This is a letter I received after I wrote Barack Obama about the situation in Jena, Louisiana. I love it
Thank you for contacting Senator Obama about the situation in Jena, Louisiana. Barack stands with those who stand for justice in Jena, and he is speaking out strongly on this issue. As he said recently, “The thousands of Americans from every race and region who have descended on this small Louisiana town carry forth the legacy of all those who sat at lunch counters and took freedom rides to strike a blow against injustice wherever it may exist. When a noose hangs from a schoolyard tree in the 21st century and young men are treated in a way that is not equal nor just, it is not just an offense to the people of Jena or to the African-American community, it is an offense to the ideals we hold as Americans. I renew my call for the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges filed in this case, and I will continue my decades-long fight against injustice and division as President.” "There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It’s a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It’s a problem when a public defender doesn’t call any witnesses. And it’s a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, will continue to monitor this case closely." "Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it’s Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it’s long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances." Thank you again for contacting us.
Sincerely, Obama for America -------------------------------------Paid for by Obama for America
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Why There's Evil In the World (MY 200TH POST!!)
I am remembering a quote from the first Bruce Almighty movie starring Jim Carrey where "God" is speaking to Bruce and He tells him that now He is God he has all this power except he can't make someone love him. He says, "No one can make someone love them not even God." or something like that. Now I don't think God is unable to force someone to love Him, I just believe that that is not His way. Which brings me to the subject of this post, Why there's evil in the world. I would have to say that is one of the biggest reasons why atheists are atheists or young people are cynical about the Bible or God. Why would a good God allow evil in the world? They wonder. Because of choice and freewill. God loves us all so much that He refuses to be a dictator but instead gives all of us the choice to choose good or evil. When someone chooses not to love Him or listen to His words then they choose the way of Satan.
Why does bad things happen to good people? First of all no one is good, we all deserve hell but we have been given the gift of Jesus Christ's blood to wash away our sins. This gift is to show that God desires us to come back to Him. But we hear all the time about children and churches and other horrific things happening in the news and we just wonder why God why? Don't ask God ask the devil. Ask why did he use those people to do those things. Because of the freewill that God gives all of us, some will choose to follow the devil and do evil things. It was their choice to do those things. We shouldn't blame God but Satan, he is the one keeping people from choosing the right way of life. If we all chose the way God wants us to go, then this would be a wonderful world.
There will be a time where there won't be evil in the world. But that time will come after Jesus has come back. That's why it's our job as Christians to get as many people as we can to use their freewill to choose to follow God and accept the gift of Jesus Christ. After Jesus comes back, we will all live in Heaven until the earth is swept away of all the evil and then we will live on earth in complete paradise.
3 John 1:11 "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."
Revelation 21:3-7 "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."
Why does bad things happen to good people? First of all no one is good, we all deserve hell but we have been given the gift of Jesus Christ's blood to wash away our sins. This gift is to show that God desires us to come back to Him. But we hear all the time about children and churches and other horrific things happening in the news and we just wonder why God why? Don't ask God ask the devil. Ask why did he use those people to do those things. Because of the freewill that God gives all of us, some will choose to follow the devil and do evil things. It was their choice to do those things. We shouldn't blame God but Satan, he is the one keeping people from choosing the right way of life. If we all chose the way God wants us to go, then this would be a wonderful world.
There will be a time where there won't be evil in the world. But that time will come after Jesus has come back. That's why it's our job as Christians to get as many people as we can to use their freewill to choose to follow God and accept the gift of Jesus Christ. After Jesus comes back, we will all live in Heaven until the earth is swept away of all the evil and then we will live on earth in complete paradise.
3 John 1:11 "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."
Revelation 21:3-7 "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Saul, Paul, Osama Bin Laden
If you had the opportunity would you take Osama Bin Laden in and lead him to Christ? Could God use him? What if he showed up blind at your house saying that he was changed what would you do? That's exactly what I was thinking when I was reading about Ananias and the request God gave him to take in Saul and lay his hands on him so that he is healed. As many Christians know, Saul was a murderer of Christians. It says in Acts 8:3 and 9:1 that he imprisoned and killed men and women just because they were the disciples of the Lord. So ofcourse, Ananias had some doubt when God asked him to take in such a man and in Acts 9:13-14 he said,"Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
Can you imagine the thoughts of the others as well? What about those who had their family killed or in prison because of Saul, can you imagine how they must've felt after God said in Acts 9:15 "Go for he is a chose instrument of mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel."
