Sunday, December 29, 2013

**You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, The Best Is Coming**


Revelations 
20:7-10… And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
21:1-5
… And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Let's talk about something very exciting; something that’s the hope of every Christian. You see, no matter what this life may throw our way we can always rest in the fact that this is not all there is. There is something that comes after this life. What we see is not all there is. We have something to look forward to with great excitement. John tells us in the scriptures we just read that the One who sits on the throne has said, "Behold, I make all things new." There is coming a day when Gabriel is going to pick up the trumpet, and as he blows that horn the eastern sky is going to be split wide open, and the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords is going to appear. And we, His bride, will rise to meet Him in the air. And Jesus said, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 
It’s going to be a great day when we are allowed to enter into the joys of the Lord. I don’t know when that day will come. It may be a hundred years from now. It may be today. But we have the promise of the Father that He is going to one day send His Son to get His people. And when that day comes everything we know is going to be changed in the twinkling of an eye. And what a day that will be. 

I want to talk to you about four things that will be made new on that day. 
1. A New Home
First of all, we’re going to live in a new home. Have you ever experienced what it was like to move from a house that was not yours into a home that belonged to you?
As good of a memory that day was, I think there is a day coming that is so much more exciting. It’s another moving day. Right now, we’re living in a house that is not our own. And the house that we’re living in has some issues, it has some problems. The world that we live in is full of suffering and hatred and fear. Every day we’re hearing about war that’s happening all over. Every day we hear about another tragedy. Every day we hear about the evil that seems to be crashing in on every side. Not everything about our world is bad. There is beauty to be found here. There is some good around. But it seems as though there is always something bad happening to make us forget about the good. This is a house that seems to be torn apart at the seams at times. 
But aren’t you glad that moving day is coming? There is a day coming when we’ll be packing up and heading out of this house we’re living in and moving into a home that is our own, a place that is specifically prepared for us. Jesus said in John 14… Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 
Christ is preparing a home for us. And in that home there will be no suffering. In that home there will be no hatred. In that home there will be no fear. There will be no tragedy there. There will be no war there. There will be no strife there. There will be perfect harmony there. The lion and the lamb will rest side by side. It will be a place of spotless beauty. The streets there are made of gold. The walls there are made out of precious stones. The gates are made out of pearl. The water there is crystal clear and pure. The measurements of that city are perfectly measured out. There is no need for the sun, moon, or stars. This earth’s sun will be replaced by the Son of God. It will be a perfect home. Full of love. Full of peace. Full of joy. And it will be ours. What a moving day that will be. When we leave this broken down house we live in to dwell in the home that Christ has prepared for us. 
John said, I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. This world is not our home. We’re just passing through. The bible tells us that our citizenship is in heaven. And the day is coming when we will be moving and we we will be living in our new and perfect place where we will dwell forever. 

2. New Body

Not only will we live in a new home, but secondly, it’s good to know that we’re going to live in a new body.
No matter how much effort we put into making ourselves healthy and beautiful, no matter how many calories we’re burning or how toned our muscles are or what we’re doing to make ourselves look young and beautiful, we still grow older every day. And one day, if we’re not there already, we will experience the aches and pains that come with aging. And one day, if we haven’t already, we will experience what it is to have something go wrong inside of our body. And one day, if the Lord tarries, they’re going to put our bodies into a box and lower us into the ground. And it doesn’t matter how beautiful you are. It doesn’t matter how much body fat you don’t have. It doesn’t matter how big your arms are and how flat and firm your tummy is. No matter how good we try to make this body look, it is still a natural, earthly body. We still age. Things still break down and grow old. We’re still going to die. 
And so it should come as a relief to read what Paul says in 1st Corinthians 15....... He says that our earthly body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 
There is coming a day when we’re going to live in perfect, incorruptible bodies that do not age, that do not suffer illness, that do not succumb to death. 
There will be no more aging. There will be no more aches and pains. There will be no more cancer. There will be no more heart problems. There will be no more surgery. There will be no more disease and sickness. There will be no more death. There won’t be any need for hospitals. There won’t be any need for nursing homes. There won’t be any need for hospice services. There won’t be any need for funeral homes. There will be no more graveyards. You won’t need your medicine anymore. You won’t need your vitamins anymore. You won’t need to keep track of your calories anymore. You won’t need food or water anymore. Our corruptible body will be made incorruptible. Our sick body will be made well. Our weak body will be made strong. Our decaying bodies will be made eternal. We will have a new body.

3. New Freedom

When the Lord returns we will live in a new freedom. Right now we live in a world that is dominated by the power of Satan. The Bible tells us that he’s roaming about seeking whom he may devour. It calls him the god of this world. It calls him the prince of the power of this air. He’s called the ruler of the darkness of this world. Scripture tells us that he has come for no other reason to steal, kill, and destroy. And he is doing just that. 
Today he is wreaking havoc in the world we live in. It is because of him that we see so much hatred. It is because of him that we see so much killing. It’s because of him that we see so many homes destroyed by divorce and unfaithfulness. It’s because of him that we see so many people lost in their addictions to alcohol and drugs and pornography. He’s the reason that so many people that we know personally have been swept in by sin. And he’s the one who is assailing you with temptation and doubt and confusion. 
But I’ve got good news for you. Satan’s time is short. His end is nearing. 
Satan was ultimately defeated 2000 years ago when Jesus died on a cross and paid the price for our sin, and then rose from the dead 3 days later to conquer death and the grave. And so right now Satan is a lame duck. His time is short. Rev.12:12 says… Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Satan is working hard to do as much damage as he can because he doesn’t have very much longer to work his evil. There is coming a day when Satan’s power will be stripped away from him. There is coming a day when we will no longer have to worry about him. His doom is inevitable. His destruction is nearAnd he knows it.
John tells us that the devil that deceived us will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. When the day comes that we see Jesus, Satan will no longer have the ability destroy another church. He will no longer have the power to destroy another marriage. He will no longer have any way to steal away your children. He won’t be able to cause you to stumble again. He won’t be able to distract you from having a strong, growing relationship with Christ. He won’t be able to make you fear or doubt. He won’t be able to cause any more confusion in your mind. 
The Bible tells us that sin will have no place in heaven. It tells us in Rev 22:3 that there will no longer be any curse. Temptation will be gone. Doubt will disappear. Ps. 37 tells us that evil and wickedness will have no place there. It tells us that "there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles." Satan and all of his demons will be no more. But they will be thrown into the pit of hell to suffer the punishment and judgment that they know they’ve got coming to them. And you and I will be free from Satan’s reach.
4. New Fellowship
Someone wrote, "As a boy, I thought of heaven as a city with domes, spires, and beautiful streets, inhabited by angels. By and by my little brother died, and I thought of heaven much as before, but with one person that I knew. Then another died, and then some of my friends, so in time I began to think of heaven as containing several people that I knew. But it was not until one of my own little children died that I began to think I had treasure in heaven myself. Afterward another went, and yet another. By that time I had so many friends and children in heaven that I no more thought of it as a city merely with streets of gold but as a place full of inhabitants. Now there are so many loved ones there I sometimes think I know more people in heaven than I do on earth." 



