Tuesday, April 30, 2013
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Today I am reading day 1 of Learning Spiritual Discipline: http://t.co/Uexemp2ocY
Learning Spiritual Discipline | The New Bible.com
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Joel 2:11-12 KJV
And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the Lord , turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
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Today I am reading day 121 of Everywhere I Go: Learning to See Jesus: http://t.co/BiLC0KGmQq
Everywhere I Go: Learning to See Jesus | The New Bible.com
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Money cannot buy your way out of the way of the wrath of God! It is very hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God! God wants us to prosper but when the prosperity takes you over your in trouble! Repent & trust the gospel not your riches you cannot take money to heaven but u can take souls by telling them the truth Repent! Mercy Lord! via HootSuite
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Religion vs. Repentance
Many think the word repent means "to get your act together" or to "get religion" or "fly straight"; as if we could. Repentance requires taking in a whole new point of view; looking at it God's way. God simply asks us to turn. This is the way we accept His gift. When we do, certain outcomes are promised. If we don't, or we "turn back", alternate outcomes are promised.
Look And Live
Numbers 21:8-9 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." ...Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Let's imagine ourselves in this situation. Poisonous snakes have bitten everyone, and while we are not dead yet, the prospects do not look good. Suddenly a voice yells out: "We must do something. We must save ourselves!" But how? Various ideas surface such as: "If you run around in frantic activity it will work out the poison!" A few people try this, and die trying. Others, by staring at their bites, go totally berserk into a frenzy of panic. Alternately, some try to convince themselves that they are not bitten, or that the snakes were not poisonous, and form little groups to delude each other while dying. And here's a person selling "snake oil" which purports to be an antitoxin, but makes people even worse.
Enter Moses who says, "If you look at the bronze snake that has been lifted up on this pole, you will live. If you do not, no matter what else you do, you will die." Now let's really picture how we might react, having been given this revelation. "He must be kidding," we would think. "Do nothing? Just look? How insulting a solution! What part do we play in it?" Moses responds, "Cease your activities. Just look, and live!" Really now, if you had been there, would you have believed it? Do you believe God's solution today?
John 3:14 (NIV) [Jesus:] "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up."
We all have been bitten, and sin is coursing through our veins. It will most certainly lead to death. There is only one solution, but it is an offense to our ability to save ourselves.
John 6:40a (NIV) "For my father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life."
John 6:29 (NIV) Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
Turn Or Burn
Luke 13:3b (NIV) "But unless you repent, you too will all perish." [This is often termed the "Turn or Burn" passage.]
Matthew 4:17 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 3:2 (Phi) "You must change your hearts and minds, for the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived!"
Mark 6:12 (TEB) So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins.
Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The Two Ways
The "way" we are looking: 1) will make sense if we look long enough; 2) will create desire to move in that direction; and 3) will lead to something. First, we will look at how this applies to man's way.
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
If our line of sight is along our own way, or the way of the world, then this will begin to make sense to us as we continue to meditate on it, even if the way we are looking is really stupid. With this mind set, desire will spring up, which is the fuel that will lead us to destruction.
Any sin would do as an example, but let's take bitterness. If someone has done evil to us, the more we think about it, the more it will make sense to hate them, to burn with anger, to feel again the hurt. As we focus on the way of revenge, desire takes root and bitterness sets in. And where does this all lead?
James 1:14-15 (NIV) But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Ezekiel 18:23-31 (NIV) "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?" declares the Sovereign Lord. "Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?... Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die... Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?"
Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV) ... "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!..."
Man's Way And God's Way Contrasted
Ephesians 4:17-24 (NIV) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 2:1-3 (Phi) You were spiritually dead through your sins and failures, all the time you followed this world's ideas of living, and obeyed the evil ruler of the spiritual realm, who is indeed fully operative today in those who disobey God. We all lived like that in the past, and followed the desires and imaginings of our lower natures, being, in fact, under the wrath of God by nature, like everyone else.
Galatians 5:16 (NIV) So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
What Are You Looking At?
It has been said that "a righteous man does whatever he wants , but only wants to do the will of God." The "only wants" part comes from reckoning our carnal selves crucified with Christ. We do this by quickly repenting when we are caught meditating on sin, turning to God. If we do not, and give the "way of the world" its chance, our desire to sin will grow. Unconsummated carnal desire is corruption and death, even if we do not actually commit the sin.
Matthew 5:28-29 (NIV) "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."
Desire itself is not the problem. The problem is the object of our desire. Desires are meant to be consummated, not to burn on uncrucified or spent on sin. Knowing how we function, God promises and gives us new desires by His Spirit, which makes righteousness an "easy yoke" to the repentant. We turn; He empowers. We lose "our" lives; He makes us new creations with a new mind, new desires (heart), and new works (fruit).
Romans 8:5-9 (NIV) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
Looking At It God's Way
So how can we break out of the death-spiral of the way of sin seeming right, creating desire, and leading to destruction? We must repent; we must turn or perish. But to what? If we turn to just another of "man's ways" we have just set our sights down another road to death. Instead, we must find out what God's will, God's way, is and turn to that.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Back to our example of bitterness, if we turn from fantasizing about actually hurting the perpetrator in some vengeful way to just wallowing in hurt, pain, and pity instead; this is not repentance. Repentance is taking in God's point of view; looking at it His way.
Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Note that if God by His grace reveals something to us that we can turn to, it may not make sense right away. In our example of bitterness, God's will is forgiveness! "Ridiculous, that would not be right," is our first reaction. (Again, any sin will do as an example.) But if we do not allow our eye to flinch as we take in God's perspective, if we keep staring at it, we will find that it is good, pleasing, and perfect. Beyond "seeming right", it really is right.
In our example, if we move from bitterness to forgiveness, we find out that God's way is the best "revenge", that forgiveness is like "pouring coals over the heads" of our enemies. If we forgive instead of wallowing in bitterness, the perpetrator's grip over us is broken, and we find that we were only hurting ourselves. If we continue to take in God's point of view, then after time we will look back at the old way and say "What was I thinking? Ridiculous!" So do not grow impatient if God's way does not immediately appeal to you; keep staring at it.
James 1:25 (Phi) But the man who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who hears and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness.
Ps 34:5,8 (NIV) Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame... Taste and see that the Lord is good.
The Gift Of God That Goes With Repentance: New Appetites
1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Ps 119:104-105 (NIV) I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore, I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Ps 16:11 (NIV) You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Rom 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Warnings To Those Who Hanker To "Look Back"
Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."
Philippians 3:19 (NIV) Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
2 Peter 2:21-22 (NIV) It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its own vomit," and "A sow that is washed goes back to wallowing in the mud."
Luke 9:62 (NEB) To him Jesus said, "No one who sets his hand to the plow and then keeps looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."
