Words of Wisdom

The best way to get even is to forget.


Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.


God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.


Some folks wear their halos much too tight.


Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth.


Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God isn't such a good idea!


Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.


Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.


Words are windows to the heart.


A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims that it's a forgery.


It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill - just add a little dirt.


A successful marriage isn't finding the right person - it's being the right person.


The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.


Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.


The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can hold it.


To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.


You have to wonder about humans - they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!


It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are

done.


You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.


If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.


God gave the angels Wings, and He gave humans CHOCOLATE.


The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

YOU"RE ALWAYS WITH ME

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 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 three 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!

The Bell

I, Elder Dre

KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

who you are!?

777

And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. Judges 7:7

It’s amazing that on this rare “7-7-7” day (07 July 2007) in history God’s message in the 7th book of the Bible, the 7th chapter and 7th verse we see that by those 300 men (not the movie) who lapped like a dog and did not lay their weapons down to drink, God would use mightily. Their first thought was being ready to fight the good fight. Their own personal needs were not that important to them. A good soldier of the cross never lays his weapon {Bible} down. The Bible is God’s word to us, “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), but we cannot know what God wants us to do if we do not read it. And even reading God’s Word is not enough; we must be willing to do what it says. There is not much difference between the book hidden in the temple and the Bible hidden on the bookshelf. An unread Bible is as useless as a lost one. So, pick up your Weapon soldier!

Yours because of Calvary,
In service of the King,
Elder J. Andrés Vázquez

THE WILL OF GOD...ACCORDING TO HIS WORD

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now,
but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.

CYBERLISTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Why are they so popular? Are men honestly the sole blame for cyberlistic relationships that turn into nightmares? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such relationships?

It all truly and honestly depends on what the person is looking for. To some has been a game. To others it has been a blessing. Some may agree and some will disagree. I’m sure everyone has a testimony on their pros and cons experience in it.

The only way that someone can take advantage of another in cyber relationships is if they allow it to happen. We have to realize that it’s a risk indeed to meet and trust people you’ve met through an exchange of words and maybe an occasional phone call. Anyone can sound legit in a cyber way.

Let me break it down just a bit…e-mail and other cyber communications may be the most important, unique method for communicating and developing relationships since the telephone. First of all, it is easy to use. People also find it familiar and safe because it is similar in many respects to writing letters - minus the annoyances of addressing envelopes, licking stamps, and trips to the mail box or post office.

Of all the methods for developing relationships on the Internet, it is the most common - and perhaps the most powerful.

Although friendships and romances may indeed begin in chat rooms, instant messaging, assemblages such as Yahoo 360, Ebony Voices, Black Planet communities, and, or blogs, or other environments, these relationships almost always expand into e-mail as a way to deepen the communication. It is a more private, more reliable, less chaotic way to talk.

E-mail is not just electronic mail sent via the Internet. E-mail communication creates a psychological space in which pairs of people - or groups of people - interact. It creates a context and boundary in which human relationships can unfold.

Now it depends on what relationship the seeker is seeking. In all fairness, there are women out there as well who are just as capable of becoming a nightmare to men, and other women. So the game can go both ways…it all depends on who’s playing, who’s played and who wants to play.

My fellow cyber brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to decide whether we will obey the Lord, who has proven His trustworthiness, or imitate the world. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in our own way. However the time comes when we have to choose who, or what will control us. The choice is ours. Will it be God, our own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once we have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, let us reaffirm our choice every day. And because God gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, I beseech you elders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, preachers, ministers, and spiritual leaders, in taking a definite stand for the Lord, we must display His spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, as men and women of God we must display a commitment to God, and be willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we correspond cyberlistically displays to others who are reading and judging what we write the strength of our commitment to serving God.

In other words, "choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Let's have a fruit fest (Are you ripe and ready)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Notice the word *fruit* is singular, yet it list nine.

So there is only one fruit of the Spirit. That fruit is love. The others...

Joy - love smiling

Peace - love resting

Patience - love waiting Kindness - love showing itself sensitive to others' feelings

Goodness - love making allowances Faithfulness - love proving constant

Gentleness - love yielding

Self-control - love triumphing over selfish inclinations

Forgiveness

Forgive your brothers and sisters and you will set yourself free. You will set yourself free from all you thought they did to you. They need not ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. They might even believe that there is nothing for which they need to be forgiven. That is fine. Do not concern yourself with how they choose to experience reality, for it has no effect on you, unless you allow it to. For something or someone to affect you, you must first allow it to affect you.

You can also choose not to forgive your brother. But what good has such behavior ever brought to your life? You might be trying to consciously or unconsciously punish a brother by not forgiving him. But who are you really punishing? Who carries that judgment with him wherever he goes? My friend, you might not consciously recall that you are carrying this judgment with you, but it does simmer below the surface, coloring everything and everyone with whom you interact. Little by little, these judgments add up and weigh you down. You’re quick to anger, feel tired and stressed, and do not understand why. Comments to other brothers and sisters may become nasty and your patience fades. All this is due to your attempt to punish your brother by not forgiving him. My brother and sister, again I ask you, who are you really punishing?

