will change! Your old desires will be gone and you will desires God and His will!<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6">1 Corinthians 15:22b, "Everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life."</span></span><br />
</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6">He has been pursuing you...what are you waiting for? No one is promised tomorrow, but we are promised eternal life in Heaven for All who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved!<br />
Romans 10:8-13:<br />
"In fact, it says,<br />
</span></span><div class="poetry top-1">
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6"><span class="text Rom-10-8">“The message is very close at hand;</span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Rom-10-8">it is on your lips and in your heart.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6">
<div class="first-line-none top-1">
<span class="text Rom-10-8">And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:</span> <span class="text Rom-10-9" id="en-NLT-28159">If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.</span> F<span class="text Rom-10-10" id="en-NLT-28160">or it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.</span><span class="text Rom-10-11" id="en-NLT-28161"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”<sup> </sup></span><span class="text Rom-10-12" id="en-NLT-28162">Jew and Gentile<sup> </sup>are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. </span><span class="text Rom-10-13" id="en-NLT-28163"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For “Everyone who calls on the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will be saved.”</span> </div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-64-6"></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-1919058707876167292015-01-14T05:24:00.001-08:002015-09-11T10:54:31.508-07:00Judge Not, Lest You Be Judged!Matthew 7:1-5 (The Message Bible) DO NOT JUDGE! <br />
Jesus said, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor."<br />
Do we, I'm speaking to those of us who are Christians, understand the impact our critical spirit, or should I say our verbal expressions about what we are against, has on those who are not Christians?<br />
I just wonder how often we think before we speak out against something or someone? <br />
We gossip saying things such as; "I can't believe they are filing bankruptcy and can't pay their bills"..."I didn't know their son was gay."..."This is her third marriage!"..."Their daughter is pregnant and isn't even married! What a shame!"..."He comes from a Christian home! I can't believe he is acting like that!"..."I can't believe he is wearing skinny jeans and has gages, he's leading worship and should dress appropriately"...the list goes on and on.<br />
Someone said to me the other day, I'm paraphrasing their words, it's in our "nature" to judge others but why do we put them on blast? Meaning, we post stuff on social media sites about our disapproval of another's actions...This hit me where God wanted it to, my heart!<br />
Their point: Christians are known for what/who they HATE instead of Who we LOVE...<br />
I hate sin because His Holy Spirit in me hates it! I hate sin because Jesus was crucified for my sins, your sins, the world's sins! Christians are called to flee from all sins, to pray for others, to live worthy of the gospel, to live in peace with our brothers and sisters, BUT above all we are called to LOVE God with all our being and to LOVE our neighbor! We are not called to JUDGE the world's sins! We are called to go into the world and share the LOVE of Jesus and believe that HE IS BIG ENOUGH TO CONVICT THE WORLD OF THEIR SINS and draw them to Himself!<br />
Lets check ourselves before we blast another person for their sin. I have found that I am less critical, less judgmental of others when I am on my knees at my Savior's feet! Why? Because being at His feet, I am reminded that HE DIED FOR MY SINS! We all need His grace! If you have experienced His grace, and yet have an "ugly sneer" on your face, will that draw others to the cross? I know from experience, it pushes people in the opposite direction. So why not silently carry them to the Jesus in prayer...<br />
Lord, I am guilty of this very thing! Please forgive me and help me to live as YOU!<br />
From my heart to yours <3 p=""><br /> <!--3--><!--3--></3>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-50957265287554740112014-12-07T05:32:00.000-08:002014-12-07T06:23:49.425-08:00Christian, Are You a Tool for Satan or for God?<div class="MsoNormal">
As a Christian, when a situation or temptation arises, what
weapons of warfare do you chose to fight with?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weapons of unrighteousness?
Such as: Fear, negativity, bitterness, hatred, selfishness, greed,
pride, anger, unforgiveness, gossip, slander, sexual immorality, lying lips,
racism, gluttony, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or Weapons of righteousness? Such as: Prayer, praise, joy,
peace, compassion, love, forgiveness, encouragement, servant-hood, faith, walking
in righteousness, speaking the truth in love, contentment, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we realize Whose we are and who we are in Christ, we
can defeat the enemy by choosing weapons of righteousness! As Born-again, Spirit-filled
Believers, we sound foolish when using the excuse, "The devil made me do
it"! This is a lie straight from the pit of hell. The devil can’t make
anyone do anything! When a Christian makes excuses for sinful behavior, it
makes a mockery of our GOD! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Evil and Holy CANNOT dwell in the same temple, for your body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit! Wake up, mighty men and women of God, repent! KNOW He who paid the
highest price, His life for your eternal salvation, has equipped you to fight
with weapons of righteousness! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV). “Or do you not know that your body is
<b>the</b> <b>temple</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Holy</b> <b>Spirit</b> <i>who
is</i> in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were
bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “<span class="text">For though we walk
in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.<sup> </sup>For the
weapons of our warfare <i>are</i> not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, </span><span id="en-NKJV-28977">casting down arguments and every
high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, </span><sup><span id="en-NKJV-28978"> </span></sup>and being ready to punish all disobedience when
your obedience is fulfilled."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joel 3:9, "Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war! <b>Wake</b> <b>up</b> the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The battle begins with us; in our minds! We must
take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and be ready to destroy
anything that is against our Savior! You and I are to be
proactive and not reactive. This mentality that has so many Christians living in bondage, in essence is telling the world, "Our God is not who He says He
is"…How sad that!? YOU AND I are the reason so many turn away from knowing true
salvation…</div>
<br />
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT), "For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There is no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death."<br />
<br />
I say again, “<b>Wake up</b> <b>mighty men and women of God, repent!</b>"<br />
<br />
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To bare the name of Christ, is to say I have died to sin and it no longer has a hold on me! "I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-84716321837384368272014-12-03T02:44:00.000-08:002015-09-13T14:59:34.949-07:00We must stop condoning BAD behavior!For my fellow Christians; I have read several posts, and have heard conversations that condemn or condone/justify the behaviors in Ferguson and around the country. Whether it is the behavior of the police/government officials or the protesters, there is judgment on both sides.<br />
The posts that hurt us the most, Christians, are the ones that condone/justify BAD behavior. Police brutality is NOT alright and should never be overlooked! I agree that body cameras will hold our Officers accountable and I pray for those officers who abuse their authority in any manner, will repent and turn their hearts and minds toward Christ Jesus!<br />
Rioting, looting and burning of vehicles and businesses is NOT alright and should never be acceptable! I read one post that really struck a cord with me: "White people...we learned this from YOU". Have we so digressed that we can get away with VIOLENT acts and call it justifiable because it was taught...COME ON PEOPLE OF GOD!<br />
I just gotta be raw and real about what I learned from the time I was a toddler through my young adult years, before I surrendered my life to Jesus. I know some will say I share too much but this has been burning in my soul; therefore, I must speak!<br />
<br />
I learned that a man can beat you and you are to forgive him each time his hands abuse you...<br />
I learned that a man can leave his responsibilities at home and have multiple woman at his disposal...<br />
I learned from a young age that if I was angry and I wanted to fight my siblings, kids in the neighborhood or at school, I could without any discipline. I carried this learned behavior into my young adult years, so if someone looked at me wrong or if I didn't like you for whatever reason, and I wanted to beat your a$$ that's what I did...I was applauded for it...<br />
I learned from a young age (12) that drinking alcohol was acceptable as long as I did it with adults and if I got drunk...no biggie...<br />
I learned that drugs helped a person cope with life and that if you do drugs just don't get caught...<br />
I learned that stealing was okay if I was hungry or needed/wanted something...<br />
I learned that education was not important...if you don't feel like going to school, don't go...you want to drop out, okay...<br />
I learned that having sex was expected no matter how young...<br />
I learned that lying to the police was expected to cover your butt or a loved one's butt...<br />
I learned to judge people by their societal status; Rich people were evil and poor people were poor because of the rich...<br />
I learned to judge people because of their skin color... It was fine to have black friends but nothing more and all hell broke loose in my family, his family and with some of our "friends" when I started dating Jameson in high school..."It will never work..."<br />
I learned that some black women didn't like me because I married "one of their good black men"...yes, this has been said to my face and I have felt the hate across the room...<br />
I learned that some white people thought I was lower than dirt for dating and then marrying outside of my race...Yes, our family has been victims of racism from both races...<br />
<br />
I could go on and on about what I learned from "YOU" the people in my family, circle of influence, and society, but I'll stop there and say this; I AM NOT WHAT I LEARNED! PRAISE GOD!<br />