Can you imagine what would happen if Osama Bin Laden suddenly became baptized the way Saul did and changed his name and began preaching that Jesus is Lord. The people who saw Paul preaching had their doubts and said "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on His name and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Sort of like, who does he think he is? Why should I listen to him? But we now not only listen to him but we study Paul's words in the Bible and He is known to have written some of the most profound scriptures in the Bible.
Now I am not saying that Osama Bin Laden shouldn't be punished for his crimes of 9/11 or to belittle the sufferings of his victims and their families. But I just wanted to show the capacity of God's forgiveness and power to use anyone for His kingdom no matter what they've done.
When you say your prayers for the victims and their families of 9/11 today pray for the terrorists as well, ask God to open their eyes to peace and to Christ and to show them their way of doing things is not the way.
"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:7-10
Can you imagine the thoughts of the others as well? What about those who had their family killed or in prison because of Saul, can you imagine how they must've felt after God said in Acts 9:15 "Go for he is a chose instrument of mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel."
Can you imagine what would happen if Osama Bin Laden suddenly became baptized the way Saul did and changed his name and began preaching that Jesus is Lord. The people who saw Paul preaching had their doubts and said "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on His name and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Sort of like, who does he think he is? Why should I listen to him? But we now not only listen to him but we study Paul's words in the Bible and He is known to have written some of the most profound scriptures in the Bible.
Now I am not saying that Osama Bin Laden shouldn't be punished for his crimes of 9/11 or to belittle the sufferings of his victims and their families. But I just wanted to show the capacity of God's forgiveness and power to use anyone for His kingdom no matter what they've done.
When you say your prayers for the victims and their families of 9/11 today pray for the terrorists as well, ask God to open their eyes to peace and to Christ and to show them their way of doing things is not the way.
"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:7-10
Click on the picture and read the words
Monday, September 03, 2007
Differences in sin?
I know I have mentioned this before about how in God's eyes sin is sin. All sin leads to death (Romans 6:23) and it's all been paid for by Jesus Christ. However, this blog is to show how some sin are worst then others because of consequences.
Yes in the previous blog I talked about how as humans we all will fall and make mistakes but we have to realize that consequences from these mistakes can and will vary and bring us further back from the plans God has for us. For an example a man who has an affair. Yes he had weakness and yes he can be forgiven through Jesus Christ but he also can suffer losing his wife, family and he can also suffer other consequences such as diseases. God can and will forgive him but he still will have to deal with repercussions in his life to get back on track.
If you are a person who are currently paying for consequences in your sin, go back to God and prayer and sometimes you may have to suffer to get through it. But the best thing is we serve a merciful, graceful God who still loves us and still will put us back on track if we are willing.
Yes in the previous blog I talked about how as humans we all will fall and make mistakes but we have to realize that consequences from these mistakes can and will vary and bring us further back from the plans God has for us. For an example a man who has an affair. Yes he had weakness and yes he can be forgiven through Jesus Christ but he also can suffer losing his wife, family and he can also suffer other consequences such as diseases. God can and will forgive him but he still will have to deal with repercussions in his life to get back on track.
If you are a person who are currently paying for consequences in your sin, go back to God and prayer and sometimes you may have to suffer to get through it. But the best thing is we serve a merciful, graceful God who still loves us and still will put us back on track if we are willing.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
MY SUNDAY NOTES
Here is some absolutely awesome things my pastor spoke on today!!!!
1. As Christians we live a cleansed life which is not always a clean life but we stay cleansed through the blood of Jesus
2. A True Holy Life is a cleansed life. You have to believe with your heart that you are forgiven through Christ and you are walking in love
3. Your repentance is NOT a response of God's Forgiveness it is a Result! God forgave you first! and because you know you are loved by God you repent. Guilt and Finger pointing is NOT the way to get someone to come to Christ/church that is manipulation! but telling them they are loved and that love will change them!
