Saturday, April 27, 2013
Have you lost a loved one and aren't really sure what to think? Need some comfort?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
We live, we love. We share His love that comes down from above.
Yeah, let's GET OUT and do what we were meant to do, what we were designed to do.. were planned to do.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible, wonderful, unspeakable gift - eternal and very abundant life in the Son.
Yeah ..the gift is not like the trespass. There is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious Gift.
For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Yes, there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam (the first Adam), brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man (the last Adam), Jesus Christ. And because of Him and His finished work at Calvary...
We live and forgive.. we share the LOOOVE that comes down from abooove..not with some kinda mean shove. #dove
This life..it's such a gift!
Why should any of us recklessly live for self or pleasure or hang tight with the wrong company when that only negatively influences us in a whacked direction? Why should we take life for granted? Instead, let us full-on hang tight with Christ and His growing kinda people (not the fake ones, hurting others n living how they want to) at His house of love. In #church #livethelife facebook.com/shareJesus
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Have you been feelin' down and depressed lately? Hey, got some up-lift for ya!
I talked with and prayed for Sam today, a bright young man under 25 years of age from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Really enjoyed it. Great guy!
The Bible says, "The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?" (Prov. 18:14).
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:4-5).
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.." (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God.." (Gal. 2:20).
"Discouragement often comes when we don't get our own way or when things don't work out the way we want them to. The children of Israel thought that because they were God's children they should be spared adversity and trouble, that Canaan should be captured without a struggle. But this was not God's plan. It never is. We must be willing to die to self before we can know the real meaning of life. We must often bleed (so to speak) before we can be blessed, and a cross must be endured before the crown is to be worn. Discouragement is the very opposite of faith. It is Satan's device to try to thwart the work of God in your life. Discouragement blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavorable circumstances." ~ Billy Graham
"So Kurt, is there a way to dispel this dark blighting cloud of depression and discouragement? Kurt, are you saying that God can deal with this sort of thing the best?" That's exactly what I'm saying and that He also might lead you to some more help after you first turn to Him. Yes there is a way out, but if you are counting on your own power or inner strength and clever ingenuity to do this alone.. guess what Buckeroo.. you won't be real successful in that effort. Yeah, you'd sadly be doomed to continue feelin' down and discouraged longer (..and that's not at all what I want for you). The Bible says, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Ps. 27:14).
Christ boldly told us, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me... 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (Jn. 14:1-3).
And God also gives us this prayer from King David to encourage us, "..O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me"..."Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!" (See Ps. 38:1-4 and it's context plus 21-22 nkjv).
Listen, if you've suffered loss ..little or much.. if your life or heart is just aching, dark, depressing and gloomy today, Christ can turn your dark clouds inside out. Yup, you've heard it all before I'm sure, but He can turn your whole situation around in a heart-beat. It's true. The bright shining sunlight of His agape-love and grace can still shine through to you. Yes, into that darkest part of your life to help you ..get up, try again or simply go forwards. Sure, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12).
As it was with the Jews of Israel out in the wilderness back in the day, we too believers, are travelers off to the Promised Land. Weren't made to stay in beat-down-defeat, depression, self-pity and unbelief. No way! Christ is our loyal Guide encouraging us to advance walking in victory, in the Spirit, in compassion, in faith, in His unchanging Word... and not one day in the flesh! And check it out.. as the Israelites did all their traveling through that vast dry desert area in order to cross over and "arrive," the Bible tells us, "The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way" (Ex. 13:21). So keep on asking Him to be Lord of every area of your life, and to lead you through as well. He'll do it.. Jesus so wants to bless you and more than you want to be blessed by Him! Never forget that you were not made to be in that barren wilderness permanently. No, no! You were made for God.. to worship and glorify Him. You matter gobs! There is a purpose for you. And hey, while we're at it.. longing for that better country ..a heavenly one.. while looking forward to that city which hath foundations whose Architect and Builder is God (Heb. 11:10 & 16).. yeah, while purposely exiting this dry fruitless turf for our home in Heaven, let's together do our best to know Him n bring some other weary travelers along with us. Sure, labor in love now while lives are so at stake, fully kick-back, feast and off-the-chain-celebrate (Rev. 19:9) with the Groom then. Sounds reasonable huh.. cuz it is!
Monday, April 22, 2013
"No way, there's gotta be multiple options on that. We be about options, Kurt!" Well Buckeroo, not on this entrance. Think again. There's only One really beneficial Option.
Q: Would a fireman simply doin' his duty inside a burnin' house be for one second taken as "offensive" at all if he was merely pointing the endangered inhabitants to the only fire-exit? Naww he wouldn't.. not so much. And a fire-person doesn't even love (like God does us) the ones he's dealing with.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Need prayer?
So, what have you been going through lately? Anything you care to discuss? Are you trying hard to live the Christian life and feel tempted lately, or have you been seeking to make an impact on others for Him..and it's rebuff-city. Hey, no matter. Whether you're a believer or not...
I would love to pray for you.. for sure and earnestly ..if you don't mind. Would be honored to. Simply comment back (below) or just send me a private message to let me know how I can intelligently pray for you ..and I will indeed keep it private. God bless you.
Who do you look to to meet your needs? Do you in part look to God and in part look to another? In unity, lets' ask Him together for you.. looking solely to the Lord as our Source cuz that's what on-fire Christians do and more importantly that's what He desires.