Do you realize what anger can do to you?

Thank you brother James Blanchard Cisneros

"A Phone Call From GOD"

Rick volunteers with prison ministries, and in his work has become friends with a pastor of a store front church. The pastor's church is called Almighty God Tabernacle. On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone.

The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.

The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered his miss-dial and apologized for then disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.

The man said, "That's OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there and you do not want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, . . . . . 'Almighty God'."

"I was just too afraid to answer!"

Is there such thing as a soul-mate?

The union of true soul-mates merges two persons in such a way that little can affect one without also affecting the other. True soul-mates equal a special oneness that is unmatched. This does not mean losing your personality in the personality of the other. Instead, it means caring for your soul-mate as you care for yourself, learning to anticipate his or her needs, helping the other person become all he or she can be.

I can only answer how I, (a man) would treat my soul-mate. How should a man love his soul-mate?

(1) He should be willing to sacrifice everything for her.

(2) He should make her well-being of primary importance.

(3) He should care for her as he cares for his own body.

No soul-mate needs to fear submitting to a man who treats her in this way.

Most likely, before one becomes a soul-mate, they must first be friends. It's all a matter of the heart, therefore a woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her. That's when a man truly knows wholeheartedly that he's found his soul mate.

Inspired by Queen Corey N. Harvey

What if ...

What if GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the rain?

What if GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?

What if GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?

What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?

What if GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?

What if GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

Lord? Liar? Lunatic?

This man, Jesus ... some say he was a liar, others say he was a lunatic, and still others claim He is Lord. Which do you think he is?

Some say He was just a good teacher,
but good teachers don't claim to be God.
Some say He was merely a good example,
but good examples don't mingle with prostitutes and sinners.

Some say He was a madman,
but madmen don't speak the way He spoke.

Some say He was a crazed fanatic,
but crazed fanatics don't draw children to themselves or attract men of intellect like Paul or Luke to be their followers.

Some say He was a religious phony,
but phonies don't rise from the dead.

Some say He was only a phantom,
but phantoms can't give their flesh and blood to be crucified.

Some say He was only a myth,
but myths don't set the calendar for history.

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Three Things

Three things in life that,once gone, never come back -

Time

Words

Opportunity

Three things in life that may never be lost -

Peace

Hope

Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -

Love

Self-confidence

Friends

Three things in life that are never certain -

Dreams

Success

Fortune

Three things that make a man -

Hard work

Sincerity

Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a man -

Wine

Pride

Anger

Three things that are truly constant -

Father

Son

Holy Ghost

I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true. And when you give Him all your cares, you know He'll see you through.

SATAN'S MEETING

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."

"This is what I want you to do", said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. Tempt them to spend,spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week,10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives.

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy,busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength,sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work! It will work!"

It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed,going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge!

Does "busy" mean:
B-eing
U-nder
S-atan's
Y-oke?

Thank you Evangelist Beckie Porter

WHO IS HE?

In chemistry, He turned water to wine.

In biology, He was born without the normal conception;

In physics, He disproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;

In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes & five loaves of bread;

In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,

In history, He is the beginning and the end;

In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace;

In religion, He said no one comes to the father except through him; so who is He?

He is Jesus!

Join me and let's celebrate Him;

He is worthy.

Thank you Evangelist Beckie Porter.

Lord I pray the eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will send this message to everybody shall not labor in vain, and the mouth saying amen to this prayer shall smile forever. May we remain in You and seek Your face always. Amen

HE SENT ME FLOWERS TODAY

I got flowers today.
It wasn't my birthday
or any other special day.

We had our first argument last night,
And he said a lot of cruel things
that really hurt me
I know he is sorry and didn't
mean the things he said
because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary or
any other special day.

Last night, he threw me into a wall
and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning
sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry,
Because he sent me flowers today.

Last night, he beat me up again.
And it was much worse than all the other
times. If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my children?
What about money?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry,
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
Today was a very special day-
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough
courage and strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers today.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the authority to use weapons and restrain people is granted to police officers, but not to the general public. The authority to imprison people is granted to judges, but not to individual citizens. Authority to physically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually or mentally abuse another human being has never been granted nor will it ever be.

Domestic violence must never be tolerated therefore we must put forth an authoritative effort in order to stop domestic violence today! You never know who's going through it until it's too late.

Sister Paulette Kelly, thank you for such a wake up calling and deeply touching poem

Confess or Deny? The ball's on your court!

Allow me to make this quick & simple...the hour will come when each and everyone of us will have to confess our true relationship with Christ, where do you stand?

