WHAT I BELIEVE

It's all about Him (Jesus). I care about people and where they will spend eternity. Being connected to the lives of others is very important to me. I have very conservative religious and political values. I believe in supporting whoever is in office at all levels of government, with prayer. God says they are the instruments of peace in the world we live in. I am not only a believer in Christ, but a follower. I believe that we are all called into this life with a purpose and destiny assigned by God and when we understand that, receive it and live it out according to the Word of God, we will be counted among the Bride of Christ at that great Wedding Supper of the Lamb. We are all born in sin; have lived a life of sin; but are made new when we confess and turn from our sins and receive the free gift of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are not perfect but do not practice sin. And if we do sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us so that we continue walking in the Light as He is the Light. God gave His Son, Jesus laid down His life, so that none should be lost. If we miss the promise of Eternal Life in Heaven, we are responsible for the outcome...... I am a pilgrim and stranger on this earth, here on assignment, an ambassador for Christ, and long to see the Jewish roots restored to the church of today. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." For the sake of my brothers and friends I will say, "Peace be within you." For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. Psalm 122:6-9 WHAT I BELIEVE: •In the verbal inspiration of the Bible. •In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. •That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. •That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins. •That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. •In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost. •In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart. •In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost. •In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. •In the nine gifts and the nine fruits of the Spirit as taught in the New Testament, healing is provided for all through the sufferings of Christ. •In the pre-millennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years. •In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked. FAVORITE QUOTES Jesus said, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is not greater commandment than these." (Mark 12:29-31)

THE FEASTS OF THE LORD: WHAT HAS BEEN / WHAT IS TO COME

From my limited knowledge of the Feasts of our Lord, the time between Rosh Hashana (aka:Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (aka: Day of Atonement) is referred to as 10 days of repentance and reflection (aka: Ten Days of Awe). It is the beginning of a New Year and is a time to specifically look at our lives, repent of what is not pleasing to God and ask ourselves how can we better serve Him. Taking time to reflect on our lives in light of the Word of God is something we should be doing always, but our Father intended us to specifically and deliberately make time to focus on just that on His schedule, His time clock. I'm sure we can agree that these 'traditions' that we have overlooked for 1600 years are rich with God's plan in helping us stay focused and obedient. And I have found that knowing what little I do know about them and how they are not only rich in the traditions of our Lord and His ideas of how things should work, they are also a reflection of our Savior. Spring Feasts have already been fulfilled and Fall feasts are yet to be fulfilled by the coming of the Son of God, Christ Jesus, Yeshua Ha Mashiach, the King of Glory. We know that our Messiah's return will be announced by the sound of trumpets (Feast of Trumpets) and conclude with that awesome Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and then comes the Feast of Tabernacles which remembers when Israel dwelt in tents in the desert after coming out of Egypt ( aka: reflective of sin or separation from God) and God tabernacled with them in the desert. The Feast also reminds us that when the trumpet sounds, and Christ returns, He will Tabernacle with us, in Person, on earth. The Feast of Tabernacles will continue to be celebrated even after our Lord returns, according to Zechariah 14:16-19. I do not share this information to bring confusion to the Body of Christ. My knowledge is very limited but enough for me to believe celebrating what our Father established from the beginning, only for our benefit, adds a richness in our understanding of His plans for us. I understand and every evidence recorded in secular history, proves that man changed the traditions of God and made their own traditions by rearranging these celebrations to accomplish their political agenda and having done all of this without any authority to do so. Man does not have authority to change what God has written in His Book. I can't help but believe that as that Day draws nearer, the Church would be stronger, and more prepared to finish the race, if we could enjoy the connectedness of knowing the plans that our Father set forth from the beginning to help us develop strong bonds with Him and strong bonds in our families when children are raised to celebrate, on God's timetable, the Feasts which not only remind us of our past but point to our future in Christ Jesus as well. For my seminary educated brothers and sisters, for the Messianic Community, and my Jewish friends, please understand that my knowledge is limited and here only expresses what I have in my heart. Salvation is in Christ alone but at some point we have to ask ourselves, if none of this means anything, why did the apostles, the early Church and Jesus Himself keep these traditions. Ask yourself how they got changed and then ask yourself if it is time to get on God's time clock, God's schedule. I believe when the Church returns to her Jewish roots, we will see God's power unleashed in our lives and in these last days. I believe the Feasts of the Lord are one more component of knowing our Father and how He thinks and how He has planned for us. Galatians 3 teaches that "they who are of the faith, the same are the children of Abraham." That gives us the same DNA, by adoption, as those who believed before us. Why then should we resist the blessings of keeping God's plan for us, for our families to remember what has been and what is to come?