<br />
When I recognized my sin and my need for a Savior, at the age of 28, I called out to Jesus and He saved me, sanctified me and made me right with my Father in Heaven. He could have left it at that but He didn't! He then sent His Holy Spirit to live in me and TEACH me His ways. I am not the same person that was taught to do wrong! The bad behaviors that were acceptable and often praised, God showed me it was sinful behavior and His children are called to live HOLY lives!<br />
I love how Paul sums it up in 1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by God's grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain."<br />
I am changed! I am a new creation in Christ Jesus! I desire to please my Lord and no longer be a slave to sin, self, or man!<br />
<br />
When you call yourself a Christian and have any ill will towards another human being, for whatever reason, then I must say, "God's grace toward you is in vain." You see His grace was extended towards us so that we would become ONE with Him, not to stay ONE with the world! His grace was extended to us who believe and we are to extended others!<br />
<br />
The Lord has taught me His ways are higher than mine, yours and this world we live in... I don't understand everything about Him but I do understand His GRACE and FORGIVENESS!<br />
Romans 5:8, "But God showed His GREAT LOVE for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."<br />
<br />
If I trust the God of the Bible, then I trust Him to vindicate all the injustices that have occurred throughout time! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-22596209345683963882014-11-14T04:45:00.001-08:002014-11-14T04:45:45.878-08:00Would You Shun Her or Help Her? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3eQMKP7JZyoEMNYJxwyLA_AUBg2pS_DITHnYohPv66Xb6k4nPauHyP_fhr7P9WGvMnnxgbaz8lNTBMWS7SUCWCn6rvy_tZtnx0tcSAkxUOQMP59hIXNEhyphenhyphensOZgSw5Bnum8WdAFFLOD-Q/s1600/beggar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3eQMKP7JZyoEMNYJxwyLA_AUBg2pS_DITHnYohPv66Xb6k4nPauHyP_fhr7P9WGvMnnxgbaz8lNTBMWS7SUCWCn6rvy_tZtnx0tcSAkxUOQMP59hIXNEhyphenhyphensOZgSw5Bnum8WdAFFLOD-Q/s1600/beggar.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
I awoke before the sun to have, "Coffee with my King", my time with my Savior and His word. I realized I was out of sugar so I decided to take a trip to our 24 hour Wal-Mart. I didn't tell my husband because it was just down the road and I would be back before he would wake up.<br />
My daily prayer is that the Lord would empty me out completely of self, fill me with His Holy Spirit and use me for His glory. I prayed this simply prayer on the way to the store. I pulled into the barren parking lot about 4:45 am and as I walked toward the entrance, there was a young lady standing in front of the store. I smiled and said, "Good morning." She then stopped me and asked if I would buy her a pack of cigarettes because she was caught shoplifting and couldn't go back in the store. I hesitated for a second and the Lord prompted me to do it. I obliged and asked what kind she needed. She handed me some money for the purchase and I walked into the store.<br />
My mind was going crazy! "I can't believe this is what You want me to do, Lord!" I proceeded to the sugar isle all the while thinking this was not right. I hate cigarettes and what the harm they cause! But the Holy Spirit was ever present!<br />
I purchased my sugar, her cigarettes and met her outside the doors. She thanked me and I simply said, "You're welcome. God bless you." I then headed towards my van and suddenly I felt as if God had a Holy Spirit lasso that grabbed hold of me and He said, "You're not done! Give her a ride."<br />
I got in my van, bowed my head and prayed. "You want me to give her a ride? Okay whatever You say, Lord."<br />
I pulled up to the entrance, rolled down my window and asked if she needed a ride.<br />
"No. My boyfriend is coming back to get me."<br />
"How long have you been waiting for him?"<br />
"About 30 minutes."<br />
"Honey, he's not coming back to get you. God told me to give you a ride."<br />
She hesitated but took me up on the offer.<br />
"Where do you want to go?"<br />
"I live in Hillsboro which is about 30 miles south."<br />
"Okay. Just show me how to get there."<br />
On the way to her house she shared her life story. How she grew up in an alcoholic and abusive home, that she really doesn't have a place to live but she stays with her mom from time to time when she isn't living with her boyfriend. She admitted that she carries a knife for protection because she's a prostitute. She's also an alcoholic and drug addict and she was stealing to support her habit.<br />
My heart broke for her as I listened to her story. Her pain! Her brokenness! Only Jesus can heal her! <br />
I shared a little of my testimony and how I was raised in a broken home but that when I surrendered my life to Jesus, He began healing my heart and turned my pain in to a beautiful story.<br />
"I went to a church camp when I was younger but never felt welcome at a church" she said.<br />
My heart was crushed even more!<br />
I shared the Gospel with her and how Jesus wants her to come to Him with her pain and surrender it all to Him. She began to weep. When we finally pulled up to her mom's house, I would call it a shack, I asked if I could pray for her.<br />
I grabbed her hands and the Holy Spirit said what He needed to say to her...We both wept and then embraced. She continued thanking me as she got out of my van and stood before my headlights. As tears rolled down both of our cheeks, I drove off and headed home.<br />
<br />
I know what some of you are thinking but your thoughts don't matter. My God was pleased that I obeyed Him and loved on this beautiful broken soul! I was blessed by being a blessing to this woman I will call, Beautiful. Beauty is in the "eye of the beholder" and since God sees us through the eyes of Christ, no matter how ugly our lives appear to the human eye, we are all made beautiful because of His suffering. <br />
Her face is forever etched in my heart and I often pray that she is free from the bondage of sin. Pray for her. Pray for me that I will continue to see others through His eyes and not my own. Pray for the Body of Christ to stop shunning people who don't fit their "perfect American Christian standard" and start embracing people as Christ embraced us.<br />
<br />
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (The Message Bible)<br />
"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!"<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-47184589783607457282014-06-27T06:15:00.000-07:002014-06-27T06:15:15.958-07:00I'm Holding On, Lord!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsySAcwVO4g_GiQh753RtTpl430N7GQBtE9DzjoeMsfS8oT2yHo3QVJJixRuS1A7KXhO4u5PInzEB0X1LAbDstU8cSPKn8-9-ADlcf-XioKwokJ51ICeOGMUiQrLnU7Ca62LzPqjYmono/s1600/huggin+Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsySAcwVO4g_GiQh753RtTpl430N7GQBtE9DzjoeMsfS8oT2yHo3QVJJixRuS1A7KXhO4u5PInzEB0X1LAbDstU8cSPKn8-9-ADlcf-XioKwokJ51ICeOGMUiQrLnU7Ca62LzPqjYmono/s1600/huggin+Jesus.jpg" /></a>I'm Holding On, to the One Who is Holding Me!<br />
Psalm 18:16--<br />
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me;<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-18-16">he drew me out of deep waters."</span></span><br />
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1393588817095_7" />
When our children were little and something scared them, they would either jump into mine or my husband's arms and squeeze our necks as tight as they could. In turn, we would hug them and reassure them they were safe in our arms. The more scared or unsure of what was going on, the tighter their grip...their holding on eased their fears.<br />
<br />
Lately, God has been reminding me to hold on to Him as my children would hold on to me. I know I'm not the only one who needs this reminder. I am safe and secure in the arms of my Lord!<br />
I keep waking up to David Crowder's song on my heart, "I am Holding on to You". God keeps saying, "You forget to hold on to Me." I thought about that and realized this was true. I know He is holding on to me but I need to remember to hold on to the One holding me. This brought instant peace to my aching, stressed out heart. Like a child who is scared, holding tight to their daddy's neck, I too can "climb in my Daddy's lap and squeeze His neck" as tight as I need to, any time I need to!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-69506082531739273632014-05-18T06:39:00.003-07:002014-05-18T06:42:38.415-07:00His Position Never Changes<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg367y-XRZ4pQxp_iaZiTPgVBKtl0Tl6lBo85yrSfIPfozmMUMjtGwRqwAzL0MaiKa87WmRRSdIdTnHsF1jplzZAUIn1TRiBtvlr0VSEb_Js3tcDw5t8qoxrj3zR2za7wMZ8yIiLkgY5k5_/s1600/BrickWall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg367y-XRZ4pQxp_iaZiTPgVBKtl0Tl6lBo85yrSfIPfozmMUMjtGwRqwAzL0MaiKa87WmRRSdIdTnHsF1jplzZAUIn1TRiBtvlr0VSEb_Js3tcDw5t8qoxrj3zR2za7wMZ8yIiLkgY5k5_/s1600/BrickWall.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
“His Position Never Changes”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isaiah 59:1-2 "Indeed, the Lord's hand is not too short
to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities have built
barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face
from you so that He does not listen." <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you ever feel God is far from you, this truth says, He is
always close enough to help and hear you...but it is our sin that causes a
"wall" to be built up between us and God. WE, not God, distance
ourselves from Him because we choose to sin. How often do we say things like,
“I don’t feel God anymore” or “I feel as if God has left me”? These are just a few
lies Satan wants you and I to believe so that we walk away from God and
continue living in sin. The truth is God’s position never changes! He will<i> never leave you nor forsake you</i>. It is
our unconfessed sin that separates us from God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now imagine with me building a brick wall. Each brick
represents our sins. Brick by brick, sin by sin, we build this wall between us
and God. Some walls are neatly assembled with care and others are built in a
rush and look horrible. However, a wall is a wall no matter how neat it looks. Just
as sin is sin no matter if one sin seems more offensive than another. Suddenly we
realize there is a massive wall separating us from God and what is our first
reaction? We blame God. Your sin, my sin, our sin causes God to hide His face
from us and it is quite easy for Him to do so because of our wall of sins!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing we must do today is ask His Holy Spirit to reveal
any sin that is causing a wall to be built up between us and Him. He is on the
other side waiting for us to call out to Him for help! I envision Jesus behind
our wall of sins, kneeling down, weeping over our behavior and praying to
Father God on our behalf. He doesn’t want to keep hiding His face from you. He
wants to break down the barrier so that we are living face to face with our