The Urgency Of Repentance
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV) Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Rom 2:4 (Phi) Are you, perhaps, misinterpreting God's generosity and patient mercy towards you as weakness on his part? Don't you realize that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Acts 17:30 (NIV) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
James 5:19-20 (Phi) My brothers, if any of you should wander away from the truth and another should turn him back on to the right path, then the latter may be sure that in turning a man back from his wandering course he has rescued a soul from death, and in so doing will "cover a multitude of sins."
Rev 3:3 (Phi) "Remember what you were taught. Hold to those things and repent."
The Object Of Desire
1 John 2:15-17 (Phi) Never give your hearts to this world or to any of the things in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time. For the whole world-system, based as it is on men's desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they think splendid, is not derived from the Father at all, but from the world itself. The world and all of its passionate desires will one day disappear. But the man who is following God's will is part of the permanent and cannot die.
Matthew 6:32-33 (Phi) That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart first on his kingdom and his goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.
Col 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Ps 101:3a (NIV) I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
Rom 13:14 (NIV) ... clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your sinful nature.
Ps 105:4 (NIV) Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Ps 119:36-37 (NIV) Turn my heart toward your statutes and not towards selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Acts 2:38 (TEB) Peter said to them, "Turn away from your sins, each one of you, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit."
Turn Or Burn
2 Tim 2:19 (NIV) "The Lord knows those who are his," and "everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
When at first we hear "repent or perish", it seems harsh. But as we turn, we see that it is an incredible gift to have something to turn to. If not for God's love, our only option would be to perish. But the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has appeared. To have the option to turn is sweet indeed.
Acts 3:19 (NIV) "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Hebrews 12:2a (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Starting a series on Repentance. Have your sword & journal ready. Faith comes by hearing the word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit not brother Bruce. I am just a mouthpiece & a vessel of the most high God. Father it is your will not man so have your way in the midst of this broadcast. My soul desire is to give you all the glory & honor forever & ever AMEN&AMEN!
Prayer time: As the spirit leads the Lord has ask me to begin declaring a series on Repentance. I will also be giving parts of my testimony on how God brought me from the pits of darkness & into the light to go & preach the gospel. Also we will be sharing more info on the Kingdom Buisness 24/7 Authentic Worship Station. Please if you feel led comment below your prayer requests, song requests, testimonials & confession. My wife will make sure the requests get to me. Pray that I declare the gospel boldly as I should. If you feel led to listen in live a link will appear on all social-networks when the Holy Spirit goes live. I will be playing a few hours of praise & worship music setting the stage for the word of God. Father we thank you for you word. My prayer is that God receives you & sustains you & also that our Father has His way in all that is done on this broadcast. God Bless you all & thank you all for your prayers, love & encouragement. Me & my wife & family love you all with the love of Christ. Glory to God forever & ever Amen&Amen! via HootSuite
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Last blog of the day/morning. Thank you Jesus for such an awesome day in your glorious presence.
Tomorrow, after Sunday service the spirit led me to to enter into prayer & after doing so on www.spreaker.com brother Bruce through the direct download of the Holy Spirit will be declaring a new series on repentance & also my testimony on how God pulled me out of a pit & called me to preach by filling me up with the Holy Spirit after a period of constant & consistent repentance. I will be also playing some awesome new praise & worship music to give you all a free podcast so that you can praise with. The broadcast will go live when God says so, I do not like putting a schedule on the Holy Spirit nor do I like placing God inside of a box. God loves doing the impossible outside of the traditional pagan systems. Any song requests, prayer requests, confessions or testimonials please comment below & my wife will make sure they get to me. God Bless you all & may the Holy Spirit fill u & sustain u! I will blog and keep you all updated on when the broadcast will go live. God Bless you all in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! via HootSuite
Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT via Social Center
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Obadiah 1:1-21 NLT This is the vision that the Sovereign L ord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom. We have heard a message from the L ord that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say, “Get ready, everyone! Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!” The L ord says to Edom, “I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised. You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,” says the L ord . “If thieves came at night and robbed you (what a disaster awaits you!), they would not take everything. Those who harvest grapes always leave a few for the poor. But your enemies will wipe you out completely! Every nook and cranny of Edom will be searched and looted. Every treasure will be found and taken. “All your allies will turn against you. They will help to chase you from your land. They will promise you peace while plotting to deceive and destroy you. Your trusted friends will set traps for you, and you won’t even know about it. At that time not a single wise person will be left in the whole land of Edom,” says the L ord . “For on the mountains of Edom I will destroy everyone who has understanding. The mightiest warriors of Teman will be terrified, and everyone on the mountains of Edom will be cut down in the slaughter. “Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever. When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies. “You should not have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands. You should not have rejoiced when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune. You should not have spoken arrogantly in that terrible time of trouble. You should not have plundered the land of Israel when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have gloated over their destruction when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have seized their wealth when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have stood at the crossroads, killing those who tried to escape. You should not have captured the survivors and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble. “The day is near when I, the L ord , will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads. Just as you swallowed up my people on my holy mountain, so you and the surrounding nations will swallow the punishment I pour out on you. Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history. “But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance. The people of Israel will be a raging fire, and Edom a field of dry stubble. The descendants of Joseph will be a flame roaring across the field, devouring everything. There will be no survivors in Edom. I, the L ord , have spoken! “Then my people living in the Negev will occupy the mountains of Edom. Those living in the foothills of Judah will possess the Philistine plains and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria. And the people of Benjamin will occupy the land of Gilead. The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath. The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev. Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to rule over the mountains of Edom. And the L ord himself will be king!”
Psalms 37:1-40 KJV Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord , and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord , they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the Lord , and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord : he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Today I am reading day 118 of Everywhere I Go: Learning to See Jesus:
A LEADER'S HUMILITY The finest illustration of leadership that I know does not come from the pages of the Harvard Business Review, but from the pages of the Bible. Jesus Christ was the ultimate servant-leader. "The Son of Man," He said, "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." The servant-leader is quite willing to live in obscurity, but he seldom does. A leader "wanna-be" is likely to fall in love with his own image, and to believe in his own good press. I am reminded of the humorous story of a visit by the President of the United States to a nursing home. The President entered the facility with his entourage and was received with delight by the elderly residents. As he went from person to person in the living area, he noticed a woman in a wheelchair who seemed rather disinterested in all that was going on. Years of campaigning had taught him how to work a room, and he did not want to offend someone who might be around for the next election. He approached her, smiled, patted her shoulder and gently squeezed her frail hand. She smiled back, but said nothing. "Do you know who I am?" the President finally asked. "No," she replied, "but if you'll ask the lady at the nurses' station over there, she'll tell you." So much for self-importance! Humility is that trait which, when you're sure you've got it, you can be sure that you don't. The true essence of great leadership is servanthood.
Acts 2:38-41 ASV And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.
Gotta Repent 1st
The Holy Spirit desires to bring each of us to completion in Christ. This practical pursuit—our partnering with Him as He comes to help—is geared to make us whole or holy. That’s what holiness is really about—wholeness.
The Holy Spirit comes:
to bring the whole life of Jesus Christ,
into the whole of our personalities,
so the whole love of God
can be relayed to the whole world!
