F4S: November 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Got At Least A Few Things To Be Thankful For This Christmas Season?

Christmas time seems to be a time where everything gets sorta amplified huh. 

For many it's a very hard time with pain, heartbreak, financial strain, emptiness, regret and loneliness… because of the loved ones who used to be there, but for some reason or another are no longer there. I'm sure that you've heard how the suicide rate climbs during this time of year so it's good for us all to be sensitive and vigilant. 

Did you know that every 13.7 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide?..that men are about 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women are?..that women actually attempt suicide 3 times as often as men do?..and that suicide rates are highest for people between the ages of 40 and 59? That's all true, but God can give us a hope that's living. Christ is our Hope, He has a plan for you and He really loves you.  

For many Christmas can be a big challenge to deal with. So many simply endure it and just want to get through it. Please know that full and abundant life ..Life during life.. can be had for free during all the holidays and even in between.     

Can you believe all the jewelry and other tech-gift ads that we get hit with? And the Christmas event never seems to live up to all the worldly hype does it? They pour the pressure on with hope of gain. So let's forget the hype and simply focus on what they call the real reason for the season—Jesus Christ. And He, His virgin birth, His coming here to die a sinless death for the sins of the whole world, and His physical resurrection really are the reason. No one could know His saving mercy and grace apart from all that and being born twice.

If you're born once, you will die twice, if you are born twice, you will only die once..and that is physically..unless the Rapture happens first.  

The birth of Christ; that's what brought God to man, and the cross of Christ; that's what brings man to God. He draws us to Himself and to lay it all down at the cross. How? By His Spirit. Who would die to self and to their own way on their own? No one.

In Adam all are toast, but in Christ all are not. They'll all pop up. The Bible says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor. 15:22-23). So let's remember the Lord and His beautiful Scriptures…

"When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son." Galatians 4:4

"Unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given." Isaiah 9:6

"God sent forth His Son, born of a woman... to redeem those who were under the law." Galatians 4:4-5

When God stepped out of heaven above and came down to this earth, He clothed Himself in human flesh—a Child of lowly birth. ~ D. De Haan

"Thou Bethlehem, though you be little among the thousands of Judah…" Micah 5:2

"Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:11

Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. ~ Wesley

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46

Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee, sweetly the Light has dawned upon me; once I was blind, but now I can see—the Light of the world is Jesus. ~ Bliss

Grant us, Father, hearts of worship at this time of Jesus' birth; we would see anew His glory shine throughout this sin-cursed earth. ~ D. De Haan

"Glory to God in the highest!" Luke 2:14

Heaven's lovely choir came down to worship. When? It was when heaven's most glorious King came down to save. Let's remember that, and all the specific blessings that God has given to us.

We have reason to honestly express thanks…even though I just totally burned my breakfast to a darkened crisp just now while typing this thing. Hah!

Hey, Thanksgiving didn't need to end on the day after. Even if some things are whack, what can I thank and praise God for?

1. I am grateful that all around the globe they are singing our songs out there…kinda mixed in with their reindeer and frosty songs. How cool is it to be in all these public places where you can hear lyrics about Jesus our Savior..and some of these songs have beautiful Scriptures in them. There is no other time of the year where this is allowed in happen in my part of this planet. I'm enjoying it a lot and am joining in as I walk through the crowds.  

2. I'm glad for a Christmas minus all the drama. But that doesn't mean I've never experienced or seen all the drama. There used to be a lot of drinking alcohol in my world and family. I feel grateful my parents were reunited minus all the drinking after spending one Christmas at the "Haven House" (a place for escaping and battered families) in a really poor part of town, and I also feel grateful the Haven House was there. I personally quit drinking in '77 and my dad hasn't had a drink in 43 years. He always says, "Glory to God" when I bring this up and he means it. I even remember one Christmas where I was visiting another family where some drinking was going on and there was a full explosion of drama if you will. How cool is that? Man, it's so awkward to be among a strange family when all hell breaks loose so to speak. One time I was asked my a believing mother to do a funeral for her husband who had passed away, but when her lost relatives arrived at the funeral they caused a whole lot of drama mainly towards my wife who wasn't saying anything at the time (cuz I was a stranger just trying to behave).