Savior. Repentance is the “dynamite” God uses to break down our wall. What are
you waiting for? Simply say His name, “Jesus”! He will do the rest, if you are
truly sorry for your sins. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honestly, this should be done on a daily basis so that we do
not build up a barrier between us and our Savior. Sometimes there are
unintentional sins, such as not following Jesus’ command <i>to go to all nations </i>or having an unforgiving heart. These are just
a few examples and yes I know no one is perfect but we must commit our lives to
being a <i>living sacrifice holy and
pleasing to the Lord</i>. I don’t know about you but my desire is to see His
face beaming with delight, not hiding with disappointment!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week take the time to allow His Holy Spirit to search
your heart. In order for this to happen you must have alone time with your
sweet Jesus. Allow Him to speak to you about any sin that is causing a barrier
to be built up. Then be honest with God because He already knows who is on the
other side. Until we meet again, remember His position never changes! <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-16472140566401492112014-03-22T05:52:00.000-07:002014-03-22T05:58:20.263-07:00Christian, Have you Had a Garden of Eden Experience?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bO9nOwk6uWhX_hFQVSWD3lBOdJUIo3kbuZc1DAEMLlSMS8sb927QECw83nuHQw9-gU2yyErKmy06cGv6kZbEbc8aDyR46WW2myn3qYpvG-uEmig56kZSIjSZX5jXK59O2dVg0ZXTCU8Y/s1600/garden+of+eden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bO9nOwk6uWhX_hFQVSWD3lBOdJUIo3kbuZc1DAEMLlSMS8sb927QECw83nuHQw9-gU2yyErKmy06cGv6kZbEbc8aDyR46WW2myn3qYpvG-uEmig56kZSIjSZX5jXK59O2dVg0ZXTCU8Y/s1600/garden+of+eden.jpg" height="200" width="164" /></a></div>
Christians around the world have heard the creation story. We know God created the heavens and the earth and all living things in it by speaking them into existence. He then created Adam and Eve with His very hands that would later be pierced for all mankind's' sin. Then God placed them in the Garden of Eden to live face-to-face with their Creator. They had a relationship with God that was unhindered by sin. They walked in the cool of the night and day with God, naked and unashamed(Genesis 2:25).<br />
<br />
Then one day they chose to disobeyed God. Once Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they saw and experience evil for the first time. They only knew what they had lived; a good, peaceful, perfect life with God and all His creation. But at that very moment they saw God as GOOD and themselves as evil. Suddenly there was an invisible barrier between them and God. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide his face from you so that He does not listen."<br />
<br />
Adam and Eve realized they had sinned against God and were ashamed, humiliated and tried to cover their butts (no pun intended) by placing blame (Genesis 3). Adam blamed Eve and even God for giving him "the woman", Eve blamed the serpent, and IF the serpent could have blamed someone, he probably would have pointed his finger at God and said, "You created all of us, so it's Your fault."<br />
<br />
I think one of the most grievous sins is blame! It's easier to blame others instead of taking responsibility for our own actions and acknowledge our sins. We even have the audacity to walk around with our noses stuck in the air as if our sin don't stink! I say this with all sincerity, until you and I understand that we have sinned against God alone, stop blaming others, stop rationalizing in our minds that our sins are "not as bad as...", and stop justifying sin because "everyone else does it", we are harming ourselves, our fellow man and hurting the heart of God!<br />
<br />
God listened as they played the blame game and then He disciplined each one of them which resulted in a broken relationship, demonstrated by Him kicking Adam and Eve out of the Garden. However, before he did that, He provided clothing for them to cover their nakedness, which I believe represents God's willingness to forgive their sin. The consequences for their sin could not be stopped, and sin entered the world like a plague! <br />
<br />
So I ask, have you had a Garden of Eden experience? Have you, His child, been so close to the heart of God, living in relationship with your Father in Heaven and then suddenly there was a barrier because of sin? Realizing sin is sin and it is against your God, have you been humbled and ashamed of your sin? You see that "little white lie" isn't so little in the eyes of Jesus who took our punishment for sin. He was beaten for that "little white lie", lustful eyes, prideful heart, prejudice, hatefulness, grudges, bitterness, drunkenness, sexual immorality, disrespect of God...<br />
Isaiah 53:5 "But He was pierced because of our transgressions, <span class="text Isa-53-5">crushed because of our iniquities; </span><span class="text Isa-53-5">punishment<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-18717K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> for our peace was on Him."</span><br />
<span class="text Isa-53-5"></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-53-5">When we allow His Spirit to show us our sin in comparison to His Holiness, we will be broken and ashamed of our sin. We then humbly cry out to Jesus for forgiveness, He will once again clothe us with His righteousness and wash our sins white as snow! Saved people must remember to repent. </span><br />
<span class="text Isa-53-5">1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30548A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." </span><br />
<span class="text Isa-53-5">Daily, I want to be reminded that I too am a sinner, my sin is no less or worse than yours and sin has consequences...</span><br />
<br />
If you have never come to Jesus as your personal Savior, repent and turn to God. Call on Jesus' name, for there is no other name on earth or in Heaven by which you can be saved (Acts 4:12). I pray today is the day of salvation for you because no one is promised tomorrow. <br />
<br />
Praise God, Praise God! He is close to the humble! <br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-91257737085728655732013-12-21T08:36:00.001-08:002016-06-06T16:26:53.294-07:00Jesus' Mercy Compels Us to "Go and Sin No More"!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo9UelrEg8NcWWsH8IrdJchvHlLNHCeQAe9KLxG5MKNInlmyIP-LW7QIDByuq76aGX5BmCK_W2c6oOREuNIYz8g2Ape0dPNC5wPC5JfG3qxQj1Ww5s1Ub3wZqYjCcu32ov71rP5CnCdbX/s1600/Mary+Magdalene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo9UelrEg8NcWWsH8IrdJchvHlLNHCeQAe9KLxG5MKNInlmyIP-LW7QIDByuq76aGX5BmCK_W2c6oOREuNIYz8g2Ape0dPNC5wPC5JfG3qxQj1Ww5s1Ub3wZqYjCcu32ov71rP5CnCdbX/s320/Mary+Magdalene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="text John-8-3" id="en-NLT-26350">John 8:3-11, "As
he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees
brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her
in front of the crowd,</span><span class="text John-8-4" id="en-NLT-26351">“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.</span><span class="text John-8-5" id="en-NLT-26352">The law of Moses says to stone her.What do you say?”</span><br />
<span class="text John-8-6" id="en-NLT-26353">They
were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against
him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.</span> <span class="text John-8-7" id="en-NLT-26354">They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, <span class="woj">“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”</span></span> <span class="text John-8-8" id="en-NLT-26355">Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.</span><br />
<span class="text John-8-9" id="en-NLT-26356">When
the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with
the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with
the woman.</span><span class="text John-8-10" id="en-NLT-26357">Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, <span class="woj">“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”</span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11" id="en-NLT-26358"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“No, Lord,” she said.</span><span class="text John-8-11"> And Jesus said, <span class="woj">“Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”</span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj"> ******************************************************************************* </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">No one knows for sure what Jesus was writing in the dust of the ground when the Scribes and Pharisees threw the woman at His feet. Many speculations have been made and so I will add my two cents based on what I know about God and His word.</span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj"> </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">Jesus being 100% God, when He stooped down, MAYBE He was writing each name of the woman's accusers, beginning with the eldest...and then MAYBE he wrote her name? After all, the Son of God knows every person's name (read Psalm 139 and Isaiah 43:1). </span></span><span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">Knowing one's name is a
sign of relationship. So maybe Jesus was wanting to convey, "I know YOU and desire a relationship with you. I did not come to condemn anyone, for all have
sinned. I desire to show MERCY and GRACE to all who believe in Me." </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">If He was spelling out each person's name, did they watch in disbelief and wonder what was going on? Did they whisper to one another, "How does He know my name?" Again, if this was the case, I can only image what was going through their minds. </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">Not recognizing His mercy, these men were bent on</span></span><span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj"> pointing their finger, judging and condemning this woman. After all, The Law of Moses permitted them to stone 'such a woman'...Their religious pride blocked them from seeing their own sin and it demanded an answer from Jesus.</span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">Jesus stood up, looked them in the eyes and spoke, "Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone." </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">One by one these religious men dropped their stones and the people in the crowd dropped their heads, because they were SINNERS too. Jesus was the only One in the crowd that had NEVER sinned. So being without sin, He was the only One with the right to throw the first stone... As a matter of fact, He had the right to condemn all who were in the crowd that day. But instead Jesus, sinless Son of God, showed them all mercy. Mercy rippled through the crowd that day and the woman</span></span><span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">, broken and ashamed, immediately felt His mercy and recognized Jesus as Lord when He said to her, "Nor do I accuse you. Go and sin no more." I wonder how many others HEARD his words of mercy and were impacted for all eternity that day?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">You see, people have not changed.