The whole idea is holiness.
Psalm 86:11 ASV Teach me thy way, O Jehovah; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name.
Staying on Track
Constancy to God’s Word brings success in life—the success born of obedience. Faith is not so much the power to acquire or to bring something into my life, as it is the power to obey God’s plan for my life. To walk by faith is to stay on God’s ordered paths, which naturally lead to the things He has planned—things that will fulfill us and make us fruitful servants.
Faith isn’t an effort to acquire things by bursts of spiritual energy. It is simply staying on track in the pathway God’s Word has ordained. Faith isn’t a ritual of speech as much as a response in obedience. God’s promises are already there in the path of His will for your life. Faith simply walks forward, moving in His way.
BrotherBGD#2 Renewed 2013
Jeremiah 4:5, 19-21 ASV Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry aloud and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fortified cities. My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is laid waste: suddenly are my tents destroyed, and my curtains in a moment. How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
Friday, April 26, 2013
Psalms 51:7-13 NKJV via HootSuite
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
Jonah 2:1-10 NKJV
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord , my God. “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord ; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple. “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord .” So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Malachi 3:15-18 KJV
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord , and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
God is bigger than your problems & He is wiser than your enemies. The situation might seem too difficult for you to handle but remember to leave it all in God's hands. Nothing can stand against you & prevail unless God allows it. Just trust God & remain faithful. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31. "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper." Isaiah 54:17.
Isaiah 1:18-20 NKJV via HootSuite
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord , “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
**END TIME** MESSAGE FROM THE THRONE ROOM. via Facebook Adrianne Kendell's status
STAY ALERT!! STAY AWAKE!! STAY FOCUSED!!
Be Ready for very intense, dynamic and strategic shifting in this Hour. Much tragedy is going to take place in this World. But do not let your heart be troubled, says God. I have warned you of these things. (Matthew 24) Fear Not. Fear Not My Chosen, My Bride, My Precious Jewels.
My Remnant Army shall Go Forth in this Season, not just in the Church but as a Light unto the World. I AM MOVING IN A VERY SUPERNATURAL WAY.
My people must abandon their traditions, man made religion, false doctrines and have no other Gods before Me. Do not allow yourselves to be drawn into the enemy's many lies, schemes, traps, ambushments and enticements. They are meant to draw you away from Truth and away from Pure Faith in Me. For indeed the devil roams about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Keep your whole Armor on and use the Sword of the Spirit, and My Word, by confessing it daily. In this you will have Power in Your Life. Pray in the Spirit often. This will give you clarity and direction as you seek to follow my lead. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
BE WISE AS A SERPENT AND MEEK AS A DOVE.
Idolatry, Lust and Greed are RISING as we move rapidly into the coming Age and Reign of the Anti-Christ. The Spirit of Idolatry and Whoredom is very prevalent in the land. Be not deceived in this Hour!! And do not fall into the traps of Greed. Do not be selfish in your giving. For I the Lord your God hate robbery and usury. Seek me in your giving and obey My Voice that you may rise in this hour and be protected, shielded from the famine that is soon to come upon the land and the Wrath of God which is coming upon the Sons of Disobedience. The fourth Seal is soon to be opened.
***(Colossians 3:5-8)***
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, PASSION, EVIL DESIRE, and COVETOUSNESS, which is IDOLATRY.
Because of these things the Wrath of God is coming upon the Sons of DISOBEDIENCE, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
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Many have chosen to serve the Gods of this world, Lust, Greed and Mammon, forsaking Me as Lord in their heart. As I have told you many times and spoken in My Word. No Man can serve TWO MASTERS, for He will either hate one and love the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon. (Matthew 6:34) Be careful to follow the leading of MY HOLY SPIRIT. Listen to My Voice so I can lead you and guide you in the coming days, months. I AM MOVING VERY STRATEGICALLY IN THIS HOUR. Everything, I have spoken concerning you, and my WORD, that I will do as you continue to Hearken unto Me and Obey My Voice. My Sheep know My Voice. Follow My Voice. It is vitally CRITICAL for My People to know and discern My Voice in this hour. I will move you in a different direction, a new path and show you what to do in the midst of many things to Come. I AM the God who reveals. (Mark 4:22)
BE BOLD, BE CONFIDENT AND SECURE IN ME.
To some, those who are ready and appointed of My Father, I will reveal the secret treasures of hidden riches, as I prepare to do a Mighty Transfer of Wealth and pour Resources into the hands of the Faithful. EXPEDIENTLY THIS WILL TAKE PLACE. Those who I Trust to hear, follow and obey My Voice leading into the last days of this Age will manage great Wealth, not just for the Harvest you've sown but also for the work of My Kingdom. Most of you know who you are. Some are still being qualified for this measure. Endure your trials and past the necessary tests that I must give to even My Faithful Ones. And Let No Man take your Crown. (Revelations 3:7-13)
You have all you need to overcome and Rise Up in ME. I have made you more than conquerors in ME. Warriors in Me that are full of Strength and Power. This Strength is being drawn out of you, as your Flesh man dies even the More and the Spirit Man grows STRONGER within you. When My Spirit, grows stronger in you, YOU WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE IN ME!! But as long as my people are driven by Flesh, moved by Flesh and not led by My Spirit, you will waiver. I must perfect My Faith in You. I must prepare My Bride. She must be without Spot, Blemish or Wrinkle. I must cleanse and perfect My Bride, as I AM preparing My Soon return. The day is not revealed, but the time is SOON. My Father is not pleased!! The Earth and its inhabitants, are more and more evil and corrupt, children are being exploited and abused all over the World. Leaders are corrupt and My Father is ANGRY.
Seek Me, Hold on to Me, draw closer to Me and do not worry with the cares of this world. I will supply all of your needs as you seek My Kingdom first. (Matthew 6:25-33) My strength is to be made PERFECT through your weakness. As your weaknesses are exposed and come to the surface, I AM making you stronger and stronger through your persistent surrender to My Will, My Plan and My Purpose, as you Hearken unto My Voice of Instruction. Many things must take place, but I AM shortening the Time. This you must understand and do not Fear.
I AM SPEEDING THINGS UP, IN THE EARTH. I AM MOVING SPEEDILY AND ABRUPTLY.
The Appointed Hour of Divine Acceleration is upon us. Stay focused on My Plan, Stay Focused on My Kingdom Purpose.
I AM MOVING AND WILL MOVE ACCORDING TO MY WORD.
THUS SAYS THE LORD....
God Speaks Through Gifts and Abilities
People often wonder, What am I supposed to do with my life? What is my purpose for being alive? Does God have a plan for me? One way God answers these questions is through our natural gifts and abilities. He leads us to understand our purpose through the skills and talents He gives us.
