My dear brother and sister's in Christ, the following are quotes from various resources for those of you who are dealing with an emotionally distant spouse or maybe you ARE an emotionally distant spouse and you will find benefit in reading what others have to tell you. i love you all and pray these quotes will benefit your marriage.
• Each of us will suffer at different points in our lives, and when we are married, we are committed to sharing in the pain of another person. For that reason, we need to look to our commitment and to our marriage vows for strength, stability, and endurance —especially when feelings of love aren’t as strong as they once were. (H. Norman Wright, One Marriage Under God)
• Just because a man answers, “I don’t know”, doesn’t make him relationally challenged. Men speak a different language that has been demeaned, belittled, and just plain assaulted over the past 10,000 years (give or take a few thousand years).
It is well assumed that women are better relationally than men, but I believe it is time to start saying that women are different relationally than men. It’s not that men are poor relationally, we’re just different, special, if you will.
The reason the majority of men give the typical response of, “I don’t know”, is that we are intimidated. The guys way, of relating has been so criticized that we have lost our confidence to relate to women. What your husband won’t tell you as that, “I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong and get blasted for it.” That’s it! Most men fear failure, and when it comes to loving like a woman, we feel like failures. So we end up avoiding it at all cost, many times, at the cost of our marriage. (Michael Smalley,)
• “WE NEED TO TALK.” Why do we fear these four little words? Why do they arouse the same physical protective responses that occur in life threatening situations? She says: “We need to talk.” He hears: “I want to rip you open emotionally and describe all the ways in which you are a failure.” This should take about four hours and afterwards I will probably not be speaking to you and certainly not touching you. (Okay, I may be exaggerating this terror a bit, or perhaps not.) When feeling threatened or attacked, our fight-or-flight response steps in to protect us. (Don Ferguson, “Reptiles in Love: Ending Destructive Fights and Evolving Toward More Loving Relationships”)
• Men who are faced with constant criticism give up. The friction they find when they come home drives them deeper into the sports page and ties them more passively than ever to the TV. Solomon gave up. We detect his hopeless attitude toward the contentious women in his life in Proverbs 27:16: “He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand.” Most men will do anything to avoid confrontation.
When confronted at home with never-ending conflict, a man will appear to sound the retreat. Only is it seldom a real retreat. Often, it’s an advance in a new direction. He chooses to work late, and so, avoids confrontation. At least at the office he’s in control. It’s wonderful to be at a job where things can be made to happen. He likes the joy of picking up the phone, punching a number and enjoying instant respect. He knows who he is and that he’s in charge. (James Walker, from the book, Husbands Who Won’t Lead and Wives Who Won’t Follow)
• The single best day in every marriage is when two partners take responsibility for their part of the pie. (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, I Love You More, pg. 119)
• Once a husband and wife, together take responsibility for the good as well as the bad in their relationship a small seedling of hope is planted. Its tiny roots are found in a rich soil, free from negative thinking about what somebody should have done or what somebody didn’t do. It is a seedling that, in time, will sprout optimism. (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, I Love You More, pg. 120)
• Marriage calls us to an entirely new and selfless life, and any situation that calls me to confront my selfishness has enormous spiritual value. Perhaps God designed marriage to make us holy even more than to make us happy. I’m not suggesting that God has anything against happiness, or that happiness and holiness are mutually exclusive, but looking at marriage through the lens of holiness began to put marriage in a new perspective for me. In fact, it has led me to believe that couples don’t really fall “out of love.” I think it’s more precise to say they fall out of repentance. What usually happens is that we let little vices— like impatience, disrespect, selfishness, pride, and anger— pollute a once-precious relationship. Instead of letting marriage draw us into holiness, we let it draw us into bitterness and accusation. Here’s the kicker: a lot of people want out of a relationship not only because they no longer “love” their spouse. The truth is, they despise what they themselves have become and want a new start with someone who hasn’t seen them at their worst. But changing partners isn’t the answer—changing ourselves is. (Gary Thomas, from the article, The Transforming Miracle of Marriage, as posted on www.ncfliving.org)
• One of the most moving speeches we’ve ever heard was given by President Ronald Reagan. He was standing in front of the wall that had divided East and West Germany for many years. As he concluded, his voice thundered with passion and he issued this challenge: “Mr. Gorbachev, bring down this wall!” Not long after that message, the wall came down. It was a great historical moment, captured forever on film and in the hearts of all who saw it. Some walls are invisible, but they can be just as divisive. The worst is a wall that is silently put in place by a wife or husband because of unmet expectations. This wall can be nearly impossible to bring down—unless, of course, God steps in. (From the book, “The Best Think I Ever Did for My Marriage”, compiled by Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby)
• MEN: When you need space, reassure her that it’s not about her. If you’re like most guys, when you have a lot of thinking to do—even if there’s no conflict—you need time alone to process things. Most women we heard from react exactly the opposite—only 9 percent wanted to handle their feelings of insecurity alone. (Which is also why, when you two are at odds and you most want to get away to process in silence, she most wants to talk.) So state your need in the context of hers: “Honey, right now I just need some time alone—I’m just out of sorts. It has nothing to do with how I feel about you.” That will make it much easier for her to let you have space without misinterpreting your need. (Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, from the book “For Men Only … A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women)
• Some spouses were often giving during the early days of the marriage, but under the influence of numerous types of stress, the emotional wounds of mistrust from childhood and adolescence emerged. These individuals then begin to pull away or to criticize their spouse in an unconscious attempt to distance him/her. Other important factors which lead a spouse to withdraw love and giving are various hurts during the course of the marriage which lead to the development of a fear of vulnerability, anger and sadness. (Richard Fitzgibbons, article titled, “The Emotionally Distant Spouse” as featured on the web site, Marital Healing.com)
• Men, If she’s upset, realize she doesn’t need space—she needs a hug. When our wife is upset, we do what we do with other guys: We give her space to work things out. But with very few exceptions, when women are upset they don’t want space. They want a hug. I think this next comment is one of the most valuable “just do this” quotes in the book:
“All I want is him to know that half the time I’m just as confused as he is. Instead of getting upset and leaving me alone to ‘calm down,’ I just want him to come close and give me a huge hug and let me know he loves me and wants me to feel better again.” (Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, from the book “For Men Only … A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women)
• Each day I am confronted by women who are extremely frustrated with their marriages. They usually express no hope that their husbands will ever understand what it is that frustrates them, let alone change enough to solve the problem. From their perspective, marital problems are created by their husbands who do little or nothing to solve them. Wives tend to see themselves as the major force for resolving conflicts, and when they give up their effort, the marriage is usually over. When I talk to their husbands, they usually have a very different explanation as to why their wives feel the way they do. They often feel that the expectations of women in general, and their wives in particular, have grown completely out of reach. These men, who feel that they’ve made a gigantic effort to be caring and sensitive to their wives, get no credit whatsoever for their sizable contribution to the family. They feel under enormous pressure to improve their financial support, improve the way they raise their children, and improve the way they treat their wives. Many men I see are emotionally exhausted and feel that for all their effort, they get nothing but criticism. (Dr Willard F. Harley, from the Marriagebuilders.com article, “Why Men Leave”)
• Emotional stability and satisfaction are important to every human being. If the wife hangs all her feelings out to her husband in the hope that he will somehow validate them without being told to do so, that woman is setting herself up for disappointment. She must enlist other allies, same-sex friends who can understand the parts of her that he may never understand. She, and you, cannot afford to hinge emotional stability entirely upon any one person’s responses. People are simply too diverse. (Dr Les Carter, from the book, “Distant Partner”)
• It’s probably not the case that your husband withdraws from arguments out of being indifferent or uncaring. Chances are, he’s flooded with emotions that he doesn’t like and has allowed to build up. Some emotions he’s afraid of, and he feels ashamed of his inability to express them. When he does express them, they may come out fragmented or disorganized, the way someone speaks in a foreign language when not fluent. Finding the right words can feel exhausting; he’s also trying to gauge whether you’re okay, he’s digging himself into a hole, or he’s about to be attacked. Describing what he feels is sometimes hard. He will disengage if he feels you are waiting to ounce on his every word.
We’ve heard frustrated wives describe such men as “stupid.” Whether or not someone is disadvantaged or underdeveloped, telling him he’s dumb is cruel and disrespectful. Doing so will only create or exacerbate an unsafe, disharmonious environment. Ask yourself: What’s my goal? If it’s to prove that he’s wrong, you will probably be trying to prove his guilt and bring him down. If it’s to come together, to be understood and known and embraced and love, bring open heart and open arms. Don’t use honey-we-need- to-talk as an outlet to get a pound of flesh. (Paul and Sandy Coughlin, from the book “Married But Not Engaged”)
• What are the four most intimidating words in a couple’s vocabulary? “We need to talk.” (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott)
• Many women prefer to deal with conflict by talking it out, only to find that their husbands prefer to withdraw—which the wives find maddening. Occasionally it’s the opposite, with the wife doing the avoiding. A number of reasons for these scenarios have been suggested. The wife may be better with language, better at articulating her thoughts and making cogent arguments. The husband may feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of her verbiage. Rather than “lose” in a straightforward exchange of opinion—which may seem unmanly—he may find it easier to disengage. He may view conflict as a battle if he has to fight with verbal weapons. Another possibility: The avoiding partner may have grown up in a home where one parent verbally abused the other. The avoiding partner may fear that any hint of disagreement will escalate into a painful war of words—and try very hard to stay away from conflict. (Phillip J. Swihart, a contributing author to the book, “The First Five Years of Marriage”)
• Keep in mind that it’s best not to judge another by your own communication style. What is typical and comfortable for you may not be for your partner. An example would be that most women show concern by following up a person’s statement with a question about it. Women are used to this and comfortable with it. But if a man changes the subject, she may view this as indifference. “After all, if he was sensitive, he would follow up with some questions about what I said,” she thinks. But that’s not the typical response for many men. Not asking additional questions could be his way of showing respect for her privacy or independence. For a man, asking questions could be viewed as pushy, intrusive, or unnecessary. Most men tend to feel more comfortable speaking in public than in private, intimate conversations. With most women it’s just the opposite. Women enjoy private, one-on-one conversations because they are more personal, intimate, and they build relationships. (From the book, How to Change Your Spouse Without Ruining Your Marriage, by Norman H. Wright and Gary Oliver)
• Through my communion with God I have learned how to read [my husband] Mark. He still often retreats inwardly when the pressures of being a pastor, author, and speaker accumulate, but I have learned not to take his withdrawal personally; instead, I lift him to God. God often shows me little ways to bless him, to help him see we’re in this together, to let him know I love him and support him. So the best thing I ever did for my marriage i continue to do every day: I speak few words to Mark first thing. Instead, I fill my early mornings talking—and listening—to the One in heaven who cherishes me. He fills me and shows me how to interact with the one on earth who cherishes me. (Cheryl Buchanan, a contributing author to the book, “The Best Thing I Ever Did for My Marriage”)
• I think there’s a great difference between a husband not wanting to talk about work and a husband simply not wanting to talk to his wife. A lot of men feel a need for escape from their jobs when they come home in the evening. They’re tense, tired, and what they look for is an entirely opposite environment. To even think about the office brings back the tension. It’s more work to rehash the day’s activities. Now, maybe it would be good for your husband to talk about work some evenings. But don’t start with that subject. Gently pull him away from it; then, if it seems he might be willing to reflect on his day, ease him into it that way. (Jay Kesler, from the book, “Family Forum”)
• Something wonderful happens in a woman’s heart when she takes her eyes off of her husband and her circumstances and places them on the Lord. We know for a fact that God can turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh (See Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). His Word tells us that, and we can testify that it has occurred in our own lives. If you’re letting your differences with your mate eat away at you, you’re headed to a place you don’t want to go. Let go of thinking your ways are better than his. As you do, you’ll find yourself moving in a different direction—you will have veered off the road to bitterness and onto the pathway to joy. And that’s a trip worth taking. (The Best Thing I ever Did for My Marriage, with Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby)
• Bad things happen to good marriages when we expect our partner to think, feel and behave the way we want them to. Each unrealistic expectation is like a link in a heavy chain that increasingly binds us to a disappointing marriage. (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, from the book, “Building Better Marriages in Oklahoma”)
• Having different attitudes toward talking doesn’t mean there is something wrong with either spouse, that anyone was deceived, or that marriage is hopeless. Relating to each other is not a technique we’re born with. It’s like a muscle that needs to be developed over time—and massaged when it hurts. (Romie Hurley, contributing author to the book, “The First Five Years of Marriage”)
• Not every husband can be turned into a sparkling conversationalist. But the surest way to get him to talk is to find out what he wants to talk about. If you can discover those areas, he might start opening up more. (Jay Kesler, from the book, “Family Forum”
• One of the hardest things for couples to learn is to lay down their lives for each other (see John 15:13) in the mundane world of daily living (see Romans 12:1). Learning to understand the needs of a spouse who talks less or more than you do requires sacrifice. It means not demanding your rights, and loving another as you love yourself. But these are things we can do because God promises to help us by His Holy Spirit if we ask. It’s easy to get discouraged when all you hear from your spouse is silence. It may seem that things are hopeless, but you can gain new perspective through prayer, reading the Bible, or seeking counsel from a pastor or therapist. (Romie Hurley, a contributing author for the book “The First Five Years of Marriage”)
Read God's Word
Monday, October 03, 2011
Saturday, July 09, 2011
BROKEN TO BE BLESSED
Broken and Blessed are two words don't seem to go together. If anything, they seem to be exact opposites. We all know what it means to be broken---to be shattered, to feel as if our entire world has fallen apart, or perhaps been blown apart. We all have times in our lives when we don't want to raise our heads off the pillow, and when we feel certain the tears will never stop flowing. Brokenness is often accompanied by emptiness-a void that cannot be filled, a sorrow that cannot be comforted, a wound for which there is no balm.