We are quick to point the finger and judge someone else's visible sin, all
the while acting as though we are innocent because our sins have not
been exposed. We are quick to say in our condescending voice, "I can't believe they did that! I would never do such a thing!" or "She thinks she's holier-than-thou". People, no matter which direction you are pointing, it's still a judging finger! </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span><span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj">Nor had God changed! Through His Holy eyes,</span></span><span class="text John-8-11"><span class="woj"> "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).</span></span> <span class="text John-3-16" id="en-HCSB-26137"><span class="woj">“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.</span> </span><span class="text John-3-17" id="en-HCSB-26138"><span class="woj">For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him</span>" (John 3:16-17). </span><br />
<br />
Jesus' words of mercy echoes throughout all time and humble, repentant hearts will hear Him say, "Go and sin no more." This doesn't mean we will never sin again, it simply means that we desire to turn from our sin and live according to God's will, not our own. I know personally, when I sin, it breaks His heart and therefore, breaks mine. However, when we continue a sinful lifestyle, it magnifies US and diminishes Him! The watching world only sees, "God doesn't have the power to change lives." Mercy changed the adulteress woman that day! Mercy gave her a new identity when Jesus compelled her to turned from her sinful life and follow Him. Mercy calls each of us to do the same! After all, we are all "adulterous" people in need of His mercy!<br />
<br />
Mercy is not giving people what they deserve. Grace us giving us what we don't deserve.<br />
"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy" (Titus 3:4-5). <br />
"For by grace you have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).<br />
<br />
Father God, forgive me for pointing my finger and acting as if I do
not sin. I know I am a sinner saved by Your grace. Forgive me of my
hidden sins and the sins that are exposed. Help me to go and sin no
more so that the world watching sees the power of Your saving grace! Empty me of self, filling me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can be used by You to draw others to Your Majesty! <br />
Lord, help me to extend mercy and grace to others and love all people as You love a sinner like me. In Jesus' Name I pray!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-65249680477512254292013-12-13T04:53:00.001-08:002013-12-18T04:12:34.327-08:00A Christmas Miracle!<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386860698618_5">
<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386860698618_10">Around
this time 5 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with with stage IV lung
cancer. The Doctors only gave her 6-8 months to live so I was determined
to be with her as long as I could, no matter the cost. My husband and
children stayed in Florida while I traveled to Missouri to be with
my mom. I was truly blessed by my work which allowed me to transfer to a
center close to my mom :)</span></div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386860698618_5">
</div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386860698618_4269">
<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386860698618_1652">As
many of you know with Christmas, there is an added pressure to work
more so that you are able to buy your loved ones gifts. Well, all our
money went to me traveling and helping my mom with her prescriptions. On
top of that I was only able to work about 20 hours a week because I
took mom to her doctors appointments, radiation treatments, and to the
hospital. </span></div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386860698618_4269">
<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386860698618_1652"><br /></span><span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_611">With Christmas just a few weeks away, I was going to have to tell our kids that they wouldn't have
any Christmas presents. I remember talking to my
daughter on the phone and telling her that I was praying for a miracle and that we simply couldn't afford gifts this year. She said, "Mom I just want
to see grandma and you for Christmas. I don't need
any gifts." <br />I,of course, cried! I said, "Baby, God knows our heart's desire and He will provide according to His will. If He wants you all to be here, He will get you here!"</span></div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_611"><br /></span>A
few days later I received an email from my daughter's cheer-leading
coach. She asked,"How can we pray for your family and what is one thing
that each of your kids really want for Christmas? We want them to have
something for Christmas so where can I send the presents? We know your
family is going through a lot right now and we want to help lighten your
burden."</div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
I was humbled and began to weep. This woman barely knew us. We
had only been in Florida and at Westminster Academy a few months. "Why
would this family want to do this?" Many thoughts went through my mind.
What can I ask her to pray about and what do my kids really want...<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_3136">I replied to her email with a few prayer requests and a couple items my kids had on their list. </span></div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
</div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_3136">The
only thing I wanted for Christmas was to have my family with me in
Missouri. </span><span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_3136">The reality of this happening seemed impossible! I prayed and others were
praying for God to make a way...and I'm here to SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOF
TOPS, He made a way! My husband was called to the office of the Head
Master, and the school provided the money for us to purchase plane
tickets for all four of our kids! That's right! GOD MADE A WAY!</span> Not only that but within a week, a package came to my brother's home for my kids! </div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
Matthew 19:26,<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_3136"> "But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with <b>God</b> <b id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386935181609_4952">all</b> <b>things</b> <b id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386935181609_5046">are</b> <b id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386935181609_4132">possible</b>.”<br /><br />One
tradition that our family looks forward to every year; we all gather around the
tree and under our tree we have a manger scene. We then read Luke chapter
two, praise God for sending Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, and then each
of us take a piece of paper and write something we want to give to Jesus
for His birthday. <br /><br />Christmas 2008, in Richmond, Missouri, my kids
and I sat in my brother's living room before everyone got up and did
just that but without my husband, who was coaching an all-star game in
South Carolina, and </span><span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_3136">without
the manger. It was sad because he wasn't there but it was still a very
special moment. My oldest son read the story of Jesus' birth, we thanked
God for all that He had provided us, then we gave our "gift" to Jesus.
After lots of tears my kids opened their gifts from "Santa" and we were
all full of joy, unspeakable JOY! <br /><br />We can never repay the
kindness and compassion that was shown to our family during one of the
most difficult times of my life! I can never give a monetary amount of
money to suffice the purchase of four plane tickets to get my kids to
Missouri from south Florida that Christmas day. I will always be full of
gratitude towards these "strangers" that took the time to pray for us
and then became the vessel for God to answer our prayers and allow our kids the opportunity to spend Christmas with their grandma!<br /><br />Christmas
is about being a vessel to bless another...whether you know them or
not...be that vessel for God to answer someone's prayers. Then you will
understand that it is more of a blessing to give than receive! Maybe you can be the answer that allows for a Christmas Miracle! </span></div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
</div>
<div id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386882586042_2646">
<span id="yiv0412630506yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1386882586042_3136">Blessings to you and yours during this Christmas season!<br /><br /><br /> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-82478316028595779792013-12-08T16:51:00.001-08:002013-12-08T16:51:29.412-08:00CHRISTmas for the CHRISTian!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPp5S5M9_nz3LqlET5I23Ec_idoMioq5_JIS8Qw5kuQ_ZIz0Dhe0rKgjmVUhCfYUnLRkOWRWJiGSwVyXwApT5UGtJ50KAlrOpmgaq7i6zSsXrCUZKC5nIwlC7ZMzRnjU0-XtN8MVGRTkIZ/s1600/Jesus'birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPp5S5M9_nz3LqlET5I23Ec_idoMioq5_JIS8Qw5kuQ_ZIz0Dhe0rKgjmVUhCfYUnLRkOWRWJiGSwVyXwApT5UGtJ50KAlrOpmgaq7i6zSsXrCUZKC5nIwlC7ZMzRnjU0-XtN8MVGRTkIZ/s1600/Jesus'birth.jpg" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Lord was speaking to my heart about how we, as Christ followers, celebrate the birth of our Savior that Holy Night thousands of years ago. Why do I get sucked into what everyone else does or expects during a time that should be sacred to the Believer?<br />
The awe of Jesus' birth has been replaced with awe of Santa Claus...the treasured gifts of the wise men have been replaced by mountains of gifts under our trees...the wonder and fear of the shepherds that Holy Night has been replaced by the wonder and fear of missing out on a one night sale...and The Spirit of CHRISTmas has been replaced with the Magic of the Holidays.<br />
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We live in a country that has commercialized
Christmas; therefore, the TRUE meaning has been belittled and even cast out of our society. We say, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" and celebrate with Santa, elves, decorated trees,
lights, outdoor pop-ups, and presents galore. We're willing to go into debt, and not pay our bills just to buy more stuff and call it "celebrating" Christmas. Oh, and then, we add a little "baby Jesus in the manger" nativity set and even attend a Christmas service just to suffice our Christian religion.</div>
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But what if there were no Christmas trees, decorations, lights, Santa and his elves, no presents...What would the American Christmas look like? Would there be a "Christmas spirit" or would the holiday seem bleak? Unfortunately, I believe that if we did not celebrate the commercialized holiday, there would be a "dark cloud of Holiday despair" among Americans, yes, even Christians. <br />
<br />
I have personally experienced this, "dark cloud of Holiday despair" when we couldn't afford the gifts our children put on that infamous list. As a parent of four, I often do whatever it takes to make Christmas special for my kids, and I get stuck in "commercial land" and believe they will only be happy with lots of gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. <br />
<br />
I even went back in time to my own childhood, where a single mom on welfare