Even if you've gotten a "No" before, together let's ask again. God say's, "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jer. 33:3)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Cruisin' through the book of Luke on this Android tab this morning...
..and I'm thinkin' of Christian husbands some, who get fully rejected and basically excluded (not me..) due to a hypocritical partner's religiously justified (yes erroneously).. embraced-lie of "My spouse is mentally ill" along with an underlying but blatant root of bitterness that constantly pains deeply n torments thoroughly.. or something like that...
.. that self, and friends, and independence, and money, and no amount of personal busyness can comfort or get expelled and that no church affiliation anywhere will erase, or extinguish, or cover. But you know that God can certainly reward both sides equitably / accordingly, and can comfort and deliver and can certainly weed-out any such root when asked.
Also thinkin' of all the tears I've seen shed by believing parents whose kids outright slander, ditch, neglect and mock them.. perhaps due to the same root.. or something like that.. and who reject and literally longterm-replace their parents with fawning strange enabler-friends and worldly lovers for no good reason. But you know that God can certainly reward both sides equitably / accordingly, and can comfort and deliver and can certainly weed-out any such root when asked.
As the perfect parent.... He waits and teaches patiently when allowed to teach.. for each of us. He did and does for me.
Musin' over current fathers and parent-friends of mine locally (imperfect like me).. more than one set.. who have had the same type of thing happen to them.. or something like that.. due to a loved one's serious chemical abuse. Got a call regarding this last night. Heart-breaking story. Tears. Gulping and more tears.
Year after year they wait and pray and wait for that son or daughter to come to their senses a bit... and hope and try to compensate or fill-in somehow for perhaps a hurting little, innocent, abandoned grandchild who doesn't know why the most important person in their life who said they really loved.. totally bailed-out minus any explanation.
Some parents I know have had to slaughter the fattened calf multiple times and are there waiting again year after year. And I just wish I could hug and somehow encourage them with God's Word.
Feeling so very grateful here.. as I hunt and peck with scared index finger.. for a tender-hearted believing wife who has always been above reproach and above hurting, pettiness, abuse and self-seeking. These days good-example-parents are gettin' harder to find it seems.
But if this in any way kinda describes you (above) , just know that Christ understands, will indeed reward and can help.
"Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, 'God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours... God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.'" http://bible.us/116/LUK6.20.NLT
Thursday, April 11, 2013
If you were once close to God, but now are not...
..if you were once an effective witness for Jesus Christ, but now ..somehow you are not.. if you once walked with the Lord, but then stumbled and fell down.. you know, got all bruised with skinned up knees so to speak but not really due to praying.
Then get back up. Run to the Word of God, not away from Him. Run to church, not away from a decent church ..yeah, even if the enemy accuses you and says you're way too hypocritical and dirty to run to Him again. Ignore. Shun. Resist. Reject Mr. Lu-Cifer.
Never allow what that loser says keep you away from your first-love, or from fellowship with other growing believers.
"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mk. 9:50
Just confess, honestly repent, and go on tight with Jesus. "With Christ" as your leader, not you as His. He will indeed restore the joy, the harmony and the peace for you. He hasn't stopped caring.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 Jn. 1:9, nkjv
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." Rev. 2:5
"Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'" Lk. 9:62
Please remember that the Lord isn't surprised, or angry (..it's cuz of the cross) or like us. He is limitless in His Love for you and He is perfect too. He understands fully and will bless again. He shows flawless compassion as well as beautiful agape and mercy to you and me.. yes, in so SO many ways. If another believer or leader has let you down (and they will from time to time), it's no time for you to stay down. Forgive them just like you have been. Sure, it's time to get closer to God than ever before.. looking to Him to meet all your needs.
Stop and think about it. Was there actually a time in your personal history when you were more on-fire for Jesus.. more all-out in-love with Jesus.. more enamored and focused on Him? ..well, decide right now to get with Him again and get much closer than that. Don't wait or procrastinate. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and do things His way this time. Worship and serve on His terms (according to the Bible) instead of on your own.
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Jam. 4:8
"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.." Heb. 12:15
"'My wayward children,' says the Lord, 'come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.' 'Yes, we're coming,' the people reply, 'for you are the Lord our God.'" Jer. 3:22
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:9-11
I appeal in love. I'm not talking down to you, but it's no time for excuses, self-righteousness, or human rationalizations now. It's simply time to return as you are, to be free, cleansed, confident, absolutely fearless and go tell others about Jesus Christ.. while we still have some time. facebook.com/shareJesus
Thursday, April 4, 2013
You go ..paid professional. We're for you. Do it. Amen.
#NoLetsHelpHimOutSoGodIsGlorified
The world doesn't trust Bible teaching churches or spiritually mature pastors. But each para-church minister and real disciple needs to cooperate with and support their healthy Bible teaching local church. And church pastors need not cooperate with or support any para-church minister or so called disciple who refuses to work with or cooperate with the church.
The biblical way into God's Church isn't by shaking a preacher's hand or filling out a card, but people must be born (again) into it. "But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him."
He delights to use people that love His Word, love people, and love His church. He uses men on the move (publicly and from house to house). When was the last time you were out on the move for Jesus Christ?
He uses praying twice-born earnest people that are led by His Spirit.. who are models of the faith. He doesn't bless hypocracy and pretense, so be real. Be sincere. facebook.com/shareJesus