Nothing feels blessed about being broken. The most painful and difficult times of my life have been those times when I felt broken. I don't like pain, suffering, or feelings of brokenness any more than anybody else does. Certain circumstances in life hurt, at times so intensely that we think we will never heal.
One of the things I have discovered through being broken, however, is that after brokenness we can experience God's greatest blessings. After brokenness our lives can be the most fruitful and have the most purpose. The dawn after a very dark and storm-wreaked night is glorious. Feeling joy again after a period of intense mourning can be ecstatic. A blessing can come in the wake of being broken.
But this blessing comes only if we experience brokenness fully and confront why it is that God has allowed us to be broken. If we allow God to do his complete work in us, blessing will follow brokenness.
Bishop TD Jakes spoke a message on the Order of the Breaking of Bread and he brought our attention to the similarities surrounding How God deals with us as His children.
Jesus took the bread, He blessed the bread, He broke the bread, He gave the bread. Luke 24:13-31
The Taking Stage: This is the stage where He pulls you from familiar and reliable circumstances to unfamiliar and unreliable circumstances.
The Blessing Stage: This is the stage where He seems to bless everything you are doing. You seem to without effort be having everything given to you.
The Breaking Stage: This is the stage where everything seems to be a mess, and things seem to just be taken from you. It is the fellowship of His suffering.
The Giving Stage: This is the stage where you have been broken enough for Him to give you to others who need you.
What stage does God have you in right now?
Nothing feels blessed about being broken. The most painful and difficult times of my life have been those times when I felt broken. I don't like pain, suffering, or feelings of brokenness any more than anybody else does. Certain circumstances in life hurt, at times so intensely that we think we will never heal.
One of the things I have discovered through being broken, however, is that after brokenness we can experience God's greatest blessings. After brokenness our lives can be the most fruitful and have the most purpose. The dawn after a very dark and storm-wreaked night is glorious. Feeling joy again after a period of intense mourning can be ecstatic. A blessing can come in the wake of being broken.
But this blessing comes only if we experience brokenness fully and confront why it is that God has allowed us to be broken. If we allow God to do his complete work in us, blessing will follow brokenness.
Bishop TD Jakes spoke a message on the Order of the Breaking of Bread and he brought our attention to the similarities surrounding How God deals with us as His children.
Jesus took the bread, He blessed the bread, He broke the bread, He gave the bread. Luke 24:13-31
The Taking Stage: This is the stage where He pulls you from familiar and reliable circumstances to unfamiliar and unreliable circumstances.
The Blessing Stage: This is the stage where He seems to bless everything you are doing. You seem to without effort be having everything given to you.
The Breaking Stage: This is the stage where everything seems to be a mess, and things seem to just be taken from you. It is the fellowship of His suffering.
The Giving Stage: This is the stage where you have been broken enough for Him to give you to others who need you.
What stage does God have you in right now?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
STEPLADDER TO SUCCESS
Step 1: free your mind from negativity!
Step 2: cast out self doubt!
Step 3: cast out procrastination!
Step 4: free your mind up for success!
Step 5: cease your friendship with misery!
Step 6: free your mind up to become financially free!
Step 7: ask yourself, “Are members of your family or any of your friends, "helping you stretch your vision" or "are they choking your dream?"
Step 8: if your family or friends are “helping you stretch your vision", embrace them with all your heart!
Step 9: if your family or friends are "choking your dream", cast them aside, drop them like a hot potato, because they will bring you down!
Step 10: learn to recognize opportunity when it presents itself! The revelation should hit you so hard that it moves you to act swiftly and decisively, knowing and believing that success awaits you at every turn!
Step 11: don't let anyone hold you back or destroy your dream!
Step 2: cast out self doubt!
Step 3: cast out procrastination!
Step 4: free your mind up for success!
Step 5: cease your friendship with misery!
Step 6: free your mind up to become financially free!
Step 7: ask yourself, “Are members of your family or any of your friends, "helping you stretch your vision" or "are they choking your dream?"
Step 8: if your family or friends are “helping you stretch your vision", embrace them with all your heart!
Step 9: if your family or friends are "choking your dream", cast them aside, drop them like a hot potato, because they will bring you down!
Step 10: learn to recognize opportunity when it presents itself! The revelation should hit you so hard that it moves you to act swiftly and decisively, knowing and believing that success awaits you at every turn!
Step 11: don't let anyone hold you back or destroy your dream!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Success Declaration
I am breathing in new health, gratitude, peace and strength.
I have the tenacity to solve my challenges and achieve my goals.
I declare and decree that I am a conqueror, victorious, wise, successful and blessed.
I am covered by the Lord’s sovereign power, peace and provision to endure any challenges, enjoy life and excel in my purpose.
I feel worthy of receiving respect, peace, love and the abundant life.
I follow through on what I start.
I am worthy, loving and capable of achieving my personal definition of success.
This is a brand new day to live without apology and to live with gratitude, courage, hope, love,self-control and faith.
I am growing each day with inner strength to overcome the challenges of life.
I'm learning everyday to forgive myself and draw emotional boundaries around those who have hurt me as I release my anger and forgive them.
I am taking better care of myself.
When I experience the "joy stealers" of depression, guilt, low self-esteem, clutter, fear, doubt,temptation or procrastination ...
I am willing to recognize and resolve my unhealthy patterns.
I can come out of any cave of dark depression and into the light to enjoy the many blessings and promises of God for me and my family.
I'm learning that all relationships are teachers.
I am developing wise judgment and boundaries to know which people in my life are the lifters and which ones are the leaners.
I am using my time, talent and treasures in better ways because I realize that each day is a gift.
Today I am focused on my goals and priorities because I am learning how to keep the main thing...
THE MAIN THING!
I can say “no” to unnecessary demands of my time, money and energy.
I can say “yes” to; God, success, my destiny and my well-being.
I am open to receive "unusual blessings of favor."
I am too blessed to be stressed.
I see and feel something new in myself and in those around me. My possibilities and potential for success are unlimited.
I am discovering the truth that sets me free to be more whole, relaxed, trusting, active and optimistic.
I am always in the right place at the right time with the right outlook.
My very presence impacts others in a positive way.
I am attracting into my life people and circumstances to take my life to the next level of awareness and abundance.
Those things that use to tempt and tear me apart, no longer hold so much power over me because I am learning each day how to stay in the light of God's power, peace, protection, provision and a positive state of mind.
This is a brand new day and I will be glad in it.
Yes, there will be issues out of my control and yet opportunities to grow in my faith and courage.
No matter what challenges or changes I must face today, this is the day the Lord has made.
All my needs are met.
I am still here and there is nothing that is going to happen today that my God and I together can't handle.
I will do my best to reduce my stress and until further notice...
God is in charge.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, your words can bring life or death, peace or stress, sickness or health into yours and or someone else s life. please promise to read these "Affirmations and Declarations" above a minimum of twice a day. In case of emergency read it three times a day to continue building up your immune system against the attack of doubt, fear, procrastination or stress.
Polish up your faith. Let your light shine. God bless you. I love you all.
Thank you Jewel Diamond Taylor. The past five years, you've been a tremendous blessing to me and my ministry.
I have the tenacity to solve my challenges and achieve my goals.
I declare and decree that I am a conqueror, victorious, wise, successful and blessed.
I am covered by the Lord’s sovereign power, peace and provision to endure any challenges, enjoy life and excel in my purpose.
I feel worthy of receiving respect, peace, love and the abundant life.
I follow through on what I start.
I am worthy, loving and capable of achieving my personal definition of success.
This is a brand new day to live without apology and to live with gratitude, courage, hope, love,self-control and faith.
I am growing each day with inner strength to overcome the challenges of life.
I'm learning everyday to forgive myself and draw emotional boundaries around those who have hurt me as I release my anger and forgive them.
I am taking better care of myself.
When I experience the "joy stealers" of depression, guilt, low self-esteem, clutter, fear, doubt,temptation or procrastination ...
I am willing to recognize and resolve my unhealthy patterns.
I can come out of any cave of dark depression and into the light to enjoy the many blessings and promises of God for me and my family.
I'm learning that all relationships are teachers.
I am developing wise judgment and boundaries to know which people in my life are the lifters and which ones are the leaners.
I am using my time, talent and treasures in better ways because I realize that each day is a gift.
Today I am focused on my goals and priorities because I am learning how to keep the main thing...
THE MAIN THING!
I can say “no” to unnecessary demands of my time, money and energy.
I can say “yes” to; God, success, my destiny and my well-being.
I am open to receive "unusual blessings of favor."
I am too blessed to be stressed.
I see and feel something new in myself and in those around me. My possibilities and potential for success are unlimited.
I am discovering the truth that sets me free to be more whole, relaxed, trusting, active and optimistic.
I am always in the right place at the right time with the right outlook.
My very presence impacts others in a positive way.
I am attracting into my life people and circumstances to take my life to the next level of awareness and abundance.
Those things that use to tempt and tear me apart, no longer hold so much power over me because I am learning each day how to stay in the light of God's power, peace, protection, provision and a positive state of mind.
This is a brand new day and I will be glad in it.
Yes, there will be issues out of my control and yet opportunities to grow in my faith and courage.
No matter what challenges or changes I must face today, this is the day the Lord has made.
All my needs are met.
I am still here and there is nothing that is going to happen today that my God and I together can't handle.
I will do my best to reduce my stress and until further notice...
God is in charge.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, your words can bring life or death, peace or stress, sickness or health into yours and or someone else s life. please promise to read these "Affirmations and Declarations" above a minimum of twice a day. In case of emergency read it three times a day to continue building up your immune system against the attack of doubt, fear, procrastination or stress.
Polish up your faith. Let your light shine. God bless you. I love you all.
Thank you Jewel Diamond Taylor. The past five years, you've been a tremendous blessing to me and my ministry.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Why Should Christians Attend Church?
For believers, there is no substitute for attending church. Besides something that pleases God, it is necessary for a believer's spiritual well-being. For shut-ins or invalids who aren't able to go to church, the ministries on radio or TV might be the only kind of fellowship or spiritual nourishment that they get. God certainly understands the circumstances of these people, and recognizes the sincerity of their hearts. However, it is a different matter for those who could attend church but are too lazy, or put other things such as entertainment and amusements before God, or who harbor bitterness or indifference toward other believers.
It is important to attend church for the following reasons:
(1) It is an Expression of our Love for God
Going to church is a visible, tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we can gather with other believers to publicly bear witness of our faith and trust in God, something that is required of all Christians (Matt. 10:32-33) -- and it is where we can bring Him offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to Him. The psalmist wrote, "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You" (Psa. 22:22). People are often motivated toward church attendance for how it will bless themselves, however we should remember that the primary purpose of the corporate gathering is to bring "service" to the Lord as a blessing to Him (Psa. 134:2). Indeed, the Lord is deserving of our time and energy to honor Him with our service of devotion. "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (Rev. 4:11).
(2) It builds up our Spiritual Strength
Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. Every believer knows what it is to face spiritual conflicts to their faith, and must realize the importance of being fed spiritually so that they can overcome the challenges. Paul states that Christians face a wrestling match with the Devil and his evil spiritual forces, and warns that the church must put on spiritual armor for protection, as it will take everything at our disposal to stand (Eph. 6:10-18). How important that we take every opportunity available to receive ministry and strength from God's Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
(3) It brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence
There is the promise of a special visitation of the Lord's presence whenever two or more gather specifically in the name of Jesus. By implication, this means whenever "Jesus" is the object of gathered prayer, worship, praise, preaching, etc. Even though Jesus resides within the heart of every believer, he honors a gathering in his name by coming in the "midst," with his power, awareness, and anointing. In such a gathering, Christ is able to do things in hearts that he may not at any other time. The scripture says that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psa. 22:3), and in such an atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).
(4) It provides fellowship with other Christians
Gathering together also has compounded importance to the relationship of the Christian brethren. The Bible makes it clear that a right relationship with God requires a "vertical" and "horizontal" alignment -- that is, we must have a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with other believers. It is not possible to love God and refuse to love the brethren. If you have a problem loving other Christians, you have a problem in your relationship with God. Scripture warns us that unforgiveness toward others will void God's forgiveness of our own sins (Matt. 6:15). John wrote, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:9-10).
One of the most important reasons that we go to church is to practice love toward the brethren in the form of fellowship. The Bible clearly shows that if we have a right relationship with God, we have fellowship with others believers. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Keeping ourselves in love and harmony with other believers keeps us humble before God so that Christ's blood can continue to cleanse us from our sins.
(5) It is an act of obedience to God
Not to be forgotten, going to church is also a matter of obeying God's Word. The writer of the Hebrew epistle tells us not to forsake assembling together, implying that continued absence can lead to willful sin. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins," (Heb. 10:24-26). Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
(6) It provides accountability to spiritual leadership
More strong evidence that proves that we're to be a part of a church fellowship, is that we're told to submit to the authority of spiritual leaders (within the boundaries of God's Word). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). God designed this system of accountability for the progress and protection of His flock. Obviously, this really isn't possible unless we are a part of an organized fellowship which has identified elders, pastors, or leaders. It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders.
