For*Givin Ministries

Dancing with Jesus

2010-03-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

One the first day of a five day service in a little Spanish church during the praise and worship time, Jesus came to me and asked me to dance. I was so excited and of course said yes. We were dancing arm in arm, like they did in the olden days when everybody skipped around the dance room together or did the Irish jig. Jesus was right beside me. It was fast music. It was like a festival.

The next day of the service during worship, I saw Jesus dancing in a beautiful rolling field. He asked me to join Him. We were dancing and laughing and having a wonderful time together like little kids playing and celebrating.

The third day, Jesus again came and asked me to dance. This time He was in front of me. We were face to face. We danced ballroom style, hand in hand. We were once more celebrating, but we were closer together, more involved with each other.

Again, the fourth day during praise and worship, the Lord asked me to dance. This time we were slow dancing. We were closer than ever. We were embraced, as in a slow waltz. We were celebrating our lives, our love, and our closeness together.

The fifth day came and I waited for the Lord to ask me to dance. I knew He would. We had such a good time the last couple days together. I waited patiently. I was praising Him and still waiting to see Him. It seemed like I waited for a long time. I started wondering if He was going to come and ask me again. I even started getting a little frantic because I knew He was in the room, but I couldn’t see Him. I wanted to dance with my Lord again. How come He wasn't inviting me? I didn't understand. Finally, I said, “Lord, I can’t see you. Where are you? Aren’t you coming to dance with me today?” He answered me. He said, “I am right here. I am in your heart. I am dancing with your heart.”

We have danced and celebrated each other ever since.

I celebrate with My Lord everyday. I can dance with Him at any time. I am no longer in captivity by the enemy; I can celebrate my freedom with the Lord at all times. Jesus is with me at every moment, He never leaves me. There is an endless list of things to thank God for– it is a never ending fiesta!

We are the temple of the Lord, He lives within us. We can celebrate and dance with Jesus whenever we want to if we’ve invited Him in our lives.

And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. Ezra 6:16

...The Words that I Speak unto You, They are Spirit, and They are Life. John 6:63

2010-03-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

The Words that God gives you are life for your body. God’s Words are Truth. God is Love. There is no evil within His Word. Jesus Christ is the Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1, 4

Diseases come when lies of the enemy replace the truth of God. If you have known the Word of God, if you have asked Jesus into your heart no matter how long ago, you were filled with the goodness of God. You were given the Truth.

Accepting Jesus is accepting everything He has. Accepting Jesus is receiving eternal life.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3

When we come to know Jesus, we come to know Love. God is Love. Jesus is the Truth that comes from Love.

The devil, being what he is, does not like the fact that you can know the Truth. The Truth is you have been healed by Jesus’ death on the cross.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

When our life is abounding with God's Truth, love, and faith, our sprit consists of no evil. There is no sickness that comes to our body. There is no room for disease when it is full of God.

and you shall know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free." John 8:32

The enemy’s job is to come in and try to take the Truth away. He wants to replace that goodness with deceit. He will put little lies into your spirit negating the Truth of God’s love for you. The enemy will tell you your unworthy, you are no good, your not loved, you have don’t have to forgive anyone because they did you wrong, you deserved to be treated like that. He can even tell you to be mad at the One who created you because of what happened. The devil can put a spirit of fear into you and tell you that you are unaccepted by everyone.

All this strife causes dissension in your spirit. This untruth spoken into you clashes with the peace God gave you, then chaos and disagreement start developing. Lies start replacing Truth. A root of evilness -sickness– is born as a result of this discord. This disease is straight from the devil and he is on his way to completing his mission. This little offense can start growing whether you know it or not.

Knowing the Truth and holding on to it keeps us clean and healthy. Staying in God’s Word and keeping it lets us walk in victory. Trusting in the Lord keeps us from receiving the evil one’s nastiness.

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalms 112:7

Our Father keeps and protects us when we stay with Him.

You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this day...And the Lord will take away from you all sickness; and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you knew, will he inflict upon you, but he will lay them upon all who hate you.
Deuteronomy 7:11, 15

We can’t think we can run with the devil and have the presence of the Lord. It just does not happen that way. We can have either or. Living in sin causes diseases to come upon us. This is the same as living in a lie. Not keeping God’s commandments is rejecting the Truth and accepting the lies of the enemy. Sin is an invitation for corruption. Where the spirit is corrupt, the body will be also. Staying in the Lord’s Word secures our happiness.

He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20

Those who have not been drawn by God’s Holy Spirit do not know the Lord yet. They haven’t been filled with the knowledge and understanding of His love. They do not have the divine Truth in them.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
John 9:1-3

Because some do not know, they have not seen the Light. There is darkness within and sickness can be present. This is for God’s glory that when the Truth is revealed, ignorance is removed. When the gift of God’s Word is accepted, our Father is exalted and Jesus is lifted up. Darkness flees and the Light shines thru. When sickness leaves, God gets the glory. Other people see this and wonder how it came about.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:3

God’s Word brings in the light. His word is life and truth.

Jesus saith unto him, I an the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Accept the Word He gives you, know the Word He has spoken is truth. Know that His Word brings healing and life, not destruction and death.

...The Words that I Speak unto You, They are Spirit, and They are Life. But there are some of you that believe not... John 6:63-64

Jesus paid for your cure on the Cross with His stripes. Believe it.

From My Heart to Yours Lord

2010-02-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

I thank You Lord for Your inexhaustible mercy upon me. I thank You for Your beautiful grace. I praise You for saving my soul. There is nothing I have done to deserve it; it comes completely from Your undying glorious love for me. I thank You that You are a forgiving God. You engulf me in Your love Lord, You hold me in the palm of Your hand. You keep me under Your wing. You are a loving Father that dotes over me. You sing over me, You sing with me, You sing to me. You set me in Your freedom.

I love to hear Your voice. You speak such lovely thoughts over me. You speak good things for me. Your words are pure and amazing love to me. My soul boasts in You Lord. My soul can only bless You Lord. You are worthy of all praises. You are worthy of all worship.

I know You love me because I have not been worthy. I have done wrong yet You have compassion for me. You take my sin and throw it away. You see what is under the rottenness, You see potential in me, You see goodness in me. You see something I do not see. I praise You for being in my life and loving me just the way I am Lord. I praise You for Your divine goodness You pour out on me Lord.

I thank You Lord for the blessings You give me- Lord I praise You for washing me, cleaning me, molding me, and filling me with You Lord. I thank You for transforming me into what You want me to be. Take my heart and do what You will. I pray that I become as a picture of You Lord. May I glorify You all of my days.

Don't Turn Away

2010-01-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

If we are not careful, we can quickly change sides or be transferred to another place– we are reverted from the One who called us.

God is the One who draws you close to Him. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44 It is by invitation from the Heavenly Father only that you come to Jesus and receive everlasting life in His Kingdom.