A God-given talent, or what we often call "a gift," is something we can do easily, something that comes naturally. For example, many great artists know just how to put shapes and colors together, so they enjoy painting, sculpting, or designing buildings. Many songwriters hear music in their heads, and they simply write down these melodies and/or lyrics to make beautiful music. Some people have natural abilities to organize or administrate, while others are gifted as counselors, helping people sort out their lives and relationships. No matter what our talents are, we derive great pleasure from doing what we are naturally good at doing.
If you are not sure of your purpose in life, just do what you are good at and then watch God confirm your choices by blessing your endeavors. Don't spend your life trying to do what you are not gifted to do. When people work in jobs where they are not gifted, they are miserable - and so is everyone around them. But when people are in their proper places, they will excel in their jobs and be a blessing to their employers and coworkers.
If we do what we are good at doing, we will sense God's anointing (presence and power) on our efforts. We will know we are operating in our gifts and that doing so honors God and ministers life to others. God speaks to us through this anointing, giving us peace and joy to know we are fulfilling His plan for our lives.
Psalm 140:13 GNT The righteous will praise you indeed; they will live in your presence.
Always Available
The fact that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us proves His willingness to always be available to speak to us and help us when we need Him. As we continue to grow spiritually, we will experience temptation, but God has given us the Holy Spirit to enable us to resist it and make right choices instead of wrong ones.
Nevertheless, no human being is perfect and we will make mistakes. But God's forgiveness is always available to us through Jesus Christ. Receiving this forgiveness strengthens us and enables us to keep moving forward with God. It also puts our hearts at peace, sets us free, and helps us hear God's voice clearly.
Feeling defeated and condemned by every mistake we make weakens us. Instead of using our energy to feel bad about ourselves, we should use it to make sure our hearts are tuned to God's voice as He leads us into greater strength and deeper relationship with Himself. His forgiveness and His presence are always available to us through the Holy Spirit. As you seek God today, I encourage you to receive His love and mercy. His arms are open and He is waiting to spend time with you.
Praise Your Way into God's Presence
There are ways to make ourselves available to hear God's voice and one of them is to enter into respectful, heartfelt praise and worship. God delights to manifest His presence and power to people who are truly praising and worshipping Him. And when His presence and power come, we hear His voice, we see miracles, people are healed, lives are changed, and transformation takes place from the inside out.
Isn't that part of what you desire in your relationship with God? When you talk to Him and listen for His voice, aren't you praying primarily because you want some kind of change or transformation in some area of your life? If you are asking Him to provide a new job, that's change. If you are praying for a loved one to come to know the Lord, that's change. If you are asking God to reveal Himself more to you and to help you grow in spiritual maturity, that's change. If you are praying for the teenager who lives down the street to stop using drugs, that's change. If you are asking God to help you not lose your temper so easily, that's change.
Whatever you are praying for, one of the best ways to start is with praise and worship. They will keep your heart right before God and make a way for you to hear His voice and for change to take place.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Psalms 50:1-23 NLT The L ord , the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets. From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Our God approaches, and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him. He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of his people. “Bring my faithful people to me— those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.” Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge. Interlude “O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God! I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash. When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend your time with adulterers. Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies. You sit around and slander your brother— your own mother’s son. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you. Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Jude 1:17-21 KJV
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
In Response to God's Generosity
Several psalms, like this one, praise God for his past generosity. Such psalms reminded the listeners of how lavishly God has blessed his people in spite of their historic disobedience. They remind us of how patient and persistent God has been, while assuring us of his future goodness. Beyond this, these psalms tell us how to practice generosity. How can we refuse to share with others when God has been so kind to his people--and to us? Even when other people are ungrateful and irresponsible, we are to look for opportunities to help them--just as we have been helped.
The reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) addresses this issue in "Concerning Christian Liberty," his classic statement on the freedom the believer enjoys from the burden of the law and the anxiety of self reliance. He says:
Although the Christian is thus free from all works, he ought in this liberty to empty himself, take upon himself the form of a servant, be made in the likeness of men, be found in human form, and to serve, help, and in every way deal with his neighbor as he sees that God through Christ has dealt and still deals with him. This he should do freely, having regard for nothing but divine approval.
He ought to think: "Although I am an unworthy and condemned man, my God has given me in Christ all the riches of righteousness and salvation without any merit on my part, out of pure, free mercy, so that from now on I need nothing except faith which believes that this is true. Why should I not therefore freely, joyfully, with all my heart, and with an eager will do all things which I know are pleasing and acceptable to such a Father who has overwhelmed me with his inestimable riches? I will therefore give myself as a Christ to my neighbor, just as Christ offered himself to me; I will do nothing in this life except what I see is necessary, profitable, and salutary to my neighbor, since through faith I have an abundance of all good things in Christ."
Behold, from faith thus flow forth love and joy in the Lord, and from love a joyful, willing, and free mind that serves one's neighbor willingly and takes no account of gratitude or ingratitude, of praise or blame, of gain or loss. For a man does not serve that he may put men under obligations. He does not distinguish between friends and enemies or anticipate their thankfulness or unthankfulness, but he most freely and most willingly spends himself and all that he has, whether he wastes all on the thankless or whether he gains a rewardÉ
We conclude, therefore, that a Christian lives not in himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. Otherwise he is not a Christian. He lives in Christ through faith, in his neighbor through love. By faith he is caught up beyond himself into God. By love he descends beneath himself into he neighbor. Yet he always remains in God and in his love, as Christ says in John 1, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heavens open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Psalms 135:3-21 KJV
Praise the Lord ; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. Thy name, O Lord , endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord , throughout all generations. For the Lord will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. Bless the Lord , O house of Israel: bless the Lord , O house of Aaron: Bless the Lord , O house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord , bless the Lord . Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord .
Upon the authority of God's word, I declare that Christ is the answer to every baffling perplexity that plagues mankind. In Him is found the cure for care, a balm for bereavement, a healing for our hurts, and sufficiency for our insufficiency.
Our Father and our God, my trials sometimes overwhelms me. I grope around in the darkness looking for light. Then I remember You, and the light of Your Word chases away my night. I know Your grace is sufficient for me, Lord. Give me Your peace in the middle of my trouble. Give me Jesus. Amen&Amen!
BrotherBGD#2 Renewed 2013
Joel 3:16 NLT
The L ord ’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the L ord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT via HootSuite
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
THE HUMBLE MAN Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself. Humility is not thinking of yourself at all. Humility is the one grace that, as soon as you declare you have it, you've lost it. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, the King of Kings, was a humble man. "He was a man of no reputation," it was said. Nothing about His appearance or manner suggested divinity. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that it would please him (and God as well) if the Philippians would become humble men and women, in imitation of Jesus Himself. Modern man is chiefly concerned with working his way up. Up the corporate ladder. Up the office pecking order. Up the social register. Jesus worked his way down. Jesus started at the top. Paul said, "He existed in the form of God." But He didn't cling to that position. "He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped." Not only did He not cling to His top spot, He emptied Himself. He cashed it in. Walked away from it all. We're stunned when we see people at the top walk away, aren't we? But Jesus left it all and became not only human in form- -He adopted the role of a servant. Do you see it? He worked His way down. And finally, He died the death of a desperate, wicked criminal. Then God brought Him back to life, and brought Him back home to glory. Jesus emptied Himself - and God exalted Him. Can you imagine the applause in Heaven over Jesus' return? Humility is a key to true joy. Jesus didn't just say it - He proved it.