I personally have a brother in Heaven that I was never able to communicate with due to his illness of the 16 years of his life, I also have unborn children in Heaven that I long to see for the very first time. 
I would love to have the opportunity to talk with them and get to know them. So you see, I’m excited to one day walk through the gates of heaven to see them awaiting my arrival? That’s one of the greatest hopes for the Christian. One day we’re going to see all of our Christian loved ones again. If we want to see our loved ones that have gone on before we must be ready!!

Every hero we read about in the Scriptures will be there. Every saint that has given their lives for the sake of the Master will be there. Every loved one who has made an impact in our lives for God will be there. Every child that has been lost will be waiting for us there. What a time of fellowship that will be. 
But the greatest hope of the Christian is not the hope of seeing our loved ones. It is not the hope of living in a beautiful home. It is not the hope of obtaining an incorruptible body. It isn’t even the hope of being free from temptation. But our greatest hope is that on that day we will get to see Jesus. He said, "Where I am you may be also." John said he heard a great voice call out and say, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. One day we’re going to live in constant fellowship with the One who paid the way for us to be forgiven of sin. One day we’re going to live in the presence of the One who gave His life for us. One day we’re going to see Jesus.
When I get to heaven, the first sight that shall see with my eyes will be that of my Savior.
I can’t wait for the day that I’m able to look upon His face. I can’t wait for the day I’m able to bow at His feet in worship. I can’t wait for the day that I’m able to express my gratitude to Him face to face. I can’t wait to feel His arms of love wrap around me as He welcomes me home. The first face I look for when I enter those gates will be the face of Jesus. One glimpse of His face will make every trial worth while. One touch of His hand will make every battle worth it. Every heartache will be forgotten. Every doubt will be cleared away. All sorrow will vanish forever. All of our questions will be answered. Every tear will be dried. Every fear will disappear. Only joy and peace and happiness and satisfaction and rest will remain when we look upon the face of Jesus. 

What a day that will be when my Jesus I will see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land, what a day, glorious day that will be. What a day of worship that will be. What a day of thanksgiving and praise. What a day of rejoicing it will be when we see Jesus. What a time of fellowship we’ll have with Him. 

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to live. As she began getting her things "in order" she called her pastor and asked him to come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what dress she wanted to be buried in. She also requested that she be buried with her Bible in her left hand. Everything was in order, and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly remembered one final request that was very important to her. 
"Please, Pastor, just one more thing," she said excitedly. "Sure, what is it," came the pastor’s reply. "This is very important to me," the woman continued ... "I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand." The pastor gazed at the woman with a loss for words. "That surprises you, doesn’t it?" the woman said. The pastor replied, "Well, to be quite honest I am puzzled by the request." The woman explained, "You see, pastor, in all my years attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember after the main course and the dishes were being cleared somebody will inevitably lean over to me and say.... ’keep your fork.’ That was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like the velvety chocolate cake, or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful was coming up that would put a perfect end to a great meal. So, you see Pastor, I just want people to see me there in my casket with a fork in my hand, and I want them to wonder... ’What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ’Keep your fork ~ the best is yet to come!"

Today it’s good to know that the best is yet to come. No matter what life puts in our pathway we can rest assured that a day is coming when all those things will be put aside and we’ll enter into a new home in new bodies to enjoy a new freedom and spend eternity in a new fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord. What a day that will be. 

Are you ready?
 
**You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, The Best Is Coming**

Saturday, December 28, 2013

"WHY DOESN'T REVIVAL LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE?"

"WHY DOESN'T REVIVAL LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE?"
 

Psalms 85:1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.


Israel had walked in Revival victory, but notice in vs. 8...not turn
again to folly... Definition of folly; the state of being foolish or the lack
of good sense. Revival is renewing our Walk, our Worship, and our Work.
It's effective but also elusive. At one time Israel had the refreshing of
His presence, the realness of His power and the reassurance of His
promises. But now turned to folly! David knew what it was to walk in
Revival fires, but he also knew rebuke, reproof and remorse.
2 Samuel 11 and 12...... His mistakes where he tarried behind when he should have
been in battle.... 2 Sam.11:1...he lingered with his looking on a bathing
beauty....2 Sam.11:2... and he lost control in his lust and sinned. 
2 Sam.11:4...But he knew what it was like to rejoice over battles won, in
bringing back the Ark and in blessings in general...but now it has fled
and he cries out to God!


                "WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER EVANGELIST IS GONE?"

 1. BECAUSE WE WANT STIRRINGS WITHOUT CHANGE: only want it to work
inside the Church
 A. Being a reservoir without being a river; but something that's
in and not putting out is a Dead Sea !
 B. We want the benefits of His blessings but not be a blessing to
others.
 1. No charitable spirit.
 2. No giving of ourselves.
 C. We want shouting and sing with joy bells ringing without
personal involvement: Spectators not Partakers.


2. BECAUSE WE WANT SOUND DOCTRINE WITHOUT COMPLIANCE:
 Phil.4:9, but Paul said, WE ----
 A. Want it told like it is, but live like it isn't;
 B. Want it straight on Salvation, but not give it all in our
witness;
 C. Want it settled about separation, but live like the world;


3. BECAUSE WE WANT SERMONS TO SHOUT ABOUT BUT NOT TO CHALLENGE US:
 A. No challenge to Give; Our Silver --- that's Tithes and
Offerings.
 B. No challenge to Grow; In Our Service at the House Of God.
 C. No challenge to Go; In Search for others --- Warning, Winning.


4. BECAUSE WE WANT THE SAVIOUR TO BLESS WITHOUT US KEEPING HIS
COMMANDMENTS:
 A. To Love one another; Gal. 5:13,14
 B. To Learn through Study, 2 Tim. 2:15
 C. To Leave the world and gather at church, Heb. 10:25

 
 5. BECAUSE WE WANT SATISFYING EXPERENCES WITHOUT COMMENTMENT:
 A. Committed Hands to Work in the Vineyard.
 B. Committed Hearts to Worship in Victory.
 C. Committed Home to live the Way of Christ; a vital part.

 We don't have lasting Revival because We won't deny Self ! And
Jesus said, in Luke 14:33 - " So likewise, whosoever he be of you that
forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple." 

"The Lifter of Mine Head"

 

"The Lifter of Mine Head"

Psalms 3
1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.


Have you ever found yourself at a point in life where you were so beaten and so discouraged that good news and encouragement were just no where to be found?
In our lives we face troubles and difficulties and as a natural response we become discouraged and defeated. David certainly had reason to be discouraged and troubled by the events he found himself in.
God wants those of us that find ourselves with our heads hung and beaten by discouragement to lift up our head, because He is still God and He still loves us.

There are some points that David makes............

1. David cried out to God.
Psalm 3:1-2

David begins this psalm by going to God and telling Him the trouble of his heart. At this point in David’s life there was someone that troubled David, his own son Absalom.
But David states said that "Many are they who rise up against me". David’s trouble with Absalom had grown, no longer was it just his son, but Absalom had raised an army to come against David.
But the problems didn’t stop there. David’s own friends had turned against him telling him that no one would help him, not even God.