We disown Jesus when we...
(1) hope no one will think we are Christians,
(2) decide not to speak up for what is right,
(3) are silent about our relationship with God,
(4) blend into society,
(5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values.

By contrast,

We acknowledge him when we...
(1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives,
(2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others,
(3) help others in need,
(4) take a stand for justice,
(5) love others,
(6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ,
(7) use our lives and resources to carry out his desires rather than our own.

I ask again, where do you stand?

"Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: [9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:8-9 (KJV)

ONE STEP

The person in whom God delights is one who follows God, trusts him, and tries to do his will. God watches over and makes firm every step that person takes. If you would like to have God direct your way, then seek his advice before you step out.

No matter how long you've been walking north, in just a single step you can be walking south. What does it take to turn your life around?

Just one step.

You are one step away from eating a healthier diet,
one step away from being a better parent,
one step away from improving your finances,
one step away from becoming more skilled in your work,
one step away from a more fulfilling relationship.

One minute from now, your worst problems can be behind you, instead of in front of you. In a single step, your best day can be yet to come, rather than long ago in the past. In an instant, your negative energy can be redirected toward making a positive difference.

Just one step can change your momentum and start you in whatever direction you truly want to go.

"The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD:and he delighteth in his way." Psalms 37:23

GROWTH

G o to God in prayer daily. (John 15:7)
R ead God's Word daily (Acts 17:11); begin with the Gospel of John.
O bey God moment by moment. (John 14:21)
W itness for Christ by your life and words. (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8)
T rust God for every detail of your life. (1 Peter 5:7)
H oly Spirit -- allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness. (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8)

Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem-free life. Consequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life’s storm. Problems and difficulties are painful but inevitable; you might as well see them as opportunities for growth. You can’t prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over.

Happy Mother's Day

How can you know how much you mean to me?
After all the heartache, there is love.
Pierce life, and you are where the angels move,
Praising with their joy the mystery.
You know well the cost of sacrifice,

Mothering the wounded as you bleed,
Opening your anguish to their need,
Taking heed of neither pain nor price.
How you have paid, dear soul, for that abandon!
Even as you've sunk into despair.
Reason has no reason to be there
'Ere love supply the grace, well-earned or wanton.
So let me show you how you look from here,

Depicted as an icon dearly treasured,
An image of an ecstasy unmeasured,
Yearning with more need than it can bear.

Mama, three years have passed 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.

Thank You Lord God for adding another flower to Your heavenly bouquet!

Strictly Mathematical Viewpoint

What equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

A Virtuous Woman

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.

She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:

"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Message)

TWO FRIENDS IN THE DESERT

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies?

(1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation.

(2) It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways.

(3) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy.

Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Paul’s command:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

GRIEF AND MOURNING

Today, some people consider expressing emotions to be a sign of weakness. Those who wish to appear strong try to hide their feelings. But expressing our grief can help us deal with our intense sorrow when a loved one dies. Life is not given merely for happiness and personal fulfillment, but for us to serve and honor God. The worth and meaning of life is not based on what we feel, but on the one reality no one can take away God’s love for us. Don’t assume that because God truly loves you, he will always prevent suffering. The opposite may be true. God’s love cannot be measured or limited by how great or how little we may suffer.

I pray the families of the dear students whose lives were taken away at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia would be given strength to endure through these trying moments. I send my condolences to you.

PRAYER: Most Precious Lord Jesus, Gentle and Wonderful God, Truly Awesome and Ever-present Holy Spirit, Precious Lord Jesus, we love you. Today has been incredibly difficult for the families of those 32 who were massacred at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia and the one who also took his own. At every turn, we as a people were struck down with grief and loss. It is unbelievable how much pain this has put upon us. We are asking you for love because we know love will ease our pain. We know love will give us a new way to see all the hurtful things going on in our life. Open the part of our hearts where you live. Show us how much you love us and how all our present grief will be replaced with joy. We know we are being really selfish right now. Pain and suffering, especially grief, turns us inward and away from you. So right now, instead of all the grief we are bearing, send us some love. We love you Lord. All these things we humbly pray in the name of our most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, our Mighty God, and our Ever-present Holy Spirit upon whom we can rely. Amen

Virginia Tech Family and the Extended Community

I share in your grief and pain over the devastation and profound loss that you have experienced during this season. To those who are recovering from as well as those who survived this tragedy, you too are in my thoughts and prayers. There are no words that can adequately express my sympathy during this horrific & difficult time, however, please accept my most heartfelt condolences. I can only hope that the good memories of the fellowships and friendships that you have enjoyed as family and community will sustain you during this time.

My prayer is that you be strengthened to walk in God’s promise, purpose and power through these difficult times.

I LOVE YA!