Ephesians 6:11-13 KJV via HootSuite
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Proverbs 3:26 GNB The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.
Be Confident in God
Jesus knew where He came from, He knew what He was sent to do, and He knew where He was going. When you get that confidence of knowing God and His purpose for your life, you will not be affected by the judgments or criticisms of other people.
You know you belong to God. You know His hand is on you. You know His anointing is on you. You know what you are called to do. You know that with every breath you take, you are trying to follow Him, and you know where you are going when you are all finished. Say, "Nothing that happens today can separate me from God's love and His purpose for my life."
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Last blog of 4-21-2013 God Bless u all
Ephesians 6:10-20 GNB
Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armour that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God's armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight round your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.
Luke 6:27-36 KJV But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
A New Justice
Jesus' great transformation of values is at work in this passage. The world we live in expects us to live by its standard operation procedures of self-service, self-preservation and self-fulfillment. But Jesus calls to us a life lived with radically different motives and actions. He calls us to "be perfectÉas our heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48), which is to receive into a nurture within ourselves the love of God--agape love.
For instance, just as God has not let our hostility toward him turn him against us, so are we to demonstrate the same kind of persistent love toward those who are hostile toward us. Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5:44). Christ taught his followers not only to love their enemies but also to be good stewards of their human brothers and sisters. Imagine how Jesus looked deep into the eyes of hose who opposed him to see them as the Father would. Can you and I do less than to look into the eyes of our enemies and search deep for the image of God in them, that which Scottish Victorian novelist, poet and Christian fantasy writer George MacDonald (1824-1905) calls the "divine essence"?
The very words humane and humanity denote some shadow of that loving-kindness which, when perfected after the divine fashion, shall include even our enemies. The offering of human sacrifices, the torturing of captives, cannibalism--we do not call this humanity. Not because they do such deeds are they men. Their humanity must be deeper than those. It is in virtue of the divine essence which is in them, that pure essential humanity, that we call our enemies men and women. It is this humanity that we are to love--a something, I say, deeper altogether than and independent of the region of hate.
It is agape love that enables the children of God to be as generous and openhanded as God as been to them. Such radical action may be "bad stewardship" by the world's standards, but not by God's.
After all, by the world's standards, loving those who love you is perfectly understandable. Doing good to those who do you good is just sensible reciprocal business (see Mt 5:46-47). But kingdom economy has a very different dynamic. Those who are children of the Most High God give without reciprocity. Kingdom economics are "flowing through" accounts. Theologian Miroslav Volf says, "If God is the third party in the relationship between givers and recipients, givers cannot lose. They always receive what they give, and more. That's the 'law' of the flow. Those who pass gifts receive more abundantly from the source of all gifts."
When a kingdom steward lives and loves by this mode of operation the world looks at him on her and sees something different. They see the light (see Mt 5:14) that comes from "the light of the world" (Jn 8:12).
Luke 9:10-17 KJV And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
The Love of Jesus
All the Gospel accounts relate the stories of Jesus feeding the thousands, exhibiting the profound love and compassion he had for all people. Stewardship writer Luther E. Lovejoy (1864-1936) expands that thought.
The motive that most deeply touched the people of his day, the one that keeps his memory green in a troubled world, was his compassion. He was full of pity; sensitive with sympathy for the vague soul hunger and the physical suffering all about him. The miracles that drew the curious multitudes had, no doubt, their evidential value; but their strange variation from other miracles of legend or Scripture is the fact that they are performed for the relief of suffering Pity for the blind eyes, the deaf ears, the paralyzed limbs, the epileptic nerves, the leprosy-polluted bodies, the fevered children.
Behind this motive of compassion was the deeper motive of love. As no other man had ever been able to do, he saw the actual potential worth in men and loved them for what they were How much more, those who reciprocated his affection and gave up all for him! To such he declared: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." The depth of this love he demonstrated when he laid down "his life for his friends"ÉThe Christian steward who does not share it is not a steward; he is a servant.
Lovejoy goes on to cite some of the missionaries and social reformers who have imitated the love of Christ.
David Livingstone, from the hour when his youthful imagination beheld Robert Moffatt's "smoke from a thousand villages whose inhabitants had never heard of Jesus" to the somber twilight in his premature old age when, fever-consumed and death-smitten, he staggered into Chitambo's village in Ilala, there to breathe out his dying prayer for Africa, is an illustration. Francis Xavier, on his face before God, crying: "More Lord, more; only save thy pagan children"; George Whitfield's "Lord, give me souls or take my soul," tell us how, in multiplied instances, God's faithful stewards have held their lives "not dear unto themselves" And time would have us to recall the yearning of Wilberforce and of Lincoln for the bondsmen of their day, of Shaftsbury for the child toilers of England, of Pitkin for the savage Boxers who murdered him, of Bashford for the millions of China, of Carey and Judson, and Thoburn and Fish for the sorrowing masses of India. Suffice it to remember that, in tune with the measureless love of Jesus for men, they offered the stewardship of time and talents and energies, that they might render to men the highest good.
1 John 5:13-18 KJV These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Graceful Correction
John tells his readers that out of the confidence we have in Jesus, out of the knowledge we have of eternal life in him, we also have the certainty that he will answer the prayer that is prayed in accordance with his will. And we know that he is not willing that should be lost" (Mt 18:14). John tells us then, according to 1 John 5:16, that those who are in Christ have been entrusted the responsibility to pray for their brothers and sisters. Sometimes we see a person who has departed from the truth; we are told to pray for that person. This needs to be a matter not of self-righteous judgment or smug superiority but of sacrificial love for one another. Sin is not trivial; it hurts and destroys. Just as we long for prayer support when we are tempted, so we ought to pray for others who are in trouble. We extend grace to them, while also expecting accountability.
Pastor and author Timothy J. Keller talks about the necessity of modeling God's grace in the context of extending aid to the needy. While the situation is different, the concept of nonjudgmental stewardship is the same.
Grace is not unconditional acceptance, but it is undeserved. That is a very difficult balance to strike! God's grace comes to us without perquisites, finding us as we are. God's grace does not come to the "deserving" (there is no such person), and it does not discriminate. Rather, initially, it comes to us freely. But once it enters into our lives, God's grace demands change; it holds us accountable. Why? Grace demands our holiness and growth for our sake as well as for God's glory. Grace intercepts destructive behavior, protects us from the ravages of sin, sanctifies us so we can be "holy and happy," two inseparable qualities.
In summary, grace is undeserved caring that intercepts destructive behavior. It is not unconditional acceptance, nor is it legalism that says, "Shape up or I will stop loving you." Rather it says, "Your sin cannot separate you from me," and then, in addition, says, "I won't let your sin destroy you." Grace comes to the unlovely person, but refuses to let him remain ugly. Grace begins as "justification," a free act of God alone, but it becomes "sanctification," a process by which the person cooperates with God in spiritual growth.