***Have you ever been in a spot in your life where it seemed you were stuck in a vicious cycle of trouble that turns into discouragement that turns into more trouble that turns into more discouragement? On and on it goes. And in this cycle you have friends that give you great advice like You don’t need God or Some God that would let you come down with cancer or Why do you want to go to church there’s no one there that can help you, it’s full of hypocrites***

Does this sound familiar? When you are discouraged and down, have you ever received encouragement like Job got from his wife?

Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

That is horrible advice, and thankfully Job didn’t follow it and thankfully David never considered it and thankfully as believers in Jesus Christ we don’t have to either.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Just like David, when we find ourselves in trouble and discouragement let me encourage you to call out to Jesus, to ask, to seek and when you do so you will find a peace and a love that this world can not understand. A deliverance this world can not understand.

2. David made a strong confession of trust.
Psalm 3:3-4

In the words "But You, O Lord," we see David’s heart change from discouragement and dejection to confidence and renewed faith.

David strongly confessed 4 important truths.......
1 When no one would help him; God was his shield. God provided the protection that only He can provide against all evil. He shielded him.
2 When David had nothing to treasure, God was his glory. God meant more to him than all the riches of David’s earthly kingdom. God’s love for David was priceless.
3 When there was no one to encourage him, God Himself would encourage him and lift his head.
4 When David cried out God heard him from His holy hill.
(HEAVEN)

Is your head hung low, are you beaten by trials and the struggles of life?
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

When we confess Christ and give our testimony for Him we are reminded of His greatness and allow us to come in humility. When we do this His Hands take hold of our head and lifts it.

3 David’s faith was determined.
Psalm 3:5-6

All the stress and pressure that David was under, his possible murder, the overthrow of his throne and kingdom, and friends and family turning against him, he must have been a very burdened man and sleep must not have come easy.
When we are faced with trials and tribulations in our life we often find ourselves struggling to eat or sleep to the point that it effects our everyday life.
David demonstrated strong faith by declaring that he was able to sleep because of God’s sustaining power and grace. We have the same sustaining power, the same grace, the same peace that David knew and enjoyed, that allowed him to sleep in bad times. It is available to you right now. You just have to have the faith of David to stand upon the rock, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

In order for us to experience the rest that David knew, we must be willing to come to Christ and not only to come to Him but we must also learn from Him. We do that in daily bible reading, praying, fasting and attending church regularly. The more we learn and the more we experience the more our faith becomes determined.

To those that are under personal attack, my hope is that you will come to God and let Him be the lifter of your head. When you do this, He will bless, He will deliver and when that happens you will be a blessing to your church family because they will bear witness to it. Through your deliverance God will also bless your church.

Church family, maybe you have been like me, God can quickly and mightily pour His blessing upon this church and as such we quickly experienced a taste of His goodness upon this church. It could be an incredible experience.
We as a church need to come to the God, to confess His greatness and our need, to seek His salvation through deliverance and by doing that we can become a testimony to our community. But like David, we must cry out to God and confess our discouragement. We must be deliberate in our faith and rest in God’s deliverance.

Do you know that God can also be the lifter of our heads as the church? He can through our worship, through the healing of relationships, and through our renewed efforts .
There is going to be a great and wonderful day when God will lift our heads and hold them high, a day that will be like no other in the life of this old sinful world.

Luke 21:25-28 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

The description Jesus gives us in Luke sounds very much like today. Wars, Political strife, turmoil in the whole world.
When Christ comes again all of us that are saved by Jesus Christ, everyone of us, God will lift up our heads because the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords has returned!!



David dealt with trials and discouragement but he never lost his faith and confidence that God would deliver him. Why wasn’t he defeated? Because he loved God and was completely dedicated to Him.

Maybe today you are so deep in despair and discouragement that light can not shine in the pit you find yourself in.

Let Jesus be the lifter of your head.

I confess that I have been discouraged and worried about our unity and our desire to minister and I ask you to do the same.
To pray that God will deliver us and use as a witness to our neighborhood, community and that healing and revival might break out.

Are you ready to lift up your head?

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life
If we would do all the things that we are permitted to do, we wouldn't have time to think about that which we are forbidden to do! This should be the concentration for every young person in the Church today, Young people don't let people tell you that you are bound because you can't do this or you can't do that but let your friends know what you can do..... You can Praise God, you can Pray and God will hear you , you can live a wonderful life free of drugs and alcohol and one day you will walk streets of Gold!

"Feasting in the presence of your enemy"

"Feasting in the presence of your enemy" (PS. 23)
Everyone under the sound of my voice tonight is aware of who your enemy is.
The Devil is our enemy,
Something about Satan I need to remind you of....He comes in many faces
Poverty
Disease
Infliction
Crisis
Tragedy and many others.
Everyone of us has experienced 1 of these attacks.
Maybe there is some here that are under a severe attack from the belly of hell. The devil has attacked in many different areas.

I want to remind you that we(even ministry) are not exempt from the attacks of Satan.

He is out to destroy us, that is his job

We are his favorite target, if you are filled with the Holy Ghost, he will not rest till he destroys you!

But there is good news (1 John 4:4)

Sometimes the attacks come at our most vulnerable state...when we look up off our bed of affliction, trying to see through tears of tragedy it is in these situations we wonder where God is.
I want to assure you God knows exactly what is going on. There is not one thing in your life that God doesn't know what is going on.

You are in Gods best interest, whatever you are going through.
He has invested himself in the Pastor, Church and in you...not materialistic things.
He invested his life and his blood in you.
(John 3:16)
Whether you believe it or not God is in control !!!!
(steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord)

GOD has a plan!
He didn't bring you into this to leave you alone,
But he has a plan!
You just need to make sure you stay in it !!!

Told the story of Joseph: through the pit/prison and all other punishment including slavery (GOD HAD A PLAN!)

The whole time Joseph was tortured and tormented by the darkness of the dungeon, (GOD WAS PREPARING A TABLE!)


Brief story of JOB:
All the while Job was loosing everything:
(GOD WAS PREPARING A TABLE!)

You may have had tragedy, sickness and affliction : wondering where God is, he is where he has always been :IN CONTROL AND PREPARING A TABLE SO WE CAN FEAST IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR ENEMY!!!!

The devil took his best shot and Joseph and Job :GOD said, is that all you got that's your best shot, well move over its my turn now.

You see while you had Joseph in the pit I was preparing a table, the whole time you was destroying everything around Job I was preparing a table!

Some may need to know that while you going through your situation: GOD is preparing a table for you !

He is about to invite you to a feast ,God says devil,move over now let me show you how it is done!

God is preparing a table and when God gets the table spread he is inviting us to sit down to BLESSINGS,DELIVERANCE,HEALING,SALVATION,JOY AND PEACE!

The things you are going through can come to an end now!