4. TRUE HOLINESS is from THE INSIDE-OUT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
5. Homosexuals should be open to come to church even if they stay homosexuals. Homosexuality is a sin just like everything else the church doesn't condone it BUT Homosexuals should be accepted and welcomed in church just like couples who live together and not married, or people who lie, or people who don't tithe! The more people consume themselves of God and hear/read His Word and know they are loved they eventually will change.
STOP TELLING SINNERS IF THEY CHANGE EVERYTHING IN THEIR LIFE THEN THEY CAN COME TO GOD! GOD WELCOMED THEM THE MINUTE HE PUT JESUS ON THE CROSS TO DIE FOR ALL OUT SINS!!!!Scriptures used: Acts 26:14-16Matthew 5:8Hebrews 12:14-17
1. As Christians we live a cleansed life which is not always a clean life but we stay cleansed through the blood of Jesus
2. A True Holy Life is a cleansed life. You have to believe with your heart that you are forgiven through Christ and you are walking in love
3. Your repentance is NOT a response of God's Forgiveness it is a Result! God forgave you first! and because you know you are loved by God you repent. Guilt and Finger pointing is NOT the way to get someone to come to Christ/church that is manipulation! but telling them they are loved and that love will change them!
4. TRUE HOLINESS is from THE INSIDE-OUT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
5. Homosexuals should be open to come to church even if they stay homosexuals. Homosexuality is a sin just like everything else the church doesn't condone it BUT Homosexuals should be accepted and welcomed in church just like couples who live together and not married, or people who lie, or people who don't tithe! The more people consume themselves of God and hear/read His Word and know they are loved they eventually will change.
STOP TELLING SINNERS IF THEY CHANGE EVERYTHING IN THEIR LIFE THEN THEY CAN COME TO GOD! GOD WELCOMED THEM THE MINUTE HE PUT JESUS ON THE CROSS TO DIE FOR ALL OUT SINS!!!!Scriptures used: Acts 26:14-16Matthew 5:8Hebrews 12:14-17
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
New computer!!
I also wanted to mention that I am typing from a new computer! This is a blessing and I can't be held down! I am believing that nothing will happen to this one and that my ministry will continue on stronger, higher and more blessed! Amen!
Giving Christians Staying Power
There are many Christians who think that constantly teaching about God's love and forgiveness will give others a free pass to sin. My blog is mostly about how people are going to make mistakes and that God is a gracious and loving God with mercies new every morning. (Lamentations 3: 22-25 1John 1:8-10) So do I feel like I'm giving people a free pass? No! This approach is the best approach because once you know you are loved and forgiven, the desire within you naturally changes to want to do good. It naturally becomes harder for you to just sin because you know you are loved! When people get beat down with condemnation and every mistake they have made or is making being thrown in their face this makes them go further away from God. They think, well I can't do it right even when I try so why try at all? This is not the message we should send. God loves and understands the temptations we go through in life! I know that is what keep me closer to Him because when I make a mistake I think, I shouldn't have done that but I know God loves me, I will repent and try not to do it again. Then I find that I am stronger on the inside only from His grace to get past that temptation the next time. When you accept you are nothing without Him and can't make it without Him you are more willing to hold on to HIm and use His strength to get you by because that's the only strength that works.
Hebrews 4:15-16 "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses...let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and and may find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses...let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and and may find grace to help in time of need.
Friday, August 17, 2007
I have a new job
Check out my personal family blog http://thesecondlove.blogspot.com/ to find out more! God bless!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Accepting Christ/Easy Evangelism/My Promise
I have a burst of things I want to blog today, so I decided to do it in this one blog because I am unable to get online as often to do them in separate blogs. So here goes....
Accepting Christ
I recently was inspired through a DVD to start evangelizing more often. But I was feeling condemned and down on myself because I was chickening out everytime it came to approaching people. (I don't have a problem expressing my faith if someone brings it up but me starting the convo is always hard.) So I felt like a failure until this pastor (more in the next heading below) let me know that I do have a ministry through this blog and my websites and God will never give you a task that will burden you but will use you in the ways you are best at. So I wanted to post this just for people who do not know Christ in their life. (If you already know Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior you can skip down.)