"Be who you are and say what you feel....Because those that matter.....don’t mind.....And those that mind....don't matter." -- Theodor Seuss Geisel (Better known as Dr. Seuss)

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ… know ye not that real love is an action, not a feeling. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving. The greatest act of love is giving oneself for others. One question that often comes up when the subject of real love is brought up is, “How can we lay down our lives?” The answer is fairly simple, “By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return.” Sometimes it is easier to say we’ll die for others than to truly live for them…this involves putting others’ desires first. Jesus taught this same principle of love when He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love: listening, helping, encouraging, giving. One morning you will never wake up. Do all your friends know you love them? I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said. Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more.

And just in case GOD calls me home before I see you again....... I LOVE YA!

THE STEINWAY EXPERIENCE

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our God, EL-ELYON, "God Most High", is in control of all the adverse, unpleasant, unfavorable, and difficult circumstances of our lives. You may be going through an adverse experience as you read these notes. Let's call it, for illustration purposes, a "STEINWAY EXPERIENCE" (read on).

If you had to name the most famous piano, the one that produced the most beautiful sound in the world which one would you name? Most people would say "Steinway". The STEINWAY PIANO has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces a phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when Henry Steinway started his business. 200 craftsmen and12,000 parts are required to produce one of these magnificent instruments. Most crucial is the RIM-BENDING PROCESS, where 18 layers of maple are bent around an iron press to create the shape of a Steinway grand. Five coats of lacquer are applied and then HAND-RUBBED to give the piano its outer glow. The instrument then goes into the "POUNDER ROOM", where each key is pounded 10,000 times to ensure QUALITY and DURABILITY. Followers of Jesus Christ, much like the grand Steinway, are being "HANDCRAFTED" with all of the steps being watched over and directed by our Most High God, El Elyon , the One Who is in sovereign control of every detail of this process often referred to as "sanctification". We are being PRESSED and FORMED and SHAPED, all that we might "become conformed (molded with an inner and essential and not merely superficial conformity) to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). God’s ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ (1 John 3:2). As we become more and more like him, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be. How can we be conformed to Christ’s likeness? By reading and heeding the Word, by studying his life on earth through the Gospels, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world. We are being polished, sometimes with what seems like a great amount of what we could call the "rubbing of affliction", until we "glow." We are then being continually tested in the laboratory of everyday human experience. The process of sanctification is not always pleasant, but we can persevere with hope, knowing that our lives will increasingly reflect the beauty of holiness to the eternal praise of the Most High God.

Amen!

ARE YOU BLESSED?

If you own just one Bible ... you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of all the world does not have access to one.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you prayed yesterday and today ... you are in the minority because you believe God does hear and answer prayers.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God and as your Saviour ... you are blessed as being part of a small minority in the world ... Amen

Brothers and sisters in Christ, each beatitude tells how to be blessed. “Blessed” means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. To Jesus, “blessed” means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

I'll ask again...ARE YOU BLESSED?

STAY SAFE IN THE WORLD TODAY

Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.

Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.

Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians.

Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.

Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals. So, ... above all else, avoid hospitals.

BUT, ... You will be pleased to learn that only 001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church!

... And ... Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even less.

So, ... for SAFETY'S sake - Attend church, and read your Bible. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Fear not my dear brothers & sisters in Christ...Christ’s death and resurrection set us free from the fear of death because death has been defeated. Every person must die, but death is not the end; instead, it is the doorway to a new life. All who dread death should have the opportunity to know the hope that Christ’s victory brings. How can you share this truth with those close to you?

Mary, did you know...

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I Am.

Brother Mark Lowry, thank you so much for such a beautiful song!

RECOVER YOUR HAPPINESS

A - Accept Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.

B - Break Away Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.

C - Create Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.

D - Decide Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.

E - Explore Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.

F - Forgive Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

G - Grow Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.

H - Hope Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.

I - Ignore Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.

J - Journey Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.

K - Know Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.

L - Love Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.

M - Manage Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.

N - Notice Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.

O - Open Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.

P - Play Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.

Q - Question Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.

R - Relax Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.

S - Share Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.

T - Try Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

U - Use Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.

V - Value Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.

W - Work Work hard every day to be the best person you can b e, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.

X - X-Ray Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.

Y - Yield Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.

Z - Zoom Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow.

Some people bring unhappiness on themselves by choosing ill-gotten treasures. For example, craving satisfaction, they may do something that destroys their chances of ever achieving happiness. God’s principles for right living bring lasting happiness because they guide us into long-term right behavior in spite of our ever-changing feelings.

THE U IN JESUS

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.


Will YOU pass it on.

A PLACE CALLED “SUCCESS”

The road to success is not straight.
There is a curve called Failure,
A loop called Confusion,
Speed bumps called Friends,
Red lights called Enemies,
Caution lights called Family.
You will have flats called Jobs.
But, if you have a spare called Determination,
An engine called Perseverance,
Insurance called Faith,
A driver called Jesus,
You will make it to a place called Success.