There is a table spread for what you need (PS. 23:5)

Want to make the devil mad? Come and feast even though you are struggling put your feet under the table God has spread for you!
Sit down and enjoy the Holy Ghost.

The devil don't like for God to get glory and honor.

You know when God gets the glory and honor?
When you don't give up in the dungeon, prison, turmoil, disappointments and trials.

Yea though I walk through the valley, I didn't get in the valley to stay....because on the other side of the valley there is a table spread so I can feast in the presence of my enemy!!!

COME FEAST IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ENEMY !!!

"THE BLOOD LINE"

Matthew 26:28 ...this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

In Old Testament we see that after sin entered into the world, God required the blood sacrifice of animals for the atonement of sins.
(Leviticus 17:11), For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
(Leviticus 4:3-5) If the priest that is anointed do sin...then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering....he shall... lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD. And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation...
But the blood of the animals still couldn't do the trick.
(Hebrews 10:4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
(Jeremiah 31:31) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
(31:34 )And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
The Old Testament came by the blood of animals. The New Testament by the blood of Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 26:28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
When Jesus Christ went to the cross, He was the ULTIMATE sacrifice.
His skin was whipped off by scourging,
His beard was torn out of his cheeks,
His head pierced with thorns,
His hands and feet were nailed through with thick spikes,
His side pierced with a spear after he died.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, completely did away the animal sacrifice forever.
The animal sacrifices were...(Hebrews 9:9) ...a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience...
(9:11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
(9:12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
(9:13) For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
(9:14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The blood of animals had to be shed over and over but the blood of Jesus was shed only one time.

Hebrews 10:12, ...after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.
Hebrews 7:27 ...this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Hebrews 9:28 ...Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many...
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

The blood of Jesus is powerful. It is a saving, healing blood.
The blood pays for our sins so we don't go to hell.
The blood justifies us before a holy God.
The blood redeems us.
The blood brought peace.
The blood lets us enter
into the holiest place
before the throne of God.
The blood sanctifies us.
The blood cleanses us from all sin.
The blood washes away our sins.

HIS BLOOD WAS SHED! NOT SPILLED! (SPILLED SAY'S IT WAS AN ACCIDENT)

THANK GOD FOR THE BLOOD!!!!!

PSALMS 23

PSALMS 23

Psalms 23 The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want
David a shepherd. He was known as the "Shepherd King" of Israel.
He saw Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel, as his Shepherd.
He speaks in this Psalm as if he was one of the flock.
And it is as though he literally boasted aloud, -"Look who my Shepherd is -- my owner --! The Lord is!
He knew from firsthand experience - that the lot of any particular sheep depends on the type of man who owns it.
Under one man, sheep might struggle, starve and suffer endless hardships.
Under another shepherd, they might flourish and thrive contentedly.
David says, "The Lord is my shepherd."
He chose us, He bought us, He calls us by name, He makes us his own and He delights in taking care of us.
David continues by saying, "I shall not want."
The idea here is that the Lord supplies our every need.
The NIV says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack anything."
The One who sustained the children of Israel.
The One who fed Elijah by the brook.
The One who provided the needs of the disciples sent out without staff or shoes.
HE has promised to provide our needs both physical and spiritual.
Let me tell you what a good Shepherd is like = He loves his sheep.
For Him there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing his sheep contented, well fed, safe and flourishing in His care.
That's the kind of Shepherd we have.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." (John 10:11). Truly, "the Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."
He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures: He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters
It's not easy to get a sheep to lie down. A strange thing about sheep is that they will refuse to lie down unless four requirements are met.
(1) They must be free from all fear.
(2) There must be no tension between the flock.
(3) They must not be aggravated with flies or parasites.
(4) And they must be free from hunger.
It is the shepherd who must see to it that his flock is free from any disturbances. Sheep are very easily frightened. A stray jackrabbit jumping out from behind a bush can stampede a whole flock. When one startled sheep runs in fright, all of the others will follow behind it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them. But nothing quiets a flock of sheep like seeing their shepherd in the field with them.
We live in an uncertain life.
Any hour can bring disaster... it is the unknown, the unexpected, that frightens us most.
Nothing quiets our souls like knowing that our Shepherd is near.
Things are not half as dark nor nearly as terrifying when we know that Our Lord is with us. "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." II Timothy1:7.
Our Shepherd provides us with the spiritual food we need.
If we hunger and thirst after righteousness, HE has promised to fill us.
All of our needs are met in Christ.
That's why "he maketh me to lie down in green pastures."
He also "leads us beside the still waters".
Sheep also need water to survive.
They will not drink from noisy, turbulent water.
They require a well or a slow-flowing stream, "still waters"
Jesus made it clear that the thirsty souls of men and women can only be fully satisfied by coming to him.
In John 7:37, he stated, "If any man thirsts, let him come to me and drink." Our Shepherd leads us beside the still waters.
He Restoreth My Soul
The Old English shepherd's term called a "cast" sheep.
This is a sheep that has turned over on its back and can't get back up again.
It happens frequently.
When it happens, all the sheep can do is lie on its back, with its feet flaying frantically in the air.
Sometimes it will bleat, but usually it will just kick.
If the Shepherd doesn't arrive within a short time, the sheep will die.
That's why a Shepherd is always looking over His flock, counting them to see if they are all on their feet.
If one is missing, he thinks, "One of my sheep is cast and I've got to find it."
Talked about the parable of the 99 sheep and the one that went astray.
What David had in mind when he said, "He restoreth my soul" because that's how our Lord treats us.
We stumble and fall, we become so helpless.
Yet our shepherd is patient and tender and helpful in getting us back on our feet.
In the gospels we see the tenderness that Jesus showed toward sinners.
He restored Peter's heart after his denial.
We understand that Jesus also restores our soul.
He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Righteousness For His Name's Sake
If sheep are left to themselves =
They will continue to graze the same hills until they turn it into a desert wasteland.
They will gnaw the grass to the very ground until even the roots are damaged.
They need a shepherd who will lead them to good grazing area.
We are a lot like sheep.
As humans, we prefer to follow our own desires and turn to our own ways. "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6).
We need a Shepherd who can lead us in paths of righteousness.
Our Shepherd is not a driver but a leader.
He doesn't stand behind us with a stick, saying, "Go on, and do that."
He goes ahead and leads the way for us.
"For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps." (I Peter 2:21).
Our Lord leads and HE always leads us in the paths of righteousness.
He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6).
Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will Fear no Evil: For Thou Art With Me
There are going to be valleys in life for all of us.
Some of us have many valleys, some few.
Some of us have deep valleys, some not so deep.
We must walk in it alone sometimes - Christ and I alone.
We cannot walk it always with our husband or wife.
We cannot walk it always with our business partner.
We cannot walk it always with friends or relatives.
We must encourage OURSELVES in the Lord as David.
Today You are at the Place of BREAKTHROUGH
"Do not Run and Hide or retreat"
Remember how when you were a kid, we think we're so big YET...
Whenever a thunderstorm came up............Today you want to RUN and HIDE...I tell YOU,
YOU are at the Place of BREAKTHROUGH
Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me
When a shepherd is out in the fields with his flock, he carries very little with him.
Today's shepherds will carry a rifle, a staff and a small knapsack.
In the Middle East the shepherd carried only a rod and a staff.
The rod = was like a club.
The shepherd learns from childhood how to throw it with amazing speed and accuracy.
It becomes his main weapon of defense for himself and his sheep.
He uses it to drive off predators like coyotes, wolves, cougars or stray dogs.
In the brush it is used to beat away snakes.
But it is also used for discipline.
If a sheep wanders away or approaches poisonous weeds, or gets too close to some danger, the rod is thrown to send it back to the flock.
The staff, = is a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end.
The shepherd will use the staff to guide sheep along a new path or through a gate.
He doesn't beat the sheep. He just nudges them along.
At times, the staff gets sheep out of trouble, to pull it from the water or to free it from thorns.
To those of us who are God's sheep, the authority, power, might and guidance of the Lord are indeed a comfort. "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Thou Preparest a Table Before Me in the Presence of Mine Enemies:
In much of the world, the high plateaus of sheep pasture are called "mesas" which is Spanish for "tables".
David probably means the pastureland has been prepared.
*In the spring, after the snows melt, the shepherd will take his sheep up the mountain to finer pastures.
First he will go up into the rough country to check it out.
He will take along a supply of salt and minerals to distribute over the range.
He will decide where his camps will be located. He will make sure the vegetation is sturdy enough. He will check for poisonous weeds and uncover any snakes.
Our Lord takes care of us in the presence of our enemies.
In effect, he has gone ahead and checked things out. He has already been "tempted in all points like as we are." (Hebrews 4:15).
He has known our sorrows and endured our struggles in order to help us through.
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies".
"YOU" are at "The Place of BREAKTHROUGH" with your enemy!!
Thou Anointest My Head With Oil; My Cup Runneth
Over
A particular problem sheep have is insects -- flies, mosquitoes, gnats.
At the beginning of fly season, shepherds will mix up an oil concoction.
In Palestine, they used a mixture of olive oil, sulphur and spices. It would then be applied to the heads of the sheep.
Oil is also used to cure scab, which is a highly contagious disease among sheep.
We can say today... "Our Lord takes care of us."
YOU here today are an ANOINTED Child of God
Our Lord gives us everything we could need and more...
"Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to power that works within us." (Ephesians 3:20).
It is true today that "my cup runneth over."
Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me All the Days of my Life: And I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Together."
The sheep with a Shepherd like this knows that he is in a privileged position.
Our Lord truly cares for us as a good Shepherd.
We know that goodness and mercy will follow us.
You are at the Place of BREAKTHROUGH
We are so content in our flock and in our Shepherd that there is no desire for a change.
"I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
You are at "The Place of BREAKTHROUGH"
But we can only confidently state this last verse if we can state the first one --- "The Lord is my shepherd".
STAY in the House of the Lord, God's train (VICTORIES) Fills this Temple...
Stay in the House of the Lord FOREVER...