It says in Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our Lord. God gave you a gift because he knew that you will sin everyday and all sin will lead you to hell, not just what you think are big ones. Even white lies, even lusting. So you can never be good enough to get in heaven, you need God's gift of Jesus' blood. To receive this gift is simple, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and took on your sins. And don't worry about everything you are going to have to change once you give your life to Christ. You will soon be overwhelmed with His love inside of you and as you read your Bible, go to church and walk in His love things will naturally change in your life. Do you know that most of the things I stopped doing I didn't even realized I stopped doing them? Until someone came and pointed it out to me and that would make me proud that I was growing and maturing as a person who is living for the Lord not left out. It says in Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (You will know that you are going to heaven when you die) So say this prayer right now. Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know I can not earn my way to heaven but I believe right now that Jesus died for my sins and carried all my mistakes with Him to the cross. I want Jesus to be Lord of my life and to save me from the condemnation of hell. Help me to live a right life and to live for the coming paradise that you now have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen
Congratulations! You are a Christian. Feel free to go through the back logs of my blog to learn more on how to live for Christ and walk in love.
Easy Evangelism
So I was saying that this pastor that was guest preaching at my visiting church New Life Christian Center in Woodstock,IL. Was pointing out how we are all too much involved in what's going on in this world when our lives are just a speck compared to eternity. We have to go out and evangelize so that we know we have affected eternity because the people we save will go on to live beyond death. This made me think as well as made me feel bad that I still haven't came up to a stranger and saved them. But then he expressed how it's not as hard as you think that just dropping off tracts can save someone. I was shocked by this and spoke to him afterwards. I told him how I was feeling and he told me that I shouldn't feel that way if I have a blog talking about Christ and websites. He also told me to pick up his handout about easy evangelism. I love it and I feel so free now. I will transcribe it here for you now.
Easy Evangelism:
1. Hand out tracts to people-just say did you get one of these yet, as you hand it to them and they'll take it right away.
2. Leave a large stack in restaurants for people to take one
3. place tracts in bathrooms and public places as a leave behind
4. place tracts in shopping carts that are in a coral outside of a store
5. using postage paid envelopes to mail solicitors a tract
6 mail a tract with your check when sending a bill
7. Donate 200.00 to fellowship tract league and they print 125, 000 tracts for others to give away free. www.fellowshiptractleague.org 513-494-1075
8. 5.00 gets 1 Bible to China. on average 2000 people will read that Bible. contact the Bible league www.bibleleague.org 866-825-4636
9.Don't have tracts? God some at www.livingwaters.com under the heading ice breakers 800-437-1893
My Promise
I fell into some sin recently. Well, we as Christians all still sin everyday, we don't become perfect but we strive to do our best and allow Christ to use us, but I realized this particular sin was hindering me and I allowed it to go on and just as David was awaken by the prophet about his condition with Bathsheba, I had to fall on my face for forgiveness. And the best thing happened when I opened my Bible. I opened my Bible and noticed these versus:
Isaiah 54:6-10
"For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the LORD your Redeemer.
"To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
And then after I rejoiced from that I noticed these versus and felt in my spirit this was my promise from God.
Isaiah 55:2-13
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
Accepting Christ
I recently was inspired through a DVD to start evangelizing more often. But I was feeling condemned and down on myself because I was chickening out everytime it came to approaching people. (I don't have a problem expressing my faith if someone brings it up but me starting the convo is always hard.) So I felt like a failure until this pastor (more in the next heading below) let me know that I do have a ministry through this blog and my websites and God will never give you a task that will burden you but will use you in the ways you are best at. So I wanted to post this just for people who do not know Christ in their life. (If you already know Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior you can skip down.)
It says in Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our Lord. God gave you a gift because he knew that you will sin everyday and all sin will lead you to hell, not just what you think are big ones. Even white lies, even lusting. So you can never be good enough to get in heaven, you need God's gift of Jesus' blood. To receive this gift is simple, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and took on your sins. And don't worry about everything you are going to have to change once you give your life to Christ. You will soon be overwhelmed with His love inside of you and as you read your Bible, go to church and walk in His love things will naturally change in your life. Do you know that most of the things I stopped doing I didn't even realized I stopped doing them? Until someone came and pointed it out to me and that would make me proud that I was growing and maturing as a person who is living for the Lord not left out. It says in Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (You will know that you are going to heaven when you die) So say this prayer right now. Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know I can not earn my way to heaven but I believe right now that Jesus died for my sins and carried all my mistakes with Him to the cross. I want Jesus to be Lord of my life and to save me from the condemnation of hell. Help me to live a right life and to live for the coming paradise that you now have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen
Congratulations! You are a Christian. Feel free to go through the back logs of my blog to learn more on how to live for Christ and walk in love.