To be established means to be successful. Real success comes only to those who do what is right. Their efforts stand the test of time. Then, what kind of success does wickedness bring? We all know people who cheated to pass the course or to get a larger tax refund—is this not success? And what about the person who ignores his family commitments and mistreats his workers but gets ahead in business? These apparent successes are only temporary. They are bought at the expense of character. Cheaters grow more and more dishonest, and those who hurt others become callous and cruel. In the long run, evil behavior does not lead to success; it leads only to more evil. Real success maintains personal integrity. If you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved true success.

The Greatest Man in History

The Greatest Man in History...
Had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.!

Brothers and Sisters, knowing about Jesus, or even believing that he is God’s Son, does not guarantee salvation. You must also want to follow and obey him.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5

We human beings are separated from God by sin, and only one person in the universe is our mediator and can stand between us and God and bring us together again—Jesus, who is both God and man. Jesus’ sacrifice brought new life to all people.

Have you let him bring you to the Father?

Cell Phone vs The Bible

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it as we traveled?

What if we used it in case of an emergency?

What if we bought a new one every time it wore out?

What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?

This is something to make you go ...hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill! And no dropped calls!

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR BIBLE IS?

Willing to risk & sacrifice

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in the functions of intercessors for one another in our ministry of love we must be willing to risk & sacrifice…are you ready? In like manor...

Moses was willing to be blotted out of God's book. (Ex 32:32),

Abraham was willing to suffer God's possible displeasure by negotiating Him down to 10 godly men in Sodom & Gomorrah. (Genesis 18:22),

When king David disobeyed by taking a census, he was willing to be destroyed in order to seek safety for his people. (1 Chronicles 21:17),

Daniel was willing to talk with God when He was very angry. (Dan 9:16),

Jesus was willing to become sin and lay down His life so that others could find forgiveness. (Isaiah 53:12),

The Centurion was willing to approach authority as well as subject himself to it. (Matt 8:5),

Martha dared to risk her friendship with Jesus to challenge His decision of delay. (John 11:21-22),

A father risked public exposure, fear of man's opinions, and disappointment for the sake of interceding for his possessed son. (Mark 9:17),

The Nobleman risked his self-sufficient pride. He could not help his son but he knew who could. He also risked public exposure and reputation. (John 4:49),

Stephen was willing to face the murderous rage of a crowd and asked God to forgive them. (Acts 7:59),

Esther was willing to perish at risk of defending her people to the king. At the very least she was willing to face a life of ill-favor, isolation and banishment from the king's court. (Esther 4:16),

David as a young boy was willing to face death from Goliath for the sake of Israel. At the very least he was willing to face humiliation, failure and defeat. (1 Sam 17:37)

I dare ask again...Are you ready?

I'm Too Blessed To Be Stressed

My dear brothers and sister in Christ, I'm Too Blessed To Be Stressed,
and Too Anointed To Be Disappointed therefore I refuse to be discouraged,
to be sad or to cry. I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:

I have a God who is almighty;
who is sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.

He is all wise and powerful;
Jesus is His Name;
though everything else is changeable,
My God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated!
My eyes are on my GOD!
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.

I am looking past my circumstances,
to Heaven's throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God.
I am resting in His Love.

I give thanks to Him in everything.
My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His; the victory is mine;
He will help me win the race!

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, each beatitude tells how to be blessed. "Blessed" means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. To Jesus, "blessed" means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

I repeat, "I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!"

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is patient. (Charity suffereth long) Love is tolerant toward others. Love endures trying circumstances with others and maintains an even temper.

Love is kind. Love is compassionate towards others. Love is tender, considerate, and helpful.

Love is not jealous. Love is not envious, does not desire anything another person may have, but instead is even thankful for the advantages of the other person.

Love does not brag. (Charity vaunteth not) Love does not boast about oneself. When we boast about ourselves, we put other people down by elevating ourselves above them. Boasting can make other people feel inferior to us.

Love is not arrogant. (Not puffed up) Love is not conceited or puffed up with pride, does not elevate oneself above others, does not lord it over others.

Love does not act unbecomingly. (Not behave itself unseemly) Love does not behave improperly towards others, does not take advantage of others in any circumstance. Love is well-mannered toward others in speech, in behavior, and in dress.

Love does not seek its own. Love is not selfish. Love seeks the benefit of others before oneself.

Love is not provoked. Love is not easily angered, does not respond to ill treatment from others.

Love does not take into account a wrong. (Thinketh no evil) Love does not keep a record of injuries inflicted by others; true love is unconditional.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. (Rejoiceth not in iniquity) Love does not rejoice when others do evil, but it rejoices when others do good. Love does not delight to see anyone involved in any form of evil.

Love rejoices in the truth. Love rejoices when the truth is made known. Love never rejoices when someone is unjustly accused.