(7) It combines our spiritual strength in prayer
The Bible indicates that agreement in prayer with other believers has special favor with God. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19). There is multiplied strength in the combined faith of God's people, and it is clear that greater spiritual gains can be realized through corporate prayer and worship. This agrees with how God has historically blessed the union of His people in battle against their enemies. "Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you" (Lev. 26:8).
(8) It honors the Lord's Day
The fourth commandment of the law that God gave Moses was to set aside the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as a holy day to the Lord. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8). This was, and will always remain, the official Sabbath. However, after Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, the early Christians began meeting together on this day as well as with the Jewish community in the synagogues on the Sabbath. History indicates that due to the enmity of the orthodox Jews toward the Christian Jews in their midst, the Jewish Christians were eventually ostracized. And although they were no longer bound to a rigid code of laws (Gal. 3:10-11, Col. 2:16), it is believed that they came to view Sunday as a combined observance of the Sabbath and the resurrection day of Jesus (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). This day of Christian worship came to be called the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:10), a day to fellowship in celebration of the resurrection, to worship, pray and study the Word together.
Today, the Christian Jew or gentile, is free from the bondage of the old law. The indwelling of God's spirit has brought a new way for Christians to fulfill the desires of God through His love (Gal. 5:18, Rom. 13:8-10). However, the new covenant does not invalidate the relevance of the ten commandments as they pertained to God's wishes for His people. As much as it remains God's desire for man not to kill, steal or commit adultery, God is still very much pleased for believers to honor Him on a day reserved for Him, out of their love for Him and His people.
Thank you Dr. Dale A. Robbins for your insight.
It is important to attend church for the following reasons:
(1) It is an Expression of our Love for God
Going to church is a visible, tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we can gather with other believers to publicly bear witness of our faith and trust in God, something that is required of all Christians (Matt. 10:32-33) -- and it is where we can bring Him offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to Him. The psalmist wrote, "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You" (Psa. 22:22). People are often motivated toward church attendance for how it will bless themselves, however we should remember that the primary purpose of the corporate gathering is to bring "service" to the Lord as a blessing to Him (Psa. 134:2). Indeed, the Lord is deserving of our time and energy to honor Him with our service of devotion. "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (Rev. 4:11).
(2) It builds up our Spiritual Strength
Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. Every believer knows what it is to face spiritual conflicts to their faith, and must realize the importance of being fed spiritually so that they can overcome the challenges. Paul states that Christians face a wrestling match with the Devil and his evil spiritual forces, and warns that the church must put on spiritual armor for protection, as it will take everything at our disposal to stand (Eph. 6:10-18). How important that we take every opportunity available to receive ministry and strength from God's Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
(3) It brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence
There is the promise of a special visitation of the Lord's presence whenever two or more gather specifically in the name of Jesus. By implication, this means whenever "Jesus" is the object of gathered prayer, worship, praise, preaching, etc. Even though Jesus resides within the heart of every believer, he honors a gathering in his name by coming in the "midst," with his power, awareness, and anointing. In such a gathering, Christ is able to do things in hearts that he may not at any other time. The scripture says that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psa. 22:3), and in such an atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).
(4) It provides fellowship with other Christians
Gathering together also has compounded importance to the relationship of the Christian brethren. The Bible makes it clear that a right relationship with God requires a "vertical" and "horizontal" alignment -- that is, we must have a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with other believers. It is not possible to love God and refuse to love the brethren. If you have a problem loving other Christians, you have a problem in your relationship with God. Scripture warns us that unforgiveness toward others will void God's forgiveness of our own sins (Matt. 6:15). John wrote, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:9-10).
One of the most important reasons that we go to church is to practice love toward the brethren in the form of fellowship. The Bible clearly shows that if we have a right relationship with God, we have fellowship with others believers. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Keeping ourselves in love and harmony with other believers keeps us humble before God so that Christ's blood can continue to cleanse us from our sins.
(5) It is an act of obedience to God
Not to be forgotten, going to church is also a matter of obeying God's Word. The writer of the Hebrew epistle tells us not to forsake assembling together, implying that continued absence can lead to willful sin. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins," (Heb. 10:24-26). Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
(6) It provides accountability to spiritual leadership
More strong evidence that proves that we're to be a part of a church fellowship, is that we're told to submit to the authority of spiritual leaders (within the boundaries of God's Word). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). God designed this system of accountability for the progress and protection of His flock. Obviously, this really isn't possible unless we are a part of an organized fellowship which has identified elders, pastors, or leaders. It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders.
(7) It combines our spiritual strength in prayer
The Bible indicates that agreement in prayer with other believers has special favor with God. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19). There is multiplied strength in the combined faith of God's people, and it is clear that greater spiritual gains can be realized through corporate prayer and worship. This agrees with how God has historically blessed the union of His people in battle against their enemies. "Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you" (Lev. 26:8).
(8) It honors the Lord's Day
The fourth commandment of the law that God gave Moses was to set aside the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as a holy day to the Lord. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8). This was, and will always remain, the official Sabbath. However, after Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, the early Christians began meeting together on this day as well as with the Jewish community in the synagogues on the Sabbath. History indicates that due to the enmity of the orthodox Jews toward the Christian Jews in their midst, the Jewish Christians were eventually ostracized. And although they were no longer bound to a rigid code of laws (Gal. 3:10-11, Col. 2:16), it is believed that they came to view Sunday as a combined observance of the Sabbath and the resurrection day of Jesus (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). This day of Christian worship came to be called the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:10), a day to fellowship in celebration of the resurrection, to worship, pray and study the Word together.
Today, the Christian Jew or gentile, is free from the bondage of the old law. The indwelling of God's spirit has brought a new way for Christians to fulfill the desires of God through His love (Gal. 5:18, Rom. 13:8-10). However, the new covenant does not invalidate the relevance of the ten commandments as they pertained to God's wishes for His people. As much as it remains God's desire for man not to kill, steal or commit adultery, God is still very much pleased for believers to honor Him on a day reserved for Him, out of their love for Him and His people.
Thank you Dr. Dale A. Robbins for your insight.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
No God, No Point
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Joe, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT!!
Remember...Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Now it's your turn... Share this poem.
Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil...
IT HAS NO POINT!
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will not read this nor share it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for my brother, Ernest, my sisters, Leticia, Alicia and Olga and each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Reverend Leonard Terrell
Lord, we thank you that in Your providence and grace, You allowed our dear friend Reverend Leonard Terrell, to be part of our lives. We loved him with all our souls. Please forgive any sins he may have committed against You, and keep him safe in the paradise that You have prepared for those who love You. Let him stand in the Resurrection of the Just on the last day and live with You in Your glory forever more.
Look with pity upon our sorrows, comfort us with Your goodness, and give us peace in our mourning. Grant us also grace and strength to live in accordance with our profession of faith, so that we may also dwell with You and our Friend Leonard in Your glory. To You we give all honor, praise, glory, and thanks, O Lord, for You are the giver of life and conqueror of death.
Amen.
A memory last forever, and never does it die...true friends stay together, and never say goodbye! One of the striking things that always seems to encourage me during times like this is knowing that Jesus wept even though He knew He would be bringing Lazarus back to life in a short time. I feel as though God is telling me that it's alright to cry for those we love.
It is with a heart of sadness that I prayed this prayer. Yet, I rejoice knowing that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot bear.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Armor Bearer
"David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “ Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him." (1 Samuel 16: 21-22)
What is an Armor Bearer?
Armor Bearers are not elected but are appointed by the Pastor from congregants who are in good standing, who are tithers, and who love the church and the Shepherd.
“The main function of one who is designated as an armor bearer is that of service . . . for the biblical armor bearer was much more than a hired hand. An armor bearer was a person who undoubtedly spent many years, if not one’s entire life, in the leader’s service.”
Duties of an Armor Bearer
Must provide strength for the leader
Must have a deep-down sense of respect for the leader, and acceptance for and tolerance of, the leader’s personality and their way of doing things
Must instinctively understand the leader’s thoughts
Must walk in agreement with and submission to the leader
Must make the advancement of the leader the most important goal
Must possess endless strength so as to thrust, press and force their way onward without giving way under harsh treatment
Must follow directives immediately and correctly
Must be a support to the leader
Must be an effective communicator
Must have a disposition that will eagerly gain victories for the leader
Must have the ability to minister strength and courage to the leader
(God’s Armor Bearer, by Terry Nance)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
What is an Armor Bearer?
Armor Bearers are not elected but are appointed by the Pastor from congregants who are in good standing, who are tithers, and who love the church and the Shepherd.
“The main function of one who is designated as an armor bearer is that of service . . . for the biblical armor bearer was much more than a hired hand. An armor bearer was a person who undoubtedly spent many years, if not one’s entire life, in the leader’s service.”
Duties of an Armor Bearer
Must provide strength for the leader
Must have a deep-down sense of respect for the leader, and acceptance for and tolerance of, the leader’s personality and their way of doing things
Must instinctively understand the leader’s thoughts
Must walk in agreement with and submission to the leader
Must make the advancement of the leader the most important goal
Must possess endless strength so as to thrust, press and force their way onward without giving way under harsh treatment
Must follow directives immediately and correctly
Must be a support to the leader
Must be an effective communicator
Must have a disposition that will eagerly gain victories for the leader
Must have the ability to minister strength and courage to the leader
(God’s Armor Bearer, by Terry Nance)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Examination of a Wise Man, a Novice, and a Fool
You were called of God and went to your Pastor and asked him to assist you in fulfilling your calling. (Beginning Novice showing respect)
You offered your Pastor to work as a sunday school teacher, youth leader, home cell leader, give Bible studies, or where he needs you. (Novice showing unity of purpose)
You developed a good one on one friendship with the Pastor and are his friend and supporter. (Novice who has genuine love)
You ask your Pastor to tutor you and give you the names of books he believes would help you develop your ministry. (Novice developing wisdom)
You observe the way your Pastor operates and runs the church, the service, and his relationship to others and have learned to duplicate it. (Novice subjecing himself to his leader)
If your Pastor should go on a trip and put you in charge of the service, you would change nothing and do it just as if he was there doing it. (Novice showing himself a pattern of good works)
A church member calls you and ask you to give some spiritual advice and you tell them they should go talk to the Pastor and not you. (Novice who refuses to get entangled with the members)
Some members talk of quitting and going to start a church and ask you to come be the pastor and you refuse to accept. (Novice who shows wisdom and loyalty)
You disagree with the Pastor over a teaching or doctrine but do not challenge him or threaten to leave and go on your own. (Novice who wants a right spirit in him to prevail).