The Lord made you, has excellent plans for you, knows what you have gone through, what you will go though, and how you will handle it when you are going through it.

Don’t turn away and go back to the familiar things you knew before. They didn’t work then, and they won’t work now. They may have been comfortable, but they are not effective.

We can’t be like the Egyptians who wanted to turn back to their old way of life because it was something they knew and thought was better. There may have been familiarity there, but it was bondage.

People can be easily persuaded to turn away from the right path. They go with the flow and tend to veer to what seems to be the easy road. If it sounds good, it must be good. This is not always true.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8

Don’t turn away from the One who called you don't be lead astray. Stay in the promises of God by knowing Him. Read your Bible, study His Word– get to know your Lord and Savior. Stick with Him and know the Truth. Don’t give in to other peoples ways, beliefs or teachings just because they are appealing or sound right.

My son, watch your step before the Lord and the king, and don't associate with radicals. For you will go down with them to sudden disaster, and who knows where it all will end? Proverbs 24:21-22

There’s only one way– the true way. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the Truth. ...Repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15

If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. James 1:5

God is always willing to guide you in every area of your life, He tells us to ask Him. Don’t turn away from the One who loves you.

Are you true to the Lord?

2010-01-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings to give knowledge to the simpleminded and the young, or more wisdom to the wise. This particular profound thought tells us that a “witness who tells the truth saves men from being sentenced to death, but a false witness is a traitor.” (LVB) If we are a true witness for Christ, we will bring people His way. We will lead them in the right direction. True witnesses bring Truth.

Being a Christian, we work together for Jesus. We are all on the same team- we should have one goal in mind- to give glory to God in everything. This includes showing others God’s glory so they too can see His grace. Being a follower of Christ means having His characteristics.

2 Corinthians 3-10 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

We are to try to live in such a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act. We should live this way so no one finds fault with us and blames it on the Lord. In fact, in everything we do, we are to try and show that we are true ministers of God.

A minister is simply a servant. We serve Christ. Our service is for the Lord. We can talk to, care for, listen, and show love to others. Another meaning of the word minister is waiter. As in waiters at the restaurant, we can wait on people and serve them what they need from the Lord. We serve Christ.

As a Christian, a true worshipper of God, we will bring glory to the Lord. Our lives will bear fruit. We will not cause a stumbling block to anybody that “our ministry not be blamed” as in verse 3. Doing or saying ungodly things can hinder God’s glory. It could cause a soul not to come to the Lord. It could cause them to despise the Light. Corrupt acting does not show truth, it will not help take the blinds off anyone’s eyes. Hindrance in their growth can also be a result of our immorality. This does not bring anyone to the Lord.

Even though we sometimes face hardships, we are to patiently endure, knowing that God is with us the whole time. Thru all trials we are to show the love of Christ to others.

Acts 11:20-21. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

These men spoke of Jesus. They spoke the Truth. When they spoke, they were preaching. Whether in a pulpit or not, to preach is to announce good news, to declare, bring or show. Undoubtedly, they showed the love of Christ to others and lived an upright life. God was with them and many people turned to the Lord because of this.

Acts 11:24-26 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Barnabas was a good man. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He lived a godly life. Being a servant of the Lord that had seen His grace, Barnabas showed Christ to everyone he could. Because of this, many more people were added to God’s Kingdom.

Verse 26 states that Barnabas and Saul stayed in that particular church for a whole year teaching the people. They were showing the Lord’s ways. They were training people how to follow Christ. Again, undoubtedly, Barnabas and Saul were living a righteous lifestyle careful not to do any sin that could affect anyone’s walk with the Lord in a wrongful way. These disciples were first called Christians here. The word Christian means “follower of Christ”.

A Christian is an instrument of God. We are to be used for His purpose. Yielding to God’s still small voice can allow us to be used as His tool in bringing others to eternal salvation.

A true Christian takes Jesus Christ seriously and believes every word written in the Bible. We totally believe all His promises. We are to form our life by Jesus’ examples, rules, and commandments. Christ’s faithful followers are sold out to Him. Nothing but God and His will should be important in life to a believer. Leading souls to Christ is at the top of God’s will.

Acts 9:31 Everywhere in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, God's people had a time of peace. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the group became stronger and stronger. The believers showed that they respected the Lord by the way they lived. Because of this, the group of believers grew larger and larger. SIM

Living for the Lord doesn’t come overnight. It takes a lifetime. We live and we learn. We learn by reading God’s Word, by praying, by listening and being taught by someone who knows a little more than we do in that area. We always have room to grow. Give others the same chance to grow in the Lord by living the right way. Do not hinder them by what they might see or hear from you. Lead their hearts in the right direction.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit.

Matthew 12:35 The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Be a true witness for the Lord and bring forth good fruit for Him. Carry good treasure with you to share with other souls. Speak the Truth and let others see Jesus. Be true to the Lord.

Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.

God's Gift to You

2009-12-22T07:30:00.000-08:00

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The love of God is agape- which means affection, benevolence kindheartedness, generous giving, a love feast– (as in a celebration with or for loved ones).

Your only task to receive this gift is to believe. You can have God’s affection and generous giving if you accept His Love.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7

Make room for Jesus in your heart. Our Savior came for all– the whole world– to have everlasting life. Take what is so graciously offered to you.

God gives you this precious gift from His heart. Jesus is wrapped in a little bundle small enough to hold, yet big enough to save the world.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

The greatest gift of all was given without asking. God gave Jesus to all because He wanted to. We did nothing to deserve this Love. Our Father presents His grace to us in spite of our sins. Unlike everything else in this world, this gift is free to anyone who believes. He came within everyone's reach; big, small, rich, poor, beggar, thief or prince. Accept Him.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14

The minute you believe– the angels in Heaven rejoice! You are now a citizen of God’s Kingdom. Your heart will be over flowing with praise to the Lord. Accepting God’s Word as true causes celebration in your spirit and soul.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:15-16

Let someone find you with Jesus.

Recieve your gift from God and have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!

My (Crazy) Christmas Story

2009-11-30T07:02:00.000-08:00

God had told us to study and show ourselves approved. We knew in our hearts that meant we were to have Bible Study in our home. I was the “teacher” and I studied what God would tell me to. I found He always gave me the topic on Monday morning or Sunday night, which was a couple days after our gathering on Friday. We had been meeting once a week for a little over a month when my Christmas story begins.

I had just dropped my little ones off for school on a Monday morning. As I was driving home, I was thinking about Christmas. It was getting close and we had no extra money for gifts. We could barely pay the bills, and when we could, they were usually late.

I started getting heavy hearted as I was driving. I was asking God how we were suppose to get the kids Christmas gifts with only 3 more paychecks coming in. We have this bill due, these other bills over due, the house payment coming up, and we need gas money to get back and forth to work. These paychecks were not going to cover everything, much less a Christmas dinner.