Love bears all things. Love puts up with others when they are unpleasant, even when they continue to be unpleasant, unkind, and unloving.

Love believes all things. Love believes the best about others. Love continues to have confidence in others even when no one else does.

Love hopes all things. Love continues to hope for the best for others, even when they may not deserve the best.

Love endures all things. Love continues to love, no matter how much it costs. Love does not give up on the person loved. Love prevails, both in good times and bad times.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is possible to practice this love only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return. Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others.

(Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Life Application Notes)

“WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST”

Brothers and Sisters, you are no longer alone, for Christ lives in you—he is your power for living and your hope for the future

You are believers, and the light of the Gospel shines in your minds (II Corinthians 4:4).
You are doers of the Word and blessed in your actions (James 1:22, 25).
You are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
You are new creatures in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
You are partakers of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3, 4).
You are a spirit being-alive to God (I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11).
You are alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
You are ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20).
You are over-comers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony (Revelation 12:11).
You are born of God, and the evil one does not touch you (I John 5:18).
You are called of God to be the voice of His praise (II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8).
You are complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).
You are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
You are far from oppression, and fear does not come near you (Isaiah 54:14).
You are firmly rooted, built up, established in your faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).
You are forgiven of all your sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).
You are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
You are God’s children-for you are born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23).
You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
You are greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4).
You are healed by the stripes of Jesus (I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).
You are His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).
You are holy and without blame before Him in love (I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4).
You are more than conquerors through Him Who loves you (Romans 8:37).
You are part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (I Peter 2:9).
You are raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6).
You are redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
You are strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).
You are submitted to God, and the devil flees from you because you resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).
You are the head and not the tail; you are above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
You are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).
You are the temple of the Holy Spirit; you are not your own (I Corinthians 6:19).
You can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with your shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).
You can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
You have given, and it is given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into your bosom (Luke 6:38).
You have no lack for our God supplies all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
You have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created you (Colossians 3:9, 10).
You have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
You have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues.
You have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you (Mark 16:17, 18; Luke 10:17, 19).
You have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17, 18).
You have the Greater One living in you; greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).
You have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16).
You have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
You press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling you upward (Philippians 3:14).
You shall do even greater works than Christ Jesus (John 14:12).
You show forth the praises of God Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).

“WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST”

Brothers and Sisters, because Christ lives in us as believers, we can remain courageous and hopeful to the end. We are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, but our courage and hope do reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by the winds of temptation, false teaching, or persecution, therefore we must know who we are and Whose we are.

We are believers, and the light of the Gospel shines in our minds (II Corinthians 4:4).
We are doers of the Word and blessed in our actions (James 1:22, 25).
We are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
We are new creatures in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
We are partakers of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3, 4).
We are a spirit being-alive to God (I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11).
We are alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
We are ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20).
We are over-comers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
We are born of God, and the evil one does not touch us (I John 5:18).
We are called of God to be the voice of His praise (II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8).
We are complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).
We are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
We are far from oppression, and fear does not come near us (Isaiah 54:14).
We are firmly rooted, built up, established in our faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).
We are forgiven of all our sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).
We are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
We are God’s children-for we are born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23).
We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
We are greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4).
We are healed by the stripes of Jesus (I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).
We are His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).
We are holy and without blame before Him in love (I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4).
We are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us (Romans 8:37).
We are part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (I Peter 2:9).
We are raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6).
We are redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
We are strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).
We are submitted to God, and the devil flees from us because we resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).
We are the head and not the tail; we are above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
We are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit; we are not our own (I Corinthians 6:19).
We can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with our shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).
We can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
We have given, and it is given to us; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into our bosom (Luke 6:38).
We have no lack for our God supplies all of our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
We have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created us (Colossians 3:9, 10).
We have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
We have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues.
We have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm us (Mark 16:17, 18; Luke 10:17, 19).
We have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17, 18).
We have the Greater One living in us; greater is He Who is in us than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).
We have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16).
We have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
We press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).
We shall do even greater works than Christ Jesus (John 14:12).
We show forth the praises of God Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).

“WHO I AM IN CHRIST”

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, when you use the gifts God has given you, you will find that God will give you the power you need, therefore I say boldly and believe wholeheartedly, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (II Corinthians 4:4).
I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).
I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).
I am a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
I am a partaker of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3, 4).
I am a spirit being-alive to God (I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11).
I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
I am an ambassador for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20).
I am an over-comer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).
I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (I John 5:18).
I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8).
I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).
I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).
I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).
I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).
I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
I am God’s child-for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23).
I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
I am greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4).
I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).
I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).
I am holy and without blame before Him in love (I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4).
I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).
I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (I Peter 2:9).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6).
I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).
I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).
I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (I Corinthians 6:19).
I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38).
I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9, 10).
I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues.
I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17, 18; Luke 10:17, 19).
I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17, 18).
I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).
I have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16).
I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).
I shall do even greater works than Christ Jesus (John 14:12).
I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).