3. I thank God for the presence of Christ in my life—that's an awesome and indescribable Gift. He is the Gift of all gifts. Such forgiveness, companionship, purpose, and peace; that's so SO great to enjoy in His Spirit! And what an adventure we have!

4. I am happy that even though many things haven't gone my way in life (as perhaps in yours as well..), all things will work together for good in my life cuz I love the Lord and have been called according to his purpose (See Rom. 8:28).  

5. I thank the Lord for loved ones and friends around me, who really care, and for Christ's Church (that might sound real religious to you, but I mean the born again believers who are real).. they keep edifying me even when I least expect this and don't ask them to.

6. I am glad that even though some people around me go through tribulation, I don't have to go through the soon coming Great Tribulation because there will actually be a Rapture of the Church (a snatching away in one sixth of a nanosecond… though I of course won't pick a date for that). The important thing for you and me is to be ready.

Are you suffering, lonely, or feeling guilty? Are you facing what seems like an insurmountable obstacle standing real strong right before you in your life? Like our country has, do you have debt that you just can't pay off all alone?  

Maybe it is an addiction of some kind? Do you drink too much, but never plan to before you end up doing that? Has gambling got out of hand, and it's now thrown a hangman's rope around your neck? Do you have an incurable illness, when you used to be healthy for many decades? Do you have one or two prodigal adult or non-adult sons or daughters out there in the world partying away..that simply refuses to grow up or even face all the huge problems that they've ..over years.. created for themselves?  

Have you tried everything to remove the negativity, the depression session, and that monster's ugly face (whatever you've gotten all bound by), but it just doesn't seem like this obstacle will move even one inch. Perhaps you are sick of even bringing it up in conversation now, cuz you now know that other people just can't fix it either…they don't even know where to really start in addressing it. Christ is your victory..and stands by waiting patiently for you to turn and call upon Him in faith.  

7. I thank God for all the excellent godly teachers we still have among us (and I don't mean all the money grubbing Word-faith false teachers who masquerade as Christians through our media), but those who are real.. that can reach and equip us through so many cyber-avenues now. Remember when it was just through the radio or in person? Praise God we can hear em through our laptops. Love hearing them via TV through my Android tab and smart phone as well. Man, even though the Taliban is again on the rise (though we are seeing a collapse of our American culture due to many depraved American minds [literally minds that are not able to reason on behalf of their own best interests], and though our top leaders don't want us to see all this), we believers still have great reason to rejoice. It's all speeding up exponentially now, and even if you don't like these terms, we are in the last days.  

To simply warn people, but not to scare you allow me to say this.. the mainstream media transmitting through the airways, and Iran.. with the Muslim Brotherhood of course having the Koran, and Russia are not your friends today. The real enemy.. the prince of the power of the air that now works in the sons of disobedience ..ain't your friend either. He comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy people. And things seem to be going so fast now.   

"And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days." Mark 13:20

Man, who could survive any nuke attack and still even have breath to repent, believe and be saved? 


Perhaps you are ready and are praying for someone who is just miserable right now. Keep on with that and expect God to use you in helping them while they are open. Visit facebook.com/shareJesus

Monday, November 26, 2012

On average only 8 minutes per day, and only 12 minutes per day.

Got a few minutes free. Think I'll try to encourage you a bit. 

It's never bad to be reminded of truth that we've already been told. Can I ponder out loud for a few minutes? 

Thinking about prayer...yup, enough to pause and go at it. Don't always do that, but I should let the Spirit cause my shoe leather to be directed. Mr. Torey from Great Britain has always stimulated me in this regard. He was surely a man of prayer and was led by the Spirit. Feel so grateful for him and of course for the Lord Himself who is our primary Example in the area of prayer.

I purpose to do this stuff some more.....more than before, the Lord being my Helper. And He will help you as well. Hey, I'm not an expert by any means in this area—wanna do it more though. This nation is basically far beyond what mere words and deeds of mortals can fix.  

So what am I thinking? Well… I'm thinkin' that prayerfully reading in the Bible will indeed stir us up in prayer. That's on my mind first. Wanna pray the Word and remind God of what He has said.. as if He needs that. But He does like that. 