Easy Evangelism
So I was saying that this pastor that was guest preaching at my visiting church New Life Christian Center in Woodstock,IL. Was pointing out how we are all too much involved in what's going on in this world when our lives are just a speck compared to eternity. We have to go out and evangelize so that we know we have affected eternity because the people we save will go on to live beyond death. This made me think as well as made me feel bad that I still haven't came up to a stranger and saved them. But then he expressed how it's not as hard as you think that just dropping off tracts can save someone. I was shocked by this and spoke to him afterwards. I told him how I was feeling and he told me that I shouldn't feel that way if I have a blog talking about Christ and websites. He also told me to pick up his handout about easy evangelism. I love it and I feel so free now. I will transcribe it here for you now.
Easy Evangelism:
1. Hand out tracts to people-just say did you get one of these yet, as you hand it to them and they'll take it right away.
2. Leave a large stack in restaurants for people to take one
3. place tracts in bathrooms and public places as a leave behind
4. place tracts in shopping carts that are in a coral outside of a store
5. using postage paid envelopes to mail solicitors a tract
6 mail a tract with your check when sending a bill
7. Donate 200.00 to fellowship tract league and they print 125, 000 tracts for others to give away free. www.fellowshiptractleague.org 513-494-1075
8. 5.00 gets 1 Bible to China. on average 2000 people will read that Bible. contact the Bible league www.bibleleague.org 866-825-4636
9.Don't have tracts? God some at www.livingwaters.com under the heading ice breakers 800-437-1893
My Promise
I fell into some sin recently. Well, we as Christians all still sin everyday, we don't become perfect but we strive to do our best and allow Christ to use us, but I realized this particular sin was hindering me and I allowed it to go on and just as David was awaken by the prophet about his condition with Bathsheba, I had to fall on my face for forgiveness. And the best thing happened when I opened my Bible. I opened my Bible and noticed these versus:
Isaiah 54:6-10
"For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the LORD your Redeemer.
"To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
And then after I rejoiced from that I noticed these versus and felt in my spirit this was my promise from God.
Isaiah 55:2-13
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Happiness vs. Joy
What makes a person happy? You can be happy when you get a promotion at your job, or when you get an unexpected gift from your spouse. A beautiful sunny day or your favorite item that you buy regularly at the store going on sale for half off, that can make you happy. I am particularly happy when my husband decides to spend all weekend at home with me and not with his friends. I am very happy when I get a compliment on my writing. This is all happiness.
Joy is not made, it is there. You have joy when it is deep in your spirit and doesn't want to leave. Joy comes when you know that God is there for you even when you lose your job or your spouse forgets your birthday. Joy is there on rainy days and when you don't have enough money to spend at the store and prices are through the roof. Joy knows that you will be happy again.
Joy is not made, it is there. You have joy when it is deep in your spirit and doesn't want to leave. Joy comes when you know that God is there for you even when you lose your job or your spouse forgets your birthday. Joy is there on rainy days and when you don't have enough money to spend at the store and prices are through the roof. Joy knows that you will be happy again.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Addicted
On Your Christian Space (a myspace for christians) someone offered to send free copies of this dvd of the Because of the Times Conference featuring Matt Maddix. They were ranting and raving about it so I sent them my address to get it. Yesterday I received in the mail and watched it and was awed! Matt Maddix is a very young and inspiring preacher. He was talking about how we need to get addicted to winning souls! He delivered in his message in a very unique and awe inspiring way! (He jumped on his podium (causing all the elders to run and hold it down) and did summersaults in the aisles for starters. He talked about how we need to get out there and preach the Word of God to people. This forever changed my attitude. I would think well maybe my writing is changing someone, or I saved someone through my myspace...Now I have been condemned for that thinking! I have to go out and save someone! Matt Maddix talked about giving something up until you have won a soul to the Lord, so I decided to give up watching tv until I have preached to someone the good news of Jesus Christ! I am eager to share this! The first person to read this blog and e-mail me telika8@elitemail.org with your information, I will mail this dvd to you. I wish I can do more but I don't have the technology to make copies of the dvd. I promise this will change your views on evangelism! So hurry and e-mail me!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Warfare? Punishment? Pruning?