raised her kids to the best of her ability and resources. I remember when we didn't have presents under the tree, and I thought Santa only visited the rich kids, or I must have been on Santa's naughty list A LOT! This commercialized holiday we call Christmas, has become a time of depression for many adults and sadness for children for various reasons. <br />
<br />
Worst of all, when people from other countries see our Holiday celebrations throughout the month of December, they believe we are celebrating the coming of the New Year...How sad to think that we have become so materialistic that this once Christian nation is no longer shining forth the birth of God's One and Only Son, Jesus. Instead we scream "Bigger is Better", accumulate as much stuff as you can and if your home can't fit it all, go out and rent a storage unit...SAD!<br />
<br />
How do you feel about our commercialized American Christmas? How do you and I make it truly about Christ and His Holy Birth? When it's all said and done, The Greatest Gift you and I can give to a hurting world is the True meaning of CHRISTmas lived out in our lives, after all we are CHRISTians!<br />
<br />
I hope I am not the only one who feels this conviction??<br />
<br />
"Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining<br />
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth"</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-52376424673121656432013-10-20T20:04:00.003-07:002013-10-20T20:04:48.375-07:00Athiest meets God...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIWvj0_KaEIk9kxIUNBrWolhnJEY2pLrZl3U2Rn3s2x_5qXpg5yn6KmDVEvWNEAU94tbXDlyVOfZ7z53buwKHEeuzxZ93vm7y9WPSvzJ0eE1XG0094hDGmWKZGDFlObqDWsKYQPiMde-t/s1600/Cardinal+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIWvj0_KaEIk9kxIUNBrWolhnJEY2pLrZl3U2Rn3s2x_5qXpg5yn6KmDVEvWNEAU94tbXDlyVOfZ7z53buwKHEeuzxZ93vm7y9WPSvzJ0eE1XG0094hDGmWKZGDFlObqDWsKYQPiMde-t/s200/Cardinal+bird.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382039472627_69">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1381882558756_67">There once was a middle-aged man who was a professed atheist. He often would say, "If there is a god then why hasn't it been proven by science? If I had the proof or a sign, then I'd believe he exists."<br id="yui_3_7_2_26_1382307263726_94" />The atheist then took in a deep breath of fresh crisp air and exhaled. The first sign...</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">He looked around waiting, wondering what could a god show him that would cause him to believe?</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">God sent a strong wind that blew his toupee right off his head. Embarassed, he quickly grabbed his toupee, slapped it back on his head so that no one could see his balding head. Ignoring the sign.. <br />Then
God sent a Cardinal bird that ended his flight on the tree branch in
front of him. Still the atheist was not 'seeing' the sign...<br />As time
had lapsed God commanded the day to end as the earth rotated the precise
degree so the sun could rest and the moon could light the night sky.
The atheist went to bed, disappointed he didn't see any signs. He said
to himself, "All this hype about a god no one can prove exist. I knew I was right, there is no god." </span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">The next day, not only did God command the sun to return to it's position and the moon to rest, but He gave the man the ability to rise up out of bed and start the day. The man looked in the mirror and saw God's creation staring at him and took all the credit for his handsome demeanor and brilliant mind. Another sign...</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">He went about his ordinary day eating, drinking, working, and tweeting. He came across a tweet that said, "Father #God, thank You for sending #Jesus to die on the cross for me! Now when You look at me, You see His blood instead of my D.N.A." He replied in disgust, "You are thankful for death? What's wrong with you?" Yet another sign ignored...</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">Another tweet, "God's creation reveals Him and He sees to it that every person will know about Him. The choice is yours." </span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">The atheist replied,"Have you ever met God? Then you can't prove he is real." </span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">Tweet reply, "I see Him in all creation. You have to see something to believe it's real? Have you ever seen oxygen?" He replied in disbelief, "You're deluded. There is no god!" </span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">Tweet reply, "God is real, Jesus died for you so you can have a relationship with Him. If you don't believe that is between you and God."</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">The atheist couldn't believe how foolish the Christian was. Ignoring another sign...</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">He got in his car and drove home from work. When he pulled into his driveway and turned off the car, he felt a pain in his chest. As he struggled to get out of his car, he </span><span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">dropped dead at the young age of 58... </span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">His soul immediately left his body and was present before the Lord. His soul cried out, "Jesus forgive me for my unbelief." Jesus answered the atheist, "You were given many signs yet you still chose to ignore Me. You not only believed lies but you helped spread those lies about Me and tried convincing My children that I am not real. My justice is true and My word is sure. It is appointed to man to die and now your sentence. You chose not to spend your earthly life with me and now your eternal life will be spent separate from Me in the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:12-13). Depart from Me, I never knew you.(Matthew 25:41)". And the angels escorted him to his eternal destination...</span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">I wrote this blog to say to the skeptic, stop looking for scientific proof and start seeing the signs that are before you. God is real. There is only One God and only One Way to Him and that is through faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. He is constantly pursuing you, daily giving you "signs" that you dismiss as the ordinary. Every thing in nature, every new life that is birthed, every storm, every good and perfect gift is from God. The evil you see that causes you to doubt there is a good God is from Satan. He is as real as God. Satan is the one who causes the chaos and tempts people to do evil. He has an army trying to keep you away from God and the Truth that will set you free once you believe that Jesus is Savior. It's a free gift. It's yours for the taking. Are you willing to surrender your life to Him so that you will have eternal life in Heaven with Him? It's your decision. </span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173">None of us know what tomorrow will bring so before it's too late for you, do you believe God is real and His love for you demanded a Perfect sacrifice. John 3:16 says, </span><span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"><span class="text John-3-16" id="en-HCSB-26137"><span class="woj">"For God loved the world so much, He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"><span class="text John-3-16" id="en-HCSB-26137"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"><span class="text John-3-16" id="en-HCSB-26137"><span class="woj">Praying for someone to read this and believe. If that's you would you let me know and I will rejoice with the angels and pray for you to learn more about our Lord! </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_602">
<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"><span class="text John-3-16" id="en-HCSB-26137"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yiv9741060592yui_3_7_2_26_1382032667929_173"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-42189534530772072712013-09-18T06:27:00.003-07:002014-05-06T04:58:43.829-07:00"Hello, My Name Is..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On September 9, 2013, I was walking through downtown Salt Lake City and the Lord spoke to my heart, "Angie, you don't have to go into distant lands to see people worshiping false gods. Just look around you".<br />
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I began praying for the Lord to lead me to a seeking soul. I looked into the eyes of many...many believing that God was a man that "climbed the god ladder" to become a god...many believing that they belonged to the true church of Christ because of a membership...many smiling faces but sad souls...I prayed, "Lord, show me who I am to talk to for your glory."<br />
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I walked and prayed for about an hour and as I was ready go back to my hotel, the Lord showed me this woman and her girls. I wanted to know her name, her story. I hesitated. I was nervous so I sat on a window sill and watched them from a distance. Praying for the right time to speak His words to her. "Lord, how do I approach her, what do I say? Give me Your words and Your wisdom." I got up and walked toward these beautiful souls, reached out my hand and said,"Hello, my name is Angie. What's your name?" Looking up she bashfully replied, "Shanni." Hi Shanni may I sit down with you?"<br />
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We often label people by their circumstances, especially those who find themselves homeless. God has made this truth known to me because I used to think or say, "Look at that homeless person." His Spirit has taught my heart,"Everyone has a name and a story! She is in fact a person and her circumstances do not define her. She is someone's daughter, friend, mother. Let me introduce you to Shanni and her story.<br />
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She is a mother of 4 (one in her womb) who is homeless on the streets of Salt Lake City. She uses public transportation to get herself and her children from place to place. Day by day she is desperate to put a roof over her babies heads. At one time they were staying in a shelter that housed men and woman but it became too dangerous. Wanting to protect her girls, she decided to leave the shelter saying the streets are safer. She sits on the
street and begs for just enough money so that her and her girls; ages 2,4, 6, can to
stay in a cheap motel and eat. Her oldest daughter attends a public school in a nearby town and loves it. <br />
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As I listened to Shanni's story, I prayed for God to give me His words for her hurting heart. He has taught me to truly listen to a person speaking and if I am listening His words will come at the right time. The Lord prompted me to tell her, "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) She looked at me and smiled with tears in her eyes, "Thank you." I was simply God's messenger to someone that needed to hear that God was still there. Even in the most dire circumstances, God is still with His children. Even when we don't feel Him, God is still with us. Even when we try to push Him away, God will not be moved! <br />
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I sat for about 30 minutes or so and just chatted with her and the girls. I contemplated how to take them to my hotel room so I could love on her precious girls! They were full of joy and very polite.