Still driving down the road, my heart was breaking thinking we couldn’t have anything for Christmas. I was crying by now because there was no way possible to give even the smallest gifts to my 6 children. There was no hope of seeing their little faces light up on Christmas morning. We wouldn't even have a special dinner.

I know the real Gift is Jesus, but I also know He loves to give us our hearts desires; He loves to see us smile. Jesus likes to shower us with gifts, spiritual and monetary. Why wouldn’t He want us to be able to give to our children?

I hadn’t noticed before, but the radio was tuned to KSBJ as usual. Thru my sobs I started hearing a song. What I was hearing was God singing to me. I heard His voice loud and clear– He was singing to me through the radio straight to my heart. The song playing on the radio was Feliz Navidad- I Want to Wish You a Merry Christmas. God was singing to me, “I want to wish you a Mary Christmas, I want to wish you a Mary Christmas, I want to wish you a Mary Christmas, from the bottom of My heart!”

My heart immediately filled with joy, my tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God Himself talking to me. He was telling me everything is going to be alright and He is in control. He gave me a sense of peace and reassurance like I had never had before. I knew we would have a beautiful Christmas. I didn’t need to worry or be broken hearted about not having anything for my family, God would supply. All my doubts disappeared.

He had revealed to me that He wanted me to sit at His feet and rest in His presence just as Mary did. He didn’t want me to fret and be concerned about all the chores, tasks, and little details like Martha did. My heart and soul rejoiced and said “Yes Lord– I accept Your invitation. I will sit with You, I will be in Your presence. I want to be right here with You.” This was the first time I had ever heard the Lord sing to me and it was amazing,

If that wasn’t enough, I had a vision while the Lord was singing to me. I was still driving down the road and I saw Jesus on the horizon dancing. Yes, dancing. He was dancing to Feliz Navidad. I could only see Him from the belly up because He is so big.

Now, tears are rolling down my cheeks because I am laughing so hard. I know this sounds crazy and untrue, but this is what I saw. Nobody would ever think that Jesus would be funny, but I tell you He can be. I know for a fact that God created the sense of humor and the laughter that goes with it. I laughed and cried all the way home and then I don’t know how long after that. I realized after I got home that the Holy Spirit had to have been driving those last 7 miles because I couldn’t have been. I could barely see through the tears of laughter filling my eyes. My stomach hurt so bad because I was giggling so hard. People passing by me probably thought something was wrong with me. I don’t know how long I sat giggling at the stop sign. Thank God it was not a very busy road.

I knew then what the next Bible Study would be about. We studied about sitting in God’s presence, receiving His presents, His peace, and all He has for us. He supplies all our needs and takes care of our wants when they are in His will. Sometimes God just wants us with Him and all the other stuff is not so important, it’ll all work out. We learned how to have a Mary Christmas.

Yes, I told the Bible Study group about how God sang to me and what I saw. Yes, they thought I was crazy, but that’s ok. Have you ever had the Lord of Lords dance for you (or even with you)? We had an awesome study that night. The Spirit of Laughter came in that room and filled us with joy. What an incredible present God gave us that night.

Just as the Lord had reassured me earlier, we had a wonderful Christmas that year. God supplied the gifts for the children and Christmas dinner through friends, family, churches, and even a very large unexpected Christmas bonus from work!

Every time I hear Feliz Navidad I am reminded of how much God knows and is concerned about the tiniest details of our hearts. I am reminded of how much He loves and cares for us. I am also reminded of how much He loves to give us His joy– which is Jesus Christ Himself.

I want to wish you a Mary Christmas!

Smile

2009-11-23T06:01:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, I was walking downtown. There was a man sitting in the grass by the sidewalk. He looked a little discouraged or maybe depressed. He cordially nodded. I smiled and asked him, "How are you doing?" He told me he was blessed. Then with a smile he said, "Ma'am, thank you for smiling. You are the first person that smiled at me today." It was almost noon and this was a busy street. I don't know how long he had been sitting there, but nobody in passing had smiled at him all day. This man had been hungry for someone, anyone, to notice him.

Sometimes we are too caught up in our own world to look someone in the eye and bless them by acknowledging them. A smile is simple, it doesn't hurt, and it is free, and it feels good to give. Passing on a smile can be contagious. Can you afford to give the poor, the downcast, the hurting or lonely a smile? Do you know how much of a reward it gives you? How much reward in heaven will you get? I smiled at this man weeks ago, and I am still blessed to know I touched him in some way.

When they were discouraged, I smiled and that encouraged them, and lightened their spirits.

Job 29:24 LVB

When this man told me I was the only person that had smiled at him all day, it reminded me of a story I had heard before of a man that left a note saying he would not jump from the Golden Gate Bridge if someone would smile at him. He jumped that day. I found information on this article and others like it on the web.
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/164/5/720

You will never know what such a small gift might do for a someone in passing. Give what God has given you- His joy. Pass it on to others.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me into your home. I had no clothes, so you gave me some clothes. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in jail and you came to me.' ``Then the good people will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you? When did we feed you when you were hungry? When did we give you something to drink when you were thirsty? When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes? When did you need clothes and we gave you some clothes? . When were you sick or in jail? When did we come to you?' ``I will answer them, `I am telling you the truth: Since you treated some of my ``unimportant'' brothers this way, you did it to me!' Matthew 25:35-40

A smile can feed a hungry soul the love he needs, it can refresh a thirsty spirit. A smile can invite one into a warm caring world, it can cover a cold unloved heart. A simple smile is a powerful medicine to the sick and hurting. One smile can come into the depressed soul and brake the chains that bind.

Whenever you smile at one person, you smile at Jesus.

SMILE

Someone might need it

Many go without one

Invigorating to receive

Loving to give

Everyone enjoys a smile

Pass it on.

Thank You Lord

2009-11-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

Thank You Lord for being with me at all times. Please don’t let me put anything in front of You Lord. I want You to be first at all times. Help remind me of this daily, minute by minute.

I love Your presence Lord; I love to rest in Your presence. I love the comfort You give, the assurance, and safety You engulf me in. I love to be near You. Let me always remember You are next to me. Sometimes, I draw closer to You than other times because I am busy with life on this earth, but Lord, let me never forget that You are right next to me. You are within me.

I pray for Your knowledge and Your wisdom Lord- Your ways. I need You and only You Lord; You are the way, the truth and the life. You are my Life. You are the only life for me. There is nothing else for me Lord. Without You, life would be worthless; nothing would be worth having or doing.

Guard my lips Lord; close them when they need to be closed. I thank You that You always will. I praise You that I hurt no one today. I praise You that my family hurts no one today, or any other day. I know You keep us from evil.

I praise You for all You do for us Father,
in the name of Jesus I pray.