I'm musing about this Bible "time investment" daily...it's so rad-important for us all. And it will actually stir us up in prayers that changes the world, cuz world-changing is so on God's heart. Yes, people around this globe are so very much on the Lord's heart. He wants to save them and He wants us to partner with Him in this..starting with prayers of faith. So let's study the Word of God today and let those powerful Words in God's Book abide in our minds, cuz triumphant prayer and subsequently the authentic revival.. are spawned when we allow His eternal truth to take hold in our hearts. 

When we see how in happened in the book of Acts, it'll make us wanna pray for a spiritual awakening as well. What God has done before, He can do again. Real revival and awakening are equally easy for Him to grant us.. if we will but take some time to worship Jesus.   

"We are too busy to pray, and so we (the Church) are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results." ~ R.A. Torey

I'm thinking about the early church today. They prayed together and separately like they meant it, cuz they really did. People mattered enough to do the main work for their benefit. They prayed regularly, biblically, and customarily (according to the already established set times of prayer). 

They prayed instinctively (it was their natural response—the first thing they would do when facing new issues), and they prayed fervently (it was heartfelt, it was to the point, it was simple instead of religious, it was very earnest with godly zeal and passion).

They didn't quit early when the Spirit was saying.. Go! The Bible says, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

"We sometimes fear to bring our troubles to God, because they must seem small to Him who sitteth on the circle of the earth. But if they are large enough to vex and endanger our welfare, they are large enough to touch His heart of love." ~ R.A. Torey

There is no concern too small to pray about so the early church prayed about everything. They depended upon the Lord, not on committees, high-tech (duh, can you even find any) or on their flesh. 

Do we pray about everything today? Are we looking to God to meet all or only some of our needs, believers? Do we quickly get bored down on our faces calling out to God? Do we still fast and pray? A couple reliable friends of mine told me yesterday that.. 60% of Americans claim that they pray every single day. Who are they praying to? I hope it is to the God of the Bible cuz the address on those prayers is so important. My friends also said that Western Christians pray for 8 minutes per day on average, and that Western Christian leaders pray for 12 minutes per day. 

Man, I say we all add some minutes in there, and add some heart in this wonderful discipline as well. Have we not been beat up enough with weird laws and wrong statues forced upon us from our twisted leaders. Questions for self first: Have we not been awakened to the reality of our times yet.. have we not been enough to give this prayer thing with Jesus some more time? Will we wait for more full-on persecution and deaths to happen here before we invest more minutes? 

I say we pray for the lost and for the saved, for strange and balanced leaders.. and for the followers, for those in our Land and for those in another Land, for the rich, the poor and all those in-between. I say we pause, get away, and pray to the Father in Jesus Name today. I say.. if we can, let us do this now. 

"The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory." ~ R.A. Torey

What else do I say? I say we war not against flesh and blood around us today, but by the Spirit for the Kingdom's sake. This world has enough people fighting in the flesh huh.

"Oh, men and women, pray through; pray through! Do not just begin to pray and pray a little while and throw up your hands and quit; but pray and pray and pray until God bends the heavens and comes down." ~ R.A. Torey

"All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do, and as God can do everything, prayer is omnipotent." ~ R.A. Torey

Pray without ceasing today. I agree with Mr. Torey, let's pray thoroughly until God's will is done on earth, 'til we get an answer from Him and there is peace within, yes, 'til the unregenerate currently loving their own and other's sins ..are completely changed from the inside out.. yep, turned around to Christ, redirected, and hating all sin just like God does and are loving other sinners greatly as He does. Yes, 'til they are walking closely with the Lord in righteousness, holy fear, and love, and spiritual maturity...and until we ourselves are doing that as well, going the distance with Him as Lord of every area. 

Gotta run now. Read more at: facebook.com/shareJesus

Friday, November 23, 2012

In a day where mere shoppin' has replaced all of our major holidays, let's opt to love one another instead of one another's perishable stuff.