WHOSE WORLD IS THIS?

Are you always asking why there is so much evil in this world if God is God? "Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4) Whose world is this? Whose Blood has redeemed you from the god of this world if only you can believe and follow Him?

NEVER GIVE UP!

Things not going so well? Starting to question why you are even caring about what people say? Wondering why there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel? " These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (Jesus speaking John 16:33) No matter how you 'feel', GET UP, DRESS UP, SHOW UP and NEVER GIVE UP

CARRIER? SLAYER? OR ENABLER?

ARE YOU A VISION SLAYER? When God called Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, He called Moses! He placed the Vision in him and even though Moses was reluctant, he submitted to the call. God gave Moses an assistant, his brother Aaron, but the Vision and the anointing to bring the Vision to pass was in Moses. Aaron, despite his weaknesses, was an Enabler of the Vision, not the Carrier of the Vision. When the Vision grew beyond Moses’ capability to deal with all the details, his father-in-law suggested that Moses select righteous men to deal with the issues, only bringing the most difficult cases to him for resolution. These men were not the carriers of the Vision, they were the Enablers. At no time in the Word do we ever see God pouring the same vision at the same time into multiple persons. This would create confusion as there cannot be multiple heads directing the process. God works through one man, who then builds a team that is committed to enabling the Vision. In today’s culture, we witness an element committed to maintaining control over the Vision Carrier. This ought not to be so! If the Vision Carrier is called of God, he is the Primary, Anointed, Called-out one to birth the Vision. The rest of us are either Vision Enablers or we are Slayers of the Vision. The Vision Carrier is not and should not be subject to the personal prejudices and opinions of those not committed to being Vision Enablers. The Vision Carrier is not beyond making mistakes, take Moses for example, but the bottom line is, he makes the final decision. Just like in a marriage, the two may not be able to agree on a given subject, so the husband then is charged with making the final decision. And it could very well prove to have been the wrong decision, but Christ is his head and they will work it out. It’s the same with the Vision Carrier, he is the one who will answer to the Father for every decision he makes. Our job is to come along side and work with the Vision Carrier to bring the Vision to pass. If we are not Enablers of the Vision, then we work against God and have become Vision Slayers. Check yourself!

DON'T JUDGE ANOTHER MAN'S SERVANT!

When you are sharing what you think is true, when you are repeating rumors, when you are guilty of accusing another man's servant (for that man will answer to his Master) you are guilty of character assassination....the Bible says it's the same as murder! It spreads like a cancer, corrupts your heart and the hearts of others. It contaminates the possibility of the effectiveness of the Gospel. It contaminates the hearts of young Christians because they trust your information is pure and true. What an ugly outcome when we do not let Love cover a multitude of sin. Ask yourself how many times you have been guilty of such a crime as those you have accused. May God forgive every time your mouth has rehearsed the curse and caused the evil one to rejoice, because love has not been the focus of your heart. How, then, can you say that you Love God whom you have not seen, when you do not Love your brother whom you have seen? "There are three things that remain—Faith, Hope, and Love—and the greatest of these is Love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

FISH OR CUT BAIT!

So you have been on this journey for a long time and you think you know what building the Kingdom of God should look like.....yet you sow discord among the brethren (of course thinking you are doing God a favor); you participate in character assassination by propagating rumors you have heard discussed (and you have 'listened' to, in spite of knowing that God holds the sin of gossiping the same as the sin of murder). Let's be very clear about this behavior.....it is wrong and innocent blood is being shed. And even if there is some 'truth' that is being shared around, you will not be held guiltless. "There are seven things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that kill innocent people, a mind that thinks up wicked plans, feet that hurry off to do evil, a witness who tells one lie after another, and someone who stirs up trouble among friends." (Proverbs 6:16-19) Even if there is a shred of truth to all the accusations....it is not your place to judge. It is God's job! It is our's to bring reconciliation to any situation that might rise among us. It appears to those on the outside, that you are no different than the world; no different than those who do not profess to know the God of the Universe. STOP IT! If you have been offended. Make it right. You are just as responsible to clear the offence as the 'offender'. Either be part of the solution, or get out of the way, but do not be a participant in bringing down those who are also on this journey Home. Either fish or cut bait! Get in or get out! For in the end, "ALL things work together for good for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) When you are taking things into your own hands, damage that you cannot imagine is being done in hearts and lives you cannot see. "It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble." (Luke 17:2) And if you think this applies only to little children, you are mistaken. We have people born into the Kingdom every day that are babies in Christ. Some remain that way for many years........and they can be severely damaged when older, more experienced ones are participating in sowing discord among the brethren. If this post is offensive to you, ask yourself if it's offensive because you are guilty and are justifying what you are doing. A church, a business, a marriage, a friendship, a family can be severely damaged by this kind of behavior. I am not your judge but the Word is and the Holy Spirit is speaking to you to repent of this behavior and to bring healing to whatever the situation is; bring mercy and bring Grace...for where sin abounds ( and believe it.....gossip/tale bearing are sin) Grace does much more abound. Be a builder and a lifter of those around you. God will forgive everyone and reconciliation will come. We are in perilous times and this is no time for us to be wasting the Gift that the Father has given us in His Son, Jesus, the Christ. Live a crucified life and make it count!