"God's Love"

"God's Love"
1 John 4

1. God’s love for you defines Him.

      First, in verse 7, love is from God; then verse 8 ends with: God is love.
 How can there be a God who really loves and cares about us? But John  insists without hesitation, God is love. The  Bible declares,God  Himself not only to be the Omnipotent Creator, but also as the very Personal God as well.

2. God’s love for you moves Him.

       One of the huge differences between the kind of love we offer each other and God’s love is, His moves Him to act.
Christ’s coming had zero to do with responding to some signal of love from us. You and I had no love for God. But, verse 10 says again, He loved us. Therefore He moved. Christ’s sacrificial blood-offering for sin
grew out of God’s grace-driven love. Love meant God could not leave us as we were. You and I owed a staggering debt that none of us could ever pay. And Jesus paid.

3. God’s love for you requires your response.

      We love, John says, because He first loved us. The NT says there are two responses to being loved by God. The most reasonable response is to love Him in return. Jesus said, the highest calling God puts on your life is that you love the Lord your God with all your mind and heart and soul and strength. The second response is that we love other people. If God so loved us ,and He has, then we ought also to love one another. God doesn’t ask us to invent love on our own, He simply requires us to give to others what He gave and gives us.
 
God’s love! You don’t just receive it, you put it to work. The reason many of us are still looking for ways to get our love need met is because we don’t let God’s love flow through us.

 Romans 5:8, While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16, For God so loved the world. 1 John 2:2, He Himself -- Jesus -- is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world.

John 16:33

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 KJV)

Jesus tells us that even though we will have tribulation we can have His perfect peace; He also tells us that we are to be of good cheer. These two things, perfect peace and good cheer, should dominate our thinking, our walk, our speaking, and our attitudes .
Nothing in this world has the power to take from you what Jesus wants to give you. It is Jesus who has conquered darkness and overcome the world. It is Jesus who is on the throne. It is Jesus who is working out His plan for your life and mine. Take Jesus’ peace, He is not worried; take His joy, He is not discouraged; take His rest, He is not uptight; take His victory, He is not defeated; take His life, He is not dead. He alone has all the power, all the peace, and all the good cheer you will ever need.

"Giving God the Glory"

"Giving God the Glory"
Devil you've tried to destroy me but I'm still giving God the Glory! You've tried to Kill me but I'm still giving God the Glory! I am announcing today, through the Glory of God you are a defeated foe, I will not quit, I will not surrender ,I will endure, I will press on! You've tried to steal my Joy and I'm still Giving God the Glory, you've tried to destroy my health and I'm still giving God the Glory, you've tried to disrupt my peace but I'm still giving God the Glory!!!! I'm not going to lose this battle I'm not going to give up this fight i will be victorious for He is the Glory He is the lifter of mine head, I will walk out of this Valley, I'll lift mine hands I'll praise the Lord, my weeping may endure for the night but my Joy comes in the morning I'm more than a conquer through Christ and He deserves the Glory!!!!

"We all have sad days"

"We all have sad days"
Sad days come more often than we would like. During this time we have friends and family members, that try to comfort us in our time of sadness. We even wish that they would come and help us in this time. Even go as for as taking us by the hand and leading us back to our happiness. Sometimes we have to hurt, or be sad for a little while. Why? I don't know but i know someone who does. He will not let us stray far from our happiness ,but he does expect us to find our own way out. No-one else can show us the way out, we have to find the way ourselves when the time is right. You ask, How will i know when the time is right? You will find the right time when you release, and turn over all your sorrow and sadness to the One and Only, Our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST!!!

From my Heart to yours. I Pray the right time for you comes
real soon. Until then my thoughts and Prayers will be toward you.

"Unity"

"Unity"
We don't understand why the Devil is so strong in what he does to us, but yet to be honest we do know why. Notice in the word of God you never read where Demons or Satan Himself where fighting against one another. They came together to fight!!! We continue to divide ourselves, I'm in this organization and you in that organization and we try to measure our Faith but what organization we belong to! What would happened if we do what Satan and His Demons do, that is to join together as one and destroy....I'll tell you what will happen....the very foundation of Hell will begin to quake and your prison doors will open!!! So let's come together in one mind and one accord and destroy the one that's destroying us as the church. We cannot do this until we stop trying to measure our Faith by the denomination one belongs to and this Church will not be a Victorious Church as long as we stand divided by denomination, organization or fellowship! Only when they gathered in one mind and one accord did the wind blow and deliver the very thing we needed to overcome this world!!!