Hope you had a really wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends that love you.
It's starting to get kinda wild out there now.
You know, believers, it's a real good day for us to encourage each other towards relating to the Lord, towards love in Him, towards doin' what's right, and even towards sharing our faith instead of towards loving one another's temporal junk, towards the world's system or towards what's flat out wrong.  
Don't get me wrong, I'm not really encouraging unbelievers to turn themselves good or "do good," (would hope they will) or to "do bad" per se (really hope they wouldn't do wrong and will stop em if someone is getting hurt), but their nature ain't like our inner new nature.....yet. I mean, it would be an exersize in futility to try and reform (aka moralize) them instead of just win them to Christ.
But we do pray fo them cuz someone once prayed for and witnessed to us. And we now desire to do what's appropriate instead of ..like they do.. commit to loving widgets, gadgets, and cheap motorized toys this season of the year.
He honest, a whole lot of people that you earlier couldn't even imagine doing so, simply aren't doing what's right or loving. I wonder if the holiday pressure coupled with economic hardships is really intensity everything. So many want to love things far more, but will probably be sorry about that when it's all said and done...and the shiny novelty is gone.  
The bottom line is this: People who refuse to love others or do what's right simply ain't of God. How come? Well, because the Bible clearly says…
"Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in Him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." 1 John 3:10
Like me.. do you remember those days when stores were closed on big holiday weekends. I even remember when 7-11 stores were actually open from 7am until 11pm (Ok, enough reminiscing. It was like that far more when I lived in Europe, but perhaps you don't remember anything like that and just mentioning only dates me).
Just know that family time was so cool and can be for your family. Something to perhaps keep in mind for your own personalized/tailored future. Yeah, family members actually had more time for each other, rather than just for perishable tech-stuff, cuz what else were they going to do when all the businesses where closed or a few family rules where in place.
Looking around you, doesn't it seem like the aggressive type of extreme Black Friday "shopping" we see (after widgets, toys and cheap gizmo has become fairly expensive in relation to our post-election ever-reducing quality of lifestyle) has replaced all of our major holidays? What a shame.
I'm not totally sure how it is where you live, but people have been camping outside of big stores here in my city since Monday and now it's been a week long. I think they're just bored. And for what? Don't they remember how fast all that junk turns obsolete or how it looks with a really low garage sale price tag stuck on it?
But, Kurt, there's nothing wrong with shoppin' in and of it self. And you're so right, unless your spirit is so wrong inside. Get this...
There's already been an all out 'gang fight' at a simple Black Friday sale.
One man was punched in the face, actually pulled out a gun on a "line-cutting" shopper trying to score a deal.
A woman was just busted after throwing merchandise at people...
There's been total mayhem at a Omaha Nebraska mall..the very same place where 9 people were murdered in 2007...and a shoplifter now tries to mace the security guards...
There's been an I-N-S-A-N-E  BATTLE over cell phones.
People are feelin' desperate for love and are willing to pay to loo good if they can. And Victoria's Secret seems to be a real draw at the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park today.
Men steal a boy's shopping bag outside of Bed, Bath and Beyond.
One man left his girlfriend's two year old child in the car, just so he could go into the K-Mart at the Liberty Street Plaza to buy that must have 51 inch television. He was charged with reckless endangerment to a child.
One woman calls the cops on a Salvation Army worker ringing his bells for a cause. 
Hey, I really want you safe. Personally, I'm gunna stay clear of this mess. You might do that as well. Who really wants to get pushed, punched or shoved during this Black Friday chaos?
Now one of my wild friends in town here, Michael (who I still need to win over), says he was so tempted just to hit it on over to Best Buy last night in his "Sasquatch costume (that none of us knew he had) to tear through all the tents of the many kids sleeping in the parking lot with his bear-like growl, just to make everybody stop and think.. and then go home and into their more normal lives."
Looking around you… watchin' what's happening with Israel, with the Muslim Brotherhood, and also with natural disasters that have been happening with greater frequency and intensity.. do you ever wonder if we are living in the for real last days?  
Been re-checking-out some Scriptures that seem to be pertinent to these days we live in. Jesus warned us, "..you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 24:6-13, nkjv). Some of these things will of course happen in days to come, but no one can deny that some have already happened and are happening.
I'd say it's a real good day to turn your Black Friday into a white one of sorts, and just be ready for anything.    


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

What's clearly stated in the Bible ain't up for debate...

..it ain't up for tweakin' according to opinion..it ain't for addition to, or for subtraction away from.
 