YES,,,, IT'S A BLOODY RELIGION!

Yes...it's a Bloody religion. The sinless Blood of the Son of God to wash your sins as white as snow.....He will be your Burden Bearer, He will be your Shelter in the time of storm, He will be your Shield from attacks of the enemy, He will be your Light in the Darkness, He will be your Advocate with the Father, He will be your Comfort and your Peace, He will be your Hope in this world and the World to come. He laid down His life for you. Won't you lay down your life for Him? Father God, I believe that Jesus is Your Son and that He came not to condemn the world but to save it. Forgive me for my sins of breaking Your moral laws and let me become Your Child. Teach me Your ways and give me a pure heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen

HELP THE VICTIMS OF SANDY

As a result of the hurricane/storm Sandy on the Eastern seaboard this week, many are without the bare necessities of life. This is our opportunity to help in this most trying of times for these families. A long-time Twitter/Facebook friend is coordinating with others in her area to receive donations of clothing,shoes and coats of all sizes, bedding, quilts, dry goods such as toilet tissue, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deoderant. Also needed: instant cereals, instant coffee, peanut butter, jelly, jerky and all other non-perishable food items as there is no electricity in most areas. They will also need cleaning supplies, feminie hygiene supplies, diapers and baby food. Water is desperately needed in individual bottles and gallons. Arrangements are being made to receive and distribute these donations. A PayPal account is being set up to recieve cash donations. Please contact Arlene Wallis on Facebook; on Twitter @Th1kmdm09; or by email: Th1kmdm09@gmail.com Another way you can assist in this matter is to repost, copy & paste or 'share' this plea on your social media accounts and share with your church and home groups. Let's be the Church we were created to be. This truly is a James 1:27 moment. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows (the helpless) in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Go! Be Jesus to these friends and families who need us now.....

So Many Questions

What do you do when you find yourself feeling alone and far from God? If you are a believer and follower of Christ, should you ever find yourself in this place? After all, have you not followed all His commandments? Have you not given of yourself to others, helped meet the needs of those who are unable to bear their burdens alone? Have you not been a witness to the Gospel which is the Power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believes, to the Jew first and then also to the Greek? Have you not proclaimed the hour is late and we must work the works of Him who sent Jesus because the night is coming when no man can work? Have you not been as the watchman on the wall, warning of the consequences of offending a Holy God, of living life your own way instead of God’s? Have you not proclaimed that God is the God of Mercy, the God of Forgiveness, the God of Longsuffering, the God of Love, the God Whose Mercies are new every morning, the God Who came in the form of man, Himself sinless, to die for those who were born in sin? Have you not lived a life dedicated to Christ and to His Word, by faith trusting that His Word is true and have you not lived this life as a pilgrim and stranger on the earth, whose forever Home and destiny lies in that City whose Builder and Maker is God? The answer to all of your questions? “We walk by Faith and not by Sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) So when you don’t “feel it”……believe it and walk on…… “He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