Content with paper and crayons, they sat on a hard sidewalk waiting
patiently listening to our conversation. The Lord reminded me of a book I had brought to read on the airplane. I reached in my purse, pulled it out and handed it to her. She said, "You're gonna make me cry." I snickered, "I tend to have that effect on people,"<br />
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Her oldest daughter said, "Are you going to pray for us?" I replied with gladness, "Yes I am! Do you want to pray now?" With a beautiful smile she enthusiastically said, "YES!" We all gathered in a circle, held hands and bowed our heads for prayer. The Spirit interceded when I wasn't sure what to pray. It was a moment I will not forget. After the prayer, I hugged Shanni and the girls goodbye...a sad moment for me...I imagine Christ felt the same way when He was about to ascend to heaven and leave His Disciples to the "wolves". Comfort came to my heart as God reminded me, "I will not leave them."<br />
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Lord, thank you for leading me to this beautiful family! I pray that You would provide their every need! I pray Proverbs 30:8-9 over Shanni and her girls;<br />
"<span class="text Prov-30-8" id="en-NLT-17236">First, help me never to tell a lie.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-8">Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-8">Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.</span></span><span class="text Prov-30-9" id="en-NLT-17237"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span><br />
<span class="text Prov-30-9" id="en-NLT-17237"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>?”</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-9">And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name."</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-30-9">You honor those who honor You and I pray she will continue telling her story so that she can get out of this poverty and have a place to call home! I thank You for providing her needs, our needs and the needs of others. For You are our Provider God! I pray that she will call on Your name and remember who she is in Christ Jesus. I pray all these things in Your Powerful Name, Jesus!</span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-30-9">Hello, My name is child of the One True King! </span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-89290689554267495742013-08-31T06:42:00.001-07:002013-09-02T11:32:25.631-07:00"Just Kill Me Now..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as <span class="yiv9757231880yshortcuts" id="yiv9757231880lw_1267646119_3">living sacrifices</span>, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."
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<span class="yiv9757231880yshortcuts" id="yiv9757231880yui_3_7_2_57_1377950336370_151">Have you experienced the prompting of His Holy Spirit to minister to someone you didn't know? Your first thought,</span>
"Ya know Lord, I have a better idea, you can send someone else that is
gifted to minister, I would rather pray silently for them." <br />
Has
God asked you leave a familiar place and live in a new location? Your
initial reaction, "But Lord, our kids are settled here. You surely don't
want us to uproot them now, do You?"<br />
Or has God asked you to forgive
someone that deeply wounded the core of who you are and your response
was OR still is, "I AM NOT! I'd rather go to my grave than let that
person off the hook. To hear me say I forgive them, No, they don't
deserve it! Just kill me now..." <br />
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When God revealed the truth of
Romans 12:1 to me years ago I prayed, "Lord, I want to be a living
sacrifice
that is pleasing to You. I want my life to show devotion and worship to
my Savior. With the help of Your Spirit living in me, I can do this!" I
thought this 'living sacrifice' thing would be easy peasy. Wow, was I
wrong! I found myself wanting to go back to the Old Testament times when
the Children of God would sacrifice an unblemished lamb or offer a
burnt offering and be done with it. That would be much easier than
offering up MY life as a living sacrifice, especially when He asks me to
do something I am not comfortable doing. <br />
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I just love how God
uncovers the attitude of my heart! He led me to His truth in Psalm
51:16-17, David was broken over his sins and cried out, <span class="yiv9757231880yshortcuts" id="yiv9757231880lw_1267646119_4">"You
do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a
burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to the Lord is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humble heart." King
David had all the possessions in the world at his finger tips and the
only thing he could offer God, was himself, humbled and broken. <br /><br />In
order for me to be a living sacrifice that is pleasing to God, I must be broken and humble of heart. Daily, I must admit my sins before the
Lord. Daily I must cry out to my Father to remove any remnant of self
and be filled with His Holy Spirit. Daily, I must put my desires aside
and be reminded that He is the desire of my heart! And daily, I must be
reminded that a living sacrifice has the choice to be prostrate before
the One who is the Sacrifice or walk away from the alter...<br /><br />Yep,
at times it would appear to be much easier to walk off the alter than to
offer my life as a living sacrifice. As His child, in the end, when I
stand face-to-face before my Savior (Romans 14:12,"</span><span class="yiv9757231880yshortcuts" id="yiv9757231880lw_1267646119_4">So then, each of us will <b>give</b> <b>an</b>
<b>account</b> of himself to God) and explain to Him the times I chose
to walk away...I will probably drop to my knees in remorse. To see the
pain in His eyes, unbearable! I believe He will then lift me to my feet
and remind me that I am His because I chose to accept Him as my Savior
while living on earth. He will then show me where my life was a living
sacrifice, a sweet aroma or worship being offered up to heaven. Times I
was aware of making the hard choice and even the times I had no clue.
The joy I will see on my Savior's face, is what my heart longs for!<br /><br />Father
God, I thank You for the truth of Your words. Help me to die to self
daily, be filled with Your Holy Spirit, and truly let You have Your way
in me no matter how much it hurts. May I be sensitive to Your prompting
to minister to someone in need, to pray for my brothers and sisters in
Christ, to forgive those who have hurt me, and to share the Good News to
lost souls. Let me always
remember the smile on Your sweet face far exceeds the smile on other
people's faces. I want to be pleasing to You! Amen</span><span class="yiv9757231880yshortcuts" id="yiv9757231880lw_1267646119_4"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-30168688508504395862013-08-10T07:29:00.002-07:002014-04-15T05:11:46.587-07:00How Beautiful The Feet of Our Savior!<br />
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As I sit here pondering the cross, thinking about what Jesus had to go through for all of mankind, I am drawn to the foot of the cross. His feet. His dirty, bloody, nail pierced feet that carried away our sins. Jesus chose the cross, He went in obedience to the Father but also because He knew that without His sacrifice, NOT ONE would be in heaven today! As in the Old Testament, we would still be going to a temple to sacrifice unblemished animals to atone for our sins. Can you imagine with the population of the world today, how much blood that would be? Just imagine Metro St. Louis, with an estimated population of over 300,000, what that would be like. Now imagine Delhi, India, with an estimated population of 16.75 Million! Are you getting a visual of how many unblemished animals, priest, towels, and water to clean up all the blood sacrificed to have a right relationship with God?</div>
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This is why I am in awe of His precious feet that carried away our sins...Jesus could have came in an instant as a grown man, went straight to the cross to die and then rose from the dead three days later. Boom, done! No secret betrayals, humiliation of carrying the cross, beatings, suffering, just a simple death that freed us all from sin. But instead; He came from Heaven, was born in a manger, learned to walk like us, talk like us, and experienced all the pains of childhood like us. As He grew older, He learned from his mother and His earthly father taught him the family business. He read and learned from the scriptures of old. I am sure He experienced teasing from other youth, and also the joys of growing up with strong family bonds.</div>
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When it was time for Jesus to begin His ministry; His feet carried Him on the dusty roads of Nazareth, near the shores of Galilee, to Bethany by way of the Jordan river which is where He stepped in to the waters to be baptized. He was then lead into the Judean wilderness for forty days. He walked throughout the regions of Galilee, Judea and Samaria. He walked up mountains to be alone with His Father. He stood on the raging sea. He taught in temples, in homes and on sea shores. People flocked to wherever His feet landed; those who believed He was the Messiah and those who would reject Him.</div>
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His feet lead Him to the outcasts; the crippled, blind, deaf, prostitutes, lepers, and demon possessed. He performed miracles in front of their eyes. He was lead to broken sinners wanting to be freed from the chains that bound them. His feet lead Him to the dead and He raised them to life. Oh, how beautiful His precious feet that were stained with dirt, tears and blood...</div>
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He entered Jerusalem where people threw palm branches at His feet. He wept for He knew that most would not believe in Him. His feet were washed with tears,dried with hair and anointed with oil. He was then lead to the Garden of Gethsemane where He cried out to His Father for His will to be done. He was betrayed with a kiss and lead away in shackles, beaten and mocked. He carried our humility and shame, our guilt and burdens. He carried our sins as He walked the long, dusty road to the place of Golgotha. </div>
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Imagine with me the pain He endured. The blazing sun beat down upon Him and sweat began to stream down His shredded flesh! I am sure he wept, for He experienced excruciating pain. But the spiritual pain He endured was far worse than the physical pain. He was broken because He took on the stench of sin, the punishment of being separated from His Father. The Holy Son of God, who NOT ONCE sinned. The Unblemished Sacrifice became blemished, distorted for US!</div>
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How beautiful the feet of our Savior! He didn't stop and cry out, "Father take me home now. I give up!" Instead, He willingly laid down His life and cried out, "Father, forgive them they don't understand what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). And then cried out with His last breathe, "It is finished!"(John 19:30). Three days after His burial, He triumphantly walked out of the tomb ALIVE, defeating death and the power of darkness! He didn't stop there. He walked and talked with people to prove He was alive and that the grave could not keep Him, for He is GOD! Thousands witnessed His steps after the crucifixion!</div>