We don't judge the Word of God from our hearts or minds. No. the Word judges our hearts and minds. God even judges what my attitude and human spirit is about. He will yours as well cuz He loves you and wants you totally free.
 
The Word of God is there to know, to trust, to love and to obey.. even if our culture doesn't like some of those terms. We are to commit to the Word even if our culture hates the word commit.
 
We worship Jesus the living Word of God by choice. We don't really wait for a feeling to start that or to confirm that the Word is with us.
 

Live not for fleeting pleasures, fallible people, or corroding stuff—we are convinced of better things concerning you.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." ~ James Dean, see 5|24john

Do you have an uber-sorry, lame past.. or still have some heavy baggage that you've been haulin' around? If so it's time to deal with that.. by the Word of God. Yeah, no worries. Your heavenly Father has given Scriptures that clearly address all the needs of people, and He can still use you when you off-load all your burdens and junk to Him. In fact He delights to use His disciples as they fully trust in His Word. Too good to be true? Well, it is true. Yes indeed, because there is a grace that is greater than ALL your sin! And greater than all my sin as well. Praise the Lord for that.

Never forget how the disciples believed and then effectively proclaimed the Word.. about Christ being alive. We should do the same today. "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all."

The Word is for you, not against you. It's for all people everywhere.
 
What's written in the Bible (the written word) always agreed with what Jesus said. He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit (God the Trinity) never ever change, but we are called to change our minds (to repent, turn around and go towards God) and believe in Him. We give ourselves to Him first, rather than to Christian works. Yes to Him before edifying believers and evangelizing other sinners. You know that our worship of Him is more important that all else.  

Please teach, preach and explain the proper application of the Wordplease help people clearly understand what the Word is really about. It's about pure love. People so are hungry. Let's feed em what's good. Yes, even believers regularly, for it is well-fed sheep that naturally ..or should I say supernaturally.. reproduce for God. Malnourished, poorly fed sheep don't reproduce, they just fall by the wayside unproductive and we never want that to happen. All matter to God and He has a purpose for each one.   
 
"And he (Paul) continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." 18|11acts facebook.com/shareJesus

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

We believers usually see in other people ..what we expect to see. And we tend to love others as much as we want to.

Do we look for potential in the person that we meet.. you know the good aspects, the good character qualities or virtue? Do we search for the positive in others?

Personally I aim for this and it doesn't often come naturally. 

Are people good or bad generally? 

I know one thing.. I have some moral friends and some very decent Christian friends and I want to be an encourager of them and of the good I see. 

Another thing.. I never want to count converts ..aka scalps.. cuz I've actually never converted or saved anyone. Only One can do that.

I don't think I've ever met a person who was purely evil through and through, or another person (other than Christ) who was 100% good.  Hey, I'm a saved sinner with a long ways to go.. one that contends with my old nature, but really wants to grow spiritually in the Word of God. 

So I always wanna be very slow to see someone as lost. And I can't tell people where they will go in the end. 

Sure we all can be fruit inspectors, but who am I? I can't see what's going on down on the inside of the person's heart? Sure a real Christian does love to talk to and about Jesus, just like a teen who is "in love" likes to talk about his girlfriend or her boyfriend. But don't some religious Pharisees like to pray long prayers or talk about God as well ..for show. God is really the only one who can see the inner heart condition. If we fish for souls as He would have every believer do, then we really need to stay in close contact with Him huh.

I want to be log-less (I mean one who has no log or stick in my eye so to speak) "good finder" rather than a speck finder. I choose to like most people, and love all people.   

"The Christian, trying to treat every one kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes on." ~ CS Lewis

A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.

"What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

"They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels."

"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town.

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.

"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them."

"Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town." By Anon.

Did seeing them as diligent, honest and friendly for the most part.. for the second stranger ..mean that all the people in the town he left behind actually were that way..always? No, not necessarily. It did mean he liked them and would miss em and that most were decent people in his eyes.

If you were an employer, which stranger would you prefer to hire.. the one who generally likes people, or the one who generally doesn't like people that he meets? If you were an unregenerate person; a lonely, empty, fearful unbeliever... which type of person would you want to approach you to witness to you ..if per se one of these types was a believer ..and chose to show you such a great kindness for your benefit? 