You are being used in the Ministry and the Pastor has helped you tremendously: but you feel it is time to be ordained and move out on your own, yet you stay when the Pastor says it is not your time yet. (Novice who shows ordination is not a release but an honor bestowed)
Your Pastor tells you he wants you to wash his car weekly, cut the church grass monthly, and make sure the Church is closed down and locked after each service. You tell him you will gladly do it. (Novice who sees this as training for the future, not as the Pastor using him)
Another Pastor invites you to his campmeeting, revival, or special meeting, and you tell him you have to talk to your Pastor about it first and get his permission. (Novice who seeks permission will also be one that shows he is humble)
You are going to take a vacation and want to visit another church while away. You ask your Pastor about visiting that church and he tells you he would rather you did not. So, you do not visit that church. (Novice but one who learns his Pastor's wisdom has a purpose)
Your Pastor gives you permission to vist another Church to preach and the Pastor there gives you an offering. Your Pastor has taught you to give back the tithe on the offering before you leave. So, you give the host Pastor the tithe on the offering. If he declines to accept it, you give it to your Pastor. (Novice who learns how to give just like other great men of God do it)
Your Pastor ask you to take up a toliet and replace the wax seal ring. You go buy the .99 cent wax ring and do so. (Novice who shows he is willing to please God doing all things)
The Pastor has not been holding men's meeting but says he will start them back up after his missionary trip. But you decide to not only call one anyway, but choose a topic that is designed to subtilly attack another brother in the group and his wife. (Double Fool)
You have been in many churches under many Pastors and you have no Pastor whom you would call your Pastor. (Novice Fool)
You took some members from a Pastor and went out and started your own Church. (Novice Fool)
Your Pastor would not ordain you because of bad conduct and character so you went to another church and ask the Pastor there to ordain you and he did because he did not like your Pastor. (Novice Fool)
You have your own ministry but it is not under the spiritual covering of your Pastor. (Novice Fool)
You had a disagreement with your Pastor and decided to confront him in front of Church members. (Novice Fool)
You had a disagreement with your Pastor and he told you if you did not repent and humble down he would disfellowship you. You jumped around and say you would disfellowship him and stomp off. (Novice Fool)
There is no man in your life whom you can call your Father in the Faith because you have had many Pastors and for one reason or another quit them all. (Novice Fool)
You want to be all on your own and so you have little or no association with your Pastor or Father in the Faith. (Novice Fool)
You want your own identity and recognition and so do not want to be associated with the name of your Pastor or Father in the Faith. (Novice)
Your Pastor ask you to take care of the Church while he makes a mission trip and you decide that when he is gone you are really going to tell the members what you disagree with the Pastor over. (Novice Fool)
The Pastor goes to a meeting and leaves you in charge and so you put your daughter on the platform to play music because the Pastor would not allow her when he was there. (Novice Fool)
The Pastor does not believe in drinking wine except for the Lord's Supper. You disagree and believe a person can drink it any time they want. So, you sneak and drink wine and do not let the Pastor know of your conduct so he will not remove you from the platform and preaching. (Novice Fool)
You believe when god breathed into Adam his breath that the life in Adam was then God. Therefore Adam is a kind of God manifest in the flesh. You believe no man can do anything unless it is God within them doing it. You beleive when John baptized Jesus that it was really God in John baptizing Jesus. The Pastor tells you not to teach or preach these doctrines. But you do it anyway in a service when he is not there. (Novice Fool)
Your Pastor sits you down from all ministry on the platform because you talked back to him. He is teaching a lesson about wolves and sheep and how they are easily distinguished: you jump up, do a jig, then announce to the church you are leaving. You take your family in a show and march out of the church. (Novice Fool)
Your Pastor accepts your calling into the Ministry and invites you to speak at the next service on water baptism. You decide you will teach on wearing jewelry instead. So, when the service comes you teach on jewelry. (Novice Fool)
You have a geat burden to see souls saved. The Pastor ask you to preach something evangelistic on Sunday nite. You preach about the woman and the issue of blood and press your point to press until you touch Jesus. Many are blessed and come to the altar. It is a good service. (Novice whose desire to see souls saved controls his zeal)
You are now three years with a Pastor and he has refused to ordain you. You ask him about it and he says he will ordain when God tells him. You humble down and remain with the Pastor determined like Jacob not to turn loose until you get your blessing. (Novice who respects the Pastor's walk with God and his judgment)
You hate it when your Pastor refers to you as a novice. Dosen't he know you can preach better than he? Doesn't he know you are in great demand by other Pastors wanting you to preach and he won't release you? When will he quit being jealous of you and make you his equal and stop his prejudice that you are still beneath him? If he does not ordain you soon you are leaving. (Novice Fool)
You have been a good son. Your Father in the Faith has treated you well. The time has come and he has said he will ordain you. You are ordained. Soon afterward some church members want you to leave and start a church. You decline. (The novice begins to become a wise man)
You are ordained and still working under your Pastor. You feel it is your calling to stay here in this church and assist the Pastor. And if one day he retires you desire to replace him. (The novice has grown into a wise man of God)
You are in a church under a Pastor and have faithfully filled in when asked. Yet you have not been ordained. Since you have no plans to become a Pastor any time soon, you remain humble and do not seek ordination just as a formality. (The novice here is developing wisdom)
You are a Pastor and there appears at a service some members from another Pastor's Church. You ask them why they are there and they report they have quit the other Pastor and want to come there. You tell them you will not take them in until you talk to the other Pastor. (A wise Pastor will not invite another Pastor's trouble into his Church, if he does he will show disrespect to the other Pastor)
You are a Pastor and there appears at a service some members from another Pastor's Church. You don't really like that Pastor very well so you cozy up to them and make it clear you would like to have them as members. (Foolish Pastor, who will reap his own trouble and hurt from these same people later on)
You observe some young ministers in another Church and think in your heart how much you would really like to have them in your church. So you plant the seed in some other young men's minds and they make contact. Over some months of fellowship which the other Pastor knows nothing about, these are invited to come and join that church. These men do eventually come and join but not before creating church trouble and causing some members to quit their Pastor's Church. The coveteous Pastor is overjoyed that he now has these men in his church. (Foolish Pastor, who will in time regret he played the part of a foolish novice)
Some ministers come complaining they have not been ordained by their Pastor and want you to ordain them. You see no reason not to ordain them so you do it because you were asked, not because God told you. (Foolish Pastor, whose ordinations are not respectable nor will God honor them)
Note: The majority of Church problems today are a result of bad men of God, novices who are out of order, and fools who want nothing better then to see what they cannot have destroyed. The Church is preparing to go into the time of tribulation and if there ever was a time to know those who labor among us it is now. It is time to guard the house of God with greater wisdom. It is time to close the ranks against rabble who have no desire for a perfected church, but rather only to be seen and heard. We must purge from our midst all the novices and fools who will not humble down and stay in their place within the body. If they will not remain in their place it is time to cut off the branches. The olive tree needs to be pruned. Dead branches need to be lopped of. We should keep our eyes only on that which is bearing good fruit.
The Lord Jesus bless all of his great men of God.
Thank you Pastor G. Reckart for your words of encouragement and inspiration. God bless you and the wonderful people of Cebu, Philippines, always.
You offered your Pastor to work as a sunday school teacher, youth leader, home cell leader, give Bible studies, or where he needs you. (Novice showing unity of purpose)
You developed a good one on one friendship with the Pastor and are his friend and supporter. (Novice who has genuine love)
You ask your Pastor to tutor you and give you the names of books he believes would help you develop your ministry. (Novice developing wisdom)
You observe the way your Pastor operates and runs the church, the service, and his relationship to others and have learned to duplicate it. (Novice subjecing himself to his leader)
If your Pastor should go on a trip and put you in charge of the service, you would change nothing and do it just as if he was there doing it. (Novice showing himself a pattern of good works)
A church member calls you and ask you to give some spiritual advice and you tell them they should go talk to the Pastor and not you. (Novice who refuses to get entangled with the members)
Some members talk of quitting and going to start a church and ask you to come be the pastor and you refuse to accept. (Novice who shows wisdom and loyalty)
You disagree with the Pastor over a teaching or doctrine but do not challenge him or threaten to leave and go on your own. (Novice who wants a right spirit in him to prevail).
You are being used in the Ministry and the Pastor has helped you tremendously: but you feel it is time to be ordained and move out on your own, yet you stay when the Pastor says it is not your time yet. (Novice who shows ordination is not a release but an honor bestowed)
Your Pastor tells you he wants you to wash his car weekly, cut the church grass monthly, and make sure the Church is closed down and locked after each service. You tell him you will gladly do it. (Novice who sees this as training for the future, not as the Pastor using him)
Another Pastor invites you to his campmeeting, revival, or special meeting, and you tell him you have to talk to your Pastor about it first and get his permission. (Novice who seeks permission will also be one that shows he is humble)
You are going to take a vacation and want to visit another church while away. You ask your Pastor about visiting that church and he tells you he would rather you did not. So, you do not visit that church. (Novice but one who learns his Pastor's wisdom has a purpose)
Your Pastor gives you permission to vist another Church to preach and the Pastor there gives you an offering. Your Pastor has taught you to give back the tithe on the offering before you leave. So, you give the host Pastor the tithe on the offering. If he declines to accept it, you give it to your Pastor. (Novice who learns how to give just like other great men of God do it)
Your Pastor ask you to take up a toliet and replace the wax seal ring. You go buy the .99 cent wax ring and do so. (Novice who shows he is willing to please God doing all things)
The Pastor has not been holding men's meeting but says he will start them back up after his missionary trip. But you decide to not only call one anyway, but choose a topic that is designed to subtilly attack another brother in the group and his wife. (Double Fool)
You have been in many churches under many Pastors and you have no Pastor whom you would call your Pastor. (Novice Fool)
You took some members from a Pastor and went out and started your own Church. (Novice Fool)
Your Pastor would not ordain you because of bad conduct and character so you went to another church and ask the Pastor there to ordain you and he did because he did not like your Pastor. (Novice Fool)
You have your own ministry but it is not under the spiritual covering of your Pastor. (Novice Fool)
You had a disagreement with your Pastor and decided to confront him in front of Church members. (Novice Fool)
You had a disagreement with your Pastor and he told you if you did not repent and humble down he would disfellowship you. You jumped around and say you would disfellowship him and stomp off. (Novice Fool)
There is no man in your life whom you can call your Father in the Faith because you have had many Pastors and for one reason or another quit them all. (Novice Fool)
You want to be all on your own and so you have little or no association with your Pastor or Father in the Faith. (Novice Fool)
You want your own identity and recognition and so do not want to be associated with the name of your Pastor or Father in the Faith. (Novice)
Your Pastor ask you to take care of the Church while he makes a mission trip and you decide that when he is gone you are really going to tell the members what you disagree with the Pastor over. (Novice Fool)
The Pastor goes to a meeting and leaves you in charge and so you put your daughter on the platform to play music because the Pastor would not allow her when he was there. (Novice Fool)
The Pastor does not believe in drinking wine except for the Lord's Supper. You disagree and believe a person can drink it any time they want. So, you sneak and drink wine and do not let the Pastor know of your conduct so he will not remove you from the platform and preaching. (Novice Fool)
You believe when god breathed into Adam his breath that the life in Adam was then God. Therefore Adam is a kind of God manifest in the flesh. You believe no man can do anything unless it is God within them doing it. You beleive when John baptized Jesus that it was really God in John baptizing Jesus. The Pastor tells you not to teach or preach these doctrines. But you do it anyway in a service when he is not there. (Novice Fool)
Your Pastor sits you down from all ministry on the platform because you talked back to him. He is teaching a lesson about wolves and sheep and how they are easily distinguished: you jump up, do a jig, then announce to the church you are leaving. You take your family in a show and march out of the church. (Novice Fool)
Your Pastor accepts your calling into the Ministry and invites you to speak at the next service on water baptism. You decide you will teach on wearing jewelry instead. So, when the service comes you teach on jewelry. (Novice Fool)
You have a geat burden to see souls saved. The Pastor ask you to preach something evangelistic on Sunday nite. You preach about the woman and the issue of blood and press your point to press until you touch Jesus. Many are blessed and come to the altar. It is a good service. (Novice whose desire to see souls saved controls his zeal)
You are now three years with a Pastor and he has refused to ordain you. You ask him about it and he says he will ordain when God tells him. You humble down and remain with the Pastor determined like Jacob not to turn loose until you get your blessing. (Novice who respects the Pastor's walk with God and his judgment)
You hate it when your Pastor refers to you as a novice. Dosen't he know you can preach better than he? Doesn't he know you are in great demand by other Pastors wanting you to preach and he won't release you? When will he quit being jealous of you and make you his equal and stop his prejudice that you are still beneath him? If he does not ordain you soon you are leaving. (Novice Fool)
You have been a good son. Your Father in the Faith has treated you well. The time has come and he has said he will ordain you. You are ordained. Soon afterward some church members want you to leave and start a church. You decline. (The novice begins to become a wise man)
You are ordained and still working under your Pastor. You feel it is your calling to stay here in this church and assist the Pastor. And if one day he retires you desire to replace him. (The novice has grown into a wise man of God)
You are in a church under a Pastor and have faithfully filled in when asked. Yet you have not been ordained. Since you have no plans to become a Pastor any time soon, you remain humble and do not seek ordination just as a formality. (The novice here is developing wisdom)
You are a Pastor and there appears at a service some members from another Pastor's Church. You ask them why they are there and they report they have quit the other Pastor and want to come there. You tell them you will not take them in until you talk to the other Pastor. (A wise Pastor will not invite another Pastor's trouble into his Church, if he does he will show disrespect to the other Pastor)
You are a Pastor and there appears at a service some members from another Pastor's Church. You don't really like that Pastor very well so you cozy up to them and make it clear you would like to have them as members. (Foolish Pastor, who will reap his own trouble and hurt from these same people later on)
You observe some young ministers in another Church and think in your heart how much you would really like to have them in your church. So you plant the seed in some other young men's minds and they make contact. Over some months of fellowship which the other Pastor knows nothing about, these are invited to come and join that church. These men do eventually come and join but not before creating church trouble and causing some members to quit their Pastor's Church. The coveteous Pastor is overjoyed that he now has these men in his church. (Foolish Pastor, who will in time regret he played the part of a foolish novice)
Some ministers come complaining they have not been ordained by their Pastor and want you to ordain them. You see no reason not to ordain them so you do it because you were asked, not because God told you. (Foolish Pastor, whose ordinations are not respectable nor will God honor them)
Note: The majority of Church problems today are a result of bad men of God, novices who are out of order, and fools who want nothing better then to see what they cannot have destroyed. The Church is preparing to go into the time of tribulation and if there ever was a time to know those who labor among us it is now. It is time to guard the house of God with greater wisdom. It is time to close the ranks against rabble who have no desire for a perfected church, but rather only to be seen and heard. We must purge from our midst all the novices and fools who will not humble down and stay in their place within the body. If they will not remain in their place it is time to cut off the branches. The olive tree needs to be pruned. Dead branches need to be lopped of. We should keep our eyes only on that which is bearing good fruit.
The Lord Jesus bless all of his great men of God.
Thank you Pastor G. Reckart for your words of encouragement and inspiration. God bless you and the wonderful people of Cebu, Philippines, always.
Monday, May 09, 2011
10 Ways To Spring Clean Your LIFE
1. Clean out the anger, hatred, jealousy, and self doubt.
2. Move out the frustrations, and lack of communication.
Wash away delay and procrastination.
3. Dust off your attitude, and put on a fresh coat of
positive.
4. Throw out misunderstanding, and lack of patience.
Sweep out the dirt of gossip or lies
5. Recycle old relationships, roles, and routines that no
longer work into a new, useable form.
6. Open the shades and let in the warmth of friendship.
7. Lighten up your thoughts with humor and fun.
8. Give away as much love, help, care, concern, and gratitude
as possible.
9. Paint in new boundaries, and stencil some raised standards
10. Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a
fresh perspective on living a happier, better, easier life.
2. Move out the frustrations, and lack of communication.
Wash away delay and procrastination.
3. Dust off your attitude, and put on a fresh coat of
positive.
4. Throw out misunderstanding, and lack of patience.
Sweep out the dirt of gossip or lies
5. Recycle old relationships, roles, and routines that no
longer work into a new, useable form.
6. Open the shades and let in the warmth of friendship.
7. Lighten up your thoughts with humor and fun.
8. Give away as much love, help, care, concern, and gratitude
as possible.
9. Paint in new boundaries, and stencil some raised standards
10. Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a
fresh perspective on living a happier, better, easier life.