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As His beautiful, nail pierced feet stood on the mountain near Galilee, He spoke His final words to all of His followers before He ascended to heaven, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age."(Matthew 28:18-20).</div>
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We, His disciples, should walk as He walked. Are you following the footsteps of our Savior? Have you taken up your cross? He did say, "And whoever doesn't take up your cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:38)</div>
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*Bible references found in HCSB throughout the four Gospels* </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-69380261240718343332013-07-10T05:10:00.002-07:002015-03-24T04:55:54.140-07:00Am I Narrow Minded, Old-Fashioned and a Hater?Because I fear the Lord, love Jesus, and believe the Bible to be the TRUTH; I am called narrow minded. Because I don't accept what the culture says is "acceptable", or follow what is "politically correct"; I am called old fashion. And just because I don't agree with another person's choice; I am considered a hater...<br />
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The other day someone said to me, "The bible is an outdated book of fairy-tales. It was good in 1950's but doesn't fit our day. I mean, I believe in God but He doesn't expect us to follow that 'old book'."<br />
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After a few moments, he made a racial comment saying, "I'm SICK of blacks complaining about justice and within a few seconds he said with excitement, "Finally gay and lesbian have equal rights to get married!" WOW! Who is narrow minded?<br />
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The one calling me narrow minded, old-fashioned, and a hater because I don't agree with their lifestyle, and I believe the Word of God IS relevant for today, is the one that needs a fresh look in God's holy mirror. It breaks my heart when hate/prejudice against a person or group of people is justified for any reason.<br />
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God proved He loves ALL sinners but HATES sin when Jesus died on the cross. I may disappoint some of you reading this but I must say that a person's skin color is NOT A SIN! Jesus died for THE HUMAN RACE! Me marrying a black man and having bi-racial children, IS NOT A SIN! I will side with my God and say, "I love ALL sinners!" I am a sinner just like the rest of the human race. I chose to sin or not to sin. By the power of His Holy Spirit living in me, I can overcome sinful choices when I allow Him full control of my life by daily dying to self.<br />
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Hate/prejudice for ANY reason is SIN! Hate cannot reside in my heart because His Holy Spirit dwells in me and
He is full of love. Hate and love cannot coexist! If you call yourself a
Christian and have ANY hate for a person regardless of your reasoning, I
plead with you to ask God for His heart. He is the only One who can
change you and that change is from the inside out. <br />
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Yes, I admit I am a Jesus freak, I'm in love with God, and I will not change my beliefs because "times have changed"! I will continue striving to please my Lord and Savior because He is worthy! God is STILL on the throne, His word is STILL true because He is
TRUTH and HE doesn't change with the times!" I pray that people will
stop believing the "god of lies" and turn to the God of TRUTH!<br />
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His Word is clear...<br />
Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear."<br />
Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever". <br />
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Dear Lord, help us to not give into the ways of this world but to always stand firm in our belief in You and Your word. If there is any hate in our hearts for a person for any reason at all, please reveal it so that we can repent and love as You love! For You are the One we will stand before in the end. In Jesus' name I pray.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-74196134927212681102013-07-05T08:43:00.000-07:002013-07-05T12:51:02.866-07:00Love as Jesus Loved and Serve as Jesus ServedJohn 13:35 (HCSB) “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoekuQqZxa7bKN121wYcinUSwFnYRICfNz7cSD3isFu3oyGkJTzF_93YQNmRTl_MTuke_L_29lQYJtNA2BeL4gbqguteXIjz_rY2S49MeUkQyBhUU70HvugIXfCIPeY4fDcfD441RwLTw/s1600/feet+washing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoekuQqZxa7bKN121wYcinUSwFnYRICfNz7cSD3isFu3oyGkJTzF_93YQNmRTl_MTuke_L_29lQYJtNA2BeL4gbqguteXIjz_rY2S49MeUkQyBhUU70HvugIXfCIPeY4fDcfD441RwLTw/s320/feet+washing.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Early one morning as I was praying about a situation, God spoke to my heart and had me read the story in John 13, when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. I had studied this passage over the years and one truth that stuck out to me; Jesus washed ALL of their feet! Peter, Andrew, James, His beloved John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas the one to betray Him. <br />
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The truth that Jesus served His enemy, the one to betray Him, had such an impact in my personal life that I was compelled to share it with our Deaf ministry. <br />
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I asked for twelve volunteers and designated one to be Peter and another to be Judas. As their teacher, I put on an apron, grabbed a towel, pitcher of water and bowl and got on my knees and humbly washed their feet. I looked into each of their eyes with love and after I dried their feet I signed, “I love you”. <br />
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I explained that I imagine Jesus, who is full of love and compassion, looked into the eyes of each disciple showing them what LOVE looks like. I imagine when Jesus got to Judas, He tried looking into his eyes but Judas was full of selfish pride he could not look at Jesus. Jesus continued to serve Judas with the same love he shared with the others. After this Jesus said, in John 13:13,“Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.”<br />
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When the Lord first revealed this truth to me, I was extremely upset and said, “Lord, I CAN’T serve the one who has betrayed me. It’s not fair. I can’t! I won’t! The hurt is beyond anything anyone should have to experience!” Then He spoke gently to my heart and said, “Daughter, I know you can’t but if you learn from Me, I will show you how and in time you will be able to truly love and forgive this person.” I had thought I forgave but when the Lord showed me this story in John, I realized true forgiveness is seen through my actions. I surrendered all my pain, my “right” to hold a grudge and asked my ABBA to help me forgive as He forgives. That day I was set free from bitterness and love filled my heart for the one who betrayed me.<br />
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I believe the Lord wants us all to learn from this story. It’s easy to love and serve those who love us. It’s easy to forgive those who seek our forgiveness but what about the one who doesn’t. What about the one who has hurt you and won’t admit their wrong. We must ask the Lord to give us His heart to forgive, love and serve them too,and by this the world will know we are His disciples. <br />
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Lord, heal my pain, my scars that are so deep and help me to forgive as You forgive,love as You love, and serve as You serve. The world is watching. May they see You through me. In Jesus name!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-62039553710521392212013-07-04T08:38:00.003-07:002013-07-04T09:10:43.376-07:00I AM FREE!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoykk9ocIAO4oJ5FC_r2qULAqh1gDy9MKJTt2mhcECiJ8uthuDOuc5yrgh6gXzcDGh-Rn_DNs7wGfULflNi1z-gGCP45YlNkH8HPDcGVsiKI2aA0euSiBlFjhzkh6OBOSD39t6TpF6NCT/s232/free+in+Christ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoykk9ocIAO4oJ5FC_r2qULAqh1gDy9MKJTt2mhcECiJ8uthuDOuc5yrgh6gXzcDGh-Rn_DNs7wGfULflNi1z-gGCP45YlNkH8HPDcGVsiKI2aA0euSiBlFjhzkh6OBOSD39t6TpF6NCT/s232/free+in+Christ.jpg" /></a></div>John 8:31-32 "Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”<br />
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John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."<br />
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Galatians 5:13 "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."<br />
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I AM FREE! By the precious blood of Jesus, I am set FREE! I am no longer bound by sin, no longer bound to self! I am FREE to live for God because He set me FREE the day I gave my life to Him! How can I be so confident and KNOW I have been set FREE? The Bible tells me so! Jesus speaks about the freedom He gives. Read the passages of scripture once again. If you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ, you too are set FREE!<br />
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Unfortunately, many Christians do not understand what it means to have freedom in Christ. Some are still bound by sin because, sadly, they are believing Satan lies over Jesus' truth. One reason is because they rely on others to tell them what God's word says instead of spending time reading His word for themselves. This leads to spiritual weakness and the end result is using our freedom in Christ to satisfy the sinful nature. <br />
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What sin has you held captive? What is IT that has you bound up to the point of exhaustion and you are no longer trying to get out from under its yoke? Seriously?! I am not talking about a moment of sinning, because we all fall from time to time. I am talking about the sinful behavior that the world says is alright if you do it. There may even be sin that no one else knows about except you and your Savior. Yes, He knows the addiction that continues to control your life and so does Satan. Satan keeps screaming in your mind,"(Your name here), come on you know you want to. You're already thinking about it so you might as well do it. No one is watching. Come on just one more time and tomorrow you will try again. After all didn't Jesus die for all sins, He will understand."<br />