THE TEST OF LOVE

We so often take this time at the beginning of a new year to make resolutions that we often fail to keep, but wouldn't it be a perfect time to reflect on: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves....?" (II Corinthians 13:5) We can become so comfortable in our journey sometimes, that we may not realize that we have strayed from the straight path. After all, aren't we doing better than most out there? We must never fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others, but must always measure our walk with the Word of God. Can we walk through these scriptures, ask ourselves if we meet the standard of the Word, and if not, can we not ask forgiveness and make sure that we are truly in love with our God and Savior and in love with our neighbor? May the Lord open our eyes and our hearts so that we may stay pure before Him and powerful in building the Kingdom. Command to Love: Jesus said, "Honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 10:19) Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang (hinge) on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40) Having been asked which was the Greatest Commanment, Jesus answered, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these." (Mark 12:29-31) Jesus said. "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:24) Evidence of Love: Jesus said: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Jesus said, "If you love Me, Keep My commandments." (John 14:15) Jesus said, "Whoever has and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me." (John 14:21) Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey my teaching, (My words). My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our Home with him." (John 14:23) God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Love does no harm (does not kill, does not commit adultery, does not steal, does not lie, does not covet, etc) to it's neighbors. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law. (Romans 13:19) Love is patient; love is kind; love does not envy; does not boast; is not proud. It is not rude; love is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....(I Corinthians 13:4-8a) The fruit of the Spirit (dwelling in you) is Love, (which produces) joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Test of Love: Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...." (Matthew 5:43-35) Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:-27-28) Jesus said, "He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching (My words)." (John 14:28) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly beloved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us...(Ephesians 5:1-2) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a noisy gong and a clanging symbol. (I Corinthians 13:1) He who would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. (I Peter 3:10-11) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ( I John 3:14) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, (therefore) we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ( I John 3:16) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (I John 3:17) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not, does not know God, for God is love. ( I John 4:7-8) The Ultimate Test of Love: When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 213:33-34) Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life for His friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command." (John 15:13-14) Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. (I John 4:11-12) Jesus told us to love one another as He has loved us and that same love is what the world needs to see and experience from us. We are Jesus to this world......Let's love them like Jesus!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/A-Word-for-2012.html?soid=1101493197677&aid=9_mXZ7wJ4Q8

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/A-Word-for-2012.html?soid=1101493197677&aid=9_mXZ7wJ4Q8

It's Christmas!

Early business reports seem to demonstrate that the consumer is more hopeful, more positive about the future than what expert economists have been predicting. Sales are at an all-time high and the Christmas buying season has just begun. Some reports say that the consumer is actually in better financial condition than they were in 2004 because they have been paying down their debts, down-sizing perceived needs to actual need, paying cash instead of credit and basically bringing their financial priorities back to a reasonable level. The Christmas season is the last, great money maker of the year and most retailers measure their overall, year-end success or failure by the sales generated during this season. How do we, as followers of Christ, measure our relationship to the One who is the reason for this Christmas season? Do we remember, as we are caught up in the bargain hunting, Black Friday specials and Cyber Monday deals, that the Gift that was given when Christ was born cost Him His life? Do we shop for gifts to give to those we love because we are so grateful and thankful for the Gift that has been given to us? It is so easy to get caught up in this culture of frenzied shopping along with parties to plan, meetings to attend, dinners to prepare, all culminating in that great time of getting and giving all those gifts that have been purchased. As we lavish all of this exciting season upon ourselves, do we even think of those who are cold, without homes, without a place to stay warm and dry and without food to eat? Do we do more than a ’token’ act of random kindness just to meet the requirement of caring for others? At some point, the Bride of Christ must see this world through the eyes of the Bridegroom. If our hearts are filled with joy because of the incredible Gift of Salvation and this is what generates all of the gift giving activity…..then we are on the right pathway to bring honor and joy to our Savior…… So we praise our Savior that despite the gloomy calculations of this world’s economy, there is a silver lining: consumers, overall, are paying down debt, not relying on credit and are taking a hard look at what their priorities are in the day in which we live. I like to think that the Biblical perspective of true followers of Christ have had an influence on this economy and on those around them, by setting an example of being debt free, and/or working toward being debt free, and being good stewards of what God has blessed them with. Page Two It’s Christmas And I would like to think that we, as ambassadors of Christ, are so thankful and grateful for all He has done for us and the world that our joy spills over on this lost and dying world during this Christmas season and brings them into a saving knowledge of the One who stepped out of heaven, came to earth and paid the price for all our sins….. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end….” (Isaiah 9:6-7) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:11-14)

BIBLE CAFE FOR WOMEN

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THE SEASONS...

The last time you heard from me, we were coming out of the wintery blast of 2011. Across the nation, about 75% of the states in America were covered with ice and unbelivable amounts of that beautiful but deadly white stuff called snow.

The chill has now left the air, grass is turning green and trees are budding out in preparation to provide shade from the summer sun which will soon be upon us. How awesome are the seasons of God!