As a Child

2009-11-09T05:55:00.000-08:00

Father, you give me a sense of security, no worries, nothing bothering me. I am safe in Your arms. Just as I was as a child, I have no fears. I am being taken care of. I do not know fear. I do not know confusion. I do not know evil. I have peace. I know joy. I live in joy. I have no cares, they are in You. I do not know what a burden is. I play under the fruit tress, I dance among the flowers, I pick from the berry bushes, all freely given by You. Your presence surrounds me. I live in freedom. I am totally content in You.

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-3

Being a child, I was totally and completely dependent upon someone else. I didn’t worry about anything. I didn’t think about when or where my next meal was, I didn’t even think about what I had to do next. Everything was taken care of for me.

Jesus says come as a child- come with your arms extended upwards, let Me lift you, let Me carry you, come and be safe in My arms, let Me take care of you.

Then Jesus set the child in the midst of them, the child was right there, with the Lord, in His presence, sitting with Him. That’s where God wants us, right there, in His presence.

Jesus says we must be converted, or change. The Greek word change or covert means to twist, turn around, reverse, think differently or reconsider. Our own desires and habits have to do an about face. Everything that we think is vital in our lives has to turn towards Gods way of thinking. We have to realize that these things are unimportant and Jesus is all important. We are to become little children and have no other desire than God and His Kingdom. This includes living His way of life.

We need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is our Father. He has everything under control, and we are to rest in His bosom. We are to lean on Him.

When we seek God, depend and rely on Him, we are capable of entering into His presence, His kingdom. Just as when we are born again and we have realized that Jesus has saved us, we now know we have a home in Heaven with Him. We can live in the Kingdom of God right here.

A child is sometimes referred to as an immature or baby Christian, or a slave to the King. When we are first born again, we have excitement in the Lord. Like a child, we are amazed at what He can do and what He has just done. We are intrigued at what He is doing and going to do. We are awestruck at His presence. We need to stay like this. We need to be starry eyed and amazed and intently fixed on the Lord at all times. We should know that God has everything taken care of.

Can you reach your arms up and let the Father take you into His presence? Can you lift your eyes up to Him in wonder and know He has everything in control. Exchange your worries and burdens, become like a child, and be in His presence.

Give Us Revelation Lord

2009-11-02T06:36:00.000-08:00

Lord may Your Holy Spirit help us pray Your will.

     Give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You Lord. Give us clarity in Your ways, in what You know Lord, of how things are. Let us know the total You. You have taken off the veil, I pray that we look Your way to see exactly who You are. We want to be fully acquainted with You. All other things pale in comparison to You. Revelation is ours, You have uncovered Your love for us on the Cross. Lord, You have disclosed Your being to us, You have revealed it in the light. I pray we choose to see You in everything. I thank You Lord for letting us know You better, letting us advance closer to You each and every day. We want to be in Your presence with You, in the Holy of Holies. We can behold You. Jesus, You let us perceive You, see You, and understand You. Let us choose to embrace You- all of You.

     Father, enlighten our vision. Remind us that You have shined Your light and goodness into our minds, into our hearts. Your love illuminates our world Lord, it sheds rays of hope, sunshine, glory, awesomeness, wonderment, love, joy, peace, rays of You- onto our lives God. Let us gaze with intent and amazement, our eyes wide open toward You Lord. I pray the eyes of our heart, our deep thoughts, our mind, see Your Light completely. Our world is brightened up by You because You are our everything– all we need.

     Lord I pray we know the meaning of the hope of Your invitation. I pray we can discern clearly the expectation, the anticipation of Your calling for us. You have invited us to Your life Lord, let us open our hearts to receive every bit of it. You have called us to Your sanctuary, let us come in and abide and dwell with You Lord. You have called us to work with You, for You, along side of You, let us say “Yes Lord”. You have called us into Your riches Father, given us an invitation to Your abundance God, Your possessions, Your wealth, Your fullness- every blessing within Your Kingdom is ours when we say “Yes Lord”. Our calling is to have Your wisdom and revelation. Holy Spirit, put this into our hearts and minds. Seal this within our souls.
In Jesus' beautiful name- Amen

Ephesians 1:17-19

My Love for You

2009-10-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

I love you My child. I tell you this to remind you. I show you daily. I shower you with gifts daily. My presents are all around you. I tell you I love you because you need to be reminded. You are to show others My love so they can see My presents, My presence. Jesus is My love. Some people don't know love, they have never seen it. They do not recognize true love. Some of My children think love is to be bought. Some think it is cruel, others think it is painful. My love is not any of those things. It is true and pure. My love flows, it does not hurt, it is gentle, it is kind, it is from Me.

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4.-7 RSV

This is an excerpt from Forgivin Ministries' book "Becasue, I Love You".

The Bible was Left

2009-10-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

'Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house,

not a person was praying,

not one in the house..

The Bible was left

on the shelf without care,

for no one thought

Jesus would come there..

The children were dressing

to crawl into bed,

not once ever kneeling

or bowing their head..

And Mom in the rocking chair

with babe on her lap,

was watching the Late Show

as I took a nap..

When out of the East

there rose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet

to see what was the matter.

Away to the window

I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters

and lifted the sash.

When what to my wondering

eyes should appear,

but Angels proclaiming

that Jesus was here.

The light of His face

made me cover my head...

was Jesus returning

just like He'd said..

And though I possessed

worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him

in spite of myself..

In the Book of Life

which he held in his hand,

was written the name

of every saved man..

He spoke not a word

as he searched for my name,

when He said "it's not here"

My head hung in shame..

The people whose names

had been written with love,

He gathered to take

to His Father above..

With those who were ready

He rose without sound,

while all of the others

were left standing around...

I fell to my knees

but it was too late,

I'd waited too long

and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried

as they rose out of sight,

Oh, if only I'd known

that this was the night....

In the words of this poem

the meaning is clear

the coming of Jesus

is now drawing near...

There's only one life

and when comes the last call,

We'll find out that the Bible

is true after all...

Author unknown

Our Lord's Prayer

2009-10-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Father, Your name is Holy; it is to be cherished and revered. Your name is pure and blameless, innocence and perfection. It’s You. Your name is my comfort, my warmth, my salvation, my shelter, my health, it is my all. Your name alone has saved me. It is my redemption. It saved me from death, sickness, bondage, entrapment; it saves me from being poor in any way possible. Your name is my righteousness and sanctification. I pray that myself and others would know Your name, Your authority, Your character. I pray we perceive and understand who You are, who You really are. That we be aware of the fact that You are the only way, the only answer to everything that ails us. I pray we come to know You on a personal and daily basis. I pray we know we are with You every single minute of the day and with You for eternity. I ask that the lost come to the knowledge that Your name is Holy and they accept Your Son as the One who saves them. Lord, the hurting, the lost, the bruised, the broken and diseased, the angry– bring them to You and the revelation that You love them. Holy Spirit draw their hearts. Let them see the love You have for them, let them realize it mends and repairs. Lord I lift Your name on high; You are the Exalted One, the Only One. You are the healing One, the One who provides, the One who brings peace, joy and contentment. I call on Your name Jesus and I am satisfied. I am rescued. I seek You first, Your name, and I know all else shall fall into place.