"WAIT"

"WAIT"
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

How many times have you looked at your own life and wondered why you were not renewing or even gaining new strength? If you’re like me, the answer is quite a few times. You may not be mounting up with wings like eagles and rising above your problems. You may be running through life with its unique problems and getting extremely tired. You might find yourself walking through life's experiences and adversities with much weariness. If you fit into this category (most of us do) you’ve probably questioned what was wrong. It's a good question that deserves an answer.

This verse of scripture is talking about strength and it's attributes. It mentions renewing strength and gaining new strength. It mentions the strength of an eagle's wings that lift it high above the earth. It mentions the strength necessary to run without becoming weary and the strength to walk without becoming faint. It's all about strength. Specifically, it's about attributes of strength in our lives.

In order for us to renew and gain new strength, mount up with eagle's wings, run and not get weary, walk and not become faint, something must first happen. We must do something in order for the strength in this verse to come to pass in our lives. So what is it that we have to do? What is the key that unlocks the strength in this verse that we so desperately need?

The key to this verse is the word WAIT. Those who wait on the Lord get all the attributes of strength listed in this verse. So if we want the strength in its various forms listed in this verse, then we must first learn how WAIT on the Lord. Think of it this way: if we don’t learn to WAIT on the Lord, we'll never get the strength of the Lord.

Eulogy of Sis. Tania Weber Victoriano "Life's Railway to Heaven"

Eulogy of Sis. Tania Weber Victoriano "Life's Railway to Heaven"
******These are the words i spoke at Sis Tanias funeral and have received permission to submit them,
praying that someone will be touched like we all were during her difficult time and struggle with
cancer.******
 Life is like a mountain railway with an engineer that's brave.
We make the run successful from the cradle to the crave.
Watch the curves, the frills, the tunnels. Never falter never fail;
Keep your hands upon the throttle and your eyes upon the rail.
As the songs says ......Life is like a Mountain Railway.
The rails on a track must be in line, must be between 54"-54 1/2 "apart !
There is men that just ride and check the rails-------------
Sis. Tanias' life measured up!
She measured up to the word of God.
She was a Faithful Saint
She was pleasing in the sight of God.
She is the story of Spiritual Success
She has made her Successful Journey
   2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course I have kept the Faith:
In Sis.Tanias' life there were Curves, Tunnels,& Frills.
When life through her the curve known as cancer, she didn't let it get her down!
In times of darkness when she could not see...she remained true to her mission for God.
Paul said in Philipians 3:14...I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
                                             Christ Jesus.
She was working toward a goal-prize-she was pressing !
It wasn't easy at times for her to press-to work-it was a struggle but she had a prize in mind.
Sis. Tania made not have left a great monetary inheritance, but she left a Godly heritage that has
benefits out of this world.
Sis. Tania was Faithful always Faithful.
Faithful to her family, most of all Faithful to her God!
She remained dedicated to her walk with God!
"Keep your eyes on the Rail"
The rails on the railroad track had to be within a 1/2 inch at all times to keep the train on track.
Even in her final week you could walk into her home or room and you could hear her praying !
When we prayed as a group and her strength was almost gone, she would still get out the words--
"I PRAISE YOUR NAME"
Even in death her eyes even became more focused on the rails!
This I believe is the example she wants her friends and family to live by...........
  "KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE RAIL"

Some things fall apart so other things can fall together

Some things fall apart so other things can fall together.
One of the toughest facts of life that we must all eventually come to terms with one day is the fact that not everything we want will happen the way in which we want it to. Think about it, we all have made plans, and goals whether they be short term or long term, and they end up falling apart in pieces in a manner in which we never thought could be possible. Sometimes situations arise to where things fall apart so that other things can fall together.
Doors close on us that we may have thought we needed to open, and lead us to open doors that we probably never imagined could be opened for us. The key to overcoming when things fall apart for us, is to continue to follow our hearts, to never stop trying, and to make sure that with the following of our hearts that we continue to believe that things will eventually work out for the best.

"Through it all"

"Through it all"
You may have to sing through tear stained eyes....... You may have to sing through pain and suffering......You may have to sing through some dark clouds........You may have to sing through some times of question.....But keep on singing… Keep on praising… Keep on worshipping… Like Paul and Silas, you'll find the earth shaking and prison doors of fear and doubt swinging open to liberate you in the Spirit of God. JESUS THE SUPREME EXAMPLE Matthew 26:30 “AND WHEN THEY HAD SUNG A HYMN, THEY WENT OUT INTO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.” Of all the examples we could point to for encouragement not to stop singing our song, the supreme example has to be Christ. ... He never stopped singing. In the garden, in the shadow of the cross He sings, “Not my will but thine be done.” They pluck His beard, they rejected Him and beat Him and nailed Him to a cross, and the devil thought he had silenced the song, but from the cross He sings, “Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He dies on the cross… He is buried and the tomb is sealed… The devil thinks he has silenced His song. But on the third day the tomb burst open with Jesus robed in splendor and He's singing, “Ain't no grave gonna hold my body down.” He said, “Devil...you can't have my song, and I'm gonna give this song to my children, and you can't have their song either. And because Jesus never stopped singing, He gave us a song that we never have to stop singing. And one day we will join the heavenly host and sing a song the angels cannot sing… “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.”

" But I am too young! " A message to the youth!

" But I am too young! " A message to the youth!
When God called Jeremiah, he replied, I cannot speak for i am a youth(child) (Jer 1:6). But God corrected him, *Do not say, I am a youth."
He gave seven reasons why Jeremiah should not hesitate to accept His calling.
   Are you making excuses, because you are young?

Read Jeremiah chapter 1 and see then if you can still excuse yourself !

1.  Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I have chosen you!
   vs(5) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained (authorized, ordered) thee a prophet unto the nations.
2. Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I am sending you!
   vs(7) But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command the thou shalt speak.
3. Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I am with you!
   vs(8) Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
4. Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I am teaching you!
   vs(9) Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
5. Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I am authorizing you!
   vs(10) See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
6. Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I am guiding you!
   vs (11-16) 11Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an  almond tree.
 12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
 13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
 14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
 15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
 16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
7. Do not say, I am just a youth~~~for I am strengthening you!
   vs (17-19) 17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
 18For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
 19And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
When God called Jeremiah, he replied, I cannot speak for i am a youth(child) (Jer 1:6). But God corrected him, *Do not say, I am a youth."
He gave seven reasons why Jeremiah should not hesitate to accept His calling.
   Are you making excuses, because you are young?