50 Things That Really Do Matter
1. Listening enough to care and caring enough to listen.
2. Being a dreamer but not living in a dream world.
3. Saying "It doesn't matter" and meaning it.
4. Being a positive influence in any way possible, to asmany as possible, for as long as I possibly can.
5. Balancing justice with mercy and fairness with commonsense.
6. Being patient and patiently enduring.
7. Earning credibility instead of demanding compliance.
8. Valuing the wisdom of discernment, the danger of pleasurewithout restraint, and the joy of victory with integrity.
9. Being worthy of trust and trusting what's worthwhile.
10. Enjoying all things small and beautiful.
11. Words that heal.
12. Words that help.
13. And words that encourage.
14. Forgiving myself for what I've done and others for whatthey haven't.
15. Gaining what I desire without losing what I should gain.
16. Maintaining the passion of purpose while avoiding thepitfalls of making hasty decisions with little or nodiscernment.
17. Watching "You've Got Mail" one more time.
18. Enjoying life for all it holds instead of holding outfor all it has yet to become.
19. Giving praise without demands and encouragement withoutexpectations.
20. Hugs.
21. Healing wounds.
22. And helping people realize their dreams.
23. Knowing when I can, can't and shouldn't.
24. Laughter for the sake of laughter!
25. Leading while not forgetting how to follow.
26. Honoring the honorable and avoiding the painful errorsof the disgraceful.
27. Knowing the power of commitment, the rewards of self-discipline and the meaning of faith in myself, God andothers.
28. Smiles -- lots of them.
29. Learning as much as I can for as long as I can.
30. Standing for what's right when everything's wrong, andsaying "I'm wrong" when something's not right.
31. Letting the music play.
32. Knowing I can and seeking help when I can't.
33. Just doing nothing at just the right time.
34. Filling my mind with all that is excellent, truthful,full of hope, and worthy of thinking about again.
35. Kisses that say "I love you" more than "I need you."
36. Treasuring ideas for their untapped potential.
37. Caring.
38. Giving.
39. And having fun.
40. Refusing to believe lies about myself or othersregardless of the source -- including what I hear fromwithin.
41. Trusting enough to see good in people without blindlytrusting in the goodness of all people.
42. Success without self-absorption.
43. Showing I know the difference between keeping the rulesand listening with understanding.
44. Winning with dignity.
45. Losing with grace.
46. And learning from both.
47. Believing in all my possibilities -- and yours too!
48. Appreciating the wisdom of maturity and the beauty ofchildhood.
49. Avoiding the bondage of bitterness, the deceit of wealthwithout character, and the vanity of pride withoutgratefulness.
50. Loving for all I'm worth because in the end it's worthit all.
Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time.
My dear brothers and sister in Christ, If you've enjoyed this article written by Lee Wise as I have, please do visit the blogs of Lee Wise at http://personal-spiritual-growth.blogspot.com and http://purposesuccessinspiration.blogspot.com/
You can also visit him on facebook and follow him on twitter at: http://www.facebook.com/LeeWisePurposeSuccessInspiration and http://twitter.com/#!/Lee_Wise
Thank you brother Lee Wise for blessing us with, "50 Things That Really Do Matter". I pray the Lord continues to bless you as you've surely blessed many and I am so glad to be one of them. God bless you, always. Andres
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute this article. The copyright and this resource box must be included.
Discover How The Power Of Passion and The Beauty Of Being Unique Combine to Forge Lives That Matter And Legacies That Last. Continue Your Spiritual Journey by visiting here --> http://personal-spiritual-growth.blogspot.com
2. Being a dreamer but not living in a dream world.
3. Saying "It doesn't matter" and meaning it.
4. Being a positive influence in any way possible, to asmany as possible, for as long as I possibly can.
5. Balancing justice with mercy and fairness with commonsense.
6. Being patient and patiently enduring.
7. Earning credibility instead of demanding compliance.
8. Valuing the wisdom of discernment, the danger of pleasurewithout restraint, and the joy of victory with integrity.
9. Being worthy of trust and trusting what's worthwhile.
10. Enjoying all things small and beautiful.
11. Words that heal.
12. Words that help.
13. And words that encourage.
14. Forgiving myself for what I've done and others for whatthey haven't.
15. Gaining what I desire without losing what I should gain.
16. Maintaining the passion of purpose while avoiding thepitfalls of making hasty decisions with little or nodiscernment.
17. Watching "You've Got Mail" one more time.
18. Enjoying life for all it holds instead of holding outfor all it has yet to become.
19. Giving praise without demands and encouragement withoutexpectations.
20. Hugs.
21. Healing wounds.
22. And helping people realize their dreams.
23. Knowing when I can, can't and shouldn't.
24. Laughter for the sake of laughter!
25. Leading while not forgetting how to follow.
26. Honoring the honorable and avoiding the painful errorsof the disgraceful.
27. Knowing the power of commitment, the rewards of self-discipline and the meaning of faith in myself, God andothers.
28. Smiles -- lots of them.
29. Learning as much as I can for as long as I can.
30. Standing for what's right when everything's wrong, andsaying "I'm wrong" when something's not right.
31. Letting the music play.
32. Knowing I can and seeking help when I can't.
33. Just doing nothing at just the right time.
34. Filling my mind with all that is excellent, truthful,full of hope, and worthy of thinking about again.
35. Kisses that say "I love you" more than "I need you."
36. Treasuring ideas for their untapped potential.
37. Caring.
38. Giving.
39. And having fun.
40. Refusing to believe lies about myself or othersregardless of the source -- including what I hear fromwithin.
41. Trusting enough to see good in people without blindlytrusting in the goodness of all people.
42. Success without self-absorption.
43. Showing I know the difference between keeping the rulesand listening with understanding.
44. Winning with dignity.
45. Losing with grace.
46. And learning from both.
47. Believing in all my possibilities -- and yours too!
48. Appreciating the wisdom of maturity and the beauty ofchildhood.
49. Avoiding the bondage of bitterness, the deceit of wealthwithout character, and the vanity of pride withoutgratefulness.
50. Loving for all I'm worth because in the end it's worthit all.
Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time.
My dear brothers and sister in Christ, If you've enjoyed this article written by Lee Wise as I have, please do visit the blogs of Lee Wise at http://personal-spiritual-growth.blogspot.com and http://purposesuccessinspiration.blogspot.com/
You can also visit him on facebook and follow him on twitter at: http://www.facebook.com/LeeWisePurposeSuccessInspiration and http://twitter.com/#!/Lee_Wise
Thank you brother Lee Wise for blessing us with, "50 Things That Really Do Matter". I pray the Lord continues to bless you as you've surely blessed many and I am so glad to be one of them. God bless you, always. Andres
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute this article. The copyright and this resource box must be included.
Discover How The Power Of Passion and The Beauty Of Being Unique Combine to Forge Lives That Matter And Legacies That Last. Continue Your Spiritual Journey by visiting here --> http://personal-spiritual-growth.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
Beautiful red, pink, yellow and white roses,
They all say "I Love You"
The thorns on the bush remind us
That mistakes need forgiveness too.
Red roses tell of God's beauty,
That often thrills my soul.
The yellow, whispers of His Love,
Chasing away sadness, and making us whole.
The pink is for the blush in my cheeks,
When laughter chases the blues away.
The white tells of His forgiveness,
We'll share together each day.
If Roses grow in heaven,
Lord, please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my loved one's arms
and tell them, they're from me.
Tell them that I love and miss
them, and when they turn to smile,
place a kiss upon their cheek
and hold them for a while.
Because remembering them is easy,
I do it every day.
But there's an ache within my heart,
that will never go away.
Mama, you’re always with me... You’re the whisper of the leaves as I walk down the street. You’re the smell of bleach in my freshly laundered socks. You’re the cool hand on my brow when I’m not well. Mama, you live inside my laughter. You are crystallized in every tear drop... even these, as I write this for you. You’re the place I came from, my first home... You’re the map I follow with every step that I take. You are my first love and my first heart break....and nothing on earth can separate us. Not time… Not space... Not even death.... will ever separate me from you.... You carried me inside of you for nine months, Mama, now I carry you inside of me forever.... You’re always with me Mama, no, it’s not Mothers Day till this coming Sunday and your birthday was the 22nd of February therefore it’s not your birthday. Today is not even a holiday. Mama, it’s been a little over seven years since…well, I know I didn't lose you...God has reminded me that I can't lose something when I know where it is. Mama, I miss you! Thank You Lord God for adding another flower to Your heavenly bouquet!
Sunday, May 01, 2011
10 Most Important Things
Love
The Special Feeling that makes you feel all Warm and Wonderful
Respect
Treating others as well as you'd like to be treated
Appreciation
To be Grateful for all the Good Things Life has to offer
Happiness
The Full Enjoyment of each moment with a Smiling Face
Forgiveness
The Ability to let Things be without Anger
Sharing
The Joy of giving without Thought of Receiving
Honesty
The Quality of always telling the Truth
Integrity
The purity of doing what's Right no matter what.
Compassion
The Essence of Feeling another's Pain, while Easing their Hurt
The Special Feeling that makes you feel all Warm and Wonderful
Respect
Treating others as well as you'd like to be treated
Appreciation
To be Grateful for all the Good Things Life has to offer
Happiness
The Full Enjoyment of each moment with a Smiling Face
Forgiveness
The Ability to let Things be without Anger
Sharing
The Joy of giving without Thought of Receiving
Honesty
The Quality of always telling the Truth
Integrity
The purity of doing what's Right no matter what.
Compassion
The Essence of Feeling another's Pain, while Easing their Hurt
Friday, April 08, 2011
100 Truths About Jesus
Jesus came to die and destroy Satan's power - Heb. 2:14
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matt. 5:17
Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28
Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18
Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14);10:30-33
Jesus created all things - John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17
Jesus is before all things - Col. 1:17
Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14;8:5 8
Jesus is honored the same as the Father - John 5:23
Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:54-60
Jesus is worshipped - Matt. 2:2,8,11;14:33;28:9,17 John 9:35-37
Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14;20:28 Col. 2:9 Tit. 2:13
Jesus is omnipresent - Matt 28:20
Jesus is with us always - Matt. 28:20
Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Heb. 7:22;8:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51
Jesus said, "I A M the Door" - John 10:7,9
Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14
Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12;9:5;12:46; Luke 2:32
Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1;15:5
Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25
Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Rev 1:17;2:8;22:13
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Heb. 7:25
Jesus cleanses from sin - 1 John 1 :9 -
Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21
Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32
Jesus forgives sins - Luke 5:20;7:48
Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28;5:40
Jesus gives joy - John 15:11
Jesus gives peace - John 14:27
Jesus has authority - Matt. 28:18; John 5:26-27;17:2;3:35
Jesus judges - John 5:22,27
Jesus knows all men - John 16:30
Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45
Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - 2 Pet 1:17
Jesus r esurrects - John 5:39;11:25-26;6:40,44,54
Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 see John 6:45
Jesus reveals the Father - Matt. 11:27 Luke 10:22
Jesus saves forever - Matt 18:11 John 10:28 Heb. 7:25
Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18;14:6
Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36;10:25
The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37;8:18; 1 John 5:9
The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26
The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17
The Prophets bear witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43
The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39
The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 see Col. 3:24
The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - I Cor 1:9
The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matt. 17:5
The Father tells us to come to Jesus - John 6:45
The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44
Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to Jesus - John 6:45
The Law leads us to Christ - Gal. 3:24
Jesus is the Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4
Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42 1 John 4:14 Jesus is King - Matt. 2:1-6 Luke 23:3
In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Col. 2:2-3
In Jesus we have been made completeCol. 2:10
Jesus indwells us - Col. 1:27
Jesus sanctifies - Heb. 2:11
Jesus loves - Eph. 5:25
We come to Jesus - John 5:40;7:37;6:35,37,45,65
We sin against Jesus - 1 Cor 8:12
We receive Jesus - John 1:12 Col. 2:6
Jesus makes many righteous - Rom 5:19
Jesus is the i mage of the invisible God - Heb. 1:3
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26
Jesus abides forever - Heb. 7:24
Jesus offered up Himself - Heb7:27;9:14
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Heb. 10:12
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith - Heb. 12:2
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession - Heb. 1:3
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His blood - Rev. 1:5; Rom. 5:9
Jesus is the Light of the world - John 9:5
Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18
Jesus was crucified because of weakness - 2 Cor. 13:4
Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33
Truth is in Jesus - Eph. 4:21
The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ - Phil. 1:11
Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - 1 Thess 1:10
Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27
Jesus died and rose again - 1 Thess. 4:14
The Christian dead ha ve fallen asleep in Jesus - 1 Thess. 4:15
Jesus died for us - 1 Thess. 5:10
Jesus tasted death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Heb. 2:14
Jesus is able to save completely - Heb. 7:25
Jesus was a ransom for many and to serve - Matt. 20:28
Jesus came to be a priest - Heb. 2:17
Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10
Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43
Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51
Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38
Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8
Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matt. 5:17
Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28
Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18
Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14);10:30-33
Jesus created all things - John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17
Jesus is before all things - Col. 1:17
Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14;8:5 8
Jesus is honored the same as the Father - John 5:23
Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:54-60
Jesus is worshipped - Matt. 2:2,8,11;14:33;28:9,17 John 9:35-37
Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14;20:28 Col. 2:9 Tit. 2:13
Jesus is omnipresent - Matt 28:20
Jesus is with us always - Matt. 28:20
Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Heb. 7:22;8:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51
Jesus said, "I A M the Door" - John 10:7,9
Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14
Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12;9:5;12:46; Luke 2:32
Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1;15:5
Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25
Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Rev 1:17;2:8;22:13
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Heb. 7:25
Jesus cleanses from sin - 1 John 1 :9 -
Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21
Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32
Jesus forgives sins - Luke 5:20;7:48
Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28;5:40
Jesus gives joy - John 15:11
Jesus gives peace - John 14:27
Jesus has authority - Matt. 28:18; John 5:26-27;17:2;3:35
Jesus judges - John 5:22,27
Jesus knows all men - John 16:30
Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45
Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - 2 Pet 1:17
Jesus r esurrects - John 5:39;11:25-26;6:40,44,54
Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 see John 6:45
Jesus reveals the Father - Matt. 11:27 Luke 10:22
Jesus saves forever - Matt 18:11 John 10:28 Heb. 7:25
Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18;14:6
Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36;10:25
The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37;8:18; 1 John 5:9
The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26
The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17
The Prophets bear witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43
The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39
The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 see Col. 3:24
The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - I Cor 1:9
The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matt. 17:5
The Father tells us to come to Jesus - John 6:45
The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44
Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to Jesus - John 6:45
The Law leads us to Christ - Gal. 3:24
Jesus is the Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4
Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42 1 John 4:14 Jesus is King - Matt. 2:1-6 Luke 23:3
In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Col. 2:2-3
In Jesus we have been made completeCol. 2:10
Jesus indwells us - Col. 1:27
Jesus sanctifies - Heb. 2:11
Jesus loves - Eph. 5:25
We come to Jesus - John 5:40;7:37;6:35,37,45,65
We sin against Jesus - 1 Cor 8:12
We receive Jesus - John 1:12 Col. 2:6
Jesus makes many righteous - Rom 5:19
Jesus is the i mage of the invisible God - Heb. 1:3
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26
Jesus abides forever - Heb. 7:24
Jesus offered up Himself - Heb7:27;9:14
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Heb. 10:12
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith - Heb. 12:2
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession - Heb. 1:3
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His blood - Rev. 1:5; Rom. 5:9
Jesus is the Light of the world - John 9:5
Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18
Jesus was crucified because of weakness - 2 Cor. 13:4
Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33
Truth is in Jesus - Eph. 4:21
The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ - Phil. 1:11
Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - 1 Thess 1:10
Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27
Jesus died and rose again - 1 Thess. 4:14
The Christian dead ha ve fallen asleep in Jesus - 1 Thess. 4:15
Jesus died for us - 1 Thess. 5:10
Jesus tasted death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Heb. 2:14
Jesus is able to save completely - Heb. 7:25
Jesus was a ransom for many and to serve - Matt. 20:28
Jesus came to be a priest - Heb. 2:17
Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10
Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43
Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51
Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38
Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8
Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37
Thursday, March 31, 2011
THOU ART WITH ME
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalms 23:4
Look at this picture and you can see where this driver broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert, where the people are standing on the road, pointing.