Let Your Kingdom come down to the earth today just like it is in Heaven Lord. Let Your Truth come into our lives and take over every soul on this earth Lord. I pray all souls receive Your goodness, Your healing. Let Your love fall upon us, Your light shine and grow among us here just as much as is in Heaven. Your rule be known God, Your royalty appear and be seen all over this earth. Let Your realm be known among us. May the absolute basis of Your Name, which is love, Your Kingdom fall upon us. All other stuff be gone. Nothing but You Heavenly Father with us. Let us live in Your glory, let us walk in Your presence. Right here, right now. Lord I know You walk with us and we can hear Your voice as Adam did. Lord, Your foot be upon this earth, upon these souls. Let us be pleasing to You Lord. Let Your glory surround this earth, Your Holy Spirit reign over the land You have given us to dwell in. I pray You infiltrate every nook and cranny of this world to where there is no darkness left in it. Darkness flees in Your Name. I pray Your will is done right now in this earth. Your purpose is completed today. Lord let Your thoughts be manifested on this earth, not ours, not the enemies, but Yours alone God. I know Your choices are done on earth as it is in Heaven. Let Your truth be manifested in our heart, mind, soul and body. Jesus, let Your desire come forth, what You please, what You love. I want what You determine and what You would rather have. Lord, let Your intentions be done, not only on earth but in the earthly bodies You gave us.

Thank You Lord for our provisions. For giving us our daily bread, our needs, our manna from Heaven. They come from no one else. You are Jehovah Jireh. Thank You Lord for daily renewing the mercy we need, the forgiveness we need. Thank You for the renewing of strength needed for the day. Lord I thank You for wisdom that You bring forth to us. Give us Your Word continually into our lives. You give us our daily bread– which is Your Word– which is our healing. You gave us Your blood which took away our sins. This is complete and is good for all eternity. You deliver us Your goodness. Your Word cleanses. Your Word renews our desires to be with You, to live for You. Lord You are so good to us. You provide everything needed for our mind, soul, spirit and body. You minister to each and every one of us daily as needed. You take away our sins, You carried them off, You have loosened the chains that bound us. Thank You Lord that You remove everything that is not from You every single time it’s needed. We give our debts back to You by forgiving ourselves so You can throw them away for us. We no longer want them. Lord You raise us up to be with You.

I praise You for forgiving our sins, our trespasses, our failings, our faults. Thank You Lord for sending off our debt, what we should owe, for paying our due on the Cross. We should be paying for this, but You have taken our place. Thank You Lord for our daily bread, for taking away our sins when You were raised on the Cross, You separated our fault from us. You give us another chance. You have renewed our life. The veil was torn; there is no longer anything in between us because You have reversed the effect that sin could have had on us. Jesus, You have given us completion in You when You forgave us. It is finished.

I forgive those who have debts towards me. It is hard to love them as You have commanded and I may have unforgiveness towards them. Lord help me forgive the guilty, the ones under obligation to me. Forgiveness is a gift from You to me that I may pass on to others, that I can keep receiving. I choose to forgive so I can be filled with Your goodness. I forgive all that have failed me; I forgive all of my failings. Give me revelation on Your forgiveness, that I can show Your mercy to others that desire and need it.

Lord, let Your Holy Spirit lead us away from temptations. We know that You have conquered all for us. We do not want to suffer any loss; we want to live in Your victory, Your ways. You have healed our infirmities, conquered our fears and bondages. You have already delivered us from sin. Deliver us from evil, from the hurtful, from wrong influences. Keep us from pain, anguish and toil. You have given us Your riches, therefore we are no longer poor in any way, we do not beg for anything. You are our provider and deliverer.

Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever.

Serenity Prayer

2009-08-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

Did you know The Serenity Prayer had more to it than just what is repeated at the AA meetings?

T H E S E R E N I T Y P R A Y E R

God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
if I surrender to Your will,
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and suprememly happy with You forever in the next.

B y R e i n h o l d N i e b u h r

Don't leave Jesus out of your prayers.

Until Then

2009-08-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

One of these days I will be in Your full presence Lord. Nothing will be between us. Nothing of this world, no worries, no cares, no concerns, no hurts, no hurries. I will have given them to You. I will be engulfed in Your love with nothing keeping me here. I will have no more little tasks to complete on this earth. I will be in Your presence Lord. No more prayers for the unsaved, sick or hurting. Just me and You Lord. I will rest in Your presence. I will sit at Your feet. I will be content, I will be complete.

Until then, I will sit in Your presence. There will be nothing between us. Nothing of this world, no worries, no cares, no concerns or hurts or hurries. I give them to You Father. Until then, I will be engulfed in Your love with just a few things keeping me here. I have little tasks to complete on this earth, but I do them in Your presence Lord. I pray for the unsaved, sick and hurting- just between me and You Lord. I rest in Your presence. I sit at Your feet. I am content, I am complete. - L. White

Job Measured Up

2009-08-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Job had everything that a person could possibly want. He had seven sons and three daughters. He had many servants and possessions, thousands of sheep and camels, hundreds of donkeys and oxen. He was very wealthy. His name was the greatest among men of his day.

One day, Job was sitting in his home and a messenger came to tell him about the Sabeans that came and killed all the servants, and stole all the oxen and donkeys. He was the only one that escaped. While that guy was still telling him this, another servant came and started telling about a disaster that took all of his sheep and herdsmen. Then, if that wasn’t bad enough, here comes another messenger telling him of all the camel that were stolen and servants that were killed elsewhere. All this chaos had just hit Job in the same day, but the worst was yet to come. He was about to find out that all of his children were just killed by a freak sand storm.

Job had gone from the most renowned man in that time, to a man in total despair. Tragedy struck every aspect of his life. All he possessed and all he cherished were taken away.

Job knew where every one of these blessings had come from. They were God’s to begin with; they were God’s to take away. In all of this suffering, Job didn’t sin or even blame God. This is found in Job:1.

Still more tragedy was on its way. After all of this happened Job is struck with a horrible, embarrassing disease. His wife, who was the only family member still in his life, told him to just curse God and die. His friends tried to convince him that he was guilty of something or even sinning, that’s why all these things happened. He didn’t know why these trials had come so suddenly or even why they happened at all, but Job still did not blame God. Instead, he cried out and asked his Heavenly Father for understanding. God seemed like He was far away and not listening but Job knew deep down he was still a righteous man and God was still with him. He had realized that his integrity and moral standards had remained with him through all of these trials because he trusted the Lord.

Job 31:5-6 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

Job wanted to be weighed with God’s accurate scales. He knew he hadn’t sinned in anyway, and he never turned from God: he still had a relationship with the Lord. Job’s confidence was still in the Lord. He knew His judgment was righteous. Job wanted to be measured by God’s standards, not what the world thought.