Now, those who are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, (lack of sunlight & causes depression), are looking forward to getting outside and soaking up some of those wonderful rays that provide Vitamin D to their muscles and bones. They are now filled with energy and hope for tomorrow. How awesome that God provided these benefits for us as the fall and winter seasons roll by into full blown summer!

We are cleaning house; putting away winter clothing; quilts; comforters; heaters; raking yards; cleaning the guttering (once again); dusting; emptying closets; cleaning out cabinets and drawers.....getting ready for celebrating life with a little less baggage to carry.

These wonderful experiences also should apply to our spiritual life, our walk with God. From time to time we need to take inventory of our journey and make sure that all the old baggage, the hurts, dissappointments, the losses, we have experienced have added to our life joy, faith, and longsuffering/patience. That those things which were meant to harm us have become the good that God meant them to be.

For it is God's plan for us to live with joy! Yes, trials will come, but because we know Him and have a relationship with Him, we can count it all joy, whatever this journey Home brings our way. When the dust settles, and we catch our breath, we can still say, ....."and yet will I trust Him!"

New and glorious events are coming our way, let's clear the deck so that we are ready and prepared to be Jesus to this world.

I pray for all of you that our God will heal you; bless your finances; heal your marriages; save your families and protect you with His mighty hand. May He cover you with the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, and carry you through tomorrow as you reach out to touch the lives of others in His Name. May He bless every relationship you have in this world and may your relationship with Him be greater and more real to you than it has ever been. Breathe His breath, hear His heartbeat, love like Jesus. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Heal us, O Lord, and we will be healed! Save us and we shall be saved, for You are our hope today and for all eternity!

BREAK OUR HEARTS WITH WHAT BREAKS YOUR'S

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajFnnKFivY

A TIME TO WEEP....

For sometime now, I have been more or less home bound because of health issues, only leaving home to keep doctor appointments or visiting the Radiology Department for tests at our local hospital.

I have not attended church since December 19 but my church family has been so loving and diligent about checking on me and making sure that I have need of nothing, especially during this winter blast that left about 40" of snow stacked up on top of each other following three rounds of the beautiful white stuff.

I have comforted myself, knowing that I am the Temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells in me. I have found comfort in listening to the New Testament and hearing the Word come alive in my ears. I've enjoyed listening to our Pastor's sermons on our website; enjoyed Christian programing on television and participating in group, studying the Abiding Life.

I have been comforted by the postings (unrelated to my health issues)of my friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. I have been strengthened by the reminder that I am the healed of God and that by His stripes I am healed. Reminded that I am loved and missed and not forgotten.

I have missed being with my church family to worship Him together and to hear His Word expounded upon, but did not have a sense of loss somehow. But today, I wept. Today, even though He is as close as my breath, I have grieved for the fellowship that is my church family. I need them more than they know and more than I have ever realized, not because of illness, but because of a new awareness of the impact that the fellowship of love has on my life (our life).

My challenges will be resolved one day. but God has used this time to let me experience how those who are not able to be with us any longer, need our fellowship and love.

Jesus told us to love one another, as He has loved us. We have been instructed not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but even more so when we see that day approaching. God knew that we would need each other. He knew that we needed that strong bond of fellowship that would hold us up when we could not hold ourselves up. He knew how important it was going to be for us to know one another and trust one another, as the days of testing approach.

If we don't know one another now, if we can't trust one another now, if we don't love one another now, what will the outcome be when the fiery darts of testing come?

It would seem that these kinds of transitions are going to come to most of us if we live long enough and the Lord tarries. Some are home bound for extended periods of time, perhaps until God calls them home. We need to remember them. Understand that they are in a transition time and bring that fellowship of the brotherhood to them. It's not over yet. They still need that strength and encouragement that comes from regular fellowship with other believers.

My Pastor and his wife have pastored this church for over 30 years, and they continue ministering to those who can no longer attend services. We need to do the same.

Weep for those who are no longer able to be with you in service and bring that service to them. Love them and fellowship them in the place where they are and hold them up in your prayers.

Be Jesus to someone who needs that love that only comes from the Giver of Life.

WOULD THIS SHAKE YOUR FAITH?

Would This Shake Your Faith
Posted: 05 Feb 2011 05:20 AM PST
All week World Prayr has featured posts on persecuted Christians particularly in Gojra Pakistan. It is our hope and purposed intent to bring awareness to the plight, suffering, need and opportunity there exists to be a blessing, encouragement, and potentially help to support those who stand on the front line where others dare not go.