I just lost all my files today. I had to start over from scratch! Everything is gone! Nothing happened to my laptop physically and I don't know what physically caused this. I also don't know if this is satan and warfare against me or God giving me a message about how I'm approaching things. I have also been reading Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson (the same author who wrote The Jabez Prayer) and he talks about how God "prunes" you by taking things away so that you can produce more fruit, just as a farmer would prune or cut away real vines to produce lots of grapes. I know I had spending lots of time on my computer and the files on here were very important to me. I know that I have spent time in prayer and in the prescence of God daily though and I decided that whatever I am lacking I am going to fix. This has also motivated me to spend as much time with Him as I can and I am going to do what I can to be more loving and caring in my marriage and to everyone! I am praying and praying on how to approach this and believing that God will work this out for my good. I am asking everyone to please pray for me that I have strength and I don't give up and I keep pressing on to do the things God desires. Last year I lost my laptop when I was in the middle of trying to get myChristian teen magazine out, It was completely destroyed in a fight with my husband and things never were the same again and I couldn't completely network because of that and eventually lost my magazine because of lack of funds etc. and now I am doing good with writing articles and my book is finished (I am hoping my agent will send me a copy back because I only had a copy on my hard drive!) now this happens. so please pray for me!!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
My Weakness
I find myself unbelievably stuck in envy these days. I have expected myself to be much more successful then I am now. I was just reading my fellow co-writer's website on this paid website I write for and just shaking my head in pure envy as I watch at how much more page views she has and how much more money she's made. She had a 9 page article on all the thousands of dollars she's made writing online. Amazing! So let me take a moment to repent and wonder why I am feeling this way. And I go to God to prayer about it and I'm wondering what's taking so long for my book to find a publisher, and why can't I get at least one loyal reader on my blog or anywhere else and I listen to God tell me that I don't stay on track. I don't do everything He needs me to do and so I fall behind and that makes things take even longer for me. So I pray and I try to stay encouraged but I fall and I know everyone falls now and then but I just keep pressing forward. But I thank God that He does this, I thank Him that he tests me and expects the best from me because I know that one day I will be strong in Him, strong enough to reach the world for Him. So I just have to get through this...
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
backslidden or mistake?
I know on this blog I talk alot about how God forgives mistakes as Christians and how He always will be working on us so we will still need improvement everyday. But's what is the difference between a Christian making mistakes or being a Christian who has completely backslidden?
I believe back sliding is when you make a conscience effort to do the opposite of God's will and when you realize it you don't ask for forgiveness. You are someone who has given up on trying to live for God and has completely turned away. Some people who has backslidden may go to church but they don't feel guilty or ask God to help them stop doing a particular sin.
For an example, a Christian who smokes. Ofcourse, there are many out there. But there are those who are praying and trying to quit and if they slip up they are asking God to help them and God is working in them. These people should not feel condemned but to continue walking in the spirit so they won't fufill the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)
But the backslider will go to church but continue to smoke or drink and not feel bad about it or feel convicted.
When you know someone who is a backslider the most you can do and should do is pray. You may mention it to them but do not argue or get angry with them because this would only make things worse. Love will turn these people around to come back to God and live the way He desires. You are to live as a testimony to them and love and be kind and patiently pray. Humble yourself always don't think that you are better then them because without God where would you be?
If you are someone who has realized that you are backsliding and you feel it's too hard to give up certain things. Immediately pray and talk to God. Ask Him for forgiveness. Tell Him how you are feeling and think about all that Jesus sacrificed for you and all He has given you. You don't have to make the leap over night take it day by day in prayer, reading the Bible and meditation in His Word. Make sure you do this immediately because the longer you stay out of His will the more you are open for the attacks of the devil. (1Peter 5:8)
Galatians 5:16-26 (new living translation)
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
I believe back sliding is when you make a conscience effort to do the opposite of God's will and when you realize it you don't ask for forgiveness. You are someone who has given up on trying to live for God and has completely turned away. Some people who has backslidden may go to church but they don't feel guilty or ask God to help them stop doing a particular sin.