The Lord knows our heart, nobody else can claim that. Our God knows all. He understands everything; He is omniscient.

Thru all of these trials, Job had come to a better understanding of God. He had grown closer to Him. He relied on God to be there with him at all times. He kept the Lord first and foremost in his heart. Job didn’t understand why things went this way, but because he kept his trust in the Lord, he gained more insight and extraordinary wisdom from God. Job became a bigger man of God because he had stayed with Him instead of turning.

We could turn to things around us when we go through trials, turn to our best friend, someone we love, somebody professional, or we can decide to turn to God during hard times. If our heart isn’t directed towards the love of God, we will not grow in His ways. We might even be condemned as Job was by his “friends”. Going thru hardships helps us realize how much God really does love us and what He can do for us.

God knew Job’s heart. He knew what he was made of and where his heart was. The Lord knew ahead of time that Job would stay with Him no matter what. (Job 1:6-12 and Job 2:3-6) God was adding on and building Job’s character.

Our Father’s standards are not unreachable, they are just. They are not too high for us; God puts them at a level He knows we can reach. We just have to trust Him to get us there. Knowing in our heart that God is with us and relying on Him completely brings us more than we can imagine. We are brought His peace, joy, wisdom, knowledge, love, and more. Best of all, it brings us the His presence.

Are we measuring up to what God expects of us, or do we put the world’s standards in front of us and forget about the Lord? Do we look at what God wants, or do we see what the world wants? Do we see what God has given us or do we see what we have gained for ourselves?

Job didn’t measure himself by what he owned or used to own. He measured himself by what was in his heart. This is what we are to do.

Sometimes we are too concerned with what we have or could have. We are concerned about how many hours we put in at the job or the raise we can obtain. These things can be good if God is in the picture first. All this stuff can be used for God’s glory, but we have to remember to make God our first goal. We have to rely on God’s strength, not what we think we have.

The main idea here on this earth is to have God’s Word in your life. Relying and trusting in the Lord and knowing that He is here with you is what counts. His presence within you is what makes you worth something. Christ gives you quality in your life.

How much Jesus do you have in your life? You can have more every day if you live for God. Like Job, you will grow bigger and better. God will give you everything you need to measure up.

The Measure of a Man

2009-08-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Many times the measure of a person is seen as the amount of success there is, the size of the bank account, the car driven, what size home or what kind of toys that are obtained. Sometimes we look at how big and tall a man is or how beautiful a woman is in the world’s eyes, or maybe even how intelligent someone is. None of these are the true measures of a man (or woman).

“The place to take the true measure of a man is not in the darkest place or in the amen corner, nor the cornfield, but by his own fireside. There he lays aside his mask and you may learn whether he is an imp or an angel, cur or king, hero or humbug. I care not what the world says of him; whether it crowns him boss or pelts him with bad eggs. I care not a copper what his reputation or religion may be; if his babies dread his homecoming and his better half swallows her heart every time she has to ask him for a five-dollar bill, he is a fraud of the first water, even though he prays night and morning until he is blue in the face and howls hallelujah until he shakes the eternal hills. But if his children rush to the front door to meet him and love’s sunshine illuminates the face of his wife every time she hears his footfall, you can take it for granted that he is pure, for his home is a haven and the humbug never gets that near the great white throne of God… W.C. Brann

We can certainly realize that the measure of a man should not be what he owns or the job he holds, but how much he loves- and what he loves.

Revelation 21:17 and he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

The wall measured here is from the holy city Jerusalem that is descending out of Heaven from God.

According to the Strong’s concordance, measure is a limited portion (a degree). To measure is to find out the quality of something, and estimate of what is to be expected (as of a person or situation), a basis or standard of comparison.

The wall is a basic structure on which something is built- this comes from the word teko which is to produce from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc. literally or figuratively: bear or be born, bring forth, be delivered. A wall is protection, it defends.

An angel brings tidings, he is a messenger, he is a recipient of the Word of God, he receives the truth from the Lord and brings it to others. By implication, an angel can be a pastor. Angels in Heaven are in spiritual form. We are angels in human form.

The angel here was measuring the basic structure. He was finding the quality of the wall, what it was made of, what is was brought forth from. The basic structure in our life should be the Word of God, the love He has given us. These walls defend us from the enemy. We should be built on this solid structure because everything else passes away.

In the next verse we find the wall was made of jasper.

Rev 21:18 and the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Jasper comes from a word meaning to polish; jasper is a gem, a precious stone. And the city was pure gold- which signifies love. Whenever “pure gold’ from the Lord is mentioned, it refers to pure love. The gold was like clear glass. This city is made of pure love, it is transparent- no flaws. This city is built with the Word of God. It is pure and total truth. The structure is polished and shiny. It has been polished by the Word of God, which is Jesus Christ.

This is how we are when have Christ within us. When we stay in His Word, it cleans and polishes everything within us. God’s Word enlightens and takes our darkness. Every Word we receive from God is total truth within. Our mind and heart can be filled with His love.

This is our measure. How much love do we have? How much Christ do we have? Jesus should be our foundation; God’s Word should be our structure. Are we letting the love of God rule our life or is the love of something else taking over?

Everyday we should read God’s Word and let the pure light and love of Christ grow within our heart, our mind and life. The true measure of a man is found within him.

You Are Blessed

2009-08-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won’t 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 20 million people around the world.

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

If your parents are still alive and married, you are very rare, especially 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 can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.

If you know that God sent His Son Jesus to die to pay for your sins, and you have received Him in your heart, you are truy the most blessed person in the whole world.

Author of this piece is unknown.

So....Why Did God Make Me?

2009-08-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

Originally we we’re all going to be gardeners.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. Genesis 2:15 RSV

But the fruity thing happened and…

So the Lord God banished him forever from the Garden of Eden, and sent him out to farm the ground from which he had been taken. Genesis 3:23 LVB

Our privileges were messed up from then and we couldn’t enter His presence anymore. Thank God He had plan B. He sent His Son to rescue us from eternal damnation. Life without Jesus is hell. He created a way that we could come back to God. We can enter His gates again. Our Father doesn’t want any of His children away from Him, He wants them all in His presence.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

All you have to do to obtain eternal life in heaven with our Father is turn from your sins and believe in His Son Jesus. He is ready and waiting with open arms for you to come home again just like the prodigal son as in Luke 15:11-24. Just believe that Jesus died for you and took your sins, know that He loves you.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

Now that we’ve turned back to Him, it’s our duty to stay on track and walk the right way.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

We are to fear our Father- know that He is God- and do as He says- it for our own good and safety. What exactly does God command?

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. 1 John 3:23-24

The most important reason we are brought here is because of God’s love. We’re here for His pleasure and glory, to praise Him and spread His Word, which is His love, to others. We are to walk with Him and be by His side. We are also supposed to obey His commandments- which are not hard at all. We can do all of this simply by having Jesus in our heart.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Everything we do should be for God, and with God. Our life is all about Him. It’s obvious when we look around that God exists. He created us and loves us. He didn’t create us in His image so we would burn in hell.