The concept can be applied to many areas. In childrearing books there is much talk about "striking a balance between love and discipline," as if the two were opposed. But this false tension is resolved with an understanding grace. Grace means getting involved, protecting the child from destructive behavior, continuing to do that despite the child's lack of "deserving," and doing so consistently, not sloppily or haltingly.
Psalms 119:164 KJV Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Take a Praise Pause
I don't think anything blesses God more than when we stop right in the middle of what we're doing sometimes and lift our hands to worship Him or take a moment to bow down before Him and say, "I love You, Lord." In the scripture for today, the psalmist says he took time seven times a day and all day long to praise God.
Think about a businessman, for example, maybe the president of a large company. Wouldn't it be wonderful if two or three times a day, he would close the door to his office, turn the lock, kneel, and say, "God, I just want to take some time to worship You. Father, all these things You are giving me - the business, the money, the success - are great, but I just want to worship You. I magnify You. You are so wonderful. I love You. You are all I need. Father, I worship You. Jesus, I worship You. Holy Spirit, I worship You." I believe that if the businessman did that, he would never need to be concerned about his business, his finances, or success. All of those things would be taken care of.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Colossians 1:10 KJV That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Our Standard Is Jesus
Obey God in every little thing, and you will enjoy an excellent life. Be diligent in your obedience. Learn to live your life before God and not before man. Go the extra mile and do all the little things that God tells you to do, even though nobody else may ever know. Put your grocery cart back in the stall where it belongs instead of leaving it out in the middle of the parking lot. Why? Because the owner of the property has put up a sign saying, "Please return carts here," and God has said to submit to authority (SEE TITUS 3:1).
The flesh says, "Well, everybody else leaves their carts everywhere; why should I put mine up?" Because our standard is not others - our standard is Jesus. When I compare myself to everybody else, I don't look too bad. But if I compare myself to Jesus, I am humbled and ask God to help me! Until Jesus comes to get us, we need to compare ourselves to Him and the standard of holiness that He holds up for our lives.
Bruce Gordon Dorris II via Facebook
via MyDailyBible
John 3:16-17 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. #Bible
God Bless you all, last blog until the watchman gets some rest! Unity! I speak Unity into the body of Christ in Jesus name!
Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Matthew 18:18-20 KJV via HootSuite
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Today I am reading day 111 of Everywhere I Go: Learning to See Jesus: http://t.co/ot8KDoBmiY
Everywhere I Go: Learning to See Jesus | The New Bible.com
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Repent for the Kingdom of God is @ hand! Share with Facebook, Twitter & etc. God loves everyone & is asking the world to Repent!
2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
RISE UP & STAND FIRM AS YOU DECLARE VICTORY IN JESUS NAME!
Be encouraged in your journey. Although times get difficult, God remains near, and is able to fulfill His promise of being an, "Ever present help." Some seasons cause us to believe we've missed the will of God because of pain and discomfort. If that's the only gauge of being in the will of God, then the Apostle Paul was never in God's will! Being in adversity isn't always the criteria for discerning God's will.
Often, discomfort provides a signal another season is about to emerge, and we are being repositioned for increase. Enduring the temporary discomfort could qualify for breakthrough. I just wanted to provide some encouragement to those who sometimes blame themselves for present discomfort when perhaps God has something else on His mind. Make a shift in thinking, see from God's perspective, your whole being will respond in a positive manner and circumstances can change quickly. Have a blessed Lord's Day.
Circumcision literally doesnt do a thing spiritually for us males much like eating bread and drinking juice at churches as communion! As circumcision is meant SPIRITUALLY, for the flesh to be CUT, so the NEW LIFE can be produced in us to walk in(SPIRIT OF GOD), Communion is meant SPIRITUALLY, to break the Word nd drink the Spirit out of Word with BRETHREN, as a remembrance of what Christ did for us..showing us the WAY, TRUTH LIFE to live...crucifying the flesh By the Word and Spirit of God!
SHOUT AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY, YOKE ARE BROKEN SICK ARE HEALED. At All Times in Our Lives We have to Shout and Give GOD the GLORY by Praising, Worshiping and Trusting JESUS for YOKES TO BE BROKEN. We are Living in perilous difficult days. The Bible Say, in (1Timothy 4:1) The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Even I have to Watch, Pray and Praise JESUS! Amen
John 14:1-3 KJV via HootSuite
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Yes, brother Bruce watches movies or T.V once in a blue moon. I speak with boldness & authority many of you and some people that you know are into pagan worship. The red carpet is pagan worship. Some people would rather speak more about there favorite actor than they would the creator of the universe. Hollywood is the center of the force of darkness. They will do anything to get you & I to spend money to watch something that is not even real. Lord have mercy on us all.
via HootSuite
Acts 8:16-22 KJV
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
1 Corinthians 1:17-19 KJV via HootSuite
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
via HootSuite
Ask Jesus to transform you into His image: To SEE what HE SEES, To FEEL what HE FEELS, To LOVE as HE LOVES. Now praise HIS HOLY name! HE is already working on you! Perceive & Receive what the Lord Jesus Christ is & will do.
Psalms 19:7-9 KJV via TweetDeck
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Radical Obedience
Radical Obedience
Jesus said 'if you love Me, you will obey Me'.
Your obedience to God's Word in your life is the most important step in fulfilling your destiny and finding His blessing.
Obedience is not always an easy task. The choice of obedience can make you nervous, uncomfortable and even unpopular with others. However your decision to obey the Holy Spirit's leading in your life on a daily basis is your platform to true success.
After spending all day trying to catch fish in the river, Peter and his men were about to give up. That very moment, Jesus turned up on the scene and asked him to cast his net one more time on the other side. Peter was understandably hesitant. He was an experienced fisherman who had been trying all day.
However, he chose to obey the word of the Lord.
Noah chose to obey God despite never seeing rain. Abraham chose to obey God and took Isaac to the point of sacrifice until God stepped in.
God requires radical obedience from you. He asks you to heed His words and obey them. Follow His precepts. Apply His principles and allow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Your obedience is the greatest expression of your love for God.
BrotherBGD#2
Luke 5:1-7 KJV
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
John 14:14-17 KJV
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Kingdom Buisness Station 24/7 authentic worship 2014 GLORY TO GOD!
Thank you Jesus Culture, Planetshakers, Jason Upton & many more to come for your support in launching the 2014 Kingdom Buisness 24/7 Authentic Worship Station. The Jesus Team & The Kingdom Buisness Station will join forces & allow the Holy Spirit to light up the airwaves worldwide. I am honored to be hosting the morning show live from 6am-11am & we have some awesome anointed men & women of God to bring a 24/7 live worship experience to give our God all the glory! If any of you are interested in helping, please pray & if led by the Holy Spirit email me @attention Brother Bruce G. Dorris II--- thejesusteam1111@yahoo.com or you can email my beautiful anointed wife @attention Sister Mindy M. Dorris---mddorris11020@yahoo.com...God Bless you all & remember this team will only be operating under the direct download of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Unity & Humility to give God the glory & honor & make a sound that will be heard around the world. Jesus this is all about you & declaring that you are the only hope for this world & will come again! Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord God Almighty who was & is to come! ComeJesus!