 

BLESSED BY BROKENNESS

THE BLESSING OF BROKENNESS

Genesis 32:24-29
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a Man with him until the breaking of the day. And when He saw that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as He wrestled with him. And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. And He said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. … And He blessed him there."
We're going to look at an episode in the life of the patriarch, Jacob. At the time of our story, Jacob was a fugitive and had been running. He'd been in the school of hard knocks for twenty years. He believed in God, but he was out of fellowship with Him. However, we see that God did not love Jacob for what he was, but for what He could make out of him.
1. Alone With God
Now, God finally had Jacob where He wanted him, alone. It took a while because Jacob didn't want to be alone. You know when people are running from God, they don't want to be alone. They don't want to face themselves, and they don't want to face God.
But verse twenty-four tells us that finally Jacob was alone, and he had a confrontation with God. I believe with all my heart that the Man Jacob wrestled with was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. He was face to face with Jesus, and they were in a wrestling match. Now, it wasn't Jacob wrestling with the Lord, it was the Lord wrestling with Jacob. The Lord started it, and it could have been over very quickly, but the Lord wanted Jacob to prevail. He didn't want to overcome him. The Lord was trying to do something with this man that He loved so much.
2. Broken By God
Finally, when they had wrestled all night, the angel touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh and crippled him. Now, when a wrestler's legs are gone, he can't do anything. This is the strongest muscle for a wrestler. Jacob was crippled; his final weapon was gone. If all his plans and strength had failed, at least he could have run; but now, he couldn't even run. God brought him to the place of utter, absolute, complete brokenness and dependence.
3. Blessed By God
The Angel said to this crippled man, "Let me go." Ironically, the word "Jacob" means "that which grabs, that which holds." Jacob was still grasping, but this time, for the first time in his life, he got a hold of the Lord. He said, "Oh God, I need You. God, I will not let you go except You bless me." God had been waiting to hear those words for so long, and at that moment, something wonderful took place.
The angel asked Jacob for his name. God knew it, but He wanted Jacob to confess his name which further meant "liar, cheater, crook, fraud, schemer, and deceiver." Then, God gave him a new name, Israel, which means, "a prince of God." He became a prince with God because he finally came to the end of himself. You see, God wanted to bless Jacob, not hurt him. God crippled him that he might crown him. God broke him that he might bless him.
Do you know why many of us are not yet truly blessed? We have not yet been truly broken. Men throw broken things away, but God never uses anything until he first breaks it. You'll never show me anybody who has been or will be mightily used of God who has not been broken. There is no blessedness without brokenness.
4. Leaning on God
The rest of his life, Jacob had to use a crutch. This wasn't just something that could be fixed and put back. He had to have a staff to lean on. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:21: "By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff." Here he was 147 years old and still leaning. Jacob had finally learned to lean. He realized that he was stronger leaning than he was standing on his own two feet. He worshipped leaning, and that's the only way you'll ever worship.

In Memory of Sandy Hook Elementary 12-14-12

In Memory of Sandy Hook Elementary 12-14-12
Confusion,Shock,Despair,Disbelief,Sadness,gripped our Country a year ago as the story broke of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. Who would do such a thing? Why? Why kill innocent children and adults? Their families were looking foward to sharing special moments at Christmas and celebrate a New Year, now they are forced to grieve and pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.How could God allow this to happen? We have to understand that there are good and evil forces at work in this world. A year ago we saw an example of the worst kind of evil there is...the killing of innocent people, innocent Moms and Dads, sons and daughters.What do we do when tragedy strikes? We hurt!
What Should we do when we see the very face of evil rise up?
 PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD. The Bible says that Job was a perfect man, a righteous man, a man who turned from evil. Nonetheless, in one fell swoop everything that had meaning and purpose or made sense for Job was lost.What would you do? What would you do if you lost it all? What would you do if your children were taken from you? What would do if your spouse said, Curse God and die? Jobs response was......Then Job arose, rent his mantle, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped (Job 1:20). He remembered the source of His strength. He remembered the hope of his future. He remembered that God said that He would never leave him nor forsake him. Everything was lost, and Job fell down on the ground and worshipped. Job is saying, Even though, tragedy has struck my life and I’ve lost it all, I trust God and I know that everything will be all right.
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (Job 19:25-26) I'm trying to encourage you to keep your faith and to remind you that you are not alone. I believe that God will supply us with a power that is greater than ourselves to bring us through the difficulties that we face.
PRAY ABOUT THE SITUATION. When you feel like you’ve exhausted All Possibilities....PRAY, Prayer takes you beyond the limits, prayer steps over the boundaries, it passes your limitations, it causes you to rise above the hindrances, it helps you to cope with the uncontrollable. Because when you pray, you are connecting with the All-powerful, all Mighty God.
EXPRESS YOUR COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD. That is where faith comes in. You have to believe that His word is true. You have to trust.When we trust God, we can expect God to work all things out for good. Whatever is going on, we must remember that God is working out for your good. I am not saying that everything that happens to you will be good. There will be pain. There will be suffering. But, I believe that God takes those pains and blends them with His grace and produces good out of bad situations.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)Many times we say, God we do not understand it We don’t like it, but we put our trust in you and we believe that you will work all things together for our good.
The Bible gives hope in difficult situations. The Word of God can transform you and give you the energy to press on in the face of your opposition. You can press on with confidence that God is going to make everything good.
We are not immune from tragedy and neither are we alone. Call on God. He wil be with you.
God bless and comfort all that suffered hurt and tragic loss a year later in Newtown,Ct    
 12-14-12

FEAR

FEAR
Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth.
To be consciously aware of it , to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life.
Meaning doesnt lie in things,meaning lies in us.
When we attach value to things that aren't love - the money,the car,the house,the prestige, we are loving things that can't love us back.
We are searching for meaning in the meaningless.
Money it's self means nothing,material things of them self mean nothing It's not that their bad
It's that their nothing.

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Squirrels in Church!

Squirrels in Church!
A small town had only three Churches in it but they all 
suffered with the same problem.  You see, all three had a 
serious problem with squirrels getting into the Church.

Now each Church, in its own fashion, had a meeting to 
deal with the problem. 

The first Church congregation decided that it was 
predestined that the squirrels be in the Church, and that 
they would just have to live with them.

The Second Church decided they should deal with the
squirrels lovingly . So they humanely trapped them and 
released them in a park at the edge of town.  However within
3 days, they had all returned and were all back in the church.

The Third Church came up with the best solution. They 
voted the squirrels in as members.  Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter.

The moral of the story is: Don't be a Squirrel, attend your
Church regularly!