The pick-up was traveling just outside Flagstaff, Arizona on U.S. Highway 100 doing about 75 mph. From right to left when it crashed through the guardrail. It flipped end-over-end bounced off and across the culvert outlet, and landed right side up on the left side of the culvert, facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling. The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger were unhurt except for minor cuts (Thy Rod) and bruises (Thy Staff).
Okay, maybe I went a little overboard (in your eyes, not mine) with the rod and staff... but it looks so good. Yes, I know that the rod is used for protection or defense and the staff is for guidance, for steadiness. I also know that shepherds carried them at all times. The staff was a long crooked stick. When a sheep showed signs of straying, he would stretch out and pull it back with the crook.
Surely, we are the sheep and God is the Shepherd. And as you can see by the picture above, the Shepherd protected His sheep from dangers seen and unseen. If you're wondering why I would say something like that...
Please look at the second picture below...
(Click the picture for a closer view)
My dear brother's and sisters in Christ, if God isn’t done with you, God isn’t done with you…
THE END .......
Look at this picture and you can see where this driver broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert, where the people are standing on the road, pointing.
The pick-up was traveling just outside Flagstaff, Arizona on U.S. Highway 100 doing about 75 mph. From right to left when it crashed through the guardrail. It flipped end-over-end bounced off and across the culvert outlet, and landed right side up on the left side of the culvert, facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling. The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger were unhurt except for minor cuts (Thy Rod) and bruises (Thy Staff).
Okay, maybe I went a little overboard (in your eyes, not mine) with the rod and staff... but it looks so good. Yes, I know that the rod is used for protection or defense and the staff is for guidance, for steadiness. I also know that shepherds carried them at all times. The staff was a long crooked stick. When a sheep showed signs of straying, he would stretch out and pull it back with the crook.
Surely, we are the sheep and God is the Shepherd. And as you can see by the picture above, the Shepherd protected His sheep from dangers seen and unseen. If you're wondering why I would say something like that...
Please look at the second picture below...
(Click the picture for a closer view)
My dear brother's and sisters in Christ, if God isn’t done with you, God isn’t done with you…
THE END .......
Monday, March 21, 2011
IT IS WRITTEN...
Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down.
For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in there hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’[c]”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’[e]”
Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.
My dear brother and sisters in Christ, just as the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness; he will do the same to us during the wilderness moments in this walk of faith. If he hasn’t already, either you’re lying to yourself or you haven’t been living long enough. Just keep on living.
Notice how each and every time Jesus was tempted, He used the power of God’s Word to defeat that temptation. Jesus never told God how big His storms were but instead, He told His storms how big God is.
Beloved, God speaks in every line and His Word is everything to me, therefore I know that in the very first chapter of the book of John and in the very first verse God’s Word says "For in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jump all the way up to the fourteenth verse and it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Therefore it always amazes me how foolish the devil was by trying to use the Word to tempt the Word.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever more, therefore we must realize that His Word can and will do the same for us today when are tempted by the devil. Bothers and sisters, just as Jesus used the power of God’s Word to defeat temptation then, we must used the power of God’s Word now to defeat temptation today. Look at your storm and tell it with and through the power of God’s Word, how big God is. Tell it, Storm... "It is written", trails, "It is written", tribulations, “It is written”. Whatever the devil has the audacity to bring your way, tell him, “It is written”.
Tell your storms when they make you feel weak, “It is written”
Revelation 19:6 says: God is omnipotent / all-powerful
Tell your storms when they make you feeling down” It is written”
Matthews 8:5-10; 28:18 says: Jesus has Power and Authority over all things
Tell your storms when they make you feel powerless, “It is written”
I John 4:4 says: God is more powerful than satan
Tell your storms when they bring darkness into your life, “It is written”
Genesis chapters 1 & 2 say: God created all things just by saying “Let there be”
Tell your storms when they make you feel your future plans seem dim, “It is written”
Duet.31:8; Acts 2:23 says: God plans & knows all things ahead of time
Tell your storms when they make you feel a failure, “It is written”
Job 42:1, 2; Proverbs 21:30, 31; & Psalm 33:10, 11, says: God’s plans always succeed
Tell your storms when they tell you that there is no answer. “It is written”
Psalm 33:13, 14 & Proverbs 15:3 says: God sees and knows all (He is Sovereign)
Tell your storms when they make you feel poor, “It is written”
I Chron. 29:11, 12 say: God owns all in Heaven and on Earth
Tell your storms when they make you feel incomplete, “It is written”
Isaiah 46:11 says: what God says & plans He will do
Tell your storms when they make you feel that it’s impossible, “It is written”
Luke 1:37 says: nothing is impossible for God
Tell your storms when they tell you things will be difficult, “It is written”
Jeremiah 32:17 says: there is nothing too hard for God
Tell your storms when they make you feel out of control, “It is written”
Job 38-41; 42:1, 2 says: God created and controls all things
Tell your storms when they look big and overwhelming, “It is written”
Isaiah 40:12-31 says: nothing can match God’s awesome size, power, wisdom, & strength.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down.
For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in there hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’[c]”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’[e]”
Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.
My dear brother and sisters in Christ, just as the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness; he will do the same to us during the wilderness moments in this walk of faith. If he hasn’t already, either you’re lying to yourself or you haven’t been living long enough. Just keep on living.
Notice how each and every time Jesus was tempted, He used the power of God’s Word to defeat that temptation. Jesus never told God how big His storms were but instead, He told His storms how big God is.
Beloved, God speaks in every line and His Word is everything to me, therefore I know that in the very first chapter of the book of John and in the very first verse God’s Word says "For in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jump all the way up to the fourteenth verse and it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Therefore it always amazes me how foolish the devil was by trying to use the Word to tempt the Word.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever more, therefore we must realize that His Word can and will do the same for us today when are tempted by the devil. Bothers and sisters, just as Jesus used the power of God’s Word to defeat temptation then, we must used the power of God’s Word now to defeat temptation today. Look at your storm and tell it with and through the power of God’s Word, how big God is. Tell it, Storm... "It is written", trails, "It is written", tribulations, “It is written”. Whatever the devil has the audacity to bring your way, tell him, “It is written”.
Tell your storms when they make you feel weak, “It is written”
Revelation 19:6 says: God is omnipotent / all-powerful
Tell your storms when they make you feeling down” It is written”
Matthews 8:5-10; 28:18 says: Jesus has Power and Authority over all things
Tell your storms when they make you feel powerless, “It is written”
I John 4:4 says: God is more powerful than satan
Tell your storms when they bring darkness into your life, “It is written”
Genesis chapters 1 & 2 say: God created all things just by saying “Let there be”
Tell your storms when they make you feel your future plans seem dim, “It is written”
Duet.31:8; Acts 2:23 says: God plans & knows all things ahead of time
Tell your storms when they make you feel a failure, “It is written”
Job 42:1, 2; Proverbs 21:30, 31; & Psalm 33:10, 11, says: God’s plans always succeed
Tell your storms when they tell you that there is no answer. “It is written”
Psalm 33:13, 14 & Proverbs 15:3 says: God sees and knows all (He is Sovereign)
Tell your storms when they make you feel poor, “It is written”
I Chron. 29:11, 12 say: God owns all in Heaven and on Earth
Tell your storms when they make you feel incomplete, “It is written”
Isaiah 46:11 says: what God says & plans He will do
Tell your storms when they make you feel that it’s impossible, “It is written”
Luke 1:37 says: nothing is impossible for God
Tell your storms when they tell you things will be difficult, “It is written”
Jeremiah 32:17 says: there is nothing too hard for God
Tell your storms when they make you feel out of control, “It is written”
Job 38-41; 42:1, 2 says: God created and controls all things
Tell your storms when they look big and overwhelming, “It is written”
Isaiah 40:12-31 says: nothing can match God’s awesome size, power, wisdom, & strength.
USE GOD'S WORD IN PRAYER
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God's Word is full of prayers that are after God's own heart and according to His will. God's word is a spiritual weapon ("Sword of the Spirit", Ephesians 6) 1 john 5:14, 15 (expect answers when you pray according to god's heart & will, and have a right relationship with him).
Here are some examples from scripture:
"GIVE ME A HEART TO KNOW YOU "
JEREMIAH 24:7
"LET US KNOW THE TRUTH AND SET US FREE."
JOHN 8:32
"OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE WONDERFUL THINGS IN YOUR LAW."
PSALM 119:18
"CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART, O GOD, AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME." PSALM 51:10
"CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS." ("FORGIVE MY HIDDEN FAULTS.")
PSALM 19:12
"I DO BELIEVE; HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF."
MARK 9:24
"HEAR MY VOICE WHEN I CALL, O LORD; BE MERCIFUL TO ME & ANSWER ME."
PSALM 27:7
"... YOUR FACE LORD I WILL SEEK."
PSALM 27:8
"TEACH ME YOUR WAY, O LORD; LEAD ME IN A STRAIGHT PATH."
PSALM 27:11
"TEACH ME YOUR WAYS, SO I MAY KNOW YOU & CONTINUE TO FIND FAVOR WITH YOU." EXODUS 33:13
" LORD, BE MY FIRST LOVE."
REVELATION 2:4
" NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE."
LUKE 22:42
OTHER PRAYERS:
FOR A BROKEN & HUMBLE SPIRIT
PSALM 51:17
FOR A SERVANT'S HEART
MARK 10:44-45
TO BE ALERT TO SATAN'S ATTACKS & WAYS
1 JOHN 4:4
TO BE CONFORMED TO JESUS' LIKENESS
ROMANS 8:29
TO BE ONE WITH GOD LIKE JESUS IS
JOHN 17:22
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. COLOSSIANS 1:9-12
Here are some examples from scripture:
"GIVE ME A HEART TO KNOW YOU "
JEREMIAH 24:7
"LET US KNOW THE TRUTH AND SET US FREE."
JOHN 8:32
"OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE WONDERFUL THINGS IN YOUR LAW."
PSALM 119:18
"CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART, O GOD, AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME." PSALM 51:10
"CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS." ("FORGIVE MY HIDDEN FAULTS.")
PSALM 19:12
"I DO BELIEVE; HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF."
MARK 9:24
"HEAR MY VOICE WHEN I CALL, O LORD; BE MERCIFUL TO ME & ANSWER ME."
PSALM 27:7
"... YOUR FACE LORD I WILL SEEK."
PSALM 27:8
"TEACH ME YOUR WAY, O LORD; LEAD ME IN A STRAIGHT PATH."
PSALM 27:11
"TEACH ME YOUR WAYS, SO I MAY KNOW YOU & CONTINUE TO FIND FAVOR WITH YOU." EXODUS 33:13
" LORD, BE MY FIRST LOVE."
REVELATION 2:4
" NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE."