For an example, a Christian who smokes. Ofcourse, there are many out there. But there are those who are praying and trying to quit and if they slip up they are asking God to help them and God is working in them. These people should not feel condemned but to continue walking in the spirit so they won't fufill the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)
But the backslider will go to church but continue to smoke or drink and not feel bad about it or feel convicted.
When you know someone who is a backslider the most you can do and should do is pray. You may mention it to them but do not argue or get angry with them because this would only make things worse. Love will turn these people around to come back to God and live the way He desires. You are to live as a testimony to them and love and be kind and patiently pray. Humble yourself always don't think that you are better then them because without God where would you be?
If you are someone who has realized that you are backsliding and you feel it's too hard to give up certain things. Immediately pray and talk to God. Ask Him for forgiveness. Tell Him how you are feeling and think about all that Jesus sacrificed for you and all He has given you. You don't have to make the leap over night take it day by day in prayer, reading the Bible and meditation in His Word. Make sure you do this immediately because the longer you stay out of His will the more you are open for the attacks of the devil. (1Peter 5:8)
Galatians 5:16-26 (new living translation)
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
New Book Club Book!
I know it's been awhile since I posted for my blog book club but I'm keeping up the faith that someone would join in. So I recieved The Penny by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford for my birthday and I am already halfway through it because it is so good! So this is my new blog book club book! Post at this blog and tell me your comments, your questions, observations etc. (there are also questions in the back of the book you can answer!) I will get your comment right away in my e-mail so that I can approve it and then I will respond to you! If we can get a few people in maybe we can have a steady discussion! If you aren't familiar with The Penny, it is Joyce Meyer's first attempt at ficton and it's very new. (It debut this month) So Join in!
Friday, June 22, 2007
My 27th Bday
27 years doesn't seem like alot of years I'm still young right? yes and no. I feel like I've been through so much and looking back I am amazed I've made it this far. Between being young and seeing drugs,violence at an early age, moving all the time and not being able to make any solid friends, being a teen mom and then marrying quickly and too early. moving out of state away from my family and dealing with many many stuggles there (too much to write about now) having four kids and just the stress that comes with that....I've been through alot and I know I still have a long way to go. But I thank God for always being there,for always listening for always helping me even when I didn't obey and made life harder on myself. He still forgave, still saved and still comforted me! I love Him so much and I don't care who laughs or thinks I'm stupid or just don't understand because my walk with Him is my walk with Him and our relationship is all that matters.
God bless everyone may you have a blessed relationship with Him the way I have....
"The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
ChorusAnd I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
LYRICS FROM ALABASTER BOX BY CECE WINANS
TAKEN FROM THE VERSUS IN THE BIBLE LUKE 7: 30-50
And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
38and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
44Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
47"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
God bless everyone may you have a blessed relationship with Him the way I have....
"The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
ChorusAnd I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
LYRICS FROM ALABASTER BOX BY CECE WINANS
TAKEN FROM THE VERSUS IN THE BIBLE LUKE 7: 30-50
And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
38and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
44Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
47"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
Friday, June 15, 2007
Pray for your seed in good soil
I was reading over one of Jesus most well-known parables in Matthew 3. This is also a unique parable because this is one of the rare times Jesus explained it Himself. I think that I represented each one of these seeds during my walk in Christ. The one that fell beside the road and the birds ate them up, which means I would hear the Word of God and not understand it and not try to gain understanding of what I heard so the devil came and snatched it up and kept it from growing in my life. I also was once the seed that fell in the rocky places with little soil and grew but was scorched because I had no root, this is when I would hear preaching or read a scripture that would get me excited but didn't hold on to it and as soon as I had problems I lost it. My seed also fell among thorns and I would hear the Word but felt like if I followed it I wouldn't fit in to what others were doing around me and the Word became choked and unfruitful. But I now pray and continue to focus on my seed falling on good soil. That I hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit from it. That God's Words, I continue to study and take to heart everyday, holds strong and multiplies abundantly into many blessings. This would be a good thing to pray after you read the Bible, or attend church service, just say "God may what I learned fall on good soil. Amen."
Monday, June 11, 2007
Down with Religion!