And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. Matthew 22:35-36

Please read Why did God Make Me?, Our Purpose, and Another Purpose also with this series. click on the Labels below.

Another Purpose

2009-08-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

When we take that first step towards Jesus Christ, we will want to praise Him. He saved our soul and our heart rejoices. We begin to understand and know Him better as we stay close and walk beside our Savior. Once we begin to comprehend the love of God, we will continue to praise Him for being in our life.

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. Psalms 102:18

We were created because God loves us, because He wanted to. He gave us a purpose while we're here also. We were not created to just sit around and be lumps. We have to stay busy doing something. God wants us to work and live for His glory, and also to praise the Him.

When we fully accept Jesus into our lives, it will be our pleasure to celebrate Him. Our eyes will be open and we will begin to see that He is worthy to be worshipped and adored. Once we find out who Jesus really is, what He wants to do for us and what He has already done for us, we won’t be able to keep it to ourselves. We will want to declare the Good News.

To praise is to boast about or glorify. When you have great news, you have to tell somebody, you want to shout it out. You don’t want to keep it to yourself.

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. Psalms 145:4

Praising the Lord goes right along with the purpose He gave us. We are spreading His Word and living for His glory when we praise Him. It is boasting about His goodness and letting people know about His love. We will tell each other about His works and what He has done.

All of our life is based on God whether we admit it or not. It started with God, and it will end with Him. God uses our life for His good, for His purpose.

We know that all things work together for good for people who love God. They are called for God's purpose. Romans 8:28 SIM

All lives are incomplete without Him. Our mission on earth is not fulfilled without God in our life.When our time has ended in this world, we will be judged by the Almighty.

I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Ecclesiastes 3:17 ASV

Our works will in no way get us to Heaven, it's the fact whether or not we have invited Jesus Christ to live in our heart or not that determines this. We will, however, be accountable for everything we have done. Have we confessed our sins or have we just pushed them aside? Have we worked for God or did we work for ourselves? Did we walk with the Lord or follow our own path? Did we hear Him callings us or did we ignore His voice? Did we live our life for Jesus, with Jesus? Did we reflect His image? Did we tell anyone about Him? Did we glorify His name or live for our own gain?

God gives us choices. He gave us a free will. He hopes that we will choose Him and His ways. All other choices lead to death.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live! Deuteronomy 30:19 LVB

The life God has given us is Jesus Christ- believe that He is God's Son and accept His forgiveness, or don't believe and die. It’s that simple. We can choose to praise and glorify the Lord, testify of His goodness and live in His blessings, or we can choose not to and die. I think it’s easier to live the life that was planned and purposed for us than to go against the grain and get rubbed the wrong way and then come out bruise and battered.

God still loves us no matter what choice we choose, but we can’t live in Heaven with Him if we have made the wrong choice simply because sin does not enter into His Kingdom. God would rather see His children come home to Him than to burn in hell any day. So why not praise Jesus as your Savior and glorify God for the life He has given you.

Knowing Jesus is all we need. Getting to know Him is even better. Live your purpose and praise Him.

Please also read Our Purpose and Why did God Make Me? Click on the Labels tab below.

Our Purpose

2009-08-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

While we are here, God has given us a purpose. We’re supposed to work for Him. We’re to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to others.

But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love. Acts 20:24

We’re to tell others of God’s message so they can know about His love, so they can seek His righteousness, goodness, and freedom. God wants to spread His love, His Word, so every single person in the world can have it.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

The gospel is God’s Word. God’s Word is Jesus Christ, His one and only Son. Jesus Christ is the good news.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

John 1:14

We are God’s tools in spreading His Word and telling about the love of Jesus. We don’t have to be a preacher to let somebody know how good God is. We can speak publicly or tell just on person at a time. We can publish a book about God’s ways or write a simple note to a friend. We could sing in front of thousands or we can sing to one child. We can paint a huge mural of Jesus Christ for all to see or we can draw a picture for grandma’s fridge. We can show somebody God’s love thru a smile, or speak through our actions and our lifestyle. We are to in someway let everyone around us know that our God reigns. We’re to let them know about the love and goodness that Jesus has for us. It’s our duty to let everyone know that He is available for them wherever they are and that His love is free for all, no matter where they have been or what they have done or what they are doing at the moment. Forgiveness is for the asking.

God designed each on of us before we even entered this earth in His image and for His glory, to speak His Word, to spread His news. We have Jesus’ example to follow.

But Jesus said to them, ``I must tell the Good News about God's kingdom to other towns, too. This is why I was sent.'' Luke 4:43 SIm

We’re to tell the ones who have their eyes closed and help them see, just as the ones before us have labored for Him and helped us to see the Light.

God’s desire is for us to see the whole Truth and then to share and testify of the Truth, which is Jesus Christ.

Revealing His son is our task in this world. We’re supposed to speak and show His love, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness. We’re to repeat the Good News to others so they can receive as we have received. God wants everybody to know Him.

If you had known me, you would have known my Father. But even now, you do know Him and you have seen Him.'' John 14:7 SIM

There’s a big difference in knowing who God is and really knowing Him. Being made in His image, we have the opportunity to know our Father personally. God wants every single person to be close to Him. This is where our purpose on this earth comes in- spreading His Word so His children can know His ways.

We’re created like God because He wanted us to be able to fellowship with Him.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 RSV

Did you know the Almighty on calls us friends? (John 15:14-15) He wants us around Him. God made us in His image so we can grow to be like Him. We as humans will not become gods, but being a child of God, we have the traits of our Father. We have the ability to love as He loves, to be peaceful as he gives us peace, to become wise as He gives us wisdom. We can have knowledge as He reveals His knowledge, we can understand as He gifts us with understanding. We can know His will the closer we are to Him. If only we would get to know the Holy One better, spend more time with Him. He will teach us His ways. We can reflect our Creator’s image in our lifestyle.

I want the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you insight and a wise spirit. Then you will know Him better. The eyes of your heart will receive light. Then you will know the meaning of the hope of God's invitation. You will know the riches of His glorious inheritance among the holy people. You will know God's great power which is available to us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-19 SIM

When you truly know God, you’ll want to share what He has given you. You’ll want to share the peace that He gives, the contentment, joy, and forgiveness. He gives truth, healing and prosperity in all areas. He gives abundance and quality of life. Knowing God is comprehending and really believing He is who He says He is and does what He says He does. God is pure love and all that goes with it.

We can truly let this grow in our heart and show this Word to the people around us. We can fulfill our purpose that God has for us and be used for His glory.

Please also read Why Did God Make ME? Click the link in Labels below

Why Did God Make ME?