LUKE 22:42
OTHER PRAYERS:
FOR A BROKEN & HUMBLE SPIRIT
PSALM 51:17
FOR A SERVANT'S HEART
MARK 10:44-45
TO BE ALERT TO SATAN'S ATTACKS & WAYS
1 JOHN 4:4
TO BE CONFORMED TO JESUS' LIKENESS
ROMANS 8:29
TO BE ONE WITH GOD LIKE JESUS IS
JOHN 17:22
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. COLOSSIANS 1:9-12
Spiritual Gifts
My dear brothers and sisters of Christ, all of us Christians and lovers of the Lord have been given at least one spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit and many of us have several spiritual gifts, with typically one dominant gift; this group of gifts is called a gift cluster. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to unify us in our faith, build each other up, and to produce growth within the church, both numerical and spiritual. Spiritual gifts are to be used out of love for God and for others, and in service for God and to others. Not for self glorification nor appointment.
Here is a list of gifts with Biblical References as follow:
Spiritual Gifts
Administration: the gift that enables a believer to formulate, direct, and carry out plans necessary to fulfill a purpose.
Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:28, Acts 14:23
Discernment: the Holy Spirit given ability to distinguish whether someone or something is of God or not of God.
Biblical References: John 16:6-15, Romans 9:1, I Corinthians 2:9-16, 12:10
Exhortation: The Holy Spirit produced ability to challenge, strengthen, encourage, and comfort believers.
Biblical References: John 14:1, II Timothy 1:16-18, III John 5-8
Faith: the Holy Spirit given ability to trust God where others will not, and to see something that God wants done and sustain unwavering confidence that God will do it regardless of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Biblical References: Genesis 12:1-4a, Mark 5:25-34, I Thessalonians 1:8-10
Giving: the gift that enables a believer to recognize God's blessings and to respond to those blessings by generously and sacrificially giving of one's resources (time, talent, and treasure).
Biblical References: Luke 21:1-4, Romans 12:8, II Corinthians 9:6-15
Knowledge: the gift that drives a person to learn, analyze and uncover new insights with regard to the Bible and faith.
Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:8; I Corinthians 14:6, Romans 12:2
Leadership: the gift that gives a believer the confidence to step forward, give direction and provide motivation to fulfill a dream or complete a task.
Biblical References: Romans 12:8, John 21:15-17, II Timothy 4:1-5
Mercy: the Holy Spirit given ability to see those who are in misery, have pity on them, and promptly & cheerfully seek to relieve them of their need.
Biblical References: Matthew 25:34-36, Luke 7:12-15, 10:30-37; Romans 12:8
Prophecy: an ability given by God's Holy Spirit to proclaim God's truth publicly and to apply it practically, with a view to correction and edification.
Biblical References: Romans 12:6, I Corinthians 12:10, 14:1,3
Service/ Helps: the gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind the scenes in order that God's work is fulfilled.
Biblical References: Luke 23:50-54, Romans 12:7, 16:1-16, Philippians 2:19-23
Teaching: the Holy Spirit produced ability to effectively explain God's word and apply it.
Biblical References: Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 18:24-48, Romans 12:7, I Corinthians 12:28
Wisdom: skilled in the application of Biblical truth; is able to take God's Word and apply it to everyday situations.
Biblical References: I Corinthians 2:6-13, James 3:13-18, II Chronicles 1:7-11
Here is a list of gifts with Biblical References as follow:
Spiritual Gifts
Administration: the gift that enables a believer to formulate, direct, and carry out plans necessary to fulfill a purpose.
Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:28, Acts 14:23
Discernment: the Holy Spirit given ability to distinguish whether someone or something is of God or not of God.
Biblical References: John 16:6-15, Romans 9:1, I Corinthians 2:9-16, 12:10
Exhortation: The Holy Spirit produced ability to challenge, strengthen, encourage, and comfort believers.
Biblical References: John 14:1, II Timothy 1:16-18, III John 5-8
Faith: the Holy Spirit given ability to trust God where others will not, and to see something that God wants done and sustain unwavering confidence that God will do it regardless of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Biblical References: Genesis 12:1-4a, Mark 5:25-34, I Thessalonians 1:8-10
Giving: the gift that enables a believer to recognize God's blessings and to respond to those blessings by generously and sacrificially giving of one's resources (time, talent, and treasure).
Biblical References: Luke 21:1-4, Romans 12:8, II Corinthians 9:6-15
Knowledge: the gift that drives a person to learn, analyze and uncover new insights with regard to the Bible and faith.
Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:8; I Corinthians 14:6, Romans 12:2
Leadership: the gift that gives a believer the confidence to step forward, give direction and provide motivation to fulfill a dream or complete a task.
Biblical References: Romans 12:8, John 21:15-17, II Timothy 4:1-5
Mercy: the Holy Spirit given ability to see those who are in misery, have pity on them, and promptly & cheerfully seek to relieve them of their need.
Biblical References: Matthew 25:34-36, Luke 7:12-15, 10:30-37; Romans 12:8
Prophecy: an ability given by God's Holy Spirit to proclaim God's truth publicly and to apply it practically, with a view to correction and edification.
Biblical References: Romans 12:6, I Corinthians 12:10, 14:1,3
Service/ Helps: the gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind the scenes in order that God's work is fulfilled.
Biblical References: Luke 23:50-54, Romans 12:7, 16:1-16, Philippians 2:19-23
Teaching: the Holy Spirit produced ability to effectively explain God's word and apply it.
Biblical References: Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 18:24-48, Romans 12:7, I Corinthians 12:28
Wisdom: skilled in the application of Biblical truth; is able to take God's Word and apply it to everyday situations.
Biblical References: I Corinthians 2:6-13, James 3:13-18, II Chronicles 1:7-11
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Overlooked By Everyone Else
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22 (NIV)
Sometimes I wake up on Monday mornings a little grumpy. Time to do it all again. I’ll buy food that gets eaten. I’ll wash clothes that get dirty again. I’ll sweep floors that an hour later will be littered with crumbs.
Is there more to all this than just doing the tasks of everyday life?
Before I jumped into the normal routine this morning, I sat with Jesus. And I found some big truths as I took a little glance into David’s life. Despite how others saw him, his own propensity to sin, and lack of position in his own family, David had the sweet reassurance of God and that was enough.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
To his older brothers, David was a pest. To his father, Jesse, he was just the youngest son. To on-lookers, he was just a shepherd boy. But to God, he was the one destined to be king. And not just any king. His lineage was the one from whom Jesus would come.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Even how David was anointed to be the future king is a telling story. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king and chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be the replacement. Think of the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel’s mind for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well mannered, a natural born leader. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (meaning Saul who had these qualities). The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7).
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Samuel had Jesse line up all of his sons before him. All of them were to be looked at. Yet, Jesse doesn’t call David in from tending sheep. Was this an oversight? An assumption? A judgment call? A necessity? A deliberate choice?
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Samuel passes on each of Jesse’s sons and then asks, “Are these all the sons you have?”I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, “There is still the youngest but he is tending sheep.” Surely one who spends his time taking care of animals is not the one to take care of a nation.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
As soon as Samuel saw him, he knew he was the one. David was anointed to become king. But he was not immediately ushered to the throne. It was years before David would be recognized by the world.
So, where did he go after being anointed as king?
To a refining school?
A government academy?
Military training?
Nope.
He went back out into the fields and continued to shepherd his flock. A king doing lowly tasks. A king whose character was being refined in the fields of everyday life to prepare him for his calling.
How like us. In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and that birthday gift that still needs to be mailed to grandma – there is training there.
There is character building.
There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining.
There is heart grounding. All of which must take place for us to become what God intends.
Ever feel overlooked by the world?
Take heart, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ- we are handpicked by God.
I am not just doing tasks.
I am building a legacy.
I am shaping God’s kingdom.
I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don’t know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks… even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.
Dear Lord, thank you that even when I feel overlooked, I can rest in the fact that I am handpicked by You. Help me to live my life for an audience of One. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps: Write down a list of qualities that you sense God is developing in you. Next write down why God might need to develop you in this way.
Reflections: Are there any tasks that you particularly struggle with not wanting to do? Ask God for a new perspective and spend time listening for His voice while you do this job.
Power Verses: Psalm 28:7a “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” (NIV)
2 Samuel 7:22, “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” (NIV)
Thank you so much sister Lysa TerKeurst for blessing me with your words of encouragement. God bless you always.
Sometimes I wake up on Monday mornings a little grumpy. Time to do it all again. I’ll buy food that gets eaten. I’ll wash clothes that get dirty again. I’ll sweep floors that an hour later will be littered with crumbs.
Is there more to all this than just doing the tasks of everyday life?
Before I jumped into the normal routine this morning, I sat with Jesus. And I found some big truths as I took a little glance into David’s life. Despite how others saw him, his own propensity to sin, and lack of position in his own family, David had the sweet reassurance of God and that was enough.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
To his older brothers, David was a pest. To his father, Jesse, he was just the youngest son. To on-lookers, he was just a shepherd boy. But to God, he was the one destined to be king. And not just any king. His lineage was the one from whom Jesus would come.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Even how David was anointed to be the future king is a telling story. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king and chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be the replacement. Think of the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel’s mind for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well mannered, a natural born leader. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (meaning Saul who had these qualities). The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7).
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Samuel had Jesse line up all of his sons before him. All of them were to be looked at. Yet, Jesse doesn’t call David in from tending sheep. Was this an oversight? An assumption? A judgment call? A necessity? A deliberate choice?
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Samuel passes on each of Jesse’s sons and then asks, “Are these all the sons you have?”I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, “There is still the youngest but he is tending sheep.” Surely one who spends his time taking care of animals is not the one to take care of a nation.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
As soon as Samuel saw him, he knew he was the one. David was anointed to become king. But he was not immediately ushered to the throne. It was years before David would be recognized by the world.
So, where did he go after being anointed as king?
To a refining school?
A government academy?
Military training?
Nope.
He went back out into the fields and continued to shepherd his flock. A king doing lowly tasks. A king whose character was being refined in the fields of everyday life to prepare him for his calling.
How like us. In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and that birthday gift that still needs to be mailed to grandma – there is training there.
There is character building.
There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining.
There is heart grounding. All of which must take place for us to become what God intends.
Ever feel overlooked by the world?
Take heart, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ- we are handpicked by God.
I am not just doing tasks.
I am building a legacy.
I am shaping God’s kingdom.
I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don’t know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks… even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.
Dear Lord, thank you that even when I feel overlooked, I can rest in the fact that I am handpicked by You. Help me to live my life for an audience of One. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps: Write down a list of qualities that you sense God is developing in you. Next write down why God might need to develop you in this way.
Reflections: Are there any tasks that you particularly struggle with not wanting to do? Ask God for a new perspective and spend time listening for His voice while you do this job.
Power Verses: Psalm 28:7a “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” (NIV)
2 Samuel 7:22, “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” (NIV)
Thank you so much sister Lysa TerKeurst for blessing me with your words of encouragement. God bless you always.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Essential Administrative Practices for Every Church
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, here are some important financial practices, policies & procedures that will strengthen your organization.
1. All accounting functions should be handled by qualified, competent personnel.
• Hire an accountant, not a bookkeeper. Today’s tax laws are very complex and require specialized knowledge to ensure compliance.
• Assign individuals or groups to tasks that don’t require specialized knowledge (counting, bank deposits, etc.) and outline these individuals or groups in the church’s organizational chart.
• The pastor should NOT handle money or sign checks.
2. Your church should have a written, up-to-date accounting procedures manual.
• The accounting procedure manual must establish accounting procedures and responsibilities.
3. Record Keeping and Check Signing should be kept separate.
• The separation of the duties is essential to a successful internal financial control system and will reduce the risk of misappropriation of funds.
• Record keeping and check writing responsibilities must be kept separate.
4. Accounting facilities should be kept locked at all times..
• Securing the premises to safeguard the church’s assets is just good common sense.
5. Accounting records should be safeguarded at all times.
• Special care should be exercised over the storage of accounting records. Make sure historical records are not destroyed, altered, or tampered with. Purge and shred historical records when allowable by law.
6. Quarterly internal audit by special committee operational.
• An internal audit committee is usually made up of members with accounting or business backgrounds. Their responsibility is to regularly review the accounting records.
7. Annual external audit of accounting records, practices and procedures
• An annual professional audit offers the church several advantages. First, knowledge of an annual inspection is a natural deterrent to embezzlement. Second, it is critical when applying for most funding.
8. All personnel must be screened.
• Amazingly enough, 70 percent of all embezzlers are repeat offender.
9. All employees who have access to cash should be bonded
• A fidelity bond provides insurance protection for the church if there is any lapse in the integrity of the accounting system. Various types of fidelity bonds can be purchased. Blanket bonds can cover the entire staff without people’s names or the positions they hold being listed.
Thank you Urban Awareness USA, for blessing me and many others with these "Nine Essential Administrative Practices for Every Church"
1. All accounting functions should be handled by qualified, competent personnel.
• Hire an accountant, not a bookkeeper. Today’s tax laws are very complex and require specialized knowledge to ensure compliance.
• Assign individuals or groups to tasks that don’t require specialized knowledge (counting, bank deposits, etc.) and outline these individuals or groups in the church’s organizational chart.
• The pastor should NOT handle money or sign checks.
2. Your church should have a written, up-to-date accounting procedures manual.
• The accounting procedure manual must establish accounting procedures and responsibilities.
3. Record Keeping and Check Signing should be kept separate.
• The separation of the duties is essential to a successful internal financial control system and will reduce the risk of misappropriation of funds.
• Record keeping and check writing responsibilities must be kept separate.
4. Accounting facilities should be kept locked at all times..
• Securing the premises to safeguard the church’s assets is just good common sense.