*Woman Buried in a Paupers Grave*


I read an article in the newspaper titled...
**Woman Buried in a Paupers Grave**

The article stated that Tuesday in Greensburg, La a Paupers Funeral was held for a woman whose relatives did not claim the remains, which was the first time in more than three decades. The woman died there from natural causes and it took about six weeks to make contact with the woman's out of state relatives, of which would not claim her body for burial. 
This cause me to start thinking about children today and families as a whole.
The family is the most important human relationship. God established it in the Garden of Eden when He brought two humans together and told them to multiply. They were Adam and Eve....male and female.
Family life is at a crossroads in our society. An epidemic of child abuse and neglect puts children in terrifying situations. Children are the focus of more violence than any age. The mothers womb... created by God to shelter the unborn has become the most dangerous place on earth for children. Children are also among those most likely to suffer from poverty. The war on drugs is a battle for the souls of our children. Crack addicted babies and preteens dealing narcotics shows us the price we pay. 
The role of mother is being rewritten....and that of father as well. 
A generation of children is being raised in this era of redefining parenting. Childhood basically has become a kind of experiment. 
God established the family to be the primary child rearing and human nurturing system...but family life has entered an era of great instability. The result is the destruction of moral life in all our families.
Homes should be founded on God and a commitment to love and obey Him. Parents should model a love for God that is full not partial....
commitment must be certain...not careless or casual.
You can’t convince them of the value of honesty if you are dishonest. Don’t teach morality if you are immoral and don’t offer advice on clean lips if yours are filled with profanity.
Jesus told the story of a father/son relationship. The son rebelled against the authority of the home and went far away from all he was taught. The father in the story represents God Himself. We parents would be wise to follow the example of the loving father. First he gave the boy his freedom with no strings attached. Second he allowed him to suffer the consequences of his foolishness even though he could have bailed him out.
And third he welcomed his repentant son home without insults or 
accusations.
He called for a celebration saying....this son of mine was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found...
 Luke 15:24

A loving God should be our model. Our most important family experience is neither the family which we were born, or the family we create by marrying and having children. The most important family is the one into which we are welcomed by God.

Parents are examples to follow! What example are you leading?


Dorothy Law Nolte wrote* 

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to have confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns appreciation.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world. 
   

In what area of life can we use the name of Jesus?

In what area of life can we use the name of Jesus?

                   Jesus name can be used in............

1. Salvation – Mat1:21, Acts4:12, 10:42-43.
2. Prayer – Jn14:13-14, 16:23-24
3. Preaching – Acts4:17-18, 5:28, 9:29.
4. Instruction of command – 2Thess3:6
5. Healing and miracles – Acts3:6, 16, 4:10
6. Deliverance – Acts16:18, 19:13-17, Lk10:1, 17
7. Baptism – Acts2:37-38, 8:16, 10:48
8. Suffer persecution – Acts5:41-42, 9:14-16, 15:25-26
9. Justified, Washed and Sanctified – 1Cor6:11
10.Thanksgiving – Eph5:20, Col3:17
11.Unity – 1Cor1:10, 5:4
12.Reward – Heb6:10
13.Doing all – Col3:17, Acts26:8-10

By the authority of this Wonderful Name we get breakthrough for ourselves and for others.
We do it because ’This Name’ has authority and we can share in it!
We cannot afford to fear but to live in Faith. For fear is the opposite of Faith. Faith in the word and the Name of Jesus is the key.

How Will Your Dash Be Remembered?

How Will Your Dash Be Remembered?

 Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
We are not going to be around this world forever. Every one of us will experience death should Christ tarry. During the time that we are here, we are writing a legacy, living in the dash, that will be left for generations who will follow us. A legacy is something that is handed down or remains from a previous generation or time. The memories one leaves are part of that legacy. How will you be remembered? Years from now, when someone mentions your name, what memories will be remembered ?
I. How you live in the dash will determine how you are remembered!
A. “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave” - Native American proverb
B. What comes to your mind when you hear the name - Demas?
1. A superficial believer; a quitter; one who loved the world more than serving Christ
2. 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia
C. What do you think of when someone refers to Job?
1. Patient; one who was faithful under the severest adversity
2. James 5:11 “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
D. What comes to your mind when you hear the name of Lot?
1. A compromising Christian; one who held mixed allegiances; one whose lifestyle destroyed his influence
2. Genesis 19:14 “And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.”

E. What pictures come to mind when you the think of Lot’s wife?
1. A pillar of salt, one who couldn’t let go of her love for the things of the world, disobedient to God’s clear command and was judged by God for it
2. Luke 17:32 “Remember Lot's wife.”
3. Genesis 19:26 “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

F. What comes to your mind when you hear the name David?
1. The apple of God’s eye; God’s chosen; one who was disciplined by God; one who loved God and sought to do His will
2. Acts 13:22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.”
G. Many other people from the Bible illustrate the truth that how you live will determine what legacy you will leave.
H. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes a legacy as: “Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past”
I. Will someone point to their memories of you and say there’s no way they would want to be like you or would they say that they want to be just like you?

II. For what will you be remembered?
A. Realize that we are going to be remembered, but how we are remembered depends upon how we lived and how we served the Lord.
B. Will you be remembered for your faithfulness?
1. Will you be remembered as a Demas, one who chased after the secular abandoning the sacred... or as a Moses, one who chose to faithfully live for God rather than enjoy the temporal pleasures of this world?
2. Hebrews 11:24-27 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
3. Faithfulness to the Lord and His standards is the obligation of every believer.
4. 2 Timothy 2:2 “the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
5. “We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful” – Steve Green
C. Will you be remembered for your fruitfulness?
1. How can we make our lives count for something that lasts beyond us? By bearing fruit for the Lord.
2. John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
3. To be fruitful implies that what you produce will last longer than you. Any tree that produces fruit will not last as long as the fruit. Your fruit is a testimony to you. When you are gone and decayed, your fruit will be a monument to you.
4. The influence you have may not be realized for generations after you have gone.
What kind of legacy will you leave?
D. Will you be remembered for your servitude?
1. Numbers 14:24 “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it.”
2. Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
3. A servant is one who willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of serving God through Christ and building His Kingdom.
4. When asked the question: “What would you like to be remembered for?” Elizabeth Elliot, whose husband Jim Elliot (famous for the words “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”) was killed by Auca Indians in South America, had a simple answer: “I want to be remembered as a servant of God. Nothing else.” - Phil Callaway, What will be on your tombstone? What will people think when they look at your dash on the tombstone? 
5. I want to leave a legacy of a servant who believed
That the world could still be changed by just one life
I want to leave a legacy that years from now they'll see
That I lived only for the cause of Christ – Aaron Jeoffrey, Leave a Legacy
E. Will you be remembered for your compassion and love for others?
1. Will people remember you as someone who tried to live their life with love and compassion, who loved God and cared about other people.
2. General Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army, when it was more interested in presenting salvation than it was establishing thrift shops. He led in spreading the Gospel over much of the world, as he organized street meetings and evangelistic services. With the passing of the years, General Booth became an invalid. His eyesight failed him, and one year he was in such bad health that he was unable to attend the Salvation Army Convention in London, England. Somebody suggested that General Booth send a telegram or a message to be read at the opening of the convention. General Booth agreed to do so. When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that General Booth would not be able to be present because of failing health and eyesight. Gloom and pessimism swept across the floor of the convention. A little light dispelled some of the darkness when the moderator announced that General Booth had sent a message to be read with the opening of the first session. He opened the message and began to read the following: 
Dear Delegates of the Salvation Army Convention:   OTHERS!
 Signed, General Booth. 
3. John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
4. Lord, help me to live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others.
Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee. - Charles D. Meigs