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The TRUTH is, Jesus DID die for ALL SINS but He didn't die for us to stay in our sins and use His precious blood as a reason to keep on sinning! He was tortured, beaten beyond recognition, and mocked by onlookers as He died on the cross. Praise be to God, after three days in the grave, HE AROSE! He defeated death to set the captives free! This freedom cost us nothing but cost Him everything! He proclaimed to the world that day, "You are worth my blood being shed!" In return for my freedom I will proclaim to the world, "I was once a slave to sin, headed to hell, and now I am FREE in Christ!" It may cost me friends, family, popularity among the masses but all I can say, "HE IS WORTHY! I AM FREE!!!!"<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-16222601630110768512013-06-26T04:49:00.001-07:002015-03-24T04:58:47.209-07:00How Do I Live Face-to-Face with Jesus?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbhZESoX5su_UHtdAQb71RvDwLCz-76ydw7svWx3bt3R9AVb3e5bg_qEli8FeSzgyHRyiq6u1QQ9PkqV_iW1VhESZhszUH9TIoIMZHeiV4M2lGi6zHuQiMb3uz4UDiwOPezlnv1d6qjF3/s1600/hand_shake_black_white_1200381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbhZESoX5su_UHtdAQb71RvDwLCz-76ydw7svWx3bt3R9AVb3e5bg_qEli8FeSzgyHRyiq6u1QQ9PkqV_iW1VhESZhszUH9TIoIMZHeiV4M2lGi6zHuQiMb3uz4UDiwOPezlnv1d6qjF3/s320/hand_shake_black_white_1200381.jpg" /></a></div>
Isaiah 41:10(NLT)"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."<br />
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Isaiah 41:13 "For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you,‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you." ***********************************************************************************<br />
I just love how God speaks to my heart through His word. He led me to these verses when I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on May 20, 2012. I had brain surgery on May 24, to remove the benign tumor which was the size of an over-grown tangerine. It was a long 7 hour surgery and my surgeon removed it ALL! PTL!! Side note; 7 hours of surgery...the number 7 is the number of completion in the Bible :)<br />
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During my stay in the hospital, several of the staff would grab hold of my right hand with their right hand and look me in the eyes and talk tenderly to me. The first person to do this was my nurse,Faith, in the emergency room. After I received the news about the tumor, she grabbed my right hand with her right hand, looked me square in the eyes and said, "God told me to tell you, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Yes, I cried like a baby because my Lord spoke to me through my nurse! The next person was the young man who wheeled me up to my room. Once he got me settled in my bed, he grabbed my right hand with his right hand and said with all confidence, "God's got this!" Yep, you guessed it, I cried again!<br />
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I knew there was something significant about God's right hand so I began to look through the scriptures to find His truth. He lead me to Isaiah 41. Verses ten and thirteen stood out to me and as I read these precious words over and over again, God spoke clearly to my heart. Living face-to-face with Jesus is when His victorious right hand is holding on to my right hand and my eyes are fixed on His. Similar to Peter walking on the stormy sea. When his eyes were on Jesus, he was steady in his walk but as soon as he took his eyes off Him and started looking at the raging waves, he began to sink into the deep. (Matthew 14:22-31)<br />
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Life is like an ocean, calm and smooth and then out of no where a storm arises and the waves are crashing all around us. Some storms are predictable and others hit us when we least expect it. I would suspect those are the worst. But in our journey of life whether in a storm or all is well, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJ), "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."<br />
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May I encourage you to look to your Savior, He is there waiting for you to reach for His outstretched, nail scarred, victorious right hand with your right hand so that He can lead you through the storms and the joys of life. If you have never truly trusted Him as your Savior, what are you waiting for? Just call on His name, Jesus, believe in your heart that He died for YOUR sins, and God raised Him from the dead(Romans 10:9). If you do this He will reach for you and you, my friend, will have be saved. I am not promising that life will be easy after that but if you fix your gaze on Christ, He will walk with you and often times He will carry you. <br />
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Father God, help me to live face-to-face with Jesus, keeping my eyes fixed on Him during this journey of life. When I lose my focus, come to my rescue and as Your Holy Spirit quickens my heart, may I return my gaze to You. Father, You know the journey is hard and to some it seems there is no light at the end of their tunnel. I pray for those struggling right now that they will learn to live face-to-face with their Savior. No matter the journey we are on, we just need to hold on tight to your victorious right hand! In Jesus' name. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-11315815803262731382013-06-24T10:00:00.001-07:002013-06-24T10:00:23.874-07:00Let Your Actions Speak Louder than Your Words<br />
1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." <br />
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We've all heard the saying; "You sure can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?" When I read the words of John in this passage, that statement immediately came to mind. <br />
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How often do I say I love my neighbor yet refuse to help them when in need, Christian or not? How often do I not show mercy and instead judge another's faults? How often do I withhold forgivness when someone sins against me? Or retaliate when someone hurts me? This one hit me square in the eye; How often do you pray for those who are lost as well as my brothers/sisters in Christ who are struggling?<br />
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Being a Follower of Christ means we follow His example. We are supposed to do as He did. Jesus prayed, forgave, showed mercy, helped, healed, was compassionate, and never condemned. He didn't just do this to those who followed Him closely. He did it with everyone He met! I am reminded that Jesus washed the disciples feet...ALL the disciples, including Judas, the one who betrayed Him(John 13). <br />
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He also did not retaliate when the religious rulers spat in His face or the Roman soldiers plucked out His beard, beat Him beyond recognition, then finally nailed Him to the cross to die a sinners death. Instead He cried out, Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing!" (Luke 23:34) He definitely "walked the walk" and showed love in action. <br />
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Lord, help me to have Christ's attitude. Help me to follow His ways and not the ways of this world or my own flesh. I know that by Your Holy Spirit living in me, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strengh. I love you Lord and want to show Your love to the world but I do NEED Your help! In Jesus' name I pray!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-29676149153966832972012-11-20T18:01:00.000-08:002012-11-20T18:14:32.688-08:00I'm Not Invisible!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL3nuoQT5hKBIlIeXw7jXYrQR1JkwgeHb1dJ408z8gwbuV2yGeIcQQXJUf3Wrs5UzFgDaFi2-OopZys_fIvy91ni26OyIznfCoCeUPJH17Li5KBgQN6niBZFZoT_KVluX1oI2TPGKORjF/s1600/Homeless+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL3nuoQT5hKBIlIeXw7jXYrQR1JkwgeHb1dJ408z8gwbuV2yGeIcQQXJUf3Wrs5UzFgDaFi2-OopZys_fIvy91ni26OyIznfCoCeUPJH17Li5KBgQN6niBZFZoT_KVluX1oI2TPGKORjF/s200/Homeless+woman.jpg" /></a></div><br />
As I sit on the curb holding a sign, you walked past<br />
You didn't even try to look my way. <br />
I'm not invisible....<br />
As I stand on one leg with my cruthes holding me up, you drove past <br />
You didn't even try to look my way.<br />
I'm not invisible....<br />
As I stood under the over pass holding my cup, you kept walking<br />
You didn't even try to look my way.<br />
I'm not invisible....<br />
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I am human. I have a soul. Yet you don't even look to see.<br />
You treat me as if I were a diseased,ravaged mutt,<br />
avoiding even the slightest eye contact.<br />
I wonder how many will continue to pass me by?<br />
How many of you will think of me while you are asleep at night?<br />
I must tell you, some do stop. Those who have His eyes, His hands and His feet. <br />
To Him and to those who have His heart, I'm not invisible.<br />
You may not care but He sees me and knows. I may not have a home on earth but I do have a home. It's in heaven where Jesus my Savior has prepared a room for me in my Father's house. He has prepared a table for me in the presence of those who don't like me. Yes, I will be at His table. I wonder on that Day, will you be sitting with me? <br />
Or will you still think of me as invisible? <br />
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Written in honor of all those who find themselves homeless and feel as though they are invisible. Jesus sees! Jesus knows! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1594710769200517410.post-25690692394806405392012-11-01T09:35:00.001-07:002012-11-04T05:39:07.488-08:00"It Should Have Been Me, Yet it Couldn't Have Been Me"Hebrews 10:10 NLT "For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time."<br />
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When we think about the pain and suffering Jesus went through for our sins; knowing Jesus was holy, innocent, blameless and did not deserve to die, we think to ourselves or even say to another..."it should have been me." It seems so humble and even noble when we say that. But is it? <br />
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God gently reminded me this morning,"it shouldn't have been you!" "Okay", I thought. Then He spoke to my spirit and said, "It couldn't have been you or anyone else because all have sinned and fallen short of my glory." Romans 3:23 "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."<br />
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Wow, what a humbling conversation with my God! I have been innocently thinking that I was being humble when I said,"It should have been me". God showed me this way of thinking is a form of pride. To think that anyone of us "should have been" on the cross instead of God's perfect sacrifice, Jesus, is a sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."<br />
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Maybe someone reading this is thinking, "This is ridiculous, you are taking this too far when you say it's a form of pride, and sin at that." I get it and I thought the same thing at first, until I realized God was speaking directly to me after singing the words to a familiar song. As I picture my sweet Savior's life leading up to His death and knowing He was God's chosen all along, to die for the sins of the world...yeah, I am proud to say, "It could not nor should not have been me!" <br />
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Jesus was God's chosen from the beginning of time because He fit the description of the Perfect, Holy and Final Sacrifice for ALL PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE sins! When I think about it like that, boy, it sure does cause me to love Him even more! I desire for the whole world to know this truth, it was and only could have been Jesus! John 14:6 "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388588769401830018noreply@blogger.com0