Below is an excellent quote by a great teacher Joyce Meyer if you haven't heard of her she preaches on tv, radio and is a multiple bestselling author. This quote is from one of her bestselling books and it demonstrates how it shouldn't be about religion but a relationship.
1John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."
James 1:26-27 "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart this man's religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
"The devil doesn't want us to hear the truth. He has offered religion, the
following of rules and regulations to try to get us to make a never-ending
attempt to be good enough to deserve God's blessings." (But none of us can be
good enough to deserve His blessings and love that's why He offers it to us as a
gift through Jesus Christ.) She continues to say, "The Bible doesn't teach us
about religion, it teaches us about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus
Christ. When He comes to live on the inside of us, we receive His nature in our
spirits. We get an opportunity for a frest start, a new beginning!"
Matthew 15:9 "They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men."
1John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."
James 1:26-27 "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart this man's religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Joyce Meyer at My Church Today
http://www.changinglives.orgI was awesomely blessed today to see Joyce Meyer speak live for the first time when she became the guest speaker at my church. I experienced many small blessing that turned into one large blessing of a day today.
It all started this morning I got up early and dressed and waited for my mother to drive me because we planned to attend together. (my mother don't go to church as often.) My car is broken down so us going together is a blessing all around. But then my mother called to cancel because my younger sister who's expecting soon didn't think she would make it back in time for her babyshower at 2p.m. My sister threw a fit and didn't care that I may not have a ride there even though she knew clearly how excited I was and I how much I looked forward to going. So my mother gave in to her and I was so upset, I cried. But then my husband gave me money to take the train and the cab so that I could attend. (money I didn't know he had by the way) I still was griping on the inside thinking about how wrong my sister was to do me like this at the last minute when she knew this was our plans. (church ends at 12 her shower was at 2 there was plenty of time.) I even decided to not attend her shower when I got back but to just send her gift.
So ofcourse God being a wonderfully loving God who listens and teaches, dealt with me about this, and Joyce Meyer's teaching was "Get over yourself." I learned that we should go about God's business of loving others and putting others before ourselves that God will do for you. She also talked about how we shouldn't depend on people but with God's help. She gave the most awesome illustration of something that happened in her life when she was upset with her husband, Dave Meyer who went golfing and she was feeling down. so instead of griping and yelling at him she talked to God. She told him plainly how she was feeling and she knew that she shouldn't be so bothered but she needed help. So the next day she found her bed full of gifts from Dave and she said that that meant more knowing that it came from God then from Dave doing it out of guilt after she yelled and screamed at him.
The message hit my heart and I understood. So I became the bigger person and dealt with my feelings of my sister to God and I am depending on Him because God will never cancel on me at the last minute and God is never selfish and God promises to never leave nor forsake me. I attended her shower and had a good time and I am believing that God will teach her and grow her up spiritually. (Hebrews 13:5)
"There's no where in the Bible that I can find that the Bible tells us to put our expectations in people, It says we are to expect God."-Joyce Meyer direct quote from today's teaching
Sunday, May 20, 2007
TWO YEAR BLOGIVERSARY TODAY!!!!!!!(say yes)
I know it's late but I had a busy day today and I wanted to make sure I blogged today to celebrate two years of writing in this blog! I decided to celebrate by posting this song by the Shekinah Glory Ministry singing the song Say Yes. I love the song and If I wouldn't have said yes I wouldn't have this blog because when I first decided to start a blog it wasn't intended to be all Christian and some of the things that came to me to write surprised myself and made me nervous about other's reactions. But nevertheless I said Yes to His will and I have had many e-mail of people telling me how they see things differently as Christians, that it's not about being judgemental and overly righteous and they see God the way He wants them to see Him as the all loving, all merciful, all forgiving God. Below are links to my one year and my first blog thanks for reading and celebrating with me!
http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2006/05/one-year-blogiversary.html#links
http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2005/05/conservative-not-always synonymous.html#links
if you are having a hard time with the music you can listen to it on my myspace www.myspace.com/beyonditallmag
http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2006/05/one-year-blogiversary.html#links
http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2005/05/conservative-not-always synonymous.html#links
if you are having a hard time with the music you can listen to it on my myspace www.myspace.com/beyonditallmag
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