5. Accounting records should be safeguarded at all times.
• Special care should be exercised over the storage of accounting records. Make sure historical records are not destroyed, altered, or tampered with. Purge and shred historical records when allowable by law.
6. Quarterly internal audit by special committee operational.
• An internal audit committee is usually made up of members with accounting or business backgrounds. Their responsibility is to regularly review the accounting records.
7. Annual external audit of accounting records, practices and procedures
• An annual professional audit offers the church several advantages. First, knowledge of an annual inspection is a natural deterrent to embezzlement. Second, it is critical when applying for most funding.
8. All personnel must be screened.
• Amazingly enough, 70 percent of all embezzlers are repeat offender.
9. All employees who have access to cash should be bonded
• A fidelity bond provides insurance protection for the church if there is any lapse in the integrity of the accounting system. Various types of fidelity bonds can be purchased. Blanket bonds can cover the entire staff without people’s names or the positions they hold being listed.
Thank you Urban Awareness USA, for blessing me and many others with these "Nine Essential Administrative Practices for Every Church"
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Will You Pray For Me?
As I was washing laundry early one morning, I started thinking about how many times people would ask me to pray for them and I would say no problem. However, it was a problem as I would become so consumed with my own life and with the things that I was doing that I totally forgot to pray for that person's situation. The truth is all too often we are so busy with our own day to day operations that we may forget to pray for someone else who may be in need. When you make a promise to pray for someone you are committing yourself to agreeing with that person that the Creator will change that person's situations. Well if you do not know what to pray for then how can you pray for that person?
Generic prayers are cute and dandy as they cover the surface of a person's needs. Yet when you take the time out to find out what the person needs prayer for you are able to pray specifically to the Creator on how to intervene on that person's behalf. What good is it to pray a generic prayer for a person to have financial blessings when that person does not have a job? Rather than asking the Creator to provide that person with financial blessings, pray that the Creator will provide the person with a job that will fit the person's individual skills, will have the right interviewer who will see the person beyond the resume, pay all of the bills on time, and always have money left in the bank account to help someone else. You see when you pray and come into agreement with the person who asked you to pray for them or with them, the Creator specifically knows that when there are two or more individuals coming together in agreement those changes can be made as there is unity in communal prayer.
It is so awesome to know that your prayers for someone else can make a difference not only in that person's life but your own as well as when you take the time to pray for one person that person will take the time to pray for you. One strategy I am learning to use when people ask me to pray for them is to ask them if they have time right now for prayer. That way the need is still fresh in my mind and it is less difficult for me to forget about praying if the person is on the phone or right there in front of me. You would be surprised how many times that I have prayed for a situation for someone and the next day or following week the Creator intervened within that person's life far beyond what either parties would have ever imagined. The best prayers are the on time prayers!
So the next time someone asks you to pray for them make sure you have a firm grasp for the need. Then take a few minutes just to say a prayer for them. You do not have to say a 10 hour prayer to be heard by the Creator. I have personally found that the best prayers are short, sweet, and to the point. Why you might ask? Your focus is on the other person's needs and not on your own. Make the time today to commit to yourself that when someone asks you to pray for them you will do it TODAY and not wait till tomorrow or forget about it completely as if you wait, your prayers may be too late.
Sister April Lisbon-Peoples, I thank you so much for opening my eyes to better praying commitment in my everyday prayers.
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Sister April Lisbon-Peoples is a growth and development coach who enjoys inspiring her clients to find their life's purpose through becoming visionaries. She is the founder and CEO of Running Your Race, a coaching practice designed for individuals who are ready to awaken their visions and create their destiny.
April has written various articles focusing on elevating and motivating people as they aim towards reaching their highest potential. She aspires to help her clients live their dreams while gaining and maintaining a level of healthy success. So if you are ready to fly like the eagles and see your vision come to past, then visit her at [http://www.creatingmyvision.com] or e-mail her at creatingvision@gmail.com
Generic prayers are cute and dandy as they cover the surface of a person's needs. Yet when you take the time out to find out what the person needs prayer for you are able to pray specifically to the Creator on how to intervene on that person's behalf. What good is it to pray a generic prayer for a person to have financial blessings when that person does not have a job? Rather than asking the Creator to provide that person with financial blessings, pray that the Creator will provide the person with a job that will fit the person's individual skills, will have the right interviewer who will see the person beyond the resume, pay all of the bills on time, and always have money left in the bank account to help someone else. You see when you pray and come into agreement with the person who asked you to pray for them or with them, the Creator specifically knows that when there are two or more individuals coming together in agreement those changes can be made as there is unity in communal prayer.
It is so awesome to know that your prayers for someone else can make a difference not only in that person's life but your own as well as when you take the time to pray for one person that person will take the time to pray for you. One strategy I am learning to use when people ask me to pray for them is to ask them if they have time right now for prayer. That way the need is still fresh in my mind and it is less difficult for me to forget about praying if the person is on the phone or right there in front of me. You would be surprised how many times that I have prayed for a situation for someone and the next day or following week the Creator intervened within that person's life far beyond what either parties would have ever imagined. The best prayers are the on time prayers!
So the next time someone asks you to pray for them make sure you have a firm grasp for the need. Then take a few minutes just to say a prayer for them. You do not have to say a 10 hour prayer to be heard by the Creator. I have personally found that the best prayers are short, sweet, and to the point. Why you might ask? Your focus is on the other person's needs and not on your own. Make the time today to commit to yourself that when someone asks you to pray for them you will do it TODAY and not wait till tomorrow or forget about it completely as if you wait, your prayers may be too late.
Sister April Lisbon-Peoples, I thank you so much for opening my eyes to better praying commitment in my everyday prayers.
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Sister April Lisbon-Peoples is a growth and development coach who enjoys inspiring her clients to find their life's purpose through becoming visionaries. She is the founder and CEO of Running Your Race, a coaching practice designed for individuals who are ready to awaken their visions and create their destiny.
April has written various articles focusing on elevating and motivating people as they aim towards reaching their highest potential. She aspires to help her clients live their dreams while gaining and maintaining a level of healthy success. So if you are ready to fly like the eagles and see your vision come to past, then visit her at [http://www.creatingmyvision.com] or e-mail her at creatingvision@gmail.com
Monday, March 07, 2011
Attributes of God
Holy
Psalms 22:3; 93:5; 30:4; 5:5a; 99:5
Isaiah 6:3; 57:15
Hebrews 12:10
I John 1:5
Revelation 4:8; 15:4
Immutable
Numbers 23:19
Psalm 119:89,90
Malachi 3:6
Hebrews 1:10-12
James 1:17
Sovereign
Psalms 89:5-8; 103:19; 135:6
Proverbs 19:21
Ecclesiastes 3:14
Isaiah 40:15,17,22,23; 46:9,10
Daniel 2:21; 4:35
Ephesians 1:11
Wisdom & Knowledge
Job 9:2-4; 12:13; 36:5
Psalms 7:11; 34:15-16; 90:8;
103:14; 104:24; 139; 147:5
Proverbs 3:19; 21:30
Isaiah 40:26,28; 46:10
Daniel 2:20
Romans 11:33-36
Hebrews 4:13
Loving
Psalms 23:6; 33:5; 36:5-9;
51:1;52:1; 59:16; 86:5; 90:14 103:8,11; 107:43; 136:1; 145:8
Proverbs 16:6
Jeremiah 9:24
Lamentations 3:32,33
Power
Exodus 15:11
I Chronicles 20:6; 29:11-13
Job 38:4
Psalms 33:6; 50:1; 62:11
Nahum 1:3a
Ephesians 3:20,21
I Timothy 6:15,16
Hebrews 1:3
Righteous
Job 36:3
Psalms 7:17; 11:7; 23:3; 35:28;
36:6;45:6; 48:10; 65:5; 71:15,
16,19; 85:11-13; 89:14,16; 96:13; 97:6; 98:2; 103:6; 111:3; 119:142,
172;145:7
Isaiah 5:16; 45:24; 51:5,6; 61:10
Jeremiah 23:6
Hosea 2:19
Faithfulness & Provision
Deuteronomy 7:9
II Chronicles 16:9
Psalm 23; 27; 36; 37; 65; 68; 89:8; 92:1,2; 119:138
Lamentations 3:22,23
I Thessalonians 5:24
II Timothy 2:13
Hebrews 10:23
I Peter 4:19
Psalm of Praise
Psalm 24:7-10
Psalm 28:6,7
Psalm 30:4
Psalm 34:1-3
Psalm 50:23
Psalm 56:10-12
Psalm 63:3-6
Psalm 69;30, 34
Psalm 75:1
Psalm 86:12
Psalm 92:1,2
Psalm 103
Psalm 111
Psalm 113
Psalm 117
Psalms 145-150
Other Passages of Praise
I Chronicles 16:31, 34, 36
Isaiah 25:1, 38:18
Daniel 2:20,23
Acts 2:46,47
Romans 11:36
I Corinthians 15:57
Ephesians 1:3; 5:19
I Timothy 1:17
Hebrews 13:15
I Peter 2:9;4:11
Portions of Promises
II Chronicles 7:14
Psalm 6:9; 10:17; 37:3-5;
55:1,16,17,22; 84:11; 108:13;
Proverbs 3:5,6
Isaiah 65:24; 41:10
Jeremiah 29:12,13; 33:3
Matthew 7:7,8; 21:22
Romans 8:26
Ephesians 3:20,21
Hebrews 11:6
James 1:5-7; 5:16
I John 5:14,15; 3:22
Psalms 22:3; 93:5; 30:4; 5:5a; 99:5
Isaiah 6:3; 57:15
Hebrews 12:10
I John 1:5
Revelation 4:8; 15:4
Immutable
Numbers 23:19
Psalm 119:89,90
Malachi 3:6
Hebrews 1:10-12
James 1:17
Sovereign
Psalms 89:5-8; 103:19; 135:6
Proverbs 19:21
Ecclesiastes 3:14
Isaiah 40:15,17,22,23; 46:9,10
Daniel 2:21; 4:35
Ephesians 1:11
Wisdom & Knowledge
Job 9:2-4; 12:13; 36:5
Psalms 7:11; 34:15-16; 90:8;
103:14; 104:24; 139; 147:5
Proverbs 3:19; 21:30
Isaiah 40:26,28; 46:10
Daniel 2:20
Romans 11:33-36
Hebrews 4:13
Loving
Psalms 23:6; 33:5; 36:5-9;
51:1;52:1; 59:16; 86:5; 90:14 103:8,11; 107:43; 136:1; 145:8
Proverbs 16:6
Jeremiah 9:24
Lamentations 3:32,33
Power
Exodus 15:11
I Chronicles 20:6; 29:11-13
Job 38:4
Psalms 33:6; 50:1; 62:11
Nahum 1:3a
Ephesians 3:20,21
I Timothy 6:15,16
Hebrews 1:3
Righteous
Job 36:3
Psalms 7:17; 11:7; 23:3; 35:28;
36:6;45:6; 48:10; 65:5; 71:15,
16,19; 85:11-13; 89:14,16; 96:13; 97:6; 98:2; 103:6; 111:3; 119:142,
172;145:7
Isaiah 5:16; 45:24; 51:5,6; 61:10
Jeremiah 23:6
Hosea 2:19
Faithfulness & Provision
Deuteronomy 7:9
II Chronicles 16:9
Psalm 23; 27; 36; 37; 65; 68; 89:8; 92:1,2; 119:138
Lamentations 3:22,23
I Thessalonians 5:24
II Timothy 2:13
Hebrews 10:23
I Peter 4:19
Psalm of Praise
Psalm 24:7-10
Psalm 28:6,7
Psalm 30:4
Psalm 34:1-3
Psalm 50:23
Psalm 56:10-12
Psalm 63:3-6
Psalm 69;30, 34
Psalm 75:1
Psalm 86:12
Psalm 92:1,2
Psalm 103
Psalm 111
Psalm 113
Psalm 117
Psalms 145-150
Other Passages of Praise
I Chronicles 16:31, 34, 36
Isaiah 25:1, 38:18
Daniel 2:20,23
Acts 2:46,47
Romans 11:36
I Corinthians 15:57
Ephesians 1:3; 5:19
I Timothy 1:17
Hebrews 13:15
I Peter 2:9;4:11
Portions of Promises
II Chronicles 7:14
Psalm 6:9; 10:17; 37:3-5;
55:1,16,17,22; 84:11; 108:13;
Proverbs 3:5,6
Isaiah 65:24; 41:10
Jeremiah 29:12,13; 33:3
Matthew 7:7,8; 21:22
Romans 8:26
Ephesians 3:20,21
Hebrews 11:6
James 1:5-7; 5:16
I John 5:14,15; 3:22
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About Me
- J.A. Vazquez
- I'm just, a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody who can save anybody. First I want to give love to the Father for giving me the opportunity to be an instrument for him to live in and live through for the glory that belongs to only him and Him alone. I served in the United States Navy for twenty one years and retired September 2003. During the last 3 years of my naval career, I served as co-pastor of Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada under the tutelage of Pastor Gregory L. Brown. While there, I diligently served my pastor and church with the construction of a new sanctuary, and caring for the needs of all ministries, while simultaneously striving to stay focused on the mandate that the Lord had placed upon my life to preach the Word of God without compromise. I was licensed to preach November 2002 and Ordained June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, I proudly served and as constituent of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for seventeen years under the leadership of Bishop Elect W. D. Scott, Sr. and presently serve under the leadership of Bishop B. Courtney McBath at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, Virginia.