2009-07-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

The reason God created man, created you, was because He wanted to. He did not need anybody, He is God. He needs nothing. He is complete. God is all sufficient. With or without us, God the Almighty was, is, and always will be. Our Gather brought us into existence because it was His choice. His desire, His will, He wanted to. His love brought us forth. We are here for His pleasure.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

Why does a painter create? He makes things because he wants them. There is a creation inside of him waiting to get out, maybe to show or share with others. He molds for his pleasure and that creation serve a purpose. The purpose could be for his eyes alone or for the piece to be useful to others also. The painter paints because he loves to. He wants to create something beautiful or meaningful. His viewpoint of something can be seen by someone else. A writer writes to bring forth a wonderful story to enjoy and share with others, maybe to inform the world of important matters. Maybe the writer only jots down his thoughts for his own use, but he writes because that is how he expresses and shows his feelings.

What about a football coach? He desires to form the best football team there ever was. The coach wants to be proud of his team, to show their efforts to others. An inventor invents because something is wanted or needed, maybe so life could be a little simpler. He is delighted to bring into existence something that never was before. God is our Creator; we are made for His pleasure because He wanted to make us. He desires us around Him. He wants to enjoy our company. We are an expression of His love. We are made in His image. We would not have been born if He did not love us. Our Father wants to share with us all that He has. We are created for His glory. We are created for His use and purpose.

…all things were created by Him, and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Because of God’s will, for His pleasure, He formed us. Without Him, without his love, we wouldn’t be.

Please also read Our Purpose. Click in the Labels below.

Father's Love Letter

2009-07-29T04:54:00.000-07:00

My Child,

You may not know Me, but I know everything about you... Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up... Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways... Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered... Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in My image... Gen 1:27

In Me you live and move and have your being...

Acts 17:28

For you are My offspring... Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived...

Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation...

Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book... Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live... Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made...

Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb...

Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born... Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me... John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but I am the compete expression of love... 1 John 4:8

And it is My desire to lavish My love on you simple because you are My child and I am your Father...

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could... Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father... Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand... James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your need... Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope... Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with and everlasting love... Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore... Psalm 139: 17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing... Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you... Jeremiah 32:40

For you are My treasured possession... Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul... Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things... Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me... Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart... Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires...

Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine... Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager...

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles... 2 Corinthians 1:2-4

When you are broken hearted, I am close to you... Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart... Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth... Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus... John 17:23

For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed... John 17:26

He is the exact representation of My being...

Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you... Romans 8:31

And tell you that I am not counting your sins...

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you... 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love... Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of My Son Jesus, you receive Me... 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from My love again... Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen... Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father... Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ... Will you be My child?...John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you... Luke 15:11-32

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I am not sure who wrote this piece, but it is ALL God's Word to you...

God Hears Your Prayers

2009-07-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

If God always answered all our prayers yes at a snap of a finger, He would be our servant, instead of us being His.

Prayer is and has been practiced by millions of people. It is practiced by many religions, even those without religion. It comes from an inside acknowledgement that we have a need for a higher power, an acknowledgement that we are not almighty ourselves. We realize that we need something or somebody else with greater power and control than we have.

The reason we pray is because we were originally created in God's image, but we fell into sin and death. We now represent that sin and death. The image of God in us has almost been destroyed, yet deep within us there still remains Godly desires. This is where our need to pray comes from.

God hears prayers right then and there. Although Our Lord's answers can be instantly yes, they are not always that way. Sometimes He tells us to wait- it's in the making, other times the answer is no because that prayer was not in His will. Our Heavenly Father has not forgotten you or your requests. He knows of prayers you don't even remember. God has a divine purpose in prayer, He wants us to ask Him for our needs and wants, He wants us to run to Him with our every little whim and desire.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thes 5:17

God is our Father and He wants us to communicate and depend on Him daily. However, we cannot expect the Almighty Creator of the universes to jump every time we ask. Our Lord will be happy to grant our wishes if the request is in His purpose, His will, His timing. Our God the Father has His own plans already written out for us and for all the earth.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 LVB

In Luke 11:1-4 Jesus teaches us how to pray. The very first thing He tells us to do is to approach God as "Our Father who is in Heaven". Being made in His image, we were Gods children. Having fallen into sin and death through Adam, a "son of God", (Luke 3:23-38), the human race from then on lost their sonship with the Father. We can no longer call the Creator of the universe "Our Father who is in Heaven".

The ones who can call Him Father are the ones who believe that Jesus Christ is God's only Son, the ones that have repented and believe that Jesus has died, rose again, and forgiven their sins, the ones that have accepted Christ as their Savior.

When we ask Jesus in our heart, God receives us as His own. He adopts us. We can now honor Him and call His name Holy. We can call Him Father (Rom 8:14-17). We are His children, His heirs.

As children of God, the desire in our heart changes towards the desire in our Father's heart. We begin to see what He has, what He can give us, what our Father can do for us and what He has already done in us. We tend to want the goodness, the love, the mercy, grace and the gifts our Lord has for us. We grow closer to Him as we search for more of these things from Him. We want to know more about His ways. The closer we are to Him, the more we want to have what He wants for us. We are now in His will. God's blessings and positive answers to our prayers come from being in His will and walking closely with Him.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24

But why didn't God hear my cries!?

Sometimes it seems God doesn't hear us. It can be that what we have asked for will only benefit what we want, not what God wants. We are naturally selfish people and it is normal to ask for something for our own motives.

And even when you do ask you don't get it because your whole aim is wrong-- you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3 LVB

We need to ask for things that God wants for us, things in His will, for our Father's will to be done.

Jesus was human. He had a lot of pressure on Him, but He still chose His Father's will, not His own.

And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matt 26:39

Many times our heart is hurting, but we have to wait a while for our answer. Meanwhile, God wants us to grow with Him thru the trial, to rely on Him thru the waiting. He wants to fellowship with us, to walk and talk along the way so we can grow stronger in our faith and love towards Him. There are times when God wants us to experience the comfort of His healing presence. He wants us to know what we can achieve with His help. Our time with the Father is very precious to both Him and ourselves.

A young child relies on his parents to fix everything. We as parents want our child to grow in knowledge and strength along the way and to grow in love and trust towards us. God is our Father and wants the same thing for us.

and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. Exodus 22:27

Certain kinds of prayers are always heard. Prayers of forgiveness are always answered.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Prayers of thanksgiving and adoration are appreciated. This tells our Father that we know where our blessings come from. We acknowledge the fact that He is all powerful, all knowing, all gracious, loving and merciful.

Our prayers should be to glorify the Lord, not ourselves.

God know the outcome of each and every prayer before it is even asked. He knows if a few more years to our life on earth will forever change the outome of our eternal life.

As His child, when we follow the example of the Lords prayer, (Matt. 6:9-14) we will be praying for God's will to be done, for His provisions, His forgiveness, and His protection. This is all that is needed. We will be honoring and exalting His name. This is the Lord's will.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matt 6:6-8

Pray for Jesus to live in your heart and dwell in your live forever!