HOW TO HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERY DAY

1. BE PLEASANT. Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” When we are pleasant toward others, it comes back to us in a hundredfold return.

2. BE POSITIVE. Function in faith, facing every obstacle with the affirmation, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Rise above the cynicism, negativism, and despondency of our present age with the attitude that says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

3. BE PRODUCTIVE. The Apostle Paul exhorts us, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Eph 4:28). Happiness is the fruit of productive living.

4. BE PURE. Purity means to hate what is evil and cling to what is good; to avoid the very appearances of evil, and to be holy even as Christ is holy (see Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Peter 1:16).

5. BE PLIABLE. Bounce back when disappointed and learn to adjust to the changing circumstances of life. Remember, “When you can’t direct the winds, adjust your sails.”

6. BE PATIENT. It has been said that, “Hurry is not of the devil; it is the devil.” In our day of hustle and bustle and fast living in the rat race it is imperative that we learn the patience of Job (James 5:11).

7. BE PEACEFUL. Every person is confronted with good reasons for worry, anxiety and fear. We face financial setbacks, health problems, and adverse circumstances which are beyond our control. The Christian antidote to worry is the peace of Christ which floods our hearts as we cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6,7).

8. BE PRIORITIZED. Put first things first. Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

9. BE PRAYERFUL. Prayer is unbroken communion with the Lord. It involves both talking and listening as we learn to practice the presence of God every minute of every day. The psalmist tells us, “In thy presence is the fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

10. BE PRAISEFUL. Praise is the single most prevalent attitude and action in the believer’s life. Praise springs forth from the heart that is careful to count the blessings of the Lord as opposed to forgetting His goodness (Psalm 103:1-5).

Thank you Dr. David C. Cooper

I WAS THE ONE

I was the one.
I was the one who flogged Him.
I was the one who taunted Him.
I was the one who spit upon Him.
I was the one who tortured Him in unspeakable ways.
I was the one who put the crown of thorns upon His head.
I was the one who put His cross upon His back.
I was the one who laughed when He could not carry it.
I was the one who grabbed Him and slammed Him down on the ground over His cross.
I was the one who picked up the nails.
I was the one who picked up the hammer.
I was the one who drove the nails into His hands and feet.
I was the one who pushed Him upright upon the tree to die by suffocation.
I was the one who heard Him mumble I was forgiven.
I was the one who watched His mother and the other Mary weep.
I was the one who saw John cry.
I was the one who turned away and did not care.
I was the one who did not believe the stories about Him.
I was the one who pushed the spear into His side.
It was my job.
I was big and strong.
I knew how to use a hammer.
I was following orders.
After awhile they all look alike and act alike.
After awhile you get used to seeing the suffering.
After awhile you don't care anymore.
This one was different.
He said He forgave me because I did not know what I was doing.
I went home afterward.
Out of the hundreds I had done, this one bothered me.
He said He forgave me.
The earthquake shook the ground and shook me.
It got dark before it was supposed to get dark.
Someone outside said they killed the Messiah.

I was the one.
That night I could not sleep.
I walked outside that night.
I was upset because He said He forgave me.
I can still hear His voice.
I didn't look at Him.
You never want to look at them.
I kept hearing His voice saying He forgave me.
I couldn't get His voice out of my mind.
I was just doing my job.
The next day and the day after people were still in a stir about what I had done.
No one really knew who I was.
I was just a nameless and faceless person doing a job.

I was the one.
He said He forgave me.
I did not report to work for the next few days.
I kept hearing Him say He forgave me.
Five days later I heard people say He was alive.
People said He had come back from the dead.
No one comes back from the dead.
I am telling you, no one comes back from being dead.
But I saw Him.
He was alive.
When I saw Him I could see His scars.
I saw Him with my own eyes.
When I saw Him I looked at Him.
He looked at me.
He looked at me and said He loved me.
He said He forgave me.
Then I realized what I had done.
My heart broke.
My soul broke.
My mind broke.
My life was in tatters.

I was the one.
I fell to the ground.
I wished I could die.
Then He reached down and He touched me.
He said He loved me.
He forgave me.
I was the one…and so were you.

A Mother's Question

A mother asked President Bush,
"Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy,
"Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman,
"Why did my son have to die in Korea?

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt,
"Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson,
"Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln,
"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington,
"Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked ...
"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to dieon a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar ...
"So that others may have life and dwell in peace,happiness and freedom."

IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE ...
TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!

My Friend, It's Too Late

My friend, I stand in the Judgment now
and feel that you're to blame somehow.
On earth, I walked with you each day
and never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim;
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together on the earth,
You never told me of the second birth.
And now I stand this day condemned,
because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that's true;
I called you "Friend" and trusted you,
but I learned now that it's too late,
you could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,
and yet you showed me not the light.
You let me live, and love, and die,
you knew I'd never live on high.