Light of the World White “light” is not the absence of color but actually the convergence of all colors. And we’ve all seen what happens when a beam of light is split. Passing through a prism—whether in the form of raindrops, an angular piece of glass, a crystal jewel or morning dew on a blade of grass—light separates into its component colors, and there before us, in the splendor of the spectrum, is the manifold brilliance of the rainbow. So it is with our Lord Jesus Christ—the Light of the world. Sent by the Father into our world in His pristine, white-light perfection, He is the composite of the spectrum of God’s fullness. A Passion for Fullness
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Isaiah 44:2-4 KJV
Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
Isaiah 44:6-8 KJV
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The Mind of Christ
Today's scripture overwhelms many people. If these were not the words of the Bible, they wouldn't believe it. As it is, most people shake their heads and ask, "How can this be?"
Paul was not saying we're perfect or that we'll never fail. He was telling us, as believers in Jesus, the Son of God, we are given the mind of Christ. That is, we can think spiritual thoughts because Christ is alive within us. We no longer think the way we once did. We begin to think as He did.
When we have the Holy Spirit living and active within us, the mind of Christ is action. The mind of Christ is given to us to direct us in the right way. If we have His mind, we will think positive thoughts. We will think about how blessed we are--how good God has been to us.
Jesus was positive, in spite of being lied about, lonely, misunderstood, and a multitude of other negative things. He was deserted by His disciples when He needed them most, yet He remained positive--always able to offer an uplifting, encouraging word. Just being in His presence would suggest that all fear, negative thoughts, and discouraging hopelessness would evaporate into thin air.
The mind of Christ in us is positive. So when we fall for the opportunity to be negative about something, we should instantly discern that we are not operating with the mind of Christ. God wants us to be lifted up. It's the enemy of our soul who wants us pressed down--depressed. We have many opportunities to think negative thoughts, but that's not the mind of Christ at work in us. We don't have to accept those thoughts. They are not ours!
Pray: Lord, I truly want to be aware of the mind of Christ in my life, and I want to be aware of it every minute of my waking day. Help me to open myself only to know Your will and to push away the old mindsets, the thinking that will lead me down the wrong path. I ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Philippians 1:6 KJV Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
A Perfect Plan
What does it mean to think that God has a perfect plan for us? Perhaps it's the word "perfect" that troubles us. We're fallible and make so many mistakes. How could anything be perfect in our lives? We know ourselves too well. Immediately we think of our shortcomings and shake our heads.
That's a trick of Satan! The plan isn't perfect because we're perfect; the plan is perfect because God is perfect. God has a special plan for each of our lives.
Let's think about that plan. In Philippians 1:6, Paul told us that God saved us and started a good work in us. Paul also wrote, in Ephesians 2:10, that we are God's handiwork (or workmanship). The two verses before that tell us that we're saved by God's grace. We have nothing to do with the act of salvation--we haven't earned it or deserved it. We are born into the kingdom of God as a gift.
As we think about God at work in us, we remind ourselves that God is perfection. Nothing we can ever do would be good enough to satisfy God's perfection. Only Jesus, the Perfect One, is good enough. Nothing but our faith in Him makes us acceptable to God.
As soon as we say, "But wait! I'm not perfect! I fail," we have taken our attention off God and allowed Satan to distract us with wrong thinking. Our loving Lord pleads with us to turn our minds and hearts fully over to Him. The more fully we do that, the more completely we live by His good and perfect plan.
Pray: Perfect God, help me in this battle for my mind. Satan constantly reminds me of my imperfections and my weaknesses, but I ask You to remind me of Your perfection, Your love, and Your closeness so that I can always walk in victory. I ask these things through Jesus Christ. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10 KJV But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
First the Suffering
"Why do we have to suffer?" "If God truly loves us, why do all the bad things happen to us?" I hear such questions often. For years, people have wrestled with those questions, and they still haven't discovered the answers. I don't even try to answer the questions. I do make one comment, however: "If God only blessed us after we became believers--if He took away all suffering, hardship, and turmoil for Christians--wouldn't it be a way to bribe people into the faith?"
That's not the way God works. The Lord wants us to come to Him out of love and because we know we're needy--so needy that only He can fill those needs for us.
The reality is that from the time of birth until we go home to be with Jesus, we will suffer at times. Some have harder tasks than others, but suffering is still suffering.
I also think that when people watch us as we turn to God for help in our hardships and they see our victories, it provides a witness to them. That witness may not always make them turn to Christ, but it does show God's presence in our lives and makes them aware of what they're missing.
The other day I had a new thought: Suffering results in thanksgiving. When our lives turn chaotic and we don't know what to do, we turn to the Lord for help, and He answers our prayers and sets us free. God speaks to us and comforts us. And the result is that we're thankful.
The time between suffering and thanksgiving is when the devil truly attacks our thoughts. He may begin by saying, "If God really loved you, you would not have to go through this." The truth is, we'll have problems if we're believers; we'll have problems if we're nonbelievers. But as believers, we'll also have victories. As believers in Jesus Christ, we can have peace in the midst of the storm. We can enjoy our lives during the hardships because we truly believe that God is working on our behalf to bring deliverance.
Pray: My Master and my God, forgive me for always wanting an easy life. I admit that I don't want to suffer, and I don't like it when things go wrong. But I ask You to help me have a good attitude and to trust You to bring good out of it. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD When the Israelites fled Egypt and were making their way to the Promised Land, they subsisted on a very unusual diet. It was called "manna," and it fell from heaven every day. The Israelites were instructed to gather only enough for that day - and the next morning, manna would fall again. Those who disobeyed and gathered more found that the "extra" spoiled, and became unusable. Thus, they depended on God day-to-day for their survival. And so do we. I'm a rather particular eater. When I travel, I'm faced with the challenge of finding food that I like (and recognize!) that will be good for me. I remember being in a restaurant in Amman, Jordan, and pointing to different dishes saying "What is it? What is it? What is it?" The word "manna" literally translated means "What is it?" Can you imagine eating "what is it" every day for forty years? God has promised to supply all of our needs, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He does this daily - but sometimes we don't recognize His provision. It looks like nothing we've seen before, and we say, "What is it?" Regardless of what He provides, we can be certain of two things: first, that it comes from a loving, wise Father, and second, that it will be good for us. What more could we ask?
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The broadcast tonight has been canceled, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to yield & pray and tomorrow night the broadcast will be live. Theree is a spiritual shift in the midst so please keep me & my wife lifted in prayer that I would boldy declare the gospel as I should. I am sorry but obedience is key when speaking the word of God and walking in the will of God. I will not put a schedule on God & the Holy Spirit. Thank u all for your love, encouragement & prayers & if it is in the will of God tomorrow night the broadcast will happen.