Our Exectutive Director of Ministry Erik Retallick and our Executive Director of Information Robert Dodson have put together a video which shows actual footage of Christians on those front lines. Watch the video then listen to Erik message as he shares.

We Warn You Though If Living Radical For Christ Offends You You May Want To Skip The First Part.

As we have been all week we encourage you to support this very urgent need. You can support this need by going to the following website.

The link for Hope NGO website donations is http://hope-ngo.org/appeal.php . World Prayr recommends that the donations are marked to provide food and clothing for Christians in Gojra.

LEST WE FORGET!

I am concerned with the way Christians are dealing with Christians, using the examples of the harsh-toned discipline of Christ to the money changers in the temple; the fray between Paul and Barnabas over Mark; Paul's rebuke of Peter and the church for putting more on the Gentile converts to Christ than they themselves were able to bear.....etc.

To see Christ as harsh, and demanding as a pre-requisite, as an example of how we are to treat each other, is hurtful and offensive to my vision of the Savior. Some may say that I have created my own Christ and He is not the Christ of the bible but I would answer that the Christ of the Bible is the True Christ and is the Christ that has brought me to salvation and to an understanding of His great love for all.

He is the Christ who said, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." "Rise and be healed, your sins are forgiven." "Suffer the little children to come to Me." I will never leave you nor forsake you but will be with you to the end." My sheep know My voice." "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Was Christ passionate about His Father's House being a House of Prayer? You bet! It was His passion that drove the money changers out of the temple. Was He passionate about the corrupt teachings of the religious community that was used to manipulate and control the people? You bet!

Was Paul justified in his refusal to allow Mark to accompany his group on their next mission? He may have been, but we see Barnabas pleading on Mark's behalf and then leaving Paul's group and taking Mark with him. In the end, Mark is restored and Paul and Barnabas are still brothers. Who was right? Only God knows.

We are given specific instructions for correction in the church and are also instructed to do it with love, remembering that 'but for the grace of God, are we.'
If we are being harsh and demanding on our fellow laborers, I submit that it is not God's way. What is done for Christ must be done out of a heart of love for Him. Our goals will not be accomplished any other way. If we are using a tough, harsh, demanding type of leadership, it speaks of manipulation and control.

Even when we must turn and leave the one who will not receive instruction and turn him/her over....the very thought is so that somehow, someway they might be saved.

So then, do we just allow a fellow laborer to walk in error and in slothfulness? No! We do have to address these situations as they arise, but we must move cautiously as these are the children of the most High God and He will deal with us according to how we have dealt with others. Remember, He used heathen countries to overrun Israel to discipline Israel, but those countries were punished according to their wickedness toward Israel. Be careful, how you deal with God's children.

God is Just but He also is the God of Love. Bathe everything you do.....in Godly Love.

WE CAN TRUST HIM!

There are times when we may not be sure if we are where God wants us to be. Have we obeyed His calling and direction, or are we on a path that we have set for ourselves?

It is not easy sometimes, to discern that still small voice, that unction that we sense when seeking direction for the project, the occupation, the vocation, the relationship or just the day. Many times we are influenced by our own wants, desires, ideas and then the waters get murky. I suppose that most of us have found ourselves in the middle of a decision that we have made, realizing that perhaps, it may not have been God's idea after all.

So now what? Do we abandon the current decision, project or whatever we find ourselves involved in or do we make the best of the situation, move forward.....or cut our losses and jump ship?

It's not an easy decision to make but there is an answer and it is found right where we should have started to begin with. Seeking Him and His righteousness and all the things that we need, including wisdom, knowledge, and understanding will be given to us. He instructs us to ask for those very things and they will be given us.

So if we seek Him and His righteousness, put Him first above everything and everyone, will we know, for sure, that this project, idea, etc., is His perfect will for us? Not always....but we can know this, if we have put Him first, confess we may have made a mistake, He can turn that mistake into good. He can cause it to produce a blessing that perhaps you did not anticipate when you began or He can bless your decision abundantly beyond what you could have dreamed or envisioned.

We cannot trust ourselves because our hearts are deceitful but we can trust God to watch over us and answer us when we bow before Him and allow that we cannot do this alone. The Word says for us to "ask, if we lack wisdom, and it would be given to us, without condemnation." (James 1:5) And the Word goes on to say, in James 1:6, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

Is the Word of God true? Then what say ye?

We can trust Him!