Yes, I called you "Friend" in life,
and trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet on coming to the end,
I cannot, now call you "My Friend."

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Sometimes we wonder about the fate of those who haven’t heard of Christ and have not even had a Bible to read. God assures us that all who honestly seek him—who act in faith on the knowledge of God that they possess—will be rewarded. When you tell others the gospel, encourage them to be honest and diligent in their search for truth. Those who hear the gospel are responsible for what they have heard.

DYING TO SELF

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught and you don't sting and hurt with insult; but you heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ...that is DYING TO SELF.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, your opinion ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence...that is DYING TO SELF.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, and irregularity, or annoyance; when you stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility and endure it as Jesus endured......that is DYING TO SELF.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God…that is DYING TO SELF.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or to record your own good words or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown...that is DYING TO SELF.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy or question God while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances...that is DYING TO SELF.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up in your heart...that is DYING TO SELF.

Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross, "That I may know Him...being made conformable unto His death". (Phil. 3:10)

Thanks to "The Word Training Center"

Elder J.A. Vazquez

TYPES OF FAITH

LITTLE FAITH: "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30). (See also Matthew 8:26; 14:31; 16:8.)

GREAT FAITH: "When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matthew 8:10). (See also Matthew 15:28.)

NO FAITH: "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). (See also Mark 6:6.)

TAUNTING FAITH: "He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him" (Matthew 27:42).

SAVING FAITH: "And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee" (Luke 5:20). "And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:50).

STOLEN FAITH: "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved" (Luke 8:12).

LOST FAITH: "And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him" (Luke 8:25).

HEALING FAITH: "And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (Luke 8:48). (See also Acts 14:9.)

PRECIOUS FAITH: "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1).

INCREASING FAITH: "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). (See also 2 Corinthians 10:15.)

FAILING FAITH: "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32).

HINDERED FAITH: "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:4). (See also John 5:44; Acts 13:8.)

USELESS FAITH: "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue" (John 12:42).

FAITH FILLED: "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people" (Acts 6:8). (See also Acts 6:5; 11:24.)

THE FAITH: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13). (See also 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Timothy 4:1; Jude 3.)
OPEN-DOOR FAITH: "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).

ERRING FAITH: "Which some professing have erred concerning the faith . . ." (1 Timothy 6:21).

STEPPING FAITH: "And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised" (Romans 4:12).

WALKING FAITH: "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

LIVING FAITH: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38).

WORD OF FAITH: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach" (Romans 10:8). (See also 1 Timothy 4:6.)

WEAK FAITH: "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations" (Romans 14:1).

VAIN FAITH: "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). (See also 1 Corinthians 15:2, 17.)

HOUSEHOLD FAITH: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

JOYOUS FAITH: "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith" (Philippians 1:25).

GROUNDED FAITH: "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister" (Colossians 1:23).

STEDFAST FAITH: "For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ" (Colossians 2:5). (See also 1 Peter 5:9.)

ROOTED FAITH: "Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7).

WORKING FAITH: "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father" (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

PATIENT FAITH: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3).

SPREADING FAITH: "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing" (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

COMFORTING FAITH: "Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:7).

LACKING FAITH: "Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

GROWING FAITH: "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

UNFEIGNED FAITH: "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also" (2 Timothy 1:5). (See also 1 Timothy 1:5.)

HOLDING FAITH: "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck" (1 Timothy 1:19).

FIRST FAITH: "Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith" (1 Timothy 5:12).

FIGHTING FAITH: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12).

OVERTHROWN FAITH: "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Timothy 2:18).

KEPT FAITH: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

COMMON FAITH: "To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace,
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 1:4).

SOUND FAITH: "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13). (See also Titus 2:2.)

COMMUNICATING FAITH: "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 6).

EFFECTIVE FAITH: "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 6).

ASSURING FAITH: "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22).

PROFESSED FAITH: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)" (Hebrews 10:23).

UNWAVERING FAITH: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed" (James 1:6).

UNDERSTANDING FAITH: "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (Hebrews 11:3).

ACTIVE FAITH: Hebrews 11:4-40.

FOLLOWING FAITH: "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation" (Hebrews 13:7).

DEAD FAITH: James 2:14-26.

NOT FAITH ONLY: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

PRAYING FAITH: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:15).

TRIED FAITH: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7).

EXAMINING FAITH: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

VICTORIOUS FAITH: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4).

OVERCOMING FAITH: "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5).

LYING FAITH: "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son" (1 John 5:10).

TREMBLING FAITH: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19).

HOLY FAITH: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jude 20).

Thank you brother Louis Rushmore