If you are a real Christian, which type actually did share the Gospel with you and then actually won you to Christ? 

Are you a parent? Isn't it true in a general sense, that children will rise to meet our level of expectations? Sure this could happen and it does happen! Not always, but it does. What should this say to employers, to coaches, to teachers and to pastors? 

Love believes all things. Do we habitually believe the best of people and give them the benefit of the doubt without being foolish in this. When we talk to others about people, do we bring up the good things about them, or the negative things? Do we bring up Christ who we love the most? 

Is there loyalty in absentia.. shown? I don't mean that anyone of us lie about those around us, but there really should be loyalty in absentia and also when they are not absent. Wouldn't you want this from your friends ..when you were away ..even if you aren't perfect? Sure you would. We can pray about this in advance. 

We all reap what we sow.  

Do you take the time to look for the good in others? Do you pray for the person you meet, and expect to see those gifts and talents in them one day be used to glorify God? God can help us in this and He can make strong, what is currently weak in each one of us. He can give us love for people and His perspective if we just ask Him to. Jesus said, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." facebook.com/shareJesus

Thursday, November 15, 2012

It's a brand new day—a real good day to pray...

..and just get closer to the Lord, rather than to merely drift and grow farther apart from His good Word. Too many are doing that. Fellowshipping in.. and with Christ is the best way to enter the perfect will of God no matter what goes on around you. You and I need this vital connection today.
 
Is it sometimes difficult for you to stop and pray? Sometimes my mind knows what I should be doing, but getting it and my shoe leather in gear so to speak is another story completely. "Lord, how do I say 'No to all the calls, tools, toys and distractions invading my day when it's time to be self-disciplined and pray?" It's like I need a kick in the ole blessed assurance to get going. Ever get feelin' kinda stressed during your daily routine?..... or perhaps when you read in the news about a looming "fiscal cliff", or a ginormous national debt, or about inflation domestically (as I did this morning), or even about wars starting in Israel? Jesus has peace to leave you, when this world seems to have no type of peace left to give.
 
"In the heat of it" as they say, yup, right there where you live your life... that's not really such a bad place to go vertical, to connect and to shine your light out for Jesus Christ. Personally, I don't know what kinda of challenges you or your family might be facing, so I certainly don't want to come off as flippant, indifferent or cavalier (I'm really not), but you know what I'm talking about. I do want to exhort you to draw apart, before you come apart.
 
You can pray fervently ..without ceasing.. as you practice the presence of God today. Jesus won't leave your side - never will believer. He hasn't made a bunch of promises to you, only to bail out and ditch you there hurting or holding the bill for what others have chosen. No, He ain't a popular politician making promises He can or can't keep, and doesn't keep.  
 
I think that God sometimes even allows the fiery trials into our lives just to display His mighty works even more ...before the eyes of those who are real empty, lonely, guilty, hopeless, afraid to die, and acutely pained outside of His righteousness. Think it not strange.
 
Sure, in any jewelry store, big or small diamonds will deal with the light on em much better when they get placed on black velvet. Talk about making the glory more presentable! Oh the beautinessss! That's why jewelers always use it in their shops. They are hoping to make a sale.  
I've been reading about a whole lot of people in our Land as of late, who are getting laid off again.. yeah, post-election. Its' so sad.
 
Please remember to pray without ceasing ..to the One who can meet all your needs no matter what. And pray for those around you who need work, need a home, need encouragement, and need a specific vision of how and where to serve. Economically, it doesn't yet look like it will get much better here ..for quite some time.
 
We can still enjoy fellowship with God. And we can also enjoy His abundant life. A man, woman or child's life doesn't consist of the things he or she posses. Real life, real joy, real fulfillment.. is in Him in spite of circumstances. Happiness depends on certain happenings, but not the joy of enriching friendship with the Lord.
 
I'm thinkin' about Christ and things above right now, not on the earth. I've got some family members up there with Him too. I'm thinking about how to pray when things get stressy. I want to slow down, quiet my inner human spirit, and thank the Lord. I want to pour out my heart about any burdens weighing me down. I want to praise Him and also ask big so that He might use me big. Yeah, Jesus even took time away to pray when things were getting very stressy for Him... in the garden. He wasn't fretting, He was getting very candid – totally honest with God the Father.  
 