Email any song request for tonights live broadcast. I will do my best ot get the song request played. If any of you have prayer requests or testimonys lets get them into the atmosphere. Looking forward to an awesome time in the presence of the Holy Spirit tonight! Abba Father speak to my heart so that your people are received to give you the glory you deserve! God Bless you all in Jesus name!
Shake It Off
One of my favorite stories is about a farmer's donkey that fell into a dry well. The animal cried pitifully for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do for his poor donkey. Finally, he concluded that the well was too deep, and it really needed to be covered up anyway. Besides, the donkey was old, and it would be a lot of trouble to get him out of the pit. The farmer decided that it was not worth trying to retrieve the animal, so he asked his neighbors to help him fill in the well and bury the donkey.
They all grabbed shovels and began to toss dirt into the well. The donkey immediately realized what was happening, and he began to bray horribly. Crying would be our normal response if somebody was mistreating us this badly, so this donkey was responding the same way we would at first, but then he got real quiet. A few shovel loads of dirt later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey's back, the donkey would shake it off and step on top of it.
As the neighbors and the farmer continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon the donkey shook off the last shovel full of dirt, took a step up, and walked right out of the well. We can learn so much from this story. When trouble comes, if we will get still and listen, God will tell us what to do.
By the grace and mercy of God, I was able to shake off a lot of things in my life, a lot of hurt feelings, a lot of mistreatment, a lot of abuse, a lot of unfair, unjust, unkind things. Just like the donkey, in order to keep pressing on and have victory in our lives, we are going to have to learn to shake off the troubles that come our way.
John 6:43-51 NLT But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.) “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
Complain and Remain, Praise and Be Raised
Complaining is a sin! It is a corrupt form of conversation that causes many people a great deal of problems in their lives. It also opens many doors for the enemy. Words are containers of power. Complaining, grumbling words carry destructive power. They destroy the joy of the one doing the complaining and can also affect other people who have to listen to them.
In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul instructs us not to use any foul or polluting language. At one time I would not have known that included complaining, but now I have learned that it does. Murmuring and complaining pollute our lives and probably sound like cursing to the Lord. To Him it is verbal pollution. To pollute is to poison. Did you ever stop to think that you and I can poison our future by complaining about what is going on right now?
When we complain about our current situation, we remain in it; when we praise God in the midst of difficulty, He raises us out of it. The best way to start every day is with gratitude and thanksgiving. Get a jump on the devil. If you don't fill your thoughts and conversation with good things, he will definitely fill them with evil things. Truly thankful people do not complain. They are so busy being grateful for the good things they do have that they have no time to notice the things they could complain about. Praise and thanksgiving are good; complaining and grumbling are evil.
Colossians 1:10 NLT Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Our Standard Is Jesus
Obey God in every little thing, and you will enjoy an excellent life. Be diligent in your obedience. Learn to live your life before God and not before man. Go the extra mile and do all the little things that God tells you to do, even though nobody else may ever know. Put your grocery cart back in the stall where it belongs instead of leaving it out in the middle of the parking lot. Why? Because the owner of the property has put up a sign saying, "Please return carts here," and God has said to submit to authority (SEE TITUS 3:1).
The flesh says, "Well, everybody else leaves their carts everywhere; why should I put mine up?" Because our standard is not others - our standard is Jesus. When I compare myself to everybody else, I don't look too bad. But if I compare myself to Jesus, I am humbled and ask God to help me! Until Jesus comes to get us, we need to compare ourselves to Him and the standard of holiness that He holds up for our lives.
1 Peter 2:11-25 NLT Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
Have you ever gotten lost? It can be one of the most frustrating feelings to not know where you are going. In fact, in some situations it can be terrifying. In verse 25, Peter compares us to sheep in that when we were living in sin, we were astray and lost. We didn't know where to go, but after repenting of our sins and receiving God's forgiveness we have returned to the flock that is led by God our shepherd. Where do you keep going astray? Maybe you are striving to stay on God's path, but keep getting sidetracked onto the secondary roads by some sin in your life. Confess that sin to God. Repent of it today and ask God to help you in fully overcoming it.
BrotherBGD#2
Renewed 2013
Luke 5:27-32 NLT Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum? ” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
God sent His only son Jesus to Earth for primary purpose: to give us new life. In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus rewords His mission this way: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repent." Christ came so sinners like you and I could have new life through our repentance and His forgiveness. Our lives are forever changed when we repent and seek His forgiveness. Christ's mission is also our mission. We are called to not minister to the righteous, but rather to those who are lost and in need of forgiveness. If you have sincerely repented of your sins and God has forgiven you of those sins, then you have a story to tell to those who need repentance. Your life change can create the same change in the life another. Who do you know that needs to repent and receive God's forgiveness? How can your story of God's forgiveness help someone else come to repentance?
BrotherBGD#2
Renewed 2013
Broken spirits & repented hearts are about to walk out of tears of attacks from standing firm & if you keep standing your tears will pour out the joy & glory of the Lord our God! The new army operating in the spirit of unity & love will confound the wise of the world with the love of Christ & the world will begin to see the truth. Many are called & few are chosen set apart for such a time as this. Abba Father is calling his Church to divine order. Praise with song & dancing & be yielded as the Holy Spirit rains all over your broken fleshly bones! Yes your being restored & revived to bring salt & light to this lost & broken world. The world is seeking the truth! If your operating in spirit & truth you feel it so receive it & discern to the promised land! This is a call to unity!
Psalms 51:15-18 NLT
Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalm 22:1-31 NIV
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord ,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. But you, Lord , do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord , praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord , and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
Study Your Children. Did you know that God studies His children? He does! He is a student of your ways and my ways, and He is intimately acquainted with everything about us. Just as God studies His children, we parents should study ours. We should become "intimately acquainted with all their ways," because every child is different. For that reason, we must learn to give our children the kind of love they need. We may be great at telling our child that we love him, but what he'd really respond to is a hug. If we haven't studied that child and observed his particular bent, we won't know. Parenting is not easy. It's not for cowards. But when we study and discern the uniqueness of our children, they are honored and affirmed in who they are. When the writer of Proverbs instructed parents to "train up a child in the way he should go," he did not mean the way we think he should go, but in the way he is already bent. You don't try to make an artistic child athletic, or vice versa. You don't try to force a shy child into public speaking. You discern the natural, God-given bent of your child and do all you can to encourage growth in that direction. It is impossible to do this kind of training in scheduled, five or ten minute "sessions." Intense, focused "quality time" is a child-rearing myth. Quality time is a result of quantity time. The high moments of parenting are unscheduled and fleeting. We must be present when they happen to participate. Given a choice between "quality time" and "quantity time," a child will choose quantity every time. Be there. Study your child. Encourage his growth in the bent that you see.
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