Remember the words of Jesus (which actually encouraged me a lot today..) as He was basically preparing for that uber-dark-nightmarish situation ahead of Him – the cross.
 
He said, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done."  see 22|42luke.bible
 
He boldly asked that His Father's will be done ...no matter what He felt or was experiencing. It must have been tougher than one can imagine. The lamb of God was about to take on all the sins of those who would ever live and have lived. I've never been facing death like that. Many in my land have been given to the elephant or to the donkey, but voting is behind us so I say we give ourselves over completely to this Lamb. Hes' the future Leader of this world and He can handle it when others can't.
 
It's always ok for us to pray that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven—it's no sign of a lack of faith as some preachers falsely insist.
 
"Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.  Amen."
~ Frances R. Havergal
 
Pray without ceasing even when the trouble is quickly increasing.
 
"I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands." 119|10psalm
 
When you pray, God will indeed meet your needs. You've got to believe that. And when He meets your needs ..as no other person ccan.. then you'll want to shout for joy, to dance, to walk right, and to go explain it to others in order that they too can recieve His grace and see their prayers answered as well. Remember to pray when it gets stressy, and even when it doesn't. You'll be so glad you did.
 
God never expects us to strive, but He does expect both faithfulness and fruitfulness as we believers simply abide in Christ.. yes, as we reflect His light in this dark world that's gone astray. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." 11|30proverbs facebook.com/shareJesus
 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Simple Dare...

Read all 322 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament Scriptures.......and then ask yourself.......Now who does that kind of remind me of?

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Vote Today In Faith

Dear Lord, please lead all American believers today as they render to Caesar the things that are Caesars so to speak, and to God all the things that are God's. Help us all to discern which truths and which values should actually be advanced, as we vote biblically ..and in faith. Please use us like salt as we speak up..as we act..to push back the spiritual and moral corruption and putrification that has been on the rise. 

I pray that all of your people in America will prayerfully vote with joy and the holy fear of God inside. It's our responsibility, so I pray that we see what agape love and justice and far-seeing wisdom actually demand in regard to the issues of education, and of business and of industry, and of health care.. O and also of Your perspective regarding a one-man-with-one-woman marriage.. with a family walking and learning in fellowship with You. Use us to boldly witness to and win families and please make our society work best for this most important task to happen.  

Together we pray with confidence that our nation will properly repent with godly sorrow, and yes, turn back to the Word of God. We believers want to continue to speak up and to vote today so that all the abortions end. Please by Your Spirit turn back the tide of wickedness here, cuz this so breaks Your heart when you want those babies to live. We pray that Your will... will indeed be fully done regarding welfare, energy, government and taxes.. regarding military, and terrorism, and transparency (for peeps in and out of authority)..about international relations, and every other challenge that we as a people face and will face in the years to come. 

Thank you God for the privilege to take part in this process. Let whoever wins this election come to know You ..real well according to the Bible and no other religious book. 

Thanks Lord for all those thoughtful volunteers over there on the East Coast who keep digging out, cleaning up..who keep working to help poor people after Sandy destroyed so many homes. So SO much work there. Please bless em all and those people that they help ..as perhaps another storm is headed their way. Please protect and give relief. We agree that Christ will be glorified here and that the Gospel will go out with power.. even to distant lands from America. Have your way with us and through us in Jesus Name. Amen.  facebook.com/shareJesus

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 25|26prov.

A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. 10|2eccl.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3|1-2two.thess.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Gospel Message Remains The Same

The Message never changes—how it's delivered will. Methods and culture change and that's ok, but be faithful still .."til your work is fulfilled. If you’ve always done that..which has generally been needed..in the same exact way as you've done before, then it is probably the wrong way to do it...today. Yeah, times and methods change, but truth and it’s principles never do. They'll stay. Need a fresh application today..to obey? [I just made a song]


Oh is it not a magnificent thing to be privileged thus... to spread the glorious Tidings of our Blessed Lord! ~ Amy Charmichael

"Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.. Do the work of an evangelist." 4:2,5twotim.

Perhaps you'd like some help.. or to open your home to win some people to Christ? You might pray about it.